viewpoints An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving as the voice of the students since 1922.
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VIEWPOINTSONLINE.ORG
MAY 10, 2018
Silence sparks conversation See AWARENESS on Page 4
Backpacks, a display representing the number of college students who take their own lives each year, are scattered in the A.G. Paul Quadrangle on April 24.
MIA MAGANA | VIEWPOINTS
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May 10, 2018
News
ASRCC Election Results
NEWS BRIEFS EOPS Applications open Extended Opportunity Programs and Services will be accepting applications for fall 2018 from May 15 to June 6. EOPS is a student support program implemented and funded by the state of California through Title V to help recruit, retain and assist the academic success of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students by providing them with the tools and resources for achieving a higher education. In order to be deemed eligible for the program, students must be a California resident, enrolled in 12 units or more during the fall or spring semester, have completed less than 45 transferable units, qualify for the BOG waiver and have a educational disadvantage as determined through Riverside City College assessment scores. Returning EOPS students must be in good academic standing from their previous semester to continue benefiting from the program. Services offered through the program include priority registration, textbook vouchers, one-on-one tutoring, academic counseling, transfer information and assistance, as well as regalia for transferring students. To apply, students must log onto their Webadvisor, look under ‘Supplemental Applications’ and click on “EOPS Supplemental Applications.”
MIA MAGANA | VIEWPOINTS
Members of student government had polling stations set up in the Bookstore Pormenade on May 2-3. SAMANTHA BARTHOLOMEW NEWS EDITOR
Students elected Associated Students of Riverside City College president, vice president and senators, as well as the District’s student trustee for the 2018-2019 school year May 2-3. Ta y l o r A b e r n a t h y a n d Andrew Rivera won the positions of ASRCC president and vice president with 126 votes. Their opponents, Gabriela Hinojosa and Jessica Harman earned 123 votes, while Gabriela Mena and Claudia Clone Lucrey had 95 votes. Abernathy, a veteran, served in the United States Coast Guard from 2011 to 2017. During this time, he worked in physical security, logistics and acquisition where he said he learned some core skills. “I was a hard-worker, a leader, an organizer and a representative of something larger than myself,” Abernathy said. Rivera has been involved with ASRCC for three years, serving as Campus Activities Council Co-Director. He has also served as a representative at the General Assembly for RCC and participated in numerous committees and shared governance meetings. “The student population contains brilliance and we are committed to hearing what you have to say,” Rivera said. “Our door will be open to anyone who wants to share their ideas or voice their complaints.” “We are committed to assist it becoming a more vibrant community-oriented campus,” Abernathy said.
Abernathy and Rivera plan to implement several changes including a student lounge equipped with televisions, couches, tables and games, as well as more frequent and largerscale events held by ASRCC, and more frequent non-ASRCC events such as food trucks, radio talk shows and job fairs on campus to engage with students. “We will seek your opinions on what you would like to see changed or improved and ideas as to how to implement them,” Abernathy said.
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Swartz claims that these lacking resources are what ultimately led him to run to be a senator to begin with. “This imbalance and inefficiency was what drove me to put aside irrelevant issues to help other students overcome trivial obstacles that stand in the way in the education for us all.” At the start of the fall 2018 semester, RCC’s Jacob Velasquez will take on the role of student trustee after gaining 183 votes, beating out his opponent, RCC’s Nathaniel Dominguez, by 123
“We are committed to assist (Riverside City College) in becoming a more vibrant communityoriented campus.” -- ASRCC President Taylor Abernathy
Students were also asked to vote on a revised version of the ASRCC Constitution, which passed with 244 votes. Yashmeen Sharma, Diana Terrazas, Geby Rawung, Michelle Aquilar, Skylar Fisher, Ghazala Khan and Jacob Swartz were also elected to serve as senators with more than 50 votes each. Each of the new senators are responsible for representing 500 students each throughout their term beginning the first day after the end of the spring semester until the last day of the following spring semester. “I see a lack of resources at this college and I’m not the only one,” Swartz said. “Certain resources are only available to specific students, while others are nonexistent.”
votes. Velasquez said he intends to hold open forums to allow the general student body to have a platform to speak with their ASRCC representatives. “I want to make sure that, as students, our voices are heard,” Velasquez said. “I am making it my goal to actively engage and hold open discussions with clubs, organizations and programs to guarantee that any issues or concerns are accounted for.” Velasquez said he plans to create an open communication between the Associated Students Organizations so as to be the best possible advocate for students. “It will be my honor and privilege to serve, listen and advocate for my fellow classmates at RCCD,” Velasquez said.
