Vol. 162, Issue 1 | August 24–September 6, 2016 | City College of San Francisco | Since 1935 | FREE
Finally teaching under contract City College faculty approve contract agreement following summer negotiations By Teddy Luther tluther@theguardsman.com
In a vote held during the first full week of fall classes, members of City College’s faculty union AFT 2121 voted in approval of a tentative agreement that was reached in mid-July. The deal was negotiated in a week-long session this summer following a fact-finder’s recommendation for the administration and union to return to a mediator for the talks. While a final vote count was unable to be revealed at the time of print, AFT 2121 Executive Director Chris Hanzo said that the vote had passed overwhelmingly. “At this time, 97 percent yes,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to be quite that high, but there were no major concessions. That made it easier for everyone.” The three-year contract guarantees an 11.4-14 percent pay increase for faculty members, and will apply to both full-time and part-time faculty. “During the last few years, faculty at City College of San Francisco have gone above and beyond to defend, improve and rebuild our college,” AFT 2121 President Tim Killikelly said. “This agreement will support faculty in delivering quality and accessible public higher education.” Faculty have been working without a contract for over a year. During the long and contentious negotiations, both
AFT members, teachers, students and protesters march down Market Street, toward the Civic Center campus of City College as part of the faculty strike on April 27, 2016. (File photo by Bridgid Skiba/The Guardsman)
sides accused the other of unfair bargaining. The division between the two sides became most apparent during April’s faculty strike, the first time the union had ever gone on strike. “Our united power was clearly demonstrated during our high-participation strike,” Killikelly said, “which was supported by community, students and elected officials, and
moved the district to make a deal before the issuance of the fact-finding report.” In earlier negotiations, the administration had offered a AFT contract continues on page 3
National title defense: Can the Rams go back-to-back? By Dakari Thomas dthomas@theguardsman.com
The City College Rams are looking to add to their ring collection after winning the National Junior College Football Championship for the 10th time last fall. It was their first title under new head coach Jimmy Collins, who took over the program after the 2014 season from George Rush, the winningest head coach in junior college history. The Rams will need some new stars to step up their game if they don’t want to succumb to a championship hangover. With 10 starters from last year transferring after receiving scholarships, competition will be fierce in fall camp between the incoming freshmen and motivated returners. The departure of their entire starting linebacker core that included Khalil Hodge football preview continues on page 8
By Bethaney Lee blee@theguardsman.com
City College football players scrimmage at George Rush Stadium on Aug. 17, 2016 in preparation of defending their state and national championship titles. (Photo by Izar Decleto/The Guardsman)
CULTURE
Street art roots shape City College alum's black and white shoots PAGE 5
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New conditions for summer financial aid prove stifling
To be considered a full-time student and claim the full amount of a financial aid award package during a summer semester at City College has now been made nearly impossible due to the internal college policies and stringent Federal Pell Grant regulations. In order for a student to be considered full-time during a summer semester, they are required to take the “maximum of eight units,” says Lisa Romano, chair of the New Students Counseling department. “The summer term is short and intense. Class meets more often and for longer hours,” Romano continued. “Depending on the course that a student wants to enroll in, we may advise that they only take one course. In other instances, we might suggest 2 courses.” This becomes a large problem for students seeking funding and services through the Financial Aid Office. “For financial aid purposes, full-time is considered different than our enrolled full-time students. It is the same process as fall and spring through financial aid, so it’s 12 or more units for summer to be considered full-time,” said Elizabeth Coria, dean of financial aid. “It is really not advisable for a student to take 12 units in the summer,” Romano summer financial aid continues on page 3
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2 | news
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
News Briefs City College student found dead Staff Editor-in-Chief Teddy Luther News Editor Cassie Ordonio Photo Editor Franchon Smith Culture Editor Shannon Cole Sports Editor Dakari Thomas Opinion Editor Nancy Chan Copy Editors Nancy Chan David Horowitz Marco Siler-Gonzales
A City College student was found dead in a Westfield San Francisco Centre stairwell on Aug. 12, according to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Frank Galicia, a 28-year-old chef who attended City College during the summer semester, had recently started working at upscale downtown restaurant Sons & Daughters. What was initially ruled a homicide by the SFPD is now being referred to as a suspicious death following an autopsy by a medical examiner. Details on the cause of Galicia’s death are still under investigation by detectives and medical examiners.
BART station closures continue
Design Director James Fanucchi Online News and Social Media Director Shannon Cole Advertising Manager Cara Stucker Staff Writers Kyle Honea Bethaney Lee Gabriela Reni John Ortilla Staff Photographer Izar Decleto Agustina Perretta Staff Illustrator Aruyana Rodriguez Contributors Marcus Lee Warren Sanchez Erin Schwab Bridgid Skiba Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales Reach us at Twitter and Instagram @theguardsman #CCSFjournalism Facebook /theguardsman Youtube theguardsmanonline theguardsman.com Mail 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Bungalow 615 Phone (415) 239-3446 Affiliates
The Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority will continue the closure of BART tracks for four additional weekends between now and October. BART train tracks will be closed from Glen Park to Daly City Station during Sept. 3-5, Sept.
