Legacy of suffregettes Etera
Eastfield College
Exclusive primary election coverage Harvesters clinch See pages 2 - 4➤ Region 5 championship See page 14 ➤ Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Volume 51, Issue 10
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
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Biden wants to heal divisions, bring country together By HARRIET RAMOS Copy Editor @HarrietRamosETC
Presidential candidate Joe Biden, with the backing of three former rivals, addressed supporters Monday night at Gilley’s Dallas at his last political rally before Super Tuesday. “This election isn’t a battle for the soul of the Democratic Party,” he said. “It is a battle for the soul of America.” Biden, who was trailing in the polls, received a boost from the South Carolina primary on Saturday where he defeated front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders by almost 30 percent. Since then, three Democratic presidential hopefuls, Tom Steyer, Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, have dropped out of the race. Buttigieg endorsed Biden at a prerally event earlier in the day, and Klobuchar appeared onstage with him at Gilley’s to announce her support. “He can bring our country together and build that coalition of our fired-up Democratic base,” Klobuchar said over the cheers of the crowd. “We do not in our party want
BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to an audience at Gilley’s in Dallas on March 1.
to just eke by a victory. We want to win big.” A University of Texas at Tyler/ Dallas Morning News poll shows Biden receiving 35 percent of Democratic support in Texas compared to 18 percent for Sanders. Beto O’Rourke, who ended his bid for the presidency in November, also attended the rally and promised to
vote for Biden. “We need somebody who can reestablish the moral authority of the United States,” he said. “We need somebody who will fight for democracy here and abroad … because democracy is under attack. We need Joe Biden.” Biden’s supporters started gathering outside Gilley’s at 2:30 p.m., 4.5
hours before the doors were scheduled to open. Dylan Phillips from Paris, Texas, was one of the first people in line. “This is my first political event, and this is my first time to vote in the Texas primary,” she said. “I mainly like his charisma and his … integrity. He doesn’t have to tear anyone down. He likes to build up. He wants to bring us together and unify the country.” DeSoto Mayor Curtistene McCowan said she wished she had gotten there sooner. “I could be all the way up there by now,” she said, gesturing toward the front of the line. McCowan said she is a long-time supporter of Biden. She hopes that even if he doesn’t win the Texas primary, he will still do well enough on Super Tuesday to boost the number of delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination. “There’s so much negativity in this country from the top,” she said. “I hate for our children to be exposed to all of that. I am so ready for civility and classiness and just that dignity. That’s why I’m here.” Inside the venue the Skyline High
School Marching Band welcomed the crowd with “America the Beautiful.” Cries of “Let’s go, Joe!” were heard repeatedly as the audience displayed their blue “Texas for Biden” signs. By 7:20 p.m. the area in front of the platform was packed. The crowd estimate was 2,150. Local lawmakers, including Texas Rep. Victoria Neave, gathered onstage to add their support for Biden. “We are done waiting for someone to lead this nation, a nation of immigrants like my dad,” Neave said. “There is somebody here tonight who is ready.” Biden and Klobuchar took the stage together shortly after 8:30 p.m. to cheers and whoops from the onlookers. “Every person who has been knocked down, counted out, left behind, this is your campaign,” Biden said. “This time we’ve got to bring around everybody. Every race, ethnicity, gender, disability, economic situation, Democrats, Republicans, Independents of every stripe. Most Americans don’t want the promise of a revolution. They want results. Winning means uniting America.”
Buttigieg abandons supporters at Dallas rally By JORDAN LACKEY Staff Writer @TheEtCetera
Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana and 2020 presidential candidate, announced he was dropping out of the Democratic race about an hour before he was set to speak at a rally in Dallas on March 1. “I’m completely shocked,” said Dvori Bird. “I wanted to cry when they said it.” Bird is a retired Austin resident who drove to Dallas just to hear Buttigieg speak. She was surprised that Buttigieg didn’t wait until after Super Tuesday to announce his withdrawal. After already voting for Buttigieg in the early elections, she was disappointed, yet sympathetic. “I think he himself is as disappointed as any of us who love him,” she said. “He did what he had to do. And we do what we have to do by continuing to love and support him.” Bird said she doesn’t have a second choice. She’ll support whoever wins the Democratic nomination, but she no longer has a candidate that she can be excited or passionate about. She’s hopeful that Buttigieg will find rest and comfort with his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, before he returns to the political stage. “When he’s ready,” she said. “I think he’s going to come back with a vengeance.” Buttigieg gained an early lead in the primary elections, but
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Supporters of Buttigieg console each other after he announced his withdrawal from the race on March 1.
after little to no support in both Nevada and South Carolina he fell drastically behind in delegates to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (60) and former Vice President Joe Biden (54). Buttigieg withdrew while in third place with 26 delegates. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (7) and philanthropist Tom Steyer (0) have also dropped out of the race after the results of the South Carolina primary elections. “I’ve been really torn since the South Carolina primary results,” said Buttigieg campaign volunteer Bruce Wittrig. “Hell, I came down to sign up people and wave signs [for Buttigieg]. But I might actually vote for Uncle Joe anyway.”
Wittrig had concerns about how divided the Democratic platform is and said he supported Buttigieg because of his moderate stances. Wittrig believes the nomination will most likely come down to Sanders and Biden. However, he does not believe that Sanders’ propositions are practical. He intends to support Biden from now on. Volunteer Bill Owen shared this same opinion but didn’t disclose who he’d give his support to now. He believed that Buttigieg would have been enough of a centrist to be able to lead bipartisan discussions and appeal to the extremes of both sides. Owen said his support for Buttigieg is political and not due to personal affiliations. “My friends in the LGBT community, they’re like, ‘Why are you supporting him? Just because you’re gay?’ No, not at all,” he said. “I supported him because of who he was, the way he conducted himself and what his positions and platform were.” Owen was thankful for the chance to volunteer at the event, despite it being canceled at the last minute. He was disappointed by the announcement, but said he was glad that all the volunteers were able to find out the news together and grieve as a form of closure before moving on. Owen still has high hopes for the future of Buttigieg’s political career and was curious who the former candidate would throw his support behind now that he’s no longer in the running. “I know [Buttigieg will] do the right thing,” Owen said. “Because he always does.” Buttigieg and Klobuchar both endorsed Biden.
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Biden bounces back, takes 9 states By SKYE SEIPP Editor in Chief @seippetc
After gaining support from resigned Democratic candidates, former Vice President Joe Biden won nine states and is expected to win in Maine after 14 states held primary elections on Super Tuesday. The wins revived Biden’s campaign and pushed him ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders in the delegate count at 311-245, according to the New York Times. Despite a loss for Sanders in Texas, his projected win in California and three other states kept his run for nomination alive. With 50 percent of polling locations reporting, Biden held a 31 to 28 percent lead over Sanders in Texas. “Winning means uniting America, not sowing seeds of division and anger and hate,” Biden said at a rally in Los Angeles. “We gotta beat Donald Trump, and we will, but we can’t become like him.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar and South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out this weekend and endorsed Biden in Dallas. State Rep. Victoria Neave also endorsed Biden. She said the most important thing about this election is flipping the House in Texas. Biden has the best chance of
ANTHONY LAZON/THE ET CETERA
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins attends the Democratic Watch Party on Super Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
getting independent and some Republican voters to switch to the Democratic party, she said Tuesday night while awaiting election results at the Dallas County Democrats watch party. “Regardless of who comes out, I think it’s important for all of us ... to unify,” Neave said. “In the end, the goal is to defeat Trump.” Emily Reyes, a Collin College student, said she voted for Sanders because of his proposed policy to make community college available for everyone. “I like his ideas and beliefs, and I feel like he would get it done,” she said. “Community colleges should be available to people that need it.”
