The Advocate - Issue 6 - February 5, 2021

Volume 55, Issue 6 February 5, 2021 advocate-online.net

FOR THE STUDENTS BY THE STUDENTS

Russian protests and changes overtake country PAGE 3

Four possible film ideas to try at home PAGE 4

MHCC, OTHER SCHOOLS, PLAN REOPENING PAGE 2

=

Staff writer of the week

PAGE 3

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

2019 FIRST PLACE

General Excellence

Pacific Northwest Assoc. of Journalism Educators

NEWS

A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T

MHCC AND SCHOOL REOPENINGS STILL IN THE WORKS Brianne Burgess The Advocate

Reopening of the Mt. Hood Community College campus to most students and staff remains on pause until further guidance from Multnomah County health officials.

Grade K-12 educators and other school workers have been added to Oregon’s essential worker vaccination priority tier, but what does that mean as far as when Mt. Hood students might return to the main campus, or MHCC’s other facilities?

The easy answer now is, there is no definitive answer.

“Until further notice” and “When it is safe to do so” are phrases we are becoming more and more accustomed to and will continue to be guiding principles regarding any return to classrooms, labs, studios, athletics facilities or other workspaces.

The federal CDC advises Oregonians that “While the introduction of a vaccine is good news it does not end the pandemic. It is going to take time for the vaccine to be widely available and widely distributed in Oregon.”

With reported vaccination shortages and continued changes in distribution protocols in Oregon, even at a time when new coronavirus case numbers have leveled off, a clear timeline is almost impossible to determine.

Early stages of vaccinations won’t be the end of social distancing, either. Scientists and epidemiologists still support face coverings, even for those who get vaccinated.

The effects of COVID-19 on university and college campuses are quite visible. Across the nation, enrollment and retention rates in higher education are down, data shows from a #realcollege survey, a poll that reached out to more than 330,000 students at more than 400 colleges and universities.

Active students are finding ways to cope.

Some found that turning on their webcams (to better engage) during virtual lectures

can boost productivity and that establishing routines can create more of a sense of normalcy.

Behavioral research data shows it takes anywhere from 18 to 245 days to create a habit.

The new habits individuals have developed over the last year, such as face coverings and the obsessive use of hand sanitizer, can be helpful for a safe return to campus activities.

As are most campuses working to plan for lifting of COVID-19 closures and restrictions

on ensuring the safety of staff and students, with weekly meetings to stay on top of developments. Institution-wide procedures and protocols addressing COVID-19 safety measures are enforced and continuously updated.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) have published requirements and guidelines for ongoing

Graphic By Stephanie DeBruin|The Advocate

– once infection rates are deemed low enough to resume in-person operations – Mt. Hood is using a reopening committee to help make important decisions. An emphasis is placed

campus operations while the pandemic is still a safety risk. Public universities and community colleges are advised to develop, implement, maintain and revise evidencebased protocols. These institutions must meet

the requirements of OHA and CDC guidance to establish a safe reopening.

These requirements provide a glimpse into the near-term future of student life on campus.

Examples of protocols include ample signage reminding faculty, staff and students of proper respiratory etiquette and good hygiene. Providing hand sanitizer at high-use areas such as room entrances and exits should come easy.

Plans for disinfecting classrooms, offices, bathrooms and activity areas are required to aid in ensuring the safety of everyone while on campus.

Mt. Hood’s sp ecific reopening checklist promotes behaviors to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus and maintain a healthy environment for operations. Modified layouts inside classrooms that maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet and creating a strong campus culture of proper face coverings and hygiene are among the approaches highlighted.

Smaller class sizes and use of larger rooms are changes to be expected. Grab-and-go meals will be a common alternative to madeto-order purchases in the Vista Dining Hall, and use of personal water bottles for beverage consumption is suggested.

Distance learning will continue and virtual class options will still be offered to those who are at high risk of COVID impacts, students and staff included.

For those interested in further reading, MHCC has issued its reopening plan at h t t p s : / / w w w. m h c c . e d u / B o a r d o f Education/Minutes/083120.pdf The OHA requirements and recommendations for COVID-19 are available at https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/ Documents/News-Updates/OHA-HECChigher-education-health-standards-covidFINAL.pdf

for the students by the students

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Co Editors-in-Chief Daniella Young Brad Le

Graphic Design Editor Stephanie DeBruin

Broadcast A.D. [Position Open]

Ad Manager [Position Open]

Social Media Manager [Position Open]

Arts & Entertainment Editors [Positions Open]

Copy Editor Chris Barney

Web Editor Daniella Young

Distribution Specialist [Position Open]

@mhccadvocate

Assistant Opinion Editor Omar Carrillo

Web Editor Daniella Young

Broadcast Hosts [Positions Open]

Staff Writers Ash Espinoza Carson Koch Marin Thorsen Tyrnan Mcgivney

@theadvocateonline

News Editor Brad Le

Broadcast Producer Naethaniel Lile

Photo Team [Positions Open]

Advisers Dan Ernst Howard Buck

PA G E 2

@mhccadvocate

NEWS

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

RUSSIAN PROTESTS UNDERMINE PUTIN’S GRIP Omar Carrillo The Advocate

Extensively known for his contempt for opposition, President Vladimir Putin once again has flexed his tight grip on the Russian people, who over the past couple weeks have been trying to pry open his hand in response.

