2019 Los Angeles City College Collegian Issue 2

Collegian Los Angeles

Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Volume 183 Number 2

STORIES FROM THE FRONT PAGE 5

The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

AROUND THE WORLD

NEWS BRIEFS

POLITICS

Yang Rocks Los Angeles Crowd

COMPILED BY STEPHEN CLEMENTS

Club Offers Resources for Food, Shelter Homeless students who feel overwhelmed or are in need of resources may contact the SHAC Club for help with housing and food. The club meets in the Chemistry Building, Room 105, from 1 to 2 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

BY REBECCA GRAZIER Andrew Yang’s campaign gained steam on Sept. 30, 2019 when more than 1,000 people descended on the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park on Sixth and Wilshire to support the candidate for president.

Hundreds of supporters stood and cheered with blue and white signs that read “Andrew Yang for President!”

“Math,” and “Yang Gang.” Some waved American flags.

ANDREW YANG Women drew images of Elon Musk in blue, black and white colored chalk on the walkway next to the pavilion. A DJ on stage played music while the crowd danced.

Yang is running his campaign on what he calls the “Freedom Dividend,” a universal basic income of $1,000 per month for every American adult over the age of 18.

“We put this dividend into our hands, and it will begin to trickle up our economy, from our people, our families, and our communities,” Yang said “Particularly because the money would not go anywhere, it would be in our hands. You would spend most of it right here in Los Angeles. It makes our businesses stronger, our families stronger and as a parent to two young kids, I have to say, what’s going on in America in families today is something we can improve. We must improve together.”

Campus Provides Access to Showers Designated times for students to take showers are posted on the locker room doors of the Kinesiology Building.

LACC students who are not enrolled in kinesiology, health or dance classes may have access to showers Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Students are required to show I.D. and proof of enrollment.

Students Receive 24Hour Tutoring

‘THE SANDSTORM’

Theatre Academy presents:

Illustration By BEATRICE ALCALA

Students registered at any of the nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District can take advantage of Net Tutor for free.

Online tutoring is available for English, math, ESL, Statistics and FYE classes. There is also access to live tutor sessions. Students can access Net Tutor on the LACC website or through the LACCD portal on their computer or devices by typing in “MyCollege.laccd.edu”.

CLIMATE STRIKERS STORM L.A. CITY HALL

BY JAILENE TRUJILLO

SEE “CLIMATE” PAGE 6

SEE “YANG ROCKS” PAGE 6

IN CAMPUS

Digital Divide Just Got Smaller at L.A. City College With a smile on their faces, students shook hands with Mayor Eric Garcetti, Annenberg Foundation Executive Director Cinny Kennard, Human-I-T CEO and Co-Founder Gabe Middleton, and LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez and walked off with a new laptop.

BY JAILENE TRUJILLO

M INDEX Opinion & Editorial

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Reporter’s Notebook

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Arts & Entertainment

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News

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Campus Life

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Sports

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ore than 500 students received laptops on the third floor of the Student Union Building on Sept. 24, 2019 in line with the vision of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s program Connect to Success.

The program provides all first-year students who participate in the L.A. College Promise with a free refurbished laptop supplied by Human-I-T, a nonprofit organization that strives to shrink the digital divide.

LACC student Ariel Constantine says she feels honored to be a part of L.A. College Promise and the connections it has brought her.

“With a free year of tuition and access to numerous support services like guidance counselors and access to laptops of our own, yay,” Constantine said. “Through the Connect to Success initiative community college students now have more opportunities similar to students at other schools.”

Earlier this year, Mayor Garcetti launched the DASH to Class initiative which provided all LAUSD and LACCD students access to free transportation on all LADOT DASH buses. He reports he is currently working on making the L.A. Metro transportation system free along with the DASH buses. However, two years of free community college and transportation is not all that L.A. College Promise provides.

“Others [students] said though and I’ll never forget this,” Garcetti said. “This [phone] is how I do my homework. I take PDFs of a book or screenshots of a book, and I’m trying to read and do things on this phone. Well, that’s unacceptable. That is not a way to study. We need laptops.”

Photo By JAILENE TRUJILLO Mayor Eric Garcetti hands out free laptops to L.A. College Promise students at Student Union Building on Sept. 24, 2019. Mayor Garcetti launched the new program Connect to Success associated with the L.A. College Promise program.

SEE “LAPTOPS” PAGE 6

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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

EDITORIAL

Collegian Los Angeles City College Visual & Media Arts Department 855 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.953.4000 ext. 2832 losangeles.collegian@gmail.com Co-Editor-in-Chief REBECCA GRAZIER CHISLEY HAYNES Graphics Editor BEATRICE ALCALA Opinions & Editorial Editor SARAH RAGSDALE Arts & Entertainment Editor DAMIEN HOSEA Sports Editor XENNIA HAMILTON REBECCA GRAZIER Copy Editor JASON PISKOPUS Broadcast, Social Media Producer JASON PISKOPUS Photographers REBECCA GRAZIER, JOHNATHAN CHUTA, JORGE PONCE, JASON PISKOPUS, JUAN MENDOZA, LOUIS WHITE, SARAH RAGSDALE, JAILENE TRUJILLO Illustrators BRIAN GOMEZ CASSANDRA MUNOZ MARTHA OROZCO

Government Must Ban Private Prisons Now Corrupt use of private prisons from companies that profit from maintaining and growing them has been a long-standing problem.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 32 in a 65-11 vote to ban the use of private prisons.

This ban includes four detention facilities operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state — each facility being phased out by 2028.

The bill is being considered by Gov. Gavin Newsom who has until Oct. 13, to sign or veto the bill.

According to recent data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2017 approximately 8.2 percent of prisoners were held in private prisons. Twenty-seven states detained

people in private facilities, eight of which used private prisons to house roughly 15 percent of their prison populations.

The Sentencing Project reported that “between 2000 to 2016, the number of people housed in private prisons increased five times faster than the total prison population, while the proportion of people detained in private immigration facilities increased by 442 percent.”

