The Advocate 12-7

WEDNESDAY l 12.7.16 OUR 67TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Community mourns murder of musician, demands justice Death of former CCC student meets hate crime statute

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

An exhaustive search is continuing for two suspects following the robbery and murder of former Contra Costa College student and Jazz-ology member William Sims Nov. 12 in El Sobrante.

One suspect, Daniel PorterKelly, 31, of Richmond, is already in custody and has been charged with robbery and murder, with a hate crime enhancement, accord-

ing to the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s department.

Ray Simmons, 32, of Hercules and Daniel Ortega, 31, of Richmond continue to evade law enforcement’s attempts to apprehend them.

Porter-Kelly was caught on Nov. 16 during a raid conducted at the Novato home of his mother, 54-year-old Renee Brown.

Detectives detained Brown and are holding her on $54,000 bail for suspicion of interfering with a criminal investigation.

Officials have yet to release the action that led the district attorney to officially file the hate crime enhancement clause.

“We are not at a point where we can release that information

PETITION URGES SANCTUARY DECISION

“

because this is an ongoing investigation,” Contra Costa Sheriff spokesperson Jimmy Lee said.

“At this point only one suspect has been booked on robbery and murder charges.”

The California Penal Code section 422.55 lists a “hate crime” as a criminal act committed in whole or in part because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim: disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity religion or sexual orientation.

According to friends, Sims, 28, of Richmond was out singing karaoke with friends before stopping at the Capri Club on the 4100 SEE MURDER, PAGE 3

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

William Sims was a music major and part of the college Jazz-ology ensemble.

Sims was an accomplished singer, jazz pianist and played the guitar.

“(You) need to have a dream and pursue it, but there will be obstacles and you’ll sometimes want to give up.”

Discussions to shield minorities progress

BY Robert Clinton OPINION EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

In lieu of President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to eliminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and his pledge to deport three million undocumented people, administrators have been urged to create sanctuary campuses to protect undocumented students.

The initial push to have the Contra Costa Community College District colleges listed as sanctuary campuses came by way of a Nov. 23 petition addressed to the Governing Board.

With over 500 signatures and growing, the petition lays out multiple concrete actions the district can take to ensure the outstanding learning environment and nurturing atmoMehdizadeh sphere it hopes to provide is protected for all students.

In a Chancellor’s Office Cabinet meeting held Nov. 30, Contra Costa College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh met with district lawyer Gabriel Sandoval, who specializes in federal and state civil rights law.

“We need to do more research to get a sense of what our options are,” Mehdizadeh said. “It was good to know what systems are already in place so we can know what to do as an institution moving forward.”

Sandoval has also been added to the agenda for the next Governing Board meeting on Dec. 14.

The meeting is not scheduled to provide solutions, only to examine how to best protect undocumented students without being at risk of losing any federal funding, board President Vicki Gordon said.

SEE SANCTUARY, PAGE 3

Sanctuary timeline: A petition urging the district to adopt a Sanctuary College resolution started on Nov. 23.

The public can speak directly to the board at the Governing Board meeting at the District Office in Martinez on Dec. 14.

The board could make a decision by the second week of January after reviewing the resolution’s pros and cons.

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Board fills empty ward seat

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Chancellor Helen Benjamin announced her retirement earlier this year after serving the district since 1990 when she was hired at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg.

Leader retires, district trembles

Chancellor retires After 26 years of service within the district, Chancellor Helen Benjamin leaves a storied legacy behind to travel and spend time with her family.

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Her devotion to student success has inspired communities of educators to continue to empower students on their educational path locally, statewide and nationally.

But after serving the Contra Costa Community College District for 26 years, since 1990, Chancellor Hen Benjamin is retiring and leaving the district and its three colleges — Contra Costa in San Pablo, Diablo Valley in Pleasant Hill and Los Medanos in Pittsburg.

She has been a mentor to many and unofficially to hundreds, both throughout the district and nationwide, Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd said.

Dr. Benjamin took the top position in the district in Martinez in 2005, after serving as president of CCC from 1999 through 2005.

She had an impact when she was LMC’s dean of language arts and humanistic studies and related occupations from INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

1990 through 1992, providing educational and managerial leadership. Benjamin also served as interim president of LMC from 1995 through 1996.

CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said people who meet Benjamin want to get to know her better.

“I think that is an incredible quality in a person in general, but especially in a leader. They have faith in her ability to do what she does and also recognize that she cares about the cause — what is best for our students and genuinely recognizes the importance of education — given her own story.”

Benjamin came from a working-class family where her parents taught her that education is the most valuable thing, Mehdizadeh said.

Although growing up in two different worlds, Mehdizadeh said her parents had the same notion and experience as Benjamin’s parents did when it came to their children’s education. They ensured the children knew the importance of a good education.

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Dr. Benjamin celebrates being her hiring as district chancellor on Aug. 17, 2005 in the old Recreation Room on campus.

Benjamin said she lived in a segregated community growing up in Texas. She attended Peabody High School, which was the only black high school in her city, and graduated in 1968.

She said they cared about student success and the educational environment was strict to ensure that students followed the rules.

Mehdizadeh said Benjamin is a kind woman, but when she needs to be tough, she can be SEE BENJAMIN, PAGE 3

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

Former district student trustee Gary Walker-Roberts was appointed to represent Ward IV until 2018 in lieu of former trustee John Nejedly’s unexpected death on Oct. 12, district Communications and Relations Director Tim Leong said.

The Governing Board unanimously voted for Walker-Roberts, 40, to replace Nejedly at a special meeting held at the District Office in Martinez on Nov. 29.

“I am honored and in awe of the board’s decision to select me for the position representing Walker-Roberts Ward IV,” Walker-Roberts said. “I have big shoes to fill. John Nejedly was on the board for 22 years, so this job comes with a lot of responsibility.

“But I never shy away from challenges, especially when it means representing my community.”

Leong said Walker-Roberts will be sworn in at the Dec. 14 Governing Board meeting at the Contra Costa Community College District Office in Martinez.

Governing Board President Vicki Gordon said Walker-Roberts was chosen over four other applicants because of his experience with public service and fluency in Spanish.

“Gary is a great choice because he knows so much about the district. He has a lot of people who support him in the community because of his public service,” Gordon said. “The board realized they were looking for someone who understood the position so he was SEE WARD PAGE 3

LGBTQ+, PEERS SHARE STRIFE, DISCRIMINATION PAGE 8 & 9 SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

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Inter-American Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression, 2000 Roxana Amparo editor-in-chief Christian Urrutia web editor Marci Suela art director social media editor Lorenzo Morotti associate editor Benjamin Bassham Michael Santone news editors Robert Clinton opinion editor sports editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Reggie Santini spotlight editor Efrain Valdez social media editor Cody Casares photo editor Denis Perez assistant photo editor Tashi Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate staff Sean Austin Jose Chavez Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Naylea Hernandez Edwin Herrera Karla Juarez Perla Juarez Anthony Kinney Jaleel Perry Julian Robinson Jessica Suico 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 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.

opinion

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, 2016 VOL. 104, NO. 11

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL SANCTUARY OR BUST

Trump’s hateful rhetoric calls for district to pass resolution

D

emagogues throughout history have manipulated insecurities about the economy to pass laws that violate the human rights of minority groups.

President-elect Donald Trump cast blame on immigrant and Muslim communities for the shrinking middle class through the loss of low skilled wage jobs to nations abroad.

Trump exploiting voters’ willingness to blame underrepresented groups in the United States proves that de facto racism thrives. His divisive campaign was built on misunderstanding and frustration about issues affecting our economy.

Our call to protect groups targeted by Trump’s rhetoric is rooted in understanding.

Since the Republican Party now controls all three federal branches, a petition for the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board to pass a resolution that would establish its three campuses and extension campuses as Sanctuary Colleges has been started.

A Sanctuary College District resolution would require colleges to withhold students’ personal information from the federal government and work to keep current financial aid policies for undocumented students in place.

Trump’s administration promises to monitor Muslim communities, deport millions of undocumented people and do nothing to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ or other underrepresented communities.

As of press time Tuesday, the Sanctuary College District petition circulating on Facebook has 537 signatures from students, faculty and community members at Contra Costa, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges.

It is the responsibility of diverse communities like ours to ensure that the intrusive laws Trump proposes do not seep into our communities — no matter the cost.

The district must approve the resolution to protect these vulnerable communities, or risk jeopardizing the rich diversity it touts when it needs state or federal funding.

District Communications and Community Relations Director Tim Leong said the petitioning resolution has gained a spot on the agenda as a discussion item for the Governing Board at its next meeting at the District Office in Martinez on Dec. 14.

Board President Vicki Gordon said while the board will not come to a decision at that meeting, it is the start of a necessary discussion between the board and the community it serves.

“There are so many unanswered questions and variables,” Gordon said. “This is a start of the conversation. So we still need to take it slow and (be) careful to make a thoughtful decision, possibly in January.”

So far, Gordon, Ward I Trustee John Marquez and recently appointed Ward IV Trustee Gary Walker-Roberts are in strong support of progressing the discussion.

“Ever since Donald Trump won it seems people are more emboldened and have come out of the shadows to spread bigotry and racism,” Walker-Roberts said. “I want to make sure we can create a safe place for undocumented students and other targeted groups to keep pushing toward their dreams.”

Out of 51,000 students who were enrolled in the district during the 2015-16 academic year, about 30 percent out of them identified as Hispanic, 30 percent as white, 11 percent as Asian, and 11 percent as African-American, according to the California Chancellor’s Office online database (DataMart).

The district, that exists to serve its community, should make each of its three campuses safe places for students, faculty and administrators or risk losing the support of more than half of its community.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ SOCIAL JUSTICE

Protests should burst onto suburban streets T his week, hundreds of veterans and civilians are planning to make the trek from all corners of America to join Native Americans protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in South Dakota after police and private security unleashed an offensive onslaught in their direction over the Thanksgiving holiday.

In freezing weather, activists stood their ground on a bridge near Standing Rock while police and private security peppered the protesters with rubber bullets and simultaneously doused them with high pressure water cannons.

The scene, captured on video by victims of the attack, was eerily reminiscent of the iconic images from the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where nonviolent protesters were viciously bludgeoned by citizens and police in front of a national television audience.

The event, better known as “Bloody Sunday,” saw battered civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama define the American idea of what peaceful protest is supposed to look like.

That sentiment of standing in solidarity while remaining nonviolent has sometimes become a larger talking point than the injustices people protest against.

As #NODAPL protesters endure waves of attacks reminiscent of those seen in 1965 era Selma, media outlets continue to focus on more innocuous protests that make a mockery of what it means to peacefully protest in America.

To protest the election of Donald Trump, many liber-

Manteca, Modesto and Tracy would all be viable options as cities to protest in after proving to be one of the reddest voting pockets in the state.

More recently, remaining nonviolent in the face of people who oppose what you stand for has returned als donned solidarity safety to public view. pins and joined hands — Last year, protests in particularly in safe spaces.

Ferguson, Missouri and Events like Hands Across Baltimore, Maryland saw Lake Merritt were supposed nonviolent marches devolve to signify a show of support into demonstrations of for all of police might. the people Tear gas bellowed It seemed that Trump through working class railed to intention- neighborhoods. Armored against. vehicles blared orders for These ralpeople to return to their ally mock lies, praised houses. for their These were their neighpeople who nonviolent borhoods. They were participants, lost blood already home. drew all of When Dakota Access the media and freePipeline construction crews attention. It dredged a swath of land that seemed to dom was designated as sacred, intentionthey weren’t labeled as vioally mock fighting lent. They desecrated land people who given to the Dakota people lost blood against the through one of many bad and freedom faith treaties, agreements fighting grip of that America consistently against breaks. the grip of oppression.

In the face of dogs, buloppression lets and the sacrilege of in places having their burial sites violike Standing Rock or Selma. lated, they remained nonviThese liberals pat themolent. selves on the back for Some day, a large conremaining nonviolent when tingent of suburban soccer they congregate in places moms will travel to Standing where the threat level hovers Rock, lay a flower at the somewhere near zero. base of the pipeline to stand Marching to oppose united with the people who a Trump presidency in died in the struggle to proOakland or San Francisco tect water. is pointless. These junior activists’ time would be betRobert Clinton is the opinter served marching with ion editor for The Advocate. their brethren in California’s Contact him at RClinton3 on District 10 in the Central Twitter Valley.

robertclinton

CAMPUS COMMENT

What are you looking forward to during the winter break?

“I’m going on vacation to Panama and Peru.”

Emely Cortez undecided

“I’m traveling to Mexico to get away, party and live it up.”

Almendra Delgado nursing

“I look forward to more sleep and relaxation and I’m going to Las Vegas.”

“I’m going to catch up on my sleep and finally be able to take somewhat of a breather.”

“I am going to be traveling and preparing for the spring semester.”

Raniel Santos

Lesley Ayala

Xiuli Menz

mechanical engineering JESSICA SUICO, NAYLEA HERNANDEZ AND JOSE CHAVEZ / THE ADVOCATE

chemistry

English

“I’m looking forward to sleeping, relaxation and visiting my family.”

Andres Alvares engineering

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 12.7.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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NEWSLINE MURDER | Suspects shoot Jazz-ology alumnus, pal LGBTQ+

CELEBRATING GROUP DIVERSITY, GROWTH An LGBTQ+ Student Appreciation event will take place at noon on Thursday at the Fireside Hall.

The event is a celebration and appreciation of all students who have been doing meaningful work for the LGBTQ+ community.

For more information about the event, contact ASU President Safi Ward-Davis at asu@contracosta. edu.

Continued from Page 1 block of Appian Way before heading home.

This is where Porter-Kelly, Simmons and Ortega allegedly beat and robbed Sims before gunning the accomplished musician down in the street.

Officers found Sims laying on Appian Way at roughly 2:11 a.m. according to Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s official statement.

“Will (Sims) was a success story. He sang for an award-winning vocal group. He was a soloist on stage playing jazz piano. He was an accomplished musician,” music department Chairperson Wayne Organ said. “When he finished his time here he could truly say ‘I can compete with the best.’”

As information becomes available, many believe race will find its way to the center of the

official investigation.

The murder of Sims has garnered national attention as a hate crime as reports of offenses against minorities of all types following the Nov. 8 election of President-elect Donald Trump.

The Southern Poverty Law Center tracks reports of hate crimes and documented nearly 900 incidents in the first 10 days following Trump’s election.

A GoFundMe page was set up for Sims’ memorial fund by his cousin Michelle Smith who has been inundated with gestures of respect toward Sims and support for his family as they cope with this unexpected tragedy.

