Advocate 10-18 by The Advocate

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WEDNESDAY l 10.18.17 OUR 68TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

“ Since so many people have been evacuated and displaced, we are seeing a sudden increase at shelters.”

As the North Bay fires continue to burn, volunteer Jerry (right), who did not want to disclose his last name, trains an incoming volunteer at the Red Cross shelter in the Contra Costa College Gymnasium on Thursday.

Jenny Roberts, Red Cross lead volunteer

Gymnasium converted to shelter fire evacuees DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Red Cross provides safety, solace for those forced from their homes

By Michael Santone associate editor

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

Due to the rapid growth of the North Bay fires over the past week, the Contra Costa College Gymnasium has been designated an evacuation center by the Red Cross. Blankets, pallets of food and water and 325 cots started arriving by semi-truck on Oct. 11 as multiple wildfires pushed their way through Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. “We had two people arrive Monday morning,” Red Cross lead volunteer Jenny Roberts said Tuesday. “Since so many people have been evacuated and displaced, we are seeing a sudden increase at shelters.” Roberts said evacuees may have been taking refuge in their cars, but were advised by authorities to find a better solution for the time being. “We have been ready for over a week to provide assistance to those who have been affected

by these fires.” The Gymnasium floor, which is covered with a blue tarp, is divided into four sections for single men and women, families and those with pets. Upon arrival, evacuees must register before they are given a blanket and comfort kit that includes shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided, along with snacks throughout the day. “This is a great facility for a shelter with lots of showers and restrooms,” Red Cross volunteer Martha Fateman said. “The food will be locally sourced and we have many volunteers and other agencies ready to offer help.” According to Cal Fire, as of Tuesday, a total 245,000 acres have burned and 6,700 homes have been destroyed by the fires. Over 50,000 people have been evacuated and mandatory evacuation orders frequently have been put into place as flames inched closer to surrounding cities and towns in nearby Napa,

Sonoma and Solano counties. “It’s a day-to-day assessment. We don’t know what these fires will do next,” Fateman said. “Contra Costa College has been a great partner and we are prepared to stay as long as we need to.” The decision to use the CCC Gym as a shelter came hours after an announcement that Thursday classes had been canceled. During the district Governing Board meeting on Oct. 11 in Martinez, board Vice President Timothy Farley said earlier discussions helped set a clear path forward for the Red Cross shelter. “This is quite a first for our district, so I’m sure it will be a little bumpy at first,” he said. “But I think for the service of the communities that we are involved in — I absolutely support this decision.” West Contra Costa County social worker Teresa Gonzalez said she received a call late on Oct. 11 about helping out at the Red Cross shelSEE SHELTER PAGE A4

PLAY SPOOFS ZOMBIE LIFE WITH SATIRE, LAUGHTER

SHIFT IN ASU BOARD OPENS OPPORTUNITY

First play of the semester uses pop culture and sound effects to create a hilarious horror adventure in Knox Center.

By Michael Santone associate editor

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

PAGE A7

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

NorCal wildfires diminish air quality Smoke, particulate matter raise concern among Bay Area residents

SEE ASU, PAGE A4

FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

By Anthony Kinney associate editor

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

As growing attention focuses on the wildfires that continue to ravage Napa, Santa Rosa and other vulnerable North Bay communities, the unprecedented level of air pollution the blazes continue to emit has become a health hazard for all residents of the Bay Area. Most Bay Area res-

idents can see the hazy, smoke-filled sky in their cities and smell the wood burning stench in the air, but few really know much about the harmful particles that attack the lungs on a microscopic level when people inhale this polluted air. Wildfire smoke includes particles from burning trees and build-

A student holds his mask as he walks toward the Campus Center Plaza on Wednesday on a smoky day caused by Northern California wildfires.

SEE AIR QUALITY, PAGE A4

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

Soup, charity warms souls PAGE A6

Club Rush moments PAGE A8

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

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Over the past year the Contra Costa College Associated Student Union (ASU) has undergone a shift within its legislative body and adviser, opening new opportunities for the growth and success of student life. After its May 2017 elections, which yielded a new president, vice president and parliamentarian, the ASU has worked to adapt to changes while boosting membership and recognition for the 2018-17 year. “We are stronger and more accountable this semester,” ASU Director of Public Relations Addy Brien said. “It was a huge learning experience last semester, but we found a safe ground for events and organization.” Having been with ASU since 2014, Brien started out as a senator before serving as activities coordinator. Over the years, Brien said she has witnessed her share of lackluster semesters filled with unplanned events, however, now the ASU is more organized and structured now than ever before. “Last semester, we were too ambitious and tried to plan events that were out of our reach,” she said. “With a mostly new board, we had to learn our limits and begin slowly.” The ASU, which is responsible for representing the student body of both CCC and Middle College High School, aims to boost the student atmosphere through events and discussions. Events typically cater to the diverse makeup of the campus and include food, music and prizes. Not only can members of the ASU Board organize events, but also on-campus clubs, as well as departments, can petition the ASU for a Grant

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Quotable “Silence remains, inescapably, a form of speech.” Susan Sontag author 1967 Denis Perez editor-in-chief Roxana Amparo Anthony Kinney Michael Santone associate editors Mayra Garcia art director Benjamin Bassham news editor Robert Clinton sports editor opinion editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Dylan Collier assistant scene editor Efrain Valdez social media editor Tashi Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate Staff Leamsi Amaya Sean Austin Louis Cano Carina Castrillo Maxwell Craig Alondra Gallardo Ryan Geller Tony Gojilde Dan Hardin Julian Robinson Jessica Suico Desmond Sylva Drew Thomas Demond Washington Andrew Weedon Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 Member

Associated Collegiate Press

California Newspaper Publishers Association

Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accentadvocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2017 VOL. 105, NO. 7

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL IN, OUT MINDSET MARS LEARNING Associated Student Union membership lacks undergrads

s the cost of college tuition increases, community colleges are seen as a revolving door on the path to higher education. With a lower per unit cost than four-year institutions, which average $8,855 per year minus room and board, many community and junior colleges are fast-tracking student access to education to combat the potential of incurring a lifetime of strangling debt. At Contra Costa College, the average tuition is approximately $1,380 per year for in-state students and $9,000 for out-of-state students if they take 30 units per year. Still, this rush to collect tuition fees in exchange for transfer status, robs a community college of what it truly could be. Instead of offering itself as a hub for community involvement, many clubs and campus organizations remain sparsely populated, with community-organized events under-attended by students and staff. Even the student government at CCC is dominated by Middle College High School students who have more time to participate because they literally have to be here longer every day, despite the six-year average adult students take to graduate or transfer. The concept of California’s community colleges was brought to fruition in 1907 by the Legislature when attempting to increase learning opportunities for people who needed more than a high school education. The reality is, at its core, the true intent of the modern community college campus is to lead students down a conveyor belt toward a predetermined academic outcome or in many cases — simply the exit. “We are a two-year institution, which means students should be completing their degrees in two years. But for a lot of students that just doesn’t happen,” Academic Senate President Beth Goehring said. Based on district research, it takes up to six years for a student to graduate from a community college because often times, while attending community college, students have other responsibilities like tending to a family or a job. To remedy this, state and district administrators have limited class repeatability and are planning to institute guided pathways to streamline the student experience and offer an unimpeded path toward transfer or graduation. The program may increase campus success rates, but what it gains in completion, it loses in community culture and campus participation. This is clearly reflected by the minuscule number of non-high school students that hold ASU membership. A college that only focuses on completion rates will create a student body that is less involved in campus activities. The limiting of repeatable classes stunts opportunities to perfect a craft or skill and forces students who would normally be a part of the campus to find another outlet for their creativity. Students who become master level musicians or sculptors do little to raise campus completion rates, but students not on a guided pathway may have more time to involve themselves with on-campus activities. These students are also willing to pay for their tuition, but they are finding their money and their participation is no longer welcome here.

ALONDRA GALLARDO / THE ADVOCATE

■ LYRICAL CRITIQUE

Overhyped performance authentic, yet inadequate

rotest has been around since the inception of America, but like all other things once deemed unpopular, the idea is at the mercy of a common scourge of the oppressed — gentrification. Last week hip-hop icon Eminem performed at the BET Hip-Hop Music Awards and through a mediocre freestyle, gave a scathing indictment of President Donald Trump and the rapper’s own fans who may have supported his candidacy. While I respect the “8 Mile” star’s enthusiasm in policing his own brethren, the reaction to his freestyle by fans and pundits alike serve as, at worst, the Christopher Columbusization of politically-inspired lyricism and, at best, a blatant attempt at gentrifying a lane that since the birth of the genre, has never been left unoccupied. The list of politically conscious rappers, mainstream or underground, is too long to list. Hell, the genre was invented to bring true stories of people in the nation’s urban jungles to the general public. Hip-hop rose to prominence at a time when those issues rarely saw the light of day. Tons of television’s talking heads gained negative attention for making statements like that of Keith Olberman, who tweeted, “After 27 years of doubts about rap I am now an Eminem fan. Best political writing of the year, period.” How would he know — he, like many, have spent the last 27 years (or more)

surely arise. In the same co-opting vein, although I respect Eminem for admonishing his own fans for supporting Trump, the rapper failed to show respect to the many performers, before him and currently, who dedicated their talent, to the detriblinded by white noise. ment of their pocketbooks, Hip-hop has been a part to the task of tackling social of the American music land- issues in rhyme form. scape since 1973. Eminem essentially Lauding Eminem as a gentrified the space of conhero for spitting politically- scious rap and will reap the motivated verses is akin to rewards of an opportune honoring Jerry Jones (owner climate for doing so when of the Dallas he finishes his highly anticCrowning Cowboys) ipated album, alleged to be for taking the native released before the end of a pre-game year. knee as a Michigander thisThe rapper’s last project, standard “The Marshal Mathers LP as the king bearer for 2,” was released in 2013. social justice. of progressCrowning the native Hint: Michigander as the king of sive mesJones progressive messaging does couldn’t care a disservice to progressive saging does less about messengers, in any genre — social justice a disservice ever. and only The 44-year-old rapper’s to progres- verbal knelt after quip on Trump is best Trump gave left to be judged by its own instructions sive mesmerits. to football sengers, This is a portion of his fans to boyso-called in any genre president:evisceration of the cott games if players “But we better give — ever. continued Obama props, ’cause what to disrespect we got in office now’s a the American flag. kamikaze that’ll probably When Jones’ bottom line cause a holocaust. And was threatened, he co-opted while the drama pops. And #takeaknee. he waits for sh** to quiet Now, because of Jones down, he’ll just gas his plane and others, kneeling as a up and fly around ’til the form of protest is taintbombing stops. ed. But since the systemic Unimpressed? Me too. oppression at the root of the gesture has been left Robert Clinton is the opinunaddressed, new forms ion editor for The Advocate. of demonstrations on the Contact him at rclinton. nation’s largest platform theadvocate@gmail.com. (professional athletics) will

robertclinton

CAMPUS COMMENT If you had two minutes to get out of your home in a natural disaster, what would you grab?

“Shoes, my phone, laptop and any form of communication.”

“Something that I could eat and some water.”

“Anything that will help me survive, like water and food.

“My kids because I value their lives over anything.”

“I would grab a first aid kit and my hydro flask.”

“I would get my family, food and clothes, and then run to safety.”

