FoghornNews A DEL MAR COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
INSPIRING ARTISTS
Volume 86, Issue 5 FoghornNews.com
TAKING THE STAGE
Self-taught artist tells students to take
Drama students perform in Finley Theatre
advantage of their education.
for the first time in over a year.
PAGE 2
PAGE 4
Foghorn News
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
@TheFoghornNews
8
Foghorn News
thefoghornnews
Food Pantry plans event at Windward Campus Students are encouraged to pre-register ahead of curbside pickup on Nov. 19 PHILIP J. PEREZ | EDITOR IN CHIEF pperez@foghornnews.com The Viking Food Pantry will hold a curbside food pickup at Del Mar College’s Windward Campus just before the Thanksgiving break. The event will be held in the Workforce Development Center parking lot on Airport Road from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 19. According to Rita Hernandez, interim dean of Student Engagement and Retention, a registration link will be sent out via email and social media. “This is going to be for students, staff and faculty; anyone who finds themselves in
need of groceries are eligible,” Hernandez said. “We won’t be turning anyone away.” The Student Government Association will also be spreading the word through some of their online virtual meetings and events. The event will be run by volunteers who will help distribute the food. “We did a call up for volunteers to our student clubs and organizations,” Hernandez said. “So far we have 40 volunteers from different student organizations on campus as well as staff to load the food in people’s cars.” Those attending the drive-through event will be encouraged to stay in their vehicle as volunteers load the food in their cars. People are being asked to pre-register SEE FOOD ON PAGE 3
PHILIP J. PEREZ | FOGHORN NEWS
The Coastal Bend Food Bank will be providing food for the Nov. 19 curbside food pickup at the Windward Campus.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing underway
HONORING THEIR HEROES
18 students enrolled in program, which expects to grow in future semesters MIRANDA MEDINA | REPORTER mmedina@foghornnews.com
PHOTOS BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN | FOGHORN NEWS
Melissa Perez takes photo of her mother, Manuela Perez, daughter Jenive Winterroth and granddaughter Sophia Garcia at the flag of her late father, Andrew Perez, on Ocean Drive on Nov. 11.
Family members remember loved ones on Veterans Day Four generations gathered underneath a special American flag on Nov. 11, the flag that represented late veteran Andrew Perez. He was a husband to Manuela Perez, father to Melissa Perez, grandfather to Jenive Winterroth and great-grandfather to Sophia Garcia. Perez’s family members visited a flag with his information attached to it on Ocean Drive. The flags lining Ocean Drive symbolized the strength and honor he and other veterans embody. — Nichaela Shaheen
For students in Del Mar’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, balancing studies with their full-time jobs as nurses isn’t without its challenges — or rewards. With BSN becoming a preferred credential in health care today, DMC started offering the bachelor’s degree this fall. Because it is new, DMC has ensured that they gain feedback from students in the program and plan to continue shaping the program for all students’ needs and education. “The student/instructor interactions have been positive. Faculty have extended extra availability to students as well as flexibility, to help with challenging student work schedules,” said Jennifer McWha, RN to BSN program director. “Students have been responsive and engaged with coursework.” There are 18 students enrolled in the program, all of whom work full time while pursuing their bachelor’s degree. DMC plans to increase the number of students who enter the new program in the future. The program accepts applications in the spring and start courses in the fall. Jo Ann Jimenez, a BSN major and Del Mar College alumna, has been in the medical field for 20 years. When she heard that Del Mar was going to offer the new program, Jimenez took advantage when they opened applications in 2021. She began her career in 2001 as a certified nursing aide, graduating from Del Mar in 2015, with her associate in nursing and is now planning to graduate in 2022 with her bachelor’s degree. Jimenez described her learning experience with the new program as “managing full-time studies and balancing work life.” SEE NURSING ON PAGE 3
4 recognized as DMC Disability Advocates of the Year Students nominate those who have gone above and beyond to help them GABRIELLA GOMEZ | REPORTER ggomez@foghornnews.com Four Del Mar faculty members were recognized for service to students at the eighth annual Disability Advocate of the Year Ceremony. The four were honored in October, Disability Awareness Month, for their efforts and impact on students with disabilities. The staff highlighted this year for assisting students’ needs are Elsa Brown,
Ruby Estrada, Sarah Clark and Mark Hinojosa, the first IT specialist to receive the award. The nominating process involves asking the student clientele who has been an advocate for you, said Brenda Garcia, student disability specialist. After the nominees are listed the process for selecting the award recipients consists of a panel of one DMC staff member, one student disability specialist, and one DMC student. The finalists this year will receive a plaque with their name on it, a certificate and a lapel pin that says “Disability Advocate.” “One day, we were testing with DSO and we were having trouble logging on
to our exams with the computers in the lab and came by to help. He stayed and helped us until he could get us started on our exams,” said the student who nominated Lead Computer Technology Specialist Mark Hinojosa. Sarah Clark, instructor of nurse education, was said to be “very understanding and accommodating” by the student who nominated her. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than this,” Garcia said. I have such a passion for these students, they do for me as much as I do for them.” For more information about the services issued for students provided by the Disability Students Office visit www. delmar.edu/offices/disability.
Brown, instructor of mathematics, was recognized for her efforts.
Hinojosa is the first IT specialist to receive the award.
