Vol109 issue014

CORSAIR

JUNE 03, 2015 | VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 | SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

FIRST COPY OF THE CORSAIR IS FREE, EACH COPY AFTER IS 25

Two years later: what we know about the shooter's early years (pg 5)

FILM 33 STARTS INTENSE SHOOT (PG. 6)

SYNAPSE SPECTACLE AT THE BROAD (PG. 6)

SURFER COLLECTIVE RIDES AGAIN (PG. 8)

SMC FOOTBALL FIGHTS FOR ITS DYNASTY (PG. 15)

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CONTENT

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

EDITORIAL STAFF Alci Rengifo ...............................Editor-in-Chief corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com Jonathan Ramos......................Managing Editor corsair.managing@gmail.com Jose Gutierrez ................................News Editor corsair.newspage@gmail.com Yasha Hawkins .................................News Editor corsair.newspage@gmail.com Paulina Eriksson .................Health & Lifestyle corsair.lifestylepage@gmail.com Jonathan Ramos ........................Opinion Editor corsair.opinionpage@gmail.com James Powel ....................................Sports Editor corsair.sportspage@gmail.com Claudius West ............... Multimedia Director corsair.multimediadept@gmail.com Devin Page ..........Arts & Entertainment Editor corsair.calendarpage@gmail.com A student explains tire care during the bicycle repair workshop in the Pearl Street bike lot at Santa Monica College on May 12. The workshop was part of the Bike Safety

Brandon Barsugli .........................Photo Editor corsairphotoeditor@gmail.com Kira VandenBrande .....................Photo Editor corsairphotoeditor@gmail.com Juan Lopez ...................................... Digital Editor corsair.webeditor@gmail.com Jhosef Hern ..........................................Illustrator corsaircartoon@gmail.com William Miguel ...........................Design Editor corsair.designteam@gmail.com

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CORSAIR STAFF

FACULTY ADVISORS

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE So this is my last letter from the editor. The swan song to a memorable run.

The cops said the coyotes were hiding out here.

Let’s make cat noises to lure them out!

The Corsair gave me the chance to find stories anywhere, and I do mean ANYWHERE. You racist warlords!

You terrorist scum!

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The aliens have chosen me for a mission. I don’t know what it is yet.

ISRAEL STOP BOMBING GAZA!

We should have a photographer at every catastrophe!

Alci, you called the wife of the Syrian dictator “the Lady Macbeth of the Middle East,” that’s way too opinionated.

And our Photo Advisor could also get a bit pushy.

Sorry, we’re moving on.

Thank you for writing that story on Iran.

I wouldn’t mind coming back.

But accurate.

And of course there was always oversight from our dear advisor.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

But it was always worth it, especially when we heard back from readers.

ALCI RENGIFO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I considered a third round, but it’s time to move on.

So now it’s time for a new editor in chief. And we will simply ride into the sunset.

This is our last issue for the spring semester and it is my last issue as Editor-in-Chief of The Corsair. We end the semester once more reflecting on the tragic events of June 7, 2013 when a violent mind decided to attack our campus and take three lives, including those of Margarita Gomez, SMC groundskeeper Carlos Navarro Franco and his daughter, SMC student Marcela Franco. Their names are remembered with respect on this campus, and rightfully so.

And yet important, serious questions remain about that day's events and what led to them. This is why our cover story centers on SMC professor Wendy Parise who interacted with the shooter, John Zawahri, when he was a young child produced within a violent, abusive home. Our cover may disturb some, but it is a reminder that we should never forget not only the victims of terrible violence, but we should always probe deeper into the roots of a tragedy. Maybe then we can prevent future nightmares. I myself was in the campus library when Zawahri walked in, clad in black commando gear, and began the last phase of his rampage. I remember vividly running out through the back doors with fellow students terrified and confused.

When I first came to The Corsair in the fall of 2013 I wanted nothing more than to write, and this campus paper has given me that opportunity with a breadth I will always be grateful for. Our advisors always gave us total freedom as a staff, even when when we clashed over ideas, content and debated articles. They produced an environment of collective creativity.

I wish I could have stayed longer, but the seasons change, and life continues its shifts. Change is a constant in life. At The Corsair I found eternal friendships, even heartbreak, and had adventures with staff that produced endless stories that will follow me forever as I continue to pursue my dream as a writer.

But enough with the traditional goodbyes. We offer here a small comic strip, because every decent paper should have one at some point, where we give you a general overview of what it's been like to work at the finest campus newspaper this writer has had the honor to lose sleep over.

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Keep reading the Corsair!

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NEWS

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

New student trustee Jonathan Eady enters the Board of Trustees JUAN LOPEZ DIGITAL EDITOR If one were to ask the average student voting populace of Santa Monica College what it was the student trustee does, most students would be at a loss. At most, they know that trustees represent students on the Board of Trustees, which if you ask former student trustees, is just the tip of the iceberg.

The role of student trustee is an advisory role that doesn't have a vote on either the Board of Trustees of the Associated Students board, but is expected to give reports to each on the other. "My position, it was really arbitrary at first because I didn’t understand it," said Daniel Kolko, former student trustee. "I didn’t understand the role."

Kolko said he thought it was important to train his successor on the duties of the position. Kolko said "I think it’s been a really successful couple months because everyone from what I hear has something good to say about him and they haven’t even seen him at work so we’ll see how it turns out."

Jonathan Eady is an Engineering major, STEM Club board member, Science Research Initiative participant, and one of those President's Ambassadors you could often see around campus with khakis and light blue polos with red embroidery on the chest. On Tuesday, he became the new student trustee.

Once he was elected to be student trustee, he wasted little time getting involved with the A.S. and trustee at the time Kolko. He became involved with various committees and even got to work on the committee that

selected Ralph Andersen & Associates to consult in SMC's search for a new school president.

The committee consisted of 17 people; four faculty, three administrators, three classified staff members, three students, and four community members. Eady mentions Ralph Andersen & Associates did a good job finding Pasadena City College their latest superintendent/president "and now they’re going to to the same for us and hopefully have the same if not even greater results."

The students selected for the committee were selected by Kolko and A.S. president Ali Khan. Eady credits any of his knowledge and future successes in the student trustee position to Kolko.

"Yes I’m older than him," said Eady. "But he has experience I don’t have, especially dealing with more political aspects of the school."

For Eady there are two main perspectives to have as Student Trustee, the student perspective and the trustee perspective.

"You are a student advocate, you are there to give the students perspective, you are there to pretty much represent the entire student population, not just the A.S.,” said Eady of the student perspective. He said of the trustee perspective “it’s less about just the student, it’s about the entire administration, it’s about the district, it’s about the greater community overall."

"It’s a weird position to be in, because for one thing, the student trustee is paid by the district, but also they’re elected in by the students," said Eady. "So you have this sort of balancing act between how you best serve the students and how you serve in

Incoming Student Trustee Jonathan Eady attends the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday night. It was Eady's first meeting as the new trustee of the Associated Students (Scott Bixler The Corsair)

your role as a trustee, and the challenge is striking that balance."

He said that the Board of Trustees often works with the community and the college to try and best serve both, pointing to the newly approved Interaction Design Bachelor's Degree and connections the college has been trying to create with the "Silicon Beach" area.

Another important area of focus Eady plans to have is on Math and physical sciences, noting that they are departments with the lowest success rates.

"Yes, mathematics is a tough subject," said Eady. "But everyone that I’ve spoken to that’s gone from SMC’s math department, they say that those departments are much

better developed and much better supported than at SMC." Kolko's regret, looking back, was not utilizing his commissioners as much as he could have, being allowed to have four but only having three. He also noted the time commitment the role entailed, which led to him falling behind in some classes.

"This is an occupation," said Kolko. "If you were setting yourself up for not being available as much as possible, you’re limiting your position and you’re making it so that someone that could be in your position, who would utilize the time completely and spend all their time and effort on it, isn’t having that opportunity."

Pico Youth & Family Center Protests to Fight Possible Closure TIM "EUN" LEE STAFF WRITER The roads between the Pico Youth & Family (PYFC) Center and the Santa Monica City Hall were trodden with fervent protest last Thursday. In the protest, PYFC members, families, friends and children marched with hopes of the Center’s continuance. A few passing by cars honked in support. Many protesters came with signs and drums, chanting in orchestrated cadence: “Let PYFC thrive! Let PYFC thrive! Let PYFC thrive!”

As a non-profit organization aimed to support youths by helping low-income families and preventing youth violence for over 13 years, the PYFC has changed many lives for the better. And as they vehemently chanted, some banging their drums and kitchen pots, their passion and dedication to the Center was obvious.

According to a 2015 report by their Human Services division, the City had apportioned a one-time payment of $190,000 for PYFC on June 24, 2014, pointing the Center to self-sustainability. And in accordance with their decision, the City staff recently recommended the Center’s defunding.

