C I T Y C O L L E G E O F S A N F R A N C I S C O ’ S N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 3 5
Volume 152, Issue 4
TheGuardsman.com
October 5 - October 19, 2011
Victor y for VIDA
Final budget for 2011-2012 approved $1.9 million in classes cut; 3000 students denied classes By Joe Fitzgerald THE GUARDSMAN
JOE FITZGERALD / THE GUARDSMAN
Carlos Martinez reads a letter from Steve Lee on behalf of “VIDA” (Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement) in support of granting the office of mentoring and learning services $200,000 in grants to the board of trustees before their vote on Sept. 22, 2011.
By Joe Fitzgerald THE GUARDSMAN
Undocumented immigrant students at City College can now be legally hired by the school using a $200,000 fund from the new college budget approved on Thursday, Sept. 22, after a heated battle during the Board of Trustees meeting that night. Originally $200,000 of the new $191 million 2011-2012 school year budget was set aside for access by undocumented students through the Office of
Mentoring and Learning Services, an office run by City College. The money would fund internships and scholarships under California’s “Dream Act,” also known as bill AB540, a law allowing undocumented students to pay for college at in-state tuition rates. The $200,000 is a small part City College’s multi-million dollar budget, and Board of Trustees President John Rizzo was about to take a vote to approve the college’s budget in its’ entirety without even mentioning the smaller fund
once. Just as Rizzo lifted his gavel to begin the vote, student-elected Student Trustee Jeffry Fang piped in. “I’d like to offer an amendment to this, one little change. This amendment is section 6, line A,” he said. The sounds of papers shuffling filled the room as audience members searched the fifty page document. Fang asked that instead of having the $200,000 dollars set aside for undocumented students come only through the Office of
Mentoring and Learning Services, that the language of the document be changed to include the Learning Assistance Center (which runs tutoring in the main library) and EOPS, the Extended Opportunity and Program Services. “I made this amendment not because I want to deny anyone, because I was told, vehemently by the way, that this is for all students, low income, anyone. If this for all students, EOPS is in great need... EOPS and LAC DREAM ACT: Page 3
SF Mayoral race heats up at City College forum By Darren Girard THE GUARDSMAN
City College students posed questions on hot button topics at the mayoral forum held Sept. 28 at the Diego Rivera Theatre, hosted by the Associated Students Council in conjunction with New American Media. Mayoral candidates addressed questions about MUNI, poverty, crime and of course - jobs. David Chiu began by touting working class values in an attempt to connect with his audience of City College students and faculty. Chiu went on to state “jobs are the number one issue in this campaign,” he added, “I believe every business should start an internship program.”
On the inside:
Some candidates took the issue further: Jeff Adachi talked about re-investing pension funds to create more jobs, while John Avalos mentioned the local hire ordinance he authored last yea focusing on the poorest communities in San Francisco. Emil Lawrence spoke of his proposal humbly named “The Lawrence Plan,” connecting City College students to the future job market. “My plan is to cut 5,000 jobs from the fat cats in city hall and replace them with 5,000 entry level positions available to San Francisco college graduates.” Lawrence explained, referring to “The Lawrence Plan. Two of the most pressing issues the candidates face this election cycle are MUNI reform
and the Central Subway Project. The Central Subway’s cost has ballooned to over $1 billion, and
opponents of the plan wonder how a cash strapped MUNI MAYORAL FORUM: Page 6
BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN
Thirteen candidates answer questions during the Mayoral Forum at the Diego Rivera Theatre on CCSF’s Ocean Campus on Sept. 28. Questions ranged from city problems such as homelessness and crime to public transit and public school funding.
Opinions Elizabeth Zarubin argues for more English tutors in the wake of massive budget cuts. Page 4
News
The City College Board of Trustees voted to approve a budget of $191 million for the remainder of the college’s 20112012 fiscal year. This budget includes cutting a whopping $1.9 million in funding for classes, a sacrifice made in the face of an ongoing statewide fiscal crisis. “It’s not a perfect budget... but I think on balance it reflects the budget in this state and elsewhere,” said Trustee Steve Ngo, who is also the chair of the budget committee. When reached for comment, Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance Peter Goldstein said that originally the school had planned to cut $3.8 million from classes, but found other means of BUDGET: Page 3
Quick Facts $1.9 million That’s the exact amount of classes and courses we’re losing this year in dollars, compared to last year. It can be roughly equated to turning away 3,000 students from needed classes. It won’t affect the current semester, but will hit the spring and summer semesters. $6.5 million That’s the amount the noninstructional fund: paying for things like honors coursework, librarians’ salaries, and health services on campus. The school currently has only a limited idea of how this money is spent. 85 faculty members As teachers and faculty retire and/or quit the school, City College plans to not hire new faculty to replace them. This saves money for the school by eliminating positions entirely. This limits student assistance (like financial aid or tutoring), says Clara Starr, director of human resources for City College.
Culture
St. Anthony’s church throws a block party for those who need it most in the Tenderloin. Page 7
Erotic Film Fest in the Castro titillates with orgies, drag queens and tennis. Page 9
2 | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
NEWS
VIDEO - UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS WIN BIG: Check out the testimonies of undoumented students fighting for their internships at City College. youtube.com/user/TheGuardsmanOnline
Veterans return to combat after DADT repeal Progressives Some LGBT service people claim they were always “out” By Darren Girard THE GUARDSMAN
“Don’t ask, Don’t tell,” the Clinton-era military policy barring Gays and Lesbians from serving openly has been repealed, and for veterans like City College student Rob Rizzo- a Navy veteran discharged under the policythis brings an opportunity to serve once more. The DADT policy was implemented in 1993, meant to replace the service ban on Gays and Lesbians, but instead has resulted in the discharge of more than 14,500 otherwise qualified members. “The government jeopardized this country by discharging good, experienced and qualified people just because of their sexual orientation,” remarked Jeff, a Navy veteran. Rob Rizzo served two years in the US Navy during which he was never really in the closet. He even sported a gay-pride tattoo featuring a rainbow heart, “I’ve had this tattoo since basic training and nobody thought anything of it,” he said. For Rizzo, that was the prevailing attitude until he came out to his commanding officer.
“I came out and six months later I was discharged for a ‘homosexual admission’.” Experiences like this were unfortunately not uncommon under the former DADT policy. President Barrack Obama saw DADT as a hindrance to military readiness and civil rights, thus he made it a mission to repeal the antiquated policy during his presidency. Dec 22, 2010 Obama signed the bill to repeal DADT, and on Sep 20 it officially went in to effect. The big question surrounding the issue is whether or not the repeal came at the right time. The responses are as varied as individuals. Some critics say it’s too soon, or that a policy change during war time is disruptive, a few remain more ambivalent to the change, while many others think it’s right about time. “I think it came too late, really it’s a shame that ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ ever existed. Any time is a good time, but in 2011 people should have equal rights!” expressed Keith Aderholdt, a Navy veteran. For LGB veterans like Rob Rizzo the repeal was not only long awaited but also a result of active fighting for change:
“The repeal was bound to happen it just took people like me and many others to advocate for it, however it was not easy.” Organizations like Service members Legal Defense Network, SLDN, individual LGBT veterans and allies have spent years tirelessly lobbying for the end of DADT. Now that the repeal has been enacted many are wondering what changes it will bring about. Recruiters now are actively recruiting members of the LGBT community, one army recruiter remarked, “The repeal has opened up a new group of potential service members; I project to see an increase in interest from those who were reticent about joining under the former DADT policy.” Veterans discharged under DADT, like Rob Rizzo, are invited to re-enlist and many are actively pursuing re-entrance: “I am working with a recruiter on going back in right now; it should only be a few more months.” states Rizzo. Those currently serving say the policy hasn’t caused any major disturbances. “It has been business as
usual, we had briefings about the changes and the military’s stance is ‘respect everybody’. I am willing to serve with anybody willing to put the uniform on and fight. We are all acclimating just like with any other change” remarks Daniel, an army reservist. Exactly how the DADT repeal will affect benefits for partnered LGB members still hasn’t been announced, but the Pentagon is reportedly continuing to work on this issue. Unfortunately the repeal doesn’t mark full equality within the military as Transgender people still are excluded from service. “Transgender people have gotten the raw end of the stick on this.” adds Rizzo. While continued advocacy work for full LGBT rights in the military is definitely needed and still full in action, the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” is a great leap in the right direction. For LGB veterans like Rob Rizzo the repeal means they can continue serving once again, marking a new chapter towards equality. email: dgirard@theguardsman.com
QRC to celebrate National Coming Out Day “Talking Wall” will offer venue for those to discuss LGBT issues on campus By Lulu Orozco THE GUARDSMAN
City College is revved up and ready for National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, which encourages students, queer or not, to unite and celebrate who they are. National Coming out Day is an international event, which
gives lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals the opportunity to celebrate and tell others about their sexuality. Oct. 11, 1987, marked the first lesbian and gay rights march on Washington D.C. “It’s a day to celebrate who you are, not necessarily to encourage any one to come out, but a day to celebrate our community.” said
Mario Marquez, event planner at the Queer Resource Center. “I would like to see hundreds of people celebrate freely, laugh and smile.” The Gender Diversity Project at City College has planned a “Talking Wall,” which will be displayed in front of the resource center, located in bungalow 201.