Jordan Miller, friend of Sims and current CCC student, spent time with the musician during his days performing with Jazz-ology and remembers the “it-factor” that burned

inside of the 28-year-old.

“I would always notice his energy and how happy he seemed,” Miller said. “The first thing he would do is hop on the piano and start playing.”

College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh called the killing a tragedy and said she plans to release a statement of support in the coming days.

For now, the murder leaves friends of Sims searching for answers.

“I haven’t got to where I can confront what happened. I’ve never known anyone who had this happen to them particularly under these circumstances — I’m still in the denial stage,” Organ said.

“Bad things happen to people all of the time, but not like this. His personality didn’t lend to this.”

RELAXATION

MASSAGES TO RELIEVE STRESS DURING FINALS

BENJAMIN | Chancellor’s departure affects family

A relaxation event will take place during Finals Week in the Fireside Hall.

Free massages and coloring stations will be available to all students today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For more information, please contact Student Life Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks at jnickelsonshanks@contracosta.edu.

Continued from Page 1

MUSIC

TRAP KARAOKE NIGHT TO LIGHT UP LOUNGE A free Trap Karaoke Night will be held at the Student Lounge on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.

There will be free food and drinks provided to those who attend.

For more information please contact ASU President Safi WardDavis at asu@contracosta.edu.

CRIMEWATCH Thursday, Nov. 10: A female became upset after her debit card got stuck inside the ATM machine in the Student Services Center.

Friday, Nov. 11: A staff member reported their vehicle was burglarized on campus.

No suspect or witness information is available at this time.

Saturday, Nov. 12: Two individuals were involved in an altercation at the Comet football game. One suspect fled the scene after the altercation. No one needed medical attention.

Monday, Nov. 14: An officer lost his radio while breaking up a fight at the football game. The radio was found and returned to Police Services by a police aid.

A female student walked into Police Services to report being involved in a minor non-injury traffic accident while parking on campus.

An instructor reported a verbal altercation between two of her students. Both students left the area without further incident.

A padlock on a locker in the Men’s Locker Room was cut by unknown subject(s). It was determined no items were taken from the locker.

Tuesday, Nov. 15: An officer responded to the Counseling Office for a possible battery report. The student declined to make a report and left without further incident.

Friday, Nov. 18: A male subject went to KaiserRichmond to be evaluated and to receive medical treatment. He was transported via AMR without further incident.

Wednesday, Nov. 23: An officer responded to a medical emergency in the Gymnasium at 10:35 a.m.

— Reggie Santini and Michael Santone — 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.

tough.

“She is no joke when she is tough. You know it’s coming from a good place, but you recognize when she speaks in a more stern fashion, you better jump,” she said.

Benjamin’s educational path comes with many accomplishments. She graduated magna cum laude from Bishop College, a Texas historically black college, in 1983.

Before Benjamin decided she wanted to pursue education, she wanted to be a nurse.

At the age of 16 she was able to work in a hospital through a job given to her by the Neighborhood Youth Corps, a federal government program that aimed to help 16- to 21-year-olds continue their education and increase their employability.

“I knew from then on, death was not an occupation I could have as an adult,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin graduated from Bishop College and received her bachelor of science in English and Spanish in 1971. “I was in an environment in which I was fairly successful and these people mentored me,” she said.

Benjamin’s devotion to seeing students succeed carries through in her every interaction.

Mehdizadeh said, “It’s obviously based in her background and her experience. But at the same time she finds a way to make it relevant to the person that she is communicating with.”

A lot of the time she uses perspectives from what she has learned and acts based on what she believes is best for students.

Mehdizadeh said, for Benjamin, it is about the students and what can be done to make the situation right for them.

“Oh, my god, that is what it’s about — the students,” Mehdizadeh said.

Benjamin’s ability to look for commonalities with individuals and groups make her a “special person,” Mehdizadeh said.

“It didn’t matter how busy she was, she is running three huge institutions of higher learning, but every single person is important to her.”

District Communications and Relations Director Tim Leong said when he joined the district in 2008, he noticed Benjamin’s hard work and dedication right away.

“I learned within a few months that not only did I meet my match, but I was no match for her.”

Leong said Benjamin knows she doesn’t have all of the answers but surrounds herself with other smart people and gathers perspectives from them.

“She has the great ability to be able to decipher all of that and come up with the course of action to be taken,” Leong said.

He said someone who hasn’t worked with her would not understand, but those at CCC and at the district know what it is like to work with her.

Mehdizadeh said Benjamin cares about the people who surround her and ensures that they understand the work they are doing.

“One thing I admire about her is that she doesn’t pretend to understand something,” she said.

“She is going to keep asking you

the question in a different way until she has a deep understanding of it, because she is actually trying to help you better articulate your stance on something.”

Leong said throughout his years working at the district he has seen Benjamin’s leadership skills strengthen. He said Benjamin helped strengthen his writing and in the beginning he felt embarrassed because he thought he knew what he was doing.

“I soon realized I was woefully inadequate compared to her standards, and I think that through the years I feel that we’ve been much more on the same page and I feel like my writing had gotten stronger because of it,” Leong said.

Leong said, “Benjamin has such tremendous capacity to work and juggle the myriad of issues that a chancellor has to grapple on a dayto-day basis.”

Leong said there are a number of things that come with being chancellor and being the person to make the final decisions.

District Trustee John Marquez said Benjamin worked hard to earn her title, which is why he calls her ‘Dr. Benjamin’ instead of her first name.

“She is the top leader in the district. She earned it and deserves that respect. She works for us on the board,” he said.

Marquez has known Benjamin since she was the CCC president in 1999 and then got closer to her when he was elected as a district trustee in 2010.

He said he realized she was someone who was dedicated to the district and he supported her work.

Former “It didn’t CCC president McKinley matter how Williams said busy she Benjamin has been a great was, she leader and her is running commit ment to students is three huge well-known to institutions anyone who of higher worked with learning, but her.

M a r q u e z every single said he is sad to see her leave person is after working important to with her for so her.” many years.

B enjamin — Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, said a piece of college president advice she’d like to share with students comes in a form of a poem by Langston Hughes called Dreams: “Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams for when dreams go life is a barren field frozen with snow.”

She said, “I just think you need to have a dream and pursue it, but there will be obstacles and you’ll sometimes want to give up.”

Benjamin said it is easy to give up on dreams but it is also depressing, so students should continue to pursue dreams and not give up.

Williams said, “I think the college will forever be in debt to her.

The district is going to miss her,” he said.

After Dec. 31, Benjamin said she plans to travel and spend time with her family.

“Good luck Dr. Benjamin and keep it rolling,” Marquez said.

SANCTUARY | Resolution to be discussed at meeting Continued from Page 1 “It is such an important issue, but we do have a timeline,” Gordon said. “My strategy is to see if my board could find a date in early January. But it is prudent that instead of waiting until the meeting on the Jan. 25 to try and piece together the process, review information shared at the (Dec 14 meeting) and getting our new members up to speed, we want reach a decision during the second week of January.”

For now, CCC is developing a frequently asked questions page for the campus website to keep students up-to-date with what the district knows right now.

“What we don’t know is what is going to happen on Jan. 20,” Mehdizadeh said.

Since Election Day, counselors have reported an increase in visits from students exhibiting anxiety or depression while facing the uncertainty that unfolded after the election.

The petition calls on the Governing Board to create a district policy to not cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities with deportations or immi-

gration raids. It also calls for assurances from the entire district and its colleges that district police will not help the federal government with inquiries regarding the immigration status of students.

“To step on a campus where you know the philosophy is that you are protected when you are here provides a sense of safety,” CCC counselor Norma Valdez said. “There are places where immigrants should not be targeted.”

A link to a (ICE) memorandum found in the petition titled “Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations” defines the policies immigration officers have been set to uphold since the 2011 date of the document.

It lists public institutions like schools or churches that deportations are prohibited unless it is an ongoing law enforcement action, but more importantly, if prior authorization is obtained by the federal government.

“I’m not going to ask you or anyone else for their citizenship card,” CCC Police Services Lt. Tom Holt said. “The feds can’t ask me to check everyone that looks Muslim or (Latino) for their citizenship unless I check everyone on

“The feds can’t ask me to check everyone that looks Muslim or Spanish for their citizenship unless I check everyone on this campus — it doesn’t make any sense.”

Tom Holt,

Police Services lieutenant

this campus — it doesn’t make any sense.”

The institutions listed for protection include pre-school, primary school, secondary school, colleges and trade schools.

California has the largest population of undocumented immigrants with 2.3 million, according to the Pew Research Center.

“We want to make everyone comfortable on campus — to feel safe leaving home and going to school without worrying about getting pulled out of class because of who they are,” Ward I board Trustee John Marquez said.

“We want all people in our community to feel a sense of security at work, school and home.”

WARD | Former student trustee replaces Nejedly Continued from Page 1 a clear choice. He has experience and he works well with everyone.”

She said he already overcame the steep learning curve that comes with a position at the district. He also will bring a fresh perspective as the district’s first openly gay trustee.

“Having Gary on board is a celebration of diversity and inclusion,” Gordon said. “The diversity of opinions on the board is well represented.”

Before Walker-Roberts was appointed, he was the Los Medanos College Associated Students president, ALLIES Club president and United Faculty student representa-

tive in 2014-15.

He was the district student trustee for the 2015-16 academic year as he worked toward completing his second associate degree in arts and humanities at LMC while also working toward a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies: gender and sexuality at Cal State-East Bay. Walker-Roberts received his master’s degree in English at Arizona State University earlier this year before representing Ward IV. Governing Board Trustee John Marquez said Walker-Roberts was the obvious choice because of public service experience within the district and his ability to interact with the communities he serves.

“He was a student at LMC until recently,” Marquez said.

“During the time he was the student trustee one thing everyone noticed was his enthusiasm and energy he brought to the board.

“Gary was all over the district talking to different student body presidents and senators and relay that back to the Governing Board meetings so the district is in tune with what needs to be done at each campus.”

Walker-Roberts said with his position at the district he plans to support the Sanctuary College District resolution to protect undocumented immigrant students from deportation and work to maintain current financial aid

“During the time he was the student trustee one thing everyone noticed was the enthusiasm and energy he brought to the board.”

— John Marquez,

Governing Board trustee

policies for DACA, AB 540 and DREAM Act students.

He said he also plans to work with college leadership groups to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+, Muslim and other underrepresented communities at each campus and their extension campuses in Brentwood and San Ramon.

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 12.7.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

CIRCUMCISION?

forum

OR

mutilation?

NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

S

urgically altering a girl’s genitals is a felony in the U.S., and illegal in most of the world, and taking a knife to anyone’s genitals without their consent is horrible. That’s why it’s so odd that it’s legal for boys worldwide, and frequently encouraged by medical professionals.

The surgery fell out of favor in Canada, England and Australia in the 1950s, except for religious reasons, after an article was published showing it killed 14 boys in England each year.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says 1.1 million infant circumcisions were performed in the U.S. alone in 2008, affecting more than 60 percent of male births.

Most of these surgeries are performed in the first three days of life.

The World Health Organization says a third of men, globally, are circumcised — a billion flayed penises.

Death Medical organizations brush aside the inevitable deaths that result from skinning millions of babies, saying medicine has improved enormously, making the procedure less likely to cause unintended, additional harm.

I’m delighted we’ve gotten so skilled at cutting pieces off of screaming children that it hardly ever kills them, but the rest of the world isn’t so talented.

The Third World doesn’t have antibiotics or terrifying medical clamps and hole-punch devices for removing pieces of boys.

Ryan McAllister, Ph.D. of Georgetown University, said, “We’re silent about the male genital cutting that occurs (with) the same conditions of hygiene and the same death rates.”

Even in the U.S., there are still over 100 deaths from circumcision each year. It is unknown how many die worldwide.

Children are very fragile, and the consent forms parents are given downplay the risk involved. For instance, the forms warn of “bleeding” as a consequence.

McAllister said, “Bleeding (is a) sort of minimizing term. An infant has 12 ounces of blood. Bleeding a couple ounces can cause death.”

Disease The non-fatal consequences of medical penis pruning are what you’d expect: infection, necrosis, amputation, permanent disability and eye-watering deformity.

Infection in particular is unsurprising. Imagine peeing through a wound that marinates in urine and feces.

The wound remains painful for seven to 10 days, requiring frequent bandage changes and ointment.

David M. Gibbons, associate professor of pediatric urology at Georgetown University, said that over two years he was referred over 275 children with complications from circumcision and 45 percent of them required a second surgery to correct the damage from the genital cutting.

Double standard “It appears the Hippocratic oath has been amended,” said Mike Stephenson, an artist called DoctorRandomercam on YouTube, who speaks on men’s rights issues. He said, “It is now, ‘Do no harm to girls.’

But you can amputate a boy’s skin with no anesthetic while he screams for his life, as long as the parents say it’s OK, when you recommend it to them as a medical professional.”

Circumcision is promoted on the grounds that uncircumcised children won’t fit in with their fellows. This excuse fails because if it applies to boys it applies to girls.

The WHO says that, worldwide, 200 million women alive today had their genitals cut, with degrees of severity ranging from token nicking and bloodletting to full infibulation.

Pain The pain of the surgery is excused saying, “They don’t remember it,” as though that absolves the cruelty of carving a newborn like a roast. Hey, can I hold your baby over a fire until its skin sizzles like bacon? They won’t remember it when they grow up, so that makes it OK. I dare anyone who offers a defense for this barbarity to watch a video of a circumcision. A still picture of the inflamed bloody mess is bad enough, but just listen to that infant’s eerie, bone-chilling scream. It isn’t like a baby’s normal cry. It is the sound of a helpless newborn’s unbearable pain.

I dare you to sit through that horror and then say, “This is good. The world is a better place because this happened.”

If they don’t remember it, why do they have increased stress hormones for six months? Why does the infant’s brain show lasting trauma, and why do they have detectable cognitive damage later in life?

Taddio, Katd, Ilersich and Koren, 1997, showed circumcised infants have a long-term aggravated response to pain, lasting at least six months.

According to Gregory J. Boyle, 2002; Ronald Goldman, 1999; and Tim Hammond, 1999, men circumcised in infancy have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anger and intimacy problems.

Mild anesthetic is sometimes used, but according to the University of Alberta, up to 96 percent of babies in the U.S. and Canada get no anesthesia at all. When the doctor shoves a probe in and starts ripping the foreskin from the glans, babies feel everything.

Brady-Fryer, Weibe and Lander, 1997, tried to determine the best way to relieve circumcision pain but was aborted because the control group was in so much pain some of the infants began choking and vomiting.

