Vol. 101 Issue 1 - September 15, 2022

Fossil fuel phase out introduced

Committee pushes to go carbon neutral by 2040

CHEETARA PIRY MANAGING EDITOR

Riverside is considering a plan that would have the city reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2040.

The city’s Decarbonization Advisory Group introduced a proposal for a transition to electrical power to the public Aug. 31 at the Riverside Main Library.

The two-phase plan would put the city five years ahead of the

state’s carbon reduction goals.

Phase one, if implemented as currently proposed, would take effect January 2023. The frst step would require new constructions of low rise buildings, described as any building three stories or fewer, to have all electric appliances, with some exceptions. Current homeowners and business owners will not be affected.

However, Tracy Satos, Riverside Public Utility (RPU)

power resources manager, said updates to current infrastructures could eventually be required.

“If you install natural gas now and put those appliances in now, they will be obsolete potentially in the future,” Satos said.

There are two California Senate bills that have set a 2045 goal of powering all energy sold in California with renewable and zero-carbon resources.

“This is where the state is

going,” Satos said. “We are going to be mandated to do this.”

Over 50 municipalities across California, including San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and South San Francisco, have adopted similar ordinances to reduce their reliance on gas.

Riverside’s proposal aims to phase out fossil fuel infrastructures utilized for cooking and heating in buildings and, instead, use electricity powered mainly by

solar, wind and other alternative sources.

Caleb Ragan, policy adviser to Councilman Ronaldo Fierro, said the goal of electrifcation is to improve public health, create clean jobs and aim toward cost-effective new construction.

“We, as a community, wanted to champion proactive and equitable climate solutions based on science

Ranked second after two blow outs RCC clubs promote outreach

MICHAEL GUERRERO SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER & MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Terracina Dr. at Riverside City College bustled with students Sept. 13 for the first day of the fall semester’s Club Rush. Over 30 different clubs assembled to inform students about their purpose, meeting times and activities members could participate in over the course of the semester.

The Associated Students of Riverside City College were handing out hotdogs and drinks to the first 200 students that took the initiative to learn about eight different clubs at the event. A funnel cake vendor was also on site for students and faculty to pick up an extra treat on the go.

Associations like the International Club are aimed at helping students from outside of the United States to adjust and fnd their niche here at RCC.

“(International Club) is a fraternity for international students to meet domestic students so that they can socialize and (make) more friends on campus,” club president Charlianne Yeyna said. “My main goal as (the club

JOHN

Riverside City College Tiger Jake Retzlaff, 11, get dragged down just yards from the end zone by Long Beach City College.

STEPHEN

Club Rush features new and old campus organizations

CLUB from page 1

president) is to (ensure) every international student that comes in from abroad feels at home (here at RCC).”

Other groups such as the Sustainability Collective, Red Cross Club and Puente aspire to help educate the Riverside community.

“Our goal is to not only help the community, but also help educate people (about) how to practice environmentally friendly

practices like recycling,” club member Ashley Hen said.

The event highlighted a diverse range of clubs at the college, including community outreach.

Some of the services include tree planting, promoting blood drives and collecting resources to distribute to people communitywide, not just students.

Along with being outlets to educate and promote activism, every club aims to create a space for members to fourish and learn

from new experiences.

“It really helped me to grow out of my shell… I found my place (through this club) and it helped me grow as a person,” Red Cross Club President Carolyn Ung said.

Club booths line the road on Terracina Ave, during Club Rush on Sept. 14. Clubs members hope to draw some attention from potential students. (left)

Initiative would start 2023, fve years ahead of state

ECO from page 1

to ensure clean air, safe water, a vibrant natural world and a resilient green new economy for current and future generations,” Ragan said.

About 30 individuals came together at the library to discuss the city’s Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan.

The room remained divided. Those in opposition collectively felt “forced” toward electrifcation, addressing costs and limitations. Supporters shared optimism toward the environmental mission in addressing the global climate crisis.

Ray Acastor, 23, a resident of Moreno Valley, was concerned the division of the room came from lack of awareness of the current global climate crisis. She opted for the city of Riverside to create a climate emergency declaration.

“The education of climate systems and climate science should be provided to people so that they understand that we are operating under the circumstances of a climate crisis,” Acastor said.

The 2022 State of the Air Report, placed Riverside county as the second most affected county for ozone and particle pollution. Neighboring county San Bernardino is the first. In 2020, Stacker, a data-driven publication, compiled statistics about how people in Riverside felt about climate change.

The article stated, “Gen Zers and millennials are more willing to give up fossil fuels than older generations.”

One of the concerns at the Riverside meeting was whether there would be potential reimbursements to the homeowner or business owners in light of the rising costs required on new buildings.

RPU set a self-generation tariff that would allow users to receive a credit on their bill for all excess energy sent back to the electrical grid. However, the

compensation has been slightly reduced in order to meet all the necessary costs that go into the electrifcation of the city.

“There are embedded costs that are above and beyond electricity,” Satos said. “Instead of shifting those costs to customers, we are incorporating it into avoiding costs of energy.”

On average, electricity users in Riverside spend about $216 per month, 33% higher than the national average, according to EnergySage.

Satos said that in converting

to all electric as the ordinance planned, there would be an expected increase in electricity bills. She also said the increase would be minimal, since the frst phase would only affect new buildings, which comprise a small number on the electric load.

“Every building already requires electricity, so there will be incremental increases over the next three years,” she said.

According to the program, adopting this ordinance now will avoid early discontinuance of natural gas appliances as

buildings could convert to all electric in the future.

“There is a cost saving in not having to install natural gas infrastructures now which will probably not be used,” Satos said.

Organizers of the ordinance are asking for community feedback. There will be a total of three workshops for public debate before the proposal is introduced to the Riverside City Council in October.