Assemblyman, Rob Bonta who introduced the bill, told the San Francisco Chronicle that this bill is a “stand against companies that only care about the almighty dollar,” and that “people are not commodities!” Companies that build and run private facilities have a financial interest in maintaining and

growing mass incarceration. This creates a cycle. It’s difficult for people who have been incarcerated to stay out of prison and build better lives for themselves.

Pierre Lewis, a student of LACC, spent 30 years in federal prisons and now resides at Vinewood, a privately-owned Halfway House in Hollywood. Halfway houses are run by for-profit companies, and Vinewood has a contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBP).

The FBP inspected Vinewood and made a list of improvements.

“The owner had to put in new bathtubs, replace the steps, and added new paint,” Lewis told the Collegian recently. “They feed us bag lunches and bag breakfasts, and the only hot meal we get is dinner, so the owner saves money on

food. I understand the particulars of capitalism, so he’s not at fault for trying to enhance his bottom line but we shouldn’t have to suffer because of it.”

High incarceration rates undermine disadvantaged groups and increase crime rates. Instead of aiming to help people have shorter sentences and stay out of prison, private prisons do the opposite with the intention of keeping people incarcerated.

Government watchdogs have also received reports of abuse and mistreatment in these private prisons and facilities.

According to the Los Angeles Times, in March 2017 at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, a detainee was found by guards hanging in his cell from his bedsheets.

Detainees also reported “waiting weeks and months to see a doctor,” and that inspectors said they “found detainees were commonly subjected to disciplinary segregation before being found guilty of violating rules.” Freedom for Immigrants, a nonprofit organization reported that the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield costs taxpayers $119.95 per detainee each day for the first 320 people who are detained there.

Banning private prisons and ICE detention centers is a step in the right direction.

Democratic presidential candidates Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris have said they are in favor of phasing out the use of private prisons.

Reporters XENNIA R. HAMILTON, REBECCA GRAZIER, CHISLEY HAYNES, DAMIEN HOSEA, JAILENE TRUJILLO, BERNARDO GARCIA, JONATHAN CHUTA, KAT AYALA, DULCE GALVEZ, PONCE JORGE, ANGELA JOHNSON, CHRIS AHN Advertising ANDE RICHARDS, Faculty Adviser RHONDA GUESS

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Better Laws Could Mitigate Gun Violence

BY JONATHAN CHUTA What kind of world do we live in?

Are we safe to go out and buy groceries, shop at the mall, go to sporting events, or even walk the streets?

Today, we live in a world where when we go out, we never know if we’ll make it back home.

We live in a country where random shootings frequently occur.

The New York Times recently reported that just from Memorial Day to Labor Day of this year, there were 26 mass shootings in the United States. Clearly, something has to be done.

If a shooting happens, how do we prepare for it? We can hide behind locked doors, but is that going to save us? Maybe.

It seems that every time I turn on the news, I see that another shooter

went to the mall and killed dozens of people. Who do we blame for these shootings? People place blame on video games or guns. We could blame violent video games —but I think the blame falls on the person who holds the gun and chooses to shoot and kill real human beings.

I think we should have better laws in this country for people who want to own a gun. It is too easy for someone to purchase a gun. We need to create laws that make the process of buying a gun more difficult.

People who should own a gun are those who use it when they need it for protection and as a last resort. I think that if we protest gun violence in a peaceful way and make better laws to make purchasing a gun more difficult, we can save thousands of lives.

How do we keep our kids, siblings, family and friends safe when they go out? We need to protect one another and remind each other to watch their surroundings every time they leave home. We need to make better laws in order to save more lives.

Fighting For a Chance

BY DULCE GALVEZ As an OSS and first-generation college student, I think more needs to be done for OSS students. Los An-

geles City College should have a specific space for OSS students because in my opinion, we struggle the most in classes.

I know there are counselors and

therapists at LACC, but I don’t think this is enough for us. When I’m in classes, I can see students are falling behind. I realize what they are going through because I’ve been in their place at one point.

At LACC, there has to be more help for OSS students. I think a specific area needs to be created because sometimes students need tools to help with health problems. Sometimes we can’t keep up with the professors because they go through the lessons too fast in class.

I also notice when these students need help and no one bothers to

lend a hand. It causes friction with my self-esteem when I see someone is in need of help, and no one notices or cares for them.

I hope that by writing about this issue, it draws awareness to the fact that everyone struggles in school, whether they’re in OSS or not.

Personally, I feel disappointed when I try to help myself learn the lessons that are taught in class. I try to speak up for help during class, but then only ask for help afterward.

By reading this, I hope people get a glimpse of what it feels like to be in college classes while struggling.

Finding My Voice with TRIO

BY KAT AYALA I came from a single parent household with a teenage mother and immigrant family. The reality of pursuing a higher education seemed impossible until I discovered a TRIO Program, called Upward Occidental College.

TRIO Programs are important to middle class students who are willing to further their education during their high school years. On campus, they attend two classes for high school credit and if they pass, there are activities throughout the summer.

The summers are the best. There are always dances, Dodger games,

beach trips, college campus tours and Alumni visits. There are also special guest speakers and the teachers who come from the program really do care about the success of each student.

Each school year, the program would provide me with assistance in CASHEE Prep, SAT and ACT workshops and help with college applications. TRIO prepares every class for the next grade level, and for seniors, the Administration staff works with students one-on-one. TRIO makes sure every senior has applied to as many colleges as possible by assisting with writing workshops, mock interviews and FAFSA preparation.

My personal experience with Up-

ward Bound was positive for several reasons. I’m the oldest of three children and I have a lot of responsibility to be a role model, manage home chores, look after my younger siblings and still be able to maintain good grades.

With Upward Bound, I was able to break out of my shell and make friends that are still in my life to this day. I was also able to find my voice and use it.

When I graduated high school, it was a huge accomplishment – to my mother, my siblings, and to myself. I was able to begin higher education and start pursuing my career and academic goals in cinema/TV production and journalism.