The circumcision restraint is an astoundingly ugly device. It’s a babysized torture rack. You don’t want that kid to start flopping around when you dig in with the scalpel, so the restraint binds all four limbs, leaving them helpless to do anything but scream while the doctor cuts and peels.

E

BY Benjamin Bassham

Many circumcised women insist their daughters be cut too. Is this OK? Similarly, if male genital cutting is acceptable because it is less severe — sometimes true, depending on the amount of flesh to be removed — then parents should have the right to give their daughters genital piercings.

That’s far less damaging than circumcision.

MARCI SU ELA / TH E ADVOC AT

Religious, cultural practice affects long term health

Loss Enough side effects and blood, what are the actual intended results of circumcision?

An adult penis loses 12-15 square inches of skin, and 20,000 nerve endings and specialized stretch receptors.

Also lost is most of the penis’ skin mobility and the male’s contribution to lubrication during sex, possibly causing micro-tears in the vagina, increasing transmission of disease.

The first penile sensitivity study, by Morris L. Sorrells and others, 2007, revealed that nearly all pleasure-sensing nerves in the penis are on the foreskin. On cut men, most sexual sensation comes from whatever fragments of the foreskin were left after circumcision.

Paul Tardiff, circumcised at 30, said

it is like “only being able to see in black and white, rather than seeing in full color. There are feelings you’ll just never have without the foreskin.”

In leaked audio from a panel at the 2013 Pitts Lectureship in Medical Ethics at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Robert M. Sade shared an anecdote about giving circumcisions to sailors during the Vietnam War as way to last longer, before orgasm.

He said, “They knew from their friends that having circumcision improves sex because you could last longer. You didn’t have the same degree of stimulation.

The reduction of sensation is very valuable to many men.

“I think it’s beside the point to talk about loss of sensitive tissue.”

The AAP publicly denies that there is any loss of sensation from male genital cutting.

Stephenson said, “Someone can decide for themselves that they want to have longer, perhaps even tantric sex. But doing it to someone else is to say you want them to last longer in bed — a pretty sick thing to do to an adult — but to do it to your son because you want them to last longer for someone else (is even sicker).”

Deception Boyle’s study said the rabbi Moses Maimonides, who lived from 1135 to 1204, said the point of circumcision was to reduce sexual gratification.

Genital cutting changed from religious ritual to medical practice by scientific ignorance and superstition.

In Victorian times, and through the 1930s, it was thought that nervous excitation was the cause of disease, and sexual excitement was dangerous.

Circumcision was prescribed as a cure for masturbation.

Athol A. W. Johnson said, “In cases of masturbation we must — cause too much local suffering to allow the practice,” in “The Lancet” in 1860.

In the 19th century circumcision was touted to cure everything from epilepsy and asthma to clumsiness.

As the germ theory of disease caught on, better, modern reasons to skin an infant had to be developed.

For instance, the 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics report on circumcision says cutting a chunk off a penis keeps it from developing cancer.

The American Cancer Society, however, disagrees, and in 1996 told the AAP, “Perpetuating the mistaken belief that circumcision prevents cancer is inappropriate” The rate of penile cancer is less than 1 in 100,000, about 10 percent of the rate of death from circumcision. Breast cancer affects one in eight women. Should we cut that off?

A study, intended to show surgery prevents HIV, was run with three randomized trials in Africa. “Probably because you couldn’t get a human review board to permit such a study

in the U.S.,” McAllister said.

The study by Bertran Auvert and others, 2005, gathered volunteers, randomly circumcised half, and waited to see who caught HIV. Participants were paid about $40 in local currency for gambling with their health.

Subjects were given condoms and safe sex counseling at each visit.

The circumcised men visited at least twice more, for surgery and follow up.

The cut group was asked to wait six weeks before having sex, but the study began immediately.

And the antibody test they used has a three-month delay before HIV infection is detectable.

Each of these errors alone is sufficient to invalidate the study.

The Auvert study says, “Male circumcision provides a degree of protection against HIV equivalent to what a vaccine of high efficacy would have achieved.” They claim a 60 percent decrease in female to male infection.

No claim was made of male to female infection, presumably because of how bad the results would be.

One trial in Uganda ended early after it found the male to female transmission was higher than for intact men. Maybe telling people that they are immune to HIV causes them to engage in unsafe sex.

This study is used by the WHO to promote the virtues of circumcision.

Even if the findings were true, is that enough protection to make condoms unnecessary?

The measles vaccine yields 99 percent immunity — and that’s for life, not per exposure, and for both sexes.

McAlister said the U.S. has highest circumcision rate of any industrialized nation and highest HIV rate of any industrialized nation. In fact, most areas that practice circumcision have higher rates of HIV infection.

Wiswell and Geschke’s 1986 study began the myth that circumcision prevents urinary tract infections (UTIs).

In infants the foreskin is bonded to glans to protect from waste. Wiswell instructed parents to forcibly retract their infants’ foreskins and wash under them. McAllister said tearing it loose this way creates a site for infection. Wiswell’s methodology was creating UTIs in healthy boys.

If Wiswell were correct, UTIs are so rare in men, 50 to 100 boys must be bloodily trimmed to prevent one UTI. Stephenson said it is extraordinary to claim that any part of the human skin would evolve to facilitate infection instead of prevent it.

Doctors are trained to treat normal physiology as reason for circumcision.

Misdiagnosis of phismosis, where the opening in the foreskin is too small, is extremely common. The foreskin has to separate from the glans in its own in time, and phismosis cannot be diagnosed in infancy. Even in actual phismosis, steroidal creams often solve the problem better than surgery.

Profit McAllister said parental consent to all this is based on little or false information, and the question is flung at mothers who have just been in labor.

“They are also asked about it in this sort of values neutral way. Would you like a pillow? Would you like a cup of tea? Would you like your child circumcised? He calls it “manufacturing pseudo-informed consent.”

“There is also this undeclared conflict of interest. There is really a lot of commercial use of the tissue,” he said.

If a starlet’s lips look fuller than they used to, it might be because they’re full of baby foreskins.

Harvested baby flesh is used for “magic skin” treatments and cosmetics, like SkinMedica, as promoted by Oprah Winfrey, and it’s used to produce collagen for cosmetic surgery. A single foreskin sells for thousands of dollars, so lobbyists for the baby penis industry like to hire, or pose as, scientists and doctors to promote it.

McAllister said, “If you’re disturbed by that I’m glad, because I’d like us to be disturbed by it.”

forum

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 12.7.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

5

■ POLITICS

Bipartisan ignorance cannot quell hate P

Divisive

election cycle

plays Trump, Clinton fans

resident-elect Donald Trump will head the executive branch while Republicans control the majority of seats in the Senate and House of Representatives come January.

Contrary to popular belief, the Democratic Party’s greed and liberal sensitivity helped this happen more than any private donor, Republican senator, or blue collar working American’s vote ever could.

Many people and media outlets claim that Trump won because he and his supporters are racists.

While his campaign was endorsed by the Klu Klux Klan, this analysis does not give Trump’s campaign enough credit.

Trump made history because arrogant, and frightened, liberals played right into his ploy.

The most divisive campaign in recent history relied on liberal America’s cognitive dissonance, white America’s frustration with traditional politics, and the corporate media’s eagerness to boost their ratings by turning the election into a TV reality show.

Cognitive dissonance is the rejection of an ideology simply

■ REMEMBRANCE

christianurrutia

EXPERIENCE FROM NEWSPAPER LAYS OUT USEFUL HABITS

T

ime spent at a community college is often approached with the idea of rushing through it and finishing quickly so one can go on to the next step of their educational path.

But I found tremendous value in staying for a prolonged period and choosing to improve certain skill-sets I wasn’t really aware were skillsets to begin with, through the college’s journalism program. I didn’t intend to be a journalist when I first arrived at Contra Costa College.

My early ambitions were directed toward film making; I wanted to create meaningful art, which I still do, but it is no longer within the realm of fiction, but very much involves storytelling and the presentation of stories in different mediums.

Like many, I flip flopped through what I wanted to do academically and personally after graduating and have always maintained a parttime job since high school so that complex variable always reared its ugly head when I considered my options.

So much so, where it reached a point that I contemplated only working and foregoing attending college altogether in hopes of landing a job through a vocational path aimed at the entertainment industry.

Only knowledge and understanding can smother divisive rhetoric.

But the Democratic National Convention doused Trump’s campfire with kerosene when it nominated Hillary Clinton over populist candidate Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primaries.

Corporate broadcast media organizations and periodicals like the Washington Post and Huffington Post did everybecause it counters your own. thing they could to convince the Rallying millions of working American people that Clinton was people under the false pretense of the DNC’s best choice to lead the being an outsider candidate is a ideological civil war. credit to Trump’s ability to speak Most liberals thought that generally about real issues facing Trump’s comments were so outthe American people. landish and hateful that Clinton’s He won because liberals, like FBI investigation and Clinton many conservatives, reacted to Foundation scandals would simply his politically incorrect comments be glossed over. directed toward minorities with But the DNC, in all its wisdom, the same ignorance, anger and was blinded by the money Clinton fear Trump used to manipulate the was projected to generate for her white working masses to vote for private constituencies. him.

All Trump had to do was wait Trump’s campaign was ampliuntil liberals confirmed his own fied by the corporate media that focused on the vitriol instead of the divisive comments by reacting with root causes of immigration, a stag- generalizations bred from the same nant economy, raising college debt hate and fear, then wait to watch the DNC nominate the weaker of and money’s influence in politics. two candidates.

Ignorance cannot quell hate.

lorenzomorotti

Thankfully, I changed my mind. Soon after I decided to take school seriously and outlined some goals, I joined The Advocate.

I heard about the paper for quite some time, before I even had some friends join it, first seeing it when I initially started attending CCC through concurrent enrollment. I decided to approach visual storytelling through a different perspective; photojournalism. The basis of motion pictures, photography, interested me and I wanted to understand how to capture images. Although I didn’t buy into The Advocate at first, I’m happy I returned after taking a break for a year.

Being on the paper allowed me to develop skills across a vast spectrum of journalistic and non-journalistic subjects, including how to tell a story but what I will cherish and remember mostly are the friends I made whom I consider near and dear to my heart as well as several friendships that were strengthened by my time here.

And as I prepare to transfer to San Francisco State next semester, the values this program has instilled in me cannot be downplayed.

I learned how to report through imagery and text, digitally edit photos and video, page design and layout, how to communicate with others through purposeful conversation and how to manage and work with others within a goal-orientated environment.

But my talented friends; George, Rodney, Mike, Cody McFarland, Lorenzo, Marci, Veronica, Faythe, Qing, Cody Casares, Roxy, Rob and Denis taught me the most during my time on The Advocate.

Christian Urrutia is the web editor of The Advocate.

Contact him at currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com.

PRESIDENT-ELECT CREATES VOLATILE ATMOSPHERE

B

ELECTION RESULTS EXPOSE UNDERLYING RACISM IN AMERICA

D

y electing Trump they brought back the ripple effect of racism and sent the country 60 years back. I constantly asked myself what would have happened if Hillary had chosen Sen. Sanders as her vice-president.

As a person of color, a onald Trump ran a race powered by hate speech and fear of minorities while possibly upsetting every woman in America at the same time.

All of us were left asking how, and looking for a party to blame the results on. But if

Too many people take comments politicians make at face value. But politicians consistently lie to gain support and power.

Trump has already changed his stance on climate change, backed down on building the wall, pressing charges against Clinton and is now appointing a cabinet of corporate and political insiders despite his self-appointed “outsider” label.

Throughout her campaign, Clinton claimed to be the champion of the working class. But she and her campaign team never tried to relate with Trump supporters.

She claimed that love would trump hate.

But watching Clinton try to market the version of love she hijacked from Sanders through illegal backdoor dealings with the DNC, which were made public through WikiLeaks, was like watching a toddler trying to fit a cube into a circular hole while millions of people cheered — depressing.

Lorenzo Morotti is an associate editor of The Advocate. Contact him at lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com.

■ RAP MUSIC

Music industry manipulates artists with money, fame myth I n our continuously troubling times of social and economic inequality, racial discrimination and police brutality, modern-day rappers and entertainers willingly turn a blind eye to the issues facing American society as they continue to exploit their fans.

Even A-list artists who come from impoverished neighborhoods and oppressed circumstances tend to turn their backs on people still dealing with systemic disparities throughout society.

The moment some rappers get successful and don’t need the attention of the audience that supported them on the way up, they vanish, leaving the people that live in the same adverse situations those same rappers rail against.

Entertainers have a visible platform and do a disservice to their own communities when they don’t give voice to people that are crying out for help. Although researchers still argue over the true percentage, studies show white males are the largest buying group of hip-hop music in America and could be the very reason why rap artists seem to skim over the issues facing minority groups in America.

It simply doesn’t pay enough. Conscious music was replaced with what is known as “gangsta rap,” the kind of hip-hop executives discovered the white demographic was craving for.

Whether it was life imi-

anthonykinney

tating art, or the other way around, these stories of “black life” soon became an undeniable reality for young African-Americans — while serving simply as entertainment for listeners of other races.

In 1991, when it became industry fact that 80 percent of hip-hop music was consumed by white males, music insiders geared up to target the pocketbooks of that peculiar audience.

The political critique and social commentary that hip-hop used to provide was pushed to the fringe and replaced with songs filled with pimps, hoes, drugs and gangbangers.

This narrative was sold as the “authentic” stories of black life in America.

As time passed, artists with more lyrical substance and expressions of positivity got pushed to the background and rappers like 21 Savage, Future, Rae Sremmurd, and Young Thug now command the spotlight.

Today, successful mainstream rappers only promote arrogance, ignorance, whores and drug addicts in their music. Never anything positive.

The more thought-provoking and socially con-

scious artists seem to never get the exposure that the lesser lyrical artists wallow in.

There was a time when what was said on a track was as important as the beat that it was laid down on.

Mainstream rap artists like T.I., Killer Mike and David Banner seem not to care too much about album sales or a dwindling fan base.

Instead, they focus more on delivering music with a message and shining a light on the turmoil that plagues America.

Despite these artists willingness to step outside of the box, they are seen as past their prime, necessitating a new generation of artists to inform the masses about the plight of the underrepresented. However, in recent years, artists such as J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar have emerged as a breath of fresh air when compared to the usual hogwash that the radio provides.

These are the artists that should receive our wholehearted support because these are the artists who haven’t turned their backs on the underprivileged yet.

Just like Tupac, they’re the only artists who love us and are willing to give a voice to the people that are not represented in the mainstream.

