Collegian Los Angeles
Kanye West Battles to Own Publishing SEE PAGE 5
The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Volume 182 Number 3
NEW APP OPENS DOORS
NEWS BRIEFS
Pop Up Food Pantry Attracts More People to Campus
COMPILED BY REBECCA GRAZIER
L.A. City College Bookstore, Dietetics to Serve up Free Meals Hungry students will be able to get free breakfast in the Student Union during midterms week. Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., the LACC Dietetics program will prepare fresh yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit, boiled eggs, and almond butter and jelly sandwiches to students looking for a healthy breakfast. In addition, the bookstore will provide 400 lunch meals each day such as Mac and Cheese, Frito-Lay Chips, Campbell’s Chicken Mini Noodles, as well as bottled water. Program begins March 27, at 8 a.m. on the first floor of the Student Union Building.
Klowden Mann Galleries to Present at Lecture Series April brings a new installment of the Visual and Media Arts Department Artist Lecture Series. The next artist to be featured is Deb Klowden Mann, owner of Klowden Mann Gallery, located in Culver City. The Gallery opened in 2010 with a commitment to local artists and has exhibited all over the world. The event will be located in the basement of the Chemistry Building in CHEM 3, on April 16, at 6 p.m.
Theatre Academy Offers Auditions for Spring Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy will be hosting auditions for Spring 2019. Interested applicants can apply for the acting program, costume program or the Technical Program. Interested students can call (323) 9534000, ext. 2983.
Annual Writing Contest Continues at LACC LACC English/ESL Department is having their annual writing contest for all students enrolled during spring semester. Students will get the opportunity to win first, second, third, and honorable mention scholarship prizes for the categories of short story, poetry and ESL writing. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, April 16, by 12 p.m. Entries must be delivered to the LACC English/ESL Department in Jefferson Hall, Room 301.
Trader Joe’s, Ralphs, Vons and Pavilions donate a variety of food to the L.A. City College Pop Up Pantry twice a week to help feed students.
HELP ON THE WAY!
BY CHISLEY HAYNES
ILLUSTRATION BY BEATRICE ALCALA
SHAC DELIVERS AID FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS Homeless students who attend L.A. City College will soon have another way to find resources. A new app called Qdent is being developed by VAMA professor Eugene Ahn. New app will help students locate resources that are close to campus. Support includes:
•ACCESS TO CLEAN SHOWERS •FOOD •SAFE PARKING •LAUNDRY FACILITIES
BY CHRIS ARGUETA
S
tudent Homeless Action Club - or SHAC - is a newly-formed club whose members hope to raise awareness of and bring resources to homeless students here at LACC. The group meets every Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Chemistry 107, and its mission is to fight the negative stigma of homelessness and assist classmates who may be struggling with homelessness. Club president Michael Duggan, who is homeless, said he was tired of being critiqued for a situation beyond his control. SEE “SHAC” PAGE 4
An elderly woman was raped on March 14, around 6 p.m. during the evening rush-hour commute at the Vermont/Sunset Metro Station. Police said the victim approached the man asking for directions. The victim was then lured into an emergency exit stairwell before being raped, strangled, and punched, according to KTLA5.
SEE “FOOD PANTRY” PAGE 4
Thousands cheered Bernie Sanders as he spoke about his vision for the nation during a rally last weekend. BY REBECCA GRAZIER
INDEX 2-3 4 5 6
Organic fruits and vegetables, chips, bottled water, cereal bars and canned soups from area grocery stores fill boxes that L.A. City College students carry away twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays free of charge at the Pop Up Food Pantry in front of the Student Union. From tomatoes, squash, and zucchini, to apples, melons and persimmons, students have a choice of items to place in their boxes. “I got fresh tomatoes, squash and flavored water, a few of the squashes were bruised, but nothing too bad, I can cook my own lunch to bring to school and save money,” said Monique Saldana, a psychology major. “I have a daughter that I can feed too, I got extra cereals because it gets easy in the morning when she wakes up, we eat those.” The LACC Foundation along with the Dream Resource Center, a nonprofit organization on campus, provide food to students or to anyone from the community who comes to the Pop Up Food Pantry. The foundation began the program in the fall of 2018, and it serves as many as 800 students per day until they run out of food, according to Daren Lynne, the director of special programs and academic support. During Winter of 2018, there was a “huge” increase in students who lined up to get food. The Pop Up Food Pantry is designed to assist needy students, but organizers will not discourage anyone from getting in line.