Upward Bound is an important factor that contributed to my success growing up. Whenever I find that I’m doubting myself, I remember that teenager who felt alone and invisible – a misfit. But I found my voice because of TRIO.

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NEXT ISSUE: October 25, 2019 EDITORIAL DEADLINE: OCTOBER 18, 2019

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

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Compiled by Sarah Ragsdale Photos by Sarah Ragsdale

How would you describe or rate your experience at the food pantry?

PIERRE LEWIS Major: Addiction Studies

BEATRICE GUIAO Major: Hospitality

FATIMA CAMPOS DE RAMERO Major: Nursing

GRISELDA ROMERO Major: Nursing

“My experience has been a positive one. I think the food pantry is a great idea to help students such as myself with the basic necessity of nourishment, not being hungry, and being able to focus on school as opposed to where your next meal is coming from.”

“I like that the food pantry has food for the students and community. It’s also good for the homeless people.”

“It’s excellent. I like that they bring food here each week. I think what the Food Bank is doing is excellent.”

“Sometimes they give out rotten veggies, which look bad. I wouldn’t take those home. Sometimes they give out good food and sometimes they give out rotten food, which, I don’t know why they would give ‘[that]out. They should just throw out the rotten food.”

INK STYLE

A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

Profiling Harms Students

BY PONCE JORGE

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2019

Illustration By BRIAN Z GOMEZ

In the first week of classes at Los Angeles City College, a student – who is currently struggling with housing – was sought out by school security. Security said that the call came from a professor on campus who claimed the individual looked suspicious.

The individual, who is in fact an LACC student and proved their student status by showing ID, still had their belongings searched by the campus sheriff.

I truly believe this incident was based on racial profiling. It is unfair for students to be profiled and searched by campus security based on a call. I feel that this incident could cause panic among the student body and create unnecessary stress for students.

I would like to believe that any college campus would make their students feel at-home and comfortable in pursuing a higher education.

Instead, profiling could create tension among students by teachers and it could happen to any of my peers.

Imagine sitting in a class, taking notes, writing down homework assignments, and when class is dismissed, a sheriff is waiting for you at the door – or, waiting for a fellow classmate. As an individual you think, ‘what did I do?’ Or ‘What now?’ Or ‘Why do I have to prove my student status to the campus sheriff ?’

This is beyond unbelievable, discouraging, and it could happen to any one of us. All because a staff member saw a student as “suspicious.”

How does that make any student feel safe to attend class? It makes the staff member look bad, the sheriff ’s department as well, and I believe LACC’s president has not addressed the issue at all.

I believe anyone has the right to an education and to be on campus without being racially profiled by a staff member. That would just create fear and panic among the student body.

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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

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Climate Strikers Storm Demonstrators from all walks of life gather in downtown L.A. on Sept. 20, 2019 to focus politicians’ attention on global warming and other environmental issues.

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Photo 1,5 By REBECCA GRAZIER Photo 2,3, 4 By LOUIS WHITE Mothers, fathers and their children put a new face on protests against climate change and global warming on Sept. 22, 2019.

Some of the kids who marched from Pershing Square to L.A. City Hall were as young as 7 years old.

The streets of Downtown L.A. echoed with their chants and pleas to save the planet on the sunny and hot day.

Marchers appeared to be on a mission as they ignored traffic signals and walked toward L.A. City Hall, stopping traffic along the way.

They called on L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti in front of City Hall. Their message: Put people ahead of profits. Protect the environment and ultimately the human race.

It was a scene repeated around the globe.

ARTS & ENTERTAITMENT

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

THEATRE ACADEMY PREVIEW

‘The Sandstorm’

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GAMING

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

“The Last of Us Part II” Is a Masterpiece on the Horizon.

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BY BERNARDO GARCIA

Photo By JASON PISKOPUS Sgt. Mike Williams, played by Carlos Patzan, lies in the sun after suffering from heat exhaustion in a scene from “The Sandstorm.” The play runs from Oct 3, to Oct 5 and from Oct. 10, to Oct 12 in the Camino Theatre.

Talks Back to the Audience

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BY DAMIEN HOSEA

tories of the trauma of war form the basis of the Theatre Academy’s first production for the fall semester.

After the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001; Sean Huze gave up his acting career to join the armed forces. Huze soon after enlisting was shipped off to Iraq where he discovered that war is indeed hell and not what he expected.

Four year later, after receiving an Honorable Discharge, Huze decided to turn his experiences of war into a play called “ The

Sandstorm: Stories From the Front.”

Principal actor John McDonough says the play is a collection of monologues that are an artistic representation of soldiers’ experiences before and after the Iraq War. It’s a play about clarifying the actual experiences of war and dispelling the Hollywood glory, and what everyone thinks war is about,” McDounough said. “It’s bringing light and life to people’s actual experiences and the way that it affects them when they come home.”

Director Louie Piday approached Huze to request the rights to the play and he granted them.

Piday says she likes to do outreach to clubs and communities that may have a special interest

in the production, such as special clubs and organizations of the campus but she said that time was short and there was not enough time to do outreach to the student vets. She says she hopes that they will turn out for the production. It took years for Piday to obtain the rights from Huze, the playwright.

“I have a lot of student actors about the right age,” she said.

“Would you ever consider letting me have the rights to it [The Sand Storm]. So he did, and we became friends and corresponded over the years. And this year, I had 18 guys and six girls on the casting chart, and I said hmmm, a play with 10 men.”

The original play debuted in Los Angeles in 2004 on a stage with no sets or lights. In the LACC

production, the director Piday went for a different approach. Unlike the traditional Shakespearean version where the actors talk to each other, in the Sandstorm, actors address the audience and make a different kind of connection.

Also, Piday put her actors through their paces. It was almost like method acting.

“One of the things we also have to do is train our troops,” Piday said. “This is like going to the weight room or running laps.”

“The Sandstorm: Stories From the Front” runs at the LACC Camino Theatre from Oct. 3, to Oct. 5, and from Oct. 10, to Oct. 12. Matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students, seniors and veterans.