VALERIE AYALA
Event Planner Mario Marquez (left) and Office manager Tracy Gonzalez (right) stand outside the new location for City College’s Queer Recource Center on Sept. 28 2011 in San Francisco. The QRC seeks to help the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and the intersex population of City College.
A giant banner, the Talking Wall offers an opportunity for individuals to “come out” on paper, write first hand experiences or just express how they feel. “A lot has changed in recent years: the laws, the campus, the staff. There is less anxiety. I consider this place is my core support,” said Sophia, a City College student. The Queer Resource Center is more than an information hub, it is a place for students to hang out and be themselves in a comfortable atmosphere. By offering a variety of services, the center’s primary goals are to inform, enrich and support the LGBT student community. “Studying the queer community can help individuals see more of the world,” said Sarah Thompson, academic counselor at the resource center. “Education can foster a homophobic-free environment.” Along with the resource center, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center will incorporate National Coming Out Day as the kick-off to Economic Empowerment Week. The weeklong event will offer financial workshops. Attendance is free and open to the public from Oct. 11-15. email: gorozco@theguardsman.com
split from left By Kevin Brown THE GUARDSMAN
A group of progressive democrats met at The Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 22, to voice their frustrations about President Barack Obama and decide whether or not they should even support him in 2012. The meeting was led by Karen Bernal, chair of the California Democratic Party’s Progressive caucus, who is fed up with President Obama’s corporate-friendly domestic policy and said, “By supporting Obama the Democratic Party is right alongside the Republicans on a path straight to hell, but the Democrats are just skipping along and stopping once in a while to smell the flowers on the way. We need to turn around and head the opposite direction completely.” She advocates for a third candidate to run against Obama in the next election to send a clear message that the democrats are way off course citing that “Obama has lagged on restoring our civil liberties that have been compromised since The Patriot Act. In fact America has grown even more repressed under the Obama administration than it was under Bush.” Bernal believes that instead of blindly following Obama just because he claims to be a democrat, a greater emphasis needs to be put on continuing the progressive movement. “Even though Obama is dismantling The New Deal, privatizing Social Security, and further diminishing all the public benefits which the progressives worked so hard to get and that we now consider birth rights, the Democrats continue to demonstrate loyalty to a president instead of the virtues of the party,” she said. Bernal’s main frustration with the democrats is their obsession with “the eternal now,” and she said “We can’t keep thinking election to election. Progressives should not be so concerned with just getting a democrat elected.” She suggests that a third more progressive candidate would shine light on the fact that Obama is not really a leftist, and would force him to fight for the youth vote. This radical disapproval of the incumbent has been met with scorn by fellow Democrats who still support Obama, and as of now the CA Progressive Caucus is suspended and no longer even recognized by the Democratic Party, which will hold a vote Oct. 22 to decide whether to terminate the suspension or to kick them out of the Democratic Party completely. email: kbrown@theguardsman.com
News
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | 3
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We Tweet live from events such as mayoral forums looking past the candidates’ rhetoric and instead at their concrete statements.
We focus on local news as well, such as the Michelle Le case. BUDGET: Continued from front
savings to lower that number to $1.9 million. “I think it’s really a case of the state turning away students, rather than the college,” Goldstein said in a phone interview. City College has actually increased it’s enrollment of students this past summer, a strategy which under state budget rules should generate more state funding for the college. The state however is still hemorrhaging money, and automatic “triggers” in the budget from Sacramento will almost certainly reduce City College’s state allocation by a further $13.38 million. The college’s $191 million budget was crafted with the expectation that those triggers will be pulled. Meanwhile other avenues to save money at the college are being explored. Money in the abyss The Board of Trustees discovered that even as they continue to make cuts in classes, $6.5 million in a section of the budget called “non-instructional funds” could not be accounted for. “I had no idea when the chancellor asked me to do this what I was getting into. It’s a monster,” said Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Development Lindy McKnight. McKnight is in charge of finding out on a department by department basis exactly where
that $6.5 million is going. “There are many coding problems,” McKnight said at the Sept. 22 meeting. “ESL Newsletter is in the list [of codes], but according to the chair of that department they haven’t paid anyone to do that in almost a decade.” Peter Goldstein explained that $3.1 million of the fund has been verified, but there was still $2.75 million left to analyze. He said that they would have a full line-item accounting of the noninstructional fund by Nov. 30. Librarians and student health personnel are paid out of the noninstructional fund, and thus far have escaped some of the drastic cuts other departments have faced. “We have 85 [faculty] positions being eliminated and these [non-instructional personell] are not being cut? Why is that?” Board of Trustees President John Rizzo asked Goldstein. Goldstein answered “For tenure review it’s in the AFT contract. There have to be committees that look at that. There are assignments that go hand in hand with some of those classes.” Rizzo leaned forward and asked, “We’re cutting $1.9 million in classes and these categories can’t be touched?” “Not for the Fall [semester]” Goldstein said. email: jfitzgerald@theguardsman.com
DREAM ACT: Continued from front
does a lot for students,” Fang said. Including those two departments in a single paragraph of the fifty-page budget that the crowd of students in the room had come to speak out against, ready to fight. Fighting for scraps The $200,000 is the only money in the entire school budget that would fund internships or scholarships for undocumented students. No other money from the college has the possibility of reaching the hands of an AB540 (Dream Act) qualified student. Trustee Fang’s amendment would have spread that money across three separate departments instead of one, effectively making undocumented students share the fund with the student body at large. The already small pot of money for AB540 students would have gotten smaller. Over 25 students crowded the small board meeting room at 33 Gough St. in order to oppose Fang’s amendment. Mostly assembled from a group called VIDA, or Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement, the students were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to oppose the amendment. They came out of the closet, “outing” their immigration status. “I come from Guatemala, I am not from here, I am an AB540 student,” said one student, referring to the bill number of California’s “Dream Act.” Despite his choice to reveal his immigration status that night, The Guardsman is withholding his name for his protection. He spoke during the meeting’s public comment section, unveiling his undocumented status to video cameras, the audience and the Board of Trustees. “There isn’t a legal source for us to work. We all have to jump in trucks, we have to go out and search for a job. Passing this proposal will greatly contribute to my family, and to my tuition especially,” he said. He wasn’t alone. Student after student approached the lectern to speak against Fang’s amendment, and many of them spoke of the challenges of being an undocumented student, unveiling their immigration status in a legal and recorded forum. The last student to speak put it plainly. “This would allow me to pay for tuition that keeps increasing. This is not school level, this is a civil rights issue,” he said. Living in fear City College’s VP of Cultural Affairs Stephanie Oh also “came out” as undocumented that night. “At the end of the day, I take off my badge and am like any ordinary student here, worrying about my tuition and my textbooks,” she said at the podium. “Also, I am an undocumented student.”