Tupac come back, hip-hop needs you.

Anthony Kinney is a staff member of The Advocate.

Contact him at akinney. theadvocate@gmail.com.

dreamer and a mother, I fear the decisions President-elect Donald Trump will make regarding my status.

Furthermore, the blame for these elections falls on both parties and on the voters.

What hurts even more is the amount of support from my own community toward this

rapist, bigot and insensitive human being. I know the Republican Party will look past all accusations against Trump because what they want is control of the government.

At this time, I can’t vote but I can promote and advocate for a better future. I will

not surrender and keep quiet against any injustice or racism I may witness. I hope both parties learn from their mistakes.

you didn’t know that America is racist, now you know. We elected one. America couldn’t let itself be run by a woman following the first black president. And by America I mean angry white men or people (like myself) who can’t support Hillary for a multitude of

reasons.

It’s also the DNC’s fault for choosing Hillary Clinton over the rejuvenating and inspiring Bernie Sanders.

Living in California, especially the Bay Area where it’s so diverse with race and culture, we don’t see how racially

divided the rest of the nation is, so don’t be surprised that the Donald is President.

Jermaine Landers is a Contra Costa College student.

Contact her at landers1127@ gmail.com.

Isabel Ramos Zaragoza is a Contra Costa College student.

Her contact email is dicksonlam1@gmail.com.

6

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campusbeat

THIS FALL THE

BOOKSTORE

WILL PAY FOR

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Contra Costa College Bookstore textbook buyback Monday to Thursday, Dec. 12-15.............9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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PHOTO ID REQUIRED We pay up to 50% no matter where you bought your books. We buy books, even if you purchased them online. Bring all CDs, DVDs and supplemental materials with your textbooks.

All textbook rentals are due on Friday, Dec. 16.

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“

We all know why Helen chose education — it’s for students. Her entire focus has remained on students for the last 40 years she has served in education, 26 years here with us.”

— Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, college president

7

CULINARY ARTS’ TO-GO FOOD OPTION CASH-ONLY Pay with plastic alternative missing from modern eatery, alienates substantial group

BY Jessica Suico ADVOCATE STAFF

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

EFRAIN VALDEZ / THE ADVOCATE

Attendees congratulate Chancellor Helen Benjamin on her storied work history with the Contra Costa Community College District during the Helen Benjamin Retirement Celebration on Wednesday.

Community honors 26 years of service

BY Roxana Amparo

“We all did it together, through the good and the bad and helping each other. We all have the same goal in mind and that was to transform the lives of students.”

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Faculty and staff offered warm goodbyes to Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Helen Benjamin in the Fireside Hall on Wednesday.

After 26 years at the district, serving Contra Costa College, Los Medanos College and Diablo Valley College, Dr. Benjamin is set to retire on Dec. 31.

“We all know why Helen chose education — it’s for students. Her entire focus has remained on students for the last 40 years that she has served in education, 26 years here with us,” CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said.

Benjamin thanked the room full of faculty, staff and students for giving her the opportunity to work here for all of these years.

“I couldn’t stay married for long, but I stayed in this job for 26 years with one employer. That’s pretty amazing. All of you helped to make that possible.”

While Benjamin spoke in front of her community, she noticed her daughter Tracy in the crowd and invited her to stand next to her.

Benjamin said her children have sacrificed so much having a mother who works and is as committed as she is.

“The children pay the price, and that’s why I want her (daughter Tracy) standing because this is a celebration for my children and for me as well.”

Benjamin said she appreciates the attention but feels it is not just for her, but for everyone. “We all did it together,

Dr. Helen Benjamin, district chancellor

through the good and the bad and helping each other. We all have the same goal in mind and that was to transform the lives of students.”

CCC Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said since 1972, Benjamin has served as an educator in secondary and higher education and has consistently demonstrated her passion about student success and creating educational environments that are conducive to learning through her direct teaching in the classroom, and through statewide and national advocacy.

Benjamin said, “If you are the same at the end of a class, as you were at the beginning, we need to give you a refund because a change should take place, even if you don’t finish the whole semester.”

She said education changed her life and is why she is so involved in making sure, like every other member of the faculty or staff at the ceremony, that change happens to people who go through education.

ASU President Safi Ward-Davis said Benjamin has made her realize that she

is a “little, brown girl” that has accomplished so much in her education and thanked Benjamin for her inspiration.

“As students we are able to reach all of our goals because we have great leadership. All the way from our professors to our college presidents and to our chancellor, and for that we are eternally grateful, and you will be missed,” WardDavis said.

A group of managers wearing wigs and costumes surprised Benjamin with a performance, dancing to “Believe”

by Cher, while holding cutouts of Benjamin’s face.

Another goodbye came from faculty through a video introduced by Academic Senate President Beth Goehring.

In the video, individuals from different CCC departments shared a few words wishing Benjamin an eventful retirement with many trips and vacations.

District Trustee John Marquez said, “Tonight, I want to say to you, Dr. Benjamin, that I am sad to see you leave because I met you back in the mid-90s at CCC when I was teaching La Raza studies. I got to know you better when I came on the board in 2010. I always marveled at the leadership that you demonstrated, not only locally, statewide but nationwide.”

Attendee Distance Education Coordinator Judy Flum said, “It was very warm and heartfelt, just how Contra Costa College feels. She (Benjamin) was our president and district chancellor and was great at both (jobs).”

The culinary arts department runs Pronto and offers students affordable food on-the-go for a cheap price but has one big setback for everyone — it does not accept credit/debit cards.

It is located in SA-147 and is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:15 pm.

Culinary arts department Sharkes Chairperson Nader Sharkes said he gets complaints almost every “Pronto day about how only cash is acceptshould ed.

The department is trying accept to make something work, but the program and Contra Costa credit and Community College District need debit cards to come together and get with the advancement of technology to use because the credit and debit cards in the future Bookstore, at Pronto, he said.

Student Sharkes said he is hopeful to work on an idea to get a program Dining Hall working with Contra Costa College and vending Bookstore so the money Pronto earns can go back into the culinary machines arts department. accept it.”

There was some official discus— Larry sion during the spring 2016 semesThompson, ter to allow use of the cards at business major Pronto, but there has been no other discussions about the matter.

Sharkes said, “The culinary arts department and I will try and do what we can do.”

Culinary arts professor Elisabeth Schwarz said the reason Pronto does not accept credit and debit cards is because of the fees associated with electronic transactions.

Schwarz said since Pronto is student-run, they want to make sure all proceeds go back into the culinary arts department, the students who actually prepare the food and the school.

It’s more reasonable to keep the purchases as cash only, she said.

Business major Larry Thompson said, “Pronto should accept credit and debit cards because the Bookstore, Student Dining Hall and the vending machines accept it.”

Thompson said they should have had a program or something in process before it opened.

Business major Julia Sanchez said, “It is inconvenient for me because I don’t always carry cash but I always have my card on me. It would make more sense if they accepted debit or credit cards because that’s what grants and financial aid money gets put on and that’s money for college.”

According to www.creditcards.com, in 2015 there were $1.31 trillion in transactions with debit cards in a 12-month period.

Partnership with university lays path to degree Nursing program helps students obtain their bachelor’s degree

BY Efrain Valdez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

A concurrent enrollment partnership with the University of Phoenix, will let Contra Costa College nursing students earn a bachelor’s degree without transferring to a four-year university.

The program benefits students who historically would have been saddled with years of debt after pursuing a career in nursing.

Now will be able to save thousands of dollars in class fees and other expenses.

“The Institute of Medicine recommended a few years back that nurses should have a bachelor’s degree when entering the nursing job field,” nursing professor Jacqueline Wright said.

“We started the program because of that recommendation and because of the limited space within our partnership program with Cal State-East Bay,” Wright said.

For full-time nursing students the responsibilities and expenses assigned to a program can be staggering to first year students.

According to www.rnprogram.org, the average tuition for first year nursing students can range between $864 to

“Concurrent enrollment classes, especially ones like this, are tough on students, but they are smart people.”

— Amy Martz, University of Phoenix nursing director

$1,019 per semester.

Wright said students apply to the CCC nursing program and then are picked through a lottery system. The students that are not admitted to the program are then wait-listed.

University of Phoenix Nursing Director Amy Martz said, “One of the benefits of having this program is that students can take all of their classes on campus (CCC) and it gives the students time to work too.”

Martz said that programs like the one with CCC have already been in place at colleges like Fresno City College, Bakersfield College and American River College.

“This program has been around since 2014. That was when the Governing Board of Trustees approved it. I would say we started planning about nine to ten months before that,” Wright said.

“C onc u r re nt enrollment classes, especially ones like this, are tough on students, but they are smart people,” Martz said.

She said the stuWright dents receive access to an online library, free tutoring and get experience in learning and working as a team.

“It’s a convenient program,” nursing student Bridget Barnam said. “It’s convenient that I only have to come here (CCC) once a week and that it is way cheaper than Cal State-East Bay or a private school,” she said.

Barnam said that the nursing program tries to make it as convenient as possible for the students.

“Students take a University of Phoenix classes in fall, then a four-week course over winter break, then another one in spring and a six-week course in the summer, all here at Contra Costa College,” Wright said.

“We all know how traffic can be in the Bay Area, and offering a program like this in the local area is fantastic for students that have to work, or have kids,” Wright said.

“We do have to write a lot of essays and read a good amount. Since the books are online it goes at your pace which is nice,” Barnam said.

Wright said that some of the downsides are that the workload can be very condensed in the winter and summer sessions.

Barnam said another of the downsides to the program is that if students want to continue after they receive their bachelor’s, they can’t use the credits they earned at any other school to get a master’s degree other than the University of Phoenix.

“This is a great way to get a degree in a faster and more economical way than the traditional four-year university,” Wright said.

“This kind of program is the future of education because jobs require degrees and this helps get students in the job market faster,” she said.

The American Association of College Nurses website (www.aacn. nche.edu) reminds nursing students that jobs will be available.

The U.S. is still facing a shortage of nurses as baby boomers get older and the need for healthcare professionals increases.

8

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 12.7.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

GENDER NE POPULATIO Business major Christian Sanchez was born female but identifies as male and is in the process of transitioning from one gender to another.

Sanchez said it is easy for people to confuse pronouns and sometimes they cannot accept the change someone goes through.

ADA compliance prompts single occupant facility

BY Michael Santone NEWS EDITOR

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

Transgender label draws stereotype, perseverance

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Business major Christian Sanchez said ever since he was 8 years old he felt something was different within him.

He grew up with the idea being “the man of the house” meant offering protection, strength and most importantly, the chance to let himself feel like the person he was meant to be — a man.

Sanchez was born female but his gender identity is that of a male. A person whose gender identity is the opposite of their assigned sex at birth is known as transgender.

Gender identity is the person’s internal, personal sense of being a man or woman or someone outside of that gender binary. “Everyone said it was just a phase,” he said.

When Sanchez was 16 years old attending Salesian High School in 2011, he began dressing in a more “boyish” style. It began to feel more comfortable, but the self doubt returns every now and then, Sanchez said. “(Being a girl) it came with dresses, makeups, boobs. I was like ‘no.’ I couldn’t really do it. I didn’t really want that — I wanted to wear pants, not skirts,” he said.

San Francisco State University sociology major and friend Lupita Garcia said, “As a sociology major and very liberal person I could already tell she wasn’t comfortable being known as a she.”

Garcia said she and Sanchez have known each other for about six years. “I met him as a her. I met him as Zoila,” Garcia said. “He was a ‘her’ for a while.”

It was “different” going through the transition and getting used to his preferred pronouns, she said. “It has been challenging and I have been that person who listens to him. I am glad he has allowed me to join him in his journey.”

Sanchez said he decided he wanted to take the next step in high school.

“I’ve heard of transgender women. I was assuming that girls also transition into males. So I looked it up and told my therapist about it.”

His therapist asked Sanchez if he knew what he was doing. “I told her I knew there were treatments, surgeries and I felt like I really wanted to embark on something that I felt would help me be

what I wanted to be.”

The physical changes to further the transition may take from months to years to take full effect.

He wants to transition from female to male and is considering surgery as an option.

They call it FTM (female-to-male) when born as a woman but transitioning to a male and MTF (male-to-female) when born as a man but transition to a woman, Sanchez said. They may include hormone replacement therapy and sexual reassignment surgery.

Sanchez said the first step his therapist recommended was to attend a Transgender Support Group, a peer group in Berkeley that offers resources and support for those people thinking about transitioning.

He attended the group from November 2015 to April 2016 and decided to take the next step. A doctor must recommend a prescription to begin the testosterone treatment.

Although Sanchez is set on his transition, he keeps his parents in mind and their thoughts about his situation. Culturally, it is not accepted.

He said he remembers his mother telling him, “‘I adopted two girls, not a guy and a girl.’ And I remember when I first met her she always had a dream of having daughters.

“I remember telling myself as a kid, ‘this is the only chance I have to get adopted. If I don’t get adopted we are going to end up split. I didn’t want to lose my little sister,’” Sanchez said.

From birth to around 8 years old, Sanchez was in foster care. He was then adopted by his parents, along with his little sister.

Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there is a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity.

Sanchez said when a person is going through gender dysphoria they feel displeased with themselves. “You don’t feel comfortable in your own body. People will look at your boobs and say, ‘you are a girl.’ You are labeled as what society wants to see that you are and you feel uncomfortable about it.”

Oftentimes Sanchez is called the wrong pronouns by people who may not feel comfortable or familiar with pronouns. “You keep getting the wrong pronouns. People keep calling you your

Identities

old name. Or people just won’t accept the fact that you want to change,” Sanchez said.

Contra Costa College psychology major Joey Cunningham said, “I met him as Zoila.” He said what he struggles with most is calling Sanchez by his name, Christian.

Sanchez said when people ask him when it all started or when he started feeling that way, he said it is frustrating to answer the question.

“Since (I was) a kid, but I don’t want to disturb anyone,” he said. In society where differences affect how someone is viewed, for people who are transgender, it makes it an uncomfortable topic.

Sanchez said it is easy to confuse pronouns and sometimes people cannot accept the change someone goes through. Cunningham said he has witnessed an acquaintance at CCC verbally harass Sanchez about his pronoun.

Cunningham heard what one of their acquaintances said to Sanchez: “‘You’re not actually a guy and it’s a real shame when girls like you do stuff like this,” the person said.

“It clicked for me when Chris brought it back to me and he said, ‘this is probably the most offensive thing I’ve ever heard,’” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said seeing his friend have to stand up for himself made him realize it’s not as passive as it may seem.