City Cafe closed for fall semester City Cafe is closed for the fall semester, leaving City College’s Ocean campus with three options for food on campus. Located on the second floor of the Student Union building, the cafe had been serving students from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every semester. The cafe served a variety of house specials and sandwiches to students at affordable prices. It was popular to students because of its central location on campus and large dining area, which made it a convenient study spot. This comes on the heels of the Crown Catering food truck’s decampment last fall from its parking place next to the Visual Arts building. These closures have left the cafeteria, The Lunchbox and MUB’s Chasing Lions Cafe as the only spots to buy meals on campus. There is no information yet on how City Cafe’s space will be utilized, or if the owner of the cafe will return next spring.
City College welcomes new women's soccer coach
The Rams women’s soccer team, which has won the Coast-North conference championship the past six years, will be defending their title under a new head coach this year. Having coached the men’s program at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory since 2000, Jeff Wilson will make the transition to the community college ranks. He led Sacred Heart to the Central Coast Section Championships six times. Wilson hopes to continue both his and City’s winning ways. “I look at this as a privilege,” Wilson said. “I am very excited. I think we have a great base to work off of. It’s exciting for me to be in a community college setting where people are hungry to learn.” Prior to his time at Sacred Heart, Wilson was an assistant coach on the men’s teams at his alma mater, San Francisco State University, as well as at Skyline College. Wilson has a FIFA-recognized United States Soccer Federation National “A” license, which is the highest amateur coaching certification in the U.S.
Do you have any City College events that you would like included in The Guardsman calendar? Send event information to accionjg@aim.com and tluther@theguardsman.com
August & September Events SPORTS Women's soccer: Rams vs. Skyline Trojans
The six-time defending conference champions take to the pitch to kick off their 2016 season. For more information on all City College athletics, visit http://ccsfathletics.com/landing/index Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2 p.m. Skyline College, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno, CA
Men's Soccer: Rams vs. Napa Valley Storm
The men's soccer team will look to get back to the state playoffs for the first year since their 2nd place state finish in 2012. Their season begins with a non-conference home game against the Storm. Friday, Sept. 2, 4 p.m. City College soccer field, Ocean campus
Football: Rams vs. Laney Eagles
Support the City College football team as they begin their defense of last year's state and National Junior College Championship titles. Friday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. Laney College, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, CA $5 for students, $10 for GA
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17-18, Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 15-16. The closures, which began in July, take trains out of service so repair crews can work around the clock on repairs and upgrades. According to a BART press release, crews will focus on adding sound-dampening equipment, tree-trimming along the tracks and repairs to Balboa Park Station. A bus bridge will be put in place to transport BART riders from Glen Park to stations affected by the closures. Riders are encouraged to add 20 to 45 minutes to their commute and expect additional delays.
ARTS
Now & Then: The Work of David Simpson
Elaine Moreno photo Famed Bay Area painter and San exhibition: "Concrete Memory" Francisco State graduate David
City College's photography department will exhibit a blackand-white photo collection of dreams and memories put together by City College student Elaine Moreno. For more information on Moreno's photography, visit http://elaaaame. wixsite.com/moreno
Simpson will have over 50 years of his artwork presented at Haines Gallery. His paintings have been featured at public and private galleries around the world. To view his website, go to hainesgallery.com. For more information on the exhibit, visit http://www.sfstation. Reception: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 6-8 p.m. com/now-and-then-the-work-ofExhibit open from Aug. 16 to Sept. 10 david-simpson-e2299631 Gallery Obscura, Visual Arts Building, Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30-7 p.m. Room 160, Ocean Campus
15th Annual San Francisco Zine Fest
Join over 220 artists including guests of honor MariNaomi and Ajuan Mance in what sfzinefest. org calls "Northern California's oldest and largest DIY publishing festival." There will be workshops, panels, food, a dedicated kidfriendly section and the SFZF Zine Library to explore. For more information, visit http:// www.sfzinefest.org/ Sunday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park Free
Haines Gallery, 49 Geary St. Suite 540, San Francisco Free
Çity College club allocation fund deadlines
City College clubs must complete their creation/renewal process by Sept. 15 to receive $200 in allocation funding from the Associated Students Council. The process can be delayed until the second deadline on Sept. 29, but funding would then only by $100. For more information on the Inter Club Council, visit http://www.ccsf. edu/en/student-services/studentactivities/icc.html or contact Elson Law at icc@mail.ccsf.edu
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news | 3
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
Free City initiative awaits public vote Tuition-free proposal will be on the November ballot By Cassie Ordonio & Teddy Luther cordonio@theguardsman.com tluther@theguardsman.com
After going through numerous rounds of voting, Supervisor Jane Kim’s Free City proposal is one step closer to giving the majority of City College students a tuitionfree education for the first time since 1983. Kim introduced the bill in April. On July 12, the SF Board of Supervisors approved its progression to the ballot in a 10-1 vote, with Supervisor Mark Farrell the lone dissenter. The day before the vote, chants for Free City College echoed throughout San Francisco’s City Hall as City College’s teachers union (AFT 2121) teamed with student and alumni supporters to march through each Board of Supervisor’s office. “Having Free City would mean more money could be saved for the future and go towards living expenses,” City College student Win-Mon Kyi said. The proposal would ensure free tuition for all San Francisco residents, as well as those who work at least half-time in the City. Per 2015 enrollment estimates, that would cover more than 80 percent of the City College student body.
