Railroad Days steaming into Fullerton this weekend!
Lady Hornets sign for their future.
Local Page 13
Sports Page 18
THE HORNET
Vol. 101, Issue 6
NEWS BRIEFS
Serving Fullerton College since 1922
Thursday, April 28, 2016
“I would never have believed how good life could be if you just set the fear to the side.”
Saving the Huey Foundation
Join the Sociology Club in room 1440 to educate the public of the atrocities that these dogs and animals endure on a daily basis on Tuesday May 2, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Spring Plant Sale coming
—Sophia Alexander
The horticulture department will hold their annual Spring Plant Sale selling California Native & drought tolerant plants, herbaceous perennials, shade plants, house plants vines, succulents, vegetables April 30, May 1, and May 7. For more information visit: horticulture.fullcoll.edu
Coffee with trustees and chancellor Faculty
Staff and student are invited to attend the upcoming open discussions where the community can ask questions or just listen to conversation. Upcoming Coffees will be: April 28 at 10 a.m. at Cypress College, CC Complex, Room 414; May 2, at 3:30 p.m. at Fullerton College in Rooms 224-228, and on May 3 at 3 p.m. at the Anaheim campus in Rooms 105-107.
INDEX
News.....................2,3,4,5,6 Opinion................7,8,9,10 Local.................11,12,13,14 A&E.....................15,16,17 Sports....................18,19,20
The Hornet @FCHornet @FCHornet FCHornet
T
hor Roe, Fullerton College’s Associated Students President, is a high-preforming honors student, member of LiveWire Literary Journal and engaged to the love of his life. Not to mention the two-tour US Navy vet has received acceptance letters from all of the top California universities he applied to, although he’s still waiting on the official acceptance from Harvard. With all this, one would think that Roe’s life is aces. See MASQUERADE Page 4
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NEWS
EVENTS CALENDAR
April 30
Your listing of events on and off campus
Love Fullerton community service day. Help Fullerton College give back to the community by Volunteering around the city. Meet at 8:00 a.m. on the Fullerton College Campus to check-in, get a free T-shirt, and free breakfast. Opening Rally and giveaways begin at 8:45 a.m. Service projects start at 9:30 a.m. After-Party at Fullerton College at 12:30p.m.
May 1
Last day to withdraw from classes with a “W.”
May 4
Student Art Exhibition 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Fullerton College Art Gallery Room 1004. The annual exhibition of the best student created artwork in the last year. Prizes will be awarded to the students who demonstrate the highest artistic merit. Many works will be available for purchase.
May 9
Electronic Music Concert Directed by Markus Burger. In the Fullerton College Campus Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The Fullerton College Electronic Music Ensemble presents an electric mix of different genres of electronic music from the past century as well as cutting edge popular electronic and ambient music. Tickets: Adults $10 Children $5 Students and Seniors 60+ $7.
May 11
Percussion Ensemble performance Directed by Matt Cook in the Fullerton College Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a night of won-
derful percussion performances by Fullerton College percussionists. Tickets: Adults $10 Children $5 Students and Seniors 60+ $7.
May 12 - 15
Doggs Hamlet, Cahoots Macbeth Directed by Jessica Runde. Enjoy two of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies with a satirical twist. In the Fullerton College Bronwyn Dodson Theatre at 7:00 p.m. (May 15 Sunday Performance at 2:00 p.m.) Tickets: Presale $12.50 At the Door $15.00.
May 14
Alice and Wonderland Late-nighter at Laser Quest. $25 per person to play laser tag from 10:00 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations are not required but recommended.
May 17
Synergy Vocal Jazz and Lab Band performance Directed by Jamie Shew and Bruce Babad. Enjoy a wonderful evening of jazz in the Fullerton College Campus Theatre. Tickets: Adults $10 Children $5 Students and Seniors 60+ $7.
May 18
Jerry’s Kids Fullerton College Brass Ensembles directed by Jerry Garvin. In the Fullerton College Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Join the FC Brass Bands as they put people in the summer vacation mood. Tickets: Adults $10 Children $5 Students and Seniors 60+ $7.
May 19
Musicians at Work Directed by John Tebay. In the Fullerton College Campus Theatre at 7:30
p.m. Enjoy The Fullerton College Concert Choir with solos and small groups performing musical theater selections, love songs, and spirituals. Adults $10 Children $5 Students and Seniors 60+ $7.
May 20
Comedy Improv in the Fullerton College Bronwyn Dodson Theatre at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy and be part of the comedy made up infront of the audience as it is performed. All Tickets are $5 at the door.
May 21
Big Band and J Train Directed by Jamie Shew and Bruce Babad. Enjoy an exciting evening of instrumental and vocal jazz in the Fullerton College Campus Theatre. Tickets: Adults $10 Children $5 Students and Seniors 60+ $7.
May 23
Last day to Register to Vote in the California for the 2016 Primary
May 28
Last Day of Term and Commencement. Come and celebrate the Fullerton College graduating class of 2016. Ceremony Starts at 10:30 a.m. on Sherbeck Field.
Have an event coming up?
Get it listed in the calendar! Send information to:
fullertonhornet@icloud.com
CONTACT To report any incident, call Campus Safety at (714) 992-7777
NEWS
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The Gender Unicorn—The Gender Unicorn helps outline the differences between gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual identity.
Trans Student Educational Researchers
Understanding the transgender community Gender identity is much bigger than assigning sex at birth. By Amber Vaughn The Hornet
M
ost adults in the cisgender community predicate all gender identity and expression on what sex is assigned at birth, but gender identity is much bigger than that. When a child is born, a doctor says, “It’s a boy” or “It’s a girl.” At birth, people are assigned a specific sex based on their physical characteristics and biology – the X or Y chromosomes they possess. But someone’s gender identity – what gender he or she feels most comfortable expressing and identifying with, doesn’t always align with the biological sex he or she was given at birth. According to the Human’s Right Campaign, the word “transgender”, also referred to as trans, is an umbrella term for people whose identity is different than the one that was given to them when they were born. From parents to coworkers to siblings and neighbors, transgender people come from all walks of life, representing all racial, ethnic and faith backgrounds. Despite the increased visibility of transgender issues with celebrities like Laverne Cox, a trans woman who plays the character of Sophia on Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”, and reality TV personality and retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete Caitlyn Jenner, there’s still a considerable lack of understanding of gender identity. Someone’s gender identity and his or her sexual identity are two different things. The American Psychological Association defines gender
identity as a “person’s internal sense of being male, female or something else”, while someone’s sexual identity is how he or she thinks of oneself in terms of who is romantically or sexually attractive. Just like everyone else, some transgender people can be straight, gay, bisexual, asexual or attracted to a traditionally undefined gender. Despite common misconception, trans people aren’t cross dressers or drag queens. The National Center for Transgender Equality explains cross-dressing as an old term for “people who dress in clothing traditionally or stereotypically worn by the other sex, but who generally have no intent to live full-time as the other gender.” The term “drag queen” refers to men who, often for entertainment purposes, dress up as women. “Drag is really making fun of identity,” explains RuPaul while on the talk show “The Real”. “Transgender people take identity very seriously – their identity is who they are.” RuPaul is a world-famous drag artist known for his show “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. Some who identify as transgender feel like they were born into the wrong bodies, but not all within the community want to undergo physical transformation. And transitioning is more than just surgery Described by The National Center for Transgender Equality, transitioning is “the time when a person begins living as the gender with which they identify rather than the gender they were assigned at birth.” Everyone’s transition experience differs depending on what they feel is best fit for them. The process of transitioning can vary from wearing clothes typically worn by those of the sex he or she identifies with (also known as gender expression), to using certain pronouns, to
changing one’s name to better represent how he or she feels. While transgender visibility is increasing in popular culture, those within the community still face huge disparities in nearly every aspect of society. According to Vincent White, Cadena and Transfer Center coordinator at Fullerton College, those within the trans community face discrimination in employment, housing, medical and other services. He goes on to say that they are targets for violent hate crimes and that some even endure the loss of support from friends and family. The Williams Institute at UCLA found that between 2003 and 2007, “9.2 percent of openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people reportedly lost a job, and 38.2 percent were harassed at work due to their sexual orientation.” But the struggles don’t stop there. “The statistics are heartbreaking,” said Jodi Balma, a political-science professor at Fullerton College. “80 percent of trans students have felt unsafe at school because of their gender expression.” Balma went on to explain that in a 2007 survey, 49 percent of trans people reported physical abuse, 50 percent have been raped or assaulted by a romantic partner, 30 percent of trans women have been incarcerated - often on suspicion of being prostitutes simply because they are transgender and that 41 percent have attempted suicide. Leelah Alcorn, a transgendered girl who lived in Ohio, committed suicide in December of 2014 after explaining on Tumblr that she felt alone when her parents demanded she act like a “perfect little straight Christian boy.” A study published by Williams Institute and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention found that transgender people have a 4.6 percent higher rate of attempted suicide than those who have in the general US population.
“Transgender equality is vitally important because everyone deserves basic human rights,” said Balma. Though, LGBTQ advocates are making gains. In January, President Barack Obama became the first president in history to mention trans people in a State of the Union. Facebook now allows its users to write their own gender identity on their profiles, providing more than 50 different options. While there has been some progress, there’s still a long way to go for trans equality. More people
can help by becoming an ally. GLAAD, a strong force behind LGBTQ+ equality, outlined tips for allies of transgender people. The outline gives general guidelines on how to respect transgender individuals in terms of assuming, pronouns and how to, respectfully, go about finding out and what to not ask. More importantly, GLAAD explains that each person is different and there is no “right” answer to everything, and that it’s necessary to understand each transgender person’s individual preferences.
Trans Student Educational Researchers
Trans people discrimination chart—Statistics regarding transgender discrimination and struggles is alarming.
NEWS
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MASQUERADE: A president’s personal journey to happiness Continued from Page 1
But what many don’t know about the school’s highest elected student official, is that Thor Roe is a transgendered woman named Sophia Alexander and has struggled with coming to grips with her place in the world ever since she could remember. Not many outside of A.S. and Alexander’s close friends know this immensely intimate secret, even then, it was only recently that Alexander’s friends were privileged to know the secret she has guarded so closely.
