Etera
Eastfield College
Reliving the Storm
Eastfield College enters the community to aid in recovery ➤ See pages 8,9 and 10.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Volume 47, Issue 8
2
NEWS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Honoring student civil rights activists By Parker Ward etc4640@dcccd.edu
Martin Luther King Jr. Rosa Parks. Malcolm X. Some of the most well-known figures of the American civil rights movement — a movement that would have been nothing without the help of students, according to history professor Kat Reguero, who also teaches a course on civil rights. “You do know about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, but why do you not hear about the students?” Reguero said. “If it wasn’t for four students in Greensboro, North Carolina, we wouldn’t have desegregated the Woolworth’s [department stores]. They got the ball rolling for the civil rights movement.” Four students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College who organized the first sit-in inside of a white’s only diner began a wave of peaceful protests against the “separate but equal” southern culture. The role of high school and college students in the civil rights movement is the topic of a library presentation, “Standing Up for the Right to Sit Down,” in recognition of AfricanAmerican History Month. The tradition of student activism continues today. Just last year, student activists at the University of Missouri prompted the resignation of the school’s chancellor and president over racial tensions on campus. The previous year, students at Harvard created the “I, too, am Harvard” movement to highlight stereotypes placed on minority students. These examples show that students are choosing to not be part of the problem, history professor Liz Nichols said. “If you sit there and laugh at an off-color racial joke, you’re part of the problem,” Nichols said. “It takes courage to speak up and say, ‘Hey. That’s not funny.’ ”Nichols, who teaches AfricanAmerican History with Brett Wilkinson, said that becoming a student activist during the civil right movement took a great deal of perseverance. “Students were the ones who were getting jailed, so they had to exhibit a great deal of patience and maturity, which I think sometimes our students struggle with,” Nichols said. Although the United States is almost 50 years removed from the civil rights movement, Reguero encourages her students to be involved in their communities if they believe there is a problem that needs to be fixed. She said that anyone can make a difference, no matter how small. “I tell my students all the time, ‘Don’t tell me you are just one person and you are just in college and you can’t make a difference,’ ” she said. “Because you absolutely can.” Wilkinson said that while he attended college there were always ways to be an activist on campus. “As an undergraduate in the early ‘90s, we were helping to bring awareness as students, but more importantly students of color on predominately white campuses,” Wilkinson said. “You would be informing them about cultural issues, celebration of Kwanzaa, celebration and recognition of Black History Month.” Although activism used to be more local, social media has played a big role in uniting causes across the country, he said. “It’s been refreshing to see [student activism] in the Black Lives Matter movement,” he said. “To see how social media with the youth has played a big role in informing students all over about what’s going on.” Information that will help all sorts of organizations come together and unite on a larger level, he said. “What students can do today … can be shared with people in Atlanta, in New York, Dallas or in Florida where other cases or instances are going on there as well and they can share, communicate and organize on a national level,” Wilkinson said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Students participated in many protests during the civil rights movement, like the March on Washington in 1963.
Community celebrates Black History on campus
ALEJANDRA ROSAS/THE ET CETERA
Performers from the Dallas Black Dance Theatre perform on campus Feb. 3.
Eastfield is celebrating Black History Month with a number of events throughout February. The Dallas Black Dance Theatre performed on campus Feb. 3, and a collection of family quilts are on display in the library through Feb. 25. WFAA-TV (Channel 8) news anchor McCaa John McCaa, who has been at the station for 32 years and holds a doctorate in philosophy, will speak Feb. 16. Faculty members will give presentations on affirmative action, speeches of the civil rights era, African-American art and “white privilege.” As part of the foreign film series, the college is showing “Emmanuel’s Gift,” a 2005 documentary about the journey of athlete and activist Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah as he travels across Ghana to promote human rights awareness. The screening will be at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in C-237-A. There will be a read-in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 23 in G-101. The event will feature Carolyn Correia, author and motivational speaker. A student talent show is planed for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 19 in C-135 and the Pit. — Compiled by Parker Ward
NEWS
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The Et Cetera
Wed
10 Thu
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Club Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Pit Recital series: George Anderson Jazz Quartet, 12:30 p.m., F-117 Club fundraising, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the Pit Lecture: Affirmative Action: What Does it Mean Today?, 9:30 a.m., C-135 Campus dialogue on diversity, 2 p.m., C-295
Thu
Club fundraising, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the Pit
Tue
OSER RecFest chess tournament, 12:302:30 p.m., the Pit
12 16 Wed
17
Men's Empowerment Coalition spring kickoff lunch, 12:30 p.m., N-113 Lecture: The Power of Words: Examining the Speeches of Civil Rights Leaders, 10:10 a.m., G-101 Recital series: SMU Vocal, 12:30 p.m., F-117 STEMinar: Statistical Analysis in Polling, 12:30 p.m., S-100
Thu
18
Lecture: Yourself in the World: Exploring African American Memories through Visual Arts, 11 a.m., G-101 Foreign Film Series: "Emmanuel's Gift," 12:30-1:50 p.m., C-237A
Fri
19 Tue
23
African-American History Month student performances, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., C-135 and the Pit African-American History Month Read-In, 11 a.m., G-101
ABOUT THE COVER A HOUSE IN GARLAND DESTROYED BY THE DEC. 26 TORNADOES PHOTO BY JAMES HARTLEY DESIGN BY JONATHAN WENCES
By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
Four Eastfield students have been arrested in connection with a fraud ring linked to the theft of more than $99,000 in federal financial aid, according to police. Two more students have been charged but not arrested. The suspects used fake GEDs and high school diplomas to enroll at Eastfield and apply for financial aid funds, according to the police reports. Willie Glenn, 49, pleaded guilty to tampering with government records and stealing nearly $11,000. He was sentenced to five years probation. Matthew Arnold, Glenn’s defense attorney, said he advised his client against taking the plea deal. “The case was pretty weak, I think, on the state’s side,” Arnold said. “I thought we could win in court.” Arnold said he believes his client was a victim of fraud. He said Glenn believed his GED to be real and acquired financial aid to further his education. Also charged are Kealon Cloud, 34; Damian Wafer, 24; Tawana Whitfield, 37; Laconya McCutheon, 25; and Deandra Zachery, 40. Each faces a charge of tampering with a government record, a felony, and is accused of stealing more than $10,000 in financial aid. Dallas County Community College District technology employees discovered discrepancies in the students’ records and reported their findings to the Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General. The Inspector General investigated, and Eastfield police filed cases with the Dallas County District At-
torney’s Office in October. The fraud dates back to 2013. Cynthia Butler, executive director of financial aid for the DCCCD, said the diplomas used in these scams were likely from a local diploma mill. Fraud rings, like the one at Eastfield, will use fake diplomas to get federal financial aid money without plans to use it for education expenses. “They go to these various different companies that pop up all over the place that say, ‘Get your high school diploma, get your GED for $250 in six weeks,’ ” Butler said. “In a lot of cases, they aren’t legitimate. “For families or students that may not have completed high school, they think, ‘Oh my gosh, this is great. I can get my GED and that’s going to make me eligible for financial aid.’ Unfortunately, there are victims to those types of companies.” Butler said that in this case the suspects were flagged because they used the same address, phone number, email or other common identifying factor. “Sometimes you’ll have fraud rings, and all their information is basically the same,” she said. “The reason that they focus on large districts like our district is that we are so big that they are in the hopes that we won’t have time to notice." According to a 2014 FBI report, cases of financial aid fraud are on the rise, especially through online applications. In many cases, a ringleader recruits potential students and assists them in obtaining fake paperwork in exchange for a cut of their financial aid. Thirteen schools in Texas offering fake and illegal diplomas to anyone willing to pay were shut down and
Financial Aid by the numbers
2
$30.7
Men charged for using federal financial aid to support the Islamic State group
Billion set aside for students through the Pell Grant016.