Bernie’s Still Got It, Draws Crowd to Grand Park
Search Continues for Unidentified Rapist
Opinion News A&E Photo Focus
Bloom in Malibu SEE PAGE 6
PHOTO BY CURTIS SABIR Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to a crowd at Grand Park on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Local estimates place the crowd size at 2,000 to several thousand attendees. An overflow of people caused attendees to go to the steps of L. A. City Hall.
Bernie Sanders made a second stop at Los Angeles City Hall in his second bid to become president of the United States on March 23, 2019. Several thousand people descended on the lawn of Grand Park across from City Hall in downtown Los Angeles last Saturday to support Bernie Sanders. Sanders lost the Democratic Nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016. Sanders has mentioned the homeless crisis in the United States as one issue that he will address if he is elected. A 2018 report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development stated the U.S. has a
homeless population of just under 553,000 people. Speaking at a panel on the crisis of housing during The Sanders Institute Gathering on Dec. 1, 2018, Sanders said that he hopes people believe that the United States is the wealthiest country in the world. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, there is a shortage of affordable housing, childcare, and other needed social programs, according to an article by Common Dreams. “It is not lack of resources; the reason is lack of political will, and the reason is a set of priorities set by the wealthiest people in this country and large campaign contributors, not working families,” Sanders said.
SEE “BERNIE” PAGE 4
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OPINION & EDITORIAL
Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, March 27, 2019
COLLEGE CHEATING SCANDAL ROCKS CAMPUSES Aren’t metaphors wonderful? Take this one for example: “Caught with your hand in the cookie jar.” The metaphor doesn’t speak to whether or not the cookies were free; it simply implies someone taking something that does not belong to them. Simple. Basic. In the middle of March, lots of wealthy individuals learned this metaphor the hard way. The Justice Department arrested and charged 50 people on March 12 – parents, coaches and others – with cheating on college admissions and bribing test officials. Two of the parents were Hollywood actors Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. The 23-page indictment, filed in the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, officially lists the charges as racketeering conspiracy. News of the scandal has brought gasps of shock
from most corners of the country. Some even say it is unspeakable. That simply because some individuals have wealth they think anything is possible and that anything can be purchased. Some things actually can’t. Loughlin’s 19-year-old daughter, Olivia Jade Giannulli, is a social media star who got into USC thanks to her mother who paid to rig the standardized tests and bribe professors and coaches. Along with the criminal charges that Loughlin now faces, she will no longer return to her role as “Aunt Becky” on “Fuller House.” In addition to the above, Loughlin’s daughter Jade has now dropped out of school. All that money gone, down the drain. The saying “a fool and their money are soon parted” sounds pretty harsh, but Olivia Jade told the world what was on her mind last year.