However, without an annual $190,000 -- which is equal to 40% of the PYFC’s budget -- the Center will be likely to downsize their space, staff, and the number of youths they cater to; That is, if they are lucky enough to survive closure, according to the PYFC staff members. “It’s going to destroy the

Armando Moran, a member of the PYFC, leading last Thursday's protest. The crowd chants, "Let PTFC thrive!" in front of Santa Monica City Hall. (Tim Lee The Corsair)

organization's ability to succeed into the future.” said Oscar de la Torre, president of the PYFC. As part of the protest last Thursday, PYFC advocates also stepped inside the walls of the Santa Monica City Hall, filling the lobby, hoping to catch the eyes of the City staff members and prove how much the center meant to many. There were motivational speeches, chantings, and even a skit by PopUp-Teada depicting the reality of youth violence. Over the megaphone, one PYFC member proclaimed, “The rumors of a 9.8 earthquake came true today, right here in city hall” as protesters cheered, the banging of their drums ringing throughout the City Hall.

Following the protest, the families, friends, and members of PYFC joined the

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City council meeting, where the City staff announced their final proposal to defund the Center. Many advocates came up for testimonials during the meeting to fight the proposal.

Kaia Bailey, a recent graduate of California State University (CSUN), Northridge, was one of the individuals who came up.

For the last four months, she worked with the PYFC on a research study in partnership with CSUN. “The youth shared with me stories of their resilience, and strength, and how the PYFC -- a community based program -- has met their basic needs, spiritual and creative needs, provided educational and occupational support in a culture of love and family” She said “I believe defunding the [PYFC] will be catastrophic @THE_CORSAIR •

for this community, my community, and for the youth that have marched to City Hall, here today.

Back in the lobby, many hoping for the continuance of the funding for PYFC sat watching the testimonials on the City Hall television, including Oscar de la Torre, as the City Council meeting stretched long into the night. Though disappointed, the prospect of the Center’s defunding did not hinder the supporters spirits. They watched as many individuals came up and expressed to the Council their dissents and told stories (including one spoken-word rap), cheering after every one.

The City Council's final decision to either fund or defund the PYFC will be on June 23rd, 2015.

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NEWS

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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THE SHADOW OF A TRAGIC LIFE SMC professor recalls Zawahri as an elementary schooler

Professor of Early Childhood Development Wendy Parise reflects on her time teaching John Zawahri at the Santa Monica College Bundy Campus on Monday. Zawahri carried out shooting in Santa Monica on June 7, 2013, leaving 5 people killed and 4 injured. He was shot by police on scene. (Kira VandenBrande The Corsair)

ALCI RENGIFO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF When a shooter made his way to Santa Monica College on June 7, 2013 and took three lives before being shot down in the campus library, SMC professor Wendy Parise was shocked to recognize the face of the suspect. It was her former pre-school student, John Zawahri.

Two years later and many questions still hover over the day when Zawahri, clad in dark commando gear and brandishing a machine gun, killed his father and brother, set their home ablaze and--while evading police--found his way to SMC. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the case remains an ongoing investigation, and so until it is closed, a full record of Zawahri's rampage will remain murky at best for the general public.

Traces of his local connections are slowly dissipating. His mother Ronda was said to be working at the Rose Cafe in Venice at the time of the shootings, but the cafe has since closed, and with it any local traces of the mother.

Yet not all traces disappear completely.

One link to a younger Zawahri, before he grew into a 23-year-old driven to murder, is SMC Early Child Education professor Wendy Parise.

After the shooting Parise wrote an article about her experiences as Zawahri's teacher and the broader issue of troubled children growing up within a system that is still trying to properly help them. It was picked up by local press and for a brief moment raised serious questions about what forms a human time bomb.

Parise interacted with Zawahri when he was a 4-year-old pre-school student at the

Lincoln Child Development Center. The story she tells is of a reserved child from a home full of rages seen and unseen. "I had tJohn as a pre-school student. He was in my special education pre-school class," said Parise. "He was a child who was having some difficulty. He was very quiet, they were concerned. He was referred to our program."

Already teaching at SMC at the time of the shooting, it was impossible to imagine at the time that 20 years later, Parise would again cross paths with an older Zawahri in such a tragic fashion. "We were all in shock.

But we didn't know who or what happened on that Friday. On Saturday I kept looking at the internet to see what was going on.

Then I scroll through the news and they published a picture of the shooter. At first I saw his face and said 'oh my gosh, his face looks familiar to me.'"

Parise connected the name to the young boy who had been her student years before.

"I was completely shocked because I knew him as a child. What really shocked me is that this was a family who we were involved with who were very traumatized."

The details Parise share coincide to what investigators reported soon after the shootings: That Zawahri came from a home with signs of violent domestic abuse. "The mother was a victim of domestic violence," said Parise. "I began to think about how we had failed this child. He had gone through the Santa Monica school system and really passed along when he was living in a very violent situation."

As Parise puts it, the teachers at Zawahri's school did all they could to provide an adequate education but "it was the family

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that needed intervention." She described Zawahri as a child who was "very gentle, very mild. And very withdrawn. I think he was so protective of his mother, I could see that even at a very young age, and rightly so because the dad was being overtly violent."

The violence in the Zawahri home became all too clear when the mother approached Parise and other faculty claiming that her husband had threatened her and her two sons with a knife. "She said 'I don't know what to do, my husband pulled a knife on me and my son John and my son Chris.' So we sent her to a battered women's shelter. She stayed there but stayed with this man for another seven or eight years and then finally divorced him."

One aspect of the case that Parise feels has not received enough attention is how Zawahri's mother was out of the country, in Lebanon, when he carried out the rampage. According to police reports, the letter Zawahri left behind expressed hopes that his mother would be taken care of and that she would receive financial support from his father's estate.

"It's so tragic. When we look at this kind of tragedy that seems to be happening over and over and if you look at the seeds of where it begins, it does begin in the home, in the family, the poverty, the tragedy of what's going on around the child," emphasized Parise.

"I remember doing a home visit and visiting their home," recalled Parise. "And everything seemed fine. But then things start coming out. Most families won't just openly admit 'yeah we're dysfunctional, my husband beats me.'"

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As Parise points out, the story of Zawahri and other names now enshrined in terrible notoriety raises the question of nature versus nurture. What makes a killer? What pushes an individual into the abyss? Are we hardwired predators? Or do our surroundings and experiences morph us into nightmares?

"The research is showing that nurture does play a big part," said Parise. "It's called 'toxic stress,' it can affect the brain function and everything else. Those early experiences when the brain is very young."

"We do have services for people. For example, John Zawahri's family did receive help from a battered women's shelter and he did receive psych services help through out his life. Maybe the first thing is awareness, but it's a slow change," said Parise.

"Our educational system is broken. We can do a lot to educate the child but if we don't help the adults raising these children we're not going to get anywhere," said Parise.

"The kid comes to school and we want to teach them spelling words but dad was thrown in jail last night and he's had nothing to eat."

A haunting question remains how one can catch a walking threat, or notice an individual close to the breaking point. "Don't so many people say would have, could have, should have right? I'm sure John's friends might even think that," said Parise. "The thing to do is take things seriously. If you see that someone is having potentially dangerous behavior to themselves, they can see if they can get them over to Psych Services. It's a tough one."

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Rhythm of the night

The talent and performers of the Synapse dance spectacular ALCI RENGIFO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF An hour before showtime and the backstage area of The Broad was a scene of controlled chaos as dancers, instructors and stage hands swarmed to prepare for Saturday night's performance. On nearby stairs a dancer stepped on broken glass and pressed a band aid against her slashed toe, determined to not miss the show.

It was the return of Synapse, the annual dance spectacle that combines a diverse set of genres, rhythms and ideas to create a vast palette of emotions through movement.

This semester's performance was a collection of everything from hip hop to opera to the minimalist strings of composer Max Richter.

In a dressing room aglow with mirror bulbs, Malia Gardener, an SMC dance student, stretched and flexed as everyone else fixed their hair, applied makeup and selected costumes. "Everyone feels connected," she said. "You have to make sure you have any easy flow while getting ready."

"Dancing makes you confident in yourself. It's a mixture between being creative and controlled," she added.

Kardale Holland devoured a burrito while preparing to be called on stage for "Sonsuz," the evening's first number, a contemplative piece set to the strings of Richter.

"Each piece challenged me to see how far I can go with my character, it's really good for acting too," said Holland. "The feeling onstage is an unspeakable pleasure.

You want to share what you have to the world through art."

While dancing Holland makes an effort to look at the audience and see their expressions. "That is the main goal actually. Some-

times they have curious looks."

While some of the pieces in a Synapse show are choreographed by SMC instructors, the program also allows talented students to design and choreograph pieces as well.

One such student choreographer was Tamer Abdo. His piece for the evening was entitled "Another Day In Paradise," a narrative about life's hurtles, violence and addictions.

"My piece is mostly about abuse. Relationship abuse, substance abuse, a little bit of trafficking. It was inspired about events that occurred or that I have heard about in my life," said Abdo. "It's about how to make something real onstage. You can make something beautiful or something very ugly. A movement can be sharp or it can be soft."