$50 million
Fraud and corruption investigations completed between April 1, 2015, and Sept. 30, 2015
Amount recovered from fraud between April 1, 2015, and Sept. 30, 2015
$140 billion
Money disbursed in student aid annually
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
targeted by lawsuits in August 2015, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Participants in financial aid fraud rings stole more than $6.7 million in federal student aid funds between April 1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2015, according to the 2015 Department of Education’s semiannual report to
Debt students owe to the Department of Education
February
Six charged with financial aid theft
$1,000,000,000,000
Calendar
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
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GRAPHIC BY JAMES HARTLEY/THE ET CETERA
Congress. The Office of the Inspector General opened 152 fraud ring investigations and recovered more than $23.9 million in stolen funds during that period, the report said. The people accused in the Eastfield fraud cases could not be reached for comment.
NEWS
Briefs
College seeks student leader applicants Nominations are open for Student Leader of the Year, an award honoring a person who has shown leadership both on campus and in the community. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 12 in C-237. Finalists will participate in a panel interview during the week of Feb. 22.
Student services move to new offices Several student services offices have relocated on campus with more moves expected in coming weeks. Veterans Affairs, now named Center of Excel-
lence for Veteran Student Success, has moved to C-112. Their new phone number is 972-860-7340. The Disability Services Office has moved to C-141, next to the Health Center. Rising Star has moved to C-237P.
Plan eases transfer to A&M-Commerce A new articulation agreement between Eastfield College and Texas A&M University-Commerce will provide students pursuing a degree in psychology, criminal justice or interdisciplinary studies with the opportunity to transfer without losing semester credit hours.
Additional transfer information for qualifying students can be found at the Eastfield advising center.
Eastfield among best workplaces Eastfield College has been named one of DallasFort Worth’s Best and Brightest Places to Work. The award is presented by the National Association of Business Resources and recognizes companies that have excellent human resource practices and commitment to employees. Eastfield was one of 46 businesses selected. — Compiled from staff reports
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NEWS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
New gun laws go into effect
www.eastfieldnews.com
Open Carry vs. Campus Carry Open Carry • Effective Jan. 1, 2016 • Unconcealed handguns, loaded or unloaded, must be carried in shoulder or belt holsters • A concealed carry licence is required
By Genevieve Dominguez etc4640@dcccd.edu
• Applied to areas that allow concealed carry
Licensed gun owners may openly carry handguns in Texas as of Jan. 1, and laws allowing firearms on college campuses are on the horizon. This issue of safety seems to divide those for and against the news laws, but the two sides view safety quite differently. Supporters of open carry say it is needed for self-defense purposes. “It has its ben- CRAIG MARTINEZ/THE ET CETERA efits,” history professor Mike Noble said. “A person is less likely to rob another person holding a weapon. But it also invites an opportunity to cause mass shooting easier.” Opponents like government professor Glynn Newman believes too many armed people could escalate situations. “We don’t operate like local law enforcement every day,” Newman said. “If a situation was to arise, research has shown that those who have a weapon and are not law enforcement end up being shot or shooting the weapon themselves.” Eastfield students have also claimed a side to the ongoing debate. “There is a benefit to open carry,” Chris Anguiano said.
• Not permitted on college campuses Campus Carry • Starts Aug. 1, 2016, for public universities • Starts Aug. 1, 2017, for public community colleges • A concealed carry licence is required • Each college and university may establish “gun-free zones,” which prohibit the carry of concealed handguns in certain areas • A districtwide policy must be in effect by Aug. 1, 2017, for DCCCD and other community colleges
“Some people would feel safer to carry their own weapon.” Lauren Bernal added that guns may provide extra protection. “Psychopaths are able to carry murder weapons,” Bernal said. “In all honesty, I am on board with open carry. I agree with it making Texans more safe. Then we can be legally prepared.” Bethani Scott said she fears a carrying a weapon could make a person a possible target. “I would never open carry,” Scott said. “If the shooter saw that somebody had a pistol or weapon, they would be targeted first.”
The Et Cetera
Attempted thieves target campus track By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
Three women were accosted about 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 on the Eastfield College jogging trail by five teenage boys attempting to steal their cellphones. Two of the women sustained minor injuries, according to a bulletin from police. College police declined to comment on the case, stating that it is an ongoing investigation. However, Sgt. Jose Hernandez provided some tips for students who are planning to use the track. “Obviously if they’re going to be out and about, we would prefer it be a team effort,” he said. Hernandez advised students to avoid going to the track after dark and to keep their cellphones handy. People who spend time at Eastfield should program the campus police phone number into their phones. A 911 call would be routed to Mesquite police, but campus police could respond faster if alerted first, he said. Student Ashley Johnston said she hadn’t heard about the attempted robbery.
“It’s something to be concerned about,” she said after a reporter told her about the crime. “We should definitely keep an eye out.” Johnston added that while the incident should prompt more caution, she isn’t concerned about campus safety. “I’ve noticed police officers around,” she said. “Everyone seems friendly. I’ve never really felt threatened before. I walk around with my computer and I feel safe.” Student Daniel McAllister said he would like to see police patrolling the track more often. McAllister had not heard about the attempted theft and said the college should employ methods other than posting fliers. Hernandez said police do patrol the campus roads and keep an eye on the track, but if they get stuck at the other side of the grounds on a call, the track may go unmonitored for a time. Hernandez also advises: • Don’t go to the track after dark and always go with a friend; • Save the campus police dispatch number: 972-860-4290; • Call police to escort you to your car after dark.
THE HOT TOPIC
Does the recent attempted robbery on the school track affect how safe you feel on campus?
Alexis Mondragon Science/Biology Major
Shannon O’ Valle Criminal Justice Major
Michael Donohoo Nursing Major
Cashmere Cooper Accounting Major
Jordan Coleman Art/Music/Business Major
Javier Vargas Undecided Major
“I didn’t know about it until now. I feel like that’s something that I should have been exposed to. I want to know about that stuff. That kind of freaks me out.”
“As far as safety, I used to live in bad neighborhoods. Things like these happen every day. It doesn’t affect me, but it concerns me for others’ safety.”
“Not really, because the track is a pretty open place and I don’t really spend much time outside. I think they could do more security outside, but the inside seems perfectly fine.”
“It would if I came to the campus more often. It affects the way I feel about the surrounding area though. Security needs to be enforced more about who is allowed to come on campus.”
“Eastfield has an amazing staff and amazing police officers, so this affects how safe I feel to a degree. But it’s not like I’m on edge, like looking over my shoulder constantly to see who’s following me.”
“Inside the buildings are fine because they have security and everything. But yeah, you can have somebody going around outside and in the track area. Those cop cars you usually see are empty as hell.”
Life &Arts
The Et Cetera
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Valentine’s Day Fails
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
5 terrible date ideas sure to end with holiday heartbreak You’ve worked up the courage to ask someone out for a nice, relaxing Valentine’s evening hopefully filled with romance. This is your chance to show how smooth you are. There are thousands of ways to plan a winning evening, but there are hundreds of thousands of ways to screw it up. Avoid these five fails come Sunday, Feb. 14. The Et Cetera is not liable for any injuries incurred if you try them. Results might include a keyed car, a dismembered teddy bear and many other horrifying things too graphic to publish. — Parker Ward Hooters While sports bar-type restaurants are not at all romantic to begin with, Hooters is hands down the worst when it comes to the over-sexualization of women. Is there anyone who can honestly tell me that people know Hooters for their “high quality food” or “great atmosphere” and not the terribly skimpy outfits worn by the servers? Aside from that detail, the restaurant lacks the romantic atmosphere you need for a good date. It’s perfect for watching a sporting event with friends, but the large quantity of televi-
sions and revealed skin does nothing but distract you from the real reason you’re there: to enjoy the other person.
your significant other’s name is one of the easiest ways to send them running. It might seem romantic at the time, but what about five years down the line when you have to explain it to your new partner, or worse, your family.
Netflix and Chill Netflix and Chill is the epitome of a bad social trend. Absolutely nothing about this is romantic unless you just enjoy misleading others who are too dull to realize exactly what you mean. This has about as much of a place on the day of love as Kim Kardashian does writing a book about meaningful relationships.
