Vol. 101, Issue 6 Nov. 10, 2022

Voters seem undeterred by weather

State Proposition results

Proposition 1 passed to amend the California constitution to include fundamental rights to reproductive freedom.

Proposition 26 did not pass. It would have allowed tribal casinos and the state’s four horse race tracks to offer inperson sports betting.

Proposition 27 did not pass. This would have allowed licensed tribes and gaming companies to offer mobile and online sports betting outside Native American tribal lands.

Proposition 28 passed. The state will fund music and art for public schools and community colleges. This will not come from the general taxes.

ALONDRA MONTESMARTINEZ NEWS EDITOR

The election process seemed to go smoothly for most who chose to vote in person at the Riverside Main Library downtown Nov. 8.

Ballots were mailed to voters in October for those who chose to vote by mail.

The majority of voters — mailin or absentee voters had to have their ballots in the mail by election

day —waited until the last minute to mail in their ballots or vote in person.

The rain didn’t seem to stop many from hurrying to the polls on election day, according to a poll worker at the County Registrar of Voters office located at Riverside Gateway.

According to Jackie D. from the main voters office at Riverside Gateway the weather caused the computer system to crash for a few minutes. This didn’t stop the

turnout of voters.

“There were a lot of people out tonight,” she said. “The line wrapped around the building.”

This weather didn’t stop Bianka Lopez from arriving and dropping off her ballot.

“It’s important to vote, we have to look out for our community,” Lopez said. “I’m here to do so.”

Married couple Amy and Luke Lopez arrived on a tandem bicycle ready to mail in their ballots.

They traveled through the light

rain that began the morning of election day.

“It’s important to vote, it’s our constitutional right,” Luke Lopez said.

Justin Corrales — who enjoys placing his vote on election day — expressed the importance to vote, especially since not all of us have that constitutional right.

“I still encourage in-person voting,” Corrales said. “I think it’s the best and safer way to do it without going down a rabbit hole.”

Proposition 29 passed. The Proposal would’ve required dialysis clinics to have one physician on site or through Telehealth.

Proposition 31 passed. It will prohibit the retail of certain flavored tobacco products, this will decrease in state tobacco products tax revenue.

Title IX panel hosts area coaches, athletic directors

JENNIPHER VASQUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Collegiate athletic directors and coaches from throughout the Inland Empire joined for “A day of Title IX,” at Riverside City College’s Hall of Fame Room on Nov. 4.

The panelists highlighted the impact of the law, how it influenced their careers and how Title IX is about much more than just women’s equality in sports.

Nicho DellaValle, director

of sports information at RCC, organized and hosted the panel.

He defined Title IX for the audience before asking a series of questions to each panelist.

“Title IX is more than sport,” Megan Bottoms, RCC instructor and student activities coordinator, said. “Title IX is the ability for me as a female to be able to show up in an educational system and to be given the opportunity to compete.”

She said Title IX helped open doors that might not have been open to her 50 years ago. Her current position at the college and

the doctorate degree that helped her get the job being examples of just that.

RCC women’s tennis coach Nikki Bonzoumet and RCC women’s volleyball coach Clara Lowden, who also served on the panel, shared similar sentiments.

“As women don’t ever forget that you have an opportunity and don’t take it for granted,” Lowden said. “That’s pretty much what, for me, has given me the career to coach, to be an administrator, to be a professor.”

She said education was always

a man’s world, but thanks to Title IX it no longer is.

RCC women’s sports teams were in attendance, including the women’s basketball team and coach Alicia Berber.

Berber and last season’s basketball team publicly spoke out back in February against inequities they faced as female athletes at RCC.

“The work that you did to put this panel together and this conversation about Title IX is incredible, so thank you,” Berber said to DellaValle.

OPINIONS

She told the audience that DellaValle has also spearheaded organzing media days for the women’s basketball team and brought a lot of attention to the women’s teams at RCC.

The lack of male student athlete attendance sparked conversation about educating male sports teams about Title IX.

Wesley Mallette, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the UCR, added to the discussion by saying that it is important for male

Grappling with the world of wrestling

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

A voter braves the cold and rainy election day to come out and vote in the 2022 midterm elections at Orrenmaa Elementary School on Nov 8.