In the abysmal darkness behind the stage curtains sat, slightly illuminated, SMC instructor and master choreographer Angela Jordan waiting for the performance to begin.

Jordan's pieces tend to be some of the most spectacular at Synapse. In the past she has produced imaginative spectacles to Lady Gaga and African tribal music. Tonight her piece would be "Rhythm Is The Essence," a Jazz Funk fusion of pure, percussive power.

"You have to see my piece," said Jordan in greeting this reporter as I dashed by.

Waiting in the lobby was SMC student and professional dancer Nathalie Fust, an emigre from Sweden who decided to pursue better opportunities in Los Angeles. "It's been hard sometimes but I enjoy the work.

The culture is different," said Fust. According to her, in Sweden dancing instruction is a more rigid, strict affair. "As a dancer you have to be more quiet and don't say a lot. Here in America it's more allowed to interact with your choreographer. Here I'm like, wow, everyone is talking."

Dancers perform during the piece "Excerpts From Dido And Aeneas" during the Synapse dance show on Saturday night. The show combines various forms of music and dance styles to tell stories, express ideas and capture emotions through movement. (Carlos Espinosa The Corsair)

For Fust the American style of dance instruction, at least at SMC, feels more open and interactive. "I was one of the most hired dancers in Sweden but I decided to come here because in Sweden we only have one dance company."

It was time for the show to begin and after welcoming the audience and making a short introduction, SMC dance instructor and artistic director Mark Tomasic, who co-directed with fellow SMC instructor Jae Lee, sat down to discuss the show. "We usually have 10 new voices every semester [as choreographers] and every piece is different," explained Tomasic. "There are some pieces that are very internal, we're listening to Max Richter play, and then there are some pieces that are very much looking outward."

With student choreographers it is almost inevitable that they will incorporate themes reminiscent of the youth experience. The piece "The Sacred Space," choreographed

by Meri Bender, was literally about taking

class. "When you're dealing with choreographers who are around the age of 20, you're dealing with variables that are common among many 18-20 year olds. It's a huge time of transition in their lives and reaching out for new things. Sometimes you don't know what those things are but you know what you want to achieve," said Tomasic. "You see pieces from this age group that are about yearning and trying to get somewhere."

Tomasic has noticed that today's dancers are more sophisticated at a younger age. "I think that's a sign of the development of our world, as everything is going faster now," he observed. Tomasic's own choreographed piece reached out into the past. It was an interpretation of Henry Purcell's opera of the myth of Dido and Aeneas.

And as the sounds of Max Richter's "Infra 1" filled the air, Synapse once more danced the night away with a depth and precision that continues to make it an SMC arts stand out, and a statement through movement of who this generation is today.

Bringing "The Shape Shifter" to life ALCI RENGIFO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Like a well-mobilized small army, the Film 33 production class began production on its latest short film project over the weekend. Led by professor Salvador Carrasco, a crew composed entirely have students have been trekking their way from the Bundy campus to the Van Nays to make "The Shape Shifter." Written and directed by SMC film student Kelly Thompson, the film is a comedy about a woman who sells diet products amid a culture that glorifies certain body types. One of the film's producers, SMC student and actress Carrie Finklea, took some time off from a hectic set to chat about the progress of the film. Finklea is an experienced actress in her own right, having worked on numerous projects including Gus Van Sant's "Elephant," which won the Palm d'Or at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

How has the shoot gone so far? How long is it projected to last?

words, "ROLLING, CAMERA, ACTION" are three of my favorite words of all time - especially as a producer because it means you did something right against all odds and you made it happen (you meaning the team).

As a producer, what have all your duties been like so far?

Producing is difficult to define as the work and the word itself is not a tangible one. For instance as the camera operator you "operate the camera". As a producer you what? Produce what? Well, hopefully, a film. You are the one that everyone turns to in a crisis. Money is a big job in which we spent a lot of our time focusing on. I give a lot of the credit to Michael Osborne as he was the one attending all the meetings (I'm in the middle of a 9-6 internship 5 days a week that prevented me from attending such meetings). We also have an indiegogo campaign still going on (link insert).

What is the most important thing you

Elinor Nahmani, Kelly Thompson and Salvador Carrasco (left to right), confer during the shooting of "Shape Shifter," the latest short film project of the Film 33 production class. (Scott Bixler The Corsair)

As an actress with much experience, how does working on a student film compare to working on a higher budget production?

hope audiences get out if this film?

The shoot is going amazing. In preproduction there were times where it didn't seem like it was going to happen. To be honest, we were this close (a string of hair) to having to cancel the shoot. I think possibly two days before shooting. I'm not even sure if the entire crew knows that, but yes, this almost didn't happen indefinitely. But that is the magic of filmmaking that I love, I thrive upon: the art of making it happen through turbulence, steep hills, muddy waters, friction, a lot of "no's" and "cant's", and empty pockets. Through creativity and unifying minds I love seeing a movie come together on production day. Hearing those

Out of this film in particular - I really hope people see the humanism aspect of this film. I really hope people relate to the Brenda character as we all did as a class.

Body image is rampant in this society, culture, world, era, and so on. It wreaks havoc on what we as a society think is important and instead what is sacrificed is quality of life for the superficiality and instantaneous gratification of "looking good". I want people to see truth in this film and then hopefully take that nugget with them and not only crave truth in their own life, but demand for it.

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Thank you for the credit but there is never enough experience. As for defining SMC as a "student film" I would say that this program is really breaking the negative connotation often associated with that term.

I didn't notice a difference. In fact I had much better time on this set then many of the so-called "professional" sets I've made in the past. I've seen some really crazy behavior on million dollar sets and seen countless movies never get finished or even started because of egos and the inability to budget.

On the SMC sets I see students coming in from past projects or other film classes carrying cables for our movie for absolutely @THE_CORSAIR •

free. Everyone wants to be here to learn and to be part of the magic. It's really beautiful.

What's your favorite moment so far from the shoot?

Favorite moment on the shoot: Memorial Day weekend nine of us spending the entire day (around seven hours) at the Bundy campus with professor Carrasco and Drew figuring out the shot list. Then the following day in a production meeting for 8 hours with another group of about 9 or 10 of us.

Not one person complained about missing their Memorial Day BBQ or whatever it is you are supposed to do on that weekend.

Making a film was more important.

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/THECORSAIRONLINE

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Double Identity SMC student sees country annexed by Russia and deals with a split passport YULIA MAGURDUMOVA CONTRIBUTING WRITER He is a student at Santa Monica College, but his nationality has been quite literally torn in half. An anonymous student sat down with a Corsair contributor to discuss being from Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia through a popular vote last year.

The annexation was the result of a 2014 revolt in Ukraine which overthrew a Moscow-aligned government, replacing it with a pro-EU government now engaged in conflict with separatist rebels in the east rumored to be friendly to Russia. But for the common citizen, like the student interviewed here, the change in border lines means having to directly experience the fallout of world-changing events.

I want to ask you about you deciding to remain anonymous. What are you afraid of?

First of all, they (Crimean government) makes us change passports in Crimea.

How does this situation affect you?

You must have official Russian internal document. When I was flying to Crimea not long ago custom house officers asked me why I had the Ukrainian passport as I was from Crimea. I replied that, unfortunately, I hadn’t received it yet as now I study in America. They advised me to apply to the American Embassy and obtain passport of the Russian Federation. It goes without saying that I have a heap of visas in my Ukrainian passport. But I don’t want to disclose this information, you see. An average guy from Crimea with two passports, studying in America.

No one knows here that I am from Crimea. I have a residence permit in Kiev, not in Crimea. I did it in order not to have an array of problems. I haven’t been to Kiev

for two years,as they may make me join the army. It’s so risky. My parents don’t allow me to visit Kiev.

Of course, with the current conflict still going on.

I am not going to visit Crimea. I don’t want to take a risk with my passport.

Let’s start from the scratch. Did you like the government led by Viktor Yanukovych (ex-president of Ukraine)?

Yes. I really liked it. Though there was corruption the situation was quite stable.

The exchange rate of grivna (Ukrainian currency) was 8. It was really much better than now.

go there to break everything and simply destroy the capital?

They don’t need to do that.

Were you in Crimea when it voted to join the Russian Federation after the Maidan revolt?

I was in Crimea all this time. My Mom and me took part in election campaign.

All people voted for joining Russia .

Because of the mess in the Ukrainian mainland?

People got frightened. They felt Russia defended them. Military men were standKatt Hall The Corsair

Did you ever support "Euromaidan" (popular term used for the revolution in Ukraine)?

ing in the streets. Everyone was eager to take a photo with them.

It was a great mistake. Now there is a military conflict. The economic and political situation in Russia also changed for the worse. When Victor Yanukovich was the President, Russia and Crimea were on friendly terms. Nobody wanted to leave Crimea and move to Russia. All citizens were satisfied with the state of things.

Russian was a common language there.

Nobody wanted to strike people’s rights. Of course you can say that there was corruption. All presidents steal something and live in castles.

Can you say the elections were legitimate?

