Volume VIII, No. 2

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GEN KOREAN BBQ

Put yourself in a meat coma and satisfy your cravings. See Page 4.

inquirer Wednesday, Feb. 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Volume VIII, No 2

Racism hasn’t left the building FRANK GUITRON and MARHUKH SIDDIQUI Staff members

The Black History 101 Mobile Museum made a stop at Diablo Valley College for Black History Month on Wednesday Feb. 21 as part of DVC’s Equity Speaker Series.

This mobile museum is a “collection of over 7,000 artifacts of original Black memorabilia dating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to hip hop culture,” according to the museum’s website.

Curator Khalid El-Hakim has been taking his museum around since 2006, with the pieces of the museum focusing on all aspects of Black culture and treatment.

The museum features everything from Ku Klux Klan memorabilia and trans-Atlantic slave trade era pieces to racist propaganda and hip hop culture.

El-Hakim set up his museum in a way to show that racism existed not so long ago and still exists today.

Speaking about El-Hakim’s approach to creating the Mobile Museum, criminal justice major Elliott Hines, 27, said, “It helps break it down so that we can better understand how it got that way and how we can avoid it in the future.”

“How do we celebrate somebody if we’ve never read his work,” said El-Hakim, after asking the audience if anyone had ever read celebrated civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. El-Hakim said how businesses and media will appropriate the likeness of certain icons of black culture and use them for personal gain.

Professor Griff speaks at Black History 101 at Diablo Valley College on Feb. 21, 2018.

JESSICA GILLIS / The Inquirer

One example El-Hakim mentioned was a marijuana dispensary in Oregon called the Green Hop which used the image of Martin Luther King Jr. to advertise a 25 percent discount off of purchases for Martin Luther King Jr. day.

“Through the lens of hip-hop was how I was introduced to the Black Panther Movement,” said El-Hakim.

Another focus was on how oppressors have no problem documenting atrocities because they believe the people they are harming are not equals.

“Racism is learned,” El-Hakim remarked.

He discussed how a man named Charles

Carroll wrote the book “The Negro a beast; or in the Image of God” back in 1900.

Carroll’s book essentially uses pseudo science to make the claim that black people are lesser than white people.

Hakim stated how this popular book influenced a lot of white people’s opinions on how to treat black people in the early to mid-1900s.

Professor Griff described his work with Public Enemy by saying that in its conception, “we needed to speak the truth to power.”

To help spread Griff’s message they created what he referred to as “organized noise,”

by “combining African drum beats to European word” in order to make people think about his lyrics instead of just the beat.

Griff went on to mention that the ease of access to the internet has made us less accountable for our actions, which contributes to appropriation of culture and art, which is not helping racial tension.

“No one is being accountable to their lyrical content or their actions,” said Griff.

backgrounds and cultures.” They will also be, “active and connected with their community.”

The third proposed outcome is solution mindset. This includes “understanding methods of inquiry and analysis of available options.”

The fourth proposed outcome is communication and collaboration. “This includes effective message construction, media choices and the ability to work with others on projects.” This includes being able, “to work with teams of a diverse set of people” and having leadership skills.

The last proposed outcome is digital fluency which includes “being flexible and effective in the use of data reaching tools, as well as the accurate and appropriate use of materials.” This also includes, “being able to evaluate the relevance and credibility of sources.”

Afterwards, Opsata asked if there was anything the members felt was missing and

ASDVC member, Trey Dao, added that students should also learn “financial literacy.”

ASDVC president, Kevin Zhang, feels that this was a “very necessary step for the administration to assess the academic outcome of the curriculum and solicit the feedback from a group of student representatives and to ask for their opinions on that and if there is anything they can do better.”

“I personally believe this is a very necessary step towards the evaluation of the school,” said Zhang.

“Michael Gaetos, ASDVC Diversity Affairs officer, says “I think the presentation was wonderful, in a way that helped us board members understand the specific goals that professors and faculty ought to reach for the students and it gave me, and I’m sure many others during the meeting, a good idea of what we hope to get while being a student at DVC.” ASDVC board member, Kaitlin Dey, feels that the outcomes are “too broad” and

“sometimes stuff sounds good on paper but it doesn’t actually help or bring change.”

“I think they have potential to be successful but I think it’s important to name specific areas of focus for students and staff to be held responsible namely a focus on lack of support for marginalized communities,” said Dey. Dey believes there should be more forums for people’s voices to be heard and, “from these voices will come actual change and results” instead of “ having a handful of events and keeping the institution the same.”

“I personally think if there’s more emphasis on community involvement that it would be perfect,” said Zhang. He noted that community involvement was part of the empathy mindset; however, “I want this part to be highlighted and if that could be true, I think it’s going to be wonderful,” said Zhang.

Contact FRANK GUITRON at FGuitron@DVCInquirer.com and MAHRUKH SIDDIQUI MSiddiqui@dvcinquirer.com

New institutional learning outcomes presented NICOLE SIMS Staff member

A proposal of five new institutional learning outcomes from the College Council was introduced to the Associated Students of Diablo Valley College at their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Professor Becky Opsata, the interim dean of accreditation and special projects, presented the proposed new learning outcomes to receive feedback from ASDVC. The first proposed outcome is growth mindset which includes “adaptability, resilience, self-awareness and entrepreneurial mindset.” The student with a growth mindset is willing to take risks, learn from mistakes, set goals and be task driven.

