Fall 2019 Issue 1

C o nne c t i o n THE

University represenatives visit campus to share transfer options See Page 5

Students and staff voice opinions on free speech Issue 1 Fall 2019 Student voice of CRC since 1970

Daily life of a college student athlete See Page 4

See Page 12

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September 26, 2019

Page 2

>>News

Campus food pantry offers fresh produce

By Jacob Peterson jpeterson.connect@gmail.com The Hawk Spot food pantry has started offering fresh produce this semester, said Oscar Mendoza Plascencia, the Student Life and Leadership Center supervisor.

Over the summer, Mendoza Plascencia said The Hawk Spot did test runs handing out fresh produce and started offering it as a regular feature.

“It takes courage to disclose these needs,” said Mendoza Plascencia. “We are looking to cover basic necessities and not just food.”

This semester, they are also handing out diapers and feminine hygiene items, said Mendoza Plascencia.

He added that in the coming semesters, The Hawk Spot will try and add more basic necessities in the future, like shampoo, towels and shaving needs.

“It’s really beneficial,” said 52-year-old Larry Deckaer, a business major who uses the service. “I make minimum wage, and 90% of that is taken up by rent and utilities alone.”

Student Personnel Assistant Jordan Cervantes added that alongside new products, The Hawk Spot also increased the availability of the service this semester.

This includes changing regular pickup times from two hours to four, an additional five-hour pickup day for produce.

They also plan on distributing at the Elk Grove Center.

Mendoza Plascencia and Cervantes both mentioned the desire for refrigeration to store the fresh food.

Cervantes noted anything not taken has to be thrown out.

“Personally, I think it’s a good thing,” said Angel Miller, an 18-yearold English major. “Those are basic ne-

cessities everyone needs.”

Mendoza Plascencia said the changes were possible because of the partnership with the Sacramento Food Bank.

The partnership, which he said began this summer, was what lead to the addition of fresh produce.

The Hawk Spot, along with other Student Life services, will be included in the Hawk Cares program.

The program, which is still developing, is currently aiming to establish a single location for students to find and use the various Student Life programs.

The Hawk Spot is located in T-111 and allows students to pick up items once a week.

The hours are 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and produce pickup on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Appointments can be made on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at crc-studentlife@crc.losrios.edu.

Photos by Summer Lomendehe | The Connection

Above: A student picks up items from the Hawk Spot Pantry over at T-111. Students can use the Hawk Spot pantry once a week.

Below: Students collecting produce from the pantry. The Hawk Spot is also passing out diapers and feminine hygience products this semester.

Homes For Hawks

Hawk Swap

Showers for Homeless Students

According to the Student Life and Leadership office, Homes for Hawks serves as a housing resource hub. They aim to secure accurate and sustainable housing information for those who seek affordable housing options.

The program provides access to new or gently used clothing. Hawk Cares relies on donations from staff, students, and off-campus organzations. Hawk Swap is in the quad every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In accordance with Assembly Bill 1995, enrolled students may use the shower facilities in the Small Gym. They are available for use Mon-Thurs 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. A pack of toiletries and towels are available from the SLLC in T-108.

Textbook Scholarship Every fall and spring semester 15 CRC students are selected through a textbook drawing that provides them with a $250 gift gard to CRC’s Hawk Nest Bookstore. There are no academic or income requirements.

Gowns for grads The CRC Alumni Association in conjunction with the Office of Philanthropy has created the Gowns for Grads program. The program is supporting students with free access to graduation caps and gowns.

Source: Student Life and Leadership Center

Thecrcconnection.com

Faculty working to increase visibility and support for LGBTQ students

By Halimeh Edais hedais.connect@gmail.com

Faculty and staff have been taking steps to establish a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer space on campus.

English Professor Jose Alfaro, who is the Pride Center coordinator, said LGBTQ visibility on campus is one of his top priorities.

“We’ve been gathering to strategize more events that promote inclusivity and visibility,” Alfaro said.

Pride pop-ups began in the spring to bring awareness to the LGTBQ community and start-up a club, said Alfaro The Pride Center won’t only be a safe space, but access to resources and services designed specifically to promote LGBTQ presence and participation on campus will be available too, Alfaro said.

Alfaro said a Pride Center would be the “nucleus” of queer student life.

“The development of “As a bisexual woman a Pride Center is a strong of color, I want to see a indication of college comrepresentation of all the mitment to students where all students are able to feel pride flags on campus.” welcome,” said College President Ed Bush.

The Pride Center col— Princess Jenkins, 18 lective, which is made up psychology major of faculty, have gathered to strategize and to brainstorm ideas to create more events centering around inclusivity and visibility, Alfaro said.

A lot of queer spaces get absorbed into the institution and end up serving the more dominant group, which happens to be the white middle class queer person, said Alfaro.

A survey done by the college through the Social Responsibility Committee highlighted this issue by measuring how safe students feel outside of the classroom. Gay men, in comparison to people of other sexualities that surveyed, said they felt the most safe.

“How can we make this space intersectional?” said Alfaro.

Eighteen-year-old psychology major Princess Jenkins said she has yet to feel represented.

