Volume 54, Issue 29 May 29, 2020 advocate-online.net
FOR THE STUDENTS BY THE STUDENTS
Chloe Collins: Editor in Chief 2019-20 PAGE 2
Supermarket Super Hero: Time to check out PAGE 12
Movie theaters roll with the punches PAGE 13
THE PAST LEADERS OF THE ADVOCATE PAGE 11
Humor amidst the COVID-19 outbreak PAGE 6-9
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2019 FIRST PLACE
General Excellence
Pacific Northwest Assoc. of Journalism Educators
EDITORIAL | OPINION
A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T
ASG-RETHINK THE PROCESS
In this crazy time we are in, colleges, students and faculty can fall victim to lack of transparency. And Mt. Hood Community College, in the past year, has been stuck in some controversy regarding funding plans around various programs, with “lack of transparency” being a common complaint. At the moment, the institution is having some trouble over the Associated Student Government (ASG) election process. ASG is a big part in being the medium between the students and the college, and it is student-driven. However, a
“AT THE ADVOCATE, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION REGARDING THE ONGOING CAMPUS CLOSURE HAS MADE EVERYTHING DIFFICULT...” couple recent issues at the college and the campus COVID-19 closures have been detrimental to the state of ASG, and their role in Student Life activities. When Mt. Hood was going through its serious budget
deficit issue last autumn and this winter, it was the process by which seven academic programs were being cut that drew the criticism. It seemed there was a disconnect between what the District Board of Education and the institution’s Vice President of Instruction was after, compared to the wants and needs of the students, faculty members, and community members. This turn of events, which left many community members in shock, was a marker to students that in order to get their voices heard by the administration, they needed to give more feedback to ASG. In a recent letter to the editor here at The Advocate, a previous ASG president at Mt. Hood shared that they were disappointed to learn that the administration may make a decision to make ASG president and vice president for 2020-21 appointed positions, instead of the elected ones that they’ve been traditionally. This is another conflict of interest, as ASG has been an important outlet for student voices, ones
“...BUT CHANGING THE VITAL PROCESS OF VOTING WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD, AND PAINT A BAD LIGHT FOR THE STUDENT BODY OF MHCC.”
that are independent of the college institution. At The Advocate, we understand that the current situation regarding the ongoing campus closure has made everything difficult, especially regarding ASG elections – but changing the vital process of voting would do more harm than good, and cheapen any declared recognition of rights of the student body of MHCC. In addition, an essential part of ASG is to provide its participants the experience of not only leadership with real impact, but also reflect how entrance into leadership is done in real-world politics. Closing elections for ASG students would not only deprive its members of the experience on how to run for office, but also the full experience of running a government. Ultimately, closing down the traditional elections for ASG candidates also sets the path for ASG to no longer represent the student body. It also allows questionable decisions like the academic program cuts made earlier this year to become more common.
MY FAREWELL TO THE ADVOCATE
Chloe Collins The Advocate
None of us could have predicted the ending of our 2019-20 school year. Actually, 2020 has already thrown us so many curveballs. In just five months we have seen the loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, raging wildfires in Australia, a nationwide lockdown lasting over a month, and the U.S. government formally acknowledging the
existence of UFOs. Between all of those events and all of the hard decisions that have been made at MHCC this year, I’d be lying if I said it was never overwhelming being Editor-inChief here at The Advocate. However, working for The Advocate the past two years has always felt like an honor, and being Editor-in-Chief was no different. Our team has worked so hard to cover events, news, and popular culture for fellow Saints at MHCC this year. We have been at volleyball and basketball games, attended mock funerals and musical rehearsals, and walked through art galleries and special events. All of this goes to say that my love for The Advocate, this school, and all of the unique people attending it has given me a perspective on what’s in store for
this college, which I would like to share. As I get ready to graduate from Mt. Hood and move on to the next phase of my college education attending UNC for journalism my hope is that MHCC will make all future decisions with true transparency and in the absolute best interest of the students. It is true that most of us are only here for two or three years. However, we come to this beautiful campus several times a week (I guess now we check in on Blackboard), and we develop bonds with those around us, including instructors, people we share classes with, and those who join the same co-curricular programs. Many students at MHCC have younger siblings who will follow them in a few years, and they deserve to attend a school that puts
for the students by the students Editor-in-Chief Chloe Collins
Graphic Design Editor Eli Rankin
Associate Editor Omar Saradi
Copy Editor Chris Barney
Arts & Entertainment Editors Kurt Larson Eli Rankin
Broadcast Producer
Opinion Editor Omar Saradi
Broadcast Tech Director
News Editor Daniella Young PA G E 2
Naethaniel Lile Gage Linhares
Broadcast A.D.
