The Guardsman, Vol. 150, Issue 4. City College of San Francisco by The Guardsman

News

OCTOBER 6, 2010

THE GUARDSMAN

College resurrects summer session By Patrick Makiri

said. “I was depending on taking

After a one year hiatus, City College students will again be offered a summer session so they can continue working towards their degrees at the institution they attend during the rest of the year. Volume 150, Issue Chancellor Don 4Griffin said $3 million has been set aside from the general budget to reinstate the summer session after the 85 percent cut to the 2010 summer course list, which left many students scrambling to fill their summer schedules and stay on track to graduate. “I wanted to go to Skyline College in Pacifica, but it was too far,” City College electrical engineering student Steven Ni

able to transfer.” Numerous local institutions reached out to stranded City College students. California Institute of Integral Studies, SF State and Mills College all put out ads last year encouraging City College students to use their classrooms to continue studying through the summer. Griffin said students will be able choose from more than 50 percent of the course list for a, “robust 2011 summer session.” But Alice Murillo, the vice chancellor of academic affairs, said it was still unclear how the 2011 summer session would look compared to the previous year. “The percentage of courses offered will be finalized once we have a 2010/2011 budget, and we

NEWS: THE C&T: Arab culture embraced at Union Square event Child development program receives grant last Page 3 to be GUARDSMAN summerstate courses year

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Dream Act fails to clear senate

SPORTS: Women’s soccer sweeps passed Cañada Page 10

By Jose Torres THE GUARDSMAN

CELESTE BOGLE / THE GUARDSMAN

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assess our fall and spring enrollments and student need,” she said. “Unless things change with the legislature, fees will be $26 per unit,” Administrators are awaiting the same information to decide which campuses will be operating this summer. Griffin articulated the need for summer session to keep students on track for a successful tenure

at City College. Both retention and graduation rates have been a major point of concern among administrators, and summer courses help students who need to catch up on missed units, or for those who need the summer work to fulfill graduation requirements.

The Senate narrowly defeated the Development, Relief and Education for October 6, 2010 Alien Minors Act on Sept. 21, rendering undocumented students ineligible for financial aid and rescinding an opportunity for citizenship. “The DREAM Act would help undocumented students. So many work hard, struggle and when they do get the degree, it is still uncertain,” Latina/o Services Network counselor Leticia Silva said. Needing at least 60 votes to clear the Senate, the bill was opposed by every Republican and three Democrats—Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, and Senators Lincoln and Pryor of Arkansas. The voting came down to a 56-43 defeat. The DREAM Act has been constantly amended from its inception to appease opposition. It has been floating about congress since Senator Orin Hatch, of Utah, first introduced it in 2001, according to a Bill of Summary and Status from the Library of Congress’ website. Reid attached the DREAM Act as an amendment to the $726 billion Defense Authorization Bill which also included a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “The news was sad, all the hope was gone like air being taken away. I know that sooner or later the government will do something because it can’t be like this forever,” City College student Ernesto Nava said. The proposed DREAM Act would have given students the opportunity to gain permanent resident status on the conditions that they lived in the US for at least five years and were under 16 when brought to the country. The bill would have also required an applicant to: be under the age of 35, have a high school diploma or GED and either be in college or have served two years in the military to be considered for permanent U.S. citizenship. “I had mixed feelings, but my peers did nothing wrong,” City College student Mark Stevenson said. “They are unjustly paying for their parents’ mistake. If it was up to me I would say ‘yes, let’s let the students study and improve their lives while doing a service to the country.’” “I have friends that have been here a long time and they are no different than me. We all want to better ourselves.”

A Nightmare

THE DEATH OF THE DREAM ACT: for undocumented students and youth Email: pmakiri@theguardsman.com

Pilot program changes registration dates By Isaiah Kramer THE GUARDSMAN

At the student equity hearings last February, concerns about class availability prompted a pilot program for the fall semester that gave early registration dates to 2010-graduates from the San Francisco Unified School District who enrolled at City College. Before this program was initiated, all incoming students had registration dates later than those of continuing students. As implemented, the program gave SFUSD students the same registration date as continuing students. “New incoming high school students couldn’t get their classes,” Gohar Momjian, an assistant to the chancellor said, alluding to the program’s purpose. Approximately 1,000 students, or 1 percent of City College’s total population, come from SFUSD annually. This year, only a third of the 1,000 completed matriculation within the given time frame to receive early registration. “The students have to complete the matriculation process: testing, orientation and counseling in order to qualify for priority registration,” admissions counselor Monika Liu said. This gives students an incentive to matriculate by promising a full schedule, inclusive of core classes that, otherwise, is seen as difficult to attain.

Members of the Student Equity Task Force on Priority Registration are establishing relations with SFUSD high schools in an outreach effort to get students on the fast track to matriculation. The outreach involves direct contact with various counselors, administrators and principals from the 17 SFUSD high schools. Task force members provide information and opportunities for students to enroll at the college with the appropriate help. “All the data shows that if you get them fresh from high school and give them a fulltime schedule, then they are more likely to succeed,” Associate Dean Laurie Scolari said. “The success rate goes down as the years go by after high school.” The 321 students that took advantage of the priority registration were able to enroll in 56 percent more courses than the previous year with an average 12.7 credits per student. This fall, 70 percent of the SFUSD graduates took English and 74 percent took math, compared to 47 percent and 22 percent the previous year. Amid the enthusiasm and positive data, there is concern about how it has affected students who are already enrolled. “There has to be balance between the needs of high-school students enrolling, and those of students already progressing through the college,” Darlene Alioto, chair of the social science department, said.

In a school bombarded by budget cuts, new students had little chance of getting their essential courses. The program sought to rectify that situation without negatively affecting continuing students. “SFUSD students should be given the same priority as continuing students, not better, not worse,” Griffin said. “We don’t want to close the door on beginning or continuing students.” Of the classes cut last year, 65 percent will be reinstated so as to, “not penalize or hurt continuing students,” Griffin said. “That will cost $4 million; we will do fundraising to get it.” Aside from being a service to SFUSD students, the priority registration program seeks to attract students to City College. When there are perpetually closed courses, widespread cuts and closure of summer school, the college suffers a loss of prospective students, Chancellor Griffin said. The pilot has been deemed effective by the Student Equity Task Force on Priority Registration. They plan to recommend it to the chancellor, who is himself optimistic about the program. Though it seems likely for another round, it is undecided if the program will resume and in what form. Another meeting will be held Oct. 14, 2010. Email: ikramer@theguardsman.com

Child development department benefits from grant By Gayle Yglesias THE GUARDSMAN

City College’s Child Development and Family Studies Department, along with the Cesar E. Chavez Institute of SF State, was awarded a grant through Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Gang Reduction Intervention and Prevention program. CalGRIP is a program Schwarzenegger proposed in 2007 that aims to prevent at-risk youth from being exposed to gang-related activities. According to the CalGRIP website, the program spent more than $31 million in state and federal funding on local anti-gang efforts.

This includes job training, education and intervention programs. It gave law enforcement tools to closely track gang leaders, both inside state prisons and after prisoners are released on parole. City College, in partnership with SF State, received an $80,000 grant, which will be used to recruit students into afterschool programs as youth workers. “The grant was officially awarded to the school this July,” Kathleen White, the chair of City College Child Development and Family Studies Department, said. “Start-up began this semester and as of right now we are just doing outreach.” Fliers are currently circulating

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City College with information on opportunities, outcomes, support and enrollment requirements. Some opportunities include paid work experience (while enrolled in the program), placement assistance in after-school programs and the ability to work with children. According to a Schwarzenegger’s press release, the process was a competitive one. Applications for these grants were judged on over 20 different factors, including the “number of gangrelated homicides and other crimes, demographic information and use of evidence-based practices.” “I think the purpose of the program is a nice way to invest

money in our youth by trying to get them off the streets. It will definitely make an impact and steer them away from joining gangs and getting involved in gang-related activities,” SF State student Christine Yanga said. There are many communitybased organizations that support City College and SF State such as Larkin Street Youth Services, White said. Key partners include California Age Consortium, Growing and Learning Opportunities and the San Francisco Department of Children.

