April-May Issue 2016

ONE FREE COPY

APRIL/MAY 2016

OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOL. III ISSUE III

International News

BY DEVIN ALMOND

BY KYLE SELBY On Saturday, April 16, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador’s Paciic coast, and left mass-destruction and hundreds dead in its wake, the strongest quake to hit Central America in 30 years.

Pedernales, Portoviejo, Manta, Jama, and Canoa are just some of the few areas hit hardest from the quake. Over 200 aftershocks, some of which reached 6.1-magnitudes, followed in the 36 hours after the irst quake, and are expected to continue for the next several weeks.

Lidia Cedeño Loor was just geting to her home in Pedernales when the quake irst hit, a city that 80 percent of which is now in ruins,

witnessing the destruction irst-hand.

“My daughter’s bedroom wall collapsed,” she recounts. Loor’s loss was unmatched compared to the city’s larger casualties, as many other locals weren’t so lucky; many homes in Pedernales were completely destroyed, and hundreds lost their lives in the rubble.

“Some of my son’s friends didn’t make it, as well as some friends of my own.”

Shopping markets, water pipes, and electrical/telephone wires of many of the afected coastal cities were left damaged beyond repair, leaving hundreds of people standing in line each day for essential aid distribution brought in by the Ecuadorian government. Even with assistance provided overseas, the rations would run out and some families would stand in line all day Continued on page 15 >>

Meg Elison, MSJC Alumni and winner of the Philip K. Dick for distinguished Science Fiction book award, came to speak at MSJC on April 7, as featured by the Visiting Writer Series hosted

by Professor Rickianne Rycraft.

Through an interview with Rycraft, Elison proved to be as wity, dark, and talented as her award would suggest! She described her work as a “reevaluation of gender and sexuality,” wherein The Book of the Unnamed Midwife takes place post an apocalypse caused by a virus that afects women diferent from men. She felt that there was a lack of literature that featured women in the post-apocalyptic scene, and since she knew there was a place for them and their struggle, she Continued on page 4 >>

UNBELIZEABLE 6 & 7 | ROAD TO THE NOMINATION 16 & 17 | CIVIL WAR & CHILL 18 & 19

d e t n a w n u

2 | CAMPUS NEWS

The Talon meets Thursday’s from 11:30AM-1:00PM in room 453(MVC). Join us!

Sexual Advances

Cited @ MSJC Campuses

by Patrick Arellano

One student’s candid account and some anonymous reports have surfaced that indicate sexual harassment periodically occurs at MSJC San Jacinto and Menifee campuses. As is the case in society at large, it should not come as a surprise that college campuses are also vulnerable to such unwanted encounters.

Marianne Bradford, a student at the San Jacinto campus, recalled an incident earlier this semester in which she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances.

“I was talking to my husband on the phone while I was walking towards my car,” she said.

“There's a brick wall that surrounds the back end of the parking lot, and as I was approaching the end of it, this guy came out from around the corner.”

The man initially asked Bradford something that was diicult for her to hear. At irst, she thought the stranger was simply asking for money. However, she said the reality was much worse than anticipated.

She told her husband to stay on the line and then she asked the man to repeat himself. The man spoke up and asked her to perform a sex act.

Bradford said she was disgusted by the man’s request and she rebufed him.

“Even if I wasn't married, I still would've never said ‘yes,’ ” she said. Yet the man became “really desperate and upset” when she rejected him. She said he proceeded to complain about his dismal love life and his long span between girlfriends. She said he continued to harass her even though she walked away and stated that she is married.

“He seemed bothered by that and said, ‘You're married? Well, where's your ring?’ I told him I was wearing it,” she continued. “When I walked away,

he kept watching me while I walked to my car.”

Other interviews have neted similar accounts.

But due to the sensitivity surrounding sexual issues, participants in the other interviews asked not to be identiied.

Under the Campus Safety page of the MSJC website, students can ind crime statistics for college facilities. In addition, Daily Crime Logs are accessible to the public at the Menifee Campus Safety oice.

Among the iles atached to Campus Safety page is the annual MSJC Clery Act Disclosures Report, which documents certain reported crimes at the Menifee, Temecula, and San Jacinto campuses.

The college police department prepares this annual report as a means to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The report compiles crime statistics from local police agencies that pertain to public properties on or of campus that are owned or controlled by the college.

According to last year’s report, there was one recorded incident of statutory rape at the Menifee campus in 2012. The report deines statutory rape as a form of non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.

There have been no reported incidents of that kind or more severe at any campus since that case.

While the low number of reported sexual assaults may be reassuring to many students, the report does not track instances of harassment. As a result, incidents along the lines of those cited above largely go unreported and remain isolated and anecdotal.

t n e m s Haras

FRONT PAGE CONT. | 3

Definition, Identification, & Intervention

Defining, identifying, and intervening harassment is a process that helps people become socially aware. By caring how our social conscience reflect our levels of awareness, people may also look at why it matters to define, identify, and intervene acts of harrassment.

by: Andrew Benenati

Secondly, we as a community should help work toward a better future without harassment, by recognizing a few things such as:

Empathy.