Ramon Hernandez, a law student at Southern Methodist University, voted for Sanders on election day. Despite reports of long lines in Dallas County, he was able to vote in 10 minutes. “I think that he’s a breath of fresh air to the same old same old politics,” he said. “Even though his positions might be a little radical for most, you have to be sometimes to get change done. I was a big fan of his early on because he was courageous enough to take a position and stand by it.” He added that Sanders would be the best candidate for the Hispanic community. Hernandez said his stances on health care, educa-
tion and immigration are all beneficial for the Latinx community. “We need all the help we can get to be able to progress,” Hernandez said. “Our community needs to produce more educated people who are able to obtain a better quality of life.” A poll released March 1 conducted by the Dallas Morning News and University of Texas at Tyler had Sanders favored by 42 percent of Hispanic voters in Texas and leading overall in the state. He threw his support for the U.S. senator spot to Austin-based activist and organizer Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez because he wants to see representation from the Hispanic community leading Texas. “I think putting our Hispanic brand on a very Hispanic state is a good thing,” Hernandez said. “We need to rally behind candidates that represent our causes.” Texas’ senior senator, Republican John Cornyn, has been in office since 2002. He defeated his closest opponent by double digits in his party’s primary. Twelve candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to face him in November. The top tw will head to a runoff May 26. With 47 percent of polling locations reporting, Mary “MJ” Hegar, a former Air Force helicopter See Sanders, page 4 ➤
Voter turnout jumps above 2018 levels By ESON FELLERS News Editor @EsonFellersETC
Early voter turnout for the March 3 Texas primaries was more than 30 percent higher than 2018, according to the Texas Secretary of State. There are currently 16 million registered voters in Texas now compared to roughly 10 million in 2018. Ruth Klein with the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group providing people with unbiased education involving elections and civil rights, said she voted immediately. “I voted Tuesday morning on the first day of voting,” Klein said. “I figured if I get hit by a car, my vote’s already in.” A few people were still waiting in line at the Eastfield polling location when the polls closed at 7 p.m. but voters in some locations in Dallas,
Houston and Austin reported dozens or hundreds in line ahead of them, according to news reports. Eastfield mechatronics major Roderick Kines, who voted for Bernie Sanders this election, said unification is important for changes to occur. “Bernie Sanders actually believes in taking on Wall Street and trying to get the 1 percent of rich people to actually pay higher taxes, instead of raising them on poor people like me,” Kines said. Texas has one of the country’s youngest voting populations, with a median age of 35, according to data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey in 2016. Young voter turnout was record high for the 2018 midterm election, and closely matched the participation level of the presidential election in 2016. Over half of first-time voters in Texas’ 2018 election, involving 373,518 people,
were under 30 years old, according to political data firm TargetSmart. Zachary Skinner, computer science major, said no president is going to do a perfect job. “I voted in previous primaries, but I didn’t really care much at the time because I was in high school, so as a college student I care a bit more about it,” Skinner said. “I voted for Donald Trump, and I don’t think he’s doing a bad job. I don’t think Mike Bloomberg would do a bad job either. Pick your poison.” Nursing major Tatiana Clark said peers need to be encouraged to go out and vote to make a difference. “Most people think the presidential election is the biggest one, but it’s not. Everybody has to get out and vote for the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Clark said. “If you want to make a change, you have to be the first step in making that change. The change starts with you.”
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
SELECTED RESULTS
U.S. Senator, Democrats 0 Amanda K. Edwards 10.32% 0 Royce West 12.34% 0 Victor Hugo Harris 3.34% 0 Adrian Ocegueda 2.06% 0 Annie “Mama” Garcia 10.07% 0 Chris Bell 8.7% 0 Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez 13.55% 0 Michael Cooper 4.84% 0 D.R. Hunter 1.56% 0 Sema Hernandez 8.1% 0 Jack Daniel Foster Jr. 1.88% 0 Mary “MJ” Hegar 23.22% 74% precincts reporting
U.S. Senator, Republicans 0 John Anthony Castro 4.39% 0 Virgil Bierschwale 1.18% 0 Mark Yancey 6.07% 0 Dwayne Stovall 11.95% 0 John Cornyn 76.4% 61% precincts reporting
U.S. Representative District 5 0 Lance Gooden (R) 84.48% 0 Don Hill (R) 15.52% 61% precincts reporting
U.S. Representative District 30 0 Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) XX% 0 Shenita “Shae” Cleveland (D) XX% 0 Barbara Mallory Calaway (D) XX% 0 Hasani Burton (D) XX% No results reported by 1 a.m.
U.S. Representative District 32 0 Jon Hollis (R) 3.56% 0 Jeff Tokar (R) 3.95% 0 Geneviene Collins (R) 49.79% 0 Floyd McLendon (R) 38.79% 0 Mark Sackett (R) 3.91% 61% precincts reporting
State Representative District 100 0 James Armstrong III (D) 8.34% 0 Jasmine F. Crockett (D) 25.66% 0 Sandra J. Crenshaw (D) 18.99% 0 Loraine Birabil (D) 29.79% 0 Paul K. Stafford (D) 6.73% 0 Daniel Davis Clayton (D) 10.50% 58% precincts reporting
State Representative District 108 0 Tom Ervin (D) 14.94% 0 Shawn D. Terry (D) 26.59% 0 Joanna Cattanach (D) 58.47% 58% precincts reporting
Sheriff 0 Marian Brown (D) 59.63% 0 Roy Williams Jr. (D) 30.47% 0 Sam Mohamad (D) 9.89% 58% precincts reporting
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Adjunct takes second run at Texas House seat By LINDSEY CRAFT Life & Arts Editor @LindseycraftETC
Joanna Cattanach will likely get a second chance at becoming the representative for Texas House District 108. Late Tuesday night she was well on her way to securing the Democratic nomination with 58.4 percent of the vote and 58 percent of precincts reporting. Cattanach, who is an adjunct broadcast journalism professor at Eastfield, lost to Republican Morgan Meyer by 220 votes in the 2018 general election. After the defeat she vowed to “finish what we started” in 2020. “This momentum and this effort and all this that we built together, I wasn’t going to just walk away from it,” she said, “especially when it came down to that close of a margin.” Since conceding her race to Meyer, Cattanach has worked hard to improve her campaign strategy. She started contacting voters earlier than anticipated, worked with more volunteers and improved her fundraising efforts. One of the biggest challenges for Cattanach has been fundraising. Her closest challenger, Shawn Terry, is an investment banker and a former Republican who outraised her 2 to 1 in campaign contributions. “Money does not win elections,” she said while watching election results during her
BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
Joanna Cattanach hugs her son on Super Tuesday as they wait for votes to be finalized.
watch party at Matt’s Rancho Martinez in Dallas. “It’s a factor but it’s not [the only thing], and no matter how many times we said it, nobody would believe it until election night results come out.”