The proposal is two-fold. What will be presented to voters in November is an increase in the real estate transfer tax for properties valued at $5 million or more. This tax increase would legally go into the city’s general fund. The second part of the proposal states that the Board of Supervisors intends to use the newly generated tax funds to make City College tuition-free. If approved, the recently named Proposition W will generate an estimated $40 million annually. City College officials estimate that fully funding the Free City proposal would cost an average of $13 million per year. This number could increase if the college’s enrollment stabilizes. “Sadly, some people in San Francisco still think City College is closed or is about to close,” AFT 2121 member Alisa Messer said. “When San Francisco makes the college free, it will be clear that the city has wrapped its arms around City College. I think this will provide a very public vote of confidence for our college and all it does for our community.” After battling the accreditation crisis in 2013 and 2014, AFT 2121 members are hoping a tuition-free college will boost enrollment. “It’s one of our highest priorities for the upcoming elections,” AFT 2121 President Tim Killikelly
summer financial aid continued from page 1 said. As a general rule, a counselor will not sign off on this. If a student were to do the unadvisable and find a counselor willing to let them take 12 units, they would be committing to six weeks of classes at five days a week, with an estimated in-class time of 25 hours per week. Factoring in the two to three hours per unit of homework given in a semester unit, then doubling it to adjust for a condensed summer term schedule, a student would be responsible for a study period of 48-72 hours. Combined with in-class time (25 hours), the Financial Aid Office expects a staggering total of 73-97 hours from full-time summer students.
Student supporters Snapchat during their march with AFT members through the Board of Supervisors' offices in San Francisco City Hall on July 12, 2016. The rally is to support free education at City College. (Photo by Cassie Ordonio/The Guardsman)
said, referring to Proposition W. “We think the plan we’ve come up with serves the needs of all groups in our community.” AFT 2121 is collaborating with approximately 100 organizations, including students and prominent community members, in support of the ballot measure. City College’s Board of Trustees has announced its full support of Proposition W as well.
“Whatever a counselor decides to see fit to sign off on, they can do. But there are students who took 12 units over the summer,” Coria said. There are 168 hours in a week. If eight hours are reserved for sleeping each day, that would leave 112 waking hours. This would leave a student with only 15-39 hours per week for transportation to and from school, meals, paying bills and maintaining a life. “There is a calculation, there’s a formula,” Coria said. “Some institutions have the flexibility in how they want to determine themselves as an institution. For enrollment purposes, the school can consider themselves full or half-time. CCSF has chosen that full-time in summer is eight units. That is CCSF’s internal policy and the decision they made.”
City College students wait in line at the financial aid office in Conlan Hall on Aug. 17, 2016. (Photo by Izar Decleto/The Guardsman)
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Board of Trustees member Amy Bachrach believes Free City would build on her vision of a San Francisco “where our budgets reflect our priorities.” City College units are $46 each, totaling up to $1,000 per year for a full-time student. The proposal intends to eliminate all tuition costs. For those students whose tuition is already covered by financial aid,
Free City would offer additional financial support (up to $1000 per year) for costs such as textbooks, supplies and transportation. “Having Free City means I can take more classes that can further enrich my learning experience,” Kyi said. “I can take classes I've always wanted to take, but put aside for later because of prioritizing the classes for my major.”
New contract gives faculty retroactive pay raise for 2015-16 school year AFT contract continued from page 1 7.19 percent pay raise over two years. The union was initially in search of an 18.19 percent pay raise over three years. AFT 2121 considers the third year a huge win because it will protect faculty from salary cuts during the 2017-18 school year, when City College’s stabilization funding ends. The 2015-16 school year is technically the first year of the contract, meaning faculty will receive a retroactive pay increase for last year. “People are pleased with the significant back-pay and overall increase in compensation,” Hanzo said. “People have been hurting for so long...so we’ve had a lot of positive feedback.” A portion of the raise is based on enrollment contingencies. For every 500 full-time equivalent students enrolled above 2015-16 levels, faculty will receive an additional one percent increase. AFT 2121 felt comfortable moving forward with this clause, in light of the anticipated success of the Free City College proposal that will go in front of voters in November. Overall enrollment numbers are expected to spike if the free tuition proposal passes. City College Marketing Director Jeff Hamilton acknowledged the Chancellor’s office relief in being able to move forward following the contract negotiations. “We’re happy to be able to provide these raises to our classified staff while at the same time remaining fiscally responsible,” Hamilton said. “Now we can turn
our attention to the upcoming accreditation visit in October.” One of the biggest non-financial issues in the negotiations had been the District’s desire to be able to cancel classes that have low enrollment numbers. While the union
"We've already made a pivot to fighting against ill-advised cuts to low-enrollment classes and departments"
– Chris Hanzo, AFT 2121 Executive Director
was unable to lower class size minimums, they were able to stop a concession that would have made it easier for the district to cancel low-enrolled classes. “We’ve already made a pivot to fighting against ill-advised cuts to low-enrolled classes and departments,” Hanzo said. “We are pushing back against the cuts by the administration which we think are only going to hurt enrollment.” Following the struggles of the past four years from the accreditation crisis to a special trustees board to labor negotiations, it appears most City College faculty will be starting the 2016-17 school year with at least a little more stability.
