CLARION c i t r u s
c o l l e g e
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 | VOL LXXI ISSUE 15 tccclarion.com f/ccclarion T@ccclarion
Presidential candidates face off
Presidental candidate Fernando Flores
BY EMILY CRISTLER-HERMOSILLO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EHERMOSILLO@CCCLARION.COM
The position of student body president is contested this semester by two applicants that have both represented the Latinos Unidos Student Association, but have different leadership methods. The final day to cast a vote is May 23. The two contestants running for president are Ian Rodrigues, vice president of the Associated Students of Citrus College, and Fernando Flores, an Associate Students of Citrus College senator. Flores said there are pros and cons for either of them being elected. “I would say he (Rodrigues) is more on the conservative side,” Flores said. “I am more on the experimental side, maybe just because I’m young blood, I’ve never had any detriment from overspending yet.” When describing his opponent, Rodrigues said Flores “makes Bernie Sanders look conservative.” Rodrigues describes himself as “the legitimate man of the people” because he said he makes an effort to listen to people with different
views than his own and visits many clubs. Flores is an art major who has served one term in student government. Rodrigues has been involved in student government for four semesters. Rodrigues said Flores may be ready to be president next year, but as of now he thinks Flores does not have enough experience. He offered Flores his support if he accepted the position of treasurer instead of president. Rodrigues said he told Flores, “Let’s focus on the things we agree on... What did he do? He went and ran against me... he wants to go fisticuffs with me.” Flores said he was not originally going to run for president but changed his mind when another student decided not to run for president. “Ian (Rodrigues) offered me the position of treasurer with no contingencies,” Flores said in an email. “The first time he offered I was not considering the run for president. The second time he offered, I declined. It was not until Philippe Schicker decided to drop from the run that I decided to give it a shot.”
“
Photo by Emily Cristler-Hermosillo Clarion
Presidental candidate Ian Rodrigues
I would say he (Rodrigues) is more on the conservative side. I am more on the experimental side, maybe just because I’m young blood. I’ve never had any detriment from overspending yet.” -FERNANDO FLORES
ASCC presidential candidate
As ICC president, Rodrigues said he thinks he did a “50/50 job” and would have liked to do more. “You can’t please everybody,” Rodrigues said. Rodrigues said he doesn’t like it, but to ensure the success of certain events like the annual powwow, other events sometimes need to be cut. “That’s the reality of it,” Rodrigues said. One such event that had to be cut was a conference for Hispanic and Latino leaders in Buena Park that would have taken place this semester, but the cost of about $2,500 compromised other events like the
powwow. Rodrigues said it was a unanimous board decision to cut the event. “As a Hispanic that killed me,” Rodrigues said. Despite their differences, both candidates represented LUSA. to the ICC. The Indigenous Student Association chose to support Flores for his involvement and support of clubs and their activities. Business major Rita Rivera said that the Indigenous Students Association chose to support Flores because “he’s been very supportive of all clubs since he’s been here.” Isabella Reyes, ISA president and child development and behavioral science major, said that Rodrigues was initially against the powwow because of its cost of $3,000. At their fundraising craft fair May 16, ISA handed out slips of paper that read “Vote May 22nd and 23rd! Fernando Flores for president, as well as Makayla Pedroza for vice president and Ruben Availa for liaison.” Availa said that he did not know Rodrigues well enough to speak to his character, but knows Flores from
a class they took together. Availa described Flores as “kind and passionate.” When asked if he would accept a position other than president, Rodrigues said, “If I don’t think I can do the job efficiently, I’m not gonna do it.” Presidential contenders spoke to a small crowd at the Candidate Forum on May 15 in the Campus Center Mall. Both candidates for president listed student involvement at events as one of their main concerns. At the forum, Flores said that he attempted to improve student turnout to campus events with some success this semester by hosting an Earth Day related event outside, rather than indoors, to get the attention of students walking on their way to class. Flores said that method helped boost numbers and he will keep trying to raise student involvement by experimenting with different methods. Rodrigues repeatedly emphasized unity during the forum. He said he believes that unifying the students will improve turn out to campus events and he plans to do S E E ELEC T ION • PA G E 5
dance the night guardians of the campus away Student- chroreographed show rocks the Haugh PG. 10
Campus Safety launches an app to improve students’ security PG. 7
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
OWL BEAT Everything you need to know about current events on the campus community. If there is something you want us to cover, email us: contact@ccclarion.com • MAY 23 - POETRY SLAM
The Black Student Union hosts its poetry slam event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Cl 159. • MAY 29 - AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Help save a life by donating blood from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. between the ED and VA buildings.
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HOOT TWEETS:
@ItsVillaDoe: “Shout out to 20 years of existence, getting this birthday workout in so I can spend the day at citrus college.” @thebeauchamp: “The Music Business class you taught at Citrus College for the Recording Arts program was easily the greatest course I’ve EVER taken! Thanks again Prof. Lyman!!”
OWLSTAGRAM:
• JUNE 1 - SPORTS INTEREST MEETING
The Athletics Department invites those interested in women’s sports to meet at 9 a.m. in Room 224, the Field House. • JUNE 1 - SPRING MUSIC CONCERT
Haugh Performing Arts Center is hosting performances by the Citrus Singers, Concert Choir, Women’s Ensemble, the Sierra Wind Symphony and more at 7 p.m. • JUNE 14 - MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
The mobile food pantry returns to campus from 8 a.m. to noon at the Campus Center Mall. • JUNE 16 - COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Come see the graduating class 9 a.m. at the Citrus College Stadium. No tickets required. • MAY 9 TO MAY 24 - COLLEGE SUCCESS / EARLY ALERT WORKSHOPS
All workshops are held in SS 281, unless marked with an asterisk (*) for SS 205.
MONDAY
TUESDAY May 22 Test-Taking 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
May 23 Note-Taking 11 a.m. - noon
May 24 Math Anxiety 9 - 10 a.m.
THE 1000 BLOCK | Citrus campus safety blotter
Traffic and Collision
injury to employee MAY 21 – 7:45 a.m. Case#: 2018-052 Location: Liberal Arts Disposition: Closed
MAY 10 – 1:45 p.m. Case#: 2018-050 Location: S8 Parking Lot Disposition: Closed
hit and run
Owaulghitner g w/ L
A COMIC STRIP BY CHARITY WA NG
Reports are provided courtesy of the Citrus College Campus Safety Department. A report is not a statement of guilt.