Distinguished Faculty Lecture Ann Pfeifle, professor at Moreno Valley College, has been selected by her peers to deliver Riverside Community College District’s Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Pfeifle will present her lecture at Riverside City College on May 10. The lecture is open to the public and free, and will begin at 12:50 p.m. and a small reception will follow. Pfeifle’s lecture will discuss the family history which has undergone a revolution of sorts over the last decade. She will explore the potential benefits and the disputes associated with this renewed interest in genealogy and the production of family history by presenting her own experience with the company 23andMe and the impact of discovering her genes as a child of a closed adoption.
Cybersecurity Camp For the second year in a row, Riverside City College will host Air Force Association’s CynerCamp. The RCC AFA CyberCamp, which will be held from July 30 to Aug. 3, can accommodate 50 students. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enrollment is free and open to incoming high school juniors and seniors. Students can register through Eventbrite. Attendees will receive software and a hands-on curriculum kit designed to teach students cyber safety, cyber ethics and critical network security skills and tools. The AFA CyberCamp will culminate in a team-based competition that puts the campers in the role of IT administrators tasked with finding and addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated network environments. The AFA CyberCamp competitions will closely mimic AFA’s annual CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, which will enter its tenth season in October.
Transfer Recognition Ceremony The Transfer Center will be hosting the Annual Transfer Recognition Ceremony on May 18, 2018 in the Cafeteria from 12-2 p.m. During the ceremony, transferring students will be recognized with a Certificate of Completion and a medallion they can wear during commencement. Students must RSVP by sending an email to TransferCenter@RCC. edu by the May 11.
Sexual Assault Prevention Workshop RCC will be hosting a sexual assault prevention workshop May 16 in the Charles A. Kane Building, Room 205, from 12:50-1:50 p.m. Alexa Thomason, a representative from Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, will talk about sexual assault awareness and prevention, the dangers of victim blaming and rape culture, trauma and the brain, how survivors of sexual assault can get help, the role of rape crisis centers in the community and things to know about reporting. This event is free and open to the public.
Parking Services Office new location The Parking Services Office, previously located on the fifth level of the parking structure, has moved to a new location. The new office is located in the Lovekin Complex on the lower campus. Questions and concerns can be made at 951-222-8520.
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May 10, 2018
News
MIA MAGANA | VIEWPOINTS
Send Silence Packing, hosted by Active Minds, raises awareness of mental health funding and counseling on campuses for the large number of suicides among college students.
Exhibit promotes awareness Mental health nonprofit highlights the vast number of suicides among college students PAUL VILLALOBOS STAFF REPORTER
Stigma is shame. Shame causes silence. Silence hurts us all. These powerful phrases were attached to backpacks that were scattered across Riverside City College’s A.G. Paul Quadrangle on April 24. Send Silence Packing is a nationally recognized exhibit that uses donated backpacks to represent a deafening silence in discussion of campus suicides and mental health. Active Minds, an organization that focuses on destigmatizing mental illness, reports that more than 1,000 college students die by suicide each year. However, according to a report by NPR, the number could be greater considering most public colleges don’t track the number of suicides on their campuses. Additionally, many of the backpacks had personal stories attached to them. The Active Minds website states that the stories are written and donated by “individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.” “I think it’s cool to see the actual number,” RCC student Layla Cortez said. “It’s one thing to have it in your head, but to see the number of backpacks of students each year is another thing entirely. I think it is a