Sanchez said, “It’s a downer. You can just be straight down in the dumps and there’s no one to talk to about it. There’s no one to just say, ‘I don’t feel like myself today.’ When you say that to someone they just stare are you and say ‘what do you mean?’ Some people say ‘I am here for you.’

“Don’t treat me different. I am still myself. I just want you to grasp that there is something more than what (you see) is happening,” he said.

Cunningham said of Sanchez, “It’s inspiring to say the least and I think that it’s inspiring because it makes me want to step up and do more.”

He said even if it is difficult to remember pronouns or names, and if people get frustrated, they shouldn’t give up just because of making a mistake.

“You have to apologize and keep trying,” Cunningham said.

Garcia said she will continue to support Sanchez throughout the process.

“Ultimately, I am his proud friend,” she said.

There is nothing more daunting for someone who is transitioning than using the rest room, especially in a public atmosphere like a college campus.

And Contra Costa College is slightly ahead of the curve with offering a single occupant rest room in the General Education Building whose signage reflects its ADA compliance for both male and female genders.

But with new legislation requiring single occupant rest rooms to be designated “all gender” by March 1, 2017, the men’s and women’s symbols that now adorn the rest room might face an update for all gender specification.

Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said, “The single occupancy rest room on the second floor of the GE Building is currently gender neutral and has signage that indicates such.”

Gilkerson, who has been

Club a LGBT Underrepresented group advocates acceptance, works to break stereotypes

BY Anthony Ki

ADVOCATE STAFF

akinney.theadvoca

As human express oursel of being accep The new A Costa College zone” and sup and students o nity at Contra the spring 201 The Alphab as the Gay S open to staff a orientations w (Lesbian, Gay and Question LGBTQ+ stud The club a to high school “It’s necessa to be on camp club Presiden “We have a cl else here on c students and t Faculty cl Executive Ass said it is imp network for LG pus during th held on Mond Students where they fel

Two common types of transitions are:

LGBTQ+

MTF

Male-to-female: people born with male bodies but identify as women.

FTM

Female-to-male: people born with female bodies but identify as men.

LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and others. This term refers to a community of people whose sexual or gender identities share similar social and political concerns.

Transgender is an umbrella term that aims to incorporate people whose gender identities do not match their biological sex.

SOURCES: L

otlight

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9

NEUTRAL RESTROOM GIVES ON A ‘SAFE ZONE’ ON CAMPUS working with faculty and staff on the issues surrounding the rest room, said it has not been deter- Mickles mined how the signs will read or when the changes will be implemented.

Business major Christian Sanchez, who is transitioning from female to male, said at first, the signage was confusing because he wasn’t sure if it was inclusive.

But once he understood it, he was able to use the bathroom in confidence.

“I feel it’s a progressive thing to include single occupant rest rooms since it takes awhile to adjust,” he said.

“I’m aware of people staring and questioning. It’s a peace of mind when a trip to the bathroom goes as planned.”

Sanchez said as a (transgender) student, it’s something new to him.

“I don’t know of others who have similar stories of being told ‘you’re not a girl, wrong bathroom,’” he said.

He said all gender bathrooms alleviate pressure on transition

“People have a right to choose. How is it considered a place people can feel comfortable if we can’t accommodate?”

Aminta Mickles,

health and human services department chairperson

and preference.

“It should be a safe zone for anyone who doesn’t want to face the critics and judgment because who they want to be doesn’t match their assigned gender,” Sanchez said.

Health and human services department Chairperson Aminta Mickles said there are several mandates with regard to all gender rest rooms that are being passed.

“I just went to a training on this same subject. When I came back to the campus, I realized we really don’t have one,” she said.

“People have a right to choose.

How is it considered a place people can feel comfortable if we can’t accommodate (transgender people)?”

Mickles said the college has to

do something about it.

“I don’t care what it’s called.

People just need comfort,” she said.

Assembly Bill 1732, which mandates “all gender” rest rooms, passed 55-15 back in August.

It requires businesses, places of public accommodation or state and local government agencies that offer single user toilet facilities to be replaced with all gender signs.

A “single-user toilet facility” is defined as a rest room with no more than one water closet and one urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said there is only one rest room of this kind on campus, the one in the GE Building.

But it is not identified or labeled as an all gender bathroom.

King said he was unaware of the new changes that will be implemented come March.

“It won’t cost much to change the signage for the one rest room in the GE Building,” he said.

“Our school is very diverse and that includes transgender students. We must do everything we can do to make them feel welcome.”

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Contra Costa College’s only single-user bathroom on the second floor of the General Education Building is required by Assembly Bill 1732 to be labeled and identified an “all gender” bathroom.

aims to grow TQ+ presence

inney

F

ate@gmail.com

n beings, we all thrive to lves and feel the sensation pted.

Alphabe+ Club at Contra e vows to provide a “safe pport network for faculty of the LGBTQ+ commua Costa College starting in 17 semester. be+ Club, formerly known Straight Alliance, will be and students of all sexual who support the LGBTQ+ y, Bisexual, Transgender, ning) community, not just dents and staff. also extends its invitation l students on campus. ary for the Alphabe+ Club pus,” sociology major and nt Enrique Duarte said. lub for almost everything campus but our LGBTQ+ their allied classmates.” lub adviser and Senior sistant Michael Peterson portant to have a support GBTQ+ students on camhe club’s interest meeting day. even shared incidents lt discriminated against or

“We have a club for almost everything else here on campus but our LGBTQ+ students and their allied classmates.”

— Enrique Duarte, club president

uncomfortable while being on campus.

Also discussed during the meeting was the club’s purpose, goals, its constitution and plans for the upcoming semester.

Among its long list of goals, the Alphabe+ Club aims to raise awareness of social injustices based on sexual orientation through educational programming, dialogue and any other format deemed appropriate by members of the club.

The constitution promotes members to talk about issues related to sexual orientation and how to lessen the isolation of LGBTQ+ students and to create a more supportive inclusive campus environment and gender expression.

“We want to create a fun, yet educational, space where everyone can feel safe to be who they are without discrimination,” Duarte said.

A “safe zone” is in the process of being established as a support network where faculty members who are active supporters of the LGBTQ+ community will label their offices as safe places for

63.4%

of LGBTQ+ students in the U.S. avoided school bathrooms based on their gender expression.

73.6%

of LGBTQ+ students in the U.S. have been verbally harassed at least once in school based on their gender expression.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Drama major Tayler Meulpolder speaks during a meeting for a LGBTQ+ empowerment oriented Alphabe+ Club in SA-106 on Monday. The club hopes to provide a safe support group for LGBTQ+ students.

students who experience discrimination, Peterson said.

“I think it’s important to have a safe space and a place for people of the (LGBTQ+) community to meet,” liberal arts major and club member Melissa Hadiyanto said.

The Gay Straight Alliance was reactivated in 2015 after a 20-year gap in support after the original GSA on campus deactivated in 1994.

CCC is the last campus in the district

Resources GLAAD www.glaad.org Gay & Lesbian International Sport Association www.glisa.org Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) www.glsen.org National Center for Transgender Equality www.transequality.org PFLAG www.community.pflag.org TransYouth Family Allies www.imatyfa.org National Gay & Lesbian Task Force www.thetaskforce.org

LIBERATE YOURSELF, GLSEN 2013 NATIONAL SCHOOL SURVEY, NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY

to have an active group advocating for LGBTQ+ students.

The Alphabe+ Club wants to increase its presence on campus by uniting with other clubs and promote a more LGBTQ+ friendly environment.

Although some still discriminate against members of the LGBTQ+ community, some heterosexual students are supportive of the club.

Chris Richter, undeclared major, said the Alphabe+ Club is a great addition to

campus clubs.

“LGBTQ+ students deserve a network of support,” Richter said. “Some people are still close-minded to the idea of gay people and still look down on them. That’s not fair.”

CCC will be hosting a LGBTQ+ Student Appreciation Day on Thursday to celebrate and honor all students who have been being doing work and supporting the LGBTQ+ community on campus.

2016 fall semester Final Exam schedule Final Examination Week at Contra Costa College is Dec. 12 through Dec. 15.

All Final Exams must be given in accordance with the following schedule.

Day classes that meet If your class begins at: 8:10 or 8:40 a.m.

9:10 or 9:40 a.m.

10:10 or 10:40 a.m.

11:10 or 11:40 a.m.

12:10 or 12:40 p.m.

1:10 or 1:40 p.m.

2:10 or 2:40 p.m.

3:10 or 3:40 p.m.

MWF, MW, WF, MTWTh, Daily Your final exam is on: Monday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 11:50 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 12, 12 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 12, 2 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

Day classes that meet If your class begins at: 8:10 or 8:40 a.m.

9:10 or 9:40 a.m.

10:10 or 10:40 a.m.

11:10 or 11:40 a.m.

12:10 or 12:40 p.m.

1:10 or 1:40 p.m.

2:10 or 2:40 p.m.

3:10 or 3:40 p.m.

TTh, TWTh, TWThF Your final exam is on: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 11:50 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 12 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

Night classes All night classes that meet after 4 p.m. will hold Final Exams during regular class hours and will meet only once during finals week.

Conflict resolution day Final Exam times which conflict may be held on Saturday, Dec. 10.

10

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 12.7.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

FOOD PANTRY TO MITIGATE HARDSHIPS, STORAGE SPACE

BY Jaleel Perry ADVOCATE STAFF

jperry.theadvocate@gmail.com

The culinary arts department has an updated home in the new Student and Administration Building, but the state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen design has been outfitted with basic installation mistakes that inhibit efficiency. But education still perseveres.

The classroom, which is also used for labs, holds 28 to 30 students and is equipped with an audio and video setup that includes three cameras focused on a full kitchen, six large screens to maximize viewing of the demonstration taking place at the front, as well as a headset and speaker system.

Culinary arts professor and department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said, “The idea is fantastic, but the execution is not good.”

There were discussions of Bluetooth wireless installation, but the remote is placed on the back wall and cannot be removed, he said.

To have to go back and forth to replay or rewind a demonstration is time consuming, he said.

“It’s one drawback,” Sharkes said. The cameras used to bring the instructor to the back of the classroom are positioned in an awkward way, he said.

“One camera placement cuts off my head, the other is directed at nothing. These are elementary mistakes,” Sharkes said. Culinary arts student Linda Montano said when Sharkes is using the cameras they begin to malfunction and operate in the wrong direction.

“Chef gets frustrated because he can’t see what he is doing, and neither can we,” Montano said.

She said the small problems with the new building and equipment don’t affect her learning.

One of the other main design issues is the location of the control unit, Sharkes said. This unit, which contains the on and off switch, connections and master controls, is placed in an enclosed section of the counter next to the refrigerator.

He said, “The whole unit overheats and freezes because it’s too confined.”

Sharkes said he believes the confined space is the reason for the hardware overheating because of the lack of air. The overheating causes glitches that happen before and after lectures and cause the monitors to occasionally turn off, freeze and lose connection, he said.

Culinary arts student Kyle Delos-Santos said the new kitchen is better than the old one and there are always going to be problems with anything new.

“But,” she said, “the things that are supposed to help (us learn), aren’t helping.”

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Speech tournament boosts confidence, hones skills

BY Marci Suela ART DIRECTOR

msuela.theadvocate@gmail.com

Exercising one’s voice can bring more meaning to the delivery of a message. With the speech department hosting the biannual Intramural Speech Tournament, students exercised their voices to inform, persuade and interpret their messages on Thursday.

More than 40 participating students competed in the tournament’s five categories: comedic, informative, oral interpretation of literature, persuasive and impromptu speeches.

Speech department Chairperson Sherry Diestler said, “Students advocated for their beliefs in any way they interpreted. The tournament was a good way for students to gain confidence, realize the (speaking) skills they had and see that (delivering speeches is) fun.”

Speech and debate member Malcolm Jackson said students

AGED BUILDINGS,

competed in two rounds in their categories. Three to six students delivered their speeches to a small audience and a judge within classrooms inside the General Education and Applied Arts buildings.

Middle College High School student Keylem Ortiz participated in the persuasive speech category.

Her topic was on changing the requirements on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act for undocumented individuals.

“My speech was on giving the Dream Act to every undocumented individual without any conditions, unless they had criminal records. I chose this topic because my cousin came undocumented to the U.S. She struggled to apply to colleges. Even though she got a lot of scholarships, she still had a hard time paying off tuition,” she said. “A lot of students go through the same problem. They try to get a better future than their ances-

tors but they can’t because they’re undocumented. If people gather together and show that this issue matters, we can make a difference in their lives. They are parts of our community and some people don’t realize they’re undocumented.”

Ortiz said she was initially nervous because as a 14-year-old, she was the youngest person in the room and surrounded by men.

“Eventually, I felt like I had power as I was delivering my speech because I felt like I made a difference as I was making them aware of this problem,” she said.

Professors and members of the speech and debate team judged each round by scoring participants based on tone, delivery and integrity of their speeches. Judges also wrote critiques of each speech on individual ballots, speech professor Joseph Carver said. The judge ranked each speech from first to sixth and rated each student’s speech out of 100 points.

ABOVE: Speech professor Joseph Carver speaks to students during the Intramural Speech tournament in the General Education Building on Thursday.

Oakland community mourns

FOLIAGE ECLIPSE MODERN FACILITIES Funding fails to provide adequate coverage for repairs, landscape

BY Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

A large campus, rich with trees and foliage demands a substantial budget for maintenance or it will tend to decay over the years.

A stroll around Contra Costa College reveals grass growing out the top of rose bushes that have grown into rose hedges, and deeply cracked asphalt pathways.

CCC has been under a lot of construction recently through the Campus Center and Classroom Project. While it solved some problems,that isn’t the same as the proactive maintenance that is needed to keep things running smoothly.

“My budget is so low. Almost all I’m instructed to do is to fix things that break,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

He said, “We’re gradually taking care of things with the (money generated by the Measure A 2002 and 2006)) bonds,” but there is a lot of work that should be done that can’t be seriously considered.

College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said, “It’s funny because we see all these shiny new spaces. How could an institution build these beautiful new buildings and not take care of these little things?

“In the bond language it was articulated what that money could be used for,” she said. None of the money generated from the bond measures, that went into the new buildings, can be spent on giving the rest of campus a polish.

The only recent example of proactive maintenance was the cleanup of Rheem Creek in September.

Business Services Director Mariles Magalong said an estimate of $10,000 was dedicated to making the section of the creek by the Amphitheater presentable. The creek is no longer choked with weeds and parts which hadn’t been

cleared in 20 years.

The cleared section was only about a third of the area of Rheem Creek on campus.

Most of the work that is done doesn’t yield such tangible results.