The next workshop will take place this Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Casa Blanca Library.

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

VANILLA BEAR FILMS | UNSPLASH

Members of the Photo Club, showcase a wide variety of photography equipment and photos as they hope to draw the attention of potential club members during Club Rush. (above)

Club booths line the road on Terracina Ave., during Club Rush on Sept. 14. Clubs are hoping to draw some attention from potential members and provide a great learning experience as well as a way to make friends.

CAMPUS CRIME REPORT

LAURA BAUTISTA ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Missing person located, felony arrest warrant service Date: 8/1/2022

Location: Kane Building, Riverside City College Booked

Trespassing; Under the infuence of controlled substance Date: 8/4/2022

Location: Parking Structure - Terracina Dr. at RCC Arrested

Vandalism Date: 8/8/2022 Location: RCC

Located a Missing Person Date: 8/13/2022 Location: RCC

Trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia

Date: 8/13/2022 Location: RCC Booked

Incident Report Date: 8/14/2022 Location: RCC

Trespassing Date: 8/15/2022 Location: RCC

Violation of State Parole Date: 8/18/2022

Location: Coil School for the Arts 4800 Magnolia Ave. Booked

Trespassing Date: 8/19/2022 Location: RCC

Violation of Felony, Probation, Trespassing Date: 8/19/2022 Location: RCC Booked

Vandalism Date: 8/22/2022 Location: Facilities Yard, RCC

Trespassing Property; False ID to Police Date: 8/22/2022 Location: RCC Booked

Trespassing Date: 8/23/2022 Location: RCC Booked

Hit and Run Misdemeanor Date: 8/23/2022 Location: RCC

Traffc Collision Report Date: 8/24/2022

Location: RCC

Trespassing, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of drug Paraphernalia Date: 8/25/2022

Location: RCC Arrested

Reckless Driving, Speed Contest Date: 8/26/2022

Location: RCC Arrested

Stalking; Corporal Injury to Spouse Date: 8/29/2022

Location: RCCD Campus (not specifed) Booked

Incident Report Date: 8/29/2022

Location: Martin Luther King Reading & Writing Center

Vehicle Tampering Date: 8/30/2022 Location: RCC

Hit and Run Misdemeanor Date: 8/31/2022

Location: RCC

If you feel you or others’ safety is at risk, please contact the RCCD Police Department at 951222-8171 for non-emergency calls, and in case of emergency, call 9-1-1.

If a crime is witnessed and you wish to report to local authorities call the on-campus police at

News Briefs: California wildfre updates

Fairview Fire

The fre started on Sept. 5 and has currently burned 28,307 acres and 53% have been contained according to fre.ca.gov. This fre destroyed 35 structures, six structures damaged, one injury and two fatalities. This situation is still under investigation. Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a state of emergency for Riverside County on Sept. 8.

3 Injured in a helicopter crash near Fairview

A pilot and two fre personnel inside were injured Sept. 10. The helicopter was assigned to the Fairview wildfre and crashed while attempting to land at the Banning Municipal Airport in a residential backyard. Three were hospitalized.

California wildfres containment as of Sept. 14

Mosquito Fire, El Dorado County 58,544 acres, 20% contained

Fairview Fire, Riverside County 28,307 acres, 69% contained

Mountain Fire, Siskiyou County 13,436 acres, 70% contained

Forward Fire, Tehama County 160 acres, 70% contained

Dutch Fire, Placer County 48 acres, 50% contained

Current wildfre containment can be found at https://www.fre. ca.gov/incidents/

RCCD UPDATE: Mask mandate lifted, district wide

The Board of Trustees uplifted the masking mandate Sept. 8. The District strongly encourages students and faculty to continue wearing masks indoors and report if they or any student become exposed to COVID-19.

Life Briefs

Disneyland Careers informational session - Sept. 20

Disneyland Resort is hiring full and part-time employees. Registration information can be found on Canvas. Informational virtual sessions from 1-2 p.m. Positions are available at both Disney Resorts and Hotels.

Strategies to Prepare for a Career and the Workforce - Sept. 27

Career and Workforce workshops to discuss various topics ranging from researching career options to networking in desired felds, from 12:50-1:50 pm. Location virtual.

“Complete me” WorkshopsSept. 27 & 29

Financial Aid workshops from 4-5 p.m., for students seeking assistance to fle or complete FAFSA forms.

Location virtual.

How to Apply For External Scholarships - Sept. 30

Workshop teaches students how to apply for scholarships, complete essay questions, questionnaires and search for scholarships, from 2-3 p.m. Location will be virtual, more information at rcc.edu.

RCC Homecoming Pep Rally - Sept. 30

Performances in the gym from various performing arts groups 4-6 p.m.

Food trucks in the Wheelock parking lot.

Student Discounts

Hulu Hulu is offering $1.99 a month with ads included starting on the date of your subscription for all students. More information on Hulu support.

Spotify

Spotify is offering a bundle with Hulu and SHOWTIME. Get discount premium, plus access to Hulu ad supported and SHOWTIME all for $4.99/month. You can use your existing account or create a new one to receive these deals. More information on Spotify support.

Microsoft Offce 365

Students and Educators are eligible for free access including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote plus additional classroom tools. All you need is a valid school email address.

All of these dates are subjected to change due to possible regulations to come involving the containment of the coronavirus.

To stay up to date on upcoming campus events, visit the Viewpoints calendar listed at viewpointsonline.org.

If you have events happening on campus that you want featured on the calendar, send information about the event to viewpoints. artsandentertainment@gmail.

Editor: Angie Escalante viewpoints.artsandentertainment@gmail.com

Free show promotes South Korea Boy band to separate after fnal performance

JAZMYN DE JESUS STAFF REPORTER

Global pop phenomenon BTS, will be hosting a free concert in Busan, South Korea in October to promote South Korea as the country of choice to host the 2030 World Expo.