In an interview with The Guardsman, she spoke at length about what happened the night of the board meeting, and why she had a personal stake in the outcome. Oh was born in Seoul, Korea, moved to Tacoma, Washington when she was 9, and moved to San Francisco with her family while in high school. Currently as an undocumented student who doesn’t meet exacting requirements, Oh pays $213 a unit (versus in state fees of $36 a unit) for each of her classes. She is also ineligible for a whole range of grants, loans, and scholarships that documented students
Trustee Dr. Anita Grier spoke last, summing up the importance of the vote. “As I got to different cities and states, the question always is ‘what is San Francisco doing?’ We certainly do lead the way, and with that in mind, I think we should take the vote,” she said. Trustees Steve Gno, Chris Jackson, John Rizzo and Anita Grier all voted “nay,” killing the amendment. Trustee Wong was the only board member to support Fang’s amendment with an “aye” vote. When all was said and done, Trustee President John Rizzo had one last point to make. “I’m not going to support trustee Fang’s amendment, but I am going to support trustee Fang. He has every right to amend the budget...I’m not -Stephanie Oh going to say this Vice President of Cultural Affairs is micromanagCity College Associated Students ing here. If trustee Ngo and I can insert this office, Trustee Fang can enjoy. Oh also cannot get legal insert another office. You can’t employment. have it both ways,” he said. “The VP of Cultural Affairs He wouldn’t be the only position I hold is a paid one,” she person defending Trustee Fang said. “Since I am undocumented from a group of detractors that though, the school isn’t allowed to night. pay me for the work I do.” Students celebrate Most of her answers were After the Trustee Fang’s given with shoulders held straight, amendment was defeated, the in an official sounding demeanor. board meeting room emptied out Near the end of the interview as the student protesters gathered however, she said something star- outside the building in the parktlingly honest. ing lot to debrief. “Growing up as an undocuThe students, some undocumented student, we had to live mented, others who call themin fear,” she said. “I came out on selves “undocumented allies,” Wednesday [as undocumented], gathered in a circle and began when I saw everyone coming to vent about the democratic forward.” process. When asked if she was afraid Insults were traded around of the consequences of announc- left and right about Fang and ing her immigration status at the his status as a Trustee, and his board meeting, she paused and ability to represent the student looked away before answering. body. “It’d be a lie to say I’m not “He-who-must-not-bescared. But I’m not in it alone,” named is still in there,” said one she said. of the students in the circle. “He Claws out for Fang sure doesn’t represent us,” said With the public session another. closed, it was time for the Board After the celebratory tone of of Trustees to come to a decision the gathering started to turn to on Fang’s amendment. In addi- one of disappointment and resenttion to voting aye or nay, each ment, Stephanie Oh stepped into trustee took time to explain why the center of the circle to speak. they came to their decision. “It’s your responsibility,” she Trustee Steve Ngo had stern started, pausing to look all of the words for Fang. students in the eye one after the “The scholarships...give a other, “ to attack the issue, and not chance to those students who are the person. If you think of him as eligible who are also AB540. They an enemy, stop, and turn him into don’t get any financial aid at all. an ally.” They don’t get work, they don’t What Oh said seemed to resoget Cal Grants, Pell Grants, noth- nate with the crowd. They were ing,” Ngo said to applause from soon back to smiling and laughthe audience. “The fact that we’re ing, awash in the glow of being making political hay when these recognized for their hardship. students get nothing is disapBobby Arenas, student body pointing.” president at City College, jumped John Rizzo had to interrupt into the middle of the crowd with Steve Ngo at that point with, “Can a wide smile on his face. we stop the hissing and booing “We won a good victofrom the audience? It’s not proper ry tonight. But this isn’t over,” demeanor.” he said, perhaps referring to the Chancellor Griffin spoke national Dream Act. bluntly about the amendment. “For now though, go home “It’s micromanaging...we should and do your homework!” Arenas not adopt this amendment. If we shouted, and the crowd dispersed do, we should just hang up every- into the night. thing, give it up for grabs in terms email: jfitzgerald@theguardsman.com of how we do business.”
“Growing up as an undocumented student, we had to live in fear.”
4 | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
OPINIONS
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The Guardsman Editorial Editor-in-Chief Joe Fitzgerald Managing Editor Brian Rinker News Editor Saidy Lauer Culture Editor Catherine Lee Opinion Editor Gary Jay Sports Editor Ryan Kuhn Online Editor Jessica Luthi Multimedia Editor Brian Rinker Photo Editor Clairvel Fong Production Editor Becca Hoekstra Copy Editors Susan Boekman Brian Rinker Social Media Editor Peter Hernandez Staff Writers Brian Rinker Anna Shoriak Ryan Kuhn Gary Jay Rachael Garcia Lulu Orozco Lucas Pontes de Almeida Peter Hernandez Becca Hoekstra Darren Girard Gianne Nalangan Staff Photographers Beth Laberge Valerie Ayala Matthew Lambert Ezra Ekman
Protests: Too little, too late. Out of last semester’s eight issues of The Guardsman, five issues featured protests as a prominent story. Every issue featured a protest somewhere on the front page. Suffice to say, San Francisco is a town that likes to shout about causes it believes in. Protesting is an American tradition that transcends political movements, from the Boston Tea Party, to the civil rights marches of the 60s, all the way to the unions of Wisconsin taking on Governor Scott Walker. Protests, however, are not the only way to get your voice heard. The beauty of democracy is that there are abundant ways to get the attention of politicians in power: board meetings, email, snail mail, phone calls, and most importantly - voting. Writing this in a college paper, the assumption is that the main readership of this paper is under 30 years old, though there are many exceptions. Sadly, it’s this 18-30 year old demographic that is known for voting the least. When you seldom vote you don’t hold your politicians accountable. Why should California republicans help Governor Jerry Brown keep funding in schools up if most people voting them into office are older, affluent folks who don’t want to pay taxes into schools they no longer use? Contrary to popular belief,
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politicians often listen to their constituents. The problem isn that their constituents aren’t reaching out to them. Have you ever written your representative in congress a letter? An email? Have you ever gone to the City College school board meeting and had your voice heard? An example of the democratic process in action can be seen on the front page of the newspaper you’re reading now. Thirty undocumented students and their allies attended a City College Board of Trustees meeting and told them exactly how they wanted them to vote on the budget, and they go their wish. They now have access to school funds for work study and internships that didn’t exist before. The next time your tuition is raised, you see a pothole on your street, or you curse our ongoing wars overseas, ask yourself one important question: What have you done lately to let your government know exactly what you want? Next issue The Guardsman will focus on the upcoming election, with all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision Nov. 2 at the polls. Make sure to next issue on Oct. 19.
email: editor@theguardsman.com
The City College VOICE By Elizabeth Zarubin CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Illustrator/Design Matthew Fung
The Guardsman generates original video news on it’s YouTube account, www.youtube.com/theguardsmanonline. The following are comments from our recent videos straight from youtube. These comments are from a video interview with a survivor of a group rape who spoke at the San Francisco SlutWalk, a feminist protest against the phenomenon of “victim blaming” women who have been raped.
Nearly 70% of incoming freshman are placed into basic skills level classes. Fortunately, new sections of English Basic Skills classes have been added this fall to accommodate students’ needs to get through the required sequence for matriculation, in response to the Board of Trustee’s concern about matriculation. We are grateful for this opportunity for the students, resulting over 620 English 91 students and more than 310 English 90 students at the startup of the semester. The average incoming reading levels of English 90 and 91 students is at the beginning of the semester, due to many complex factors OTHER THAN student intelligence or abilities. Our students are capable and deserve the best of opportunities. However, two worst-case equity scenarios are
occurring as a result of the board of trustee’s hasty, ill-planned mandate to boost retention and matriculation, and administration’s consequently haphazardly funded push for student retention and rapid movement through the English track without the foresight to provide for the ancillary costs of student support which make success even a viable option for many basic skills students. Retention and pass percentages of Basic Skills Instructors are now tracked, causing some to feel pressure to pass students not having the adequate, required skills for success at the next level. This puts particular pressure on instructors under tenure review. Perhaps even worse, many students will fail due to reduced support. For instance, there is no longer an English 90 tutor. From four 91 tutors, at the moment we have one, with one returning next month. 620 English 91 students
The City College Voice is a recurring column featuring contributed editorials from the faculty of City College. This issue’s contributer Elizabith Zarubin teaches English 91 at City College. have been expected to be served so far this year by one tutor. Research proves that basic skills students’ access to a professional tutor is not replaceable by access (also equally important) to the instructor. A tutor provides nonjudgmental support in strengthening student skills learned during class, a quality of support that greatly improves student affect and success. Students often feel more comfortable speaking about their struggles with a neutral professional, someone not assigning them a grade. Furthermore, professional tutors, unlike our wonderful student tutors, are more successful with basic skills students because of extensive training and experience. Ideally, each student should have at least one 20-minute oneon one session per week with a tutor. English 90 students have no opportunity for this. Retention programs hire to replace tutor
turnover, programs which serve students at all levels. But basic skills English students, those most at risk for retention and matriculation, are not so supported. Our lone professional tutor is able to provide less than 100 students one-on-one sessions per week. The other 830 90/91 students, well, they just do without. For the past two years, CCSF faculty and administration have focused on discovering and implementing research-verified best practices for student retention and success; the relationship between tutoring and the success of basic skills students is not debatable and is widely known. So what is the message then – that we are enrolling more students whom we know will likely fail due to lack of proven best-practices support? Fund tutors. Put the money where the student equity words are. email: editor@theguardsman.com
The Following faculty have signed in support of this document (photocopy of signatures available on request): Jeffrey Goldthrope Lizzie Brock Jessica Brown Barbara L. Scrafford Chante McCormick
Elizabeth Zarubin Karen Cox Michelle Troen Kristin Smith John Gravener
Caroline Minkowski Robert White Tore Langmo Ronald L. Johnson Kristen Hren
T. Linda Basnage Lisa King S. Erin Denney Amy Miles Kelly Vogel
