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Collegian Los Angeles

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The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Volume 186 Number 5

CAMPUS

Lakers Face Showdown with Phoenix Suns

COMMUNITY

CAMPUS LIFE

Students Struggle as ‘Disconnection Rate’ Soars during Pandemic

Vaccination Day Takes Over at Student Union

Hundreds of people showed up at an event at L.A. City College to get vaccinated free of charge and without an appointment.

The number of students who are out of school and without a job is on the rise, thanks to the pandemic. The effects can last a lifetime.

BY JUAN MENDOZA

BY JONATHAN MONTES Some students in Los Angeles drop out of school and are unemployed as they experience personal, financial and even medical challenges, which prevent them from attending college or finding a job. Many students are enrolled in school and are employed, but the number of those who are not has increased during the pandemic. The disconnected rate refers to the share of young adults who are not engaged in work or in school in the U.S. In 2018, only 13.7% of young adults were neither working nor enrolled in school, down from 16.6% in 1989, according to Pew Research. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the number spiked from 12% to 28% by June 2020. The spike is causing concern in higher education. Yuci Chen is a researcher at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Chen says that as of April 2021, the disconnection rate still remained above 16%. She also says young people from disadvantaged family backgrounds experience greater difficulty. Chen says a lot more will be clear by the fall semester. “It depends on whether it will be safe to resume in-person classes in the fall semester,” Chen said. “The current high disconnection rate is largely driven by the fact that fewer young people are enrolling in school in the spring semester.” Chen discussed behavior that is specific to community college students and research that compares community college attendance patterns to students at the university level. “One of my colleague’s papers studies the enrollment rate here in Kalamazoo during the pandemic and finds that the enrollment in the community college fell a lot more than in the four-year college,” Chen said. The disconnection rate is an important indicator. Young adults who are disconnected tend to have worse outcomes in terms of income and acquiring a home in life compared to those who remained engaged during their youth. L.A. City College student Nicholas Cardona is an English major. He is not currently enrolled because of the pandemic and is waiting until college opens for in-person classes. He also works at Universal Studios. Cardona became unemployed SEE “DISCONNECTION” PAGE 4

INDEX Opinion & Editorial

Features 3-4 Resources 5 Sports 6

PHOTO BY JULIO AQUINO Homeless individuals raise their voices with signs that express their opinions on the pandemic through urban street design on May 22. Tents, signs, and people pile-up under the 101 Freeway bridge at the intersections of Yucca and North Gower Streets in Hollywood.

Governor Unveils $12 billion Plan to Clean Up State Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a five-year plan to combat and prevent homelessness and clean up California streets. BY GERARDO DE LOS SANTOS

ov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposal to invest $12 billion of the available $100 billion California Comeback Plan package to focus on the prevention of homelessness and other measures on May 11. Gov. Newsom says that this historic Comeback Plan is one of the largest investments in the state’s history and will help Californians get back on their feet after the pandemic.

Newsom plans to use $8.75 billion of the subsidized funds to provide 65,000 people with housing placements and more than 300,000 others with housing stability. The package will also create 28,000 new beds for behavioral health needs as well as for seniors who are at high risk of being homeless. The package provides $447 million to address student homelessness in UCs, CSUs, and CCCs by creating housing for students on the verge of becoming homeless. To read the full report, go to https://collegian.lacc.life.

Hundreds of people lined up in front of the Student Union Building to get a free vaccination on Sunday, May 23. L.A. City College and Kedren Vaccines, a division of Kedren Health, partnered to produce the event. LACC President Mary Gallagher, her staff and volunteers welcomed students, community members and their families to the vaccination site. Dr. Gallagher says discussions about hosting a vaccination site on campus began about six weeks ago. The goal was to target students, their families and the community. “Vaccines are so important to end this pandemic,” Gallagher said. “And so, we got this all arranged. We want everybody to come out because we want a very safe community.” Dr. Jerry Abraham who is the director of Kedren Vaccines said he was “super excited” to be vaccinating LACC students and the community. Volunteers helped to register participants, as well as observed people who had just received the vaccine to make sure they did not experience adverse side effects. Various vendor booths were set up in the plaza, including the LACC Office of Student Outreach. Volunteers at another booth provided public health information, including how to test for HIV and how to prevent STDs. “This is an opportunity to talk to young people,” Dr. Abraham said. “About their body, their health, their rights and their choice, and that’s what we’re doing here today.” Dr. Abraham says the Max Vax concept is to engage, educate and vaccinate the community. “And once we do that, then we will achieve the herd immunity: the 70% plus. This is how that will end this pandemic,” Dr. Abraham says. According to the County of Los Angeles Public Health, in East Hollywood, 12,416 residents have been vaccinated. That means 51.1% of the population who are 16 years and older in East Hollywood at least have one dose. Vaccination sites are popping up throughout L.A. and the vaccination rate is growing fast. SEE “STUDENTS” PAGE 4

