Safety concerns impede ability to learn

MARIA ODENBAUGH OPINIONS EDITOR

Riverside City College’s administration needs to wake up.

RCC has been my home campus for the last two years. During my time here, I have never received any information on how to properly handle a lockdown situation.

In high school I had multiple drills, infographics and resources available to me about threats we could face. Especially a school shooting. I was prepared, but that was two years ago. The April 18 lockdown made me aware of how badly our school has safety protocols in order.

I am a college student in America. I know the threats I could face by just going to class. Sometimes I am not sure if I should be afraid or not when entering campus.

We are at a time in our history where we are expecting the most gun violence, especially at schools. Young students are starting to get loud, get involved to stop this threat. Students just like me who are tired of being afraid are starting to take the initiative to get our government to make the right decision on firearms.

Although I can’t speak for every college student, I can share what I think is necessary for students to feel safe.

The fear many Americans face with school shootings is one that felt by many. Yet, it doesn’t seem like that fear is registering correctly to college administration and officials.

I do not feel safe at RCC if a shooting would occur and here’s why: In my time enrolled and attending classes at RCC, I have never received any information from the school about proper safety protocols. I don’t recall any safety measures like a drill, in class presentations or any clarification about RCC’s safety or emergency procedures.

They are there, located on the Riverside Community College District website, however that is not enough. I had to take the initiative to look them up and educate myself.

RCC also does not make training for an active shooting situation mandatory for faculty. It is offered voluntarily.

The scariest part about this whole situation is that I never know what professor is trained or knows what to do in a life threatening situation.

A majority of our professors are not full-time employees for the college. They are not required to complete any training in general. The people educating and mentoring us are not prepared to help or protect us during an active shooting.

Only one professor has taken the time to discuss this important matter in my time here.

That’s a sad truth to realize. The District should not have to rely on the professors who realize the threat we face by just attending class.

The way my District and campus security handled the situation on April 18, should act as a wake up call to students and staff. It is time to take the initiative and educate peers and ourselves. The school and District does not have sufficient safety protocols or information available to students.

We need drills, information provided directly from RCC on what to do during a lockdown, not an alert messaging app that alerts us too late.

It seems simple to be in a lockdown, when they tell us shelter-in-place. I was fortunate to have a professor who after the lockdown did explain how to properly lock the doors and what actions are needed. Shelter-inplace means more than locking the door and closing the blinds. I would feel safer if drills and information were provided to students directly from the school and properly trained faculty. I leave you with this, the people in charge need to be aware of the fear students, especially in the United States, face everyday by simply wanting to learn. Students feeling like campus is a safe place should be top priority for RCCD.

Unattainable expectations lead to lack of self- worth

ALONDRA MONTESMARTINEZ NEWS EDITOR

Sometimes we as women have forgotten that our inner voice serves a greater purpose to us then the ones outside.

My appearance and worth have been questioned by male family figures. I forgot who I was because I sought their validation, I cared too much about my family’s opinion of me.

My siblings and I were taught the importance and value of going to church. However, I was especially taught that my appearance was important, to “impress god.”

The church and my faith put pressure on us, it turned into something to dread. I knew that I would have to endure some form of pressure to ensure I looked put together when attending church.

Aside from that, I always felt the pressure placed on me by older male family figures about my appearance. The interactions were belittling and cruel. I would listen when they spoke about women and listening to these conversations set up unrealistic standards to live up to.

I was young and not allowed to stand up for myself against these older male family figures, so I endured it.

Enduring ultimately led to an over fixation on my appearance.

Hearing such cruel words about my appearance from older men, my father included — who was the man I looked up to — was confusing.

My growth as a woman was hindered. It made me question my self worth. Confidence is one of the most important factors to have as a woman.

The standards of what a woman should be is always determined by men.

This leads to young girls, including myself, to struggle with accepting who we are.

I was so infatuated with making myself perfect in the eyes of these men. Being tall, skinny and wearing just enough makeup to look flawless consumed my every thought.

It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, they saw the opposite. Trying to prove myself to everyone aside from myself made me feel worthless.

I felt unhappy, hideous and self conscious.

Feeling and seeking validation from men made me also resent other women for having traits that I lacked. This ultimately led to negative thoughts and relationships with women. It blocked necessary bonds that I needed to make with other women to grow my confidence.

These are the reasons I never allowed myself to step out of the house without an ounce of makeup on.

Even though I had people in my life that praised me and tried to uplift my self esteem, it did nothing for me unless it came from men. It took me a long time to get over that. But once I did, I realized the importance of seeking my own validations.

Seeking validation from men does not matter. Fixating on my appearance and behavior barred me from enjoying life.

I’m done sacrificing my happiness for a man’s approval. The only opinion that I am now starting to value is my own. I am now in pursuit of validation for myself rather than for others.

I wake up in the mornings and do my hair and makeup based on what I want to look like and take only my approval into consideration.

This is how it should have been from the beginning.