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4 | culture
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
Left: The flag of the Philippine Islands is raised along Market Street during the Pistahan Parade on Aug 14, 2016. Right: Lily Ann Villaraza, chair of City College's Philippine Studies department, tosses candy to the crowd along the parade route in front of the chancellor and other school representatives.
Interdisciplinary Studies department celebrates Filipino heritage
In celebration of Filipino and Filipino-American culture, the Philippine Studies department and City College’s Outreach program participated in the 23rd annual Pistahan parade from San Francisco Civic Center to Yerba Buena Gardens. Pistahan is the largest celebration of Filipino culture in the U.S. The two-day event displayed colorful floats and traditional dancing, followed by a festival highlighting contemporary and traditional music, art, crafts, cuisine and artifacts. The Philippine Studies department has participated in the parade every year. The department aims to provide awareness and education of the Philippines and FilipinoAmerican history.
Photos and story by Cassie Ordonio
A group of young women and men dance together in the Pistahan Parade down San Francisco's Market Street.
City College's ram mascot takes in the scene at City Hall following the Pistahan Parade.
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A spectator snaps a selfie with one of the dancers in traditional Filipino attire.
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culture | 5
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
From drifter to capturer: City alum keeps it street-smart
Photographer Travis Jensen promotes his artwork at Book and Job Art Gallery on Aug. 5, 2016. (Photo by Cassie Ordonio/ The Guardsman)
By Cassie Ordonio cordonio@theguardsman.com
When he was 18, Travis Jensen moved to the city he considered a skateboard mecca. He was following advice of a homeless man who called San Francisco the “lost city of Atlantis.” He went from couch surfing to pursuing his dream of becoming a photographer. The self-taught photographer, now 37, has had his photos published by 17 companies, including Apple, Acura, Budweiser and KQED. “To be a photographer, you have to be
a character yourself,” Jensen said. Jensen used graffiti to tell stories in the early 2000s, but found himself desiring to appeal to a larger audience. “I couldn’t put my finger on it,” he said. “It wasn’t until I got into photography. That was the missing component.” It became the universal medium he used to extend his reach to others. While attending City College, he gained an interest in journalism through his desire to write and communicate with others. But after graduating, he still felt something was missing. Jensen went on to write for local businesses, including the San Francisco Chronicle
and The Hundreds. project called “Mr. Skweenz,” with the “I find his writing refreshingly conversa- help of street photographer Rasta Dave and tional—he doesn’t hold back and tells it like videographer Jane Wayne Swayze. On Aug. 5, a gallery and music video it is,” said Alina Nguyen, editor-in-chief of The Hundreds. “His photography is deeply were presented at Book and Job on Geary personal and comes from the gut. He cares Street in the Tenderloin. “We don’t want to be portrayed as a more than most people and that’s what I gang, but really we’re a bunch of dudes that think is immediately evident.” Roaming the streets of San Francisco, grew up in the neighborhood,” Dave said. he became fascinated and familiar with his “Hopefully it will make people think differenvironment, and began taking pictures of ently about our hood.” The project made Jensen miss San his surroundings. At the time, he wasn’t aware this was Francisco. He and his family moved to Los Angeles a year ago because of the rising cost called street photography. His photographic style fit skate culture of living in the Bay. “If I didn’t have kids I could make it work, and caught the attention of Van Styles, the but raising a family today in San Francisco owner of t-shirt company Visual Apparel. The two worked together in 2013, is next to impossible,” he said. “Los Angeles seemed like the when Styles best option.” offered Jensen He is the opportunity currently workto photograph ing toward and have his publishing his work published next book “San for the company, Francisco: Seven which is sold in Year Cycle.” PacSun and local The book skate shops. Ten details his expeof his photos rience living in were printed on the city and how shirts sold across Travis Jenson gives away photographs to his the U.S., Canada, supporters at Book and Job Gallery on Aug. 5, it made him into Japan and several 2016. (Photo by Cassie Ordonio/ The Guardsman) who he is now. “I wake up European every morning and thank the universe for countries. “I felt his work was honest, compelling allowing me this incredible opportunity,” he said. “Though difficult at times, being and creative,” Styles said. Jensen’s creativity didn’t stop there. He hands-on in all areas has helped me learn directed a music video and photography the photo business inside and out.”