Graduates from Nine Colleges Convene for Virtual Black Graduation Celebration BY RONNISHA GUNN

The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) of the Los Angeles Community College District recognized their 2021 Honorary Scholarship Recipients on May 25 during the live streamed Black Graduation Celebration. Various student recipients thanked BFSA for their support, as well as EOP&S, the Music Academy at L.A. City College and the Umoja Program.

he Los Angeles Community College District had a ceremony that celebrated the accomplishments of Black graduates from the nine colleges in the district on May 25. More than 600 people attended the 11th Annual Black Graduation that was live streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube. The ceremony was put together by The African American Outreach Initiative (AAOI) a district-wide collaboration of faculty, staff and administrators who are dedicated to improving success rates of African American students in the LACCD. The graduation ceremony lasted a little more than two hours as attendees watched musical performances, and a number of speakers, administrators and faculty members deliver remarks. The speakers included LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez. He spoke directly to the graduates and their

families and congratulated them. He encouraged the students to continue to excel. “First, give yourself the permission to excel. Our human nature is to excel, don’t curb it, don’t squash it,” Rodriquez said. “Let your Black brilliance shine and be comfortable with your ambition.” Dr. Jewel Jackson, director of African Soul International, offered a prayer to honor the ancestors. “We honor families that made

a heroic, brave, risky or scary move so that you could have the opportunities you enjoy today. Asè.” Asè (pronounced ashay) is a West African Yoruba word that is generally defined as “the power to make things happen” or “so let it be.” Dr. Jackson continued to pour libation. “We pour for the unborn,” she said. “Those who are yet to come from the spirit realm, those who

will inherit the leg of the race that each of us runs. May we bear them in mind as the days get long, as the difficulties are many, may we know that everything that we conquer in this generation makes one less thing for them to have to overcome in theirs.” Dr. Jackson said. One of the most inspiring moments came when Nate Howard, a professional speaker, poet, educator and graduate of the University of Southern California,

read a poem. “I don’t believe in this hierarchy,” Howard said. “Authority only made me obedient to a structure that never leveled me equal.” In closing the ceremony, many graduates shared words of gratitude upon acceptance of academic awards that were also presented. If interested, the ceremony is available to watch on YouTube. Search “LACCD Black Graduation Celebration 2021.”

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 2, 2021

INK STYLE

Collegian

MY CULTURE IS NOT A TREND

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 Editor-in-Chief ANGELA JOHNSON Graphics Layout Editor BEATRICE ALCALA, Copy Editor ANGELA JOHNSON Opinions & Editorial Editor ANGELA JOHNSON Broadcast, Social Media Producers BEATRICE ALCALA, JAMES DUFFY V, DIEGO CHAVEZ CADENA, MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ Photo Editor BEATRICE ALCALA Photographers LOUIS WHITE, DELIA ROJAS, WILLIAM B. TORRES, BEATRICE ALCALA

Joy Ride Brings Death for Monique BY DELIA ROJAS Every weekend when I run errands, I drive by a memorial where an innocent life was claimed by a reckless driver in West L.A. at Olympic Boulevard amd Overland Avenue. Monique Munoz was driving home from work on Feb. 17, around 5 p. m., when her car was struck by a 17-year-old driving a Lamborghini who was allegedly racing with an Audi. Her car was demolished in the crash. Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter-paramedics responded to the scene of the accident where Munoz was pronounced dead. I believe there was a coverup by the teen driver’s father. James Khuri is the CEO of Khuri Enterprise, a real estate company and FJ Holdings, a trading card distributor. I think he covered up for his son. I believe Khuri not only covered up for his son, but also showed no remorse for the situation. He was living his life like nothing had happened.

