Etera
Eastfield College
Harvey hits Texas: Evacuees reach Dallas See page 2 ➤
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Volume 49, Issue 2
Unmasking hate
Exploring modern white supremacy unveiled in Charlottesville See page 8 ➤
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NEWS
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
MARCUS YAM/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
In tears, Herbert Thomas rests in a Houston shelter as he saves his strength because he has missed a session of dialysis and needs to get one soon.
ASHLEY LANDIS/DALLAS MORNING NEWS/TNS
Rita Prosperie, left, and Connie McNeer walk out of flood waters to safety near Highway 96, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Lumberton, Texas.
DAN LUNA/THE ET CETERA
Dallas resident Debra Murray, far right, hands out goods she brought to donate at the Sameull Grand Recreation Center.
HURRICANE HARVEY
‘I think I was one of the lucky ones’
Dallas receives hundreds in shelters, prepares for thousands By JAMES HARTLEY Editor in Chief @JamesHartleyETC
As Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast, Houston resident Erin Jones was waiting on a friend from Galveston to arrive at her home to evacuate. Jones, 32, has lived in Houston her whole life and has never had to evacuate before. “I’ve kind of been lost, not knowing what’s next. Not knowing what you’re going to do,” Jones said. “Then when you see these resources pop up on every social media possible, you have people saying, ‘Come here, we have shelters here. Come here, we have this stuff here.’ ” Jones is one of 5,000 refugees expected to arrive at Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center seeking temporary shelter until she can return home. While many are expected to relocate to Dallas, Jones is determined to return home as soon as they can. Unfortunately, for those who want to return, they are expected to have to wait months. John Judd, shelter manager at Dallas’ Tommie M. Allen Recreation Center, said they expect the water to take months to recede, then months more for houses to be repaired or torn down
and rebuilt. For now, the only shelter in Dallas that still has room is the convention center. Before mass rescues even started in Houston, the Tommie Allen and Samuell Grand recreation centers in Dallas were at capacity. Linda Boone, shelter manager at Samuell Grand, said that her facility is housing 192 refugees and feeding an additional 87. Edna Pemberton, the Dallas resident who helped Jones and her friend find their way to the convention center, said the facilities were more hospitable than she imagined. The convention center is staffed with medical teams, mental health professionals and special assistance for children. Equally important, Pemberton said, is the positive and encouraging atmosphere and offerings of help from the community. Shelters have kids’ rooms with games and activities for children monitored by Red Cross personnel, rooms full of donations ranging from diapers and baby formula to clothes, food and basic entertainment like books and coloring pages, government officials assisting refugees in getting food stamps and other government assistance. Only living in Texas for two months before
How to help Donations: Goods can be donated in Dallas at Trusted World, 15660 North Dallas Parkway from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Items needed Moving boxes, diapers, baby wipes, toiletries. feminine hygiene products, nonperishable food including baby formula, packs of underwear and socks. Donate items in Mesquite at Emmanuel Penhaving to flee her home, Tiffany Howell, said that donations of time and goods from the community have been invaluable. As her 3-year-old son, Johnston, and 17-month-old daughter, Jordan, sit on the large, shaded porch of the Samuell Grand Recreation Center playing with chalk donated by community members, Howell has a moment to escape the chaos around her. Her third child, only months old, is inside the shelter She smiles watching as her children, who are too young to understand that they’ve lost their home, laugh and scribble on the concrete with
tecostal Church, 1200 Poplar Drive. If you would rather give financially, find reputable charities at Charity Navigator charitynavigator.org. Volunteering Register online to help with evacuee centers at voly.org/join/ or redcross.org. Volunteers are needed to sort donations at Trusted World, 15660 North Dallas Parkway in Dallas. Register at signupgenius.com/
different colors of chalk. Howell won’t be going back to her Southeast Texas apartment, having moved there from North Carolina for a job opportunity. But now, after everything gone except what they could fit into their car, she plans to find a new job and settle in Dallas-Fort Worth. Their family evacuated before the storm hit. She was watching the local news in her home when the meteorologist advised residents to evacuate, saying he had never seen a storm like Harvey in his career. “I think I was one of the lucky ones that got
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The Et Cetera out just because of listening to the news,” Howell said. “Some people didn’t have the resources to get out. I had $50. I put something in the gas tank and just left.” Howell hasn’t heard from her next-door neighbor since the hurricane struck, but she has made contact with most of her friends in North Carolina through Facebook. Evacuating was the right move, she says, as their first-floor apartment is likely completely underwater. She’s tried reaching the leasing office multiple times, but imagines it, too, is flooded. The overall outlook from affected areas is grim. Death tolls rise almost every day in Houston and the areas surrounding it. On Sept. 1, it was at 40. Howell says she’s glad that she and her children are alive. Their joy may not help them pay for a place to stay in the coming months or find her a new job, but it’s enough to lift her spirits. She says her children and faith are what keeps her moving forward. The outpouring of care from the community is just an added bonus. Earlier in the day, she was able to charge her phone and use wifi at a T-Mobile Magenta Fleet truck and had a hot lunch from an In-N-Out Burger mobile kitchen that made a stop at the recreation center. The day before, actors dressed as the Avengers visited the kids at the shelter. It had as much of a positive affect on the parents as it did their children. But every night, Howell has to face the fact that she and her family are homeless for the time being. “It’s really different sleeping on a cot,” Howell says. “They want to sleep by mommy. But we still just say our prayers every night.” Howell said that the atmosphere at the shelter is not what she had expected. It’s not a bad place to be right now. The Red Cross volunteers are focused on the people. “Everybody’s so generous,” Howell said. “We have water. We have clothes. We have food. We have medical help. It’s like being overwhelmed with joy.” This isn’t where she expected to be. She left with hopes that the storm would not destroy her home and that she could head back in a matter of days. They ran out of hotel money after a couple of days and made their way to the shelter. And she knows that, as time passes, she will have to get a new job and new permanent housing. The resources at the shelters go beyond physical goods. Representatives from local schools have registered children for same-day enrollment in classes and provided uniforms and school supplies. The University of North Texas is allowing immediate transfers from the affected areas. Airbnb hosts are offering up spaces for hurricane victims to temporarily stay for free. But not everyone is without a home to return to. John Nuding, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, was in Houston visiting a friend and was not able to evacuate before the hurricane reached the city. Because he does not live in any
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Wednesday, September 6, 2017
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of the storm affected areas, he has been told he cannot get access to some aid. For now, he’s waiting for a family member to get identifying documents to him — his were lost in the hurricane — so he can pay for a bus ticket to Tulsa, where he will meet his aunt and get back to Omaha. “As of this moment, I have no way home,” Nuding said. Nuding injured his back while sheltering from the hurricane. He tears up as he recalls the scene. “It was loud. It was crazy,” Nuding says. “There was a lot of water, a lot of things flying around, a lot of debris.” He’s focused on living day to day right now, finding a place to sleep and food to eat. “The man upstairs and my own two feet, that’s about all I’ve got,” Nuding says. The University of North Texas has begun offering immediate transfers to college students affected by the storms and the Dallas County Community College District has announced that hurricane evacuees will be offered immediate enrollment at DCCCD institutions. At press time, one Harvey student had enrolled at Eastfield and another at Cedar Valley College. Colleges within the district have also been engaged in efforts to raise donations for Harvey victims. Sharon Cook, spokeswoman for Eastfield, said she isn’t sure how many takers they will get on the offer for immediate enrollment. “For some of these students, this may be the last thing on their mind,” Cook said. Cook has been fielding emails since the day Harvey made landfall. She’s already coordinating with the firefighters association in Dallas, state Reps. Cindy Burkett and Victoria Neave from Dallas County, the Dallas Independent School District and the Disciples of Christ Church in Mesquite. As she sits at her desk working, her email dings. Another request for donations, this time from an Eastfield employee. Robert Bryant, an adviser at Eastfield, writes that his wife works for Lipman Farms, and they want to gather donations to take to Houston. Cook quickly adds him to the list and sends out an email to the college. In a few days, Cook will load up the donations in her car and drop them off with the different organizations. Boone, the shelter manager said that while donations of goods are not technically needed anymore, they will not be turned down and
Top left, flooded streets mean rescue workers must use boats to reach stranded hurricane victims. Above, City of Dallas employees working at the Samuell Grand Recreation Center unload donations from a local resident. Right, Harvey evacuee Tiffany Howell stands outside the Samuell Grand Recreation Center, turned into a Red Cross shelter, with her 17-month-old daughter Jordan. Howell evacuated from her Southeast Texas apartment before Harvey made landfall, taking her three children and $50 and driving to Dallas.