News Briefs

USPS services temporarily suspended in the Riverside Due to a suspicious fire on Nov. 4 the Magnolia Center Post Office is temporarily closed. The downtown post office is open for all postal needs, retail windows will be open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Riverside County Students arrested for carrying a firearm at school

Two 13-year-old Toro Canyon Middle School students were arrested Nov. 2. Deputies were contacted by school administration after reports of a student with a handgun at the bus stop were reported. According to the Riverside County Sheriff Department, the student passed the firearm to another student. Their backpacks were searched, revealing the firearm. Both students were arrested and taken to Indio Juvenile Hall.

Inland Empire teen shot to death at Halloween party Fontana sheriffs arrived at the 10600 block of Geronimo Ave. in Bloomington after reports of a shooting. Deputies found 15-year-old Robert Pyley lying on the driveway with a gunshot wound after shots were fired due to an argument during a Halloween party. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner Department, Pyley was sent to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Fontana teen caught with 40 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in vehicle San Bernardino Central Station conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Honda Accord for vehicle code violations. The 17-year-old driver was taken into custody after police discovered 40 pounds of methamphetamine, according to the County Sheriff Coroner Department.

CORRECTION

In our previous issue RCC Interim President FeRita Carter’s name was misspelled in the story about the campus greenhouse published Oct. 27. In our previous issue Stephen Day was given credit for a photo taken by Peter Gibbs. Both mistakes have been corrected online.

If you feel you or others’ safety is at risk, please contact the RCCD Police Department at 951-222-8171 for nonemergency calls, and in case of emergency, call 9-1-1.

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.news@gmail.com

Student press faces undue pressure

Panel hosts discussion about scholastic censorship

VIANNEY MORALES STAFF REPORTER

Student journalists nationwide are facing an epidemic. There is a looming threat of their voices being revoked when their school is the subject of criticism in their writing.

The Society of Professional Journalists chapter serving the greater Los Angeles area held a panel Nov. 3 discussing the rights of student journalists.

The event was moderated by Cal State Northridge journalism instructor Ben Davis Jr.

The panelists were former Daniel Pearl High School student journalist Nathalie Miranda, Daniel Pearl journalism teacher Adriana Chavira, Student Press Law Center attorney Mike Hiestand and UC Irvine instructor Susan Seager.

They discussed the importance of protecting student journalism when reporters critically report

on their school.

Student newspapers who have published articles that criticized their school administration by informing their peers in return are faced with retaliation from administration and threatened with having their journalism programs cut entirely.

Seager recalls having legally represented students after they were threatened with a lawsuit from a teacher who was the subject of a story they published.

The story exposed her sexual relationship with a minor who had become emancipated four months prior to the start of relationship.

This scared the school and the administration acted out of fear, according to Seager. Lawyers advised the school to remove the story to eliminate the risk of a legal battle ensuing and to put an end to the issue at hand.

Seager recalls the fear of the student journalists she represented.

“They were worried the administration was going to punish them in some way,” she said. “(They worried) that they could either not walk(for their graduation ceremony) or not get their diploma.”

Miranda, who had written a story outing a librarian for not being vaccinated, recalled feeling fearful of the consequences. She worried that not only she would be implicaed but also her journalism teacher, Chavira, and if it would jeopardize the Pearl Post entirely.

Chavira had received a suspension in response to not taking down Miranda’s story.

“I don’t think the fear came until the end (of the school year),” Miranda said. “From the beginning it was more shock and anger, it was anger toward our district and toward our principal.”

The librarian claimed that the story was a HIPAA violation

but those rules don’t apply in journalism. Her vaccination status as a public school employee is considered information that the public deserved to know.

Miranda said being educated on their rights as student journalists is what protected the Pearl Post from intimidation by the school administration following their attempt to censor her.

The misconception that censorship in journalism only happens when topics of sexual nature were also discussed by the panelists but Hiestand clarified that is not the case.

When advisors and student journalists don’t comply with their school’s warnings to remove a story, their publication gets deplatformed entirely.

“It’s almost a guarantee if you are writing a story that is critical of the school that for whatever reason makes the school look bad, that’s the number one reason why they are getting censored,” Hiestand said.

Academics and athletics, federal law represents both

TITLE IX from page 1

student athletes to be a part of the conversation.