What Takes Place on the Streets Of L.A. BY DAVE MARTIN A lot of talk revolves around the environment. Many are concerned that if something isn’t done quickly, our planet will face an ecological disaster of immeasurable proportions. Another crisis is brewing on the horizon. One that has nothing to do with saving trees, lakes, oceans, and air pollution. It is just as important. An immediate problem faces those who live around the Skid Row Area of Downtown Los Angeles. It is causing health issues. Officials at City Hall have far too long ignored the fact that these homeless living in tents by the sidewalk are a health risk. Whenever someone pitches a tent on the sidewalk, the first thing that shows up on the streets is trash. All that trash brings rats, which brings diseases. None of this is human friendly. In the middle thirteen hundreds, flea-infested rats ran through the
sewer system of London, causing the death of more than two hundred million people. One homeless used to camp out on Willowbrook Street, next to the LACC library. Now, it’s location has been moved by local authorities. The Collegian Times covered the story on homeless in issues of 2016 and 2018. And just like Downtown, people living in these tents generated a lot of trash, which was strewn all over the sidewalk and thrown into the streets. I don’t know about you, but I for one do not want to live in a neighborhood where homeless people have more rights than I do. Apparently in the eyes of City Hall, these individuals living on the streets are victims. Whoever speaks out against them, especially when it comes to health concerns, are criminals. I agree these people have rights. However, when the city is put at risk due to all the filth and trash, it brings animals into the area that are known to carry deadly diseases ,which rescind your rights. The safety of the city and its people comes first. It is time for officials at City Hall to stop turning a blind eye to the truth of what is
going on around. Actions need to be taken, such as getting these streets cleaned. If something doesn’t happen quickly, then we
With about two million Instagram followers on her account, Olivia Jade posted a brief video on Aug. 14, 2018, saying “I hope that I can try to balance everything. I do want the experience of game days and partying. I don’t really care about school, as you all know.” Obviously, everyone except her mom Lori Loughlin knew. Students who earned their way into college the old fashioned way – by not cheating or bribing anyone – have expressed outrage and indignation at the scandal. USC School of Social Work graduate student Silvia Chitgian said, “To say that the college admissions [scandal] is shameful would be an understatement. Students who have worked very hard to earn their spot at USC felt a sense of deception.” Chitgian also says her professors expressed
will have on our hand an epidemic apocalypse, the likes of which none of us has ever seen, nor do we want to.
Some Students Need a Lesson in Respect BY THOMAS GARDNER “Make sure your cell phones are turned off in my class.” Students are accustomed to hearing this request at the start of each semester. It is likely the professor’s opening prompt. Lectures are interrupted by these useful yet distracting electronic devices time and again. Yet this is merely one example of a larger more general problem which exists on the college campus -- that is, the problem of respect, or should I say disrespect. Perhaps you will say I am exaggerating the importance of respect. You might say the concept is meaningful only to those unfortunates who are in jail or prison, and that the emphasis on respect is not relevant to the free-spirited environment of students and higher education. To this I would argue
otherwise. I would argue that respect is incredibly important. It makes a positive difference, especially at the college level. Moreover, I submit that many LACC students would benefit immensely if they were to learn the crucial value of being considerate towards both teachers and students in the higher-ed learning space. Common consideration -- this is what respect is all about in the academic setting. It is really quite simple: When the professor is addressing the class, students ought to display basic decency by listening politely without chattering or engaging in side conversation. During lecture, students shouldn’t be playing on their phones or laptops, unless the student is genuinely taking notes or doing curriculum related stuff. If the student is truly doing curriculum related work using one of these gadgets, it should be made apparent. This is done by gazing up at the professor frequently, which indicates that the activity is curric-
their concern about the scandal, noting it leaves a blot on them as well. Wake Forest University, Stanford, Yale and the Universities of Texas, San Diego and California, Los Angeles, were also named alongside of USC as colleges that prosecutors say were involved. Some of the students at these universities are suing their respective schools, charging that the colleges took the students’ application fees but failed to take appropriate steps to make sure that the admissions process was free of fraud and cheating. Good for them. Many observers and critics both say this scandal is the tip of an iceberg; there could be no telling where it will lead to next or where it could possibly end. While that may be true, a light had to be shown somewhere, and the process of removing the rot had to begin somewhere.
ulum related. It’s all about respect, and students should know, or be taught how important this is. Education is meaningless if a person’s way of interacting with others displays blatant impudence. On the first day of class this semester I heard a student mutter “that’s not true,” in response to something the professor said. There is no doubt that the student’s muttering was deliberately loud enough for everyone to hear, including the professor. In effect, the student was challenging the professor in a distinctly passive-aggressive manner. Conduct as such is disrespectful, and needs to stop. The problem is, students routinely display this sort of behavior. But let me
amend my statement slightly: not all students behave this way. To be clear, this piece of writing is directed to those students who violate the principle of respect, and not those students who carry themselves respectfully. So to the reader, if this doesn’t apply to you, then be unfazed, and let these words fly over you. But maybe some students will read this and be prompted to take an honest look at themselves. Let us make improvements, and get our acts together. It is absolutely a good thing that we are on the college campus and not the prison yard. However, some of us would benefit by learning the old-fashioned values of respect. Need I explain how some would benefit?