On Instagram, Khuri posted an apology. “I am aware that the time it is taking me to communicate this has caused further pain for everyone affected,” Khuri wrote. “Knowing that this will never do justice for the family of Monique Munoz, I want to apologize to the Munoz family for the tragic loss of their daughter ... Still, I want to offer my support in any way you will allow me to. My family and I pray for the Munoz family.” The 17-year-old boy appeared in juvenile court in April and admitted to felony vehicular manslaughter. He will appear again on June 30. The Munoz family won’t stop demanding justice for Monique, nor will I. I believe that the 17-year-old boy should not have been put on house arrest with his family. He lives in paradise, so house arrest is not a problem for this boy. Meanwhile, Monique’s family will never see her again. I think that even though he is a minor, he should be sentenced as an adult because of the severity and the seriousness of the car crash. I’m looking forward to the next court date of June 30, and I hope that Monique and her family receive the justice they deserve.

Ghosted by Casper the Instagram Activist A witty exploration of “friendship” that extends to half-hearted check-ins after violence within one’s community and nothing more. BY KELIYAH WILLIAMS Are you a minority whose community has been a victim of extreme violence in the last year or so? If you are, you have probably experienced an influx of “concerned friends” who seem to show up each time your community is under attack. They may offer comforting words, lend a listening ear, or even make future plans to meet up. But once the Instagram BLM, Stop Anti-Asian Hate, etc. infographics sharing dies down, so do your “concerned friends.” Soon these friends become flakier than the buttered croissant in the window of the coffee shop they once planned to meet you at. Time after time, the same scenario plays itself out. Your community is attacked, they text or call to console you (and most importantly their white guilt), next thing you know they are nowhere to be found. Why is that? Did they get what they

needed! A way to cope with the troubles of the world without feeling responsible for doing any actual work. Such as confronting racist peers, educating themselves, or actually listening! What kind of moneyless transactional relationship is this? It is true some people aren’t good texters, but it can’t be coincidental that their name only pops up when the Chauvin trials are on the evening news and gone by the time “WandaVision” starts. Your well-being while it mattered for two whole days when elderly Asian people were being beaten up is now but a small thought in the back of their happy go lucky mind. Inevitably, you will hear from your ghostly friend again the next time a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ person is hurt and when you do, you should charge them. That’s right, charge them since at this point you are now their “get-out-of-doing-internal-work-because-I am-a-kind-person-that-checks-in-with-my-peers” card. Bet you can’t wait to hear from your kind and thoughtful “concerned friend” again?

Illustrators STEPHANIE KO Designer BEATRICE ALCALA

ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHANIE KO The title of this piece “My Culture is Not a Trend” is a response to the recent explosion of attention being given to Asian culture. Although I appreciate the appreciation of the culture, a new danger of fetishization has resulted from this. Many people known as “Korean boos” began to overly fetishize the Asian community, which takes away from the mission that many Asian women are working to move away from: being fetishized I used to be made fun of for my culture, but suddenly because it was a trend the same people who insulted my eyes and culture are now raving about it. This hype is good for celebrating Asian culture but dangerous as it begins to put Asians in a place where we are expected to act in a new stereotype. When we are really our own beings, with individual thoughts and interests. This danger comes when all the conversations I had with others are about K-pop, skincare, Korean BBQ, randomly speaking to me in Korean or only Asian themed conversations. This is a problem because Asians are so much more than that. Many didn’t see me as the individual person I am outside of being part of the Asian community. The main point is that many people want a part of the Asian culture for the trend, but don’t defend or support the Asian community in a real way, like speaking out against Asian hate crimes and sentiments. To be clear, the Asian community deeply appreciates those who do support the movement against Asian hate. However, there are far too many who are into it for the hype and trendiness of the culture but not for the individual people that make it.

DIGITAL EDITORIAL

Reporters MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ, GERARDO DE LOS SANTOS, WHITNEY GIBSON, WILLIAM B. TORRES, JONATHAN GUZMAN, HANNAH COBURN, RONNISHA GUNN, ELVIRA ROMAN, PATRICIA CASTRO, JONATHAN MONTES, JAMES DUFFY V, DELIA ROJAS, JUAN MENDOZA, ANGELA JOHNSON, KELIYAH WILLIAMS, JAMES DUFFY V Online Editor-in-Chief DIEGO CHAVEZ CADENA Faculty Adviser RHONDA GUESS

For all submissions including letters to the editor and publicity releases, send materials to Collegian offices located in Chemistry Building, Room 207, or email: losangeles.collegian@gmail.com. To advertise in the Collegian, direct all insertion orders and questions to: pr.collegian@gmail.com. Issues of our award-winning newspaper and magazine are instantly available to our readers on issuu.com/ collegianwired.