Gift a Gym Membership Getting someone a gym membership is passively saying, “Look, you’re cool and all, but you are getting a little to familiar with the Valentine’s candy.” If Cupid got word that you had committed this terrible love crime, he would probably take an arrow and hit you over the head with it until you realize the mistake you’ve made. Invite a Group of Friends Along
Get Matching Tattoos Relationships rarely last for the rest of your life. You know what does last for the rest of your life? Tattoos. Getting a tattoo of
ILLUSTRATION BY MATTHEW ROHAN
If your date doesn’t know you well, they probably won’t know your friends. Nothing says “I love you” more than inviting all your friends over to focus on everything but the person who wanted a nice evening for two on Valentine’s Day. You’ll be lucky if your “date” hasn’t flipped you the bird and walked out on you by the end of the night.
MOVIE REVIEW
‘Deadpool’ starts fast, plagued by slowed narrative
By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
Comic book and superhero movie fans may have set their expectations for “Deadpool” a little low. The first ever R-rated superhero kills his enemies without remorse and takes almost nothing seriously. It makes for a great, funny movie. The humor starts in the opening credits, informing audiences that the movie’s stars are “God’s Perfect Idiot,” “A Moody Teen,” and “A CGI Man.” It goes on to say “Produced By a Bunch of Asshats.” When Wade Wilson is diagnosed with cancer, he unwittingly submits himself to rouge human experimentation with hopes of healing his disease. The torturous methods of the experimenters leave Wilson permanently scarred but grant him accelerated healing powers. With intentions to heal his grossly deformed skin so he can get his girl back, Wilson adopts the title Deadpool and chases down Francis
“Ajax,” the one responsible for his scarring. The movie is funny, but the story behind it can get confusing. There’s a dual timeline of Wilson before and after the transformation, and the ‘before’ scenes seem to slow down the rest of the film and can come in the most annoying of places. The movie starts fast-paced, action-packed and hilarious and then cuts back to before Deadpool “squeezed into red spandex.” The before scenes seem to be nothing but middleschool boy sex jokes, which do eventually get old. The dialogue in general drags down the plot, slowing it to a near halt at times. The movie maintains fresh humor throughout the after scenes, though. Jokes between Deadpool and his blind, elderly black roommate who used to be addicted to cocaine and the cracks about superhero ethics are some of the funniest scenes in the movie.
COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
Ryan Reynolds stars as the ‘Merc with a Mouth’ in the new ‘Deadpool’ movie.
Keep in mind, this movie is rated R. With full frontal nudity and numerous sex jokes,
“Deadpool” earns that rating. You’ll need to stay for the end credit scene.
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LIFE&ARTS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
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The Et Cetera
APP REVIEW
Eastfield app offers improved communication By Parker Ward etc4640@dcccd.edu
GRAPHIC BY JONATHAN WENCES
Rarely would anyone consider describing a school app as fun and social, but that is what the newly launched Eastfield app aims to do. Launched last December by the college, the app could revolutionizes how students interact on campus. The only such app in the DCCCD, this app is a must download for any student looking to spend more than a semester studying at Eastfield. Students who are involved in groups and clubs on campus are the only ones who know about what’s happening around campus. If used correctly however, the app will help students get this info and feel involved, even though a rigorous class schedule might hinder their capability to be heavily involved in a club. The “Groups and Clubs" section feel very much incomplete. Clubs are an important part of any college campus, and all clubs on campus have a place to gather within the app. The information in the app is a very generic description of what the group is about, with no meeting times, just a phone number or email. There seems to be a problem of relatively low attendance to events which stems from the fact that Eastfield has a fair number of students attending online classes and many others juggling jobs.
Eastfield will need to overhaul on the advertisement the app to try and get it off the ground and get more students at campus events. Signing up for the app is easy enough, just download the app and create a quick profile, similar to the interface of Facebook or Twitter. However, the process is a little too unsecure. It is not required that you must be enrolled at the college, meaning that anyone with a smartphone could pose as a student, putting students and faculty at a potential risk for danger. Beyond that, the app comes loaded with useful information relevant to students on the home page directly when you open the app. Access is granted to pertinent information including the phone number for campus police, information about campus services and Subway’s hours. Also located on the home page is the “Courses” section where you can enter in the times of your classes and set reminders for exams. As generic as this sounds, there is a helpful feature that allows you to track exactly how long you study. While you can keep track of your classes and times, there is no way to check grades or the status of your assignments built into the app directly. As it turns out, you have to go to the
links tab, click on “Online services” then scroll through the Eastfield website until you find ecampus. The functionality does not end there. There are also interactive message boards aimed toward bringing students together. The app has been up barely three months and already there has been hundreds of posts of people buying and selling books to faculty reporting a lost debit card. These posts remind me a little bit of another app centered towards college students, Yik Yak. However, the difference between Yik Yak and the new Eastfield app is like eating mystery meat and eating a nice steak. On Yik Yak, you don’t know who is creating posts, but with the college’s new app, you are spared the vile, unfiltered thoughts of unknown college students. However, this app could turn into a dating app considering how many people have been posting selfies and links to other forms of social media Interactive applications is exactly how Eastfield will connect with students in the future. We live in a world that is turning away from traditional methods of transferring information and is shifting into a digital, smartphone based way of communication. The new app has almost everything any Eastfield student needs to help them get started getting involved on campus.
GAME REVIEW
Remastered ‘Dark Cloud 2’ evokes intense nostalgia By Mickey Smith etc4640@dcccd.edu
Around early 2003 my family picked up a PS2 and a few games including “Kingdom Hearts,” “Madden 2003” and “Dark Cloud 2.” I remember as a kid I spent hours playing all three of the games, but “Dark Cloud 2,” a dungeon-crawling action RPG, was what really grabbed my attention and kept it. Sony has rereleased classic PS2 games for the PS4, and you can download “Dark Cloud 2” now for $14.99 on the Playstation Marketplace. This version is a complete remaster, with better graphics, trophy support and the same great gameplay and storytelling I knew as a child. “Dark Cloud 2” is about Maximillian, a repair-boy from the only city left in a world laid to waste by a mysterious force. He ventures from
the city walls to repair his broken world alongside Monica, a woman from 100 years in the future whom he meets shortly after starting his journey. Monica informs Max that in the future, there is nothing left but a monster-infested wasteland created by the monster-king Griffin. Turns out, Griffin is the reason for the shape the world has been in for the past 100 years. Max escapes from Griffin’s minions after being attacked and goes forth with Monica to restore the elders that had once protected the world and kept peace. Using stones that allow the two to time travel, they begin to rebuild towns long destroyed by Griffin, defeat the monsters plaguing the two eras and slowly restore the future to what it once was while working to
defeat Griffin once and for all. This was the first game that ever truly immersed me into its story and world. It is a testament to the storytelling of older games and how developers had to rely on a great, singleplayer story rather than repetitive multiplayer elements. While “Dark Cloud 2” has no mode where you can play with your friends, it is bound to hold your attention for many hours. The town-building mechanics are advanced for their time, the combat is reminiscent of many other great third-person dungeon crawlers and it has an excellent weapon upgrade system and vast amounts of loot to be found. The story, which I find to be the best part, is wonderfully written and great for all ages. If you’re looking for a great game to play in your down time with an
COURTESY LEVEL-5
“Dark Cloud 2,” which originally released in 2002, has been remastered and released for Play Station 4.
immersive story and amazing mechanics for its time, look no further than “Dark Cloud 2.” Not only can you build towns to your liking, you can befriend characters, explore the world, destroy monsters, invent new weapons and gear and upgrade your
characters until they’re at their most powerful. It’s such a great game that I sometimes I wish I could go back to when I was 7, sitting at home playing for hours on end without a care in the world.