noninvasive way of bringing awareness to mental health and suicide.” Exhibits such as the Send Silence Packing display aim to spark conversation among students and can help encourage them to see the impact of mental health. It can also prompt students to seek out what they can do to help themselves, their fellow peers or their loved ones. “A lot of people don’t have that comfort of talking about mental health yet,” RCC student Albert Limreck said. “The exhibit shows that they can still get that message and see there is help. And the more that we can talk about it or get that message out, the more help people can get.” Alexis Ruiz, a staff coordinator for Send Silence Packing, explains that the goal of this event was to highlight the variety of mental health services offered to students. “I think it’s incredibly important and it’s needed,” Ruiz said. “It’s relevant right now (because) the numbers are increasing and we want to do everything we can to make sure everyone feels like they can reach out for help.” Ruiz elaborates that there isn’t enough mental health funding throughout the nation to get students the services they need. “More trained psychologists, more help should be made available on campus, not just
outside of the campus,” Ruiz said. Ruiz points out that the transition from high school to college can be stressful for students. NBC reports that college counselors are seeing a record number of students dealing with anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. “Every college we’ve gone to, it’s difficult because we keep hearing students say that the wait list is two months (or) a couple weeks, but people need help now,” Ruiz said. While there are resources such as the Crisis Text Line to help students right away, Ruiz said that there should be more staff available in-person on the campus to help students as soon as they need it. Currently, RCC offers free one-on-one counseling and wellness workshops with a mental health professional to registered students. Their clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ruiz further comments that mental health awareness should be a part of the curriculum in every class and training offered at all colleges. “Most people don’t take mental health as serious as physical health, but it’s important that if you see any change in another person’s habits or even if you see that change in yourself, take it very seriously,” Ruiz said. “Reach out and ask for help.”
MIA MAGANA | VIEWPOINTS
Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac looks at a display of backpacks representing college students who took their own lives at Riverside City College on April 24. Samantha Bartholomew contributed to this report.
LIFE
May 10, 2018
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“When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.”
Rupaul
Avengers Infinity War breaks records ANTHONY TORRES STAFF REPORTER
“Avengers: Infinity War” will leave audiences devastated, with their mouths hanging wide open and their vision blurred from holding back their tears. Audience members will wonder if it’s some cruel illusion by Loki, God of Mischief, but it is not a trick and neither is the film’s record breaking weekend. According to Forbes Magazine, in just a little over two weeks the film has grossed about $1.226 billion worldwide, just $27 million shy of DC Universe’s “Justice League” with it’s seventeen week run in theaters. Without setting off your spidey-senses, or more like your spoiler-senses, the storyline follows all of the heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe which includes Black Panther, Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy, just to name a few. The film begins with the reintroduction of every hero as they are spread out across the universe and their paths begin to cross. The heroes race against time, space and Thanos for six immensely powerful gems known as the Infinity Stones. Whoever holds the six jewels holds the ability to alter the universe with just the snap of a finger.
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At the end, audiences see an all-out brawl on two fronts. The movie keeps everyone on the edge of their seats as Thanos gets closer and closer to each stone while the stakes are raised higher. The directing duo, The Russo Brothers, along with producer Kevin Feige achieved what would have seemed impossible in the early 1990s or 2000s, they brought together a cohesive story that involved the biggest crossover of superheroes in movie history. The audiences watch as the superheroes come together to fight for the fate of the universe while they learn to get along with each other. Overall, the visual cinematography is above average, with the focus being more on the characters and the arc of the story but the soundtrack keeps audiences engaged in the film. With a build up of ten years, and with every Marvel movie connecting to each other, the pay off is of cosmic proportions. This is a film worth watching for the emotions the actors illicit but be prepared to leave the theater shocked. The ending will leave crowds speechless and wishing they could sleep for a year until the next Avengers film is released in 2019. Audiences should make sure to stay until the very end of the credits for that signature Marvel ending scene.