After the near-fatal poisoning (a favorite Kremlin method of dissentsilencing) of prominent centrist and Progress Party leader Alexei Navalny in August 2020, Navalny’s subsequent recuperation was largely spent calling out the true loyalties of his unknown assailant, arguing that the person was under direct command from the Russian government to kill, or at least, to incapacitate him.

Navalny’s continuous heavy criticism of the ruling conservative administration, both prior to and following his poisoning, lends plenty of motivation for Putin’s cabinet to do so, a conclusion he is clearly confident enough in repeating loudly.

Sure enough, as though confirming Navalny’s narrative (or at least fearing the uneasy discourse it may further stir), the outspoken critic would be arrested in mid-January by Russian officials, and his aides soon after. He would quickly urge those sympathetic to his cause to make their displeasure toward Russian federal misconduct known.

Evidently, the arrest and his response proved more than enough to almost immediately spark hundreds of outdoor demonstrations – beginning Jan. 23 – across the continent-spanning nation known for its unforgiving winter temperatures, revealing a true collective

resentment of Putin’s authority.

The protests, supported by centrist-to-leftist movements, are therefore heavily opposed by the conservative status quo. Agents of the administration are therefore trying their best to hinder and dissolve the demonstrations, shutting down public transportation and

proved insufficient to quell the fury of locals understanding themselves to have been deeply wronged. Conflicts between the two sides have createde such already iconic images as the ones taken of participants firing snowballs at police forces, the clustered flakes bursting harmlessly, yet with great passion, onto their uniforms.

Web Photo by Bestalex.

arresting journalists and other civilians en masse across the country, among other methods, apparently no-holdsbarred tear gas and stun-gun usage included.

As of Feb. 2, Russian citizens were still marching in incredible numbers, and likely largely because of their resilience, Navalny has just been officially imprisoned, ordered to finish a widely disputed embezzlement sentence with 2 years and eight months remaining, having already spent a year under house arrest.

In quite the hotspot for the protests, officials’ relentless attempts to stifle the massive crowds in Moscow have

Indeed, the iconic legacy of Russia’s current internal strife already grows more perceivable as it continues – representing the long-exasperated attitude of a population more than ready to free itself of a dictator considered entirely intolerable, making these critical days under Putin’s gaze truly emblematic.

GET TO KNOW THE ADVOCATE

Cover by: Stephanie DeBruin On the cover: COVID-19 and School Reopenings Graphic

Contact us!

E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Website: advocate-online.net Mt. Hood Community College Room 1369 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham OR 97030

Omar Carrillo Opinion Editor 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.

Omar is attending MHCC for the second year, majoring in English. He is a life-long lover of stories and all the walks of life through which they are carried. There is no greater satisfaction to him than bringing art he can be proud of into the world.

PA G E 3

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T

FILM RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOVIE NIGHTS

Ashaura Espinoza The Advocate

Movie night, anyone? ‘Cause I’m about to toss a few films into your lap! So, throw on your sweatpants and pop some popcorn, and let’s get this show started!

First up on my list, though not truly a recent release, is an LGBT film called “Saturday Church,” (https://www.imdb. com/title/tt5654600/) a film about “a young African-American male struggling with his gender identity and family tension, so he seeks hope and support in the New York City’s underground LGBTQ ballroom,” as Netflix describes it.

It’s a beautifully directed film and it touched me. As an LGBTQ member myself, I identify as transgender and have struggled and still often struggle with gender identity: Am I masculine enough?

Am I feminine enough? Is it even worth it trying to pursue the life I wanna live, or should I contine to just simply try to pass? Like I said, it’s a beautiful movie and definitely worth the watch!

Another good film to pass the time with is “Goldie,” (https://www.imdb.com/ title/tt7335104/) a film about “when a good teen mounts a gritty pursuit to dance in a music video, [and] must also evade child services so she can keep her younger sisters together,” per Netflix. It’s wonderfully directed and a film that will keep you on edge until the end, and one where I feel you’ll need to put yourself in the main character’s shoes in order to fully immerse yourself; you will only love it more when you do.

Next, don’t let the title of this movie fool you – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10514222/) is a serious film about “(t)ensions and temperatures [rising] at a PA G E 4

Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a recording session.” (Netflix) This film is not only great to watch but also it’s inspiring

and breathtaking to know it is Chadwick Boseman’s final film. Starring alongside Viola Davis, who plays the wonderful Ma Rainey, he is amazing to watch because we are able to see him fully dive into his role even with everything he was going through (terminal colon cancer), and he brings history back to life alongside his cast members. He was an amazing

actor and an even more amazing person, and though I never met him, those who did have nothing bad to say about our Black Panther. May he Rest in Power! Our final film to recommend will arrive in the future. Even though you can’t watch it now, at least you, like me, can make plans to watch it then (hopefully in a theater): “Black Panther 2” (https://www.imdb.com/ title/tt9114286/) is scheduled to be released on July 8, 2022.

Though there isn’t much information yet, from what I have been able to find, Marvel Studios is now starting to develop the sequel again and figure how it can proceed without Boseman.

In order to honor his legacy they will not be recasting the role of T’Challa, nor will they be using a digital double in the film. It seems that our next visit to the land of Wakanda will have us spending more time with the range of characters there, as well as the “mythology” of the land. We might even see Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, become the next Black Panther – as occurred in the comics – but we’ll have Web Graphics. to wait and see!

So there you have it: A small list of films with which to cozy up on the couch and enjoy a nice night in, because, trust me, that’s what I’m gonna do one of these weekends after a long work week, to de-stress and relax.