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LIFE&ARTS
The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Galleries open new shows H Gallery hosts works by San Diego-based artists By David Silva etc4640@dcccd.edu
When you enter the newest art exhibit at Eastfield, the first piece you notice isn’t visual. Music drifting from a radio instantly transports you into the Californian mindset. This radio, a piece named “Prayers for Rain,” features songs such as John Denver’s “Sunshine on my Shoulders” and Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky.” You know you’re in for an experience inspired by the Golden State and its signature weather. Nineteen San Diego-based artists display their versions of what is means to be California dreaming in the “Wouldn’t It Be Nice … Selections from San Diego” art exhibition in the H Gallery through Feb. 25. The exhibition has brought a new style of art for Eastfield students to enjoy, gallery director Iris Bechtol said. “For the most part, [our exhibitions] focus on artists that have some sort of tie to Texas,” Bechtol said. “[This] shows a different perspective. There’s a common visual aesthetic that these artists share. … They make a certain kind of work.” Although the artists share a home city, their
LUIS GONZALES/THE ETCETERA
Joseph Yorty's "poor little rich bitch" is on display in the H Gallery.
varied perspectives offer a full spectrum of the San Diego state of mind. “Even though they are all from the same state [and city], each art piece has their own individual meaning,” music business major Julissa Martinez said. The “Three Stage Prescription Sunglasses” features a set of sunglasses stacked above empty movie cassette boxes. If you look closely you’ll discover that the glasses are made out of the cassettes’ film. Marketing major Arturo Salgado was drawn to the borderlines and pin marks on the piece titled “Watershed Cloth: Tijuana River Watershed, Burgundy.” The piece of art is constructed of cloth material that is outlined by sharp pins. Salgado sees this as a representation of the mindset of most San Diego residents, with the pins embodying the boundary that residents choose to not cross. “I feel like people love it there so much,” Salgado said. “You have a border. You can cross that border any time you want, but they choose to stay there. They love the area.” Curators John Oliver Lewis and Jessica McCambly will speak about the show from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25 in G-222. In Gallery 219, artist Eli Blasko blurs the line between modern desires and historic mythology in the “Mythopoeia and the Temporary Contemporary” art exhibition. It shows through Feb. 19.
COMMENTARY
Diversity at Oscars starts before films hit screens For the second year in a row, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has nominated a slate of all white actors for the prestigious Oscar awards. Several prominent stars called for a plan to boycott because of the lack of minority nominees. In response, the Academy announced plans to increase diversity among their voters. They intend to get ahead of the movie industry by incorporating a greater variety of culturally active voices when voting for nominees. This is admirable. However, our problem does not start or end with the Oscars. In many ways, the Oscars are a symptom of a larger issue. The issue starts at funding for production studios and theaters willing to support diverse voices. As a result, we have problems with casting, not just voting. The Academy cannot promote diversity if it does not exist in the movies presented on the ballot. Diversity is defined by the many cultures and traditions present in this world. The art we create and
Karina Dunn
promote should reflect on, comment on and better society, not present an illusionary view of it. The majority of films nominated by the Academy this year feature white male actors in lead and supporting roles and little representation of women, minorities, LGBTQ relationships and foreign nationalities. This shows the Academy’s negligence of actors and actresses outside the “mainstream” ideal. Even with black, female president Cheryl Boone Isaacs presiding over the Academy’s Board of Governors, conscious diversity representation remains an issue. Part of the governors’ duties is to approve future members and debate the rules of Academy membership.
The Academy Awards themselves allow the film industry as a whole to face the country for one night and recognize some of their most deserving artists. They must stay aware of the narrative they create. Attitudes of power players in Hollywood have created a culture that places one face, typically a white face, at the pinnacle of success, ambition and worthiness. Of course, this is a lie created by industry players’ inability to look outside the bubble of their world and recognize the needs of their audience. All of our experiences extend from cultures defined by their respective histories, and we all coexist in this world. Filmmakers, not just Academy voters, need to shoulder their responsibility to promote stories, actors and directors from these different backgrounds. We need more films created, written, directed and produced by minorities and women who receive so little attention from the larger
production companies. It is not enough to put a minority, gay, black, Asian, Latin or female face onscreen. We must take the next step and recognize feature films built around the lives and culture that these minority groups live every day. Take the initiative to put a woman in a power role, make an Afghan a hero and let him or her be human, presenting a story on their merit and not the stereotypes around them. Diversity is not something that we need to achieve. It already exists. Instead of protecting the status quo, films, like the rest of the world, should seek to help promote and educate us about these changes while also creating a canon that reflects the world we really live in. For example, Shonda Rhimes recently took over ABC’s Thursday nights and reminded many viewers of the importance of having more perspectives represented onscreen. In her book “Say Yes,” Rhimes reveals one the goals of “Grey’s Anatomy,” which she created and produced. She wrote about “normal-
izing” her cast to LGBTQ relationships, blacks, whites, Latins, Asians, men and women, etc. I love her choice of term. If we normalize our stories, “mainstream” will no longer be a euphemism for white and male. Creating an atmosphere that welcomes the female perspective would broaden the scope of stories told. Women continue to fight for equal pay and recognition when they perform at the same level as their male counterparts for succeeding in the same arenas. Gatekeepers have never stopped to think that historically, the systems that created their success simultaneously limited the careers of their “diverse” co-workers. People in marginalized groups often grow up somewhat aware of the chances previous generations fought to give them. There can be pressure in the real world to live up to those standards. We all need reflections of ourselves onscreen and behind the scenes to reserve our places in the cultural fabric of this country.
8
NEWS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
www.eastfieldnews.com
Torn Apart
The Et Cetera
Tornado survivors recount devastating night, look to future Story by Andrea Carrizales - Photos by James Hartley Pushing against the first-floor bathroom door, Frank Ford and his wife, Sharon, battled against the fierce winds of an EF4 tornado, fighting to keep their family safe. Their 33-year-old daughter reclined in the bathtub, embracing her 1-monthold baby, both covered with blankets. Their grandson and great-grandniece, ages 5 and 6, hid in the cabinets underneath the sink. Just moments before, the family had gathered in the kitchen, the children playing with the Christmas presents they received the day before. As they drew pictures with their new finger paints, Ford stepped out to look at the skies. “I went outside to see where the birds were because when the birds go silent
and they disappear, you’ve got some bad weather in the area,” Ford said. The 67-year-old Vietnam War veteran, a social work major at Eastfield, recognized the signs that a storm was approaching. The drastic change in weather, from cold to almost 70 degrees, reminded him of the time when another tornado hit his apartment complex in Shreveport, Louisiana in the 1980s. That storm leveled his home and he knew the kind of damage a tornado might bring. As Ford surveyed the skies, an alert went off on his flip phone, warning him of the bad weather. Another followed, telling him to take cover. “I immediately ran into the house and got everybody to come to the center of the
house,” he said. As the tornado rumbled toward the family’s home, they suddenly found themselves in complete darkness due to a power outage. Then Ford heard the twister coming over them, its roar as loud as a train. Seconds later, the pressure against the door receded and Ford and his family ventured out of their safe place, going straight for the main door and out into the street. His 1996 Toyota pickup truck had been crushed under the oak tree in his front yard. Parts of his roof were gone. But most importantly, his family was safe. The tornado that hit Ford’s house in Garland had just ripped through Sunnyvale and continued toward Rowlett, damaging more than 1,800 homes and businesses. Thirteen people died due to injuries sustained during the storm, including Petra Ruiz, 27, a student at El Centro College who was driv-
ing on Interstate 30 when her SUV was blown off an overpass. Several other twisters hit Ellis and Collin counties on Dec. 26, prompting Gov. Greg Abbott to declare a state of disaster on Dec. 27. He requested a presidential disaster declaration on Jan. 26, one month after the tornadoes. Memories Torn Apart Less than two miles away from Ford’s home, the tornado was tearing apart the house of Eastfield biology assistant Jessica Cadick. Fortunately, Cadick and her fiancé, along with two of their children were dining at her father’s house. Her oldest son was visiting his dad in Forney. “We were all watching the news,” Cadick said. “The sirens went off and we all took cover. We called all of our friends and family that we knew were in the path of the
NEWS
9
The Et Cetera
tornado, unbeknownst to us that it had gone in our area. We had no clue that it had hit over there.” On their way home, Cadick noticed some signs of damage. An occasional tree limb in the street. A fence on the ground. Nothing alarming. With every turn, the damage intensified. “The closer we got, houses were torn apart,” she said. “And that’s when it dawned on us: Our street specifically had been leveled in places.” As she reached the corner of her street, a huge tree prevented Cadick from getting any closer. The four tires of her 2007 Saturn were flat. Adrenaline rushing, she got out of her car and headed for the house, climbing over trees and stepping over debris in her black flip flops. The wall on the north side of the house was missing, exposing the inside room – her children’s game room. Cadick rushed into the house and found her parrot, Squawky McNugget, in her hut. Her pug Myrtle was in her kennel, covered by debris but unharmed. It would take her two more days to find her cat, Binksey. She was able to salvage family pictures, personal documents, some toys for her kids and
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her favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Moo Moo Cow. Then the family went back to her father’s to spend the night. The next morning, pouring rain prevented Cadick from returning to her house. Worried that her renter’s insurance wouldn’t be enough to cover the damages, she set up a GoFundMe account, which raised more than $6,000 from 100 donors in one month. On Dec. 28, Cadick returned to collect some of her family’s belongings. However, the daylight revealed that several ceilings had collapsed under the rain and many personal objects were ruined by the water. The house, which Cadick was renting from her best friend’s family, was full of memories. “I did so much growing up in that house,” she said. “There was a time I actually lived with [my best friend’s family]. I met my son’s father there. “I had planned to finish raising my children there and to grow old with my fiancé there and have my grandchildren in it. That was my favorite home.” The damage to the house totaled $95,000. It has now been stripped down to the framework, awaiting reconstruction. Cadick’s fiancé, Charlie, an independent contractor, also lost his truck in the tornado, which prevented him from working immediately after the storm. Currently he is employed by their landlord’s contractor and is working in rebuilding their home. The family is now living in a smaller house, but Cadick hopes to move back into their home when repairs are complete. “I’m excited but reserved,” she said. “Until we sign that lease, I don’t want to be too excited, because I’m afraid that if something happened it would crush me.”