Terry was second with 26.59 percent of the vote at press time Tuesday, and Tom Ervin was third with 14.94 percent. Instead of letting money drive her campaign, Cattanach focused on voters and direct
voter contact. She said her focus was to get in front of as many voters as she could with the right message. “The fascination and total attention on money is exclusive to a donor class and often just a headline in the newspapers,” she said. “Most voters aren’t reading those headlines and aren’t in the donor class.” Cattanach said the issues that are most important to her are the ones that are most important to her district. “We will be talking about redistricting, health care, public education and commonsense gun legislation,” she said. Dallas social worker Nancy Rodriguez attended the watch party to show her support for Cattanach. “I think that she is strong on the issues and is clear in her convictions and what she thinks matters, which is health care, education and reproductive rights,” Rodriguez said. “I feel that she is a strong candidate and is very clear in what she stands for.” Also attending the party was Cameron O’Bannon, who has been a volunteer for Cattanach’s campaign, canvassing local communities and greeting voters at the polls. “I’m really committed to taking back the State House in advance of 2020,” he said. “Joanna’s campaign seemed like a really great way to do that, and I’m excited about the possibility of winning those nine seats we need to win.”
Sanders loses ground but stays alive in California Delegate tracker
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Bernie Sanders walks on stage at the Mesquite Arena on Feb. 14.
Continued from page 3 ➤ pilot, led with 22.43 percent of the votes. Fighting for the second-place spot is Ramirez with 14.31 percent. Ramirez gained late momentum by being endorsed by U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio and Alexandria OcasioCortez of New York. Despite her slow start, Ramirez remained positive throughout. “I know I was underestimated by people
in Washington,” she said. “But you know what? I’m used to being underestimated.” Royce West, a state senator from Dallas, and Annie “Mamá” Garcia were neck and neck for the third spot. With West only leading by 0.11 percent, he still has not lost hope, he told CBS 11. “You know the story of David and Goliath,” he said. “I will end up being David.” —Hunter Garza contributed to this report
According to The New York Times at roughly 1:45 a.m.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Diversity efforts please some, disappoint others By SKYE SEIPP Editor in Chief @seippetc
Campus administration has made an effort to address problems surrounding diversity and inclusion on campus. However, some staff and faculty are dissatisfied with their method of using speakers from the corporate world, some of whom made what they said were insensitive comments about the LGBTQ community. On Feb. 21 a panel of diversity officers from the private sector visited campus to talk about strategies used at their companies to be more inclusive. George Marquez, assistant chief of Talent Central with the Dallas County Community College District, also spoke at the event about ways the district is planning to become more inclusive by using employee resource groups. “We are more involved with community than we ever have before,” Marquez said. “The National Diversity Council is our baseline and our standard for the way that we’re going to move forward.” English professor Kassandra Ramirez-Buck attended the panel and said she wished there was representation from academia. She added that it felt like a lecture and reminded her of when she worked in the private sector. “It was lacking this bridge on how we can bring it into our actual classrooms,” she said. “They were talking about how we can do it with our faculty and staff, but I think the big lack of diversity and equity is within our students and student programs.” As a professor, Ramirez-Buck has witnessed how accepting students for who they are can result in positive benefits. She gave an example of one of her students who was a part of the transgender community and wished to go by a different name rather than what was on the roll sheet. At this time, the student could not change their name in the district’s system. RamirezBuck chose to call the student by their preferred name and said the student expressed sincere gratitude to her for doing so. “Students shouldn’t have this added stress if that’s who they are,” she said. “Education should be fun and stress-free. I just don’t want them to be nervous about being their true selves.” Center of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity program coordinator Chris Schlarb, who identifies as trans, said they left the panel discussion early because comments made by one of the speakers gave them a panic attack. Schlarb said the speaker from Wells Fargo, Donna Davis, made comments that sounded like she perceives people who identify as trans as exotic. Davis was talking about battling her own biases by joining her company’s LGBTQ employee group. She said one of the members had a daughter who was “transgendered,” and that
PHOTO BY BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
Left, Donna Davis of Wells Fargo speaks in G-101 on Feb. 21 about strategies used at her company to address diversity. Dean of Student Success and Wellness Katy Launius addresses the speakers at the end of the panel about the language used during the discussion that hurt members of the LGBTQ community.
the story changed her way of thinking. Schlarb said Davis’ use of the term transgendered made it seem like that person was without an identity. “As an individual who identifies as transgender, I took it personally and a very negative sign that the administration would invite a panelist who used offensive language regarding the LGBTQ community especially given the administration’s lack of response to the bias incidents earlier,” they said in an email. “It’s obvious to me that our administration needs to repost the director position for the Center for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity due to their lack of knowledge in this area.” The Center for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity has not had a director Ashmi Patel left in August. Launius brought up this issue during her comments in October. President Eddie Tealer said the position was not filled due to budgetary concerns, but that it was not permanent and made it sound like the position would be filled later. At the end of the panel discussion, Dean of Student Success and Wellness Katy Launius addressed the panelists and Davis’ comments that prompted Schlarb to leave. “Part of the urgency around this conversation for our college has been a history of homophobia and transphobia,” Launius said. “As a member of the queer community, I would be remiss if I did not say there are things and there’s been language used in this conversation that has been harmful, which has vocalized bias in a way that didn’t allow for me or other members of the queer community to feel connected to the conversation today.” Conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion sparked back in October when Launius stood up at the end of Tealer’s forum to proclaim that members of the LGBTQ and other marginalized groups did not feel safe on campus.
She gave examples such as LGBTQ safe zone stickers being torn off doors and other derogatory comments toward LGBTQ members. She ended by questioning Tealer and his cabinet about what they would do to ensure the campus was inclusive for everyone. Tealer responded to these concerns by saying he would look into the issue and “make sure we check that diversity box.” “I feel like Dr. Tealer has stuck to his word,” Launius said. “He took the concern seriously, and [said] that he would engage in a period of investigation and then response. It’s clear that he’s doing so, and especially as we as an institution are moving more fully into our work related to Achieving the Dream, there’s even more campus conversations about what it means to be an inclusive and equitable campus.” Launius has been putting together different pieces of training on campus. Some of them are specifically geared toward LGBTQ safe zone training, while others provide participants with broader training on creating a more inclusive campus. This has included Launius bringing in outside sources like Natalie Gillard, who founded the game Factuality, which allows participants to live as someone from a different demographic than themselves. Launius also put together another training on Feb. 27 that simulated living as someone from a lower socioeconomic background. “I really think folks walked away both having learned a lot, but also in a way that’s not threatening because … a lot of times it can feel shameful,” she said. “I think what the game does is show that it’s not necessarily me as an individual. It’s about the structures that have been created around me to create unearned power but then unearned disadvantage.” Before the panel, Schlarb said nothing has been done to address the biased attacks on campus aimed at the LGBTQ community.