have an impact on the happiness of those staying in the shelters. Even with the depression, desperation and heartbreak felt by those in the shelter, she keeps herself in high spirits. She says that serving the community is just natural for her and many of the other Red Cross members working the shelter from “older” generations. Laurie, a kitchen manager at the Samuell Grand location who did not provide her last name, and Boone both said their faith paired with the way they were raised made serving others natural. “You’re talking to an older generation,” Boone said. “We were taught you do for others as you would have done to you.” Laurie has never felt that the job was too heavy. “You get loss, you get loneliness, you get, ‘When can I go back? What do I do next?’ “ Laurie said. “You just have to be there and care for them. You tell them that God’s got this. You just love them.” A combination of her faith and the people around her keep her going. “I spend an hour every morning, before I start my day, in my prayer room,” Laurie said. “You work with wonderful people, and it keeps your spirits up. You have to have a team. Our leader is a great leader.” Laurie has been involved in the Red Cross since Hurricane Katrina. She also worked with the Red Cross after the explosion at the West fertilizer plant and the North Texas tornados in
JESUS AYALA/THE ET CETERA
DAN LUNA/THE ET CETERA
December 2015. The damage done by Harvey is still being assessed and the community need will be much more than that after the fertilizer plant explosion or the tornados. Even with all the talk about recovery and the community response, the disaster isn’t done progressing. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said on Sept. 1 that there would be 10 more days of flooding as reservoirs continued to pour over into the city. Turner urged those living near the reservoirs to evacuate, including those in apartments. The added evacuations from that area will add to the burden on shelters in Dallas and Austin. Boone expects the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to reach its 5,000 capacity quickly after flooding on the roads clears up and victims can be evacuated. For now, refugee shelters are doing what they can to make their temporary residents more comfortable.
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Wednesday, September 6, 2017
PUT IT ON YOUR
Calendar Wed
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Thu
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Meet the Nurse, 9-11 a.m., Pleasant Grove campus lobby
Fri
Popcorn Friday, 11 a.m.1 p.m., the Pit
Tue
University recruiters, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the Pit
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Free HIV Testing with appointment, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., C-139 Ending the Silence: Suicide prevention program, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., G-101
Wed
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University recruiters, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the Pit Recital series: Session Brass Quintet, 12:30 p.m., F-117
Dieciséis Festival: Celebration of Hispanic culture, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Lower Courtyard
Trustees to vote on maternity leave policy
Mon
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Dallas Children’s Theatre’s national touring production of “How I Became a Pirate,” 1:30 p.m., Performance Hall, free Air Force Birthday Celebration, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Pit University recruiters, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the Pit Flu Shots, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., C-139 Blood Drive, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., C-135
ABOUT THE COVER
ILLUSTRATION BY MANUEL GUAPO
“It’s a foray into a different culture,” Lambert said. “I think there will be a lot of participation, there will be a lot of good events. I think everyone will learn something, and that’s why we do it.” Professors are encouraged to work the common book into their curriculum and the Common COURTESY OF PICADOR Book Committee is planning events relating to the subject matter that will be held throughout the next academic year, including a visit from the head of surface mining from the Texas Railroad Commission. Many classes, especially English classes, will require students to read from the common book to understand and participate in class activities and assignments. Last year, the common book committee brought speakers and scientists to Eastfield to discuss the importance of the HeLa cells, which were used to cure polio, and Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cells, used without her permission, led to numerous scientific discovers. “Deep Dark Down,” written by Hector Tobar, tells how the 33 miners came together during their 69-day ordeal.
NEWS
Briefs
Dallas Children’s Theatre’s national touring production of “How I Became a Pirate,” 7:30 p.m., Performance Hall, free
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“Deep Down Dark,” which tells the story of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped during the 2010 Copiapo mining accident in Chile, has been selected as the 2017-2018 common book for Eastfield College. “Deep Down Dark” explores how this event not only impacts the lives of the men trapped but also those on the surface. Nina Lambert, an English professor and member of the Common Book Committee, said she is excited about what the book will bring to campus. “I think it’s very interesting how the life stories of everyone in the book are portrayed,” Lambert said. “It has such great human story in it. That is something everyone can relate to.” Librarian and Common Book Committee member Megan Horlander said the common book is important because it works to bind the college and different disciplines together through a shared reading experience. “This was the best out of the nominees to reach the most subjects,” she said. “Anything will work for English, but we want something that also reaches STEM and social sciences.” Lambert said the book gives students a chance to go beyond their own experiences through the stories of the miners in the book.
Healthy Harvesters, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Lower Courtyard
Popcorn Friday, 11 a.m.1 p.m., the Pit
Sat
By JON-MARK TAMEZ Staff Writer @TheEtCetera
Service Learning Fair, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Pit
Club Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Pit
The Et Cetera
Book connects classes, events on campus
September
Recital series: George Anderson Jazz Quartet, 12:30 p.m., F-117
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The Dallas County Find exclusive content online at Community College District Board of Trustees was scheduled to vote on changes to the eastfieldnews.com district’s maternity leave policy Sept. 5, after Et Cetera press time. The proposed change would give district employees four weeks for maternity leave, once every three years, instead of one day. Under the one day policy, employees have to use vacation and sick leave for each additional day away from work. For an online-exclusive story with the vote results, visit eastfieldnews.com.
ESL students learn business skills The DCCCD’s first class of ESL Entrepreneurship Program students graduated Aug. 8. The program combines English as a second language lessons with tools for entrepreneurship and business ownership to give students a greater understanding of the English language and good business practices. The first class graduated 16 Dallas-area residents in a partnership with the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has a waiting list for the next available class. — Compiled by James Hartley
Common Book Events Speaker: Horatio Marull of Chilean Consulate in Dallas and an immigration lawyer talks about the Chile and the miners from “Deep Down Dark,” 1 p.m. Sept. 14 Dieciséis Festival: Celebration of Hispanic culture with traditional Chilean Independence Day activities, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 15, Lower Courtyard Readings & Ritmos: A read-in event celebrating the themes of “Deep Down Dark,” 11 a.m. Oct. 24, G-101 Microscopes with Murry: Use electron scanning microscopes to examine the rocks and minerals found in Chilean mines, Nov. 9 Original play: A stage production devised by theater students highlighting the themes of “Deep Down Dark,” Nov. 16-17 Film screening: “The 33,” a feature film about the trapped Chilean miners, Nov. 29 Speaker: Railroad Commissioner J. Denny Kingsley discusses statewide mining operations and safety, date to be determined
Tobar’s book depicts the camaraderie and hardship experienced by group and how their faith helped them cope with the weight of being buried alive deep in the mountain.