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Rebuilding Begins After living in his house for 21 years, Ford and his family are faced with rebuilding their home from scratch. With more than $200,000 in damage, their house is scheduled to be demolished soon. Ford and his wife, along with their great-grandniece, Zariah, have moved into a three-bedroom apartment, close to the child’s elementary school. They’re hoping to return to their new home in the summer. Ford now spends his days running around meeting contractors, picking up Zariah from school and making sure he doesn’t fall behind on his classwork. He wasn’t sure he would even come back to college this semester because of time constraints. Thanks to the tornado relief efforts of the Dallas County Community College District and Follett Bookstore, Ford was able to replace his textbooks, which had been damaged by the rain. His classes were paid for by the Veterans Administration. Although he said that his past experiences in the Louisiana tornado and in the Vietnam War have “conditioned” him to respond effectively to chaos, returning to normalcy is Ford’s priority now. “You try to get your life back on track as quickly as possible, so the impact won’t be as tragic,” he said. Ford has tried to comfort his grandson, who has experienced nightmares about the tornado, assuring him that better times will come. “It’s just a house,” Ford tells him. “We’ll build another one and you can come back and visit Papa.”
10
NEWS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
College offers help to tornado victims By Karina Dunn and Victor Martinez etc4640@dcccd.edu
Six weeks after a level EF4 tornado tore through North Texas, residents in Garland, Rowlett and Sunnyvale are focusing on rebuilding what has been lost. Entire neighborhoods were leveled by the tornado, with homes reduced to large piles of debris. The tornado impacted 1,100 homes and 35 businesses in Rowlett, with 500 homes destroyed or sustaining structural damage. Additionally, more than 600 homes and businesses were damaged in Garland along with 63 mobile homes in Sunnyvale. “We’re estimating our city costs to be roughly $7 million worth of debris, which is significant,” Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel said. “We’re thinking it’s probably going to take a year or so before all the rebuilding is done. I would say it could probably last up to two years.” Eastfield College contributed to the relief effort in several ways, including hosting a series of information sessions Jan. 26 to help victims with insurance navigation, finding and hiring reputable contractors and crisis management. Judith Dumont, executive dean of workforce, corporate and continuing education, said the district’s goal was to help tornado victims directly and invest back into the community instead of outsourcing work. “Chancellor Joe May knew we needed to do something,” Dumont said. “We needed a presence. He lived through a hurricane and helped with [recovery]. He knew how to handle this situation.” The district set aside $250,000 to help affected students and other residents receive training to rebuild their homes, find reputable insurance companies and contractors and gain skills that could also serve them in future emergencies. Free construction, remodeling, roof systems and other training will be offered at Eastfield’s main campus and the Pleasant Grove campus beginning March 1. Classes will be available in English and Spanish. While coordinating the January information sessions and March training, Dumont reached out to state representatives, mayors, county commissioners, judges, businessmen and others in the private sector. “I was humbled at the profound amount of compassion and community,” she said. “Everyone came together and showed up. We had to be very direct about how people could help because there was such an outpouring.” Scholarships and financial assistance are available to help alleviate the cost of tuition for storm victims. Students who filed their FAFSA qualify for the Texas Public Education Grant. Those without an up-to-date FAFSA may still apply and receive emergency TPEG funding. The Enterprise Scholarship will help students who do not qualify for financial aid, and Follett Bookstore has provided gift
Texas Twisters Dec. 26, 2015
SOURCE: STATE OF TEXAS GRAPHIC BY JAMES HARTLEY AND ANDREA CARRIZALES/THE ET CETERA
13
North Texans dead because of the tornadoes
JAMES HARTLEY/THE ET CETERA
The EF4 tornado knocked out the north wall and caved in the ceilings of biology assistant Jessica Cadick’s home in Garland. Only the framework remains. cards for textbooks. Students who have experienced property damage or know someone who needs help can visit the college website and search tornado relief. A list of resources and links are provided. One month after the storm, Gov. Greg Abbott requested a presidential Declaration of Disaster. His request has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The declaration, once signed by President Barack Obama, would provide extra funding to local communities affected by the storms. Until then, local residents, businesses and community leaders are trying to support themselves and one another. Gottel said the
4,187,002 People in the 27 counties requesting federal help
EF4
Strength of the tornado that hit Garland, Rowlett and Sunnyvale
volunteer efforts have been amazing to witness. “People that didn’t know one another have helped out — everything from debris removal to counseling services,” Gottel said. “It was busier than a Chick-fil-A at lunchtime.” Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, has also been impressed by the support the local communities have received. “I have never been more proud to be from Texas then I have been for the last month as I’ve watched everyone cohesively get together,” she said. “It’s just been phenomenal. I’m very proud of everything our first responders have done on our city and our county level, but most important, how our community has come together.”
1,800
Businesses and homes damaged in Garland, Rowlett and Sunnyvale
58
Texas Military Department personnel deployed due to the disaster
opinion Etera Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Associated Collegiate Press • Texas Community College Journalism Association
Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Fax: 972-860-7646 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editor in Chief Parker Ward Managing Editor Andrea Carrizales News Editor James Hartley
Life & Arts Editor David Silva
Sports Editor Brianna Harmon
Copy Editor Caitlin Piper
Presentation Editor Jonathan Wences
Photo Editor David Sanchez
Writers Tiffany Aragon Hunter Cave Genevieve Dominguez Gabriel Flores Tarryn Lingle Stephanie Romero Mayra Rosales-Montoya
Colton Bray Collin Cook Karina Dunn Gabriel Hinojosa Victor Martinez Jamiah Sandles Mickey Smith
Designers/Graphic Artists Brittany Parker Craig Martinez Photographers Ahmed Ashor Jasmin Jimenez
Luis Gonalez Alejandra Rosas
Factchecker Marie Garcia Cartoonists Matthew Rohan
Ariel Paulson
Advertising & Marketing Keturah Jones Student Publications Manager Elizabeth Langton 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. 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 considered for publication must be 250 words or fewer. Letters may be delivered to Room N-240 or sent to etc4640@dcccd. edu. 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.