Early life
Born in Denver Colorado, Alexander never lived with anything close to a reasonable definition of luxury. After moving around multiple times in her early childhood, Alexander’s family settled into a rundown, and later condemned apartment in the poorer part of Wichita Kansas at age 4. Even at an early age Alexander had more curiosity than most children when it came to who she was. “I remember having a thought in kindergarten when I was on time-out, and thinking of what its like to be a boy and a girl, and what the differences between the two were,” Alexander recalled. At this time in her life, Alexander said her family life had begun to deteriorate. She saw her father for the last time as he was taken away for hitting her mom, which in-turn caused her mother to drop into a deep depression that kept her in bed for over a year. During the next few years Alexander’s family moved throughout several different apartments, after a series of evictions. Her family’s financial situation spiraled until they finally moved into the basement of her grandmother’s house. Things didn’t get better from there. Alexander’s mother and grandmother fought constantly and drank even more, which eventually led Alexander’s mother to purchase a trailer in 2000 for her and her children to move into. “Once we moved in there things were good for about a year,” Alexander recalled. But good things seldom last. Alexander and her mother began to constantly argue to the point where police would be called by one or the other. After a few times, Alexander made the decision to run from the cops to
avoid being taken to jail. “So I started running from the cops and evading them, thats kinda like the routine it became. We would get into a really big fight and the cops would come and I would run away and hide in the woods,” Alexander told me. At the same time Alexander was honing her skills as a wrestler and gaining a reputation on the school yard for “not feeling pain.” She admitted to being involved in at least a dozen fights before the age of 13. Fighting was not all that Alexander excelled at during school, her mother frequently took her to the library and reading became a passion for her. Because of this, Alexander began to read books far beyond her fellow students, who were mainly from more affluent neighborhoods. One book that captivated her from age 13 was “The Warrior Elite” by Dick Couch which details the training of US Navy SEALs. That book would resonate with Alexander for years to come and in ninth grade she decided to cut her hair and join ROTC. She credits this goal of striving to become a Navy SEAL as the primary motivation for her high school graduation.
Military life
After high school, Alexander joined the Navy in 2008 with the goal of becoming a SEAL. Although she was not able to get a guaranteed slot, she continued her career in the military to work towards her ultimate goal. After boot camp Alexander attended a school for her job as an Electronic Warfare Specialist. “I wasn’t the smartest person in my class, by far, but I made up my mind to try my damnedest to be the top of my class; that would be the first time I ever succeeded at anything,” Alexander said. Her damnedest consisted of ten hour work days, followed by three hours of extra study time at the school house where classes were held- all on top of her daily intense physical training. Nothing would stop Alexander from achieving her goal. In the end, the strict regiment paid off, as Alexander finished at the top of her class with a meritorious promotion. She recalled that it was the first time in her life she felt good about herself. From then on that was her standard, first or nothing. Alexander was first in all of her classes from that point
Dress up—Katelyn Hall and Sophia Alexander try one whigs while they bond as house mates.
forward. Being top of the class in the Navy has its rewards. Alexander was able to pick the ship she would be assigned to, and for her there was only one place to beSan Diego. San Diego wasn’t just a premier station in the Navy to Alexander, although it is where SEAL training takes place and that was still his driving force in her life. San Diego was a magical place her mother had always talked to her about. Long ago Alexander’s mother had visited the Southern California city and fallen in love, always striving to move back there. This was Alexanders chance to fulfill a dream of her mothers and she took the bull by the horns. During her time in San Diego, Alexander moved her brother out with her to help him get his life together and although a naval life was “broken” when it comes to stability, they were able to spend quality time together hiking, camping and enjoying life. It was also at this time that Alexander had decided to start taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which she would start and stop as progress became more and more visible for fear of being found out and ultimately given a dishonorable discharge. This was a cycle that was repeated over and over just for her to feel happy with herself. She bought mail order hormones from over seas clinics in South East Asia and Austria. Despite being an exceptional seaman and finishing the top of her class Alexander was denied her dream of attending SEAL school. In 2014 this became apparent to Alexander and she decided to leave the Navy for education. She notified her family of her decision and let them know that she would not being renting the apartment for them anymore.
What came next?
After visiting a friend in Fullerton one weekend, Alexander decided that this was where the next leg of her journey would take her. She had saved money over the previous few months by living in her car. This carried with it deep ramifications if her naval supervisors ever found out, but luckily that never happened. Alexander moved in with a good friend shortly before school started in the fall semester of 2015. The two of them would share a bachelor unit at the Ambassador Inn Apartments. Five days after Alexander left the Navy on terminal leave she was enrolled and taking classes at Fullerton College. “When I came to Fullerton College two years ago, I was crippled by my gender dysphoria. But I found friends, educators and mentors who believed in me and supported me. I would never have believed how good life could be if you just set the fear aside, and work hard to make the most of your opportunities that are in front of you. This is true of any one, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, race, age or religion. I know it’s important
Photos courtesy Sophia Alexander
Slow Hands—Katelyn Hall and Sophia Alexander hold hands for the first time.
for people to hear that. It gets better,” Alexander said. Her semester began with a course load of 19 units, including honors courses. One of those classes was English 100 taught by the late Amanda Walzer. “I came into class and Amanda was playing Hozier and asking us what we thought about it and if this was what we were listening to,” Alexander recalled with a slight tear in her eye but a smile on her face. That English class is also where Alexander would meet her fiancé and love of her life Katelyn Hall.
“I remember having a thought in kindergarten when I was on time-out, and thinking of what its like to be a boy and a girl, and what the differences between the two were.”
— Sophia Alexander
According to Alexander the two were the more vocal of the class always chiming in discussions and both had a mutual respect although they didn’t really talk much outside of class. “We said maybe two words to each other during the semester,” Hall said. Also in her first semester Alexander joined A.S. but was hesitant of the group at first due to the lack of activity. Later she was convinced to come back and ended up heading the Planning and Research committee. What was know as a generally boring part of Associated Students was turned around by Alexander into one of the most active committees. On the advice of many people close to Alexander, the decision was made to run for A.S. President. In the Spring of 2015, she won by a landslide. With all of these wins under her belt Alexander would again start taking HRT that summer, which made her feel better about herself. In the summer of 2015 Alexander would move out of the Ambassador Inn Apartments to a house in Brea where her standard of living would again increase due to her government benefits finally clearing approval. In Spring of 2015 Alexander would again take a Walzer class, this time English 103, and her professor would convince her to join Fullerton College’s Literary Journal, LiveWire. Again star crossed lovers would meet. Hall entered her life again at Walzers house for a planning meeting for the journal.
Hall would eventually need a place to live due to her living in Newport beach and commuting to Fullerton every day. After some consideration Alexander would invite her to rent a room from his land lord. That day Alexander told Hall her deepest darkest secret and Hall accepted it with no qualms or reservations. The two became instant best friends, from then on the two were practically inseparable. At the time Hall was in a relationship with another person and Alexander was reeling from a break up, but that didn’t stop the two from enjoying each others company. “We fell into a very deep friend love, like I love you man,” According to Hall. “I remember one day that was really special. Our landlord had gone out of town and we were like ‘cool lets do a dress up day, I’ll do your makeup and stuff...and we put on wigs and you couldn’t tell who was trans and who wasn’t.” Soon Hall would set Alexander up with a close friend of hers, but the match wasn’t made to be and when Alexander started realizing he had feelings for Hall she would talk to a close confidant for advice on the situation. Around this time Hall and her boyfriend had run into relationship problems and Alexander had come to grips with her feelings for Hall, even telling friends and confidants. On an eight hour road trip back to Fullerton from an A.S convention Alexander would get the call from Hall that things with her boyfriend were over. That night when Hall arrived home Alexander would tell her of her feelings and they laid there hand in hand. The next day Alexander would break it off with her current relationship. The two eventually moved out of the house in Brea and would get a one bedroom loft apartment in Fullerton. As time went by the next few months the two would fall harder and harder for each other, eventually Hall would plan to propose to Alexander in San Fransisco at the Palace of Fine Arts, but Alexander would beat her to the punch. Currently the pair is planning to move to the East Coast as Hall was accepted to Emerson College and Alexander would receive an interview form Harvard University to transfer on a full ride scholarship. While the official acceptance has not yet been received hopes are high after receiving strong words of encouragement from the interviewing officer. In the most recent correspondence from Harvard, Alexander was told via email by her interviewer to “relax and be happy, you’re going to have a good life.”
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NEWS
Patriarchy and its effect on society today The negative effects of patriarchy can be seen in many areas of our lives. Fortunately, we all have the power to bring about positive change. By Abi G Bulus The Hornet
In observance of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), Fullerton College professor, Dr. Amber Gonzalez hosted a workshop on campus today titled, “Patriarchy and Privilege as Sources of Violence Against Women”. “I was inspired to do something for Sexual Assault Awareness month this year. Last year, we screened the Justice for my Sister film and it was really well received, so I wanted to bring back something more than just the film,” Gonzalez said. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, this year’s theme, “Prevention is
Possible,” seeks to “focus on the building blocks of prevention by communicating how individuals, communities, and the private sector can take action to promote safety, respect, and equality”. Programs Master Hilda Franco, and Project Lead from Justice for My Sister Collective Kimberly Bautista facilitated the workshop on campus. Franco and Bautista began the conversation by defining patriarchy and the ways in which it is manifested in our society today. “One of the core attributes of patriarchy is that traditional male qualities are central to other qualities.” Franco said. “Other qualities are considered subordinate. Men dominate and they are always on top.” This idea of patriarchy is not peculiar to a specific group of people, but one that extends and supersedes all borders. “It’s everywhere. It’s rich people, poor people, black people, white people. It happens all over the world, unfortunately,” Bautista said.
