The Corsair Vol. C Issue 25

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RUNWAY

OUR WAY the

By Brianna Ballisteri Staff Writer

Revlon Run/Walk attracts the citizens of Los Angeles to gather for the cure to breast cancer.

Poets Carol Davis and CarolMuske Dukes hold a reading of their poetry at SMC Visit thecorsaironline.com for more online stories

Corsair www.thecorsaironline.com

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Student hitches freedom ride

Online Exclusives

HEADED TO

Womens team to battle for state title in Fresno

STATE

As part of PBS ’s American Experience, the interactive Student Freedom Ride is currently on the road as a moving classroom with a focus on civil rights, and Carla Orendorff, one of Santa Monica College ’s own, is one of the participants.

The trip will chronicle the journey that the original riders took in 1961, and will serve as a moving classroom for students, according to PBS ’s website.

Orendorff was ecstatic when she discovered she had been selected to participate in the ten -day journey —May 6 through May 16.

“I ’ve always had a passion for civil rights, ” Orendorff said.

Orendorff and her fellow Freedom Riders have spent some time with Stanley Nelson, director of the Student Freedom Ride ’s accompanying lms (Wounded Knee, The Murder of Emmett Till).

“It ’s like a dream to be able to talk to the lmmaker afterwards, ” said Orendorff, who aspires to be a documentary lmmaker herself.

Since 2008, Orendorff has been the Youth Program

By Miles Arnold Sports Editor

Paul Alvarez Contributor Above: From left to right: Jutta Collet, Katerina Mozolyuk, Criss Rodriguez, Krystal Hansard, Gwendolyn Kauffman, and Hanna Sacher.

Left: Gwendolyn Kauffman bumps fists with her coach during the introductory portion of the game.

[See Ride, page 2]

George Mikhail Corsair

Volume C, Issue 25

Less than a week after SMC ’s Katerina Mozolyuk and Grossmont College ’s Jasmine Ortiz squared off in a three hour match in Ojai, the two were once again paired for Wednesday ’s third round playoff match at Reed Park that saw SMC pull out another impressive playoff victory to advance on to the State Championships in Fresno on May 12.

In Fresno, the Corsairs will be taking on Sierra College at the Sierra Sport and Racquet Club for the State Team Championship for the first time ever. Last year, the Corsairs were sent out of the playoffs one round shy of the State Championships.

After a tumultuous weekend of matches in Ojai and a midweek afternoon playoffs match, the team is pretty worn down and Coach Richard Goldenson doesn ’t want to over exhaust his team before State. “We ’ve been taking it easy this week, ” said Goldenson, “We ’ve only got six players and we don ’t want to push them too hard

[See Tennis, page 10]

SMC brand to get facelift SMC contracts brand experts AdamsMorioka to give the visual SMC brand a competitive edge in hard economic times.

By Jonathan Bue Editor-in-Chief

Jennifer Martinez Corsair Different Santa Monica College merchandise currently available at the student store. The school plans to overhaul its visual identity in the future.

Ask anyone to name a brand and they can probably rattle off a few dozen.

Companies such as Apple, McDonalds, and Nike, as well schools like UCLA and USC are household names; so, Santa Monica College is working to gain the

same name recognition with its brand.

The Santa Monica Community College Board of Trustees recently approved a contract with AdamsMorioka, an internationally recognized design rm, to increase the school ’s overall brand value.

The project, which is expected to cost $110 thousand, will consist of ve phases in dual parts, the rst of which is projected to last about three months and be ready for the start of the fall semester. This involves identifying the college ’s current brand and creating strategies as well as a “cohesive visual

identity system. ” The second part of the project would involve applying that visual identity to signage, digital media, and other efforts such as The Broad Stage, KCRW, Emeritus College, and ve construction projects currently in development.

In an increasingly competitive market for international and out-of-state students, name and visual identity has become a more vital source of income for schools in the midst of the looming state budget cuts, and while SMC already enjoys a certain amount of

[See Brand, page 2]

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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May 11, 2011

NEWS

theCorsaironline.com

Brand face-lift Student rides for freedom

[Brand, from page 1]

name recognition, the goal would be to further increase that value to bring in more revenue.

According to Donald Girard, Senior Director of Government Relations and Institutional Communications for SMC, 12.5 percent of the total general fund comes from student tuition, with that number set to break 18 percent this year.

“This is a way to not only, we hope, preserve our share and the revenue from our share, but to a small degree, perhaps expand it and be able to provide more classes than we would otherwise, ” said Girard.

However, some are asking why the school would spend this type of money given the nancial crisis the school and state are currently facing.

But in public comments made to the Board of Trustees, SMC President and Superintendent Chui L. Tsang indicated that the school is currently looking into offering a winter session, which would be funded completely by student tuitions, and that this strategy could help generate an estimated value of over four million dollars for a winter session that was originally defunded because of state reductions.

“We need to make sure that we project our image right, and we send the right messages out to the students who will be coming to take these courses, ” said Tsang.

Additionally, the costs of this venture are coming out of funds already established for marketing.

Many, including Tsang, believe that SMC underachieves when it comes to representing the value that the school has to offer.

“Our problem is that we ’re better than we present ourselves, ” said Ruth Seymour, former station manager of KCRW who has been retained by the district on the recommendation of President Tsang and the Board to assist in SMC ’s effort to increase its brand.

Some have pointed out the importance of distinguishing between generic brand versus name brand, and how the two are essentially the same product but have different costs.

Recently, Apple eclipsed Google as the world ’s most valuable brand being worth $153 billion, according to a new study by global brand research agency Millward Brown.

“If you look at an Apple logo, what do you think of? You think of innovation, you think of cool ideas, you think of things that you want to have and own, ” said Noreen Morioka, co-founder of AdamsMorioka.

Morioka believes a school like SMC is in direct competition with not just other community colleges, but every other university and college in the country.

“Every four year college and university has double-digits in students who, by their sophomore year, transfer to another school, ” said Morioka, referring to SMC ’s status as the number one transfer institution to UCLA and USC. “If you ’re in direct competition with people like that, why aren ’t you playing at the same level, visually? ” Just how much branding matters to students is left to debate, but ask Chloe Zomorodi, 18, why she enrolled into SMC and the answer is short and concise.

“Because of the reputation. ”

[Ride, from page 1]

instructor and Youth Film Fest curator at the Echo Park Film Center, where she attended as a student before becoming part of their staff.

In high school, she began organizing and working on projects geared toward empowerment. “I was interested in bringing social change to my school and connecting with people about different issues, ” said Orendorff.