“When you’re faced with a Title IX issue or you’re dealing with issues around equity, how are you going to know (how to handle it) if you’re not educated and you don’t have the experience in dealing with (Title IX) or talking with people about it?” asked Mallette.

Mallette said he and his colleagues at UCR work to ensure there is an overall “alignment” in how they handle Title IX violations and educate their students.

He said that that alignment is based on culture, communication and that understanding what each

individual’s goals are is crucial.

“You have to pour into people,” Mallette said. “You have to make sure they understand you’re with them… meet with your student athletes, talk to your student athletes.”

Some of the women in the audience thanked the panelists for their advocacy and for providing insight to the issues that directly affect them.

Jazmyn Lara, RCC softball player, said that despite not knowing what Title IX was before listening to the panelists speak, she is grateful to have heard the panelists’ experiences and about what they do to continue pushing for equality.

JENNIPHER

AP Stylebooks are always close at hand for student journalists who routinely, write, edit, create layouts and even take photos for their stories.

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

Michelle Almazan(middle) speaks to Riverside City College women’s sports teams Nov. 4 about enforcing Title IX and reporting violations.

Life Briefs

The City of Jurupa Valley and Flabob Airport will host a veterans parade and festival celebration Nov. 12 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Flabob Airport in Riverside. Admission is free.

Cars and Coffee

The Rickshaws of Riverside Car Club will host a “Cars and Coffee” event at the Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside Nov. 12 from 8-10 a.m. Admission is free.

Margaritas y Mas Festival ‘22

This festival will be held at North Park, Riverside Nov. 12 from 1-4 p.m. Unlimited tequila and mezcal tastings, various foods provided via food trucks and other attractions will be available. General admission is between $65 and $50 for groups of four or more. Participants must be 21 years or older to enter.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Movie Screening

The screening will be held at the Regal Riverside Plaza on Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18.39 per person.

The Cure Tribute

The Curse band will be doing a Cure Tribute Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. at The Concert Lounge in Riverside. Tickets are $15 for advanced booking and $20 at the door. Participants must be 21 years or older to enter.

Thanksgiving Break

RCC will have its break from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27

Festival of Lights switch-on ceremony

Downtown Riverside will host the Festival of Lights “switchon” on Nov. 25 at 4:30 p.m. Lights will remain lit until Jan. 6. The festival will host food and craft vendors, artisans and live entertainment. Santa will be available for pictures every Thursday-Sunday from 5-10 p.m. before he leaves for the North Pole on Dec. 24.

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.

Brother trio plays memorable stage Glam-rock

ANGIE ESCALANTE LIFE EDITOR

band performs new album ‘Fever Dream’

out love to the fans.

Climbing their way up in rock music charts and playing in soldout venues was no easy feat for Palaye Royale, despite previously living in a car while trying to make a name for themselves.

The three brother, CanadianAmerican rock band who are known for their glam-rock style that has earned each of them their own moniker: Remington ‘The Vampire’ Leith (vocalist), Emerson ‘The Pirate’ Barrett (drummer) and Sebastian ‘The Gentleman’ Danzig (guitarist).

The band performed at the Hollywood Palladium on Nov. 6 for their “Fever Dream” world tour, titled after their fourth album.

Opening artists included Starbenders, carolesdaughter, Phem and Mod Sun. Each opening act performed at least four songs.

Following Mod Sun’s performance, an orchestral and almost eerie ambiance filled the theater. A red glow came down and fog rolled out as the audience welcomed Palaye Royale to the stage.

Palaye kicked off its set with a confetti blast and a passionate performance of the song “Nightmares” from its third album “The Bastards.”

The LA performance was the trio’s first show since their newest album released on Oct. 28 and was also the last show in North America for awhile.

Danzig spoke about how performing at the Palladium meant a lot to the band and that they’re grateful to everyone who worked on the album with them. He shouted

The band had an extended period of silence during their performance of the song that put them under the spotlight, “Mr. Doctor Man,” followed by Leith counting down the beat drop and fans started a mosh pit.

Unfortunately, later in the show a fan in the audience passed out in the middle of the “Paranoid,” performance to which Leith quickly responded, signaling the band to stop playing and asked the crowd to open up while calling for security.

After the fan had been safely wheeled out of the audience, Leith scanned over the crowd asking if everyone else was alright, “I may be wearing eyeliner but safety first!”