The prevalence of patriarchy influences different areas of society including culture, family, school, the workplace and relationships. Its presence can translate to inequality and gender-based violence. During the workshop, participants got in smaller groups to talk about gender-based violence and the life cycle of women. The point of this exercise was to see how women are exposed to violence before they are born until they are aged. “It starts so early. It’s abortion based on the sex of a baby, female infanticide, gender mutilation, early or forced marriage, honor killings and harmful practices with old women and widows.” Bautista said. “People think it only happens in Guatemala or Africa or El Salvador, but things happen here in the United States too. Women were sterilized here in the United States in the ‘60s and ‘70s in L.A., and in Boyle Heights!” Franco said. Because of how ingrained patriarchy is in society, it can be
difficult to identify, but according to Dr. Gonzalez, “this is the first step to recognizing there is a problem and this is why we host these conversations.” Among the students in attendance was FC student Joshua Quinonez who heard about the workshop through Dr. Gonzalez and wanted to learn more about patriarchy in society today. “I wanted to learn something new about the topic, but also about myself and how I can help. Being a man, it is interesting to hear about the things that women face on a daily basis,” Quinonez said. “I just need to check myself and remind myself daily that I am not perfect. I also need to check my friends and those around me, even though that will probably be the hardest.” Although a very complex societal issue, there are things that can be done on campus to work against the negative manifestations of patriarchy and gender-based violence. “Think about how these things play out in your relationships. Whether it’s in your family or
romantic relationships or in the workplace, and begin to think of the small ways to challenge these things. We also need to think of the ways we play bystander roles-- we can speak up against catcalling, for example,” Dr. Gonzalez said. At the end of the workshop, Justice for my Sister offered hope to the participants by reiterating the importance of being part of the change no matter how small. “The biggest thing I have gotten from this work is that I can’t change the world, but patriarchy is learned and can be unlearned. Start somewhere. Start with your family. It will be revolutionary,” Franco said. Are you interested in continuing this conversation? STOMP is an organization on campus that meets every Thursday from 3:305 p.m. in Room 1018 to discuss issues of social justice. For more information visit www.fcstomp. org or contact Dr. Amber Gonzalez at agonzalez@fullcoll.edu To connect with the Justice for my Sister collective visit www. justiceformysister.com
From protester to prey, Tom Bibiyan shares his story Green Party nominee Tom Bibiyan shares his encounter with the KKK Klansman. By Olivia Hawkins The Hornet
T
he Green Party invited their LA City Council nominee Tom Bibiyan to protest the Ku Klux Klan rally on February 27. He arrived shortly before the KKK members arrived, right before the rally and protest went violent. Bibiya, like many protesters, felt the clan members likely wouldn’t show and assumed the entire thing was a hoax. Within minutes, Bibiyan went from protester to victim after sustaining serious injuries from a Klansman. Once violence broke out, Bibiyan caught a glance of the bloody fire hydrant and knew things escalated. Then he saw San Francisco Klansman Charles Donner and was suspicious that he was responsible for the blood spilled. He intended to subdue Donner and stop potentially ensuing violence. In attempt to detain Donner, Bibiyan received critical stab wounds: One to the elbow that severed a major artery and caused him to lose feeling in two fingers, and another to the torso. Bibiyan was one of several who received injuries that day. Counter protester Armando Campos also received injuries that, according to the GoFundMe page his friends set up, amounted
to $80,000. Counter protester and 19-yearold transient Guy Harris was also stabbed but not critically injured. With over 100 people in attendance, Tom Bibiyan, Armando Campos and Guy Harris never came in contact. Bibiyan felt with regard to the arrests that the Anaheim police “playacted them” as a way to save face and put on a show. “I think with an organization specifically like the Klu Klux Klan, they should have been labeled a domestic terror organization,” Bibiyan said. Race relations and related issues have permeated the media in recent months, and the presence of the KKK in 2016 could be fueling this highly debated topic. Bibiyan regarded the KKK presence as not a question of morals, but rather an education issue. “I think a lot of it has to do with education,” Bibiyan said. “These guys might not be bad people, they are just dumb.” Bibiyan also shared that hate could be displaced fear, and more specifically, a fear that things will change from the way our society runs today. “Maybe they are a little bit fearful,” he later goes on to state that “there is not an American race.” All of these things could be major factors in the issue of race across America. With the KKK Rally behind him, Tom Bibiyan said he would go back to another rally, just maybe get less involved. In the meantime, be on the look out for his name on the 2016 Los Angles City Council ballot.
Photos by Cory Irwin/The Hornet
Aftermath—The aftermath of a violent altercation between a Klansman and protester catches the eye of Tom Bibiyan.
Photos by Cory Irwin/The Hornet
Tom Bibiyan taken to hospital—Bibiyan taken to the hospital after sustaining injuries from a KKK member.
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NEWS
Faculty reach out for better wages and benefits Out to draw awareness, North Orange County Community College District staff fight for better wages and benefits. By Olivia Hawkins The Hornet
North Orange County Community College District teachers take to the streets and the Board of Trustees meeting to draw attention to the issue of poor wages and benefits, April 26. According to the California Community College Chancellor website In the 2014/2015 school year, the district had over $47 million in carry-over funds and yet, there is not enough money to provide their staff with a substantial salary raise. That makes up 22% of the school districts total budget for the year in reserve. California recommends there should be 3-5% on reserve. “The faculty are the lowest paid faculty in Orange County for any community college district,” said Craig Goralski teacher at Cypress College. The health coverage teachers receive in the NOCCCD does not extend to family members. Most pay out of pocket for their spouses or children’s health care. “All of the other 32 districts have health care benefits for
dependents, except for us,” said Christie Diep English teacher at Cypress College. The affects of this issue can be felt here on the campus of Fullerton College. With a new school year ahead, new faculty are hired. As a school district with the lowest benefits and salary, it is hard to look appealing to new hires. Candidates have turned down the opportunity to work at Fullerton College for a job with better pay in another district. Prominent staff members are leaving and even taking pay cuts to go to other districts that have better health care. “Even those who take the job, may not stay given the benefits offered elsewhere” said Jodi Balma, Professor at Fullerton College. Teachers who are running lab classes are being paid less than teachers who have a lecture based class according to some faculty members, however, this fact has not been verified. This leaves faculty to hire their second or sometimes third candidates, lowering the quality of teachers here at Fullerton College. According to some faculty members, the district promised a salary increase two years ago which was never met. However, this information has not yet been verified. These issues can be traced back even before the recession we faced in 2010. That year the district had over $50 million in
Photos by Neddie Facio/The Hornet
Speaking to the board—Faculty members voice their concerns o wages and benefits at the board meeting on April 26.
carry-over funds. At the height of the recession the district had more money left over than it has in the past four years. Due to the recession, many of the teachers turned their focus on the students. Classes were cut leaving more pressure on staff to accommodate as many students as possible. Still the low salary and poor benefits remain. Attending the Board of Trust-
ees meeting April 26 at 7:30pm, faculty want board members to hear their voices. They want to make noise and draw attention. Cypress Anthropology teacher Craig Goralski brought to light the affects this issue has on their campus. After attending a meeting two weeks prier, more than 65% of his department is ready to strike with issues not being resolved.
Signs in hand—With signs in hand, teachers prepare to talk to Board of Trustees members during at Fullerton College, on April 26.
Another Cypress faculty member brought up that over 50% of Cypress’ teachers are adjunct. They teach at multiple campuses and spend most of their time in the car commuting. Faculty are both hopeful and optimistic that an agreement will be met soon. If not, they are prepared to make more noise and put the pressure on the district and its Chancellor.
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OPINION
Campus safety precautions for women nal activity or anything unusual happening on campus. Campus safety is essential to have a safe environment for all students. Without enforced campus safety or an officer present at all times of the day, a situation could go awry at any time. In addition to campus safety, there are emergency phones located throughout the campus.
By Yvonne Villasenor Assistant News Editor
As a 20-year-old female college student, I have learned and been forced to come to terms with the fact that the world can be an incredibly cruel place. As you age, you realize nowhere in this world is 100 percent safe from harm, not even your school campus. Although Fullerton College doesn’t have much crime, it’s alarming for women to find reports of a forcible sex offense, fondling, domestic violence and sexual assault on or near campus on the Clery Annual Security Report. Although the majority of crimes on campus are burglary, motor vehicle theft and aggravat-
ed assault, crimes against women are still unsettling. Thirty-five percent of women over the globe have experienced physical or sexual violence from either a partner or non-partner at some point in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Thirty-five percent sounds alarming, doesn’t it? The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence included in a state-by-state report that 40 percent of California women experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime. If that isn’t scary enough, they also reported that a forcible rape happens every 56 minutes in California. The most at-risk age group for
these occurrences are those of college age (18-24 years old). The statistics are daunting... and sickening. When you discover these facts as a young woman, it’s easy to become paranoid, knowing a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the United States as you hurriedly walk to your car late at night tightly clutching your keys. Luckily, campus safety is available 24/7 at F.C. Campus safety not only provides students with general safety and protection, but also provides escort services for both students and staff who feel uneasy about their late walk to their car. They are also able to write incident reports of crimi-
Women should travel in pairs or groups, stay on pedestrian paths, be aware of their surroundings at all times (this means do not keep your eyes glued to your phone, it attracts more predators knowing someone isn’t paying attention), park in well-lit areas and carry some sort of personal safety device, such as pepper spray or a key chain that doubles as a personal security alarm. Parking lots are the most dangerous places for women. The best thing to do once you get in your car is to drive. Lock the doors and roll your windows up when you get in. If there is anything suspicious or peculiar happening on campus or nearby, campus safety should be called immediately to be reported and investigated. Trust your gut instinct. In a survey of 30 students, both men and women, everyone said they felt mostly safe on campus. Where it varied between the sexes was the factor of what time of the day it was. Out of the 15 women surveyed, nearly every single one mentioned that their level of comfort is negatively impacted once it’s dark out. Nearly all 15 men had no problem with it. Student Megan Marmol will
sometimes feel safe on campus while other days, she is on edge. Marmol gets out of class at 6:30 p.m. and nervously awaits her ride once the sun falls. In order to protect herself, her father insisted on buying pepper spray for her at the bookstore. “I’m probably that friend who’s more afraid... my friends don’t think it’s going to happen to them, but it can,” Marmol said. While some men made jokes about what would make them feel like they were in harm’s way at school, others took on a more serious tone in explaining what they worry about from time-totime. Student Gabriel Maldonado said he feels relatively safe on campus. Growing up in South-Central Los Angeles, he is more cautious and aware of his surroundings. Maldonado has night classes and sometimes wonders if he’ll get robbed while waiting for the bus or even get hit by a car while walking on campus. He also acknowledged the differences between what men and women worry about. “Anything can happen,” Maldonado said. Women are constantly looking over their shoulders to ensure they aren’t being followed or have 911 at the ready as they walk to their car. Men raise their eyebrows and wonder what the fuss is all about. So boys, you might want to reconsider calling us “paranoid.” Considering the startling figures, we are justifiably vigilant. Campus safety can be contacted at (714) 992-7777 in case of an emergency.