Second, is empathy mindset which includes “social diversity awareness, civic engagement, and ethics.” The student will, “be able to build relationships through understanding and valuing others with diverse

Copyright © 2018 The Inquirer - www.dvcinquirer.com

Contact NICOLE SIMS at NSims@DVCInquirer.com

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news

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

calendar Feb. 10 to March 16 Fourth Annual DVC Literary Contest March 2 to March 18 DVC Theatre Twelfth Night Thursday, March 1 AA/AS degree or certificate filing period ends Community Conference Center 12:30 p.m.

Brownbag Workshop: Women’s History Month Tuesday, March 6 BFL 5:30 p.m.

College Success Workshop: Overcoming Writer’s Block Thursday, March 8 Student Union 12:30 p.m.

Brown bag Workshop: Pursuig a Career in the Tech Industry Through Year Up Bay Area

police beat Wednesday, Feb. 12 Lot 7 A car window was broken and property was stolen from the glove box.

Lot 7 Student reported their bicycle stolen and requested prosectution.

Wednesday, Feb. 14 Main Bistro A student had a medical issue in the lobby of the cafeteria Thursday, Feb. 15 BFL Unknown subject(s) attempted to forcefully enter an office.

Appetite for change puts single-payer on the table SHANNON RICHEY Staff member

Health care should be a right not a privilege argued Marian Shostrom, former Diablo Valley College librarian, and Maryann Kachur, a registered nurse.

The women, both members of the Northern California chapter of Healthcare for All - California, hosted a Brown Bag Workshop at the DVC Student Union, Feb. 15, advocating for the passage of the statewide single-payer health care bill, SB-562, which is currently stalled in the California State Assembly.

According to the Healthy California website, the bill outlines a universal, publicly funded health plan similar to Medicare, which would cover all California residents. It would pay for, According to the study “The Healthcare Im“all medically necessary care, including: medi- perative” by the National Institute of Health, cal, dental, vision, hearing and reproductive with so many different private insurance netcare” without network restrictions, co-pays or works, each with varying benefits they are willdeductibles. ing to cover, hospitals and doctors offices have “We think our entire system is broken,” Ka- been forced to hire more administrative staff to chur said of the current health care system, not- coordinate between insurers and doctors. ing the ballooning cost of care that is increasDoctors rolled this increased administrative ingly out of reach for many cost into the cost of care, “We think our entire which is passed on to insurCalifornians.

In 2017, Californians ers, which is passed on to system is broken.” payed $368 billion, or over consumers. $10,000 per person, for Kachur and Shostrom feel ~MARYANN KACHUR health care, according to a a single-payer system could Registered nurse study conducted by Robert rectify some of these burdens Pollin, professor of economby streamlining the process. ics and co-director of the Political Economy Pollin’s study estimates that SB-562 would Research Institute (PERI) at the University of cost California $330 billion annually to start.

Massachusetts-Amherst. Spending has been Administrative costs could likely decrease as a growing sharply since the mid 1990s. result of a simplified system, creating an opporShostrom feels that this uptick in spending is tunity to reduce costs further. According to The the result of an increasingly private, for-profit New England Journal of Medicine, countries insurance market, with insurers motivated to like Canada, which have universal healthcare, pad their bottom-line, as well as high admin- spend roughly a third to a half of what the U.S. istrative costs. does on administrative costs.

Graphic illustration by SHANNON RICHEY

Where the money would come from seems to be the obvious sticking point. Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, who stalled the bill, called it, “woefully incomplete,” as the bill hasn’t definitively outlined how they would fund a single-payer system.

But Shostrom and Kachur say there are numerous sound options, such as funding through an increase in gross-receipt sales tax or payroll tax, with provisions that avoid burdening lowincome individuals and small businesses.

“You should work for the world you want to live in. I want everyone to be able to go to the doctors when they have the flu, or need cardiac surgery, regardless of their economic status,” said Kachur, who also pointed out that young people, like DVC students, will inherit the consequences of inaction on healthcare as they move into adulthood.

To learn more about the bill visit legislature. ca.gov.

Contact SHANNON RICHEY at SRichey@DVCInquirer.com

New pretrial date for ex-adjunct instructor in Berkeley assault MAHRUKH SIDDIQUI Editor-in-chief

Former Diablo Valley College adjunct professor Eric Clanton’s pretrial was moved after initially being set for Feb. 22.

Clanton was arrested in May 2017 for the April 2017 protests in Berkeley where an individual wearing a mask assaulted attendees of the “Patriot Rally” with a bike lock.

In May of 2017, Clanton was

THE INQUIRER Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, ATC-103 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 The Inquirer is published Wednesdays during the school year by the Diablo Valley College journalism students. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinions page are editorials and reflect a two-thirds majority opinion of the editorial staff. Signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Inquirer, Diablo Valley College or Contra Costa Community College District.

charged with four felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor offense of wearing a mask to avoid identification.

Clanton’s lawyer, Dan Siegel, said that Clanton plead not guilty to all the charges.

The pretrial has been moved to April 5 at 9 a.m. at the René C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland.

AARON TOLENTINO / The Inquirer

The case will resume April 5 at Alameda County Court House in Oakland.