Breanna Donaldson

Irene Cisnero

Jibra Mohammad

Levon James

Michael Sungiao

Ugen Tsering

social sciences

undecided

JESSICA SUICO AND LOUIS CANO /THE ADVOCATE

computer science

nursing

business

forum

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.18.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

MailBag

COLORISM, LANGUAGE ANALYZED Dear Editor: I really enjoyed reading about your article on colorism (“Snippets of shade,” page A8, Sept. 27 edition). Coincidently, my English class discussed this issue in depth as well. It was interesting to read about the different experiences from students of all ethnicities who have actually been discriminated against because of colorism. I, personally, have not been affected by colorism, but my sisters have. They often are compared to me because I am a light-skinned Asian, and in many Asian cultures, lighter skin is the ideal because it means you have money and you don’t have to work out in the fields all day. It is sad to see discrimination occur at all, let alone within one’s own culture. Like one of the students stated, it is another reason for people to turn on each other. I think that you writing the article exposes discrimination that is not talked about often. Michelle Yoo, CCC student

Dear Editor: I would like to thank you for an awesome article that acknowledges the experience of many Latinos. In the article “Language Deficiency Triggers Shame” (page 2, Sept. 27) by Roxana Amparo, she explains how many Hispanics feel about the loss of not only their culture, but also their language. When I arrived in this country, I only spoke Spanish and now, here I am writing to you in English. When I was a little kid and had just arrived here, I was encouraged to learn English in order to succeed in my education. Never did I expect to forget my mother language, Spanish. Nevertheless, I feel proud to be who I am, a bilingual, and your article is a reminder for me to not disconnect from my roots. You inspired me through your words and just brought back many memories that had been fading away. Luis Amurio, CCC student

Dear Editor: When I read (“Snippets of shade”), I felt the same way Elias Ledezma does. Since I am a light-skinned Mexican-American, people sometimes assume I don’t speak Spanish and get surprised when they hear me respond in my language. Also, when I read the parts when they talked about never really paying much attention to race but only skin color until they got to the U.S., it hit me. How could going to a place where they know nothing about other cultures or identities be so racist and discriminate against them just because of skin color? Another thing that I found interesting was what Joel Nickelson-Shanks said. No matter where he goes, dark-skinned people get treated with discrimination. Even though we are all human, some get treated better than others, and it mostly has to do with skin color. Stephanie Patino, CCC student

Dear Editor: I liked what you said in the article, “Language Deficiency Triggers Shame” (page 2, Sept. 27) that “I am not enough Mexico to be Mexican nor am I enough America to be American.” I relate to you because both my parents were Spanish speakers as well and didn’t know English. Another strong line that stood out to me was, “In first grade when not knowing how to tell my teacher I needed to use the bathroom, I cried instead.” That’s something really hard you had to go through, and I could imagine myself in your situation. It would’ve just overwhelmed me, and I’d probably have gone through a state of depression. But now I see that you are successful and all the bad things that you went through faded away over time and made you a stronger individual. Audrey Birrueta, CCC student

Dear Editor: Often, we start to think that colorism (“Snippets of shade”) is just a normal thing and we start to internalize it, that there is a problem bigger than colorism itself. We need to educate ourselves about this and stand up and resist the hatred and discrimination around us. Articles like this one are very important. They open the eyes of people who otherwise would not even think about these issues. I commend you and thank you for doing your part in the fight against bigotry and discrimination in a world that is so upside down right now. Dania Chavez, CCC student

Dear Editor: Many people who come to the U.S. forget their own language because of the use of a new language. But it also causes a couple of problems. I grew up listening to English because of school, but kept Spanish because of my family. Yet, I still have trouble writing and saying some things in Spanish. When I was younger, I would not consider myself Mexican because I have never been to Mexico, but neither did I consider myself an “American,” though now I consider myself Mexican, even though I came to the U.S. when I was only 8 months old. Jazmin Martinez, CCC student

■ EXPERIENCE

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FAILS TO TEACH ADULT DUTIES

’ve appreciated what the American educational system has given me. It is a flawed system, but there are options to how children can use what is available to be productive. We are taught arithmetic, science, languages and communication skills. But we are never taught about how to do taxes, develop a good credit score or how to put yourself in a position to get a mortgage on a house. This creates a disadvantage for young college graduates who are trying to establish their adult lives. Kindergarten through middle school, I attended public schools in the Richmond/San Pablo area. In high school I was lucky enough to attend a private Catholic school, for a minimal price, making it very affordable for my family. I believe I received a well-rounded education that gave me a well-rounded point of view. Now that I am in college, I’m glad that I learned those basic subjects in school and I understand that K-12 is meant to prepare you for college. However, the educational system forgets that college is not a requirement after high school. I want my During those high school years of educa- peers to tion, students are not being prepared for any know that real life situations. I didn’t think about we have this until the unexpected death of my not been mother who was the prepared sole breadwinner of my household. As an only child, at to handle 20 years old, I inherthe basic ited everything she owned, including a adult mortgage. Yes, I understand that as soon as a per- responsibison turns 18 and as long as they are work- lities of ing they are required being to file taxes. I also understand that people productive my age also get credit cards and should have members a basic understanding of it. of this Still, people my age do not realize that it society. gets much more complicated than that.

efrainvaldez What I want to tell my peers is that the educational system has failed in preparing us for the real world. I want to warn my peers that we have not been prepared to handle the basic adult responsibilities of being productive members of this society. Eventually they will have to know the ins and outs of a mortgage, or what kind of life insurance best fits the needs of their family. For the most

part, we are uninformed and it is difficult to think about something like that while attending college. In the most important years of our youth, we are forced to worry about getting the grades that will earn us a diploma so we can earn enough money for a better life — which is OK. It is OK because that feeling of anxiety is imposed on us by our failing educational system. Don’t feel guilty or get mad at yourselves — the system has failed us in this aspect. After a college graduate is at a job for a few years and is established in their career field, these people will eventually have to learn about mortgages and life insurance. Managing these kinds of things usually takes a few failed attempts to become well informed. Having to do this in real life situations can really bite you in the ass at times.

School should’ve taught us how to do these things because it is something that is almost a custom in this country. It is embarrassing that our educational system has set us up for failure in the real world. It would have been helpful, for me, if the educational system could have provided me a blueprint on how to manage these responsibilities. I would have handled the loads of paperwork and information thrown my much more efficiently. It would have prevented the mad scramble I had looking for answers from older adults who have done these things before. Efrain Valdez is the social media editor for The Advocate. Contact him at evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com.

TAXES? OH NO! STUDENTS HAVE BETTER THINGS TO LEARN ABOUT.

ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.18.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

NEWSLINE ASU | Board improves participation, organization n TOURS

Continued from Page A1

STUDENTS TO VISIT HBCU CAMPUSES Contra Costa College will sponsor a tour of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) March 25-30, 2018. Participating students will visit Clark-Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman and Florida A&M. All eligible CCC transfer/MCHS students can apply to go on the tour, although only 12 students will be selected to participate. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Nov. 30. Applications may be submitted in person to the Transfer Center. For more details, attend a HBCU Transfer Workshop, or speak with counselor Andrea Phillips in SA-227 or email her at aphillips@ contracosta.edu.

n FINANCIAL AID

WORKSHOP TO GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT The college will host a Cash for College workshop in the Student Services Center Nov. 7 from 4:307:30 p.m to aid students in the financial aid application process. Students experiencing issues applying for FAFSA are encouraged to attend. The workshop will be an opportunity for students to receive oneon-one help completing their FAFSA/Dream Act applications. For more information, contact financial aid assistant Charles Ramirez at 510-215-3944.

n HALLOWEEN

SAN PABLO HOSTS SPOOKY EVENT The city of San Pablo will host a citywide Halloween event on Oct. 26 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the San Pablo City Hall courtyard at 13831 San Pablo Ave. Each city department will man a decorated booth where participants can gather candy and receive information from officials about their respective departments. Participants can vote for their favorite booth. Children are urged to dress up in a costume and bring their own bag. For more information call 510215-3080 or email recreation@sanpabloca.gov.

for Support to help with the financial burden of the semester. Funds come from the $5 Student Activity Fee, which is paid by all students who do not submit a form waiving the fee at the beginning of each semester. So far there have been events promoting suicide awareness, Hispanic heritage and Club Rush. Brien said it took a while for the board to get used to operating with new President Alexander WalkerGriffin, having gotten used to the way previous president Safi WardDavis conducted things. “We had communication issues last semester that really changed the dynamic of how we operated,” Brien said. “But we have worked on these problems and opened more direct lines of communication that have benefited us.” There are currently 13 ASU Board members and three petitioning to be senators. The ASU also underwent a change in its adviser, with the addition of Joel Nickelson-Shanks as a full-time employee in August of 2016. “A lot has changed within the ASU, including this being my first full year in leadership,” NickelsonShanks said. “It’s always about get-

ting better and with such a diverse group, there is a lot that can be done.” As adviser, Nickelson-Shanks works closely with the ASU Board to provide guidance as they learn about budgeting, community outreach and student planning. Nickelson-Shanks said that due to the ASU’s diligence, programs like the food pantry and the interfaith room have been provided to students on campus. Bus passes and annual scholarships have also been awarded to students. “The ASU is really the voice of students and where the administration comes when they want to reach out and offer more to the campus,” Nickelson-Shanks said. “There is always room for improvement and at the end of the day it’s about building leaders that speak for the students.” Walker-Griffin said the semester has gotten off to a good start as more students are showing interest in what ASU is and what the board does. “We have a really good board with members of all races and ages,” he said. “Relating to students and engaging in what is going on around the college is really our main priority.” Walker-Griffin said that last

Alex Walker-Griffin, president Sits on shared governance groups at local, district and state levels. Leads the ASU meetings and oversees the budget.

Esmeralda Topete, vice president Votes on the ASU Board and leads meetings in case of president’s absence. Also sits on a college committee.

Jaqueline Ortiz, parliamentarian Ensures Robert’s Rules of Order are followed and votes during meetings of the ASU. Ensures Brown Act of public meeting laws are upheld. INFOGRAPH BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: THE ADVOCATE ISSUE 4-19-17

semester everything was centered on timing and when to have events so all CCC students had the chance to participate. “Now that we have (more peo-

ple on the) board, it will be easier to increase the ASU’s presence around campus,” Walker-Griffin said.

SHELTER | Necessities provide temporary relief Continued from Page A1 ter evacuation center at CCC. “Social services needs to be involved in the process to provide aid and comfort to those who are affected by these fires,” she said. “When they come in we want to welcome them, ask if they are OK and if there is anything they need.” Gonzalez said originally the Red Cross shelter was supposed be in Fairfield, however, with the fire spreading in that direction it was relocated to CCC here in San Pablo. “Most of the evacuation centers are reaching capacity and with the fires nowhere near contained, the need for more resources is necessary,” she said. Many evacuees have only minutes to spare

as they frantically collect what they can before escaping. With little time, essential things like medication or health equipment are sometimes forgotten. “These people are scared and in shock with only the clothes on their back,” Gonzalez said. “It’s my job to make them feel as comfortable as possible.” Red Cross volunteer Carrie Morgan, who recently helped those impacted by Hurricane Irma in Florida, said that one key element in natural disasters is aid and resources. “Basic needs are always the same; shelter, food and support,” he said. “No matter, if there is a flood outside or a wall of fire, everything has been rehearsed over and over again.”

Morgan, who came from Arizona to help, has volunteered in a number of different disasters including a flood that ravaged his own home. “If there is one thing we’ve learned is that people will not leave their pets,” he said. “We accommodate and won’t turn anyone away.” For those evacuating the firestorms that have plagued Northern California, getting out is just the beginning. As the smoke clears and damage is assessed, the aftermath of what remains can be a shocking blow for those who have to rebuild their lives. “Some of these shelters will be open for months so they can provide support for those to get back on their feet.”

n SPIRIT WEEK

STUDENTS URGED TO SHOW SPIRIT Contra Costa College’s Gateway to College program encourages students to show school spirit by participating in the program’s Spirit Week, set for Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. Oct. 30 will be P.J. (pajamas) Day. On Tuesday, students will be allowed to dress in costumes for the Halloween observance. Wednesday, students should wear their favorite athlete’s jersey for Sports Day. Students are encouraged to wear Disney merchandise on Thursday for Disney Day. Friday, students are urged to wear “Class Colors.”

CRIMEWATCH Monday, Oct. 9: A pedestrian was stopped by an officer in the vicinity of the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts. Wednesday, Oct. 11: A pedestrian was stopped by an officer in the Campus Center Plaza. Thursday, Oct. 12: A fire alarm was pulled in the Building and Grounds and Campus Receiving building. Friday, Oct. 13: A fire alarm was pulled in the Student Services Center. — Anthony Kinney

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

The Tubbs fire continues to burn and emit smoke, ash and particulate matter into the air in Napa on Saturday.

AIR QUALITY | Recurring winds transport toxins Continued from Page A1 ing materials mixed with gasses that form the clouds that invade skylines. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Public Information Officer Ralph Borrmann said the agency is keeping a close eye on the levels of the particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air via its various monitoring stations located throughout the Bay Area. Measured in microns, fine particulate matter travels deep into the respiratory tract and lungs when inhaled, causing a slew of short and long-term health effects depending on the duration of exposure, he said. Short-term symptoms include eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. Longer exposure can cause reduced lung function, bronchitis and the worsening of medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. Borrmann recommends that residents pay attention to visible guides regarding the fires and local air quality reports like the one offered at www.airnow.gov, the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to stay updated on their cities’ air quality. “Every area’s index level is different depending on what direction the wind is blowing from the

fire,” he said. He said the particulate matter accumulates in the air even when no smoke is present creating a breathing hazard until a strong enough wind blows it away. According to the EPA’s website, as of 10 a.m. Friday Oakland’s air quality index (AQI) sat at 171, a level unhealthy for humans, especially people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children. Napa’s index is holding at 272, a level the district dubbed very unhealthy. Borrmann said monitoring stations as far south of the flames as Gilroy in Santa Clara County are also reaching “Red Zone” levels as high winds are pushing the smoke toward towns 50 miles from the fire. “We have elevated levels in areas of the Bay Area where it’s rarely seen this high,” Borrmann said. “Even San Jose and its surrounding area’s air is impacted by this fire.” Richmond Organizer at Communities for a Better Environment Andres Soto said wildfires are a natural part of California’s ecosystem, however, he contributes the severity of the North Bay’s blazes to climate change. “We had seven years of drought, then suddenly a winter of tremendous rain which created a massive undergrowth that sets the tone for these kinds of fires,” Soto said.