Wensdai Pearson
Broadcast Hosts Robert Frank Thomas Silk Kurt Larson Mazey Copeland Photo Team Bethy Fallgren Ad Manager Parrish Chang
Staff Writers Brad Le Daniella Young Kel Buell Laura J Clement Omar Carrillo Ash Espinoza
them first. Saints care about what happens to our school. We care about what programs are offered. We care about which co-curriculars will be receiving funding next year. We care about the hours of the cafeteria. We care about each other, and it has been so amazing to see what Saints are capable of. This year, the ASG (Associated Student Government) kept Barney’s Pantry going and helped tons of Saints stay fed. MHCC’s women’s basketball team made it to the NWAAC championship for the third straight time, and won their only contest. The Advocate won second place in general excellence this year in the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association’s collegiate competition. The Multicultural and Diversity Resource Center began holding student voice forums this year, giving students a
@mhccadvocate
Social Media Manager [Position Open] Distribution Specialist Julia MacDonald Advisers Dan Ernst Howard Buck
physical space to discuss concerns pertaining to campus. Saints held discussions about Hong Kong protests, Martin Luther King Jr.’s life work, and women’s suffrage. The list of amazing things our community did this year continues. All of this goes to say, it is in the best interest of this school for the administration to actively listen to advice and input of Saints, and the Mt. Hood community in general. Do not make decisions ahead of time and take “backlash” later, but rather, present an idea and accept ideas and alternatives from a community of people who love this school. I’m excited to see what the next academic year has in store for this community.
@theadvocateonline
@mhccadvocate
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NEWS/ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
M AY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0
THE VIRTUAL GATHERING OF MHCC’S GRADUATES Daniella Young The Advocate
Graduation ceremonies at MHCC will take place virtually this year, on Saturday, June 27. New Mt. Hood graduates will be recognized this month, just a few weeks later than usual, a decision based on the feedback from an online survey of students impacted, said John Hamblin, executive dean for student development. For the prerecorded festivities, MHCC is seeking submissions from college faculty and administrators of short, 15-30 second videos to play during the ceremony. The short messages are to include the well-wisher’s name, their program, and a congrats to students.
It’s advised that the video be recorded on Zoom, or on a smartphone with a high-quaity camera. It must be sent to the college in an MP4 format (standard for most devices today). To submit a video, visit the shared drive: https://saintsmhccmy.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/ hamblinj_mhcc_edu/EtTplSqUQRGoHjM_07aInoBCi0k8MEvLN 9zBd8RXNdKaQ?e=fJ24kI The submission period closes at 3 pm on June 5. Release of the prerecorded ceremony will take place on YouTube Live on June 27.
TIME TO SLING SPELLS IN THE ARENA Parrish Chang The Advocate
With all the extra, quarantinerelated time we have, it is a great opportunity to start new hobbies or find new games or activities that you can enjoy – including “Magic: The Gathering,” a traditional trading card game that has been around for years. The game publishers have over 2,000 thousand different cards at this point, growing with their most recent set, “Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths.” “Magic” was the first major trading card game that was a massive success and it is still going strong with many competitions with large prize pools, due to Wizards of the Coast (its publisher)
being such a large corporation. While the physical Magic cards can get a little pricey, it also can be a hard hobby to get into, especially because of social distancing. This is where the famous digital version, “Magic: The Gathering- Arena” comes into play. “Arena” is a computer game where you can play Magic online with other people, for free. You really can win and play this game for absolutely free, but there are completely optional in-game purchases that are mostly just aesthetic enhancements, and don’t improve the game in any way. Since it’s a strategy-based game, you are free to build your deck in any way you like and still win. The game starts with a tutorial,
so it teach new players the basics of the game, and the gameplay against real people teaches you new strategies and how to build a better deck. Magic the Gathering is a classic game that deserves all the praise it gets. It’s where anything can happen, and it is filled to the brim with cool cards and different game modes. There are also plenty of Magic players on YouTube and Twitch who can help you gain inspiration for your Magic the Gathering experience. You can find Magic the Gathering: Arena on the Epic Games launcher, or just find it on the Magic the Gathering website.
FOR THE STUDENTS BY THE STUDENTS
Like what you see from The Advocate? Would you like to share news with your fellow student? Cover by: Eli Rankin On the cover: Editors-in-Chief of 2019-20 Past vs. Present
Contact us! E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 Website: advocate-online.net Mt. Hood Community College Room 1369 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham OR 97030 PA G E 3
Then come join the 2020-21 Advocate Team! Contact us at Advocatt@mhcc.edu
GET TO KNOW THE ADVOCATE
The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.
Daniella Young Temporary Editor-in-Chief
Daniella Young, 19, is a freshman and she’s had a blast this year with the Advocate! She’s grateful for the opportunity of working with everyone on the team and has enjoyed writing stories and interviewing people around the college. She hopes to keep growing and learning and plans to major in Elementary Education here at Mt. Hood, as well as possibly minoring in music; she also loves to sing in choir, play guitar, volunteer, read, and walk her dog, Spinner.