ILLUSTRATION BY ROCIO MACIAS
Familiar faces transform for spring drag show IMARI REDE LIFE EDITOR
Drag is gender performance at its finest. Riverside City College’s Gender and Sexualities Awareness club presented their Spring Annual Drag Show on April 26 in the cafeteria and it was nothing less than a party. The show started about 20 minutes late but the audience waited patiently because queens are the ones that control the time, not the other way around. Five performers, Mia Berlyn,
BJ Hardy, Rhea Della Vera, Anorah Misty and Syren Halston took to the stage with vibrant dance numbers and their own unique looks. Berlyn hosted and opened the show. The crowd went wild while she effortlessly landed flips and swirled her hips with bodacious dance moves. RCC’s own drag king, BJ Hardy, wore a suit and flew the crowd to the moon with his Frank Sinatra inspired performance. “This was definitely the biggest crowd I’ve ever performed for,” Hardy said. The second half showcased
the president of the GSA’s first drag performance ever. Misty, also known as Will Harris turned heads to Kesha’s song, “Woman.” “It was so nerve racking but exhilarating,” said Misty. Her psychedelic rainbow maxi dress and blue hair made a statement as she was there to “advocate for LGBT rights in the community.” This show was special to the GSA because two of their members walked the stage. “It’s a good experience and there’s usually a good crowd. I’ve seen it the past two years,” said Joseph Contaoi, a member of RCC’s GSA.
MIA MAGANA | VIEWPOINTS
BJ Hardy performs a tribute to Frank Sinatra on April 26 in the cafeteria at Riverside City College for the Spring Annual Drag Show.
Entertainment Briefs Riverside bucket list book
Local farmer’s market
Celebrate Dance 2018
Jazz Festival
Party like it’s 1999
The Riverside City College Library presents “100 Things to Do in Riverside Before You Die” by RCC professor Larry Burns. He will give insight to unique places to enjoy food, art, history and more. The event is free to the public May 17 from 1-2 p.m. in the Digital Library Auditorium, Room 121.
Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan food, and more at Riverside’s Downtown Farmers Market. This delicious and wholesome event is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street between Fifth and Sixth Street. For more information about this weekly market call 951-826-5273.
RCC celebrates dance with their performance titled “Behind the Scenes: Thought/ Process/Product” featuring the choreographic work of several dancers May 17-19 from 7-10 p.m. in the the Landis Auditorium. Tickets are available $15 for general admission and $10 for students, seniors and RCC staff.
The RCC Jazz Festival will take place at the Coil School for the Arts. May 11-12, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. RCC jazz students will perform along with several other ensembles from surrounding communities. Attendees will enjoy 90 jazz ensembles and 22 jazz adjudicators and clinicians.
Find your best purple outfit because Riverside Live is hosting a Prince tribute party May 19. Doors open at 7 p.m. There will be a full bar and concessions available for purchase. General admission tickets and VIP special seating for the event can be bought online at RiversideLive. com or at the box office.
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SPORTS
May 10, 2018
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” - Rikki Rogers
Tigers shatter records at finals AUSTIN TURNER STAFF REPORTER
Records are meant to be broken and that’s exactly what the Riverside City College track and field team did at the 2018 Orange Empire Conference Championships on April 26. While grabbing their twelth consecutive OEC title, the RCC men’s team set the new top score in the conference’s 32 year history. They dominated, scoring 522 points and shattering the previous record of 441, which the Tigers set in 2013. Second place finisher Orange Coast College had only 82 points, giving RCC a meager 440 point cushion. Of the 21 events, the RCC men notched 19 victories, while producing an individual conference champion in all running events. M e n ’s h e a d c o a c h J i m McCarron had nothing but praise for his athletes. “I am very proud of the team and the coaching staff,” McCarron said. “In order to have success like this there must be 100 percent buy in to the program and this team believes in what we are doing.” Alec Hall continued his pursuit of state middle distance crown as he claimed the OEC Championship in both the
800-meter and the 1500-meter run. “(Hall) has been a dominant force in the state all year long and is in the top three in the state in both those events,” McCarron said. “He wants to become the first athlete to ever win the state meet in both those events.” The short distance sprinters for RCC were lightning quick as they swept the sprint events. The Tigers swept the podium in the 400-meter, with Christopher Shiley edging out Keanon Dennis by one tenth of a second for the victory with a time of 47.61 seconds. Jamaal Palmer had his name called in the absence of teammate Antonio Mitchell and delivered, winning the conference titles in the 100 and 200 with times of 10.5 seconds and 21.1 seconds. “Palmer has improved immensely this season,” coach McCarron said. “Jamaal stepped up and ran his best times of the year.” The field events also went well for the Tigers as they collected five conference titles. Justin Reed collected the gold in the long jump with a 21’10” jump while Dorian Dawson won the triple jump with a jump of 43’ 9.75.” In the throwing events, Jordan Davis was the champion in the discus with a throw of 142’ 8” and the shot put while tossing it 47’3.75.” Marcos Gonzalez
ILLUSTRATION BY KARISSA MARTINEZ
was the champion in the javelin at 174’ 9.” The RCC women also ran up the score during the rest of the conference, putting 385 points on the board to runner up OCC’s 139. It was the tenth straight conference championship for the women, continuing the decadelong dominance of the OEC for the Tigers. RCC women’s track coach Damien Smith was pleased with the performance. “They did a great job,” Smith said. “We got a lot of people to (Southern California regional) prelims.”