George Floyd, a Year Later

The staff reflects on the one-year-mark since the murder of Geroge Floyd in Elvira Roman’s “Digital Diary.”

https://youtu.be/kbMVS2_-11w

How to Cure Social Media Sickness BY VALERIA JAUREGUI I think I speak for most of us, when I say that time in quarantine was a time of realization and forced self-reflection. The first three months for me was the calm before the storm. By the second month, I realized that negativity would not help anyone. I decided to try to make the best of it. With so much content online, I began learning to play guitar, to cook, and do anything to keep my mind distracted and sane. It wasn’t until after the “school’s out, this rules” phase went away, that I truly realized how incapable I was at being positive when my phone was continually giving me hundreds of reasons not to be. It led me to the brief realization that social media has everything to do with my generation’s mental health problems. I have grown up with social media. With it, I can put myself out there and have a voice on such a

communicative platform. If I want to reach various people, I can do it instantly. With that being stated, I also think that there is a side of social media that’s negative, and teens tend to compare themselves to the people who seem to look like they’re living a perfect life. In reality, it is just a post. This has made me more self-conscious and sensitive. And of course, because there is so much content out there and knowledge, I think my generation tends to be lazier because we do not have to work as hard to access information. So, I decided to take on an experiment where I deleted all social media and only used my phone for music and phone calls. Before deleting, I posted online that anyone who needed to contact me should use my phone number. I was tired of sending irrelevant face pictures all day through Snapchat and calling that “communication.” The first week was tough because your brain is getting used to the

change of dopamine release. Boredom used to lead to procrastination, where my brain got to rest as I scrolled for hours thinking, “that looks cool, I’m going to do that,” and then never did it. Boredom should be the beginning of creativity. It is where the path to a great idea begins. So, I had to train my brain to learn to be bored again. I noticed my thoughts became more creative, as I sought out something to do to break the cycle. And with that, boom! Productivity had come back. The second week, I was more productive and feeling better about myself. However, I also noticed who cared about me. It was the people who called me to see how I was doing, not the ones who liked my pictures. Time on social media is spent reacting. I should be creating things in real life. And without it, I find I can finally be present in a moment without wondering what the rest of the world is up to. I am much happier.

Next Issue: Sept. 29, 2021 Editorial Deadline: Sept. 24, 2021

FEATURES

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Stick that in Your Pipe and Smoke it One of Earth’s oldest, cultivated plants has become more visible, legal and favored in Los Angeles and around the world.

BY HANNAH COBURN

ducation about cannabis has made waves in countries like the Netherlands. The Cannabis College of Amsterdam was founded in 1997 and offers all kinds of courses that range from cannabis botany, cannabinoid science, history of cannabis use and culture, recreational use practices and dangers and medicinal education. “The next necessary step toward the evolution of cannabis legalization is public education,” said college founder Henk Poncin. “The Cannabis College prides itself on providing truthful, accurate, and up-to-date information about cannabis.” Cannabis is finding a place in higher education and on local college campuses. Both USC and UCLA have developed a club called Cannaclub, which is dedicated to educating and informing students on safe cannabis practices. Founder Anette Recinos discussed the USC club in the Daily Trojan. “I just saw that there was a need to actually educate students on everything

having to do with cannabis,” Recinos said. “It’s not just about smoking it. There’s a lot of science behind it; there’s a lot of culture and societal factors around it.” The cannabis plant continues to evolve through old and new alternatives and practices. It is proving to be an innovative, sustainable resource. It is breaking the stigma of being more than just pot through education and awareness. Cannabis has become a part of people’s lifestyles. For centuries, the cannabis plant has been linked solely to one small part: the flower or dried leaves known as marijuana. When smokers ingest the plant or marijuana, it alters their state of mind. The effects can vary from highs, to happiness, to a feeling of relaxation, paranoia or hunger. The cannabis plant has been around for thousands of years and is used in a variety of ways. The very first connection to cannabis is said to have traced back to Central Asia where the herb was used medically as an anesthetic. It was also found in tombs by archaeologists in the form of hemp seeds near skeletal remains. In time, the plant spread across the