“My dad is a Native American Rights activist. And I ’m the daughter of an immigrant; my mom came here from Bolivia, ” Orendorff said of her diverse background.

After researching Freedom Riders the film, Orendorff ’s interest was sparked. When she heard about the opportunity to join the original Freedom Riders on a student freedom ride to retrace the route they traveled 50 years ago, she felt like it was something she wanted to do.

“I ’ve had the whole perspective from my mom ’s side, understanding the circles that immigrants face coming into the country and trying to make a living.

I ’m proud of being multi-cultural, and really embracing that, and understanding that there are many different struggles for minority groups, ” said Orendorff.

As the group of students and original Freedom Riders travel, they will wind their way through what used to be a section of the country where civil rights were a contentious issue.

Viewers can read blogs, look at photographs, and watch videos posted by the 40 students on the 2011 Student Freedom Ride on the PBS

website.

“They were our age when they decided to get on the bus and challenge segregation in the South, ” said Orendorff of the original band of Freedom Riders.

Orendorff described how the original movement was organized by young people who used non-violence to convey their message. It is tactics like this that have inspired Orendorff on her own journey during the Student Freedom Ride.

“I ’m proud of being multicultural. ” -Carla Orendorff “SMC is a pretty amazing place.

There ’s a lot of potential within the students and the faculty to work on projects that make a difference in our school, ” said Orendorff, who described herself as being a nontraditional student. “I ’ve met really passionate people that have inspired the work that I want to do. ” Over 1000 students from across the nation applied to be a part of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.

There is no cost incurred by the students, whose expenses are being taken care of by American Experience.

“I studied the history a lot and I feel very inspired by this story, ” Orendorff said.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

May 11, 2011

theCorsaironline.com

NEWS

3

Malibu mansions built on the edge

By Moa Axelsson Staff Writer Rock guitarist “Edge, ” aka David Evans from U2, is moving forward with his plans to build a community of mansions on one of America ’s most impressive ridgelines.

Environmental groups, residents, and the National Park Service have spoken up against the project, with concerns about the potential for a negative environmental impact and the visual effect the building plan will cause.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) has previously voted against the plan and, as evidenced by a letter sent to the California Coastal Commission in 2009, the conservancy strongly opposed the building plan by calling attention to the rare natural conditions of the ridgeline.

According to the letter, the project is also inconsistent with the state Coastal Act, and it would be impossible to build without signicant visual and ecological impact.

In order to obtain approval of the building plan, Evans offered $1 million in funding, which changed the conservancy ’s mind. Last week the SMMC voted again on the plan.

The three commissioners who previously rejected the plan were elsewhere, and the voting resulted in favor of Evans by 3-2.

Quickly following, The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), which is a local government agency that partners with the SMMC and also stands to benet from the million dollar deal, voted on Wednesday, May 4, to adopt a neutral position to the proposal.

The Sweetwater Mesa area in Malibu, where the debated acres are located, is not only a beautiful coastal line, but is also

The vicinity of the ridgeline off of the Pacific Coast Highway where Edge, aka David Evans, intends to build his mansions.

one of the most environmentally sensitive habitats in Southern California.

In 2006, Evans and his wife bought 156 acres of land with the intention to build ve different multiple story mansions.

The total building area is estimated to one acre, with the rest of the property planned to be left untouched. Except for that, each mansion would have an individual access road and a trail that would make the area available to the public.

Since purchasing the land, Evans has been denied building permits from the various regulatory agencies, including both the SMMC and California Coastal Commission. After years of ghting, Evans has now come up with the right price to convince the SMMC to act in his favor.

The deal, which critics have referred

Corsair ’s mea culpa Due to a front page error in last week ’s issue, The Corsair judges it necessary to accept responsibility and address it to our readers.

By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor On Wednesday, May 4, The Corsair printed an issue that included a frontpage story detailing Santa Monica College students ’ reactions to the death of Osama bin Laden.

However, there was an error concerning the front-page photo of bin Laden, where the photo caption incorrectly referred to SMC ’s A.S. newly elected President Harrison Wills.

The error was not meant as an intentional or malicious way of slandering Wills; it was a systematic

“It ’s a mistake! We all make them. ” -Mitra Moassessi, Faculty Association President problem with The Corsair ’s layout process, and the Editorial Staff take full ownership over the mistake.

The process of our layout process has now been updated to ensure this sort of mistake is avoided.

“I feel like everyone at some point has dealt with a rumor or being misrepresented, ” said Wills, recounting his experience of having students at SMC call and text him about the front-page error. “But being in a public position, you invite a level of scrutiny into your life. ” “When it ’s this outlandish, and you

can tell it wasn ’t on purpose, it ’s a lot easier to forgive, ” said Wills.

Some students, however, were not as forgiving as our President.

“I ’ve spotted more than a couple of mistakes in the newspaper, and it does take away from the paper ’s credibility. It makes me lose interest when there ’s basic, simple mistakes, ” said Raymond Jimenez, 19.

“The newspaper needs to carefully review the final product before putting it out, ” said Phamous Berry, 33.

But while a small core of students considered the error one to take seriously, it should be said that a great deal of students and faculty alike found the error humorous and amusing.

“It ’s a mistake! We all make them, and what you need to do is learn from it and just move on, ” said Mitra Moassessi, Professor of Mathematics and Faculty Association President.

“You can ’t bee too strict on college newspapers, because they ’re students who are still learning; by making mistakes, they ’ll learn what to look for and what to avoid, ” said Roberta Giordano, 24. “This kind of thing prepares student journalists before they go off to work for professional newspapers. ” The Corsair staff is committed to excellence. We want to ensure our audience that we are working diligently to avoid errors.

Furthermore, we would like to thank everyone at Santa Monica College for their continued faith in our publication.

to as a “legal bribe, ” consists of Evans donating $750,000 to help the conservancy acquire additional segments of the Coastal Slope Trail, and another $250,000 for consulting services for the SMMC. However, this transaction will not take place unless the deal gains nal approval by all required agencies; the SMMC has now dropped their original opposition to the project, and will act in favor of Evans when the issue is debated by the California Coastal Commissioners, who have been clear in opposing the project and have, according to Los Angeles Times, accused Evans of dodging environmental policies.

According to the Associated Press, Evans claims the homes will be some of the most eco-friendly that were ever designed.

He claims the houses will be using

Krista Bonelli Corsair

recycled water and solar power. However the argument that the ve mansions planned will be “green houses ” does little to convince many upset environmentalists and Malibu residents.