Do you have an opinion you would like to share? Maybe there’s a story you feel strongly about in the East Hollywood or campus community? Tell the editor! Email Rebecca at rebeccagrazier.collegian@gmail.com (323) 953-4000, ext. 2832
OPINION & EDITORIAL
Compiled by Kimberly Fisher Photos by Beatrice Alcala
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS SCANDAL IN HIGHER EDUCATION?
Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, March 27, 2019
DANIELL LYTTLE Nursing Major
LARKIN DAWSON Music Major
JUNIOR GUIX Criminal Justice Major
EZINWANNE THOMAS Law Major
“I feel that it’s about time people of this wealth magnitude have finally gotten caught and that they’re finally going to put an end to it.”
“It seems like it is just perpetuating the income gap because rich people can just pay for their kids to go to a nice college and people with less money just can’t do that.”
“I feel like it’s something we’ve secretly known. We’ve kind of had a feeling it’s been going on. It’s just been brought into the light. That’s good, but I don’t think it’s going to change anything.”
“I don’t think it’s fair to the students that actually worked to get into the schools fairly. I heard they even paid people to change their SAT scores.”
Because They are My Parents
INK STYLE
Second in a series on children who provide care for their parents
A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
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Editor-in-Chief REBECCA GRAZIER
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Reporters DERRICK WADE, XENNIA R. HAMILTON, DIANE RAGIN, MAX ROSE KO, SAMUEL SCHIFFER, DAVE MARTIN JACOB GREEN, REBECCA GRAZIER, DAMIEN HOSEA, CHISLEY HAYNES
BY DERRICK L. WADE In 2015, my mother’s health took a drastic turn for the worse. After seven years of seminary, I finally was to graduate in May 2015 with a Master of Divinity degree. There was a plethora of ups and downs during the journey. My mother and father were there with me every step of the way. They prayed, sacrificed and encouraged me to stay the course. We had a running joke that when my name was called at graduation, my mother was going to stand up and yell, “That’s my boy!” April 2015 came, and within a matter of weeks, my mother’s ability to walk, talk or feed herself became a challenge. Soon, she would not be able to do any of these tasks on her own. My world had come crashing down again. On graduation day, my father and I did everything within our power to ensure that we pulled my mother together, and that she made it to the ceremony. As I crossed the stage, the room erupted with applause and cheers. Although my mother was not able to physically stand and yell, “That’s my boy!” I heard and felt her in my spirit yelling, “That’s my boy!” Two months later, doctors admitted my mother to the hospital for observation because of further complications with Alzheimer’s. During this brief stay in the hos-
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pital, I had a discussion with my mother’s attending doctor. I asked her for the prognosis moving forward. With all the bedside manner that she could muster, she said, “Well, in cases such as your mother’s, patients typically live about three months.” I must have looked at her as if she had slapped me, because she quickly added: “In some rare cases patients have lived years.” I told the doctor that we were a “family of faith,” and we would be holding onto “the years.” That week, my father and I were given two options with respect to the future care of my mother. The first was to put her in a facility. The second option was to take her home. There was no question at all for us, and we brought her home from the hospital to care for her. My mother entered the hospital initially for observation, but on discharge, her level of care was too complicated for us. She entered a skilled nursing facility for a few months, so that my father and I could be trained to care for her at home. What a sense of gratitude and joy both my father and I experienced. We were grateful because God had sustained her, and joy because we had honored our word to my mother and she was home. This stage of my journey with my parents might be considered a great sacrifice by some. Because they are my parents, I consider it to be minuscule in comparison to what they mean to me, and all they have done for me. Now, it is an honor and a joy to be able to serve them.
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Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be
interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles City College, or any officer or employee thereof. Collegian ©2017. No material may be reprinted without the express written permission of the Los Angeles Collegian.