world making appearances in Egypt and Rome where cannabis was used for paper, medicinal and recreational purposes. Cannabis connoisseur Green Lantern shared his knowledge of the plant through history and his own experiences with its medicinal properties. “One of its most important uses is rope, there would be no sailors without hemp, and it has about 2,500 uses,” Green Lantern said. “It can easily replace cotton and I think it was Thomas Jefferson that said, ‘Hemp would save the country.’” It’s easily one of the most misunderstood plants because people are not aware of its uses beyond marijuana. Hemp is derived from the cannabis plant through its fibers or stem and more recently companies big and small have been combining it with other materials for its cloth, paper, and plastic alternatives. A company called Exemplary Life uses hemp to make products like straws that provide a plastic free alternative. The company shared its mission statement: “We are wanting to provide a straw alternative that won’t harm the earth and its creatures, including humans. Typical

straws show no signs of breaking down, while our hemp straws show breaking down in under 120 days. They are made from hemp and two other plantbased materials, which are completely biodegradable and compostable. No metal, paper or odd taste!” Health and natural remedy stores have also begun to carry hemp in the form of protein packed seeds or powder along with the very “magical and relaxing” CBD oil. CBD, or cannabidiol can be naturally extracted from cannabis and contains extremely little to no THC (the psychoactive component found in the plant), but is said to provides benefits of reducing anxiety, stress, pain, and discomfort. Hemp lotions, balms, oils, and other beauty products are starting to occupy the shelves in health and cosmetic stores encouraging positive hair and skin regeneration, growth and additional benefits. Although cannabis continues to make a name for itself beyond marijuana, public support has doubled since the 2000s. A recent study conducted by Katherine Schaeffer from the Pew Research Center offered some facts regarding Americans

and Marijuana, “Around nine-in-ten Americans favor some form of marijuana legalization,” according to Schaeffer’s research released in April of this year. “An overwhelming majority of U.S. adults (91%) say either that marijuana should be legal for medical and or recreational use (60%), or that it should be legal for medical use only (31%). Just 8% say the drug should not be legal in any form.” Marijuana dispensaries have begun to appear on street corners filling the city. There is no shortage of marijuana in Los Angeles. Dispensaries supply different strains of weed, products ranging from pre-rolled joints, vaporizers, and edibles, as well as CBD products. Anyone who is 21 or older can enter a dispensary and get an almost “Apple-store-like” experience of medical or recreational marijuana products. The cannabis plant continues to evolve through old and new alternatives and practices proving to be an innovative, sustainable resource. It is breaking the stigma of being more than just pot through education and awareness, and it is becoming a part of people’s lifestyles.

P.R. is Back! Learn the Principles of Public Relations this Summer

The Mayan FX mural was created by Lalo Alcaraz and painted by Levi Ponce. The Boye Heights Mural is a painting of the lead character, Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, played by actor J.D. Pardo. Photo credit by Lalo Alcaraz.

Mayan Mural brings Pride to Boyle Heights BY WILLIAM TORRES AND DIANA CAMPBELL

ollywood lands in East L.A., adjacent to Mariachi Plaza in a mural homage to the popular show on FX, “Mayans M.C.” In honor of its third season, FX network hired award-winning cartoonist and author Lalo Alcaraz in collaboration with the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, to create a mural in Boyle Heights. The neighborhood exudes Latinx heritage and culture in Los Angeles. Alcaraz is a San Diego native, and he is known for his daily syndicated comic strip, “La Cucaracha.”

Alcaraz created the celebration of Latinx communities through the mural with the help of Los Angeles painter, Levi Ponce. “I approach all the fields I work in as if they are all within Chicano art, whether it’s political cartooning, visual fine art, television, film writing, and of course mural is a community,” Lalo said in an interview with FX. “Community, representation, and cultura matter.” The characters of Ezekiel Reyes, played by J. D. Pardo, and Felipe Reyes played by Edward James Olmos are both painted into the mural. “Mayans M.C.” is in its third season on FX. It is available to watch on FX cable and FX on Hulu.

Remembering Max Fine alumnus Max Fine became the press secretary for the Secretary General of the United Nations in the 1960s, He became a member of JFK’s Medicare Task Force.

