The Advocate 3-20

WEDNESDAY l 3.20.19 OUR 69TH YEAR

CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

SUITCASE BRINGS INNOVATION SHPE builds solarpowered suitcase prototypes

By Janet Lira

n “The suitcases are for edu-

advocate staff

jlira.theadvocate@gmail.com

In a partnership with We Care Solar through Cal State-East Bay, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at Contra Costa College is working to build prototypes of solar-powered suitcases in hopes of providing renewable energy to developing countries.

These suitcases offer SHPE members the opportunity to learn how to use technology in an eco-friendly manner.

Full-size models of the suitcases are slated for construction with the help and supervision of the We Care Solar team and eventually shipped to a country in need of resources.

If successful, the suitcases will eventually be used to provide electricity to hospitals and other buildings.

SHPE member Rudy Suarez said the club has been looking for ways to bring the suitcase model his team builds to local high schools so students there can learn about technology and the impact it can have on those in need.

“The suitcases are for educational purposes and we want to share this knowledge with our community,” Suarez said.

SHPE is a nationwide organization that works to empower underrepresented students in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

The club also wants to spread information about the technology to CCC

cational purposes and we want to share this knowledge with our community.”

— Rudy Suarez, SHPE member

students of any major, since its applications are a way to offer immediate aid.

The club believes simple math skills and the knowledge of basic engineering, are important live-enhancing skills that can be obtained easily through help from the club.

SHPE club adviser Mark Wong said all the solar suitcases were funded by the non-profit organization We Care Solar.

At CCC, the Adelante and STEM academy also work to provide students with the skills to compete in an advancing job market.

In the past, SHPE club members found other eco-friendly ways to offer solutions to members of the local community. In 2016, the club promoted an E-bike challenge which tested students engineering skills in creating an actual electric vehicle.

In that competition, students used skills that would be valuable with realworld applications.

Wong, who was also adviser to the JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE club at the time, said members in science workshops for elementary and STEM majors Christan Vazquez (left) and Vaness Hernandez test out the secondary students expand their social solar power suitcase during the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers SEE SUITCASE, PAGE 3

meeting on Friday in the Physical Science Building. Prototypes of the suitcases are being built to help third world countries with no electricity.

Paying it forward Holocaust survivor donates $50,000 to college Foundation

By Joel Umanzor sports editor

jumanzor.theadvocate@gmail.com

As Contra Costa College Foundation (CCCF) Development Officer Sara Marcellino sat in the kitchen of contributor Sam Genirberg earlier this semester, she was amazed at one of the larger offerings made to the organization in recent memory.

This $50,000 donation has been the latest large-scale donation for scholarships and the reason why the CCCF has been pushing for students to apply and take advantage of the increasing money available to pay for the cost of attending college.

Genirberg is a 93-year-old Jewish activist and resident of El Cerrito who wants to provide local with students a greater opportunity. Marcellino said after receiving an initial donation to the Foundation from Genirberg, he then contacted her by phone.

“We spoke and Sam (Genirberg) wanted to know about potentially giving a larger donation,” Marcellino said. “I went to his home, brought Marcellino the college catalog and he went through it looking for what departments and programs he wanted to contribute to.”

The CCCF is a non-profit organization that has worked for decades to improve student financial needs.

The establishment of the Genirberg Family Scholarship through a $50,000 donation will be used to assist four students who meet a specified-criteria. The disbursements are to happen annually, in $2,500 increments over the next four years.

To qualify, students must be planning to continue at CCC in the fall semester, maintain a 3.0 GPA and be declared majors in automotive, culinary, biotechnology, computers & communication technology or nursing.

According to Marcellino, Genirberg had no previous connection to CCC, but wanted to help students financially and make a difference in his local community.

Genirberg immigrated to the U.S. in 1948 with his wife Rose after avoiding Nazi protection by hiding in plain sight and using a false identity while living in Germany after leaving his hometown of Dubno in Ukraine.

After reaching the U.S., the couple was able to open a chicken farm and lead successful business ventures with help from the Hebrew Free Loan Office.

He wants to provide students with the same kind of opportunities that helped establish his roots in this country.

Marcellino said his children did not attend CCC and his only tie to the institution is that he lives in its service area.

In a statement released by the Foundation on the college website, Genirberg said he hopes to help students “reach their next educational and professional level.”

SEE FOUNDATION, PAGE 3

GYM GETS RENEWED INTERIOR, EXTERIOR $29.5 million project resumes after rain

By Luis Cortes advocate staff

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

As the rainy season continues through the winter and into spring, inclement weather has delayed progress of the $29.5 million Gymnasium renovation project calling into question the original completion date for construction work.

Building and Grounds Manager Bruce King said the rain delayed the laying of the foundation to accommodate two new modular buildings that will be used as a swing space until the Men’s and Women’s locker room’s are completed.

The units will be placed between Comet Stadium and the Tennis Courts and will be fabKing ricated off campus then delivered and assembled at Contra Costa College.

Most of the construction expenses are soft costs which include architectural payments and inspection fees, King said.

He said the rain delayed the laying of foundation of the modular building, which will be used by the kinesiology department while the buildings under renovation are not usable.

The project hopes to continue to progress during warm weather months, when the modular building is slated to arrive.

King said some details of the project must still be approved by the district Governing Board later this month.

Major renovations on the four buildSEE GYMNASIUM, PAGE 3

SOFTBALL LOOKS FOR A FRESH START

CHAVARRIA SHARES HIS ‘VIDA LOCA’

MISTAH F.A.B. SCHEDULED TO VISIT CCC

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Quotable “The uses of literature are the uses of freedom.”