Panic Inc:
Handhelds, Hope, and Honks Chris Barney
The Advocate When it comes to video gaming, it would seem that a game about a goose that goes around harassing people in a comedic, nonviolent manner would be no more exciting than watching paint dry. Of course, that precise game exists and is much more popular than it was expected to be. “Untitled Goose Game” was developed by House House and published by Portland-based Panic Inc. and released in 2019. Panic didn’t expect the game to be particularly successful, but, according to a Willamette Week newspaper interview Pictured: Steven Frank (Left) & Cabel Sasser (Right)
with the publishing firm’s co-founders, within weeks of release the game was “a certified viral sensation.” Eventually I chose to familiarize myself with this phenomenon. Essentially this is a puzzlestyle game where the user is given a list of tasks to complete. Some are rather self-explanatory while others, such as “Have a picnic,” require more creativity to find the solution. To form my opinion I first chose to watch a gameplay video. At the start I wasn’t particularly impressed, but decided not to make any hasty judgments. And following some additional viewing, I was pleasantly surprised. This turned out to be the style of game I personally enjoy and it was humorous – a powerful mix! Overall, Untitled Goose Game is just one example of what it is that makes Panic Inc. unique within its industry. The software and video game company was co-founded in 1997 by Steven Frank and Cabel Sasser who are, as Willamette Week describes, “lifelong Portlanders and friends since high school.” While Panic does publish video games, it has also released (or is preparing
to release) other projects, as well. One of the founders’ areas of concern is for all those who would make the games of the future. To aid in that endeavor, they have released a set of programs that can be utilized for different aspects of game creation. This is observed by visiting to their website. The viewer is greeted by their logo and a one-sentence description of who they are, which reads “Hey. We’re Panic. We make super nice software. And soon, a brand new code editor.” Next is a display of three of their software programs, the two games they published, and their handheld system, which is still in the works. Among the titles in Panic’s line of software are “Transmit,” which is used for transferring files; “Prompt,” an SSH client for iPhone and iPad; and a code editor, which is, simply enough, called “Code Editor.” It’s worth mentioning that the work of Frank and Sasser has certainly not gone unnoticed. Early in Panic’s history they caught the attention of someone quite well known– Steve Jobs – Willamette Week noted. The duo had been working on a deal with AoL. (America Online), which wound up falling through. After an email exchange, they wound up in a meeting with Jobs. No deal with Apple ever resulted, but the co-founders decided that if one ever were made, they would turn it down. All that aside, Panic is soon to release the pair’s own system. For a majority of its existence, their work has been primarily focused on software and game publishing. More recently, they made the decision to try a new endeavor – deciding to make something tangible, something that can be touched
and held. Thus was born the idea for their new, handheld “Playdate,” designed in partnership with Teenage Engineering and due for release sometime this year. The games for the system will be made in partnership with multiple, unnamed game designers. The physical appearance of the Playdate is similar to Nintendo’s “Game Boy” but smaller, and with the addition of a crank handle on the side. On its website, Panic describes Playdate as “our celebration of the video game.” One major difference between Playdate and other handheld systems is that Playdate will not feature any physical games. The games will all be virtual and will be released one a week over a course of 12 weeks. This system, which promises to bring fresh air to handheld gaming, is another example of why Panic is a remarkable creative group in the realm of video game creation. Just one of myriad companies in the video game business, it is also quite distinct. Over their 23 years of working together, the creators have published unique games, rolled out their own software, and even introduced their own innovative system. Whatever they have made or published has their own personal twist to it. It can be said with certainty that Panic is a company with a passion for video games – one that has made worthwhile contributions to the world of gaming, and will be known and remembered for years to come.
laughter in the face of disaster story by Kurt Larson
photos by Bethy Fallgren
N
o matter where you go in the world, you’re bound to find someone who will make you laugh, whether it’s a random passerby taking a pratfall down a flight of stairs or your best friend. However, it takes a particular breed of individual and a certain level of insanity to make a career out of humor. To most of us, the prospect of telling jokes in front of an ever-fickle audience nearly seven days a week and coming up with new material, all while balancing a regular nine-to-five, sounds like a veritable prison sentence. But for those who thrive on the thrill of the audience reaction, the slavish hours, and the thankless dedication it takes, pursuing a career in comedy is all but inevitable. Unfortunately for local Portland comedians Jake Silberman and Shain Brenden, and San Francisco comic Alex Elkin, maintaining such a career under current circumstances is proving rather difficult, as there isn’t a lot of money to be made working clubs or touring with the whole world cooped up at home. While one could argue that comedy is necessary for maintaining good mental health, comedians aren’t exactly “essential workers.” With the coronavirus effectively putting the careers of all but the most well-known comedians on hold, comics everywhere have been struggling to find the humor in this situation. In order to better understand their predicament, Venture Magazine sat down with Silberman, Brenden, and Elkin to talk about the Portland comedy scene, life as a comedian, and COVID-19.
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Jake Silberman Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: The idea of trying stand-up happened while traveling abroad in Central and South America in 2012... I started to listen to podcasts for the first time, and stumbled across comedians’ podcasts. I had a college friend who had been doing comedy for a bit in Minneapolis, so I sent her a message asking her for some advice. And when I returned to Minnesota in early 2013, she took me to my first open mic. I had only seen one open mic in my life, so walking into a comedy club with 100+ (people) was not what I expected. I went up third, bombed extremely hard, and was hooked. Q: As a Minnesota native, what is it about the Portland comedy scene that attracted you? A: I had only been doing open mics in Minneapolis for a few months, but I had a good friend out here and he told me if I came out I could stay on his couch until I got on my feet. I wasn’t working, so I started going to all the open mics and it just became my life. Portland has a great scene to get started in, as there is a ton of stage time every night. One of the housemates let me borrow his bike and I would pedal from mic to mic every night. Q: How has living in/working clubs in Portland shaped the kind of jokes you tell? A: I feel my “brand” of comedy can run into a bit of the Portland sensitivity from time to time, both from the audiences and sometimes even a few of the comics. I think it’s made me a bit more combative, but it’s also pushed me in ways to sharpen the logic and make sure I’m bringing something that I can stand behind when I’m onstage. Q: In what ways does the comedy scene in Portland differ from the scene in other parts of the state, and with other states you may have performed in?