While the band cares about the safety of their fans, the vocalist continuously puts his own safety on the line as he’s infamously known for climbing whatever he sees fit

during a show.

Some of his most notable incidents happened at Jones Beach Theater, NY when he jumped off stage, into the ocean on Aug. 28 and in Scotland on Jan. 25, 2019 where he was forcefully yanked down by security while he waved at fans from the balcony

The Palladium show was no exception as the frontman ran off stage, up the stairs that led to the VIP balcony and pressed through fans as he made his way to the ledge and waved.

The band brought out guest Laura Pergolizzi, professionally known as LP, during “Line it up,” which she is featured in.

Toward the end of the show Leith sat at a piano for a rendition of their current most popular song “Lonely,” before the rest of the band joined him.

The 28-year-old has previously

mentioned that “Lonely” is a song close to his heart as it is composed about the abuse he suffered and the intense feeling of solitude he experienced, it is also the first song he directed a music video for.

The show concluded with a moving performance of the title track “Fever Dream” where confetti cannons shot out during the final chorus and fans screamed the lyrics.

The sound of drums faded out as Leith raised his hand and belted out the final “So close your eyes, just say ‘Goodnight,’” while Danzig and Barrett made their way to the front to stand together.

Danzig waved at the fans and Barrett tossed roses out into the audience, both later blowing kisses at everyone.

“Thank you Los Angeles, we are Palaye Royale!” Leith yelled out before giving a final bow.

ANGIE ESCALANTE | VIEWPOINTS

Palaye Royale performs for a full house at the Hollywood Palladium on Nov. 6

Veterans Celebration Parade and Festival

Palaye Royale’s marquee letter sign lights up the stage after their show at the Hollywood Palladium on Nov. 6

ANGIE

Inked on Indiana Avenue

Los Angeles native pursues tattoo career in Riverside

REPORTER

Los Angeles native Valerie Suarez, also known as Vee.Inked across social media platforms, currently has nearly 800,000 likes on her TikTok propelling her into being one of Riverside’s most popular tattoo artists.

“It’s crazy. That’s just all I can say all the time,” said Suarez, resident tattoo artist, about her career.

She has resided in and out of Moreno Valley, Riverside and Los Angeles throughout her childhood.

She currently lives and works at Truest Art Studio in Riverside with her uncle, Jeser Martinez, at his tattoo shop. Suarez grew up sketching, painting and drawing, pushing her uncle to encourage her to pursue art full time.

“He had asked me for years to start tattooing with him,” she said. “As soon as I turned 18 he was like, ‘You need to tattoo. You’ll do great. You’ll be amazing.’ Very encouraging.”

As a tattoo artist and business owner himself, Martinez encouraged her artwork for much of Suarez’s life.

“My uncle always tells me, if you have a talent you need to run with it,” she said. “You need to just go out and do it.”

Despite his pleas for Suarez to begin tattooing, she was focused on her education.

She graduated with an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Riverside City College and transferred to California State University, Fullerton majoring in accounting.

She quickly learned school was not for her and decided to work with her uncle.

Switching career paths was a big risk for her. But throwing herself into tattooing worked out in her favor, with impeccable timing.

After leaving school she achieved her first viral video promoting her flash tattoo sale that was being held at the time.

Her art style, which incorporates classic tattoo style with vintage pieces highlighted by intricate linework and shading, has proved to strike a chord with plenty of people online.

“Most of my inspiration is my hobbies, so I like to go antiquing (and) thrifting,” she said. “A lot of my art kinda reflects vintage and things that I see at the antique store.”

She did not expect so many people to take a liking to her “beginner” tattoos and was shocked by the response.

The likes on her video translated into reallife popularity and led her to change her entire booking system following that first viral video.

The work that goes behind being a tattoo artist often goes unnoticed. This includes networking, understanding the business aspects and for Suarez, constantly making content and artwork for her followers to see.

“It’s a whole other part of tattooing that people don’t see and it’s very stressful,”

Suarez said. “It wasn’t part of what I thought tattooing was gonna be.”

This extends into a sense of imposter syndrome, which Suarez says everyone feels at times regardless of what they do for a living, when she feels that other tattoo artists she admires deserve the attention she has received.

“I have to fight with myself on that and say, ‘My work is good too,’ so I shouldn’t doubt that,” she said.

Being self-employed at such a young age is another challenge she said has also been daunting.