Welcoming our first full-time Pacific Islander instructor By Cassie Ordonio
City College with a clear sense of how I will impact the community cordonio@theguardsman.com and the world.” Palaita is also hoping to turn The City College Board of Trustees City College's Critical Pacific Islands confirmed the full-time tenure track Studies certificate into an associate of Dr. David Palaita of the interof arts degree. The proposal is disciplinary studies department currently under review with the on June 9. college’s curriculum committee. Palaita is the first Pacific “This is a big deal for our Islander to hold a full-time community,” Palaita said. “If position at City College after there is anyone that should be teaching as an adjunct profesrecognized, it should be the sor for nine years. current and former instruc“I was elated and just really tors of City College who have happy—stunned,” said Palaita. worked tirelessly to support these “I know there were many more efforts. I only hope I can live up qualified candidates.” to their expectations.” Palaita is a first generation According to Palaita, the college graduate. After earnprogram has already won ing a Ph.D in ethnic studies at approval from City College’s the University of Berkeley, the Academic Senate and the Office former McNair scholar continof Student Equity for more than ues to teach for the sake of college $85,000 of state equity funding students’ higher education. for the 2016-2017 school year. He began his career “We’re glad that there’s a co-teaching Pacific Islands full time leader now that can Studies courses at the move that department, and the University of Washington as broader goal is that we’re trying an undergraduate in 2002. Professor David Palaita of the to reach for equity to move Later, he taught courses for the Interdisciplinary Studies department is the forward,” Interim Chancellor UC Berkeley Upward Bound first Pacific Islander to be promoted to Susan Lamb said. program, Camp Unity and San full-time faculty at City College. (Photo by Interdisciplinary Studies Cassie Ordonio/The Guardsman) Francisco county jails. Department Chair Lauren Palaita started teaching at Muller echoes Chancellor City College in 2007. He gradu- what I wanted to do in academia,” Lamb’s excitement in having Palaita ally established the Bay Area’s former student Terrilyn Woodfin represent City College in the greater first Critical Pacific Islands Studies said. “However, upon taking community and beyond. program in 2013, which was later Introduction to Ethnic Studies with “David Palaita’s hiring is a boon adopted by College of San Mateo Dr. Palaita, the direction was clear for the entire district,” Muller said. as well. to me. Now I have graduated from
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His students are given the opportunity to be published in “Matamai,” a Pacific Studies anthology book series. “When I came to City College, I didn’t have a concrete plan as to
on campus? n o m é k o P r fo Looking nd works of a s n o ti a c lo g The followin Pokéstops. re a s u p m a c n a art at Oce Locations: The Truth Shall Make You Free inscription on Science Hall Austin White Memorial and Wildflower Garden Friends of the Library Bookstore Wellness Center south entrance Cloud Hall Reading Garden CCSF Sign on Ocean Ave. Diego Rivera Theatre CCSF Student Union Chasing Lions Cafe Rosenberg Library The Lunch Box CCSF Garden City Cafe
Works of art: North Science Hall mosaic South Science Hall mosaic Sentinels by Aristides Demetrios CCSF Sundial by August Tiesselink Mermaid fountain (in campus garden) Wyoming Coup by William Wareham Facial Sculpture (back of Batmale Hall) Bicentennial Wings by Jacques Overhoff El Rey (The King) in Diego Rivera Theater Stone Whales by Beniamino Benvenuto Bufano St Francis of the Guns by Beniamino Benvenuto Bufano
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6 | opinion
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
Outspoken NBA stars shine brighter By Dakari Thomas dthomas@theguardsman.com
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have been extremely reluctant to speak up on social issues pertaining to the black community. We’ve been left in the dark whenever they were asked to shed light on their perspectives regarding political scandals or national outcry. Athletes with the most recognizable faces in our country did not want to use their platform to express their views, which is cowardly at face value. How can athletes that benefit from local support not speak up when locals are in despair? The sad truth is that professional basketball players generally do not care enough or do not want to damage any business relationships they hold. There have been exceptions—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell were promoters for social change. Abdul-Jabbar accepted a Cultural Ambassador of the United States position after years of being an activist and best-selling author. Russell was very vocal during his time as a player, speaking out about social injustices and racial prejudice. Most notably, he once praised Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War. By and large, though, social commentary has not been something quintessential