11 The Et Cetera
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
More voters needed in primary elections As an American citizen, I am concerned for the greater good of this country. Therefore, I make an effort to remain politically aware and coherent. This year will be the first time I am eligible to elect a new president. I should be excited. However, due to the lack of participation in the primaries, I worry that whoever is on the November ballot may not be properly representing the public’s opinion. Turnout for the 2012 presidential primaries was the lowest on record, just 15.9 percent of eligible voters. How can the nomination be accurate when primary election turnout has dropped historically low? Primary voting is the electing of a candidate, within a political party, to become its nominee. Primaries ultimately dictate who is on the ballot in November. That’s why it is imperative that we as citizens realize the opportunity we have and make a genuine decision to participate in the primaries on March 1.
Gabriel Hinojosa
Voting is a civic duty we are responsible to fulfill as citizens and includes all steps in the process. Local, state and national elections should all be viewed as equally important. Each level of voting directly affects the next option on the next ballot. Many people choose not to participate, which can be easily understood due to all the red tape that comes with the process, such as voter ID laws that discourage voter participation. But what most people don’t realize is that they might already be registered to vote. Students may have signed up when they obtained their driver’s licenses or official state ID Many classes, such as government and political science, now offer the registration form.
Additionally, many people are left with the feeling that their vote doesn’t matter. This is because of the structure of the primary elections. States decide when to hold their primary elections. This leads to early states broadcasting their results before other state’s elections are held. This can drastically sway the remaining voters’ opinions as they wait for their opportunity to cast their ballots. Historically, the Texas primary has been one of the last at the end of May. This year, our primary has been changed to Super Tuesday, the day when the most states hold primaries. We as Texans must cast our votes March 1. We can guide our country by articulating our political opinion and narrating the direction of our democracy. The fate of this nation is more than ever in the hands of the people. But this power can easily be lost through lack of participation in the primaries. With there being so many options amongst the Republican Party, and
so much controversy with Democratic Party, I am afraid this election will become a matter of pick your poison. Trump still leads the Republican polls, which frightens a mass of individuals with his radical remarks and perspective. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton manages to retain her lead as well, which again petrifies so many due to the Benghazi scandal. Both poll leaders are just a bit too extreme in their approach to be trusted. So what are we to do? If you have not yet, I urge you to watch the Republican and Democratic debates. Pay attention and analyze what is said. Who is a leader? Who is strong? Who is most educated on each issue? These are a few things one must consider when watching these debates, and deciding who is getting your vote. It is critical for the greater good of this country, seeing as we are in such an alarming time, to do the task justice.
Don’t wait for a new year to resolve on a new you
It’s February and the pressure to follow through with our New Year’s resolutions is fading into the background of our busy schedules. We often don’t pay much attention to what others and ourselves are telling us. We want to change and to better our lives and the lives of our family. We want to become strong and lean or maybe to finally give up smoking – a so we wait the entire year until Jan. 1 to set it all in motion. Sir Isaac Newton knew a lot about motion. He was the English physicist who discovered gravity when an apple fell from a tree and hit him in the head. He gave us what is called the three laws of motion. Newton’s first law says, “Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.” In this case, we are Mr. Newton. And each year we get hit with the same apple—again and again— sometimes three or four at a time, until finally, we get up and move from under the apple tree. The apple--in this case, the force--is our pressure to change—to move. We feel these pressures because we understand the significance of healthy living and wellness, but unfortunately, the nagging voice inside of us that wants us to whip ourselves back into shape, is quickly quieted by the voice that says, “Quiet! I’m busy.” So we give up and we return to our spot under the apple tree until Jan. 1 of the next year. I guess it wouldn’t be surprising to say that 88 percent of resolution goals end in failure.
That means that in 2013, Collin when an estiCook mated 40 million Americans smoked cigarettes, if every single one of them made a New Year’s resolution to give up smoking — about 35.2 million people would fail. One in 3 of them would quit quitting before the end of January. New Year, same me. Sensibly, we can conquer the loathed resolution phase to enjoy a healthier, more progressive lifestyle of personal growth while also influencing others, by word or by example, to also embark on their own personal resolution journeys. The late Steve Jobs found himself under an apple tree when he planted the seed for one of the most influential technology companies in the world. Jobs was fired from Apple Computer Company, the company he founded, and responded by starting up another company. He eventually sold NeXT to Apple and triumphantly returned as CEO. He once reminded us at Stanford’s 2005 commencement ceremony, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” Measuring progression is essential to maintain-
ing resolution goals like losing weight or saving money each month. One of the more effective approaches to meeting an objective, or accomplishing a task, is to deduce it into a smaller list of goals, preferably written, to ensure all necessary steps are completed as well as to evoke a sense of self-purpose and accomplishment. However so, it is true that progression is not everything, just as winning isn’t. In the broad scheme of embracing change we mustn’t look at our resolution goals as one large obstacle. We must build steps, sometimes in the tiniest increments, in order to overcome our challenges. Psychologist Lynn Bufka explains that setting small goals throughout the year is our best bet for accomplishing our resolutions. She explains that, “it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.” In order to actually change in life we can’t expect it to happen based on mere intention. Progress requires commitment to pushing personal plateaus and alleviating any lingering limitations Progress requires recording and accomplishing basic, objective tasks, to achieve milestones and to embrace accomplishment. Steve Harvey reminded us that we have to jump to be successful. Hemingway reminded us that a coward dies a thousand deaths. This life is about being able to sleep at night knowing you gave your all.
OPINION
12 The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
OUR VIEW
Long overdue program will keep some out of jail A long-needed proposal for a sixmonth pilot program intended to reduce penalties for misdemeanors, including low-level marijuana possession, is finally making progress with the Dallas City Council almost 10 years after its introduction. The experimental “cite-andrelease” program will allow offenders who meet certain criteria and are carrying less than four ounces to be issued a ticket rather than a trip to jail, though a judge will still have final say in the punishment. Offenders must have a valid driver’s license or state ID, be at least 17 years old, offer their thumbprint and have no prior convictions that could enhance the charge in order to be eligible for the program. While we support legalization, we understand that the law must be upheld while marijuana is still illegal. That being said, it’s a waste of time and resources to arrest and process nonviolent offenders for something as minor as carrying a few ounces for personal use. Such arrests make up a mere 2 percent of
the city’s annual total, according to the Dallas Police Department, but that’s still an average of 100 to 120 arrests each month. Introducing a citation system would streamline the process and save a lot of headaches for both the police and the citizens. Dallas is not the first place to try to integrate such a program. The city of Austin has also recently adopted cite-and-release. Unfortunately, Dallas’ cite-andrelease program cannot currently be extended to areas of the city outside Dallas County. While we support the idea behind the proposed citation system, we hesitate to support a system that only arrests some offenders if they happen to be stopped in a particular part of the city. If the pilot program takes off, police are also considering issuing citations for other minor offenses, such as graffiti and driving with an invalid license. We believe this is the correct approach to take to nonviolent misdemeanors.