Email: gyglesias@theguardsman.com

Email: jtorres@theguardsman.com

News

THE GUARDSMAN

OCTOBER 6, 2010

Dispatch from the Editor’s desk

NEWS IN BRIEF

Zemanifesto

A dream deferred The National Defense Authorization Act, a bill which contained both the DREAM Act and the repeal of the U.S Military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, was successfully stalled by a predominantly Republican filibuster. With a legislature full of Democrat incumbents facing mid-term elections who are “stuck” in their usual predicament—their base resents them for not doing enough, almost as much as their steam-building opposition despises them for doing too much—it isn’t hard to see why. I don’t usually do predictions—far be it from me to step on the freakishly-long toes of esteemed contributor Bontá Hill, but November is going to be a blood bath for the Democrats. I believe that a return to Republican know-nothing policies on immigration and other issues, will only perpetuate the social ills our nation is currently suffering from, although the Democrats really have nobody but themselves to blame, as usual. But why should AB540 students, who I consider Americans by merit of their uphill struggle to educate themselves and contribute to our economy as productive workers, have to suffer for the failings of this country’s impotent, legislative left? On the other hand I don’t fully trust the motives behind this bill. The U.S Military is facing extreme challenges in meeting recruitment goals and retaining career soldiers. Something tells me that the provision in the DREAM Act that

Wal-Mart plans to buy South African retailer

Wal-Mart announced its plans to buy South African retailer Massmart Holdings on Sept. 27. Massmart is one of the largest distributors of goods on the African continent. South African labor unions have expressed concern in the selling of what they call, “key strategic national companies” to Wal-Mart, a company that is “notoriously anti-union and anti-workers rights, and an affront to workers rights wherever they operate around the world.” Walmart has made a preliminary offer of $4.8 billion..

RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN

opens military service as a path to naturalization (for a largely desperate and economically deprived undocumented population), gets the suits at the Defense Department all hot and wrinkly. And who can blame them? With so many Americans demanding foreign wars with our misplaced votes, our silence in the face of tax-funded atrocities and our globally destructive lifestyle choices, the job of actually carrying out these wars of aggression has to fall to somebody. And like slaving in a field for next to nothing, that job has become one that most Americans do not seem to want for themselves. A 2009 CBS News poll showed that 76 percent of those asked were opposed to re-instating a military draft, and even the most

recent Fox News poll (2004), showed that over half of respondents were against a draft. I stand by the editorial line we have taken on the potential benefits of the DREAM Act for undocumented students, but it is advisable to beware the potential of a ‘razor blade in the apple.’ Our LGBTQ readers should know that we are deeply concerned about the Senate’s failure to repeal ‘DADT.’ Our decision to focus on the DREAM Act reflects our desire to do a thourough job with limited staff. We stand in solidarity with you as well. — Greg Zeman Editor-in-Chief Email: gzeman@theguardsman.com

Alea Iacta Est

College preparation program launches By Patrick Makiri THE GUARDSMAN

Mayor Gavin Newsom, City College Chancellor Don Griffin and San Francisco Unified School District administrators announced collaborative plans to improve college preparation at local schools through the Bridge to Success Program. At a press conference on Sept. 27 they expressed excitement about this collaboration and announced the receipt of a $3 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National League of Cities. Resources will focus on improving data-collection systems, aligning expectations of high school and college students and coordinating student services. “We need to make sure SFUSD graduates are prepared to hit the ground running as fulltime students so they can graduate college career-ready by 26,” San Francisco school board member Kimberly Wicoff said. College-preparedness has been a controversial issue at City College, one of the country’s largest public institutions. The Bay Citizen reported earlier this year that there were more remedial English and math courses offered here than college-level courses. In the same article, Griffin likened the battle to reform

the remediation system at City point average in high school. of low-income SFUSD students College to civil war. The cost in time and money to who receive a post-secondary With the new money, SFUSD these students and to the state degree over the next 10 years. students will be carefully assessed is substantial. Moreover, these Last year, the same three on their academic progress from students are confused by seem- organizations teamed up on as early as preschool. Bridge to ingly having done the right things another Gates-funded program, Success breaks this task into eight in high school only to find out Gateway to College, to get high mini-goals, or steps, school dropfor students. These outs back into range from noting the educahow many 3-4 year tion system. olds receive early “By better preparing students for college Ninety-seven education, to whether and their careers, Bridge to Success hopes to high school or not kindergartners break cycles of poverty by making sure studropouts demonstrate agewere enrolled dents are leaving their respective institutions appropriate skills, to at City tracking test scores career-ready in order to pursue ‘The American College to and financial aid Dream.’” work towards — Don Griffin their diploapplications. City College Chancellor mas The program also while hopes to expand the simultanenumber of 11th gradously earners who, in addition to ing credit California Standardized Testing, after admission to a CSU that towards an associates degree. will answer extra voluntary ques- they need further preparation.” “The program was launched tions to give the school system a “It’s about jobs,” Griffin said. a year ago,” Associate Dean better idea of students’ readiness “By better preparing students of Outreach and Recruitment for college, known as the Early for college and their careers, Services Laurie Scolari said. Assessment Program. Bridge to Success hopes to break “And everyone saw that the EAP’s website reveals that cycles of poverty by making sure collaboration worked well, so the scope of the problem goes students are leaving their respec- that kind of set the foundation to beyond San Francisco. tive institutions career-ready in work together towards applying “More than 60 percent of the order to pursue ‘The American for this larger grant.” nearly 40,000 first-time fresh- Dream.’” San Francisco, Riverside, men admitted to California State Currently only 54 percent Mesa, AZ and New York City University require remedial of all SFUSD college-bound will each receive the grant in education in English, mathemat- students earn a degree by age 26, installments of $1 million over ics or both. These 25,000 fresh- while only 33 percent of all City three years to streamline students’ men all have taken the required College students earn a degree paths towards college. college preparatory curriculum by the same age. Newsom said Email: and earned at least a B grade the goal is to double the number pmakiri@theguardsman.com

Gov. vetoes university transparency bill

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed SB330, a bill that would have made the California’s public university foundations’ information publicly accessible. The foundations are non-profit enterprises that manage an estimated $1.6 billion across dozens of campuses. Schwarzenegger said the bill could have endangered the privacy of anonymous donors. Recent cases involving the mixing of public and private funds in the California education system, have critics saying there should be more transparency with the foundations’ records.

High court refuses to hear case against NSA

The Supreme Court will not make the National Security Agency divulge information on whether it has records of warrentless wiretapping of lawyers representing Guantanamo Bay inmates. On Oct. 4 the court refused to hear Wilner v. National Security Agency, an appeal from Thomas Wilner and other detainee lawyers. The group of attorneys filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the NSA asking for information regarding warrentless wiretapping carried out under the Terrorist Surveillance program, which they argued violated their attorney-client privilege. This upheld the lower court’s decision that FOIA does not apply to information that may be sensitive to national security..

Study shows teenagers practice safe sex

Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion released a study that says teenagers are more likely to have safer sex than adults. The study was done through an online survey taken by nearly 6,000 people between the ages of 14 and 94. It revealed that 80 percent of adolescent boys and 60 percent of adolescent girls use condoms. This is twice the amount of young adults, and four times the number of people over the age of 40 who use protection.