NOW HIRING
DALLAS FIRE-RESCUE
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department is hiring Fire Rescue Officer Trainee 1 Apply online at dallascityhall.com and select “Find a Job.” To qualify, you must be from 18 to 35 years old and have 45 semester credit hours with a 2.0 GPA OR have four years of active military service with an “honorable discharge.” The starting salary range is $47,000-$49,000 a year. For information, go to www.dallasfirerescue.com or call a recruiter at 1-800-510-FIRE.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
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Life &Arts The Et Cetera
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Wednesday, September 6, 2017
‘In Good Company’ shows faculty talent By MACKS PREWITT Life & Arts Editor @MacksPrewittETC
Artwork created by Eastfield faculty will be on display through Sept. 28 as a part of the “In Good Company” show. The art show houses artwork of full-time faculty and adjuncts as well as guest artists invited by each faculty member. “We have really good adjuncts, and so we always have a very diverse exhibition in terms of content, subject matter and material,” galleries director Iris Bechtol said. Eric Eley, professor of ceramics and sculptures, is showing a piece based on research into the architecture of prisons and World War II bunkers. The piece is a part of a brand-new body of work he hasn’t finished yet. “I wanted to get one out of the studio and finish it, and it’s a piece I’ve never shown before,” Eley said. “I thought it would be nice to have students see a work from me that’s not a hundred percent resolved necessarily, to see that their teachers work through these things the same way that they do.”
Eley’s invited artist is Leigh Merrill, a professor of photography at A&M University Commerce whose work has appeared in art galleries around the U.S. as well as news publications like The Washington Post and Houston Chronicle. Rachel Fischer, an adjunct drawing professor, invited Alicia Eggert to present a piece in the show. Eggert’s work is a lenticular print of one of her neon sculptures. Kathy Windrow, full-time painting and drawing professor, invited Sandra Lara, a former Eastfield student. Lara, an accomplished artist who shows at a local gallery, attended Eastfield in the early 90s. She teaches at El Centro College in the jail education program. Bechtol invited Michelle Thomas, the public art program manager for Fort Worth and a former adjunct professor at Eastfield. Professor David Wilburn, art appreciation and design professor, has created a piece with a focus on political changes and how they affect him. “Much of my work over the past year or so has addressed recent political issues and the sense of chaos that many people have felt on both sides,” Wilburn said. “As an artist who is
OR MAKE YOUR OWN
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gay, since the November elections the social minority part of my existence feels magnified. The same is true for a lot of social and ethnic minorities in the United States. So that’s what
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Fill out the application, get 10 signatures, and deliver the paperwork to Lauren Anderson in C-237
Clubs need advisers. Be sure you talk to a faculty member or staff memeber who you would like to advise your club before you turn in your application
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Be sure to visit the Club Fair on Sept. 7 and see if there are any clubs you would like to get involved in
Clubs that already exist are listed in the student planner. Check out that list to find out if there is already a club specializing in what you are interested in MANUEL GUAPO/THE ET CETERA
I’m thinking about with this piece.” The show is in Gallery 219 and the H Gallery. The galleries are open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and weekends by appointment.
Eastfield clubs offer place for students to get engaged By JESUS AYALA Photo Editor @AyalaETC
Pick up an application at the Club Fair Sept. 7
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YESENIA ALVARADO/THE ET CETERA
Alicia Eggert’s “All That Is Possible Is Real,” a lenticular print mounted to aluminum dibond, either says “All that is possible is real” or “All that is real is possible”, depending on where the viewer is standing.
More than 30 student clubs are active on campus, from the supersize Communication Club to the newly formed Plant Based Nutrition Club. Students can learn about existing clubs and how to form their own at the Club Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Lower Courtyard. “It’s important to join clubs because they help you build a network with different individuals and give you a chance to better yourself,” said Yazmin Lopez, president of the Student Government Association. “The benefits of joining clubs are gaining skills such as leadership, communication, time management, selfconfidence and the ability to work as a team. You will get out of your comfort zone.” Diego Seguinot, president of the Video Game Club, said his group, which meets with the Anime Club, is a place to find common ground. “The Video Game Club was started to have a
place where people can go with the same interest and make friendships, in this case [through] video games,” Seguinot said. “The clubs help people get out of their comfort zone, meet new people, and connect ... with their professional career.” The Video Game Club also holds fundraisers, and members volunteer on campus and in the community. They also help those who want to pursue jobs in the video game and anime business. Members recently visited anime entertainment company Funimation, one of the largest producers, in Flower Mound. “A lot of people were convinced that, yes, they want to go and do this,” Seguinot said. “Our intention is to create friendships and give people the inspiration to go into anything video game related.” The club hopes to raise money to purchase gaming consoles and games. In the past, members have brought their own consoles and games to meetings to share with the other students. They meet weekly on campus. —Yesenia Alvarado contributed to this report
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Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Low-cost places to fill your fall wardrobe Being a college student on a tight budget can make finding the perfect fall wardrobe a difficult journey, especially with the unpredictable Texas weather. But no need to worry: The Et Cetera has found the five best places to go for students looking to update their closets. — Compiled by Mikaela Carrillo ➤ Plato’s Closet
1515 N. Town East Blvd. No. 156, Mesquite This is a trendy clothing store where you can bring in your gently used, name-brand clothing and get cash in return. It is a great place to find shoes, jeans, tops and even sunglasses. They are slightly picky on what items they will buy from you, but they make up for it with the variety of clothes that they have to offer. Expect to spend between $15 and $40, but you’ll leave with multiple items.
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➤ Kohl’s and Target
19065 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Mesquite and 1629 Town East Blvd., Mesquite It’s a great time to hit the seasonal clearance sales at department and retail stores like Kohl’s and Target. Kohl’s always has a large clearance section, and right now it’s bursting with summer clothes marked down to make room for new fall fashion. And since summer in Texas lasts until November, you’ll get a lot of mileage from your clearance purchases. Make sure you check their website, app, and sale ads for coupons. Kohl’s routinely offers extra discounts such as 15-30 percent off coupons. In addition to the seasonal purge, Target is discounting clothing from many of their long-running brands that it plans to discontinue. Markdown deals start at 15 percent and increase the longer an item remains unsold. And don’t forget to download Target’s app and use the Carthwheel feature, which has coupons and app-exclusive discounts that change weekly and sometimes daily. ➤ Garland Road Thrift
10030 Garland Road, Dallas A thrift store? Yes! As a college student, thrift stores have been so helpful and prevent me from splurging and wasting my money. This large store has it all: dresses, sweaters, jeans, and furniture. You can find so many great deals here. For example: Nike women’s running
PHOTOS BY ANDREW GONZALES/THE ET CETERA
Clockwize from top, Buffalo Exchange does both: buying and selling clothing at fair prices. Out of the Closet doubles as a thrift store and medical clinic. Garland Road Thrift Store offers great deals on namebrand clothing.
shorts for $3.97 and a brand new, tags still attached, Old Navy men’s polo for $5.50. That is a steal in my book. So you have walked out of a thrift store paying less than $10 when you would have paid nearly $50 for both of those retail stores. ➤ BuffaloExchange
3424 Greenville Ave, Dallas Buffalo Exchange is a used clothing store where customers can bring in your hip and trendy clothes and trade them in for cash, or do an exchange for an item in the store. Buffalo Exchange has been known to be picky about the clothes they take. So while you are more likely to find
a good selection of stylish clothing, it could be harder to sell your unwanted clothing to them. It is best to call ahead of time to find the type of clothing they are currently looking for, instead of them rejecting your clothing and wasting your time. In the end, it is still a great way to make a profit off of your unwanted clothing that you no longer wear, and swap them out for something new and fresh, or cool and vintage. ➤ Out of the Closet
3920 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas The store is right across from the prominently gay club Station 4.