“We feel sad about the area being destroyed like this because a rich person can do whatever they want, ” said environmental activist and author Joey Lawson.

Evans created a website in order to ght off accusations regarding the environmental impacts. He states: “The California coast is a true natural treasure, and I believe in responsible design that honours such a unique location. I am condent we have done just that. We love this area and are using the highest environmental standards to build our homes. ”

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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May 11, 2011

OPINION

theCorsaironline.com

Rock not dead, just hibernating

By Naomi Calbucci Staff Writer Every generation has a culture and mentality of its own. What emerged from the late ‘60s and ‘70s was the hard-core, unsolicited rock music that could be heard from the basements of most youths. Music that developed from the political and counter-cultural movements taking place at the time, like the Vietnam War and Flower Power/Hippie culture.

These societal events contributed to the music that was made during those times and to the way people went about their daily lives. What connection does today ’s music have to society, politics, and even current events?

Christan Stewart, an SMC student who produces original beats, has seen a drastic change in the way music is portrayed. “We live in a quick generation, and what we want is music that is catchy. It doesn ’t even matter if the lyrics repeat over and over again, people just want something that ’s hot, ” said Stewart. “Compare for instance Soulja Boy to say, Big L. Big L used to rap about going to college and wanting a better life, Soulja Boy raps about booty.

The message in our music has drastically changed. ”

Since when is Justin Bieber, a 15 year-old, whose voice hasn ’t even begun to crack, even remotely considered for the top ten list? Sure, he has a decent voice, but so do hundreds of other teenagers. Somewhere hidden behind his baby teeth and karaoke sounding voice is the reason that great rock music has faded. People want to look like the Bieber, but they don ’t want to feel like the Bieber.

Today ’s music is all about looks and

for 42 years and has been in several bands.

“There ’s no more radio like there used to be. Everything is niche oriented. In the 1960s pop charts you would nd soul, rhythm and blues, rock, pop, but now you won ’t nd stations that play that sort of variety anymore, and so people don ’t get access to it. ” There is historical context behind songs like Buffalo Springeld ’s, “For What It ’s Worth, ” which depicts the calamity of the

“We don ’t have a counter-cultural movement, so rock can ’t be what it was [in the ‘70s] ” -Steven Clotzman, Economics and Government Professor

quick singles. You have people wearing sunglasses with chains dangling from them because that ’s what they saw in a Ke$ha video. You have teens going around shouting lyrics that don ’t make any sense, and when you ask them about the meaning of the song, they can ’t tell you. But what they can say is that the song has “swag. ” These songs are so ridiculous that when we look back at our youth, all we ’ll be able to do is laugh and say, “No, you ’re a jerk. ” Economics and Government Professor, Steven Clotzman, has been playing guitar

Vietnam War. Not only did the lyrics have meaning locked inside, but they made people aware of what was happening around them.

“It was a cultural scene. There was a youth culture rising. We don ’t have a counter-cultural movement so rock can ’t be what it was. Some say rock died when it became self-conscious. When they started singing about how hard it is to be a rock star is when they lost it. ” Led Zeppelin, one of the most inuential British rock bands of all time, refused to

make any one of their tracks into singles because it was about the bigger picture; it was about the soul of the sound. People used to worship the smooth bass, roaring drums, and distorted electric riffs, because it was simply a constitution of the time.

It is almost unfeasible to produce music as good as what The Who, Pink Floyd, and the Rolling Stones have, but it ’s safe to say that our generation isn ’t completely hopeless. Bands including The Foo Fighters, Paramore, Nirvana, and Incubus have made their own imprint on the generation that was left behind by musical geniuses.

It ’s difcult to place any one band into a denite category, because rock is so dynamic that it ‘s too broad to describe a band simply as “rock. ” What we have today is Paramore ’s pop rock, Mumford and Son ’s folk rock, and the Red Hot Chili Pepper ’s funk rock.

Our generation is blessed with extreme accessibility to sites like YouTube, making it easy to enjoy any subcategory of rock. The only set-back is having to go digging, but if you ’re looking for something that ’s worth anything, go ahead and navigate. The rock scene has long faded from the forefront of society and is now enjoyed underground, waiting for the next revolution.

Internet censorship accomplishes little

By Muna Cosic Staff Writer 2011 is a year of revolutions, change, and controversial political games. We aren ’t even half way through the year, yet the world is dancing to a different rhythm.

The rhythm of freedom? Uprising?

Redemption? Whatever it is, the world is changing before our eyes and we can either dance along to the rhythm or stand to the side and attempt to nd ways to suppress it.

Ever since the recent Egyptian revolution, Internet censorship has become more mandatory than ever in countries where freedom of speech is more a myth than reality. China, India, and Russia, are only some of the countries taking the reigns of Internet freedom by placing authoritarian censorship over their citizens. Is it fear of an uprising that causes these countries to take drastic measures in censoring the Internet? What is bafing about Internet censorship is that the countries that rigorously mandate it, are so obsessed and obvious about it that it portrays them negatively to the rest of the world. Still, they

continue to overpower their people with Internet censorship laws.

In late January of this year, Hosni Mubarak shut down Egypt ’s Internet access with hopes that it would end the incumbent social uprising.

Shutting down access to the country ’s Internet didn ’t stop the revolution, but rather intensied the support of the protestors, with many more Americans taking notice of the revolution after hearing about the Internet shutdown. It empowered the Egyptians to take the social uprising even further, with people around the world expressing their support through the Internet. The world watched Egypt ’s government change in a matter of weeks. Western countries, especially the U.S., pulled for a democratic change, but countries like China, Russia, India, and other Middle Eastern dictatorial countries were concerned that the uprising would reach the minds of their citizens. What could they do to repel their citizens from social unrest? Internet censorship, of course.

According to the New York Times, India

has set “regulations restricting Web content that, among other things, can be considered ‘disparaging, ’ ‘harassing, ’ ‘blasphemous, ’ or ‘hateful. ’ ” This rule has been quietly set into motion by the Department of Information Technology since the beginning of April.

“The list of objectionable content is sweeping, and includes anything that ‘threatens the unity, integrity, defense, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign states or public order, ” states the New York Times, regarding the new Indian Internet censorship rule.

It seems that India is worried that their citizens will be inspired by Egypt ’s events and other Middle Eastern revolutionary unrest, which goes to show how far they will go to censor the Internet and keep their citizens in place.