EXPOSING A WRONG

Michael Santone editor-in-chief Robert Clinton associate editor

Plagiarism in publication offers learning experience

Xavier Johnson web editor

Cindy Pantoja opinion editor Jessica Suico Gabriel Quiroz news editors Jose Arebalo scene editor Efrain Valdez Joel Umanzor sports editors Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Issac Benavides Fatima Carrasco Luis Cortes Nijzel Dotson Kyle Grant Daniel Hernandez Janet Lira Gonzalez Luis Lopez De’Jon Sylvain Marshique West Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 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, 2018 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: accent.advocate@ 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.

●

EDITORIAL

James Engell English professor, 2001

Denis Perez creative director

opinion

WEDNESDAY, MARCH. 20, 2019 VOL. 108, NO. 16

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

W

ith any student-run endeavor, mistakes are bound to happen and student-journalists are not immune to this reality.

Student-journalists at this college receive the Canons of Community College Journalism as well as the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics each semester to use as a guide, but on rare occasions inaccuracies find their way into the newspaper.

Generally, mistakes like transposing letters in a name or providing the wrong classroom for an event warrant a correction in print and an apology to the misrepresented party.

However, there are times in a student-run publication when the mistake is so egregious that a correction seems like too small a gesture to right-the-wrong.

In journalism, honesty and accuracy are paramount, and at The Advocate journalism students pride themselves on being objective observers/reporters of campus events that would otherwise be ignored and forgotten.

This past week, the student-journalists on campus fell short of meeting that goal when a reporter committed the cardinal sin of plagiarizing the intellectual property of other writers when covering the drama department’s play “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.”

In his reporting, the student not only mis-characterized important aspects of the performance, he also lifted work from outside sources to enhance his level of reporting.

There was, in fact, no nudity what-so-ever in CCC’s production, although the initial review stated there had been such a scene.

In doing this, he not only tarnished the performance of the actors in the play, he also damaged the integrity of a platform, The Advocate, that has been comfortable speaking truth to power. The fact that community colleges serve as a revolving door for transitioning students, or this being the writer’s fourth story ever, is no excuse for false or misleading information to make it through the editing and production processes.

To be clear, no nudity was on display in the theater department production.

Journalism is a high pressure, deadline-oriented business, and student newsrooms are no exception.

Although there were major inconsistencies in the writer’s review when contrasted with the actual performance, the freshman writer maintains no malice was intended.

Instead, he said the drive to embellish his work with the ideas of others was not to sabotage the performance or the paper. In his words, he did it “simply to make his assignment more compelling.”

Despite his lack of malicious intent, the act is patently unacceptable. Every student who attends Contra Costa College must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct which explicitly covers issues of academic fraud and dishonesty, among other things.

In the Code of Conduct Handbook, page 12 under Grounds for Disciplinary Action, a definition of plagiarism is provided.

It reads in part, plagiarism is defined as representing someone else’s words, idea, artistry, or data as one’s own, including copying another person’s work (including published and unpublished material, and material from the internet) without appropriate referencing.

The Advocate apologizes for this mistake and measures have been put in place to ensure this never happens again.

JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE

■ ESPORTS

Gaming professionals need league support F

rom packing approximately 2,000 people into a room to watch “Starcraft” to selling out Madison Square Garden for the League of Legends World Championships, esports is consistently growing and evolving with more talented players and big money coming in from investors.

ESPN announced the Collegiate Esports Championships last week, which will involve players from hundreds of college programs in North America competing for scholarships and national recognition.

This move manufactures a pipeline for players to transition from college to professional play seamlessly, making a career in gaming a real option after college.

Traditional sports leagues like the NBA or NFL have acted as a model for esports leagues.

The next step in emulating these leagues is the announcement of the Overwatch League, adopting city-based franchises with travel schedules that mirror other professional sports. However, professionalization brings a slew of problems that must be addressed.

How the Overwatch League supports its young players’ mental and physical health will set the tone for other esports leagues.

Last season, several Korean players in the league went public about their struggles with mov-

xavierjohnson ing to Los Angeles for a six-month run of competitions.

Kim “Pine” Do-hyeon and Jaehui “Gesture” Hong each talked about how being away from home took a toll There is on their mental absolutely health.

The no excuse setbacks in for upstart resulted each playleagues er taking time off. not to The issue provide Korean players support face in the will for their league increase players. exponentially as dozens of players face global travel and months away from their families while participating in the mentally taxing competition.

Over a year ago the San Francisco Shock signed then 17-year-old Jay “Sinatraa” Won to a $150,000 contract. The league’s minimum salary is $50,000 with revenue sharing of at least 50 percent from tournament and event bonuses.

As the industry expands financially, top level salaries are trending upward which makes it important that leagues invest in fiscal coaching to help young players manage their money.

Unlike the NBA and NFL, the Overwatch League lacks the infrastructure and decades of mistakes from which to learn. It took thousands of players to fall through the cracks for leagues to begin to develop imperfect systems to help their players.

In esports, there is no version of the NBA Rookie Transition Program.

The league is also too new to have veteran presences like Udonis Haslem or Vince Carter with firsthand experience to inform young players navigating life on the road as a professional athlete.

There is absolutely no excuse for upstart leagues not to provide support for their players.

Major sports outlets emphasize high level production, city-based franchises, a lively offseason and excellent social media presences.

However, it’s more important to learn from these leagues’ mistakes in handling their players’ mental health combined with development and infrastructure to prevent player burnout.

Xavier Johnson is web editor for The Advocate.

Contact him at xjohnson. theadvocate@gmail.com.

CAMPUS COMMENT

If you could study abroad, where would it be? Why?

“Spain, because I have taken Spanish classes and know the language well.”

“I would go to Italy because my family is from there and it’s pretty there.”

“Italy. I have always been intrigued by the Italian culture. I want to explore Italy.”

Daniel Shaefu

Cacey Cook

Joaquin Delgadl

“Germany, because they have a strong economy and it’s beautiful there.”