Among those advancing to the Southern California regional preliminaries, was standout distance runner Sarah Hollis, who finished the OEC finals with three conference titles in the 5,000-meter, 3000 steeplechase and 10,000-meter run. Sprinting events were kind to the Tigers as well, they swept three races and claimed each victory. The 100-meter was a photo finish, with Argnae Myers grabbing the victory over teammate Alondra Gonzalez by just .001 seconds in a thrilling race. The 200-meter crown went
to Maryjane Smith at a blazing fast pace of 25.33 seconds and she kept up the heat with a time of 57.59 seconds in the 400-meter. The women took gold in three field events. Ca’may Stocker edged out Saddleback’s Anna Gillis for the win in the shot put with a toss of 38.7 meters. Katelyn Baker took the triple jump title at 11.44 meters and Javany McDermott claimed victory in the high jump with a leap of 1.6 meters. The resounding success for RCC at the OEC Championships was no surprise. The Tigers have thoroughly dominated all competition throughout the season and they have one goal in mind, the state title. “I expect that (the men’s team) will be ready to put themselves in position to win the title but we still have a few weeks to go,” McCarron said. “They are ready for the challenge.” RCC will continue their chase after the California Community College Athletic Association Championship on May 12, when they travel to San Diego to compete in the Southern Califonia regional finals. The team will have a chance to qualify for the CCCAA State Finals on May 18-19 in Bakersfield, where the Tigers will get the opportunity to be champions of California once again.
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May 10, 2018
us what you think, in a letter to the editor, in an email or use #RCCnow.
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Mike Pence is a looming threat President Donald Trump’s downfall could have negative consequences for human rights
EMMA CARLSEN STAFF REPORTER
In the whirlwind of President Donald Trump’s administration, Vice President Mike Pence has faded into the background. As Trump moves toward his ultimate demise, people must carefully judge the man that may soon take his place. If Pence became president, he would most likely pursue backward policies that unfairly target women and members of the LGBT community. This backsliding of civil rights would fuel harmful discrimination against these groups in the United States. T he fea r of a Pence presidency stems from his ability to implement the fringe policies he promotes. If Pence were to become president, he could create long lasting damage to America. Given his support of Trump’s sexism, racism, xenophobia and endless lies, it’s clear that Pence
does not hold Christian values close to heart. By tolerating such hatred while spreading more of his ow n, Pence has show n the world his true ugly colors. His indifference to intolerance goes against the religious morals he claims to value. Pence ha s re peated ly descr ibed himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican," according to Religious News Service. He has called some of Trump’s blatant lies and insensitive tweets “refreshing.” His history of conservative extremism and political competence makes Pence more dangerous than Trump. Pe n c e i s a s e x i s t a n d homophobic supporter of electro shock therapy. He has an affinity for Focus on the Family, a Christian group that promotes anti LGBT sentiments. According to “Talking to Your Children About Transgender Issues,” an article from the organization’s website, they believe no one can “change from one sex to another.” As vice president, at a 2017 event in Colorado to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of this organization, Pence praised the founder as “a friend and a mentor to me." Pence also helped pa ss legislation in 2015 that allowed for legal discrimination against
ILLUSTRATION BY ROCIO MACIAS
same-sex marriages. During his term as the governor of Indiana, Pence sig ned i nto law t he Religious Freedom Restoration Act. According to The Washington Post, the bill was infamous for its initial version, which critics noted allowed for legal discrimination against members of the LGBT community.