“As a bisexual woman of color, I want to see a representation of all the pride flags on campus,” said Jenkins.

Anthropology Professor Anastasia Panagakos said that making sure everyone feels like they belong, being inclusive and feeling safe on campus is what the college should strive for.

Through group meetings and events, Alfaro said he hopes to educate students and the surrounding community about issues facing the LGBTQ community and to ensure fair treatment of all LGBT students on campus.

Alfaro said he’s found a lot of support with expanding LGBTQ resources throughout campus.

“I think this change has happened because there are multiple people coming together,” Alfaro said.

Page 3

Music certificate offers teaching opportunities

By Allesandra Sarantopulos asarantopulos.connect@gmail.com A brand new Independent Music Instructor Certificate is now being offered by the Music Department.

Department Chair and Music Professor Kurt Erickson is working with the music faculty to discover how many students are interested.

The certificate program was created with the intent of targeting students already enrolled in courses within the music department.

“We created this certificate program because a lot of our students, some of them music majors, some of them not, are interested in teaching music,” Erickson said. “What we found was, students would start teaching another sibling, tutoring a friend or they would graduate and start teaching music or directing a choir in a church.”

The program allows music students to continue working towards their degree while gaining teaching experience before their graduation.

“A lot of our students want to start with those who are beginning students because you don’t actually have to wait before you have four-year degrees, master’s, or post-graduate work before you start

teaching,” said Erickson. “You can do that now.”

Simone Karn, a 20-yearold music major, is planning to pursue the Independent Music Instructor Certificate.

Karn said she plans to earn a degree in music, a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in the future as well.

“My goal is to become a professor,” said Karn. “After seeing how great all of my music professors have been, I thought, ‘yeah, that’s what I want to do.’”

Karn would like to mainly teach high school music classes but to possibly teach elementary music classes as a stepping stone.

“You can learn a lot by teaching,” Erickson said, “It helps to really wrap your head around concepts that maybe you just sort of have a “fleeting” understanding with. But when you are communicating it to someone else and teaching them, it really helps you.

They are starting their career but they are also becoming better musicians.”

The certificate is also being constructed as an element for a student to add on to their degree.

Erickson added that most two-year programs do not include instruction on how to

teach.

“So what we’re saying is: yes, go through your music major,” said Erickson. “Yes, we want you to continue to grow and move forward. But, we also want you to pick up an ability, and a practical experience of teaching so you can do that.”

Andrea Chea, 19, and Annabelle Terry, 17, are both current music majors.

Chea and Terry are both studying voice, but Chea is studying piano as well.

Chea and Terry were both pleased as well as surprised that the certificate program is now official and they both plan to pursue it.

“I heard about the certificate last semester,” said Terry.

“I’m definitely interested in pursuing it next semester.”

Both Chea and Terry have made plans to pursue teaching in their futures. They both agree that the certificate program will be very helpful towards pursuing their music majors.

“It’s a great way to add to your education,” said Erickson. “It’s not that it will be replacing a degree, it’s an addition that you don’t have to significantly increase your time at the school. And I think that is a great opportunity for the students.”

Allesandra Sarantopulos | The Connection

Professor Maxwell Kiesner prepares his Introduction to Music class for presentations on Sept. 18 in Music 306.

Kiesner and music faculty have introduced a new certificate this semester to train music teachers.

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September 26, 2019

Free speech tactics by group cross boundaries, faculty say

By Kellie Bevins kbevins.connect@gmail.com Required by law, the college and the Los Rios district as a whole permits free speech to take place on all campuses, said Public Information Officer Kristie West.

The campus has seen a variety of groups enacting their free speech rights, but particular groups, such as the anti-abortionists Project Truth, possess “certain tactics that often cross boundaries,” said Anthropology Professor Anatasia Panagakos.

“What I heard from students was that the graphic images were the most disturbing part,” said Panagakos.

“The problem wasn’t so much that they were on campus or that they were handing out their literature, but that you were accosted in such a way that you didn’t have a choice whether to look at the images or not.”

West said she believes most students and faculty understand the right to free speech, and if they have an emotional reaction to something they disagree with, the college encourages them to try and avoid those areas.

The group was on campus during the week of Sept. 9., and in response, Panagakos and other Safe Spaces allies decided to table and offer support to be sure students knew this wasn’t a college-sponsored event, said Panagakos.

Panagakos said Safe Spaces is a program on campus dedicated to providing a positive learning and working environment.

Panagakos added that Safe Spaces lobbied to the college administration that when groups come on campus, no matter the group, to have signs put up stating this was not college-sponsored and that graphic images may be ahead.

“The imagery was gruesome and offensive,” said 21-year-old political psychology major Dalton Netherton.

“I realize the campus tried to warn people with signs and emails, but it did very little as you already saw the signs before you saw CRC’s warning signs.”

Panagakos suggested that the community should think about having a free speech forum.

She also said this would educate students on what free

Summer Lomendehe | The Connection

During an unannounced visit to campus, a Project Truth member talks to a student on Sept. 10. Some students and faculty found the messages and images offensive.

speech is and what the campus policy is.

“It’s okay to feel uncomfortable,” said History Professor Diana Reed. “I teach history and we discuss many uncomfortable topics, but we still want our students to feel safe and supported.”