Jaden Caputa

biotechnology

JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

undecided

sociology

engineering

“Ethiopia, because that is where my people are from.”

“Barcelona, because it looks so beautiful in pictures.”

Nia Allen

Timothy Dalton computer science

psychology

campusbeat NEWSLINE RESOURCES

CAREER FAIR BRINGS EMPLOYEERS TO CCC Contra Costa College, in partnership with Workforce Development Board and EastBay Works, will host the annual West Contra Costa Career Fair today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fireside Hall and Campus Center Plaza.

Participating job seekers will learn about local employment opportunities, career counseling and resume review services, services for veteran, youth and disabled, education resources as well as subsidized employment, including on-the-job training.

Although most employers require online applications, attendees should bring copies of their resume and dress professionally.

To register visit Eventbrite.com and search West Contra Costa Career Fair 2019. Participants who RSVP via Eventbrite will be entered into a drawing for one of 10 $50 gift cards.

Job seekers who want more information should call 510-2153209.

EVENT

WORKSHOP OFFERS RESEARCH SKILLS Jump start research skills with a free workshop on how to stay informed in an age of fake news on March 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in LLRC-107.

Learn about information challenged including fake news, disinformation, propaganda, satire and “alternative facts.”

The workshop will also teach participants about ways to find out how information bubbles create environments of seeing only what you want to see, which can lead to being misinformed.

For more information contact the Library reference desk by phone at 510-215-4897.

COMMUNITY

EXHIBIT FEATURES ENVIRONMENTAL ART The Richmond Art Center will host a reception for the exhibition “Here is the Sea” on March 23 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Some 10 artists such as Stephen Bruce, Christy Chan and Tanja Geis, who use the ocean and its coasts as a site for investigating the fraught relationship between humans and nature, are brought together.

The exhibition, which hangs from March 23 to May 17, presents a range of environmental work, from political pieces with critical messages for social action, to works exploring more subtle, personal impulses that shape our relationship to water. This includes the city of Richmond and its 32 miles of shoreline.

Through this exhibition visitors to the Richmond Art Center are invited to reflect on what is at stake and what has already been lost in our local maritime environment.

For more information contact the Richmond Art Center by phone at 510-620-6772.

CORRECTION In the March 15 issue of The Advocate on page 7 in the story titled “Comets beat LMC in dramatic fashion,” the top photograph’s caption states the game was held on Friday when in fact it was on Thursday.

The Advocate regrets the error.

CRIMEWATCH Tuesday, Feb. 26 An alarm was reported going off in the Physical Science Building at 12:45 p.m.

— The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 3.20.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

3

Gender studies lacks degree Need for discussion

By Jose Arebalo scene editor

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Beginning this fall, the La Raza studies department will offer an introductory overview of LGBTQ studies as Contra Costa College embraces gender and sexual equality.

Chicano and La Raza studies department Chairperson Agustin Palacios has been working to bring a course that counts toward a transfer degree in social justice that will cover the history and culture of the LGBTQ community.

“We heard back from the state in April after they checked which requirement would be filled toward a transfer degree in social justice studies,” Palacios said.

Palacios “It is very likely that we will have La Raza 131, Intro to LGBTQ Studies next fall.”

Sister colleges Los Medanos College and Diablo Valley College already offer classes in both women’s and LGBTQ studies.

The class represents the first dedicated course of study surrounding LGBTQ issues in the history of the college.

“I knew the campus needed to have this course. I didn’t care which department or who has to offer the class. We should just have it,” Palacios said.

Palacios said any course offered on campus has to fit into

Around half of the LGBTQ community feels unaccepted by their peers, parents, co-workers or families.

42%

LGBTQ community are two times more likely to be physically assaulted, kicked or shoved.

2X

Yet, nine out of 10 LGBTQ people come out to their close friends and 64 percent of them come out to their classmates.

9/10

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: HRC.ORG

his overall block schedule. In order to make time for the course, he will use portions of his own curriculum development time to compensate.

Tasks do not end there for Palacios as he still needs to find someone to teach the course.

“Looking for a candidate qualified to teach the class is going to be a daunting task,” he said.

“Preferably, we want someone who is well-trained in both ethnic and sexual studies.”

There’s also an emphasis on finding individuals from the same community they teach about, he said.

“It helps to have some people that students can gravitate towards,” he said.

The class will create a safe space for open conversations around LGBTQ issues, he said.

In the past, other courses that focus on minority issues were lost due to lack of interest on the part of faculty and students, but people on campus would like to see some them reintroduced.

“The last time that Women’s History was put in the college cat-

alog was in 06-07,” history, anthropology and geography department chairperson Manu Ampim said.

A lot of programs were under attack a few years ago as they were making cuts to the classes offered, he said.

“One of the things that we wanted to bring back was Women’s History,” Ampim said.

In the past, campus administrators have been hesitant to encourage faculty to offer classes in social studies like these, he said.

In strategic planning meetings, the message from the current administration took a different voice, he said.

“The administration made it very clear they’re going to be open to afternoon and evening classes,” Ampim said.

It seems hopeful that the current administration will (encourage) adding new classes, he said.

It’s important that the college offer classes exploring the history and dynamics of all groups within our society, he said.

Women’s History is one of the things that Ampim’s department

wants to bring back. All that needs to be done is the paperwork.

Despite questions about the administration’s support of faculty who wish to add courses to the college curriculum, current administrators are taking a positive approach, Ampim said.

CCC President Katrina VanderWoude said she is open to discussing any new courses that the student body might want.

“If students want courses offered on these subjects, I am open to their suggestions,” Dr. VanderWoude said.

VanderWoude also said the college should offer classes for women’s and LGBTQ history.

Currently, 59 percent of the student body is comprised of women, according to the 2017-18 Datamart statistics provided by the state Chancellor’s Office.

