Hear Community voices! Faces in the crowd, page 3
Pictures of the Veterans Day parade, page 5
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Enroll in the Media Production Class, page 4
The Voice of San Jose City College Since 1956
Volume 86 Issue 5
Making of Christmas in the Park
PHOTO BY CARLOS DURAN / CONTRIBUTOR
A worker uses a router to carve names in a block of wood at Yosemite Sierra Signs at Christmas in the Park in San Jose, Wednesday, Nov. 28.
See page 8 for more pictures.
Former SJCC Times staff win awards BY KAYNE GALLEGOS TIMES STAFF
Former San Jose City College Times staff members have won a few awards at the 2018 NorCal Conference of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Three Students won four awards at the event Nov. 3 in Stockton, California. Nicholas Johnson won fourth place for his editorial cartoon, “Kanye West Joins the MAGA Club,” published in Volume 85, Issue 5 of The City College Times, May 8. Benjamin Castro won first place for his sports action photo, and second place for his photo-essay. Castro’s second place entry, “Jaguars Rip the Runway,” is a photo-essay, found in Volume 85, Issue 5, of The City College Times, published May 8. His first place was his sports photos headlined “Jaguars Start
Off Quick, But that’s About It.” found in Volume 84, Issue 2, published on Sept. 26. Castro was gracious in victory. In an email correspondence with the Times, he acknowledges the people that he beat in the competition. “Winning these awards are a great honor. I know firsthand how many great photographers I’m going against and to be recognized as the best in any given category is always special,” Castro said. Castro’s first time at the JACC NorCal Conference a few years ago ended in failure. “I remember the first time I had work entered into competitions for the Times and not winning or placing at all. I can’t explain the disappointment and doubt I had within myself,” he said. The defeat motivated Castro, who vowed to improve his work.
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“The next semester I returned to the Times and strived to do better, and I did, I placed second in an on-the-spot competition for the 2017 JACC NorCal Conference,” Castro said. “The feeling was amazing, but I knew I could do better and I wanted to prove that to myself.” Castro’s dedication has paid off in a tenth fold, because the awards he won this year can be added to his expansive trophy case. “I was shocked when I found out I placed first from CCMA (California College Media Association), I was in disbelief. When I heard I placed first at JACC, and when I placed first at CNPA (California News Publishers Association) I felt vindicated, that it wasn’t sheer luck but that my hard work finally paid off,” Castro said. He is not the only one who knows how to work hard and improve.
Johnson Castro Prim Kevin Prim won a fourth to test out and I’m glad it turned place for webcast/broadcast out well,” Prim said. news, using a video shot on the Both Prim and Castro give credtail end of 2017. it to Farideh Dada, the journalism Prim was surprised to find out instructor at San Jose City Colthat he had won an award. lege, with helping them learn. “I wasn’t really hoping to win, “She kept me going and gave I just wanted to find ways to imme inspiring words when I prove and this helped lift some wasn’t in the best state during the weight on my shoulders, showing semester,” Prim said. me that I’m on the right track,” Castro fondly remembers the he said. words Dada told him at the first He can see the improvement conference he attended: “It’s not when he compares the video to about winning awards, but about his earlier work. the experience!” “This was a new style I wanted
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2 OPINION
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018.