SHADES OF GRAY BRINGS COLOR, COMMENTARY TO LECTURE SERIES His work has appeared in exhibitions at the Hammer Museum, in South Los Angeles, Johannesberg and all over the globe. Todd Gray seeks to inspire, and he urges other artists: “Conquer your fear.”

BY XENNIA HAMILTON

THE

Artist and L.A. City College alumnus Todd Gray kicked off the Visual and Media Arts Lecture Series on Sept. 25, 2019 with a bang in the Chemistry 3 Lecture Hall.

Gray returned to his alma mater to showcase his finest works and to share stories about his travels to Ghana with superstars such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Bobby Brown.

Gray leads an interesting life. From 1979 to 1983, he

was Michael Jackson’s personal photographer. Gray also worked as an album photographer with MCA Records in the 1980s. He used his critical thinking skills to create a name for himself. He spoke about a time when he gave singer, Bobby Brown a different look than what the company wanted and it changed history.

“They wanted him in the desert, wearing black leather and on a Harley,” Gray said.

Gray changed direction by “placing him [Brown] against a marble slab and dressing him in Versace,” establishing the bad boy image of Brown after he left the then teen pop group, New Edition.

Gray’s inspiration to become a photographer stems from his inability to draw.

“I knew I was going to be a photographer because I couldn’t draw,” Gray said. “My drawings looked like poor stick figures.”

Gray shared iconic images with attendees at his lecture. One of his first images included “the greatest,” Muhammad Ali, which he explains was a method of symbolism of his fight after graduating with his

Collegian

BFA and MFA from CalArts and wanting to contribute.

“1977, I just got out of college and I can’t contribute and I thought, wow man!, some other people who got out of CalArts got to contribute,” Gray said. “So, I had an epiphany: I said you know what?

It seems like the boxing match was the equivalent of black hatred, you have to fight for your life. I thought you know, it seems like corporations are fostering systemic racism, fostering systems that keep you down and I wanted to lash out.”

Gray also displayed works from his “Shaman Series.” The series was described by Gray as making work “on the fly.” Photographs of Grey undressed, simply covered in white shaving cream, including his face, is another nod to fighting against the racism he sees in the Western world yet inspired by ancient Greece.

Gray also made his own way as some felt his exhibitions were not being loud.

“As a man of color, I gotta stand out.” Gray said. “If a door doesn’t open, create a door … Normality is handcuffing your brain, your desire.”

Gray’s work reflects on his soul, nature and his cultural views. It also makes the viewer gasp, think and reflect on the world around them. His last series of the night did that, and it was thoughtprovoking as well.

Gray decided to only play games with photography by using wooden picture frames instead of traditional black ones. He used circular frames in lieu of square normal frames and he also covered the faces of various people.

“Brains are built to recognize threat or friend.” Gray said.

He decided to take away judgment from pics of everyday families and people to pics of Jackson himself covered with the artists’ various frames.

Gray is a major contributor to the world of photography and art, and he has inspired many new artists from the next generation.

He offered advice to a student who asked if artists should try to be abrasive.

“Test it,” he said. “If it doesn’t work, either change it or amplify it.”

To learn more about Todd Gray, visit Instagram at @toddgrayla

The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

t wasn’t so long ago that the gaming industry was born. Yet it is now one of the world’s most successful. When games first came out, they started off as basic elements on a screen with very minimal objectives such as Galaga or Pac Man. As time went on, they evolved into what we see today. Video games, now, not only involve gameplay as a key element, but also a story and characters for the player to get invested in. It is like reading a book or watching a movie but with an extra twist. That being said, you get to decide what happens, how it happens, and when it happens. Many games are fully capable of immersing the player into another world, but very few leave them with something to ponder for days on end.

The Last of Us is a video game that came out back in 2013. It was developed by Naughty Dog and is now one of the most beloved games of all time, winning countless awards including game of the year. What made this game so special was the creative narrative and its 3-dimensional characters.

The story follows the main character, named Joel who has lost his daughter during an outbreak caused by the cordyceps brain infection, a nasty parasitic fungus that takes control of it’s host. Joel is tasked with the job of delivering Ellie, a 14-year-old girl who seems to be immune to the virus, to a lab where crews of scientists are hoping to reverse engineer a cure.

At first, Joel and Ellie don’t get along, but as the story progresses, they become more like father and daughter. Unbeknownst to Joel, in order to find a cure Ellie will need to be sacrificed and her brain dissected. When Joel realizes this, he is forced to make an incredibly difficult decision, to save the last thing that gives him purpose or to make a tradeoff and save humanity.

The Last of Us was critically acclaimed and is considered to be a nearly perfect masterpiece. The reason why so many people fell in love with it was because it was a rollercoaster of emotion. The very end of the opening chapter left you in tears. This was Naughty Dog letting us know that the game was not meant to be enjoyed in the traditional manner. It was created to challenge human nature and morality. It illustrated the human tendency to act against reason ‘for’ a reason. Some students at LACC had this to say: “I thought it was a pretty good game. One of the top 3 zombie games I’ve ever played. I really enjoyed the suspense and all the different types of infected. I really look forward to the new game that is coming out.

I really hope something positive comes out. Not like the walking dead where every time you play everything turns to shit.

But yeah I really enjoyed the game and I can’t wait for the new one.”

“When I first played the last of us, I thought it was phenomenal; one of the best single player games. Multiplayer wasn’t that great but the story and even the DLC I thought were amazing. The artwork was beautiful. I was immersed in every single second. It made me go through so many emotions going from start to end. Especially the ending.”

