The Advocate 3-9

WEDNESDAY l 3.9.16 OUR 66TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Celia Barberena

Krista Johns

Mojdeh Mehdizadeh

Luis Pedraja

She said the visual appeal of CCC and the upcoming unveiling of the Campus Center Project can be featured to market the college as the best choice for a student’s education within the college’s service area. CCC has a vibrancy through its programs that she said she respects.

She said that CCC has the benefit of having had prominent leaders in the past and because of that, the Search Committee and the college community have an idea of its future. She said the next president needs to maintain the same consistency in leadership.

She said that her focus of study, communications and computer information technologies, has provided a platform for her to face and overcome challenges as the interim CCC president, as a student worker, adjunct professor and in her work at the district level for the past 29 years.

He said he is able to relate to first generation college students at CCC and in its surrounding communities because he was one. He plans to use the knowledge he accumulated earning his degrees by creating a support structure in the community to help and attract students.

Presidential decision looms, finalists vie for appointment Four finalists address community concerns at public forum in Knox Center a week before the district’s final decision

BY Christian Urrutia and Lorenzo Morotti STAFF WRITERS

accent.advocate@gmail.com

The district’s year-long search for a permanent college president will be settled on March 17.

Before the district Chancellor Helen Benjamin confers with the Governing Board to select Contra Costa College’s next president, faculty, students and people from the community listened and asked the four finalists questions from 12:15 to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday in the Knox Center.

The Presidential Screening Committee, empowered by the Governing Board, narrowed a short list of applicants to four finalists who addressed community concerns in the public forum.

Celia Barberena, Krista Johns, Mojdeh Mehdizadeh and Luis

Pedraja were selected as finalists and were provided the opportunity to explain why each is the best fit for the position.

The four candidates were each given a 45-minute session to explain their areas of expertise and past experiences that will help provide growth through managing general operation, budget issues, media relations, student success and representing the campus at the district and state levels.

People who attended the public forum filled out comment cards after each session. These were reviewed at Presidential Search Committee meeting on Monday, and will be considered during Dr. Benjamin’s penultimate consultation with the district board today.

District Executive Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Eugene Huff announced that he was representing Benjamin at the public forum, and the “comment cards will

be incorporated in the decision-making process.”

Candidates explained their work history related to education and how it led up to their current or past roles in various institutions of higher learning.

Anecdotes by each candidate were mainly tied to cultural struggles, challenges that shaped their educational motivation and how they envision the college’s future.

Barberena opened her session by explaining what brought her to apply for the position —which is “the love of work.”

She said her life path has been filled with challenges and opportunities that are reflective of the current state of the college and she is confident she can work with students and staff to address problems.

Counselor Alfred Zuniga asked SEE FORUM, PAGE 4

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTIAN URRUTIA, CODY CASARES AND MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

HEALTH DAY ENCOURAGES CAREER EXPLORATION

THE DECADES PROJECT

REVISITED

BUDGET LIMITS RESURGENCE OF WOMEN’S STUDIES PLAN

Health Services Day hosts high school students who spend one day on campus to learn more about nursing, health and human services, biotechnology medical assisting and emergency medical technician programs

BY Roxana Amparo and Marlene Rivas STAFF WRITERS

accent.advocate@gmail.com

PAGE 5 DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Scenes emit poignancy Performer touches on issues

Jewelry course manifests stone setting, forge casting skills PAGE 6

of gender, race, social class

BY Asma Alkrizy OPINION EDITOR

aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com

“I am a 23-year-old virgin living in New York and it’s not natural,” performer Echo Brown says in the opening scene of her one-women show, “Black Virgins Are Not For Hipsters,” held at the Knox Center on March 1.

Brown, the performer and writer of the play, riled up Contra Costa College students and faculty and people from the community through her acting performance, touching on issues of gender, race and social class.

“The play had a great turnout,” Social and Applied Sciences (NSAS) Division Dean Ghada Al-Masri said.

“It is really a piece of art that allowed you to reflect on your own life, upbringing, and experiences that shape who you are.”

The play depicts Brown’s predicament in struggling to keep her virginity while falling in love with a white hipster she met on Craiglist.

Throughout the play, Brown takes the audience into her childhood, discussSEE BLACK VIRGINS, PAGE 4

Performer Echo Brown, shifts into her final scene with a climatic flow of movements in her original one -person play, “Black Virgins Are Not For Hipsters,” on March 1 in the Knox Center.

Throughout the district’s three campuses there has not been an active women’s studies program or Women’s Center for more than 30 years.

“It makes me feel like we’re going backward,” sociology professor Majeedah Rahman said.

According to “Women’s Studies at Contra Costa College,” former CCC faculty member Marge Lasky writes about a small group of female students and professors in early 1970s who created a program and center for women despite major resistance and little funding.

Lasky said Angie Kucharenko and Sany Cubbles helped create a Contemporary Women course in 1972 with the help of English professor Al Youn a year after CCC’s Women’s Center “was set up in a small, windowless room in the Library.”

While both Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College also had a SEE WOMEN’S STUDIES, PAGE 4

Quotable “Some news sources will lie for nothing; far more will lie for money.”

John Seigenthaler The Freedom Forum 1997 Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief Marci Suela art director Roxana Amparo Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Asma Alkrizy opinion editor Mike Thomas scene editor Robert Clinton sports editor Cody Casares photo editor Benjamin Bassham circulation manager Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Adan Alfaro Nora Alkrizy Joseph Bennett Tobias Cheng Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Edwin Herrera Xavier Johnson Mickalea Manuel Yesenia Melara Jshania Owens Denis Perez Marlene Rivas Warren Samuel Jason Sykes Mark Wassberg Atorriana Young Staff photographers Perla Juarez Jordan Khoo Denis Perez Tashi Wangchuk 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, MARCH 9, 2016 VOL. 103, NO. 16

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL EDUCATIONAL MISOGYNY

Ignorance leads campus into nonexistent women’s studies

S

tudents who want to enroll in a women’s study course at Contra Costa College to learn how gender inequalities affect local, national and global socioeconomic spheres steeped in misogyny will have to look elsewhere.

For the 2015 semester, students interested in pursuing a major in women’s or gender studies are limited to courses like Introduction to Gender, Introduction to marriage and Family, or Contemporary Men. The college continues to ignore the issues of its largest student demographic by not offering college level courses that focus on gender or women’s issues within society.

While the courses currently being offered do touch on contrived gender roles and their effects within a certain society, they do not provide a holistic perspective in terms of politics, economics and religion that a women’s studies course would — a course that has not been offered at the college since the 1970s.

The district should work with faculty and students to create a gender and women’s studies department similar to the La Raza and African American studies programs at CCC. While it is admirable that La Raza studies department Chairperson Agustin Palacios is organizing to bring a LGBTQ course to the college catalog, the college needs to have a program dedicated to women and gender studies like UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and San Francisco State.

In order to tap into extra funding through enrollment and increase transfer rates the college needs to access its most prominent and consistent group of students by partnering with these colleges.

A partnership that would coincide with the constant majority of its student population and increase enrollment.

CCC not only has a higher percentage of female students enrolled compared to its sister colleges Diablo Valley College or Los Medanos College, and its female student majority ranks at 17 out of the 113 colleges statewide according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Data Mart search engine.

About 59 percent of students during the 2015 fall semester at CCC registered as female, 40 percent as male and 1 percent did not register as either.

The number of female to male students at the college makes up a 19 percent difference compared to LMC’s 2 and DVC’s 8 percent differences in gender demographics.

Despite having more female students and faculty members consistently since 2005, the number of courses offered that focus on women’s studies have not been reflective of CCC’s gender demographics.

Dr. Palacios spearheading the creation of a LGBTQ course is a step toward gender education by bringing the controversial issues surrounding gender up for discussion in a scholarly setting.

But this is only a temporary solution and has the potential to flop unless people have enough leadership to voice their concerns about the lack of a women’s and gender studies program to college and district administrators.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

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■ POLITICS

Gender is not a viable presidential trait W

hile introducing democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at a New Hampshire rally last month, Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state, proclaimed that there was a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.