Contact MAHRUKH SIDDIQUI at MSiddiqui@DVCInquirer.com

Staff

Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Mahrukh Siddiqui Isaac Norman Danny Yoeono Aaron Tolentino

STAFF WRITERS Jonathan Butler, Jessica Gillis, Nichole Parkes, Shannon Richey, Casey Riggs, Nicole Sims, Tyler Skolnick, Halie Spol, Catherine Stites, Kamal Taj, Lauren Thomas SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Chris Core, Courtney Donahoe, Frank Guitron, Luis Lopez, Deandra Procassini, Camille Schwartz, Aidan Sparks ADVISER Mary Mazzocco

• Phone: 925.969.2543 • Email: inquirer@dvc.edu • Website: www.dvcinquirer.com • Printed five times per semester •

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news

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Hot takes from the Film Club’s Reel Love Film Festival HALIE SPOL Staff member

is where the film club members go to a location and only have eight hours to create, write and film a movie.

Diablo Valley College film club reeled in Filmmaker for “Falling In Place,” Dylan fun on Thursday night with their second an- T. Jones said, “I just love the fact that it is nual Reel Love Film Festival. a collaborative on the spot type of thing. I The Reel Love Film Festival is a fundraiser came in there with an idea, like a structure for the club and included a screening of 26 of an idea, and people just build on it.” romantic themed short movies and a panel Collaboration payed off as this was the from some of the filmmakers. film “Falling in Place’s” second first place Movies shown at the event included en- win at an audience choice award event. tries by members of the film club as well as Former film club president and creator of other aspiring filmmakers from around the the eight hour challenge Tony Alfaro said, globe.

“The eight hour film challenge is really good Winners of the film festival were audience as an icebreaker, it gets people involved. For choice, and the viewers voted on ballets for people who have never made a film or done their top three anything it’s movies from the “That’s what I love about film club, really great night. that they’re At the end of you come in and you actually make able to be HALIE SPOL / The Inquirer the screenings, thrown into films.”

Screening of “Desde El Papel,” at the Reel Love Film Festival on Feb. 22, the top four winthe fire right ners were tallied away.”

2018 ~MIKE MILAZO and announced You don’t Film Club President to the audihave to have you’re friendly and you work well with other is all about. The club throws two to three ence. “Falling in experience to people than they are stoked to have you on festivals a semester, and their next event will Place,”created by film club members Dylan join film club. President of the film club, their teams.” be an action sci-fi fantasy themed festival on T. Jones and Harley Graves took first place Mike Milazo, said, “Film Club is an all entry In fact, Milazo himself started as someone April 12. and was followed by “Loco Motives,” cre- level club. There is a lot of people that want who took a film class to kill time. Now as If you are interested in joining film club, ated by film club president Mike Milazo. to start taking classes, but if you’re not sure president of the club and film major looking the best plan of action is to go to ATC buildIn third place came “Send me to Heaven,” you want to spend money on classes then to transfer to Chapman University, Milazo ing room 116 from 12:30 p.m to 1:50 p.m created by Andrew Aidman and followed by jump into film club because it’s free and it’s said, “That’s what I love about film club you and talk to one of the members.

“Shady Love,” created by film club member a great way to see if this is something you’d come in and you actually make films. You You can stay updated with the club by folHaley Holcomb. even be interested in.” don’t just sit around and dream and talk lowing them on Instagram @dvcfilmclub.

“Falling in place,” “Loco Motives” and Film Club helps form lifelong relation- about it.”

Contact HALIE SPOL at “Shady Love” were all created from DVC ships, Milazo said, “It is an open safe space If you missed the Reel Love Film Festival HSpol@DVCInquirer.com film club’s eight hour challenge. This for like minded individuals and as long as it is not too late to see what the film club

New art complex: The hopes and the budget JONATHAN BUTLER Staff member

With a budget currently hovering north of $38 million, Diablo Valley College’s new art complex has entered the tail end of its schematic design phase, as key negotiations continue to unfold that will determine just how much space this money will buy.

Funded by Measure E, a narrowly passed 2014 bond measure that has bookmarked $450 million of bond revenue to be allocated across the Contra Costa County Community College District, DVC is to receive roughly $181 million to refurbish and renew campus facilities.

Within DVC, the new art complex will be the first of two new buildings that will transform the north end of campus.

These discussions have resulted in an initial design for “a space that is more efficient and also puts the relationships of different disciplines together in a more meaningful way,” says gallery coordinator Arthur King.

Professor Michele Krup said that they are “currently at

90 percent fill rate in our 2D area,” of painting and drawThat coupled, of course, with budgetary constraints ing and current studio classrooms, already narrow by design, caused by soil report concerns and cost increases. have grown cramped enough for the department, “to add Negotiations are expected to continue to address the fact courses to the schedule,” for fall that the art complex, as stated by “A space that is more efficient Professor Toru Sugita, “is now $4 2018.

Under the Art Department’s over budget.” and also puts the relationships million umbrella there is instruction ofDecisions must be made and the fered in a number of different of different disciplines together steering committee continues to areas including art digital media, into the nitty-gritty,” of the in a more meaningful way. ” “(get) art history and two-dimensional planned complex focusing on details practice. The current art buildsuch as building exterior and floor ~ARTHUR KING Gallery Coordinator ing’s 1960s era design has forced specifics. the arts at DVC to be located The DVC art complex’s planned in “three separate buildings, in completion is in January 2022, three separate spots,” King explains. when the building will exude, in the words of King, “outIn designing the new art complex the steering reach, public visibility and just how open we can be to our committee has been careful to take into account the acces- community.” sibility needs of everyone. With King stating how, “a workable safe environment for our students and faculty,” is their Contact JONATHAN BUTLER at JButler@DVCInquirer.com number one priority.