PUB REL 001: Prin/Pub Relations Class Number: 14426 LEC - Instructor: Ahn, Eugene Won- Location: ONLINE - Class Meets: MTWTh from 9:a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Class Starts: 6/14/2021 Class Ends: 7/18/2021

FEATURES

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 2, 2021

NEWS CONTINUATION FROM “VACCINE” PAGE 1

Professor Daniel Marlos It was a great pleasure to be part of the last group of students that were lectured by this great professor as a full-time staff member of LACC. Watching Professor Marlos on a Zoom class might have been a little different experience than on a regular classroom, but it was very inspiring to learn from a person that has so much passion about his craft and teaching as he showed during this term. I hope to meet him in person one day, and I wish him the best on this new phase in his journey!” -Frank Martinez Photo Student

POLICE WIRE

He reflects on 26 years of finding the light.

BY WHITNEY GIBSON

aniel Marlos, Los Angeles City College photography professor, vice president of the academic senate, and visual and media arts department chair, retires after four decades of service. This marks a new chapter in his relationship with LACC. “I started out as a student in 1981 and in 40 years, I’ve never left. I’ve never been separated from the campus. I’ve just moved from one role to the next,” he said of his journey from freshman to an employee to an instructor and eventually curriculum chair. Students and faculty know Marlos for his larger-than-life persona and distinctive sense of style. Pre-pandemic, you could find him in the chemistry building by listening for the sound of his cowboy boots as he walked through the halls. You would know you found him when you spotted his bowtie and button-down shirt with personalized embroidery that read “casual observer.” It is this spirit with which he approaches teaching — watching curiously to see what his students will create, encouraging them to

COMPILED JAMES DUFFY V Los Angeles Police Department reported an assault at 7:45 a.m. May 27 on the 1000 Block of North Berendo Street. Description: Brandishing weapon, exhibiting deadly weapon Incident # 210200729 LAPD reported a theft or larceny at 2 p.m. May 29 on the 4200 Block of Melrose Avenue. Description Theft - petty ($950 & under) Incident # 210210005 LAPD reported an assault at 8:25 p.m. May 26 at New Hampshire & Melrose Avenues. Description: Assault with deadly weapon Incident #210209915 LAPD reported an assault at 2:20 p.m. May 27 at Madison Avenue and Monroe

take another look, to find another perspective. Since the pandemic forced classes online, Marlos has found new ways to translate the curriculum. Some courses transitioned easily into an online format. Others were virtually impossible to continue as planned, like his Creative Photo Visions class which centers around the darkroom. Surprisingly, even without a lab, students continued to make creative work. They kept showing up week after week, logging into Zoom to share what they had been working on. The class became a place to document their lives and keep up with an art practice as the chaos of the pandemic unfolded. For students facing stress and isolation, Marlos’ oft-repeated mantra “find the light,” began to hold a deeper meaning. In typical Daniel Marlos styling, his retirement comes with a wink. The asterisk? Though he will be departing as full-time staff, he intends to return part time as an adjunct professor. Even after a year of adapting that pushed him to embrace technology in new ways (he purchased his first-ever cell phone in 2020), Marlos maintains an affinity for analog. He is committed to the preservation of the school’s darkroom program and will continue to work with the photography faculty to ensure film stays in the curriculum.

Street. Description: Spousal abuse - aggravated assault Incident # 210209953 LAPD reported an assault at 9:35 p.m. May 28 at Madison and Willowbrook Avenues. Description: Brandishing weapon, exhibiting deadly weapon Incident # 210209974 LAPD reported a theft at 9:05 a.m. May 31 on the 1100 Block of North Vermont Avenue. Description: Theft - petty ($950 & under) Incident # 211109145 LAPD reported a rape at 1 a.m. May 31 on the 4200 Block of Normal Avenue. Description: Rape, Forcible (any age, nonconsensual sexual intercourse) Incident # 210210105

LAPD reported a vehicle break-in at 7:40 a.m. May 26 on the 500 Block of North Vermont Avenue. Description: Theft from Vehicle - petty ($950 & under) Incident # 210210080 LAPD reported a vehicle break-in at3 p.m. May 27 on the 700 Block North Normandie Avenue Description: Theft from vehicle - petty ($950 & under) Incident # 210610436 LAPD reported a vehicle break-in at 12:01 a.m. May 31 at Santa Monica Boulevard and North Kingsley Drive. Description: Burglary from vehicle Incident # 210610534 Source: LAPD Crime Mapping.