Many were eagerly waiting to see what was next for Ellie and Joel’s story and on December of 2016, during their PlayStation Experience presentation, Sony finally delivered. As soon as fans caught sight of the firefly insignia, the whole crowd went berserk! People screamed even while watching the live stream. Recordings of that day can still be found on YouTube. But that’s not all; on September 24, 2019 during Sony’s State of Play they announced that The Last of Us Part II would be released on February 21, 2020. The wait is nearly over…

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NEWS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019 FROM “LAPTOPS” PAGE 1

FROM “CLIMATE” PAGE 1

People Take it to the L.A. Streets

Digital ‘Promise’ Brings Smiles Last Wednesday, 550 students left the Student Union Building with a new laptop. A total of 4,200 laptops will be handed out across the nine colleges in the LACCD. “So, we got to work,” Garcetti said. “And today every one of you here at L.A. City College and Promise students across the district will take home a free laptop. What an amazing thing!”

Students laughed as they tore into the brown cardboard boxes with the words Human-I-T written across them. They looked happy as they pressed the buttons to power up their Dells, Chromebooks and Samsung laptops.

“I felt honored to receive a free laptop from the mayor, no less,” said Ginelly Lorenzo, LACC student and member of the L.A. College Promise program. “It feels pretty good because I’m not able to afford a laptop to do my homework. So, this is a great opportunity for me and other kids that don’t have access to laptops at home.”

The program L.A. College Promise is available to first-year students at all LACCD Community Colleges and provide numerous benefits and resources. Along with free tuition for two years, the program also provides financial assistance for either food, book or transportation costs, and it covers health and student representation fees and provides free tutoring.

POLICE WIRE Sept. 9, 2019, 11:01 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.: Vandalism occurred in Parking lot 1.

Sept. 14, 2019, 8:10 p.m.: Possession of a controlled substance excluding marijauana in Franklin Hall.

Sept. 14, 2019, 2:40 p.m. to 2:55 p.m.: Vandalism occurred in Lot 3 section 1D. Sept. 18, 2019, 10 a.m.: Weapon misdemeanor occurred in parking structure lot 4.

Sept. 18, 2019, 5:40 p.m.: Grand Theft from unlocked auto in parking lot 4.

Sept. 19, 2019, 6:00 p.m. to 10:50 p.m.: Theft of a bicycle in the main quad.

Sept. 21, 2019, 5:30 p.m.: Assault, non aggressive near Holmes Hall Sept. 24, 2019, 7:45 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.: Vehicle hit and run in parking lot 4.

Do we want to look back at this day and tell our students they should stay in school?

Hell no. Take to the streets and claim your future.”

Photo by LOUIS WHITE

-Mayor Eric Garcetti

A protester stands high above Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 2019.

Protesters took to the streets to demand action against climate change.

BY JAILENE TRUJILLO

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orns honked in support of the Global Climate Strike, and people chanted “We deserve a future, too,” as well as “Hey-hey, ho-ho, Climate change has got to go,” on Sept. 20, 2019 at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles. A seven and an eight-yearold boy chanted in unison “Time is up,” as they held a ringing alarm clock.

The next street over on Grand Avenue, protesters marched through traffic, as they stopped all cars on their way to L.A. City Hall at 2:20 p.m. Marchers ignored traffic lights as they demanded climate change ac-

tion from the mayor of Los Angeles.

An LAPD squad car with arrived with two officers to regulate marchers on their way to City Hall. The patrol car rolled into the crowd at less than 5 mph, slowing protestors and an officer on foot led the marchers safely along the busy streets. Upon arrival at City Hall, their chants grew louder, and the rage against climate change was palpable. Teenagers as young as 15 called to Mayor Eric Garcetti to come out.

“I think it’s really easy with something as big as climate change to feel very hopeless and like that you as an individual can’t do something,” said 17-year-old Campbell High student.

“But by taking part in something so much bigger than yourself, sur-

rounded by so many people who share the same belief, it’s very impowering knowing that there is possibility for change and then we can achieve it.”

In the crowd hundreds of students, adults, organizations, and even actors Don Cheadle and Jane Fonda protested. Fonda and Cheadle were key speakers and PETA was present with signs and pins for the protestors.

“We think that one of the leading causes of climate change of environmental disaster is animal agriculture, you know, raising animals for food,” said Jordan Tacoronte, a Peta member. “So, we are trying to encourage people to ditch the meat and ditch eating animals and their byproducts

and go vegan.”

With animal agriculture and the fashion industry as two big contributors to climate change, the protestors encouraged people to give up meat and find alternative clothing options.

“I always try to push people to buy vintage or second hand,” said Sally Mendoza, a Fullerton College student. “But I am also studying ways to create more equitable clothing.”

The demand for Mayor Garcetti was met when he stepped out from the City Hall tinted door onto the steps to address the strikers. He thanked the Sunrise Movement and the students for their work in protecting the earth and demanding change.

Garcetti spoke about wanting oil to be “a part of L.A.’s past” and his pursuit of 100 percent zero emission buildings, electricity, and transportation.

“That is our goal,” he said. “Nothing less.”

However, L.A.C.C student, Cesar Robelo-Lara is suspicious of Mayor Garcetti’s motives.

“I feel that, you know, he [Garcetti] kind of had to do that. He’s a politician, I don’t really trust politicians. I feel that change always comes with the people, by protesting, by voting, by educating ourselves, and by teaching the new generations that they have a voice,” said Cesar Robelo-Lara. “So honestly, he had to do what looked good for him. But at the same time, we got to keep our eyes on him, and make sure, he and other government officials keep their promises. Or not, we can vote them out of office.”

The protestors remained for some time after the mayor’s appearance.

Although change in policy was not achieved, it is the goal of Robelo-Lara.

“Hopefully, public policy is able to shift toward renewable energy and make L.A. more green,” Robela-Lara said.

Sheriff’s Deputies Respond to Report of Armed Man

BY ANGELA JOHNSON

Photo by JUAN MENDOZA L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies and LAPD officers respond to a report of a man who was carrying a toy gun at the corner of Lockwood Street and Vermont Avenue on Sept. 30, 2019. Earlier, police escorted the man out of the MLK Library. He was not detained.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, LACC Deputy Sherriff Team Leader Ryan Rouzan received a call from the Los Angeles Police Department that there was a man standing at the corner of Lockwood Street and Vermont Avenue who had a rifle and was walking toward campus.