They said Tealer has made statements to address equity on campus, but that they’ve never heard the words LGBTQ come out of his mouth. “If you’re doing something about these bias incidents, [you] would be direct about what needs to be done to actually improve the climate for the LGBT population, considering that’s who was affected,” they said. “You can’t do general equity events and think you’re helping or improving those bias incidents that happen, because that’s indirect.” English professor Andrew Tolle was unable to attend the panel due to a Faculty Association meeting that was taking place at the same time, but was vocal at the forum in October about the issue. He agreed with Schlarb that nothing has been done to address the biased attacks and when asked if anything had been done to address diversity, specifically for LGBTQ, members he responded, “Emphatically no.” Tolle said when these incidents first began back in 2018, the problem on campus rested with students, faculty and staff. He added that the administration responded to the incidents properly by creating the Center for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. He said the problem on campus now lies with the administrators not making stronger statements about these issues. He said hiring people for the CEID would make that easier. “It’s not like this is some strange center that we created out of nowhere,” Tolle said. “This is something that is very common for other institutions to have. It’s not my responsibility to share with faculty members, staff members or administrators how to deal with LGBTQ folks. ... It is the responsibility of the entire institution, so you need an institutional framework for that. For that reason, you cannot refuse to hire vacant positions and you can’t decide that you’re going to kill it through attrition.”
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Art faculty concerned about bundling textbooks By HARRIET RAMOS Copy Editor @HarrietRamosETC
As the Dallas County Community College District moves to bundle the cost of textbooks with tuition in the fall through a program known as IncludED, questions remain about how to make it equitable for everyone. On Feb. 3, representatives from the textbook supplier Follett met with Eastfield faculty and staff to give updates about IncludED and address their concerns. Follett is looking at what textbooks or materials teachers have requested over the past two years to determine what can be covered by IncludED. Art professors David Wilburn and Eric Eley said they have been sending their students to Asel Art Supply or Amazon to purchase their art kits because they are more cost effective than Follett. Because they don’t have a history of ordering from Follett, the art professors are concerned IncludED will not pay for these materials and students will have to pay for them out of pocket.
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“I assume at some point this is going to be marketed to the students … and that students throughout the district will be told something like ‘everything is included,’” Wilburn said. “Is that kit included for no additional fee or is my class going to be reduced to an asterisk that says, ‘Not these classes’? And if that’s the case,
then what happens to enrollment?” Audra Barrett, vice president for instruction at Cedar Valley College and a speaker at the IncludED meeting, said they will work with the art departments throughout the district to make sure essential materials fit under the program. She said professors in other de-
partments have materials that cost less, so the overall cost should balance out. “Lowering price points down will help those art teachers who have a $250 art kit come into ... the IncludED package,” Barrett said. “It’s looking at things as a whole, not just as a single unit.” In an interview that took place two weeks after the meeting, Eley said discussions with Follett and the district are ongoing, but it is still unclear whether IncludED will cover the cost of the art supply kits. “The district as a whole didn’t anticipate as well as they could have for those of us who are … lecture/labs … where it’s not as easy as a textbook and a notebook,” he said. Another issue that professors are concerned about is the switch to electronic textbooks that InlcudED will necessitate. “I’ve brought this up to my current students to see how they feel about it and I’ve had students tell me they hate e-texts,” Philosophy professor Kristina Hunsinger said. “I am concerned about students that don’t have devices that can easily read an
e-text.” Last fall Chancellor Joe May said the district will make digital readers available for students. There was no mention of that at the meeting, but the Follett representatives said there will be print upgrades available for an additional cost, probably $25 to $30. While Follett maintains the goal of IncludED is to help students financially by easing the burden of having to pay for textbooks on top of tuition, not all students feel like they need that intervention. Frank Escobar, an organic chemistry student, said he always looks for low-cost books to rent, so the program won’t benefit him. “I feel like I might have been able to find it cheaper, but either way it’s still a good thing for most of the students around here as a whole,” he said. In spite of the questions Eley has about IncludED, he said he is trying to maintain a positive outlook. “I think it’s a great idea on paper,” he said. “If we can make it work it could help students quite a bit.”
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WOMEN’S HISTORY
Calendar
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Tue
10
Brush Strokes of Feminism, The Hive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Women’s Health Fair, The Hive, 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Sex 101: Fact or Fiction, C-135A, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Dating Violence Awareness Sweetheart Challenge, C-135A, 12:30-1 p.m. Interactive Workshops: Car Seat Safety; Good Night, Sleep Tight: Safe Sleep for Babies; Got Milk: Safe Handling of Breast Milk and Formula; The Life Course Game; Condom Sense; C-135B/C
Wed Keynote Speaker:
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Judge Tiffany Kamuche, S-100, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fri
DCCCD Women’s Empowerment Leadership Conference, Mountain View College 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
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Mon Movie Screenings,
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Pleasant Grove campus, rooms 108/109,11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thu Salary Negotiation
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Workshop, G-101/102, noon-p.m.
eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Century of 19th Amendment celebrated
March
Fri
By ESON FELLERS News Editor @EsonFellersETC
Women will have only had the right to vote for 100 years as of Aug. 18, 2020, all due to suffragist movements starting in the early 1800s. While feminist activism is still making strides, there are many challenges facing women today. The 19th Amendment states, “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” The amendment was originally proposed to the U.S. Congress as the Women’s Suffrage Act in 1878. First-wave feminism began in the early 18th century, focusing on women’s rights, specifically the right to a divorce and the abolition of slavery. Rachel Wolf, associate vice president of academic affairs and student success, said feelings toward voting can depend generationally, as women of older generations were more likely to appreciate the voting right compared to younger generations. “Folks don’t realize that right hasn’t always been in place, and that there was a great deal of struggle for many years,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s something that’s part of the consciousness of folks.” Wolf added that women’s lives didn’t entirely improve because of the right to vote. “Women got the right to vote, and then everything was peaches, right? It was not,” Wolf said. “I went to the Right for Women’s Lives March., I advocated and fought for Roe vs. Wade … and I want people to be interested in making sure we don’t go backward.” Second-wave feminism began
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in 1920, promoting body positivity and abortion rights, as well as sexual freedom and destigmatization. The Right for Women’s Lives March of 1992 was one of the largest abortion rights protests in Washington D.C., while Roe vs. Wade was a prominent court case that made abortions legal in 1973. The Human Life Protection Act is an Alabama bill that was decided in May 2019 to make it nearly impossible for women to get safe, legal abortions, but it was not enacted due to a legal challenge. Third-wave feminism focused on LGBTQ+ rights, and the normalization of women having both beauty and brains. One struggle faced by working class women daily is the wage gap. There’s an uncontrolled gender pay gap and a controlled gender pay gap.
The uncontrolled gender pay gap measures the median salary for all men and women, showing that, according to PayScale, women earn 79 cents on every dollar a man makes. The controlled gender pay gap measures the median salary for men and women working the same job with the same qualifications, where women make 98 cents for every dollar earned by a man. English professor Nina Lambert said she doesn’t feel oppressed, but there’s still implied pressure towards women to be more ladylike in today’s society. “I do have to constantly stop myself from apologizing for things that don’t need an apology,” Lambert said. “Just being myself, for having the job that I have, for being able to tell people that I am a doctor, I feel
like I have to edit myself. Telling myself, ‘No, you don’t need to explain yourself. No is a complete sentence.’” Though there is controversy around fourth-wave feminism, one of the main principles of the movement is normalization and equality. While many believe feminism to be a man-hating movement, the main goal has always been equal rights. History professor Liz Nichols said the definition of feminism has been hijacked. She said when female students are asked if they’re feminists, the overwhelming majority say no. “We have these honest conversations, and they explain. ‘Well, I don’t hate men. I’m not a lesbian.’ Who said that was part of the criteria for being a woman?” Nichols said. “It’s about equality.”