Ear to the Ground: Officials Evaluate Campus Security Concerns Across District BY RONNISHA GUNN

Hillard Heintze Law Enforcement Consultants expanded their evaluation of the safety and security of the nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) at a Zoom meeting for students in mid-May. The firm won the LACCD contract in February. The purpose of the meeting was to learn how students feel about security on campus. Organizers assigned students to nine different breakout rooms to ask advisers questions and elaborate on

problems they encountered while being on campus pre-COVID-19. There were more than 300 individuals who registered for the meeting, and less than half that number attended, 78. The advisors asked five questions during the sessions and students expressed their concerns. The main topics of discussion were campus lighting, camera surveillance, parking lot safety, system alerts and police presence. “The presence of student leaders and Black educators, faculty, and staff make me feel safe on cam-

pus,” said Milagro Jones, a student at Los Angeles Trade Tech College. “The presence of well-armed, highly-trained killers in LASD uniforms makes me feel unsafe.” Some students complained of having night classes and not feeling safe because lighting on campus was not good at night. Others say they want more female security officers because they feel more at ease speaking to a female rather than a male. All of the advisors took notes and promised to respond to concerns and explore ways to improve security on campus.

L.A. City College President Mary Gallagher reminded students to use the online questionnaire or the LACC SAFE app before visiting LACC campus. “Please remember to inform your immediate supervisor or dean when coming to campus, if not regularly scheduled to be on campus,” Gallagher said. Students may download the LACC SAFE app via the App Store on an Apple or Android device or visit the LACC website and click COVID-19 Symptom Self Check under “Visiting Campus” on the main page.

PHOTO BY JUAN MENDOZA The Velazquez-Vazquez Family got the first shot of the vaccine on May. 23. At L.A. City College. The family cherish the moment when they received the vaccine. Now they feel safe and confident and they are looking forward for the second doses.

Vaccination Opportunity Draws Crowd to ‘Max Vax’ Event Attendees received one of the three vaccine brands that were offered: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen. Participants also had the chance to win a prize for getting a shot in the arm, courtesy of President Gallagher. Visa gift cards ranging in value from $25 to $500 were raffled off to 300 lucky winners. “For all the students and whoever they bring with them who come here to get vaccinated,” President Gallagher said. Event volunteers and staff walked to the swap meet across the street from L.A. City College to reach out to other people to get vaccinated. Marjorie Ornston is a Kedren Health volunteer. She says this “popup clinic” is for people who need the vaccine but don’t have access to it. “Many people work six to seven days a week,” Ornston said. “So,

Sunday morning is the only time we thought that would be a good idea.” Antonio Martinez is a regular swap meet goer who received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “I’m grateful for getting the vaccine,” Martinez said. “I thought that was more difficult.” Martinez encourages others to get vaccinated. “I invite people to think about their health, family, and get vaccinated,” he said. “Think for yourself, I encourage them . . . We need to take advantage of the vaccine.” Dr. Abraham emphasized how important it is to get the vaccine. “If we get vaccinated, we can go back to all the things that we love to do,” he said. “Loving our loved ones, back to work, to school, to sports, to the movies, to church. That’s really what getting vaccinated is all about.”

FROM “DISCONNECTION” PAGE 1

“It’s Important that Future Generations of Students get Support” during the pandemic. He had to sign up to receive unemployment benefits. Recently he got his job back. Cardona says it’s important that future generations of students get support that will keep them employed and in school during challenging times. “It’s important to know if a person is disconnected or not to see if you can try to help that person out,”” Cardona said. “Especially if it’s your friend or a family member.” Cardona says he looks forward to a return to normalcy and the lifting of restrictions. He is no different from other LACC students in that regard. Eddie Robles is a science major who enrolled this semester. He works at Foot Locker where he sells shoes. Robles experienced unemployment in 2017 through 2018. A supportive family was key for him until he could regroup. “I was able to recover from it thanks to my friends and my family,” Robles said. “They helped me

stay positive during these situations, and I also pushed myself and got back on my feet, stopped thinking negatively and started thinking positively for my future.” The rise in the disconnection rate caused students to feel separated from their social safety nets like church, community or other supportive groups according to Donovan Lindo. He teaches at the California Children’s Academy and is also enrolled at LACC. “A lot of people mentally and physically were not prepared for this,” Lindo said. “There was a lot of mental illness and depression and families being separated and divorced. There was an increase in mental illness.” School and work are important components of a young person’s life. Lindo says the disconnection rate matters – the loss of both school and work during the pandemic created problems. “To be connected means you are connected to a source, church, community or group that will help you grow and be successful.”