MAY 21 – 12:30 p.m. Case#: 2018-051 Location: S9 Parking Lot Disposition: Closed
CITRUS COLLEGE
CLARION Emily Cristler-Hermosillo editor-in-chief John Michaelides managing editor Daniel Bardonner news editor Maddison October features editor Michael Quintero photo editor Ryan Thompson web editor/circulation manager Charity Wang art editor Patrick Fernandez opinions editor Erica Capitaine social media manager
Staff Reporters: Erik Adams, Gloria Cruz, Zaina Cummins, Jesse Elrod, Rose Junqueira, Brianna Sewell, Cameron Sparks
Letter to the editor
Copy Desk: Mikayla Carrillo, Alana Daly, Jackie Giambalvo, Jessica Lifosjoe, Celina Ornelas, Karla Segura, Bianca Valenzuela
Dear Editor, Student life at Citrus College is comparable to your job. You either like it or hate it, I enjoy
Editorial Board: James Duffy, Patrick Fernandez, Darius Johari, Richard Gonzalez, Takina Walker
attending Citrus College. Every class I have been enrolled in has proven to be helpful in one way or another as an adult. One of the only hiccups with Citrus College is the parking
Freelance Contributors: Daisy Diaz, Brandy Estrada, Deja McReynolds, Sayedah Mosavi, Megan Patterson, Nickey Williams
lot. At 10 a.m., it’s nearly impossible to find a spot within 5 minutes walking distance to class. Although Citrus does not have the space it needs to expand its parking lot there are
Patrick Schmiedt Clarion adviser Margaret O’Neil Clarion adviser Stacy K. Long Clarion adviser
some things the school can do. One thing we can do is to provide a shuttle service that would transport students who have parked far. Outside of the parking lot, Citrus College is a pleasant place to attend. My two years so far have been smooth and I have never felt
The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester.
uncomfortable on campus. It is trulty a home for me. A place that has resources for students in need and so far Citrus has helped me fine.
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Sincerely, Anthony Torres
Libel will not be published.
Letters Policy The Clarion welcomes feedback from our readers. We want to hear from you! Send your letters to ccclarion.com/letters. All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for content.
Corrections: In Issue 14, published May 9, “Fortune boy goes solo,” on page 9, ‘Prima Community College in Vail, Arizona’ is corrected to ‘Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona.’
NEWS
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 3
Majority of faculty get paid overload BY BRIANNA SEWELL STAFF REPORTER
BSEWELL@CCCLARION.COM
Two-thirds of professors on campus work overload, where they are teaching extra classes. Math professor Mohamad Trad said he works overload to make more money and to try to help as many students as he can in their educational goals. Biology professor Robert Goodman also teaches overload. “I work overload because I love teaching,” Goodman said. “I get to interact with more students.” He also uses his platform as a professor to attract students to his Wildland Resources and Forestry Program. Both Trad and Goodman have been teaching overload for 17 years and will continue to do so for as long as they can. Renee Liskey, dance professor, teaches overload because she works in a small department and she is the only full time professor and has two adjuncts. She also teaches in the humanities department. “That makes the load add up quicker,” Liskey said.
Graphic by Brianna Sewell Clarion
Measure G funds ongoing campus construction BY RYAN THOMPSON WEB EDITOR
RTHOMPSON@CCCLARION.COM
A $121 million facilities construction bond, which has enabled several upgrades around campus, is now running low. As of April 30 the District had about $7.7 million of Measure G funds remaining to be spent, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Claudette Dain said in an email. All of the remaining funds are allocated to the renovations and constructions involved with the Educational Development Center (ED building). Measure G, a series of bonds presented by the Citrus College District to the district community in March 2004, is a result of Proposition 39, the Smaller Classes, Safer Schools and Financial Accountability Act. Proposition 39 states a school must obtain a two-thirds majority vote from the district community regarding the plans for using the fund. Also, the money can only be used to repair, renovate, expand and construct new school facilities. The Ross L. Handy Campus Center is the most recent construction
project to make use of the funds. The campus center is expected to be completed by December, Director of Facilities and Construction Fred Diamond said in an email. The ED building is the next project slated to begin. This building has not had a major renovation or remodel in its entire 30-year history, Superintendent/ President Geraldine Perri said in an email. The start date depends on approval by the Division of State Architect, Dain said in an email. Assuming the project begins in January 2019, the ED Building modernization should be completed by March 2020. The building will undergo serious changes during the construction. Plans for the ED building are to gut and build-out to include two wet science laboratories, a science stockroom and some office space, Diamond said. The electrical, mechanical and plumbing will be upgraded as well. “The District has had great success with its Measure G bond program and is extremely grateful to our voters that supported the bond,” Dain said.
Michael Quintero Clarion
A Measure G banner hangs outside the Campus Center on May 22 on the east side of the Campus Center. The Campus Center is scheduled to be finished in December. ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 5
election F R O M PA G E 1
this in the form of a celebration of religious differences and similarities with tables representing “the major religions.” When other candidates mentioned unity, Rodrigues insinuated that they were using his phrase and credited himself for coming up with the topic of unity. At one point during the forum, Rodrigues said that communication concerning campus events needed to be improved because he was not sure when the forum would take place and had to ask someone for the specific time. When Flores was handed the mic to answer a question, he commented that if people checked their email, they would have known the exact time of the forum. The candidates were instructed to only answer questions given by the moderator and not address other candidates by name as not to turn the forum into a debate. Moderator and philosophy professor Jamie Love said that there were a few “mild pot-shots” but “by and large they held to it quite well.” After the forum Flores described Rodrigues’ answers to the moderator as “long winded.” To Rodrigues, Flores wasn’t specific enough. “For someone who preaches inclusivity he didn’t say much,” Rodrigues said. “We need to be specific.”
Emily Cristler-Hermosillo Clarion
From left to right, Ruben Avila, running for legislative liaison; Ian Rodrigues, running for president; Christian Miranda, running for legislative liaison; and Fernando Flores, running for president, speak at the candidate forum on May 15 in the Campus Center Mall.
someone who will listen to students’ needs and experiment with ways to help. Rodrigues argued that a pres-
However, Flores said he thinks his answers during the forum were “short and sweet.” Flores presented himself as
ident needs to be proactive, not reactive. Students can vote in the student lounge in the ED building, room
170. A voting station with information about the candidates and computers will be available until 8 p.m. May 23.
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NEWS
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 7
Campus Safety improves alert system app
“
BY ERICA CAPITAINE
I believe that this app will minimize any accidents on campus and is a good way to keep everyone safe and keep Campus Safety updated on any problems.”