Deputy Rouzan immediately responded to the call. From the Collegian offices, three black-and-white Sheriff ’s SUVs and one squad car were visible and parked in front of the MLK Library.

Sheriffs located the man on the second floor of the MLK Library and escorted him outside. The man who

appeared to be in his early 20s, wore a bright pink T-shirt and black pants.

Sheriffs searched his pockets and backpack.

The man did not have a rifle with him when officers encountered him in the library. Deputy Rouzan said the man told him he stashed a toy gun in a planter in front the library.

“We located the [toy] rifle in the planter,” he said. “It turned out to be a toy gun. No other weapons were found. There were no injuries.”

Sheriffs did not arrest the man.

“We escorted him off campus and advised him not to return,” Deputy Rouzan said. “With so many reports of a live shooter on campus these days we just want to make sure everyone is safe.”

We need to make this change, because without us protesting, these politicians and corporations are going to continue to abuse and abuse and we’re [going] to lose our planet if we don’t do something about it.”

-Ana Valencia Mt. San Antonio College

FROM “YANG” PAGE 1

Photo By REBECCA GRAZIER At least 1,000 Andrew Yang supporters dance and cheer the Democratic- party candidate for president on Sept. 30, 2019 at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. He repeats his pledge to give every citizen $1,000 per month if elected.

Yang also wants to implement Medicare for all, which would give every American access to health care. Doctors would be paid a flat salary instead of the price-forservice model the country currently

uses.

In recent polls, Yang is currently in sixth place, just above Beto O’Rourke, and right below Kamala Harris, which qualifies him for a fourth Democratic debate.

Mission College Dean Touched Many Hearts

Darlene Montes died on Sept. 16, 2019 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. She was 49 years old. Montes was a popular dean at Los Angeles Mission College and will be remembered for her dedication to students.

BY REBECCA GRAZIER

Photo By REBECCA GRAZIER Flowers and photographs from happier times frame a shrine set up by members of the L.A. Mission College Community in a show of respect for the late Dean, Darlene Montes on Sept. 24, 2019. Police arrested and charged the dean’s father in her stabbing death.

Colleagues say Dean Darlene Montes often came to work with two shoes that did not match, even though they were the same color. Because she loved her job, she would get up so early for work that she would get dressed in the dark, according to Dr. Nicole Albo-Lopez, vice president of academic affairs at Los Angeles Mission College.

Darlene Montes will be remembered as a kind, hardworking individual.

Montes had been with the Los Angeles Community College District since 2001, when she began working on the Personnel Commission. In 2008, she joined Los Angeles Mission College as the executive assistant in the president’s office.

In 2014, she became a dean of academic affairs, where she was in charge of noncredit, dual enrollment, Chicano Studies, English, Communication Studies, ESL,

foreign languages, the library and the Learning Resource Center, according to the Los Angeles Mission College website.

“She was one of the hardest working people I’ve worked with. She was very kind,” said Albo-Lopez. “She loved animals, she was always rescuing stray kittens on campus. She just never said, ‘No.’ She always tried to find a way to make things work.

She was just a wonderful person.”

Faculty and staff at Mission made a room available where people could pay their respects. A large poster contained a montage of photos with pictures of Montes. The room included a large white notepad for people to leave thoughts and comments, as well as a large table where mourners could leave flowers. Michael Griggs left a comment for the late dean.

“Darlene, as we at Mission are searching for answers, I take comfort in the fact that all your questions are now being answered by our creator,” Griggs wrote. “Thank you

for always believing in me and seeing me for what I bring to the campus and not simply for what I’m sitting in. I will never forget you, and I will see you again.”

Colleagues say she was student-focused, and was always visiting a high school, or middle schools offering dual-enrollment options.

On campus, Montes made herself more accessible by moving her office to the Mission College Learning Resource Center so she could be closer to students.

Montes had such a heavy workload, that it took two people to fill her shoes, according to Albo-Lopez.

“Darlene treated people right, she was always smiling,” said L.A. Mission College Public Relations Manager Alejandro Guzman. “I loved interacting with her, I loved when she came into my office. We’d talk about work, and you could just tell that at the end of the day, she cared about the students.”

CAMPUS LIFE

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Photo By JAILENE TRUJILLO Marina Frugone and Anthony Hernandez work on the community garden next to Oasis Park on Sept. 13, 2019. They are both part of the Re/Generation Garden Club that will bring the first community garden to LACC.

Attention All Green Thumbs The Re/Generation Garden Club works to bring the first ever community garden to campus.

BY JAILENE TRUJILLO

Z

ucchinis and melons, carrots and lettuce are a few of the fruits and vegetables that the members of the Re/ Generation Garden Club hope to see in the small plot adjacent to Oasis Park.

Last year, LACC President Mary Gallagher authorized the use of the lot next to the Chemistry Building for the purpose of creating

community garden at LACC. Re/Generation Garden Club President Marina Frugone created the project and brought it to biology professor Sean Phommasaysy who was appointed to oversee the project

by President Gallagher.

“I’ve always wanted a community garden, but I had never moved beyond the desire,” Phommasaysy said. “It was the Re/Generation Garden Club, Marina who approached me ... and wanted to

work with me to bring this plan into fruition.”

There are ideas for the garden that will integrate education, music and gardening. Frugone has plans of holding small concerts in the garden and having classes come to the garden for science projects.

“The re/generation gardening club is dedicated to building an educational space where the sciences, arts and research meet through gardening,” Frugone said.

“Our goal is to create an edible and native plant landscape in pursuit of creating a dynamic and long-lasting educational space.”

Since the project’s start in the fall of 2018, the club has been working hard to obtain the necessary funding to fill the lot with planters and all the required tools to make the garden blossom. The estimated budget for a fully stocked garden, with planters, tools, and a shed currently stands at $25,000 dollars but after a meeting with the LACC Foundation they obtained a $2,000 grant.

Re/Generation Garden Club is currently working on getting the money required for the garden.