Not only was this phrase inappropriate, but it also suggested that women are under the obligation to support Hillary Clinton’s candidacy simply because of the fact that she is a woman.

To be clear, I am in complete support of women and I also believe that we do need one another’s encouragement and support. However, I do not agree that women owe Clinton their vote because she is the only woman running for president.

I also do not think it is right for women to want to vote for Clinton based on the fact that they will be electing the first female president of the United States. When choosing a leader for the country there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration to determine one’s decision.

During their candidacy, light is shed on many of their past actions and they have the opportunity to talk about the areas that are of concern to them and the changes or improvements that they intend to make if elected president.

The events and coverage leading up to Election Day supply voters with infor-

will politically meet expectations for every woman in the country.

Another thing is that some people act as if having a woman for president will ensure that women’s issues are resolved. As if having a woman in charge mation to help them make would balance out and their decisions. One picks a make up for all the unresolved issues that women candidate based on where they see the most potential in this first world country and which candidate’s prin- still continue to face.

There is no guarantee ciples are simithat this would be the case, lar to theirs.

I do not especially considering Perhaps for how she has changed her agree some people opinion on certain matters, Clinton fulfills which could make or break their desires for that her popularity, just in time being a good for when her candidacy candidate. For women may need it the most. others, it may owe In no way do I believe be one of the a woman is incapable of other candiClinton holding the position of dates. Whoever president and fulfilling its women chose their job requirements to their to lend their fullest. vote support to is There should be more no one else’s because female leaders, more business. women in charge, definiteWomen she is ly. Women are just as capashould not be as men are to fill any put under fire the only ble position. for not wantIf people want to vote ing to vote for woman for Clinton because they Clinton. It is not anyone’s running. see her as a good fit then they should do so, but “feminist duty.” only if they see her as a fit, Voting is politically for their needs. a right that So ladies, if you want to women had to fight for, be on the side of #imwithsome longer than others, and they should be able to her then do so, and if you prefer to #feeltheburn, or use it in the way that they whatever your personal feel is best for them or choice is, then that is fine the public without having too. to face scrutiny over not supporting a woman when Marlene Rivas is a staff they themselves are also writer for The Advocate. women.

Contact her at mrivas.theadBeing of the same sex does not mean that Clinton vocate@gmail.com.

marlenerivas

CAMPUS COMMENT

What would you like to see in a women’s studies program on campus?

“I’d like a class analyzing double standards, income inequality and the history of the women’s rights movement.”

Maggie Rossie culinary arts

“Spreading awareness about women’s issues, I would like to see income inequality discussed.”

“There should be a course on women in acting (for theater or screen).”

Maria Rico

nursing

english

XAVIER JOHNSON, DENIS PEREZ AND JORDAN KHOO / THE ADVOCATE

“Adding a women’s self defense class to the physical education (curriculum) would be good.”

“(I’d like a) course offering childbearing and parenting information for first-time mothers. ”

Sachita Karki

nursing

Regina Thapa biology

Arianna Miller

“I actually do not know.

I never really thought about it before.”

Raymond Dao computer science

forum benjaminbassham

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THAT’S DEBATABLE ■ PRO

ARE MEN’S RIGHTS VALID?

MEN’S ISSUES NOT AN ATTACK

When men fight for their human rights people call them misogynists

roxanaamparo

Women’s rights equally deserving Women endure hardships to gain human dignity throughout all global societies

O

D

o men need rights? The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Do you advocate for men’s rights?

The first standard argument against men’s human rights is that men have no problems and should check their privilege.

Second, addressing men’s problems is a misogynistic attack on women. Third, men’s problems are real, but feminism is for men too, so men’s advocacy is redundant. Fourth, women’s problems are worse, so men’s should be ignored.

Shouting “bigot” is easy. Bigots do so frequently. If you convince people your foe eats kittens you’ll trick them onto your side, but opinion isn’t everything. Ad hominem can’t turn right into wrong.

The men’s rights movement is worse than misogynist; it’s competition. If their gender relations monopoly breaks, feminists may have to start keeping their promises, or even share their countless billions in donations and government funding.

Most men like helping women. It appeases that cloud of hormones our brains release at the sight of a neotenous face. But when suicide is the leading killer of men under 50 in the U.K. it’s time to rethink things.

Men have problems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say men are 80 percent of suicides. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said that 92 percent of workplace deaths are men. Law professor Sonja Starr says men receive 63 percent longer sentences than women for the same crime.

California, Kansas and Tennessee forced male rape victims, abused as young as 12, to pay child support.

No one cares about the well being of men, men least of all. Evolution says protect women and children first. Men’s rights are a hard sell; they violate our instincts. People resist the idea of male victims and especially female victimizers.

Erin Pizzey opened the first battered women’s shelter in 1971. Pizzey said women she sheltered were often as violent as the men they left. She observed that domestic violence is gender neutral and usually reciprocal. Pizzey said feminists seized control and threw her out of her own refuges for what she said. She and her family were threatened, their dog was shot and they fled the country.

Today only women’s shelters exist. Rules vary by region, but usually no boys over 12 are allowed, and there are few real services for men.

Canadian Earl Silverman fled a violent wife about 20 years ago. In his time of need the only services for men were anger management. He said, “As a victim, I was re-victimized by having these services telling me that I wasn’t a victim but I was a perpetrator.”

Silverman started a men’s crisis line and in 2004 requested funding for male victims services. After a runaround between various ministries he was told no funds could be given to men.

In 2006 he was repeatedly denied a sex discrimination hearing before the Alberta Human Rights Council. He represented himself against the government and after a four-year investigation it was determined that men don’t have equal need, so it’s legal to give men nothing. In 2009 the organization Statistics Canada reported 585,000 men and 601,000 women were abused by a current or former partner.

In 2010 Silverman opened the only men’s domestic violence shelter in Canada. It ran for three years on Silverman’s dime and donations.

In 2012, to force a hearing, he made a frivolous threat against an attorney. He was arrested, his computers and documents seized. Then he was quietly released to prevent publicity.

Mounting debt forced him to close the shelter and on April 26, 2013 he hung himself.

Karen Straughan, who knew him, guessed this was a final attempt to force his story onto the public record, in a coroner’s report. The police haven’t released his full suicide note.

Men’s rights advocates are among the most maligned people in the world, but by definition all feminists should be MRAs. Advocating equality means standing up for everyone.

Some call for men’s rights but are afraid to call themselves this kind of human rights advocate because of how many people those rights offend. MRA is a slur to them.

When Valerie Solanas published the SCUM Manifesto, calling for the extermination of men, that’s not an indictment of feminism. Feminists called it dark comedy. She shot two men, apparently attempting her genocide on a small scale, but she’s a lone nut. Feminists cite the SCUM Manifesto as an inspiration and in Sweden are performing plays based on it, but I’ll assume with good intentions. Every group has nuts who do more harm than good. The important thing is that the group makes up for it.

So, when are feminists going to do something about the inequalities faced by men?

I’m tolerant, but if you promise me results eventually I’ll demand results. If you don’t have results, you shouldn’t have lied.

Benjamin Bassham is the circulation manager for The Advocate.

Contact him at bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com.

■ CON

ftentimes the instilled belief of a feminist being a man-hating, hairy lesbian prevents the true form of feminism to prevail among a blinded society.

Feminists believe in equal civil rights and liberties regardless of gender, but it is believed that they only advocate for women.

At this point it goes deeper than wage gaps, although that is a significant issues. Feminists work to minimize threatening situations for women and young girls around the world. It is about keeping women alive.

Feminism does not equate to man hating. Feminism raises awareness about issues that pertain to women.

It is about teaching and empowering and bringing awareness to issues such as sexism, misogyny, rape culture and reproductive rights, among others. It is clear that women now have more opportunities, like being able to vote and getting an education.

But why were these not naturally given to women to begin with?