The feeling that people understand and share another person's experiences and Those who create an unpleasant or hostile situation by uninvited and especially unwelcome verbal emotions. or physical conduct are guilty of harassment. How to identify and effectively intervene in the cases of which “It is not consciousmay go unnoticed will be discovered in this reading. ness of men that determine their being but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their Identifying an event requires a couple consciousness.” – Karl Marx [published] 1859. conditions to be met. Firstly, by using an adequate method in identifying the instance.

Awareness of harmful treatment tend to be a driving force of social justice, To help identify a situation that either is or may an aptitude society learns that builds the health of a lead to harassment, we can reference the fictional community. character used in English law; the man on the Clapham By becoming aware of social injustice, we may omnibus, who represents a person of reasonable morals. recognize the evolution of a culture depends on the interactions of those from within a This character understands the laws and community. constructs that society built for him. “Would a person of Now that I have defined harassment and reasonable education and intelligence cause uninvited identified how it may affect society, we may be able to and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct toward effectively interrupt acts of harassment that often go others?” The answer simply is, “No.” By intervening unseen, unreported, and even ignored. unacceptable behavior in our living environments, As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for society continues to develop a set of socially acceptable the triumph of evil is for good men to do methods, rules, and/or ideas for society. nothing.”

Philosophy.

Community.

At the first sign of uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct on campus, students may do a few things, including choosing to confront the aggressor in person. Though it is paramount that this method be used in a respectable manner that will not escalate the issue, but seek to resolve it immediately.

“

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to -Edmund Burke do nothing.

“

What else students can do: Notify campus security, whose number is 951-639- 5188, explaining what is happening and who is involved and submit a report to MSJC's CARES Team, a link can be found at

http://www.msjc.edu/CARES. For more information on harassment and student conduct, visit:

http://www.msjc.edu/StudentServices/StudentConduct (Student Standards of _Conduct)

4 | FRONT PAGE CONT.

Interested in writing for The Talon? E-mail the editor at msjctalon@gmail.com

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

would write one. Elison said she was reaching for how to be, “true to the savagery that is germane of humans when pushed to extremes.”

Elison had many pieces of useful advice for budding writers, saying that, “Books are like pancakes- you start with the bad ones, that stick, and that burn, but after making the bad ones you learn how to make the good ones and you get in to a rhythm and inally have the perfect pancake!”

Elison had a writing experience unlike any other- she wrote cover to cover in just six months, and had a polished copy in only 2 drafts! She said that when she irst sat down to write, she wrote 13,000 words that very irst day! She found the publishing company Sybaritic Press (copyright 2014) and they gave her, “as much creativity as you could swallow.”

Elison revealed about her book that she based the prose style of of a nurse’s short hand and based the main character of of the best qualities of all the brilliant women that she knows- heroes she has in her own life, and the realistic struggle of modern women.

“The only diference between the world I wrote and the real world is bad luck, the way you judge people, the way you think, the way you help others, how and if you vote. Everything is just one step away from apocalypse,” said Elison.

Simply atending this event and hearing Elison speak made me sit down and read her book cover to cover, hungry for more. There’s talk of release of her sequel in spring of next year, a third book, and maybe even a ilm deal after that!

Read Meg Elison’s Alumi piece on her time at MSJC in our 2015, September issue at issuu/msjctalon.com.

Interested in writing for The Talon? E-mail our Editor at msjctalon@gmail.com

SPORTS | 5

Mt. San Jacinto College students spend a week in Belize By: Serena Steele Nestled just south of Mexico and east of tropical environment…,” he continued. “We talk about the Carribean Sea lies Belize—a country rich with tropical forests and coral reefs in classrooms, but nothing Mesoamerican history and luscious jungles spanning acres compares to snorkeling a reef and seeing a green sea turtle upon acres of land. The Central American country has swim by a coral formation with its teeming schools of the lowest population density, with 35 people per square brightly colored ish.” mile. The country’s population count got a litle bigger last Between March 19 and 25, students visited ancient March, as MSJC students and faculty had the opportunity Mayan ruins, zip-lined through the forest, swam with to participate in a weeklong study tour learning about sharks and rays along the second longest coral reef in the the biodiversity, archaeology, and cultural heritage in the world, and tubed through olden caves worshiped by the tropical destination.

Mayans.

Professor Jason Hlebakos, Associate Professor and For some MSJC students, it was their irst time being Department Chair of Environmental Studies at Mt. San on an airplane.

For others, like Annie Diaz, Music Major, it Jacinto College, presented the idea for the study abroad was their irst time being outside of the United States. excursion in Belize, and was the group’s leader, along with Biology and Environmental Science associate faculty “I wanted to have an exciting spring break, have member, Elliot Handrus. experiences that are not available to me in my country, and “My primary objective was to provide an of course, have fun,” said Diaz. international experience that was accessible and nonNext spring, students will have the opportunity threatening to get students who have an interest in to travel to Costa Rica, notorious for its dedication to traveling past the barriers and hurdles that sometime protecting its natural resources and forest environments. present themselves,” said Hlebakos.

For more information about studying abroad, visit www.

“I wanted to allow students who have taken courses msjc.edu/studyabroad. in environmental science and biology to experience a

Q&A WITH ANNIE DIAZ Why did you choose to go on this trip?

What did you hope to gain?

Speciically, Maya history fascinates me, and I wanted to see the ruins of the Maya cities that have been found in Belize. I wanted to experience the tropics, and I wanted to see and swim in the Caribbean.