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ECAPITAINE@CCCLARION.COM
Campus Safety is in the process of updating the Citrus Alert System so it will be able to send out alerts to students’ social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The current system sends out alerts via text, email, phone call and has a ShoreTel system to broadcast messages. Campus Safety, Tech Services and administration have access to send out alerts to the people who are registered. “Registration is very easy and the app is easy to navigate through,” business major Cynthia Velasquez said. “Text messages are going to be out quicker, the phone calls and emails will be a lot faster and then it will incorporate the Citrus Guardian app, so that way whoever has the app can also get that as well,” Ben Macias, Campus Safety Supervisor, said. Citrus Guardian is now available for download. But the improvements are still in development. If you have a smartphone. Campus Safety is updating the alert system to add an additional layer of safety, Macias said. Campus Safety is not sure when the changes are going to be finalized, but should be up and running by fall 2018. To download the app, search for “Rave Guardian” in the Apple App Store and Google Play. “I believe that this app will minimize any accidents on campus and is a good way to keep everyone safe and keep Campus Safety updated on any
-TIZOC RODRIGUEZ
architecture major
Zaina Cummins Clarion
The Citrus Guardian app can be found on the app store for both Android and iPhone. Close up of the home page on May 21.
problems,” Tizoc Rodriguez, architecture major said. The app will allow students and employee access and once users are confirmed, the app will become “Cit-
rus Guardian.” “Guardian is a little troublesome during the enrollment process, but once you have logged in it’s like you are in a neighborhood watch proADVERTISEMENT
gram on a more advanced level,” Enrique Madera Jr., cinematography major, said. Once the app is installed, there are plenty of features to use for your safe-
ty right at your fingertips. For instance, a “panic button”, will give you the option to call Campus Safety or 911 as soon as you press it. “Text-A-Tip” will send a text or photo message to Campus Safety if you see anything suspicious. Campus Safety can also respond to your text and will respond to your location. “Set a safety timer” can notify people you trust to check on you if you are alone. “Manage & message your guardians” will let you invite anyone to communicate within the app if needed. To get Citrus Alert register on Wingspan by logging into your account and clicking “Personal Information.” Then enter your information under “Citrus-Alert Contact information.” For questions or assistance regarding the updates call Campus Safety at 626-914-8611 or email at campussafety@citruscollege.edu.
PAGE 8
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
Clarion
Powwow celebrates vibrant cultures
Indigenous Student Association hosts second annual powwow honoring veterans and elders of 15 tribes
Maddison October Clarion
Maddison October Clarion
Indigenous people come together and celebrate their culture. Diego Flores, 28, from South America, stops dancing to hel llen t r dill rom orth meric secure rt o her rment in the middle o the ren . llen t r s sister, Skye Padilla, 2, watches Flores intently in the Hatchet Throw Field on May 19.
BY BRIANNA SEWELL STAFF REPORTER BSEWELL @CCCLARION.COM
Skye Padilla, 2, followed her sister Fallen Star, 4, around all day and although they fight sometimes, they dance together like friends in their jingle dresses. From the young people spinning around and kicking their legs up in the air to what emcee Bobby Whitebird called “Golden Age” men and women walking to the beat of the drum, many joined the Citrus Indigenous Student Association in their second annual powwow. The powwow honored veterans and elders, celebrated indigenous culture and represented 15 tribes. “We’re still here and we want to share our culture,” volunteer Javier Perez said.
“
Adolfo Arteaga Xochipilli volunteers to teach Aztec dancing in Salazar Park. He says his people have been left out of Native American gatherings, but is happy that he and his people can celebrate together at the powwow on May 19.
The group of over 600 people, doubled from last year, spent the day singing, dancing, eating and enjoying one another’s company. Some dances were themed, such as “fancy shawl,” “jingle dress,” “grass dancer” and “women’s honor song.” These dances were intermixed with intertribal time where everyone was welcome to dance. Vendors sold items including jewelry, crystals, dreamcatchers, T-shirts and flags. Just outside of the venue were two booths with food vendors. Two food vendors sold fry bread with topping options of powdered sugar and honey, soyrizo or bison. The Indigenous Student Association gave out food and water bottles. The ISA plan to host another powwow next year.
“I’m happy it happened,” ISA president Isabella Reyes said. “And I’m happy that my members got to enjoy themselves.” Many children got to be exposed to their own culture that they are not usually exposed to. Tribes from all across the United States and one group from Mexico were represented. Special guests were Aztec dancers who wore large colorful headdresses and performed a special dance inviting audience members to join them called “the friendship dance.” When talking about dancing, flute player Adolfo Arteaga Xochipilli said, “We have found what we really love.” Aztec dancer Diego Flores helped Fallen Star secure a pelt to her dress and she and her sister were ready to dance again.
We’re still here and we want to share our culture.”
Maddison October Clarion
-JAVIER PEREZ
Powwow volunteer
Rosalba Ortiz, 28, originally from South America, along with her fellow pupils and teacher, celebrate their culture as Aztecs at the powwow May 19.
Maddison October Clarion Maddison October Clarion
The Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe, indigenous to the Los Angeles area, wear tan colors represented by the dancer caught in motion in the Hatchet Throw Field at Citrus College during the second annual powwow on May 19.
Adolfo Arteaga Xochipilli leads a chain of participants including a very amused Fallen Star Padilla, 4, as he demonstrates a dance known to his people on May 19.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 9
REVIEW
shane malins’ first album headed in good direction “Dramatic dynamic vocal dexterity. But, in a previous Clarion story, (Music major records solo album ‘Dramatic Cinematic’,) Malins said he recorded this album by himself, learning Pro Tools from YouTube tutorials, BY ERIK ADAMS STAFF REPORTER so the low production quality is someEADAMS@CCCLARION.COM what justifiable. Throughout the album, sound clips Rock music’s recent push back of old movies and television shows are into the underground has highlighted some of the more abstract sides of the used as transitional pieces between genre, creating a new world of experi- tracks. This works well in congruence with mentation and exploration. the album title, and it is a nice touch That said, Amour Glamour’s debut LP, “Dramatic Cinematic,” is a sign of that helps move the tracks further. Still, the producthe times. Almost. tion needs the extra “Dramatic of energy to Cinematic” is an The potential is there, dash make any sonic imexploratory collecpact on the listener. tion of washed-out and it will be exciting The dream-like lo-fi tracks that are to hear what comes ambiance is what at times well-writnext.” this album wants ten and moving, to capture, and it is but the atmosphere almost there, but something is missing of the album relies on an ambiance from this particular attempt. that hasn’t quite hit its mark yet. “Dramatic Cinematic” is an interThe influences on the record are clear. Aspects of the neo-psychedelic esting record for its mixture of submusic of recent years converges with genres and moods with a vintage the jazz-oriented retro rock of art- flare. The songs are mostly well-written ists like King Krule on tracks such as the opening “Sugie’s Dreamin” and and pleasant to listen to, and it is clear that Amour Glamour is heading in a “What’s Up Moon.” However, this album exhibits its po- good direction. However, there is still a small void tential by showcasing Citrus College between its sounds on this record and music major Shane Malins’ (the sole artist behind Amour Glamour) inter- the active listener. Because of this, a sophomore reesting songwriting ability. lease by Amour Glamour should However, the listener deserves more of it in the form of cleaner, more stand out as a means to prove the band’s musical capability and imcoherent production and overall tone. If there is another album in store for prove cohesiveness to make it a powAmour Glamour, perhaps the focus erful production. The potential is there, and it will be should be on mixing and mastering, exciting to hear what comes next. especially the percussion and more
Cinematic” shows potential
“
Maddison October Clarion
h ne e r lon
lins recorded his first son rocess too l ce on turd
lbum in the com ort o his o n home in Cl remont. .