King said, “Since July 1, I must have spent $50,000 cutting back and removing and trimming trees.”

A tree on the other side of the creek fell just a week ago, and broke a branch on the near side by the old Bookstore, he said.

This sort of work isn’t obvious until a fallen tree blocks a path or breaks something.

“I’ve run out of money. I’ve got more dead trees. I just have to hope they stay up for six more months, until I get more budget,” he said.

King said he marked the cracks in the asphalt path through the arboretum with white paint to make them more visible as a stopgap measure until they can be fixed. “Another item on my to do list.”

There are places around campus where maintenance could be combined with improvements, like the muddy slope by the Bus Transfer Center.

The slope has no retaining wall, so it is slowly creeping onto the sidewalk and piling up against the bus stop. The slope is partly caused by the students that frequently walk, or slide, down the slope.

Adding stairs would be a major improvement, King said.

King said AC Transit is a tenant of the college. They are responsible for maintaining the area, cleaning up graffiti and fixing sidewalks, so it is possible AC Transit can handle pushing the mud back.

Similarly, there’s a spot in front of the Art Building where people often cut across a patch of dirt, currently a slippery, sloped patch of mud. It’s only a few feet, but if there were a budget for it, a path would be easy to place.

ABOVE: An attendee writes on a long paper during the vigil remembering the victims of the Oakland ‘Ghost Ship’ warehouse fire in Lake Merritt in Downtown Oakland, California on Monday. Attendees leave bouquets of flowers, write down memories, draw hearts and light candles in the front of the vigil in the pergola in the lake.

LEFT: An attendee holds framed portraits of victims of the Oakland ‘Ghost Ship’ warehouse fire during the vigil in Lake Merritt in Downtown Oakland, California on Monday.

Attendees honored victims by speaking to the crowd.

Speakers recount memories with victims, shared ideas of the victims and encourage the attendants to keep living for a better future.

PHOTOS BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

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11

Department offers advanced courses

BY Karla Juarez ADVOCATE STAFF

kjuarez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The English as a second language (ESL) department prepares its students for regular English courses by offering advanced grammar and writing classes.

Students that learn a second language go through a process to reach English proficiency.

Throughout that transition ESL students need advanced ESL classes, like Writing 5, which is equivalent to English 142B, and grammar 5 in order to be prepared for English 1A. ESL instructor Shelley Ruby said, “We (ESL instructors) work hard on levels (reading, writing and grammar) 4 and 5 especially in the past 10 years.”

Ruby said, “We work really hard to raise our expectations for students, and really focus on academic writing, idea development and strong critical thinking skills, which include reading skills and applying

those critical reading skills to their writing.”

Ruby said grammar classes emphasize the importance of editing and help students to practice reading their own writing, finding mistakes and it reminds students that, in regular English classes, professors expect minimal grammar mistakes.

“I think the Writing 5 class is a better preparation for English 1A than anything else because it has a research paper, so that’s a curriculum issue that will help,” Ruby said.

Ruby said ESL professors plan to keep open communication with English 142B and 142A professors.

ESL instructors work with regular English instructors to look for better strategies for their students.

ESL instructor Anoosheh Borhan has a rubric and a grading sheet for the checkpoint test that would given in 142B to check what English teachers are looking for at the midterm, compared to what they (ESL teachers) are looking for,

“A lot of my students, especially high school students, share that they had bad experiences with ESL classes since their high schools have low expectations.”

— Anoosheh Borhan, ESL instructor

Ruby said.

“That’s valuable information for us, to see the specific qualities such as clear thesis, having a certain numbers of run-on sentences.

Those things I try to incorporate to my lessons in my writing class.

Ruby said she is going to observe English professors and discuss what the expectations are for those (142A and 142B) classes, in oder for the ESL (courses) can better prepare students for those classes.

Their expectations are high, so many students do not pass Writing

5, she said.

“The stereotype is that ESL classes are easy, but I taught Writing 5 class in spring 2016 and I had just Ruby one A. There are a lot of Cs and Bs, but not for students’ lack of trying. It’s just because they are not ready yet for English 1A,” Ruby said.

Some students prefer to finish all ESL levels before taking English classes and this is something that she recommended as well.

Business major Victor Ivan Oliva said taking Writing 5 was one of the best decisions he made since when he took English1A, he didn’t have difficulties, and he passed it with a strong A. “The ESL department prepared me for regular English classes since it offers advanced grammar classes as well, so I took all the advanced levels in order to take regular

English classes,” Oliva said.

He said, “Writing level 5 class prepared me to organize and write a research paper. Also, ESL teachers offered office hours after class. It is convenient for students to ask questions about something that they don’t understand during class.”

Borhan said, “A lot of my students, especially high school students, share that they had bad experiences with ESL (classes) since in their high schools have low expectations.

“ESL classes in Contra Costa College are not the same as high school. Our classes are very useful and prepare students for regular classes.”

Borhan said, according to ESL department research, ESL students who took Writing 4 and Writing 5 courses had a higher success rates in English 1A than native speakers.

She said ESL classes are useful and help non-native speakers succeed.

ITALIAN TRAVELS PROVIDE INSIGHT Love for cooking feeds internal drive, progress

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

Culinary arts student Kyle Delos Santos brought back a new and rejuvenated knowledge of healthy eating from her trip to Italy this past summer.

Delos Santos was born in San Francisco in 1989 and then moved to the East Bay when she was 10 years old. Her love for food was inspired by her parents, who strongly value cooking healthy prepared meals at home rather than dining out.

Born to Filipino-American parents, she said that their favorite foods still consist mainly of Filipino ingredients. However, Delos Santos has introduced her family to many new additives, and cuisines.

Here in the Bay Area we have the luxury of walking down the street and getting food from many different cultures, which is something you don’t find everywhere.

“My cooking is all about the people, and goes back to sharing something I love with someone. Being in the kitchen and staying focused, shows that nothing else matters in that moment,” she said.

She said she looked into other culinary schools like Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, because it’s local and attracts a good demographic of people but she enjoys the level of responsibility that comes with the word chef

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts student Kyle Delos Santos prepares an Irish stew similar to beef barley soup, consisting of celery, carrots and onions, in SA-135 on Thursday. Also known as Scottish broth, Delos Santos serves that dish during Aqua Terra hours.

here at Contra Costa College.

Delos Santos took on restaurant jobs concurrently with classes here at CCC in her first semester. It gave her an opportunity to see how different kitchens are run and exposed her to different techniques from different cooks. She worked closely with, and learned many tools of the trade, from head chef Elizabeth Schwartz her first semester, summer 2015.

“This program here has challenged me, and when I got back from Italy my mindset changed to letting the ingredients speak for themselves,” Delos Santos said.

She said when they were in Italy she learned to appreciate the health differences in pizza. In that region of the world, they use less cheese and more olive oil, so they’re not overdressed, and all their pizzas are called focaccia. Their diet is mostly Mediterranean, so it’s higher in seafood. “The way we use cheese here, is similar to how they use oil in Italy,” Delos Santos said.

They have more authentic oil, and they

finish their dishes like antipastos. She said that they didn’t eat at many restaurants, but prepared most dishes at the resort.

Delos Santos said they started off in Otranto where they visited lush fields for olive growing, where the people were welcoming. Then they visited the coastal town of Vico Equense, which is higher up on the mountains, and ate plenty of seafood.

Then they visited Pompeii and saw ancient sculptures and preserved buildings in the over 100 degree weather, where they walked an average of 10 miles every day.

Finally, they ended in Rome, which is more metropolitan because it has a subway system, and the streets were filled with bustling people and retail shops. She said the modern city was built over ancient landmarks and there were a lot of cathedrals.

Kate Bautista, a fellow culinary student and close friend of Delos Santos, said, “She has a very strong personality and has potential to become a great chef. She’s focused, knows what she’s doing and we each love

food. We work well as a team, and it takes off the pressure when you have a good friend whom you work well with in the kitchen.”

Delos Santos said high quality noodle soup is her favorite dish, because she grew up eating that as a child.

Delos Santos has proved to be a dedicated leader. Schwartz said, “We have busy days in the kitchen, and if I need help on something she’s my go-to person to take on a responsibility, and I know it will be completed.”

A dish that she is most proud of making was a squid ink pasta, — she brought the ink back from Italy — because she had never worked with squid ink before. She said that some of her best discoveries have been made when she wasn’t even trying.

Delos Santos’ future plans include traveling to Asia to visit family in Cambodia and the Philippines. She has plans to utilize all resources, including interviewing for internships. Eventually, her objective would be to regroup after visiting family and work at a resort in Cambodia.

GROUP TRACKS SCHOOL BOARD

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

By voicing their educational concerns to public officials and holding them accountable, they plan to improve the opportunities for students in generations to come.

Students For Education Reform Action Network (SFER) is a non-profit 501 (c) (4) organization with over 100 chapters on college campuses throughout the nation that aims to create change in education and in their communities.

Contra Costa College’s SFER chapter members are involved in the political and electoral process when electing the West Contra Costa County candidates for the K-12 school board.

“We have the lowest performing district in the state of California (in scholastic achievement), and we want to help these students. We want to develop ourselves also, but that’s not enough. We want to give other students the opportunity to develop their voices,” SFER Lead Organizer and political science major at CCC, Luis Ledesma said.

“Our main goal is equality and education for all students regardless of their background,” Ledesma said.

SFER is made up of trained student leaders who demand policy change and seek to hold elected leaders accountable for deci-

sions that affect historically low-income communities.

Sociology major and SFER program coordinator Raquel Antolin said when students’ voices come together for a cause, it is “extremely” powerful.

Ledesma said members of SFER attend board meetings on Wednesdays at Lovonya Dejean Middle School and analyze how the board members respond to the public. They then gather information about the board members and hold them accountable for ways to make education more accessible for all students.

“We are action oriented,” Antolin said.

Ledesma said one of the issues SFER focuses on is the school-to-prison pipeline.

“The school-to-prison pipeline is real.

“There are policies that target predominantly Latino and black students. There is a policy called zero-tolerance and it has proven to suspend and expel black and Latinos three time more likely than other students.

That criminalizes our students and enforces police action with student problems.”

A zero tolerance policy is a school or district policy that mandates punishment for minor behaviors, and often students of diverse racial, ethnic or economic backgrounds receive these punishments.

Ledesma said these small policies (like zero tolerance policies) put these students

into the system and it leads up to the schoolto-prison pipeline.

Antolin said, “We are pushing our children into the prison system, instead of higher education. Students are getting suspended for minor things like bringing nail clippers to school.”

Antolin said other methods of correction should be used to reach students in the K-12 system.

“The reality of our low-income students is that their parents work all day, (students) come from homes of addictions. They go to the streets and get into trouble,” she said.

“Once you get into the (juvenile justice) system, it’s hard to get out.”

Antolin said having police cars parked nearby or outside of high school campuses is sending bad messages about the campus and its students.

Antolin said, “There are a large percentage of our schools not serving our students, particularly those students from unprivileged backgrounds.”

Ledesma said one of their goals for this semester was to help elect West Contra Costa Unified School District candidates Miriam Stephanie and Tom Panas.

“We felt these two candidates fit more with our mission.”

Through a community panel within SFER, the candidates were invited for a con-

versation about their plans in the WCCUSD. Antolin said SFER endorses candidates based on their stances.

Communications for Students for Education Reform Action Network Debbie Fine Edelberg said, “A lot of people don’t understand the role of the school board.”

But she said the decisions made by the school board impact the lives of students directly.

A school board member is an elected public official trusted to govern a public school.

Edelberg said SFER members receive coaching to advocate for students and to get involved in the community.

Antolin said, “We believe that in order for our students to make a change, our students have to advocate for other students.

“We have been graduates to the K-12 system and are now in college, and we should advocate for improved education outcomes with powerful voices for the next generation who just want a quality education system.”

Ledesma said CCC’s SFER chapter has about 80 people who have signed a pledge card that says, “I support SFER.” Members of SFER start off as supporters, and in order to be a member they must go to school board meetings and participate in community events.

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Iconic series satisfies fans ‘Final Fantasy XV’ rekindles 29-year legacy with style

BY Reggie Santini SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

‘F

inal Fantasy XV’ brings Western role-playing gameplay mechanics to the traditional Japanese role-playing style of the ‘Final Fantasy’ series without losing its classic and iconic touch.

Longtime fans of the ‘Final Fantasy’ series who have fears that this game will not be like the fabled ‘Final Fantasy’ games can rest. ‘FFXV’ opens up with a splash screen that reads “A ‘Final Fantasy’ for fans and first-timers.” The game feels both familiar and new at the same time.

The mixture of Western and Japanese role-playing game mechanics usually signify disaster for those making the game as it quickly becomes a pick and pull list of clashing mechanics from both genres. Developers get stuck trying to fit an equal number of mechanics to appeal to both audiences.

‘FFXV’ manages to craft that duality into a beautiful uniformity that is held together by its four main protagonists.

In most traditional role-playing games, the main characters are adventurers who met along the way in the main journey. Prince Noctis Caelum and his group don’t share that traditional cliché. Noctis brings his four best friends, Prompto, Gladiolus and Ignis along on his journey to reclaim his throne and save his kingdom from the evil empire of Niflheim.

It’s the relationship between these four friends that ultimately creates the intrigue that drives players to put dozens of hours into the game. Players will leave this game knowing these characters on a deep personal level.

The game opens up with a familiar scene that helps ground the game in reality despite its grandiose fantasy themes. The four protagonists argue over who gets to steer and who gets to push their fancy convertible that ran out of gas. Players will use the prince’s car, the Regalia, to navigate the expansive open world. As the main characters find rest stops and towns, they can inquire about quests at local diners and restaurants. Players can take on hunting quests that send them searching for herds or giant monsters terrorizing the area. These quests usually yield a large sum of money and monster meat for cooking.

‘FFXV’ features a day-night cycle.

When night comes players have the option to make camp or rent a hotel.

When players rest at a campsite the experience points they earned during the day will be tallied up and they will be able to level up. Players will also get the chance to select what the characters will have for dinner. Ignis will pull out his cookbook, which can be expanded by finding new recipes,

and a variety of plates will be available depending on what ingredients are available.

These plates will give the characters a variety of stat boosts. Square Enix took another opportunity to flesh out the characters by giving them favorite food types. Noctis is known to hate anything that’s healthy and prefers to feast on hamburgers and fries over a vegetable stew. These favorite foods will give each specific character a greater stat boost than the others.

It’s little details like these that make ‘FFXV’ shine and keep its characters believable.