Pence advocated for the Federal Marriage Amendment several times, as reported by Indystar. The proposed constitutional a m e n d m e n t wo u ld d ef i n e marriage as a union between one man and one woman. America cannot afford to regress on the issue of LGBT civil rights. LGBT youth are highly disenfranchised
and are 120 percent more likely to become homeless in comparison to the main American population, accordi ng to a st udy f rom University of Chicago. To see Pence as president would be a slap in the face to this already underserved community. In 2011, as Pence served in Congress, he sponsored the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, a bill intended to “restrict family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions,” according to GovTrack. Thankfully this bill was not introduced into law. However, Pence’s track record of legislation he has supported is telling for what his agenda would be as president. I n 2 016 , Pe n c e sig n e d House Bill 1337, a bill that bans “abortions sought because a fetus is diagnosed with Down syndrome or another disability … or based on the gender or race of a fetus,” as reported by Indystar. This behavior of t r ying to stop abortion violates the constitutional right of women to receive this medical procedure and is an attempt to oppress them. The mentality toward women by this current administration is horrendous. While Trump’s rein is absolutely abhorrent to witness, Pence’s rise to power is terrifying.
Health industry leaders profit under Obamacare
JOSHUA BURCIAGA STAFF REPORTER
Former President Barack Obama’s health care law has rewarded wealthy owners of the healthcare industry due to flaws legislators ignored during implementation of “Obamacare.” These issues still persist u nder the new presidential administration. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world where the gover nment does not regulate the profits of the healthcare industry. T his dereg ulation has consequences. St eve n Br i l l, aut hor of “America’s Bitter Pill,” writes about how one dose of the life
saving drug Flebogamma can cost a cancer patient thousands of dollars even though it’s cheap to make. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center bought Fleboga m ma f rom G r ifols pharmaceutical company for $1,400 to $1,600 when it cost no more than $200 or $300 to collect, process, test and ship. This practice affects American taxpayers. Putting price controls on pharmaceutical drugs would save American taxpayers $94 billion a year. However, pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. argue that the extra revenue earned goes towards research for new drugs that will benefit patients. Instead the pharmaceutical industry has been spending this extra revenue elsewhere. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, in 2017 the drug industry spent $171.5 million on lobbying, and according to Statista, they spent a whopping $23.85 billion on advertising the same year. Prohibiting the waste of money on lobbying and
IMAGE COURTESY DAVID GOEHRING | FLICKR
adver t isements by t hese industries would save taxpayers $24 billion a year. Not only has “Obamacare” helped big pha r maceut ical companies f lourish but it has led to unequal pay for doctors and nurses compared to hospital CEOs. Jour nalist Elisabeth Rosenthal of The New York Times reports that Ronald J. Del Mauro, former president of Barnabas Health Hospital, earned over $21 million in 2012 while the average nurse was paid $61,000 a year.
A provision must be implemented to ensure that the highest paid CEO of a hospital cannot make sixty times more than the lowest paid full time doctor or nurse. If the lowest paid full time nurse at Barnabas Health makes $61,000 in 2012, the president should only make $3.66 million that year. The remaining $17.34 million made by Del Muro should go towards lowering the costs of healthcare, giving doctors and nurses the pay raise they deserve. Doctors and nurses are the
backbone of the healthcare industry and are long overdue for a pay raise. CEOs, who provide none of the care, should not profit so heavily on a necessity such as healthcare. Still, people don’t realize the healthcare industr y has seen record profits thanks to “Obamacare.” For example the Hospital Corporation of America, which r uns 177 hospitals and 119 surgery centers, has seen their stock value triple from $31.12 per share in March 2011 to $97.55 per share in May 2018. Jo h n s o n & Jo h n s o n , a producer of drugs and medical devices, has had their stock value double from $63.81 per share in October 2010 to $124.19 per share in May 2018. This pattern is consistent with almost ever y business associated with healthcare, because “Obamacare” gave the healthcare industry the ability to exploit new customers. Unless changes are made to eliminate f laws found in “Obamacare,” healthcare costs will continue to skyrocket at the cost of the American people.