superstars of the league have taken by the horns. This changed drastically in 2014 when Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was caught on tape telling his mistress not to bring black people—including Hall of Famer Magic Johnson—to his games. He received a lifetime ban from the NBA and was publically called out on many media outlets by the game's biggest stars. “There’s no room for that in our league,” Lebron James said. Later that year, Eric Garner was choked to death in broad daylight by a police officer because he was suspected of selling "loosies" (single cigarettes) from packs without tax stamps. With the officer's arm around his neck, Garner was heard screaming “I can’t breathe,” which became a phrase symbolizing the protest against police brutality. Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose highlighted the rampant support from NBA athletes by donning pre-game warm-up shirts with Garner’s last words on them. It was a true show of empathy that somewhat humanized these superstars in the public eye. Then, at the 2016 ESPY awards, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul took the stage at the beginning of the show to promote social change. Anthony opened with a clear message: “The urgency to create change is at an all-time high.” They weren't asked to speak. They
reached out to the show’s producers only A well-spoken and intelligent black man hours before. Their unexpected intro was who is viewed as royalty in America by all very well-received, as the athletes were demographics is extremely rare. Jordan commended for using eloquence and could have resounding effects on the nation bravado. that can’t be measured by any statistic. “Outspoken” is the only word that could Having widespread appeal can change describe the new faces of our league, as lives by affecting the perceptions of people being outspoken has become commonplace who would never cross paths or connect throughout sports. through empathy. No one wants to underWe need to elevate expectastand others’ struggles unless it fits their tions on athletes who transcend narrative. sports. There are few onceThat 10-year-old black kid doesn't in-a-generation athletes that believe there are white people that can appeal to both a 10-yeararen't racist, because that's all old black kid who lives he sees and hears in his on the southside small world view. That of Chicago and a 60-year-old white man 60-year-old white has never spoken to an man who lives in uplifting and intelligent Beverly Hills. black man when he Michael Jordan, has only seen murder for example, has rates in Chicago on been completely Fox News. silent about the Changes in senseless killings perception will never that happen every happen if transcenyear over his shoes. dent people play it Throughout safe. You must ruffle his career, the feathers of some he distanced to empower many. himself from black culture, yet is still heralded in Illustration by Auryana Rodriguez the community.
More power to female Olympians By Erin Schwab Special to The Guardsman
I am a proud Canadian and I love watching the Olympics—not just to cheer on my countrymen and women, but to see the grit, determination and talent of athletes all over the world. Their accomplishments, their joy, their disappointment and their pain moves me. Recently the Chicago Tribune tweeted “Wife of a Bears' lineman wins a bronze medal today in Rio Olympics” with a linked news story. I found this to be incredibly offensive and demeaning. Corey Cogdell-Unrein is a talented trap shooter who should be celebrated for winning her country a bronze medal. Instead, this tweet takes away from who she is individually and defines her as someone’s wife.
I am not saying that being someone’s wife is a bad thing, but why isn’t being an Olympic medal-winning athlete enough? I understand that the Chicago Tribune was trying to make a connection for Chicagoans with Olympians, but they could have mentioned she is married to a Bears linebacker instead of making it about who her husband is. The article went on to talk about how the couple met on a blind date and how her husband couldn’t be with her in Rio since he was at a training camp.
How is that relevant to Cogdell-Unrein winning her second Olympic medal in the third Olympics she participated in? Around the same time as the Chicago Tribune’s tweet, an NBC announcer credited the husband of Hungary’s Katinka Hosszú as the reason why she broke the world record for the 400-meter individual medley. These are examples of how the media sends mixed messages about women. To be fair, her husband is also her trainer, but she is the one who broke a world record. Hosszú put in the work to win three gold medals while breaking not only the world record in 400-meter individual medley at the Rio Olympics—she also won silver in 200-meter backstroke. There are campaigns that encourage girls to play sports since studies show it helps them build their confidence. Yet, at one of the largest athletic events in the world, female athletes are being defi ned by who they are married to and not what they are achieving. Girls are told they can do or be whatever they want, yet the media still focuses on who they are married to and how they look. As a society we can do better. We need to do better. If there is ever going to be equal opportunity or equal pay for women, we cannot continue defi ning women by the men in their lives or sending mixed messages. We need to send one clear message that women
are capable. To start this media revolution, I would like to see more stories about amazing women and their accomplishments without any mention of their personal lives or appearance. Unless it is relevant in expressing her time management abilities, I do not need to know if a powerful woman is married or has kids. I want to know what drives her— how she achieves her success. The fi rst twelve medals Canada won at the Rio Olympic Games were all won by women. I want to hear their stories and the stories of many other female Olympians without any limitation on who they are.