“History is a reflection of our experiences and it’s very important to have that,” she said.

Making sure the campus offers educational opportunities covering all communities is the goal, she said.

BRIEFCASE | Club promotes renewable energy source Continued from Page 1

n “The suitcases are for edu-

skills and build personal connections.

The club meets every Friday at 8 a.m. in the Physical Science Building computer lab and is currently recruiting new members.

Although the club does have the word Hispanic in its title, club members maintain any person interested is able to join the club no matter who they are or what their major may be. A movie night to raise funds for the club will be held Thursday in GE-225 from 6 to 8 p.m.

As an organization, SHPE has been helping students for over 40 years and the solar-powered briefcases are just the latest iteration of that work.

The solar briefcase project was inspired by co-founder Laura Stachel while traveling to Northern Nigeria where she witnessed terrible hospital conditions due to the lack of resources in the area.

As evidence of their success, Dr. Stachel and her husband started to make more solar suitcases and ship them to areas in need.

SHPE, along with help from We Care Solar, aims to assist others in educating themselves about renewable energy and simple engineering that can spread awareness.

cational purposes and we want to share this knowledge with our community.”

— Rudy Suarez, SHPE member

Worldwide, nearly 1.3 billion people live with an inadequate source of energy according to the International Energy Acency’s database and methodology.

Asia has nearly 622 million people who live without electricity with North Africa holding the same with just over 620 million.

Latin America and the Middle East round out the group with 17 and 22 million people living in near blackout conditions.

In remote locations, where generators are not an option, the company provides headlamps and personal solar-powered lanterns to people in need.

Longterm, the expectation is that solarpowered equipment will decrease infant mortality rates in developing nations. And CCC students are doing their part to help.

The purposes for building a solar-powered suitcase: 1) LEARN: How

ecofriendly technology can be used

2) BUILD: Construct prototype models to put into practice

3) TEACH: Younger generations about re-usable energy INFOGRAPHIC BY JANET LIRA, DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

FOUNDATION | Gift boosts scholarship opportunities Continued from Page 1 DeTorres are some of the dents who attend CCC Scholarships like this and smaller awards have become increasingly available to students at CCC. Business professor Joe DeTorres said he tries to remind his students during his classes to actively look for aid and services provided on campus.

DeTorres said, “I know that in my classes I try to point out to students, who may or may not know about scholarships, that there is money available.”

Professors such as

various resources that students have available to them to find scholarship and other financial assistance.

Students looking to assess scholarship qualification requirements should check the CCCF scholarships website at contracosta.academicworks.com/ opportunities for deadlines and awards that may apply.

According to the website, there were over 50 scholarships totaling over $90,000 exclusively in the last academic year for stu-

with numbers expected to increase in the coming year.

Marcellino said there is more than enough money available for students and all it takes is dedication to fill out the information.

Freshman Deborah Damaris, who is yet to declare a major, said knowing what scholarships are for majors that may interest her is a factor when potentially choosing which to apply for later on.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I will be majoring in

n “I know that in my

tive thing,” Damaris said.

Students, like Damaris, classes I try to point are more likely to apply out to students, who for financial scholarships they are aware of the may or may not know when application process.

Each year, much of the about scholarships, scholarship money is left that there is money unclaimed. available.”

Damaris said, “I feel as if students aren’t aware of — Joe DeTorres, business professor the scholarships available and that not as many of us know what to do to apply. at the moment, but when However, with the looking at what I might be increase in the amount of interested in, applying for a money out there it’s somescholarship to help pay for thing worth looking into.”. my school bills is an attrac-

GYMNASIUM | Renovation project brings change Continued from Page 1 ings that house the athletic department — the Gymnasium, Men’s Locker Room, Women’s Locker Room and the Gym Annex Building, will begin on May 1.

King said the Tennis Courts would be made into a multi-sport facility to accommodate badminton and tennis, along with other activities. The improvement will include the re-surfacing of the courts and the drawing of multiple sport out-of-bounds lines.

The project will cause all but

two areas of those buildings to close, the Pool and Fitness Center.

They will be open during construction that is slated to last through three semesters.

With the Gymnasium renovation having a 14-monthlong timeline, the volleyball team and men’s and women’s basketball teams will have their Wade practices and

games played off campus.

The renovation has already affected some kinesiology and P.E. activity classes that have been forced to temporarily relocate to the Applied Arts Annex Building.

Athletic Director John Wade said the department is working to find somewhere for the teams to practice and is considering local K-12 schools as a possible solution.

Comet athletic teams are also looking at places to host home games. “Diablo Valley College (in Pleasant Hill) has been discussed as a possible location for both

basketball and volleyball games,” Wade said.

Some basketball players won’t have to face the hectic relocation and feel lucky to have played on the current Gymnasium floor.

This is the case for sophomore guard Evan Thompson who feels glad he didn’t have to go anywhere else to play.

“I’m glad I was able to play this year at the school and not somewhere else,” Thompson said.

However, Thompson said the Gymnasium renovation will be a cool thing for the campus.

4

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 3.20.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

OAKLAND RAPPER INVITED TO SPEAK

Mistah F.A.B. promotes book, shares activism

By Jessica Suico news editor

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

Bay Area rapper and entrepreneur Mistah F.A.B. (Stanley Petey Cox) will be coming to Contra Costa College to promote his book “Dope Era” on March 28 at 4:30 p.m. in GE-225.

The event will be hosted by the Associated Student Union (ASU) and include an overview of the book presented by Cox, along with a discussion and question and answer session for attendees.

“Having a speaker on campus that a lot of students can relate to can be very impactful,” ASU Vice President Laciee Brown said. “We think students will really enjoy hearing from an activist whose efforts relate to a lot of students.”