Jodi Naas Elizabeth King Alex Leyton Andrew H. King
Opinions
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | 5
Veterans Corner
By Bob Hollingsworth CONTRIBUTING WRITER
COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Ahmadinejad flawed, but not wrong By Gary Jay
eignty of other nations in pursuit of their members own interests. “Hypocrisy and deceit are This past U.N. General Assemallowed in order to secure their bly meeting on Sept. 23, 2011, interests and imperialistic goals. Iranian President Mahmoud Drug trafficking and killing of Ahmadinejad “blowtorched” innocent human beings are also the delegations of the U.S. and allowed in pursuit of such diabolEuropean nations for underminic goals. Despite NATO’s presing the social ence in the and economic occupied security of the Afghanistan, Focusing on U.S. Foreign Policy, Ahmadinejad listed off a series of world. there has U.S. and U.N. atrocities: During been dramat• Not recognizing Palestine as an independent country Ahmadineic increase in • Establishing and supporting military dictatorships in Asia, jad’s speech, he production Africa, and Latin America spoke the truth of illicit drugs • Using 9/11 as an excuse to invade and occupy other counabout the War there,” crititries on Terror, its cized Ahma• Defaulting on the Gold Standard impacts and dinejad. • Bombing of other countries in the name of spreading demochow the U.N. After racy is leading the slamming world down NATO, he the the wrong “hammerpath. June, 2009, the president used his blasted” the practices of the U.S. For presenting such inconve- personal police force to crush his and western media for demoniznient truths, the U.S. and Europe- political opponents, which safe- ing all who questioned the status an delegates walked out in droves, guarded his re-election. quo. as if Ahmadinejad was a conspirHowever, not all think Ahma“They tolerate no question or acy theorist wearing a tinfoil hat. dinejad’s human rights violations criticism, and instead of present“Do these arrogant powers diminish the facts of his speech. ing a reason for their violations, really have the competence and Some of his hard hitting ques- they always put themselves in the ability to run or govern the world? tions fell on eager ears here at position of a claimant,” AhmaIs it acceptable that they call home in the U.S. Some of Ahma- dinejad criticized. themselves the sole defender of dinejad’s ideas and accusations “By using their imperialistic freedom, democracy, and human are expressed by former Minne- media network which is under rights, while they militarily attack sota Governor Jesse Ventura and the influence of colonialism they and occupy other countries?” he Congressman Ron Paul, who threaten anyone who questions said. “Can the flower of democra- both share similar views about the Holocaust and the Sept. 11 cy blossom from NATO missiles, ending U.S. Militarism worldwide event with sanctions and military bombs, and guns?” and supposed conspiracies. action,” he added. Since the Cold War, the U.S. Ahmadinejad also slammed email: gjay@theguardsman.com and Iran have been bitter foes. NATO for jeopardizing the soverTHE GUARDSMAN
Ahmadinejad may speak some truth, but he is no saint. He is widely criticized by the U.S. and western media as an unjust president who uses power, oppression and murder to enforce a personal and religious agenda. The U.N. alleges Iran commits human rights violations every year. In
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The last time I checked there were about 1200 military veterans attending CCSF. That is about two per class room on average. Yet there still seems to be a disconnect between some veteran students and some professors when it comes to common human courtesy and sensitivity. Although there may be arguments on both sides I want to focus primarily on one side. The side of the Veteran. Some Veterans have been through heavy combat related situations and some of the most horrific things imaginable resulting in the death of enemies, friends, and civilians alike. I am sensitive and am not going to go into details or explain through personal experiences and examples. But I hope I do not have to. It is sufficient to write that there are places on this planet that are not Disneyland and 5pm lattes at Starbucks. However, some professors have turned a blind eye to these facts. The following are of actual events. I was there sitting in class trying to learn the subject matter (which subject?). There would be a test the following week. I assumed everything would be class as usual. The professor was aware that I was a veteran. He then played a documentary with no disclaimer of graphic violence. There it was: images of Vietnam. My hands started to shake as images of Iraq flooded my head and tears flooded my eyes. Confused and disoriented I heard one of my classmates ask if I was ok. My response: “No.” I got up and walked out of the classroom. If the above story bothered you then my objective was successful then it should. Don’t get completely upset at the Professor, he was only doing his job.
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The disconnect could easily be the result of not having any sort of sensitivity training to inform instructors on these matters. Maybe I am just making an excuse for the Professor. However, I strongly feel school officials are a little behind on getting out to their professors the importance of being sensitive to veteran students in the classroom. Then there is the matter of common human courtesy. The following story is also true. I was sitting in class and about to ask a question. I raised my hand. The professor called on me. When I asked the Professor to clarify the spelling on a certain subject I was asked to stand up and sit in front of the Professor’s desk. I was told I would sit there for the remainder of the semester with the following comment from the Professor “I don’t repeat myself in class. If you want to know the spelling then look it up in a dictionary.” Again my hands began to shake. The professor knowing I was a Veteran showed no respect of human courtesy towards me even though I had risked my life. If I could I would interview as many Veterans as I could and write their stories. However, if you are reading this there is something that can be done. Go to student affairs and formerly write your stories to makes changes to the system. Know that you are not alone. If you have a problem and you can find them....hmmm why is this sound like the opening line for the A-team? Haha just a little humor. But seriously get involved and together we can make a difference. email: editor@theguardsman.com
Issue 3 Corrections In our article about the Festival of the Moving Image, we incorrectly stated that Sabrina Wong’s grandfather was a resident of Chinatown. She was also misquoted, as she doesn’t believe her film relates to City College. In a photo caption last issue for the men’s soccer story against Cosumnes River, we incorrectly named the City College player. Freshman forward number 26 is actually Briant Izaguirre. The Guardsman strives for accuary in its reporting, however errors do occur. If you notice inconsistancies or inaccuracies, email us at editor@theguardsman.com
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6 | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
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Mayoral candidates tackle City College issues San Francisco’s 2011 Mayoral race is a crowded one this year, with many major candidates on the ballot. The Guardsman will be interviewing new candidates each issue in order to get to the heart of issues concerning you, our City College readers. By Valerie Demicheva THE GUARDSMAN
Terry Joan Baum Playwright and politician Terry Joan Baum has been involved with her two passions since the 1970’s on both local and national levels. More recently, Baum ran for Congress against Nancy Pelosi in 2004. She is still making films, one of which was shown in the 2007 San Francisco LGBT Film Festival. She is the only Green Party candidate running for mayor. In the recent budget passed by Mayor Lee, only $250,000 of the $2.1million in tax breaks requested by City College was approved. What kind of monetary commitment to City College will you make if elected mayor? The mayor has a lot of highly paid assistants. I would eliminate all of them. They are completely unnecessary, and each get paid around $300,000. They’re really political, yet they have no government function. City College would be the last thing I would cut. I have taken class there, and I think it’s a very important institution. Your slogan is “Tax the rich! DUH!” Who do you feel is under-taxed in San Francisco? The corporations. David Chiu gave Twitter a $50 million dollar tax break, when their employees only want to be in San Francisco anyhow. I think it’s outrageous. Obviously, the corporations and the wealthy get tax rates that are unfair. Some of them, through various maneuvers, get tax rates that are very low.
BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN
Terry Baum discusses budget cuts for State schools, and refers to an article in The Guardsman newspaper regarding a lottery system for classes, during the forum held at the Diego Rivera Theatre on City College’s Ocean Campus, on Sept. 28.
It did not use to be like this. It started with Reagan. There was not a homeless problem before Reagan. That’s something people of your generation don’t realize. As tax rates have gone down, so have social services. The government continues to cut the things people need like public housing. Before 1980, the only people who were homeless were hippies. People had a place to live.
Many of Supervisors tout the Twitter tax break as a way to create jobs. Do you have any alternatives to tax breaks to keep companies like Twitter in San Francisco? It’s basically corporate blackmail that corporations use on cities. The corporations play cities against each other. Cities have to refuse to give into this. We can create an alliance with other cities to just say no to these tax breaks!
It’s pathetic for San Francisco to give into it. San Francisco offers so much more than that. We have to have a Green New Deal, and really transform our public transit. We need to make it more and more difficult for cars. What would your priorities be if elected mayor? Housing for the middle class, seniors, and students. I would stop building for the rich; we have enough of that in San Francisco. We risk becoming “Aspen by Sea” with a city of just rich people where people just shuttle in from outside the city to serve the rich. What do you think is the biggest LGBT civil rights issue of our day? Of course, marriage. But the right to have your partner immigrate precedes marriage. To me that’s even bigger than marriage because it prevents two people who want to spend their lives together from coming together. The right to have your partner immigrate is even more urgent than the right to marry. What would you do to make San Francisco a greener city? The biggest thing is to make the transit system more fabulous so that people want to ride it. I’d make all of the transit stations art galleries, so that it’s the cool thing to do. Do you think you can win this race? I’m a long shot, but nobody knows the future. I think if a Green won, it would be a very positive thing for the country. email: vdemicheva@theguardsman.com
Mayoral forum talks MUNI and jobs with City College students FORUM: Continued from front
system is going to pay for it. “One out of every eight MUNI operators don’t show up to work. If people came to work and didn’t miss one out of eight shifts they’d do a much better job,” Bevan Dufty said, referring to the time and money lost from missed shifts. Phil Ting’s stance was on revolutionizing the system with the introduction of dedicated MUNI only lanes, giving them priority transit over everyone else, while saving money for the city. “If we
could save just one minute, we’d save 20 million dollars,” he said. David Chiu and Wilma Pang intertwined their personal relationships with the public transit system. “I am one of the few candidates here who does not have a car, the focus should be on making this city safe [for pedestrians and cyclists]. I have many ideas in my blueprint to make sure we’re safe and can get around when we need to.” Chiu said, holding up his own Clipper card to a roaring applause from the audience.