The announcement made in June came as a shock to fans and the public as BTS announced that they will be taking a break to focus on their solo careers.

While the members have been promoting themselves individually, with member J-hope releasing his solo album and headlining Lollapalooza over the

summer, it was confirmed that they still have plans as a singular unit.

BTS’s label, HYBE Corporation, took to their website to specify that the seven will remain active in group activities during the hiatus, but will not be releasing music as a group for an uncertain amount of time.

In July, BTS was appointed by the South Korean government as the honorary ambassadors of the 2030 World Expo, resulting in them being hosts of the concert where global press and fans can watch the free performance titled, “BTS Yet to Come: 2030 Busan World Expo.”

The title of the concert is

derived from the band’s last single “Yet to Come,” and the approaching World’s Fair event, which has not taken place since New Orleans hosted in 1984 with the “Louisiana World Exposition.”

The concert was initially set to be held on an open field to replicate a festival environment, and allowing global press to be front and center. After it was announced that the capacity was expected to be 100,000, concerns by fans were expressed for the safety of the concert attendees and Busan’s public safety workforce advised that the venue be changed to Busan’s Main Stadium.

Fans will now have to enter a

raffe to earn a free seat at the stadium. The stakes will be very high for BTS Army, as they battle for a spot at what could be the group’s last performance as a septet for a while.

Many factors loom over how long BTS will be on hiatus, including the mandatory 18-monthlong military service all seven members must carry out as male citizens of South Korea.

Fans from across the globe have already booked tickets to the group’s homeland in October, even without ensuring a raffe ticket frst, as this could be the last chance the public gets to see the world’s biggest boy band shine on stage this decade.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WEVERSE

Hosted by Peter Gibbs

Catch the frst episode on all streaming platforms Sept. 15!

Vigilante crime detectives ‘kill’ second season

Podcast trio and guest stars add new chemistry to murder mystery

VIANNEY MORALES STAFF REPORTER

The star-studded cast of “Only Murders in the Building” returns in the highly anticipated second season of the Hulu Original Series.

The season begins as a direct continuation of former building manager Bunny’s shocking death as the gang attempts to solve the murder and understand why Mabel, portrayed by Selena Gomez, is being framed for it.

In true whodunnit fashion, the gang (better known by those around them as the hosts of a newly popular true crime podcast) suspects everyone they cross paths with as they unravel the intertwinings between their lives and Bunny’s life.

Now that the frst season established the backstories of the main characters, the second season builds upon this into a complicated but intriguing plot.

What makes the series distinctive and this season so alluring is how

well it taps into the relatively unmarked true-crime satire genre. It makes the audience refect on their own consumption of true crime and its morality.

The podcast host character Cinda Canning (Tina Fey) is an exaggerated personifcation of the true-crime viewer who views tragedy as entertainment, ignoring the pain and ramifcations of treating victims as characters in a story.

It acts as a social commentary while maintaining the essence of its intriguing plot that keeps the audience invested throughout the season.

Despite its positive qualities as a whole, there were minor details that weakened the focus of some episodes. One being the random and distracting guest stars that didn’t contribute much to the plot.

Comedian Amy Schumer plays herself and is seemingly set up to play a role later in the series. However, she seems to disappear as quickly as she entered the show.

Then, there’s a family secret revealed about Oliver (Martin Short) that’s made to have a greater signifcance than it actually did. However, I think containing these irrelevant details can be positive because it forces the audience to make their own judgements and theorize with the small clues that they have, thereby increasing their interest and suspense.

Additionally, there were notable supporting characters this season. I particularly enjoyed Michael Rapaport’s performance as Detective Kreps.

I thought his character was set up appropriately and meaningfully with an ultimately satisfying payoff. There are other interesting characters that all have their own distinctive, big personality.

While having so many prominent characters can sometimes work against a series, the writers are very intentional with nearly every character and their relevance to the main cast and overall in-

volvement in the story. It’s also a feature that truly qualifes the series as a whodunit.

Despite the sometimes haunting nature of the series, there are strong friendships that give the show its humanity.

The unlikely friendship between Mabel, Oliver and Charles (Steve Martin) helps to ground the story. Despite their wide age gaps, their common interest in true crime and drive to bring justice helps bind them all together as a solid friend group that lays the season’s strong foundation. They act as some sort of moral compass for the series as they expose injustice. Their collective chemistry is what makes the comedy aspect of the series work so well.

The end of the season only leaves the audience wanting more from the series. With a surprising actor making a cameo and another mysterious death in the season’s fnal minutes, I have a feeling that there are moments from the second season that will be further elaborated on in the third season.

Star Wars galaxy goes rogue with prequels

Latest installment features Diego Luna as Cassian Andor

CARLOS AYALA STAFF REPORTER

Despite the superstar galactic saga taking a hiatus, The Star Wars franchise is pushing forward with its TV show projects. After the contentious inception of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” many fans were tired of any stories involving the Force and the Jedi. Lucky for George Lucas, his grandiose universe is full of opportunities for unique and fresh stories.

While tales of the Jedi take a backseat, the future of Star Wars lies in its non-force characters. Who doesn’t love seeing a show about Din Dijarin, a cold-hearted bounty hunter learning to become a dad, or the Bad Batch, a group of soldiers learning their place in the galaxy with their previous army hunting for them.

Shows such as “The Mandalorian,” “The Bad batch” and “The Book of Boba Fett” confrm that there is considerable potential for non-force-related stories and that many people demand more of this type of content. According to an article by The Hollywood Reporter, Mandalorian season one alone funneled 14.5 billion minutes of the series during the course of the year. This goes to show the demand for more grounded and western-style projects.