It is those negative perceptions of feminism that prevent more women from joining the movement and cause men to be afraid of being called a feminist. Men can be feminists too.

Instead of joining the movement, meninist groups were created to advocate for men’s rights.

In the 1970s, during the women’s liberation movement, they were concerned with male disadvantages, discrimination and oppression, but modern day meninists mock feminists for their stance on women’s issues.

For those who advocate for men’s rights, are you fighting for male rape victims who are enduring trauma?

For those men who are suffering mental illnesses but expected to “suck it up” and “man up”? What about conversations about hyper-masculinity and raising awareness about the dangers of rape culture?

There’s the notion that they are creating the meninist title to harass feminists online. Some meninists may even call feminists misandrists — people who despise men. But that is a misconception.

According to the Urban Dictionary, meninism is a mockery of feminism and proves that we can’t request equality without white men making everything about themselves. It takes away from the sincerity of the cause if a men’s rights activist only advocates when it includes bashing women who are taking a stance against the patriarchy.

Some men take offense when catcalling attempts make women upset and unresponsive.

Walking down the street and being verbally harassed by a group of men, and when ignoring them being called a “fucking bitch,” exposes the intentions of the group. Because society has adopted gender roles. Men have been told to man up and have learned misogynistic behaviors throughout their lives.

By tearing down those learned behaviors or seeing that there is a way to derail those dangerous acts there can be hope for unity.

Aiming to garner male support through an event that rattled up men from all over the world was a “pro-rape” men’s rights group’s decision to plan an international meeting of 165 events in 43 countries. Leader Daryush Valizadeh canceled his plans after a women’s wrestling club known as the Toronto Girls threatened to show up because he didn’t want to put any of the participants at risk. His proposal was that rape should not be punishable by law if it is done off public grounds.

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports 13 percent of rapes occur at home or at a friend’s or relative’s home.

The idea of men’s rights activism was a response to feeling threatened by feminist as men began to take issues into their own hands and stand up and empower each other.

Although not all men support the devaluation of women’s rights activism and some meninists actually stand with women, there are privileges men were born with.

Women have to work toward gaining respect based on education in order to be as respected as men.

But it is time to change those mindsets thinking it is OK to shame men for being feminine. It is time to teach young boys that boys will not be boys growing up to harass, catcall, rape and disrespect women in any way thereby fostering the understanding that everyone should be valued no matter what gender they are or how they look.

And in case the lingering question is not obvious, not all women shave. I know, the pointy, sharp hairs are threatening, but we all have hair. The difference is that women are expected to shave.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

Roxana Amparo is an associate editor for The Advocate. Contact her at ramparo. theadvocate@gmail.com.

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FORUM | Public questions presidential finalists Continued from Page 1

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NEWSLINE COPA

LECTURE PROMOTES POLITICAL ACTIVISM

The Community Organizing and Political Action Club is hosting a seminar, “Political Activism: Beyond the Ballot Box” Thursday on the main floor of the Library and Learning Resource Center from 4 to 5 p.m.

The lecture will focus on how to promote equity and social justice locally. Speakers featured in the event are Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) Community Organizer Megan Zapanta, Canal Alliance Legal Operations Manager Lucia MartelDow and Health Care for All Contra Costa Chapter members Jonnee Grassi and Nel Benningsh.

A reception will held after the event.

For more details, contact COPA adviser Vanna Gonzales at vgonzales@contracosta.edu.

CRIMEWATCH Monday, Feb. 29: A suspect was seen placing several items into his backpack while in the Bookstore and left the store without paying.

Tuesday, March 1: A student reported her car was backed into while on campus.

A student was attacked by three masked males as he walked out of the Biology Building.

Wednesday, March 2: A culinary arts student cut his hand while attempting to slice an avocado during class. The student was transported to the hospital.

A student had a verbal argument in class.

A Middle College High School student lost her laptop that was issued by the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

An officer responded to a report of a man possibly having a heart attack. Amercian Medical Response and the San Pablo Fire Department responded and transported him to the hospital.

Thursday, March 3: An instructor reported an incident between herself and a student. The student was contacted and banned from campus until he is approved for return by the dean of student services.

Friday, March 4: A staff member reported school property was taken by an previous employee and it was never returned.

— Marci Suela

CORRECTION In the March 2 issue of The Advocate on the front page in the headline that read “Council backs $94 million budget, bond project list,” the lead sentence correctly stated the construction plan of $95 million. The headline stating it costs $94 million is incorrect.

The Advocate regrets this error.

— 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.

Barberena about her teaching experience and how her current position as an educational consultant, after serving as president of Chabot College from 2012 to 2014, would be beneficial for the college community.

Barberena said she taught Spanish and English as a second language at Sacramento City College and Modesto Junior College as an adjunct faculty member.

Counselor assistant Mary-Kate Rossi voiced a similar concern regarding her ability to lead during a rebuilding period in an area facing socio-economic challenges.

Rossi said she is looking for a committed candidate and asked Barberena why she is looking to get back “in the ring.”

Barberena said she took some time off for a family related illness, but after her husband had recovered she wanted to get back to helping people progress into higher education.

Pedraja, the current vice president for academic affairs at Antioch University in Los Angeles, gave a similar response when counselor Norma JimenezValdez asked a similar question but emphasized his ability to relate to CCC’s student demographic.

“I want to be president at (CCC) for a simple reason. I am

very impressed by the level of diversity that exists in this community,” Pedraja said. “I also am driven to help students who, like me, grew up with parents who did not have advice about college.”

He said if selected as president, he would make it his “mantra” to ensure student success through community involvement because it is his “passion to get out of the boundaries of campus and get in the community to create a structure where students live.”

Johns, the current interim Berkeley City College president, opened her statement addressing the importance of reaching out to potential students in surrounding communities.

“Sometimes we make it a little tough. We’re not sure how to tell people how to come in and work with the college and so I feel that part of it is being out there and being part of the community in order to engage students that way,” Johns said. “As you may know this is the place that started it all in terms of the Contra Costa Community College District.”

Richmond resident Fatimah Allen asked Johns what significance the West Contra Costa Unified School District plays in relation to achieving student success for potential students interested in attending the college.

Johns said it is vital the college meets the needs of its diverse student demographic. She said

whether they are high school graduates on the “fast track” to transferring or older students who have reached a mid-point in their lives in which education serves a new outlet, stronger local ties with WCCUSD must be strengthened.

Katherine Krolikowski, biotechnology professor, asked each candidate about UC Berkeley’s global campus at the Richmond Bay development site.

Krolikowski said the UC Berkeley research campus has a 40-year development plan, but will have an impact on the city of Richmond in terms of housing, employment, local procurement and education.

She asked finalists what they would do to help students in the college’s service area benefit from this large project in its local neighborhood?

Johns said the STEM majors at the college should be included into the conversation because of the tremendous opportunity for the college to partner with UC Berkeley.

Barberena and Pedraja said they would also work closely with members on the respective committee to make sure CCC’s concerns are included.

Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, current interim college president at CCC, had an informative response. “(The Vice President of Instruction Tammeil Gilkerson) has been instrumental with shar-

ing the college’s strategic plan and bringing information back about the initiatives under the Berkeley global campus,” she said. “(CCC) needs to ensure we are aligned with the work going on at the global campus. Not just aligned but as an integral part in the planning efforts to ensure that (CCC) is written into the plan.”

Mehdizadeh has held multiple roles within the district such as executive vice president for technology systems and educational services, institutional research, workforce and economic development.

“Learning systems and understanding how things work from a systems perspective is valuable in any endeavor one chooses. But to humanize that and to couple that with communication studies, focusing on cultural and organizational aspects, has really helped me as an individual,” she said, “and ultimately the organization that I have worked for now for 29 years.”

Mehdizadeh said she had experience with reducing costs while working with the district when it was operating two major systems, one for the district and another for the Contra Costa County Office of Education to run payroll, purchase functions and other “sub systems.”

She described the process of finding areas on campus that are increasing operation costs, but are lacking in improving student success, as “pruning.”