Cox, whose first book was published back in October, explores his journey from being a rapper in the streets of Oakland to owning and operating a clothing line to now becoming an author.

ASU asked students via Surveymonkey, which is an online survey generator, what type of events they would like to see on campus.

Brown said students asked for more Bay Area rappers and book readings.

“We want students to be motivated and entertained,” she said. “So, we found a way to do both at the same time.”

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. will be coming to Contra Costa College to promote his book “Dope Era” in an Associated Student Union hosted event in GE-225 on March 28 at 4:30 p.m.

n “Where our passion and our

drive come from, who we are and where we come from — all these things are a part of our journey and it’s important to remember that.”— Zachary Frappier, ASU Senator Cox, who became an established emcee in 2005 with his first album “Son of a Pimp,” didn’t release a second album until 2015.

After having issues with his record label and family turmoil surrounding the death of his mother and life sentence of his brother, Cox focused on branching out on a businessman and activist.

“He may inspire students to create a clothing line or advocate for their community or even write a book, with the relatable story he has to tell,” Brown said. “He can provide realistic motivation to students teaching

ways to create, reach and obtain goals.”

According to realmistahfab.com, Cox said, “My evolution as an artist is basically expanding on where I was. Ten years is a long time. A person goes through a lot.”

ASU Senator Zachary Frappier said although he is not from West Contra Costa County, what interested him in Mistah F.A.B. is his connection with the community.

“He got all these artists together to bring Bay Area culture together and a sense of community and pride in our roots,” he said.

“After making his money, he continues to give back to his community through nonprofits and donates school supplies to kids.”

Frappier said he doesn’t know much about the evolution of hip-hop, but he is familiar with activism.

“It’s this is a quality I believe our students can learn from,” Frappier said. “Where our passion and our drive come from, who we are and where we come from — all these things are a part of our journey and it’s

important to remember that.”

CCC EMT major Bret Fitzgerald said the Bay Area is known for being a place with people and communities fighting on multiple fronts “There is a lot of activism around us and I feel some people don’t do it for the right reasons. It’s one sided most of the time so, it’s good to see genuine activism.”

Mechanical engineering major Ivan Garcia said it’s important to have celebrities or important figures from the community as examples for the younger generation.

“I think activism and being an entrepreneur is a great thing,” Garcia said. “There is a lot of poverty and not enough resources (in the East Bay), so it’s good to have advocates for those types of issues.”

In 2014, then Oakland mayor Jean Quan recognized Cox for his humanitarian achievements, recognizing Feb. 8 as Mistah F.A.B. Day.

Old generator stalls opening of Police Service Center $3 million project misses February completion deadline

By Daniel Hernandez advocate staff

dhernandez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Anticipation and curiosity grew around campus in the 2018 fall semester when several modular buildings were put into place by a towering crane in front of the Gymnasium.

The nearly $3 million Police Services Center was expected to open in February and is near completion, but one last obstacle is standing in the way from its grand opening.

A stand-alone generator currently feeds power to the building until there are some repairs made to the aging electrical equipment meant to power the station.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said, “This was an unforeseen issue that came about. The project was supposed to tie into the existing switch gear, which is supposed to be replaced as part of the project. However, they weren’t quite ready for it to be replaced yet because the company isn’t

starting until May.” The athletic and Gymnasium complex is currently under renovation also, which is estimated to take 14 months.

The aged equipment was destined to be replaced, but that might be done sooner by the construction company in a rush to get Police Services relocated and open at its new location next to the Gym. All the progress done seems promising and has met the expectations of the contractors, even furnishings such as chairs and tables are already inside.

“They checked it yesterday for air conditioning and heating and it passed.

They had several punch-walks going through the building and it looks really good on the inside,” King said.

There will be plenty of improvements ready at the new building including a dedicated locker room and rest room.

At the Buildings and Grounds Building where they are currently stationed, police and aides have to walk

over to the adjacent building for the rest room and locker room.

District Police Services Chief Ed Carney said, “The new space provides officers with brighter and modern work space, locker facilities and areas that permit proper storage of equipment.”

He said he is excited for the opening of the new center and believes that relocating to a more central part of campus will better suit accommodations and be more convenient to keeping security and safety of the people on campus.

There will also be a better sense of security, Carney said.

“Our dispatch center will be stateof-the-art with camera monitoring stations to increase campus safety. The higher visibility of our station helps to assure those we serve that we are part of this community and our primary goal is to be vigilant and available,” he said.

King said, “It’s a nice upgrade for the campus and for them. If they’re in better shape, then hopefully it provides us (improved) safety and security for the

campus which we all want.”

He said the change will be “day and night” and will be way better than the “cramped closet” like atmosphere the police are in at the moment.

What will occupy the space after they move has not been decided yet.

There’s a chance the temporary buildings will be demolished in the future to make way for a more welcoming eastern entrance to the campus coming from Mills Avenue.

With no date set, Buildings and Grounds expects to open the Police Services Center sometime in April or May. The delayed timeline led to a discussion of if they should move in the middle of the semester or over the summer when the transition will be less demanding.

Nursing major Mahleek Jackson said, “Most people have classes in the Applied Arts or General Education buildings, so police can survey the cars for any break-ins and any stuff like that.”

film industry lacks female representation

By Luis Lopez advocate staff

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

After countless A-list women in Hollywood, inspired by the solidarity of the #metoo movement, told their stories about the unfairness and sexual harassment they faced in the entertainment industry, women behind the camera have begun to speak out as well.

“Filmmaking has always kind of been known as a boys club,” fine and media arts department Chairperson Anthony Gordon said.

In today’s entertainment landscape, there is a stark statistic reflecting what some believe is the truth about gender inequality in motion pictures. Even though women make up 50 percent of theater attendance, less than 3 percent of the top 100 movies of 2018 were directed by women according to the Motion Picture Association of America 2018 Theme report.