“These natural disasters are going to keep getting worse unless we do something to counter climate change.” Contra Costa Community College District Director of Risk Management Herb Lester released a statement Oct. 11 issuing a smoke advisory urging district students and staff to limit outdoor activities to avoid unnecessary smoke exposure. In the statement, he also recommends they set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside harmful particles from traveling inside. Soto said animals are also susceptible to getting sick after long exposure to smoke and particulate matter, so residents should be sure to keep pets inside. Borrmann recommends residents in towns affected by heavy smoke to stay inside buildings with filtered air, like libraries or shopping malls, and to evacuate their homes when prompted. For those who can’t avoid being outside, he recommends wearing an N95 mask to help minimize breathing in dangerous particles. “People must ensure they’re following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using an N95 mask to maximize its effectiveness when filtering out harmful fine particulates,” he said. The BAAQMD has delivered 20,000 N95 masks to four counties

experiencing uncontrolled wildfires so far: Solano, Napa, Sonoma and Marin. Since the morning of Oct. 10, the BAAQMD has been issuing Health Advisories and Spare the Air alerts to advise communities to avoid adding additional air pollution to the Bay Area’s already unhealthy skies. They urge curbing activities such as wood burning and lawn mowing, as well as limiting driving automobiles until further notice. As a safety precaution, the district has worked with the Red Cross to establish an evacuation center in Contra Costa College’s Gymnasium for people affected by the North Bay infernos. Administrators also canceled classes at all three district colleges on Thursday. The official death toll of the wildfires had reached 41 as of Tuesday and is expected to increase in the coming days. The fire is already the deadliest in the state’s history. Firefighters from all over the Bay Area are participating in efforts to suppress the fires. Soto said even if the air outside or in your home looks clear and smoke-free, it may not be free of harmful microscopic particulate matter until possibly days after the fires are fully contained. So to remain safe, residents should keep an N95 mask close by until further notice.

campus beat

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DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Ceramics instructor May Law (right) shows off a ceramic bowl to art majors Barbara Burgess (left) and Grace Brown in the Fireside Hall on Friday.

DINERS FILL UP BOWLS FOR CHARITY

By Benjamin Bassham news editor

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

Under gray skies and a baleful pall of smoke from California’s wildfires, people gathered Friday to put aside their breathing masks to eat soup for charity. Empty Bowls, hosted by Contra Costa College’s culinary arts and fine and media arts departments, is part of an international program to raise money to feed the hungry. Pottery students, teachers, volunteers and former students have been making and decorating bowls since the fall semester started. Those bowls were brought forth to be sold to students for $5 and non-students for $10, plus $10 for every additional bowl. But purchase of a single bowl came with unlimited refills of soup, as long as it lasted. Tickets for a raffle for more valuable pieces of pottery cost $2 each. The bowls were to be sold in the College Center Plaza, but to escape the visible shroud of smoke blurring the air, the tables of bowls were moved into the Fireside Hall. Allen Perlof, one of the volunteer potters, said it was nice to be able to put out all the bowls at once. Before the completion of the Campus Center Project the bowls were displayed on tables on the lawn behind the Applied Arts Building. Instructional Assistant Angel Chau said there were about 700 bowls on display. Some were irregular, some professionally formed. Various sizes and clever uses of glazes and knurling were exhibited. CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, when picking out which bowl to buy said, “It

has to call to me.” Dr. RanaLee Berman, a CCC alumnus, said, “I got three. Absolutely gorgeous. They make beautiful gifts.” Live music was provided in the Fireside Hall by HULA, the Hilltop Ukulele Lovers Academy. Headed by Jon Cyr, they have attended all of CCC’s Empty Bowls events and are recruiting. Call 510-697-2561 for information. Outside and in the Aqua Terra Grill where attendees dined, music was provided by DJ Ron Webster, a CCC culinary arts graduate. After picking their bowls, buyers moved across to Aqua Terra to pay and receive an admittance bracelet confirming their purchase. Though the bowls were prewashed, some diners took advantage of the culinary arts department’s high-powered dish washing device, made available to clean the bowls for transport home. Then 11:30 a.m. rolled around and the culinary arts students got down to business. Chef Nader Sharkes said the soups are student projects, with distinct groups each producing their own soup. New England clam chowder with crouton garnish, with or without bacon, is a perennial favorite at these events. It was chewy and rich, though not as thick as in previous events. In fact, culinary arts student Karandeep Rekhi said the clam chowder came out thinner than its cook intended. On other occasions the chowder has run out early. Not this time, as there was a ton of chowder prepared. Sharkes said, “We made plenty,” but also

“I got three (ceramic bowls). Absolutely gorgeous. They make beautiful gifts.” RanaLee Berman,

Contra Costa College alumnus

boasted, “There’ll be no leftovers.” “The vegan (soup) is finished, vegetable chicken is finished, a little Tom Yum is left, by the end of the day the chowder will be gone.” Eating chicken vegetable soup with cheese ravioli out on Aqua Terra’s balcony, despite the miserable haze, math major Herschel Schwartz said, “I was expecting it to be good, but it’s vastly better than something I could have made at home.” About a bowl from a previous event he commented that the glaze resembled “cosmic sea foam,” with burst white bubbles at the bottom and nebulae up above. He also said that while the bowls are nice, “They’re always a little bit smaller than I like a bowl.” The Tom Yum soup with shrimp and chicken is a Thai soup. Artist Annabelle Port said, “I liked the chowder and croutons and the vegan one. Something was off with the flavor of the Thai one (Tom Yum).” Chau said, “It’s supposed to be hot and sour. It needed a little lime.” Rekhi said one difficulty was that they used lemongrass paste, because they didn’t have fresh lemongrass.

Part way through the event diner’s reactions changed. Christine Sanok, retired from Richmond Fire Department on Sept. 1 and now in her first semester as a culinary arts student, worked on the Tom Yum soup. “We’ve tweaked it, added a little more paste, trying to spice it up a little.” After the changes it looked thicker and more brown than red. People seemed quite happy with it. Sanok said, “This weekend I’m going to do the Tom Yum at home.” Mehdizadeh said she found the Tom Yum delicious, but the vegan soup was her favorite, though she only tried the two. “I don’t normally like sweet soups.” Rekhi, who crafted the vegan soup, said, “Chef (Elizabeth Schwartz) didn’t really give me a recipe.” He decided on a recipe based on what was available. Sweet potatoes, coconut milk, pureed onion and garlic, simmered into a sauce. Schwartz said nearly 40 gallons of soup were consumed. “It’s a better turnout than last year — it was great to see, considering the haze,” she said. She speculated that the more central location in the Student Administration Building helped more people find it. Contracosta.edu states, “All net proceeds will go to the Bay Area Rescue Mission to support its efforts to end hunger and food insecurity in the community.” Sharkes said CCC’s culinary arts department has a standing arrangement with the Mission, recruiting from them and even providing a one-year certificate program.

Festival highlights diverse club activity

By Andrew Weedon advocate staff

aweedon.theadvocate@gmail.com

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

A student throws a ball toward the dunk tank set up in the middle of the Campus Center Plaza during Club Rush on Oct. 11.

A sense of unity was clearly evident at Club Rush, held Oct. 11, as each club took on a specific social issue to tell fellow students about. Students and teachers alike danced to music provided by a live DJ while the College Center Plaza was dusted with ash from the Northern California fires. As students talked to a myriad of club representatives on the perimeter of the plaza, a dunk tank was placed in the center and quickly became a hit among students. A table with two chess boards even helped stir up some friendly rivalries. With a theme of unity chosen by the Associated Student Union, each club was responsible for representing an issue that has divided people in the U.S. “One club is doing Black Lives Matter and another is doing animal cruelty plus others to really show unity,” explained Student Life Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks. He said that the idea for the dunk tank was to have various students wear shirts that said things like racism, sexism, bigotry, other types of social justice issues. Students signed a participation sheet and then threw a ball to dunk the person and symbolically “destroy” that type of discrimination. This idea, however, quickly descended into many

students volunteering and participating soaking the plaza’s brick pavement in the process. “Everything feels united by the great energy at all of the tables,” political science major Chris Miller, who is part of the COPA Club which was representing LGBTQ issues, said. A unique feature of their table was a set of papers with QR codes, which students could scan with their phones, that linked to information about various important events in LGBTQ history. A member of the Muslim Student Association, electrical engineering major Mohammed Arsalan, explained that the MSA table was letting students try on various types of Muslim head wear. Qossay Housheya, a computer information systems major, who is also part of the MSA, said the club was also doing henna artwork and had information displayed about famous Muslim people. Arsalan and Housheya said they hope the work they put in will help show fellow students that Islam is a peaceful religion. The ever present smoke on campus caused by the still-burning wildfires throughout the North Bay Area offered an interesting opportunity for unity at the event as many students wore masks covered in bright rhinestones. “I believe an event like this is important to help with campus unity and to show students that we can come together in times of widespread discrimination,” Miller said.

campusbeat System assists writing

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.18.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

By Dan Hardin advocate staff

dhardin.theadvocate@gmail.com

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

United Faculty intern Kristin Lobos works on the health and human services department Facebook page in professor Amita Mickle’s office in GE-109 on Oct. 10.

PROGRAM AIDS GROWTH United Faculty strives to educate, grow district leaders

“Our purpose is to fight for students rights as well as for faculty rights.” Aminta Mickles,

United Faculty intern coordinator

By Alondra Gallardo advocate

Staff

agallardo.theadvocate@gmail.com

The United Faculty is seeking students to fill paid internships and volunteers for a variety of different political activities and opportunities sponsored by the United Faculty. Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board Trustee Gary Walker-Roberts has experienced the program firsthand. “I would not know how to do my job as a district trustee if I did not go through the internship,” Walker-Roberts said. He began as a volunteer, then was hired as a paid intern and now is a district trustee. “I found out about the internship through the student government at Los Medanos College,” he said. “I then contacted (UF Intern Coordinator) Aminta Mickles and did a phone interview with her. She told me what the internship’s qualifications and responsibilities were.” UF interns and volunteers engage

with the student bodies at all three district colleges, Walker-Roberts said. They encourage (students) to register to vote, discuss the political landscape and to understand issues like bond measures to examine how legislation affects students and taxpayers. “We discussed what ways the (political) playing field affected us and in what ways faculty and students could move forward with a political agenda. We also find ways that we can help out the community,” he said. Those interested in serving as an intern or volunteer in the UF program should email Mickles at amickles@contracosta.edu. Mickles, a member of the UF Executive Board and a Contra Costa College health and human services professor, said, “Our purpose is to fight for student rights as well as for faculty rights.” One example affecting both students and faculty is that there are more parttime professors than there are full-time professors.

She said this affects both the students and faculty because the professors do not have as many one-on-one office hours for the students. She also said some of them have to rush off to another job, located on another campus, in order to earn enough money to make a living. Walker-Roberts said, “The professors, who are mentors, are great. They are really passionate about what they do. They spend their time off the clock with us. They love to teach and to watch us learn.” “Because of the UF budget, we can only take two to three interns from each campus (of the three district colleges,” Mickles said. “We offer various activities and duties, from learning how to lobby and speak with legislators, to going to Governing Board meetings twice a year and dealing with anything that is related to a student’s education. You need to want to learn about politics and what is going on around you.” Second semester intern Kristin Lobos said last semester the interns got to go to a conference in Sacramento for two days with student leaders and interns from all of the community colleges in California. “We learned how to lobby and we had a meeting about what we wanted to talk about with the legislators,” Lobos said. “Then we met with four of them. We learned how to be advocates in the community, which is really amazing.”