How to stop the ignorance of the Ku Klux Klan from spreading By Bobby Belleville Calendar Editor
With the recent Ku Klux Klan rally in Anaheim resulting in people being stabbed and injured, a few questions are proposed. How can an organization with such a hateful message continue to exist for over 100 years? How can the KKK be stopped and what can be done to avoid any future tragic events of that nature? The Constitution of the United States grants everyone in the US, among other things, the right to free speech. This includes people with messages of hate and ignorance. The constitution does not limit free speech to people with something intellectual to say . Free speech cannot be restricted because the ideas being shared are unpopular. In the Supreme Court case Nationalist Socialist Party v. Village of Skokie the National Socialist Party of America, a group of American Nazi sympathizers, wanted to have a parade in the village of Skokie, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago with a large amount of Jewish residents. When the NSPA was denied the right to have a parade the case went all the way to the Supreme Court which decided their speech cannot be restricted just because it was hateful or unpopular. If the government can’t stop the KKK from spreading hate and ignorance, how can they be stopped? The best course of
action is to ignore the hate and educate the ignorance. The KKK is always seeking attention. Good, bad, or otherwise the KKK wants attention and will do whatever they can to get people to notice their organization. Like a screaming toddler crying because he doesn’t get what he wants or a current presidential candidate who refused to disavow a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, they need to be ignored. When the NSPA finally did have their parade in the village of Skokie, the people were all gone. Because the NSPA had to announce when their parade was going to be held, residents decided to be gone during the time of the parade. The KKK announced that their rally would be held on February 27. Residents of Anaheim had plenty of time to make arrangements to be out of the area on the date of the rally so nobody would be around to hear their message of hate. If a KKK rally happens in the middle of the woods and nobody is around to hear it does it make a sound? Many students and faculty said the best way to deal with the KKK is to ignore them. Walk away from their ignorance and hatred. Because the KKK has been around for so long, they most likely won’t be stopped, but as long as they are being non-violent then they just need to be
Photo by Luis Sinco/L.A. Times
A protester wrestles over an American flag with a Klansman at a KKK rally last month at Pearson Park in Anaheim.
ignored. “Some people see it as evil, some people don’t,” said automotive major Marcos Mejia, 19. Because of their long history it seems like it would be next to impossible to convince the KKK how wrong their way of thinking is. The KKK is filled with people who have been taught for generations that white people are superior to all other races simply because of the color of their skin, and are surrounded by people who reinforce this misguided
way of thinking. “The best way to deal with groups like that is education,” said Dan Conforti, Political Science professor at Fullerton College. It would take generations of education to help people see through the ignorance of the KKK. Fullerton College is good example how that education can be effective to bring people together. Conforti also described Fullerton College as a United Nations like campus.
“The more contact you have with different people the less racism you’ll have.” There are students from all walks of life at Fullerton College. All races and religions are welcomed and celebrated. It would be difficult to find a supporter of the KKK or any hateful organization on campus. Fullerton College stands as an example of what life could be like if everybody accepted people for what is on the inside not what is on the outside.
The Hornet
Serving Fullerton College since 1922 Editor-in-Chief Christian Fletcher
EDITORIAL
8
OPINION
LGBTQ civil rights under attack
Managing Editor Jason Burch News Editor Javier Tinajero Opinion Editor Priscilla Aguilera Local Editor Oscar Barajas Entertainment Editor Kim Cisneros Sports Editor Teren Guerra Photo Editor Neddie Facio Multi-Media Editor Marissa Gonzalez Online Editor Olivia Hawkins Calendar Editor Bobby Belleville Staff Reporters Abi Bulus Chelena Gadson Diana Garcia Derek Hall Cory Irwin Tae Jang Kristine Jaranilla Helena Kim Rachelle Laurente Julia Medina Christian Mesaros Mara Nogales Kyle Richey Andrea Ramos Amber Vaughn Jackie Valdez Yvonne Villasenor Robert Watson Morgan Mayfield Adviser Jay Seidel The Hornet is a proud member of the following associations: Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges The Hornet is published as a learning experience, under the guidance of Fullerton College’s journalism program. The editorial and advertising published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate and federal court decisions and California law, college newspapers are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Accordingly, information published in this newspaper, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted to represent the position of the North Orange County Community College District, Fullerton College, or any officer or employee thereof. THE HORNET 321 E. Chapman Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832 714-992-7134
Courtesy of the New Yorker
North Carolina Govenor Pat McCroy speaks passionately to audiences.
By Yvonne Villasenor Assistant news editor
Minorities have been fighting for civil rights in the United States since its establishment. From the early days of slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation, to women’s suffrage, to the more recent struggles of the LGBT community-granting those groups basic human rights has been a struggle, with varying results and degrees of progress. Still racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and other forms of prejudice are still prevalent in society today. America was founded with conservative values over 200 years ago, but surely times have changed. Although slavery is said and done, people still face acts of prejudice based off the color of their skin. According to a 2013 Pew Research Center study, “all black men were six times as likely as all white men to be incarcerated in federal, state and local jails.” In the same study, they found that Hispanic men were almost three times as likely to be incarcerated in comparison to white men. Women are able to vote thanks to the 19th Amendment and are no longer constricted to liv-
ing a life as a trophy wife. More blatant examples of sexism in today’s time include sexual harassment, double standards and the infamous pay gap. Gay and lesbian individuals have made it a long way in gaining human rights. On June 26, 2015, homosexual couples were granted the right to be allowed to marry their partners in all states by the Supreme Court. Tolerance- what can be described as, “the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with” has been a common factor in what those who discriminate against minority groups lack. Those whom hold some form of power, whether it be an employer, professor, or government official who lack tolerance may be able to discriminate and act on their intolerance against someone whose beliefs do not line up with theirs. That was the case in North Carolina recently, when governor, Pat McCroy signed a bill that prevents transgender individuals from using the bathroom for whichever
sex they identify with. The so-called “religious freedom” legislation that passed in North Carolina and is now making waves in other parts of the South, pretends to protect the rights of those devoutly religious from compromising their beliefs. But it is nothing more than a guise, that allows for bigotry and discrimination to persist. The Williams Institute conducted a survey in 2011 that estimated about 700,000 individuals or .3 percent of adults are transgender in the United States. That is simply an estimation of how many people are affected by this bill. Other states that have followed North Carolina’s ways include Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, among other states. This decision has, of course, caused an outrage among citizens across the country. Acting executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, Sarah Preston, said in an interview with CNN that legislators went out of their way “to stigmatize and marginalize transgender North Carolinians” and did so by “pushing an ugly and fundamentally untrue
stereotypes that are based on fear and ignorance.” Celebrities and musicians have also taken a stand against North Carolina’s ways. Big names like Ringo Starr, Bryan Adams, Michael Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Jonas, Sharon Stone, Pearl Jam, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Buffett, Anne Hathaway among many others are boycotting performances to take a stand against the discrimination that is taking place. Los Angeles County supervisors voted to “suspend all travel to the state of North Carolina... unless the chief executive officer determines that the failure to authorize such travel would seriously harm the county’s interests” on April 26, 2016. America has made many advancements in its history, and this is just another issue its people must fight for in order for progress to make its way. This is a chance to move forward and become more accepting of the diversity that should unite the country, not separate it, regardless of the color of a person’s skin, sexuality, gender or sex.
9
OPINION
Time to rethink bathrooms on campus
by Cory Irwin Hornet Staff
The South is not only the ‘bible belt’ of America, but is the metaphorical weight jacket, ankle weights and trash bag poor Uncle Sam is forced to wear as he jogs along in preparation for the natural progression of human civilization. In fact North Carolina prides itself on that notion, and wanted to remind the rest of America that this will not be an easy run.
Without too much detail, North Carolina has established a law which requires a ‘man’, who identifies as a woman is wearing a cute polka dot dress, has large fake breasts, and makeup on to use the same bathroom as a mildly drunk truck driving man, asscrack just slightly and ever so tastefully peaking out over the rim of his faded denim jeans. The law punishes those who use a bathroom that does not match what is on their birth certificate - a law made legal due
to a deep rooted fear of rape; and progressive change. How- ever it should be noted; firstly, that entering a bathroom to harm or harass somebody is already illegal, and secondly, according to a Huffington Post article, in the 17 states, and 200 cities which expressly allow transgendered people to use whichever bathroom they wish there has been no increase in sexual assaults. California is one of those states which explicitly allows transgendered people to use whichever
restroom they feel most comfortable with. Fullerton College in particular has taken a further step to solve the problem; they have installed unisex bathrooms across campus to further comfort those who are curious on which bathroom to use. “Fullerton College has a lot of changes coming in the next 20 years,” according to Fullerton College’s Director of Campus Communications, Lisa McPheron. She went on, “This is not North Carolina, far from it. I think with the coming building renovations we will see some bathroom issues addressed,” she did mention that nothing specific on the issue is in the works. But if we’re going to the lengths of telling people they can use whichever bathrooms they choose renovating buildings and allocating unisex bathrooms to help alleviate the problem, why even segregate the bathrooms in the first place? Our concept for standard bathrooms needs to be re-thought. Let’s have one shared bathroom as opposed to two separate bathrooms, sharing space and costing less to clean and care for. But before you get all weirdly grossed out that you’re now sharing restrooms with the opposite sex let’s change the design too, to make everyone more comfortable. Stalls currently are the absolute
worst designed concept in the modern bathroom (even worse than poorly designed urinals that splashes pee on your feet when you wear sandals and for those of you without a penis, yes, that happens). Stalls have crummy locks easy for a perpetrator or even just someone desperately searching for an empty stall to open up with a hard enough push. Stalls are shorter than I am. If there is another guy who’s approximately 6 feet tall and standing next to me I can see him eye to eye over the stall and that sucks. There’s clearly a dangerous element to that because anyone over 6 feet can easily peer over the stall door if they so pervertedly choose to do so. We need to address real issues of safety concerns, so that we can all feel comfortable and safe using any restroom available to us. Also while we’re on the issue of stalls and how to improve them I can’t stand when the automatic flush flushes while I’m still sitting, and why don’t all stalls automatically have coat hangers in them?!
