Vol. 173, Issue 5 | March 28 – April 5 2022 | City College of San Francisco | Since 1935 | FREE | www.theguardsman.com
Diego Rivera's Masterpiece To Return to City College In 2024 By Beth Lederer bethlyn2020@gmail.com The spectacular Diego Rivera Pan American Unity Mural is presently on loan at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). The mural is a masterpiece and was Rivera’s last mural painted in the United States. This ten panel fresco is his largest contiguous piece. This great masterpiece is the pride of City College. It was unknown by many in San Francisco that this gem, Pan American Unity Mural, was actually displayed at City College. The mural was displayed in the lobby at The Diego Rivera Theater from 1961 until 2021. Will Maynez, retired lab manager in the Physics department at City College, is considered the historian and guardian of the mural. Maynez worked diligently for 25 years looking after the mural. Maynez facilitated an offer to the college from SFMOMA in 2017. It has also been his dream to see the Pan American Unity Mural receive the recognition it so rightfully deserves by having an international audience view it at SFMOMA. Maynez has received national exposure. The ten panel masterpiece (22’ X 74’) fresco has been well received at the SFMOMA. “A great deal of work over the course of several years went into the conservation, move and presentation of the mural. The mural has been extremely well received by our local, national and international visitors alike. There have been approximately 1550 visitors per day to the Museum” according to a SFMOMA spokesperson. The Pan American Unity Mural is located in a huge
free space in the Roberts Family Gallery with large clear glass windows reflecting natural light into the museum. Lisa L. who viewed the mural at both sites preferred viewing it at the SFMOMA, “I loved seeing it here because the light is better, it’s less cramped and it’s much easier to appreciate,” she said. Another aspect she really liked is the beautiful pamphlet which according to Maynez is a City College creation that was reprinted by SFMOMA. The pamphlet is available upon entering. The Diego Rivera Pan American Unity Mural pamphlet explains the symbolism on each panel. Lisa enjoyed following the key and coming up with her own symbolism for each panel.
Faculty, Staff and Students Protest Layoffs With Day of Action Rally By Emily Margaretten margarettene@gmail.com With a crowd of more than 100 congregated in front of Conlan Hall, City College faculty, staff, students and labor allies came out in a show of solidarity for the AFT 2121 Day of Action rally to protest layoff notices issued to 58 full-time faculty on March 15. The in-person rally, followed by a virtual pressconference attended by more than 400 people, featured lively call-and-response chants and testimonials from faculty, staff and students who addressed the importance of retaining class offerings for the most underserved students in the Bay Area.
“Finally we are on track." The Board of Trustees unanimously approved and recommended that the architectural firm, TEF Design, receive the Mural continues on page 2
Finding A Voice Débora Radaic, an English as a Second Language (ESL) student, described her experiences at
City College. “I still remember my first day,” she said. “My husband went with me because at that time I didn’t even know how to say hi in English. “Many of us ESL students, we still get nervous with our English,” she said. “Sometimes we don't know how to say things we want to say. City College gave my voice back.” Union leaders rejected the administration’s economic rationale for downsizing the college and said there was a state, city, and college budget surplus this year. They described the cuts as a downward spiral that would lead only to more cuts and the further disenfranchisement of Rally continues on page 2
NEWS BRIEF
US Navy Makes Liberty Port in San Francisco
By Andrew Segala andrewa.segala@gmail.com The USS Makin Island (LHD 8) made a port visit in San Francisco that made many residents on their afternoon walk on the Embarcadero do a double take. The ship has sailed up from its homeport of San Diego and while in transit has conducted shipboard training, along with integrated amphibious operation training with the United States Marine Corps. The main reason the ship is in San Francisco is to give the sailors and marines on board much needed rest and relaxation. When asked other reasons why the ship made a visit, the ship’s Commanding Officer Captain Tony Chavez said, “Increased community relations in that all Americans can connect with their Navy.” The ship is an amphibious assault ship that can support landing Marines on the beach but if needed, can transport humanitarian aid when called upon. This is the ship’s first port visit since the start of the pandemic.
Culinary Clash Front Page Illustration of Historic Women by Sarah Clayson/The Guardsman
Culture - pg 4