lins sits
here the
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Spring 2018 Poetry Festival Winners First place: Nathanial Torres
Second Place: Ashley Hernandez
Fourth place: Erik Adams
“A Tree Without Roots”
“The Portrait”
“Untitled:”
He took our family tree and moved it one thousand miles north Michoacán, México to El Monte, California The tree did not take well to the new soil It grew sick as soon as it came here Many of the branches dried up, withered away
In heaven I ask Basil Hallward if he Would paint a magnificent portrait of me; “Be sure that you capture my essence, my soul— An accurate picture, Basil, that is your goal.” He starts to paint as I’m sat in my pose, A pen in my hand beside pages of prose. He asks if I write and I tell him, “I do, Where my spirit may fracture these words are the glue.” Basil says to go on, as it helps him to paint, So I carry on talking with little restraint. “The only stories worth telling are those that I wrote, But please do not think I’m intending to gloat. “Though we are in heaven, our work lies on Earth, And by it the living will measure our worth. A pen in my hand to my very last breath, I wrote my whole life to be remembered in death.” Basil stares at me closely, then back at his art, He tells me he’s finished so toward him I start. I look at the painting, then at him again, “Why, Basil, this portrait is of only the pen!”
White mother openly reminding me, Of the wave in my hair being better than kinks, A narrow nose graciously adorning me. “Aren’t you lucky?” she says to me. “Because common features being part of you was scaring me during pregnancy” Black father’s analysis of this: “It doesn’t mean shit, kid, get over it,” and I lower my head to a response just as callous as white Mother’s ignorant rhetoric is. “So, what is it, which are you?” There is no truth without the burden of proof I’m required to exhume every time their eyes loom. So ambiguous, simultaneously so distinct, Sometimes I think I’m a product of Mother’s fetishistic kink and Father’s unconfronted aversion to his community. I feel pulled thin — like a sin in my own skin. Like a blemish, on the face of the narrow constraints of black excellence But still a destroyer of white pestilence. But maybe that’s where my privilege is; sitting here, ambiguous but envious, in the place on the fence where my capacity to ponder rests without threat of violence, I think that’s it.
I am a part of the branches that survived Culture was a luxury for those before me survival was more important My bark is of a lighter complexion Struggling not for survival but for identity I am privileged My great grandfather, the man who took us to this land The man who watched his children wilt away His tongue is foreign to my ears I cannot understand him He speaks a language I have forgotten I so desperately want to remember So I can ask him Was it worth it? I am looking down at him now Joining our fallen branches He is smiling The tree is stronger now I know the answer to my question And I feel like I owe it to him to continue growing
The Citrus College English Society’s next meeting is at 3:15 p.m. May 24 in CI 237
Third Place: Damian Delfin “Idolatry“ Painting one’s own likeness is the worst sin-- And in the most intoxicating way; While the most fearful self is tucked away, One dotes upon frailty and tender skin. Umber swathes canvases dark like rich soil, Carving shadows and hacking at the light; Then building like marble in tender white, Until a maudlin mask stares back in oil. Soft strokes touch life into this new idol, Crimson sharing the same iron as blood, Though us all, being built from the same mud, Will only ever be just as vital. If age petrifies the most soft-hearted, Art lends glory to frailty discarded.
PAGE 10
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 ADVERTISEMENT
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Clarion
REVIEW
Jesse Elrod Clarion
Allison Collete rehearses for her performance to “Desert Sun” May 17 on the Haugh stage.
Motion! performances inspire with dazzling dance spectacular BY EMILY HERMOSILLO ADVERTISEMENT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EHERMOSILLO@CCCLARION.COM
As I sat there wearing my Queen concert tour shirt, a part of me wanted to hate the acapella set as soon as the “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover came on. But overall it was pretty cute. The real insult to Freddie Mercury’s memory was when they only played a mere few seconds of “Somebody to Love.” Motion! was constructed of 18 short performances that had good variety. The “Rock of Ages” set could have been great, but the Queen cover was so short and the “Welcome to the Jungle” opening sounded almost quiet. For a rock-themed set, the music and dancing should have been boosted to an 11, both in volume and energy. The set could have been twice as long. The audio transitions during the “Rock of Ages” set were not as smooth as the other performances that night, which was unfortunate because it took away from dancer Arthur Ball’s incredibly emotive, fluid and entertaining performance. More than half of the performances were original and pleasing. The most impactful sets were either morose and full of conflict with sorrowful tones or they were the nostalgic upbeat remixes that left the crowd cheering. “Letting Go” was the third set into the show and I knew it would be my favorite performance of the night, because of its beautiful melancholy tone that stood out from the rest of the performance. The dancers moved gracefully with recurring conflict as the central dancer, dressed in white, broke away from a circle of dancers doned in flowing black dresses. The deep blue lighting and swaying movements made it seem like a dream, or maybe a nightmare, and the creativity did not stop there. The set before was a bit of a shock because of the single belly dancer on stage, twirling iridescent wings. While surprising and unexpected, the dancer was clearly skilled and the song used “Three Sisters” by Beats Antique, featuring Tatyana Kalmykova, a Russian musical artist, definitely stood out. “Desert Sun” fit the performance well, but when the audience thought it was over, the lights went off and the
Jesse Elrod Clarion
Left to right, Omega Alcaraz, Amaris Griggs, Geovanny Lopez, Elle Haines and Natalie Jimenez rehearse for Motion! on May 17 in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.