According to Phommasaysy, they are asking corporations such as Ace, Home Depot, and Lowes for donations for the garden.

However, a major concern for the garden is security. Not long ago someone stole some of the garden’s first crops.

“They have already planted something there. Like really, really small. And someone went in and stole whatever meager vegetable they were growing along with other stuff and other equipment,” Phommasaysy said, “which is why it’s really important to have fencing and have maybe a shed to keep stuff secure.”

The garden does not yet have an opening date. Both Phommasaysy and Frugone state that it will be a slow development, a “little by little” process. However, they already have plans for the $2,000 grant from the foundation.

“My hope is that by this semester, with the 2,000 dollars that the foundation has promised us, that at least we will have maybe five or six planters going on,” Phommasaysy said.

Meet Your ASG Representatives

7

Autumn leaves fall

Photo by JOHNATHAN CHUTA Leaves and branches from a tree adjacent to the Cesar Chavez Administration Building cover the ground after a gardener cut it back on Sept. 25, 2019. Life Sciences professor Sean Phomassay says the tree is also known as the weeping fig or Ficus Benjamina.

IFA Foundation- Mariott Foundation Awarded once annually Deadline: Oct. 31,2019 Amount: $1,500 Description: The IFA Foundation and the Marriott Foundation have collaborated to sponsor this scholarship award. Additionally, the individual selected will be invited to the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Annual Convention and will receive a travel stipend (up to $1,500) to attend.

Eligibility: must be enrolled in an U.S. accredited college or university with studies in business, hospitality, or franchise management, have sophomore, junior or senior college class standing for the period of the scholarship, and be a U.S. citizen.

To apply: Visit scholarship providers website Franchisefoundation.org ________________________________________________________________ Dorothy and Robert DeBolt Scholarship Amount: $3,000 Description: The DeBolt Scholarship will be awarded to a youth who has been adopted after being in foster care in California.

Valmira Smith

Photo by CHRIS AHN Over 200 finalists show up for the International Latino Book Awards on Sept. 21, 2019. The event is sponsored by Latino Literacy Now (LLN).

International Book Awards Draw Literary Crowd to Campus

BY CHRIS AHN

M

ore than 200 finalists for the International Latino Book Awards gathered at the L.A. City College Student Union on Sept.

21, 2019 for the annual program sponsored by Latino Literacy Now (LLN).

LLN Board President, Kirk Whisler, invited 261 finalists to one of the biggest Latino Cultural Awards events in the USA. Authors from different backgrounds celebrated recognition in over 85 genres from children’s, to self-help books.

“The Latino community is being recognized,” Whisler said to the estimated 300 attendees at the festival. “We have Trump to thank.”

The audience laughed. Despite the room full of laughter, the Latino community is being recognized. LLN was founded in 2017 and has celebrated the accomplishments of Latino writers for more than a decade.

“The size of the awards is proof that books by and about Latinos are in high demand. In 2019, Latinos will purchase over $725 million in books in English and Spanish,” according to an LLN

press release.

This event was proof of how impactful books can be based on the 300 guests in attendance.

Ramona Moreno was one of the finalists in the “Health Book Genre.” She says her son, who has a mental illness, inspired her to write “An Unexpected Visitor.”

“Mental health is a foreign concept and [there] are many stigmas, cross different cultures and there should be no shame in mental health,” Moreno said.

Moreno’s mission in “An Unexpected Visitor” is to give insight to the reader about different mental illnesses caused by stress or unacceptance. The author shares her experience in the book through various chapters such as “Weight Gain,” to “Plan B,” where she explains Sandra Rivera was one of the finalists in the “Best Educational Themed Book.” She educates the public about the damage to the coral reef, in her book, “Los Caballitos de mar se muda de coral.” There are many other issues with the environment according to Rivera.

“I grew up near the water and I am a sailor,” she said. “That is why I wrote about the ocean.” Rivera says she wishes that her book would make an impact on the kids to prevent further damage to the reef. But she has already started

to make a difference with her own child.

“My child does not ask for a plastic cup anymore and asks for a thermos after they read the book,” she said.

She is a teacher, and she often reads to her students.

“Reading to children is important and it informs them of what’s happening,” Rivera said.

“The next generation is going to suffer from our mistakes and it is important to give them the information to preserve [the reef].”

Rivera shares her passion, and she tries to make an impact on the younger generation. The author enjoys writing children’s books because of the imagination it can bring. Daniel Pinilla is Rivera’s Agent and a finalist for “Best Travel.”

“Writing a book starts from here and here,” he said as he pointed to his chest first and then his eyes.

After the winners were announced, they had the option of giving the 30-second acceptance speech, which the majority used to thank their community, family and friends for encouragement and inspiration. “This has been a long journey, and I thank my family to support me during this journey,” said Enrique Parilla, the author of little migrant.

Senator of Finance

“Part of my job is not only to prepare and to present regular budget reports from every meeting, and maintain accurate and current records of ASG expenditures throughout the year, but also to review any type of funding for the Cubs Resource Center.”

Eligibility: Must be a California resident at the time of application and must have been accepted for admission to, or be enrolled in an accredited two-year college, four-year university or trade/vocational school in the United States. Maximum age at application is 25 years. Selection of the winner will be based on ability, motivation, community service, financial need, and the potential to succeed.

For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.

Lilliput.org _________________________________________________________________ Student Poster Contest Negative Population Growth (NPG) is having a student poster contest and is offering scholarships between $1,000 and $3,000.

Students who will be enrolled during spring 2020 are eligible to apply.

The deadline is October 15, 2019. Students may apply at npg.org/scholarships. html _____________________________________ Los Angeles Community College Foundation (LACCF) Scholarships Hollywood Foreign Press Association Fellowship The purpose of this fellowship is to provide support to full-time (12 units) LACC cinema and TV students who can demonstrate financial need. The award will be granted based on need and qualifications and will be awarded for the fall semester. ________________________________________ Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation Guardian Scholars Scholarship

Stevie Carpenter Vice President “My role as vice president of ASG is to kind of macro manage the people that are here … like have a bird’s eye view instead of micro manage whereas you try to be in every single department and control everything. That’s not why I am here. I am here to oversee and make sure everything goes according to plan.”