What I hoped to gain from this trip is experience in a foreign country. This trip was with a group and organized by a tour company, so it felt like a safe, controlled situation for me to see what it’s like to be somewhere completely unfamiliar before I do any traveling on my own. I wanted to see the kinds of things I’ll need to be prepared for when traveling internationally, which I hope I’ll have the opportunity to do many times in the future.

CAMPUS NEWS | 7

What is one of your fondest memories while in Belize?

I’d say one of my fondest memories would be on the last day we were there- I was hanging out with some of the friends I’d made on the trip in this chocolate shop in San Pedro. We were really comfortable with each other by then, and it was so nice to be able to just relax, enjoy some great chocolate with some great company while we talked about the unbelievable (excuse me, unbelizable) week we’d just had. We spent a prety good chunk of an afternoon in that chocolate shop, and when we walked back to the hotel along the beach, it was almost sunset, and the sky was such a beautiful orange. It was a wonderful way to end the trip.

What did you learn from this trip, about yourself, your culture, other cultures, ect.?

What would you recommend to students who are interested in studying in Belize?

When we were visiting the Maya ruins, we were in the region of Belize that was quite lat, but every once and a while we would see these large hills that didn’t seem to belong in the area. I learned that these are unexcavated remnants of the Maya cities we were visiting. After thousands of years of exposure, a buildup of leaves and soil formed on the ancient Maya structures.

I was so excited to learn that there are so many more discoveries about the Maya people just waiting to be made. It’s anybody’s guess of what there is to be found under those mounds of earth. There may be answers to so many questions historians and archaeologists have formed about the mysterious Maya people.

I would recommend visiting the ruins at the Maya city Xunantunich, and walking to the top of El Castillo, an ancient temple that is still the second tallest structure in Belize. From the top of El Castillo is an incredible view of both Guatemala and Belize.

I would also recommend cave tubing. Cave tubing is an activity only ofered in Belize. What happens is a group goes down to a river with an inner tube for each person, and the inner tubes are all tied together to create a raft, then everyone sits in their inner tube, and the raft is lead through the river by two guides, who take the group through this enormous, dark cave. We had to wear helmets with lashlights on them to see inside the cave. They were absolutely magniicent.

Under the sea

Beachin’

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Having ss sssssso much fun

8 | FACULTY FEATURE

BY DEVIN ALMOND

Devin Almond: Tell me about your career, both as an artist and as a teacher, and if you like one over another?

Kaleeka Bond: I have been teaching for 8 years, but selling my art as an artist since I was 18. I started out interested in Abstract art, and now ind myself more involved in igure drawing.

Mrs. Bond spoke here about how much she enjoys capturing “how people interact� in her art, to make their features and face relatable, and full of emotion.

KB: I cannot say that I love one more than the other, teaching or making art, because they are both creative outlets, and when I am not doing one, I am probably doing the other; so my life is a balance of the two.

She irst knew she would be teaching by helping her peers in classes where she was also a student, contributing to their learning and understanding of art. She says that even in her classes today, she inds herself learning from her students as much as she is teaching them.

DA: I understand though that you have quite a full plate, not only teaching, but other endeavors?

KB: I currently teach part time at multiple schools: Saddleback College, Cyprus, Cerritos, here at MSJC, Cal State Long Beach, and with Rhyman at Cal State Fullerton. I also

run the logistical aspect of a clothing line that my husband designs at Adinkrastitch.com, which has been around since 2005, as well as being a health and wellness coach.

She explained to me a litle about how she buys things wholesale, like make up, energy drinks, and lip gloss. Bond is also a coach and mentor, teaching social skills, communication, and marketing, in the hopes that not only are there talented young artists out there, but ones that know how to sell themselves, their ideas, and their art!

Between teaching, running a clothing line, being a physical trainer, and health and wellness coach, Professor Bond is also doing exhibits and workshops as an artist! She is currently doing a portraits workshop in Westminster. You can ind the info, as well as more of her work, at her website, kaleekabond.com!

Interested in writing about MSJC sports for The Talon? E-mail msjctalon@gmail.com.

MSJC’s

“

Sp rts

The Lady Eagles stand in 2nd place with a 4-way tie to batle for the paciic coast athletic conference #2 birth to the 2016 state playofs.

All records are 7-7 for our Eagles, along with SD Mesa, Grossmont and southwestern colleges.

We have 4 must-win games to inish the season and make playofs. 3 home games and 1 away game April 26th at southwestern college.

Coach Oliver pep talks one of her players.

The three home game stand in a row plays to our advantage, and we've already faced the #1 seed Palomar College in inal round of PCAC games. The other 3 teams have yet to face Palomar.

We've prepared all year, beginning with Summer and Fall of 2015 to earn this position.

The key to inishing strong will be aggressive ofense, and steady defense to knock out the remaining teams who stand in our way.

2016 will be the most exciting playof batle in more than a decade to see who earns the inal bid to postseason.

Angie Lopez (#10) up to bat.

Our team is conident and poised to beat our competition, one by one over the next two weeks.

This is MSJC softball's April Madness!!!

-Coach Gina Oliver

“ The Lady Eagles rejoice after beating Southwestern.

Interested in writing about MSJC sports for The Talon? E-mail the editor msjctalon@gmail.com.