Senator Leland Yee made the promise to be the candidate who “makes sure David Chiu and Wilma Pang have a bus when they need it.” Senator Yee explained the need for more advanced technology to ensure the public transit system is run efficiently. His idea being that a more efficient system leads to higher ridership, and ultimately less cars on the road. “There’s just not enough space and not enough air quality to support more cars. We have to find ways to commit to MUNI
and I am the one to do that.” asserted Yee. Perhaps the most unique idea came from Phil Currier who advocates for a long-term solutions to the transit crisis in San Francisco. One of Currier’s ideas involve a subway system that he proposed to be free of charge, a ploy to draw more tourists to the Bay Area. “If we set up a public bank, if we took all of our assets we’d have a half trillion dollars to build the subway.” Currier answered in response to how such a project
would be funded. City College students will get another chance to address their mayoral candidates at the AFT 2121 Comittee on Political Education Forum for San Francisco Mayor. COPE will sign in their AFT 2121 union members who will take a vote on their candidate endorsement after the meeting. The COPE Endorsement Meeting will take place Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Multi-Use-Building room 140 from 2:30-4:30 p.m., the day this issue of The Guardsman goes is first on newsstands. email: dgirard@theguardsman.com
CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN
San Francisco mayor hopefuls (left to right), John Avalos, Jeff Adachi, Joanna Reese, Devan Dufty and David Chiu were part of the 13 cadidates who participated in the Mayoral Forum at the Diego Rivera Theatre at City College’s Ocean Campus on Sept. 28, 2011.
News
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | 7
Above: St Anthony’s Presdent Father John Hardin (right) speaks to the crowd at The St. Anthony’s BBQ and Block Party, which pays tribute to this organization that feeds, clothes, and shelters those in need on Sept. 24 in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. Also in attendance are Executive Director Shari Roeseler and the nephew of Alfred Boeddeker, founder of St. Anthony’s. Right: A singer from The Big City Revue, a Bay Area band, performs soul tunes at the St Anthony’s 60th Anniversary. PHOTOS BY BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN
St. Anthony’s brings block party to Tenderloin district By Anna Shoriak THE GUARDSMAN
Free lunch, games, flu shots, live music, massages, a raffle, dental screenings and informative health booths galore were a feast for the senses during the 13th Annual Tenderloin Community Health and Safety Fair on Sept. 24 at the Tenderloin Children’s Playground. Starting promptly at 11am a line of people filed into the event. While some guests expressed excitement for a free lunch, others took a second to complain about the neighborhood. One woman, who declined to give her name, said she was “excited to see what kind of goodies they’d have to offer at this years Health Fair, but the (human) pee and poop on this block is frickin’ nasty.” Focused on providing health screenings, information and community resources, the event targeted families and elder health concerns. “What we do here is important. We provide services for people who otherwise may feel they cannot go
receive mainstream health care,” said Gloria Alonzo, of the Newcomers Health Program, which provides health screenings and care for refugees and victims of human trafficking. Between their staff of five, they spoke 11 different languages, helping to ensure language wouldn’t be a barrier on the road to low-to-no-cost medical service. As part of their booth, the Newcomers Health Program had a “Toss for Health” game set-up, to encourage involvement.They were giving out miscellaneous prizes, as well as water bottles. Block Party A few blocks from the health fair on Golden Gate Avenue, in the heart of the Tenderloin, was a giant birthday party, St. Anthony’s Rally for Hope. The party transformed the street into a day of festivities, celebrating 60 years of community service. St. Anthony Foundation is a religious non-profit that provides food and clothing for the homeless of San Francisco. Other services offered include drug and alco-
hol rehabilitation programs, a pediatric and medical clinic, senior housing for homeless women and many other services focused on the Tenderloin Community. During the block party all walks of life came together to celebrate hope and offer support for the Tenderloin Community. Then there were those who came just to pet the animals. A petting zoo with emu, llama, goats, rabbits, chickens and a tortoise was a favorite among the celebrators and a welcome addition to the neighborhood. “In my 30 years of living here, I’ve never seen a petting zoo in the Tenderloin!” said 79 year-old Nicolas Klein. “What a party!” And what a block party it was! Folks lined up for blocks eagerly awaiting plates of delicious BBQ, prepared by friars in ceremonial robes, while others who had already eaten got down to a live funk band that played fun selections like “Jungle Boogie” and songs by James Brown. email: ashoriak@theguardsman.com
Above: The Hope Gallery provides a place for event goers to draw their own message of hope on Sept. 24 in the Tenderloin District. Events also included a free BBQ lunch, live soul music, and a petting zoo. Above: At the St Anthony’s 60th Anniversary Hope Rally and BBQ, the Little Explorers Petting Zoo brought in young and old alike. Kathy Mills, who has worked for St Anthonys since 1977, said that they, “went all out this year. I’m impressed, and it’s hard to impress me.”
Left: Brian Rinker, a Guardsman reporter, feeds the rabbits at the Little Explorers Petting Zoo.
8 | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
CULTURE
VIDEO - FOLSOM STREET FAIR: Watch fairgoers get it on in their kinkiest fetish attire from the world’s largest leather event. youtube.com/user/TheGuardsmanOnline
Review: New Ocean campus gallery show illustrates ancient agony of war By Lulu Orozco THE GUARDSMAN
James Groleau, a self- taught mezzotint artist from Oakland, and former City College art student, is drawn to dark psychological themes. Two of his exhibitions “Blood Bone Elegy” and “The Absence of Passion,” on display until Oct. 26 at the City College Gallery, express the complex suffering caused by war and violence. Mezzotint, a 400-year-old printmaking technique, requires the use of hand tools to create a texture of tiny pits on a metal plate, a texture that if inked would create a rich velvety black. The artist then uses scraping and burnishing tools to smooth out the texture of the plate, creating the highlights and median tones. The plate is then inked and placed in a press that transfers the image to paper. “The technique demands a certain personality: preparing a plate can take up to 40 hours. It’s a process in which you have to build your image over time, methodically,” Groleau said. A classic mezzotint would usually be black ink on white paper. “Typically you want to see a very beautiful black, you want that to be part of your imagery,” Groleau said. However for his “Blood Bone Elegy” series, also called “The War Series,” Groleau used white and black ink printed on orange hand-made paper. “The War Series” was created three weeks after the 9/11 attack upon the U.S and depicts the outbreak of war through 18 mezzotints grouped into three elements: Passion, Outbreak and Survival.
Human skulls, red flesh, and broken violin strings are depicted in the mezzotint’s visual narrative, which illustrates the prelude to war. “This was a time of anticipation and fear, I wanted to do something on the outbreak of war,” Groleau said. His second series, “The Absence of Passion (Portraits of Iraq),” stays true to classic mezzotint style, with black ink on white paper. In this series 15 mezzotints present the trauma of warfare. A range of emotional responses to war, from rage to resignation, are reflected through facial expressions partially wrapped in white cloth. “It started not about Iraq; more a personal expression of feeling constrained that turned into something broader,” said Grouleau. “Every now and then I get an idea I try to manifest. At times that vision doesn’t come through and I have to move on to the next.” With most of his preparatory work done from home, he uses the Hunters Point Shipyard studios in San Francisco to put the finishing touches on his work. His mezzotints have been exhibited at The Collectors Gallery[f] in the Oakland Museum of California, as well as at the Tinhorn Press Gallery in San Francisco. This year alone Groleau has received two awards from the “2011 Portland Museum of Art Biennial” in Portland, Maine and an Exhibition Award from the “International Mezzotint Festival” in Ekaterinburg, Russia. email: gorozco@theguardsman.com
VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN
Dominique Bridge and the mob rehearse dance routines on Sep. 25 2011 in San Francisco. The Bay Area Flash Mob are practicing twice a week to perfect their routine debuting on Oct. 8, 2011.