BLACK VIRGINS | Show accentuates gender issues Continued from Page 1 es her struggles as a black woman and how it has changed her view about loving men who share her same color.

“I have always wanted a black man to love me — to stroke this black hair,” she said, referring to how many of the AfricanAmerican men she knew in her childhood favored black girls with light skin or European features. “But not even my own kind wants me.”

Speech communication major Davis Evans said Brown brought attention

to some complex issues through comedic intellect.

“Everything she talked about I either lived in some way or could deeply relate to,” Evans said. “I think being black and female it is not often I get to see my life, culture or even gender struggles reflected in entertainment in a way that is totally relatable.”

At the opening scene, Brown explained how she had always sought to change the world and become an activist to fix the stereotypical system in America.

“But I realized there is no world of activism with social justice,” she said.

“This is a world where money matters.”

Brown rocked the stage dressed in white tights, a long pink shirt open at both ends, and her short hair in ringlets as she prepared to go on a date with her white hipster boyfriend, whom her mother warns her about.

She says her mother constantly cautioned her from getting into a relationship with men, as they are not trustful and “are only after one thing.”

But despite her mother’s warnings Brown is unable to suppress her desire, which only seems to grow each time she meets up

with Ryan. In the final scenes she breaks free from her mother’s man-hating advice and makes love with him.

Blue lights illuminated her body, as she twirled and swayed her arms in the air at the dark stage, expressing the sexual urge she’s been locking up all her life.

Even though the play is a solo performance, Brown is able to take on the roles of different characters in the play by emulating the voices of her mother, her hipster boyfriend and her brother.

“The actress was great,” Library department

Chairperson Andrew Kuo said. “She emitted different voices and engaged the audience with her (variety of) dances.”

To stir up the audience, Brown brought liveliness to the stage by performing dances to Beyonce songs and encouraging the audience to dance along with her. “The dance floor was the only place where stereotypes didn’t matter,” she said.

The theatrical lighting illuminated the stage, constantly flashing on and off and sometimes faintly dimmed to convey the mood of the scene.

WOMEN’S STUDIES | Program still disenfranchised Continued from Page 1 Women’s Center, later changed to the Re-Entry Center, Lasky said CCC’s influence was unique.

“You could walk into any women’s studies class at CCC and be struck by the diversity in age, race, class, physical abilities and even the genders of students,” she said.

The program and center did not last, however, and people’s ignorance about the feminist movement led to fearful action that resulted in the program’s districtwide closure.

Currently, there is not a women’s studies program at CCC and there are only three classes offered this spring that involve gender, and the only course that focuses on women’s studies is limited to the fall semester.

English department Chairperson Elvia Ornelas-Garcia said, “I think we are overdue (for a women’s studies department) because we do have more female students that could enroll into those courses.”

Center for Science Excellence Coordinator Setiati Sidharta said the number of potential students who would be interested in women’s studies is high, and men could also benefit from taking a course that focuses on gender inequalities.

During the 2015 fall semester, CCC had about 59 percent females, 40 percent male and 1 percent of its student body that did not register as either, according to the Contra Costa Community College District Data Mart enrollment search engine.

“We need to open more courses,” Ornelas-Garcia said, “especially those that focus in women’s studies.”

Wayne Organ, music professor, said the lack of programs does not allow students to learn about women’s struggles in social, religious and economic terms or understand the importance of transcending gender roles.“There’s

“Men are often trapped by a model of masculinity that causes them to be limited in forms of expression and their way of being.”

Dr. Agustin Palacios,

La Raza department chairperson

no such thing as one battle,” Organ said. “The movement for women’s rights is resurging and taking this generation by storm.

“Throughout history there have been many social justice movements that over time provided people with new rights.”

Under pressure

Although the 1970s were pivotal times for the acceptance of women into higher education, the changes that occurred during the decade were fleeting.

According to “Sharing Memories, Contra Costa Community College District 19482008,” a collection of stories edited by former DVC English professor Bill Harlan, Diablo Valley College rebranded its Women’s Center as the Re-Entry Center in 1972.

While some women studies courses lasted more than 20 years within the district, the main program was cut due to sex discrimination lawsuits during that time.

In Chapter 21, “Revolution in the Classroom: The Growth of Women’s Programs at the Colleges,” Susan Goldstein writes about her involvement in the rise and collapse of the first women’s studies program at DVC .

Goldstein said despite the support of many female faculty members, many of her male colleagues at the time “were convinced that the center either performed abortions or advocated for them.”

She said these men pressured

a group of Catholic anti-feminist community women to go to the Governing Board to demand that the women’s studies program be cut.

Goldstein said after two investigations reported that the programs were “nondiscriminatory, the third one forced the DVC Women’s Center, and the centers at CCC and Los Medanos College, to each change their name to the Re-Entry Center.

Goldstein and Lasky described this as the decline of the feminist movement at the colleges and their plans to create vocational certificates in women’s services and course schedules that suited the day-to-day responsibilities women held in the home and the workforce.

The centers were closed before the late 1970s, and the district dropped its vocational certificate in women’s studies in 2008.

While the people who helped pioneer women’s studies programs throughout the district bore witness to their work’s demise, there is still an interest in bringing courses or a program that focuses on gender inequality back to the district.

Vanna Gonzales, CCC political science professor, said due to lack of resources and budget cuts, “It is hard to push for a women studies department.”

Gonzalez said finding someone who is is willing to put in the time to create and teach the curriculum and host events is the challenging part.

“There’s so much to do,” Rahman said. “In this time more women, and men, want to know more about women.”

Not only do classes like these benefit women, Rahman said they also allow the chance for instructors to educate men who are ignorant about women’s rights and the challenges they continue to face in modern society.

Rahman said a lot of the curriculum being taught at K-12 and higher education does not require students to learn women’s history.

La Raza studies Chairperson Agustin Palacios said the main issue with maintaining classes that focus on gender, or specifically women’s, studies is enrollment and a lack support from administrators.

Dr. Palacios said because these courses are not required to transfer for most degrees, there is little incentive for students to enroll in women’s studies courses or develop a women’s or gender studies program.

He said men should have to learn about feminism — not just for women that they care about — but to benefit everyone in our society.

“Men are often trapped by a model of masculinity that causes them to be limited in forms of expression and their way of being,” he said.

Rahman said she teaches a class titled Contemporary Women each fall semester. She teaches it because she said it is important to have classes that teach more about women.

During one of her classes, she said a group of young male students expressed their disgust when the menstruation cycle was brought up for discussion.

Rahman said because the students in the class responded so negatively to a normal bodily function, she dedicated an entire class period to teaching them about periods.

Sidharta said students have different backgrounds and ways of learning about who they are, but it is necessary to gain perspective about each genders and their challenges.

She said, “It is important to take a course that looks at your experience in society through frank conversations about gender discrimination and inequalities.”

Gonzales said although creating a new department is a long process, it is the right time to push forward with a women studies program.

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HEALTH DAY SPURS EARLY ENTRY Tour

exposes high school academy students to career options

BY Cody Casares PHOTO EDITOR

ccasares.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students from three different West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) high schools will visit the college for knowledge and guidance for Health Services Day on Friday.

It will start at Contra Costa College in LA-100 and branch out to various areas on campus, Grant Coordinator Nancy Rynd said.

“Health Services Day is an opportunity that the college offers to 150 WCCUSD high school Health Academy students from Pinole Valley High School, De Anza High School and Richmond High School,” Rynd said.

The academies provide high school students with advanced opportunities.

“Each Health Academy gets to send 50 students to the college to spend the day here,” she said.

These students will spend 25 minutes in presentations about different careers and courses of study. These include nursing, health and human services, biotechnology, medical assisting,

emergency medical technician (EMT), and certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs, she said.

As well as the educational presentations that will Etheredge be offered, the culminating lecture will inform students about concurrent enrollment opportunities offered to high school seniors, Rynd said. Concurrent enrollment is the opportunity to attend college classes while still in high school.

“We start to prepare them so that maybe in grades 10 and 12 they actually start their college career,” she said.