SPORTS | 11

MEN’S GOLF Eagle golfers place second in the PCAC MSJC’s men’s golf team inshed their season strong, placing second in the Paciic Coast Athletic Conference on Monday, May 2. The Eagles concluded the PCAC with a record of 43-13, the highest conference inish in men’s golf since 2002.

Nathan Brady, Nicholas Mederios, and Richard Schweizer were recognized for their contribution and dedication to the team to the All PCAC men’s gold team.

The Eagles will be playing in the Southern California Regional Tournament on Monday, May 9 at the Bear Creek Gold Club in Murrieta.

MSJC’s 2016 Men’s Gold Team

BASEBALL

Head Coach, Steve Alonzo, rallies together his team.

Alec Escalante (#8) pitches during a game against Grossmont.

MSJC’s baseball team struggled during their inal week of the season, swept by Paciic Coast Athletic Conference Champion, Grossmont. Regardless, their 20-16 overall score and 15-9 mark in conference play was enough to earn MSJC the #16 seed.

The Eagles advanced to the CCCAA Southern California Regional Tournament Tuesday, May 3, with a home game against Fullerton College. Their season, however, came to an end, as they lost the opening round game in the CCCAA Southern California Regionals to Fullerton, 14-2.

The MSJC baseball team inished the season 20-17.

Bryan Derzern (#1) slides to home base during the CCCAA Southern California Regional Tournament against Fullerton.

12 INTERNATIONAL NEWS The Talon meets Thursday’s from 11:30AM-1:00PM in room 453(MVC). Join us!

4 | |CAMPUS NEWS

TRAGEDY IN BRUSSELS

By Noah Colome Commission, was placed on lockdown. The countryÕs power plants were evacuated and three days of mourning were put in place for the nation. Not long after, riots began to break out in the streets via an antiIslamic State activist, in which police used water cannons to diffuse the crowds.

(Associated Press)

On March 22 at 7:58 in the morning, Brussels was afßicted by a lamentable shedding of innocent lives. Three bombings ended with the loss of 32 souls and the injuries of over 300.

Belgium was an active member of the coalition- Þghting ISIS during the Iraqi civil war, dropping one of the Þrst bombs in east Baghdad on an ISIS establishment. The leader of the extremist organization, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, ordered retaliation with deadly force on all members of the coalition.

On the 22nd, three radicals walked into Brussels airport in Zaventem carrying suitcases. Witnesses recalled screaming and shots Þred before two large explosions detonated near the Brussels airlines, British Airways, and Iberian check-in desks.

Ten kilometers away at Maalbeek metro station, an explosion was set off in the middle of a three carriage train just over an hour later.

The Belgium federal prosecutor conÞrmed that the explosives were nail bombs, which are expressed to be antipersonnel weapons composed of explosive material and nails to act as shrapnel to maximize loss of life.

The airport and all ßight departures and train stations were closed for six days following the attack. The Berlaymont building near Maalbeack station, which houses the European

In a home owned by one of the assailants, police discovered a nail bomb, 15 Kgs of acetone peroxide, 40 gallons of acetone, and almost eight gallons of hydrogen peroxide, as well as a personal computer and an ISIL ßag. The computer had a suicide note and images of Belgium ofÞcials and their homes.

Suspects include two brothers: Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui; both born and raised in Brussels. They were active criminals involved in robbing a bank and supplying ammunition to the participants of the attacks in Paris. Najim Laachraoui, born in Morocco and raised in Brussels, was arrested and admitted to accompanying two other radicals in the airport and renting a house that housed militants involved in the Parisian incursion. Osama Krayem, a Swedish national, has been arrested for assisting in the attack at the metro along with a much larger number of suspects. The police are still searching for the third man in the airport.

The Talon meets Thursday’s from 11:30AM-1:00PM in room 453(MVC). Join us! INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITYNEWS NEWS|| 13 5

THE STATE OF SYRIA: A timeline of events that led up to the current state of affairs in Syria By Noah Colome

On July 10, 2000, Syria voted the sole candidate, Bashar al Assad, into ofÞce for presidency.

Bashar was the clear choice for sole candidacy following his father Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for 30 years with Òan iron Þst.Ó Once an eye doctor with little known presence, Bashar now ruled a totalitarian society.

The beginning of this new regime showed promise, with reform movements such as the release of hundreds of Muslim brotherhood prisoners. This regime promised greater freedoms and parliamentary elections. The regime seemed to darken in 2005 when Lebanese Prime Minister RaÞq Hariri was assassinated after demanding the end of Syrian occupation. ¥ On Jan. 26, 2011, a Syrian police ofÞcer assaulted a man on the public streets of old Damascus. The man was then arrested, leading to a wave of unrest in the people of Syria. A ÒDay of RageÓ protest was then set for Feb. 4. ¥ On March 15, thousands of protesters assembled in Damascus, Al-hasakah, Daraa, Deir ez Zor, and Hama. This protest, lead by released political prisoner Suhair Atassi, ended in 3000 arrests. The Òspark that lit the Syrian ßameÓ was said to have ignited when 15 Syrian students were arrested for writing anti-governmental propaganda in March of the same year. In April, 100,000 protesters gathered in the central square of Homs demanding the resignation of Assad. As a result, Syrian tanks stormed Þve cities, killing 136 people. ¥ In August of the same year, an anti-government demonstration, (Yasin Akgul/AFP)

The armed Conßict has reportedly taken more than 146,000 lives and displaced 9 million people within and beyond the borders of Syria (state.gov.fact sheet). The United High Commissioner for Refugees assembled statistics for the refugee situation and revealed that there are 4,815,868 registered Syrian refugees. The number of refugees has increased rapidly since 2012, and is rising at a rate of nearly 2 million a year.