The gender gap is on full display in Contra Costa College’s own film production classes where it is hard to find more than three women per film production class on campus.

Abeni Edison, who is yet to

n “Out of all my favorite

movies and shows, come to think of it, I don’t think any of them are directed by women. Even the ones that are mostly about women.

— Liz Mendoza, film major

decide a major, is the only female in her film production class.

“I knew before signing up that this field was male dominated,” she said.

Edison said that didn’t discourage her at all.

“I liked YouTube videos and saw you could make money off them, so I wanted to learn how to edit them and just took the class.

This is my second semester,” she said.

The Academy Award for best director has only been presented once to a woman in its 89 years of existence.

It was awarded to Katheryn Bigelow for the “Hurt Locker” in 2009.

Even then, it was after 30 years

of making major motion pictures.

Her first film was the short movie “The Set Up” in 1978.

“It’s just discouraging. Knowing that even if you’re good, you’re still going to have to deal with unfairness just because you are a girl,” Liz Mendoza, who has yet to decide a major, said.

Mendoza said she can’t recall any of her favorite movies that are directed by women.

“Out of all my favorite movies and shows, come to think of it, I don’t think any of them are directed b y women — even the ones that are mostly a b o u t women,” she said.

It’s true, shows like “Good Girls” and “Orange Is the New Black” are shows aimed at females about females and written and produced by women.

But the directors, although they vary from episode to epi-

sode, are predominantly men. few semesters.

With respect to breaking “It’s discouragthrough filmmaking gatekeep- ing, but someSince ers, Gordon said, “You pretty thing has to its much have to kick the door in change.” inception for yourself, especially when you in 1929, only are a female in the industry.” one woman He also said women generally has won an Oscar do better in his photography class for best director. than men do.

Katheryn Bigelow won “They definitely do betthe Academy Awards best ter than the guys in the director for the “Hurt Locker” in class and the num2009.

The film also won 6 other ber of women in awards including best picture. the class has been rising over the past

Hollywood bias

Women are usually not represented in the process of film-making in the United States.

Half of movie-goers are female, yet they only make up 4 percent of directors.

Women make up 15 percent of writers.

They are 3 percent of cinematographers.

Women make up 18 percent of producers.

They are also 18 percent of executive producers. And women make up 14 percent of editors.

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: WOMENANDHOLLYWOOD.COM

scene

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5

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Getting lost in a digital world Intimacy,

RETRACTION

love and family through the lens of technology

In the March 13 issue of The Advocate on page 6 the story titled “Humanity, love in a digital age,” was plagiarized. It inaccurately reported that nudity was present in the drama department’s production of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.” Nudity was not present in Contra Costa College production.

The Advocate regrets this error. Please see the staff Editorial on page 2. A new review by a different writer is published below.

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

A

n all too common narrative in media is the way technology makes our society more connected than at any point in history while simultaneously making us emotionally detached from one another.

As with any common message, the key is presenting it in an original, thought-provoking manner and the Contra Costa College drama department’s production of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” accomplishes that despite some issues.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Diablo Valley College professor Ryan Weible manages to portray a multifaceted story that provides a thought-provoking commentary on love, mortality and humanity’s connection with technology.

The dated script is a little too on the nose with its commentary, but it’s forgivable knowing the play was written prior to the release of the first iPhone.

This was one of the first shows to comment on the way one’s relationship with technology will affect interpersonal relationships.

The stage set the tone for a performance that felt surreal with quick transitions from one scene to the next all with each area of the stage representing different areas — like snapshots in a dream.

Each of the dinner scenes in particular were delightfully odd with clever lines delivered by Jean, played by Miranda Lenore, who acted as the straight man to the rest of the dinner party antics.

There is an absurdity within the dark humor that runs throughout the performance that sets up some of the best laughs in the play.

From the opening scene, Jean finds herself wrapped up in the mysterious life of Gordon, played by Gregory Lee. Irritated

by Gordon’s phone ringing, which seems to go on forever, she approaches him to discover that he’s sitting in the cafe dead.

Still annoyed by the ringing, she picks up his phone and the story takes off from there. She learns about everything from Gordon’s family and occupation to him finding love.

However, Jean’s obsession with following Gordon’s life through his cellphone leaves her neglecting her own real-world experi-

ences.

One particular standout moment is Jean’s discussion with Hermia, played by Miranda Tilley, in a bar about Gordon’s affair and occupation as an organ seller.

The two actors have great chemistry going back and forth with yet again Jean playing it straight for Hermia’s drunk musings.

The play delivers in the emotional scenes as well.

While some scenes feel rushed and the short run time leaves more to be desired, two key scenes are given the proper time to develop and deliver a real impact.

Gordon begins Act 2 alone on stage explaining the events leading up to his sudden death in the coffee shop and contemplating his life. Lee spends what feels like 10 minutes on stage alone and delivers a great soliloquy, which develops into the best moment of the show.

The final scene, where Gordon and Jean meet in the coffee shop which represents some kind of purgatory space, is a great climactic moment.

Jean meets Gordon and realizes he’s just a flawed man who doesn’t deserve much of the reverence she seems to have for him during the play.

After some harsh self-assessment and reconnecting with his strained relationships, Gordon escapes the purgatory.

Ironically, Jean must follow in Gordon’s footsteps again and learn to get away from the binds of technology to regain her connection with the real world.

ABOVE: Mrs. Gottlieb, played

by Nicole Matthews, first meets Jean, played

by Miranda Lenore, in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” in the Knox Center.

Latino immigrant shares vulnerable stories of his life

By Jose Arebalo scene editor

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

PITTSBURG ­— Audience members were treated to a journey of heartbreak spread throughout the trials and tribulations of a young gay Latino immigrant here Friday during the production “Mi Vida Loca.”