The

Buzz

What do you think needs to be improved on campus?

Interviewed and photographed by: Halie Spol and Jonathan Butler

Brianne Pelejo, 22 Math major

“I think they should improve parking, more spaces.”

Timothy Whitwood, 22 Art and digital media major

Desiree Usog, 36 Addiction studies major

“English tutoring should open “I love the campus I don’t think a week after school starts and anything needs to be improved tutoring should be open until here.” eight.”

Nicholas Andre, 19 Computer science major

“ More parking.”

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features

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Gen Korean BBQ pleases the palate and brings the party ISAAC NORMAN Managing editor

Gen Korean BBQ is equal parts experience and eating, a memorable treat that will leave you grinning from ear to ear, disgusted with how much you ate yet yearning for the next round of gluttonous ecstasy.

Located at 1353 Willow Pass Road in Concord, Gen lets you know you’ve joined the party from the moment you walk in.

With hip-hop music playing, sirens wailing and employees shouting, “It’s happy hour!” the ambiance immediately engulfs you in the weekend nightlife mentality.

Visually the blue lights and shuttered windows of the interior are a turnoff because they look like a cheap club in a casino, but the infectious energy and genuine positivity you get from the waitstaff contrasts that kitschy feeling by making you feel like you’ve entered your buddy’s house party and everyone is glad to see you.

At the end of the day though, any successful restaurant is judged on the quality of their food and Gen is no exception.

Here are a few dishes to try: Spicy Baby Octopus. When combined with salad this entree gives you something light to balance out the heavier meats on the menu.

Volcano Chicken. If garlic chicken, spicy chicken, jalapeños, fresh garlic, sesame oil and chili paste sounds delicious to you this is a must-try.

Garlic Chicken. In contrast to the complexity of Volcano Chicken, Garlic Chicken stands out by being elegantly simple. The taste of

Isaac Norman / The Inquirer

Volcano chicken top, cajun shrimp left, baby octopus salad right, served to order for dinner at Gen Korean Barbecue at 1353 Willow Pass Road in Concord on Feb. 24.

fresh garlic stands out without being overwhelming and it is surprisingly light on the palate.

Gobchang. If you are feeling adventurous and want something more “authentic” you should try marinated bovine small intestine.

It tastes like chicken and needs extra chewing. Not bad, but I’ve heard the large intestine is better.

“Korean Carnitas.” To make these you grill jalapeños in sesame oil and flash cook thin-sliced beef brisket. From there you place the two in your radish tortilla and then dip the finished product into the sauce(s) of your choosing.

With 35 dinner items offered at the Concord location and myriad sauces to cook with, diners can create a multitude of unique possibilities for the reasonable price of $25 per person.

And don’t forget, it is all you can eat.

My waitress Molly Phan succinctly described the appeal of Gen as being all about, “to your choice, what you want to eat, how you want to cook it.”

Gen gives lots of latitude to experiment but it is important to remember they do have rules.

You aren’t allowed to takeaway any food and if you don’t finish your food, you will be charged extra.

This is an easy mistake to make because according to Molly most people often overindulge and order too much.

So remember: pace yourself, experiment and bump to the rhythm of the night.

Contact ISAAC NORMAN at INorman@DVCInquirer.com

DVC swimmer is eyeing 2020 Olympics CAMILLE SCHWARTZ Staff member

Diablo Valley College swimmer, Abdallah Mahgoub, has a very good chance of being part of the Egyptian national swimming team for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Mahgoub has been noticed this year thanks to the skills shown while swimming for the Vikings.

Though this is his first year competing, Mahgoub has been swimming on DVC’s team for the past three years.

“He has very good chances on making it for 2020 (the Olympic games),” said swimming head coach Rick Millington. “He has been in touch with the Egyptian federation. He is a very talented swimmer in the U.S., but in Egypt, he is in the top two.”

Thanks to his dual citizenship, Mahgoub has the opportunity to

“He is a very talented swimmer in the U.S., but in Egypt, he is in the top two.” ~RICK MILLINGTON Swim coach

try out for the Egyptian national team a few months before the 2020 Olympics will start.

“I am going to make it into the national team and then they take the top one or top two for the Olympics,” said Mahgoub.

With two practices every day of the week, Mahgoub is trying to put the odds on his side in order to pursue his dreams saying, “Since my father threw me into the water when I was 4, I want to compete at the Olympic games.”

Mahgoub has won all of his rac-

es so far in the 200 yard backstroke while swimming for DVC and he is not ready to stop here.

Not only a great swimmer, Mahgoub has also proven to be a great teammate. He has shown intangibles and valuable qualities that can carry on to any potential team he is on in the future.

“He tries to talk to everyone and include everyone. I feel he makes everyone feel more welcome on the team,” said second-year swimmer Kristen Black. “He’s the first one to talk to people…he’s our captain.”

Mahgoub graduates from DVC this summer but is still undecided where he will swim next.

“I take it step by step...but swimming is my passion, I love what I do every single day,” said Mahgoub.

TYLER SKOLNICK / The Inquirer

Contact CAMILLE SCHWARTZ at CSchwartz@DVCInquirer.com

Abdallah Mahgoub practices breaststroke at the Diablo Valley College pool on Feb. 22, 2018.