Imagine if India, with a population of nearly 1.2 billion people, were to protest their government? Now, that would make one heck of a statement.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “China announced a potentially powerful new agency to supervise the Internet, underscoring the evolving regulatory

environment in the country. ” It isn ’t conrmed which agency will get to censor the Internet in China on top of pre-existing censorship, but whoever it is, they will have a difcult time censoring over 1.3 billion people. Russia managed to create an alternative for Facebook in their country called Vkontakte. It has become the main social networking web site for the citizens of Russia.

“An online group calling for the overthrow of the Russian government wouldn ’t survive for long on Vkontakte, ” said Mr. Morozov, a visiting scholar at Stanford University, writing for the Wall Street Journal.

Poland has recently created a new censorship law as well, which may soon be put into effect. “Thousands of Polish Internet users have joined an online campaign against the government ’s plan, saying the media council may use the law to censor the Web, ” according to the Wall Street Journal.

No matter how desperately governments try to censor the Internet, people will still nd loopholes and continue to make their voices heard to millions worldwide.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

May 11, 2011

OPINION

theCorsaironline.com

5

Rejection is rejection, take it like a man

By Monique Kaminskaya Staff Writer Let ’s be totally honest, we ’ve all been rejected at least once. Unfortunately it ’s a part of life, and we must all deal with it at one point or another. Rejection can be as simple and easy as clearly saying, “No, ” or as complicated and annoying as “I see you as a friend; ” which might be the worst of all.

So let ’s go back to the straight-forward approach. The “No, I ’m not interested in you ” approach, which is, at the very least, the most helpful form because you receive closure immediately and have full ability to move on with your life afterwards.

Sometimes an answer as assertive as that can result in heartbreak, pain, and confusion, but at least it ’s short-lived.

Blunt rejection is 100 times better than false hope. SMC student Chris Shin says, “I don ’t really have remorse towards how guys feel after I reject them; I think it ’s way worse and more cruel to lead someone on for no reason. Plus, I make it very evident when I ’m not interested, so the more pushy they become, the more blunt I become. ” But, some people are incapable of being blunt with their

suitors.

This is where the next type of rejection comes in: the “I don ’t really want a relationship right now ” spiel. Although sometimes this may be true, a lot of people abuse it and use it, mainly because it makes them feel like a better person.

“Right now I ’m at a point in my life where I need to focus on myself. I have no time for anyone in my life needing my attention, so I have no choice but to reject them. It ’s nothing personal, I just don ’t need a relationship right now, ” says SMC student Vanita Chand. True, we all go through periods of time in our lives where we just don ’t have the availability or energy for something as consuming as a relationship, but that excuse is often used to substitute the famous phrase, “it ’s not you, it ’s me. ” If she ’s actually interested in you, she ’d turn her alleged relationship preferences around and give you a chance. The only time her evil ex-boyfriend who broke her heart and made her “incapable of dating ” because of the miserable break-up comes into conversation, is when she needs a quick way out.

It ’s an awful feeling: not being able to be with someone because they base

Photo controversy

By Kevin Duncan Staff Writer The United States Commanderin-Chief, President Barack Obama, decided last Wednesday, May 4, that the photographs of deceased al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden´s body would not be released to the world, saying they could spur violence, become a security risk, and be used as propaganda by activists overseas.

First of all, it should be said that numerous historical events of the past have produced images of horror and brutality. These include video footage of the September 11 attacks, images of Saddam Hussein´s execution, The Holocaust, and various other unsettling images that rewrote history. Now the world ’s most wanted man was killed and there are no images for the public to view? There are always conspiracy theories about these sorts of things, and bin Laden ’s death is no different.

Bin Laden ’s managed to hide for a decade or so, no one knowing of his whereabouts, and now the American troops have finally brought him to justice, an entire nation rejoices, but the world wants more than a presidential address, some need to see to fully believe Americans want to be sure that the man who ended thousands of lives in 9/11 and broke people ’s hearts worldwide on a once bright morning in New York City are gone forever.

Many rejoiced over the breaking news

and now they want some closure.

Even though his death cannot bring people back, it is a much-needed assurance that a cold-blooded and merciless killer has departed from this world.

There can be arguments made that the images might be too disturbing for the general public; however there is not much the human race hasn ’t seen. It won ’t be like the image will be plastered all over towns, schools, and park benches.

First year SMC student Adam Evans is torn between choosing whether the images should be released or not. “I think it should be released so that people know for sure that Osama is dead, but it shouldn ’t be released because it gives the USA a bad image. It shows the USA as being proud, and showing the whole world that we killed this person, ” said Evans. “Yes, the Americans should be proud, but only because Osama killed a lot of people, not only from the 9/11 attacks, but other attacks as well. President Obama also said he doesn ’t want to release the pictures because he doesn ’t want us to have a bad image; having a picture of a dead man floating all over the world will do just that, ” said Evans.

Whether President Obama changes his mind in the future can ’t be determined, but one thing is for sure: people in the world will doubt Osama ’s death and will remain insecure or quiet until they see some type of evidence.

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everything off of their past and assume things will be the same with you. And it ’s usually just an excuse, another common form of rejection. “I don ’t want to be with you because you remind me of my ex. ” Just a heads up: if you ’re being rejected by someone who tells you they don ’t want to be with you because you remind them of their ex, chances are that there are some lingering feelings wandering around, and a relationship should never be started with someone like that.

Instead of getting depressed, consider your rejection as a savior from a lot of drama and pain.

Rejecting someone nicely must be one of the toughest things to master (because it ’s practically impossible), and that ’s where the friend approach steps into the picture. It ’s occurred at least once to all people, the “you ’re such a great friend, and I wouldn ’t want to ruin our friendship ” line. The typical bittersweet approach one uses hoping to balance out the pain of rejection. A lot of people have a way of sugar coating things. If you ’re really friends with this guy, you owe it to him to be honest. Sugarcoating gets you NOWHERE. All it does is illuminate the fact that you weren ’t bold enough to tell

Hamas and Fatah unite?

By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor When imagining a realistic era of Israelis and Palestinians living as neighbors in peace, any real and lasting peace cannot exclude the reality of a viable Palestinian state with sovereign borders and a prosperous economy.

Whether that Palestinian state would be militarized or not is up to negotiation, as are many of the other issues Palestinians demand, including Israel returning to its 1967 borders and handing over East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capitol.

But for all the talk of a two-state solution, the peace process cannot proceed as long as Hamas is involved. Indeed, the decision of Fatah and Hamas to end years of enmity and division by coming together is disastrous not only for Israel, but especially for the Palestinians.

Hamas (for those who aren ’t familiar with Middle Eastern politics), is the Palestinian Islamist political party that rules the Gaza Strip in Israel. They are recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and Israel. Frankly, it ’s not hard to see why.