Trump’s hateful dialogue not enough to keep Americans from giving him the vote By Diana Garcia Hornet Staff
When billionaire businessman Donald Trump announced his Republican candidacy for president in June 2015, the nation suddenly felt curious about whether the famous reality TV star could be taken as a serious candidate. Recently, New York natives Trump and Hillary Clinton celebrated big after they won the primaries in their home state. Fullerton College students reacted, and were asked how they felt about the possibility about Trump becoming president in 2016. Many students focused on the fact that Trump has no political experience and prides himself on saying what’s on his mind during his campaign speeches. This is not traditional for candidates. “I like him. He’s really honest, what you see is what you get. He doesn’t sugarcoat things so people will vote for him. I would vote for him,” said student Samantha Quick. Others felt the opposite. “Trump is a joke, he is an uneducated idiot. He needs to learn when to shut up and I also think that he’s manipulating the media because he’s using his money and fame in order to get what he wants,” said student Rachel Sebillano, psychology major. Trump is a business mogul whose net worth is estimated at $4.5 billion, according to Forbes. He constantly promotes the idea of bringing back jobs to America instead of outsourcing and talks
about how his business-minded approach can help our economy. “I am so tired of the Clintons, the showmanship from Obama and all the outsourcing in America. That is a point with Trump that I am really proud of. He is trying to bring the jobs back home,” said student Juanita Gomez. But others don’t think how he got his money makes him qualified to lead. “He’s a rich businessman who was raised in a wealthy family, how could he know the struggles of the working class, lower class and middle class? It doesn’t make any sense to me,” said student Christie Espana. On immigration, Trump has mentioned that he would be strict on border control and would not allow anyone to come in without perfect documentation. He made a statement in which he referred to Mexicans as ‘rapists’ and received an enormous amount of backlash for it. “I think his immigration policies are unethical. Trump wants to shut the door on immigrants and I think that will hurt us,” said Richard Cho, first year student, “it’s racist and disrespectful the way he talks about them.” “It’s not about racism. He just wants people to follow the law. If you don’t have papers you shouldn’t be here illegally,” said student Carol Heine. Trump was also criticized about his demeanor. “I watch debates and hear the statements he says, how he carries himself, and even the
Donald Trump giving speech at one of his emotionally charged rallies.
way he looks.. It’s not for me. He comes off racist and I think if we elected him we’d be moving backwards,” added Christie Espana. Words like ridiculous, joke, mean, obnoxious, racist, idiot all came up frequently. Despite the majority of students answering no when
asked if they would vote for him, every student interviewed was asked if they felt Trump had a good chance of winning. Every student answered yes. Very few students, 4 out of 30 to be exact, were in favor of him. They do not believe he is a joke and feel he could change a lot of things for America
Courtesy Reuters/ Dominik Reuters
“At least with Trump we know what he really thinks and he says what he’s going to do. Hilary never tells us anything. We can’t all just run to Canada,” said student Ayesha Moulbi. In the end, students are encouraged to vote for their favorite and see what happens.
10
OPINION
Actually, you’re already a racist
By Kristine Jaranilla Hornet Staff
Hate is one of the many emotions everyone feels in their lives. From getting pissed off at a driver that cuts you off on the freeway to hating a person based on their skin color, it comes in many forms and affects every person on this planet. According to How Stuff Works, our capability to have this intense dislike for people/ things/events date back as far as 150,000 years. This ability to feel this way might have been an evolutionary adaption to better humanity’s chances of survival and because of this adaption, it made it easier for our early ancestors to hunt for food and protect their group. Even though we’ve come a long way from hunting our own food, we still feel that seething negativity today. In modern society, we hate because it is a way to protect the things that matter to us the most; our family, friends, reputation, etc. When someone or something threatens any of those things we value most, we immediately have the reaction to dislike said person/thing. So in this day and age, why is racism still a problem? It’s still a problem because people are scared for their safety.
With recent events like the bombings in Brussels, the shootings in Paris, and the countless terrorists attacks all over the world, people have the overwhelming need to blame a group for why all of these events are happening. And to some people, they blame it on any practicing Muslim. It’s clear that most Muslims don’t condone the recent attacks that have been plaguing the news and detach themselves from the ones that orchestrate them, yet society clumps them all in the same group “just to make sure” there are no terrorists coming into their country. Another group that is unjustly profiled are African Americans. It seems like there’s a new hashtag for someone that was a victim of police brutality. From Trayvone Martin to Sandra Bland, black people are subjected to unjust police brutality more than any other persons of color in America. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, “Black people make up 37.7 percent of the total inmate population and Asian and Native American inmates make up a total of 3.5 percent of the total population combined.” So why are they seen as a race that is more dangerous than any
other race? One of the many reasons why is because of the history America has had with black people. When the first African slaves arrived on Dutch ships in 1619, it started
the beginning of a divide that almost separated a nation. Even though slavery was a key factor in in the development of our nation, it also created an societal divide to generations of African Americans. The effects can still be felt in today’s society by the media and popular culture still portrays African Americans as a race that is the root of most criminal activities. Even though society knows that racism is wrong, it has been ingrained in our culture to the point where we don’t realize that we’re being actually being racist in subtle ways. When we witness a traffic blunder or someone driving in an inappropriate way, we automatically assume it’s someone from Asian decent. And according to Donald Trump, whenever he sees Mexicans, he automatically assumes that they’re criminals, rapists and drug dealers and but he tries to cover up his blatant
racism with by stating that, “some are good.” The reason why we have these assumptions of so many races is mostly because it saves us time from trying to figure out how the person is really like by pigeonholing them in to a description that describes them based on their race. If we want racism to end, we have to acknowledge that we are all inadvertently racist. Whenever we catch ourselves being racist, we need to remind ourselves that what we’re doing is wrong and try our best to not revert back to that kind of mindset. If we see an act of racism taking place, we need to defend and protect each other and not stand in the sidelines hoping someone else will help out. If we collectively work on bettering ourselves, we have a better chance of ending racism.
BUZZWORTHY:
We asked students who their favorite teacher is, and how it would make them feel if they quit due to recent complaints of low salary and poor benefits.
Aaron Arkie Computer Science Major
Valentina Giron Biology Major
Nicholas Rodriguez Astronomy Major
Ryan Oshiro Biology Major
Eric Sundara Sociology Major
“Bummed, he’s really good, the way he teaches- it would be a big loss.”
“I don’t like it, she’s a good teacher. She’s mentioned reasons for the possibility of leaving before.”
“Bummed- very cool teacher, she had a great plan for everyone. I respect her.”
“Pretty sad, she’s a great teacher- she knows what she’s talking about and how to convey information.”
“Sad- if people were in this major, she woulf be my recommendation to them.”
-Speaking of Professor Jo Wu, Biology.
-Speaking of Crystal Joy- Aguirre, Physical Education.
-Speaking of Professor Maala Allen, Organismal Biology.
-Speaking of Professor Scott Edwards, computer science.
-Speaking of Professor Govea, Sociology of Gender.
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LOCAL
H O L I
Colors Fly in L.A. County
F E S T By Marilyn Eko The Hornet
T
he fourth annual Holi Festival of Colors was held at Excelsior High School Grounds in Los Angeles on March 12. The festival was an adaptation to the traditional festival that was modernized to be enjoyed and celebrated by many. The celebration showcased an array of performances including variation of genres in music with live bands, dancing and yoga. In addition to performances there was delicious vegetarian cuisine as well as dry colored powder to be purchased. Though the origins of the festival trace back to India, the Holi
Hundreds gathered at the Holi Festival of Colors to throw colored powder at each other on March 12, 2016.
festival is enjoyed by Hindus and non-Hindus around the world. “Even though it’s an Indian seasonal festival we wanted to expand it, not just to be something ethnic or religious or regional, we wanted to spin it so it directs itself directly to the soul; the light force within each and every one of us,” director Caru Das Adhikary said. The festival carries many purposes. One prominent purpose it holds is that it recognizes the beginning of spring while also saying goodbye to winter. It also signifies Spring's abundant colors, while making sure to encompass sharing love. People gather to sing, dance and celebrate the victory of good
over bad. One way that people showed love at the festival was by giving each other hugs. The throwing of powdered colors was another way attendees showed love towards one another. Das Adhikary described Holi Festival of Colors as pure joy. He discussed how the festival evokes positivity with the nature of the music, mantras, vegetarian food and yoga. “It destroys all those things that hold us back- negativity, defeatism, [and] low self-esteem," Adhikary added. All of the performances were filled with energy and the messages evoked positivity and spirituality. Many of the performers
Tajmai Owens
invited the audience on stage to dance and were interactive with the crowd. Many of the performers on stage asked the crowd to throw colors throughout the event. Srikalogy one of the first to perform had plenty of energy and also included the crowd. Srikalogy explained his belief that music is transformational and carries a lot of energy. The message he wanted people to take away was that music is joyful and healing. Luminaries, a conscious hip hop band from Venice Beach also performed. One of their songs titled “Be the Change” was inspired by Gandhi. Another mantra that they used
O F C O L O R S
was, “Peace world-wide starts from inside.” They shared many uplifting messages throughout their performances. Free, a member from the Luminaries says they wanted to share real music and remind people that there is still real music out there. Positive energy was shown in addition to unity. It was a celebration of having fun, while spreading love. The festival is a reminder to spread good vibes. The Holi Festival of Los Angeles was a colorful experience filled with love that was felt from the many performances and the attendees.
LOCAL
12
How far back into Anaheim’s history does the KKK go? By Abi G Bulus The Hornet
Anaheim, California, has been a hot topic in newspapers across the nation. The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan planned a protest at the historic Pearson Park. Reports say the rally left five people injured and about a dozen in jail. The protests and walks are over. Wounds, physical and emotional, have been nursed but the dust is yet to settle. There are weighty emotions that linger and many questions yet to be answered. Why Orange County? Why the city of Anaheim? Why now? The city of Anaheim is the heart of Southern California. From the clean streets and array of coffee shops, to Disneyland and beach towns, the city is teeming with exciting ways to spend your leisure time. When we think Anaheim, we
think fun and entertainment, certainly not a white supremacism group or violence. The thought of the Ku Klux Klan convening in a nearby city is frightening, uncomfortable and possibly, too close for comfort for many Orange County residents. It is not, however, entirely random. This group actually has a long-standing history in Orange County, California. In 1857, 50 German families migrated from San Francisco in search of land to plant grapes and engage in wine trade. They settled in an area close to the Santa Ana River and named it Anaheim—“heim” being the German translation of “home” and the full name meaning “home by the Santa Ana River.” Although there were small groups of KKK members scattered across Southern California, this number grew over the years.
The group became most prominent in Orange County in 1924 after several individuals with secret ties to the Ku Klux Klan were elected to the Anaheim Board of Trustees. Records indicate that about 80 percent of the city council members had some affiliation to the white supremacist group, which ultimately gave them control of the city government. With their newly elected positions of power, klansmen fired many Anaheim residents from their jobs and worked to bring down German-owned alcohol businesses. The KKK were from a more conservative background that was as against alcohol consumption. In 1924, a list with the names of elected officials who were connected to the KKK was released and these individuals eventually ousted. Other Orange County cities
Photo Courtesy of OC Weekly
Nathan Bedford Forrest served as the first Grand Wizard of Anaheim’s KKK.