As Disney eases off producing featurelength motion pictures, we are able to refect back on the world-renowned science fction

flms and analyze which movies were crowdpleasing in the mainstream versus the ones that just fopped.

It’s clear that the fan favorite is none other than “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” This movie features a group of misfts who come together to steal the plans of the Death Star. This film offers an engaging story that starts at a slow pace and slowly builds up to a satisfying climax, beautiful visuals that make you wonder how long it took the vfx artists to render everything, and most importantly, a fun time. The third act of Rogue One features the famous battle of Scariff. Our group of rebels infltrate an

imperial base located on a beach planet, and must locate and transfer the plans of the Death Star. As the battle rages on, it becomes abundantly clear that although the rebels put up a heck of a fght, here they are no match for the Empire. The twist most people did not see coming is that this time our heroes don’t make it out. Although all of them end up being killed in battle, their sacrifice brought the galaxy a new hope to bring down the Empire.

Something noteworthy is that the Jedi and the Force were not headliners in this highly praised film.

The way that the Force is depicted through mystery and wonder. Something that is beyond the

normal. This portrayal brings back the charm that it once had during the days of “Empire Strikes Back.” Instead, the main characters are just regular people who are trying to fght to do the right thing, and because of this, the stakes are incredibly high as they don’t have the powers that a jedi would. Recently “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” was put back in theaters for a week to help promote Star Wars’ next project; a 12-episode series on a character from this movie, Cassian Andor.

This new project will focus on the foundation of the rebellion and the start of the fght against the empire. Another fact that makes this new project more exciting is that the production team went back to the basics and shot scenes on-site instead of using green screens, putting a big emphasis on using practical effects. Not only will this make the series look and feel more real, but it also helps save the CGI budget for the space battles we will inevitably get. Even though we know the end of the character of Cassian Andor, it will be exciting to see his backstory and Diego Luna is sure to bring a great performance to this character once again.

For the time being, Star Wars won’t feature much of the traditional space wizards we have come to associate with the name, this is for the better. Space bounty hunters and freedom fghters are what the people want to see.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HULU

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY+

It’s not that easy being green

‘She-Hulk’ fails to be a smashing success

JOSE ANGUIANO STAFF REPORTER

Phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a complicated marriage of movies and Disney+ shows; “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” is another step in a seemingly endless staircase to the next Avengers assembly.

Its lighthearted courtroom approach almost ranks with “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” as one of the studio’s more successful experiments.

It starts out hilariously promising.

However, one element distracts from the intended focus of the series: its focal point.

by Lindsey Tovar

This is not a random gender swap of the Incredible Hulk; this is a legitimate character who pioneered fourth wall breaking before Deadpool popularized it.

Unlike the stoic Captain Marvel, Jennifer Walters is a more three-dimensional lead when she spars with her cousin Bruce Banner, her bosses and her client Emil Blonsky. These are the best parts as the story focuses on the life of a lawyer shunning the superhero spotlight.

Banner and Walters have a strong connection between their passion for knowledge and their petty cousin rivalry moments.

The narrative brilliantly juggles the pressures of life not going as

planned with quirky, self-aware laughs to ease the tension.

Several misogynistic social media posts surrounding the show prior to the premiere are converted into a gag, as documented by an IGN article.

At the same time, it ingeniously ties together previous phase four adventures with a dash of cliché subversions.

Unfortunately, another court case steals the spotlight and diverts the narrative. The humor is still on point, but in the grand scheme it’s unnecessary compared to Blonksy’s case which puts the lawyer on a tightrope.

Even the pacing takes a hit during the frst episode, but it’s held

together by the dynamic between Walters and everyone she interacts with.

Whether down to earth or cartoonishly over the top, the cast delivers a spot-on representation of the comic.

As for the visual effects, they’re serviceable given the revelations by an article from TheGamer about the unhealthy working conditions of the visual effects departments.

The few action scenes are character driven whether between family or cronies working for an unknown boss.

As for the mid-credit scene in the third episode that blew up on Twitter. It’s not bad; it’s

CAMPUS CONVERSATIONS

TOPIC: WHAT’S RCC JAMMIN TO? WHAT’S BOP’N?

just whiplashing after a poignant ending following the outcome of Jennifer’s frst case.

Bottom line, when “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” focuses on Walters’ life, it works.

When it gets hijacked by unrelated side quests, it risks plateauing too early. Season one contains nine episodes, unlike “Moon Knight” and “Loki,” so there is still time to steer the series back on course.

For now, I’d give “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” three out of fve stars and hope that in future episodes, these lesser-known superheroes can fill the vacant spots left by Iron Man and Captain America.

MAJOR: Elementary Education

Fav Song: “A Letter To My Younger Self” - by Ambar Lucid

Fav Genre: Spanish Indie

“I can relate to it. It has a very nice melody and it mixes between Spanish & English.”

AVRIL QUIROZ (LEFT) & TORI MCGRAUTH (RIGHT)

MAJOR: History

Fav Song: “Efecto” - by Bad Bunny

Fav Genre: Reggeton

“It gets me in a good mood, like (a) party mood.”

MAJOR: Math

Fav Song: “She Will Be Loved” - by Maroon 5

Fav Genre: Rock

ALEXANDER HENRY

MAJOR: Business

Fav Song: “Hate It Or Love It” - by 50 Cent & The Game

Fav Genre: Old rap, new rap, 2010 pop

“Growing up, it’s one my dad would always play in the car on our way to school or whenever we had to clean, spring cleaning and stuff, it was just always that music, so I guess it makes me feel at home.”

Editor: Angie Escalante

Photos by John Michael Guerrero

ANDREA ARGUETA

Interviews

“I just like the melody, I like the older 2000’s songs because it’s more like pop and nostalgic. And just like the melody and the words are just very cute.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY+

Editor: Maria Odenbaugh viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com

OPINIONS

Far right stokes extremism

Local political organizations, public offcals endanger public safety

mentality that creates political instability not only within the Republican Party but throughout the country.