Do you believe the claim being made

by Russia and Yanukovych that people were paid to protest in Maidan?

They left only Ukrainian passports, as far as I’m concerned. Now they take those away.

I guess yes. I’m confident that some people from Crimea were paid only for non –participation in the Yanukovich [re-]election campaign. What normal people will

Do people have double citizenship?

DAVE & THE DOCTOR A tale of medicine and conspiracy

ALCI RENGIFO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF President Harry S. Truman once said "The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know." There are individuals who live by this coda and apply it to nearly everything. One such individual is a local Santa Monica resident whom I will only call by his first name: Dave.

Dave sees a world just underneath the surface of anything we consider official news, history, you name it. In his view, while others drink the kool aid of lies serviced to us by the powers that be, among them the 1969 Moon landing, 9/11, and other bits of hackery concocted by shadowy forces, he and the more astute look for alternative forms of information.

Dave has recently been following the work of one Dr. Tulio Simoncini. Based in Rome, Simoncini has spent years claiming that cancer is caused by a fungus, in particular Candida albicans, what would generally be called an 'opportunistic fungus' in medical literature.

As Simoncini claims through his website and several speeches and lectures available on YouTube, the fungus causes the formation of cysts and uncontrolled cell division in various organs. The treatment Simoncini claims is most effective is an invention

7

of his where the patient consumes sodium bicarbonate. He has reported having cured several patients through his treatment.

The world of medicine has dismissed Simoncini's claims. The organization Cancer Treatment Watch issued a warning in 2008 that "There is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and there is good reason to believe that the treatment is dangerous." In 2003 Simoncini's license to practice was withdrawn. The group Quackwatch has also dismissed Simoncini's claims.

This has of course only galvanized his admirers in the underground who believe he is the victim of harassment and intimidation by corporate forces seeking to continue making money off expensive medical treatments. Since discovering Simoncini's story, Dave has been an ardent crusader to inform whoever who meets about the Italian doctor's research. A medical Alex Jones, Simoncini thrives online through websites, podcasts and videos announcing his determination to prove cancer is a fungus-rooted disease that can be cleaned out with his simple treatment.

On Sunday morning Dave arranged a Skype meeting with Simoncini, to discuss his story and bring it to local readers. It was

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Yes. Everybody voted for Russia.

What is your attitude towards the new president of Ukraine, the pro-EU, pro-US Petro Poroshenko?

My attitude is very negative because there is a mess and ordinary people suffer from his policies.

When did they start to exchange your passports for the Russian ones?

What is your prognosis for the near future? Will Crimea remain Russian?

In May. People were staying in the queues in order to exchange them.

I am absolutely sure. Russian president Vladimir Putin controls the situation. He is very powerful.

But Putin can’t live forever.

After Putin his followers will still run the country. Putin has great support in Russia.

Did authorities leave your original documents to you?

Yes, they do. I also have double citizenship. a meeting between a convinced warrior and one of his scholars.

"Hello doctor, Los Angeles is well, a little cloudy," said Dave as Simoncini appeared on the laptop screen. "I think that your work is stunning."

"Thank you, thank you," said Simoncini from his home in Rome. "I was young when I made my discovery," he said. "I cured several people of cirrhosis with the sodium bicarbonate."

Simoncini remembered how as a young medical student, his teachers paid little attention to his research. "The universities are so corrupt. When I submitted my findings they immediately banned me."

Dave listened attentively to every word.

"I had to start a fight that I am still doing.

We are fighting an old system, a medieval system," said Simoncini. "There is a big interest, the money, the power," he said with a defined Italian accent.

"Statistics are a hoax," he continued on.

"There is a big lie in oncology."

Dave nodded and looked over. "Exactly, madness," he said.

"I was in Nicaragua and a woman was going to have her bladder removed because of cancer, this is unbelievable," said Simoncini. "It is totally unnecessary."

Prepared with memorized information and facts, Dave asked more questions. "There was a man who had metastasized to the bone prostate cancer, he took melasis and baking soda. He had two parts baking soda and one tea spoon of molasses with water @THE_CORSAIR •

Is a second revolt in Ukraine possible?

The average salary in Ukraine as well as in Nigeria and Zimbabwe is $45-50. It is not a decent salary to live by.

twice a day. And during that time his bathroom habit changed. He had night sweats, but at the conclusion of 11 days the cancer was gone," he narrated to Simoncini.

"No. You cannot fix with molasses or lemon because that neutralizes the bicarbonate," said the doctor. "It is a lie, maybe it was a lie to sell molasses," explained Simoncini.

"What about molasses and maple syrup?" inquired Dave.

"No, another fraud," said Simoncini.

"But all cancer is a fungus?" asked Dave.

"Yes, it's all a fungus," said Simoncini.

"Do you think fluoride in the tap water is carcinogenic?" asked Dave. Many believe that fluoride has been fed into population water services in order to keep us docile and unable to revolt against the powers that be. Dave has been an ardent researcher on the subject.

"I don't know," responded Simoncini.

"Anything can be carcinogenic."

Simonici had to go for an unknown, pressing commitment in Rome. But he emphasized that he did not think the local government considered him a threat yet, even if others mock him. "You have to spread the light over the planet. Professors and patients write to me and say 'doctor, finally we have found the light'," said Simoncini.

"The others, they lie about me, they smear me, they issue false news about me."

"It was fabulous to meet him," said Dave when the interview was over, determined to spread the word.

/THECORSAIRNEWS •

/THECORSAIRONLINE

8

PHOTOSTORY

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

RIDING THE TIDE CLAUDIUS WEST MULTIMEDIA EDITOR The day wasn't bright but it did start early for Jeff Williams Co-president of the black surfers collective. “I load my truck, come to the beach and get ready for busloads of kids," said Williams. Around the tent were surfboards, bodysuits, food and lots of surfers ready to introduce Los Angeles area youth to the waves; all free as part of the 4th annual Nicki Gabaldon Day on Saturday.

The event put together by Heal The Bay, The Surf Bus Foundation, and The Black Surfers Collective along with a multitude of sponsors honors the legacy of Santa Monica surfer Nick Gabaldon by providing youth the opportunity to do what Nick loved doing most: surf.

“It’s about exposure” says BSC co-pres-

ident Greg Rachel. “Every time you expose a young person to something new, the chances of them reaching out and wanting to experience something else is greater.”

According to Alison Rose Jefferson, a historian with the Santa Monica Conservancy, Nick Gabaldon was a graduate of Santa Monica High school, a student of Santa Monica College, and a Navy veteran who gained notoriety in the 1940’s for being the first known surfer of African-American and Hispanic descent. Because he didn’t own a car, Gabaldon often paddled his board many miles to other beaches in order to find the best waves.

Gabaldon died while surfing the Malibu pier in 1951. In his honor the city of Santa Monica has declared June 1st Nick Gabaldon

Day. His life, while brief, has inspired many people from all backgrounds over the years to take to the waves and to share Nick’s love of the water with others.

The day started with a memorial ceremony and paddle out, something that surfers do to honor those that came before them.

After the paddle out the lessons got under with many kids, many of whom were bused in from the inner city, catching waves for the very first time.

Though the Black Surfers Collective is named to honor a man of color, the event and it's organizers welcome all without regard to race.

“We ended up with a name with the word black in it because we wanted to be accessible,” says Rachel, who also has a love for the waves and was also once a student of SMC having studied fire science and biology before starting a successful career as a fire fighter. Rachel went on to explain that because the group is trying to include people of color in the surfing life the group decided on a name that was inclusive to

blacks and other minorities whom the collective is trying to welcome to surf culture.

“The name is out there to connect with others not to separate ourselves from others,” Rachel said.

The event and those who donate their time to it do so to encourage new surfers but also to educate. According to its website, The Surf Bus Foundation and the Surf academy was inspired by the tragic events of June 1998 when a 12 year old girl drowned at Manhattan Beach just feet from where academy founder Mary Setterholm was teaching other children how to swim. Nearly 20 years later instructors like Chris LaFevre whose Santa Monica/Malibu Surf Acadamy is partnered with Surf Bus was at the beach to continue Setterholms mission.

“Today I’ve had the honor of taking two kids who had never surfed and they both caught caught waves,” says Le Fevre beaming with pride and enthusiasm. He hopes that those who came for lessons will continue to come back and learn to be comfortable in the water.

Youth gather on surfboards on the beach as they receive instructions from volunteers with the Black Surfers Collective on how to get up and catch a wave on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica. (Jose Lopez)

Two participants with the Surfers Collective gather

beach on Saturday in Santa M (Jose Lopez)

A participant at the Black Surfers Collective event holds onto her surfboard as she makes her out of the ocean to gather with other surfers on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica. (Jose Lopez)

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PHOTOSTORY

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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A volunteer with the Black Surfers Collective helps a youth learn how to get up and catch a wave on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica.(Jose Lopez)

A participant at the Black Surfers Collective event holds onto his surfboard as he hangs out with other surfers on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica.