According to Article 28 of the ofcial Hamas Charter: “The Arab states surrounding Israel are required to open their borders to the Jihad ghters, the sons of the Arab and Islamic peoples, to enable them to play their role and to join their efforts to those of their brothers among the Muslim Brothers in Palestine. ” The fundamental problem with any unity deal including Hamas is that Hamas has not (and has sworn never to) renounce violence or recognize Israel as a legitimate state.

Spring 2011 Staff Jonathan Bue Guiliana Dakdouk John Stapleton IV Sal Guerra Brian White Anisa El-Khouri Nathan Gawronsky Vera Hughes Miles Arnold Neelofer Lodhy Ayla Pound Alessandra Catanese Patricia de Borba

it like it is.

But, if the speaker really means it, or the listener is oblivious enough to think she ’s telling the truth, this approach can work for some people.

SMC student Chigo Chima says the least painful way he ’s gotten rejected was the friendship approach. “She rejected me by complimenting my characteristics. She told me how she appreciates my qualities as a person, and what an amazing friend I am and that she would never want to ruin that, or change it by initiating anymore, ” said Chima.

Rejection is painful any way you put it.

You are failing to get something you really want. Every approach boils down to the same thing: “No, I ’m not interested. ” The straight-forward approach saves time, confusion and energy. It may sting just a little because it ’s the TRUTH, but at least it ’s not a sugar-coated answer (read: a lie), that will eventually require you to be blunt, prolonging the inevitable. One may get rejected either more bluntly or in a more subtle fashion, but at the end of the day there is no “nice ” way of rejecting one perse, it hurts any way it ’s put, it ’s simply up to how the other person takes it.

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Online Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor A&E Editor Lifestyle Editor Multimedia Editor Videographer

Faculty Advisors Saul Rubin and Gerard Burkhart

For Hamas, it is their sacred right to resist the Israeli occupation, and in the cold, deadly economy of language that Hamas employs, this translates into indiscriminate attacks against southern Israeli towns.

For Hamas, resisting occupation is a deviant sound bite that works to exonerate them from mayhem and murder. As long as the Israelis retaliate, they ’re justied in “resisting, ” and as long as the Israelis inhabit Israel, they ’re justied in “resisting. ” As long as Palestinians die from Israeli bullets and bombs, they ’re justied in “resisting, ” and as long as Palestinians are ghting Israelis, their resistance is “justied. ” This circular logic has no opening or possibility for peace.

And so therefore lies the crucial and eternal problem that the Palestinians face. Instead of reaching out to establish a deal with Israel, and there are many in Israel who wish to live in peace alongside Palestinians, the Palestinians have told the world that they would much rather prefer to take the road of resistance and abandon any hope of negotiation.

So much for Fatah being a moderate organization with the best interests of Palestinians in mind. This insane move to lock arms with Hamas, the worst thing to happen to Palestinians since Yassir Arafat, will in time prove to be more politically motivated than anything remotely to do with peace of the well being of Palestinians.

Mahmoud Abbas has foolishly decided to “unite ” Fatah with Hamas to end his political career on a note of unity, which is pigheaded considering the crimes and ideology of Hamas.

One can only hope his career doesn ’t end in a bloodbath.

Reporters Adam Rubin, Alexis Bishop, Ariana Masters, Biko Poindonte-Hodge, Breanna Balisteri, Carla Wilson, Cathy Arias, Hector Mejia, Jennifer Ferrada, Joan Walsh, Joel Israel, Juan Lopez, Keijo Liimataiwen, Kevin Duncan, Latasha Edwards, Luana Kasahara, Michael Canepa, Michael Miller, Moa Axelsson, Munezeha Cosic (Muna), Naomi Calbucci, Nayla Paschoa, Nicholas Lotz, Nikki Edenedo, Oscar Castillo, Raven Wadley-Wright, Sean Breza, Shanon Culiner, Sophia Zhorne, Timothy Morse, Vienna Urias, Walter Orellana, Wayne Neal, William Courntey

Photographers Alma Milla, Amanda Bojorquez, Andrew Abselet, Andrew Curry, Anthony Kang, Fabian Cooke, George Mikhail, Jamin Mathis, Jeff Coté, Jennifer Martinez, Jessica Nicol, Krista Bonelli, Matthew Ambriz, Reynal Guillen, Ryan Lamb, Sammy Soliman, Walter Altman

Advertising Consultant Lisa Anderson corsair.admanager@gmail.com Computer Consultant Agnius Griskevicius Graphic Design Jhosef A. Hern Classified Ads: Daily Bruin (310) 825-2221 1900 Pico Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90405 Room: Letters and Science 172 Phone: (310) 434-4340 First copy of the Corsair is free, each copy after is 25 cents.

May 11, 2011

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PHOTOSTORY

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Disneyland goes dark (Right) Lyn Harton and Victor Humphries pose for a photo outside the Sleeping Beauty Castle, both donning Victorian outfits. This year Lyn celebrated her 9th year at Bats Day while Victor celebrated his 5th.

(Left) Noah Korda, creator of Bats Day, passes out pins to attendees and their mothers.

(Above) Mothers with their “baby bats,” a portion of the Bats Day crowd, infront of King Arthur’s Carousel, in Fantasyland. at Disneyland.

(Right) Richard Antley shows off his Steampunk inspired watch.

(Far Left) Manny Gardea and Kyira Gardea celebrated Mother’s Day at Disneyland with their baby, Jayda Gardea.

Photos and Text by Anisa El-Khouri it does is add some different faces to Photo Editor Disneyland ’s already extensive repertoire of characters.

Every year, the “happiest place on This year ’s Bats Day events consisted Earth ” is lled with darkness. Not in of a dinner on Friday night called “The a scary way, nor in an alienating way. Nightmare Before Bats Day. ” Saturday In fact, despite the facial jewelry, black afternoon a “Bats Day Black Market ” was Edwardian costumes, and cyber-goth held at the Doubletree hotel in Anaheim dreadlocks, Disneyland remains the where attendees could purchase creepy happiest place on Earth for myriads of art, books, collectables, and clothing. mirthful miscreants who descend upon Later that evening was the “Bats Day the park every year to celebrate Bats Happy Haunts Swinging Wake. ” Guests Day. in attendance were asked to dress as While it isn ’t an ofcially recognized the dead and celebrate the afterlife all Disneyland event, it has occurred night. annually since 1998, when Noah Korda The weekend concluded on Sunday decided to organize a day of family fun with the 13th annual Bats Day in the for his eccentric friends. It has since Fun Park. evolved into a Day of the Disney Dead This dark holiday, which coincided that brings in thousands. with Mother ’s Day, brought together an This macabre masquerade might seem eclectic group of moms and members of like something worth avoiding, but all alternative subcultures.