Capturing lectures, annotating concepts, reviewing notes and engaging users (C.A.R.E) are the four components that make up the Sonocent Note Taker companion used to help veterans and Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) students take better notes. A free 30-day trial of the Sonocent audio note taker can be downloaded for either PC or Mac at sonocent.com. Students who would like to continue their subscription, free of charge after the trial expires, should contact Computer Aided Instruction Lab Coordinator Eric Appel at eappel@contracosta.edu or in the CTC-109, Monday-Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The service is free for veterans and students with a certifiable disability. Learning Specialist Alissa Scanlin said Sonocent will allow students to record lectures in Stollings segments. The software allows for the segments to be highlighted to use in future studying sessions. “It’s easy to go back to key moments in the recording since the audio is visualized, phrase-byphrase,” Dr. Scanlin said The main advantage Sonocent gives users is the ability to record audio, organize it in live time and access files easily, she said. Students can also add photos, slides and text notes alongside recordings to bolster the effectiveness of study materials. The program can be used on a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop and the files can be exchanged across different platforms and devices. This function promotes user engagement by making it possible to exchange audio notes to peers or on social media. DSPS Instructional Assistant Richard Stollings said the beauty of it all is that you can listen to it anytime, anyplace or anywhere. Stollings said the only challenge that may occur is from instructors who might be uncomfortable with allowing students to use the program by phone or laptop in class. The software is user-friendly and the controls are simple enough that no technical experience is necessary to navigate the app. “Hopefully, instructors will take time to appreciate how helpful the program can be for students who really want to learn,” Stollings said. Sociology and social sciences department Chairperson Vern Cromartie said, “I would not have a problem with a certified DSPS student or veteran recording a lecture using the Sonocent program. “Normally cellphones are not permitted in my classroom due to their tendency to detract from the lecture.” Appel said, “Taking accurate notes at a meeting or lecture can be very challenging. Studies show that students who take good notes also make better grades. Because of Sonocent, struggling students go from lower grades, to A’s and B’s.”

Health professionals discuss the reality of youth suicide You Are Not Alone event underlines symptoms, support By Efrain Valdez social media editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

A panel comprised of first responders, campus counselors, Bay Area mental health experts and local psychologists spoke about the procedures used to help suicidal adolescents in the Fireside Hall Oct. 9. Hosted by the Associated Student Union, the Suicide Prevention Month event titled “You Are Not Alone” Johnson aimed to raise awareness about the signs some people may exhibit while contemplating suicide.

“This was the first event that I’ve put together here on campus,” ASU Senator Mikaela Pollard said. “I wanted this to happen during Suicide Prevention Month (which was in September) but we didn’t think we were ready to hold this. It’s something that has to be taken very seriously,” she said. The event started off with a powerful music video, by rapper Logic, called “1-800-273-8255.” The name of the song is the phone number of the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The speakers and guests on the panel talked about and highlighted the importance of keeping the confidentiality of the people they help who may be suffering from suicidal thoughts. “Growing up, I experienced losing young family members because of suicide,” Pollard said. “I wanted to talk about suicide prevention because it’s something that often goes unmentioned — it hits close to home.” “I thought we had a very good turnout,” counseling assistant Vanessa Johnson said. “I was very

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Health experts, counselors and first respondes discussed resources available for suicidal youth during the You Are Not Alone event in Fireside Hall on Oct. 9.

skeptical if students would come out and talk about suicide.” Community Outreach Director for Bay Area Clinical Associates (BACA) Nan Farley said that BACA looks for events like this, especially ones held on school campuses in the area. Farley said that Johnson told her that this would be a perfect event for BACA to come out to Contra Costa College and take a part in. “Our clinic is for children and adolescents,” Farley said. “We do

this because when someone turns 18 they are thrown into group therapy sessions with 40-year-olds and those two age groups usually can’t relate with each other,” she said. Pollard said that the event was meant to highlight the resources and people located here on campus and to help those people with suicidal thoughts. “That’s why we brought the professionals here today. Without Vanessa’s help this event wouldn’t have happened,” she said.

“Getting all the professionals here took a team effort by staying in contact (with the clinical professionals) and with each other,” Johnson said. “I just played a supportive role, I just wanted to help Mikaela and get this started,” she said. “There should be something on campus each and every semester whether it’s an event like today’s or just passing out fliers. I’ll try to push myself to make this happen,” Pollard said.

scene

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Farcical play delights ‘Zombie Town’ debuts, uses lively characters to inspire laughter

By Michael Santone associate editor

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

ombies, blood and brains take center stage in “Zombie Town,” a satirical spoof opening the drama department’s 2017-18

season. Written by Tim Bauer and directed by drama professor Tara Blau, the documentary-style play is loaded with witty banter and slapstick comedy brought to life by a wonderful cast creating an unconventional night of theater. “Zombie Town” follows a theater collective from San Francisco that travels to the small town of Harwood, Texas to investigate a recent zombie outbreak. The play weaves together interviews of the surviving residents’ first-hand accounts. Five actors porPLAY REVIEW tray the residents of Harwood and the “Zombie Town” theater collective ★★★★★ members, switching Venue: John & between different Jean Knox Center for the Performing characters from sceneArts to-scene. Directed by: Tara These character Blau transitions are visually Continues: Friday, Saturday marked by adding and at 7:30 p.m., removing pieces of Sunday at 3 p.m. clothing and are made smoothly throughout the entire play, which can be difficult to pull off live. Each actor showcases remarkable range, showing incredible skill to effortlessly make each character a distinct portrayal. “Zombie Town” will continue its run Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the John and Jean Center for the Performing Arts. Diego Loza plays characters like the mayor of Harwood and the gravedigger, Otis Graves. Loza does a fantastic job of portraying two totally different personas. Loza’s great country accent contributes strongly to the setting and making it feel authentic. Josiah Garcia plays theater collective member Dave Winfrey and a local hardware store owner. He brings another aspect of comedy through repetition of phrases like “them hills” in reference to the hills from where the zombies originate. Garcia captures the spoof in the redundancy of a mockumentary with his shift in tone and physical movement that drives the play forward.

As residents continue to recount their theories and experiences with the brain-eating, re-animated corpses, the hilarious and absurd antics are revved up. Once the audience is introduced to the over the top Slash Murphy, a rebellious rock ’n’ roller, the laughs and crude humor are plentiful. Slash, who jumps out from behind the curtain and onto a small wooden platform, is the epitome of a stoner douche bag lady’s man. Bryce Smith is outstanding as Slash. He is remarkably convincing in his role as he screams about beer, boobs and Led Zeppelin. Shortly after Slash makes his entrance, Didi Drago is introduced by Slash who recalls spotting Drago and her best friend at the coffee shop before going over to shamelessly flirt. Kamaria McKinney nails the character of Didi, who is the stereotypical ditzy cheerleader who starts every sentence with “like.” McKinney does a masterful job with all the nonverbal ticks, like obsessively filing her nails throughout the show as she throws sass and spot on zingers toward Slash. The chemistry between the two is magnetic, which helps maintain the continuous onslaught of comedic banter, leaving the audience in stitches. The minimal set design of three wooden platforms also helps feature, and not distract, from the actors. This comes in handy as Didi and Slash utilize the whole stage to build up the suspense of their first accounts of the zombie who dug itself up from the grave and attacked Didi’s best friend. As both Didi and Slash react to each other’s accounts with pandemonium and energy, they meet accountant Eric Swerdloff, played by Mark Shepard. Shepard delivers the best acting and characterizations of the whole cast, nearly stealing the show in every scene, with his humorous ad libs and bitter old man attitude. The material and build up of action between Slash, Didi and Eric hearkens back to the cheesy 70s and 80s horror movie tropes where people should be dashing out the door — instead they investigate the creepy noise. Every scene with Smith, McKinney and Shepard is a gem that almost outshines Loza and Garcia. The trio’s experience with the zombie outbreak becomes a frantic and riotous farce. The number of laughs doubles alongside the one-liners dealt out by Eric. Fast-pace scenes of hungry zombies who reach out for their next victims fuel the ending of the play as blood begins to fly and smear the stage.

TOP 5 SCARIEST FILMS FROM THIS DECADE (SO FAR) 5

“V/H/S” series (2012, 2013) This anthology horror series features several short horror films tied together by a larger narrative throughout the films. Both of the movies in the “V/H/S” series share a unified theme from each short film being of a “found footage” genre. Each film ends with gruesome murders and are grounded and supernatural in nature. Killings in the woods, a mystery told entirely through group chat, and a slumber party alien abduction, are two of the featured stories. The “V/H/S” movies gained mainstream notice on Netflix.

“Sinister” series (2012, 2015) A struggling true-crime Ellison Oswald writer encounters a film that documents the death of a family. He moves his family into the victims’ home. His dedication to climbing back up to his previous status as a top-selling writer drives him to pursue more knowledge about the film. The film footage and other haunting clues hint at a supernatural presence in his new home. The second film in the series is a continuation of the story following different characters with a similar plot. Courtney, Dylan and Zach Collins are the focus on the sequel.

LEFT: Eric Swerdloff (right), played by Mark Shepard, Didi Drago (center), played by Kamaria McKinney and Slash Murphy re-enact their fight against the zombie hordes during the opening night performance of “Zombie Town” on Friday.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Slash Murphy (left), played by Bryce Smith, grabs a zombified resident of Harwood, Texas, played by Diego Loza while Dave Winfrey (right), played by Josiah Garcia, keeps his distance from the fray during the opening night performance of “Zombie Town” on Friday.

“Anabelle” series (2014, 2017) Written as a spin-off series to “The Conjuring” films, the “Annabelle” quickly gained popularity despite negative reviews. The first “Annabelle” film, directed by John R. Leonetti, was about the doll that appears in “The Conjuring” series. The film focuses on how the doll is possessed when a cult breaks into a couple’s home and kills them before one is shot and the other kills herself with the doll in her hand. The second film is a prequel that focuses on the maker of the doll many years earlier and how he created a doll, after his daughter died, which became possessed and attempted to kill many of the orphans in his care.

“Insidious” series (2010, 2013, 2015) This set of three films follows a psychic through her life and experiences. In the first two films, directed by James Wan, she helps a family with a comatose son who becomes possessed by a realm populated with hellish demons. In the prequel third film she helps a young girl who is haunted by a demon after attempting to call out to her dead mother. The fourth film is set to take place between the first film and the prequel. With a Jan. 5, 2018 release date, the film will be about one of the characters, Elise, and how she rediscovers her abilities.

“The Conjuring” series (2013, 2016) Based on a true story from Ed and Lorraine Warren, “The Conjuring” films outline the struggle of Carolyn Perron to protect her five daughters from paranormal activities occurring in their Rhode Island farmhouse. During these events Carolyn’s husband Roger is away in Florida. After deciding that an exorcism needs to be performed, Ed takes it upon himself to perform it personally. A third installment is currently in the early production phase.

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.18.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Campus clubs celebrate unity Photos by: Denis Perez, Andrew Weedon For

focus LEFT: The annual Club Rush event, held Oct. 11 in the Campus Center Plaza, attracted hundreds of students to interact with campus clubs and participate in fun and informative activities.

more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com

RIGHT: Political science major Jermaie Landers falls into a dunk tank full of water after a student successfully hit the lever with a ball during the annual Club Rush event in the Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 11.

Psychology major Karen Ruano (left) smiles as a member of the Muslim Student Association places a hijab around her during the annual Club Rush event in the Campus Center Plaza Oct. 11. LEFT: Chess coach Will Delaney teaches a student how to play chess during the annual Club Rush event in the Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 11.