The California Theatre opened a two-night showing of Contra Costa College drama department Chairperson Carlos-Manuel Chavarria’s play. The show tells the story of Chavarria’s struggles as a gay, undocumented immigrant in the U.S. on his path toward finding happiness in life.

The theater was decorated in old-fashioned trimmings and a stage with only two chairs sitting upstage.

A dim rose-colored glow lit the stage as he began to tell the story of a young Latino man who navigated stages of life while facing adversity at every turn.

It’s one where his homo-

sexuality is a stigma that would forever leave a divide between himself and his family.

Chavarria tells stories filled with raw emotion and vulnerability that grace the stage and sells every line with the utmost confidence Helping to enhance the show, Chavarria has a projector behind him at all times, which displays pictures of pivotal moments in his life.

Throughout the show, he recites monologues in a manner reminiscent of a Ted Talk, but the emotions he ricochets around the theater keeps viewers invested.

Between a few scenes at the start of the production, there were some microphone distortions that almost ruined his strong deliveries. However Chavarria remained impressive.

At the start of his one-man show, Chavarria is seen bouncing across the stage with young fervor — the story only gets heavier as time goes on.

JOSE AREBALO / THE ADVOCATE

Carlos-Manuel Chavarria, playing himself, re-lives past experiences during a scene from his one man show “La Vida Loca” at the California Theatre in Pittsburg on Friday.

Between scenes, he breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience to give them important lessons about Latino culture.

Whenever he uses Spanish slang like “hoto” and “pendejo” he quickly claps his hands together in the air. “Time for a lesson,” Chavarria beckons as he quickly teaches any non-Spanish speakers in the audience.

He would explain in a confident and empathetic voice the multiple slang words used as derogatory terms for gay men

in the Spanish community.

As time goes on, there is an obvious shift in tone.

Suddenly, his narrative voice takes less of a playful approach.

What starts to take hold in the latter half of the show is a flurry of entirely traumatic atrocities.

Each shift in emotional tone is accompanied by large grandiose body movements.

It is a much-appreciated performance choice since he is pulling off a great run as a oneman performer.

Part of the difficulty in

staying engaged with the show is certainly being able to stay interested in, what is essentially, an incredibly long monologue.

That is not to say that the show is not entertaining, but rather Chavarria rises to the occasion by injecting his performance full of well-planned crescendos.

Displaying his experienced grasp on leading audiences along on a journey, he makes paying attention to the important parts of his performance a smooth ride.

6

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RIGHT: Outfielder Mychael Jamison loses his glove after he dove and missed the ball in the ninth inning during Contra Costa College’s 1-10 loss against Solano Community College on March 14 at the Baseball Field.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Comets give up 9 runs in 9th in loss

By Joel Umanzor sports editor

jumanzor.theadvocate@gmail.com

Baseball is a game in which glancing at a final score may not tell the entire story.

This was the case for the Comets who fell to Solano Community College (8-13 overall and 4-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) 10-1 Thursday at the Baseball Field after entering the ninth inning behind 1-0 and then giving up nine runs in the top of the ninth.

Coach Brian Guinn said situations like these are in the nature of baseball and are something that happens when a team has lapses in execution.

“It’s baseball,” Guinn said. “I don’t think it’s a lack of focus as much as it’s making the tough play.”

The Comets (3-16 overall and 3-3 in the BVC) entered the game looking to capitalize on a

7-4 extra-innings win in the opening game of the teams’ three-game series Tuesday at Solano.

But Thursday, after battling the Falcons throughout the first six innings of the game, the Comet pitching, that had become increasingly consistent, finally began to lose its grip.

The Comets lost the third game of the series on Saturday 18-4 at Solano. CCC gets a chance to regroup Thursday when the team plays Yuba College at 2:30 p.m. in Marysville.

On Thursday, Comet pitcher Fred Sito (0-3 with a 7.41 ERA) was one out away from escaping the seventh inning without giving up a run when he hung a pitch over the plate that resulted in a double.

The hit scored a Falcon player who reached base following being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.

Looking for their second

n “We didn’t keep our

rally going the way we usually do by dictating the (strike) zone.”

— Darius Foster, Comet center fielder

straight series win, the Comets weren’t able to tie the score after failing to muster up any offense in the seventh and eighth innings to match the Falcons run.

Sito said, “I was trying to paint the corners and pitch for contact with control on my fastball.”

Freshman right fielder Kalen Morris, who leads the Comets in batting average (.278), said the team’s lack of run support was because they didn’t balance aggressiveness with patience at the plate.

Morris said, “We weren’t after the fastballs that we were getting

Pitcher sets tone as BVC play begins

By Efrain Valdez sports editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Intensity and drive are two of the words that coaches and teammates use to describe Comet left-handed pitcher Conner Rudy.

Following the Comets rough 0-13 start this season, the team seemed drained after facing top opponents in non-conference play.

In the opening game of Bay Valley Conference play against Los Medanos College, Rudy’s start was the shot-in-the arm his team needed.

In the sixth inning of that game, he gave up two runs, while still having runners in scoring position with one out.

In the moment, it looked like the game could get away from him, but he dug in deep to get out of the inning to maintain CCC’s comfortable lead.

“He likes to win,” Comet coach Brian Guinn said. “He’s really intense about what he’s doing and he gives everything he has on

the mound. He does what he has to do to win ball games.”

That performance set the tone for conference play as CCC has started 3-3 in the BVC, which has spurred the Comets to play inspired baseball.

“We have a lot more to our team than what our record shows,” Rudy said. “We got kicked in the teeth early in the season — that first game in conference was a good start for us. We’re just trying to be more consistent and competitive in every game.”

He said the team is pretty streaky, but they are able to feed off each other’s energy when the team is feeling down.