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May 11, 2011

LIFESTYLE

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ia d. .

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“My boyfriend spends a lot of time on Facebook, and most of the time he ’s talking/tagging/posting to the same girl.

I have no idea who she is, but it seems like he ’s flirting.

Should I be worried? ”

By John Stapleton IV Web Editor Stop it. Seriously, just stop it. Despite the fact that we now communicate via “social networking ” websites, we ’re still learning roughly the same amount of superficial information about each other as dogs learn when they meet in a park and chase each other around to sniff one anothers ’ tails.

Do you know what we communicate on Facebook? Absolutely nothing.

We publish only the most edited, most refined and best examples of ourselves, and never anything very real. Flirting online is exactly the same thing as flirting with that poster of Nick Carter above your bed. Should your boyfriend feel threatened?

He ’s not flirting with an actual person, he ’s flirting with the couple of photos she chose out of hundreds, and only the personality traits she wants the whole world to know about.

He knows she likes horses and volunteers at the soup kitchen during the holidays and that she likes to take pictures in the mirror when she gets new haircuts.

He doesn ’t know that she ’s a closet hoarder who hates the elderly and picks her nose in traffic.

That ’s because no one knows anything about anybody else on Facebook, just the polished version they ALLOW you to see. So, in essence, he doesn ’t know

her well enough to flirt with her.

By Vera Hughes S h e ’ s a figment; Opinion Editor y o u ’ r e an actual, 3D, fleshand-blood, Facebook should not be the basis of real live person. If you any doubt in your relationship, no. can ’t keep your man ’s Facebook should have nothing to do attention l o n g with your relationship, actually. enough Girlfriends who decorate their to keep him from boyfriend ’s Facebook pages spending the night with <3 ’s and xoxo ’s logging on to talk to his deserve to be brutally Each week we will imaginary friends, broken up with, be accepting questions he ’s not the one with because schmaltzy for our relationship, and relationship issues – r e l a t i o n s h i p love advice column. Please you are.

Facebook exchanges send your questions to Contrarily, she are disgusting. But corsair.website@gmail. isn ’t flirting with your hey, that ’s just one com boyfriend. She ’s just boyfriend-less girl ’s flirting with his online opinion. persona. She doesn ’t know Facebook is not real he farts himself awake at night, life, and too often do we draw or that he yells at squirrels in the conclusions based on news feed park, because only someone who activity. Maybe it ’s a GOOD thing for spends time with him IN REAL LIFE your boyfriend to get flirtation out knows these things. of his system via Facebook The point is, maybe it ’s instead of in real life. just his cousin, or an old Because God knows, being friend, or a complete stranger, but someone ’s boyfriend doesn ’t magically more importantly, maybe you should stop a guy from being a flirt. stop being a psycho-stalker who ’s But, as a sympathetic girl, I know worried about imaginary threats you ’re going to worry anyways. If and take care of your in-the-flesh something was really fishy, and your boyfriend already. boyfriend was really being disloyal, I Stop being a crybaby and go get bet he wouldn ’t be pasting it all over your man back. He can poke her on the cyber-playground of Facebook, Facebook, or he can poke you for real. one of the most viewed websites in Ball ’s in your court. the world. And I sincerely hope you

She S

aid. .

haven ’t hacked into his page and seen his personal messages (hold on one moment while I personally weld a medal for world ’s worst girlfriend in my backyard —how do you spell your name again? Two R ’s?).

With strong emotions comes a strong need for reassurance that you ’re not ill-placing your feelings. Reassurance that your love is reciprocated, and that you won ’t be wrongfully hurt. You owe it to your boyfriend, this boy you claim to love, to trust him to be what he signed up to be: loyal.

If you ’re rolling around in bed, night after sleepless night, thinking about your boyfriend liking some strangerchick ’s status, SAY SOMETHING TO HIM. Nothing ultimatum-y, mind you, but maybe a subtle statement insinuating that his Facebook activity bothers you. Realize how pathetic you might sound complaining about it, but explain that you can ’t help it, it just rubs you the wrong way.

But remember that a couple jesting tête-à-têtes here and there do not elicit an argument. If you nitpick like that, you ’ll be miserable. Even more miserable when he breaks up with you because of incessant, unnecessary fighting.

Don ’t feel abnormal for getting a little jealous, and by all means stalk the crap out of that chick and talk to your girlfriends about her love handles and crooked teeth, but leave it at that.

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May 11, 2011

LIFESTYLE

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Dinosaurs know how to party

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By Cathy Arias Staff Writer Every first Friday of the month, the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum keeps the doors open late, expanding its patrons from the usual excited elementary school children to anyone who fancies combining an intellectual learning experience with play.

The event begins with a tour, continues with a discussion, and ends with live music (both successful DJs spinning, as well as upand-coming bands). While entering the grand foyer, a childhood impression of the museum is replaced with big screens, visitors with intricate outfits, and a full bar. The place transitions from your typical county museum into a true Los Angeles nightlife venue.

On May 6, First Fridays attendees were welcomed with a tour of the museum ’s first exhibit at the Haaga Family Rotunda, led by Dr. Margaret Hardin and Dr. John Long, both renowned Natural History Museum staff members and experts in anthropology and research.

Visitors were introduced to captivating displays of obscure artifacts and specimens, meant to develop our understanding of the future by studying the past and evoking questions, curiosity, and the desire to learn more.

An alarming discussion entitled, “Can Mammals Keep Up When Climates Warm?

Insights From the Fossil Record, ” led by Dr. Elizabeth Hadly, presented concrete facts supporting climate change and the impact it is having on our environment, ecosystems, and wildlife.

About 400 people cringed as Dr. Hadly described the odd and frightening facts surrounding our impact on the environment, and how this behavior is occurring in the animal kingdom due to forced migrations and rare interactions between species not used to living in the same vicinities. Dr. Hadly said, “Though it took us as little as a century to colonize the north 20,000 years ago, these animals have taken two to five million years to evolve.

John Stapleton IV Corsair Patrons gather in the main lobby of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles for the museum’s monthly First Fridays event to drink beer and listen to live music against a backdrop of fighting dinosaur skeletons and other regular museum exhibits.

Yet extinction of mammals is expanding on a massive scale.