‘Murder’ docu-series sheds light on 18-year injustice The docu-series “Making a Murderer” has become an overnight sensation because it follows the true story of Steven Avery after he was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault, causing him to spend 18 years in prison. Avery was exonerated when DNA testing proved that he did not commit the rape. Four years after being exonerated, Avery was convicted of another brutal crime: the murder of Teresa Halbach. “Making a Murderer” raises awareness toward the epidemic of innocent men being mistreated by the court system. The fact that Avery spent 18 years in prison for sexual assault despite being innocent outraged viewers, making them question how the court system could have failed Avery so severely. How was the jury able to find Avery guilty without reasonable doubt? There was no DNA testing to confirm he committed the crime, he had 16 witnesses for his alibi and there was suspicion that another man may have committed the crime. Despite all this, the jury returned a guilty verdict because the victim identified him as her attacker, ignoring other possible leads. It is mind-blowing and disturbing that an innocent man could be treated so unjustly and miss out on 18 years of his life, all because
Tarryn Lingle
the Manitowoc County police did not explore every lead. Two years after being released from prison, Avery was in the middle of a $36 million lawsuit against the Manitowoc County Sheriff ’s Department for wrongful conviction when he was arrested for the murder of Halbach. The lawsuit plays an important role in most theories about Avery’s conviction. Some people believe that if it wasn’t for the lawsuit, Avery would have never been targeted for Halbach’s murder. Throughout the series, Avery’s attorneys make an excellent case for how Avery fell victim to planted evidence in the murder case and discredited a lot of the evidence that District Attorney Ken Kratz and the prosecution
team used to argue Avery’s guilt. According to “Making a Murderer” codirector Laura Ricciardi, “Kratz himself later said he presented a circumstantial forensics science case, and that’s what we are trying to show in the documentary. He did not have direct evidence of Steven Avery’s guilt.” That is the scariest thing about the whole trial and the main message the creators are trying to convey. How could a jury find Avery guilty of murder without sufficient evidence? The murder victim’s car key being found in Avery’s house and Avery’s blood being found in the victim’s car were vital pieces of evidence in the case. Even though these were intended to be used by the prosecution team to argue Avery’s guilt, the defense attorneys eloquently argued that these two important pieces of evidence could have been planted to frame Avery for the murder. The victim’s key was found by authorities after multiple searches led by Calumet County, and when it was DNA tested, only Avery’s was found, not the victim’s. The vial of Avery’s blood being held by Manitowoc County officials was also found with a hole the width of a hypodermic needle in the top. District attorney Kratz diminished Avery’s
chance to prove his innocence when he purposely went on television after getting, in my opinion, a coerced confession from Avery’s nephew stating his and Avery’s role in the murder of Halbach. Because of this, Avery no longer had the chance to be innocent until proven guilty. No matter whom they picked to be on the jury, they had already judged Avery. Once the brutal confession from Avery’s nephew came out, disclosing graphic details of murder, they basically welded the prison doors shut and sealed his fate. Yes, there are those who agree with Avery being found guilty for the homicide of Halbach and feel as if the documentary left out important information. Those people have every right to feel that way, but the message that was meant to be conveyed was to open the audience’s eyes to how easily a person can be convicted of a crime without sufficient evidence of their guilt. I am left with the powerful feeling of hopelessness and a great desire to somehow right Avery’s grave injustice and tragedy. One can only hope that they are never accused of a crime because it seems to be that justice is not always the outcome.
Sports
The Et Cetera
Feb. 10 Feb. 13 Feb. 13 Feb. 19
Basketball at North Lake Basketball at Richland Baseball vs. Kansas City CC Baseball at Mountain View
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7 p.m. 2 p.m. noon 3 p.m.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Different countries, identical obsessions
Harvesters take lead in conference without star
Androk, Biti remember homes By Brianna Harmon etc4640@dcccd.edu
Eastfield sophomores Din Androk and Teekay Biti left their home countries as children for different reasons, but both came to the college for the same reason: basketball. Androk was born in Bosnia, while Biti was born in Zimbabwe. Both players are reserve guards for the Harvesters. Androk came to the United States as a young child and graduated from Lee High School in Houston. “I’m a lot more humble [than many players] just because some people don’t get to play this game where I’m from,” he said. “They are still surrounded by bombs and what not.” Androk’s older brother taught him how to play basketball when Androk was in the sixth grade. “My brother is my best friend,” he said. “He knows me better than anybody.” Androk says the pureness of the game drew him in. “I played all the sports, but basketball stood out to me,” he said. “I fell in love with it.” Androk, who is shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc, is known for always being willing to take a shot. He spends hours in the gym practicing every day, working to improve his form. He has been a regular contributor for Eastfield this season, but he is out for the season with a knee injury. “Din is a big-time shooter,” Harvesters coach Anthony Fletcher said. “He shoots it at a very high level. He sparks our team when he is making shots. It’s fun and exciting to watch.” Biti moved to the United States when he was 6 years old. “[Zimbabwe] is home to me, but Dallas is as well,” Biti said. “I love Dallas all in its own, and I love Zimbabwe all in its own.” Biti remembers spending days at a time at his grandparents’ house in Zimbabwe when he was a child. He said he would like to visit the country more because he has family there, but he hasn’t been able to return for five years. “Zimbabwe is always family-centered,” Biti said. ”We have gone through hard times because the government is corrupt out there, but living out there in Zimbabwe is an experience. I really want to go back.” Biti said it wasn’t a big transition to come to America since English was his second language in Zimbabwe, but subtle cultural differences were difficult at first. He was introduced to basketball by a childhood friend after moving to the United States. “Once I met my friend at school, basketball just
By Brianna Harmon etc4640@dcccd.edu
ALEJANDRA ROSAS/THE ET CETERA
Din Androk, left, and TeeKay Biti were painted in flags by Et Cetera artist Jonathan Wences.
kept sticking because I could play it all the time, and then when [the soccer field] got cold, you didn’t see me outside,” Biti said. He grew up playing soccer but made basketball his sport despite his father’s preference for the former. “My dad loves soccer,” Biti said. “I think he would have wanted me to play it. It is funny be-
cause my older brother played rugby whenever he was growing up, and that is why he went to Australia. For me to play basketball it is a little different that we didn’t play the sport that my dad loves.” Biti’s biggest dream is to play for the Zimbabwe national team one day. “If the opportunity ever came up, I am definitely going to take it,” he said.
The Eastfield Harvesters have compiled a 5-2 record in conference play since losing star player Tevin Corprew to academic eligibility after the fall semester. Corprew was a five-time Region V Player of the Week during nonconference play. He led the nation in points, assists and points per game. He scored 509 points in 16 games, an average of 31.8 per game, and had 152 assists. “To me as a coach, it seemed like you were kind of playing a video game,” Harvesters coach Anthony Fletcher said of watching Corprew play. “He was that good.” Despite the setback, Eastfield has remained strong with a 20-7 record, including 6-2 in the Metro Athletic Conference. The team started conference play by beating Cedar Valley by 37 points. The Harvesters then won close games with Mountain View and North Lake in the final seconds. Danzel Whitemon, Tre Anderson and Zack Duncan have each earned Region V Player of the Week honors since conference play began. The Harvesters’ most recent win, 98-71 against Brookhaven on Feb. 6, put them in first place in the conference and two games away from clinching the regular-season title. The Harvesters are on the road their next two games, one at North Lake on Feb. 10 and one at Richland on Feb. 13. They will play Feb. 16-22 in the conference tournament for the right to advance to the national tournament in New York in March. The Harvesters have been national champions once before with coach Bob Flickner at the helm.
SPORTS
14 The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday,February 18, 2015
SEASON PREVIEW
Baseball revives World Series dreams By Gabriel Flores etc4640@dcccd.edu
The No. 4-ranked Eastfield Harvesters come into this baseball season with the same expectations the program has had for the past 15 years under coach Michael Martin – to win and win big. During that time, the Harvesters won eight Metro Athletic Conference championships, including five straight, and five NJCAA Region V championships. In 2006 and 2011 Eastfield was crowned national champions. Eastfield finished last season with a 36-13 record. However, a 12-6 loss to eventual national champion Tyler Junior College in the District C tournament ended the Harvesters’ hopes of winning a third national title. District C members Eastfield, Richland and Tyler have combined to win nine of the last 15 national championships. “We could have used more depth in our pitching staff,” Martin said of the 2015 squad. “We’ve added some guys that we think can help our pitching staff, and some guys have matured and gotten better from last year. We’re excited to give those guys a chance to prove themselves.” The Harvesters will be led offensively by infielder Casey Maack, who earned NJCAA firstteam All-American honors last year after batting 441 and leading the nation with 12 home runs. Third baseman Connor Scruggs, whom Martin described as “hard-nosed” and the “quiet leader” of the team, also returns for his second season. The team’s offensive approach will be bal-
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Freshman pitcher Mason Jordan out of Horn High School pitches in a recent practice.