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opinion | 7
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
Why we should assess avocado ardency By Nancy Chan
HAVE YOUR SAY Why or why aren’t you playing Pokémon GO?
nchan@theguardsman.com
The U.S.’s latest culinary sweetheart is none other than the slick avocado, but the fruit comes with far more baggage than many food lovers realize. Demand has increased the total number of Hass avocados ever bagged in the U.S. from almost nine million in January 2016 to over 11 million in July, according to the Hass Avocado Board’s statistical analysis. American love for Hass, the most popular variety by far, is contributing to Mexican deforestation, extensive water usage wherever they’re grown and the growth of one known drug cartel. The solution isn't as simple as shaming avocado toast. Take California, where an open secret loomed since 2012: no one knows how long its drought will last. What has been measured courtesy of Mother Jones' 2014 article "It Takes HOW Much Water to Grow an Avocado?!" is the amount of irrigated water required to grow one pound of avocados in the state: 74.1 gallons. That’s a lot of water. West Coast consumers aren’t dependent on local avocados either, which are picked between May and August. For all other months of the year, consumers buy from Latin America, particularly from Mexico and Chile. The latter utilizes 96.8 gallons of water for every pound of mature avocados. Hass avocados are native crops to Michoacán, Mexico. Eighty percent of their exported avocados land in the States, and profits generated there create about $152 million annually, according to Latin Times. That's a lot of green. In fact, avocados
Andrea Gallardo 18 Political Science Major
Illustration by Marcus Lee
are known by another name in Michoacán: oro verde, or green gold. Sadly, much of the profit is seized by Knights Templar, a drug cartel whose members are known as Templarios. Templarios are responsible for trafficking crystal methamphetamine into North America, along with terrorizing avocado farmers. According to Vocativ’s “Blood Avocados,” members extort not just money, but packing plants and plantations as well. Farmers that don’t comply have property burned, family members either kidnapped or killed, or they themselves are killed. Farmers aren’t the only voiceless ones. Mexican pine and fir trees are being removed illegally to make room for avocado saplings, threatening monarch butterflies, numerous birds and aquatic life. But demands won’t go away any time soon. Some farmers face demands from criminals; some farmers must provide for their families; and Subway once advertised their avocado add-on option with phrases such as “AvocadOHH” or “Bravacado!” Avoiding “Mexico” produce stickers isn’t a fix. Templarios don’t control every Mexican avocado business; boycotts could
hurt unaffected farmers or even affected farmers, not to mention buying avocados from other countries like Peru or Guatemala isn’t necessarily ethical. This isn’t to say people should link the slickness of avocado flesh with blood, nor should people hop on a trending yellowgreen bandwagon without consideration. The massive appeal avocados enjoy doesn’t make them special snowflakes. Instagram avocado roses and praise from health authorities aren’t validation. “Superfood” is a loaded marketing word anyhow when eating colorfully fulfills nutritional needs. If monounsaturated fats are appealing, macadamia nuts and lamb carry them; vitamin E is found in cooked spinach and kiwis. So on and so forth. Because we purchase produce from faraway places, we have choices and consequently less control over distant working conditions. We should feel obligated to learn about difficult truths and reduce excess. There are numbers and faces behind our food. Think about it before considering a guacamole challenge or feeling amazed by the Super Bowl’s intense affection for guacamole.
"I don’t play because I don’t want to kill my battery. Also, the Pokémon never pop up for me. I don’t really have the time because I’m always going somewhere—I always have work and school, and it’s always back to back. I like how it brings people together, like with this interview." Antwan Thomas 20 Undecided Major "I play it all the time because Pokémon GO is distracting. It’s like walking in circles. Right now, I’m trying to learn and not trying to be walking around in circles." Kallista “Kali” Borja 20 Biological Sciences Major "I’m not interested in it because growing up, I wasn’t a big Pokémon fan compared to most other people. I feel a lot of people who play were into it back then. Normally I’m at work or at school, and in my spare time I’m doing homework." Brisset Chahuayo 20 Business Major "I’m a fan of Pokémon — I used to watch the episodes. Pokémon GO is a good way to be connected with the cartoon. It’s good for me because it relieves me. It’s a way to have fun. I think we should play Pokémon GO, but we should be aware of where we’re walking to watch out for any accidents."
Daniel Daniel 20 Kinesiology Major "When I heard they were making an app, I got hyped because I was like 'Hey, that’s my childhood,' and I thought it would be fun. I played until level five because I was familiar with the game. It was quite interesting to go out there and capture Pokémon. It’s nice because it gets a lot of people to go out and walk 10km, but as a game, it’s not very stimulating." Reporting and photos by David Horowitz and Warren Sanchez
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8 | sports
Vol. 162, Issue 1 | Aug. 24–Sept. 6, 2016
Rams volleyball welcomes impressive recruiting class By Teddy Luther tluther@theguardsman.com
Head coach Saga Vae is “really excited” about his 2016 women’s volleyball team. “This group never gives up. A lot of teams will be glad we’re small when they see us walk into the gym,” Vae said, referencing the team’s lack of height compared to previous years. “But we’ll surprise them.” Sophomores Kijana Best and Tatiana Jimenez are the lone returners from last year’s team, which finished 20-7 overall before losing in the first round of the California Community College Athletic Association’s NorCal Regional Championships. Best will be looking to build on an impressive freshman season in which she finished third in the state in hitting percentage and sixth in kills per set. The team will be without last season’s front-row leader Sifa Faaiu. She transferred to Cal State Los Angeles after a stellar year for the Rams last year, when she lead the state in blocks per state. “I feel even better this year,” said Best, who is poised to take on more of a leadership role for the Rams this season. “We have great chemistry right now. It’s
all about talking more on the court.” Despite losing some height and blocking power, Vae has confidence his squad will find new ways to win this season. “Our defense is really going to take us far this year,” he said. The play of the incoming recruiting class, which includes seven freshmen, will
"We have great chemistry right now. It's all about talking more on the court."