(Jose Lopez)

A volunteer with the Black Surfers Collective calls out a raffle ticket number for a giveaway on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica. (Jose Lopez)

e Black on the

Monica.

Youth make their way to the beach for their surf lessons from volunteers with the Black Surfers Collective on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica. (Jose Lopez)

A volunteer with the Black Surfers Collective helps the youth suit up in wetsuits for surf lessons on Saturday at the Inkwell in Santa Monica. (Jose Lopez)

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@THE_CORSAIR •

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10 OPINION

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

LOCAL PASTOR ON LGBT RIGHTS SHERWOOD HAISTY, JR. EVANGELIST AND PASTOR Recently, the country of Ireland has legalized the recognition of homosexual “marriage”. Also, in a few weeks, the US Supreme Court is expected to render its decision on the subject. Some expect the Court will force homosexual marriage upon all of America, despite the expressed will of the people in many states, who have amended their state Constitutions to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.

Many forget that as recently as the last decade, homosexual activity was a punishable crime. Homosexual acts were illegal in all but one of the fifty states as late as the 1970’s. Several states repealed those laws in the decades that followed but not all. It was the US Supreme Court that reversed the last anti-sodomy laws in 2003. What a change. The states New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and South Carolina once held that a person found guilty of committing a homosexual act was to be put to death.

Thomas Jefferson himself introduced a bill in Virginia that advocated castration as a penalty for sodomy.

George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army had an officer “drummed out” of the army in a shaming parade never to return or be seen again because he was found guilty of sodomy.

The office was forced out of the service “with infamy” as the order read, “His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and with abhorrence and detestation of such infamous crimes orders Lieutt. Enslin to be drummed out of camp tomorrow morning by all the drummers and fifers in the Army never to return; The drummers and fifers [are] to attend on the Grand Parade at Guard mounting for that Purpose.” So much for “sodomites” in the military. Still, can you imagine a politician today taking the moral positions of Washington and Jefferson or states passing such laws as those before?

Is there a change in how American’s view homosexuality and homosexual marriage?

Even the state of California passed Prop 8 the same year Obama first came into office and by nearly the same margin of victory.

Though it is often overstated for political purposes, we admit that there has been a perceived change in how American’s view the practice of homosexual sex. The lie that people are born homosexual is perhaps the most impacting as there has never been a single reputable scientific study that has ever found a supposed “gay” gene. These lies have impacted many young Americans and there has been at least some change of public opinion on the matter.

I have been asked many times, “What do you think about homosexuality or homosexual marriage?” I always give a straight answer. Homosexual sex is a vile wretched abomination in the sight of a holy God. You are already furious and think I am a homophobe, bigot, and a hater, and you would call me a closet homosexual which has become an off repeated lie as a tactic on anyone who opposes homosexuality. Rest assured I am a not homosexual and I will not be intimidated. I am discerning and discriminating between right and wrong.

Am I a homophobe or a hater? No I am not afraid of homosexuals but yes I hate homosexual sin. I suppose that makes this a hate speech.

That is another straight answer. Romans 12:9 says, "Let love be without hypocrisy.

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."

You can’t love good without hating the opposite. You can’t love little children and not hate child molestation. You can’t love unborn babies and not hate abortion. You

THE MARCH TOWARDS LGBT RIGHTS JUAN LOPEZ WEB EDITOR

can’t love God without hating what God hates.

Let me give you some biblical truth to prick your conscience and further inform it of how exceedingly wicked homosexual sin is.

Psalms 97:10 says [Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: ]. If you don’t hate evil, you don’t really love God. The love for one is mutually exclusive to the love of the other and necessitates the hatred of its opposite. That is why so many homosexuals openly voice their hatred for God, for Jesus, and for Christians. It is a conflict between light and darkness, righteousness and wickedness, good and evil. Yes I am a hater but I am a lover. Everyone is. What matters is that you love what God says you are supposed to love, and hate what God says you are supposed to hate. Don’t get good and evil flipped, for Isaiah 5:20 warns, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Why be so proud and oppose your Creator?

One month ago, a complete stranger called me a faggot.

Even in 2015, in Santa Monica, on the Santa Monica College main campus.

This still happens.

I was doing an assignment for my photography class where our instructor challenged the students to take photos of groups of strangers without looking through the viewfinder.

I photographed several people with no issue, until under the walkway of the HSS building I found a group of guys hanging talking outside of a classroom.

They did not fit the stereotypical macho, misogynist homophobe mold from the outside, so they seemed like a safe and easy photograph target. Once I snapped a photo, one person in the group turned and angrily shouted.

“Is that what you do? You go around taking pics of guys?!” I was already rushing away when I heard him shout as I left, “Fucking faggot!”

They say “It Gets Better,” and I can attest

Aaron Daly

Who are you to redefine His righteous moral law?

I am not the homosexual’s enemy. Rather I consider myself, as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the homosexual’s--or any other sinner’s--best friend. As a Christian I will love you enough to tell you the honest truth. I don’t have to argue with you that homosexuality is a sin. You already know it. You have a conscience that tells you this is terribly wrong. Your conscience may have become seared and hardened by repeated sin. You have tried to drown out the voice of your conscience by the noise of entertainment, music, alcohol, drugs, and company of others. I don’t have to argue with you, you know it deep down inside. That is why you’re angry at this article.

The Bible says in, Leviticus 20:13, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. . ." The sin is bad enough that the death penalty was prescribed for it. Also notice that the sin of homosexuality is described in the Hebrew text as ‫הָבֵעֹוּת‬ tôʿêvah which is translated as an "abomination", and speaks of that which is utterly abhorrent and thoroughly reprehensible to God. Hell still awaits unrepentant sinners.

Run to Jesus. He is the straight answer.

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that in my lifetime, this has been proven time and again when it comes to LGBTQIA acceptance and rights. However, what a lot of people don’t talk about, is how much better it still has left to be.

In February, an Orange County lawyer named Matt McLaughlin proposed a ballot initiative dubbed “The Sodomite Suppression Act.” The measures in the proposal seek to make sexual interaction by two members of the same sex punishable by “bullets to the head” or “any other convenient method.”

Not even that, but under the initiative, LGBTQIA allies would also be removed from office and sentenced to imprisonment or a $1 million fine.

It should at least raise some flags that McLaughlin says in the initiative that “it is better that offenders should die rather than that all of us should be killed by God's just wrath against us for the folly of toleratingwickedness in our midst.”

Does this sound preposterous? Laughable? Ridiculous? Even completely implausible that anyone would possibly support this? That’s what I thought during the 2008 elections when 52.24 percent of California voters voted to ban gay marriage.

At the same time that the nation voted in Barack Obama as the first black president, the great liberal beacon of the west voted to deny me, and any other LGBTQIA person, the right to marry someone of the same @THE_CORSAIR •

sex, a right that was already available to us within the state.

I will never forget the mixed feelings I had that night. I was so certain that Proposition 8 would not pass. People know better than to think that same sex marriage is harmful or threatening to anyone as attack ads would say, right?

My own mother voted in favor of it. Even though we had discussed it before her voting, she had her Spanish language sample ballot all marked up and ready.

When I asked her if she voted for it after the results, I just remember being furious with her. My sexual orientation was never a matter of discussing in my home. And to this day, that night was the closest I ever got to having an honest discussion about it with her.

Why would she vote for it? Didn’t she understand that we’re just people that want to be able to live our lives just like everyone else? Didn’t she know that someday I may want to get married? Adopt children to keep them out of "the system"?

Her answer was simple enough, and knowing the cultural background she came from, I understood, and lamented her choice and that of many of the other voters who made the decision. She said it wasn’t natural, and children should be raised by a mother and a father.

That weekend, I joined thousands of others to march in Downtown Los Angeles; a march that ended up breaking free from organizers and going to CNN’s LA headquarters in the middle of Hollywood.

During that time, national approval of same sex marriage was at 40 percent according to a Gallup poll. Today approximately 60 percent of Americans approve of legalizing same sex marriage.

It does really get better. State after state in the country decides to legalize same sex marriage with 37 now allowing it, but still 13 states banning. Last week, Ireland, a famously Catholic nation, and Greenland voted to recognize same sex marriage, making it 22 countries in the world recognizing same sex marriage.

In fact, things are so much better for us now, than even ten years ago, that Americans greatly overestimate the amount of gays in the country. Another Gallup poll says that Americans believe 23 percent of the country’s population is LGBTQIA, where in actuality, only 3.8 percent is.

Clearly this can be attributed to the amount of media attention LGBTQIAs have been receiving in recent years. From LGBTQIA characters in popular shows like Glee and openly bisexual recurring character in iconic British TV show Doctor Who to the unexpected success of RuPaul’s Drag Race and lesbian-laden Orange is the New Black, LGBTQIA media presence has brought their issues and stories to the forefront of social consciousness.

Just Monday, Caitlyn Jenner made headlines with waves of support crushing the few detractors of her announcement to the world, declaring herself a transgender woman, on the first day of the month president Obama declared LGBT Pride Month.