Nursing department Chairperson Cheri Etheredge has coordinated Health Services Day six times before, forwarding the opportunity to ninth and 10th graders to attend the college for a day and have the opportunity to see what kind of classes the college offers.

They can also see what kind of jobs they might get in the health care field.

For many it’s their first time on a college

campus, Rynd said.

“High school students have a special something about them. They’re optimistic and energized, really fun to be around,” Etheredge said.

Health Services Day aims to attract these students to enroll at CCC when they choose a college, she said.

“We take them into the simulation lab and give them all stethoscopes and have them interact with the mannequin. Our $83,000 mannequin can be controlled through the computer, and the students are all pretty excited to participate,” Etheredge said.

Students will also have a chance to look through high-powered microscopes that will be hooked up to projectors and laptops, biological sciences adjunct professor Gregory Ponomareff said. Students will be able to view C. Elgans, a genetically engineered worm given a florescent protein to give it a green glow when under UV light, as well as amoebas and euglena, Ponomareff said.

“Our goal is to educate them and give them a little motivation and dedi-

cation,” he said. “We want to get everything we can in the 20 minutes we have.”

The CNA program has a unique aspect to it that garnishes the setting, and emphasizes talking to current high school students.

“In working with some grants three years ago we started a program with the CNA program where we arrange for 15 high school kids to come to the college in the afternoon during their senior year and take the courses for the CNA program,” Rynd said.

This allows the students to graduate high school with their diplomas, their CNA certificate, their home health aide certificate and their state certification if they pass the state test.

The CNA presenters will consist of four students who completed the CNA program while in high school last December, Rynd said.

The CNA program takes one semester to complete. The students attend high school classes in the morning and then come to the college in the afternoon to complete the CNA courses.

DISTRICT AIMS TO INCREASE FACULTY HIRES TO MEET PLAN

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Computer science major Ogheneyengbame Akojiyoubui uses one of the newly available laptops in the Library and Learning Resource Center for a homework assignment during a group study session on Feb. 29.

Grant provides laptop rental service, additional tech resource

BY Nora Alkrizy STAFF WRITER

nalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com

The technological changes introduced by the Library and Learning Resource Center this semester are providing new assistance for students in using the services offered.

With the aid of the innovation grant, Contra Costa College has managed to offer, in its Library, the use of personal laptops as well as a new service called Library Chat Help 24/7.

The purpose of both plans is to support students in being more connected to the Library and for them to make use of its tools to succeed in their schoolwork, Librarian Megan Kinney said.

With the desktop computers in the Library and College Skills Center that CCC makes available to students, there are times when they are either all occupied, or not suitable for group study sessions.

The laptops are suitable for mobile use and their usage is not restricted to a specific area. Students are free to use them in the Library or in the group study rooms.

The newly acquired laptops are currently available to any registered student.

“Since the beginning of the semester 62 students have come forth to the reference desk and registered to check out a laptop,” Kinney said.

“I’m glad to see the students are (using) the service to their advantage.”

For checkout eligibility, students must first sign up at the Library Reference Desk and fill out a contract.

“The registration process is fairly simple and fast,” Library and Resource Circulation Desk Secretary Tadelech Yoseph said.

“It’s a policy process where the students let us know that they are agreeing to the terms and conditions and are responsible for the laptops in their company,” Yoseph said.

Criminal justice major Jesse Gonzales said, “Having the opportunity to get a mobile laptop will do wonders. I can go into a silent study room and do my work with zero distractions.”

Library Chat Help 24/7 is an online messaging service designed for students who cannot reach the Library to chat with a librarian, so this service intends to provide students with the assistance of a library off campus.

Students are asked for a name and email address in case the librarian needs to send follow-up information.

The conversation is then sent directly to Kinney. This gives the opportunity to go back and review the conversation so that she can later reach out to the student when she finds it necessary, she said.

Psychology major Sergio Corona

took a library studies class this past summer and said, “Lots and lots of library usage is important for that class.”

I wish I had the opportunity to connect with a librarian online to get the help I needed out of (the) hours the Library was available.”

Since the college will be soon replacing Desire2Learn with a new districtwide online learning management system called Canvas, the Library is hoping to implement these services within that upcoming system.

“Having students connect to Library services online is a great way to familiarize them with the process,” Kinney said, “so that when such Library services are implemented in the new (online learning) management system, it won’t be a shock to students as they will be more comfortable.”

Kinney said that the free laptop usage and chatting online with a librarian started out concurrently and this campus is the first to implement these services among its sister colleges (Diablo Valley and Los Medanos).

“We understand that students are busy,” she said.

“They normally have classes during Library hours (and) having an librarian available online helps students reach one, outside of Library hours or if they are off campus.”

According to the Contra Costa Community College District website, 47 full-time faculty positions are being filled districtwide by the fall 2016 semester, with seven new employees slated to work at this campus.

The positions cover a wide range and disciplines like automotive technology, biology, certified nursing assistant and counseling make up the top of the list.

Emergency medical services, engineering and humanities/philosophy round out the list of positions to be filled.

“All of the colleges intend on hiring the best and most qualified people to meet the needs of their college,” Academic Senate President Beth Goehring said.

“The district’s equity plan is intended to be incorporated into every aspect of district life, hiring, curriculum development and support services. So all of the hires will be accomplished through that lens as well.”

When measured against the other colleges in the district, only 14 percent of the new hires are scheduled to work at Contra Costa College. Seventeen positions will be filled at Los Medanos College and 23 employees are headed to Diablo Valley College.

The plan is to have the positions filled by fall, but the hiring process is going on now.

“We want to hire the best people in keeping with the strategic direction and vision of the college,” CCC Interim President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said. “It begins with department chairs, deans and faculty members articulating their needs.

“As an example, there is a position to be filled in automotive technology. I would have no idea where to search for the most qualified applicant who also meets the needs of the department,” Mehdizadeh said.

Once the information is coalesced between the deans, chairs and faculty the information is sent to the district’s Human Resources Office.

“We allow applicants to apply for the openings they are most interested in,” district Recruitment and Classification Analyst Sophia Lever said. “An applicant could elect to apply for all three locations. It is the applicant who decides where she or he wants to be considered.”

There is a long process to attaining one of these positions. Senior Academic Manager John Wade said, “There isn’t a random questionnaire. Queries are job specific and pertain to background and scenarios that come when working in the applicant’s field.”

Administrators on the hiring panel are also given a scoring grid to mark during the in-person portion of the interview process.

“The ability to work well with other people is key, things are always done by committees or groups,” music department Chairperson Wayne Organ said.

SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION SEES STRUCTURAL CHANGE Nonprofit grant system shuffles director positions, reduces workload

BY Benjamin Bassham CIRCULATION MANAGER

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Contra Costa College Foundation is being reorganized and tied to the college foundations of Los Medanos and Diablo Valley, but will remain fundamentally the same.

Foundation Advancement Manager Jennifer Dyment said, “Each college has had one foundation, now there is going to be one executive director and three development directors under them.”

Each development director will serve their assigned college exclusively.

The college foundations are nonprofit organizations that support schol-

arships and programs across their associated campus. Cindy Goga, the new executive foundation director for the three foundations, said that all three remain separate and will not share accounts. Each dollar that comes to a foundation belongs to that foundation.

Dyment said each foundation will still have its own board of directors.

“Maybe 90 percent of scholarships are awarded because of the foundation.

We bring in money from donors like Chevron and the City of San Pablo,” Goga said.

Both Dyment and Goga independently said that the foundation office at their respective college is

staffed by about “one and a half ” people. Goga said, “Business services at the college (DVC) oversees the accounting.”

But she said that now “all financial matters will be handled at the District Office starting July 1 of this fiscal year.”

Tim Leong, district director of communications and community relations, said, “The foundation structure was consolidated at the District Office to reduce expenses.” DVC has had the most success at fundraising, so Goga was chosen from DVC. Goga said, “We haven’t had enough resources to be really successful at fundraising. It’s been a long time coming (and) it’s an amazing commitment from

the district.”