Nineteen-year-old undeclared major Summer Maranghi said she thinks the groups can do what they want, but shouldn’t force it on

people.

“If I have an opinion, I would want to voice it,” Maranghi said.

Panagakos said this is not the only group who has frequented campus; some come to hand out anti-evolution pamphlets, others set up tables with religious outreach.

“Both these groups, however, sit quietly allowing people to come to them, not actively projecting images

or propaganda,” Panagakos said.

Regardless of the group, it can be a learning experience for students, Panagakos said.

“Safe Spaces is not trying to ‘bubble-wrap’ everything, we’re not trying to make it so no one has dissenting views,” Panagakos said. “The idea is that we should have thoughtful dissenting views that aren’t discriminatory or incite problems.”

District allows students to use their preferred names on college records

By Summer Lomendehe slomenedehe.connect@gmail.com

Los Rios students can use their preferred names in addition to their legal ones this semester.

The change, which Public Information Officer Kristie West said was adopted by the district in the spring, will allow students to use their preferred names on documents and records such as class rosters, eServices, Canvas and their student ID. “It’s really important because it’s the students’ identity,” English Professor Heidi Emmerling said.

Media organization GLAAD suggests not asking what a transgender person’s “real name” is in an article about tips for allies of transgender people.

“For some transgender people, being associated with their birth name is a tremendous source of anxiety,” the article said.

Nikki Jones, a 41-year-old music major, said that while she is not transgender, it was always a hassle for her to be referred to by her legal name when she goes by a different name.

“Now, I have the ability from the district to go by the name I identify myself as,” Jones said.

Jones also said she thinks the district should be doing more to let students know they can use names they prefer over their legal name.

Emmerling, however, said she’s liking what the district is doing overall.

“I’m seeing a good effort by our district and I see a lot of inclusion on campus,” Emmerling said.

Emmerling said she adds “they/ them” to her email signature to let students know that they can also use the pronouns. She said the singular use of “they” has been accepted for years, adding that only “strict grammarians” have a problem with using the pronoun for a singular

person.

“The argument is ‘they’ includes the ‘he’ or ‘she’ better,” Emmerling said.

Similarly, Colette Harris-Matthews, the dean of the Elk Grove Center and Automotive Mechanics Technology, also uses they/them in her email signature.

Harris-Mathews said that all students who come to campus should be honored.

“We encourage students to bring their complete selves to campus,” Harris-Matthews said.

Ultimately, Jones said it’s important for faculty to use their students’ preferred names and pronouns.

“If you have respect, you are more willing to ask for assistance,” Jones said.

To change your preferred name, login to eServices, click on the “Profile” tile, select the “Preferred” line, update your information, and click the green “Save” button.

Thecrcconnection.com

Page 5

>>Features

Students learn more about transferring

By Cameron Werblun & Mariana Sanchez cwerblun.connect@gmail.com msanchez.connect@gmail.com Transfer Day, which took place in the quad on Monday, was an opportunity for students to explore different university choices from the admissions representatives who visited the campus to answer questions students had about transferring.

Students had the chance to talk to admission representatives from different Universities of California, California State Universities, out of state universities and a few private

“It’s really helpful because you can learn about different options where you can go.”

— Katelyn Rhines, 19

nursing major

ones.

“They get an opportunity to talk to representatives who don’t normally come,” said Transfer Day Coordinator Emily Barkley. “That’s a huge thing. It gives them exposure to schools they didn’t think about before.”

The goal of Transfer Day is to have students interact with the school representatives and for them to leave more informed.

“I feel a lot more informed and it feels like I have a lot more options than I had before,” said Katelyn Rhines, a 19-year-old nursing major.

“It’s helpful because you can learn about different options where you can go.”

Students were mainly concerned about the cost of tuition, housing, campus life, and other types of requirements like their GPA. “I want to go far so housing is definitely a concern for me,” said said Paola Zamora, a 19-year-old accounting major. “Financial status after college is something I am wor-

Lucy Vang | The Connection

Students talk to admission representatives from various universities during Transfer Day. The event took place on Monday in the Quad with tables featuring different Universities from many states.

ried about.”

A student’s GPA is a very important factor during the transfer process. University representatives shared tips on how to remain admissible to their school.

“If you have a strong GPA you are most likely to be admitted to this school, the higher the credit count the better,” said Grand Canyon University Admissions Counselor Christopher Torres. “You need a 2.25 GPA in order to be admis-

sible. It’s helpful, we know life happens and you’re busy.”

Torres and other university representatives shared their general requirements, facts and other helpful tips to the students at the event. Many students surrounded the university representative’s tables and asked crucial questions about transferring.

“I feel a lot more confident,” said Zamora. “At least I know what schools have my interest now. Two of the

schools that I was really looking forward to I am not anymore because they don’t have things I need. I was interested in UC Davis but now I want to go to San Luis Obispo.”

For questions about transferring, contact Emily Barkley atBarkleE@CRC.losrios.edu, or Transfer Center counselor Megan Neves at NevesM@crc. losrios.edu.

You can also visit the Transfer Center located in the library building.