dancer/choreographer, Allison Collete, twirled and waved her “wings”, which had lights projected onto them, creating a dazzling light show. Collete also performed in a number where some of the women danced to “Rebels,” which had interesting choreography with a lot of hand movements, but the outfits and attitude of the performance made it work. The opener, “Shape of Us”, was a peculiar opening because of the sexual tone. The students danced to “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, a song about a one night stand. While it did showcase the dancers abilities well, it was a bit awkward to start the show with. This set was actually choreographed by the faculty and if the show wants to have sex appeal, there is no problem with that, but performances like “Rebels,” “Desert Sun” and a few others that were choreographed by students had a kind of overlaying sexual tone to them that worked and were more entertaining than the opener. The remix of “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” by Will Smith and “Finesse” by Bruno Mars was a fun set with Amaris Griggs driving the performance with her non-stop energetic and fluid dancing reminiscent of ’90s hip-hop with modern moves, and Geovanny Lopez making the crowd cheer when
he suddenly took center stage. In a word, the set was fun. Whoever came up with the idea to put Nathaniel Villagonzalo in a gray jumpsuit and have him push a broom around onstage behind Lauren Hernandez-Lee’s “solo” was a genius. The audience was laughing in seconds and it was great set up to a simple story of a janitor that just wanted to dance alongside an increasingly irritated soloist. The two dancers were charismatic through the brief performance, becoming likeable characters in just a few moments. The amount of humor, charm and joy packaged into the short set was remarkably enjoyable. It reminded me of a Pixar short. Some of the dance numbers were just generally pleasing and those performances were Broadway-esque, which might have been what some audience members came to the show expecting, but when compared to the other sets they felt bland. Maybe they attempted to build onto the broadway style sets by utilizing the recent film “The Greatest Showman,” which was easily recognizable even to someone who has not seen the movie. The students who performed and choreographed Motion! will return in the fall.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 11
Last call for Vans Warped Tour BY MEGAN PATTERSON STAFF REPORTER
MPATTERSON@CCCLARION.COM
While resting on the snow after a charity snowboarding event, an idea crept into a young Kevin Lyman’s mind. This idea would come to be known as Warped Tour. Lyman worked at Citrus College in the 1980s running the Student Center and putting on “$2 Tuesdays,” small concerts with a PA system he found. Lyman had done different events for charity that combined sports and music such as Board AID, an event where people would snowboard and skateboard for AIDS awareness. He had heard about X Games coming and decided that he could put together his own tour that focused on music and philanthropy. Twenty-five years later, Warped Tour still encourages several charities and philanthropic groups to come along with the tour. Groups such as peta2, The Red Cross, Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, Feed our Children NOW! and many others can be seen while walking through the venues on tour. The tour even gives special offers to those who donate blood or canned goods. Originally, Lyman wanted to call the tour ‘The Bomb.” However, the day the tour was to be announced, the Oklahoma City bombing happened and it was back to the drawing board to find a new name. At the time, a magazine called Warped was popular among the skate and surf scene.
Photos by Daniel Bardonner/ Illustration by Erik Adams Clarion
“I called my friend that ran the magazine and I said ‘I’ll never put out a magazine if you never put out a tour,’ and that became the Warped Tour, ” Lyman said. While the music performed at Warped Tour no longer reflects Lyman’s personal taste, it does appeal to the crowd of people that attend it each year it changes as they do. The tour was never supposed to last as long as it has. Originally, it was supposed to run for one year and then Lyman would pick up a career as an educator. The first run of the tour had 13
bands for the entirety and a few acts that performed at just some of the 24 venues. Bands such as No Doubt and Sublime performed the first year in 1995. “We pretty much owe our entire careers to the Warped Tour because they were the first ones to ever give us a break.” Marko DeSantis, a guitarist for the band Sugarcult, who performed at warped in 2001, 2002, and 2004, said. “We were an unknown band to the rest of the world and Warped Tour was kind of our way to shake hands with America and Kevin was nice enough to bring us along.” ADVERTISEMENT
By the time 1996 came around, Lyman signed Pennywise, NOFX and other popular bands but didn’t know how they were going to pay all of their acts. That is when his partner at the time suggested that Calvin Klein would be a good fit for a sponsor. Ultimately, they went with the Vans shoe company to be the main sponsor for that tour and every one since. On Nov. 15, 2017, Lyman announced that the summer of 2018 would be the last full, cross-country run of the tour. Alan Waddington, who’s been around the tour and works at Cit-
rus College said, “I’m surprised this is the last year. When I saw Kevin at Pomona Warped last year he looked tired and a little frustrated and said he thought he could do the tour for about five more years. We bantered some theories about various age groups; I thought he would hand the tour over to his daughters.” Vans Warped Tour has sold over 11 million tickets in its 24-year span. It is a year-round project, and the amount of effort and time it takes to organize and produce the tour each summer has taken a toll on Lyman. He wanted to end the tour on his own terms. “I’ve done everything I possibly can in the format that I’ve done it in,” Lyman said. “The music industry has changed, the festival landscape has changed. It’s not about selling tickets; it’s just for me personally, I want to grow.” The spirit and legacy of Warped Tour will stay alive. It thrives in the hearts of the fans and is expressed through the energy and joy on stage. The thought of moving on from Warped Tour is not a scary one for Lyman, but an optimistic one. “I hear a lot of people are talking about how they’re going to start the next Warped Tour, and I hope they do and I hope they do it better,” Lyman said. What inspired him many years ago is now on its last chapter, but that doesn’t mean that he will slow down. As busy as Warped Tour makes him, he now more busy than ever. He hopes to start the teaching career he wanted over 25 years ago.
PAGE 12 REVIEW
FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
Clarion
Which slice would you rather bite?
Which is the better pizza option between Pieology and Blaze Pizza? BY ERICA CAPITAINE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ECAPITAINE@CCCLARION.COM
Pieology and Blaze Pizza may be neck and neck when it comes to taste and price, but if it is service and atmosphere, Blaze Pizza takes the lead. Blaze’s employees were a lot more friendly, helpful and I got my pizza made a lot quicker. Blaze Pizza recently opened its doors to the community of Azusa near its competitor Pieology Pizzeria, both off Route 66 and Citrus Avenue. Both are similar in the concept of “build-your-own” pizza, but also have some signature differences. A build-your-own pizza and a signature pizza at both places are about $8. The most obvious differences are made at what is chosen to be bought on the side and on top of your pizza. The option of gluten-free dough is an option at both, which is nice for people who do not eat gluten. For toppings, both have about the same ingredients, except Pieology starts off your pizza with choices like oil or herbs while Blaze lets you top it off with oil or sauces. All in all, Pieology has more options when it comes to sauces. Both places have a vegan option for cheese except Blaze has a goat cheese option that Pieology doesn’t, making Blaze have more options for cheese. The meat choices are similar
Photos by Erica Capitaine and Zaina Cummins, Photo Illustration by Michael Quintero Clarion
as well, except Pieology offers all-natural cage-free chicken and all-natural cage-free spicy chicken, and Blaze only has regular grilled chicken. Veggies are also very similar, except Blaze has more choices of veggies than Pieology. Pieology lets the customer have
the choice to customize their salad from start to finish while Blaze has a strict option of only two salads to choose from, making Pieology the better option if you were going for a salad that fits better to your tasting. If you are feeling for something sweet, both places have dessert options. At Blaze they offer a s’more
pie, cookie or brownie. At Pieology they offer a cinnamon churro pizza. Both offer tasty lemonades, which change depending on the season. Blaze offers beer and Pieology does not. Although the places are very
similar, the atmosphere at Blaze seems to be a little bit more entertaining. Pieology does have a patio option to sit, which is good to sit at on a nice day. Blaze does as well but is mixed in with all the other places patio in the shopping center as well.