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A: I think overall it might be a little more PC, but in general Portland crowds are pretty great. It just seems like sometimes they can get in their own way, but I’d rather be here than a lot of places. We really do have a lot of amazing opportunities that I don’t think a lot of other scenes have. Q: How has the coronavirus affected your stand-up routines and the jokes you are working on? A: At this point with the lockdown, I’m not doing any stand-up writing. It seems the world is both paused and also moving at an incredible speed, which makes it very difficult to pin down what exactly is happening. I think a lot of comics are finding it difficult to write. I’ve been doing a livestream on Facebook every night for the last three weeks, which has been my creative outlet. But stand-up probably won’t be coming back anytime soon. I think you’ve got to make the best of it and keep working your comedy muscles in whatever way you can, but for me, stand-up is an art form that requires a live audience to perform for.
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Shain Brenden Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: I went to open mics back in San Diego a few times to just watch comics go up and do well, but mostly bomb! It took me a few weeks to write what I thought were jokes and built up the nerve to actually sign up on the list to perform. I did pretty well my first time up. There were two people in the crowd and it was close to 2 a.m. One of the two people was wearing what appeared to be a house arrest anklet. I’m not sure how he was there, now that I think back on it. Q: After starting your stand-up career in California, what is it about the Portland comedy scene that attracted you? A: I moved up here because LA sucked and my wife is from Portland. I knew a handful of Portland comics before moving up here. I was only a few years into stand-up so I had nothing to offer LA, couldn’t really get any stage time, and my rent was $3k a month for a tiny apartment. Portland has been just a better place to grow (for me) as a comic. Q: How has your military experience affected your comedic sensibilities?
A: I don’t talk about my military background onstage. It’s not a conscious decision I ever made, it just isn’t anything I think about when I’m writing jokes. Military folks are a tough-skin breed; there were lots of times someone or myself would make off-color jokes to make each other laugh. If you’re pinned down with me in a several-hour gun fight on the side of a mountain in Afghanistan, I’m probably gonna say some wildly inappropriate shit when the smoke clears because we just survived a fucked-up situation. If I can get a laugh back then, in that circumstance, getting a laugh in a comedy club as a more mature man with relatable content is a fucking cakewalk. Q: In what ways does the Portland comedy scene differ from the scene in other parts of the state, and with other states you have performed in? A: Portland crowds are smart and dumb and sensitive, just like anywhere and every one of us, myself included. You can’t get away with low-hanging fruit type of shit here – which is a good thing, in my opinion. It forces comics to think about what they say and how they say it. Q: How has the coronavirus affected your stand-up routines and the jokes you are working on? A: Everything I was working on before corona is dead. Now that I can’t get onstage and I’m just stuck in my house, I’m not living a life worth commenting on. Also I’ve been still doing a lot of “shows” on Zoom or IG Live and that shit is just not the same. I’ve probably done 12-15 of these shows where my “set” is 10-20 minutes at a time and I’ve done ZERO bits! Q: Do you have a coronavirus-themed joke you would be willing to share?
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A: I have ZERO corona jokes. This shit sucks. I miss stand-up with a PASSION. I miss hanging out with comics, I miss being onstage and feeling people’s energy. Fuck this virus in its ass all day! When I get back onstage I will have zero jokes about it all, because I know that’s what everyone will be talking about.
With stay-at-home orders still in effect across much of the country, stand-up comedians and the clubs they perform in continue to suffer. Despite these challenges, comics are doing their best to adapt to the situation, turning to social media to help provide your daily dose of laughter. While watching your favorite local comics perform standup to a webcam in their bedroom might seem like the comedy equivalent of watching “Seinfeld” without the laugh track, at least you won’t have to travel through downtown traffic to listen to their latest material. Until they are able to return to the stage, Brenden, Silberman, and Elkin can be found at their social media profiles.
Alex Elkin Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: The first time I did stand-up comedy was in March of 1994 for my high school talent show in San Dimas, California. Walking out onto the gym stage I slipped and fell right on my face and got a huge laugh. Since then I’ve been trying to get that same huge laugh without bodily injury. It wasn’t until 2016, after winning the San Francisco Comedy Competition, that I really solidified myself into the annals of stand-up comedy. Q: After starting your stand-up career in California, how does the Portland/Oregon comedy scene differ? A: Southern California is a much more diverse population of differing cultures and races than anywhere in Oregon. While racism is prevalent everywhere, I have never been more aware of it than when I moved to Oregon. There is such a homogeneous, white culture in Portland that goes so far out of its own way to virtue signal a hatred for racism that they won’t allow for any kind of humor that doesn’t affirm this pandering, common belief system. There’s a line between funny and abusive but, in my opinion, the Portland comedy scene has blurred that line so badly that they’ve hamstrung the comedic foibles found in humanity itself. Q: As a touring comedian with an active and growing presence, how has the coronavirus affected your work? A: It has, in all reality, devastated my work. At first I was really dismayed over the sudden and abrupt loss of calendar dates. That work is what provides for my family of five and I was in a slight panic, wondering what I was going to do to bring money in. Get a delivery job? Jump back into sales? Knock over a Plaid Pantry? Over the weeks, I’ve realized that while stand-up comedy in its base form is changing (maybe forever) I gotta either jump in the cart or get left in its dust.