It’s a hot stop for people looking for a new stylish outfit to add to their wardrobe. They have furniture, which is currently 50 percent off, and pretty reasonable prices for their clothing. Out of the Closet carries more men’s clothing than women’s, however, they make up for that in their prices, and quality of the clothes. They also sell books, videos, ties, and shoes. This shop is unique because it offers free HIV/STD testing, free condoms, and even has a pharmacy inside of the store. ➤ Extra tips
Many clothing stores will give you
a student discount if you show your student ID card. Just ask them at the cash register and see what they say. Also, there is this amazing website program called “Unidays,” which allows you to receive coupons for brands like Ray-ban, Apple, Express, Lime Crime and so many more. All you have to do is sign up and prove you are a college student. It is possible to be a college student with a great fall wardrobe, even if you are on a budget. All you have to do is know where to go and how to manage your money properly. Then, with all the money you’ll be saving, you won’t have to eat ramen and Subway all the time.
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COVER STORY
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
A Culture of Hate
Charlottesville clashes unleash years of tension By DAVID SILVA Digital Managing Editor @DavidSilvaETC
It’s the first week of the fall semester, and history professor Mike Noble’s lecture for the day for his Western Civilization II course revolves around false narratives. The topic entails the Nazi propaganda machine during the Third Reich, the gospel of the Nazi revolution that swept Germany in the 1930s. The anti-immigrant and minority rhetoric, the presence of a leader that defines himself as an outsider and a major force of change, and the promise of past prominence were all staples during this time. This particular course has an emphasis on Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, touching extensively on the methods behind the rise of Adolf Hitler. As of late, Noble has had some of these topics bleed over to a number of his other classes. Rallies in Boston and Charlottesville, Virginia, that brought out crowds of Neo-Nazis, members of the KKK and other white supremacist groups to protest the removal of confederate monuments and to “take back the country” have made the topic unavoidable for Noble. On Aug. 11, protestors in Charlottesville presented themselves with rifles, Confederate and Nazi flags, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim and pro-Trump signs and shirts. They chanted the piercing “Jews will not replace us” that has been replayed again and again. “I don’t think we’ve seen such open hatred in this country,” Noble said. It’s an avoidable topic, he said, because this public display of hatred seems to be growing increasingly, and these rallies and sentiments parallel that of a regime that he knows far too well. The political polarity, the growing unease of a changing world and the rhetoric displayed by the country’s leadership reveals that the ideals of hatred and white supremacy may not be fringe. “This country has been divided in the past, but this is different,” Noble said. “Hate is not gonna go away. It’s just become easier to hate than ever before.” How and why: The illusion of a post-racial America Tensions in America due to racial, religious, ethnic and ideological differences have been a part of the America story since its creation. The United States was built on the ideals of liberty and individual freedom while benefiting from a workforce that was considered property. The nation ultimately clashed with its own contrary existence, and since the Civil War has struggled with AfricanAmerican liberation as well as accepting various influxes of immigrants from around the world. In 2008, the election of Barack Obama created a perception that as a country, the U.S. had reached a more tolerant society, perhaps even a post-racial one. According to English professor Shazia Ali, those who viewed Obama’s election as an end-all victory needed to exam ine the country further.
GO NAKAMURA/ZUMA PRESS/TNS
Riot police and alt-right rally members clash on Aug. 12 in Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“Electing someone at the presidential level does not change the fact that you have an environment, you have a system, that is so ingrained and is not going to shift and suddenly become this wonderful, tolerant society,” she said. “What happened in 2008 is that we fell under the illusion.” That illusion was snapped following the election of Donald Trump, but tensions were always there below the surface, she said. Obama’s first term in office saw a sharp rise in hate groups throughout the United States. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a legal advocacy organization that tracks hate groups nationwide, in 2008 there were 888 hate groups active in the U.S., by 2012 there were 1,007. The legalization of gay marriage, increasing immigration and an ever-expanding digital world all coincided with Obama’s presidency. During this time, the Black Lives Matter movement was also born. The movement, which originated following the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, was quickly criticized for its confrontational tactics and for the civil unrest that has occurred during many of their protests. Riots following protests against the police shooting of of Oscar Grant in Oakland, California, and Michael Brown in
Ferguson, Missouri, and the police custody death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, only furthered the unease. According to a 2016 Pew Research study, 65 percent of black Americans support Black Lives Matter while 40 percent of white Americans say they support it. The riots that occurred during the group’s protests have associated the movement with violence and the July 7 killing of police officers in Dallas by a black lone shooter has been marked as a pinnacle of that violence by some of their harshest opponents. Commentators on Fox News have called it a “murder movement,” have accused it of inciting violence against law enforcement and have called for it to be considered a hate group. President Obama’s association with the movement due to his comments on Trayvon Martin’s death, in which he said Martin could have been his son or could have been him, put the already mistrusted president in alliance with a controversial movement that some Americans perceived as being anticop and undermining law and order. Noble suggests that resentment in upper and middle class America towards the former president, and the government as a whole, was also associated to one key issue: affirmative action. “A lot of middle class whites feel that African-Americans
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and other minorities have an advantage over them when it comes to going to college or getting jobs,” he said. “They think that advantage is affirmative action.” According to Noble, the president and his policies were perceived as aiming to systematically discriminate and disadvantage whites. “They see Obama as he wanted to come to office and destroy white culture,” he said. This includes the 32 percent of white Americans who believe that Obama made race relations worse, according to Pew. “If your whole life there’s this idea that, ‘well you’re white so you should have X, Y and Z,’ and you don’t have that and everything in the culture is enforcing that this is appropriate, this is normal, you would feel pretty bad if you look around and see people who are supposed to be behind you in line,” sociology professor India Stewart said. “Things are changing very, very quickly and for some people that’s probably pretty scary.” The case for hate speech Some disenfranchised Americans with their place in the country seemingly in jeopardy find it easier to blame minorities, according to Stewart. However, this may not initially lead to commitment of white supremacist ideals. The modern course of white supremacy required an extra element that has led to its rapid invigoration. Initially fringe hate groups with white supremacist ideals have found resurgence through the use of the internet and social media to share ideas. A 2016 study by George Washington University determined that Twitter accounts linked to white supremacist ideals increased by 600 percent in 2012 and outperform ISIS accounts by every measure. They are used to not only spread their opinions, but to also present misinformation as truth. In a polarized political landscape, it becomes easier to accept information, whether or not factual, that reinforces opinions. According to Pew, rural and urban Americans have starkly different views on many key issues, and both are growing increasingly partisan in regards to immigration, gun control, healthcare and race relations, according to the research. “We live so differently,” Noble said. “We hold different things in value and these values have become so sacred that we’re unwilling to compromise. We’ve gone to the point where we’re not willing to listen to the other side. It’s either you agree with me or your wrong.” The ability to share ideas without the consequence of identification has found popularity with online platforms such as The Daily Stormer and Stormfront, neo-Nazi and white supremacist news sources and forums. Fake news stories, spread throughout the political spectrum, are shared and made talking points on these sites, gaining traction on message and image board sites like 4chan. From there they reach mainstream fake news platforms such as InfoWars.com and ultra-conservative news outlets such as Breitbart, then reach Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds. The internet also provides an avenue for hate groups to organize in mass. The Charlottesville and many other “Unite the Right” rallies were organized through Facebook. The organization of white supremacist groups, the spread of misinformation and the use of what may be considered hate speech is a difficult task to monitor or shut off. According to Noble, governmental monitoring of hate speech and fake news can lead to the limiting of free speech and a free press. “Once we get to the point that we’re dictating what we consider appropriate news and what isn’t, then we’re in North Korean state-sponsored television,” he said. The monitoring of hate speech brings up a topic of conversation that would require the way the country looks at the First
ZACH D ROBERTS/NURPHOTO/ZUMA PRESS/TNS
Neo-Nazis, alt-right and white supremacists march the night before the “Unite the Right” rally, on Friday, Aug. 11 through the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.