Vegan and vegetarian options now available Citrus cafe now provides vegan and vegetarian options
BY ERIK ADAMS
STAFF REPORTER EADAMS @CCCLARION.COM
Like it or not, plant-based food is making its way into the mainstream. Citrus College is not left out of this growing trend. In recent months, food options specifically marked “vegan” have begun to appear at food vendors across campus. The cafe in the student services building on campus offers packaged vegan and vegetarian foods distributed by Bestway Foods, as does the refrigerated section in the Owl Bookstore. “At our bookstores, we got vegan options during winter semester,” Mayam Castro, a Citrus student and cashier at the Owl Bookstore, said in an email. “There aren’t as many options as I’d like to see, but at least we got a few options.” Castro is also vegan and said the items being sold at Citrus “sell out really fast … considering the fact the we don’t have a variety of choices or even order a lot of those options.” Students leading plant-based lifestyles and meat-eating students alike said they are willing to try the vegan options being offered at Citrus. “Oh yeah, for sure,” Nick Vargas, a Citrus student who eats from ven-
Michael Quintero Clarion
Vegan curry wrap along with grapes, rasins and a vegan cookie shot on May 22 next to the SS building. Vegan options can be found in the Owl bookshop and Art cafe.
“
Every day of the week we are going to have something that is vegetarian.” -MARIA ARQUIN
Citrus cafe general manager
dors on campus several times per week, said. “If it looks good, I mean, yeah, I’d go for it.” The new Owl Cafe on campus is doing its part in making meat-free options available as well. “Every day of the week we are going to have something that is vegetarian,” Maria Arquin, the cafe’s general manager, said.
As far as vegan options, she said there would be sides of plant-based foods that come with the main courses, but they can be purchased individually. “We’ll have potatoes and veggies on the side that they can purchase by themselves,” Arquin said. Arquin said the Owl Cafe is planning to eventually have an all-en-
compassing menu for students with different dietary and lifestyle needs. “We’re working on it,” Arquin said, “...to have options, you know a little bit of everything for everybody.” For more information on the Owl Cafe’s menu, visit https://bit. ly/2IEcgBl
FEATURES
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 13
Abel Marquez: adding up the talents of an inspirational artist Impressive double-major excels in math and theater BY ERICA CAPITAINE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ECAPITAINE@CCCLARION.COM
Student Abel Marquez said he always wanted to be an actor, writer or producer. Marquez is planning on tying in his two majors, mathematics and theater, to his goal of making a theatre company in the future. In his junior year at Nogales High School in La Puente, Marquez got into theatre after the death of his brother. Marquez said his brother taught him about theater and he has been in love with it ever since. “I think Citrus College really has something special here,” Marquez said. Marquez started out at Citrus as a theater major but fell in love with math from a professor who showed him the beauty in it. Marquez was a tutor at the Stem Center for his first three years at Citrus, tutoring MATH 029 through MATH 150 and has taken up to Calculus 2 himself. Marquez has a busy schedule balancing his majors and working with the theater department. “He has the perfect directorial balance of creativity and efficiency, and I’m positive he has a strong career ahead of him,” Julia Hennessy, theater major said. “I’m excited to see what opportunities are waiting for him next, and will be rooting for him all the way.” Attending Citrus since spring 2015, Marquez has worked on many shows off and on the stage. Including, “Twelfth Night: A Galactic Farce,”“Father of the Bride,” “Citrus Theatre Works,” and writing for “Emerging American Voices,” a workshop presentation of showcases by Citrus College students.
“I have worked with Abel on multiple productions, and show after show he completely blows me away with what he can achieve,” Hennessy said. “He always handles the massive amount of responsibility thrown at him with absolute professionalism and enthusiasm. Not only does he accomplish more in a day than most people could in a week, he does this while maintaining wonderful working relationships with everyone around him.” Jeremy Lewis, Marquez’s directing professor, teaches all over including Citrus College, Cal State Fullerton, Azusa Pacific University and Concordia University Irvine. Lewis has had Marquez as a student in his directing class three times. “Abel is the one directing student that I feel at this point, he is showing signs of the potential to really have a successful career as a professional director,” Lewis said. Marquez then stopped tutoring and started working somewhere else because he says he needed more money to supplement his education. He then participated in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival regional competition for region 8 in Mesa, Arizona. There he had a couple weeks to direct a scene, create a prompt book, present the scene and be interviewed about it. He later then had to present the scene again with a couple hours to re-do it by taking KCACTF’s notes and applying it to his scene. “I ended up winning there, so that was really cool,” Marquez said. After Marquez’s win in Februar, he was then invited to Washington D.C. on April 9 and returned April 14 for the national competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. There, Marquez participated in master classes, went to professional productions and got the chance to speak to professionals in the industry. Marquez said he met a lot of great people there, both as peers
Jesse Elrod Clarion
Abel Marquez poses in front of a Haugh Performing Arts Center poster on May 2. Marquez directed “Citrus Theatre Works: A Collection of Ten Minute Play,” which ended April 2.
“
He has the perfect directorial balance of creativity and efficiency, and I’m positive he has a strong career ahead of him.” -JULIA HENNESSY
theater major
and mentors he looks up to. Meanwhile, during his visit in D.C. he interviewed with Alejandro Rodriguez at Artists Striving To End Poverty, a company that focuses on bringing arts to lower income communities. “The one thing I realized when I went to both ACTF (KCACTF) in Arizona and ACTF (KCACTF) in D.C. is that, you know, that a lot of universities have great theater departments, you know, they have a
CAMPUS
QUESTION
Juan Segura 27 Dentistry
“I think they’re actually doing really good with it, because you don’t see a bunch of people smoking in the campus and that’s actually helping the people that can smell the smoke of the cigarettes.”
lot of resources and we don’t really have that here, but that doesn’t stop us and I feel like above all what we can get from this department is experience and that’s a lot of things people don’t have out there,” Marquez said. Marquez ended up getting a half scholarship for his trip from ASTEP to go to the Artist as Citizen Conference in New York this summer at The Juilliard School. The Artist as Citizen Conference is focused on entrepreneurship for artists. His goal has always been to make a theatre company. “Theaters need to start growing in the community,” and that is how he ties in his mathematics, because tutoring is about helping out the community. “He is extremely talented. He has a great eye for the stage,” Lewis said. “In a way, I’m able to utilize him as a co-teacher. There’s times where I have him teach lessons in my class.” For example, “If I’m working with a set of actors I can have him take another set of actors because I trust
him.” “With theater and math, people have to fail before they begin to succeed and it is important to understand that and to bring that to communities and to realize like, Hey. This is a place where you can grow and learn, is important, and that is what I want to bring with a theater company,” Marquez said. Marquez was assistant director for “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” a show that recently ended it’s run at the Citrus College Little Theater. “He, as an assistant director, really does a nice job of fulfilling my vision as a director and what I’m looking for,” Lewis said. This summer Marquez plans to go back to Washington, D.C. and will be an assistant director to a working professional at the Kennedy Center for the Directing Intensive on Developing a New Play. He will also be going to New York for the Artists as Citizen Conference at The Juilliard School to network and collaborate with artists from around the country.