Bay Area Flash Mob dances where you least suspect it By Gianne Nalangan THE GUARDSMAN
If a group of dancers suddenly appears on Oct. 8, blasting a Madonna musical medley in public, feel free to join in as they strap on their cone bras and strike a pose. Organized by a group called the Bay Area Flash Mob, this dance routine is hardly spontaneous, but aspires to inspire. The Bay Area Flash Mob first began in 2009 as a group of friends who shared an admiration for Michael Jackson and his creative dance moves. The group started with 15 dancers. Boosted by streaming YouTube videos and appearances on ABC and KRON TV, they’ve now grown to over 100 members including a handful of City College students. Using guerrilla tactics, this group of dancers continues to surprise San Franciscans and tourists with song and dance
building a sense of community through entertainment. Carole Johnstone, Julien Rey and Jacqui Magee are three of the five founding members of the group. Johnstone wants to stress that despite their love for dance, they are not professional dancers. “You have your day life and then you come here and it’s just fun,” said Magee. “It takes away the rest of your day.” Rey’s day job is as a software engineer but she moonlights as the group’s choreographer. “I‘m doing this because I love making people feel confident and feel comfortable while having fun,” said Rey. “We even had a pregnant woman dance with us during the Michael Jackson flash mob,” said Magee. According to City College anthropology professor Matthew Kennedy, dance is a form of symbolism, distinguishable amongst cultures, like the fash-
ion trends of the Harajuku Girls of Japan or the religious figures found all over Vatican City. Kennedy said ritual dances are performed for religious purposes or used to tell stories. But not a lot of people are familiar with dances throughout U.S. history, says Carole Johnstone, one of the Bay Area Flash Mob organizers. “[Today], nobody remembers any popular ballets,” said Johnstone. “But everybody knows ‘Vogue’ by Madonna and everybody recognizes Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’.” The Bay Area Flash Mob has been practicing twice a week in various dance studios since September and offers online tutorials on their website to those who cannot attend practice sessions. The flash mobs are scheduled for Oct. 8 at the Ferry Plaza, Union Square, Dolores Park, and the Castro from noon to 6 p.m. email: gnalangan@theguardsman.com
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MAKING THE WORLD MORE . . .
BONNIE EVA CHAN / THE GUARDSMAN
Artist James Groleau (right) teaches students Tracy Grubbs and Terry Connor how to “rock” a copper plate in Ana Acebedo’s printmaking class on Sept. 27, 2011.
Oakland, CA admission@mills.edu www.mills.edu RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT WWW.MILLS.EDU/VISITFORM. City College — The Guardsman Size: 6” x 6” • Insertion date: TO COME Ad #1151FallNursing
Culture
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | 9
Review: Erotic film festival brings good vibrations to the Castro By Becca Hoekstra THE GUARDSMAN
The final night of the 6th Annual Good Vibrations Independent Erotic Film Festival treated attendees to an arousing night of sensual revelry and sex on the big screen at the Castro Theater. The festivities of Sept 22 kicked off with a pre-party in the mezzanine. The theme was the Barbary Coast, San Francisco’s old red-light district. Girls in tight corsets and fancy bustle skirts milled about while party-goers danced to a live band, enjoyed free food and drinks, got their pictures taken at the “mustache booth”, or spun a wheel of fortune that blessed them with condoms, lube, porn DVDs or high-end vibrators. A bevy of fabulously-outfitted drag personalities oversaw the main event, an international erotic short film competition. Film-aficionado Peaches Christ, the drunk and caustically callous Lady Bear, who stole all the laughs, and bearded and busty Hugz Bunny eased the social awkwardness of watching sex scenes while surrounded by strangers by interjecting their opinions after every screening. Sexologist Dr. Carol Queen rounded out the review panel. Erotic cinema is becoming better received as an alternative to mainstream pornography, said Camilla Lombard, producer and events manager. The fullypacked seats of the Castro Theater that night can attest to that. “[The festival] is about more than getting off. It’s about celebrating the spectrum of sexuality,” said Lombard. The thirteen film finalists could not possibly be boxed into any one category much like sexuality itself. The short films ranged from thoughtful and beautiful to awkward and amateur; animated and over-the-top or simply sensual. Some were
COURTESY OF GOOD VIBRATIONS
(left to right: Hugz Bunny, Lady Bear, Peaches Christ and Dr. Carol Queen). Drag Queen panel onstage at the Castro Theatre Sept. 22 during the Good Vibrations Annual Independent Erotic Film Festival in San Francisco.
cheesy, some were sleazy and some even managed to be sexy. Most movies were quicker to inspire laughs than arousal. Tennis apparently dominates as the new hip fad in sex entertainment, as it was featured in three of the final films. The crowd erupted with exuberant screams and cheers to give the Audience Choice Award of $1,500 to Mexican film “La Putiza”, directed by Gerardo Delgado.
The hilarious and perverted all-male film is thought to be one of only a handful of gay porno films circulating in Mexico today. A comic book-style spoof on Mexican wrestling — complete with gay orgies, lucha libre masks, giant sparkling phalluses, comical sound effects and enough semen to fill a bathtub — follows a down-andout wrestler who battles a super villain, The Penetrator, in the process becoming a
superhero, Aztec Dick. Other audience favorites featured sexy shenanigans such as dangling dildo strapons, force-fed hamburgers, and important existential questions such as, “What would penis do?” ...I guess you had to be there. email: bhoekstra@theguardsman.com
Preview: 30th year of community concert at Accion Latina will be rockin’ Rachel Garcia
said Gonzales. “I think everyone believes the paper is worth supporting in the community.” The Encuentro Del Canto Popular concert is establishing a space where music can be shared, while at the same time supporting a community newspaper and raising consciousness on social issues. The founders of the event are hoping that eventually, they can make these types of events more frequent in the community. “The beauty of this fundraiser,” he said, “is we gain a lot of support from the artists and musicians who donate their time and services.”
THE GUARDSMAN
The Encuentro Del Canto Popular concert celebrates its 30th anniversary on Oct. 15 in the Mission district. This family-oriented cultural event is a fundraiser for Accion Latino, the non-profit that publishes the 41-year-old bilingual newspaper El Tecolote. The bands, Los Compas, Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band and Louie Romero's Mezacote, are all “Bay Area locals that have made a name for themselves and who have a large following,” said Juan Gonzales who founded both El Tecolote and the annual concert. Gonzales is also the chair of City College’s department of journalism and faculty advisor to The Guardsman. Jose Cuellar is the director, saxophonist, flute player and vocalist for Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band. His band has performed at thousands of festivals, community events and fundraisers and has played with musicians from every genre. “We represent a style of TexMex second generation classic Chicano music, having that California blending of style,” Cuellar said. He is a fan of the other
Saturday, Oct. 15
email: rgarcia@theguardsman.com
performers as well, calling Mezacote “hardcore, they’re really going to rock the place.” Of Los Compas he said, “They’re a really good salsa band. Legendary.” According to Cuellar, who does double duty as a teacher in City College’s Latin American & Latino/a studies department, the concert has two objectives. “First, we’re raising money for the newspaper,” he said. “Our second objective is to create a dance space for people that want to dance but don’t neces-
sarily want to go to clubs. We are creating a space with really good Mission bands that opens up a dance party for all ages and styles.” Since 1970 El Tecolote has been a fundamental part of the Mission district focusing its advocacy on the issues and injustices important to the community. Almost all the staff are volunteers and the newspaper is distributed for free, so fundraising events like the concert are essential to continued publica-
tion. “The grant-funding groups don’t fund these papers so we’ve nurtured support based on people who like what we’re doing and come to our events,”
Details Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 15 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Location: Annunciation Cathedral Hall 245 Valencia Street Tickets: $25 at the door Student Discount: $20 Phone: 415-648-1045
Culture
10 | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
Banned books promote freedom of expression By Gianne Nalangan THE GUARDSMAN
During the last week of September, the San Francisco Public Library celebrated the American Library Association’s Banned Book Week by spotlighting books once deemed taboo in schools and public libraries. At the Main Library on Sept. 25 a panel of five authors discussed their favorite banned books, the logic behind their censorship and the importance of artistic freedom and expression. “The Banned Book Week is used just to raise awareness that books are still banned in the U.S.,” said Oscar Villalon, moderator of the event. “You cannot take your liberties for granted.” Villian is managing editor of local literary magazine ZYZZYVA, which publishes works by West Coast writers and artists. He is also a former book section editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. With technological innovations constantly changing the book landscape, Villalon said the Internet can be a defense against censorship, because information is easier to obtain -- assuming the information hasn’t been censored on the Internet. The criterion used in censoring books normally involves obscene content depicting sex, violence, or any beliefs that disrupts the social norm.[a] “Parents have this magical thinking that if you expose [children] to these books, the sex and violence would befall onto their child,” Villalon said. “They just don’t want their kids to deal with it or they feel that there is something radical about the authors views.” Villalon emphasized the
Documentary film festival experiments with new techniques By Peter Hernandez THE GUARDSMAN
BRYCE YUKIO ADOLPHSON
From Left: Authors Oscar Villalon, Alejandro Murguia, Rebecca Solnit, and Michelle Tea discuss the history of banned books at the San Francisco Public Library in San Francisco on Sept. 25.