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NEWS
Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, March 27, 2019 FROM “FOOD PANTRY” PAGE 1
PANTRY IMPROVES STUDENTS’ FOOD CHOICES “So, what we are doing here is, we want to support our students, if there is someone from the community in line, we go ahead and access them because a lot of times they have a tie to someone on campus,” Lynne said. “We are asked if the community finds its way to you, do you turn them away? No we don’t. We don’t publicize it, but we don’t turn them away.” The idea for the pantry began with the realization that many students currently attending LACC struggle with food and shelter and do not
have the resources available to help. Lynne says the LACC Foundation is working on providing housing, showers, laundry and lockers to qualified students, or to students with special needs. “I really like it, it seems cool that LACC is trying to help their community and kids in college,” said Maria Garcia, a music major. “The one thing I took from school like, I went back and told my parents, even outside of school, education wise, LACC is trying to help their students, like with whatever … “ In addition, the foundation goal is to work with
the dietetics department and a community partner to open a new café called “Food for Thought,” on campus, where affordable, fresh and healthy food choices will be available to students. “We have found that students have to make choices every day, and it’s like food or textbook, food or utilities, food or car payment, and we just want to make that choice a little easier,” Lynne told the Collegian. The Pop Up Pantry opens at 11 a.m. and runs until about 2 p.m. in front of the Student Union on Mondays and Thursdays.
FROM “SHAC” PAGE 1
‘SHAC’ TO HELP STUDENTS FIND SHELTER, RESOURCES Duggan has been homeless for a few years now, originally staying in shelters and within organizations, but has recently opted for a sleeping bag on the streets. “I decided to own up and do this because there are so many resources,” Duggan said. “There’s so many people also experiencing this and I didn’t have anywhere to go. I was here alone in my car in the parking lot. I wanted someone to tell me ‘Hey this is where showers are. Hey this is where laundry is or go to get food.’ I didn’t know about the Salvation Army where they feed people.” Duggan chose to start SHAC because he wished that he had this kind of help when he was struggling. For so many students who may be ashamed to seek help or lack the
resources to find help, SHAC has members who have been through many shelters and they can help navigate which ones are and aren’t helpful. SHAC has students, both homeless and not, who have experience with resources such as food stamps or locations where students can shower. Their eyes are set to help beyond homeless students at LACC. The other students who attended the meeting see the passion in Michael’s eyes and know he is committed. Even professors showed up to voice in support and offer help. “I think students should voice their options whether they feel comfortable attaching their name to it or not,” said student Sophie Marks. “If you can find someone that represents you but who may not look like you or feel like you
and you see Michael, you know you’re in good hands. Students should find someone like Michael who helps them. Michael isn’t ashamed of who he is and neither should you be.” The club discussed new possibilities with integrating apps and websites which can provide good resources for students. There are also talks of creating a schedule to determine when they would like to take showers in the Kinesiology Building. A new program coming into effect from school president Mary Gallagher would allow students to sleep in their cars overnight in a designated zone. The club brought up the possibility of extending that service to students who only have tents or sleeping bags. Even having a car is a luxury for homeless
students and having a service like staying over night should not be exclusive to them. According to the L.A. Times, one in five students at a Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) school is homeless. SHAC helps students who have had an unfortunate happening in their life. The option of being homeless is out of their hands. Their only choice is whether to sleep in a shelter or on the streets. The hardships of being homeless also comes in the form of the interaction they receive from the people around them. “It’s embarrassing. People really treat homeless people terribly,” Duggan said. “I want to make it ok for homeless students to have a support group so that they can be themselves and not be ashamed of the fact they don’t have
REPORTERS NOTEBOOK
Echo Park Resource Center Lives Up to Its Name BY KARYNN PENSANTI Struggling students and their families will find support, housing, food and clothing at the L.A. Dream Center in Echo Park, on Bellevue Avenue near North Alvarado. They will also find hope in a city where the homeless often seem marginalized and isolated. The L.A. Dream Center provides shelter and support to as many as 750 men, women and children every day. It began in 1994 when Dream Center founder Matthew Barnett took to the streets of Skid Row and lived as a homeless man. The experience propelled him to start the Dream Center, which provides food, clothing and even counseling services to the underserved. When I arrived at the mega campus, it seemed like a cross between a movie scene from Pearl Harbor, and an artistic yet to be developed movie about “Utopia.” People of all
ages and cultures moved about in unison, all suited up in black and blue T-shirts with “Dream Center” etched on them. They carried food, supplies, toys, backpacks and beds as volunteer teams travel throughout the city. Some are seriously tattooed, as they walk with a swagger, next to the Southern belle, whose accent exudes from her dialog. Everywhere I looked, I saw young volunteers who assisted the elderly. Everyone seems to walk fast at the Dream Center, on a mission known only to them. I cannot sense any self-interest, only the wellbeing of others. The resources available here are considerable. The Dream Center offers a one-year free recovery program for anyone who wants to overcome addiction. Another oneyear program for veterans promises to help them back into society with employment services and other resources.