Our exploitation of the land will lead to mass extinction of more animals than already have become extinct. ” Though many come to First Fridays to learn about Pizzlies (an odd hybrid of polar and grizzly bears, with little ability to survive in either colder

“[It] suggests a night of carefree dancing, as opposed to one of worry over climate change ” or warmer climates), some come for the partying. People waiting for their poison of choice line up at the full bar in the African Mammal Hall, decorated with modern, glowing cube side tables, and low lighting. The atmosphere suggests a night of carefree dancing, as opposed to one of worry over climate change.

El Camino College student Kim Tso admits to coming to First Fridays for the music.

“After seeing Yeasayer play last year when I came with my family for the first time,

I was hooked, ” Tso said. She was one of the many fans that came out to the sold-out show to see the LA native, dancepunk band Moving Units perform.

“Are you talking to the bison? Because they can ’t hear you! And that ’s just a painted landscape, ” said lead singer Chris Hathwell, bringing attention to the lively and wild surroundings in the North American Mammal Hall.

Back in the African Mammal Hall across the building, experienced KCRW radio station DJs Eric J. Lawrence and Anthony Valadez (aka “the Curator of Cool ”) spun an eclectic set, pleasing fans with a diverse taste in music in front of stuffed Cape buffalo and a 16-foot giraffe from Kenya.

The unique backdrop added to the exclusive experience that makes first Fridays an enjoyable attraction for its fans.

An eclectic group of people, stimulating discussions, and exciting performances attract new visitors every first Friday of the month to a museum that appears to be doing an excellent job of bringing history to the present.

John Stapleton IV Corsair Lion cubs from the museum’s African Mammal Hall seem to be entertained by trash left by First Fridays partiers after a live performance from Moving Units.

THIS WEEK AT SMC May 11

May 12

May 13

For ticketing information on events at the Broad Stage, visit thebroadstage.com

May 14

May 15

“Gallery “Sex, Lives, “Global Motion Reception: Otis “SMC Jazz Band ” “Storytelling “Annual Spring “Hansik: Taste of “Global Film “Global Motion “Special & Measuring World Dance College of Art & Job Fair ” Event: Korea ” Series: ‘Ordinary World Dance Observing Tape: The Oldest Company ” Undocumented People ’ ” Company ’ ” Event: Saturn in Design ” Animals on Students ” Broad Stage the Eyepiece ’ ” Peter & Susan Water Fountain Earth: Dr. Mary Business Bldg.

Peter & Susan Barret Art Gallery Performing Arts L. Droser ” Broad Stage Quad Area Room 111 H.S.S. Room 165 Broad Stage John Drescher Barret Art Gallery Performing Arts Center 4 p.m.

Planetarium Performing Arts Center Science Room 140 Center 7:30 p.m.

10 a.m.-1p.m.

1 p.m.-2 p.m.

8 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

12 p.m.-1 p.m.

11:15 a.m.

6p.m.-7 p.m.

4 p.m.-7 p.m.

“Women ’s Health Lecture ”

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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May 11, 2011

SPORTS

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Corsairs sail into nals

Paul Alvarez Contributor Katerina Mozolyuk chases a ball that is just out of reach during her tough fought battle against Jasmine Ortiz of Grossmont College at Reed park in Santa Monica, Calif. on May 4th, 2011.

[Tennis, from page 1]

and cause an injury. ” “Sierra has a good team and a good number one, ” said Goldenson, “but they play a mental game. We have to be strong mentally. ” In most playoff situations, teams turn to their team captains to step up and lead vocally, and although team captains Jutta Collet and Gwendolyn Kauffmann have done a stellar job leading the team all year, the leadership goes a lot further than them.

“They inspire each other, ” said Goldenson. “Every player plays their match like it ’s the most important match of the day. ” It was that team unity that was on display Wednesday when the Corsairs delivered a 5-0 victory over Grossmont College. While the 5-0 outcome may have seemed like an easy win on paper, the Corsairs by no means had an easy road to victory.

Already exhausted, Katerina Mozolyuk and Jasmine Ortiz looked as if they were going to put on an encore to last Sunday ’s epic match that saw Mozolyuk come away victorious. Ortiz however, had other plans.

“She ’s good, ” said coach Goldenson before the match. “If she gets an opportunity, she will put the ball away. ” Ortiz came out and took an early lead winning the first set 5-7 with hard hit balls that kept Mozolyuk active and out of her comfort zone.

About mid-way through the second set the two players were locked up at 4-4 apiece and it looked like Mozolyuk was poised to finish out the set to tie the match at one a piece and already in its second hour. But before the two could continue, the match was called because SMC had already sealed their victory.

Despite the anti-climactic finish to an otherwise exhilarating match, SMC did

not just roll over their opponents with ease.

Co-captain Gwendolyn Kauffmann had perhaps one of the most inspired performances of the afternoon as she rallied back to beat Jami Thomas after losing the first set 3-6.

During the first set, it seemed as if all the energy and motivation had been lost. “After I fell behind 2-0 in the second set I knew I had to turn it around, ” said Kauffmann. “She started off really strong, and it took me by surprise, but at that point I saw my opportunity I couldn ’t let it slip away. ” With a small crowd watching and cheering her on, Kauffman understood that she had to win by any means.

“Last year we lost at this point and I didn ’t want that to happen again, ” said Kauffman. “I didn ’t think about losing or about the mistakes I was making, I just focused on winning. ” Kauffman went on to close out the

match winning the last two sets, 6-3 and 6-1, topping off an inspired and motivated performance.

Criss Rodriguez had a similar experience losing her first set before winning the last two to beat Grossmont ’s Sharon Reibstein 6-4 and 6-3 in the final two sets.

On the other hand, freshman Hanna Sacher had a pretty easy day beating their opponents in straight sets. Sacher cruised to victory in her match as she defeated Grossmont ’s Lupita Sandoval, 6-1 and 6-3.

Additionally, co-captain Jutta Collet and Krystal Hansard also defeated their opponents 6-0, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-1 respectively.

A victory in Fresno will give Coach Goldenson and SMC tennis their first ever Team State Championship.

“We ’re groovin, ” said Goldenson.

“We ’re grooving as a team, as tennis players and individuals. ”

SMC sinks competition

By Sean Breza Staff Writer Last month SMC swim team members Louisa Lau, Michelle Liu, and Jeff Lum represented SMC in the State

Championships at East L.A. College.

Jeff Lum brought home three out of three rst place awards in the 100 and 200 freestyle events, and set a state record in the 200 individual medley in a race described by Coach Steve Contarsy

as, “probably the most exciting race of the weekend. ” His three consecutive victories earned him the Swimmer of the Meet award.