Computer science major Rudy Sanchez dances with another student to Elvis Crespo’s “Suavemente” during the annual Club Rush event in the Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 11.

spotlight

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Struggling team loses three in a row

Lhaq’temish

Klamath

Pikuni

Wintu

Ute TeMoak Me Wuk

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CASE WORKER FINDS REDEMPTION IN EDUCATION

Victoria Fairchild’s recovery from drug and alcohol addiction drives her passion for her work as a mental health case worker. PAGE B3

Crow

Coeur D’ Alene

Acjachemen Nation

Cheyenne Northern Arapho Pueblo Nations

Piipaash

World Cup elimination shocks fan PAGE B7

Shawnee Cherokee

Quapaw

Ocmulge

Osage Kiowa Caddo Nation

U.S.A. 1492

Albaamaha Chickasaw Calusa Chitimacha

Jumano

Comecrudo

Tuscarora LEFT: A partial map of native tribes and nations in the United States before the Columbus colonization period.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO TRIBAL NATIONS MAP

Genocide of natives shifts cultural ethos

Cities throughout the nation continue to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day over Columbus Day as that holiday holds a dark past of the torture and murder of millions of Native Americans. Christopher Columbus sailed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 and colonized Native American land. “Why celebrate a terrorist instead of celebrating the Native Americans and talking about what really happened in the U.S.,” Contra Costa College psychology major Enrique Duarte said. Duarte said it’s important to learn the truth and not the lies

about what happened to Native Americans on their land 500 years ago. The Geneva Conference held on Sept. 23, 1977 in Geneva, Switzerland, established Oct. 12 as the international day of solidarity with indigenous people of the Americas. With this decision, native people took a stride as it was their first time to speak for themselves at a United Nations conference. At the conclusion of the conference, Columbus Day was deemed International Solidarity Day with American Indians. “It means that we have made a very large part of the world recognize who we are and even to stand with us in solidarity in our SEE OVERVIEW, PAGE B4

HAUNTED HOUSE GEARS UP TO FRIGHTEN By Ryan Geller advocate staff

rgeller.theadvocate@gmail.com

PAGE B4-B5

Missouria

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY INSPIRES DEBATE

Ojibw

Myaamia

Kaw Nation

associate editor

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Saux, Fox Cayuga

Ioway

By Roxana Amparo

Versatile receiver leads by example on field

Penobscot

Hidatsa, Arikara, Mandan Lakota, Dakota Sioux

t takes a lot to scare people these days, but the Contra Costa College Drama Club and the Associated Student Union are going to have a try at it by holding a free Haunted House and Halloween mixer in the John and Jean Knox Performing Arts Center. As art tends to imitate life, the Oct. 31 “Carnival Scream House,” open from 7 to 10 p.m., will feature psychopathic clowns as a mode to access peoples’ current fears. The event will be complete with a costume contest, DJs spinning wicked dance tunes, plenty of candy and prizes. CCC’s Drama Club, known as “The Understudies,” began planning the event with the ASU about three weeks ago. The project is the splattered brain child of Cody Poehnalt, who is president of the Drama Club and a member of the ASU. “There are so many good causes on campus,” Poehnalt said. “I wanted to do something that was kind of a leisure activity. Things like this can build community by just bringing people together to socialize and get to know each other.” The scream house and dance party is sandwiched in between two productions at the Knox Center. Poehnalt was able to coordinate with the ASU and the Knox Center because he works as a stage tech at the center and is familiar with the scheduling and the equipment. Still, production workers expect a challenge because most of the setup will have to take place in one day. Peter Temple, the Knox Center’s in house set painter and instructional assistant, is reworking set pieces from previous productions and digging up items deep in stor-

“We talked about basic structure ideas, like how you need lots of dark corner and twist and turns there can be another frightening spot just around the corner.” Carlos-Manuel Chavarria, drama department chairperson

age from haunted houses past. “It’s not exactly an ideal time (for the production), but it’s an opportunity. Anytime you have a chance for students to grow stronger and to bring attention to the drama department, you must take that chance regardless of the difficulty,” Temple said. For Poehnalt, the venture has special significance because he is getting his first chance to take the creative reigns on a project at Knox. “I was struggling creatively because my experience is more on the technical side of theater production. Sometimes it’s that initial creative spark that I find difficult.” Poehnalt went to Carlos-Manuel Chavarria, the drama department chairperson, for some coaching on creative visualization. “I told him that I’m terrified of clowns and he ran with that,” Chavarria said. “We talked about basic structure ideas, like how you need lots of dark corners and twists and turns, so when people are running from something scary here — there can be another frightening spot just around the corner.” Once inspired, Poehnalt worked with Temple to design a flowchart and a storyboard. The plan is to wind a maze through the Green Room, the workshop and the stage. To set the scene, under-lighting, a smoke machine, lots of makeup and costumes and a touch of screaming,

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Set designer Peter Temple explains the route of the haunted house in the scene shop in the Knox Center on Monday. The route will be a maze with around five scare spots.

creates the atmosphere. CCC talent will fill in the rest of the show. The mixer and costume contest will be held in the theater lobby and patio, so once attendees have experienced ample feelings of fright,

patrons can party for the rest of the night — or until about 10 p.m. “I’ll do anything to help with the production as long as it does not involve me getting scared,” ASU member Addy Brian said.

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Next film showings

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“Autism in America” is an 88-minute film analyzing Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is being shown today at 3 to 4:45 p.m. in LLRC-107.

I have worked hard to be as independent as I am today.”

Chris Lucero, communications major FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Business major Julissa Martin watches a film during last year’s Disability Awareness Film Series in the LLRC-107 on Oct. 4, 2016.

Film festival highlights determination, spunk By Ryan Geller advocate staff

rgeller.theadvocate@gmail.com

The annual Disability Awareness Film Series at Contra Costa College aims to increase understanding of those of who are “differently-abled” and reduce some of the common social pitfalls. Films will be hosted throughout the month of October in LLRC107. The first film of the series “What do you see when you see a blind person?” goes through a number instances during an encounter between a blind person and a person who is not. Such concepts as using the hours of the clock around a table setting to tell a blind person where their drink is placed at the table or being careful to guide a blind person properly as you step back when opening a door that swings outward. These things make sense when you see them in practice but may not be familiar to everyone. The film also covers a number of social missteps that often occur in the interactions between the visually impaired and those with full sight. The film illustrates examples like speaking loudly to “accommodate” someone who is blind or stumbling over commonly used phrases like “It’s nice to see you.” The film suggests that people

do not need to “tip-toe” around issues of disability because a person with a disability will deal with these issues every day — even though they may seem uncommon to others. Chris Lucero is a communications major at CCC and he is also blind. “People have run up to me to warn me about stairs that I am still a good distance away from, suggesting I take the elevator. If I get the chance, I try to explain to them that I walk up and down the stairs every day,” he said. One of the central points of the film is that people with disabilities are often independent and while, at times, assistance from others is appreciated, it is important to ask clearly if someone needs help. The film states that it is important to ask how to be of assistance. As in many social situations, communication is key to avoid misunderstandings. “I have worked hard to be as independent as I am today. It’s something I‘m proud of,” Lucero said. When Lucero was learning to be independent, the unneeded aid used to bother him. “It can be hard to feel confident in yourself when people are always trying to help or assuming that you cannot do something,” he said. “Now, I know I can get around to do the things I need to do so it

doesn’t bother me as much anymore. However, I do want to tell people that we are not as helpless as we may seem.” Instructors from CCC choose the films shown in the series and then they facilitate a conversation afterward so students and faculty in attendance can discuss the concepts and relate them to firsthand experiences. Andrew Kuo, library department chairperson selected the opening film of the series because the information in the movie was helpful to him in the Library. “You want to be able to treat people in a way that does not put their disability out front and you also need to know how to help if necessary,” Kuo said. The library organizes the film series but it was originally created by Disabled Students’ Programs and Services. Library Coordinator Megan Kinney coordinates the film series. “The films and discussions provide an opportunity to share the things you already do to make all students feel more comfortable and learn about new ideas from other students or faculty,” Kinney said. The next film titled “Autism in America” will be shown today from 3-4:45 p.m. It will explore the stories of people with autism and the issues they face. The last two films of the series are “Service: When Women Come

“Service: When Women Come Marching Home” is a 55-minute film showing on Oct. 24 at 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. in LLRC-107. “Lives Worth Living” is a 54-minute film chronicling the fight for the rights of people with a disability. It will be shown on Oct. 26 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in LLRC-107. Marching Home” and “Lives Worth Living.” One is about the experiences of women suffering from PTSD as a result of their military service and the other is about Fred Fay, a disabled man who spent his life advocating for programs allowing the disabled to live independently.

“Service: When Women Come Marching Home” will be hosted on Oct. 24 from 3:15-4:30 p.m. in LLRC-107. The final film, “Lives Worth Living,” will be presented on Oct. 26 from 12:30-2 p.m. to close out the series.

Disability flick offers insight By Xavier Johnson scene editor

Xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Understanding the struggles students with learning disabilities face on a daily basis in the classroom was the topic of a film shown as a part the Disability Awareness Month film series. Monday in LLRC-107, Learning Disabilities Specialist Elaine Gerber hosted the third film in this month’s film series titled “Understanding Learning Disabilities: How Difficult Can This Be?” Gerber said she picked the film because it is useful in helping people understand learning disabilities when they aren’t visual or clearly evident. “With learning disabilities it’s easy to say, ‘Well you look fine. I don’t see a problem.’” According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, learning disabilities are neurologically-based processing problems. These problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and math. The documentary focuses on an exercise performed by Dr. Richard Lavoie called the F.A.T. city workshop. F.A.T is an acronym for “Frustration, Anxiety, Tension.” He brought together social workers,

“I see some of the learning difficulties with my little sister and even slight learning difficulties can make the classroom experience stressful.” Stacie Butler,

African-American studies and psychology major

developmental psychologists, teachers and parents of children with learning disabilities to participate. Dr. Lavoie puts into practice several methods showing others how a learning disability hinders performance. One of the methods he uses during the film is teaching the class at a fast pace, intentionally making it hard for people to keep up. His rationale is that some students with learning disabilities take longer to process information in class. So, while they do understand the content, it takes more time. Sometimes, when the class moving at a normal pace it appears to be moving faster. In the documentary, Lavoie said lack of motivation is often blamed when it comes to students with learning disabilities. However, their stumbling blocks have little to do with motivation and are more connected to per-

ception and needing time to understand. Gerber said students with learning disabilities often just need more time, along with after class individualized attention, to understand the material. Once they get the help they understand the content. Nursing major Kenya Boyd said the section she related to the most was needing more time to understand material. She said the classroom environment can be too quick and she learns best with one-on-one instruction and demonstration. One of the last exercises Lavoie uses in the film is to demonstrate the struggles that students with dyslexia face by presenting the class with a paragraph of words mixing up the letters q, p, d, b. The readers were much slower and struggled to understand. They also almost unanimously said they felt “tired” after reading. Lavoie said that exhaustion is a real factor in students who may have learning disabilities because students have to focus hard on what is written instead of spending the majority of the time processing and retaining what the words mean. African-American studies and psychology major Stacie Butler said she attended the film screening because professor Carolyn Hodge offered extra credit to her class.

“I’m happy I came,” she said. Butler said she wants to go into developmental psychology and learning about how people learn and the different struggles they face gives her a broad perspective. “I see some of the learning difficulties with my little sister and even slight learning difficulties can make the classroom experience stressful,” she said. Gerber said the film was made over 20 years ago, before computers and mobile technology was as advanced as they are now. She said modern technology has made learning more accessible for students with learning disabilities. The Disability Awareness Film Series continues with three more films this month in LLRC-107. “Autism in America” is showing today from 3-4:45 p.m. “Service: When Women Come Marching Home” will be screening on Oct. 24 from 3:15-4:30 p.m. The final film in the series is “Lives Worth Living” on Oct. 26, from 12:30-2 p.m. Gerber said the film series is valuable for raising awareness about everyday issues people with disabilities face. “Even if someone falls and breaks their arm and has a temporary disability their whole world changes,” she said.

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Four years, five months and 11 days ago I was pushing a shopping cart in a homeless camp and I thought I was going to die a hopeless fiend.” — Victoria Fairchild, health and human services major LEFT: Grabbing a coffee in San Pablo, Fairchild makes herself available on the phone for last minute schedule changes on Tuesday morning.

RYAN GELLER / THE ADVOCATE

Hardships spark change By Ryan Geller advocate staff

rgeller.theadvocate@gmail.com

Victoria Fairchild has never missed a phone call. She is there for her friends in the early morning hours or late at night, on weekends and weekdays. She even picks up on her birthday to talk. When talking on the phone with a colleague about a client, she speaks with the confidence and understanding of someone who knows each step and pitfall along the path toward recovery from addition. “Four years, five months and 11 days ago I was pushing a shopping cart in a homeless camp and I thought I was going to die a hopeless dope fiend,” Fairchild said. She has an app on her phone that counts the days she has been sober. Fairchild is a case manager at the Portia Bell Hume Behavioral Health Center. “I work with clients that have severe mental illness like schizophrenia and clients that society and everyone else has given up on,” Fairchild said. She got the job through taking the health and human services (HHS) Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training (SPIRIT) courses at Contra Costa College. SPIRIT is a three-course program that offers a certificate in peer support. The program is designed to help students who have faced drug addiction and other forms of mental illness transform their recovery process into an educational experience that develops valuable professional skills for the mental health field. HHS professor and department Chairperson Aminta Mickles developed the SPIRIT program. She said she has seen many students, including Fairchild, find success through the program, but she knows it is especially hard in the beginning. One thing that is noticeable about Fairchild is that she treats every moment as a success. Fairchild said, “I’m living a dream right now because I thought I would die a hopeless dope fiend. “Today I am doing things that I never could have imagined. I have my own place. I bought a car. Doing normal things are miracles for me.” Fairchild said it is important for people to keep their confidence up if they are in recovery from addiction. Keeping track of their successes, even if they are small, and constantly reminding themselves how well they are doing, is essential, Fairchild said, as she unfolded a printout of her grades that was in her pocket. The number at the bottom that is triumphantly circled in pencil reads: “3.842 GPA.” At CCC, Fairchild has found those opportunities to build confidence. She has been the Inter-Club Council representative for the Health and Human Services Club and for the Corrections to College Club. She has spoken about her recovery for educational conferences and she won four scholarships, including $1,000 for school expenses that she used to purchase gas cards for her commute. She credits her support structure for helping her believe that she could succeed. “My professors all worked with me because I used to think I was dumb. I struggled in

Case manager On Jan. 3, 2016, Fairchild began working with Portia Bell Hume through CCC’s Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training (SPIRIT) program.