Page 6

September 26, 2019

Through Their Lenses

By Summer Lomendehe slomendehe.connect@gmail.com

Everyone has a story to tell, no matter how short or long that story is. Some may see their lives as a series of events, like a photographer capturing a moment in a sequence of photos. Mes de Latinx, which officially began on Sept. 15, celebrates the diverse people and cultures of the Latinx community. These students have their own stories about what it means to be Latinx.

K

atherine Mendoza said her family means everything to her. As the older sister of two younger brothers, she said she does everything she can to be there for them and her family.

Mendoza said she’s always liked helping other people in her life, and her drive to support them in addition to her family made her realize psychology was a better fit for her than being a business major.

“I like the way you get to know more of yourself and other people

A

lejandro Anguiano said he always knew he wanted to have an education. Growing up in a working-class family, he said education was never prioritized.

Eventually, Anguiano said that everything in his life led him to Cosumnes River College, where he was introduced to sociology through one of his mentors.

“My life was never the same after that,” Anguiano said.

As a Latinx student, Anguiano said he learned about the term

G

emma Ailis Moreno-Esquivel said that being a Latina is a privilege, and she feels lucky knowing that her culture shares the same values she does.

Moreno said that her family and loved ones mean everything to her. Making sure that she supports her younger brother and her family in any way is very important to her.

“My parents are very hard working and everything they do reflects on how I am as a person,”

around you,” Mendoza said.

Being Latina, Mendoza said, makes her work harder to get into the fields she wants to be in and mark her spot in the world.

“When I say Latina, it just makes me feel empowered and I feel encouraged to embrace it around people,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said her parents always tell her that nothing in the world is given for free.

“If I’m going to be in education and I’m going to be in college, I have to work hard to graduate,

because that’s something I’m doing for myself and for my family,” Mendoza said.

One of the biggest things Mendoza said she’s achieved in life is making her family proud. While she doesn’t live with her family at the moment, she said they support and empower each other a lot, and said she feels like that shows how family is unity in a Latino community.

“Distance means nothing when love overpowers that,” Mendoza said.

Latinx at a conference he attended in San Francisco, and once he began to understand what it meant, he brought it to campus. Anguiano said because he’s transgender, he doesn’t fit into the category of being Latino or Latina.

“I shouldn’t have to pick between the O and the A,” Anguiano said.

To Anguiano, he said being Latinx means knowing his ancestors died for him to be here and getting to say “I love being brown.”

“It’s being grounded,” Angui-

ano said. “It’s being in touch with mother nature.”

Anguiano said transparency and honesty are two values Anguiano said lives by.

“If I can’t be those things, then who am I?” Anguiano asked. “It’s again going back inside the closet and hiding who I am. It’s saying ‘I don’t matter,’ but I do matter.”

With everything that has happened in his life right now, Anguiano said that in ten years, he would thank his current self for not stopping.

Moreno said. “My parents always say to not forget where I come from, we should always remember our roots.”

Moreno said that being a Latina is hard because there are so many stereotypes that the Latinx community faces, and that’s what makes her work twice as hard.

She said she is the first in her family to go to college and her family is very proud.

“I usually have to figure things out on my own because I can’t rely on my parents,” Moreno

said. “They haven’t been through the college process so I had to figure it out myself, that’s why I feel so accomplished.”

Being a Latinx, Moreno said, means that this situation is very common in other Latinx students when it comes to school because most times, their parents don’t know much about it and they can’t really help them.

“This is who I am,” Moreno said. “It’s part of my everyday life and I try to embrace my culture more and more each day.”

Thecrcconnection.com

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Boo: ‘It: Chapter Two’ gets a thumbs down

By Priscilla Garcia-Pargas pgpargas.connect@gmail.com “It: Chapter Two,” the sequel to the hit horror film “It,” opened in theaters on Sep. 6, but despite the hype over the next chapter featuring the infamous Pennywise, the movie was underwhelming. For a three-hour-long movie, the build-up to the climax should have been good but was rather disappointing.

“It: Chapter Two” is based on Stephen King’s famous best-selling horror novel of the same title. The sequel, directed by Andrés Muschietti, follows the story of Pennywise played by Bill Skarsgård (“Atomic Blonde”) and Mike Hanlon played by Isaiah Mustafa (“Shadowhunters,”) who ultimately brought the group back together again. The second and final chapter comes together with the first one to give closure to the Loser’s Club, who have come together once again after 27 years to

Courtesy Photo

Pennywise the clown makes a comeback in “It: Chapter Two.” The sequel premeired in theaters on Sept. 6.

fight Pennywise the clown.

In the first movie, we could see the kids losing their childhood innocence and in the second, they were once again being reminded of what has happened to them

through these hallucinations brought onto them by Pennywise that were also brought onto them in “It.”

While “It” was definitely funnier, the second one had a more serious vibe to

it. The banter between Eddie and Richie, however, was still there and didn’t disappoint even as adults.

Throughout the film, they would show the characters facing some of their fears from

when they were younger that have followed them as adults, these fear were brought on by Pennywise.