Decriminalization of drug use counter-intuitive for addicts Legalisation is not an easy fix to problems as some people hope
BY MIKIE NEGRETE TIMES STAFF
In the society we live in today, it seems as if having any kind of opposition to the decriminalization of drugs is an unpopular opinion to hold. Many people approach the topic of drug abuse with the misconception that the only one affected by drug use is the user, an idea that can be described as nothing more than an absolute fallacy. Drug abuse affects not only the addict, but also the family and friends of the user. When one be-
gins to use drugs, they become an entirely different person; the individual they were before addiction might as well be dead. The behavior of an individual who begins to resort to drug use becomes altered in devastating and frequently disastrous ways. For many politicians, the simple solution to drug abuse would be the legalization and decriminalization of drugs. Legalization is simply not the answer; instead of enabling individuals in our society to use, we should be investing resourc-
es and devoting energy to not only treatment programs, but prevention programs as well. Steer people away from drugs before it becomes an addiction for them. The societal costs related to addiction are countless; whether it manifests itself in the form of the breaking up of a family, crime, or homelessness. As devastating as it can be to see these events transpire in anyone’s life, there are solutions to this problem other than legalization and decriminalization. Additionally, decriminalization of drug use could have a devastating effect on those who may have a genetic predispo-
sition toward addiction; those with a predisposition because of maybe family history would automatically be more inclined to become addicted to and begin using drugs. While treatment and prevention should be the route that addicts and family of addicts take instead of fighting for the legalization and decriminalization of drugs, Unfortunately, there are not yet enough resources for those seeking treatment and prevention options Because more energy has been invested into decriminalizing drug use and enabling addicts to continue using as opposed to
helping them get out of the binding situation they currently find themselves in. For users who actually want to get themselves help, one of the worst things that could possibly happen for them would be for the legalization of the substance(s) they are trying to kick. The decriminalization of drugs would result in lower street drug prices, which would lead to more accessible drugs for addicts, which would make an already hard temptation to resist even more difficult. Choosing to legalize the use of drugs would be a counter-intuitive solution to the growing problem of drug use in the country.
Immigration affects national sovereignty BY TASNEEM NORA KHOKHAR CONTRIBUTOR
Arizona Central reports between 5,000 and 7,000 migrants intercepted in a caravan by the Mexican government officials, temporarily halting its pilgrimage to the United States. While hot topics such as abortion and samesex marriage continue to fuel more division, this is another one that seems to tug at the sleeve of the political debate. The contention that I can observe now plaguing the media, be it news or the radio, is the conflict of national sovereignty and immigration. A related argument is often made regarding an increasing incapacity of states to control immigration. However, we need clarity about the origins, nature and limits of national sovereignty, or what exactly is sovereignty?
A Sept. 4 article “ESL Equals Social Justice for Immigrants” had incorrect information. ESL professor Novella Simonson has provided accurate information in the following article. The Times regrets the errors. 1) The ESL MOU program allows immigrant students who pass advanced ESL classes at CACE (Campbell Adult Community Education Center) and MAE (Milpitas Adult Education) and have qualifying CASAS test scores at the adult school BYPASS the SJCC ESL entrance exam. These students are then
Our beloved Wikipedia defines it as the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies. Some regard national sovereignty as a fading relic of a pre-globalized world yet the concept of national sovereignty challenges the opportunities associated with the movement of individuals who, for many reasons, desire to reside permanently in countries of which they are not citizens. Factors such as a common culture, language, beliefs, shared memories, sense of a common patrimony and association with a particular territory with recognized boundaries are important. The friction lies when cultures of citizens and immigrants clash. A nation of 20 million people may rightly decline to admit 10 million migrants who suddenly appear at its borders on the reasonable grounds that admitting
“Unless legislators and citizens come to a greater understanding ... our present-day divisions about immigration will only intensify.”