News

OCTOBER 6, 2010

THE GUARDSMAN

College resurrects summer session By Patrick Makiri THE GUARDSMAN

After a one year hiatus, City College students will again be offered a summer session so they can continue working towards their degrees at the institution they attend during the rest of the year. Chancellor Don Griffin said $3 million has been set aside from the general budget to reinstate the summer session after the 85 percent cut to the 2010 summer course list, which left many students scrambling to fill their summer schedules and stay on track to graduate. “I wanted to go to Skyline College in Pacifica, but it was too far,” City College electrical engineering student Steven Ni

said. “I was depending on taking summer courses last year to be able to transfer.” Numerous local institutions reached out to stranded City College students. California Institute of Integral Studies, SF State and Mills College all put out ads last year encouraging City College students to use their classrooms to continue studying through the summer. Griffin said students will be able choose from more than 50 percent of the course list for a, “robust 2011 summer session.” But Alice Murillo, the vice chancellor of academic affairs, said it was still unclear how the 2011 summer session would look compared to the previous year. “The percentage of courses offered will be finalized once we have a 2010/2011 budget, and we

Student starts English Club By Kwame Opoku-Duku THE GUARDSMAN

CELESTE BOGLE / THE GUARDSMAN

Chancellor Don Griffin speaks at the grand opening ceremony of the Multi-Use Building on Sept. 27. Griffin thanked the community for the $3 million awarded to the college for the next three years.

on track for a successful tenure at City College. Both retention and graduation rates have been a major point of concern among administrators, and summer courses help students who need to catch up on missed units, or for those who need the summer work to fulfill graduation requirements. Email: pmakiri@theguardsman.com

Pilot program changes registration dates By Isaiah Kramer THE GUARDSMAN

Child development department benefits from grant By Gayle Yglesias THE GUARDSMAN

Email: gyglesias@theguardsman.com

Mediña Piña, who came to the U.S. a year and a half ago from Aguascalientes, Mexico, quickly learned the importance of speaking English. “In April, I got lost at Powell Station while on BART. No one could help me. I was so nervous that I started to cry,” she said. “It took me 10 or 15 minutes to calm down. When I did, I said to myself, ‘You have to learn English.’” She started taking noncredit ESL classes the next month but learned that summer classes were being cut. She knew that if she wanted to continue her English education, she would have to take matters into her own hands, so she started the English Conversation Club for students learning English as a second language. “I started looking for places where students could meet,” she said. “My friend designed a poster for the club and soon people started to come from all the campuses. There are 210 students now total.” The club’s activities include talking about current events in the news, sharing traditions from their countries, cultural excursions to the museums and taking tours of San Francisco. “I love it,” Pei-Ying Lau, a club member from Hong Kong, said. “I learned a lot from it and made many friends. The teachers were great too. They cared a lot and did their best to help us.” Mission Campus ESL Coordinator Lisa Wagner, who attended the first few sessions before the summer break, said the club “shows what a little enthusiasm and energy can do.” City College ESL Chair Gregory Keech noted the importance of Mediña Piña’s work. “We know from learning research, especially in language, that practice is absolutely necessary,” he said. “Having a club can be really useful in learning, manipulating and retaining it.” There are more than 1200 students from 90 countries studying English as a second language at City College, and Mediña Piña hopes to see that number grow. “I want to learn more English so I can take classes to become a teacher,” she said. “I want to help the whole community.” Read the whole story online at www.theguardsman.com Email: kopokuduku@theguardsman.com

Opinions&Editorials

THE GUARDSMAN

THE GUARDSMAN City College of San Francisco’s Newspaper Since 1935

Eternal students share thoughts on the radio

Editor-in-Chief Greg Zeman News Editor Tania Cervantes Opinions & Editorials Editor Nick Palm Cultures & Trends Editor Estela Fuentes Sports Editor Ryan Kuhn Online Editor Dominick Delgadillo Multimedia Editor Angela Penny Photo Editor Ramsey El-Qare Assistant Photo Editor Frank Ladra Chief Copy Editor Atticus Morris Production Editor Jessica Luthi Copy Editors Don Clyde Alex Luthi Staff Writers Isaiah Kramer Catherine Lee Kwame Opoku-Duku Robert Romano Jose Torres Destiny Vaughn Gayle Yglesias Photographers Celeste Bogle Colt Ciancanelli James Fanucchi Dishon Irving Donald Hamilton Frank Ladra Patrick Makiri Robert Romano Tim Taechotirote Roderick Tannehill Rachel VanZandt Web Media Ian Mc Donald Contributing Writer Omri Petitte Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales

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To advertise in our newspaper please contact our Advertising Manager Tristan Covello or Michael Brandt at advertising@theguardsman. com How to contact us: Mail: 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Phone: (415) 239-3446 Fax: (415) 239-3884 Email: email@theguardsman. com Online: www.theguardsman. com

OCTOBER 6, 2010

While contemplating my future in higher learning, I decided to chat with some fellow “eternal” students. The most interesting interview, by far, was local celebrity and longtime City College staple “Diamond” Dave Whitaker. To be honest, before I met “Diamond” Dave two years ago, I excitedly thought I was about to meet the former lead singer of Van Halen. In preparation, I pulled my multicolored unitard out of storage and practiced scissor-kicks for hours. But even when I met the local “Diamond” Dave, I was not disappointed—quite the opposite actually. His upbeat energy and positive outlook on life is an inspiration to all people he comes in contact with.

On a recent Friday afternoon, I met Whitaker at Pirate Cat Cafe in the Mission, where he co-hosts his weekly radio show, “Common Threads,” with DJ Pamtastic. All eyes turned towards Whitaker as he walked in, as if a medieval fan fare announced his arrival with trumpets, dancing jesters and flying doves. As he sat across from me and sipped his coffee, his piercing blue eyes showed a life overflowing with worldliness; a soul that has seen more than most have, of San Francisco in its prime—from the beat movement through the hippie revolution. We spoke about his experience at City College, where he has been on the Academic Senate four years. One of many adults who decided to return to school

later in life, Whitaker also plans to leave City College at some point; he’s considering a transfer into SF State’s Mature Learner’s Program. After researching the program, it looks as if it might be easier for me to wear prosthetics and makeup in order to appear to be in my seventies and transfer to SF State rather than applying the “fair” and “legitimate” way. Whitaker spends time protesting for students’ rights and against budget cuts. He tells me of his latest showdown with Chancellor Don Griffin, where Whitaker said of the spending plan, “You can tighten your belt so much that your head explodes!” It’s an interesting picture that Whitaker paints, which leads me to question: But who, then, will run the school if our leader has no head? Redundancies aside, he makes a good point. There will be a tipping point if the school—and the state, for that matter—continue their excessive frugality. Alas, Oct. 1 has come and passed, which means I have less than two months to apply to transfer to a CSU. In other words, I will most likely be filling out and sending in my application and writing my essay at 11:56 p.m. on Nov. 30. This, like most hurdles I pass over, always seems to end like the scene in “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Arc,” when

Indy narrowly slides under the lowering wall of stone, only to leave his hat on the other side. Of course, he has just enough time to manage to grab the hat before the gate closes. My life is that hat. Back at Pirate Cat, Whitaker invites me to join him on his show. Over the course of an hour, we talk about the state of journalism as a whole—which is molding, not dying. We tell our stories and experiences in college, which proved I am not the only one struggling through this. Pamtastic tells me of her current stint as a grad student in the broadcasting program at SF State, which she describes as “a cold place.” After the show, Loo Lin, who hosts her own show at Pirate Cat and already has a degree, tells me she has returned to City College to hone her skills in broadcasting. To Whitaker, City College is his self-described “microcosm,” part of his much larger macrocosm encompassing the globe. “At City, in the City, on the planet, and on the street,” is how Whitaker describes his wild journey as a creature of marvel. Needless to say, I left Pirate Cat Cafe that day inspired to push ahead relentlessly with my goals.