NEWS
Mon Movie Screenings
Briefs
Tue
EFC theater to host 24-hour play festival
Donation drive begins March 31
Student art exhibit open through March
Eastfield College Theater and the Mesquite Arts Center are hosting the first 24-hour Play Fest. Participants will write, cast, rehearse, costume, tech and perform a 10-minute play with a prep time of just 24 hours. Participants will meet at 6 p.m. March 27 at the Mesquite Arts Center for a meet and greet, and writing begins at 7 p.m. the same night. Writer and director positions will be given to the first six individuals to sign up, and all six performances begin at 7:30 p.m. March 28.
Eastfield’s divisions, departments, officemates, and student organizations are encouraged to form teams committed to donating 50 items to the Honeycomb Cupboard by March 31. The team contributing the most items will receive campuswide recognition, a VIP invite to the cupboard’s grand reopening in the fall and well as a plaque in the cupboard’s new space. The campaign is in honor of Eastfield’s 50th anniversary this year.
Artwork by advanced placement high school students will be on display in Gallery 219 through March 26. The exhibit features drawings, paintings, photography, digital art, ceramics and sculptures created by students from various Mesquite high schools. Award selections will be announced during a closing reception at 5:30 p.m. March 26. The gallery is open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
30 31
C-135, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Movie Screenings C-135, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
About the timeline, pages 8-9 Compiled by Eson Fellers Design by Anthony Lazon Illustrations by Jessica Carrillo, Matthew Faught, Jessica Martinez, Margaret Tamez
“It’s the rough side of the mountain that’s the easiest to climb; the smooth side doesn’t have anything for
1940
1950
“One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little.”
On why she never made a speech on the floor of the Senate: “I haven’t the heart to take a minute from the men. The poor dears love it so.”
1960 “The only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know herself as a person, is by creative work of her own.”
“Many times questions are more important than answers.”
May 9, 1960 - Sex educator, nurse and writer Margaret Sanger commissions the birth control pill with funding from heiress, suffragist and philanthropist Katharine McCormick.
May 15, 1942 - Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps converted to an active duty status in the Army of the United States as the WAC on July 1, 1943.
1943 - As men were off fighting in World War II, women took to the baseball field, starting the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and inspiring the movie “League of Their Own” in 1992.
May 20, 1932 - Amelia Earhart, first woman to fly solo nonstop across Atlantic
Flying “may not be all plain sailing ... but the fun of it is worth the price.”
1921 - Edith Wharton becomes the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for Literature.
Victoria Woodhull
Sept. 20, 1973 - Tennis pro Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs
IX
Feb. 19, 1963 - “The Feminine Mystique,” written by Betty Friedan, sparked inspiration for second wave feminism.
July 2, 1964 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Title VII to ban employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin or sex.
Jan. 12, 1932 - Hattie Carraway, American politician, became the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States senator.
Begins in 1920, promoting body positivity (“fat feminism” first integrated in the 60s), civil rights (anti-war, anti-racism), abortion rights (Roe vs. Wade, condoms, the pill), sexual freedom and destigmatization.
1930
wave
2nd
1920
Dec. 1, 1955 - Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man and became a civil rights icon.
1940 - Margaret Chase Smith serves as Republican U.S. representative until 1949 and as U.S. Senator from 1949 to 1973.
1931 - Jane Addams is the first woman in America to win a Nobel Peace Prize. In 1889, she co-founded the Hull House, providing spcial and educational opportunities to working European immigrants.
1st wave
feminism began in the late 18th century, ending in 1920. Focuses included women’s suffrage (the right to vote, thanks Susan B. Anthony!) and the right to divorce, as well as the abolition of slavery
Aug. 18, 1920 - 19th Amendment ratification is completed.“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” (Women’s Suffrage Act proposed in U.S. Congress in 1878. When passed in 1920, not a single word was changed.)
Susan B. Anthony
“Trust me that as I ignore all law to help the slave, so will I ignore it all to protect an enslaved woman.”
“I am a Free Lover. I have an inalienable, constitutional and natural right to love whom I may, to love as long or as short a period as I can; to change that love every day if I please, and with that right neither you nor any law you can frame have any right to interfere.”
Women’s History Timeline
wave
Oct. 2017 - Originally founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke on Myspace, the #metoo movement comes into fruition globally following sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein.
2017 - Congress has a record number of women, with 104 female House members and 21 female senators, including the chamber’s first Latina, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.
“I do not believe things happen accidentally. I believe you earn them.”
Jan. 23, 1997 - Madeleine Albright becomes the nation’s first female secretary of state.
April 30, 1997 - Ellen DeGeneres comes out as gay to 42 million people as her character Ellen Morgan on her ABC sitcom “Ellen”, and then later as herself April 23 on “PrimeTime Live.”
“Be open to learning new lessons even if they contradict the lessons you learned yesterday.”
1991 - Lawyer Anita Hill accuses Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment.
Oct. 28, 1984 - Senate passes the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, making it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their gender, race, religion and national origin.
June 23, 1972 - Title IX signed into law by President Richard Nixon.
in the “Battle of the Sexes” and wins $100,000.
Began in 2000, focused on an accumulation of previous feminist ideals. The meaning of feminism is eschew by this point, but the dictionary definition is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” Support of equal rights means support for feminism.
2000
4th
“We’ve chosen the path to equality. Don’t let them turn us around.” July 12, 1984 - Democrat Geraldine Ferraro is the first woman vice president nominee by a major party.
1990
Sept. 13, 1994 - Violence Against Women Act is signed and provides funding for programs that help victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, stalking and other gender-related violence.
July 26, 2016 - Hillary Clinton is the first woman to receive a presidential nomination from a major political party. During her speech at the Democratic 2003 – Congress passes the PartialNational Convention, she says, “StandBirth Abortion Ban Act, the first law to ing here as my mother’s daughter, and ban a specific abortion procedure. The my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this Supreme Court upholds the ban the fol- day has come.” lowing year.
Jan. 4, 2007 - Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female speaker of the House.
March 12, 1993 - Janet Reno is appointed as the first female attorney general of the United States.
“America has become numb to violence because it just drowns in it, day in and day out.”
Jan. 22, 1973 — U.S. Supreme Court votes 7-2 in Roe vs. Wade, a decision that ruled the U.S. Constitution protects a woman’s right to an abortion.
Began in 1980, promoting LGBTQ rights, environmentalism, body positivity, fat positivity (calling out “thin privilege”), sex positivity and normalizing women to be both beautiful and smart.
1980
Riot Grrrls and Female Punk - early 90s movement breaking through to allow women in the greater punk scene. Prominent bands: Bikini Kill, Hole, The Distillers, Babes in Toyland, Jack Off Jill, Pussy Riot, Care Bears on Fire.
June 18, 1983 - Dr. Sally Ride, physicist, is the first American female astronaut in space. She studied at Stanford before beating 1,000 other applicants for a position in NASA’s astronaut program.