Photo Courtesy of The Anaheim Colony
Four Ku Klux Klan members dressed in “glory suits” driving through the streets of Anaheim promoting their meeting
with KKK city officials include Fullerton, La Habra and Huntington Beach. Although the city officials connected to the KKK were fired, the effect of their presence still lingers to an extent. There are a number of city monuments in Anaheim named after these former city officials. It is undoubtedly important to delve into our history. There is a chance we will learn things we are not particularly proud of, but there is great power in knowledge.
Through history we are able to connect dots and paint a picture that would otherwise be inaccurate and incomplete. Fortunately, our history does not define who we are. We must not allow ourselves to be bound by the events that lie in the past. Jose Ortega y Gasat, a prominent Spanish philosopher alluded to this truth when he said, “We need to study the whole of history, not to fall back into it, but to see if we can escape from it.”
What constitutes a hate crime and what motivates terrorism? By Rachelle Lorente The Hornet
Two months ago, the Ku Klux Klan rally in Anaheim erupted in violence; the San Bernardino
shooting in December killed 14 innocent people, and recent international terror attacks in Brussels and Paris leaves us all wondering, why is this happen-
Photo Curtesy of FBI
Of the 5,479 hate crime incidents reported in 2013, 5,462 were single-bias incidents, as detailed in the chart above.
ing? From racial motivated to religious bias crimes, what constitutes a hate crime and what motivates terrorism? In 2014, out of the 15,494 law enforcement agencies that participated in the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistic Program, 1,666 reported 5,479 hate crime incidents involving 6,418 offenses. There were 5,462 single-bias incidents with 6, 681 victims and 5,176 offenders. The other 17 incidents were due to multiple bias involving 33 offenses, 46 victims and 16 offenders. In California, there were 759 hate crime incidents per bias motivation were reported in 2014. A total of 305 incidents were racial motivated, 128 incidents were targeted because of the offender' religious bias, 187 of these incidents were due to offenders’ sexual-orientation bias, 111 incidents stemmed from ethnicity bias, 4 incidents were prompted by disability bias, 2 incidents resulted from gender bias, and 22 incidents were motivated by gender-identity bias. Out of 34 cities in Orange County, 15 cities submitted a hate crime statistic report. In North Orange County, Brea reported one incident involving race bias in the third quarter of
2014. Buena Park reported two incidents in the second quarter of the year involving sexual orientation bias and ethnicity bias. Fullerton had one incident due to sexual orientation bias, and two in Garden Grove. Huntington Beach reported three hate crime incidents involving race, religion and ethnicity bias. Orange reported two incidents involving religion and race bias. Placentia also reported one incident involving race bias, and Yorba Linda reported one incident regarding religion bias. Santa Ana submitted seven hate crime incidents in the year 2014. Four was reported due to race bias and one incident on religion, sexual orientation and ethnicity bias. Despite the sum of the hate crime incidents in north Orange County, hate crime in OC has decreased year after year based on the FBI’s uniform crime report on hate crime. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity” is a form of a hate crime.
If race, religion and ethnicity bias against a person or property is a form of hate crime, at what point does it become a terroristic threat? The FBI defines terrorism as violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law that occur either within or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The Domestic Terrorism Post 9/11 article by the FBI describes “Today’s domestic terror threats run the gamut, from hate-filled white supremacists…to highly destructive eco-terrorists…to violence-prone anti-government extremists…to radical separatist groups.” As mentioned in Domestic Threat story by the FBI, white supremacy extremists like the KKK, "specifically targets racial, ethnic, and religious minorities; the federal government, and in some instances, even each other.” The KKK rally stabbing in February was a result of a heated confrontation between Klan members and counter protesters due to the threat the group pose in our diverse society. Hate crime comes in different kinds and forms, and terrorism is closer to home than the society portrays.
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LOCAL
ALL ABOARD!
Choo, choo, Fullerton’s old Santa Fe station gets ready for Railroad Days By Derek Hall The Hornet
F
Nur Sattar/The Hornet
Families Surround Santa Fe Engine 3751. Fullerton Railroad Days 2015
E M POWE R .
ullerton's annual Railroad Days celebration rolls into the old Santa Fe station on April 30 and May 1. Sponsored by Amtrak with participation from Disneyland, BNSF Railways and the Carolwood Foundation, the latter preserving Walt Disney's railroad legacy, visitors to the event are entrenched in railroad culture. "We are expecting 30,000 people throughout the weekend," Harold Benash, president of Southern California Railway Plaza Association, said. 2016 brings new attractions to Fullerton, two 1949 vintage Union Pacific lounge cars. A UP 500, a Lunch Counter-Diner-Lounge car and UP 6101, a dormitory-lounge car have been added Visitors will have the opportunity to tour these cars that have been restored to their original character.
The tours are provided by the Railroad Operations Committee (ROC) members. Reservations are not required and the tours are free. This year 13 independently-operated exhibitors will display their miniature scale track set ups. These exhibitors are genuine enthusiasts of railroad culture. They take every bit of detail about rail history into consideration and bring it to life for families to enjoy. Children and adults alike will walk away with an appreciation of our rail system due the vast knowledge each operator provides. Thousands of dollars and hours have been spent in order to give the attendees a jaw-dropping look into their railing heritage. Several vendors and merchants will be in attendance including Solar City and Disney. Food and drinks are available with six food vendors on site and medical and security staff will be present.
C O N N E C T.
Do you have type 1 diabetes? Join Hoag’s Herbert Program for young adults with type 1 diabetes for support, connections, resources and social events. Don’t miss 1st Fridays for a chance to meet and share experiences. For more information please visit Facebook.com/groups/type1ya/ Herbert Program for Young Adults at the Mary and Dick Allen Diabetes Center Empowering young adults with Type 1 Diabetes with the confidence to handle all of life’s complications
Admission is free for Railroad Days 2016 but donations can be left inside boxes at the entrance. These donations help fund various projects and charitable functions that the SCRPA organization maintains. Benash has been working behind the scenes in order to make this year's event just as stellar as the past. Many families in Fullerton and the surrounding communities look forward each year to celebrating the history of our railways. "It's a lot of hard work," Benash said, "It's worth it, it's great to see the wonder and excitement."
S H A R E.
LOCAL
Remembering Amanda Walzer 1973-2016
Photo Courtesy of Katelyn Hall/LiveWire
Amanda Walzer, a beloved teacher at Fullerton College died days after she sustained serious injuries as a result of a traffic accident on March 29
Amanda Walzer, an English professor, was known for her dedication to her students and work. Despite her unexpected death, she leaves behind a legacy.
By Julia Medina The Hornet
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manda Walzer played different roles to many people. She was a mother, a colleague, a professor, a mentor and a confidante. Her passion for teaching coupled with her warm personality made her unexpected death that much more devastating to those who knew her. Walzer died as a result of a traffic accident on March 29. She left behind two sons. Amanda Walzer began her career at Fullerton College in 2007 as an English professor. It didn’t take long before she gained a favorable reputation among students and colleagues. “She was amazing because she always gave 150 percent to her students,” student Katelyn Hall said. Hall developed a close bond with Walzer, who she credited as her mentor. She recalled how the two first met. “I walked into the classroom the first day like any other class…not knowing that she would change my life,” Hall recalled. At the time Hall entered her English class, she was unsure about the direction of her life but soon found a love for literature and creative writing. It was passion that was unearthed thanks in part to Walzer who constantly motivated and pushed for Hall’s success. By the end of the semester, Hall would be asked to become a tutor for the Entering
Scholars Program. “She was the first one who truly valued and listened to what I had to say,” Hall said. Aside from being a dedicated professor, Walzer is credited with resurrecting LiveWire Journal, an online literary and arts journal. She asked Hall to serve as its editor-in-chief. In 2013, Walzer envisioned the journal as a space for the creative minds of Fullerton College. Content was not limited to literature but inclusive of artwork and music. “She believed in creating opportunities for students as well as experiences,” Hall added. Serving as the editor-in-chief, Hall spent more time with Walzer and recalled one her favorite moments. “We’re outside having a meeting when all of a sudden a Japanese beetle flies into my hair,” Hall laughingly explained, “I start freaking out but [Amanda] very calmly grabs the beetle from my hair.” "Then she explains that these beetles are blind and don’t know any better…she eventually let it go,” Hall added. This funny memory was one of many that perfectly highlights Walzer's easy-going, lighthearted nature. It is one of her many attributes that those who were close to her will miss. English professor Kimberly Orlijan was hired the same year as Walzer. The two quickly developed a friendship. She
recounted her first of many talks with her. “I confessed that I still helped my son fall asleep at night by lying either in bed with him or on the floor next to him,” Orlijan said. Walzer’s response? “She told me I was crazy and I needed to stop like yesterday,” Orlijan added. The humorous and honest response planted the seed of what would become a yearslong friendship. Walzer was known for lending a hand to her students, but that courtesy also extended to those she was close to. Orlijan recounted their last conversation. “I was so nervous about a new class I’d be teaching in the fall…right away [Amanda] calmed my nerves and gave me a book that was helpful for her,” Orlijan said. The two even agreed to spend some time over the summer discussing in depth about the class. Unfortunately Orlijan will now have to rely on her memories of Walzer for guidance. Her unexpected passing left a hole for many at Fullerton College but for those who knew her she left a powerful and lasting impact on students and faculty. The Humanities Department will be hosting a tribute on May 1., students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and celebrate Walzer. A GoFundMe account was created by her family, any interested in donating can visit gofundme.com/amandawalzer
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ENTERTAINMENT
Photos By Christian Fletcher/The Hornet
After the emotional LiveWire event filled with poetry, music and art dedicated to Amanda Walzer was over the LiveWire staff gather for a group photo on April 20.