Email: npalm@theguardsman.com

Can we ever really bury the “N” word? By Kwame Opoku-Duku THE GUARDSMAN

Preface: I am not a preacher and I have absolutely no political ambitions whatsoever. I am only a hypocrite with an opinion. I’ve used the word “nigger” in my everyday speech since I first listened to Dr. Dre’s landmark album “The Chronic.” I was maybe 12 years old. It didn’t happen right away. First I rapped along. Then I began using Snoop Dogg and Dre’s speech and mannerisms, to the chagrin of my parents. Born in the ‘40s and ‘50s, they still remember where they were when they learned Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Their wounds were still fresh from the injustices they suffered at the hands of racist tormentors. My argument for the word’s usage was one of cultural re-appropriation, which I had no real concept of at the time. The word “nigger,” I argued, had become a political tool for African-Americans to throw back into the face of our oppressors, a reminder of the racist culture that bore us. It felt edgy, or at least that’s how I remember it. Rappers continued to use the word. Soon, it became ubiquitous in hip-hop culture, losing its political edge in the process. Your friends were “your niggas.” Your enemies were “niggas you hated.” And as hip-hop culture became synonymous with AfricanAmerican culture, we all eventually became “niggas.” So where does that leave us? With its use by grade-school children—to whom it’s been passed down like brown eyes or male pattern baldness—there are three generations of African-Americans who self-identify as the very slur shouted at our forefathers

as they were being lynched. to stop using the word, at least in their The word has gained even more noto- routines. And many prominent Africanriety in the past few years, most famously American leaders have called for its disuse. during former “Seinfeld” cast-member Some U.S. cities have even banned the Michael Richards’ tirade, which was caught word, but without the support of the people, on video. It proved how sensitive about the it is purely a symbolic gesture. The burden word we still are at lies on our shoulheart, which I’ve ders to decide for come to regard as a ourselves how positive. But had it Since “Kramergate,” many much longer we’ll been Chris Rock on be niggers or any prominent African-American stage screaming the of its slang derivaexact same words comedians have vowed to stop tives. It’s up to us to with the exact same using the word, at least in their answer our generainflection, would tion’s call. routines. we have been More than 100 laughing instead of years ago, W.E.B. becoming seized Du Bois wrote, with rage? “The Nation has I believe this is a double-standard we not yet found peace from its sins; the freedneed to explore. man has not yet found in freedom his promAnyone who was born in this country, ised land. Whatever of good may have come speaks English or has any concept of Ameri- in these years of change, the shadow of a can culture knows inherently that it is not deep disappointment rests upon the Negro okay for whites to use the word, at least in people.” If he only knew how true his words public. Such a faux pas, as Mr. Richards have remained. could attest to, would thrust one into the I know I’m no W.E.B. Du Bois, and I no-man’s land of social pariah. It would would never profess to be. I don’t know if take months of apologizing on late-night the promised land is any more real than a talk shows to stop receiving death threats. black Santa Claus. But I have the vision And yet, when it rolls off my tongue that one day my future son or daughter will while I talk to my brother on the phone, I come up to me while I’m writing at my desk find comfort in it, and I know he does too. and say, “Dad, someone told me that there Or at least I did. was a word called ‘nigger’ that people used Now, I feel like someone who’s taken to use.” one of those smoking cures and lights up a And I’ll say, “Whoever told you was cigarette only to find the smooth flavor he right. Go grab that history book off the loved replaced with some unfamiliar feeling shelf, and I’ll tell you all about it.” of dissatisfaction. But I am just one man. Since “Kramergate,” many prominent Email: African-American comedians have vowed kopokuduku@theguardsman.com

Opinions&Editorials

OCTOBER 6, 2010

THE GUARDSMAN

Propositions Debated Each issue until the November General Election, The Guardsman will discuss propositions that will be on the ballot.

PROP

In 2002, Californians rejected Proposition 52, which would have allowed Election Day voter registration. This November, San Franciscans have the chance to decide on the matter at a county level. Today, citizens must register to vote no later than 15 days prior to Election Day.

Support

By Gayle Yglesias and Catherine Lee THE GUARDSMAN

Proposition E will allow San Francisco citizens to both register and cast a ballot on the same day. Passing Prop. E will eliminate the deadline set by the California Elections Code which requires voter registration 15 days before an election. Today, there are eight states with some form of same-day voting. These states have seen great success and an overall higher voter turnout. The 2008 presidential election showed the five states with the highest voter turnouts were also ones that allowed same-day voting. Should there really be a voter registration deadline at all? The waiting period doesn’t accomplish anything. Voting isn’t nearly as dangerous as owning a firearm. And to do that, the waiting period is only seven days. If same-day voting registra-

PROP

tion is passed, people will have the opportunity to vote without having to worry about deadlines and setting time aside to register. All that can be taken care of in one day. What’s the harm in that? In 2002, California voters narrowly failed to pass Proposition 52, which would have allowed election-day voter registration. Now, voters have another chance to pass this important measure. From previous elections and their results, it is apparent that turnout will increase if same-day voter registration is allowed. However, the deed is up to you in supporting this proposition. Voting is essential to the democratic process and should be a top priority to citizens. Elected officials should see the benefits of election-day voter registration too. They should try to snatch up every vote they can get their hands on. Fifteen days of waiting can make a huge difference in elections. Every vote counts.

Opposition San Francisco’s Proposition E was placed on the ballot with the best of intentions: increasing voter turnout. According to the proponents’ argument, over the last 10 citywide elections the average voter turnout was only 37 percent. While this statistic may be embarrassingly low, it’s no reason to spend approximately $424,000 per election on the theory that instant registration could increase participation. There are many suggested methods for improving turnout, such as increasing the hours of polling stations, moving elections to weekends and allowing voters to cast ballots from anywhere in the city. The instant voter method is just one idea. Should we really change the city charter if there are other ways to increase voter turnout at a lesser cost, both fiscally and socially? Given that Prop E suggests an increase in voter turnout of 3-7 percent based on other states turnouts, can we rescind this amendment if the city only gets a 1-2 percent increase? Prop E proponents argue that, ‘Every eligible San Franciscan

who wants to vote should have the opportunity!’ This implies citizens are being disenfranchised under the city’s current system; that’s not the case. The current San Francisco election system already uses “provisional voting” to accommodate voters with special considerations, according the Department of Elections Voter information. Provisional balloting lets voters cast ballots under so many circumstances that it acts almost the same as Prop E. Everyone needs to register to vote in the city at least once, which can be done online, at the DMV and by any one of the hundreds of nonprofits who register people in the places we work and live. Vote no on Prop E because it’s throwing money at a problem which needs to be addressed at the highest levels of voting protocol (i.e voting on Tuesdays), not with some BandAid solution. Email: gyglesias@theguardsman.com clee@theguardsman.com

Cleaning up San Francisco’s sidewalks appears twice on November’s ballot. If passed, Proposition M would create a system of community policing and foot patrols in high crime areas throughout San Francisco, including bus stops and on MUNI. If Proposition M passes, it will automatically make Proposition L, the “sit-lie” ordinance, void.