TALK BACK TO THE EDITORS We are interested in what you have to say. Email us at losangeles. collegian@gmail.com @collegianwired facebook.com/collegianwired

RESOURCES

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 2, 2021

EAST HOLLYWOOD 1

Community Fridge Feeds East Hollywood Community

BY WILLIAM B. TORRES

wo blocks north of L.A. City College stands Santa Monica Grocery Store and a community refrigerator painted with

the words “Free Food.” Inside the white refrigerator, there is celery, Kraft squared cheese, apples and a bunch of baby carrots for the community to enjoy. During the Pandemic, community refrigerators have been springing up all over Los Angeles. Most of the fridges are easy to

locate. They are bright and spraypainted. Dario Cruz has worked for the Santa Monica Grocery Store for more than 24 years. She has witnessed the benefits of the fridge for the East Hollywood community. “I have seen families struggle through the pandemic, and it is nice to see the community offering free food to the less fortunate ones,” Dario said. Marias Perez grabs food from the community fridge for her and friends who cannot come to pick up food from the East Hollywood location. “My neighbor inside my

apartment building is at high risk of contracting the coronavirus,” Maria said in Spanish. “She can’t walk and had diabetes. I come every other day to grab food for her and me.” This is the first time in 30 years since living in East Hollywood that Martha Aguilar says she has struggled to buy food. “If it weren’t for generous people placing food in the fridges, I would be starving through the pandemic,” Martha said. Since the community fridge opened in East Hollywood last summer, it brought benefits to different communities all over Los Angeles. Locations include East Hollywood, Echo Park, Leimert Park, Hawthorne, Lawndale and Boyle Heights. A few miles away from LACC, Echo Park’s community refrigerator is located inside Aroma Laundry. James Barns, who is the owner, is thrilled to have a community fridge inside his business.

PHOTOS 1, 2 BY BEATRICE ALCALA PHOTOS 3, 4 BY WILLIAM TORRES

“The fridge has been here for about two months now,” Barns said. “People love it, not only my customers but people who hear about the fridge, walking up the

1) The words “Free” and “Gratis” are painted on the Community Fridge located on Santa Monica Blvd. on April 9. The food is free to anyone who needs it. 2) Each day locals from East Hollywood come by to either donate food or pick up food from the Community Fridge on April 9. The Community Fridge is outside Santa Monica Grocery Store.

streets. My customers would

Echo Park Community Fridge

sometimes take food, and a lot of

3) The colorful Community Fridge is located inside Aroma Laundry in Echo Park on April 9. The refrigerator has been located there since March.

times, they would bring food, so it has worked as well. It’s nice to help the community.”

4) South L.A. artist Falene Copleland, 26, painted the Echo Park Community Fridge yellow and orange with a happy face on the freezer door, April 9. Anyone who is hungry can get the food they need at the Echo Park Community Fridge.

SPORTS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Los Angeles Lakers Return to Staples Center for Playoffs Lakers hit the hardwood at Staples Center after a long absence to meet Phoenix Suns. Fans chant Kobe Bryant’s name in closing minutes.

BY JONATHAN GUZMAN

or the first time since 2012, the Staples Center hosted a Lakers playoff basketball game and got the win. Last year, the Lakers had to play the playoffs and the finals inside the Bubble with no fans in Orlando, FL, because of the pandemic where the Lakers became 17-time Champions. This year, the Lakers had to battle through some injuries. Two of their top players were injured for a while and the team had to play a tournament game against the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers beat the Warriors when Lebron James hit a game-winning threepointer, giving the Lakers a 103-100-win last week in a play-in tournament. They advanced to the playoffs to face the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. This set Game Three of the first round of the playoffs at the Staples Center in front of fans. “It’s going to be pretty special for our fans,” Lakers superstar Lebron James said. “That’s why I came here to be able to play a playoff game in front of the Lakers faithful.” Stalwart Lakers fans cheered their team to victory from the stands as the Lakers defeated the Suns, 95 to 109. In the closing seconds of the game, fans chanted Kobe Bryant’s name in unison as a sort of tribute to the late basketball legend. It was a special moment. Fans seem to remember the last playoff win at home, which was achieved with the help of Kobe Bryant of course in 20112012 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He scored 36 points, according to ESPN.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

1. The Staples Center welcomes fans back to the arena after a 400day closure during the onset of the pandemic. Staples became the first arena to reopen in California on April 15. 2. A jersey of the Los Angeles Lakers displays the purple, white and gold.

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