The center offers shelter to women who have been victims of human trafficking. Emancipated youth can find shelter, and families with children find safe refuge on their family floor. The community outreach of the Dream Center is tremendous. Volunteer teams help impoverished families that are at risk of losing their children. They offer furniture and basic living necessities to keep families together The Food truck ministry volunteers feed the hungry from many street corners in Los Angeles. Resources also include a 4,000 square foot hospital. Visitors who trek to the site include groups of business tours and celebrities who ask the “how can such a small community, make such a big impact question?” I noticed a thrift store with gently used clothing at unheard of prices, and enjoyed the attempted bargaining of the locals
who want the deal of the day, I overheard them speaking about “community day clothing giveaway.” It all seems a little surreal. I decide to finish up my trip to “Heaven on Earth,” by taking a public tour of the grounds. It was touching. I got a jolt of espresso-like, faith in humanity. My visit ended with a testimony by one of the residents. She escaped abuse and the torment of drug addiction, but she is sober now and enjoying life again. She says she has found “a family of sisterhood who understand her and support her unconditionally.” I almost want to give up my worldly possessions and goals just to join such a place of hope. I encourage anyone who needs help with living expenses, free clothing, food or a safe environment to visit the Dream Center. There is something to this altruistic organization, and they certainly breed hope.
ANGELENOS GATHER TO ‘DRIVE’ VERMONT SENATOR TO WHITE HOUSE I do know that Mueller wound up indicting 34 people including six Trump Campaign officials,” Sanders said. “Nobody, including the president of the United States, especially this president, is above the law. Today we begin our campaign in California.” One Bernie supporter came all the way from San Bernardino to attend the rally. “I think Bernie would be a good president be-
cause I think he’s for the people, and that’s what this country is built on, for the people and not big corporations or government,” said Bronson McClaine. McClaine’s girlfriend also made the trek to Los Angeles to listen to Sanders speak at the event. “I think he’s been an activist his entire life, and he’s been fighting for equal rights for everybody,” said Alyssa Vigil.
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Book Program Highlights Award-Winning Author COMPILED BY CHISLEY HAYNES Small groups of students and staff lined up for autographs from Ryka Aoki in the Student Union on March 21, 2019 at the Los Angeles City College Book Program. Some snacked on muffins and cookies and sipped coffee. Others stood in line and waited to chat with the author after the program to buy autographed copies of her book. Aoki is the author of “Truth and Hurt: A Queer Writer Discusses
Balancing Artistic Risk and Vulnerability with Personal Safety and Health.” The author is also known for her collection of poetry. Aioki is an award-winning author, a performer and she is a professor of English at Santa Monica College. The California State Senate honored her for “extraordinary commitment to the visibility and wellbeing of Transgender people.”