anced. Maack’s presence in the middle of the lineup will provide a constant power threat, but the team will also rely on its ability to manufacture runs. Ultimately, Eastfield’s success will be predicated on pitching and defense. Blake Barr, who led the nation in strikeouts last season as a freshman, will anchor the rotation. “He’s going to be a guy that we throw out there on Friday and expect to win us the first
game of every series,” Martin said. Evan Rodgers, who pitched 30 innings primarily in relief last season and boasted a 1.80 ERA, is expected to step into the starting rotation. Brandon Saddler, who won three games for the Harvesters last season, will be used as a starter and a reliever. Freshman Sam Butler from Cedar Hill High School and Mason Jordan from Horn High School are among the top newcomers joining the pitching staff. Maack said he has been im-
pressed with Butler’s approach on the mound. “He’s not afraid to attack you,” Maack said. “He has a lot of confidence as a freshman.” Martin said Jordan throws in the mid 80s and is developing a changeup that “could win us a lot of games.” “What you hope for as a coach is that we’re consistent on the mound,” Martin added. “If we go out and give consistent effort, our offense and defense will play well enough to win us some games.” Freshman catcher Will Crooker will fill a hole left by Daniel McConn, who started 36 games in 2015. Martin said Crooker’s defensive agility will help protect the pitchers from their mistakes and his strong arm will help keep baserunners at bay. The team spent most of the fall playing nonconference games against larger colleges. That allowed Martin to get a good look at the newcomers. “Some of those young kids gained experience from going through a fall season and competing at the college level,” he said. “It’s a different game. They have to raise their level of play to match what they’re seeing on this level.” Eastfield’s championship aspirations aren’t the only thing that’s driving the team. At season’s end Barr will be playing baseball for Angelo State while Maack will suit up for Southern Mississippi. “I promised one more year here,” Maack said. “I’m still an Eastfield Harvester so I’m going to do everything I can to help this team win. I’ll be here working my butt off to play for these guys. They deserve the best out of me.”
Former basketball coach selected for Hall of Fame By Brianna Harmon etc4640@dcccd.edu
After 23 seasons as head coach, 15 conference titles and one national championship, former Eastfield basketball coach Bob Flickner has been selected to be inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Flickner had just birdied his last hole and was walking off the golf course when his phone rang. It was Eastfield basketball coach Anthony Fletcher giving him the good news. “I was in shock and very humbled and thankful,” Flickner said. “It’s due to all these players over the years and their work. I basically just drove the bus and kept it between the ditches.” Flickner gives all of the credit to the athletes he’s coached. “Over the years, we have had hundreds of players and they deserve the credit for
this award. I don’t,” Flickner said. “What is neat now is looking back and seeing where they are at now.” Flickner’s greatest memory was coaching his son at Eastfield. Blake Flickner graduated high school early in December and came to Eastfield mid-season in spring of 1994. The first game he played was in Kansas, and he said he would never forget when his son came into the game and made his first 3-pointers. Blake Flickner is now head coach at Dallas Baptist University. Another player on the 1993-94 Eastfield team was Mesquite High School basketball coach Brian Curts. That team was a small eight-man squad that ended up winning the conference championship. Curts says that Flickner was a calm and fair coach. “The way that he coached me helped me be a better coach,” said Curts. “Just being in the atmosphere at Eastfield, the winning tradition, and the work ethic helped me a
lot coming out of college when I did decide that I wanted to teach and coach.” Fletcher calls Flickner a great Christian man with strong values and one of the founding fathers for the Eastfield athletics program. “I want to hang banners in the gym like he did,” Fletcher said. “I know he didn’t start the program, but he was here for so long and did such a great job.” He led Eastfield to 12 consecutive conference championships and 15 in a 16-year span. His teams routinely played in the national tournament between 1986 and 1998, winning in 1997. Flickner served 14 years as the director of athletics on campus and was the NJCAA Region 5 representative for several years. Flickner is still a physical education professor on campus. He was honored DAVID SANCHEZ/THE ET CETERA at the spring convocation ceremony for Former basketball coach Bob Flickner stands with his 40 years of service to the district. national championship basketball and banners.
Wrapup The Et Cetera
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Zek and Slik By Matthew Rohan
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Sudoku
MUSIC REVIEW
Rival Choir creates masterpiece By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
The Adventures of Rocky Awolishus By Ariel Paulson
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Rival Choir, formerly known as Mouth of the South, returns to the metalcore/post-hardcore scene strong with their debut faith-focused album “I Believe, Help My Unbelief.” The quartet from Denton, Texas is made up of members of the final lineup of MOTS, which disbanded in late 2015. With a sound and lyrics that tell a tale of renewed faith and rededication and challenge listeners to step out of their comfort zone, “I Believe” is without a doubt one of the best post-hardcore albums of all time joining Underøath’s “Lost in the Sound of Separation,” The Devil Wears Prada’s “Plagues” and Oh, Sleeper’s “Son of the Morning” in my personal top 10 list. Those wary of the transition from MOTS to RC can be at ease. “I Believe, Help My Unbelief ” is stylistically similar to MOTS’ last two albums. Just as in the band’s last albums, Josiah Lyle’s screams are passionate, meaningful and understandable while Christian Prince, Colton Bar-
tholet and Garrett Metzger bring powerful, moving music that accentuates and complements the message of the lyrics. Every line of every song is an extremely personal, emotional part of the message RC brings with this record. The beautiful, often savage chords courtesy of Prince and Bartholet present a different tone in each track. “Reveal, Renew” and the track after it, “Quiet Life,” mark a turning point in the life of the lyricist. The desperate struggle depicted though an artful combination of the music and the lyrics in the start of the track comes to a calming slow down. The debut single, “Aftermath,” is a mental assessment of the lyricists’ life, ending with a plea for forgiveness and a rescue from his past decisions. “Sojourn” is the climax of the album. The lyricist cries out for answers on where he is in life and where he needs to be. Read the full review online at eastfieldnews.com/2016/02/05/rivalchoir/
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Wednesday, February 10, 2016
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The Et Cetera
Red hot chili professors Spice it up Each month, more than 4 million students rely on the website Rate My Professors to help them choose the best courses and professors based upon peer reviews. RateMyProfessors.com is a free site used by students seeking reviews on college professors in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Students rank professors on helpfulness, clarity and easiness, which results in a rating on a five-point scale. An optional rating is also available: hot or not. A net positive number of hot ratings earns a professor a chili pepper. But are you rating the professor on looks or on their class? “That is open for interpretation,” a Rate My Professors representative said in an email. So what do Eastfield’s “red hot chili professors” think of their fiery ratings? We asked seven of them. -Compiled by Keturah Jones
They should have little brains for ratings rather than chili peppers. This is not Tinder it is RateMyProfessors. com. I feel that between the chili pepper and the age of the professor the rating is giving influence to the student that we may seem cool or that it is a blow off class.
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I have been completely oblivious to the fact that I am rated as “hot.” I am here to educate and not entertain. I wish that RateMyProfessors.com would take away the chili pepper because it has nothing to do with the class. You must work hard to earn your grade and my looks have nothing to do with that. -Christine Giraud Math Faculty
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-Lauren Young Education Facutly
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I feel like the chili pepper should be removed. It is good for students to look us up to see if our teaching style identifies with the way they learn. However the chili pepper according to what the professor looks like versus how the course is can be deceptive. -Caitln Stanford Kinter English Faculty
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• Assist students in using eConnect to register for classes • Make students feel welcome at Eastfield • Share your experiences at Eastfield and encourage new students to get involved in campus life • Serve as volunteers on campus • Participate in community projects and events
I have had students who were older than me who have made comments stating that if I were a little older that they would try to get with me. Having a chili pepper according to RateMyProfessors.com has not changed me nor will it change or affect how I teach.
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I have not been hit on or approached. However students have learned my likes. I love Skittles, chips and salsa and cinnamon gum. Occasionally one of the items will appear on my desk before a speech is due. Leaving me these items will not make me nor persuade me to give you a passing grade.
What do HarveSTARS do? HarveSTARS assist new to college students by helping them acclimate to the college environment.
Interested? Email 4OSER@dcccd.edu
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-Courtney Carter Harbour Executive Dean, Office of Student Engagement and Retention
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-Philip Bueno Completion Center Coordinator
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I had a student ask me for my number but I took it as a compliment and moved on. The only way you get an A is if you work for it. I do not want students to think because they see a chili pepper beside my name that my class is an easy A. -Larry Jefferson Service Learning Coordinator
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