Because the vast majority of people are starting to see our stories and getting attached to these characters and personalities and seeing them as people, rather than inhuman monsters, the tides of opinions are starting to support our rights. But this doesn’t mean we’re done.

There are still national news outlets that are skewed in their coverage that blame homosexuality for everything from earthquakes to 9/11, clearly without any supporting evidence. Someday, we’re going to get past the damaging views, the hurtful words and actions, but as far as today goes, it’ll get better.

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OPINION

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

The Minimum Wage: Don't celebrate yet

Aaron Daly

CLAUDIUS WEST MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Recently, the city of Los Angeles past a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour. As I expected the peasants danced in the street, the city government called it progress and the talking heads on cable news debated.

The increase, while long over-due is nowhere near anything to celebrate.

The minimum wage is important if one believes that those who work should be able to eat, have a roof overhead and so on.

That requires a living wage which our current minimum is not nor will $15 be in 2020 when it kicks in. Additionally, raising the minimum wage does nothing to deter major corporations from cutting hours and laying off employees in response to increased operating cost which is what they already do in the face of Obamacare.

Lastly, because all of these costs will simply be passed along in the form of price hikes the cost of living will rise essentially leaving everyone in the same place that they are now and probably worse if one cannot work full-time.

The jobs deficit From late 2007 to 2009 the U.S. experienced its greatest recession since the great depression. It wasn’t until 2014 that the economy recovered all 8.7 million jobs lost in the recession but it still has not added the amount of jobs needed to support those who have newly entered the workforce since the recession started. Also, many of the jobs that were recovered were low wage, low skill jobs.

Why aren’t the high wage, high skill jobs coming back? There are many reasons but the simple explanation is that creating jobs is not good for business. It’s about efficiency, getting more for less and in today’s technologically advanced world marketplace it’s about cutting jobs or getting labor at the lowest costs. In short, if a computer, a robot or someone in a developing country can do the job cheap, then they will get the job.

So, where do all those displaced people go? What happens when the unemployment runs out, you can’t get back to where you were and the bills come due? You take what you can get.

LETTER FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR (Read it if you want) JONATHAN RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR After spending most of my Santa Monica College tenure as a staff writer, opinion editor and managing editor of the Corsair Newspaper, I now stand with a bittersweet feeling knowing that this issue will be my last. A piece of me rejoices for the freed up time in my life that will be attributed to finalizing my transfer from SMC, as well as seeing my family on a Tuesday for the first time in two years.

Of course, it will take some time to get used to reading SMC news knowing that I had nothing to do with producing it. After spending each day pondering and conjuring up ideas as to how we as a staff could make that particular week’s issue better than the previous one, I’d be dishonest in saying I won’t miss it.

In fact, I’m going to miss it very much.

The late (sometimes sleepless) nights, the praise from writing a good story, and the hate that trickled in when people did not agree with what we wrote were tremendous parts of my life for this time. I’m going to miss the various clubs and organizations on campus that would walk into the newsroom, head in flames, because we wrote something not to their liking.

Nothing pleases me more than knowing I was part of a staff that provoked a united front of 50 plus faculty members to threaten the production of the Corsair. That is not to say I disrespect the great faculty of our campus, only that I took pride in the fact that our stories generated debate and controversy on a campus known for its diversity in race, culture, ethnicity, and viewpoints.

I am also going to miss the interaction with the rest of the campus. Between reporting, interviewing, and gathering information for any potential stories, I spent a lot of the time on staff speaking to administration members, student government officials, faculty members, and students themselves, getting to know different people and build-

In 2001 I was 18 years old and working for Home Depot making $10 an hour. I worked in an affluent bay area suburb alongside high level professionals and former business owners who went bust in the wake of the .com crash. The most notable of these people was a family law lawyer who went from a mid-six figure income in the 90’s to working in retail with us kids just to make ends meet. This is what is happening now, difference being that by 2005 many of the jobs lost came back, something that does not seem to be happening seven plus years after the last recession started.

Look at McDonalds as an indicator of the current state of the job market. According to the U.S. Census, the average age of a person employed by the golden arches was 22. In 2014 the average age was up to 29 ½ years. And, when McDonalds had a national hiring day yahoo reported that there were lines around the block with people looking to fill the roughly 50 thousand positions offered. This is an indicator that there are not enough jobs to go around; as well as the fact that our unemployment rate stands at 5.4 percent but does not count those who are not collecting benefits. Counting these people, the total number of working age individuals who do not work is closer to 48%.

All of the above means that more people are competing for fewer jobs and because of this we can expect that fewer people will make the cut financially.

Warren Buffet, the world's third richest man-or second depending on where the Earth sits in relation to Pluto-wrote an op-ed piece this past week in the WallStreet Journal in which he uses a sports analogy to say, in short, that even if the playing field were level and everyone got the same education (none of which is the case) many would still flop.

Buffett also makes another good point

which is that while it was true that hard work and hustle was enough in the industrial age, today’s economy is not built on back-breaking labor. So for many today, it is no longer true that Americans can just pull themselves up by their proverbial bootstraps and will their way to success.

The hardest hit Americans are us. According to a Jan 2015 New York Times article those households “Headed by those 30 to 44 are more likely to be lower income and less likely to be higher income”. With the cost of education going up but not income or number of jobs one can only expect that things will be worse in the next five to 10 years.

American’s need help and that help needs to be comprehensive. In his op-ed piece Buffett proposed bigger tax credits for the poor and a reform to the laws governing payouts. I say that what is needed is government action that far exceeds bigger tax returns. You can’t just raise wages. Their needs to be legislation that address high housing costs (especially in a city where being homeless is practically illegal), the disparities in educational access, corporate greed, the exodus of jobs overseas and, if the private sector cannot or will not create them, the government should provide a means by which people can earn a living for themselves.

This sounds expensive but, in fact, police, correctional facilities, drug rehab facilities and the costs of public social services provided among other costs that come with deeply impoverished populations far exceed that of providing affordable housing, jobs and living wages. Whatever we do, those who took to the streets for that $15 minimum wage as well as those in the shrinking middle class would be wise to keep pushing for more of everything and soon. Before McDonalds figures out a way for machines to cook and serve their own…whatever they allegedly make.

actually abysmal. I am going to miss my dear friend constantly mentioning me in the drafts of his stories as a coke and patron enthusiast. Most of all, I will miss my team.

Many, if not all, of my close friends at SMC I met because of the Corsair.

Though the days were not without their fair share of drama, the best parts of each day were spent walking to Bob’s Market with my brother-in-arms, contemplating what would go into the following issue all the while quoting Bane—voice and all— from Dark Knight Rises every chance we got (seriously, he has become the prophet of our lives). Some of our best conversations transpired during big Mexican breakfasts

be Michael Fassbender), and other topics that ordinary students would render us insane for talking about, have made up 90 percent of my favorite memories at SMC. The reality is if you’re still reading, most of you have no idea what I’m talking about and I truly don’t care. That is what I consider the best part. I was able to build friendships with the freedom to be completely random, stupid, foolish, and borderline insane, while still able to feel completely comfortable. I was able to have these inside jokes that no one else could possibly understand. For all the stress the Corsair may have brought me and for all of the sleep I may have been deprived of, I am leaving the Corsair knowing that I was able to be a part of something that allowed me to express myself both on paper and in real life. My advisors have my respect, and even though—due to work schedules—I may not have written as much as I would have liked to this last semester, they should know that I did try, and yes I was in class.

I would recommend joining the Corsair, or any club for that matter. You never know the kind of experiences you can have that can really add to your overall college and life experience.

So yeah, in spite of all the craziness, I had fun. There is not enough pole dancing controversies, copy editing errors, or lawsuit threats in the world to deter me from the fact that I had fun. Now I, and my Salvadorian brother (seriously we’re very likely to be related with how small that country is), end a run that started in Fall of 2013; and along with my favorite pair of vegetarian degenerates and some other comrades, I can ride off, with a fist in the air, knowing that I was a part of the Corsair (that truly was not intended to rhyme but I'll roll with it). Peace.

Kira VandeBrande The Corsair

ing relationships on campus that I did not have the opportunity to do before joining the Corsair.

I am going to miss each time our advisor told us to start a story with an anecdotal lead, or that our stories were too opinionated. I will miss our photo advisor telling us that photos we thought were OK were

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11

at Campos after realizing we were too late for breakfast at Burger King.

The 3:00am nights I spent with three other misfits, talking about relationship nirvana, which super heroes we would be in the Avengers, which actors and actresses would portray us if a Corsair film were to be produced (none of which would @THE_CORSAIR •

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

DROPPING IN FROM THE HOLY LAND SMC Israeli student on life, goals and hopes for peace

OSKAR ZINNEMANN STAFF WRITER Hailing from the land of Israel, SMC film student Elinor Nahmani is a creative and passionate patriot. A former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and an aspiring filmmaker, Nahmani is dedicated to preserving the memory of her homeland and highlighting the tragedies on both sides of the Middle East conflict. She sat down with us to share her views on Israeli politics and culture, as well as her own life story.