placed into ESL courses according to teacher evaluation of the student’s writing sample. The collaboration between Adult Ed and College ESL faculty intrinsically benefits each entering student: Our motto is “A Warm Hand Off and A Welcoming Hand.” 2) Immigrant students interested in taking FREE NC (non-credit) ESL courses do not have to first qualify “for the program through the SBCAE or any other qualified source.” ANY immigrant wanting to learn English can enroll in SJCC’s free NC courses, REGARDLESS of es-
tablished residency or other documents. Also, CACE is not “a private school” but a public adult education school in Campbell. 3) Incorrect: “There are five free no credit courses being offered to ESL students ... .” CORRECTION: there are SEVEN FREE, non-credit ESL courses offered: ESL 531(Listening/ speaking) 532 (Reading/Writing) 541 (Grammar 1) 542 (Grammar 2) along with three CTE Bridge courses: ESL500 (ESL in Healthcare) ESL 510 (ESL in Computing) and ESL 550 (ESL in the Workplace). Also incorrect: ESL 323 and
Editor-in-Chief Kayne Gallegos
all these migrants would severely disturb the nation’s internal harmony. Imagine the public equivalent of private property is sovereignty. Private property has liberty to exclude others from using said property and the freedom to decide how he wants to use his property, subject to the restraints of just laws. Without these powers, private property is effectively nullified, and we are plunged into
CORRECTIONS
the tragedy of the commons. Likewise, if a country doesn’t possess the freedom to exclude those potential migrants whose beliefs and actions threaten the nation’s well-being — such as those with no intention of abiding by its just laws, or those who disdain, reject or want to destroy that nation’s patrimony — then the order and stability that sovereignty protects is undermined. Therefore, a sovereign state may apply conditions of residence to non-citizens that are not applicable to citizens, refuse to admit non-citizens, or choose to expel non-citizens through legal processions. It doesn’t mean that a given sovereign state is duty-bound to admit any migrant who simply asserts he confronts imminent danger if he remains in his native land. Nor does it imply that genuine refugees can insist on asylum in whatever country they happen
to choose. But the ongoing difficulties associated with widespread population movements between sovereign nation-states aren’t resolvable in a just way through endless assertions of an unspecified right to migrate. Unless legislators and citizens come to a greater understanding of the order created by national sovereignty and its contribution to the common good of both individual nations and the international community, our present-day divisions about immigration will only intensify.
322 are CREDIT classes, not free, non-credit classes. The ESL program is also offering NC students a “Certificate of Completion” for the completion of 3 non-credit classes. For more information, please contact the Language Arts Division at (408) 288-3719. 4) I was quoted as saying: “The free no credit ESL program benefits the resident status students in three ways; in most cases it eliminates the one-year resident requirement, it allows the students to enroll at the normal tuition rate, and it allows immigrant students to apply for other col-
lege programs available such as financial aid.” I did not say this. Obviously, NC students DO NOT pay tuition for NC classes that are free; It eliminates the one-year resident requirement for ALL non-credit students; and no, NC immigrant students CANNOT apply for financial aid, unless they are also enrolled in CREDIT classes. 5) The classroom in the picture is of an ESL 324 CREDIT class, not a non-credit class. Carlos Alvarado was my student. For more info about the ESL Program, please visit: https://bit.ly/2QYyKBl
Graphic Designer
Reporter
Magnolia Lonero
Jerrald McMillon
A&E Editor
Adviser
Brissa Molina
Sports Editor
Michael Negrete
Farideh Dada
The staff of the San Jose City College Times encourages readers to let us know their opinions. if you have a story of 500 words of less, send it in. we would be glad to publish it. send them to citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc. edu
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Campus Life 3
Name: Victor Rebollar Age: 20 Major: Fashion
District selects new chancellor
Former SJCC president has full
How do you manage school and work? BY BRISSA MOLINA TIMES STAFF
Name: Carol Lucero Age: 45 Major: Nursing “I work as a medical assistant at Keiser. I’m hoping to major in Nursing, but I’m only able to take one class at a time, since I have to manage work and my full-time job as a mom and a wife. I usually do my homework in between patients or during my half an hour lunch. Keiser has really good insurance and benefits, and my kids are being benefited from it, since they are insured and their school is paid.”
“I can’t be a full-time student because I have a lot on my plate. I was a full-time student last year and I only had a 2.0 GPA when I had to be at a 2.5 at least. I have a part-time job to support myself. I’m hoping I can transfer next year so I can go to a four-year college. I like working at Abercrombie & Fitch because it’s related to what I want to do. I love clothes and style so being close to them even before fully starting my major will really help me.”