The Syrian opposition and government has had constant dealing and inÞltration with the Middle Eastern organization known as ISIS, trading goodsspeciÞcally the purchase of oil and providing asylum for afÞliates. The ßow of refugees from Syria has been seen as a possible conduit that ISIS afÞliates can take advantage of, citing the attack on Paris last ÒGod is with US,Ó was shut down November with the murder with the shooting of 11 participants. of 130 people as a possible The opposition was picking up result of this migration. speed now, and in late November, Prime Minister of France, the Baba Amr district of Homs fell Manuel Valls, stated that under its control. The Idlib they will not accept 4-5 governorate district was next, with million Syrians, with warfare spreading through the President Francois Hollande streets until Homs and Hama fell to gravely informing that, “The the opposition. Warfare increased future of Syria cannot and territory tradeoffs intensiÞed, happen with [Assad].Ó with Idlib being retaken by the government security forces and the Consequently, France began Syrian opposition taking Qusayr to bomb Syrian government and Rastan in March of 2012. installations. Russia soon ¥ April 2012 saw the two forces agree became active in the Þght, to a ceaseÞre. Unfortunately, assuring its goal was to sporadic Þghting continued and in stabilize the area, and began July of that year, the UN to subsequently attack the Peacekeeping Operations Chief in opposition movement.

Syria stated that the country has Between these skirmishes, Òentered a period of civil war.Ó still waiting in a state much The International Committee of the like purgatory, lie the Syrian Red Cross stated a death toll of refugees.

20,000 on July 15 of that year.

14 | INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS CUBA

BY NOAH COLOME On March 21, 2016, President Obama broke Just before the arrival of the US president all protesters down barriers in foreign relations and visited the and dissidents were carefully wiped from the streets by island nation of Cuba; the irst US President to do Cuban government oicials. Obama traversed through so since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. Obama stepped the regulated streets to The Revolutionary Palace. out of Air Force One into the rain, bound to meet Both presidents demonstrated an air of President Raul Castro in atempt to forge a new warmth, though they occasionally scolded each alliance with the leader of the small exiled island. other’s policies. When Castro was criticized about his Two years after the rise of Fidel Castro, Che nations policies concerning human rights, he quickly Geuvara, and the fall of the Batista regime in Cuba retorted, stating,” Actually we ind it inconceivable in 1962, President John F. Kennedy was faced with that a government does not defend and ensure the a document destined to change 54 years of policy. right to healthcare, education, social security, food After sending provision and his secretary development,” 1,200 Cuban trying to cite cigars, he signed American “Proclamation policy. He also 3447 Embargo on stated that, All Trade with “We defend Cuba,” efectively human rights, sanctioning the in our view small nation. civil, political, On July economic, 6, 1960, Dwight social and D. Eisenhower cultural rights canceled 700,000 are indivisible, tons of sugar i n t e r imports from dependent and Cuba and refused universal.” export of oil based Furthermore, on the Sugar Act Castro stated, of 1948. The lack in a quick and of American oil frustrated (nanonews.org) forced Cuba to retort, that they become reliant on Raul Castro, Cuban President, raises President Barack Obama’s hand during a had no political Soviet crude oil. meeting at the Revolution Palace in Havana on March 21. prisoners With all American when queried reineries refusing to process the oil, the institutions on the subject. were nationalized along with 6 billion dollars in President Obama is so sure that the embargo has American assets seting the stage for the embargo. an expiration date, he insisted,”The embargo’s going to These sanctions have stayed in place end,” also stating,” The path that we’re on will continue occasionally updating their terms with a new beyond my administration. The reason is logic.” declaration in 2000 with “The Trade Sanctions Reform Finally, Obama tried to repair relations and and Enhancement Act. The UN General Assembly has ease anxiety for the future, stating, “I airm that Cuba’s passed a resolution every year since 1992 condemning destiny will not be decided by the United States or the embargo and stating it as “in violation of The any other nation.” He continued, “Cuba is sovereign Charter of The United Nations and International Law.” and rightly has great pride, and the future of Cuba The president, perhaps in agreement with the will be decided by Cubans, not by anybody else.”

UN, decided to pay a visit to our southern neighbors.

FRONT PAGE CONT. | 15

long in Manta, only to come out empty handed. “The city around 16,600 people were injured, 7,000 buildings is starting to look lonely,” Loor describes, “Everybody is destroyed, and more than 25,000 people left homeless, leaving to [larger, more reenforced areas, like] Quito.” living in soccer stadiums and airports designated by Other citizens, however, have taken it upon the Ecuadorian government. Even so, the demolished themselves to help rebuild and persevere in any way roads have hindered a lot of the recuperation they can. Greg Gilliam is the owner of the Canoa Beach process. 58 people remain missing as of April 25.