Despite this, she is incredibly grateful to her uncle, her community and the first group of clients that came from TikTok.

“So many clients have told me they’re glad I’m working in the area because being a young, female tattoo artist makes a lot of them feel more comfortable,” she said.

Her clientele mainly comes from her social media. Many of them are also young adults who relate to her. Suarez said she feels supported by her clients due to this.

Tattoos are forever much like her growth as an artist is ever changing.

She is grateful to those early birds who came in and let her practice on them. For this reason, Suarez feels that tattooing is an excellent art medium for her personally, as the process of working on something that will be on another person forever feels very rewarding to her.

“I just can’t wait to see where I’m at in three or four years. Or five years (or) 10 years!” she said. “I just hope I’m doing this for the rest of my career.”

Suarez’s end goal is to eventually own her own tattoo shop.

JAZMYN DE JESUS STAFF

OPINIONS

Editor: Maria Odenbaugh viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com

Wrestling with the sport itself

Lessons, pitfalls affect athletes in equal measures

MARIA ODENBAUGH OPINIONS EDITOR

I wrestled for three years. It was my life throughout high school. It set me up for the world after high school.

I gave my blood, sweat and tears for years just to get beat up every weekend and starve myself for a week to make weight, still, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

It shaped me.

I started wrestling when I was 15 and just about two years ago I overcame feeling guilty for drinking water.

No matter what I ate or drank I could not help but think about how many grams I was putting into my body.

I kept my weight constant for the most part but not because I thought I needed to for looks.

It was because I wanted to win.

All the restrictions that were put on myself was all because that’s what my game needed.

I wanted to be the best I could so I continued to eat three small

meals a day just to sweat it out during practice.

If you have ever met a wrestler or been in a wrestling room you’ve seen these athletes who would get beat up physically and mentally. Yet, when I left the environment I was automatically filled with gratification.

With every bruise, fat lip or bloody nose, swollen knee or hungry belly, we loved it. I loved it.

I love the sport. I do. But it always weighed on me mentally, even if it was subconscious. After I graduated it took me a long time to see food without my weight in mind.

Wrestling made me look at food differently. It’s frustrating that I had a weird relationship with it. And still I will always praise the sport. I praise it because the feeling of winning a match made all the sacrifices and restrictions worth it.

The love-hate relationship I have with the sport is unmatched. But all that pain was worth it because it taught me that sacrifices and restrictions are crucial.

Always having to weigh my food the nights before tournaments,

going home with clothes drenched in sweat and the early morning tournaments were key things I remember from my seasons.

Ever since I could remember, I was surrounded by the wrestling lifestyle.

My dad, uncles and brothers all wrestled. I remember being ten years old and listening to my dad and multiple coaches yell, “Shoot!” at the top of their lungs.

When I decided my freshmen year I would join the team I

surprised myself.

Despite being surrounded by that lifestyle I never saw myself becoming part of the team. Looking back I never realized there was equal opportunity to feel the pain and gratification from wrestling.

Being a girl in wrestling was the best thing I could have done.

I was a girl in a male-dominated sport and it was scary.

It gave me confidence to compete against teenage boys who thought they were the

“macho man” of the sport which is equivalent to having enough confidence going into a big job interview.

After every match I won, every practice and every successful weigh in, I was filled with satisfaction. An ironic satisfaction.

The love and praise I hold for this sport is extremely ironic.

I put myself through mental and physical pain to win.

I was lucky enough I was a part of a team and family that also held the same regards as me for the sport.

We would wrap whoever had to cut weight with blankets and jackets in the corner of the heated room. We became tougher through the pain, sweat and tears, literally. Those memories represent the loyalty and dedication wrestling took.

At the end of the day I am glad I was a young girl immersed in the wrestling world. A girl in a hurtful, food-restricted, draining sport, eventually loved it and learned from it.

I consider myself lucky I got to experience all the hardships of the sport.

Academic expectations stress students

Unreasonable exceptions harm K-12 students

ANGIE ESCALANTE LIFE EDITOR

The system of putting certain students on pedestals while indirectly shaming others pits them against each other and is harmful.

Placing K-12 students in higher level courses is not really a “gift” at all. It’s a nightmare.

Education programs like the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Advanced Placement Program (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) are forced on students.

I grew up as a GATE, honors, AP and IB kid.