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May 10, 2018
Views
GOP supports abstinence only
Editorial
Sexual education is far behind what it should be today. Many children have unprotected sex with little knowledge of what sexually transmitted infections and diseases are, let alone that they may be subject to contracting one. Teaching abstinence is the practice in which people are simply told to not have sex. This strategy is a widely known failure, yet the Trump administration has made a priority of abstinence-only education, a practice that’s ineffective and spreads misinformation. The administration’s approach defies all forms of common sense. There is no evidence that abstinenceonly education prevents or delays young people from becoming sexually active. Abstinence-only education does not lead students to have fewer sexual partners or reduce rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Given that most Americans engage in premarital sex, this vision of an abstinent outside of marriage world is simply at odds with reality. Chitra Panjabi, president and CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, said in a press release that it was “unacceptable” that Congress would go along with this and elect “to waste millions on this failed approach to sex ed that is not only ineffective, but also actively harms young people.” Students are not given much information on how the opposite sex operates, let alone their own biology. The focus is almost solely on trying to frighten teenagers and young adults out of sex by listing sexually transmitted diseases and their various side effects. The U.S. government has funded abstinence programs in schools and community organizations since the early 1980s. An increased awareness and promotion of them began as part of welfare reform efforts undertaken during the Clinton administration. According to Guttmacher, the federal
ILLUSTRATION BY ROCIO MACIAS
government has spent about $2 billion over the past 20 years on abstinencebased education. “Trump, an alleged serial adulterer who has bragged about sexually assaulting women and has been accused of such behavior close to two dozen times, has asked that abstinence funding be increased to bring total spending on abstinence up to $100 million for 2018,” The Intercept said. Another problem with the current approach toward sex education, is that LGBT students are even less informed than their heterosexual peers on how to stay safe while having sex. Sexually transmitted infections and diseases do not discriminate based on gender nor sexual orientation. Sexual education lessons often discuss pleasures that men have with sex. While female sexuality is largely ignored. The female body is often explained as a vessel that can become
impregnated rather than a person that finds pleasure in sexual activities and that needs to change. In some states, students are made to sign an “abstinence pledge” to wait until marriage after completing their course. These abstinence pledges do more harm than good for students because they are not given adequate information about safe sex. According to a Guttmacher Institute study, students are one-third less likely to use contraception during sex and are also less likely to use condoms. High schools nearby in Riverside Unified School District do not even have a health or sexual education course. Both have been compressed to a two week seminar that takes place during physical education courses. Public health experts strongly recommend a comprehensive approach to sex education, one
that informs young people about abstinence as well as about various forms of contraception and other aspects of sexual health. Another symptom of poor sexual education is that most people begin having sex without considering that sexual activities are often deeply emotional. Teenagers and young adults feed into their physical wants and needs and attempt to ignore the emotional competence that is necessary for a healthy body and mind. More often than not, parents rely on their children’s schools to engage in this overall uncomfortable and deeply important topic. With the Trump administration’s commitment to not teaching proper sexual education, it becomes the duty of parents and community members to provide our youth with information that they need to become informed members of society.
Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.
LETTERS
STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dominique Redfearn (951) 222-8495 viewpoints@rcc.edu MANAGING EDITOR Samantha Bartholomew viewpoints.managing@gmail.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Samantha Bartholomew viewpoints.advertising@gmail.com JOURNALISM SPECIALIST Matt Schoenmann matthew.schoenmann@rcc.edu FACULTY ADVISERS Allan Lovelace Matt Schoenmann
TO THE
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OPINIONS EDITOR Leslie Santibanez-Molina viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com
SPORTS EDITOR Karissa Martinez viewpoints.sports@gmail.com
LIFE EDITOR Imari Rede viewpoints.artsentertainment@gmail.com
PHOTO EDITOR Victor Duran viewpoints.photo@gmail.com
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REPORTERS Vanessa Anderson Joshua Burciaga Emma Carlsen Doreena Carter Nick Escalera Josh Gandela Mariah Green Karina Guitierrez
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Luis Quintero Jonathan Ramirez Anthony Torres Elizabeth Tovar Llamas Austin Turner Paul Villalobos Keanu Wallace
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