What do you think of Citrus College’s smoking policy?
Mia Granados 21 Child Development
“I believe that they’ve done a lot better because I don’t smell the smoke around where I sit outside, so I think they did pretty well in telling a lot of people to not smoke a lot.”
Sara Berduo 20 Psychology
“I think that it’s good, I really don’t know that much about the smoking.”
Mercedes Broadway
21 Public Relations
“As far as I’m aware, there aren’t designated smoking areas on campus. I do think they should be established. There are a lot of people who don’t deal with second hand smoke well, don’t like it or some people are bothered by it, so we should establish more policy regulations for smoking.”
PAGE 14
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
SPORTS
Clarion
Chavez-Delgado wins award year after injury BY JOHN MICHAELIDES MANAGING EDITOR
JMICHAELIDES@CCCLARION.COM
Citrus College women’s basketball’s Marisol Chavez-Delgado was named Citrus College Co-Female Athlete of the Year after averaging 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Owls. The sophomore forward overcame a shoulder injury that kept her out of all but three games last season to win the award. Finishing second in scoring and first and rebounds on the team, Chavez-Delgado helped the Owls improve from 7-19 last season to 1414 this season. “I was so excited to get back on the court after not being able to play the season before,” Chavez-Delgado said. Having missed the majority of last season, Chavez-Delgado said the process was tough because “I had to re-learn how to use my left arm and it was very frustrating.” Chavez-Delgado went to physical therapy twice a week for about three months as she rehabilitated to get back on the court. She credited her recovery to her support network. “I had great people around me to help me through this,” Chavez-Delgado said. “I know some athletes don’t play the same after an injury and I feel like I didn’t let my injury affect me.” Watching her teammates from the bench last season was hard for Chavez-Delgado and she said she “felt helpless.” She did not let the injury affect her staying engaged with the game ac-
Photo courtesy of Citrusowls.com
Citrus Colle e so homore or rd risol Ch e Del do dri es to the b s et inst ntelo e lle Colle e on was named Co-Female Athlete of the Year after averaging 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Owls.
tion and she said she learned a lot by watching her teammates play. In her return she started in 25 of 28 games, scoring in double figures 19 times for the Owls. Chavez-Delgado led the team with a 54.5 field goal percentage. Chavez-Delgado was named to the First Team All Western State Conference East, along with her Co-Female Athlete of the Year award.
She said she will remember this past season, because of her teammates and head coach Linnae Barber Matthews. “We helped each other grow as players and individuals,” Chavez-Delgado said. “It was always a good time with them. I would also have to say that Coach B (Barber Matthews) also made this season very memorable.”
n.
Chavez-Delgado received a scholarship to Lindenwood University-Belleville in Illinois to continue playing basketball, where she will transfer as a biology major. She said basketball has helped her with her major because “it has kept me motivated over the past years, and having a coach that not only focuses on basketball but on our academics is a lot of help.”
t the
ls
est. Ch
e Del
do
Basketball has helped her prepare for any adversity if it comes her way, she said. “I know I can apply everything I learned in basketball to my major,” Chavez-Delgado said. “Same thing with biology, it has pushed me to be a better player. I not only wanted to get a scholarship just to play, I wanted one to continue my education and that’s what I did.”
Self-defense professor requests course expansion Enrollment rises for Boxley’s class BY JESSE ELROD STAFF REPORTER
JELROD@CCCLARION.COM
Citrus College’s self-defense class will add more sections due to growing interest. KIN 104, the self-defense course at Citrus, teaches students many different techniques in ways to protect themselves from attackers. The class teaches students different self-defense scenarios, such as responding to someone with a gun or handling an attacker holding a person hostage in a corner. Professor Jackey Boxley’s self-defense class has had a strong response from students at Citrus. Boxley has reached out to administration to expand the class and make it more available to students. Boxley brought the class back to Citrus about three years ago. It was canceled because no other professor wanted to instruct the class. KIN 104 has gotten more popular with students ever since Boxely brought it back. Boxley is also one of the assistant athletic directors at Citrus along with Cliff Wurst and Andrew Wheeler. “It’s been awesome for the students as human beings, but it has also been a great trigger for a lot
Erica Capitaine Clarion
Kineisolgy major, Gabi Reynoso, left, Assistant Athletic Director Jackie Boxley and Crystal Palma, business and kineisology major, right, spar on May 8 in the AP building.
of kids because they have learned about some of their strengths and weaknesses,” Boxley said. The self-defense class has given women the ability to learn how to protect themselves from an assailant. About 90 percent of students enrolled in the class are women. The class teaches counter attacks to positions an attacker might use to grab someone.
The class also has a full protection body suit that Boxley wears. The students practice different responses to how they would approach an attack on themselves. When they pull out the full body suit, the class tries to replicate a real life situation. “Honestly we do physical stuff, we have the full body dummies out,” Boxley said. ADVERTISEMENT
“The students are pounding on them and kicking on them. I have the whole protective suit to create different situations and it’s fun, but then it does get serious if you imagine someone getting on top of you and you ask yourself that question, ‘What are you going to do?’” Boxley said the class has more to offer than just learning self-defense. “Not only does this class offer
self-defense skills, but it really offers more than that,”Boxley said. “It offers a safe environment for the students.” Boxley’s dedication to her profession has kindled student enthusiasm. “I think honestly one of the biggest things that makes this class a huge success is professor Boxley,” self-defense student Gabi Reynoso said. “She creates a super comfortable environment and really gets in depth with a certain situation, but it’s okay because she creates such a comfortable environment.” Like many classes, a limited number of course slots are available. Since the class is in high demand, Boxley is trying to expand course offerings. Savannah Anderson had trouble getting into the class. “I tried to take the self-defense class, but unfortunately it was already full and I was super bummed out about that,” Anderson said. “I feel like that class really would’ve helped me out with an incident that I had happened to me over the summer.” Another key reason why Boxley is expanding the class is the need for more types of classes like it. The class offers specific training for assault situations. Boxley wants to double enrollment so that anyone who might be vulnerable during an assault will have a shot at self-defense.