The effects can be seen all over with an alarming rise in domestic terrorism throughout the US and a rapidly expanding polorized political climate.

ZACH REYNOSA STAFF REPORTER

Fascism is becoming an increasingly dangerous threat in modern-day America.

With recent remarks from Joe Biden, the United States president has been able to acknowledge the ever growing “semi-fascist” ideology that is being embraced by a dangerously high number of Americans.

Recent downturns in the American standard of living, due to policies from both political parties, have made people turn to these right-wing ideologies as a way to express their anger towards a system they believe has deserted them.

With that belief in mind, many of these right-wing individuals have made their way into the halls of Congress where they can effectively take their authoritarian ideology and do what they deem is “Saving America.”

This, of course, is a lie.

What the right ends up doing is endangering the lives of those who already face hardships day by day and encouraging an “us vs. them”

This has caused a backward social decline in America as there has been an ever growing dismantlement of rights for women, LGBTQIA2+ members, and people of color due to right-wing policies enacted by these elected offcials.

Many more of these fascists have started to become more “mask off” with their bigotry, mostly due to recent conservative victories such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade, causing the right to actively dismantle progress that has taken decades of grassroots struggle to achieve.

For example, a recent Pride event in Riverside, which hasn’t been held since 2009, was met with fascist protesters from the local Southern California area donning shirts and signs with designs that attributed members of the LGBTQIA2+ community with being child groomers.

Their presence was met with anger from event-goers and was also met by Antifa counterprotesters who were able to scare the protesters away after brief brawls between each other.

The presence of these rightwing demonstrations shows a willingness to spew hate to a crowd of people who are only there to

celebrate the love between human beings.

This unprovoked attack on a historically disenfranchised group of people is only perpetuated by elected officials who have the power to end these demonstrations of hate and protect the community they are meant to serve.

Offcials like Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco do nothing to aid the ever-growing fascist threat to public safety and even receives campaign money from right-wing political action committees such as the American Matters PAC as an elected offcial whose seat should have no partisan bias.

Accepting money from fascists is one offense, but speaking at

right-wing fundraisers is another, which is one of the many ways Bianco has helped the right-wing movement grow.

In April of this year, Bianco attended a political fundraiser for another far-right PAC called the Inland Empire Family PAC, which wishes to “restore parental rights taken away by the State” claiming that California’s education system is pushing “critical-race theory” and “forced LGBT+ acceptance” onto its students.

Bianco was one of the three speakers of the night alongside right-wing British political commentator Katie Hopkins who is staunchly anti-Muslim and antiimmigrant.

With no video or transcript of what Chad Bianco said to the crowd of donors that night, one can only believe that it was nothing but encouraging his followers to keep on with their bigotry.

They’re in our own backyards. So what can we do?

These right-wingers must be met with resistance at every turn because letting them continue operating as “business as usual” only advances the worst-case scenario.

Educate, Agitate, Organize.

Educate one another about social issues to lend an eye into worlds one is unfamiliar with and to understand that our struggles are not so different from each other.

Agitate the fascists so that they show their true colors to the people. This agitation could come in the forms of protest or even something as simple as a poster on a wall.

Finally, Organize.

There is no greater factor in any successful movement than the organization of the people within it. Even if we have differences in how we see certain issues, we must all understand, unite, and show solidarity against the everincreasing threat of fascism not only in our community but wherever oppressed peoples may be.

Protestors block the entrance with threating signs distrubing Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride festival.

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY I VIEWPOINTS

Protestors try to intimidate festival goers at the entrance to Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride festival at Riverside Municipal Auditorium on Sept. 4.

“

...the right to actively dismantle progress that has taken decades of grassroots struggle to achieve.

Mind your manners, tip your server

Service industry staff face society’s worst patrons

JENNIPHER VASQUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I love my job. I love my job. I love my job.

How often do many of us fnd ourselves reaffrming affrmations while taking a deep breath and turning the other cheek?

I am a waitress. I started working in the restaurant industry in 2019 as a hostess, which I hated. I later transitioned into serving, which I dreaded.

I’ve been a server for a couple years now and realize I actually enjoy what I do. But it’s complicated.

Why the hate?! Why the dread? Well, if you’ve ever worked any job where you’re dealing with hungry or drunk people, you know why.

When I was hosting and also working as a cashier for the servers, I was often utilized as a listening ear to each and every complaint they had about serving tables.

I didn’t want to walk out after quitting in the middle of my shift like they did.

I didn’t want to work profusely to make my customers happy only to be left a “zero” tip.

I especially didn’t want to be ridiculed by my managers for making a mistake.

I learned along the way, picked up the tips and tricks to make my life easier every shift, but nothing will prepare you for that first awful experience with a customer.

I was yelled at a few years ago over a fried chicken sandwich by a patron who called in to place an order and was left on hold by the new hostess in training, she never returned to the phone to take his order.

He eventually hung up the call and came into the restaurant, furious.

I was belittled by this man, yelled at and had my intelligence questioned.

He got his sandwich after throwing his tantrum and walked out happy while trying to calm myself down in the restroom. That day I had worked a ten-hour overtime shift, I was pregnant at the time and doing everything in my power to avoid getting infected with COVID.

Not every experience is emotionally draining.

I love my job. I do. I also need the money. But at what cost?

It’s not like a desk job, where I can hide my frown in front of a screen. I have to put on a smile, leave my problems at the door and give the best service to my ability.

It isn’t easy. I have many sweet customers. I often end their dinner with a sincere, “It was a pleasure serving you, I’ll see you next time.”