While fans of the franchise were worried about how scary “It: Chapter Two” would be, “It” actually came out on top for being scarier than the second. While the sequel plot was more complex in the sense that the adults were figuring out stuff in their lives, it wasn’t as funny or sad as “It,” and it definitely wasn’t as scary with the amount of jump scares it provided.

Jump scares are these things that make a horror movie a bad horror movie because it doesn’t provide enough horror to have chills running up through your spine.

For a horror film based on a novel by one of the most famous horror genre writers of our time, the audience would expected to have nightmares of Pennywise trying to kill them.

Senate president shares passion for helping others

By Mariana Sanchez msanchez.connect@gmail.com Being a student and holding an important leadership role can be very challenging, but Jonathan Leong, the Associated Students of Cosumnes River College Senate President, is determined to succeed.

Leong is a part-time student and majors in business administration. He said he is aware that being both a student and ASCRC President is going to require a lot of him.

“I know he must sacrifice some sleep at times, but he hardly ever complains,” said Student Senate Secretary Kaherine Mendoza. “That just shows how passionate he is about being Student Senate President.”

Leong said that student senate has been lacking severely due to board positions being completely empty last year. He said he and other senate members are going to change that this year by reach-

ing out for more students to join them.

“He’s not only passionate, but he has a vision,” said Oscar Mendoza Plascencia, the supervisor of the Student Life and Leadership Center. “One thing he really wants is for students to be served.”

Leong was one of the students involved in the “Home for Hawks” project, a housing resource that addresses student homelessness on campus.

The project began in fall 2018 by the Peer Mentoring Program.

“One of the projects that Jonathan and a couple students created was ‘Home for Hawks,’” said Mendoza Plascencia. “That’s something they came up with based on needs that they saw.”

As a peer mentor, Leong was responsible for supporting his mentees and making sure they are successful at Cosumnes River College. He said that joining the Peer Mentoring Program impacted him the most.

“I was the quiet kid in class,” said Leong. “I didn’t really feel like I could make an impact, but the Peer Mentor Program made me feel like I was important.”

Leong said he believes that all students on campus should be served. Leong said he wants the students to feel like their voice is important because it really is.

“He is really compassionate,” said Student Senate Member Megha Khanna. “He really cares about the people around him and wants to make a change for the betterment of the society we live in.”

Now that Leong has taken on a role as a leader of a community college, he said he wants to not only make students on campus feel special but to also make his senate team members feel the same.

Leong said believes that working closely with his senate members is important so that they can be successful as a whole. He said his current goal is to focus on supporting

Lucy Vang | The Connection

Jonathan Leong is the current student senate president. Leong, who majors in business administration, hopes to serve everyone on campus.

his senate members and be there to the best of his ability.

“A good leader is someone who is there with their colleagues or with the people they are serving,” said Leong.

“It’s about leading with the group.”

Leong said he enjoys to stay on campus after his classes to continue working

on his projects and help his adviser, Mendoza Plascencia, with anything he needs. He treats his role as a real job and doesn’t mind the extra work, said Mendoza Plascencia.

“Jonathan is like Buzz Lightyear,” said Khanna. “He goes to infinity and beyond with anything he decides to do.”

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September 26, 2019

Thecrcconnection.com

Page 9

>>Opinion

HAWK TALK Compiled by Mariana Sanchez and Alicia Lopez

What do you think about companies like Juul who market their vaping products as a “safer” alternative to smoking?

Amanda Edwards Business administration, 30

“The way they market it with bubble gum flavors and ice cream flavors that appeal more to kids is just disgusting.”

Dayed Amituanai Music, 19

“I do understand that there are a lot of side effects that come with smoking. I don’t think vaping is a safer alternative.”

Denise Williams Business, 47

“As a mom, I think that parents shouldn’t let their children vape or do drugs. It’s important that the parents talk to their kids so that they don’t do it.”

Ernesto Cerriteno Mechanical engineering, 19

“They are trying to market it to gain money. They are targeting high schoolers so they can get hooked on for their rest of their life.”

Agree? Disagree? Let us know at Twitter @CRCconnection or thecrcconnection.com.

EDITORIAL

Federally mandating a ban on guns undoubtedly will protect Americans Gun control in the United States has easily become one of the most divisive policies in the country, largely due to the pervasiveness of gun-related deaths in 2019.

Despite several attempts

by Democratic senators to ban assault weapons, Congress has ultimately failed to pass legislation that would make the possession or purchase of an assault weapon a federal crime.

Communities around the country are mourning the losses of innocent people as mass shootings have become nothing but unfortunate, common-place headlines.

The desensitization of gun violence plays into the lack of enactment, and with fast-travelling news of more people dying due to pulled triggers, our political representatives continue to make a show of turning their backs on those who need them most.

In July, California witnessed a mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, where three people were killed and 15 were injured.

In August alone, Mass Shooting Tracker states that 94 people died in mass shootings across the nation.

An August study published by the Pew Research Center found that handguns were involved in 64% of the 10,982 U.S. gun murders and nonnegligent manslaughters in 2017.

A September study conducted by Statistica found that a specific total of 55 rifles have been used in 47 mass shootings between 1982 and August 2019.