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features

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

‘Black Panther’ claws its way to the top with a unique angle LUIS LOPEZ Senior staff member

Marvel Studios has always done a great job of making films that combine comedy and action to result in great superhero films.

“Black Panther,” however, takes a different direction and it pays off big.

Instead of going for a movie simply based on identifying the ‘bad guy’ and then attacking the problem, “Black Panther” creates a unique perspective on the superhero genre.

Main character T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) wants his country of Wakanda to remain a secret from the world and keep its resources so his citizens can continue to thrive.

The movie’s villain, Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), wants to expose the country and share its resources with underprivileged black people around the world in hopes of starting an uprising.

Micheal B. Jordan as Killmonger results in the best villain the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever produced.

Jordan puts himself in the conversation with Heath Ledger’s “Joker” for best anti-heroes of all time.

Like Ledger, Jordan brings a likable swagger and charm to Killmonger, while also showing audiences the chaos he is capable of creating.

This is in part because of the genius of director Ryan Coogler, who has made cinematic gold with Jordan in the past with the films “Fruitvale Station” and “Creed.”

Coogler has shown his ability to evoke passion out of his characters in the past, and “Black Panther” is no different.

The struggle for T’Challa to decide between fufilling his royal duties to his people and having to grasp the concept that the world is changing is told beautifully by Coogler.

T’Challa is faced with this struggle throughout the film, eventually coming to terms that the decision will be made if he defeats Killmonger or not.

Another strength of “Black Panther” is its ability to take down gender norms within the genre.

Coogler doesn’t simply allow the women to be a mere supporting role in the film, instead, they are right next to T’Challa in terms of being the heroes.

The female leads bring a confident approach to their characters, they are all sure of themselves and know how impor-

Courtest of Walt Disney Studios

Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman, fights Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan, for the throne of Wakanda. tant they are to their country.

The women are the symbolic backbone for T’Challa and they see themselves as the true leaders of Wakanda.

They are looked at in the film as some of Wakanda’s most important people, and they are treated as such.

The female leads are one of the films greatest strengths and if anything, the film is carried by the amazing work done

by Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o.

“Black Panther” marks the first time that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen one of its movies take a more serious approach but to the perfect extent.

The films few comedic moments come in at the right time, yet they don’t take away from the overall message and story of the film, something that has affected Marvel movies in the past.

The film does well on its own and doesn’t try and force its way into the storyline building up to “Avengers: Infinity War.” Until now, all we saw of T’Challa was the vengeful version from “Captain America: Civil War.” But thanks to “Black Panther,” T’Challa now has a great storyline heading into “Avengers: Infinity War,” which should help the film considering it already has so many.

As of right now, the roles of T’Challa, Okoye, Shuri and Ramonda are all going to be in “Avengers: Infinity War” and one can only hope that they play a big part in defeating Thanos after becoming fan favorites so quickly.

Contact LUIS LOPEZ at LLopez@DVCInquirer.com

Piano students play Schubert Impromptus CASEY RIGGS and TYLER SKOLNICK Staff members

Diablo Valley College hosts an advanced piano series comprising of a diverse array student pianists.

On Feb. 22 the first section of a piano series took place in the Music Building.

The recital was hosted by professor Bruce Cook. Cook has been DVC’s director of piano and world music for the last two decades.

It had five students, playing five different impromptus; taking turns in orderly fashion. The front stage had two large grand pianos in the middle of it, where the students would play.

DVC student Yumi Kosaka, who played Mazurka in A minor Op. 10, No. 4 by Frederic Chopin.

The four other students, Ronni Jackl, Mark McMillan, Karen Snow and Gywn Buamberger played four impromptus by Franz Schubert.

Jackl and Snow gave the audience detailed description of Schubert’s life and musical process.

They also commented on how Schubert did not want any of his new music to be published, but shortly after his death it was.

Pianist Karen Snow begins the 3rd Impromtu piano recital.

All five student have spent a long time reciting Schubert’s work.

“I been working a little under a month for my piece,” said McMillan who played Schubert’s Impromptu No. 2.

“A lot of the pieces you heard today are not really so esoteric that no one knows... People are like ‘oh I have heard that before,’” said Jackl who played Schubert’s first impromptu in C minor.

“We were talking earlier on how inspirational it is to see musicians who have devoted hours and years and years to a

CASEY RIGGS / The Inquirer

love for music and how inspiring it is because we are in such a fractured communicative space at this point in history. The idea of being passionate about a single thing and caring that through...It’s like wow,” said Cook.

Contact CASEY RIGGS at CRiggs@DVCInquirer.com TYLER SKOLNICK at TSkolnick@DVCInquirer.com

6

opinion

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Florida shooting re-opens wounds Nearly a week after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, students at Diablo Valley College are fed up.

We are nearly entering the third month of 2018 and we’re already on our eighth school shooting.

Across the nation students and parents are calling for change.

“It’s sad that this keeps happening... and so regularly. Something should have been done earlier,” said Dion Medina, 19, social work and communications major at DVC. With the knowledge that the FBI received a tip not once but twice warning of a potential threat, this only adds to the outrage.

Many students feel something needs to be done, but just don’t know what.