However, I’m also subjected to blatant disrespect by entitled customers who often forget I’m human just like them.

I’ve had customers apologize for their friend’s behavior toward me, which softened the blow of being called a “b—.” But when I walk away I still hear, “I’m not leaving her a tip,” followed by “b—,” again.

What did I do? Cry it out in the bathroom, walk back out, and pick up a tray after wiping my tears because, yes, I’m still going to work for the tip.

My duties as a server are to be friendly, welcoming and to make sure you walk out the door happy and full. Putting up with your atrocious attitude, lack of manners and impatience isn’t in the description.

Here and there I have to avoid giving parents the side-eye for not addressing their child’s behavior toward me.

And I won’t apologize for it.

It is never acceptable for me to have arms full of dirty, heavy plates and for you not to blink an eye when your daughter ran in front of me and hit my stomach while I’m trying not to drop everything.

As servers we don’t make the joke of crying or screaming in the freezer for no reason, there are many.

I have been harassed, nearly sexually assaulted and even had money thrown at my face at previous jobs – which is lucky compared to my coworkers having hot plates thrown back at them after setting it down on a table.

Again, it is not easy.

I appreciate each and every customer because their patronage keeps business going and in turn helps me stay afoat. Especially while I’m in my mid-20s, trying to make my dreams come true.

I’ve heard people say, “well, how hard is it to take my order and bring me my food when it’s ready?”

No, Karen, it’s not that simple.

I have to serve you chips, salsa, napkins and water as soon as you get in.. I then have to greet you, introduce myself and promote specials. Then drinks and appetizers. . Once that’s done I’ll take your entree orders and the rest is a breeze.

Seems simple, right?

Now, let’s throw in being interrupted by children or others at my table of 12 trying to order at the same time that I’m writing down someone else’s order. Add in repeating what beers are on tap to every other person at the table, crossing out an order three times because a customer keeps changing their mind, then running to put in the order and later having to yell — regrettably — at my cook to stop making the plate because the customer changed their mind yet again.

I’m not exaggerating or complaining.

It’s my job to do things for you, but please understand that I am only one person with two hands just like you. I can’t get eight reflls, put in 10 entree orders and bring out your appetizer with extra plates all at once. Odds are you aren’t the only person waiting for something.

Not too long ago, a customer

requested that my boss send over a different server because I didn’t play into his offensive “joke” about my age.

Well sir, more power to you.

I’m sorry that it made you “uncomfortable” that I didn’t respond nicely to the insult, thankfully, I am very grateful that my boss has my back and will also acknowledge if I’m in the wrong.

That isn’t the case for many. It wasn’t the case for me when I was hosting and serving at my frst restaurant gig.

I was called a liar at the first restaurant by my “human resources manager” in front of customers during a hectic karaoke night and ignored by the co-owner and shift managers when a pot of boiling menudo splattered all over my chest and arms. I get chills as I write this and remember how awful the burns and blisters felt and looked.

I quit the following week. It isn’t only servers who are put in these situations. This is why I try hard to be extremely polite to anyone at any place that I am a patron. I know how diffcult it is to deal with angry and disrespectful customers.

I need to work and love to serve you but shouldn’t be disrespected.

I am not a servant as I’ve been called, I’m not your “pretty little thing” to stare at and cat-call nor am I your nanny who tends to your tantrums.

One more thing, to all the older men telling me to “smile,” as I walk by with either heavy plates of hot food, dirty plates or trays full of drinks – please stop.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN DAY I VIEWPOINTS

A server at Yardhouse manages their customers on a slow happy hour in Riverside on Sept. 13.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennipher Vasquez viewpointseic@gmail.com

Administration censors paper

Los Angeles high school deserves First Amendment rights

gmail.com

It is normal to fnd aspiring journalists questioned while seeking the truth. It is rare, however, to see student-run publications penalized for it.

Daniel Pearl Magnet High School’s journalism adviser, Adriana Chavira, was suspended without pay for publishing a story that named a librarian who refused to comply with the district’s COVID-19 mandate.

Ironically, Daniel Pearl High School was named after an American journalist who was murdered by terrorists for doing his job.

We stand in solidarity with the student journalists and their instructor.

Chavira did what any good adviser would do and stood up for her staff at The Pearl Post against the attempted censorship by school administrators. Newspaper advisers should not stand in the way of their students’ First Amendment rights, and California has more protections than most

for student journalists.

The day after her suspension was announced, Chavira — via Twitter — cited state education codes that say: “Pupils of the public schools, including charter schools, shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press including, but not limited to, the use of bulletin boards, the distribution of printed materials or petitions, the wearing of buttons, badges, and other insignia, and the right of expression in offcial publications…”

The code also protects instructors and discusses prior restraint, which our Viewpoints advisers explained to us during the frst week of class means that they will never demand to look at our articles before they go to print.

Luckily, organizations like the Student Press Law Center, along with other great journalism organizations, fght for us when needed.

BY ALONDRA MONTES | VIEWPOINTS

It is common to have to educate instructors, staff members and administrators during any given semester, especially when we make the occasional, inevitable mistake. And we do our best to hold ourselves accountable and soak in the biweekly critques of Viewpoints.

However, what took place at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School is unacceptable. The bedrock of any democracy is freedom of the press. And college and high school publications are more essential than ever — especially in Southern California where many local dailies are under the umbrella of a hedgefund. Those remaining reporters do incredible work given the resources they have, but it’s rare to have dedicated reporters for each city, let alone a specifc education beat.

What happened to Chavira is appalling and if it’s a sign of a new trend in education we are all doomed.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor should be kept to 250 words or less and include contact information. Email letters to viewpointseic@ gmail.com. Viewpoints reserves the right to edit letters for space and to reject libelous or obscene letters. Letters to the editor and columns represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily refect those of the entire Viewpoints staff, Viewpoints faculty advisers, student faculty, administration or the Board of Trustees.