1985 - Guerilla Girls, an anonymous group of feminist, female artists devoted to fighting sexism and racism within the art world, forms in New York City with the mission of bringing gender and racial inequality into focus within the greater arts community.
“The power I exert on the court depends on the power of my arguments, not my gender”
March 12, 1984 Mississippi ratifies the 19th Amendment 64 years after it was passed
wave
3rd
1970
June 30, 1969 - Betty Friedan helps found the National Organization for Women (NOW).
July 7, 1981 - Sandra Day O’Connor sworn in by President Ronald Reagan as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She retired in 2006 after serving for 24 years.
1967 - Aretha Franklin releases her song “Respect,” demanding the respect, empowerment and equal treatment of women worldwide.
you to hang on to.”
Life &Arts Wednesday, March 4, 2020
@TheEtCetera
10 The Et Cetera
Spring break is approaching, which means naps, booze and hopefully the sun. While some of us may embark on lavish trips, most of us will probably be working, catching up on shows or just taking a much-needed break. I’ve compiled a list of things to do that include chilling, getting out of the house and partying for those of you who want to do the most without the effort. Story by: Hunter Garza Graphics by: Esmeralda Rodriguez, Jackie Ruiz and Natalie Murillo
I like to start my break with a Sunday funday. First, go for brunch with your friends or family and start with some mimosas. That’ll get you ready for a nap or maybe a “you up?” text at about 2 p.m. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, so why should you? Wait for nighttime to head to your favorite bar and ring in the Monday of spring break.
When that Sunday funday hangover kicks in, I recommend ordering UberEats and never leaving the couch. Mondays are for binging and I don’t care who disagrees. With “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 2” having just been released, have a night in with your roommate and re-watch the first to catch up. Make sure to have tissues on hand, or the McDonald’s napkins will do the job.
With a necessary day of relaxation behind you, Tuesday calls for getting out of the house. Throw on some roller skates, head down to your nearest park and enjoy the great outdoors. After working up an appetite, make your way to the nearest happy hour to enjoy a cold mango White Claw and some chips and guac.
Wednesday is the ideal day to make your way over to Arlington for a day of fun at Six Flags Over Texas. Grab some of your closest friends or go alone to spend the day 200 feet in the air. Some of my favorite rides are Mr. Freeze, Texas Giant and Batman. When the day is over, you’ll be wiped out and ready for bed.
After an eventful day or two, Thursday would be perfect to take it easy. I suggest heading to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Botanical Garden or the Dallas Zoo for a leisurely stroll. Make your professors proud and spend the day filled with culture. This will ensure you’re not completely frying your brain from the daily swiping, scrolling and boozing.
End the week by attending a Dallas Stars game at the American Airlines Center. Before the game, head to Deep Ellum and start pregaming; my favorite spot is Will Call. Enjoy the night by cheering on the team and indulging in overpriced beer. After the game, head to whatever bar your heart desires to keep the night going before the reality of the coming week sets in.
11
LIFE&ARTS The Et Cetera
eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Foster student finds hope through mentors By HARRIET RAMOS Copy Editor @HarrietRamosETC
Faith Smith stood outside Skyline High School with all of her possessions stuffed into a few garbage bags that she carried with her. She was scheduled to take the SAT that day, but there were other things on her mind. Two days before her mother had thrown an iron at her, burning her on the leg. The previous night she had come home to find everything had been taken out of her room. “I didn’t know what to say, who to talk to,” Smith said. A counselor at Skyline listened to Smith’s story and called Child Protective Services. At 14 years of age she was placed in a foster home. For the next two years Smith was
BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
Faith Smith, a social work major.
in and out of foster homes. Eventually she was placed with her adult sister, where she has been ever since. Six years later, Smith is in her final
semester at Eastfield. She is transferring to the University of North Texas to study social work this fall. Smith has found hope in her relationship with God and the help she has received from other people. “Even though you’re going through all this stuff, there’s people out there that can help you,” Smith said. “You just need to reach out and talk to people, but at the end of the tunnel there’s always light.” Smith said one of the most frustrating things for her about being in foster care was when court hearings interfered with soccer practice. “That was what relieved my stress [was] playing soccer, so whenever I wasn’t able to go to soccer practice … I would just close off to everybody,” she said. Smith said a court appointed volunteer named Joan Wu helped give her a different perspective on life and.
She also helped Smith work through pain from her past. “I was just having trouble trying to forgive my mom,” Smith said. “Joan was the one to help me pray and she would help me look at … stuff in a positive way.” When it came time for Smith to look into college options, Wu suggested Eastfield and helped her apply. Statistics from the Pew Trust show that only about 20 percent of young people who have been in foster care attend college. Fewer than 10 percent obtain bachelor’s degrees. Eastfield counselor Jaime Torres said one of the reasons for this may be young people who have been in foster care do not always have someone to help them navigate the higher education system. “I think that it definitely helps to have a champion,” Torres said. “It doesn’t have to be a parent, as long
as it’s someone that says ‘I’m working with the student to help make sure that they dot every I and cross every T, that they are completing whatever forms that need to be filled out.’” One person who has championed Smith during her Eastfield journey is foster liaison Joel Klump. He helps incoming foster students fill out the College Tuition and Fee Waiver so they can receive the free tuition available to them in Texas. He also keeps in touch with them and tries to help them with whatever they need while they are at Eastfield. Smith said even though she doesn’t get much support at home, her professors and Klump have assured her that she is doing a good job and encouraged her to keep going with her studies. “I’ve had a good [Eastfield] experience,” Smith said. “Whenever you’re in foster care I feel like you just want somebody to be proud of you.”