The NRA claims that any change or limitations put upon guns would be an infringe-

ment of the Second AmendThe law was passed in the ment. aftermath of the 2012 Sandy On the other hand, an assault Hook Elementary School masrifle being classified as a selfsacre when 20 children between defense weapon seems a bit farthe ages of 6 and 7 were killed. fetched; with the AR-15 being The court ruled that the ban the prime choice of weapon by on assault weapons like the school shooters, a change needs one Stoneman shooter, Nikolas to be made.

Cruz, used was constitutional.

“I’m so sick and tired of hearThis was not the first time a KAMAL TAJ ing about school shootings, it’s federal appeals court ruled that Staff member too common now,” said Sarah a ban on assault weapons was Wolf, 21, psychology major. “It’s permissible under the Second preventable. There needs to be Amendment. restrictions.”

It was actually the fourth time in the past Even more frustrating is the fact that decade. In fact, no federal appeals court has nearly a year ago a federal appeals court con- ever held that assault weapons are protectsidered whether a Maryland law banning as- ed. Sandy Hook, Pulse Nightclub, Mandasault weapons was unconstitutional. lay Bay and now the Stoneman shootings

have all contributed to federal appeals courts holding firm on their decision to ban assault weapons.

“I think it’s almost impossible to really change anything, it’s more than just the guns, it’s mental health,” said Kevin Wottrich, 18, undecided. “I don’t think anything needs to be done to the Second Amendment, in some situations guns are needed.”

With the division between what needs to be done and what can be done growing, students at DVC and nation wide can only wait and see if this tragedy will finally get Congress to act.

Contact KAMAL TAJ at KTaj@DVCInquirer.com

Letters to the editor In response to the Feb. 14 Editorial

Hunger Banquet or free food?

I’m writing in response to your Feb. 14 editorial “Why we name sources.”

There are two issues I’d like to address.

First, I find the disconnect between the article and the large photo troubling.

In the article, the editorial board elaborates on how it balances anonymous sourcing with the principle of transparency.

Citing two different examples, the board contrasts its naming of Dr. Albert Ponce with the decision to withhold the name of a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals student.

Yet, the photo of Dr. Ponce is digitized as though his identity needs to be masked.

We all know the adage that a picture speaks a thousand words. This photo says either there is something Dr. Ponce needs to hide, or that Dr. Ponce ought to hide. Neither is correct.

Second, the article describes Dr. Ponce’s public lecture as a “speech,” as sharing “political viewpoints,” giving “opinion” and speaking his “truth.”

In fact, Dr. Ponce was sharing knowledge and analysis —not opinion or viewpoints— based on his years of education and academic research.

Millions of people around the world low food income.” are suffering each day from hunger and However, the possible outcomes of poverty. this event might not be as effective due They are constantly encountering a to one concerning issue: college students near-death experiences every single day will participate only for the free food, due to lack supply of food, water, sanita- not for the sake of the cause tion, healthcare and much more. In fact, College students like myself, who are according to World Food Program, 815 not experiencing hunger or financial million people – one in nine – still go issues, will take part of this event as it to bed on an empty provides free foods “As beneficial as it stomach each night. and beverages despite A recent article remeal is being sounds, the budget... what garding ASDVC’s upserved. could be allocated for coming event, “The Who would turn Hunger Banquet” down free food anybetter use such as the ways? As inspired by OXFAM beneficial as food pantry.” that is planning to it sounds, the budget take place early to the of roughly $5,000 for mid-spring semester of 2018, pointed 300 students is rather a large amount out the importance of raising awareness that could be allocated for better use to Diablo Valley College students about such as the food pantry, which helps world hunger. students in need directly rather than givAccording to OXFAM Hunger Ban- ing away free food to financially stable quet, students who participate will ran- students. domly draw a card that will indicate It would have much better and sigwhich category of food they will eat. nificant impact to those who suffer from The head of the Food Pantry Com- hunger and financial problems. mittee, Trey Dao, introduced the event to ASDVC with the aim to “give stu~GABRIELE GRAZIELLA and dents a new perspective of living on a ENDY BUTUN

Dr. Ponce is a full-time faculty member at Diablo Valley College. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA in political science, and specializes in race, ethnicity and politics. In the incident cited, he was giving a public lecture at DVC in his capacity as faculty with expertise in American racial politics at a time when the country is struggling to understand an upsurge in white supremacy.

The right-wing is indeed on a witch hunt against Dr. Ponce precisely because they want to shut down his ability to share his knowledge about the long history of racism in this country.

The Contra Costa Community College District policy on Academic Freedom states that the District “affirms its belief in the academic freedom of faculty, management and students to teach, study, conduct research, write and challenge viewpoints without undue restriction.”

The DVC Inquirer can support that policy by more carefully thinking about the images and language it uses so as not to mischaracterize people and events. ~DR. DORRIE MAZZONE Professor

The women’s bathrooms lack a basic need The women’s bathrooms at Diablo Valley College lack a basic service that demands attention.

There is a scant amount of tampon and pad dispensers around campus, which means that a female necessity is being ignored.

According to the California Community College’s student success scorecard based on the 2015-2016 academic year, 51.2 percent of students on campus were women.

The main two arguments against tampon dispensers in bathrooms is the monthly cost

and risk of delinquent “Working out this issue To fulfill the needs of actions. around 9,500 women, Menstruation is ex- shows that DVC cares non-including staff (sic), pensive. Time’s journal- for its female students the cost is much higher. ist Jennifer Weiss-Wolf According to DVC’s and staff...” wrote in an article, website, the cost of unit “Feminine products are a per international student $2 billion industry in the is $254 dollars. Adding United States alone.” this with the tuition of resident students, the An article by SELF magazine stated that, college could easily afford to buy a few boxes “women in California pay roughly $7 per of tampons each month. month” on tampons.