power of fear to justify censorship, using the Patriot Act as an example. Under Section 215 in the Patriot Act, the Bush administration allowed the federal government to search and seize information on citizens based on the books checked out at public libraries. The ALA fought arduously against the Patriot Act because it gave the federal government the freedom to invade personal information without obtaining a warrant. Although banning books rarely happen, it still occurs. Banned books are based on each individual states’ obscenity laws. Although books are commonly banned by states, public libraries have a huge influence on what literature is deemed acceptable for public use and in sense can effectively “ban” books by limiting their availabilty. Jewelle Gomez, an author on the panel, said libraries exclude books based on political agendas or on public outcry all the time. She gave as an example the book “Giovanni’s Room” by the popular African-American author James Baldwin. A homosexual-themed novel about colo-
nialism, class exploitation and self esteem. The author received threatening messages and the book was boycotted by the African American community. “Giovanni’s Room” was thought, by many, to hinder the progress of the civil rights movement. Villalon noted the paradox in banning books. “The minute you go ban anything, sales go through the roof,” he said. At one point, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, “The Great Gatsby”, was banned because of its exploitation of how “rich people literally get away with murder” said Gomez. Now, it has become a notable American novel. Alejandro Murguia, another author and guest speaker [e]on the panel, stressed the importance of recognizing the implicit strength in reading and writing. “Books teach education and literacy,” Murguia said. “In society, there is an uneven distribution of knowledge, and those without knowledge will acquiesce to those with the knowledge.” The Banned Book week is an annual event that occurs in the last week of September.
email: gnalangan@theguardsman.com
REALIZE YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.
whose services are desired but also socially rejected. Other films use niche subjects to attract a specific crowd in a city whose citizens are “ahead of things,” said Deerborn. Local filmmaker Brian Lilla directed “Patagonia Rising,” which explores the environmental consequences of building hydroelectric dams in some of the world’s purest rivers. His film focuses on the “water and energy wars” that may ensue in the future and questions the ethos of hydroelectricity. “It’s a universal story. It’s a global concern and it connects everybody,” said Lilla. Engaging Youth Programmers are introducing a youth pass that grants younger festivalgoers - 21 and under access to all films for $25: which is a bargain in contrast to the cost of screenings at San Francisco film festivals. SF DocFest also focuses on youth by premiering short films by UC Berkeley, Stanford and San Francisco State students while exploring topics pertinent to younger audiences. The festival will also feature what Ross called “redundant screenings” - scheduling films aimed at students by playing at very different times and days. “It’s always worthwhile to share a story,” said Sabrina Wong, a student documentary filmmaker at City College, noting the power that documentaries can have on all audiences. Her film “Grandpa” was shown at several City College film festivals this year.
SF DocFest, the 2-week festival of full-length and short documentaries, returns for its tenth year with a new focus and an appeal to niche audiences particularly youth - in San Francisco and Berkeley. “Documentaries have become sexy,” said Jeff Ross, founder of SF DocFest, at a press conference held at the Roxie Theater, one of three venues that films will be screened at. Growing from a festival of 12 films in its first year, the 2011 festival now boasts 35 films with subjects ranging from young punky farmers to ballet dancers to renewable energy ethics. The festival reveals the diversity of the world in documentary form by a variety of international directors. “The festival is always something of an experiment,” said Fai Deerborn, a festival programmer. This year the organizers are seeking more young people to attend screenings which are regularly attended by older audiences. Festival Highlights Youth subjects are a focus of the festival this year, according to the programmers. “The Greenhorns” explores young American farming communities and is equally a manifesto and a catalog for their grassroots movement, which found it’s origins in Berkeley by filmmaker and founder Severine von Tscharner Fleming. “First Position,” a film about young ballet dancers and the tumultuous, arduous and mercilessly competitive world of email:phernandez@theguardsman.com professional ballet, features youth nine-to-18-years old, including two young dancers from Palo Alto. “We want to get older people interested in young people’s situSF Docfest ations,” said October 14 to 27, 2011 Ross. Roxie Theater (3117 16th St.), “At Shattuck Cinemas (2230 Night, They Shattuck Ave. Berkeley), and Dance” CellSpace (2050 Bryant St.) follows Tickets: $11 young EgypStudent discounts: $25 under tian danc21 yrs. for all screenings w/ ers in Cairo whose perforI.D. mances walk the Website: sfindie.com fine line of eroticism and entertainment, and
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SPORTS
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | 11 FOOTBALL: Check out our story from a previous homegame, only online at The Guardsman Online / www.theguardsman.com
Volleyball falls to Dons at home Rams 2, De Anza 3 By Taylor Clayton THE GUARDSMAN
City College Women’s Volleyball, seeded No. 9 in Northern California and No. 23 in the state, played their first match as a ranked team against De Anza College on Sept. 30. The two teams, who tied for second place in the conference last season, went to five sets in City College’s second match of conference play this season. In the first set De Anza lead the entire way, winning 18-25, with City College showing a lack of ability to score. The Rams responded well with a strong performance in the second set winning convincingly with a score of 25-13. But they could not play well consistently, showing a lack of focus when they committed a rotation error, resulting in a 22-25 loss in the third set. During the fourth set the Rams were able to capitalize on a knee injury suffered by one of De Anza’s best hitters, Katrina Parik, finally winning 25-21. But the Dons regained composure, ending the fifth and final set
5-15 on a 9-1 run. City College did show some life from their strong outside hitter, Nicole Lee, who finished with 12 kills, while middle blocker Ramona Vae was also able to control the front of the net with her blocking. But the defensive miscues were just too much to overcome. “Collectively that wasn’t our game,” Ramona Vae said. “As a team we all played down. The talent’s there, it’s just a matter of us playing as a team. But as soon as we get all of our girls we got it.” The Rams have been recovering from injuries suffered when four players went down during the San Jose City College tournament on Sept. 24. Despite Christina Lopez coming back from being out the previous two games, they were still without their top outside hitter, Nicole Yap, who has been sidelined this past week with a sprained ankle. The team has gone 2-2 in Yap’s absence. “It’s definitely frustrating to have to watch these games,” Yap said, sitting on the bench. “I
mean I can’t do anything about it but be encouraging to them. As soon as I’m on the court I know I’ll need to step it up for the team.” As for a time table on when she may return, she hoped it would be sometime next week. Head coach Saga Vae felt his team did not bring forth their best effort in this match and believed Yap’s absence had something to do with that. “We were very inconsistent with our defense tonight, and our game plan did not go through well either,” Saga Vae said. “Our leaders didn’t step up and it clearly showed. We’re not only losing our best hitter, but Nicole is a good influence on the girls on both the back and front lines.” Saga Vae also said he felt his team’s effort in this match did not reflect how they had been doing so far this season. “We just didn’t show. We are a lot quicker, faster, and we make bigger plays than this,” he said. Their next match will be on the road against San Jose City College on Oct. 5. Tip off is at 6:30 p.m. email: tclayton@theguardsman.com
City passes test before road trip
Rams 48, De Anza 7 By Ryan Kuhn THE GUARDSMAN
It only took City College’s offense eight seconds to take the lead against De Anza College. From there, they never looked back. Before packing their bags for road trips to San Joaquin Delta College and Butte College, for what may be the two biggest games of the season, the Rams passed their latest test with ease, defeating De Anza, 48-7 at home on Oct. 1. “It was nice to see that we started off fast offensively,” said City College head coach George Rush. “We didn’t fool around and we got up on them early.” The Rams set the tone with their first offensive play when freshman quarterback Turner Baty launched a 43-yard pass to wide receiver Roman Runner to
take an early lead. After De Anza tied up the score, Baty once again took the reins of the offense, throwing three more touchdown passes and even running one in himself as the Rams took a 27-point lead into halftime. Baty finished the game with 324 yards passing and four touchdowns. Although it did not effect the outcome of the game, the Rams finished the game with 225 penalty yards, showing why they lead all of Northern California in penalties. “We have to get rid of penalties,” Rush said. “Penalties are a joke. I’ve never seen more penalties in my life.” Even the players admit they are sick of seeing yellow flags thrown all over the field. “It’s definitely frustrating,”
VALERIE AYALA / THE GUARDSMAN
Punt returner #45 Darvin McCauley retunes a De Anza punt Oct 1. The Rams defeated the Dons 48-7 to improve their record to 4-0.