PRINTING SCHEDULE

Copy deadline: September 21

Photo deadline: September 21 Ad deadline: September 21 Next issue: September 29

Viewpoints is a public forum, First Amendment newspaper. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

© 2022 by the Viewpoints staff, Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA. 92506-0528. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the Viewpoints editor-in-chief.

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR John Michael Guerrero multimedia.viewpoints@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER John Michael Guerrero viewpoints.socialmedia@gmail.com

REPORTERS:

Jose Anguiano

Carlos Ayala

Laura Bautista

Arianna Cervantes Jesus Coronel

Jazmyn Hope De Jesus Peter Gibbs

Vianney Morales

Leroy Orozco Hannah Padilla-Estrella Liv Pearson Carlos Perez Zach Reynosa Dalila Romero William L. G. Stephens

Lindsey Tovar

Luis Alberto Trejo Jr. Alyssa Velasquez

JOURNALISM SPECIALIST

Matt Schoenmann

matthew.schoenmann@rcc.edu

REACH US: NEWSROOM PHONE: (951)-222-8488 EMAIL: viewpointseic@gmail.com

MEMBER:

FACULTY ADVISERS

Angela Burrell Matt Schoenmann

PHOTO

Early race warms up pace

Cross country team starts the season in training shoes

HAYDEN KULICK SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Redlands Invitational on Sept. 3 was used as a preseason warm up race for the Riverside City College men’s and women’s cross country teams.

RCC took this race as an opportunity to get ready for the bigger races later in the season as the coaches did not let them use any racing shoes, they were told to run in their training shoes.

At the start of both the women’s and the men’s races, no one went out fast for the Tigers.

However in the men’s race, Sophomore runner Gavin Condit moved up throughout the race and ended up placing 16th overall with a time of 19 minutes and 29 seconds. Condit was also the frst Tiger to cross the fnish line.

“My main goal is to keep the team together,” Condit said, “Our goal is to have around 20 seconds in between each other so I think we did a pretty good job at that.”

Sophomore runner Raen Reyes was not too far behind Condit as he placed 33rd with a time of 20 minutes and six seconds.

“We raced in trainers today so that was pretty tough,” Reyes said. “Your legs get more fatigued in the later parts of the race.”

The men’s team placed 4th overall.

During the women’s race, sophomore athlete Elani Huntley was leading for the Tigers early on but had to drop out of the race due to an injury.

Freshman Dakota Zamarripa was the frst Tiger to fnish with a time of 19 minutes and 47 seconds because of it.

“It was a good race,” she said. “I know I have plenty to work on but I’m glad I was able to compete in my frst collegiate race.”

Freshman runner Adeleni Pacheco was the 4th Tiger to cross the fnish line.

“I’m just excited that we are getting closer,” he said. “I’m excited to move up together as a team at the next meet.”

Editor: Hayden Kulick viewpoints.sports@gmail.com

Sports Briefs

Football

Riverside City College defeats Long Beach city College with a fnal score of 48-20 on Sept. 10.

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has received offers from the University of Hawaii, the University of Texas, El Paso and New Mexico State University.

Water Polo

In the men’s water polo game, Ottawa University defeated Riverside City College 14-7 on Sept. 10.

The men’s water polo team is now 4-6 on the year.

In the women’s game, Riverside City College crushes Citrus with a fnal score of 14-5 on Sept. 10.

The women’s water polo team is now 3-1 on the year.

Cross Country

The men’s cross country team placed third at the Cal State San Bernardino Coyote challenge on Sept. 10.

Gavin Condit placed third at the meet with a time of 25 minutes and 38 seconds. The women’s cross country team placed fourth at CSUSB Coyote Challenge on Sept. 10.

Elani Huntley Placed 19th overall with a time of 20 minutes and fve seconds.

Volleyball

Riverside City College women’s volleyball beat San Bernardino Valley College with a fnal score of 3-0 on Sept. 9.

Volleyball is now 2-3 on the year.

All of these dates are subject to change due to possible regulations to come involving the containment of the coronavirus.

To stay up to date on upcoming campus events, visit the Viewpoints calendar listed at viewpointsonline.org.

If you have events happening on campus that you want featured on the calendar, send information about the event to viewpoints.sports@gmail. com.

HAYDEN KULICK | VIEWPOINTS

Water splashes on the face of Riverside City College David Rush to help cool him down during the Redlands Invitational where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees on Sept. 3 at Redlands University.

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

RCC Gonzalo Sanchez moves through the pack during the men’s race at the Redlands Invitational on Sept. 3 at Redlands University. LEFT

RCC Track & Cross Country Head Coach Jim McCarron passes out gatorades to the runners after they fnished their races in extremely hot temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. RIGHT

More than a tennis champion

Sports legend paves way for athletes, culture

PEREZ STAFF REPORTER

The US Open 2022 has just concluded and we were fortunate to see Serena Williams back in action for what was perhaps her last major tournament.

“I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” she said.

A ceremony was held on opening night of the tournament in her honor to celebrate her many accolades throughout her decades long career in tennis.

Williams has been breaking down barriers for women of color in the sport for over 27 years.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner has shattered records and more than made the case for gender pay equality.

She has inspired many young tennis players who are women of color such as Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff.

Williams was knocked out of the tournament in the third round in a three-set thriller to Ajla Tomljanovic.

Watching the ceremony and Williams in action after all of these years was great.

However, after watching many of the other games in the towurnament and witnessing Nick Kyrgios spit at his team with minimal consequence, I was reminded that only a few years ago we saw a major example of the inequalities of women of color in the sport.

Kyrgios was fined $7,500 for spitting and yelling audible obscenities.