Michelle Liu also claimed rst place in the 100 individual medley and second place in the 200.

Liu, who grew up in an urban setting in Northern China, has been residing in California for a little over year.

She moved out here to pursue swimming and after originally attending Whittier College, decided to transfer to SMC. Another native to China, Jeff Lum grew up in Honk Kong. After his parents heard through word of mouth about SMC ’s swimming program, they decided to enroll their son as a student. He touched foot on U.S. soil for the rst time just three months ago.

Louisa Lau did not place in any of the events but was by her teammates sides during the meet offering support that helped propel her teammates past the nish line.

Traveling the entire length of the Pacic Ocean to immerse yourself in American culture is no easy task. “One thing that absolutely amazes me is the ability of foreign students to transition, ” said Contarsy.

As an international student, Lum ’s schedule can become hectic and stressful at times but as he explained, the pool can be a sanctuary of sorts. “When you go into the pool, you forget about everything, homework, your schedule, everything, ” said Lum. He went on to explain that he also thrives on the discipline of a swimmer ’s

“When you go into the pool you forget about everything ” -Jeff Lum life-style. “Managing yourself is very important, ” said Lum. Already, Lum seems familiar with campus life, and although not entirely sure of where his swimming will carry him, he plans on staying in California for at least the next few years.

Coach Contarsy has been working with students for the past twelve seasons and with this year ’s talent under his supervision, he seems more alive than ever. “He ’s a great coach, ” said Lum, “and never sits down. ”

May 11, 2011

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SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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May 11, 2011

A&E

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SMC hosts activism through art

A Santa Monica college student observes the “Movimiento” gallery at the Pete and Susan Barrett Gallery on SMC’s Performing Arts campus on May 5.

By Jennifer Ferrada Staff Writer On Thursday, May 5, an event at Santa Monica College called “Movimiento ” served as a focal point for others to see how art is incorporated into messages of activism.

The session took place at the Pete and Susan Barrett Gallery of the Performing Arts Center, where Los Angeles based artists, activists, and organizers came together to discuss stories of successes and setbacks achieved in the convergence of activism and art.

A few of them have been inspired by student activism, confronting issues such as the Dream Act, concerning undocumented students struggling to nd a place in society.

Bianca Hernandez, one of the rst speakers, is President of SMC ’s Association of Latin American Students. Hernandez presented snapshots of ALAS ’s actions conducted on campus throughout the past couple years. She stressed the importance of political awareness, and how as a group, they try to ght for what ’s right for them.

ALAS have also taken action in events such as the “March

to End the Stereotypes, ” and more recently, they took part in the ”March in March, ” a student protest ghting against tuition increases by going to Sacramento in March.

Hernandez noted how they have incorporated the art of dance into their activities on campus.

Todos Somos Arizona is a collective of different community members, educators, activists, and artists who use different mediums of art and activism mixed together.

Patricia Torres, a UCLA student in the Ph.D. department, and organizer with a couple of collectives in Los Angeles, said that they discuss the colonization of their communities and other concerns that they ’re seeing right now, such as SB 1070 and the attacks on ethnic studies.

According to Torres, INCITE! LA is an organization of radical feminists of color, committed to stopping interpersonal violence, domestic abuse, and police brutality within their communities.

INCITE! LA also opposes SB 1070, Arizona ’s bill that allows criminalization or imprisonment of immigrants.

INCITE! held a major act of demonstration last May, in which 14 members chained themselves into a circle in

Jeff Cote Corsair

front of the Downtown Los Angeles detention center, which caused it to close down for about six hours.

“We saw it almost as a work of public art where we were actually stopping the everyday runnings of this detention torture place, ” Torres explained.

Artist Rodrigo Marti was one of the organizers of the info session. His art project that was installed in the room was called “Non-Resident Alien. ” He said the project will hopefully be the start of what will turn into different ways of working with the student groups he has been meeting and learning from.

Another artist named Felicia Montes had her artwork on display as part of the “Otis College of Art and Design 2011 Graduate Public Practice Degree Exhibition. ” “Art is a tool for education, empowerment, and transformation, ” Montes said.

The special guest for the evening ’s event was Carlos Montes, an activist during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s. Montes spoke of his memories of the past, and said, “What art is about is creating controversy. It ’s for making movement in your community. ”

God of thunder fails to deliver The Marvel comic was finally brought to life this past Friday, but others beg to differ that it was anything but fantastic.

By William Courtney Staff Writer Thor is yet another example of a good Marvel comic gone wrong on the big screen. Once you get past the awesome special effects and well-choreographed fighting scenes, the movie is quite bland.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is a powerful warrior on the verge of becoming king when he gets banished from his home planet Asgard, for arrogantly defying his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), and reigniting a war with the Frost Giants.

As punishment, Thor is sent to Earth to learn humility and is stripped of his godly abilities and more importantly his hammer, Mjolnir, which rips apart anything in its path.

When Thor lands on Earth, wormholesearching scientists, led by Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), find Thor in the desert. A distraught Thor eventually ends up befriending the three as they semi-believe his story of coming from a cosmic realm.

After word reaches the group that a strange satellite has touched down not too far from where they are, Thor realizes his hammer has followed him to earth and ventures off to get it back.

Yet after fighting through a horde of special agents from S.H.I.E.L.D who took control of the site, Thor is unable to pick up the hammer and realizes he is only a mere mortal.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Valkyrie), with screenplay by Ashley

Miller and Zack Stentz, who are two of five screenwriters on the film, the movie ’s intense action scenes and $150 million budget couldn ’t hide the plot ’s gaping holes.

The costumes weren ’t horrible, but they left out one important detail, Thor ’s helmet, an aspect that will surely piss off avid followers of the series.

Hemsworth does a decent job playing the badass god, and even entices a few laughs among the audience with his old English vernacular. Yet Portman, Peter Skarsgard, and even Hopkins, who are all very good at what they do, failed to deliver the powerful acting you would expect for a movie like this.

While some comedy in a movie is good, everything was forced and left the audience laughing at how weird certain parts were. From the comics and previews, one would expect the movie to be more serious, yet they seemed intent on giving the movie mass appeal, instead of staying true to the story.

The awkward love tension between Portman and Hemsworth never developed and looked to be thrown in only to accommodate the current trend of movies these days, plus the scenes were too predictable.

Needless to say, the film failed to grab attention. Even though the film did almost $66 million domestically during its opening weekend, it is definitely not worth the price of admission. If you do end up going though, make sure to not miss the short spoiler at the end of the movie.