Dyment said this is closer to how most community college foundations are structured throughout California.

She said most students wouldn’t notice the difference and neither would most donors.

Dyment said donations typically come from individuals, corporations, or other foundations sometimes. “We collect donations and we put them into scholarships and programs.”

Leong said, “We focused on one major fundraiser, which was the golf tournament. We’re going to do more.”

It is hoped that this new structure will allow more money to be raised.

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Experience lights path to maturity

BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Basketball players are forced to be versatile in their set of skills, as they have to play offense as well as defense. Contra Costa College sophomore Daizah Pounds represents that versatility during games and in her coursework.

Pounds played guard for a women’s basketball team that made the second round of the playoffs and won a Bay Valley Conference Championship this season.

The All-Conference player finished the season averaging 12 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game and had two triple doubles.

The Comet combo guard contributed to the team throughout her final season as a Comet in every way she could.

“I pride myself in being a versatile player,” Pounds said. “I want to do anything and everything for my team, for the win and for our squad’s success.”

Pounds attended Pinole Valley High School for her first three years of high school and graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2014 after a year there.

“During my senior year I didn’t play much. I had to build confidence playing college ball because of all the demoralizing transition I went through in my senior year,” Pounds said.

Comets women’s basketball coach Paul DeBolt said the main obstacle to Pounds’ success was building her confidence on the court.

Coming into college basketball after getting only a few minutes of playing time in high school games was an overwhelming transition, Pounds said.

“College ball demands maturity,” Pounds said. “This level has made me respect the game so much more.”

Pounds developed into a great player and started just about every game during both her freshman and

sophomore seasons. She was team captain this season. “(Pounds) became one of our best guards,” DeBolt said. “She would have fit in with any of our great teams of the past.”

As a sophomore Pounds approaches each basketball game with quiet confidence and thoughtfulness that can be seen in seasoned athletes. She said each week is planned to maximize mental clarity and physical health.

As team captain, she said instilling a thoughtful approach to the game and an “act-first” attitude in the team is important.

Pounds said she wants to establish a lead early in each game. She said she believes in the power of early momentum.

“I want the other team to think that they do not deserve to play with you by the end of the first quarter,” Pounds said.

“Pounds plays great with the team,” Comet forward Jacqie Moody said. “We play in sync (with one another).”

Pounds said she prides herself in being physically fit. She said she loves running and going on hikes. She said she focuses on ending each game with the same intensity she had at the outset.

This emphasis on mental acuity also manifests itself in another way through her love for the written word and entrepreneurship.

Pounds switched her major from kinesiology to business management to be able to nurture the creative side of her personality.

An honor student with a GPA above 3.9, Pounds said she would like to go to Arizona State University or Michigan State.

She said she wants to start a business that involves her passion for fitness.

Eating healthy and exercising are a constant fixture in Pounds’ daily life. Pounds said she wants to open a health club restaurant that caters to all people regardless

of their age.

Outside of basketball and business, Pounds said she loves reading and writing.

“I always wanted to just speak out but I never had the courage to do it so I began writing,” she said. “I have journals filled with poems and writings.”

Raised in Berkeley and Richmond, Pounds said she feels conflict between the two places she was raised.

“In Richmond I feel at home with all my friends,” she said. “In Berkeley I feel free. I feel like I can be creative and wild.”

Moody said, “When I first met (Pounds) I thought she was arrogant but once I got to know her she could bring a smile out of anybody.”

She said Pounds can be sociable and humorous but also hold down a serious conversation and empathize.

Pounds said she approaches academics with the same careful consideration as basketball. She said academics are equally as important as basketball, as at any given time athletics could be taken away.

Pounds helped the Comets win the BVC Championship this year with an overall record of 21-10, 11-1 in conference.

The Comets crashed out of an historic intradistrict overtime playoff game 82-80 at Diablo Valley College in the second round of the women’s basketball NorCal Regional Playoffs on Feb. 26.

Pounds said she approaches each loss with the thoughtfulness that has propelled her to where she is today.

She said losses hurt because she puts so much into every game, but she said losses are also a valuable learning experience.

“I ask why we lost that game and in what aspects GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE were we worse or better than the other team,” Pounds Comet guard Daizah Pounds drives past Viking forward Miranda Nelson during said. “If we are going to lose Contra Costa College’s NorCal Regional playoff game against Diablo Valley again we will not lose in that College at DVC on Feb. 26. same way.”

Imagination inspires craftsmanship Creative setting facilitates craftsman skills, growth

BY Jshania Owens STAFF WRITER

jowens.theadvocate@gmail.com

A class inspiring self-expression through jewelry making is offered Mondays and Wednesdays in the Art Building.

Fine and media arts professor Wendy McDermott, who teaches Art 135, Hot Metals for Beginning Jewelry, gives students brass and copper to start any project they think of, as well as the assigned projects.

Seventeen years ago McDermott started off with a small room and a budget of $5,000. “It was barely enough,” she said.

She cleared the room of stuff and put tables in. Through a grant she was able to purchase the rest of the necessary supplies, such as toolboxes and enamels.

“There used to be six levels,” she said about the number of jewelry classes. “We’ve been able to fill the class. We start with the basics, like stone setting and forge casting.

Then it grows from there.”

For this semester, the students have the required materials for their projects, but McDermott is hoping to get more equipment to improve the class tutorials.

“I would love a video camera for the demonstrations,” she said.

These demonstrations are one of the most exciting and engaging parts of the class.

The students gather around McDermott’s desk as she goes over a step-by-step lesson. Monday’s demonstration was on soldering.

She used different tools like wire and metal to show them how to anneal pieces and expand the metal.

The students range from beginners to the more experienced. In

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

addition, high school students are able to get credit for graduation when taking this class.

Julio Castillo, a high school senior, is currently creating a necklace with two other students taking the class. They soldered a piece of metal into a sphere and formed it into the necklace.

Janice Sharpe, a real estate major, made a piece for her son. “I don’t think he wants jewelry,” she said. “But I’m hoping he likes it.”

Sharpe said she finds the class a relaxing escape from her other classes. “I never thought I had any artistic ability.”

Some students even enjoy it enough to repeat the class.

Second semester student Ashley Rivas made a sunflower during

“We’ve been able to fill the class. We start with the basics, like stone setting and forge casting. Then it grows from there.”

Wendy McDermott,

fine and media arts professor

this semester. “It’s easier to think in shapes than words,” she said.

She said she likes that she can be in the class and make exactly what she thinks about come to life.

The soldering room is a favorite for the students.

They are able to use a torch and mold the metals into any shape as

they rotate it. But it is not as easy as it looks.

It took student Teresa Tabre five times to cut and redo her piece until it was complete. With patience and practice, the students learn how to use fire appropriately and are able to really create any project that comes to mind.

There is a lot of student interaction during class. The students are eager to help each other and often share their projects together, something that is important to learn.

“They really are a great class,” McDermott said about the students. After making their own art, students can sell it. Those students who still need experience with metals or art can learn depending on their interest.

Student Anastashia Limko hones her skills, creating a fire scale in a sheet of copper during the Hot Metals for Beginning Jewelry class on Feb. 29.

Fire scaling changes the color of metal depending on the technique used.

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7

Unleashed

MOVIES

This week: “10 Cloverfield Lane” (PG-13) RIGHT: Drama major Oz HerreraSobal has shown his passion for acting by performing in multiple plays on campus since 2014.

Herrera-Sobal is an avid cyclist and bikes whenever possible.

“The Brothers Grimsby” (R) “The Eye in the Sky” (R)

BLU-RAYS

Aspiring actor hones talent

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

BY Mike Thomas SCENE EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

From an actor’s perspective, people learn every skill by acting them out.

As a lifelong entertainer, motivated by the desire to make his biggest supporter proud, theater major Oz Herrera-Sobal, 20, has played roles in four productions in a span of two years since enrolling at Contra Costa College.

“My mother has supported me in everything I do,” Herrera-Sobal said.