Play explores masks we wear in everyday life By JORDAN LACKEY Staff writer @TheEtCetera
Slurred profanities will be screamed from vomit-stained lips in the Harvester Theatre Company’s production of “God of Carnage” by Yazmina Reza. Premiering March 4, four pernicious characters will wreak havoc on each other and themselves as they tackle controversial issues such as misogyny, racial prejudice and homophobia. “Come see the stage just degrade in front of your eyes,” said technical theater coordinator and director of this production, Lori Honeycutt. “The show is about toxicity and degradation. Masks off.” Students are invited to sit in on a conversation between two sets of parents as they discuss a violent incident that occurred between their children prior to the start of the play. Some characters want a resolution, and others simply could care less. As the night progresses copious amounts of booze are added to the mix. They fight, break things and even vomit on stage as their true natures come to the foreground. Honeycutt believes the dialogue in “God of Carnage” can shed light on the masks we all wear and how different we can be once that mask is taken off. “This is how people talk every day,” she said. “When you’re a person of color, when you’re LGBTQ, this is coming at those people all the time. Whenever you hear it on stage, it helps
those of us that want to be allies go, ‘woah!’” As the characters verbally and physically abuse each other it becomes clear they’re really just abusing themselves with each hateful comment that chips away a piece of their social front. Each one walks on stage with a false personality only to watch as booze and frustration slowly wash away their facades and reveal their true inner selves. Honeycutt hopes this play will inspire people to speak out in the face of injustice. She said people won’t say certain things in polite society, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking about them. She said that she’s even seen this brand of backhanded bigotry here on campus. “I have heard people [at Eastfield] say to my husband that he’s well-spoken for a black man,” Honeycutt said. “And they don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. They think it’s a compliment. I hear that stuff all the time.” In this story, brutal simplicity brings the characters to the edge of their breaking points and exposes their individual prejudices. As the conversation progresses and the alcohol starts to take hold, they each start to act more and more like children themselves. “Inside, we are all just children,” Joe Martinez, who plays Michael, said. “Trying to figure out who we are and what we’re supposed to be doing. Sometimes we act childish. Sometimes we act worse than our children.” Victor DeTerra, who plays Alan, said he had a hard time relating with his character and developing Alan’s apathetic qualities. DeTerra said he’s happy about this because it could be
dangerous to identify too much with these toxic characters. “Look at maybe how we have our own masks in our lives,” he said. “This display may enlighten that and make [people] aware of either their masks or the masks of others around them. It’s an interesting concept.” Oliver Wyer, who plays Annette, also believes that the central theme of this production is the character development that takes place as their social fronts fade away. “You don’t know somebody until you’ve seen past their mask. … In the end [our characters] become complete opposites of what you see in the beginning.” However, she’s got a much more grotesque moment in the play to worry about. The vomit scene. Arguably the most iconic part of this production is when Wyer’s character expels all over the stage and even on some of the other cast members. The biggest issue is how to actually make the scene work. In the original play Annette is outfitted with a pump of sorts that feeds though her clothes and allows for the illusion of spontaneous spew. For this production the cast has what they call “Kevin.” Kevin is a massive whoopee cushion housed within a couch pillow. Pop the whoopee cushion flap through one edge of the pillow, fill it with water and chunks of oatmeal, then squeeze the pillow until the desired result is achieved. However, Kevin has been anything but cooperative. Wyer said they’ve had rehearsals when almost all of their time was spent trying to get the synthetic regurgitator to function properly.
“It’s kind of nerve-wracking,” she said. “If it doesn’t go a certain way, people will see that it’s messed up.” Honeycutt also mentioned another issue they’ve been dealing with in rehearsals. She can’t get her cast to stop burping on stage. Throughout the play, the characters are drinking constantly. The actors don’t use real alcohol, but the resulting mixture of food coloring and water, sweet tea or watered down apple juice has made for a plethora of bountiful belches and a sticky mess on stage. “It’s not funny in any good way, but it’s funny,” said Honeycutt “It’s funny because it’s awful.” “God of Carnage” will play March 4-6 at 7:30 p.m. and at noon on March 5 in the Performance Hall.
TCCSTA AWARDS
Every single actor and crew member who participated received an award. Technical awards, professors: Cristal Ruiz, Josh Taylor, Zion Reynolds, Taylor McMillan, Vanessa Hernandez, Dezirae Salazar, Raygyn Payne, Niels Winter, Joe Martinez and Logan Leuschner Technical awards, respondents:
Niels Winter, Taylor McMillan, Cristal Ruiz, Joe Martinez and Logan Leuschner Audience and professors choice, outstanding performance: Victor DeTerra Respondents acting awards: Vanessa Hernandez, Oliver Wyer, Joe Martinez and Victor DeTerra
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 Skye Seipp Creative Director Anthony Lazon News Editor Eson Fellers
Life & Arts Editor Lindsey Craft
Social Media Editor Hunter Garza
Sports Editor Sazoun Grayer
Multimedia Editor Marisol Ramirez
Photo Editor Baylie Tucker
Copy Editor Harriet Ramos
Senior Photographer Rory Moore Photographer Alfredo Diaz Staff Writer Jordan Lackey Senior Graphic Artist Margaret Tamez Graphic Artists Jessica Martinez Matthew Faught Natalie Murillo Esmeralda Rodriguez Cartoonists Eric Santos Contributors Monica Figueroa Natalia Montoya
Jessica Carrillo Mario Medrano Jackie Ruiz
Jesus Madrid Sydney Williams
Editorial Assistant Marie Garcia Publication Adviser Elizabeth Langton Student Media Manager Sarah Sheldon Digital Media Adviser Sandra Evans Faculty Adviser Lori Dann
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 by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. 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. Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters will be edited for profanity and vulgarity, Associated Press style, grammar, libel and space when needed. The content will remain that of the author. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.
ABOUT THE COVER
Illustration by Anthony Lazon
13 eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
OUR VIEW
LGBTQ community deserves more It’s time for administrative leaders on campus to address the targeted attacks against the LGBTQ community. In October, Dean of Student Success and Wellness Katy Launius expressed concerns about the treatment of LGBTQ community members on campus at President Eddie Tealer’s forum. From the ripping of LGBTQ safe zone stickers off doors to derogatory comments, our school’s LGBTQ community feels unsafe. This issue must be stopped without meaningless blanket statements about equity and diversity. Two words that get thrown around a lot these days but seem to have little meaning or effect on anyone’s life. There was a panel on Feb. 21 of diversity experts from across the corporate world planned by administration, which is fine and dandy except this is an institution of higher learning. Our needs in academia are different than the corporate world. Administrators should be concerned with fostering an environment where everyone can grow intellectually without the fear of bigoted backlash. Advice from employees of corporations that are only worried about making more money is not who we should be turning to for guidance.
The so-called “diversity expert” from Wells Fargo — a bank that got in trouble in 2018 for predatory loans targeted at minorities and lowincome people — made comments that made an attendee from the LGBTQ community feel uncomfortable and leave. Our leadership needs to do better. To start, there needs to be an immediate statement to all students and employees of the school from our president that says this aggression against the LGBTQ community is unacceptable and there will be disciplinary action taken on any person found to be making these comments or defacing property. Cancer is not fought by improving your overall health. You have to attack the tumor with precise treatment. A similar strategy needs to be taken with this issue. While developing a learning environment equitable for everyone is important, this problem is being addressed because LGBTQ members were being assaulted. Next, the Center of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity needs a director. It’s possible the one college initiative made campus leaders hold off on filling the position, but we believe the school should fill the role.
The Dallas County Community College District has said that diversity and equity are important issues to them. If that’s the case, the chancellor should be endorsing the CEID and figuring out how to implement something similar at each campus. It shouldn’t be hard. Universities across the metroplex have similar centers, such as the University of North Texas’ Division of Equity & Diversity, which has a director and assistant director. This center also has a Pride Alliance, that focuses solely on the needs of the LGBTQ community. We also said in our editorial from October that a diversity task force should be created with people from the president’s cabinet, student leaders, deans, faculty and staff. We continue to stand by this and believe it should be formed immediately. For students, someone needs to step up and fill the role of leader for the PRISM club. It’s currently fading out of existence, but it shouldn’t. It’s incumbent on the students to keep the club alive so your voice continues to be heard. Person-centeredness should mean everyone on campus has access to a college that is accepting of all people no matter how they identify.