“Connor fires me up,” Comet outfielder Mychael Jamison said. “He’s probably the most intense guy out there, but it’s a good kind of intense. He wants us to play at the best of our ability.”

Guinn said the team definitely feeds off of the lefty because Rudy is a competitor.

“Anytime you get somebody on the mound that is throwing the ball well, the rest

from the pitcher and weren’t able to battle to get quality at-bats.”

Morris has been on an offensive tear as of late, although he does not have as many at bats as the rest of the starters.

“I’ve been looking to sit back and drive the ball,” Morris said.

Sitting on bad pitches, in hopes of tiring out the opposing pitcher is something that Comet hitters have been doing since conference play began.

The Comet offense seemed out-of-sync and could not string together back-to-back hits due to Falcon pitcher Danny Zaldivar’s (3-4, 5.12 ERA) ability to keep them off balance.

By blending a mix of off-speed pitches and fastballs, Zaldivar kept the Comets behind in the count and found himself in very favorable position for most of the game.

He was in control until the

bottom of the eighth when the Comets loaded the bases with one out. But the Comets failed to score.

Center fielder Darius Foster said, “We didn’t keep our rally going the way we usually do by dictating the (strike) zone.”

CCC seemed deflated after failing to score in the bottom of the eighth inning and still trailing 1-0.

Sito went back to work in the ninth and immediately gave up a two-run double to the Falcons.

Three consecutive Comet errors followed leading to the nine-run Falcon deluge.

In an attempt to get out of the inning, Sito was pulled by Guinn in favor of new closer Lorenzo Peterson (0-4, 13.72 ERA), but the change was not enough to stop the bleeding.

The Comets scored their run in the bottom of the ninth.

of the team is going to feed,” he said.

(Guinn) and Rudy, who grew up in Charlotte, the rest of the North Carolina, heard of Contra coaching staff and Costa College through his travthe team seemed like el team coach who played colleit had good people. I giate baseball at UC Berkeley with came out here because Guinn. As a team member of the I thought it would be a University of North Carolina at good change.”

Charlotte, Rudy was a redshirt Rudy said that DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE in his first year on the team he is still trying to and played for the fall team his Contra Costa College pitcher improve his game second year. in every way he Conner Rudy throws a pitch Redshirting is a method during the first inning of the can. He goes to the used to extend a college play- Comets’ 6-3 win against Los gym to try to put on er’s eligibility while preparing Medanos College on March 7 weight and is trying them to play physically or aca- at the Baseball Field. to improve his pitch demically. command.

Shortly after, Rudy was “I’m trying to introduced to Guinn and was able to pay keep my front side closed (when winding a visit to CCC when his travel ball coach up for a pitch) and getting a good follow brought him to San Pablo. through (with his throwing arm after the “My travel ball coach played at UC pitch),” he said.

Berkeley with coach B (Guinn), so that’s how “I’m mostly going for physical stuff like I got introduced to him,” Rudy said. “When being in the gym — it’s just those daily habits I came to see the school, I liked coach B that help you build as a person.”

Softball team resurrected, set to start season Squad makes comeback, BVC games to begin

By Luis Cortes advocate staff

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Disappointment. We all face it and hate when it happens, but with that comes the opportunity to grow from failure and start something great. The Contra Costa College softball team will now live out that reality.

After two years without a softball team, the athletic department will field a squad this year, with its first games, a doubleheader, scheduled for Tuesday (after presstime) nearly a month after some colleges in the Bay Valley Conference began play.

The largest issue causing the college to go two years without a softball team was a lack of participation. Other conflicts for players, such as poor grades and incompatible schedules, also played a part in the program’s failures.

But the 2019 season signals a

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Comet infielder Sicaly Sorrell fields a ground ball during softball practice at the Softball Field on Monday. The team will have played its first game in a doubleheader against Mendocino College on Tuesday after press time.

fresh start for the program with the hiring of Taylor Harris, who an accomplished local high school coach who has won multiple North Coast Section championships. Harris grew up in Hercules.

She said there is going to be a softball team this year and credits the situation to the fun atmo-

sphere during practice.

“It’s been fun for me,” Harris said, about introducing new players to softball.

She said the new players are picking things up quickly and the experienced players are willing to help the novice players, which creates a supportive environment.

The early season optimism shared by coach Harris will now see the opportunity to bear fruit.

Her primary goal at the beginning of the season was to at least gather enough players to field a team.

Harris, who was hired as coach this year, was tasked with the seemingly impossible mission of finding enough players willing to participate.

It was a proposition that baffled the previous coach for much of her tenure at CCC. With all options being wedged opened, Harris has been willing to ingratiate new players to the sport.

She wants to attract players by creating a nurturing, friendly and supportive environment.

As of game day on Tuesday, the total number of players CCC has is 11, with nine being the minimum to field an eligible team. The last time CCC fielded a softball team was in 2016, when it compiled a record of 0-26 overall and 0-22 in the Bay Valley Conference.

First-year player Jenna Husic said she’s excited because CCC is having a team this year and believes it is a great step in the right direction for women’s sports at the college.

“It’s a chance to show out for women’s sports at CCC,” Husic said.

As a first-year player, Husic believes the atmosphere around practice is fun because they are motivating and everyone is inviting and helpful. She thinks the mood is partly due to the coaches, “We have the best coaches and the best head coach,” she said.

First baseman Shelly Walker said the atmosphere around the team this year is good.

“It’s a good vibe,” Walker said.

She said the team is mostly made of players who are new to softball with some coming in from the basketball team. Most importantly, she said everyone is helping each other grow.

Walker is excited about getting to play this year, because in years past that wasn’t the case.

“It means I get to play, and I’m really excited,” Walker said.

Harris describes her team as a supportive group that learns every day.

As far as leadership, she said there wouldn’t be captains this year, but everyone from the experienced players and new players can lead when needed.