– Kijana Best
be the key to the team’s defensive success. Led by libero Isoke Springer and outside hitter Jennifer Quarters (both freshmen), this recruiting class is one of the strongest Vae has had in his seven years at City College. One of the highlights of this year’s recruiting class is sophomore setter Pam Dungo. After playing her freshman year at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, the Richmond native is excited to be back in the Bay Area and playing at
City College with several familiar faces. Dungo, Springer and Best are all familiar with each other. Dungo and Springer have played together on and off since they were 12 and 11 years old on club and high school teams, while Best regularly played against them. “We played against each other in high school,” said Best. “It’s good to have them on the same side now.” Building a connection and relationship with her hitters has been Dungo’s number one priority in her transition to the Rams program. “I got back at the end of May and started training here right away,” Dungo said. “We all somehow click.” The Rams season kicks off with a home match against College of Marin on Wednesday, Sept. 7, followed by the annual Delta Classic preseason tournament, where City College will come in ranked no. eight in the NorCal Regional standings.
Sophomore outside hitter Kijana Best serves during a practice at the Wellness Center on Aug. 19, 2016. (Photo by Franchon Smith/The Guardsman)
football preview continued from page 1
Sophomore defensive back Vince Camp looks on as teammates run drills at George Rush Stadium on Aug. 17, 2016. (Photo by Izar Decleto/The Guardsman)
(Buffalo State), Nick Pierotti (Northwestern State) and Anthony Giusti (Colorado State) has left the Rams without their top three tacklers from last season. Gone as well is star quarterback Anthony Gordon, who—after throwing for 37 touchdowns and 3864 yards—will be suiting up for Washington State this year, along with fellow former Ram cornerback Rob Taylor. There will also be new linemen on the interior as Austin Larkin (Purdue), Odge Udegu (Iowa State) and AJ McCollum (Arizona State) round out the Rams’ impressive list of university transfers, cementing City College’s status as one of the premier junior college programs in California for pushing players to the next level. There are some key bright spots that City can turn to going into this season. Most notable is starting sophomore running back Namane Modise, who filled in for starter Elijah Dale in last year’s championship game. Modise will look to build on his MVP performance in which he racked up 251 yards and 2 touchdowns. The shifty speedster looks to be the feature back in Coach Collins’ high-powered spread offense. In addition to the new quarterback, the Rams’ offense has another tone-setter in sophomore receiver Easop Winston. The route-running specialist was the second
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option to Antoine Porter last season and still hauled in 986 yards with 12 touchdowns. Though a starting quarterback has yet to be been named, he will have a reliable target capable of separating from defenders in Winston. On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Deante Fortenberry returns after leading the team with seven interceptions and an impressive 20 pass breakups. Defensive coordinators Anthony Feliciano and Bret Jones should feel comfortable knowing they can isolate Fortenberry week by week with the opposition’s best matchup. The 2016 schedule looks to be in City College’s favor as they face several teams incapable of posing a threat that can unseat the Rams from their throne. They will, however, take every team's best shot and will have to play through tough games against American River, Chabot, San Mateo, and Contra Costa. The rematch with American River is the game to circle on the schedule, as they foiled the Rams’ perfect season in 2015 with a last-second, gamewinning field goal. The Rams will host an exhibition game with San Joaquin Delta on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. and will open the regular season on the road at Laney College on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
Fall 2016 Classes Start August 12
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CRN JOUR 19: Contemporary News Media HC 203 Gonzales 76160 M W F 9:10 – 10:00 a.m. JOUR 21: News Writing and Reporting Gonzales 76162 M W F 10:10 – 11:00 a.m HC 203 JOUR 22: Feature Writing 6:30 – 9:20 p.m. Mission / Rm 217 Rochmis 72111 T JOUR 23: Electronic Copy Editing 11:10 – 12:25 p.m. MUB 160 Graham 77048 T R JOUR 24: Newspaper Laboratory BNGL 615 Gonzales 76882 M W F 12:10 – 1:00 p.m. JOUR 26: Fundamentals of Public Relations 6:30 – 9:20 p.m. Mission / Rm 217 Gonzales 74606 R JOUR 29: Magazine Editing & Production 6:30 – 8:20 p.m. Mission / Rm 217 Lifland / Graham 75930 M JOUR 31: Internship Experience Hours Arranged BNGL 615 Gonzales 72312 JOUR 35: Internet Journalism 9:40 – 10:55 a.m. MUB 160 Graham 76416 T R JOUR 37: Intro to Photojournalism 6:30 – 9:20 p.m. Mission / Rm 217 Lifland 76939 W
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