Support

By Robert Romano and Celeste Bogle THE GUARDSMAN

San Francisco’s Proposition M will guarantee greater interaction between the community and the police. It will include a foot patrol program at all San Francisco police stations. The program will put more trained officers on the street and throughout Muni. It will require the city to conduct regular reviews of all foot patrol routes and present biannual reports to the board of supervisors. Regular input from the community will also help mold the program. This will help effectively make the police commission, the police department and the community equally accountable for Prop M’s success. A 2007 report compiled by the City of San Francisco shows that 79 percent of the city’s police officers believe foot patrols are an effective means of policing. And 82 percent of San Franciscans agreed. The same study showed when

foot patrols were increased by 120 percent, there were no increases in expenditure or response times. Because of this study, the SFPD was urged to develop clear goals and objectives as well as performance measures and accountability controls for effective management of its foot patrols. Most agree on the dire necessity for safer streets; Prop M will make safer streets a reality. Community policing in cities like Detroit and New York has proven to be extremely useful, and is considered a luxury by residents. Passing Prop M will make Proposition L, known as the “sit-lie” ordinance, null and void, saving tax money and police resources. Prop M will effectively set up a network of concerned citizens and police officers who will work together to fight crime, not target the innocent. Prop M will do more than put a Band-Aid on the city’s crime problems by sweeping people off the streets who look offensive or dangerous. We must come together and vote “yes” on Prop M.

Opposition Proposition M would ensure reliant foot-patrol police programs in areas of San Francisco with high crime rates. This would work as a substitute for the much-needed Proposition L, the Civil Sidewalks or “sitlie” measure. These two propositions are conjoined by a poison pill, a provision inserted into Prop M which enables Prop L to become active only if M is voted down. If Prop M receives more votes than Prop L— whether or not the majority of voters approve—“sit-lie” will immediately be void. If Prop M doesn’t pass and L does, the law will restrict any person from sitting or lying on sidewalks during business hours to combat sidewalk traffic. Prop L is simply trying to make sidewalks and congested walkways safe travel environments, not only for tourists but for locals as well. Its proponents believe sidewalks should only be used for pedestrians, and that

sitting and lying on them only blocks pathways to businesses. Opposing Prop M will keep police officers from having to alter their written policies, and create a new system of surveillance with foot patrols. Officers will be restricted in their powers and unable to free walkways from overcrowding. This will impede the dexterity of our police system, by removing more mobile, on-call officers from police cars. Emergency response times will be slower than ever. In turn, it will undermine the stated purpose of Prop M by creating more sidewalk traffic than before. Voting no on Prop M will help Prop L pass, which will effectively clear the city’s walkways to showcase San Francisco to newcomers, and establish safer neighborhoods.

Email: rromano@theguardsman.com cbogle@theguardsman.com

THE GUARDSMAN

Opinions&Editorials

OCTOBER 6, 2010

Editorial

Undocumented students keep dreaming

Partisan politics and xenophobic hysteria perpetuate exploitation

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM Act, would have given undocumented immigrants a chance at one of the most basic human rights: The right to an education. By filibustering the DREAM Act—with the intention of killing it completely—the Republican Party and a handful of co-conspirators have voted to keep the jackboot of U.S. immigration policy pressed squarely on the collective neck of undocumented workers. The United States economy relies on Latin America, and Mexico in particular, for cheap labor. Preventing the children of undocumented workers from gaining the social benefits of education and citizenship, almost ensures another generation of disadvantaged, impoverished “illegals”—fresh meat for the sausage grinder of corporate exploitation. Section 505 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act makes it illegal for a public university to offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented students. California’s Assembly Bill 540, passed in 2001, gave some hope to undocumented students by allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates, provided they graduate from a California high school. But California’s undocumented immigrant students are still forced to pay tuition completely out of pocket—an enormous obstacle in continuing their education. The DREAM Act would have eliminated the need for AB540’s legal gymnastics concerning the immigration status of students, and helped young immigrants living here start on the path to becoming naturalized citizens. But there are many, it seems, who would like to see fewer U.S. citizens and more servants. To grasp the extent of America’s economic subjugation of Mexico and its people, it helps to understand some of the history behind our addiction to Mexican labor. The U.S. has exploited Mexican workers since the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe cut Mexico nearly in half and cemented U.S. authority ‘from sea to shining sea,’ making the imperialist dream of “manifest destiny” a reality The U.S. government’s tacit endorsement and stewardship of corporations exploiting foreign labor stretches back to the construction of the transcontinental railroad. From 1942 to 1964, the “Bracero Program” sanctioned the hiring of Mexican guest workers to fill the vacancies in the U.S. workforce left by mass enlistment in the military during World War II. Although the Bracero Program officially ended in 1964, the unquenchable thirst of U.S. enterprise for cheap, easily-exploited labor did not subside. This thirst

eventually lead the Mexican government to create the Border Industrialization Program, which resulted in a proliferation of U.S.owned factories in Mexico called “maquiladoras.” In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement, which lead to increased use of maquiladoras by U.S companies. Under this trade arrangement, U.S. companies export raw materials to Mexico, duty free, and then export it back to the U.S.— duty free once again. This practice now accounts for nearly half of Mexico’s exports. Unlike the “braceros,” who were predominantly men, the workers who staff the maquiladoras are mostly young women. According to a 1999 edition of Mexican Labor News & Analysis, "In the early days women made up as much as 80% of the assembly plant workforce, today they number close to 60%.” The website for Made In Mexico Inc., a California-based company that offers “maquiladora management services,” claims that American companies who set up shop in Mexico “can expect to save as much as 75% on labor costs.” But innocent people on both sides of the border end up footing the bill for the ethical corners being cut by unscrupulous companies. Global Trade Watch, an independent group that monitors NAFTA and other trade agreements, says that maquiladora employment opportunities in Ciudad Juárez have increased by 54 percent since NAFTA was adopted. This has resulted in a population boom that has subsequently increased the volume of undocumented immigrants seeking work in the U.S. and created health hazards along the border. GTW’s assessment of NAFTA five years after it’s inception found that Juárez still RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN had, “no waste treatment facility Luis Alberto Quinonez Enciso, Buena Vista Elementary 4th grade student, holds sign on the steps of to treat sewage produced by the City Hall to protest policy 8.12 of the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department on Aug. 18, 2009. 1.3 million people who now live there” and that over 100 million values of liberty and opportunity. of our legal workforce, bringing gallons of industrial waste, agri- foreign labor. The DREAM Act wouldn’t With the midterm elections more tax revenue to the strugcultural runoff, slaughterhouse solve the problems facing our quickly approaching, Senate gling U.S. economy. remains and raw incumbents Most importantly, the sewage had been running for DREAM Act would reward the pumped into the re-election tenacity and courage of young New River. took the people—young Americans—who That same By filibustering the DREAM Act—with the incoward’s way did not choose their immigration assessment tention of killing it completely—the Republican out by voting status, and are just striving to quoted the Party and a handful of co-conspirators have voted to assauge better their situation by educating Texas Departthe knee-jerk, themselves. ment of Health to keep the jackboot of U.S. immigration policy anti-immiBy killing this important first as saying that pressed squarely on the collective neck of undocugrant hysteria step towards a more humane “since NAFTA mented workers. that always immigration policy, those advowent into effect accompanies cating the status quo are killing the Hepatitis A a downturn in the potential of bright, young rate for Cameron employment. minds waiting to be liberated. County shot up On Sept. It falls to those of us with from 17.8 per 100,000 residents to 87.4 per 100,000 an increase of nation, or erase the social harm 29, the DREAM Act was re-intro- access to education and the privithat exploitation has inflicted duced in the Senate, this time as lege of citizenship to advocate almost 400%.” A corresponding increase upon generations of undocument- a stand-alone bill. This bill needs for those who are just seeking to follow in this nation’s tradition of in the number of those infected ed workers and their families, as to pass. According to the National overcoming adversity in pursuit by tainted drinking water has well as the country of Mexico occurred in several other Texas itself. But it would represent the Immigration Law Center, The of the American dream. border counties. This is just one first step in creating a humane DREAM Act would significantly small, physical repercussion to and sensible immigration policy reduce high school dropout rates. Email: our country’s dependence on in alignment with the American It would also increase the size email@theguardsman.com