I believe that DVC should offer free tam-

pons and pads around campus. If dispensers inside bathrooms involve a risk of delinquencies, then they should be available at offices inside the student services building, thus ensuring a safe circulation.

Working out this issue shows that DVC cares for its female students and s taff, while confronting the taboos around menstruation. ~LUCIANA ZUMAETA CAVALIÉ

7

opinion

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Editorial

Graphic illustration by DANNY YOEONO

Clubs should be easier to run With short semesters looming, ICC amendments are in order Three things stand out as hurdles for club leaders: the bureaucratic system of having things approved, the role of faculty advisers and the attendance requirements of Inter-Club Council (ICC) meetings.

Clubs offer members a number of benefits from social opportunities, networking opportunities and professional development to experience in leadership, organization and management skills.

“Getting people involved with the club was the easy part,” said former Film Club President Tony Alfaro.

“Taking minutes and getting folks to the ICC meetings was tough because it felt like a job.”

“ICC provides a table for club day and a room to meet,” said Alfaro. “Is that worth two hours a week? To the reps, the meetings feel pointless.”

A policy should be put in place that will hold the two hour general assemblies to once a month, instead of every week and then once a week, the clubs looking for funding or an ICC decision could attend a special meeting with the executive board as needed.

To make running clubs easier, the rules around faculty advisers need to be amended too.

ICC rules say club advisers are required to be at

“ICC provides a table for club day and a room to meet. Is that worth two hours a week?” ~TONY ALFARO Former Film Club President

every official club meeting and event, a huge burden on already busy staff.

Clubs choose to have unofficial events to skirt around this but that bars them from event funding.

For some, being an official club may be more burdensome than being unofficial.

“Any problem there is now...will become more difficult when DVC goes to the compressed calndar.” ~SPRING 2018 EDITORIAL BOARD

ICC, as a branch of ASDVC, is supposed to be the student representatives of the school representing the students’ voice and interests. Yet, with the risk management and layers of red tape, these student institutions feel like they are more interested in representing the school’s interests than the student body’s.

Some things are getting better.

One change that went through the amendment process was the movement of the deadline for club formation and renewal from only two weeks into a new semester to four weeks.

Student life office program coordinator John Christensen is heading up the DVCSync initiative, an online platform for club management, where forms can be found and filled out and clubs can communicate with

“With all due respect, we are not pulling these rules out of thin air.” ~JOHN CHRISTENSEN Student Life Office Program Coordinator

their members.

Christensen acknowledges there are still bugs in the system that are being worked out but says that it will make things easier.

“With all due respect, we are not pulling the rules out of thin air,” said Christensen, citing the need for rules to be in place to ensure student safety and limit liability to the college.

Student life program manager Todd Farr noted the importance of adhering to college, local, state and federal policies and laws, especially those surrounding funding for clubs.

He suggests all clubs have a fiscal budget ready to request funds at the beginning of each school year.

“Participate in the ICC meetings and be a part of the process,” said Christensen. “It gives you an inside awareness of what is happening. You can’t initiate change if you don’t participate.”

Any problems clubs currently have about getting things approved will only become more difficult when DVC goes to the compressed calendar schedule, meaning there will be less time to get things done. ~ Spring 2018 Ediorial Board

8

sports

Wednesday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Why spring training matters

One-woman pitching staff carries softball

I myself have never been to spring training.

A round trip flight to Phoenix costs about $190 and the hotels are outrageously expensive.

But I’m not here to talk about my financial woes, and you aren’t here for that either.

Growing up, I learned to appreciate spring training for what it really is, baseball making it’s way back into our lives.

The sight of seeing your team suit up and play this beloved sport after months of having to watch bleacher features on MLB Network is a bright one.

Spring training is professional baseball at it’s most raw form.

I essentially like to see LUIS LOPEZ it as people getting toStaff member gether to play a pick up game to pass the time, except those people happen to be extraordinarily good at this game.

Spring training gives the fans hope too, albeit some false hope, but hope none the less!

Does a minor league player you’ve never heard of hitting 8 home runs in spring mean he’s going to be the league’s feel good story of the year?

Probably not, but it sure is fun to think about.

Yet that’s the point.

Spring lets you make your outrageous predictions and have some justification to it.

Go ahead, overthink those 14 RBI’s by your team’s 23rd best prospect.

Overreacting to Buster Posey hitting .126, that’s what makes spring training great.

It gives us a reason to talk and get excited about this great game, and after that bore of an offseason, we need that now more than ever.

Speaking of that boring offseason, it should make for an intriguing month of emergency signings and impulse buys for teams.

Considering a player like Jake Arrieta hasn’t been signed yet means he’s just an unfortunate injury away from a pay day.

To see when or even if these players get signed in spring should make for one of the most interesting spring trainings in recent memory.

Above all, if you’re one of those fortunate souls that actually take a trip to Arizona or Florida, enjoy it.

Take it all in, it’s the only environment where you can see all the stars you want to.

Spring training facilities offer minor league intimacy with major league players.

Only in Arizona would you be able to see Mike Trout, Kris Bryant and Clayton Kershaw all in the same day.