Being outcasted from fellow classmates because the school deemed me “intelligent” above the rest didn’t work in my favor, especially not for my young, developing mind.

I was pushed to do more. The teachers said that the curriculum they were teaching to our grade was too easy for me and I was placed in higher levels, separately.

I, along with a few other students in my elementary school

were pulled out of class and into a separate classroom to learn something different. We sat on one side of the classroom and the teacher took turns teaching two different lessons to cater to us and everyone else.

We were taken out of our grade level and placed into the grade above.

More often than not, I sat in the library or in classrooms during recess because my other classmates didn’t want to play with the “teacher’s pet.”

I was quickly characterized as, “smart,” “gifted” and a “nerd.”

Suddenly they weren’t just words. They were labels and they were tied to my identity.

It was overwhelming when people would without question describe me by those words.

I should’ve noticed it was too much when I received a “B” letter grade on a test, which was the result

of not studying because my uncle had passed away, and sobbed more over the fact that I let myself slip.

My peers grew resentful toward me due to constant comparison and idolization I received from teachers and parents.

These were all indicators that it was all too much.

Learning felt forced and it was no longer something I loved. When I sacrificed basic human necessities like eating, sleeping and social interaction in favor of schoolwork, I should’ve been offered help over high demand classes.

While I experienced panic attacks along with auditory and visual hallucinations, my teachers were only concerned about my grades.

I didn’t realize what all the added pressure of being an avid student did to me until it was too late.

I wondered who I was my freshman year as I sat in my high

school’s office waiting for the final signature required on my straight “F” report card to officially be dropped.

I didn’t recognize the person who opened a book but struggled to read the first sentence.

I didn’t know who the person locked away in her room was because “Angie was going to do great things, Angie was going to graduate top of her class and Angie was going to get into top schools. Angie was gifted.”

I remember taking many extra classes. All the summers I spent studying and all the tutoring sessions I had to attend just to get back on track to graduate.

No top school was going to accept me considering how my high school journey turned out.

I still applied because I could not fathom that I had truly lost that part of me.

When I opened the rejection letters, I broke.

Every teacher I had made it seem like I was invincible.

I had nothing to worry about because I was smart.

Not a single one of them prepared me for the possibility that perhaps I wasn’t invincible, that maybe I would reach a breaking point.

I did reach that point and there was nothing for me to grasp onto as I fell.

I was good at school but the school should not have taken advantage of that.

Schools, especially elementary grade, are supposed to nurture students.

Teachers are supposed to help them grow, not force them. School should not have felt like a job for an 8-year-old. I should not have felt smothered by everyone’s expectations.

There is unrecognized sabotage behind the supposed opportunity to be educated at a higher level.

This doesn’t only apply to “gifted” kids who attach their worth to the letter on their test but also for the other kids who will lose motivation to even attempt something because they’ll never compare.

“If I’m not good at school, I’m not good at anything,” was something that was slowly hammered into my brain and it wasn’t fair.

I am more than my schoolwork.

Being smart is not my only quality.

It’s unfortunate I had to completely shatter before I figured that out.

Schools need to stop pressuring kids. I hope the new generation of “gifted,” kids don’t lose themselves before noticing it was all too much.

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

A student carries various Advanced Placement (AP) textbooks on Nov 9. AP classes give students a head start on college level classes they’ll have after high school.

A collection of wrestling shoes from various members of the family hang in a garage with tournament brackets hanging behind them.

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

E ditorial

Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.

STAFF LIST

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jennipher Vasquez viewpointseic@gmail.com

MANAGING EDITORS

Hayden Kulick John Michael Guerrero viewpoints.managing@gmail.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER viewpoints.advertising@gmail.com

NEWS EDITOR

Alondra Montes-Martinez viewpoints.news@gmail.com

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITORS

Laura Bautista, Jair Ramirez

LIFE EDITOR

Angie Escalante viewpoints.artsentertainment@gmail.com

ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR Julia Goldman

OPINIONS EDITOR Maria Odenbaugh viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com

ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR Darlene Dukelow-Burton

SPORTS EDITOR Hayden Kulick viewpoints.sports@gmail.com

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Peter Gibbs

Politicians fail younger generations

It’s been nearly 20 years since the “youth vote” came out in droves supporting a young Black senator from Illinois named Barack Obama, promising hope and change. After all those years, a new “youth vote” has lost hope and is only offered the status quo with each passing voting cycle.