Culture&Trends

OCTOBER 6, 2010

THE GUARDSMAN

Kink conquers SOMA By Estela Fuentes THE GUARDSMAN

San Francisco’s 27th annual Folsom Street Fair took over a stale part of the neighborhood south of Market Street, transforming it into a safe place where the kinkiest fantasies could be made reality. The event originated in 1984 to support local businesses and bring together the diverse population living there. It started in a small alleyway, but has now expanded to the point that it closes Folsom Street from Seventh through 12th streets. It’s also used as a way to raise funds for different charities. “All the money brought in is divided equally among many different charities,” said Sister Zha Zha Glamour, who helps organize the event with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of queer, drag-queen nuns. This is one of California’s largest events, attracting tourists from all around the country. It is a place where people can connect and bring their fantasies to life without the fear of being judged. It features musical acts, sale booths, food and lots of alcohol. “This is a great, one of a kind event that you won’t find somewhere else,” native San Franciscan, Adam said. Throughout Folsom Street there were booths selling BDSM toys, including: leather whips, handcuffs, harnesses and more. Mr. S Leather Co. had a large selection of these as well as masochistic shows for anyone who needed that experience. Participants had the choice of being tied down to a motorcycle or hogtied and hung from monkey bars while they were whipped with leather. “The BDSM is what makes

me come by every year. I can’t get enough of it,” a man who went by the name of Naughty Bit said. One of the festival’s highlights was the charity spanking booth, where for $5 you could get flogged, caned, paddled or whipped. All of the proceeds went to the Stop AIDS Project. “In general we see people who are interested in trying something new, get their kink on, and we provide that for them,” a charity spanking booth worker who called herself Panda said. People dress up like anything they want or don’t dress at all. There were a large number of leather outfits as well as men wearing only accessories. Most women wore tight-fitting corsets that accentuated their chests. “This is my Halloween,” a local attendee named LeAnna said. She wore a burgundy leather corset with a tiny black skirt, black stockings and leather dog collar with a lock on it. This year’s audience also included people wearing mouth guards like those worn by horses pulling carts; people wearing leather masks that concealed their faces and human dogs walking on all fours. “There are so many wonderful people here today,” attendee Trainer Jim said while petting his human puppy, Cooper. “He’s wrestled with so many dogs, it’s great.” Puppy Cooper was in character the whole time, he barked at anyone who approached his trainer and the other “animals” he saw walking by. The Folsom Street Fair is held on the last Sunday of every September. You can visit www. folsomstreetfair.org for more information. Email: efuentes@theguardsman.com PHOTOS BY FRANK LADRA / THE GUARDSMAN

Above: Even the most random of materials can be turned into fashion, as one street fair participant shows the diversity of costuming at San Francisco’s annual Folsom Street Fair on Sept. 26. Below: Musician/producer Jake Brower, better known as Robot Bomb Shelter, performs his latest creations of techno/electronic music on the 12th Street stage at the 2010 Folsom Street Fair. His latest tour has taken his live performances as far as Spain and Japan. Left: A human-driven chariot is just one of many diverse fetishes exhibited at San Francisco’s annual Folsom Street Fair on Sept. 26. Role playing makes up a large part of the city’s leather and fetish community.

Culture&Trends

THE GUARDSMAN

OCTOBER 6, 2010

Arab Cultural Festival

Embracing the beauty of culture By Estela Fuentes THE GUARDSMAN

The Arab Cultural and Community Center brought “el Souq el Arabi,” an Arabic bazaar, to one of San Francisco’s most touristic areas on Oct 2., to celebrate the 16th annual Arab Cultural Festival The bazaar took place in Union Square, where hundreds of Arabs and non Arabs walked through the plaza visiting booths selling, jewelry, scarves, incense, hookahs and food. Jill Castek, who has helped run an Arabic calligraphy booth at the festival three previous years, feels that the best part of the event is “the coming together of all different types of people to celebrate Arab music, Arab food and Arabic art.” Castek added, “I think people get a certain approachability to Arabic culture that they haven’t had before, seeing the joy in people’s faces and the kids dancing and celebrating their identity.” The photo booth, where you could dress yourself in traditional Arabic clothes and take a picture in a Moroccan-style tent, was a first for this year’s festival. There was also a henna booth and informational booths about different Middle Eastern causes. “Its the largest cultural gathering for Arab Americans in Northern California,” Lulu Azzghayer, a cultural program manager at the ACCC, said. Some of the bazaar’s highlights were the live performances. The day started with storytelling for kids. The Golden Threads Fairytale Players

Website Review

New home built for old words By Omri Petitte THE GUARDSMAN

ROBERT ROMANO / THE GUARDSMAN

Ahmed Hashem, with hat, performs debkeh, an Arab dance, with other festival goers to music of Salm Habib featuring the Sami Abu Shumays ensamble at the 16th annual Arab Cultural Festival in Union Square in San Francisco on Oct. 3.

performed “The Girl Who Lost Her Smile,” a story about a girl who one day wakes up sad and makes her city gray because her smile brings out sunshine. Haithem El-Zabri’s favorite part of the event was the entertainment. “The Arab Community benefits by letting their story be heard and known, and by sharing their culture,” he said. There were also musical performances by Moroccan musicians Yassir Chadly and Bouchaib Abdelhadi. The best performance was given by Salma Habib featuring Sami Abu Shumays. Habib interacted with the audience during every song. People in the audience got up from their seats and danced in front of the stage with smiles that stretched from ear to ear. The

enchanting music even attracted tourists, bringing Caucasians and Asians to take part in the dancing. Habib, who flew in from New York just to be a part of the festival, was very excited. The best part was seeing her come down from the stage and dance with the audience, as she embraced the beauty of her heritage. “We have culture. We have folklore that we’re proud of. We have great things to offer that are so beautiful, that it was very important for me to be a part of this for the first time here in San Francisco,” she said. “For me to be a part of this is a great honor.” The festival was started by the ACCC in 1995 at the San Francisco County fair building as a way to bring the Arab community together, and to

teach people about Arabic culture. The ACCC, founded in 1973, is the largest organization in California dedicated to promoting Arabic culture. To promote the festival, the ACCC uses social networking and as many media outlets as possible, but according to Azzghayer, they also rely on word of mouth and regular attendees. “Arabs are very hospitable people and we love to teach people about our culture,” Azzghayer said. “This event is almost like having people over to your house and being able to teach them about your culture by giving them some food and letting them listen to some music, but on a much grander scale.” Email: efuentes@theguardsman.com