Name: Bryan Valverde Age: 19 Major: Admin. of Justice
“Whenever I’m not at work or at home, I come to the library to do my homework or study. I have a part time job, so it’s not impossible to manage school and work, just very difficult. I’d definitely wouldn’t be able to work a full-time job and still take classes. I don’t really need to work, but there I hope I can save for a car. I’m also planning on transferring out soon, so I’ll also have to save some money for college.”
How do you celebrate holidays and if you do not, why?
BY JERRALD MCMILLON TIMES STAFF
faith from the Board of Trustees
BY KANYE GALLEGOS TIMES STAFF
Dr. Byron Breland was selected as the new Chancellor of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District on November 2018. He has been serving as interim Chancellor since July. He served as the president of San Jose City College from 2013 to July 2018. According to the official press release by the district Dr. Breland “has held numerous instructional and administrative positions in K-12 and higher education. His innovative leadership has positioned SJCC among the top institutions in the nation in career education and workforce preparation. He now brings that innovative leadership to the entire District.” “He was selected as the Chancellor unanimously by the SJECCD Board of Trustees during its November meeting”, a message sent on behalf of Mayra Cruz, the president of the SJECCD Board of Trustees, reads. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SJECCD OFFICIAL WEBSITE. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT IS INTENDED
Transfer spring or fall 2019 scholarships up to $11,000
Carlos Lira 18 Photography
associate’s not required no minimum units to start
“Spend the holidays with my family, parents and siblings.”
Apply now Simple process ndnu.edu
Derek Diaz Landeros 24 Human Anatomy “I celebrate with my family with a dinner and after dinner we go out to play.”
“nDnU believed in me. i found my path to the future.” – Jay, Ba english
Christopher Lopez 18 Media Arts “I spend time with my brother and mom. We sometimes go to LA. We go out to eat and have good times.”
Gabriel Gaxiola 33 Media Arts “I don’t celebrate the holidays because I don’t believe everything it represents.”
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notre Dame de namur University
4 AD
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Upcoming events of interest Grand Canyon University Representative Visit Dec. 6, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. San Jose City College Morphe Art Gallery Reception Dec. 6 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Exhibition curated by Jason Adkins.
FAFSA Workshop Dec. 14, 10 a.m. - 05 p.m. San Jose City College FAFSA Workshop Location: Career/Transfer Center SC-216
Just like Us Theater Performance Dec. 6- Dec. 9 at the SJCC Theater The play follows four Latina girls in Denver, and how their close-knit friendships are affected by their opportunities, or the lack thereof.
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Celebrating Veterans Day
News 5
PHOTOS BY CARLOS DURAN CONTRIBUTOR
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6 A&E ‘Bohemian Rapsody’ movie full of emotions Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
BY BRISSA MOLINA TIMES STAFF
The destiny of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was left unclear after director Bryan Singer left the film. Many critics thought the film would result in a biopic catastrophe, while the general public has received the film very positively. Many have complained about the veracity of the script and the fact that the film does not pay attention to Mercury’s (Rami Malek) bisexuality, but rather his straight relationship to Mary Austin (Lucy Boyton). It is necessary to understand, as a viewer, that films cannot be a hundred percent accurate, and sometimes it is necessary to make modifications that favor the style and transition of the story, such as how the band was actually formed, how Freddie and Mary met, Freddie’s relationship with the other band members and how the songs were actually written. Regarding his relationship to Mary, the film does present them as lovers, as it happened in
real life, but it also portrays their relationship turned into friendship after Freddie confesses to her that he is bisexual. Mary Austin was one of Mercury’s closest friends, so it’s natural for the film to portray her as an important part of his life. The film did address Mercury’s realization of his bisexuality, while leaving some situations ambiguous, given the fact that it is unknown if these events did occur in real life. It also shows his relationship to Jim Hutton, his last partner before he passed away in 1991. Their relationship wasn’t shown with the intensity it deserved, since Jim was an equal component of his life as Mary. It could have done a better job portraying their relationship, because it seemed rather rushed and poorly developed. There are so many factors to the film, which put together compose one of the strongest contenders for the 2019 Oscars. Rami Malek’s acting is superb. There is not a moment in the film in which he does not completely embody what
Tutoring available for Free Get some help with your finals at the Reading and Writing Center BY KAYNE GALLEGOS TIMES STAFF
It is located on the first floor of the library, and is open 8:30 a.m -7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 am- 2 p.m. on Fridays Their phone number is (408) 288-3758 Fourteen tutors are avaliable for various subjects. It has com-
puters for any online work, and is a quiet place so concentrating is easier to do. alternatively, you can sighn up to be a tutor if you meet the requirements. Eveyln Rojas is the program coordinator, and can be reached on the phone at (408) 288-3758, or email her at eveyln.rojas@ sjcc.edu.