When the now-expired Assault Weapons Ban was passed in 1994, the Justice Department defined assault weapons as “semi auto-

matic firearms with a large magazine of ammunition that were designed and configured for rapid fire and combat use.”

In California, assault weapons such as rifles are illegal to own or purchase.

The Sacramento Bee reported the gunman in the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting used a rifle similar to an AK-47. Following the shooting, California Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference and talked about the shooting, saying the gunman purchased the firearm in Nevada, where it was legal to purchase.

“Today, the headlines will have moved on ― but we won’t,” Newsom said in a tweet on July 30. “We need common-sense gun laws.

Now.” An NPR/PBS NewsHour Marist poll conducted in September shows that 57% of Americans think Congress should pass legislation to ban the sale of semi-automatic assault guns, such as the AK-47 or AR-15.

In 2013, California Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the Assault Weapons Ban following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, but the bill was met with opposition from the National Rifle Association and eventually was voted down 60-40. However, Feinstein re-introduced the bill on Jan. 9.

San Francisco county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to declare the NRA a domestic terrorist organization, according to CBS San Francisco.

The vote came as a response to the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting.

The resolution, published on Sept. 3, states they are “declaring that the

National Rifle Association is a domestic terrorist organization and urging other cities, states, and the federal government to do the same.”

The NRA has since sued the county, saying that lawmakers are discriminating against people “based on the viewpoint of their political speech.”

Despite the NRA’s lawsuit and claim, studies continue to show the rampancy of gun violence.

“States with more permissive gun laws and greater gun ownership have higher rates of mass shootings,” according to a January study published in medical journal The British Medical Journal.

“A growing divergence is noted in recent years as rates of mass shootings in restrictive states have decreased and those in permissive states have increased.”

Protecting Americans from gun violence should not be a theoretical situation that forces Congress into legalizing gun control.

Decreasing gun violence should not be an ideal nor a privilege, and the country as a whole needs to look at themselves in the mirror and re-evaluate what should be truly valued if that is seen as a luxury.

The people in power who vow to serve and protect us need to echo what we want in our democracy, and the government needs to be a reflection of what we stand for as Americans.

National Voter Registration Day was on Tuesday, and change can only happen when we elect people who truly want the best for our nation.

For more on how to register to vote in California, go to https://www.sos.ca.gov/ elections/voter-registration/.

September 26, 2019

Page 10

Legislature will prohibit cheating scandals

By Kellie Bevins kbevins.connect@gmail.com

As students, we exert and exhaust ourselves with study and practice while facing doubts about the very thing we devote so much time to; our education.

As a soon to be transferring student, it is concerning to think the hard work of college students like myself could be completely overridden by those who have the money to successfully cheat under the radar.

In response to the college admissions scandal that occurred in March, where well-known individuals were indicted on charges that included paying for falsified exam scores, California Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva has authored Assembly Bill 136 to stop college cheating advances.

The bill would prohibit Cali-

fornia taxpayers, specifically those found guilty, from benefiting from fraudulent businesses and charitable contributions, according to a Sept. 9 press release.

It is designed to prevent a scandal like this from reocurring.

AB 136 passed State Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk, according to the press release.

When the scandal launched to global media, a torrent of anger ripped through social media amongst college students who felt their struggles to access or afford higher-education were overshadowed by those who, in turn, did not work as hard, but were funneled into these institutions because of the undeniable privilege of their parents.

A study found that at 38 colleges in the nation, including Ivy League Schools; more students came from the top 1% of the income scale than from the entire bottom 60%, according to

the press release.

“The criminal actions have victimized hard working and low-income students who were denied admissions because of the actions of those involved,” Quirk-Silva said.

“They were able to do so at the expense of the California taxpayers.”

The situation reflects how these celebrities, who live with constant available resources and advantages, still resorted to cheating because their money spoke louder than their efforts.

Our college systems have been telling students for years that it’s not about how much money they have; if enough hard work is put in to secure those ridiculously high grade-point-averages, and enough sweat, blood and tears poured into every assignment, then they will be rewarded by acceptance into their dream schools.

While the institutions were

unaware of the scams, Quirk-Silva’s mentioned study and the notably obvious preference of big bucks compared to hard work tells us that college isn’t solely about securing a degree, but is a system, like most, that prioritizes donations and money over the very messages they’ve used to give college-hopefuls security about their futures.

Their reputations as prestigious institutions are put into question and the degrees earned from those colleges are devalued.

If rich and famous individuals are allowed to wield their name and fortune to gain access to absolutely anything without fear of consequence, it’s a strong reminder of the power imbalance that continues to persist.

The push of this legislation, however, means that we have members in positions of power who see the unfairness, acknowledge the pain it has caused, and aim to bring it to fruition.

Impact of Islamphobia still persists 18 years later

By Halimeh Edais hedais.connect@gmail.com This year marks the eighteenth anniversary of the fall of the twin towers. This was also the day I went from being the next-door neighbor to the next national threat, and I didn’t even know it.

It was confusing whenever my mom never let us out of the house that year, especially during the month of September.

I was only four when 9/11 happened, and I knew nothing about terror at that age. I didn’t understand how afraid my mother was, she wouldn’t even speak Arabic in public.

After 9/11, my mom wouldn’t even speak Arabic in public.