FORUM
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
PAGE 15
EDITORIAL
Memorial day: an American holiday forged by sacrifice Memorial Day is not about the barbecues, and it’s not about the sales and specials. It originates in the years after the Civil War. In 1868, Union veterans declared “Decoration Day” as a day to honor those lost in the war by decorating their grave sites with flowers. Close to half a million Americans lost their lives in the Civil War alone. Over 300,000 of these deaths were Americans who had fought for the preservation of the Union. The bruised but intact republic that emerged from the carnage of the 1860s would eventually grow into the world’s most powerful nation. As America healed and grew, it was valiantly defended by generations of American men and women in uniform, many of whom served in the most unforgiving of conditions — from the dank trenches of France to the jagged mountaintops of Afghanistan. Among these service members are those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Since the end of the Civil War, over 500,000 Americans have died while in the service of their nation. Memorial Day is a day we devote to remembering them. What began as a tradition to honor soldiers killed in America’s bloodiest war just over 150 years ago evolved into a day when we remember all Americans who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1971, Congress officially established Memorial Day as a national holiday, to be observed on the last
Patrick Fernandez Clarion
Monday of May. In addition to remembering America’s fallen on this day, we should also remember their families and loved ones. For every soldier, sailor, airman, marine or coast guardsman who has made the ultimate sacrifice, there is a family and community that endures the heartbreaking emotional toll of losing a brother, a sister, a father, a mother, community leader or lifelong friend. Memorial Day is a day
we must keep them in our thoughts and prayers and recognize the sacrifices they have had to make. This Memorial Day, set a moment aside to remember all of these Americans. If you have a chance, tune in to the nationally televised Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony takes place at 8 a.m. on May 28. Use the solemnity of this ceremo-
ny to reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy today, and that more than 1 million American service members who have died while safeguarding them for us. Locally, you can also help remember their sacrifice by participating in Riverside National Cemetery’s “A Flag for Every Hero” event. Beginning at 8 a.m. May 26, volunteers will help place flags at grave sites throughout the cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day.
In addition, both Los Angeles National Cemetery and Riverside National Cemetery are holding remembrance ceremonies that will be open to the public beginning at 10 a.m. and noon respectively on May 28. No matter how each of us chooses to spend Memorial Day, let’s remember all the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives so that we could have the freedom to make those choices.
OPINION
Keep your seat: History of the pledge should make your knees weak BY JAMES DUFFY STAFF WRITER
JDUFFY@CCCLARION.COM
The Pledge of Allegiance spreads conformity to a false national narrative. Don’t rise for the pledge at college Board of Trustee meetings, Associated Students of Citrus College meetings or interclub council meetings. The pledge is tainted with a history of oppression and red-baiting. It is anti-intellectual and the opposite of what college is for. While only a few students have voiced objections to participating in the pledge, they stand in stark contrast to the many that participate. ASCC student senator and presidential candidate Fernando Flores is one who stands, but won’t place his hand over his heart. “I stood up to meet it halfway, but I don’t fully condone things that have happened in the past,” Flores said. Flores’ small protest in the back of ASCC meetings masks the anguish he feels every time the pledge is recited. Flores is applying for enrollment in the Nez Perce tribe, whose name means “We the People.” Flores said he is uncomfortable hailing the flag of a country that has taken part in the destruction of indigenous peoples worldwide. “If you look at some of the things the U.S. has advocated for and you look at the history of how the U.S. has taken over or influenced other countries, by supplying them with weapons to fight out their internal fights, the country has overstepped itself in foreign policy,” Flores said. Objecting to standing or saluting the flag is a healthy expression of dissent. The United States was not founded as a nation of followers. The objections Flores lists to raising hand to heart are still part of
Photo Illustration by James Duffy Clarion
Fernando Flores, left, stands for the Pledge of Allegiance but does not recite the pledge or place his hand over his heart at an Associated Students of Citrus College meeting.
U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. still sells weapons to Saudi Arabia to prosecute its war against Yemenis, many of them civilians. “The reason why I don’t stand up fully is because of indifference to injustice throughout history,” Flores said. When school children across the country learn the ballad, they rarely get any historical context. The original Pledge of Allegiance was written by Civil War veteran George Balch to teach American patriotism to the large number of international students in New York City public schools in the 1860s. It proudly gives off a strong whiff of xenophobia. “We give our heads and hearts to
God and our country; one country, one language, one flag!” By 1892 Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, attempted to modify the pledge to its current form, without the phrase, “under God.” In “The Pledge of Allegiance A Short History,” Bellamy is said to have “considered placing the word, ‘equality,’ in his Pledge, but knew that (New York) state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African-Americans.” In the 1920s, the Daughters of the American Revolution, who as an organization would go on to oppose desegregation, added the phrase “to the flag of the United States” so im-
migrant children would know which flag they were supposed to salute. When the phrase “under God” was added to the pledge in 1954 by Congress, Michigan Sen. Homer Ferguson introduced the bill by saying, “I believe this modification of the pledge is important because it highlights one of the real fundamental differences between the free world and the Communist world, namely belief in God.’’ Ferguson’s resolution passed without opposition at the height of Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist inquisition, the House Un-American Activities Committee. Communists, socialists and trade-unionists were interrogated, lost their jobs and were
imprisoned because of the hearings. The U.S. has not reconciled this bitter legacy of the pledge. By exercising First Amendment rights, opposition to shows of nationalism redefine what it means to be patriotic in the United States. At a recent campus event, Flores’ only ASCC presidential opponent, Ian Rodrigues, compared Flores’ campaign to Venezuela and Cuba and his own to the United States, implying Flores’ lack of patriotism. “My opponent has always considered himself a revolutionary type of individual,” Rodrigues said. “Right now, revolution is fine and dandy but we don’t need a revolution. What we need is to be unified.” Rather than encouraging critical thinking, reciting political and religious phrases conditions thoughtlessness in the impressionable mind. People should not be encouraged to mindlessly mouth words of allegiance under any circumstance, let alone those steeped in a history of racism and fanaticism. But the public gatherings of a college seem to be the worst forum for such a ritual. Habitual recitation turns speaking into a thoughtless reflex. This is incompatible with an educational institution’s purpose to foster critical thinking. Shows of national pride are unnecessary every time student clubs gather to discuss a campus bake sale. It is also callous to international students, non-monotheistic students and leftists. A college should be a place of inclusion, where exception is embraced, not where people are ferreted out and identified by their non-participation in a pledge. Those that say this “harmless” nationalism expresses a common citizenship should invent a new form of welcome at public gatherings.