POLICE WIRE LAPD EAST HOLLYWOOD CRIME Aggravated Assault 1600 block of North Normandie Avenue March 13, 2019, noon
FROM “BERNIE” PAGE 1
On Friday March 22, Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivered his report on the investigation into President Trump and possible Russian collusion and obstruction of justice to Attorney General William Barr. Mueller did not find that members of Trump’s Campaign coordinated with the Russian government during the 2016 campaign. “Now I don’t know what’s in that report, but
PHOTO BY CHISLEY HAYNES
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Aggravated Assault 5300 block of West Sunset Boulevard March 13, 2019, 12:01 a.m. Aggravated Assault 4900 block of West Sunset Boulevard March 14, 2019, 7:10 a.m. Theft from Vehicle 5100 block of Hollywood Boulevard March 14, 2019, 11 p.m. Rape 1500 block of North Vermont Avenue March 14, 2019, 6 p.m. Aggravated Assault 4600 block of West Sunset Boulevard March 16, 2019, 2 a.m.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, March 27, 2019
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Kanye West Faces Uphill Legal Battle in Attempt to Own Publishing BY LOU PRIMAVERA Kanye West filed a lawsuit against EMI Music to be released from his publishing deal claiming it is an “unfair and illegal deal.” West and his legal team are attempting to leverage a California labor law, Section 2855 of the labor code which enforces, one cannot employ a person for more than seven contiguous years, without the opportunity for them to seek employment elsewhere at the end of the period if they choose. Soon after West filed his complaint, in addition to countersuing, EMI put in a motion to move the case to federal court. Based off the facts intellectual property and copyrights are federal issues. “EMI has knowingly, misleadingly and unlawfully attempted to control and exploit one of the most multi-faceted and productive talents,” Kanye’s legal team said. This is a rare and bizarre scenario, because although past artists have leveraged the California labor law in court to get out of recording contract, West is attempting to get out of a publishing contract using a California labor law as leverage. One would not have
to be an entertainment lawyer to know that publishing is intellectual property and clearly a federal issue. Some wonder if it is another publicity stunt or more of West’s erratic behavior, given the nature of the case. Battling EMI will be daunting and expensive task. The California law West is using as leverage is unofficially named the “DeHavilland Law “after Olivia DeHavilland, an actress who played in multiple roles in the 1930s and 1940s including memorable roles such as “Melanie” in “Gone with the Wind.” She was successful in getting out of her contract with Warner Bros., but this was during Hollywood’s studio era, when the talent were under contract to movie studios and the contract can be enforced in a California court. West’s case is extremely different and much more intricate. “West’s suit is a little more than ‘attempt to evade his contractual commitments to EMI”, a representative from EMI stated in court documents. In addition to suing EMI, West is also suing Roc-A-fella/Def-Jam/UMG/ Bravado International Group. What makes this
case more interesting than your average entertainment lawsuit is West’s wealth and ego might cost all of the labels involved in the lawsuit tons money in legal fees, regardless of the outcome. “It changes my whole perception of Kanye’s music because he’s been putting music out since the early 2000s,” said Spencer Vatoni, a Music Major at LACC. “It kind of makes you change your perception and think like did you want to put that out? If he wants to get out of it and he’s suing them, than go ahead.” The case has the potential to be an exhausting lengthy battle in court and although unlikely, it has the possibility to set a new legal precedent in entertainment law. Federal law allows copyright reversion, but this option doesn’t become available until 35 years after the work is first published. That’s a losing scenario for West. One must wonder what West and his legal team have up their sleeve, because it seems like an uphill legal battle, without much merit behind their claims. The next hearing is Aug. 26. At 8:30 a.m. at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse located in downtown Los Angeles.
PHOTO BY JACOB GREEN Tracy Turner in his element at LACC on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Turner is a hip-hop artist and producer on the rise in L.A.’s underground music scene.
Tracy Turner’s Plan to Navigate the Music Industry BY LOU PRIMAVERA Tracy Turner is only 18, but when speaking with him, one would think he has been in the music industry for a decade. He is a music major at Los Angeles City College and does more than just study contemporary music. Not only is he a hip-hop artist, he is a one man band. All of his tracks are self-produced, recorded and engineered. His knowledge of the music industry is impressive, and his ambition and talent are supreme. A Los Angeles native from Harbor City, he is an entrepreneur as well. You can buy a beat from
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him for $200 to $250 and listen to all of his tracks on SoundCloud. Turner, who’s hip-hop name is spelled Trvcy Tvrner, has been listening to hip-hop as far back as he can remember. He is adamant on producing original work as well as developing his own sound. He has the poise of a seasoned veteran when interviewed about his life, work and how he plans to navigate the music industry. Collegian: “When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?” Turner: “Dr. Dre- when I was very young, under
PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS Kanye West is attempting to free himself of his recording and publishing deals. The case escalated on Thursday, March 7. 2019 when EMI Music countersued sued West for breach of contract and put in a motion to move the case to federal court.