PHOTO CREDIT BY BRISSA MOLINA/TIMES STAFF
Brisa Molina, Arts and entertainment editor at SJCC Times, at a viewing of Bohemian Rapsody it means to be Freddie Mercury, even after the controversy of
Malek, of Egyptian descent, playing a character of Indian
descent. The costumes, hair and makeup, which when compared to the real costumes and makeup really gives more realism to the film. They also really give a sense of the characters’ development. The musical sequences give out the feeling that the audience is actually experiencing Queen live. It is noticeable that the songs are lip synced, but not enough to not appreciate Rami Malek’s energy and passion. Queen songs are used to great effect throughout the film. Songs such as “Bohemian Rhapsody”, played after Mercury informs the rest of the band that he has contracted AIDS, resonates strongly during his performance at Live Aid. “Love of my life” played when Mercury confesses his bisexuality to Mary, represents the fact that he did love her, even if he wasn’t attracted to her. The film was a rollercoaster of emotions, the audience will laugh, cry, laugh and cry a little more. The legacy of Freddie Mercury lives on as the story of his life as a member of Queen is told to the world.
PHOTOS BY CARKIS DURAN ON NOV. 27
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Opinion 7
Be weary of church leadership Christianity is good for people on an individual, spiritual level
BY KAYNE GALLEGOS TIMES STAFF
Organized religion has many problems with it. Violence, distrust and abuse exist within the various dogmatic organizations. It was true in the past and it is true in the present. Religion is a nuanced, intricate subject, and is a concept of right and wrong, or how one should live his or her life. One aspect of Christianity that bothers us, though: the human aspect. The human aspect is the wonkiest aspect of it all. Christianity is organized to follow leaders: Archbishops, Popes, and Patriarchs. This is a problem. The problem with this all stems back to the fact that, according to
the faiths, humans are imperfect. This is shown throughout various actions. The entity of the Bible, an important text in all of the Abrahamic faiths, deals with original sin. Adam and Eve bit the forbidden fruit and got cast out of the Garden of Eden, with men having an “Adam’s Apple” to carry the burden around forever. People are corruptible. People are sinners. People are the ones who abuse power. Back in October, the current head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, defrocked a couple of Archbishops in an ongoing sexual scandal. People who are part of the ministry are supposed to be better than that. Sexual abuse, abuse of power, is not what any reli-
Opinion gios organization wants, regardless of family or denomination. Abuses like this do have precedent. The Crusades, the Salem Witch Trials, the Spanish Inquisition. There is talk of an armed conflict in Eastern Europe with the Patriarchate of Constantinople Bartholomew recognizing the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Russian one. Christianity and its organizations provide valuable things to any society. They do charity work, give a sense of community. Sources of morality and strength. Militant atheists who oppose all churches are wrong. The churches can and do good things.