Hotel, stationed in Due to the Canoa. He is ofering his collapse in world hotel estate to the relief oil prices, the OPEC eforts of the citizens country has already as a sanctuary; local been facing economic doctors gather to put aliction, with the together medicine and International Monetary care packages on his Fund predicting a 4.5 grounds, while a team percent shrink in the of 16 dirt-bikers search economy for 2016, just for nearby victims in before the quakes hit. need of immediate care.

Addressing the “I don’t think people of Ecuador, anybody can be President Rafael Correa prepared,” explained revealed that the American-born damage costs nothing Gilliam on how he The damage brought to Loor's home after the quake. Nearly the short of $3 billion, a copes with the sudden entire wall of her daughter's bedroom (pictured right) departed from reconstruction process disaster, “when you the house. (Lidia Cedeño Loor) that will take years ind yourself OK and to accommodate. He healthy, obviously the warned his compatriots irst thing to do is jump that the economic toll in and help people who would not only be have had less fortune subjected to the victims than yourself, and along the coast, but a that’s just what we did.” nation-wide increase in 113 people have sales tax from 12 percent been rescued as of April to 14 percent will be 23, and heroes came in enacted for the coming all shapes and species. year.

In addition, Dayko, a four-yearEcuadorian millionaires old white Labrador will be charged a rescue dog from the one-time tax of 0.9 Ibara ire service percent, while earners managed to rescue Dayko, 4, rescued seven people from the wreckage before he died of who bring in over exhaustion. seven victims from the $1,000 a month will be rubble before he died Friday, April 22 from exhaustion, charged a day’s worth of wages, and $5,000-a-month or more speciically, “massive coronary myocardial earners will contribute ive days worth of wages. s infraction and acute respiratory failure” as according Ecuadorian banks have promised to suspend to the Ibara ire service’s Facebook page. He was payments, loans, and mortgages for their clients in the with the Ibara ire service for three and a half years. area for three months, and the World Bank has agreed to The death toll has risen to 654 people, while loan the country $150 million to beneit the inancial crisis.

Road“Outsiders” to the Nomination: vs “The Establishment”

BY MICHELLE RIVAS

On the Left Side:

Hilary Clinton had a signiicant lead over Bernie Sanders, who is considered an outsider in the election, and whose numbers in the polls were dwindling down until now. Sanders had a recent surge in the polls, along with an impressive winning streak, claiming the last seven states while Clinton claimed none. Here are the results of the latest polls: On March 22, the Arizona, Utah, and Idaho caucuses took place, where Clinton won Arizona and Sanders won Utah and Idaho. March 26 were the Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington caucuses, where Sanders swept all three states in a three peat win. Sanders also won the Wisconsin Primary and Wyoming Caucus.

Some unpredictable, and even ridiculous things, have happened during the Democratic campaign trails that have been subject to controversy and humor. Let’s start with the light-hearted: During a Bernie Sanders rally, an unexpected visitor lew in next Sanders to show some support in the form of an adorable, tiny bird, making the crowd go wild. Not only that, the internet went wild, with the hashtag “#BirdieSanders” trending for days, along with hilarious internet memes popping up all around Facebook and Instagram that has helped boost support for Sanders.

Everything between the Democratic candidates was civil and diplomatic for the most part, but the pressure of the election and the allegations between Sanders and Clinton’s campaigns have created friction and a divide between the Democratic Party. The irst, and biggest, allegation came from Sanders, accusing Clinton’s campaign of relying on the donations from the CEOs in the fossil fuel industry.

Clinton has vehemently refuted these claims in the media. In a video during a

rally, a green peace activist asked her if she was going to stop taking money from the fossil fuel industry. Clinton then loses her patience, and responded with, “I do not have-- I have money from people who work in the fossil fuel industry.

I am so sick of the Sanders campaign lying about me! I am sick of it!” The video is on YouTube and currently has more than 2 million views.

Another major subject of controversy has been direct comments Sanders made on whether or not Clinton is qualiied to be President. In an interview for ABC News, Sanders explained why he thought Clinton was unqualiied for the American Presidency, where he questioned her positions on the Iraq war and NAFTA, stating, “Is that person who has that kind of bad judgement qualiied to be president of the United States?”

Sanders also accused Clinton of being unqualiied at a Pennsylvania rally with a more aggressive and direct approach, saying, “She has been saying lately that she thinks that I am quoteunquote, not qualiied to be president. Now, let me, let me just say in response to Secretary Clinton, I don’t believe that she is qualiied.”

Clinton responded to Sander’s allegations during a TODAY interview, where she was asked about how she feels about being called unqualiied by Bernie, stating, “That will be up to the voters of New York and the other states that will be passing judgment in the weeks ahead.”

(npr.org.)

The genesis of #birdiesanders.

Interested in writing for The Talon? E-mail the editor at msjctalon@gmail.com

POLITICS | 17

On the Right Side: Donald Trump has a signiicant lead over be punished for abortion, but the doctors who Ted Cruz and John Kasich, but he might not get perform it should be, stating, “…the doctor or enough delegates to secure the nomination and any other person performing this illegal act upon there could be a contested convention. Here are a woman would be held legally responsible, not the most recent results as of now: On March the woman, the woman is a victim in this case, as 15, Trump won Illinois, Florida, Missouri, is the life in her womb.” Trump is facing harsh and North Carolina. Kasich won his state of criticism, most notably from Hilary Clinton, who Ohio. On March 22, Trump won Arizona and has said his comments are “horriic” and “telling.”