The status quo became appealing after four years of President Donald Trump’s chaotic presidency, but even before that, the hope and change that Obama promised never quite materialized.

Obama’s crowning achievement was the Affordable Care Act (ACA), labeled ObamaCare.

Despite the big promises that it started out as, ultimately it was filled with empty promises. The ACA has suffered decades of attacks from Republicans who for some reason hate Americans having affordable access to healthcare.

Other empty promises like closing Guantanamo Bay, pulling troops out of Afghanistan and banning assault weapons all fell to the wayside.

When Obama’s time was up in 2016, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) decided it was time to fulfill their promise to Hillary Clinton. They worked hard to stifle a progressive Bernie Sanders campaign that was supported heavily by the young voters at the time.

When Clinton inevitably won the

primary, she struggled with shaking off her past choices that showed racist and homophobic tendencies.

Instead of working with young voters, and young voters of color specifically, she was showing up in videos telling young black women to “sit down, and listen.”

Maybe if Clinton had taken a seat, and listened, she could have perhaps created a platform the young voters could have put some faith in.

Ultimately many young voters didn’t see substantive differences between a Trump and Clinton presidency and sending a message to the DNC by taking away their support seemed like a better option.

The next four years would prove to be a chaotic, scandal-ridden fiasco.

The helping hand of a deadly pandemic only added to the governmental disaster.

By 2020, most Democratic voters were eager for calm, stability and a return to the status quo.

Younger voters, however, still wanted to press for progressive change

We not only saw Sanders back in the race but noted progressive Elizabeth Warren and the first openly gay viable candidate for president Pete Buttigieg also ran.

Warren and Sanders both ran on progressive platforms promising change.

Buttigieg struck a chord with the rich white gay voters, but many inside the

gay community found him out of touch. Ultimately the DNC again pressed for their candidate and got Joe Biden to the front of the line, despite his best efforts.

Biden is the epitome of status quo and since taking office has been impotent at effecting any real substantive change. Even his student loan forgiveness was a pittance of what was being asked for and now that is going to be tied up in judicial battles for years. Even the portion being offered can’t be delivered.

Democrats, especially of the presidential variety, have a habit of ignoring the hard issues that the young generation is demanding change for.

The economy, climate change and social issues are all stumps in every campaign, but never seem to find their way to a co-starring role in Schoolhouse Rock’s “I’m just a bill” cartoon.

All we’ve experienced for years is being ignored, broken promises and watching Republicans and Democrats spend more time fighting for power than actually trying to create real change in America.

The younger generation now see voting as simple harm reduction.

Politicians need to start listening to the youth and creating a world that they can survive in, or else we may just decide that burning the system down and starting over is the only way to see real change.

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A young Riverside voter reads the General Election pamphlet ahead of the California midterm elections on Nov. 8.

HAYDEN KULICK | VIEWPOINTS

Women’s hoops tips off, Title IX dialogue continues

Strong second half leads to

opening win

PETER GIBBS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The Title IX Tip-Off was more than just a game for the Riverside City College women’s basketball team.

“The pioneers that laid down the foundation for me to have this opportunity (are) very important. I love the conversation that has now started at the college about Title IX,” head coach Alicia Berber said. “It really means a lot to our players because it means the conversation is about supporting women’s sports and men’s sports. We want equity for all our athletes.”

Alicia Berber started off her 22nd season of coaching with a 10-point victory over Napa Valley college.

“There was a lot of hard work from these young ladies that can really make adjustments as we go through the season,” Berber said.

“I have a lot of kids with a high basketball IQ, which makes my job easy.”

The Tigers were unable to pull away from Napa Valley in the first half.

In the second half was where the team made multiple changes in strategy and built a lead before holding off a comeback from the Storm.

“They made a good adjustment against our zone defense,” Berber said. “When they (Napa Valley) were holding our shorts, I said ‘Let’s attack them again’ and that sealed the deal.”

Starting sophomore guard Shanon Jordan was a key part of the defense for the Tigers as well as the offense as she led the team in points with 11.

“I was focusing on being patient and relaxed,” Jordan said. “I was a freshman last year and I was really nervous and tense. This year I know what to do.”