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Q: How has the coronavirus affected the material and types of jokes you are working on? A: There’s a fine line between being relevant and topical, versus being cliché or “hack.” This pandemic and quarantine has changed the world and EVERYONE is well aware of it, so as a comedian, making jokes is fairly expected. However, being that this crisis is really not funny – (at least) yet – I am trying to write jokes that don’t address it as much. Q: How has Portland’s reputation for having a strong “SJW” culture affected the shows you have performed in the city? A: The hindering SJW reputation of the Portland comedy scene is quietly discussed in the comedy community the same way Voldemort is handled throughout the stories in the profitable world of “Harry Potter”: It’s a real thing, whispered in the shadows of private DMs or back-alley conversations. Most fear it, and don’t dare bring it up in open conversation for fear of negative reprisal. Q: Do you have a coronavirus-themed joke you would be willing to share? A: COVID-19 should be treated like a high IQ. Most people assume they have it; however, if tested, (they) would be happy with neither of the results.
Alex Elkin Alexelkin.com Jake Silberman Twitter: @ thecomedianjake Shain Brenden Instagram: @ shainbrenden
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PA G E 9
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
a d v o c at e - o n l i n e . n e t
ASG ELECTIONS IN DOUBT WHERE’S THE VOTE MHCC? FORMER ASG President & OCCSA State Chair CONCERNED Hello Mt. Hood Community College! Congratulations graduating class of 2020! May your futures shine brighter than you can imagine! Today I write this letter to The Advocate after hearing the most recent news about the hiring process for ASG Leadership not being run as an election process, but an application for the student position as President and Vice president of ASG for 2020-2021. As a former student government president seeing the application process for the current student government process is disconcerting. This isn’t the first time that I have seen the administration tamper with student government processes at Mt. Hood Community College in the past two decades. The student fee budget is too important to risk losing control of as a Student Union. This is already a significant concern after the reduction of college offerings and the Budget meeting when ASG was advised to act against their bylaws and remove Co-Curricular funding, but keep Athletics 50% of allocated student fees, unaffected. My concern with the decisions to push the Student Government in the direction of the current rendition of the nation’s Federal administrative example is excruciatingly glastnost. The concern with an inability to provide a platform for emergency elections needs to ride on a few factors that need to remain clearly student involved. At the least, Student Organizations Council needs to remain intact and remain involved with the process, as the clubs who will be the most affected are those who already have an investment in their year of graduation. This is where that ‘Slippery Slope’ comes in as we need to have a discussion of a reduction in student fees or an addition of equal services provided with the funds from the Student Fee. Your Co-Curricular and Athletics programs are paid for through Student Funds, and the ASG being hired through the college hiring process brings up a few significant concerns. ASG will need to be paid a fair hourly wage and need to be considered in a potential union support package, since the college will be digesting them. Reducing Student Fees to reflect the percentage of time administered to any student run groups would be the most fair use since the budget was passed but we are still talking hundreds of thousands of dollars just drying up and going somewhere the board allocates with no input from the students paying for the fee initiated only for Student Life. But mothballing ASG also has repercussions felt on campus and in your government on a state and federal level as well. One of the proudest moments of my service to MHCC was lobbying for more student dollars and you see the work we did during 2002 in the creation of the Hope Scholarship as Mt. Hood joined the voices of College students around the nation. And programs that would work toward the future plans of the college’s success and support, like clubs based on Forensics and communications, should be reconsidered a resource for programs like the new Sociology department, not an obstacle.
PAST ASG PRESIDENT ‘DISAPPOINTED’ To Whom It May Concern, I was recently made aware of a decision that would turn the Associated Student Government (ASG) positions of President and Vice President from student elected positions into appointed ones. The positions are supposed to be held by students who focus on making all students’ voices heard in the administration, at the Board of Education, and down in Salem. By making them appointed positions, they become figureheads and basically mouthpieces for the administration. This would be a great tragedy for the voice of the students of MHCC. I acknowledge the current situation with COVID-19 is complicating the process of the election, but it doesn’t mean we don’t try. Community college is supposed to be a time to learn and practice, in a real world setting skills, that will be used in the future. We don’t just throw away practices backed by the ASMHCC Constitution and Bylaws, because the situation is hard. Would we want that same situation to happen at a local, state, or federal scale? I hope I am wrong, but it seems there is a plan to use a bad situation to limit the students’ voices at MHCC. I am disappointed in the administration and the ASG for allowing this to happen. As a representative of the students, I am surprised the ASG President is so quiet on this. The duty of the president’s position is to stand up for the students to make sure their voices are heard. I wonder how many students know this is happening. I wonder if anyone has taken the time to explain to the students what it means for a change like this. If anything, has anyone explained who’s on the selection committee and how transparent the selection process is? I applaud the Advocate for being the student voice as others go silent. I hope enough light can be shone on this situation so the decision can be reversed.
VOTE?
Thank you for the opportunity. Nikki Jauron ASG President & OCCSA State Chair 2001-2002
Sincerely, Stephen Emery ASG President 2005-2006 ASG Vice President 2004-2005
A MESSAGE FROM student life The Associated Student Government (ASG) has been working to best support students and finding ways to adapt during these unprecedented times. Due to COVID-19, ASG has determined that the best way to move forward with the selection of the 2020-2021 ASG members is through an interview process. A selection committee will be formed of current ASG members, Student Life staff, and MHCC students at large. Our hope is that this group will be able to bring a wide variety of experience and perspective to the selection of the 2020-2021 President and Vice President. If you are interested in serving on the selection committee please contact Rozina Lethe, the Student Leadership & Engagement Coordinator, at rozina.lethe@mhcc.edu for more information We are still accepting applications for all positions on the the 2020-2021 team. If you are interested in this opportunity please visit www.mhcc.edu/ASG/ to learn more or contact Rozina Lethe, the Student Leadership & Engagement Coordinator, at rozina. lethe@mhcc.edu for more information. We hope you are all doing well, and staying safe. Thank you!