The same way people don’t drive cars into hiking trails, the Regalia can only be driven on the road. When players reach their desired destinations, they must park and continue on foot. While exploring the open world players can collect cooking supplies and other valuables they can either sell or use.

After reaching a certain point in the story players will GAME be able to summon REVIEW Chocobos to help “Final Fantasy them get around the XV” environment faster.

These cute yellow Genre: RPG Ostrich like birds can Players: 1 MSRP: Teen be used to make quick Release date: getaways or come to Nov. 29, 2016 your aid in battle.

The battle system is fun and easy to understand but hard to master. FFXV drops the classic turnbased combat and opts for real-time combat with pauses only happening when selecting an item from the battle menu. One button attacks and one button defends.

As long as Noctis has Magic Points in his MP gauge nothing can touch him. The difficulty is trying to master blocking and attacking without wasting all of the available MP. Noctis can teleport around the battlefield and blink strike enemies from afar using any of his three equipped weapons.

Noctis starts out using a standard sword, a giant great sword, and a javelin to eliminate his enemies. Using these different weapons against different enemy types will allow the chaining of massive combos and figure out their weakness.

Attack chains are modified by tilting the left analog stick in different directions while holding the attack button.

As bigger combos are landed, party member yell out and complement the impressive attack. Should damage be taken, you will also see your party run over to lend a hand. The team’s artificial intelligence is fantastic and helps them form a well-rounded group of monster hunters.

The banter between the characters is what keeps this game feeling alive.

The lively characters keep their personalities whether they are driving down the road or doing mundane fetch quests for characters. They will comment on just about everything that goes on without constantly repeating

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION AND PAGE DESIGN BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

the same lines. As you make your way down the road you will see the characters pass each other sodas, begin to read books during longer drivers, nod off to sleep, and make general conversation.

It’s easy to stereotype the characters into generic roles — Gladiolus is the tough guy, Prompto the comic-relief and Ignis the serious and collected — when you first meet them, but as you spend more time with them you learn how deep these characters are.

‘FFXV’ looks absolutely gorgeous on the current generation of consoles.

The game is simply breathtaking.

Traversing the different lands and getting to witness the different weather effects is fantastic. I found myself pulling over to watch the sunset or a heard of animals walk through the tall grass. As the game zooms in on the characters, their individual strands of hair blowing in the wind are visible. Frost will build up on the characters’ jackets and boots as they stand in the snow.

Square Enix paid a tremendous amount of attention to detail. That has helped this game feel like it’s taking place in a living world.

Despite the amazing music, Square Enix failed to synchronize the voice acting properly. During certain scenes there are a few seconds where the mouth doesn’t match the words. This is a small complaint in this masterpiece of a game.

‘FFXV’ delivers on all parts, it doesn’t fail to entertain or provide a great story. ‘FFXV’ is an amazing game with a few minor flaws that can easily be ignored.

scene

NOCTIS Noctis is the son of King Regis and the crown prince of Lucis.

He is rebellious and shy, but his royal upbringing is reflected in his body language. While spending time in Tenebrae he befriends his future bride Lunafreya. Noctis is deeply protective of his friends and has dealt with great emotional turmoil since the loss of his mother.

Noctis can teleport and summon a variety of weapons.

PROMPTO Prompto is a former resident of Niflheim who moved to Lucis when he was a young boy.

Prompto is a skirt-chasing lighthearted young man. His outgoing mannerisms contrast his inward persona as a deep thinker. He befriends Noctis during high school at the request of Lunafreya. Prompto loves pop culture and technology, which is reflected in his choice of weapons. Prompto wields firearms and technological weapons.

GLADIOLUS Gladiolus comes from a long line of guardians who have protected the kings of Lucis. He is cheerful and loves the outdoors. Gladiolus is initially upset when he is assigned to be Noctis’ guardian due to Noctis’ uncooperative and spoiled attitude.

When Noctis finds Gladiolus’ lost little sister, Iris, and takes the blame for her disappearance, his view of Noctis changes in a positive way.

Gladiolus wields a great sword and shield in combat.

IGNIS Ignis has served Noctis since childhood as his consultant. Ignis cares for Noctis when he is living by himself through high school.

Ignis cleans his apartment and cooks for Noctis. Ignis is understanding, serious and cool under pressure. He is Noctis’ righthand man and the most intelligent member of the group. In battle Ignis wields dual daggers and lances.

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13

Revealing play gains praise

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Satirical production delves into stigmas against LGBTQ+ community

By Xavier Johnson SCENE EDITOR

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

O

ften times the best comedy in acting comes when a performer experiences and overcomes tragedy in their lives and is able translate that tragic time into a humorous and relatable performance.

“Joto!: Confessions of a Mexican Outcast” is a hilarious one night, one-man show written and performed by drama department Chairperson Carlos-Manuel Chavarria and directed by Jimmy A. Noriega on Dec. 2 in the John and Jean Knox Center.

“Joto” is an anti-gay pejorative that translates to “fag.”

In the show Chavarria describes and acts out his experiences of what it was like for him to grow up as a Mexican immigrant and a gay man.

Simply put, “Joto!” is masterfully written and performed

by Chavarria. The play explores Chavarria discovering and

understanding his sexuality as well as living in America as an immigrant struggling with the pressures to assimilate and hold on to his culture.

The play is hilarious even with its exploration of such complex and emotional topics.

In the 70-minute show there wasn’t a point where it was PLAY boring. For REVIEW a one-man “JOTO!: Confessions of a show to work, Mexican outcast” the one actor must be charVenue: The Knox ismatic and Center build enough Directed by: Jimmy A. Noriega empathy where the audience remains engaged for the entire show and Chavarria always switched up his performance to do so.

One second he would deliver a soft monologue and the next he’d be romping around the stage cracking jokes and utilizing verbal and physical humor.

In the midst of the humor Chavarria was able to suck in the audience with emotional moments then switch the mood with a well-timed joke.

The humor and dramatic sections never felt at odds with each other. The humor had a sense of realism and tragedy to it that made the play relate to a general audience.

A fair amount of jokes flew over some of the audience member’s heads who weren’t familiar with Mexican culture.

However, the universal messages of self-discovery, overcoming struggles and love for one’s culture resonated and the references to Mexican culture connected with the majority of the audience and served to build an empathetic connection with Chavarria.

Amid all the jokes, another key component of the show was how emotional it was. This was a brave performance by Chavarria. He wasn’t afraid to talk about the harsh realities of growing up as a gay man or

even currently being married to an undocumented immigrant and the challenges they face today.

At the end of the show, it felt as if everyone in the audience knew Chavarria on a deeply personal level.

The willingness of Chavarria to be open with his experiences paid off because the audience was invested in his performance and his life story.

It was a masterful example the product of keeping an audience engaged. The show concluded with a well-deserved standing ovation for a great performance by a great actor.

“Joto!” is the best production put on by the Contra Costa College drama department this semester. It is a shame “Joto!” was only a onenight performance. Chavarria should definitely consider doing a spring performance because this is a show that should have a multiple night run and be seen by the entire student body.

ABOVE: Drama department Chairperson Carlos-Manuel Chavarría plays with two dolls during a scene of the one person play, “Joto!: Confessions of a Mexican Outcast,” in Knox Center on Friday.

Two cannabis strains, effects compared

By Michael Santone NEWS EDITOR

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

N

ot to be confused with hemp, which is the non-psychoactive plant used to make many products, cannabis can be used to cure a number of mental and physical health ailments.

Marijuana, grass, Mary Jane, ganja, pot and weed are just a few of the well-known nicknames for the notorious cannabis flower.

The history that encompasses this forbidden fruit is far reaching, migrating the world for different practices and with different purpose and perception.

The first recorded use of cannabis as a medicinal drug occurred in 2737 B.C., by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung.

Cultivated for more than 12,000 years, this pungent flower has been the subject of illegalization, criminal persecution, spiritual enlightenment, pain relief and an alternative for a natural remedy.

But with the recent passing of Proposition 64, which is the legalization of the substance in California for those 21 years and older.

The once taboo act of smoking marijuana has dwindled from a judgmental silence to a murmur of excitement.

For those who don’t know, there are two popular species of the cannabis plant, Sativa and Indica. Their appearance differs with sativas being a lighter green more tall and thin, while

NAYLEA HERNANDEZ / THE ADVOCATE

Indicas are darker green, short and bushy. Their effects give a new meaning to day and night, ironically coinciding with the activities done during the day and night.

Sativas are like the Red Bull of marijuana, giving off aromas of sweet and fruity to earthy and peppery. The effects of a sativa high are uplifting and energetic with more of a head buzz that works best for the day time.

Popular strains of sativa like sour diesel, trainwreck and Jack Herer, infused with sparks of creativity and deep thought, keep you alert and focused with a persistent rush of energy and a light euphoric feeling to the body, which might lead to long conversations, physical activity and artistic outlet.

Sativas function as a high

that is not too distracting, but invigorating and spontaneous, to help you through your day with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Besides having the tendency to get your body moving and mind focused, Sativas aid in healing and dealing with some of life’s many issues.

Sativas normally have a higher CBD to THC ratio which creates more of a stimulating effect to help with stress, depression, fatigue and headaches.

CBD is 60 percent cannabinoid without the psychoactive effects.

A cannabinoid is a class of chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitters release in the brain.

The list of medical benefits

that CBDs provide include an anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants.

To get your day started, sativas are natural alternative to caffeine, without the sluggish come down. Throughout the day it can provide a refreshing outlook and a boost of energy, inspiration and thought.

Popular strains of indicas like Granddaddy Purple, Afghan Kush and Northern Lights all pack that essential indica punch. Indicas are the pillow and blanket of marijuana. Giving off intoxicating fragrances of sweet to savory, they are strong and have a skunk like scent with undertones of deep earth.

The effects of indicas are filled with deep relaxation and a smoothing body high that

puts you under CANNABIS REVIEW a spell of calm“Indica and ing inner peace sativia strains” or “couch locked” where you can a keep your body in a relaxed state, with a light head high, you may find yourself cuddled up with a dozen cookies, and two bags of potato chips, laughing uncontrollably.

Sativa gives a complete relaxation, coupled with a euphoric body high that leaves you with the perfect night sleep.

Besides providing comfort and a deep trance of calmness, indicas also have a higher THC to CBD ratio, which creates the psychoactive effect that help with sleep, pain and hunger.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, is the psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant which is associated with the “stoned” feeling. This also gives indicas their sedative properties, which is used to treat insomnia, chronic pain, muscle spasms and nausea.

To end the night, whether after a long day of work or school, or pain relief, indicas provide an alternative to a prescription or over the counter sleep aids and pain killers.

The potency and effects of marijuana will differ from strain to strain depending on the grow. The effects it has varies from person-to-person, and must be handled with responsibility and treated with care.

And always remember thats sativa is for the day and indica for the night.

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sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 12.7.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Squad improves record, grows Volleyball team struggles on the road, wins one BVC game

BY Jaleel Perry ADVOCATE STAFF

jperry.theadvocate@gmail.com

Volleyball season ended Nov. 15, leaving the Comets with a bittersweet feeling about how the season turned out.

It was a long season for the Comet volleyball players who finished 2-18 overall and 1-11 in the Bay Valley Conference, but had more opportunities to win matches than the team had in previous years..

Both of their two wins this season were home leaving YEAR IN games them 0-10 in REVIEW away games.

Overall “We played record: 2-18 hard all seaConference son. We’re not record: 1-11 dwelling on Conference the losses too finish: much because sixth we had fun playing the games. That’s all that matters,” coach Christy Tianero said.

Unfortunately, Contra Costa College ended its season on a 13game losing streak But, it seems the Comets did not lose their spirit as they made sure they had fun until the last set was played.

September was the only month the Comets won matches all season. The first was a five-set match against Mission College on Sept. 7 and the second a straight set win against Laney College on Sept. 21.

Both games had the Comet players working together to the peak of their abilities.

CCC seemed to start off most games very strong but failed to carry their good play through an entire three-set match.

Fortunately, the Comets volleyball team managed to complete the season with both victories coming in front of its home fans.

Comet players were able look

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

“We played hard all season. We’re not dwelling on the losses too much because we had fun playing the games. That’s all that matters.”

Christy Tianero, volleyball coach

at the positives as they headed into the last home game of the season Nov. 9 — Sophomore Night.

Losing didn’t seem to discourage the volleyball team, as they seemed to work together and play harder after every set.

“We just made sure we tried our hardest every night and made sure

we remained competitive,” right hitter Amy Palomares said.

Although they finished 2-18 overall, the Comets were able to beat out Laney and not come in last place in the Bay Valley Conference.

However, out of 20 total games, the Comets were only able to win a total of five sets in those matches.

More than 50 percent of the games played resulted in a 3-0 Comet loss.

Tainero said that no one expected a season like this, but all they can do is move forward and prepare for the next season.

Through all of commotion of a losing season, the coach and Comet players all seemed to enjoy themselves.

After every game, they huddled in a circle at the end of the gym

and said a group prayer.

After the prayer, they all looked joyous, no matter what the score of the game was.

The BVC proved to be a challenge for the Comets.

“I had a lot of fun,” outside hitter Alejandra Galvez said.

“The girls and Christy (Tianero) made it a memorable last season for me — even if we didn’t win that many games.”

Going 1-11 in the BVC showed that the Comets still need a lot more work if they want to get on a winning path.

Tainero said that she looks forward to next season and hopefully winning a lot more volleyball games.

ABOVE: Comet right setter Joshleen Ayson (left) and middle blocker Justine Ayson (right) deny a spike by Laney outside hitter Claire McKee (middle) during CCC’s 3-0 win over Laney College in the Gymnasium on Sept. 20.

FOOTBALL TEAM FALTERS IN CONFERENCE

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

After earning three consecutive invitations to the Living Breath Heritage Foundation Bowl, the football team made the leap to a new division and finished just one win shy of tying for second place in the National Bay 6 Conference.

Four of the Comets’ seven losses this season were decided by less than one touchdown and the final game with City College of San Francisco came down to the final drive which stalled just outside of the Contra Costa College 20-yardline.

A score would have given the Comets the win and a three-way share of second place in the conference.

“It’s a good start to playing

on the next level. Some people predicted that we wouldn’t win a game,” coach Alonzo Carter said.

“I went into the conference meeting this year and nominated eight players for the AllConference team — seven of them made it. We were two minutes away from finishing in second place in our first year.”

Carter said one of his challenges this year was meshing the different egos and personalities on the team.

Four players from the Comet offensive side of the ball were selected to the All-Conference squad.

Quarterback Cameron Burston, running back Harris Ross and two freshmen offensive lineman, Sio Anitoni and Bosah Osakwe all were recognized by coaches for having stellar seasons.