Amendment. Undecided major Juan Carrizales believes that campuses should ban “any groups that promote hate or discrimination.” He believes that a limitation to their hateful voices is necessary “because it is something we shouldn’t be leaning toward.” Business major Tekeyun Moore thinks differently. “When it comes to a college campus, it’s open to anything,” he said. Moore believes that there should be no restrictions on groups from speaking or gathering on a campus. “I feel like there should really be none, unless it harms students,” he said. Speech professor NickVera agrees that the views of those in Charlottesville must be protected despite their content. “Even though their views are hateful, the opposite of peaceful, they still have the right to get out and demonstrate, just like anyone,” he said On many sides: The Trump microphone When Donald Trump announced his candidacy for president, Ladbrokes offered 150 to 1 odds that he would win. The idea of him in the presidential candidacy was a punch line for late-night TV hosts. Establishment politicians groaned at the idea of sharing the stage with a reality TV star, and his first press conference was met with criticism for his representation of undocumented immigrants. Those comments were splattered all over the news networks as people asked for every politician and pundit to comment. For all its news cycle replays, what wasn’t realized was that the rhetoric he used had instantly struck a chord with that frustrated part of the country. He had also struck a chord with holders of white supremacist views. Following a presidency filled with the perceived marginalization of white Americans and political correctness, there was now a man who spoke how a group of Americans had felt for so long. The feeding into these resentments, as Noble put it, and his brash style championed Trump into high office. “A lot of Trump’s voters and supporters feel like white people are the ones getting the shaft now and being treated with
second class citizenship,” Noble said. “And Trump, of course, is feeding that. What do you think ‘Make America Great Again’ means? It means make America white, male-dominated again. Get rid of affirmative action. Get rid of political correctness.” Trump’s election victory only strengthened the ideas that it was acceptable to openly display views of frustration, even if those displays materialized into hateful actions. Reports of swastikas around schools, racist vandalism on black celebrity homes and incidents of violence, including the stabbing of two men in Portland, Oregon, who tried to stop a white supremacist tirade, have all occurred since Election Day. In the first month after the election, 1,094 incidents motivated by hate or bias were counted by the SPLC. “Trump had inspired these groups to become more bold,” Philosophy professor Kristina Rioux said. “Part of that inspiration is the ways the he talked about race and immigration.” Following the death of Charlottesville counter-protester Heather D. Heyer when a man associated with neo-Nazi groups rammed his car into a crowd, Donald Trump was hesitant to denounce white supremacists outright. He avoided the specific mention of these groups in his initial comments, denounced neo-Nazi, KKK and white supremacist groups in his second comments and blaming “both sides” for violence. . As a magnifying voice for the ideologies of these movements, his reaction to the incidents in Charlottesville was not particularly surprising, Noble said. “I don’t think that he wants to mess with part of his base, the people that support him dearly,” he said. “Donald Trump is a man who feeds on self-adulation and people fawning over him” Students have voiced their disagreement with Trump’s comments. “He wants to make things seem not that bad, as if it’s not a problem or anything.” dentistry major Sarah, who only gave her first name, said. “He thinks everything is just fine and keeps promoting violence against each other.” Engineering major Steven, who only gave his first name, See Free speech, page 10 ➤
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Free speech, president’s words prompt debate Continued from page 9 said that Trump’s comments make it difficult for the president to disassociate himself with these groups in the future. “White supremacists are a very erratic group of individuals and that kind of power over people should be shot down, not encouraged,” he said. “But Trump did not. He could have shot them down and reduced conflict.” Nazis of old and the divided right Noble said the largest indication that these groups may be gaining more legitimacy are the increase involvement of upper and middle class Americans joining or sympathizing with white supremacist ideals. “We’re starting to see younger, more college-educated and people from middle- and upper-class backgrounds not necessarily joining the Klan, not necessarily joining the Nazis, but harboring their beliefs and embracing them,” he said. “We’re starting to see some sophisticated people, and that’s what’s scary.” The Nazis, KKK, white supremacists and alt-right groups and the president’s comments on Charlottesville have ultimately done the opposite of “unite the right,” Noble points out. “You’re already seeing that Republicans are calling him out and saying he’s wrong for this,” he said. Voters throughout the country who voted for Trump but oppose these white supremacist views have been turned off or have more reservations in their support for him following his comments on Charlottesville. “Before his comments on Charlottesville about him saying that white supremacists were good people, before that I didn’t find his rhetoric harsh,” Chemistry major Nicholas Singleton said. “I say now it is a problem. His rhetoric is encouraging them.” Noble points out that these seemingly right-leaning ideals run contrary to true conservative philosophy, a fact that these hate groups have come to embrace. “They don’t see themselves as normal conservatives,” he said. “They see themselves as super conservatives.” This has had a ripple effect through the government, Noble said. Elected officials around the country have specifically spoken out against white supremacist ideology, something that Noble said needed to be done. Noble also said that although many on the right have stepped up and disavowed the Charlottesville violence and Trump’s hesitation to disavow it, there’s a base of political players that remain loyal to Trump and seemingly to these white supremacist ideals. “This is where we see a splintering of parties,” Stewart said. “We might be in uncharted waters politically, some of the old rules don’t work anymore.” This, they claim, could lead to a political landscape with elected officials that may sympathize with Trump’s rhetoric. “In this 2018 election … Trump is gonna endorse a lot of challengers to [Republican] incumbents as part of his ‘drain the swamp’ motif,” Noble said. Stewart said that, despite how fringe these groups have looked in the recent past, Americans are vulnerable to normalizing their seemingly radical ideas. “We’d like to think that we are so much more rational and enlightened than we actually are and that we’re not gonna go for the demagogue who yells the loudest or the person who’s got the biggest personality,” she said. “But I wonder how true that in fact is.” History professor Liz Nichols warns that the parallels between the Nazis of Germany and the groups of today must not
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“You’re not getting anywhere by having violent protests, where they attack random people on the streets when protesting,” Singleton said. “The African-American male who shot down police officers was a supporter of Black Lives Matter. We also have Dylann Roof on the other side who was a white supremacist and went to a predominantly black church and killed innocent people. Both the actions of white supremacists, Black Lives Matter and Antifa have lead to the death of innocent people.” Stewart said that extremism on both sides of the political aisle could push Americans into choosing a side and create a new political and social normal. “As you get louder and louder voices on either extreme side you get pushed,” she said. “So what is normal or what is considered normal gets pushed even further to the extreme.” CARLOS GONZALEZ/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/TNS
Demonstrators burn a swastika-covered figure during an Aug. 14 rally in solidarity with anti-racist protestors in Charlottesville Monday, Aug. 14. The rall involved a march that ended in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
be overlooked. “Hitler, Nazism it rose up in a democratic society,” Nichols said. “Hitler was elected legally.” Noble echoes that caution. He stated that the mainstreaming of hateful sentiments, or as the Nazis called it “the revolution of the soul,” is what puts the country in a risky position. “The Nazis were elected,” he said. “They didn’t seize power. They were given power.” The wrong response Counter-protests to white supremacist or far-right events that decend to violence demean the protection of free speech, according to Vera. “Walking down the street with a Nazi flag waving, I think a person should have a complete right to do that,” he said. “If you walk up and punch that person in the face, then you’re the criminal.” Groups like Anti-facists, or Antifa, have been at the center of various protests that have turned violent in Philadelphia and Chicago and were present in the midst of altercations in Charlottesville. Protests associated with or organized by Antifa to oppose right-leaning events have shut down speaking events like farright personality Milo Yiannopoulos and conservative Ann Coulter in Berkley, California. Singleton, who expressed reservations on Trump’s Charlottesville comments, said that when you have groups that hate against a particular group of people and you incite or promote violence against these groups, such as violence against police officers or violence against whites he said occurs through Black Lives Matter and Antifa, then that group is an equal threat to the country as white supremacist groups.