“I was in and out of prison from when I was 21 until I was 38. I have been to Valley State Prison for Women. I have been to West County. I have been to San Joaquin County.” Victoria Fairchild,

health and human services major

school and was a straight F student. I struggled to read. It took me seven times to pass the GED. I had dropped out of ninth grade,” Fairchild said. She said she wants to get her associate degree and eventually go on to study psychology in a program that UC Berkeley has for formerly incarcerated students. But for now, she said, she is setting achievable goals while focusing on her job and studies at CCC. “I have to live in the now. Once I accomplish one thing I can go to the next and on to the next thing after that, but if I think about all the things that I will have to do over the long term, it stresses me out and I get scared,” Fairchild said. The success that Fairchild found at CCC did not come easy. She had a long path just to get to the point where she could return to school. “I was in and out of prison from when I was 21 ’til I was 38. I have been to Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW), I have been to West County, I have been to San Joaquin County. Now I am paying off debts and I have most of my records expunged.” Fairchild said she got her GED while in prison. “I was making 8 cents a day and I said to myself, ‘There has got to be something different.’ I said to my (prison case worker) ‘I feel like I have rabbit in me. I want to get my GED’.” Fairchild said while she was inside San Joaquin County, a man she calls Mr. McCullough helped her learn to write essays. “I was terrified of essays. I felt for sure that I would never be able to write one. “He wrote down a list of questions and said, ‘Just answer these questions about your topic. Use these ones in the beginning, these ones in the middle and these ones in the end’.” When it came to writing essays for her GED, McCullough said to Fairchild, “Remember those questions. Just answer those same questions and you will be fine.” She did, and she passed her GED. Fairchild said she got close to finding her track a number of times, but failed because some of the necessary ingredients for success were not there or she had not yet reached a point of healing. “I went to a program for 90 days and as soon as I got out I went and used again. I wanted to do the right thing, but I did not have the support group,” Fairchild said. “The last time I ever went to jail I was able to express some things from my past to one of the counselors. I just needed someone to just listen. I told the counselor about being molested as a child. “Somehow, finally talking about it stopped me from self-destructing and going to jail. I quit stealing, I quit taking from people, but I still couldn’t stop getting loaded.”

The real turning point for Fairchild came when she went to a funeral for her uncle. “His sister got up and said, ‘You know that Jackie. All he wanted to do was smoke drugs all his life and that’s what he died doing.’” Fairchild said she has two kids and did not want them to say that about her. “I stopped using and went to stay with my aunt in Orlando (Florida). Forty-six days later I was clean and still miserable.” Fairchild said she grabbed a pamphlet about Narcotics Anonymous (NA) from a stand at a local fair. “My aunt had gone on vacation and left me at the house alone. I knew I had a round trip ticket to return to the misery that I had in Richmond,” Fairchild said. She went to an NA meeting and found herself surrounded by people who had gone through similar things as she had. “Everyone at that meeting hugged me and told me that they would love me until I learned to love myself,” Fairchild said. With the support of her new NA family, Fairchild said she was able to learn to adapt to sobriety. In her first year she became a wildlife fire fighter in Northern California. “The job was very physically demanding and sometimes we had to hike uphill all day long. This is where I learned to just keep moving even if you can only go two inches at a time. Once you stop, you lose your momentum,” Fairchild said. When the fire season ended she began to take automotive classes at Butte College, but she said things were just not clicking. Fairchild said she heard about the health and human services program at CCC but was afraid to go because that was the area where she had gotten into so much trouble. “But I took the risk and did it. I have been really happy with that decision,” Fairchild said. She said the program has not been easy and she still has a good deal of her general education requirements to take before transferring. “Fear is a big part of what you are dealing with in the recovery process,” Fairchild said. “I have lived a life of ‘I can’t’ and now I can’t say that. I have proven to myself that I can.” CCC Learning Disabilities Specialist Alissa Scanlin said when students who have faced challenges in life go back to school they often have to catch up and that can be frustrating. “When students in recovery come to college it’s like starting life all over again,” Mickles said. “They don’t know if they fit in or if they are too old. They don’t know if they can meet the requirements of a full-time student.” Mickles said when students are guided by peers and teachers, there is a much higher success rate. “I believe that everybody has the ability to succeed if they are nurtured.” Fairchild said, “My kids are proud of me for the first time. I was able to contribute to my daughter’s graduation party. That meant a lot to me. “My family is proud of me, but I don’t have — I lost all their childhood because of my choices,” Fairchild said with tears filling her eyes. She said experiencing pain helps people grow. “Anybody who is going through the things I have gone through (should know) there is light at the end of the tunnel and if anybody needs someone to talk to, I can help. “Don’t give up on yourself. Recovery is a miracle.”

Education In fall 2015, Fairchild’s major became health and human services. She joined the Health and Human Services Club and was its Inter-Club Council representative.

Fairchild’s journey

Timeline

Incarceration From the time Fairchild was 21 and up until age 38, she was in and out of various correctional facilities for women in California.

Narcotics Anonymous On April 17, 2013 Fairchild found support from her Narcotics Anonymous family and made a commitment to quit drugs.

Firefighter In the summer of 2014, Fairchild became a Wildlife Fire Fighter in Northern California to give back to the community that supported her through her hardships.

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History is remembered by names By Robert Clinton sports editor

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

OVERVIEW | Indigenous population celebrated Continued from Page B1 long fight. From now on, children all over the world will learn the true story of American Indians on Columbus Day instead of a pack of lies about three European ships,” John Curl, founding member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee wrote on Berkeley’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day website (ipdpowwow.com). In the 1977 Geneva Conference supporting native recognition, over 60 indigenous peoples and native nations were represented, including Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. The resolution in the 1977 Geneva Protocol states that evidence brought forth by the native people was enough to prove the discrimination and genocide committed against those communities. “Brutal colonization paved the way for the plunder of their land and resources by commercial interests seeking maximum

profit. The massacre of millions of native peoples for centuries and the continuous grabbing of their land deprived them of the possibility of developing their own resources and means of livelihood. The denial of the self-determination of indigenous nations and peoples destroyed their traditional value system and their social and cultural fabric.” These acts resulted in the destruction of the indigenous nations. Although some people lean toward changing the name of the holiday from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day to commemorate and honor those cultures, some less invested activists see it as just another day of the week. Many show their support for changing the holiday’s name by putting on festivals or other community gatherings. In October of 1992, Berkeley was the first city to get rid of Columbus Day and begin the Oct. 12 Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. Berkeley celebrates the day by annually

hosting an Indian market and Pow Wow. This year it was canceled due to the unhealthy air quality lingering through the city caused by Napa and Sonoma wildfires, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Coordinator Gino Barichello, on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Planning Committee, wrote on Berkeley’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day website. The event holds space for Native American dance, songs, foods and arts and crafts. Just this year the state of Ohio and the city of Bangor, Maine abolished Columbus Day and embraced Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a holiday. CCC biology major Luis Gonzalez said knowing the history of the U.S., the genocide and the fact that Native Americans were robbed of their land, there isn’t a “real” reason to celebrate Columbus Day. “I think it’s more important that we celebrate indigenous people and, most importantly, celebrate their resistance because they are still here.

Timeline contrasting viewpoints and events in different periods of U.S. and Native American history.

1492

1800s

1600s

Christopher Columbus makes landfall on Cuba with a crew from three ships: Santa Maria, Pinta and La Nina. Epidemics, diseases caused by European viruses kill natives are God’s will, according to U.S colonials. The indigenous population reaches 6 million people with tribes all over the United States. Native tribes come into contact with Europeans to mix cultures, however much of their land is taken over.

Profits in the form of gold and other natural resources are being discovered in many parts of the U.S. The need to harvest resources from what natives see as sacred land, leads to expulsions and genocide.

SOURCE: JEFFREY OSTLER’S GENOCIDE AND AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY

Trail of Tears

1900s U.S. prospers from global power and integrates leisure into mainstream culture.

Native tribes fight with their lives to protect the parts of the land remaining to them. Many presidents enact laws to remove natives.

2000s

Indigenous people’s issues and struggles are ignored by President Donald Trump and U.S. economic interests. Tribes unite on many different occasions to resist U.S. interests harming the natural environment.

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Throughout American history, the commemoration of national holidays have served as a way to remember the sacrifices made by figures who may go forgotten. Columbus Day is no exception — minus the whitewashing. The slow dissolution of Columbus Day, recognized as a federal holiday since 1937, in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day symbolizes the growing understanding of the atrocities that were committed against native people when the explorer and infamous colonizer arrived in the Caribbean isles in 1492. Although a shift to Indigenous Peoples’ Day does show proper respect to the citizens who were massacred in the name of colonial imperialism, it also diminishes the heinous acts committed by Columbus and the callousness of those who deemed his abominable acts holiday- worthy in Removing the first place. Even though changing Columbus the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day from annual does highlight a shift in the moral compass of society conversation writ large, relegating all things negative to private corners of would also appreciation gives racists a safe erase these place to hide. That is not to say that most acts, some people who support keeping Columbus Day as a holiday are openly comracists. However, most racists don’t care about the wrath the explorer mitted in the inflicted on the people he claimed name of the dominion over. Following the federal recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Catholic Jr. holiday in 1983, it was clear, many states in the union did not Church, remotely agree with the sentiment. without Original holdout states like Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia recognition and Arkansas all combined Dr. King’s holiday with or the birthday of C o n f e d e r a t e redemption. General Robert E. Lee in a move to show blatant disrespect to the federal mandate. The rebuke of the holiday was also an attempt at intimidation, showing no matter what legislation is passed toward social equality, some places are just not going to be on board. Over 30 years later, two states, Virginia and Arkansas allowed King sole proprietorship of the day, however, Virginia merely shifted Lee’s holiday to the day before King’s. Those states that voted to encompass the recognition of a civil rights leader with a slave-holding rebel general showed the nation exactly where their sentiments rest on the topics of race and inequality. Contrast that with states that readily accepted King’s recognition and basked in the glow of modern progressiveness, like California, which now serves as home to 79 “general hate groups,” more than Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas combined (61), according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Texas, the largest state in the country, is home to 55 “general hate groups.” Indigenous people deserve more than one day and especially more than the false sense of revenge that comes with erasing the villainous accounts of murder that are conjured up every year when Oct. 9 comes around. Aside from the globally-recognized month that indigenous people deserve, the opportunity arises to draw ethnic atrocity apologists from their comfort zones by threatening to erase one of their heroes from the annals of pop history. Without his day, Columbus would go the way of Ponce De Leon — a rarely mentioned murderer with little recognition of the magnitude and scope of his barbarity. Just as De Leon is forgotten, so are the lives of the countless people that were exterminated in his name. We, as a country, should let the crimes of Columbus stand fully naked in the open sunlight, so that his deeds may not be forgotten and as a record that unimaginable callousness is possible. People have all heard of the messages Columbus sent to King Ferdinand of Spain and also in his own diary, after being warmly greeted by the Arawak people. He wrote, “With 50 men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want. They would make fine servants.” Less often remembered are the stories of rape and child murder recorded by Columbus himself, again from his own diary. “I then took a piece of rope and whipped her soundly, and she let forth such incredible screams that you would not have believed your ears. Eventually we came to such terms, I assure you, that you would have thought that she had been brought up in a school for whores.” He continued, they took infants from their mothers’ breasts, snatching them by the legs and pitching them head first against the crags or snatched them by the arms and threw them into the rivers, roaring with laughter as the babies fell into the water. Removing Columbus from annual conversation would also erase these acts, some openly committed in the name of the Catholic Church, with no recognition or redemption. Erasing the holiday is like removing Confederate statues in the middle of the night — the symbol may be gone but the sentiment that put it there is alive and well.