MHCC STUDENT GOVERNMENT Position Application https://www.mhcc.edu/asgpositionapplication.aspx PA G E 1 0
NEWS
M AY 29, 2020
PAST ADVOCATE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF:
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Brad Le
The Advocate Over the past few years, the Advocate has been fortunate to have had many talented leaders who have served as Editor-in-Chief: the one individual (in most cases) who ultimately decides on its content and coverage. The 2012-2013 edition serves as a special year for The Advocate, as that is when our newspaper started posting complete issues online, via Issuu (https://issuu.com/ theadvocate). It also was the year that Howard Buck, a faculty co-adviser to the Advocate, joined his colleague, Dan Ernst, who has been advising since the early 2000s and was an Advocate writer himself in the 1990s. As Chloe Collin’s year as Editor-In-Chief for the challenging 2019-20 school year comes to a close, it is a special moment for the Advocate to recognize past leadership: What are past editors up to now? It’s also a moment to see how the Advocate has developed into what it is today: a proud collective of friends with the goal of not only establishing the truth, but also being a voice for the student community – For the students by the students. 2012-13 MIKE MATA “When I finished my time with The Advocate and MHCC at the end of the 201213 school year I decided that while journalism had been my initial interest into college, my career would be in a different field. I took a few years off of school Mike Mata in 2020. but returned to Portland Community College and then transferred to Portland State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in history last year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was narrowing down my choices for graduate school, where I hope to earn my Ph.D. in history.” 2012-13 JOHN TKEBUCHAVA “After finishing my time with MHCC and The Advocate, I transferred to Portland State University to finish my degree. A few years later, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Soon after, I moved to Arizona to begin work as a public relations coordinator for a school district. Looking to do some traveling, I decided to leave my job in the States and moved overseas to Vietnam and settled in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where I have been working as an English teacher for over a year after attaining a CELTA.”
2013-14 KATELYN JACKSON (HILSENBECK) “After my time at MHCC, I transferred to the University of Idaho where I received my bachelor’s in public relations. While there, I served as editor-in-chief of its student newspaper, The Argonaut, and creative director of the student magazine, Blot. Now, I conduct public outreach for highway construction projects in the Portland metro area for the Oregon Department of Transportation. I’m thankful for my student journalism experiences and Katelyn Jackson (Hilsenbeck) at the use the writing, Columbia Gorge. editing, managing and design skills I developed through it every day.” 2014-15 GREG LEONOV “After earning a broadcasting degree in 2018, I studied political science at Portland State. I picked up some contract work as a KXL radio board operator. In seven years as a student journalist, I’d developed a nasty habit of following headlines. But, with rumblings of a recession looming I took on temp jobs, including busy work for a waste disposal company. Not long after, I lost my father to a heart attack. This still affects me. I abandoned dreams of media glory and now work as a dispatcher, keeping trash trucks rolling from A to B to C. I hope for more interesting twists and turns ahead.”
Oregon to develop a Young Professionals Board that will fundraise and bring awareness to the work they’re doing to keep children with their families, when possible.” 2018-19 MEGAN PHELPS “After graduation I was hired at a small Matana McIntire and friends at a business in Portland journalism conference in Seattle as a marketing in 2017. communications specialist. Flipside Hats makes hats and accessories out of repurposed, recycled, and organic materials. They opened a new position based on my experience at The Advocate! I managed product listings on e-commerce platforms, created email campaigns for different audiences, and added to my customer service abilities. My years at The Advocate led me to an amazing opportunity to try marketing at a cool brand with a great purpose. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic I was temporarily laid off in mid-March, with no set date for my return. Currently I’m seeking new job opportunities in my degree (field), administrative office.” Photos provided by interviewees
2015-16 ADAM ELWELL Declined to be interviewed. 2016-17 GLORIA SAEPHARN “I still talk to my core editors from 2016-2017 almost every day. They’re like family to me. Since then, I’ve never really left the mindset of being editor-in-chief. Being a leader is intuitive for me; I’ve always wanted to stay positive and be a good role model for young adults. I’ve had the chance to teach broadcasting to Saturday Academy students for a weeklong course and am the Summer Sound Producer for 1450-AM radio, KBPS, at Benson Polytechnic High School. Due to various life events, I’m currently finishing my Integrated Media broadcasting degree at MHCC.” 2017-18 MATANA MCINTIRE “Since leaving the Advocate in 2018, I’ve been working as a marketing coordinator at a local restoration company. The skills I learned at The Advocate have been helpful in my role, particularly page design as I produce original marketing materials. Ultimately I’m craving a more creative and philanthropic field of work later in my life. In passing, I enjoy reading and PC gaming, I volunteer in the south metro area, and I an ambassador with the West Linn Chamber of Commerce, serving with the Lake Oswego Lions Club and working with Youth Villages
MHCC President Dr. Lisa Skari and Megan Phelps at Commencement.