Club Review

New night club opening draws a large crowd By Atticus Morris THE GUARDSMAN

San Franciscans turned out en masse on Sept. 25 to celebrate the launch of the Mission’s latest nightclub and art space, Public Works—forming a line by 11 p.m. that stretched literally around the block. The club has a distinctly Spartan appeal, a kind of rugged industrial theme marked by concrete walls and huge I-beams that splay out in various directions. It’s a two-story space, with a massive mezzanine encircling the main dance floor. The rustic wooden bar occupying the far side of the first level sits in front of a wall that looks as if it wasn’t quite finished. The wall’s naked framework creates a perfect system of shelves for storing liquor bottles. The atmosphere is pleasantly devoid of pretension; it bears more than a passing resemblance to an underground warehouse party—one with all the amenities of a firstrate nightclub. This environmental fusion was clearly reflected by the array of patrons. Button-down club goers, Burning Man types and indie nerds were all chopping it up together. “The possibility of a plushed-out space never occurred to any of us,” said Chris Orr, who has been involved with the project in various ways since its inception. “That’s not where we are from. We came up through the underground party culture, and some of the

best nights were just a room with a big sound system.” And the Public Works sound system was blazing, with speakers filling the room full of brain-massaging sonance—hitting those frequencies (somewhere around 50 or 60 hertz) that make the insides of one’s ears itch. Headlining act, Mount Kimbie, went on at 1 a.m. The London-based outfit comprising Kai Campos and Dominic Maker, create music that defies easy categorization. The duo employ a “musique concrete” method of composition, whereby sounds— vocals, guitars, synths, samples, etc.—are stripped of context and re-imagined in new and interesting ways. In addition to playing instruments, Mount Kimbie rely heavily on the use of “found sounds,” or home-made recordings of everyday noises. These sundry aural bits are spliced, processed and interwoven to form intricate micro-sculptures of exquisite melodious noise. In other words, it’s head(phone) music, the kind you can really get lost in. When performed live, this enveloping quality of the music not only remained intact, but was amplified 100-fold on a large sound system in a room full of people. The set itself, which involved Macbooks, guitars, pedals, a drum set and various effect processors, was sublime. Not content with merely playing the material as it was recorded, Campos and Maker stripped things away, added new

melodies, banged on a drum kit, sang and generally improvised all over their compositions. At one frenetic point, the structure of a song completely broke down, its percussive elements scattering like 1,000 marbles into polyrhythmic entropy, only to rejoin again perfectly on the downbeat. Public Works is tucked away in a back alley between off of Mission Street between 14th and Duboce. The side of the building is graced by a colorful mural, which began with an illicit piece by renowned English street artist Banksy, and was later filled in by various local artists. Located on the upper level, just off of the mezzanine is a large space set up specifically for artists. The plan is to select four each month for “residency.” The artists will enjoy 30 days of rent-free workspace, and at the end of the month have their art displayed in a show. The folks behind Public Works see the project as a means to enrich local culture by connecting artistic and business interests. “Everything new culturally, comes from blurring the lines,” Orr said. “The key word is ‘eclectic.’ We want to celebrate the city for all its diversity—not like some bumper sticker or coffee mug cliché, but as something we’ve all lived through.” Email: amorris@theguardsman.com

In “The Legend of Zelda,” Link’s master sword gets all the attention, but one shouldn't discount his brilliant sagittipotence. Naked Snake's frutescent adeptness contributes to his low-profile and sneaky nature in “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.” Whoa. Did a dictionary just land on my head? Is my situational dyslexia acting up again? Was my brain secretly replaced with that of a grandiloquent British gentleman of the 1800s? Nope. I've merely stumbled upon the diminutive and surprisingly entertaining website, www.savethewords. org Save the Words is a spaghetti bowl of distinctly defined, albeit complexsounding, words. Being able to neatly describe Link's great ability in archery (sagittipotence) and Snake's penchant for blending in with his shrubfilled surroundings (frutescent), is loads of fun. The brainy folks behind the Oxford English Dictionary started the website as both a storage space, and an exhibit for disused words. Every year, antiquated words are sadly yanked out of dictionaries to fade into obscurity. Oxford's ambitious project not only shelters these words from oblivion, but it also can considerably expand one’s terminology. We all know that words provide vibrancy and color to language, so it’s disappointing that the vocabulary in today's media is so dismally limited. Overworked words such as “groundbreaking,” “phenomenal” and “mediocre,” have quickly lost their luster when repeated through ads. To echo a certain presidential slogan festooned across bumper stickers, “it's time for change.” Go ahead, dive into the website and see what words jump out at you. Then, as a fun brain-bending exercise, write a short blurb (one or two sentences) about your favorite game, sport, class, or activity around campus, incorporating at least one word from the website. Send them to efuentes@theguardsman.com, and we'll publish the blurbs that impresses us or make us laugh the loudest. In closing, I'll avunculize for a moment: Don't worry if you dip into quibbleism or boreism, this is a locupletative exercise. In other words, have fun! Email: email@theguardsman.com

Culture&Trends

OCTOBER 6, 2010

THE GUARDSMAN

City college hosts Latino heritage events By Catherine Lee THE GUARDSMAN

City College’s Rosenberg Library and Resource Center is hosting a free arts and lecture series for the October celebration of Latina/o Heritage Month, with

events at five different campuses. The series includes unique lectures and cultural events that will be in the main library during class hours to make it easy for students and faculty to attend. “This particular program of lectures is put together by library

staffers and seeks to support and augment the CCSF curriculum,” the series organizer and City College librarian Mauro Garcia said. In addition to the author reading, slide presentations of historical postcard art, films and musical

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When Fracchia asked his audience if anyone recognized the names Ortega, Portola, Anza, Sutter, De Haro or Noe, he got a roomful of head nods. He proceeded to explain how the names of these Mexican settlers and explorers got onto all the California street and neighborhood markers. “In 1833 the Mexican California government in Monterey gave out … land grants to settlers, and those lands were called Ranchos,” he said. Rancho families became the developing force that changed California’s landscape into one sculpted by cattle both financially and environmentally. Costa said part of the reason he wanted to hear Fracchia’s lecture was because his “grandfather was born at Rancho Camulos in Ventura County.” The audience was composed of 50 adults, most of whom are in Jose Cuellar’s “History of the Mexican–American/Chicano” class. Cuellar appreciated the timing of the lecture series. His class was also scheduled to attend the next presentation at Ocean campus, “The Violent Lens: Photo Postcards of the Mexican Revolution.” After Fracchia’s lecture, students and faculty members had a lively discussion with Fracchia about race and migration in California. The event only broke up because it was the end of the class period. In addition to teaching at City College, Cuellar is a musician who plays with Dr. Loco and his Rockin’ Jalapeño Band. Email: clee@theguardsman.com

N A T I O N A L

demonstrations, the Rosenberg library has a month–long display on the fourth floor defining the critical dates that make 2010 an important anniversary for Mexico. In September of 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla made his famous “Grito de Dolores,” which was the “shout” for Mexican independence from the Spanish. In 1910, the Mexican Revolution roared to life, seeking social and economic justice through government reformation. The library display will be supplemented by the show “Soil and Soul of Chihuahua” at the Back to the Picture Latin American gallery, Nov. 6-28. Garcia and fellow college librarian Anthony Costa think the turnout will be big for the lecture and discussion with the labor rights leader, Dolores Huerta. “That’s going to be special,” they both agreed. In 1962 Huerta co–founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez before going on to co–found the United Farm Workers of America, which profoundly changed how farm workers are treated on the job. Garcia and Costa attended a presentation given by Charles Fracchia, a City College librarian and author who founded the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society. Fracchia jauntily breezed through hundreds of years of California history to get his audience up to speed for his main course, “Californios and Ranchos: Life in Alto California, 1822-1846.”

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Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, speaks at the Latino Heritage event at the Muli-use buliding on Sept. 27. Huerta discusses the correlation between the 14th Amendment and the efforts of undocumented workers to gain citizenship.

10 |

Sports

THE GUARDSMAN

OCTOBER 6, 2010

RAMS - 62 VS. DE ANZA - 3

Defense strong against Dons in win By Ryan Kuhn THE GUARDSMAN

DONALD HAMILTON / THE GUARDSMAN

City College strong safety Deshawn Marman tackles De Anza’s tight end Mark Peithe in a 62-3 rout of the Dons to improve their record to 4-0 on the season.