It was always a trip why my mother wouldn’t let me wear my hijab, no matter how much time had passed.

For someone who grew up in this country, I never understood why people would tell me to “go back home.”

I was always confused; I thought they meant my actual house.

As time went on, I began to feel terribly sad when watching reenactments and listening to stories of the towers falling.

I could not comprehend why my faith was being blamed, why “Mus-

lim” and “Islam” were suddenly synonymous with violence and terror.

After the towers had fallen, there was a medic, Mohammad Salman Hamdani, who had rushed into the towers to save people.

Because he was a Muslim, he was assumed to be part of the attack and wasn’t honored as the hero he was until five months later.

The stigma of being an outsider continued into my adolescence, and I was unable to recall a time when I wasn’t the “enemy.”

Some politicians have brazenly called out Muslims and their faith for being violent.

They accuse us of trying to force Sharia Law in this country.

I sympathize with those who are affected by these horrible acts of violence.

Moreover, Muslims have died in far greater numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan and other parts of the Islamic world at the hands of terrorist organizations such as the Taliban.

Eighty-two percent of American adults say Muslims are subject to at least some discrimination in the U.S. today, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

As a nation, we need to educate ourselves and our children on what war they are fighting and who they are fighting for.

Courtesy Photo

Instead of further fueling the intolerance towards Muslims, our politicians must further the progression of peace and spread messages of acceptance and kindness.

My faith teaches me to treat my neighbors and strangers like I would myself.

It teaches me how precious one life is because “even one loss of life is as if the whole of mankind has been erased,” according to the Qur’an.

During the month of September, and in acknolwedgment of the 18 year anniversary of 9/11, I ask that we observe a moment of silence in acknowledgment of those who passed.

And to also recognize the Muslim Americans, and the “Muslim passing” people, who fell victim to stereotype and violence.

Until we educate ourselves, we’ll continue to fall into the same circle of violence and hate.

thecrcconnection.com

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>>Sports

Woman’s soccer looking to take Big 8 by storm Halimeh Edias

hedais.connect@gmail.com

The Hawks’ women’s soccer team entered the Big 8 conference on Sept. 17, looking to improve on their eighth place finish last season.

The Hawks finished with a record of 3-10-3 in conference games last season but the team is on the right track this season.

Already with a 2-0 record in the conference, the Hawks will look to remain undefeated in the Big 8 against San Joaquin Delta College this week.

“They bring a lot of collective effort, a lot of teamwork,” said Assistant Coach Erika Anguiano. “They bring out the right attitude in each other.”

Through tough matches, the team has enough chemistry to carry themselves

through adversity said Anguiano.

“My team works really well together,” said freshman midfielder Celeste Baez.

“We just try to, as a team, work together to take as many goals as we can.”

With 13 motivated freshmen on the roster, the Hawks have a combination of youth and experience to compete in the Big 8.

This years team brings a lot of experience, said Anguiano. The students know how to balance a student athlete life, said Anguiano.

Freshman Sydney Geisler has the sizable challenge of replacing standout goalkeeper sophomore Sienna Jackson, who earned 33 goals against, last conference game.

Freshmen forward Lucianna Casciaro said practices have been better, especially

after realizing how badly the team wanted to win.

The sophomore players are now coming back to the soccer field with a renewed motivation.

The Hawks home opener for the fall season was a hard loss for the women’s team, with a home loss to Las Positas then fell in a tie with Solano College at their home stadium.

“We have been working really hard, especially on our defensive side,” said Casciaro. “Every game is like improving. You can also tell from the previous games before.”

Sophomore midfielder Claire Burkhart had hit the only shot in the opener, and she could play an integral role in the offense this season, says Anguiano.

The Hawks continue their three-game win with a game against Modesto on Sept.

24.

The team hits the road to San Joaquin Delta before their home game on Oct. 1 against American River College, which stands right before the Hawks in the Big 8.

Anguiano has high hopes for women’s soccer team this season. After all, the Hawks continue to celebrate their threegame win, going into their second conference game.

“It helps us when we have supporters at our game,” said sophomore defender Asia Madison. “Having a bigger crowd helps keep us motivated, especially when we’re down. It would be amazing if more people came out and supported us at our games.”

The Cheap $eats: The vengeance of black QB’s in the NFL Every year, the National Football Patrick Mahomes was the wildLeague invites some of the most star card of the two QB’s. studded collegiate athletes to Lucas Son of former major leaguer Pat Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to partic- Mahomes, Patrick played for a less ipate in the league’s scouting combine. accomplished program at Texas Tech It’s been over two years since the University, under former NFL quarter2017 NFL scouting combine, a week back, Kliff Kingsbury. that featured two of the more intriguWhen he released the football, you ing names floating around front offic- better have been ready if you were a es, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Ma- wideout because his pass was coming homes. at a velocity equivalent to a major During his three-year league four seamer. tenure at Clemson UniBut despite Watson’s versity, Watson comchampionship acumen piled 33 wins, one and Mahomes’ incombeing against Nick parable arm talent, Saban’s Alabama both young QB’s were Crimson Tide in the subject to criticism 2016 BCS National leading up to the draft.

