Thursday, March 24, 1988
Serving San Jose City College
Vol. 41, No. 11
Mural • ra1ses eyebrows By Rick Perez
The Music Department building recently got a colorful touch added to its exterior. It is in the form of a mural created by a City College student and his associate, who claim to be graffiti artists. Although some people consider graffiti an act of vandalism, the creators of the mural believe otherwise. Ed Martinez, who signs his work "Scape," and co-creator Bob Ortiz, who signs his work "Nexus," explained it is not just plain graffiti. Martinez said that all of their work has meaning behind it. "We are the best graffiti artists in San Jose, bar none," boasted Martinez. The mural consists of four characters, each representing a specific character. One character is part human, part robot and part clown. Martinez claims that this figure represents the imperviousness of man while at the same time having the funloving side of a clown. He is black in honor of Black History Month. The third character is the root of controversy. It is a picture of "Eddy," the symbol used by the heavy metal band "Iron Maiden ." The artists meant for it to represent the wild side of human nature, but it is being mistaken for a picture of the Devil. The only materials used by the artists were various colors of spray paint and a straight edge. Martinez became involved with graffiti while in high school. He came to school one day to see the campus had been vandalized, and liked the work that had been done. After two years of painting graffiti , Martinez met his current partner, Bob Ortiz, who has then gotten him into painting more complex murals.
Photo by Dolores Lorigo
Graffiti artist Ed Martinez (Scape) stands by mural.
Spring convocation
Issues of life and death
By Jim Boeckl
By the year 2020, there will be 50 million people in America over the age of 64. What rights will they have to decide how and when they will die, especially in an age of advanced medical technology? This was a key question raised at the San Jose City College Spring Convocation, on Tuesday. The issue was chosen in the spirit of the academic theme at City College this school year: "Technology and the Ethical Imperative." "We selected the topic of 'Technology and the Ethical Imperative,' primarily because this valley lies in the heart of one of the great technological revolutions of the 20th century," said Dean of Instruction Dr. Leo Chavez.
"The field of medicine, for terminally ill people who were example, has yet to come fully being kept alive by modern to terms with such funda- medical technology. They mental issues as life. What is each suffered greatly and it? When does it start? When wanted to be allowed to die. This raises moral questions does it end?" Chavez asked. Speaker Patricia Fobair, a that need to be resolved. "The technology is clinical social worker for Stanford University Medical available to keep us alive, Center, addressed some of the probably beyond our desire to responsibilities people face in be alive, and this raises a lot an age of high technology. of important issues," said Ms. She said to deal with a Fobair. "Right to Die" issue effecShe pointed out that tively, the principles of technology should be used to medical ethics must be con- help avoid premature death sidered. The goals of which and to relieve suffering. But are to preserve life, ease if people don't use it suffering, do no additional responsibly, they can become harm, respect the autonomy of victims of it. the patient, allocate medical Carole Runyan Price, resources fairly, and tell the Associate Director of Adminpatient and family members istration for Stanford Hosthe truth about their medical pital, said that people have a situation. right to control their own She gave two examples of destiny. She discussed the
"Durable Power of Attorney,'' a legally binding document that states a patient's preferences in a critical-care situation. The document allows a person to chose one of three possibilities regarding their care in a "right to die" situation. The options are: 1) Do not prolong my life, unless I (or my agent) desire it. 2) Do prolong my life, until my doctor decides otherwise. 3) Prolong my life at all costs. Ms. Price said that many people are unaware of the document, or of the fact that they can decide their own fate. She encouraged discussion among family members to make it clear how each member feels about a possible "right to die" situation.
SJCC basketball players honored Spring Break is March 28 to Apri14
By Rick Perez
The Golden Gate Conference selections for the Most Valuable Player and the two All-Conference basketball teams have been completed. Two City College· players were picked for the first All
Conference team; Darryl Woods and Winston Bell. Woods was also named AllState guard by the Junior College Athletic Bureau. Matt Sample and Rick Witmer both received Hanorable Mentions .
City College saw two of its former basketball players in this year's NCAA basketball tournament John Vergason from Loyola/Marymount in Los Angeles, and Arnell Jones from Boise State.
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Hanging out on the rocks pages 4&5
Aspiring officers undergo training page 6