This is the biggest fine of the tournament thus far, and while this may seem like a hefty fine, in 2018 after her US Open final against Osaka, Williams was fined $17,000.

“On Sunday, a day after the match, the tournament referee’s office docked Williams $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of chair umpire Carlos Ramos, $4,000 for being warned for coaching, and $3,000 for breaking her racket,” the Associated Press writes.

Yet, there are many instances of male players who berate the chair umpire without consequences. Most recently, Kyrgios smashed his racket on the court at his Sept. 4 match against Daniil Medvedev, more than once, and argued with the chair umpire without receiving any fines.

So why is it that men and women do not get punished equally for the same offense? Moreover, women get perceived differently when exhibiting the same behavior.

Following Serena Williams’ 2018 US Open loss, The Herald Sun (Australian newspaper) made a caricature depicting Serena as an angry woman of color that went viral and was spread alongside hateful rhetoric that was quite prevalent under the administration of the time.

The cartoon displayed Serena Williams stomping on her racket

in her 2018 US Open loss, with exaggerated features resembling the illustrations of the Jim Crow era. The illustration is an example of the way society can degrade women of color.

The illustration did spark backlash. “And it has set off an international storm of outrage, with athletes, fans and even J.K. Rowling denouncing the cartoon as sexist and racist,” per the New York Times.

Still, it requires more. It needs a call to action.

The retirement of Serena should be a reminder of not only her successful tennis career but of the great strides that she has made for women in sports and the reminder that we must continue to progress.

Before her, Billie Jean King advocated for women, equal gender pay, and LGBTQIA2+ rights.

Change comes with doing more than words. So, what can we do to level the playing field for all genders?

A good start would be to implement fairness across all aspects of the sport, including demanding equal consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Still, the superstar’s positive impact for women remains forever notable. The US Open retirement ceremony for Serena was joyous and filled with support and love.

It highlighted her legacy, barriers broken down for women of color, and her overall positive impact toward equality in the sport of tennis.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Seven-time Australian Open singles champion

• Four-time Australian Open doubles champion

• Three-time French Open singles champion

• Two-time French Open doubles champion

• Seven-time Wimbledon singles champion

• Six-time Wimbledon doubles champion

• Six-time US Open singles champion

• Two-time US Open doubles champion

• One-time Olympic singles gold medalist (2012)

• Three-time Olympic doubles champion

• One-time Grand Slam Cup winner (1999)

• Five-time Womens Tennis Association Finals winner

• Career 84.6% winning percentage in singles (192-35)

• Career 87.1% winning percentage in doubles (17-4)

CARLOS

PHOTO COURTESY OF YAN CARADEC | FLICKR

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVATTO | FLICKR MAJOR

Football rolls early

Brothers dominate community college competition

LEROY OROZCO STAFF REPORTER

After a heartbreaking loss in the state championship last season, the Riverside City College football team has offcially turned the page to this year. Led by Tom Craft, the team looks to take their season into December in hopes of getting back to the championship game.

That journey kicked off this past weekend with a 59-26 win as RCC toppled Mt. San Jacinto College.

The offense looks to once again be electric, but they’re led by a new transfer quarterback from Golden West College, Jake Retzlaff.

Retzlaff came to Riverside in hopes of helping this team bring another state title home, but he had a bit more incentive than just that. Catching his passes is Retzlaff’s brother, Reggie Retzlaff.

“We’ve been throwing together for five, six years,” Jake said. “So it’s defnitely different than throwing to any other guy on the team.”

Despite the Retzlaff brothers having a big night against MSJC, Jake managed to utilize his other key weapons on offense as he broke two RCC records.

He broke the record for most passing touchdowns in a debut at six, and he shattered the single game passing yards record too.

Reggie was the star receiver of the game, totaling ten catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was just trying to have more fun this year than anything,” Reggie said. “Just enjoying every second I can on the feld.”

Last season, Reggie was injured early in the season and had it cut short. However, entering this season, Reggie has big expectations for himself and the other talented receivers.

If RCC wants to get back to winning championships, the Retzlaff brothers will be a big part

Turnovers, defense lead to game two blowout

DALILA ROMERO STAFF REPORTER

The Riverside City College football team came out fring on all cylinders as they put up 24 points in the frst quarter as they took on Long Beach City College on Sept. 10.

Long Beach struggled to get its offense going, throwing two interceptions in the frst quarter, both to sophomore defensive back Demarco Moorer.

“It’s just a killer mentality,” Moorer said. “I see that stuff like that boosts the team so I just kept doing my thing.”

The Tigers defense had a strong showing overall, holding the Vikings to 13 points until the end of the fourth quarter where they scored a garbage time touchdown.

“We just worked hard all practice,” sophomore linebacker Gage Summers said. “We studied our playbook and we executed pretty well today.”

The effects of playing all road games began to lurk, as the turf is made out of a different material.

“The feld is wood chips so it’s easier to get cut but besides that I wouldn’t really say it’s that much different than playing at home,” Summers said.

The Tigers offense also had a feld day, scoring 31 points in the frst half.

Starting Quarterback Jake Retzlaff backed up his record breaking performance against Mt. San Jacinto College with another strong performance against Long Beach.

Retzlaff threw fve touchdown passes, two of which to his brother Reggie Retzlaff.

“It’s just we’ve been throwing together for so long that I can’t remember so it’s just the little and small things that we understand with each other,” Jake said. “We’re always on the same page, we have a little telekinesis going on.”

The Tigers will play their next game at Saddleback College on Sept. 17.

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY

Riverside City College’s football team welcomes brothers Jake and Reggie Retzlaff to the feld this season.

RCC Jake Retzlaff, 11, sees an opening in the line, and decides to run the ball downfeld where he would get tackled at the 10 yard line.