Nahmani was born in Beersheba, Israel in 1981 to a large Moroccan-Jewish family.

Though she looks back fondly on the time she spent with her family and friends, Nahmani said her childhood in Israel was "scary." The violence of the Second Intifada, a mass Palestinian uprising, hit Israel hard when Nahmani was still a teenager, leaving a lasting impression on her and her family.

"I grew up when busses would explode every fucking day," she said.

Nahmani recounted that daily life became a strategic ordeal as tension between Israelis and Arabs grew. "People can say 'Israel is being unfair to the Palestinians, but also living in that fear, all you know is that you have to defend yourself... but if you're smart enough you would educate yourself and say 'no one is born a murderer.' Once you realize that, I feel there is a way for us and the Palestinians to come to an agreement." Nahmani would often find solace in her school's theatre program, which gave her an escape from the fear and violence surrounding her. With all the turmoil both the Jews and the Arabs have faced over the decades, Nahmani believes they can still "find a way to make it right, and find a to live together," due to the pain both sides have shared.

My thought is just can we have peace?

Can we come to a place where everybody loves everybody, not just in Israel, but around the world?

Nahmani was conscripted into the Israel Defense Force (IDF) at the age of 18. She became an Officer and worked in the IDF's human resources department. "It makes you grow up very fast, it makes you take responsibility, it made me learn about things in the bigger picture," she said. "When I got my officer's rank, I had to go through something, there's a sense of accomplishment once you do all that."

As a young IDF commander fresh out of high school, Nahmani said her position was like that of "a manager in a company when you're just 18." She also had to deal with a "macho man attitude" as one of her commanders did not want a woman in his unit. "I had to work even harder to prove I might be a woman but I can do what guys can do." Despite the challenges, Nahmani

Elinor Nahmani poses for a photo. (Courtesy of Elinor Nahmani)

recounts her service as "a great experience."

As proud as she is of her past service, Nahmani still wishes that we could live in a world where armies are not needed.

Nahmani came to the United States nearly ten years ago to pursue a career as a filmmaker. While she has adjusted well to American society, Nahmani still has fond memories of her homeland. “It’s a great society. I think Israelis are very warm people, very passionate," she said. America, on the other hand, was not that much different for Nahmani. "I felt right at home. The minute I landed, I though 'oh, it's not that much different,'" she said.

While Israel is rich with culture, Nahmani suggested that the country still lacks a national identity. "It’s still a very young country, it’s only 67 years old, so it still needs to come to terms with exactly who we are.” She also clarified that Israel is "more [closely] integrated than people would know,” and that citizens in its diverse population are much more accepting of one another. "It's a lot of stuff people don't know about Israel, and maybe people don't want to know," she said on the topic of Israeli diversity. "There's a lot of people that really want peace, they might not report it, they might not show it, but a lot of people really want peace."

Nahmani is one of those people. “My thought is just can we have peace? Can we come to a place where everybody loves everybody, not just in Israel, but around the world?

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That’s my wish, it’s the only thing I think about — can we have peace?”

Like many other war-weary Israelis, Nahmani was "not happy" with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent reelection. “I would like to see someone like Rabin,” she said, referring to prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, a leader in the IsraelPalestine peace process who has assassinated in office. “I do understand how Netanyahu was reelected because right now, unfortunately, it doesn’t look there’s any good leader in Israel, but I don’t think there’s any good leader in the States either. I think people in Israel, because they don’t see anyone else, chose him out of habit.” Despite the disappointing news, Nahmani said she was "also really excited about the past election because it really shows how democratic and independent Israel is.” In Netanyahu's case, Nahmani believes his actions and behavior toward the international community are misguided, but genine. “I see how he’s being protective, but he’s also being very intimidating and I don’t think people need to live their [lives] out of fear, they need to live out of love,” she said. “For him it comes from a very real place. He thinks he’s defending the country and, to be honest, I would love to never have any wars ever again and to say ‘yeah I was right and he was wrong,’ but as a matter of fact, only time will tell what’s true — if they [enemies of Israel] attack he can say ‘I was @THE_CORSAIR •

right!’ We don’t know what’s gonna happen, and it’s not like its not likely to have Iran attack Israel, it’s not like he’s making it up completely. It’s not like he’s not making things up, I think he really is trying to protect the Jewish people in Israel… but he’s trying to scare people even more, and I think that the only way, eventually, to get peace is by talking, even with Iran. But I’m less concerned about Iran as much as I am with the Palestinians and why we’re not getting into peace talks, why this is not progressing.”

Currently, Nahmani studies at SMC and plans to transfer to UC Berkley to pursue a film major, with the goal of making documentary films in the future. Her goals as a film student are to "explore the tools of filmmaking, learn how to communicate stories," and to produce documentaries that are "true, honest, and touching." She is also involved in activism with a small Israeli peace organization. "I want to call for peace and encourage people to try to understand both sides," she said. "Why wait? Let's make it sooner than later." On the critical importance of peace, Nahmani said: "The bible says that 'from Zion there will come a savior.'

I don't feel that in the literal, biblical sense.

I feel that from 'Zion,' the fact that Palestinian and Israelis would learn to love each other and live together like the children of Abraham, that would give the world model to look for. That's what we need to go for."

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SPORTS

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

13

A SEASON BY THE NUMBERS STATE CHAMPIONS

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

- Men’s Volleyball

- Football Pacific Conference

- Gabriel Miranda 200 yard & 500 yard freestyle

- Men’s Volleyball Western State Conference

- Myra Jovic Singles

- Myra Jovic Western State Conference Singles

- Myra Jovic & Isabel Nazdracheva Doubles

- Myra Jovic & Isabel Nazdracheva Western State Conference Doubles

PERFORMANCE AGAINST RIVALS

STAT LEADERS

Football

Touchdowns Passing Yards Receiving yards Rushing Yards Tackles Sacks

CORSAIRS

EL CAMINO 5-5-1

PIERCE 4-3

WEST LA 7-1

2013 2014

Women’s Volleyball

6-16 18-6

LARGEST REGRESSION

2013 2014

Men’s Volleyball

15-16 3-15

Taylor Tattersall Harrison Hodgin

207 44

Women’s Volleyball Kills Aces

Greta Schmittdiel Greta Schmittdiel

493 50

Men’s Soccer Goals Assists

Maurice Morton Jonathan Navas

12 9

Women’s Soccer

RECORDS Football W. Volleyball M. Soccer W. Soccer W. Water Polo M. Water Polo M. Basketball W. Basketball M. Volleyball W. Tennis Softball

9 1269 327 730 47 5

Men’s Volleyball Kills Aces

BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT

Elliot Vladez Christian Smith Baxter Kirven Roger Jones Kevin Johnson Freeman Coleman Jr.

7-4 18-6 6-10-5 18-2-3 0-25 3-18 10-16 18-11 18-2 6-5 3-32

7-0 10-2 6-6-4 11-0-3 0-8 0-5 5-9 9-5 11-1 6-4 1-19

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Goals Assists

Jayma Martin Xiovana Ordaz

16 11

Chelsea Leaf Chae Persinger Chelsea Leaf Chelsea Leaf Chelsea Leaf Adriana Hernandez

.307 .419 .346 20 20 3

Softball Avg OBP Slug Runs RBI Wins

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14

SPORTS

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Santa Monica College womens softball team (left to right) Adrianna Hernandez, Ivana Petergacova, Chelsea Leif, Christine Padilla gather after winning a game on April 2, 2015 in Santa Monica. (Veronica Aviles The Corsair)

Fastballs and Fighting BAILEY PERAITA STAFF WRITER Hamilton High School senior shortstop Adriana Hernandez is steps away from pain in the top of the fifth inning in a game against the Westchester Comets.

The Comet baserunner breaks for second to steal the base, Hernandez breaks to stop her.

10 steps...nine...eight She's run this path before with the only incident resulting from it being an out.

Five...four...three.

Hernandez leaps towards the ball.

Two...one...impact.

As Adriana lands, the runner slides into her knee tearing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament, meniscus, and inflicts a bone contusion.

Adriana cannot play for the rest of the season. She will miss senior day. She will deal with the effects of this injury for the rest of her life.

“I’m a religious person so when I injured my knee I was always questioning why it happened to me," Hernandez said.

One year after the fateful collision on the Westchester High softball field, Hernandez worked back from the injury to lead the Santa Monica College Corsairs to their only three wins on the season.

Hernandez soon learned a lot about herself from her injury. She loves softball.

The months away from the game were brutal to her.

“I was indoor all day doing baby workouts. It was mentally frustrating and it changed my life completely. I wasn’t the same person after. I became more strict and passionate,” Hernandez said.

“I would cry every 20 minutes and be so depressed all summer because I couldn’t go out, train, or play for the teams I wanted to play," Hernandez elaborated.

Her boyfriend, Marcus Wilson, a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball farm system, helped her through these months as she began to grow pessimistic

as she was trapped away from the field.