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ATABLE

Day honors truth By Anthony Kinney associate editor

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

Despite the “white-washing” of traditional American history books, the conveniently forgotten perspective of Columbus as a brutal murderer, rapist and willing participant in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is slowly becoming a topic of discussion throughout classrooms, libraries and dinner tables across the nation. Cities and states around the country are swapping out Columbus Day, still a federal holiday, for a holiday signifying a worthier group of people for praise and acknowledgment of their suffering at the hands of European explorers and settlers. Citizens of all races are welcoming Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Similar to African-American frustration and hatred for the Confederate flag for what it represents, Native Americans are left with the same vile taste as a celebration for the very man responsible for the murderous genocide of their ancestors is observed every year. Those who celebrate Columbus Day either do so out of blind patriotism or pure racism because any person with an ounce of knowledge can see that this country was greatly populated generations before the Spanish ships the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria steered toward an “undiscovered” land mass across the Atlantic Ocean. Although it’s impossible to find an exact number, scholars estimate the indigenous population in the Americas was as high as 112 million people — before European contact in 1492. Research shows that the population dwindled down to fewer than six million by 1650 due to foreign disease, warfare and the colonization of the continent that European explorers brought to the “New World.” Columbus introduced the mistreatment of indigenous people to the islands and the influence grew to the continent as European colonization spread across the “newfound” land. According to the United States Census Bureau, Native Americans now only make up 2 percent of America’s population, with their total population marked at 5.2 million in 2013. America provided the surviving tribes with reservations — land secluded from the general population — in what seems to be a deterrent from what would be a constant reminder of the murder of the indigenous people of America. However, pro-Native American right groups and activists are urging legislators around the country to take the step in righting a deadly wrong in America’s barbarous history by abandoning Christopher Columbus Day and establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The concept of Indigenous Peoples’ Day isn’t new. The idea stemmed from discussions during the 1977 International Conference on Discrimination Against Populations in the Americas hosted by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. South Dakota was the first state to ditch the holiday observing the murderous explorer Christopher Columbus entirely. In 1989, the state’s Legislature voted unanimously to change Columbus Day to Native American Day as well as make MLK’s birthday a state holiday. Berkeley was the first city in the country to instate the holiday in replace of Columbus Day in 1992. Along with the re-naming, the city implemented school programs, libraries and museums to promote a better understanding of the indigenous peoples’ struggle since the founding of the Americas by Europeans. The idea then stretched to Santa Cruz in 1994, making it the second city in the nation to embrace Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an alternative to Columbus Day. Ten years later various cities such as Seattle, Grand Rapids and Minneapolis decided to follow in the steps of Berkeley and adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2004. And the list continues to grow as cities such as Austin, Iowa City, Los Angeles and Portland dropped Columbus Day this year for the holiday recognizing native people. States such as Alaska, Hawaii and Oregon don’t acknowledge Columbus Day at all, as others like California and Nevada declared the fourth Friday of September Native American Day to make amends for the racial genocide placed upon them by the first European settlers. Columbus deserves no one’s sympathy for his dethroning from social sainthood and the removal of his holiday. He was a brutal racist who shared the same repulsive disregard for Native American life as he did African life. With the establishment of Hispaniola, the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, Columbus began killing, capturing and enslaving the indigenous people of the island. Once the cruelties of forced labor and famine demolished the island population, Columbus ordered an import of African slaves to fill the void. Under Columbus’ rule, slaves who didn’t collect enough gold were punished by getting a hand chopped off. Rebel Spanish colonists who were sympathetic to natives were executed. Columbus was arrested for his tyrant-like rule and lost his governorship, although he was quickly set free and subsidized for his fourth voyage. Embracing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in replace of Columbus Day is a clear attempt to atone for the enslavement, disease, genocide and forced assimilation that native populations endured for hundreds of years at the hands of colonists. But is it enough? Clearly no, but it’s start. Native American heritage should be observed for an entire month and their history should be taught in every school around the nation. The destruction of nearly an entire indigenous population is a shameful stain on America’s history that is in need of washing.

Informative, educational festival highlights natives By Roxana Amparo associate editor

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Before the La Raza Student Union celebrated its Indigenous Peoples’ Day event in Fireside Hall, there was a demand for the event to be stopped because someone considered the day to be “racist,” economics major Oscar Martinez said. “We commemorate the natives — the real Americans. Two-thirds of them were murdered and forced to assimilate alienating their own way of life to compensate for the American way,” Martinez said to the group of Contra Costa College students who attended the event on Oct. 10. Indigenous People’s Day was first adopted in Berkeley in 1992 on the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. Martinez said Indigenous Peoples’ Day not only celebrates indigenous people, but some may see it as condemning America’s founding fathers. “It is a reminder that the history of the U.S. is also the history of the Native Americans,” psychology major and LRSU Vice President Cesar Martinez said. In order for cities to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, the people of the cities that do celebrate indigenous people must share the story in their communities and come together to celebrate, he said. “Cities in the Bay Area are the most diversified and if you go to other cities (in California), they aren’t as diverse,” he said. For those who commemorate Christopher Columbus, Martinez said, “They need to get their history straight. Maybe take a class, or watch a video, to get informed about what really happened.”

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Nursing major Cesar Cruz claps as a song is performed to attract students to the Fireside Hall for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration event hosted by La Raza Student Union on Oct. 10.

For the celebration, the LRSU opened its doors at 2:30 p.m. complete with music, poetry and strawberry agua fresca. The actual event started at hour later than expected because of low attendance. This prompted members of the group to prowl the campus and invite students into the Fireside Hall to enjoy talks and interact. An open mic allowed students to express their poetry or music, to commemorate the tribe members of Native Americans who were killed and those who continue to remain resilient. To celebrate his culture and identity, nursing major Cesar Cruz shared a spoken word piece during the Indigenous Peoples’ Day event.

“Ni de aqui, ni de alla. Not from here nor from there. Where am I from? No soy de aquí, ni soy de alla. I am a walking contradiction and I am proud of it,” he said. Support for the group of students who organized the event inspired members of the audience to come to the podium and share words or play music. LRSU Secretary Minerva Arabalo said it is important for people to know the real history of the United States rather than what was taught in elementary school. Psychology major Marlene Rodriguez said, “Schools have been teaching kids the wrong history, so I think changing that starts with parents — the proper information is necessary.”

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Infinite opportunities

Childhood inspiration fuels progress of Comet athlete By Robert Clinton sports editor

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

It is a normal thing to set lofty goals but it’s rare that those goals fit perfectly with a person’s attitude, composure and sensibility. For Comet sophomore receiver and AfricanAmerican studies major, Samaj Mitchell, planning a life of football and a potential political career fits perfectly with the man he is steadily becoming. “From the time that I was 8 years old I wanted to play football and then become a civil rights attorney. Then I’d like to run for president,” Mitchell said. “I’ve always wanted to be president because the office holds the ultimate power, people love him and everyone knows who the president is.” Born three days before the Christmas of 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee, his family moved to Texas when he was little. A young Mitchell grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, eventually settling down in Mansfield. At an early age, it was Mitchell’s grandmother that planted the original gridiron seed in her young grandson. “In Texas, football was everything. My grandmother used to dress me up like a Dallas Cowboys player,” Mitchell said. “My family didn’t have much money for college, so like a lot of people I saw sports as a way out.” For Mitchell, in many ways, sports is the ultimate meritocracy. He learned from his mother that if you keep your head down and put in the hard work, when you lift your head up, you can see how far the work has taken you. After an average high school football career at Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas, Mitchell took a trip to the Bay Area with his step brother to visit his uncle — an uncle who was friends with former Comet football coach Alonzo Carter. Mitchell loved the Bay Area vibe, and after some convincing by his uncle, found a college to continue his football dream and a new place to call home. “He’s a baller. He’s been cool since he got here,” former Contra Costa College quarterback Cameron Burston said. “He was always the observant type. He always looks and listens first before he speaks, like I do, so we vibed from the beginning. He has all of the qualities that it takes to be a leader. He hasn’t embraced being a vocal leader yet so he’s doing more of his leading by example. He’s a gamer — they just have to find ways to get him the ball. He’s a playmaker for sure.” For the football team, 2017 has been a year to rebuild. Aside from his team’s losing record (the Comets are 0-5) putting a damper on his sophomore season, Mitchell suffered a concussion in practice which forced the receiver to miss the Comets’ fourth game of this season. While jumping to catch a pass, Mitchell was undercut by his own teammate, cornerback Marcus Pippen, and landed awkwardly on his neck. “All I saw was blackness and I kept hearing the song by Sza, ‘Broken Clocks’ in my head,” Mitchell said. “I couldn’t remember what happened, but I knew something was wrong when I finally saw all of my teammates looking at me. I thought my season was over.” With so much emphasis in football on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, veterans and people with a history of repetitive brain trauma, Mitchell knows his choice to play football comes with consequences. Sharing duties at one of the most dangerous positions in football, kick returner, Mitchell adopts a “play smart” ideology. He is careful about not recklessly exposing himself to undue bodily harm. For Mitchell, the concussion brought everything into perspective. “If I ever wake up with any signs of impaired memory, I’ll stop playing,” he said. The sophomore is still deciding between attending

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Receiver Samaj Mitchell dodges Sierra College defensive lineman Derante Lemelle during a game on Sept. 16 where he made three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Sierra won the game 56-28.

UC Davis or one of the many historically black colleges across the country. If not for football, Mitchell would love to attend the UC Berkeley, but heard from his coaches that Cal is not recruiting any receivers from the area right now. “I would love to go to Cal because they have a good African-American studies program and I still want to be in the area,” Mitchell said. “But since I heard that they aren’t looking for any receivers right now and there are other schools that may be interested in me playing, I’ll have to weigh all of my options.” Until then, he is focused on being the best teammate and student that he can be, leading by example with hard work and dedication and offering words of inspiration when needed. “(He’s a) very outgoing good player and a great teammate. He’s phenomenal as a friend,” CCC freshman linebacker Kyle Kettlehut said. “Semaj (Mitchell) always gives good advice. We talk back and forth and help each other out. He’s responsible and knows what he’s doing with his life.” In his personal life, Mitchell draws inspiration from Malcolm X, Tupac and W.E.B. Dubois and uses pieces of all of their experiences to light his own pathway in life. “I respect them because they blazed their own trails like I hope to. They were real leaders,” he said.

Receiver Samaj Mitchell evades a group of Sierra College defenders while returning a kickoff during a 56-28 loss Sept. 16 in Comet Stadium.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Dedication, positive attitude brings young team life Freshman midfielder embraces diligence, passion, teamwork

By Efrain Valdez social media editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

When a sport is a part of your life from an early age, you tend to keep that sport close to heart. For Contra Costa College midfielder Andrea Vasquez, the freshman has re-encountered the sport she grew up with — soccer. Women’s soccer coach Manish Doshi said, “This is the first year, since I’ve been here, that there’s been enough players to actually field a team. Our main goal is to put a team together and Andrea understands that.” Vasquez did not get an opportunity to play soccer during her high school years because Middle College High School, which resides on the CCC campus, does not have sports teams on campus. She said that soccer teammate Ashley Portillo invited her out to join the team. “I played soccer for seven years when I was younger, when I lived in El Salvador, but I broke my hip,” Vasquez said. “I moved here when I was 15. When I got to MCHS I wanted to play.” Doshi said that he has only known most of the players for about a month but he can tell that Vasquez understands that there is an opportunity for

“I played soccer for seven years when I was younger, when I lived in El Salvador, but I broke my hip.” Andrea Vasquez, Comet midfielder

success at CCC. “She really works hard for herself. She gets stuff done on time and knows when to focus,” Vasquez’s friend and CCC student Jose Marquez said. Vasquez said that it is hard for some college students to find time to play on a team because of the difficulties scheduling classes around practices. Vasquez’s journey back after breaking her hip in El Salvador and not being able to play in high school has built a high level of self-discipline in her. Doshi said that it’s difficult to keep the winless team together because of the players’ work and school schedules. He said, at a normal practice session only nine or 10 players actually show up. Vasquez said that she plans on continuing to show up to practices and games until the end of the season. “I just show up to practice and work my schedule around it,” Vasquez said.

LOUIS CANO / THE ADVOCATE

Midfielder Andrea Vasquez dribbles the ball through players on the College of Marin soccer team during a game on Oct. 3 on the Soccer Field.