“She is so proud of me and loves seeing me perform and I love bringing a smile to her face.”

He said his parents brought him from Puebla, Mexico to the Bay Area as a one-year-old in 1996, and since then he has performed in his K-12 school plays and written poems.

He graduated from Gateway High School in San Francisco in 2014.

Herrera-Sobal said he decided to come to CCC to continue his education and act.

Being in the spotlight is not anything new for him. During his childhood he was in some Target advertisements.

“I’ve been a performer all my life.

When I was young I was a child model and continued throughout most of

middle and high school,” Herrera-Sobal said. “I started to do poetry too, but high school is when I started to do plays.”

Drama professor Angelina LaBarre has been Herrera-Sobal’s mentor since meeting him in the fall of 2014.

They share a bond that allows them to collaborate on projects. She said she always keeps an open mind to any suggestions Herrera-Sobal has.

In a way, Herrera-Sobal’s passion for acting adds fuel to LaBarre’s drive as she sees a young, aspiring actor. She said she has encouraged him to network with other theater students and professional actors to help him in his career goal.

“The thing about working with young actors — especially young actors who are as driven as Oz is — is that it infuses you with the same drive,” LaBarre said. “I want him to succeed in his work, and so I am driven to give him all the insight and tools that I am able to, including pointing him in the direction of other people who have different training or specializations that can benefit him.”

During the audition of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare,” undecided major Darian Espinoza said he met Herrera-Sobal and the two have fed off each other each time they are on

stage rehearsing. Espinoza said he actually prefers to work with Herrera-Sobal because they are on the same page every time.

“It’s pretty fun working with him,” he said. “(Herrera-Sobal) gets serious when he’s acting, but makes time to joke around during breaks.”

Other than acting on stage, he is also a cyclist who is sponsored by Rich City Rides, a nonprofit organization that provides community members with bicycle repair and maintenance for their bikes. He does at least four bike marathon races a year. While he has passion for both hobbies, HerreraSobal said he would choose performing in a play over a race any day.

“Biking is a huge part of his life. He fixes bikes on the side, does marathons and he is sponsored by (Rich City Rides team),” Espinoza said.

One of Rich City Rides’ missions is to provide people in the community who cannot afford transportation a bike to improve their health and a reliable means of transportation.

Najari Smith, the co-founder of Rich City Rides calls Herrera-Sobal “that dude” for what he’s done for his organization and community. “(Herrera-Sobal) has a great personality. He’s very chill and easy to talk to and him being an actor is pretty

helpful,” Smith said. “My first encounter with him was when I saw him ride at a one of our social rides — and he was fast.”

After the ride Smith said it was a “no-brainer” to bring him onto the Rich City Ride cycling team.

Before endorsing him, Smith said he would see Herrera-Sobal at many other bike events but never mentioned it to him.

“I sponsored him because he rides his bike a lot,” Smith said. “Having somebody who’s really about the ‘bike life’ and him knowing a lot of people is a really good quality in a person — and it is a plus that he’s really fast.”

Herrera-Sobal has a dream of being able to land an acting job and to meet Jim Carrey. He said Carrey is one of his favorite actors, but he also admires the late Robin Williams.

“My favorite actors are Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. I was devastated when I heard about Robin Williams’ (death). One of my bucket list entries was to work with him or meet him.”

Acting and being a cyclist are a huge part of Herrera-Sobal’s life, but any other day he is hanging with friends or working part-time as a bike messenger.

Sobal’s passion for acting, racing and entertaining others continues to influence everyone around him.

Show scrutinizes football star’s legacy

By Jshania Owens STAFF WRITER

jowens.theadvocate@gmail.com

B

efore one of the most infamous double murders of the 1990s turned a football legend into a wanted man, O.J. Simpson (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) had retired from his successful career and began acting and broadcasting football games.

But “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” hits the nail on the head and manages to display the darkest and most disturbing side of him — one of the reasons why it’s too good to miss.

The new FX series, aired Tuesdays at 10 p.m., re-enacts true crime stories, as well as events, and examines every aspect from every angle, giving the audience an in-depth view of what happens both behind the scenes and in the public eye. In this season, the murder of Simpson’s former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman is investigated once again.

The episode, appropriately titled “From the Ashes of Tragedy,” begins with actual footage of the Rodney King riots and Los Angeles police department brutality. The intense scene gives insight into how the LAPD treated African-Americans at the time, as well as the current events happening at the time of Simpson’s trial.

But I had to note something that stood out at the beginning of the episode — the footage is unfortunately reminiscent of today’s police brutality aimed at young

unarmed African- Americans.

During that decade there were known to be several instances of LAPD discrimination against African-Americans. In the middle of the episode, Dennis Schatzman (Leonard Roberts) discusses the issue at a radio station. “The blackwhite double standard endures.”

It is all too clear for anyone to see how guilty Simpson is.

Gooding Jr. does a great job playTV REVIEW ing a suspenseful “American Simpson. At the Crime Story” end of the episode, viewers are left Starring: with anticipation Cuba Gooding when Simpson Jr., John Travolta Network: FX writes a suicide Time slot: note and flees Tuesday, 10 p.m. from his home at Genre: Drama the sight of the police. The audience is left with another infamous scene — the Ford Bronco car chase on Los Angeles freeways.

The chase was televised live on network affiliates all over the U.S. as episode two begins. It is titled “The Run of His Life.” More news coverage shows the lawyer from Prosecutor Marcia Clark’s (Sarah Paulson) team asking if anyone knows Simpson’s whereabouts, calling him a “fugitive of justice.”

As Simpson’s legal team watches, a prosecuting lawyer points out how it is obvious that he is guilty and that she hopes they catch him.

Prosecutor Christopher Darden says, “You don’t know that. They are just tearing down another black man.” The scene cuts back to the

New releases: “The Peanuts Movie” (G) “Victor Frankenstein” (PG-13) “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (PG-13)

MUSIC

New releases: Kendrick Lamar: “Untitled, Unmastered” Killswitch Engage: “Incarnate” 3 Doors Down: “Us And The Night” Brian Fallon: “Painkillers”

GAMES

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John Travolta, David Schwimmer and Cuba Gooding Jr. portray Robert Shapiro, Robert Kardashian and O.J. Simpson in “American Crime Story.”

freeway chase where viewers are able to see how it began, when two witnesses notice the Bronco behind them. They quickly recognize Simpson in the backseat, and excitedly pull over to the call box and report the sighting to the police.

The scene builds with anticipation, but then abruptly brings it down as the police stop the car in the middle of the freeway, surrounding Simpson, who is holding a gun to his head, and the driver, his friend Al Cowlings. But the police allow them to drive away.

Simpson’s friend Robert Kardashian (David Schwimmer) must have felt the world’s weight on his shoulders when he listens on the phone as Simpson sobs, telling him he loves his family and that he’s on his way to see his mother.

A mob of supporters and

fans clear roads everywhere they drive. Cowlings finally pulls into Simpson’s driveway, the LAPD surround them once again as Simpson clutches his gun, sobbing.

Kardashian convinces him to step out of the car and he is arrested.

The third episode covers the events leading to the trial.

Simply titled “The Dream Team,” Simpson recruits what he believes to be the best lawyers possible to defend him. Their strategy relies heavily on race and showing how the LAPD discriminates against African-American men.

Although discrimination exists, this situation is different. Simpson is charged with killing his former wife and Goldman and there is evidence in plain sight. We will have to keep watching to see how it all goes down.

New releases: “Tom Clancy’s The Division” (M) “Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation” (T) “Action Henk” (E) “Kholat” (T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

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Comet guard Anthony Sullen drives for two of his 40 points during the team’s Regional Final playoff loss at Fresno City College on Saturday.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Rams wallop Comets out of playoffs Team’s historic season, playoff run ends in Fresno

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

FRESNO — The Comets’ trailblazing run through the Bay Valley Conference and into the postseason came to an end when they lost 100-89 in the NorCal Regional Championship game on Saturday at Fresno City College.