Your smokey eye isn’t worth Fido’s pain As a Dallas-based makeup artist who has four dogs of my own, I would find it absolutely infuriating if someone dared to test their products on my animals. I wouldn’t want other animals to be subjected to that cruelty, so I refuse to endorse or use products that have been tested on animals on my clients. The barbaric act of animal testing is an age-old practice that has been around for centuries. It dates back to the days of Aristotle and the ancient Greeks. The earliest date of written confirmation is 300 B.C., according to historical documents. Animal testing began as a way for products, such as medicines, to be tested. In 2020, animal testing for cosmetic and pharmaceutical experiments is still an avid practice in the world. Groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the World Wide Fund for Nature, have been tirelessly working for years to right the wrongs of animal abusers
Monica Figueroa @TheEtCetera
who test their products on our furry little friends for the sake of science and beauty. However, it has been proven that this method is outdated and unnecessary. Scientific innovations have allowed the creation of jobs while simultaneously eliminating animal testing. Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals is a European Union regulation that promotes non-animal testing and human participation in experimental studies. These alternative testing methods have had an amazing effect on the global economy. In March 2013, the European Union established a ban on animal-tested cosmetics and toiletries, both created in the EU and imported from other countries.
The prohibition of testing for the cruel sake of corporate benefits has also been beneficial in terms of human health. Brands are more mindful of the ingredients used in their products when they’re not being tested on animals. This is because cleaner ingredients allow far less mishaps with toxicity to occur in products. Animal testing for product toxicity isn’t foolproof either. Animals do not respond to certain products the same way that humans do. That alone should be the basis for stopping the cruel treatment being allowed in labs owned by companies such as Estée Lauder and MAC Cosmetics. Cell-based technology testing is far more foolproof and beneficial than animal testing will ever be, AltTox, an organization that reports non-animal methods for toxicity testing, released in a statement. Therefore, the animals that faced chemical exposure for your favorite Maybelline or NARS product is
essentially in vain. Imagine going through a painful process that’s not even remotely beneficial. Animal testing should be banned. If not for love of animals, then better yet, your health. The products that you apply directly to your skin or use in your home in close proximity to your loved ones can cause major health issues. You can choose to be more mindful of the products you use, such as reaching for cruelty-free cosmetic brands like Urban Decay, Wet ‘n Wild, Morphe, NYX cosmetics or the newest member at the forefront of the cruelty-free movement, CoverGirl. If you’re unsure whether a product is cruelty-free, search for the leaping bunny logo on the packaging. Another way to tell is by checking online, because most cruelty-free companies are quite forthcoming. You are not too small to make a difference. —Monica Figueroa is a contributor and a journalism major.
Sports The Et Cetera
March 4 Baseball March 6 Baseball March 7 Baseball March 9 Baseball March 10 Baseball March 11 Baseball
@TheEtCetera
2 p.m. 2 p.m. noon 1 p.m. noon 2 p.m
vs. North Lake vs. North Lake vs. North Lake vs. Rock Valley vs. Northland vs. Richland
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Eastfield headed to Minnesota for shot at title By SAZOUN GRAYER Sports Editor @sazoungrayerETC
BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
ANTHONY LAZON/THE ET CETERA
BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
Clockwise from top, D’Angelo Smith dunks the ball against Cedar Valley on Feb. 20. Ezekiel Fields dribbles across the Eastfield court in the semifinal game against Cedar Valley. DaJuan Ridgeway leaps toward the basket to score versus Cedar Valley.
Eastfield became the first team to claim a spot in the NJCAA Division III Men’s Basketball National Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota, after holding off rival Richland 63-61 in the Region V tournament finals on Feb. 22. “This is life changing,” sophomore guard Mike Aranda said. “This is a life changing tournament so [we have to] bring our best and be ready… all our hard work is paying off and it’s showing, so we got to keep it going.” The Harvesters will be returning to the national tournament for the first time since 2016, when they placed fourth. Their lone national championship was in the 1997 season, while they finished as runners-up in 2013, 2004 and 1992. “We got guys that can score from the three, from the two, attack the basket, dunk the ball, make free throws and defend as well,” coach Anthony Fletcher said. “This is a good group. They’ll be right there battling with those other [teams].” The Harvesters, who were the top seed after being crowned regular season co-champions, won a pair of close games in the Region V tournament by a combined six points to take the title. Eastfield got a scare from the No. 4 seed Cedar Valley in the semifinals but mounted a comeback after trailing at halftime to down the Suns 84-80. “We just had faith in each other the whole time,” forward D’Angelo Smith said. “That’s what we’ve done all year. … We just had a feeling it was our time.” In the finals against Richland, the two teams were neck and neck the whole way. It was a back and forth game that came down to the wire in front of a loud crowd, but in the end, the Harvesters came up clutch. TaMarcus Butler’s 3-pointer from the right arc with only 40 seconds remaining carried the Harvesters to the win and an automatic bid to the national tournament. “Huge,” Fletcher said about the shot. “That was awesome. That’s a great moment for him. It’s going to be a moment he’s going to remember for a very, very, very long time.” The Harvesters have climbed to No. 4 in the national rankings and stand at 26-6 heading into the national tournament. Since Eastfield is now in the top four, it will receive a bye in the first round, Fletcher said. Tournament play is set for March 11-14 at the Rochester Regional Sports Complex. The National Committee will announce the seeding for the tournament on March 6. “Once they start seeding, they’re going to be looking at every game,” Fletcher said. “So, every game really counts … It was exciting to see us get the fourth ranking in the country and knowing that was the last poll we couldn’t go up or down.” Eastfield will wait until Friday to see what their seed will be in the national tournament. In the meantime, the players continue to grind it out in practice in anticipation of the upcoming opportunity. “The intensity’s always been high,” freshman center Tyrese Davis said. “We’re always going at each other. We practice very hard. Eastfield practices different than regular practice. We’ve been going to film after practice, making sure we’re locked in … because the purpose is to win this national championship.” The Harvesters averaged 95.9 points a game this season and will bring their fast-paced, high-powered offense to Minnesota. They also managed 44.1 rebounds and 18.4 assists. Fletcher knows what it’s going to take for his guys to bring the title back to Mesquite. “[We’ve] got to play defense, got to defend,” Fletcher said. “That’s the number one thing. Then, we have to make some shots. And a lot of the times for a championship, you have to get lucky too. We’ve just got to go out and take care of our business and play Eastfield basketball; get stops, rebound the ball at a high level and we’re good.”
SPORTS
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The Et Cetera
eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Region V Champions
SKYE SEIPP/THE ET CETERA
Clockwise from top, the Harvesters celebrate after receiving a plaque for winning the NJCAA Region V division. Calvin Williams shoots while defenders go to block his shot. D’Angelo Smith goes for a layup in the first half of the Feb. 22 game. Coach Anthony Fletcher celebrates after cutting off the victory net. Tyrese Davis holds the NJCAA South Centra champions and Region V plaques while wearing the game winning net in the locker room after the game.
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WRAP-UP
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Oddball Scribbles By Eric Santos
eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Eastfield celebrates Mardi Gras
Mudpuffy Comics By Jesus Madrid
BAYLIE TUCKER/THE ET CETERA
Sarascena Hoof taking a selfie before the Mardi Gras event on Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras falls on Ash Wednesday, the day before Lent.
Transfer to a better future We know transfer students — nearly half of TWU’s undergraduate students are transfers
Attend the Pioneer Preview Event Visit our Denton campus on March 21 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. • • • • •
Get admissions, scholarship & financial aid information Meet advisors & faculty; receive sample degree plans Learn about the Touchstone Honors program for transfer students Tour campus & view a residence hall (optional) Lunch will be provided
Learn more and register at TWU.edu/transfer