Positions are open for ambassador.

Any student is welcome to join. ASG is also looking for student volunteers to participate in ASG events. It is an opportunity for students to connect to the campus and to add some volunteer experience to their resume.

This scholarship was created by the Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation Guardian Scholarship is available to any LACC student who is a member in good standing of the Guardian Scholars Program for current or former foster youth with financial need as evidenced by his/her FAFSA EFC form or by his/her award letter from LACC Financial Aid. At minimum, students must have a 2.0 GPA. For more information, students may visit the LACCF website. The deadline for fall is Oct. 20, 2019 _______________________________________________________ The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation Award for LACC 2nd and 3rd Semester Nursing Students To apply, fill out the application at the LACCF website, write the required essay and submit your class schedule, unofficial transcript and financial aid summary.

All applicants must be eligible to receive California in-state tuition. Submit all documents to the L.A. City College Foundation.

The deadline is Oct. 20, 2019. ________________________________________________________ LACC Foundation - Edison STEM Scholars Awards This scholarship award is intended for students majoring in Business, Computer and Information Services.

Engineering, mathematics, Engineering Technology,Natural Resources, Conservation and Physical Sciences.

Minimum requirements include full time status and a 3.0 GPA. For more information on the STEM Awards, visit the LACC Foundation at http://www. laccfoundation.org/edison-stem-application-2019/

8

SPORTS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Clippers’ Star Ascends He makes all the right moves: on the court, on the field and on the track. Clay Davis is one L.A. City College Clipper who must be watched.

BY XENNIA HAMILTON

A

t Los Angeles City College, Intercollegiate Sports programs have spawned many great alumni. The great Larry Friend of New York Knicks’ fame and Reggie Haynes, tight end for the Washington Redskins, played in the gym and on the field at LACC. Today, intramural sports programs nurture the next generation of athletes who hope to make their mark. Clay Davis plays basketball on one of the teams selected for the fall semester.

Davis wears # 4 and is a phenomenon on the court, but he is a soccer lover at heart. He ended up on the hardwood of the Kinesiology Building after a friend suggested he become a member of a championship winning team, last year’s undefeated Tiger Cubs.

The whole season culminated in a buzzer-beating three-point shot by the Tiger Cubs.

“They only had basketball,” Davis said. “So we were like, ‘Yo, let’s do a sport?’” His friend suggested they show up at a team practice. And they did. Davis did not join the team at first.

“It started off as practice and then eventually led to (playing in) meet games competitively,” Davis said. “Then our team eventually won the championship.”

Davis describes himself as “athletic.” He says the most challenging part of basketball is that it’s actually competitive.

“There are people there, just standing there, waiting to take the ball,” he said. “People are actually pressing, making moves, screens, it’s like actually playing professional basketball.”

Former teammates say Davis has been spotted “Lakered out” in purple and gold. Davis described the benefits he sees in the sport.

Davis admits he does not have NBA dreams, but he enjoys the game as much as his other love, soccer. He says it helps his brain and body rejuvenate during classes.

“I wanted to do something besides being in a class and sitting down,” he said. “It’s a little activity to get the heart pumping.”

The LASPORTSNET.com website, which organizes intramural sports at L.A. City College, shows basketball season started in September and runs for eight weeks. Davis has a message for any future basketball players.

“Show up. Go to practice,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad … at least you’re going toward your shot.”

With moves on the court, on the field and on the track? Clay Davis: one athlete that should be watched.

Joshua Wade contributed to this story.

Clay Davis (Top Right), and his teammates represent the Clippers this semester. During the spring of 2019, he played for the Tiger Cubs who won the intramural basketball championship and were undefeated.

The 2019 Pinnacle Awards honor the Collegian’s sister publication, the Collegian Times Magazine for the 90th Anniversary. It is one of five nominees for Best Two-Year College, Feature Magazine of the Year for 2019.

Photos By TANYA GEDDES Jump ball: Exercise and a love of the game motivates players like Clay Davis to take to the hardwood for LACC Intramural Basketball. He says he has no NBA dreams, but he enjoys basketball and soccer.

Photo By JASON PISKOPUS Players from the Intramural sports team try to knock the ball out of the opposing team’s hand on Sept. 13, 2019 in the Kinesiology Building.

Players Gravitate to Intramural Basketball, Athletic Escape

BY SONIA SOFIA RIVERA

E

leven years have passed without sports teams at L.A. City College. But that does not, stop the athletic passion within the campus, which is why the first meetup for the Intramural Basketball team of 2019 went down in the North Kinesiology Building on Sept.13.

Filled with students, coaches and athletes, the Gym bustled with the shouts of students encouraged to make goals.

Armineh Dereghishian who is a student service specialist here on campus is a faculty member who is fully in favor of athletics at LACC. “The more time students spend on campus physically the better they do academically,” Dereghishian said.

She also says in any given week, around 100 students show up to relieve stress. But it would be an unfair assumption to say that it is not a safe

space for students as well. Josuha Wade is a current veteran for intramural basketball who spoke passionately about his time spent on the court and why basketball was a necessity in student life.

“It gets rid of stress but also gives me a good stress,” Wade said.

He also says he likes intramural sports, but it does not compare to the feeling of sportsmanship that intercollegiate basketball provides.

Intramural basketball is still growing its community here on campus. Anyone can join and the only complaint so far comes from a current student and alumni of intramural basketball Alishia Kennedy.

“Some people don’t [want to] come and play, you see there’s not a lot of females,” Kennedy said.

Although intramural basketball at LACC accepts everyone from every race, religion and size, gender is something that is still not yet quite equal. There has been a push to recruit more women on the team.

Los Angeles

Collegian

THE STUDENT VOICE OF L.A. CITY COLLEGE FOR 90 YEARS REAL NEWS, NO BULL SINCE 1929 Pick up a copy of the Collegian