The phrase ‘defense wins championships’ has apparently been planted in the minds of City College’s football players, as the Rams have only given up three points in the last two games. After allowing 18 points in their first road game two weeks ago, the defense has not allowed a single touchdown since as they defeated De Anza College 62-3, on Oct 2 to keep their perfect record, now 4-0, in tact. Head coach George Rush knows first hand what his defense is capable of. “They are fast and they play hard and they play tough,” Rush said. “They are physical and they knock the crap out of you.” Not only did the defense hold De Anza out of the end zone, but the No. 1-rated defense in Northern California also scored 14 points for the Rams on two fumble recoveries. Sophomore linebacker Sua Tuala scored one of those touchdowns, as he ran 70 yards on a Dons fumble. “It was a blitz and I just picked up the ball and ran as hard as I could,” Tuala said. With defense staying sharp, the offense also has been putting up numbers of their own, scoring over 60 points for the second game in a row. With the combination of a rushing and passing attack, and a total of seven touchdowns, City College finished with 588 yards of total offense, 320 yards more than the De Anza.

Running back Kenny Haynes who ran for 53 yards and a touchdown feels very happy with the offense, but knows there is always room for improvement. “We put a lot of work into the offense but I don’t think we reached our peak yet,” Haynes said. “We have great playmakers and once we reach our peak, no one can stop us. Working together, believing in each other and trusting each other is going to get us where we want to be.” Another part of the Rams offense is sophomore quarterback Steele Jantz, who is second in passing yards and third in touchdown passes in Northern California. Jantz finished the game 13-19 for 296 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 34 yards and a touchdown. Even with the perfect record and a No. 2 ranking in the state, Rush knows that challenges will be ahead in the form of Butte and San Mateo colleges and improvement will be needed in some areas. One of those areas is limiting penalties; the Rams committed 23 penalties for 218 yards and have the third most penalty yards in the state. “We need to limit those penalties,” Rush said. “We can’t make mental mistakes.” City College returns home next week to a brand new field at Rams Stadium where they will host San Joaquin Delta College on Oct 16. Kick off is at 1 p.m.

Email: rkuhn@theguardsman.com

RAMS - 3 VS. CAÑADA - 0

Women’s soccer stays atop Coast Conference By Ryan Kuhn THE GUARDSMAN

The three goals scored early in the first half were all it took for women’s soccer to stay atop the Coast Conference standings, defeating Cañada College 3-0, on Oct. 1. For the fifth time this season the Rams shut out their opponent, improving their record to 6-1-2 (2-0-2), one win more than all of last year. Head coach Gabe Saucedo knows the key to this season’s success. “They\ have talent and that’s important,” Saucedo said. “But they also have desire and hustle. They are very committed and have an outstanding work rate.” The Rams got out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by forwards Tera Piserchio and Alex Monta-

no.

Piserchio, a freshman defender from College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, leads the team with six goals this season. As the first half was winding down, City College got their final goal on a rebound by Gelila Mengistu, who headed it past the Colts’ goal keeper. During halftime, Saucedo told his team that they could not let up. “Getting out to a 3-0 lead was so important,” Saucedo said. “During halftime we talked about defense and knew they would come out strong.” With five of the eight shots on goal coming in the second half for Cañada, Rams goal keeper Jhosselyn Alvarenga kept her team on top finishing with two big saves, both coming in the second half. Alvarenga has a total of 15

ROBERT ROMANO / THE GUARDSMAN

Freshman Forward Tara Piserchio sets up for a goal in the first half as the Rams defeat Cañada College by the score of 3-0.

saves on the year and knows how important her role is. “My job is to not let them shoot or get any good shots,” Alvarenga said. The defense has been a big part of the Rams success this season; they’ve held opponents to only six goals all year. Showing vast improvement between this year and last, not only can City College see it, but

their opponents as well. “This is the best City team they have ever had,” said Cañada head coach Kurt Delvin. “They are a lot more athletic and a lot more talented.” Focusing on defense and vastly outscoring their opponents, the team is focused on the possibility of a conference championship. “A conference championship is a goal but there are steps

to get there,” Saucedo said. “We measure our success on improvement, friendship and commitment. A title would just be the icing on the cake.” The Rams play their next game on Friday, Oct 8 as they host Mission College who is winless this year. Kick off is at 1 p.m. Email: rkuhn@theguardsman.com

Calendar

OCTOBER 6, 2010

Calendar for October 6 - October 19

WED

THUR

Ca.m.pus Events

FRI

La Cultura Cura: Cultural Traditions in Health Services Ocean Campus Rosenberg Library, Room 304 Free 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Author Larry-bob Roberts Visits Modern Times BookStore 888 Valencia St. Free 7 p.m.

Liz Kennedy performs at Union Square Free 6-8 p.m.

Historian Thaddeus Russell discusses “A Renegade History of the United States” City Lights Bookstore 261 Columbus Ave. Free 7 p.m.

Surf For Life movie night 2 movies: 7:00 North Shore 8:30 God went Surfing with the Devil corner of Quintara and Great Highway Free 5 p.m.

WED

THUR Jim Henson & Friends: Inside the Sesame Street Vault Film Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 701 Mission St. $8 7:30 p.m.

How to Cook Like a Scientist, Bazaar Cafe 5927 California St. Free 7 p.m.

David Levinson discusses book Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins, Books Inc 601 Van Ness St. Free 7 p.m.

Maiden Lane at Hotel Utah 500 4th St. $8 8:30 p.m. Mercury Soul: DJ + Classical Music 111 Minna St. $5 5 p.m.

MON

In Defense of Immigrant Rights John Adams Campus Auditorium Free 1:15-2:45 p.m.

Surf For Life movie night 2 movies: 7:00 Surf’s up 8:30 Idiosyncrasies corner of Quintara and Great Highway Free 5 p.m.

Food and Tech: A Recipe for Better Eating Ferry Building Free 12 p.m.

Lauren Conrad Book Signing Cal Student Store UC Berkeley Free 5-6 p.m.

Super Nerd Night, Rogue Ales Public Houses 673 Union St. Free 7 p.m.

SAT

SUN

MON

Got a classified ad? You could see that ad here. Contact our Advertising Manger for more information about rates and publication deadlines at (415) 239-3446.

Classified Ads

TUES

CCSF vs Butte College Ocean Campus 1 p.m.

Pumpkin Festival Downtown Half Moon Bay Free 9 a.m.

Death Guild; Goth night at DNA Lounge 375 11th St. $3 before 10p.m. $5 after 9:30p.m.

Alternative Press Expo (APE) Concourse Exhibition Center 620 7th St. $10-20 9 a.m.

Open Mic with Taco Tuesday JJ Schultz Happy Hour Hotel Utah Triple Crown 500 4th St. 1772 Market St. 21+ 5:30 to 9:30p.m. Free sign ups starts at 7:30 p.m.

C A L IF O R N IA

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Classifieds

TUES

Author Steve Johnson visits The Booksmith 1644 Haight St. Free 7:30p.m.

Veterans Center Grand Opening Cloud Hall Rm 332 Free 4-6 p.m.

SUN

Community Events

Sopranos of Union Square Union Square Free 2-4 p.m.

CCSF vs Delta College Football game Ocean Campus 1 p.m.

FRI

La Cultura Cura: Cultural Traditions in Health Services Southeast Campus Alex Pitcher Community Room Free 12:30 – 2 p.m.

SAT

Activism and Community Organizing: The Experience of an Urban Muralist Downtown Campus Room 821 Free 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

THE GUARDSMAN

Robert Alter discusses “The Wisdom books” at BJE Jewish Community Library 1835 Ellis St. Free 7 p.m.

50 cents per word. $5 minimum for commercial advertisers. City College students, staff and faculty qualify for one free classified per semester. Multiple ads not accepted. MuSt. show current student ID. Commercial ads not accepted from students. Acceptance of ads at the discretion of The Guardsman.

Article Submissions To submit tips on stories contact: Editor-in-Chief (415) 239-3446 Fax: (415) 239-3884 editor@theguardsman.com

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