Defensively, strong safety Rodney Washington and defensive back Arthur Hayes made the All-Bay 6 list and freshman Richie George was recognized as well for his consistent play on the defensive line.

“Everyone said that it would be tough for us to win any games, so to play the way we did was big,” Comet quarterback Cameron Burston said.

“We put ourselves in a position to win in most of our games, we just needed to finish.”

Not finishing games was an Achilles’ heel for the Comets from the opening game of the season.

Against the College of the Sequoias Sept. 9, a 55-47 loss, CCC fell behind early only to roar back and lose as time expired.

Despite its 3-7 record, CCC

ranked in the top 10 in eight statistical categories. The team finished sixth in rushing, fourth in yards-per-rush, ninth in rushing touchdowns, seventh in rushing first downs and ninth in fourth down conversions.

The squad also finished eighth in red zone scoring percentage.

CCC’s defense also finished in eighth place for tackles and seventh in sacks.

“I thought we would do better, maybe .500 at best,” Comet defensive back Prentiss Reid said. “Some of us fell victim to our own hype from last year (2015).”

Despite not living up to their own high expectations, there were highlight moments to remember from the Comet season.

Against Diablo Valley College, Comet defensive lineman James

YEAR IN Egerton, picked up a REVIEW blocked extra Overall point and ram- record: 3-7 bled through Conference defenders into record: 2-3 the end zone Conference for a two-point finish: conversion.

Fourth The score helped solidify 28-20 win over the district rival Vikings on their home field.

“It didn’t end the way I wanted it to, but as a sophomore it showed me what I needed to work on,” CCC receiver Tyrone Morgan said.

“Even though we didn’t win the number of games that we wanted to, we still stayed together as a team through it all.”

Comets earn third straight title Men’s soccer team breaks losing rut, surges to playoffs

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The men’s soccer team sealed its second consecutive Bay Valley Conference championship and third straight NorCal Regional Playoffs berth this fall.

Contra Costa College (12-8-2 overall, 8-1-1 in the BVC) YEAR IN was knocked REVIEW out of the first round of the Overall record: 12-8-2 playoffs 3-1 at De Anza Conference College on record: 8-1-1 Nov. 19.

Conference Before finish: entering the First playoffs, the Comets strung together an eight-game winning

streak in conference and boasted the 10th best record in the state.

But winning did not come easy for the mostly freshman squad at the start of the 2016 season. By mid-season the team was 4-7-2 overall.

The turnaround from mid table in conference to first is why five Comet players were named 1st Team All Conference and four players 2nd Team All-Conference.

BVC Coach of the Year Nikki Ferguson said the problem early in the season was that players did not understand their responsibility for developing as a player and as a teammate at a higher competitive level.

“Community college level soccer is a different animal than at the club or high school level,” Ferguson said.

“The competition is not easy and a lot of players don’t realize that coming onto the team as freshman.”

“But we have grown a lot as a team and rose to the occasion. I am proud we made it as far as we did considering where we started.”

An inconsistent offense plagued the squad until its third game of conference play when it tied 1-1 against Merritt College at the Soccer Field on Oct. 4.

Since this win, the defense supported an emerging offense by holding every team in conference to less than two goals.

“This season was incredible. It feels good to earn back-to-back BVC titles and make the playoffs,” sophomore defender Edgar Yepes said.

“We did the best we could and I’m proud of how far we made it.”

Yepes, freshman left back Eduardo Torres and goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla were the foundation in the defensive half that provided a mold for freshman defenders to fill into.

“I enjoyed my time here and gave it all, and left it all on the field,” Escamilla said after the 3-1 defeat against the Dons.

“I did it not only for school but teammates and everyone in our community.”

The team combined to score 40 goals while its defense ceded 34.

Escamilla finished the season with 71 saves, according to cccaasports. org.

Most of the goals scored against Escamilla were ceded in early non-conference matchups against the top 15 community college men’s soccer programs in the state.

The Comet offense started playing more cohesively in its 3-0 win against Yuba College on Oct. 7.

Since that shutout against the 49ers, the team scored 23 goals— more than half of the goals scored throughout the entire season.

Leading goal scorer Jordan Flechero finished the season with seven goals and three assists while freshman midfielder Juvenal Pena scored six goals and supplied two assists.

Sophomore forward George Burrows slotted four goals and one assist to complement freshman forward Jahrie Grey’s three goals and assists record.

Ferguson said he is proud of the team’s resiliency during a grueling non-conference schedule and the growth of the young players on the squad.

“This season was incredible. It feels good to earn back-to-back BVC titles and make the playoffs.”

Edgar Yepes, defender

He said he expects about 80 percent of the mostly freshman squad to return next season.

Escamilla said he has been working with second-string goalkeeper Sergio Carda-Diaz and third string Mohammadhasein Jumshidian for next season.

“We’ve spent time training and now their time coming while mine comes to close,” Escamilla said.

“I have done my best to tell them how to protect the goal and what it means to represent the Comets.”

Ferguson said he will begin recruiting now that the season is over, but he expects next year’s team to be made up of mostly sophomores.

sports

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Adversity tests leadership Freshman guard aims to grow into position

BY Robert Clinton

Comet point guard Azanae Lewis dribbles up the court during the 23rd Annual Comet Classic women’s basketball tournament in the Gymnasium on Friday.

SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

In life, people acquire leadership qualities through two ways — some people are said to be born leaders and some earn the right by learning from a collection of experiences that reshape the idea of what responsibility is and how it should be displayed.

For Comet freshman Azanae Lewis, the idea of becoming a leader was not paramount in the point guard’s mind.

It was gained through a series of events that forced her to embrace adverse situations and take advantage of opportunities to foster growth.

“She’s the type of person who pushes to get better even though she (Lewis) is still a freshman,” Contra Costa College sophomore guard Julian Robinson said. “(Lewis) is always encouraging. Even if we are behind in games she always fights — she is a good teammate and always positive.”

Born March 24, 1998, Lewis graduated from Fairfield High School in 2015 after beginning at Armijo High School and attending Vanden High School for her sophomore and junior years.

As a senior at Fairfield High, Lewis’ 14.6 points per game and 2.3 steals per game ranked above the national averages for high school girls.

Basketball was not always a certainty in the kinesiology major’s life. Although she started playing as an 8-year-old, Lewis fell out of love with the game before entering AAU play in the eighth grade.

“When she said that she didn’t want to play basketball any more I tried to convince her to stick with it,” Lewis’ mother and former Vanden High School point guard Anjie Jackson said.

“She (Lewis) has a good heart but she can be stubborn — if she doesn’t like something, she’ll let you know about it.”

When Lewis decided to play, her AAU team of all-star quality players was full so Lewis was relegated to a lesser squad. The move forced Lewis to learn to be a leader and help her team

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

deal with the adversity of team athletics.

It was experiences like that, as well as helping transform Fairfield High’s girls basketball into a winning program in her senior year, that cemented the guard’s new-found leadership qualities.

The senior helped guide Fairfield High’s 2015-16 team to its first playoff appearance in nearly a decade.

Knowing the athletic gene resided within her daughter from an early age, Jackson initially signed a young Lewis up for cheerleading at age 6.

It was not until family friends urged the mother to let her daughter play basketball that Lewis’ athletic potential would be revealed. Lewis thrived on the court and as her skill set blossomed, the point guard began to feel comfortable with basketball, despite longing for a career that offers help to people dealing with injuries — sports medicine.

“I chose to major in kinesiology because I enjoy helping people,” Lewis

said.

“Even on the court, as a point guard I have to make sure people are in the right position and then get them the ball in the best position to be successful.”

The freshman’s experience throughout various levels of competition has more than prepared Lewis for this stage of her playing career as point guard for the Comets.

“I’ve known her (Lewis) since she was in the fifth or sixth grade. She took a liking to basketball and stuck with it,” CCC coach Vince Shaw said. “I think she’ll fit in well here. Lewis has an edge; she plays with an aggressive attacking style that will continue to develop.”

Lewis, a Solano County native, planned to play at Napa Valley College for Shaw. But when the coach left Napa for Contra Costa College, the guard came to play for the coach that she’d known for most her life.

Lewis has come a long way from

“She’s the type of person who pushes to get better even though she (Lewis) is still a freshman.”

Julian Robinson, guard

nearly walking away from the game just a few short years ago.

“I had been playing for so long that I was just not feeling the game anymore.

But everyone kept telling me that I should play,” Lewis said.

Now, the freshman has hopes of using her basketball acumen to transfer to a four-year college.

In five games this year, Lewis is averaging nine points, two assists and two steals per game for the Comets with four games left before Conference play begins.

COMETS STALL IN TOURNAMENT

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

City College of San Francisco hosted the Golden Gate Classic men’s basketball tournament Friday through Sunday, featuring eight teams in double-elimination competition.

The Comets (1-7 overall) played two close games, first against San Joaquin Delta College (3-3 overall) and then against Sierra College (3-5).

While the Comets lacked in offense in the first half of the Delta game, they cut their point deficit to 11 in the second half with 5:26 on the clock.

“Our overall lesson learned is that we have to click on all cylinders and everybody needs to be on the same page,” sophomore guard Dwight Wilson said.

On Saturday, the Comets matched

up against Sierra in a game they lost by two points in the final seconds when the Wolverines went ahead 66-65, sealing the win.

In the second half of the game, the scoring went back and forth between CCC and Sierra. The Comets found themselves in a tie game at 56-56. Sierra then took the lead 62-56 with five minutes left. The Comets put together a few plays and came back to take the lead with 40 seconds on the clock.

Sierra then called a timeout with 18 seconds on the clock and scored out of the break, putting the total at 65-64, with the Comets barely holding onto the lead.

Sierra scored the winning two points in the last four seconds of the game.

The Comets are working with a young team this year with 12 freshmen and only three sophomores.

Contra Costa College will play in the

Foothill College Tournament on Friday at 6 p.m. and depending on whether they win or lose, they will have a chance to showcase their talent against either Delta or Butte colleges on Saturday.

After a disappointing loss on Friday, CCC came back with a hunger and desire to win, playing better basketball defensively and forcing more turnovers in the Sierra game.

The team played the game with players that don’t usually start, giving all players good experience in the tournament.

Freshmen guard Kolman Kelly stepped up, scoring eight out of the team’s first 18 points within the first four minutes of the game by going 4-4 inside the key. The Comets were making approximately 80 percent of their shots and maintained the lead throughout the first half of the game.

“Forward Curtis Harris, guard Demar Dunn and guard Dru Solis, all freshman,

have been crucial leaders on our team this year,” Comet coach Miguel Johnson said.

Johnson gave his team a pep talk during the halftime break and told his players to maintain consistency rebounding the ball, execute offensively, and shoot well from outside the key.

Since they’re such a young group, the Comets are adjusting to the physicality of the game while playing against older teams with a little more experience.

“In the second half of the game against Sierra, we played as if we were related to one another, but just came up a little short. We played with more energy, and we saw how much effort it takes to play competitively,” guard Jalen Walton said. Collectively, CCC did better rebounding the ball in that game.

He said after the tournament the players have been taking practice more seriously.

One point denies team

BY Efrain Valdez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet guard Julian Robinson jumps up for a layup during the 23rd annual women’s basketball Comet Classic tournament in the Gymnasium on Friday.

The women’s basketball team (3-5) finished the 23rd Annual Comet Classic in fourth place with one win and two losses.

Contra Costa College coach Vince Shaw said, “I’m satisfied with the way my team played this weekend. Their effort was amazing. They showed good glimpses of teamwork and just played good basketball by moving the ball around.”

On Thursday night they had a bye and did not play. Friday night, the team played against Ohlone College and beat them in a blowout 79-33.

“We played good in our first home game. We worked hard and played well as a team,” guard Dierra Mize said.

The Comets played very well throughout the entirety of that game. The team will return to the court against Foothill College on Saturday at noon in Los Altos Hills.

Mize drove through the lane effectively and made a few jumpers that gave her a double-digit total in points in a game where she gave a great effort.

“Our team was much better defensively than theirs (Ohlone),” CCC forward Julian Robinson

said. “We were just more dominant in that aspect of the game and that really made the difference.”

The game against Fresno City College on Saturday was a much different story as the Comets lost 88-63.

In this game, Comet forwards Maleya Gaines and Robinson got into foul trouble early in the first quarter. They were forced to ride out the rest of the first half on the bench and that allowed the Rams to dominate the paint on both ends of the court.

There were Comet players whose effort stood out in this tournament. On the offensive end were Mize and Gaines, on the defensive side were guards Lexuis Meriwether and Kayla Orozco.

“We need to tighten things up on defensive end of the court and improve our team communication.

That’s what these tournaments are for,” Shaw said.

The Comets did go on a big run right after the half but it was not enough to stop the Rams effective offense.

“We committed to many self-inflicted wounds that really hurt us,” Shaw said. “Our maturity level has to be higher. That’s the only way we will be able to handle adversity.”

In the fourth place game against Laney College on Sunday, things were much more competitive and

close until the final buzzer.

The Comets came up short, losing 65-64, but it did not come COMETS without controversy.

In the closing moments of the game the Comets committed a foul and Laney failed to convert the free throws. After the second missed free throw, a Laney player rebounded the ball and the referee blew the whistle before the put back was made.

Players, coaches and fans were confused about the call. After much deliberation between the referees, the call was an inadvertent whistle which made the bucket count to give Laney the lead.

Immediately after the call the Comets used a timeout to advance the ball to half court.

Mize inbounded the ball to Comet guard Azanae Lewis who drove the ball to the rim, took a running shot that bounced off the rim and then was rebounded by Mize who air balled the game-winning shot at the buzzer.

“What was going through my head during that play was community college basketball. This is the kind of refereeing you see at this level,” Shaw said.

EAGLES

65 64

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Community celebrates sun, indigenous pride

focus LEFT: Around 5,000 people gather around a fire during the 33rd annual Indigenous People’s Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California on Nov. 24, 2016.

Photos by: Cody Casares, Denis Perez and Christian Urrutia FOR

MORE PHOTOS AND A SOUNDSLIDE PRESENTATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM/MULTIMEDIA

RIGHT: A dancer performs during the 33rd annual Indigenous People’s Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California on Nov. 24, 2016.

ABOVE: One hundred Aztec dancers perform during the 33rd annual Indigenous People’s Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California on Nov. 24, 2016.

RIGHT: A dancer watches fellow performers during the 33rd annual Indigenous People’s Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California on Nov. 24, 2016.

A dancer performs during the 33rd annual Indigenous People’s Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California on Nov. 24, 2016.