five. The “Nuthin But A G Thang” era, I loved everything about it, the originality of it, the synth. I realized that’s what I wanted to do. They created a whole vibe, it wasn’t just music. Collegian: “You work a lot on the production side of things right?” Turner: “I started out as an artist, but I was broke so I couldn’t get beats or anything. I decided to start making my own beats. I make my own music primarily, but producing is my strong point right now and what a lot of people look to me for. When you’re a producer, you have full control over your creativity and can do whatever you want.” Collegian: “You put a lot of emphasis on having control of your own work.” Turner: “Well, when you don’t make the beat you’re kind of locked in. If you don’t know the next trend, you don’t know what beat to go with. When you’re the producer, you can make your own beat. If you’re feeling a certain way, you think “I’ll make that” or I will just “rap over my own beat.” A lot of times, what’s hot or following social media causes you to rap a certain way. If you start producing, you can come up with something better than someone else. That’s why you have your own slate. I don’t see a point in putting something out there that sounds like someone else’s work.” Collegian: “What type of music have you been listening to lately?” Turner: “Personally, I like Shoreline Mafia. I like a lot of the L.A. underground stuff because it’s different. They are pushing a new culture. Where I grew up, Harbor City, if you were going to a party, that’s what you heard, music like that. It’s cool to see that blow up, Ya’ know?” Collegian: “Would you go the independent route or try to get signed by a label?” Turner: “In the end, I would want to be independent- own all of my masters, especially in rap. I was always interested in Death Row Records. The whole thing about them that made them different, is they were doing their own thing. I would want to be independent over time because I would know where my money is going. A lot of people want co-signs but what does a label really do for you ya know? You can do most things yourself these days. If I could, I would start my own record label.”
Collegian: “Have you ever looked into doing film soundtracks?” Turner: “Yeah, I’ve always thought about it. I’ve been trying to break into it. Personally I would like to do music scores for a Spike Lee film or even some TV work. I’d like to do something with skating as well, that’s another passion of mine.” Collegian: “Who are some artists that have influenced you the most?” Turner: “Not so much anymore, but Travis Scott really inspired me. Earl Sweatshirt and a lot of Tyler the Creator’s old material. If you listen to some of my early work, you can hear a little of Tyler in it. Ron Ron the producer is great also. He makes all the beats for Shoreline Mafia. I listen to them heavy, I’m trying to link up with them. Collegian: “What equipment do you use to develop your sounds?” Turner: “Keyboards primarily - I don’t sample stuff because I am not too fond of sampling. I like to play out everything. I’ll use a lot of sounds through a MIDI keyboard as well. I also use synthesizers every now and then. The software I use is Logic pro X. It’s what I came up using.” Collegian: “What’s the best work you have out now?” Turner: “A song called “Midnight.” It wasn’t the best on the rapping side, but I still like that song. The song was everything I felt at the time. I was in the middle of moving when I dropped that. Things in my life were really changing, I felt that really blue feeling. I was having problems with a girl. To get into it a little deeper, it’s about me being with a girl, but I kind of played the person. It wasn’t like me, I was in a weird state of mind, but anyways, it happened at midnight. A lot of negative things were going on in my life as well.” Collegian:” You seem to have a lot of ambition and know the direction you want to head in.” Turner: “It’s a fast time. You have to adapt. You make a song that sounds like someone else’s and people will like it for a little bit, but they’ll just go back to their favorite artist. When you make something new, it’s original. It might be a rougher start when you’re not cutting corners or clout chasing, because it’s so easy to dress a certain way and make the same music someone else is making.”
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Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, March 27, 2019
And they call it ‘Poppy Love’
PHOTOS BY JASON PISKOPUS
SoCal Rains Bring Super Bloom to Malibu Just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, visitors flock to Point Dume to see a super bloom of brown-eyed Susans that cover the area on Sunday, March 16, 2019. Recent rains brought Southern California out of its drought. They also provided much needed water for the local flora to thrive. Both area residents and out-oftowners enjoy strolling the flowery paths, taking photos and soaking up the beauty of the experience.