‘Good people have to stand up’ Stewart said that despite being in uncharted political waters, everyone has the ability to counter hate. “The society is a huge thing,” she said. “But it’s made up of individuals. So even within this big structure we have the ability to make choices.” Stewart said that continuously making the right choices and promoting the right choices to other individuals is the only way to change the country’s social climate. “I just wish people realized how much power they have on an individual level. If you don’t like the way things are going, do something,” she said. Rioux said that it’s important for students and the community to feel a sense of responsibility. “Denouncing such activities shouldn’t be something that we’re squeamish about,” she said. “We all carry that responsibility when we see such major moral transgressions that we’re able to speak up and condemn it.” Noble, having taught the Nazi Germany course for years, points to the key of avoiding a repeat of history. Education, he said, the understanding of our times and our biases allows for an individual to make sound decisions on information, rhetoric and possible false narratives. Equally important, he said, is to not turn a blind eye when faced with bigotry and oppression. “If good people allow these things to happen and don’t speak up, then they can’t be surprised when these groups become more powerful,” Noble said. “Good people have to stand up and say ‘this is wrong. We don’t do this in this country.’ I don’t want us to be, 20 years from now, at a point we can’t come back fromhere’s something we can do now and that’s stand up against these groups and have a president that calls them what they are: detestable human beings that are the very worst example of what America is.” —Kathryn Higgins and Mikaela Carillo contributed to this report
LIFE&ARTS
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CONCERT REVIEW
Just Knock: EDM duo fuels fun-filled night By BRYAN PEREZ Reporter @TheEtCetera
The Knocks performed a rhythmic and fun set paired with a beautiful arrangement of lights during a “private”, yet free show on Aug. 24 played outside of their current tour dates. The Knocks are a New York City electronic music duo consisting of Ben “B-Roc” Ruttner and James “JPatt” Patterson. They’re classified as an electronic/dance duo but take from funk, pop and rock. The Knocks are known for their single “Classic,” which was released in 2014 on Neon Gold Records/Big Beat Records and whose music video has reached over 3 million views on YouTube. The duo collaborated with Matthew Koma in 2015’s “I Wish (My Taylor Swift)” and with Wyclef Jean in 2016 for “Kiss The Sky.” The concert location was set at Hickory Street Annex, a two-story venue suited for private events. Spectrum and Pandora sponsored this event for free. It was not widely
promoted, so it the audience was small. The limited amount of people made it feel like a “secret” show. As I walked in I was greeted by a promoter who was handing out colorful LED light up foam sticks that brought an ambience to the experience. Walking up the stairs of the venue, a beautiful arrangement of light fixtures and lit up table pedestals seemed to be a hit among the guests in the venue. Gilligan Moss, another dance/ electronic music duo, took the stage as the opener. They played an arrangement of beats that brought energy to the crowd and put everyone in the mood to dance. Hearing their set list was enjoyable despite never hearing them beforehand. The Knocks took the stage without a big entry and immediately began to play. The crowd began to gather closer to the stage and smiled with enthusiasm as they pulled out
YESENIA ALVARADO/THE ET CETERA
James Patterson engaged the crowd throughout his set at Hickory Street Annex on Aug. 24. Patterson is a member of The Knocks, an Electronic Dance Music band with pop-punk and 80s influences.
their phones to record. A group in the crowd had closed their eyes, lifted up their arms and sang along while dancing with excitement. The crowd seemed to enjoy the flow and good vibes from The Knocks. The group members made sure to give it their all to keep the
crowd full of excitement by clapping along with them and extending out their hand to greet their fans. The Knocks put on a great show full of energy while also giving us a laid back atmosphere. I loved that one of the promoters was having as much fun we were, dancing along with the music.
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Overall, the concert was enjoyable, fun and filled with energy. Anyone who enjoys electronic dance music should definitely check out these two duos. They may be underrated but I see them gaining much more success in the future as well as more respect from their fans.
opinion Etera Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Texas Community College Journalism Association • Associated Collegiate Press • College Media Association
Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editor in Chief James Hartley Digital Managing Editor David Silva Life & Arts Editor Macks Prewitt Multimedia Editor Andrew Gonzales
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Social Media Reporter Mikaela Carrillo Editorial Assistant Marie Garcia Contributor Melody Cornish Advertising & Marketing Keturah Hill Student Publications Manager Elizabeth Langton Digital Media Adviser Sarah Sheldon Faculty Adviser Lori Dann Editorial Policy The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District. The Et Cetera is published every two weeks—except December, January and summer months—by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. Additional copies are available in Room N-240. First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
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OUR VIEW
Dallas must persist in Harvey relief In the wake of any disaster the size of Hurricane Harvey, there are tremendous needs throughout the community that last beyond the current news cycle. As winds and rain tore across Southeast Texas, it was immediately clear that Texans have a long road ahead of them. While some have began recovery, evacuations are still underway in the areas affected. It is vital that we, as the Eastfield community, take an active role in contributing to the relief efforts that will take place over the next months and, even more, over the next several years. On Dec. 26 2015, North Texas faced tornadoes that devastated entire communities and left hundreds homeless. For these families recovery is still ongoing. Harvey has devastated Texas communities from Rockport to Galveston to Houston. The news cycle will move on from Harvey when the death toll stops rising, but the hurt in the community, the need for love, compassion and active efforts to assist the healing process will remain. It will be easy to forget the disas-
ter. It will be easy to put out of our minds the flooded streets, destroyed homes and wet, hungry Texans who are in the news. We must not do that. We need to be ready, willing and able to volunteer our time, donate our money and offer a hand both now and in the future. Volunteer with the Red Cross, a local church, a food pantry or any organization actively working to aid those affected by the storms. Red Cross shelters across Dallas need volunteers. From cooking to donation collection, working a front desk to simply being there for people, there’s a way anyone can get involved. Volunteer with local churches and help sort donations or cook meals for those affected. There’s also ways to contribute to efforts in more specialized ways. Local business owners can offer free services to refugees. Licensed hairdressers can go to a shelter and offer free haircuts to children, just be sure to contact the shelter beforehand. Restaurants can provide a freshcooked meal. Clothing stores can offer new clothes to those who have lost every-
thing in the flooding. Simple gestures can mean more than we realize. Local musicians can play music outside shelters. Artists can visit shelters and create uplifting art with chalk on sidewalks. Instead of donating diapers, formula and used clothing to the Red Cross — they won’t turn donations down but will tell anyone who asks that they already have enough — get gift cards to stores like Walmart or
ILLUSTRATION BY MANUEL GUAPO/THE ET CETERA
fast food places where a family can grab a cheap meal. Help lift the spirits of a family by giving gift cards to a movie theater, Chuck E. Cheese or Build a Bear Workshop. Whatever you do, don’t move on when the news cycle does. Stay engaged in whatever way you can and keep yourself attentive for opportunities to help throughout the relief and recovery processes.
Rise of hate highlights need for Second Amendment With many Americans fearing a rise in racism and fascism, the importance of the Second Amendment is more apparent than ever. Some have equated the levels of racism, xenophobia and homophobia in today’s American society to that of Nazi Germany. Racist groups and hate groups are already causing damage to property as well as injuring, and sometimes killing, innocent people. If Americans have a Constitutional right that provides law-abiding citizens with a means to protect themselves against these hate crimes, should they not use it? Americans are blessed with the Second Amendment, which is often taken for granted or protested. The Founding Fathers gave Americans the right to own firearms for both the protection of themselves and their families. Americans should exercise this important right as a means of safety, especially today with the
Melody Cornish @TheEtCetera
perceived increase in fascism. The Second Amendment gives “The People” the right to own and carry firearms. Those who are in racist groups with the intent to kill will always find a weapon to do it with. Were the government to disarm citizens by taking away Second Amendment rights, how could innocent people defend themselves against those who get firearms regardless of the law? While police are important to our country, their job is to catch criminals after the fact rather than be everywhere at once. Because of hate groups that have formed who are aiming to oppress specific groups of people
through violence, it only makes sense that Americans have a legal way to protect themselves, their families,and their property. Using firearms, Americans can stop Nazi-like crimes such as tyranny, genocide and oppression early. For example, if the KKK were to begin killing a group of African-Americans, armed African-American citizens could protect themselves with firearms. If Neo-Nazis begin killing Jews or members of the LGBT community, these people could use their Second Amendment right to defend themselves. Presuming that we, as Americans, want to protect ourselves, those we love and our property, we should be clinging to our Second Amendment rights. We should protect the right to defend ourselves from those who try to harm us. — Melody Cornish is a guest columnist and an undecided major.