Baty said. “We have to fix it before we get into the conference, because against better teams it’s going to hurt us a lot more than it did today.” In the second half, the Rams used their bench as they ran the ball giving touches to four different running backs in DeShae Edwards, Johnny Green, Bobby Burton, and Dominque Wilson. While Edwards led the way with 66 yards rushing, Burton found a hole in the fourth quarter to put the Rams up by 41 points to seal the game. Whether it’s himself or the other running backs taking the field, Edwards knows he is there for his team whenever called upon. “I’m just playing my role. Whenever they call for the run, I’m there,” he said. “We need to execute our plays as a team and make sure everyone is doing their job, from the offensive line to the quarterback to the running back to the receivers,” he said. Now the Rams (4-0) will board the buses to take their game on the road to Stockton, Calif. against San Joaquin Delta on Oct. 8. “We have to keep playing turnover free ball like we have been,” Baty said. “When you take the crowd out of it and come out firing against a team when you are at their house I think that is the key for getting a victory.” Kickoff is at 1 p.m. email: rkuhn@theguardsman.com
ALISA MARIE OROZCO / THE GUARDSMAN
Ramona Vae (13) blocks a spike from De Anza’s Katrina Parik during a home game on Setp. 30, 2011. Vae tallied of 17 points for the game, yet the Rams lost the match with a final score of 5-15.
Options give Rams victory Rams 5, Gavilan 0 By Lucas Almeida THE GUARDSMAN
For City College men’s soccer, the word of the week is options and having options has been giving the team opportunities to change the story of games completely this season. Opening their first conference game of the season, the Rams (6-2, 1-0) defeated Gavilan College, 5-0 on Sept. 16 . It was their sixth straight victory. City College started the game pressured by Gavilan’s offense but it only took five minutes for the Rams to take the lead. Freshman midfielder William Nino sent Jaime Barragan an accurate pass as he outran the defense to score the Rams’ early goal of the match. With a deep bench this season, City College head coach Adam Lucarelli has great options to change his team's strategy completely. In the 23rd minute, Lucarelli used his options by making substitutions sending in freshman midfielder Jesse Cineros and freshman forward Bryant Izaguirre to give the team more speed. Just seconds before the referee whistled to end the first half, City College scored their second goal of the afternoon when freshman midfielder Juan Miguel Perez gave an assist to Izaguirre to put the ball in the back of the net. As the second half continued, the Rams played more defensively exploring their counter-attack
with accurate passes from freshman midfielder Cisneros who created more goal opportunities. In the 65th minute coach Lucarelli made another change putting in freshman forward Tony Romero who scored four minutes later. After a corner kick, he took a quick shot helping the City College increase their lead. Romeri was happy he had a chance to play and score a goal cooperating with his team overall performance. “I wasn't playing too much, until now, so for me, the goal broke this cycle,” Romero said. Only three minutes later, another freshmen, midfielder Jessie Cisneros took a 30-yard free kick shot as the ball curled in on the top left corner giving no change to Gavilan’s goalie. Lucarelli thought was very important to win their first conference game of the season and really highlighted the options. “Anytime we start off conference, we definitely want to start off with a winning note,” he said. “I thought Tony and Jesse really played well in the second half. They adjusted well, they listened and they played more simple. I thought they did great.” Cisneros was also thrilled with the victory and he said it's important to have quality players on the bench to come in. The Rams will face Skyline College in their next home game on Oct. 4. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com
12 | October 5 - October 19, 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
SPORTS
UPCOMING GAMES: Oct. 8 at Delta 1 p.m
Barragan’s two goals help City College blank rival Rams improve to 7-1 against Trojans Rams 5, Skyline 0 By Lucas Almeida THE GUARDSMAN
City College’s women’s soccer team has never felt itself intimidated playing against the Skyline College Trojans, even when that team is coming off a six-game winning streak. The City College Rams (7-1, 4-0) increased their undefeated conference record and their winning streak to five straight victories as they shut out the Trojans 5-0 on Sept. 30. Head coach Gabe Saucedo who is in his third year of coaching the team believes working hard during practice on speed of play and physical endurance were crucial to winning the game. “We really focused this week on having a lot of energy during practice and staying focused,” Saucedo said. “Just playing onetwo touch soccer and working a lot on fitness helped us a lot in playing faster soccer and having a good fit team.” “We had a game plan going in and we executed the game plan very well. I’m very proud of the team,” he said. Sophomore midfielder Nichole Caiocca was the highlight of the first half with one goal and one assist. Nine minutes into the first half, Caiocca was persistent on the offense as she sent a perfect assist to freshman forward Stephanie Barragan who scored
the Rams’ first goal of the afternoon. Despite their early goal, the Rams kept playing aggressively pressuring their opponent’s defense. Offense carries the day The payoff of playing with a strong offense came when Caiocca launched a missile, giving no chance to the Trojan’s goalie freshman Dana Alazzeh, thus extending the Rams’ lead. Caiocca was happy she performed her role and said she didn’t worry much about Skyline’s undefeated conference record. “We’ve been trying to play smart and quick and my role today was to turn and shoot and it worked out,” Caiocca said. “We really just tried to execute our game plan against them and not really worry too much about their past.” The Trojans started the second half threatening to score but the Rams’ defense came out very strong. Neighbors and rivals With their campusesonly nine miles apart, a fierce rivalry has developed between the two colleges. The second half was marked with hard fouls and both teams fighting for the ball. At the 56-minute mark, freshman forward Antonella Carrera battled for the ball, scoring the Rams’ third goal of the
game. But City College was not yet done. Giving the Trojans no time to breathe, sophomore defender Gail Basett sent an accurate long pass crossing the whole field to sophomore forward Tera Piserchio who put the ball in the back of the net just three minutes later. It was her ninth goal of the season. One minute later, Skyline College tried to react pushing a counter attack, but failed when Trojan sophomore forward Alexis Cuellar’s shot was an easy save for freshman goalkeeper Lilly Garza. The Rams still had time to score one more goal and seal the game when Stephanie Barragan made a quick turn and struck the ball on the right top corner. It was her second goal of the game. Even though the Rams won convincingly, Barragan knew Skyline was a tough team. “We knew Skyline was going to be hard but we played focused and did everything we needed to do,” Barragan said. The Rams will look to maintain their undefeated conference record when they face the Ohlone College Renegades in the next home game on Oct. 4. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Butte 1 p.m
Oct. 22 vs. Laney 1 p.m
Sports Calendar Women’s Soccer Tues, Oct. 4 vs. Ohlone 1:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 7 vs. Las Positas 1:30 p.m.
Tues, Oct. 11 vs. Foothill 3 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 14 @ Evergreen 4 p.m.
Tues, Oct. 11 @ De Anza 4 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 14 vs. Las Positas 4 p.m.
Men’s Soccer Tues, Oct. 4 vs. Skyline 4 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 7 vs. Monterey 4 p.m.
Women’s Vollyball Wed, Oct. 5 @ San Jose 6:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 7 @ Foothill 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Oct. 12 vs. Skyline Dig Pink 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Oct. 19 @ Ohlone 6:30 p.m.
Thoughts on sports, shenanigans, and ways of life... but mostly just sports.
Moneyball Review By Ryan Kuhn THE GUARDSMAN
email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com
CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN
Freshman forward Stephanie Barragan (10 - red) manuevers the ball away from the Skyline defense to score what was the fifth and final goal for City College at home game on Sept. 30. in San Francisco. Women's soccer team won the home game 5-0, leading them to a 7-1 overall standing.
I have watched a lot of good movies and a lot of bad movies, most of which I had no interest in watching but I do anyways. I work at a movie theater so what do you expect. So when I find a movie that is about sports, especially baseball, my eyes light up. There is a difference between a fan that loves baseball and a fan that loves his baseball team. If you have read my column you will know that I am a huge Los Angeles Angels fan but more importantly, I love baseball. Yes I will watch my team roughly every single day but also can watch a random game because I am a fan. The movie “Moneyball” staring Brad Pitt, is for the baseball fan. Pitt plays Billy Beane, the Oakland A’s general manager who uses different statistics to draft, sign and trade players at a reasonable price. Basically it is bargain shopping. With a resume like Pitt’s it would seem easy to play an ex-major league baseball player from San Diego but he shows the audience his emotion that he struggles with his team.
Now because this is Hollywood, Pitt couldn’t do this movie by himself. Sony Pictures had to cast Jonah Hill as his assistant who is so soft spoken the lines he says aren’t really prevalent and Phillip Seymour Hoffman who plays the A’s manager, Arte Howe, who shouldn’t have had as big of a role as he had because he leaves to manage the Mets a year later. Another depiction of this story I feel is false is that characters in this movie, like David Justice and Scott Hatteburg, made it feel like they won 103 because of their signings but it was actually the pitching of Mark Mulder, Barry Zito and Tim Hudson that was the success and the movie never showed that. See this movie if you are a baseball fan but don’t if you won’t appreciate this movie. This was made for the baseball fan and loved by baseball fans and if you want a dose of baseball without listening to Joe Buck on Fox cheer on the east coast teams then go see “Moneyball.” email: rkuhn@theguardsman.com