Cruz won Utah. April 5, Cruz won Wisconsin.

Another Republican candidate facing major As of now, the GOP is divided because backlash is Texas Senator Ted Cruz, for allegations Trump is the outsider who is dominating the polls, of inidelity from the National Enquirer. Not only potentially risking tearing apart the Republican was it reported that he had numerous afairs with Party if he gets the nomination. The candidates women, but Cruz’s name is allegedly in D.C. are hiting Madam’s volatile lows Black Book, with their which is insults, even includes a going as far record of as throwing roughly each other’s 15,000 phone f a m i l i e s records that into the show calls, ? E-mail mix. msjctalon@gmail.com.

Trump as well as retweeted an booking unflattering requests, for picture of escorts. The Cruz’s wife, individual Heidi Cruz, in who aims to response to an reveal the advertisement contents of that he Black (MSNBC.COM) the thought was Book is Donald Trump and Chris Mathews during a town hall conference for MSNBC. from Cruz’s campaign, but it was actually created by a third Montgomery Blair Sibley, former lawyer of the party. In a surprising turn of events, Trump deceased D.C. Madam. Sibley spoke with the apologized for retweeting the image and voiced National Enquirer, stating that this was the perfect regret when asked about it an interview with time to reveal the Black Book because, according columnist Maureen Dowd, stating, “Yeah, it was a to her, it would inluence the election and would mistake, if I had to do it again, I wouldn’t have sent be “relevant to voters before they cast their ballot.” it.” That’s not remotely where the controversy ends The elections are geting heated, not just for Donald Trump, however. His recent comments with the candidates ighting amongst themselves, and position on abortion have caused him heat. but with the diferent people coming out of the During a town hall conference for MSNBC wood work, puting in their own two cents about on March 30, Chris Mathews’ interview with how they feel about the candidates. It’s only going Trump raised the question of abortion, with to get more scandalous as the election comes closer.

Trump concluding that abortion should be banned and that there should be some sort of punishment for the women who do it. Then, surprisingly, Trump recanted his remarks and said that he doesn’t feel women should

BY DEVIN ALMOND

COMIC CORNER | 19

20| THE MORE YOU KNOW

Retweeting for Justice @Jamee Menez The Talon

shoes. Hashtags, like #BlackLivesMatter, are widely recognized and often used by self-proclaimed “Social Justice Warriors.” Posts and hashtags from social activists have spread awareness and created entire communities of “woke” citizens that will stand behind injustice and create post after post until they believe that justice has been served, or until the next situation of injustice comes along.

While heartbreaking photos and online petitions often spark peopleʼs interests, are social media posts enough to end the mass injustices among society?

Compose new Article...

It is no surprise that social media has become an essential tool in mass marketing. Almost every large corporation now has a Facebook, Tumblr, or Instagram page. There, the corporation can advertise and interact with its customers more than ever. This constant interaction, however, can be a tool that can either greatly increase their business completely, or tear apart and break them. This same concept and risk applies to celebrities as well. For example, actor Drake Bell tweeted a comment that many people believed was transphobic, and his career and fan base was essentially depleted overnight. To say that social media is vastly powerful is an understatement.

However, is mass media only applicable and useful socially, or can the same sites that we use to tell everyone about our birthdays be used to effectively bring about political change? " Terms like “PC” and “SJW” have become increasingly popular and known. It seems that the new “in” is to be as politically correct as possible and to try to help others around you to be the same. Even I consider myself an activist. What some may think of as limiting, others think of as educating.

Social media has made terms such as these as well-known as tying your

The most hindering argument against the effectiveness of social media as a means to spread awareness is that itʼs purely online. There is a saying that says 80% of success is just showing up, but sharing a Facebook post or reblogging a quote is not showing up. Typically, without visual support, people tend to get misjudged or even discouraged. Bernie Sanders, for instance, has a lack of supporters at his speeches and campaign rallies- however, from young people on social media, we can see mass support. If people are posting about Sanders or others like him, but they are excluding the election dates and donʼt actually vote, nothing gets done.

The correlation between social media and social justice can be clearly seen. A mass post with a heart-wrenching photo has proven to be a powerful way of eliciting feelings and awareness, but that may be about all that it does.

Everyone knows about the situation and they realize that something has to change; now what? The saying goes, “Youʼre all bark and no bite,” and as of now, itʼs true. But why should Social Justice Warriors tolerate that stereotype? Itʼs about time to show people that itʼs not all about showing people, itʼs about taking action.

s t s c a v u i d R o e l l r e P h c i n M o : i y b h s a F e u q Uni 5

8

Powder Blue Sweaters:

Ok boys, please hear me out on this one. With a dark pair of shorts or jeans and black shoes, this is just a pop of color, and it’s subtle. It’s not too bright like yellow or orange- it’s almost a pastel, and the cool hue is perfect for spring or summer. Tip: You could get this sweater for $138 at Nordstrom, or at Old Navy for $25.

1 Orange Lip-Gloss

: This color is a must because it’s a perfect combination: It’s bright, yet very latering on the lips. Tip: This gloss is from Buxom, and the color is called “Debbie.” You can get it at Sephora for $22.