RCC was able to take control of the second half due to multiple offensive rebounds and turnovers.

However, there was a scare in the third quarter when freshman guard Makayla Roberts suffered an injury.

“One of the girls ran into my

From Chavez to

knee and I heard it pop,” Roberts said. “It was sore for a bit but I was able to walk it off.”

After returning from her injury, Roberts filled up the stat sheet as she finished the game with six assists, eight rebounds and five steals while playing 35 minutes.

“The coaches say that everything starts with defense and your energy,” Roberts said. “My main goal is to get out on defense and give it my 100%. The offense will come on the other end where I can get my teammates involved.”

The second half saw improvements from all aspects of the game which propelled the Tigers to a 63-53 victory.

After a disappointing end to last season where the Tigers fell short of the playoffs, the team is excited about what the new year has in store.

“We expect to dominate, not just win but with a lead,” Roberts said. “We want to be giving it 100% and not halfdoing it.”

The next matchup for the Tigers will be against Santa Barbra Community College at the eighth anual E.O.S tournament at home on Nov. 10. The tournament will continue until Nov.12.

Marroquin:

A kicker legacy is born

Soccer player turned placekicker looks to play at the highest level

to outside stats or news,” Marroquin said. “I mainly focus on doing my job and contributing to our team’s success. At the end of the day that is what is most important.”

With field goals and extra points combined, Marroquin has scored a total of 42 points on the season.

“Truth be told, I’m a firm believer that if you put in the work and effort the results will follow,” Marroquin said.

That work ethic has been with Marroquin since he was able to walk with a soccer ball, rather than the American football.

Marroquin played soccer for the majority of his life but transitioned into the football scene during his freshman year of high school.

intense preparation is what sets him apart,” sophomore punter Jared Campell said.

Marroquin strives to earn the status of hometown hero and steps up when the team needs him.

It’s the ability to make the game-winning field goal or set up a good field position for the defense that drives him.

“The best way to put it is we are either the heroes or the villains when it comes down to those critical situations,” Marroquin said.

Off the field, #61 is a young man with big plans for his future.

further my athletic and academic career.”

Through the long practices and loads of school work, Marroquin perseveres.

Family, coaches, teammates and friends point to a strong work ethic in pursuit of success as they had always believed in Marroquin and the potential for him to be successful.

“Every time he steps on the field he produces,” Campbell said. “That’s why he’s the best junior college kicker in the nation.”

DALILA ROMERO STAFF REPORTER

In his last year at Riverside City College, sophomore football kicker Jacob Marroquin looks to prepare to move forward with continuing his academic and athletic career.

Marroquin plays an often overlooked position for the undefeated 9-0 RCC football team and showed his talents early this season.

The position of a kicker,

throughout high school, college and even the NFL, does not get as much recognition as other positions despite the work and concentration required to play the position.

Marroquin does not let the pressures that come with making potentially game changing — or sometimes game winning — kicks affect him.

He is perfect in conference play making all 21 of his extra point attempts.

“I try not to pay much attention

“Anyone has the physical ability to be a kicker,” Marroquin said. “What I feel sets me aside is the mental training and focus under pressure that contributes to my success. A lot of being a kicker is having the mental fortitude to endure high-pressure situations such as kicking the game-winning field goals or putting up points.”

It’s his training, mentally and physically, that distinguishes him from other kickers.

“His attention to detail and

“I hope to get a bachelor’s degree in business while also pursuing my dream of making it to the NFL,” Marroquin said.

“The next step in my journey would be transferring to an FBS or FCS division I program to

Marroquin has recently had that hard work pay off as he has received his first division I collegiate offer from Sacramento State.

Marroquin and the Tigers look to stay undefeated with their final regular season game against Chaffey College on Nov.12.

Members from both Riverside City College and Napa Valley link arms before the National Anthem in recognition of Title IX, while the RCC athletes wear special shirts in honor of the event.

PETER GIBBS | VIEWPOINTS

Sophomore Ayanna Bourgeouis prepares for a steal on defense. The Tigers finished with 17 steals.

PETER GIBBS | VIEWPOINTS

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

Jacob Marroquin kicks a field goal, adding another 3 points on the board against Mt. San Antonio College on Oct. 22

Jacob Marroquin sits on the sideline waiting for an opportunity against Mt. SAC on Oct. 22.