And only in Florida would you be able to see Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper and Jose Altuve all in the same day.

You’ll have half the league at your fingertips, so load up on baseballs and sharpies and take advantage of it.

Overall, just appreciate spring training.

Sure, Scottsdale Stadium doesn’t match the allure of AT&T Park, but there’s baseball to be played and that’s the beauty of it.

Diablo Valley College softball pitcher Sita Manoa, earlier this season, once pitched a total of 17 innings in one day, winning both games in a doubleheader against San Jose City College.

It’s hard enough for professional pitchers to pitch nine innings in one game.

For Manoa to almost double that in one day is absolutely sensational.

The aforementioned performance perfectly exemplifies what Manoa is all about.

The sophomore is the only listed pitcher on DVC’s roster and has pitched every inning in all 14 games for the team AARON TOLENTINO / The Inquirer this season.

Pitcher Sita Manoa at Diablo Valley College baseball field.

Not only is Manoa surviving as the lone pitcher on the team, she is actually work, I gotta put in the work too.”

“It’s actually not that bad (physically),” thriving with her workload. She currentCenter fielder Julia Kiester sees ev- said Manoa. “It’s more of a mental game ly leads all California community college ery day how Manoa excels in the art of for me knowing that I can do it, preparsoftball pitchers in innings pitched at 86 pitching and how Manoa is an invalu- ing myself mentally and then going into 2/3 and ranks second in wins at 10. able part of the team. the game knowing I can do that.”

“She’s carried us,” said head coach “She’s right there to get the pitch What makes Manoa’s feats even more Dennis Luquet. “She’s a competitor. She where she needs to be and she hits her remarkable is this is her second consecucompetes the whole time. She doesn’t corners,” said Kiester. “If we didn’t have tive year as the lone pitcher for the Vigive in. She throws a lot of strikes. She that pitching she brings us and her at- kings. makes people hit the ball (and) gives her titude, we would not be where we are This season’s 17 inning day was no defense a chance to make plays.” right now.” fluke. Last year, she incredibly took the It’s no secret that asking one player to However, the success Manoa and the Vikings all the way to Super Regionals, carry the workload of a pitching staff that 10-4 Vikings have enjoyed so far starts pitching every inning but one. would normally run four or five pitchers in practice. This is where Manoa exhibits A humble Manoa will constantly try deep can potentially be overwhelming. her abilities as a leader. to downplay her amazing individual feats But to Manoa, softball is still a team “She holds the team up,” said Kiester. by giving credit to her teammates, and game and she relies on her teammates “Even though we’ll mess up in practice, rightfully so, but her accomplishments just as much as they rely on her. she’ll be right there. She’s always cheer- in two seasons in a Viking’s uniform are “My team (motivates) me,” said ing everybody on.” simply something to be in awe of.

Manoa on how to find that motivation The concern for pitchers throwing too that pushes her through long outings on many innings is usually how taxing it the mound. “They’re out there just as can be on the arm, but Manoa views this Contact AARON TOLENTINO at ATolentino@DVCInquirer.com much as I am, so they’re putting in the challenge a bit differently.

Editor’s note: This column has been updated from an earlier online version to reflect the Eric Hosmer and J.D. Martinez free agent signings.

Contact LUIS LOPEZ at LLopez@DVCInquirer.com

AARON TOLENTINO Sports editor

New California bill to protect student-athletes is overdue California assemblymember Rob Think of it like this.

Bonta introduced bill AB 2220 earlier In the workplace, there is such a thing this month that will expand scholarship as worker’s compensation. For example, protection for thousands of college ath- if an employee accidentally breaks his or letes across the state, including to those her hand on the job, the employer can’t who get injured. just fire the employee because they will The official press release statement be ‘useless’ to the company in a given said, “AB 2220 will expand the period of time. Employers Student Athlete Bill of Rights still have to give the worker to all California schools that benefits until he or she is offer athletic scholarships. well enough to get back to This bill will ensure that colwork. lege athletes at over 40 schools Why couldn’t it be the across California are able to same for college athletes complete their studies even if this whole time? they get injured.”

Instead of colleges Injuries are a part of sports. dumping athletes and It’s just that simple. Every AARON TOLENTINO stripping away their scholathlete deals with it. From the arship money due to an Sports editor best player on the team to the injury, give them time to worse, it can happen to anybody. No- recover so that athlete can produce for body in the history of sports is immune the school later on. to it.

In my brief time covering baseball and For colleges to take scholarships, an football at the community college level, education away from young men and I have encountered athletes who received women because they had an unfortunate NCAA Division I scholarships out of injury while doing the sport the school high school, but only to get injured in had called upon them for, is horribly their first year and essentially be forced unfair. to go back to community college and

prove themselves again in hopes to be recruited by a Division I program.

That is simply not right.

Schools should give their scholarship athletes a year to recover from injury and if they do not get better during the allotted time, then it would be plausible to strip that scholarship away. But stripping the scholarship the second the injured player is out for the season? That’s ridiculous.

Major props to Bonta for introducing this long overdue bill that prior to it, plagued student-athletes across California.

“We must ensure that California protects our college athletes and empowers them to be successful both in the classroom and on the field,” said Bonta in a press release statement on the bill.

Bonta is right on the money.

All these individuals are called “student-athletes” for a reason. They are students first and athletes second, let’s not forget that.

Contact AARON TOLENTINO at ATolentino@DVCInquirer.com