Championship.

Their playing styles If his 463 yard and were nearly antithetical to three touchdown Houdeach other but of the many ini act against the Crimson dissimilarities, there was one

By Tairiq Marshall Tide was any indication characteristic they did have of what was to come for tmarshall.connect@gmail.com in common. his NFL future, Watson would be the Both young men were black quarundeniable number one overall pick in terbacks entering a league where playthe 2017 draft. ers like them were under more scruThe Connection Cosumnes River College 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823 Telephone: (916) 691-7471 www.thecrcconnection.com connection.crc@gmail.com Facebook.com/crcconnection Twitter: @CRCconnection Instagram: @CRCconnection

tiny than any position in the league.

Just like every other black signal caller entering the NFL draft, though, both were labeled “developmental” QB’s who may need to sit for a year or two because of their inability to deliver the football accurately from the pocket.

The duel threat label was diminishing to Watson because it suggested it was solely because of his athleticism that he was a projected first rounder.

And the lofty reports Mahomes’ received for his arm strength actually distracted teams from realizing the player he was soon to become.

The undertone suggested that because they’re black, they have no shot of being successful pocket passers at the next level.

On draft night, however, the Kansas City Chiefs traded up 17 spots in the first round to snatch Mahomes with the tenth overall selection. Two picks later, the Houston Texans traded up 14 spots to steal Watson.

The next two drafts featured first round selections of two black QB’s in Lamar Jackson, another electrifying QB

excelling as a passer for the Baltimore Ravens, and Kyler Murray, a two sport athlete who demonstrated an unprecedented combination of speed and arm talent at the University of Oklahoma.

Maybe it took for Patrick Mahomes to win the league’s most valuable player award and lead the Chiefs to an AFC championship game in his second season for NFL teams to feel comfortable enough handing over the reigns to black signal callers.

Because the league has already been fortunate enough to witness the rapid development of African American QB’s like Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson, we don’t have to call it the emergence of black quarterbacks in the NFL anymore.

This is not the dawn or an emergence of African American quarterbacks in the NFL but fans are definitely in for a real treat with these hungry signal callers behind center.

So instead, call it the vengeance of black quarterbacks in the NFL.

Editor in Chief: Summer Lomendehe News Editor: Kellie Bevins Features Editor: Summer Lomendehe Sports Editor: Tairiq Marshall Photo Editor: Lucy Vang Faculty Adviser: Rubina Gulati

The Connection is an award-winning newspaper published by the Journalism 410 & 411 media production class.

Editorials and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff or faculty of CRC or Los Rios Community College.

Staff: Alicia Lopez, Cameron Werblun, Mariana Sanchez, Jacob Peterson, Priscilla Garcia-Pargras, Allesandra Sarantopulos, Michaela Graves, Halimeh Edais, Mason White

Letters to the Editor must be typed, signed and include the first and last name of the author and a phone number. They must be 200 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity or taste.

Page 12

September 26, 2019

Halimeh Edais | The Connection

The Hawks’ Freshman defender Ashley Lamm dashes through the Pirates defense to push the ball down the field. Through four games, Lamm has accounted for two points and one goal.

Women’s soccer team remains undefeated in Big 8

By Halimeh Edais Hedais.connect@gmail.com

The women’s soccer team won their second straight game of the Big 8 with a 5-0 win against the Modesto Junior College Pirates on Tuesday.

“We’re getting closer to playing the kind of soccer I think we’re capable of playing,” said Head Coach Cesar Plasencia. “It’s a work in progress, but we’re getting better.”

The Hawks defense put in some work, defending goalkeeper sophomore Tanayjah Tamano who had nine shots on goal and nine saved shots in the first half.

“Tanayjah had a couple of enormous saves,” said freshman forward Helaina

“Working together to finish was one of the highlights of the game. ” —Carmesha Grayson

Libreral studies major, 19

Garcia. “She did amazing.”

The Hawks offense competed just as the defense did with two SOG, and two goals against, the Hawks took the lead 2-0 in the first half.

The team competed, we worked together and there wasn’t a single player who outshined the other, we all competed well today, said Garcia.

The second half saw a player switch with their goalies, sophomore Sienna Jackson stepped in and defended the goal for the Hawks.

Jackson got a couple of really nice saves that kept us in the lead throughout the second half, said Garcia.

“Our goalkeepers did really good,” said sophomore defender Hannah Underwood.

“We had a few shots on goal and beautiful saves, our goalies always come through and help us on that part.”

Freshman defender Anisa Ware carried the ball across the field and shot a goal with an assist from forward freshman Lucianna Casciaro, maintaining the lead towards the end of the game.

“Working together to finish was one of the highlights of the game,” said Underwood. “We had a few good crosses and

Halimeh Edais | The Connection

The Hawks have won four straight games. Two of those games were in the conference play.

plays that helped the goals go into the net.”

Our goal is to have all of our home games be a win and all of our away games be a win with no shutouts, said Underwood.

The women’s team stands third in the

Big 8 conference with a 2-0 lead.

The Hawks play American River College on Oct. 1, after an away game on Sept.

27 against San Joaquin Delta College.

“Come out to the games and support us,” said Underwood.