LiveWire dedicates open mic night to Amanda Walzer W By Yvonne Villasenor Assistant News Editor
riters and artists, including both students and faculty, gathered to express themselves through poetry, prose, spoken word or music Wednesday night on April 20. Katelynn Hall, the editor-in-chief of Livewire Journal, gave a brief introduction on what LiveWire is all about and paid tribute to faculty advisor, Amanda Walzer who passed away in late March. “Amanda became my mentor, inspiration and second mother. She taught me the importance of a well-placed comma, the strength in a sentence that doesn’t give too much away and why to avoid clichés,” Hall said. She continued on how Walzer especially impacted this open mic night. “Because of her, our readers are invited to stay up all night with us, traverse the border and feel the wind. Because of her, you may find yourself exploring the seashore, the Afghan desert and a drug store bathroom. You will connect to characters whose lives will change forever in just a moment,
the length of a breath, a phone call, a few words, a pregnancy test,” Hall said. The night continued with about 25 performers. While some spoke of lighthearted topics regarding staying youthful, love, dreams and baby sea lions, others recited poems associated with watching friends die during war, kicking drug habits, losing a pet/family member/ virginity, suicide and abortion. LiveWire showcased nine pieces of art that accommodated poetry and were available for purchase. Featured artists were Patrick Quirk (“Border Blessings”), Lin Greene (“diurnal”, “Waiting for My Friends to Die”, “Baby”, “The Vigil”), Marlon Rizo (“Unsprouted”, “Dreams From The Office Floor”, “The Wind”) and Lainey LaRosa (“Discography”). Writers of the selected works included Victor Mendoza, Jessie Bullard, Zachary Kam, Katelyn Hall, Nadine Arndt, Haley Russo, Julian Babad, Christin Caparas and Brittany Dani West. This spring issue of LiveWire was dedicated to Amanda Walzer. Kasondra Perez, English major, was one of the performers who spoke
In his story, Miguel powers explains that being a rat is not all bad on Wednesday, April 20
Katelyn Hall host the Fullerton College’s LiveWire open mic night on Wednesday, April 20.
Wednesday night. She has been writing since she was 14 years old and channeled her losses through writing three pieces she recited. “All the pieces are connected through some sense of loss,” Perez said. Her pieces were non-fiction or inspired off true events that had happened following her grandfather’s passing. Ivan Panuco, business major, has enjoyed writing most of his life but started taking it more seriously after taking a class with Walzer two years ago. He explained why he chose to recite his piece, “Another Horrible Person”. “I had no plans of finishing it...” Panuco said. He wrote another piece for the previous open mic show and figured he would come back to “Another Horrible Person” later on. Walzer spent time with Panuco on how to brainstorm the piece and finish it since she saw potential in his poem. He continued, “I did it for Amanda.” When asked how long she had been writing, Katelynn Hall answered, “How long have I been breathing?” She laughed and responded, “Since I had a personality.” Hall reflected on her memories
as a young writer and how she began writing skits for her siblings while she was in the 4th grade. Since she is the editor-in-chief of Livewire, Walzer wanted her to be speaker for the night at this open-mic although she was adamant on not wanting to. “I feel like I have gained so many skills,” Hall said when describing what kind of effect LiveWire has had on her educational experience. She wasn’t the only one who performed Wednesday night for Walzer. English instructor Miguel Powers doesn’t see himself as much of a writer, but a storyteller instead. His story was about his father, a workaholic who his father’s friend referred to as a rat (from a psychological standpoint, of course). Walzer tried to get Powers to speak at the open mic nights before, but he never saw himself fit for the event. Powers mentioned how his performance was “also inspired by Amanda” and how much of a positive impact she made on those around her. “She [Walzer] saw they could be better versions of themselves...I think all teachers should aspire to be like that,” Powers said.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Photos by Marlon Rizo/The Hornet
All of the Fullerton College symphony under the direction of Zun-Hin Woo preparing to perform during their Spring concert on Monday, April 18 in the Fullerton College Campus Theatre
Fullerton College Symphony weaves classical and pop music By Helena Kim The Hornet
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ullerton College opened its Spring Symphony concert Monday, April 18, to excited spectators waiting to absorb what the performers had prepared for the night. Comprised of both music and non-music majors, the FC Symphony included the Winds, Strings, Brass, and Percussion sections. At 7:30 p.m., lights dimmed and the orchestra readied into position after tuning the instruments. Under the firm, adept guidance of music director ZunHin Woo, the orchestra smoothly cued its start. As the performance started, powerfully grounded notes hit the audience, demanding the focus of each attendee. The brass and strings section particularly shone in Lance Treviño's "The Guardsmen Suite," where each played off of each other, notes gently tumbling over their vastly different but compatible sound. When the brass players pumped their melody with its signature brashness, the violin section would echo it, softening the edges while still allowing the brass to stand out when needed.
The woodwinds were impressive as well, occasionally piercing through the crowd with its confident ring. Up next was a string quartet, which featured three professional musicians from Symphony Irvine and Woo, a seasoned violinist and violist himself. Needless to say, their rendition of "String Quartet in F, Op. 96" by A. Dvorak was close to flawless. While there were several mishandled notes, the ensemble delivered tight teamwork and impeccable speed. Years of experience and passion for their art were visible in their performance, inspiring the audience to listen and be mindful. The string ensemble, composed of six students, performed equally well, weeks of practice eminent in their clean delivery. Performers swayed or sharply jerked to each stroke, unconsciously causing the audience to do the same. Music major Anthony Peña, violinist in the ensemble, said that there was a lot of practice involved, precisely every Monday night for about three hours. "Without practice, we can't function," Pena said. After intermission, the orchestra filed into place and took a
different turn, opting to perform what Woo called songs of the "Old World." "I'm looking forward to the second half [of the concert], since there will be music from European composers," music major and 20-year trumpet player, James Teubner said. Thus, the orchestra tackled the suite "English Folk Songs" complete with three compositions and G. Faure's "Pavane." "Pavane" was especially moving, with the clarinets, oboes, and flutes lending their soft, seductive
trans people in the entertainment industry. She responds, “More of us are living visibly and pursuing our dreams visibly, so people can say, ‘Oh yeah, I know someone who is trans.’” Cox relives the moment of discovering herself and the struggles of being bullied as she grew up with the uncertainty and denial of her identity and gender. She has taken her fame to speak out of the issues of trans people in society and is an LGBT activist. With a wide array of what the entertainment industry covers, trans men and women are letting their voices be heard, and the media does its part in revealing their lives to the public. One of the biggest headliners of 2015 in the showbiz industry was the reveal of Bruce Jenner’s transition to Caitlyn Jenner. After 65 years, the Gold-Med-
alist Olympian showed a new identity on the cover of Vanity Fair and the world finally met the woman who hid behind Bruce Jenner’s life through two marriages, six children, and the role of a manly father on “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” Vanity Fair covered an extensive interview with Caitlyn in 2015, where she admits that denying the transition would lead her to say, “You just blew your entire life. You never dealt with yourself, and I don’t want that to happen.” Less than a decade ago, though the transgender community was not often brought out to light, a story in 2007 rang through the news media as Thomas Beatie became internationally known as the first “pregnant man.” The story broke headlines as Beatie, a trans man, became pregnant through artificial
tone to the center of the orchestra. Following "Pavane," E. Satie's "Lent et douloureux" began with a lovely piano accompaniment, with soft, wispy violins soaring across the lingering piano notes. Performers seamlessly captured the sensitivity of this piece. A final rendition of "Overture to Semiramide" by G. Rossini wrapped up this year's symphony concert. Giving their all, the performers captivated the audience once more with their bold, colorful
sound and deft control of dynamics. "Having an audience really affects them [the students]. Sometimes they get really nervous, but it's part of the learning experience," Woo said. "The more you perform, the more experience you have. Even the pros get nervous themselves.” For more information about the symphony orchestra or FC's music department, visit their website, music.fullcoll.edu.
The Fullerton College string quartet, which featured three professional musicians from Symphony Irvine and Woo performing ‘The Guardsmen Suite’ on Monday, April 18 at the Spring Symphony concert
Trans men and women stepping into the spotlight in the entertainment industry
By Mara Nogales The Hornet
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here is an increased sense of acknowledgment of trans men and women in America especially within the entertainment industry. More and more trans men and women are breaking their silence and bringing an even bigger bang to notable films, tv shows, and documentaries. In 2013, Netflix released an American comedy-drama series called Orange is the New Black, featuring stories of women living their lives out in prison. Transgender actress Laverne Cox, plays Sophia Burset, a transgender woman who encounters her fair share of struggles and differences from the other women in prison. In an interview with Time Magazine in 2014, Cox is asked how America is adapting to more
insemination. He made the decision to become pregnant due to his wife’s infertility. Beatie’s first pregnancy resulted in an ectopic pregnancy with triplets, requiring emergency surgery and unfortunately, resulted in the loss of all three fetuses. Since then, Beatie has given birth to three children, making history in the Guinness World Records. Though he gained initial spotlight in the media, his life has simmered down from the publicity today, and continues to be an LGBT activist, spokesperson, and advocate for the trans community. While reality shows rocked the nation, film critics and audiences can’t deny that movies are one of the greatest representation of controversies in society. In 2015, Academy Award winning film, The Danish Girl,
gained recognition for the loosely-based portrayal of the lives of Danish painters Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The Danish Girl stars Eddie Redmayne as Lili, a trans woman who had sex reassignment surgery in the 1920s with the support of her wife. The film portrayed the struggle of Elbe living life as a transgender and the sensitivity of society to her decision in discovering her identity. Although this is not the first of transgender representations in movies, it certainly won’t be the last. With more people speaking out about being transgender more and more people seem to be coming to terms with seeing it in the entertainment industry.
ENTERTAINMENT
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Experiencing hatred and racism through the big screen
Epoch Producing Corp 1915
By Mara Nogales The Hornet
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lthough the words of such events are recorded in our school textbooks, there's nothing like seeing it on the silver screen and reliving the horrors of hate crimes and racism in the most visual way. We live in an era where movies influence the general mind subconsciously through themes of romance, comedy, and family features. Those are the films that may make for great small talk and an update on one's weekend at the movies. Because films create such an impression in society, our minds deeply absorb movies that exhibit social justice, racism, and hate. Scandalous topics of racism
and discrimination are so often reflected in our real lives that it's no longer a surprise when audiences watch a film that takes them all the way back into the depths of history in regards to hate and discrimination. Films such as 1915's "The Birth of a Nation," is subtly credited for the creation of the 'second era' of the Ku Klux Klan. The film marks a the controversy of racism in the Civil War era but is noted to be an American film masterpiece. The extreme portrayal of African Americans made it clear that white people's perspective expressed focus on the importance and the justice in supporting what was then brute slave labor. It was then that a counter-narrative mini-series such as "Roots," bore the representation
of slavery in the African-American perspective in 1977. With the Europeans taking African-Americans and selling them into slavery for labor in the Americas, it showed an angle of the cruelty that white people brought about during this era. The idea was simple: white people made movies about their struggles and idea of justified slavery; black people in return made movies about the struggles of black people due to slavery. Although racism and hatred is not brand new information in typical classroom settings and history textbooks, the visuals that are in the context of a film can break through boundaries that the audience's mind never thought to imagine. However, the bigger the controversy is in a
film, the more it lures the general audience and creates news in the entertainment industry. With differing perspectives of racism having had its spotlight in individual films over the years, more current films such as "12 Years a Slave" became a major hit in 2013 when it first released. It showed a bit of considerably moral values in some white slave owners in the relationships they had with some black slaves. A connection in these perspectives can be considered enlightening, in a way. However, the film portrays the slave master being immensely cruel and believes he does the slaves justice through the suffering he puts them through. In this, hatred is born and the irony of using the Bible as a form
of guidance in his action leads audiences to wonder how such abominable acts were tolerated back then, much less could be brought in a form that affects us till present-day. Nowadays, in order to really understand the details of hate crimes and racism, watching a film such as the ones mentioned above is the best source of reliving how such events could possibly have been real. Whether or not it's painful for one to watch, the truth of the matter is that these events in history occurred, and perhaps these films are educating us subconsciously while we are lost in the idea of it being simply a form of entertainment.