OPINION
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Falsely crying racism only makes it harder to spot With actual racists making their ideologies public in the political arena these recent months, it has been painfully obvious that accusations of racism have lost their power. Recently that reality has been clouded by accusations of racism where none exists. It’s an attempt to distract people from real racists. This is probably done to cause a divide between the people while allowing racists to hide behind the new false definition of racism. As a Mexican-American who has experienced actual racism, these false accusations are an insult and make light of racism. This new definition of racism tears down our basic understanding of what it is and broadens it to include things that would normally not be seen as racist. From Trump’s wall, to hairstyles, jokes, cops and governmental aid, everything is racist. Liberals began this tactic to defend their views rather than using logic to “Trump” their opponent’s arguments. They simply shout “racist,” and paint their opponents as people who aren’t worth hearing. In their new definition, racism can happen without the “racist” person even realizing they’re doing it.
Dan Luna @TheEtCetera
These microagressions are absurd attempts to say that you are aggressed, even if no aggression took place. Microaggressions have become an excuse for violence and racism. For example, lately, saying “I don’t like Mexican food” is seen as racist. On Aug. 2, Isabelle Khoo wrote an article for the Huffington Post Canada on a young girl who wore a kimono and posted it on Tumblr showing her tea party. Liberals, or more accurately Social Justice Warriors, were quick to attack her saying that what she was doing was racist. This type of accusation is new, because in the past racists were a very specific group of people. Being racist meant hating a particular group of people due to the color of their skin. It was simple and that made it easy to spot actual racists.
This traditional definition allows us to target actual racism, instead of people who acknowledge that differences exist. Someone saying “that black guy” or “that Mexican kid,” under this traditional definition wasn’t racist and shouldn’t be considered racist. Do those phrases mean they hate black people or tan people? No it doesn’t. Perhaps it’s dumb thing to say, and shows a lack of adjectives in their vocabulary, but it’s far from racism. Racist phrases inherently aim to show hatred toward a particular group. This is why racial slurs are derogatory terms and not descriptive terms. They make everyone from that group seem to be less human. True racism is an ideology that believes people of certain skin color, ethnicity or culture are worth less than other humans. They don’t think that those humans have intrinsic value. Only their group has value, while the rest deserve to die, or at the very least live apart from them. These liberals have used racism to attack ideas they don’t like, and thus censor free
speech. Thanks to their politically correct culture preaching, most of us now walk on cliché eggshells and become easily offended by the simplest of words. If we continue to follow their false ideology, not only will we kill free speech, but we will allow the true face of racism to hide behind the large group they have falsely labeled as racist. It gives racists courage and fuels their hatred towards the groups they hate. We can’t give them that privilege and should call out the real racism. If things continue to go the way they are going, we will live in a divided world. We can even see modern examples of segregation. The Washington Times had an article over the Berkeley protest because they demanded “advocating the creation of physical spaces segregated by race and gender identity.” It propels the agenda of racist ideologies that want to live separate lives. We need to return to the traditional definition of racism and stop being so sensitive about things we don’t like to hear. Instead, let’s unite to call out real hatredfueled racist ideologies. — Dan Luna is a staff photographer for The Et Cetera and an accounting major
Conservatism and Christianity don’t mesh White wrinkled hands press on the back of an aged man. The men and women surrounding him are all white and affluent. Their suits are tailored. Their fingers adorned. Their hands clean and manicured. The white men have their eyes closed in prayer. One is smiling, and another has his brows furrowed with his palm raised as if to propel the Holy Spirit. This image, tweeted on July 11 by the evangelical Johnnie Moore, spread quickly through cyberspace. Christian Trump supporters celebrated. Finally, they had a president who puts God first and advocates for prayer in public schools. Donald Trump was declared a beacon of light for our bleak, perilous times. However, any sentence proclaiming Donald Trump a Christian is an antithesis. Donald Trump loves Jesus as much as he loves losing. The Gospel does not align with his or his self-proclaimed Christian supporters’ conservative agenda. Christianity has been on a decline. For example, 86 percent of American adults considered themselves Christians in 1990, while only 71 percent did in 2008. Our society has changed drastically since 1990. Gay marriage is legal and widely accepted. Roe vs. Wade is still federal law. So, it is not a coincidence that our ever-progressive society is rejecting the church when the poster boys for Christianity are men like Donald Trump: affluent bigots and misogynists. They reject science, refugees, equality and social justice. In the 2016 presidential election, 60 percent of Christian voters confirmed their support for Trump in the voting booths. But why are most Evangelicals so easily drawn to a man whose political ideals are the opposite of Jesus’ teachings if it was Jesus of Nazareth who fed the poor, damned the rich, healed the sick and befriended prostitutes, thieves and those who wanted him dead? Jesus practiced radical love and politics, so much so that it led to his crucifixion. The Gospel at its core is about giving power and a voice to those who have none. However, the Jesus of the Bible does not fit the Republican agenda, so instead many Evangelicals use hate
to separate themselves from those who differ from them Alejandra because that is much easier Pena than striving for peace and @TheEtCetera justice. Striving towards universal peace and justice means having uncomfortable conversations about sex, gender, war, capitalism, privilege, racism, poverty and making the decision as followers of Christ to be as giving and as loving as possible to those less privileged, like he commanded us to do. The Gospel is intimidating because the love and acceptance mentioned in the Bible is unconditional. Follower of Christ are not only commanded to love their neighbors despite their differences, they are told to love those very differences as well. It is much easier for privileged men like Donald Trump and Paul Ryan to condemn those who do not fit the status quo rather than love them because love requires effort, understanding, patience and empathy. Love often leads to martyrdom and sacrifice. This is something that they have never done. Something that they flat out refuse to do. Jesus does not exist in the Republican Party, nor will he ever. Instead, Jesus exists underneath bridges where the homeless sleep. He exists in the hospital bed next to a gay man dying of AIDS. He exists in the heels of a woman running across the border with a child on her shoulders. Jesus exists in the calloused hands of a field worker, in the afro of a protester, in the smile of a panhandler, in the protruding ribs of a refugee child. Jesus exists as the voice for those who have none. Jesus liberates. Jesus fights for justice. Jesus is anything but conservative. —Alejandra Pena is a reporter and English major.
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Sports The Et Cetera
Sept. 7 Sept. 9 Sept. 9 Sept. 10
Volleyball vs. Southwestern Adventist 7 p.m. Soccer vs. Western Texas 6 p.m. Volleyball vs. Southwestern Christian College 6 p.m. Soccer vs. Allen County 11 a.m.