However we must remember that organized religion is a man-made structure. Religious authority figures have power, and not all of them handle it well. Pope Pius the Seventh is referred to as Hitler’s Pope, and is alleged to have had a hand in the holocaust. People can be corrupted and sinful. Religion is a powerful force in the world, with its leaders often have power imparted to them. Religious leaders often give their opinions on issues to sway the hearts and minds of the masses. Due to the impact and sight that religious leaders have, their positions have always been political. Local Ministers are often regarded highly within their community as leaders. Popes can call for religious wars. Patriarchs can excommunicate people, effectively choosing who can and cannot go to heaven. Religious leaders have sway and
power, and that is the problem. Religious leaders are human, and thus flawed. They are just susceptible to ambitions, lust and hatred. Politics have split Christianity before, like the Great Schism and the Reformation. Leaders can forget that they are supposed to focus on the spirit and not the body. They get caught up and dragged down with religious dogma and politics. That is how we get battles over Bible editions and other small arguments. Religious conflicts might never die down. Ask Israel. It is the duty of people to keep the core of their religion at heart. Religious leaders offer good guidance and leadership, but the masses must remain vigilant to ensure that religious leaders do not contradict the teachings and values of their faiths.
‘Blue wave’ not as big as Democrats anticipated
Removal of the President from office is still improbable even with a Democratic majority controlling the House BY MIKIE NEGRETE TIMES STAFF
Since Donald Trump took office two years ago, all that many of the country’s citizens that voted against him have had to look forward to is the midterm elections that were just held. Many individuals to the left of the political aisle saw the midterms as an opportunity to begin checking President Trump on his many actions that many pundits consider to be unconstitutional. For the extreme critics of the president - people like Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and even fellow Republicans like
Jeff Flake and John Kasich, saw the midterms as a potential opportunity to begin to flirt with the idea of impeachment. Since the Democrats took control of the House, the impeachment of President Trump is more likely now than it has ever been at any other point in his presidency. However, a common misconception that many Americans have is that the impeachment of a president equates to his or her removal from office; impeachment is simply the process to put an official on trial to be removed from office. So, even if Trump were to be impeached, the probability
of him actually being removed from office remains low, as the Senate, which Republicans held onto, would be the chamber actually voting on the removal from office of Trump should he be impeached by the House. For example, two presidents in our nation’s history have previously been impeached -- Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. However, the Senate acquitted both presidents of their charges, therefore, neither one of them was removed from office. Despite taking control of the House of Representatives, many prominent media pundits con-
Opinion sider the success of the Democrats in the midterms to be at best minimal; some even consider the midterms to be a failure since they did not take control of both chambers of Congress. Beyond the inability to remove President Trump from office, the failure the Democrats experienced in the Senate races in this election could have devastating consequences for policy they wish to pass. It may now be more difficult to ‘resist’ the president now after the midterms than it was before because of the fact that Dem-
ocrats actually lost seats in the Senate. It’ll now be easier for the president to have any potential Supreme Court nominees confirmed; the Democrats have less votes in the Senate now than they did during the confirmation hearings of then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Neither party should feel great about the results of the election. While the Democrats won big in the House, they lost in the Senate. President Trump will most certainly face the most resistance from his counterparts in D.C. now with a Democratic-lead House, but the fight is far from over for the left as they begin to push back on the Trump Administration and look to 2020.
Find out how to sign up for classes for spring 2018! This, and other articles, are available on the Times webpage at https://sjcctimes.com/
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8 News
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Holiday cheer on full display Creative and colorful trees delight the city this winter at Christmas in the Park PHOTOS BY CARLOS DURAN CONTRIBUTOR
The 60-foot community tree is reflected on wet pavement after a rainy day.
Above, A clown presents a balloon sword to a young girl as bubbles blow in the breeze. Below, Santa’s elves wrap gifts in a North Pole workshop display.
The 60-foot community giving tree looms large in the background as smaller tree decorated by various organizations fill the foreground at Christmas in the Park in San Jose, Wednesday, Nov. 28.
A giant ornament welcomes visitors.
Lilliana Chacon buys a churro from a Mexican Hot Chocolate and churro vendor.
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