SPORTS
18
Lady Hornets continue their career’s beyond Fullerton
Kim Cisneros/Hornet
Lady Hornet Brigid Ruiz leads the Orange Empire Conference in total strikeouts with 138 to her credit with a 2.18 ERA
By Jacquelyn Valdez
automatically knew it would be a great fit,” Loera said. The Hornet With Loera’s overall batting average of .317 and a slugging percentage of .485, it’s ullerton College Softball has two players safe to say she will be missed at Fullerton moving on to a university next year. College and will be a great asset for Cal Sophomore, Anissa Loera, will be moving State Dominguez Hills next year. on to Cal State Dominguez Hills and Brigid Hornet’s Coach Crystal said, “I have had Ruiz will be moving on to Sonoma State the opportunity to work with many great University. catchers, Anissa is very special to me, she is This season Lorea is primarily a catchloyal, and dedicated. Gifted athletically yet er for the Hornets. Next year she will be very humble,” said assistant coach Crystal playing catcher at Cal State Dominguez Aguirre. “Anissa has the ability to achieve Hills. As for her education, Loera is going anything she desires.” to major in Sociology. Loera continues to work hard on the field Picking the Toros was essentially a ‘no and in the classroom as her last season as a brainer’ for Loera after she had her visit to Hornet comes to end. the school and met with the coaches. “I’m excited about moving on and “It’s a great program and the coaches had starting fresh with a new group of girls and a lot of good things to say about the team coaches,” said Loera. “I’m ready for this and themselves, I enjoyed my visit and next journey.”
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THIS WEEK IN HORNET SPORTS
Baseball
The other Lady Hornet moving on is Brigid Ruiz who will be attending Sonoma State University next year. She is currently the starting pitcher for the Lady Hornets, with the occasional appearance at shortstop. “I picked Sonoma State University because I absolutely love the location and the coaching staff, It felt like the perfect fit for me,” Ruiz said. Ruiz will be majoring in Spanish at Sonoma as of right now but plans to change her major to business instead. For the Lady Hornets, Ruiz has an ERA of 2.18 and an outstanding 138 strikeouts overall as a pitcher. As a hitter currently Ruiz has a batting average of .310 in conference and a slugging percentage of .586. The Hornets lead the conference in strikeouts and Ruiz is the main reason why.
“[Ruiz] most unique athlete I have had the pleasure to coach,” Aguirre said. “She never gives anything less than her best, she is respectful, she is very special young woman and I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity to coach her and have her represent the Hornets.” “I am completely excited and ready to move on to the next level, I can’t wait,” Ruiz said. Fullerton has an overall record of 22-16 and a11-9 conference record. The Hornets currently sit in third place of the Orange Empire Conference standings and are hoping to rebound after a tough 4-2 loss to conference rival Cypress with a win. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win in their conference finale Wednesday on the road against Riverside City College.
2016 Summer Session at
The Hornets are in a No. 1 vs No. 2 battle for the Orange Empire Conference Championship with Saddleback College. The Hornets took the first game of the series yesterday, by the score of 5-3. The next game will be at home Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. then they will travel to Saddleback Friday for night game at 6 p.m.
California State University San Bernardino
Softball
Take advantage of:
The Lady Hornets have a big game Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the road against Riverside College. They are currently in third place and are looking to secure a playoff spot with a victory.
Swimming and Diving
The Hornets participated in the Orange Empire Conference championships last weekend and qualifiers will be at the State Finals at East Los Angeles College.
Track and Field
The track team will be in action at Orange Coast College Saturday for the Orange Empire Conference finals. On the men’s side Justin Walker is looking to qualify for state in both the long jump and 110-meter-hurdles. Pablo Perez is looking to qualify in the 800 meters. For the women, Samantha Duong placed third in javelin and looks to qualify for state at this weeks finals. Jasmine Mendoza easily qualified for the 200 meter race with a time of 27.71.
• Access to high-demand courses - Get the classes you need! • Lower Tuition - Classes for summer session are only $235.00 per quarter unit! • Two convenient locations offered - Classes at both San Bernardino and Palm Desert Campuses!
Registration for visiting students starts May 26th
Beach Volleyball
The Lady Hornets will be participating in the individual championships round of 32 this Wednesday at Golden West College at noon. The round of 16 and championship will tale place at Irvine Valley College Friday at noon.
summer@csusb.edu (909) 537-3978
summer.csusb.edu
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SPORTS
AN ALL-AMERICAN COMEBACK STORY
Thomas Cletcher decided to leave his comfort zone at Riverside City College and paved a new road, leading his way to the Orange Empire Conference Defensive MVP honors
Jason Burch/The Hornet
After a two-year detour Thomas Cletcher’s time is now
By Tae Jang and Jason Burch The Hornet
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major injury put his football career in jeopardy, but Thomas Cletcher swarmed back to lead the Hornet defense in 2015, proving his time was well spent. Most athletes love for the game of football starts at the high school level, but for Hornet middle linebacker Thomas Cletcher, it started way earlier. His passion for the game ignited while playing Pop Warner football in his hometown of Corona, about an hour east of Fullerton. At 8 years old, Cletcher and his friends would spend countless hours talking about their dreams of playing football one day. But back then he never imagined the roadblock that would be set before him nearly a decade later. Now standing 6-feet-1-inch and 225 pounds, Cletcher’s physical ability and ambition led to a breakout freshman
season for the Hornets in 2015. His dedication on and off the field caught the attention of universities across the country, leading him to receive multiple Division-I scholarship offers. The recent success tells only a small part of Cletcher’s story though. Despite recently emerging as one of the top JUCO linebackers in the nation, Cletcher’s road hasn’t always been easy. While playing for one of the state’s perennial football powerhouses, Centennial High School in Corona, he faced adversity that nearly derailed his playing career before he could even get to college. During the summer prior to his senior year, Cletcher was at a 7-on-7 passing league game, when he had a knee-
to-knee collision that wound up completely tearing his ACL. The injury steered Cletcher away from the game of football for the first time in his life, and it came at the most inopportune time. “When I tore my ACL that was a life test, things aren’t always going to go as planned,” Cletcher said. After the injury Cletcher had to receive treatment and go into surgery to repair his torn ACL. The progress was slow. Cletcher spent sic long months pushing through gruesome physical therapy and training, just to get back to a point where he could function normally. It would even longer before cletcher was able to resume basic football activities.
SPORTS
20
Jason Burch/Hornet
Fullerton linebacker Thomas Cletcher led the Hornets with 70 tackles and 12 tackles for loss which helped him earn JUCO All-American honors
Continued from 19 When finally cleared to return, the window of opportunity to play and show D-I colleges that he could excel at the next level was rapidly closing on Cletcher. “I felt like Boobie Miles from Friday Night Lights,” Cletcher said. “It took a toll on me, I was cheated of my dream of playing at a state championship game with all my friends that I grew up with.” With his senior season coming to an end, Cletcher, who had the unenviable task of rehabbing a severe injury, next had to come to terms with not receiving a college offer. Instead, he was forced to search for a different route to continue his athletic career. “It sucks to be taken away from doing what you love, but injuries are part of the game,” Cletcher said. “So when it happens, you got to deal with it the best you can, I trained hard during off season and I never lost focus of my dreams.” Riverside City College was the school he chose to attend originally. He spent two years taking courses and practicing with the team, but while attending college, he didn’t participate in any actual games, so he was able to keep his full eligibility moving forward. After spending two years strengthening his surgically repaired knee and honing his craft at RCC, Cletcher took
another leap of faith and transferred to Fullerton College. It was something about Riverside’s program that just didn’t seem like the best fit for me, and I had a good feeling from Fullerton,” Cletcher said. “I reached out to coach Brian Crooks the [FC] defensive coordinator and he gave me an opportunity.” With the transition to a new college, Cletcher felt mentally and physically prepared to get back on the gridiron, and show the coaching staff they made the right choice. And right they were. In his first season with the Hornets, he became a workhorse athlete on the field and an unquestionable leader on defense. Cletcher feels that the adversity he faced coming back from such a devastating injury helped him mature and become even better than before. “Without a doubt, I am bigger, faster, stronger and more explosive than I was before the injury,” Cletcher said. After the eye-grabbing season, in which he led the Hornets with- 70 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 2 fumble recoveries, including 1 returned for a touchdown, Cletcher was named a 2015 California Community College Athletic Association 1st team All-American and received the title of Southern Conference Defensive MVP. “Cletcher is an overall leader, he leads by example on defense, he works hard and makes big plays when the team needs them,” Crooks said. The road to glory for Cletcher this year has been an upturn in his life. He currently has a 3.0 GPA, with two Division-I offers on the table, including University of
Texas San Antonio and Louisiana Tech. He also received an offer from the University of Southeastern Louisiana, a Division-I AA team. Cletcher has already taken his official visits to both Division-I schools, and is debating which university to attend. “The defensive scheme the school runs will hands down play a big role,” Cletcher said. “That’s going to be a big part when choosing a school, where I’ll fit best with the defense I’ll be playing in.” Cletcher plans on staying until the end of spring practice to weigh out his options with hopes of receiving additional offers from other universities. Until then, Cletcher has decided to continue working hard in the classroom and on the field with the football team while waiting to choose the right university. He has received a recent offer from Texas State and has gained recent attention from Baylor University and is hoping more schools will follow with an offer. If Cletcher does decide to return to the Hornets they will look to him for his leadership and experience for the upcoming season. To see Cletcher in action, check out his freshman season highlights on hudl.com.