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Soccer kicks off with two wins, one loss By JULIO VEGA Senior Staff Writer @JulioVegaETC
The Eastfield women’s soccer team kicked off the season by winning two of its first three games. The Harvesters scored nine goals and conceded only two while recording two clean sheets. Eastfield 5, LSU Shreveport 0 Eastfield scored twice in quick succession early in the second half and later added two more goals to pull away for a season-opening road win on Aug. 22. Freshman forward Arianna Dunsworth opened the scoring for the Harvesters in the 40th minute as they took a 1-0 advantage into the break. Freshman forward Mirella Hernandez scored the Harvesters’ second goal of the day, while Joy Carlock grabbed the third. Freshman forward Angela Lomeli notched the fourth after 70 minutes, and defender Odalis Bernabe closed out the scoring with four minutes left. “We had five goals from five different goal scorers,” Eastfield coach Dustin Stein said. “It’s huge because a big problem for us last year was being able to find the back of the net.” Sophomore attacking midfielder Emily Juarez assisted on Hernandez’s and Lomeli’s
strikes, and she also created other scoring opportunities with two shots on goal. Hill College 2, Eastfield 1 The Harvesters fell behind 1-0 in their home opener on Aug. 25 after Renaisha Mitchell’s strike in the 21st minute. However, in the 58th minute, Carlock set up Dunsworth for the equalizer. The score stayed tied until the closing minutes, with Hill’s Jerci Lopez scoring the game winner with just four minutes to go. Stein said the team made defensive errors on the goals conceded, and they must learn from those mistakes and prevent them in the future. “That was something we were able to address in the film session,” he said. “Hopefully, we don’t make those mistakes again.” Eastfield 3, Cisco Jr. College 0 Freshman defender Alexis Villa set up Dunsworth in the 35th minute for her third goal of the season, giving the Harvesters a first-half lead that they would never relinquish in an Aug. 29 shutout.Stein praised how his players reacted to the early substitutions he made, quickly turning the game in their favor. “Some of our subs gave us some really good minutes and altered the game,” he said. “These bench [are] players getting in and making a case that they should be in the starting 11. That’s what drives the starters as well.” Eastfield scored two quick goals just after the
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Yesenia Calvillo fights for control over the ball from two Hill College players Aug. 25.
70-minute mark in the second half. Freshman midfielder Alyssa Guzman took part in both goals, assisting Lomeli for the second before being immediately being set up by Carlock for the third. Goalkeeper Gabriela Roa came up big for Eastfield, making eight key saves and preventing Cisco from getting onto the scoreboard. She admitted making some costly mistakes during the previous game, but vowed to continue to improve. “I know I can do better,” Roa said. “I learned from my mistakes against Hill.” Dunsworth is proving her worth to the team, having scored in each game she’s played,
but she knows she needs to produce more for the team to succeed. “I feel like I can keep doing a lot better and finish more opportunities,” she said. “[I want to improve] my crosses so my teammates can finish them.” Stein said he’s glad that the team’s depth is being challenged, as it gives each player the experience needed to compete at a higher level and gets them ready for the games that matter later in the season. “The biggest thing we need to do is continue to define the roles and understand our jobs, and if the players can focus on what their role is,” he said. “As long as everyone is doing their role, we’ll be OK.”
(22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 15-9) on Aug. 26 in their first fiveset match of the season. Reyes and Fredrickson again stood out, combining for 28 kills, six service aces and 25 digs. Defensively, libero Maura JESUS AYALA/THE ET CETERA Munoz made Harvester Chloe Hope 33 digs and spikes the ball. Tomlin recorded 27.
Liberos Tomlin and Munoz recorded 24 and 29 digs, respectively. Costlow recorded 12 kills, while middle blocker Alex McPherson had 11 kills. Eastfield 3, Arlington Baptist 2 Having won the first two sets, Eastfield was unable to keep Arlington Baptist from clawing back and was forced to a fifth set before winning 3-2 (25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 16-25, 15-5) on Aug. 28. Fredrickson had 10 kills and 17 digs, while Costlow and McPherson recorded 10 and 12 kills, respectively. On defense, Tomlin had 31 digs, Munoz had 29, and outside hitter Lexi Peery had 13 digs and two block assists. Eastfield 3, Paul Quinn 0 Frederickson led the way with 14 kills and eight digs as the Harvesters posted their second sweep of the season, winning 25-12, 25-16, 2511. Peery also recorded six kills, five service aces and five digs, while Tomlin had four services aces and 14 digs, and Munoz had three service aces and six digs.
Harvesters claim five wins in non-conference games By JULIO VEGA Senior Staff Writer @JulioVegaETC
The Eastfield volleyball season is in full swing, with the Harvesters currently holding a 5-2 record and leading the nation in several areas with 353 kills, 104 service aces, 571 digs, and 64 block assists. The team competed in the Vernon College Classic tournament on Aug. 25-26, going 2-2 and beating Division II and Division I opponents. These non-conference games are in preparation for their conference schedule, which opens Sep. 18 when they visit Mountain View College. Eastfield 3, Southwestern Christian 0 The Harvesters kicked off their season on Aug. 23 by sweeping Southwest Christian (2512, 25-16, 25-7) on the road. Eastfield recorded 27 digs, 30 kills, 10 blocks and 19 service aces. Outside hitter Kerstin Fredrickson had six kills and seven digs, while outside hitter Keishla Reyes had six kills and six service aces.
Middle blocker Chloe Hope also recorded six kills offensively, while defending well with a dig and four block assists. Seminole State 3, Eastfield 1 In their first match at the Vernon College Classic, the Harvesters fell 3-1 (25-13, 27-25, 21-25, 22-25) on Aug. 25. Middle blocker Payton Costlow had 14 kills, seven block assists and four service aces, while Fredrickson contributed 11 kills and 15 digs. Reyes also recorded eight kills, four service aces and 13 digs. Eastfield 3, Labette 1 Narrowly winning the opening and closing sets, the Harvesters were able to knock off Division II Labette 3-1 (27-25, 17-25, 25-9, 28-26) for their first win of the tournament. Libero Alyssa Tomlin recorded 37 digs, while Reyes had 13 kills, four service aces and 21 digs. Fredrickson also hit double figures defensively with 17 digs, while adding two services aces and eight kills. Eastfield 3, Clarendon 2 The Harvesters took a narrow 3-2 victory
Barton 3, Eastfield 2 The Harvesters closed the Vernon College Classic with a 3-2 loss to Barton (27-25, 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-10), which went undefeated in the tournament. Fredrickson and Reyes both recorded 20 kills, four service aces and 27 digs.
Wrapup The Et Cetera
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Clockwise from top right: The funnel cake queso bacon burger took first place in the Big Tex Choice Awards “Best Taste — Savor” and “Most Creative” food contest categories. Cali Villacci, a 10-year-old special guest judge, records her thoughts on the food she tastses at the Big Texas Choice Awards. Valen Garcia, 11, munches down on contest entries at the Big Tex Choice Award. The sold out event supports the State Fair of Texas Youth Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to students that attend Fair Park-area schools.
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Above, Steve Carrasco, environmental science major, enjoys a corn on a cob sponsored by the Plant Base Nutrition club on Popcorn Friday Aug. 25. Left, students look up at the solar eclipse at Eastfield’s watch party on Aug. 21. It was the first total eclipse
Last Days of Summer
Fun, games, food and more food took over campus life during the first two weeks of the semester.. STEM organized a watch party for the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, giving out special glasses to help students and faculty look up at the sky without any eye damage. The library and Office of Student Engagement and Retention sponsored Mashup Monday on Aug. 28
Left, students splash around in the campus pool Sept. 1 during a party sponsored by OSER. The event was a part of new student welcome week. Below, Karla Moreno sits back and relaxes on her phone at one of many outdoor lounging areas at Eastfield.
with karaoke, games, mashed potatoes and other small activties anyone could enjoy. OSER hosted a series of events for new student welcome week to encourage students to be involved in campus life. Welcome week also included freshman convocation a Pintrest arts and crafts party and a t-shirt exchange for students. YESENIA ALVARADO/THE ET CETERA
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Students and faculty at Mashup Monday on Aug. 28. show off their awesome moves to the game “Just Dance”.
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