Periwinkle Nail Polish: This 2

right way, this could be a classy, yet stylish statement for the summer with a cool edge. Black and white always gives a latering look to an outit, but the combination of the lower design makes it unique.

Tip: Found at JCPenney for $28.

shade of blue is not only very uncommon, but it almost has a pastel color to it and is perfect for white outits or any bright color of that manner. Tip: This beautiful color is from NailsInc, and it’s called “Regents Palace.” You can get it at Sephora for $14.

3 Teal Handbag

7 Cuff Links: : This one should become

the new white or black hang bag in every lady’s closet because it’s versatile, yet lashy in all the right ways. You could wear it with an all-black or white outit, and it works for every season. Tip: This one you could get at a Guess Factory store, or on their website for $35.

Mint Shorts:

Black and White Floral 6 Collared Shirts: If done the

Mint isn’t anything new. I’ve seen mint dresses and shirts, but it’s not something I see very often in shorts. It’s a bigger risk to take when pairing up an outit, but they’re perfect for spring and summer. It’s not something you could really pull of during Fall or Winter, so take advantage! Tip: Wal-Mart, $12.

4

It’s jewelry for men! Well not really, but its close. Cuf links are like pins at the cuf of a shirt that are decorative, and usually come in silver or gold. It’s a small, but classy statement when wearing a nice suit or just a longsleeve, collared shirt- perfect for any occasion.

Tip: You can ind a variety of these at Macys ranging from $25-100 in tons of diferent styles.

Denim on Denim

: A denim shirt with denim pants- it’s a look girls love to wear, but it would look amazing on guys!

The denim look is classic and gives a laid back, uniformed sort of look. It’s perfect with a black watch. Tip: You can prety much buy denim everywhere, but Tilly’s and Pac Sun have really edgy denim shirts and Guess is known for their denim jeans.

8

22 | CLUB BLURBS

The Talon meets Thursday’s from 11:30AM-1:00PM in room 453(MVC). Join us!

If you are a Communication Major or have a passion for Communication, then the Communications Club is here for you.

Regardless of how experienced you are with Communication, the Communication Club is here to accommodate you. We are here to help promote Communication throughout the community, as well as help be a resource for those who need any help with their Communication skills.

The Communication Club meets on Mondays from 11 am- 12 pm in room 479 and on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm- 1:30 pm in room 479.

If anyone has any questions or is interested about the Communications Club, contact Alex Laurio via telephone (951)-852-8796 or email at alaurio073@student.msjc.edu.

ir

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WORD UP

Talon Staff JAMES HODGE president ALISSA HARKE vice president | graphic designer MALORIE ANDREGG graphic designer SERENA STEELE editor-in-chief | staff writer DEVIN ALMOND secretary | staff writer TED GROVES icc representative | sports writer PATRICK ARELLANO internal pr | assistant editor | staff writer TABITHA HWANG external pr, /marketing | staff writer JAMEE MENEZ staff writer MICHELLE RIVAS staff writer KYLE SELBY staff writer| Comic Book Media Man ANDREW BENENATI staff writer

WEEKLY MEETINGS thursdays | rm 453 | 11:30-1:30 | mvc

Becoming Positive

By Sydney Fregozo

Remove negativity Repress the anger Repress the fear

Remove negativity Hide the tears Hide the past

Remove negativity Rid of shame Rid of pain

Remove negativity Tear of old friends Tear of imperfections

Now you are positive Remove negativity Suppress the scars Suppress the memories

A S Z B K L P L K F B Y I O R J K B I P

B V N H T N F Z L R B V T O K A R I S F

I O E O T F I H O A G G C U B A M L I P

I H N N S N U P T A N L Y W W Z Y M T U

J O J D G I E F U K V K W F F L Y R Q V

W R S T S E L M Q X H Z S O E L X V S N

L U K N Y Q R E S H A I Y T V Y P O X S

Q O R E R I X S H S C P M B F Q F A T M

O R G M I Z B F X P A W D G U T M U Y Q

AVENGERS BELIZE BOND BRUSSELS COMICBOOK CUBA EAGLES ECUADOR

X C D H A E C U A D O R R O B N S Z F M

P O Z S E Z M G S R X A A A X O N Q Y Y

J I N I D J G D E D C A L H K I G W P Y

K O O B C I M O C Z U E X H N S X J E R

I H W A N Z Z L K I E H H V X A D A Q U

V W U T Z W G O Z W R S S J B F G Y D S

N W I S S F R O T A R A Z O L L H R R S

ELISON ESTABLISHMENT FASHION HARASSMENT RETWEET SOFTBALL SYRIA

About Sydney Sydney Fregozo was born on February 16, 1995. She is currently working on majoring in Creative Writing and hopes to become a successful writer or editor and proofreader sometime in the future.

Her favorite genre is anything that is otherworldly. Sydney writes poems and short stories while also having a few novel ideas in mind.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO MAKE THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE. ISSUU.COM/MSJCTALON

Y H H L K M U T Z T S L T P C H O Q T B

F P K E A M T E H R Y Y C K E F Y E S E

P F E Q S K R R D N Q G Q S W A K F V L

Y B E Z I L E B R B N C H M X W Y H Y S