The level of focus and compassion that drive the freshman on and off the field is evident to the people around her. “She’s the type of person you can always rely on,” Marquez said. “Whenever there is an emergency, she has always been there for me.” “She’s proud to be a student-athlete

and knows that this school deserves a team,” Doshi said. As the team struggles to stray afloat, Vasquez said that she has learned a lot. “Being on the team has shown me how to be a good teammate, how to trust myself and how to use different strategies for self-discipline,” she said.

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Team loses third straight, fails to secure win

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Comets have failed to secure a set in last three contests

By Xavier Johnson scene editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Failing to end their losing streak, the Comets (3-9 overall and 1-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) lost in three sets to second place Los Medanos College (12-6 overall and 7-1 in the BVC) to extend their losing streak to three games in an away contest on Oct. 11. Contra Costa College was outplayed in all three sets scoring only 14 points in sets one and two, and just 12 in the third set. Comet coach Christy Tianero said, “This game wasn’t our best game. We had some really good touches but we dug ourselves into a hole and we couldn’t get out.” The Comets started the game off well in the first set then lost steam as the game went on, a common thread in their games this season. Right setter Angel Munar said, “We played tight and had nice ball movement in the first set.” She said when the other team goes on a run, the team struggles to recover. Despite the first set being the team’s best statistical set, the Mustangs scored 15 kills on 36 attempts against the Comets in that set. The Comets lost the first set 25-14.

n “This game wasn’t our best

game. We had some really good touches but we dug ourselves into a hole and we couldn’t get out.” — Christy Tianero, women’s volleyball coach

Outside hitter Jacqueline Tianero (three kills on six attempts) said, even though the first set was their best statistically, the team can play better. “We just weren’t out there on the court. We didn’t have the energy,” she said. Christy Tianero said the Mustang’s offense was targeting libero Delaine Baca all game. “We worked a lot on defense this week because we knew they would target her.” Right setter Joshleen Ayson (two service aces, four digs) said the team needs to adjust during sets to combat how the team is hitting, and overall the team needs to adjust more. As the game continued in sets two and three, the Comet defense and offense started to fade and the team was forced to play from behind. In both sets the story played out the same. The Comets would play the Mustangs close early, however in the latter portion of the set the

Mustangs stormed past them. The Comets lost set two 25-14 then lost 25-12 in the third and final set. “I was disappointed,” Jacqueline Tianero said, “We played them before, so we know how they play and we didn’t play up to our potential.” Ayson said the latter two sets were moments where they went downhill and remained on that path. Coach Tianero said the team’s mentality is preventing them from winning. She said the team isn’t able to recover when the other team inevitably goes on a run against them. “It’s nothing I can do. They need to do that,” Tianero said. Due to poor air quality caused by the North Bay fires, three games were postponed or canceled. The Comets were supposed to play a home game against Mendocino College on Thursday but it had to be rescheduled. Also, the Comets were slated for two games at the Shasta College Classic, however those games were canceled. The Comets were scheduled to play tonight in the Gymnasium against the College of Alameda, but the Gym is still being used as an evacuation center for people affected by the fires.

ABOVE: Comet outside hitter Victoria Matue goes up to spike the ball against two Los Medanos College players, outside hitter Malaya Salinas (left) and Nuru Boone (right), during the Comets’ 3-0 loss to the Mustangs on Oct. 11.

QUALIFYING BLUNDER RAISES QUESTIONS

fter a disgraceful loss to Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup qualifying tournament, the United States men’s national soccer team has been exiled from participating in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The last time the USMNT was left out of a World Cup was in 1986, when Mexico hosted the event. Now that the Americans will be watching the tournament from home, there will be a lot of time to reflect on the faults of the United States Soccer Federation. Sunil Gulati, the president of the USSF, needs to stop blaming the players, coaches and scouts. He needs to resign. This sporting federation needs to completely rethink their approach of their handling of the U.S. player pool. The system that this country uses to evaluate its soccer programs is broken. To begin with, the USSF has turned playing soccer into an immense financial burden to low income families in inner-city neighborhoods. On average, it costs $5,000 annually (equipment, team fees and traveling cost) to fund a child’s dream of playing competitive

youth soccer at the highest level. The “pay to play” model has not worked for America. It has canceled out many of the minorities from playing soccer in this country. The youth system that the U.S. operates under forced much of the elite youth teams that come from suburban areas to field teams mostly made up of white players. How long is it going to take for someone at USSF to say that the current system does not work and that the program must expand to reach low income communities. As of now, these privileged suburban soccer players are not cutting it. The USSF should take a page out of Germany’s book for rebuilding a broken soccer program. This consists of constructing youth programs that include any child that desires to play soccer competitively. It should first mandate that all professional soccer teams in this country are required to better accommodate children entering academies to smooth the transition from amateur to professional play. Also, teams in the MLS should

efrainvaldez be required to ensure a minimum of 12 out of the 18 players on the roster be American-born citizens. Another aspect of the American game that must be changed is the structure of the professional leagues. MLS is expanding year-to-year, but that growth is not enough. Bringing in washed up European players is not a longterm solution (David Villa of the New York City FC is an exception). The first step is for the MLS is to eliminate the salary cap. Salary caps hinder MLS teams from being financially competitive against other teams around the world in the transfer market. Yes, the designated-player rule allows MLS teams to bring in stars like Sebastian Giovinco, Jonathan Dos Santos and Ignacio Piatti, however, that starves the rest of the roster

leading to lower salaries which hurts the quality of play. If USSF leadership and MLS investors think this league is a respected one throughout Europe or Latin America, they are wrong and it is an ignorant assumption. Even Third World countries make fun of the MLS. This whole structure is broken and it is embarrassing to watch this country totally mishandle the talent it has at its disposal. The U.S. develops good youth talent, then places those players into its lower competition leagues. Then those players get embarrassed on the national team. It’s an endless cycle of dumpster fires. In true monopolistic style, the MLS is owned by a group of investors that control every team in the league. The league lacks a promotion/relegation system that is essential for structured competition. The plan slows the growth and development of the league and has a negative effect on the national player pool. This method of running a professional soccer league isolates the U.S. from the world transfer markets putting it at a disadvantage. The Liga MX (Mexican first

division soccer league) is a perfect example of competing on the open market against European teams. Over the last five years, the bigger clubs in the Mexico have made strides toward bringing top quality talent to the Americas. Players like Marcelo Diaz, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Eduardo Vargas have been lured to Mexico via open market competition. Now the U.S. must look at the leaders of USSF and MLS investors and ask them if all they care about is their profits. Will Gulati continue to stick his neck out for these arrogant millionaires? These people are wasting one of the greatest talent pools in the world just so they can collect a check. American soccer fans must demand better leadership at the top of the USSF. The U.S.’s loss to Trinidad and Tobago cost it a World Cup berth. Hopefully, Gulati and his cronies realize they should resign for a lack of overall vision. Efrain Valdez is the social media editor for The Advocate. Contact him at evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com.

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SOCIETAL SWIRL OF INCLUSION Life as temporary minority student misses all the angst that comes with actual minority status

By Robert Clinton opinion editor

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

iving as a minority in the U.S. can be an exhausting endeavor, and despite attempts to assimilate or level the playing field through legislative means like Affirmative Action, it is impossible to escape the feeling of being vastly outnumbered. According to the most recent U.S. census, whites (76 percent), Hispanics (17.8 percent) and African-Americans (13.5 percent) make up the largest ethnic demographic groups in the country. For Hispanics and AfricanAmericans, the feeling of being underrepresented in America’s cultural corners is easy to understand. From the traditional white images presented in popular media to divisive identity politics, society offers constant reminders that — for now — minority status means what it always has, substandard representation. However, Contra Costa College turns national racial demographic percentages on their head. At CCC, Hispanics make up the largest percentage of students (40), with AfricanAmericans ranking second at 20 percent. White students make up the smallest percentage of the big three, owning only 12 percent of the student demographic, according to Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) Student Success Scorecard. For white students, their 12 percent campus representation mirrors that of similar students who attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). White enrollment at HBCUs has hovered between 10 and 13 percent over the past 20 years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. “Mathematically, I know that I’m in the minority here, but I like it better — I like culture. I don’t love American culture, hot dogs, burgers and baseball. That’s not interesting to me,” nursing major Sarah Rodman said. “I like to surround myself with people who have different beliefs and different values. I get financial aid, so I still get catered to, but I don’t deserve it. Other people need it more and they should get it.” Many wonder if there is a difference existing in a world that, at its essence, is geared toward whiteness while also attending a college that noticeably is not. Campus clubs like La Raza Student Union and Puente often hold events commemorating the vast contributions of Hispanics to modern life, while African-American Male Leadership seminars and STEM Cafe’s featuring speakers urging minority involvement in technological fields happen nearly every month. Even though all of the clubs on campus are inclusive and do not deny admittance because of race or gender, many of the issues they tackle or causes they celebrate are intrinsically cultural. “White people who think their culture isn’t being

taught just don’t recognize that theirs is taught as the dominant culture,” nursing major Suzie Nelson said. “It is different. As a minority here, I wonder if people are looking at me sometimes.” Nelson is an East Bay native. Growing up in Martinez, she had friends of all races. “I did grow up in the East Bay and so a lot of my friends were Filipino, but there were very few blacks — it was all very white. We were just suburban Californians so it (race) wasn’t really an issue.” Nelson’s sentiment perfectly explains the racial divide in the U.S. For minorities in America, race is always a consideration, even if the sentiment isn’t overtly negative. In many instances, white people belonging to multicultural friend groups really can’t grasp the effect that years of racial microaggressions have on a person’s psyche.

PERSPECTIVES

ETHNICITY/RACE 40.2 19.7 14.1

Hispanic African-American Asian

11.9

Caucasian

5.7

Filipino

5.3

Two or more races

2.5 0.5 0.2

West Contra Costa County has a higher percentage of Hispanic (31.2 percent) and AfricanAmerican (17.7 percent) residents and a lower percentage of white (27.5 percent) residents than other parts of Contra Costa County, according to district research and planning information. When attending Comet athletic events last year, excluding the baseball team, the lack of white participants is stark. Only one Comet volleyball player, one men’s basketball player and two members of the football team were white. With the Comet softball team and women’s soccer team both forfeiting their seasons last year, only four Comet athletes were white. “There are the same number of white players this year (two) that there were last year. It’s not new to me. I prefer it. It’s more competitive and it challenges me to get better as an athlete and as a person in general,” freshman linebacker Kyle Kettlehut said. “It’s mainly about understanding different backgrounds and how people teach their kids to handle life lessons. We should have something that promotes cultural mixing, clubs that promote inclusion — diversity offers more variety in life.” Even if clubs that support cultural sharing and allyship did exist, many of the people who attend CCC leave as soon as class ends, so participation might not warrant the creation of such a group. “I’m a nursing student so we really don’t have time to take part in campus clubs and activities at all,” Rodman said. Others recognize the privileges that come with whiteness and despite the demographics, refuse to align their minority status at CCC with the struggle brown minorities face in the U.S. — or even in what many see as the symbol of diversity, California. “Due to my privileges as a white male, I haven’t really noticed my status as a minority in this area or on campus, which really is sad. But usually most people don’t really notice unless they are an actual minority,” Tutoring Office assistant Jordan Miller said. “Since I’ve never been a minority before, then I’m not really aware of what it’s like to be one now. If there were white students on campus who had interests in helping minority groups but didn’t know how, then those clubs would already exist.” In California, according to census data, whites make up 72 percent of the population. Hispanics are second at 38 percent and shocking to some, AfricanAmericans are just 6.7 percent of the state’s population. As for life at CCC, most students believe the campus is inclusive to people of all races. “It’s pretty diverse. I mean there are (fewer) white people here than other races, but the campus is a so, for the most part, accepting kind of place,” computer science major Zach Harden said. “Anywhere you go you’re going to have to deal with diversity. And if you can’t handle that — you probably shouldn’t be in college.”

“Mathematically, I know that I’m in the minority here, but I like it better — I like culture.”

“Since I’ve never been a minority before, then I’m not really aware of what it’s like to be one now.”

“White people who don’t think their culture is being taught just aren’t aware that theirs is taught as the dominate culture”

Sarah Rodman

Jordan Miller

Suzie Nelson

Unknown Pacific Islander American Indian/ Alaska Native BAR GRAPH SOURCE: STUDENT SUCCESS SCORECARD INFOGRAPHIC BY ROXANA AMPARO / THE ADVOCATE

nursing

Tutoring Office assistant

nursing