Not only would Wilson tell her words of encouragement and help her with her physical therapy; he would help Hernandez practice during his time in the off-season.

"He told me if there was someone to get through it it would be me," Hernandez said.

In the darkness of rehab, Hernandez found salvation through teaching.

She coaches young girls ranging from five to 13 years at Baseball Central in Venice.

As she works during the week to help the careers of other future players, Hernandez hasn't forgotten about her own.

She's playing shortstop for The Santa Monica College Corsair's. Hernandez has only been playing a year and despite her injury she is still being scouted by colleges.

She plans to finish her education here at SMC then transfer on to Azusa Pacific University to play softball and study broadcasting journalism.

She will be the first in her family to graduate college and aims to be a sports reporter.

When Hernandez isn't busy coaching future athletes or focused on her studies, she trains.

"Right now, I am training for a tryout in late June with The Junior National Mexican League and that’s what I’m hoping to make because I would be able to play in Mexico and for The Junior National World Series," she said with excitement in her eyes.

She denotes her knee injury to her advancements. It changed her life. "It taught me to accept everything that comes my way and make it into a positive thing."

Adriana will return to play for The Corsairs until she transfers to APU. You will be able to see her on the field next season and she will be wearing the brace that carries her greatest lesson.

"I learned I shouldn’t question and accept [the injury] because everything happens for a reason,” Hernandez said.

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A womens softball player at Santa Monica College Adrianna Hernandez pitches during a game at John Adams Middle School Field on March 25, 2015 in Santa Monica. (Veronica Aviles The Corsair)

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SPORTS

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

15

Santa Monica College Corsair dual athlete Thomas Tranberg practices field goals in football practice on Monday. (Scott Bixler The Corsair)

THE RETURN OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Corsairs seek to win fifth consecutive conference championship JOSH SHURE STAFF WRITER Antelope Valley. Win. Glendale. Win. West LA. Win. LA Valley. Win. LA Southwest.

Win. Santa Barbara. Win. LA Pierce. Win. The Santa Monica College Corsairs' football won all seven of their conference games in the 2014-15 season.

After four seasons consisting of 27 straight Western State Conference wins and four consecutive conference championships for the Corsairs, led by coach Gifford Lindheim, are looking to add a fifth title to the resume.

"In order to continue to be successful, we have to stay true to the process," said Lindheim.

Coach Lindheim's winning formula has proven to be a success by translating into wins on the field. "[We] recruit the very best players and people we possibly can and coach them as well as we possibly can," Lindheim said.

During his four year reign at the top of the WSC, Lindheim collected four consecutive Coach of the Year honors.

Coach Lindheim's process of bring out the untapped potential of his recruits, has proven successful by giving a stage for talented players to shine and find a way to continue on their football careers at NCAA Division-One programs across the nation.

His alumni include: Paris Bostick (Oregon), DeJuan Butler (Hawaii), Melvin Davis (Hawaii) from the 14-15 season; QuJuan Butler (Iowa State), Dontae Livingston (East Carolina) from the 13-14 season; Alfonso Medina (Weber State), Marcus Manley (California) from the 12-13 season and Alexandru Ceachir (UCLA), Aaron Boesch (San Diego State) and David Mayo (Texas State/ Carolina Panthers draft pick) from the 11-12 season.

"At a JC where there is basically a 2 year player cycle, the only thing guaranteed to

happen is change. Our roster is constantly changing for various reasons. That's the nature of Junior College," elaborated Lindheim.

"We're always trying to find the pieces to the puzzle each year and continually looking to upgrade our personnel and our program."

Lindheim is confident of the talent of the team he sees thus far. "Our strength looks to be at QB and WR, DL, and CB," Lindheim said.

For the upcoming season, the Corsairs look to be lead by recent University of Washington transfer, former #1 high school dual-threat quarterback in the nation back in 2013, Troy Williams.

Williams experienced playing in several Division-One football games while at Washington; getting to play against ranked teams, Arizona State and University of Oregon last season.

In the wide receiver position, SMC will utilize the talents of two players receiving plenty of interest from higher level football programs across the country. Deon Hall and Cameron Chambers are attracting the attention of scouts from universities from University of Southern California to University of Colorado and Louisiana Tech.

Both of those players will likely continue on to play higher levels of football in the near future.

Returning for the defensive line for the Corsairs, Freeman Coleman from Omaha, Nebraska, a player who out of high school attracted the interest of grandfather programs like University of Nebraska and Michigan.

Impact player, defensive back, Keino Mitchell will look to shine in the secondary.

Previously in high school, he caught the eyes of Boise State, Utah, Arizona and San

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University of Washington transfer and Santa Monica College quarterback Troy Smith practices with receivers on Monday. (Scott Bixler The Corsair)

Jose State but never got the chance to play for any of those programs.

Tentatively those are simply a few names to watch out for, but as Lindheim puts it, "we still have many players that are scheduled to join us this summer. There is a lot of competition that needs to take place this Summer and through Fall camp."

"One of the things that we do is to coach @THE_CORSAIR •

the entire football team each and every practice," Lindheim stated.

Will the Corsairs football team be able to continue it's success and conquer the conference again?

Coach Lindheim is definitely coaching up each and every player on his team because as he puts it, the growth "allows us to be better prepared for uncertainties."

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16

SPORTS

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 14 • JUNE 03, 2015 • SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

JAVIER LOPEZ Fighting For Family CLAUDIUS WEST MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Sitting at a bench in the clock tower courtyard on a sunny May afternoon 24 year old Santa Monica College student Javier Lopez and Bridy Azurdia are share smiles and laughs between classes.

Affable, thoughtful and seemingly care free, you would never suspect at first glance that the soft spoken Biology major would also be a man of combat.

Javier grew up in Inglewood, California and at 24 is the eldest of his six siblings.

Javier found martial arts at 5 years old. "My mom says I was being bullied," Lopez said.

So his mom enrolled Lopez into Taekwando class in order to learn self defense.

Lopez struggled at first but quickly caught on to the sport advancing through the belts and over time, began to explore martial arts even more. "I guess you can say it's become a habit to seek out the physical" Lopez said.

Feeding his hunger for sports, Lopez practicing Muay Thai, Ju-jitsu and boxing while also playing basketball and even varsity football in high school. Eventually Lopez became training others and competing in tournaments. Being the new kid in a gym didn't come easy to Lopez who recalled

out of this career, there is a chance I can get hurt. And so, I decided that I needed something to fall back on." A back up plan is important for Lopez because as the oldest sibling in a single parent household he has always had a family to think about.

Lopez says that for a long time his mom played both roles but with so many kids he say that it was too much.

So he began taking responsibility for contributing support and being a care taker in the house providing for and making decisions with them in mind.

Of Lopez's many siblings, Enova was born with a host of medical ailments that have left her blind, mentally underdeveloped and in need of 24 hour care.

To make ends Lopez works in a restaurant and provides personal training sessions.

In between he goes to school and makes sure that his siblings have what they need.

For Lopez the days start early and end late and while tough he is no longer alone.

Lopez has an adopted sister, Azurdia.

Whom he first met while teaching youth Muay Thai classes.

"It's strange because you meet somebody and then you fight" Azurdia said of her first Javier Lopez throws a "superman punch" on Monday (Brandon Barsugli The Corsair)

"Even if I am able to [make] something out of this career, there is a chance I can get hurt. And so, I decided that I needed something to fall back on." his first lesson in Ju-Jitsu which he began taking in high school.

"I almost got choked out" Lopez said recalling the sparring match in which he was out manuevered by a considerably smaller opponent.

But this didn't deter Lopez, he says that the experience only strengthened his resolve to learn more.

Eventually Lopez began both training and competing and even thought of making a career out of MMA before an injury led to a changed his plans.

"I guess It all just got stuck in my head that I was going to get somewhere extremely quick " Lopez said. "But, I got a reality check."

That reality check came when Lopez agreed a title fight in place of a fighter who'd pulled out two days prior.

"I felt pretty confident," Lopez said. "My first fight was an hour notice," But this fight would be different.

Lopez took a hard fall in the fight when his opponent connected with an uppercut that sent him to the mat head first suffering a concussion.

For Lopez, the incident was enough to make him consider a more sure career path.

"Even if I am able to [make] something

memory of meeting Javier.

Lopez remembers their first meet differently, "she was being playful and insulted my pants. I remember her face when I came in and I introduced myself as the days instructor." Neither will say who won the match but Lopez remembers that she had "amazing kicks."

However the two met, Lopez began training Azurdia and she began helping Lopez out around the gym. Over the years the two built a close bond.

A bond that became strong enough that Lopez opened his home to last September when Azurdia, started having problems with her own family.

Today Lopez and Azurdia consider themselves family, facing life's challenges and working together to achieve in school and life.

"We could use tutors and other services that SMC offers but one thing that we know for sure is that we can count on each other," Azurdia said.

The two commute to school together sometimes going over flash cards in the car to prepare for tests among other tricks that the pair uses to stay ahead.

It is good mental training for a fighter who is disciplined in both mind and body.

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