From a distance, a season that saw the most successful Contra Costa College men’s basketball team in three decades claim a BVC championship and a top 10 state ranking throughout “I’m never most of the season would going to get be winning in over (this its own right.

But this loss). It was (25-8 overall the most and 11-1 in the painful thing BVC) Comet squad accepts I’ve been no moral victhrough tories.

“Everyone since my dad looks at (this was in the season) as a success but we hospital.” set out to get to Dwight Wilson the conference Comet guard championship and into position to win a state championship,” Comet men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson said. “Not to take anything away from our players, but when you are talented and you work hard you are supposed to win.

“As good as we were we just couldn’t overcome ourselves.”

After making quick work of Cosumnes River College in the second round of the playoffs, and fighting their way back from a 20-point deficit against Feather River College to win in the third

round, the Comets displayed resolve usually reserved for perennial playoff contenders.

But on Saturday, from the opening tip, the Comets did more to diminish their own efforts than at any point in the season.

Players missed four shots in the paint to start the game, opportunities that would have changed the complexion of the first half.

“At this point in the season, with only four (NorCal) teams left, everybody is good,” Johnson said.

“Everything that we’ve harped on all year gets exposed at this level.”

The Rams’ (28-6 overall and 11-1 in the Central Valley Conference) style of substituting players in waves is one thing to hear about and prepare for, but actually playing a team that rotates five new players every four minutes is difficult to keep up with even for the best conditioned athletes.

“I wasn’t tired. I wanted to be in the game,” Comet forward Larry Wickett (12 points and 13 rebounds) said. “I wish we could have done more to get me the ball, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll do all of the little things, rebounding, loose balls, whatever it takes to win.”

The Rams struck early and often. They raced to a 13-6 lead against the Comets only five minutes into the game.

Back-to-back layups by guard Anthony Sullen (40 points and five rebounds) and a 3-pointer by Dwight Wilson cut the Fresno lead to four with 12 minutes remaining.

“I’m never going to get over (this loss). It was the most painful thing I’ve been through since my dad was in the hospital,” Wilson said. “They had a good team philosophy and stuck to it. From the one to the five spot, everyone was on the same page.”

With CCC cutting into the Ram advantage, another batch of sub-

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

stitutes hit the floor for the home team. This was the first unit for Fresno and it extended the fourpoint advantage to a 27-17 lead with nine minutes remaining in the half.

In three minutes, Fresno’s 10-point lead ballooned into an 18-point advantage as it carried its lead into the half.

“Some of our guys got caught up in the moment, being down 23 points early,” Johnson said.

“Everybody wanted to win on the offensive end but it was more about defensive discipline.”

At halftime, Fresno City led the Comets 63-44.

After the break, Jeremiah Alston found his stroke for the Comets. Alston’s nine points in a row, punctuated by a four-point play in front of the Comet bench, cut the deficit to eight, 73-65, with 11:30 left to play.

This was the shift in momentum that the Comets had been waiting for. After slicing a chunk out of the Fresno lead, CCC set up its full court press in hopes of forcing the opposing ball handlers

into a turnover.

Fresno broke the press and the momentum, cutting to the basket for a score.

The Rams subbed a fresh five onto the court and within minutes pushed the lead back to 11. Sullen’s dunk, followed by Rae Jackson’s steal kept the pressure up while the Comet defense blanketed the Ram guards.

Still, every Comet’s miscue translated to points for Fresno.

And every attempt to climb back into contention was met with intensity and opportunistic shooting that thwarted any momentum toward a comeback.

By the end of the game, CCC shot 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Fresno shot 50 percent from both the 3-point line and the field.

“It’s hard to sleep,” Comet forward DeAndre Russell said. “It was heartbreaker losing one game away from state. But we have to keep our heads up and remember that we are students first.

“We all need to finish school strong and get our degrees.”

Guard Dwight Wilson eyes the scoreboard as time runs out on the Comets’ run toward a state championship. The team lost its Regional Final game 100-89 at Fresno City College on Saturday.

BASEBALL SQUAD BEGINS BVC PLAY, SPLITS NAPA SERIES Home loss undermines defensive road victory

BY Dylan Collier STAFF WRITER

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Comets faced off against Napa Valley College in a home and away series on March 1 in Kentfield and played the second game Thursday at the Baseball Field.

Contra Costa College (5-7 overall, 1-1 in the Bay Valley Conference) split the series by winning on the road against the Storm (8-7 overall, 1-2 in the BVC) and losing at home.

The teams were equally matched as the winner of each game was determined by a two-run margin — CCC won 4-2 on March 1 and lost 9-7 on Thursday.

Comet baseball coach Brian Guinn said because Saturday’s game at Mendocino College was rained out, it was rescheduled for Monday, weather permitting.

As of press time, the team’s next game is scheduled for Thursday against Laney College at 2 p.m. in Oakland.

After winning on the road March 1 the Comets sought another victory on Thursday, but Napa jumped out to the lead in the first inning with one run.

“We kind of dug ourselves a hole today and had five errors on top of that,” Guinn said. “They had a player that got that one hit right on the line and hit the chalk — it’s

a game of inches sometimes.”

In the top of the fifth, Napa’s left fielder Cody Marshall scored on an error committed by shortstop Jamal Rutledge. Later the Storm’s first baseman Guinn Austin Fitzpatrick flied out to right field while their shortstop Tarren Dahlgren tagged up and ran home.

The Comets, now trailing 3-2, brought in relief pitcher Justin Tonge in the top of the sixth to close out the inning, but Napa wasn’t done making an offensive dent in the scoreboard.

Napa Valley pitcher Jack Gamba singled allowing third baseman Logan Garrett to run home from third. The game spiraled out of CCC’s control at this point when Storm shortstop Tarren Dahlgren singled in first baseman Triston Foley who had been on second base.

The damage kept coming when Gamba scored on a fielder’s choice play. In all, Napa widened the gap, scoring three runs in the sixth, to put the score at 6-2.

The home team showed signs of life when left fielder Eric Whitfield started off the bottom of the sixth hitting a single and a subsequent double, crushed by Comet right fielder Evan Ray. This play advanced Whitfield to third base and first baseman Allen Ressler kept the

“We kind of dug ourselves a hole today and had five errors on top of that. They had a player that got that one hit right on the line and hit the chalk — it’s a game of inches sometimes.”

— Brian Guinn, baseball coach

offense going with a sacrifice fly for Whitfield to run home. At this point, the Comets were within three runs of Napa, at 6-3.

“It was a curve ball low and away,” Ray said. “It was a good hit. I kept my hands back and drove it to right field, right in the gap.”

In the bottom of the seventh Comet second baseman John Velasco hit a sacrifice fly to center field for third baseman Bryan Perez to score making it 6-4.

But Napa wasn’t done scoring as second baseman Ben Phim drove in catcher Oliver Weaver in the top of the eighth inning. The Comets couldn’t stop the bleeding as Napa drove in two more runs to put the score at 9-4.

The Comets kept fighting into the bottom of the ninth when Whitfield singled to advance Velasco to third bringing center fielder Bryce Hutchings home.

The next batter Ray singled helping Whitfield to advance to second sending Velasco across home plate.

“We came up a little short today,”

Whitfield said. “But we COMETS rallied back in the bottom of the ninth and I had a nice hit in that last inning.

I stayed out in front of the pitch and was able to keep STORM my hands back.”

In the first game on March 1, the contest remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Storm STORM scored their first run to put them momentarily in the lead 1-0.

CCC responded in the top of the fifth inning COMETS when Comet first baseman Chris Brue hit a solo home run, followed by Velasco drawing a walk, and then stealing second base.

The two-out rally continued when Whitfield singled to bring Velasco home from second base.

Napa knotted the game in the bottom of the fifth, but the Comets scored another run in the top of the sixth, and another in the top of the eighth.

For two more innings the Comet pitching was dominant, preventing the Storm from scoring any more runs for the remainder of the game. CCC held its lead and won the game 4-2.

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