Left to Right: Greg Leonov, Megan Phelps, Gloria Saepharn, and Matana McIntire at the University of Washington in 2017.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
M AY 29, 2020
A BLOCKBUSTER-FREE SUMMER
MOVIE THEATERS ADAPT TO CHANGING MARKET Kurt Larson
The Advocate Over the course of the last decade, movie theaters have slowly had to adapt and accept the fact that the growing adoption of video streaming services are putting the traditional theater business out of commission. But with COVID-19 forcing hundreds of millions of individuals to wait out the pandemic in self-quarantine, theaters around the world continue to suffer even more dramatically. With no clear end to social distancing orders in sight, what will happen to this year’s summer blockbusters? Unfortunately for movie lovers around the world, the majority of the summer’s most anticipated films have all rescheduled their releases for the 2020-21 winter season. Both Marvel’s “Black Widow” and “Morbius” have been rescheduled, along with Fast and Furious 9 (aka “F9”), “Candyman,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” and a whole host of others that will be filling out this holiday season’s theatrical releases, if all goes to plan. Not only is the delay of these summer movies a massive
disappointment to audiences everywhere, the money they would have provided the theaters with has left them, and the entire film industry as a whole, in a desperate situation. In an interview with TIME magazine, Richard Greenfield, media analyst at LightShed Partners, stated, “This was [already] going to be the worst year in movie theater history before the coronavirus hit… [but] this is like pouring lighter fluid on the fire.” With cinemas already hurting, this extra loss of revenue has forced them into an even worse situation. A handful of anticipated films still are planned for release theatrically this summer, which could provide incredibly important short-term financial relief. That is, if distancing orders don’t force theaters to remain closed. Among the summer releases still expected to screen are “Wonder Woman 1984,” “A Quiet Place Part II,” “The Forever Purge,” “Tenet,” “Mulan.” These movies are set to screen from June through September, if allowed. Even if they are, there may not be enough of an audience to even make it worth reopening, as many people will likely be hesitant to gather in large crowds before the nation has
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officially reopened. Only time will tell how this situation plays out For now, it’s probably best to keep an eye on the latest streaming releases before you decide to pre-purchase a seat at your local cinema.
‘AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER’ RETURNS TO NETFLIX Omar Carrillo The Advocate
As though magically re-materialized from thin air at just the right moment, the Emmy Award-winning animated series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” returned to streaming giant Netflix’s catalog earlier this month, and little did we know just how much we would soon come to appreciate it once again. Many would consider it a defining work of art for the current generation. Upon viewing this relatively short narrative epic, there is little question why: The Eastern culture and philosophy-inspired story of young Avatar Aang and his quest to defeat evil clearly resonated with its viewers when it first aired more than 15 years ago. Clearly this remains true, because even though it concluded years ago, the show instantly hit No. 1 most-viewed according to Netflix, and has firmly stayed put since. Avatar’s themes have been endlessly praised and analyzed since the beginning, making it seemingly one of the few animated television series with such critical longevity. The biggest reason for this appears to be the strength of said themes, held up by repeatedly brilliant and unique writing. Aang’s journey is one paved with strife, and though the show is geared PA G E 1 3
toward young children, it maturely tackles subjects like genocide and societal disillusionment with an unparalleled grace. Plus, despite the entirety of his tale being contained within only three seasons, the series famously reaches a practically perfect conclusion. Unlike many of its contemporaries in the genre, Avatar never oversimplifies the concept of war just to provide “guy-beatsup-guy” entertainment. It unflinchingly depicts the inevitable suffering that conflict is sure to sow, and it often sacrifices flashiness sure to keep a child’s attention for truly insightful moments of introspection for its characters. It is a risk to focus too particularly on emotion when writing for a program in which action is such an integral piece, and yet Avatar never fails once in striking a perfect amalgam of both storytelling devices. It also must be mentioned how incredibly rich and masterfully weaved the world from which the story is born, another element of Avatar still deeply examined by dedicated admirers to this day. Amazingly, it appears Avatar: The Last Airbender has returned a feeling of swashbuckling innocence to so many during this current period in our history that is very much not so. In this way, it has accomplished the
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impossible in an instant, giving childlike amounts of hope to millions previously preoccupied with so many grim reminders of the responsibilities of adulthood. As the iconic intro-sequence narration
expresses, “I believe Aang can save the world…” 5/5 stars
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A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T
TALES OF URBAN LEGENDS Ashaura Espinoza
The Advocate
We have all heard a legend, at least once in our life. Whether it be about the Boogeyman or the famous Dracula, the Wolfman or the creatures lurking at the bottom of the lake, a tale is passed down from generation to generation and sometimes used as a warning, a way to keep small children in check, a way to explain certain actions – or, simply just a fun way to scare those willing to listen. It’s best to start with one of the greats: the legendary Wolfman. According to History.com, “The werewolf is a mythological animal and the subject of many stories throughout the world – and more than a few nightmares. Werewolves are, according to some legends, people who morph into vicious, powerful wolves. Others are a mutant combination of human and wolf. But all are bloodthirsty beasts who cannot control their lust for killing people and animals.” Many people believed that the way to kill a werewolf was with a silver bullet or rather anything silver. But if you think about it, who wouldn’t that kill? I mean a bullet is a bullet, no matter what you call it, but I guess that’s why it’s called a Web Graphic legend and not “fact.” What was once something thought of as true is now nothing more than a story told around a fire, or seen on a screen or even read about in a book – in the end, nothing more than another chapter of the legends. The next example I want to examine closely is something that still leaves children in fear, to this very day: The Boogeyman was something that haunted my nights and left me with a fear of the dark until my early teens. Around the world, millions of children are terrified each year by the idea of the Boogeyman. Any bump in the night or scratch on their window pane sends them running in terror to their parents. The boogeyman terrifies children around the world into good behavior – or else. He was a way that parents could get their children to behave. Fear does something to us, no matter the age, and that’s exactly what it did, the story brought fear into children’s hearts in order to keep them disciplined. According to Mythology.Net, “The Boogeyman is a mythical monster whose impact can be traced around the world. One of the first references to this legendary creature was found in the 1500s, though it is suspected that the boogeyman has existed much longer than this. It is thought that the boogeyman was originally a reference for mischievous creatures called ‘hobgoblins.’ Throughout much of Europe, hobgoblins are actually quite friendly or limited to light-hearted pranks, but there are tales of hobgoblins who were much more vile in nature. These creatures were said to torment humans – sometimes to the point of frightening a person to death. Regardless of how the boogeyman came PA G E 1 4
to be, he exists as one of the most well-known and feared creatures of all time. There are hundreds of names for the boogeyman around the world – each with their own interesting twist. Because the boogeyman has such a large global impact, it is difficult to determine which country told the first tales of this monster. One thing is for certain – the boogeyman loves to lurk in the shadows of the night and its main victims are disobedient children who don’t listen to their parents. Other boogeymen are more sinister, making it even more important for children to mind their parent’s instructions. The boogeymen have a taste for naughty children and will often sneak into their rooms to carry them away into the night. These children are often never found and are said to be eaten by the boogeyman.” The tales of the Boogeyman have roamed from child to child, from generation to generation, and probably will keep roaming around till the end of time. But, my question is, if the boogeyman supposedly feasts on bad children while leaving the good ones alone, how exactly would he know who’s a “bad” child and who isn’t ? I mean, everyone has done something bad in their life, whether on purpose or accidentally. So, how would you classify a child who’s not remotely good and has done something bad, against a child
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who may not be bad but just gets into trouble often? As a kid it made sense, but now it leaves me more confused than it really should. I guess that’s a question I’ll never get the answer to, and it’s not like I’ll lose sleep over it. So, I guess, it’s on to the next legend. This final legend is one I’m sure we’ve all heard and, if not, hopefully after reading this, you’ll give it a look: This is the Japanese urban legend Kuchisake-onna, better known as the Slit-Mouthed Woman. According to Japan web magazine JW, “One of the most popular versions says it was during a dental procedure... When she was with her mouth open at the dentist, one of the products that the doctor was using smelled so bad that she couldn’t (sit) still, causing the dentist to accidentally slit both sides of her mouth. Another version of the story says that she was the wife or concubine of a samurai and that when the samurai discovered that she was cheating on him, he sliced the corners of her mouth from ear to ear with his katana. Other versions of the tale include that her mouth was slit by a woman who was jealous of her beauty, or that her mouth is filled with numerous sharp teeth, causing the mouth to be cut from the inside. In any case, she lived having her mouth slit open and after her death, the woman returned
as a vengeful spirit (or onryō in Japanese). She covers her mouth with a cloth mask (a surgical mask in the dentist version), or in some iterations, a hand fan or handkerchief. She used the mask all her life after the incident. She also carries a sharp instrument with her. Again, there are different versions, such as a knife, a machete, a scythe, or a large pair of scissors. But the most common is a sickle. The legend says that children walking at night might meet a woman with her face covered by a mask (which is quite common in Japan, especially in winter since many Japanese people wear masks [not considering COVID-19 times]). Then she will stop the child and ask, “Watashi, kirei?” (which means “Am I pretty?”). If the child answers “no”, she will kill them with the sickle. But if the answer is “yes”, the woman pulls away the mask, revealing her slitted mouth and ask “Kore sdemo?” (which means “Even like this?”). If the child responds “no” or even worse, if the child screams, she will kill them. However, if the answer is “yes”, she will slice the corners of the child’s mouth from ear to ear, resembling her own disfigurement. So, there is no correct answer and you can’t run away from her because she is super fast and she will chase you and kill you. Fortunately, there are two ways to survive your encounter with the Kuchisake-onna. One of the most popular versions of the legend says that if you reply to Kuchisake-onna’s saying that her appearance is “average,” she will be confused and you will have enough time to run away. Another way is repeating her question back (“Watashi, kirei?”).” This one, when I first read it, brought a shiver down my spine, because I have always had an odd fascination with Japanese legends and, honestly, the spookiness of it just sets in right. Now, if you’re like me, you read legends from all over and, Web Graphic honestly, some if my favorite legends and tales come from the Japanese. From Bake-Neko to Teke-Teke, they gave it all! If you have a good stomach and feel you can read your way through all of their stories, then by all means, go ahead – I applaud you. But if you feel that you wanna sleep at night without jumping at any sudden sound, then this might not be the stop you wanna get off at. Japanese urban legends tell stories that make you shudder and look over your shoulder, or can make you wish you had a night-light, at least – but the stories, the myths, come to life and I feel this is what makes a legend so easy to believe. In sum, whether it’s something you find intriguing or even remotely interesting, urban legends have made their way throughout history since ancient times, and will always be around as long as there is someone willing to tell their tales and others willing to listen. In my opinion the best tales come with a touch of horror so slight it takes your breath away and leaves you running back for more. Those are the ones that bring a smile to my face because you never know what could be lurking out there in the dark. I mean, they can’t all just be... legends, can they?