Not pictured: Ruby Estrada and Sarah Clark
CAMPUS
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
2
PHOTOS BY TRISTIN WILLIAMS | FOGHORN NEWS
Group tests their acoustics — with strings attached Edmund Leal (from left in main photo), on violin; Breona Ayla, violin; Clarisa Martinez, violin; Erika Money, cello; and Kirk Newport,
cello, test out the acoustics for a possible concert in front of the Music Building on Nov. 3 as instructor Susan Sturman looks on.
Artist tells students to embrace their struggle MELISSA MATA| FEATURES EDITOR mmata@foghornnews.com The Art Department’s first guest speaker since the pandemic started praised Del Mar’s art students during a visit to the Fine Arts Building on Nov. 9. Jimmy Pena, a self-taught artist, encouraged the students to learn as much as they can while they pursue their art degree. “I wish I would have gone to art school to learn about the history of art and all the techniques. It’s a good thing you all are here to continue learning about art,” Pena said. Pena, an artist from K-Space Contemporary Art Studios, spoke to a packed room of art students as he shared some of his works and told about his journey. He encouraged them to believe in their art and follow their dreams at any cost. Being an artist is not just a job for Pena, it has become a lifestyle. He has been work-
MELISSA MATA | FOGHORN NEWS
Artist Jimmy Pena talks to students Nov. 9 in the Fine Arts Building on Heritage Campus. Pena encouraged students to believe in their art and follow their dreams.
ing at K-Space Contemporary Art Studios for about 24 years now, where he spends five days a week with a total of 20 hours spent at the studio weekly and some weeks even more. According to the professor of Art Gerardo Cobarruvias, Pena has “produced about 500 original works of art throughout his career.” Cobarruvias said Pena inspires students with such a humble attitude toward his artwork. “Most artist egos can’t handle that kind of uncertainty and are afraid of a new technique that could be abject as failure. He steps into a new technique and pulls through by sheer determination to create new work,” Cobarruvias said. Throughout Pena’s inspirational presentation he told art students to not let their personal life struggle bring them down, but instead to embrace it into their art.
TRIO receives $1.2M grant NICHAELA SHAHEEN| ASSOC. EDITOR nshaheen@foghornnews.com
A new grant that Del Mar College recently received means the college will now have three TRIO programs in operation at once. The $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will support the college’s Trio Educational Opportunity Center. Del Mar was awarded the TRIO Outreach Program Grant on Nov. 1 after a review of a proposal submitted by Patricia Benavides-Dominguez, interim vice president for Student Affairs. The funds will be awarded throughout the next five years. The new Educational Opportunity Center, or EOC, will serve 850 students each year. This grant allows anyone who has not received their post-secondary degree, certificate, or those who seek a GED the ability to do so. Del Mar College’s EOC will provide financial aid advising, tutoring and career guidance.
Cheryl Sanders, interim associate vice president for Student Affairs, said the grant should help the college keep people informed. “Not having information is what prevents people from even applying and so that is what this is all about; this grant is going to help alleviate that barrier,” Sanders said. The proposal from Benavides-Dominguez focused on three counties: Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio post-secondary attainment and the lack thereof. Del Mar hopes to have the program in place by late this semester or early spring at the latest, Sanders said. Program participants must live in Nueces, Refugio or San Patricio county, not have completed any post-secondary education and must be 19 or older. Other TRIO grants include Veterans Upward Bound and Student Support Services. “This is big for the community. It’s about the community and improving the community’s level of degree attainment,” Sanders said.
FoghornNews
NOVEMBER 15, 2021 Volume 86, Issue 5 FoghornNews.com
ROBERT MUILENBURG ADVISER SCOTT BECKETT LAB ADVISER The Foghorn News is a forum for student news, events and opinions produced by Del Mar College students for students.
Foghorn News
@TheFoghornNews
FoghornStaff
PHILIP J. PEREZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MELISSA MATA FEATURES EDITOR
MICHELLE MIRELEZ MANAGING EDITOR
NICHAELA SHAHEEN ASSOCIATE EDITOR
FoghornContributors BEN CASSELS NATALIA CANTU GABRIELLA GOMEZ
MIRANDA MEDINA ASHLY MORALES TRISTIN WILLIAMS
Foghorn News
thefoghornnews
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor must be no more than 150 words in length, must be signed, and are subject to editing for grammar and content. Send emails to letters@foghornnews.com
Mail letters to the Foghorn News office: Harvin Student Center, Room 215, 101 Baldwin Blvd. | Corpus Christi, TX 78404 CORRECTIONS Need to report an error? Want to submit news? CALL 361-698-1390 | EMAIL news@foghornnews.com 361-698-1939 ADVISER | 361-698-1246 ADVERTISING
CAMPUS
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
3
Speech, debate team gets awards The Vocal Vikings grew in size and confidence after winning Top Novices in Poetry at their most recent tournament. Del Mar College’s speech and debate team competed at the Fall TIFA (Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association) competition against Texas universities and other schools throughout the country that was held virtually Nov. 5-6. Vocal Vikings Emily Rivas, a freshman majoring in paramedic and speech, and sophomore Gabrielle Vela, a speech major, tied as Top Novices in Poetry. “I felt more comfortable and confident when going into this competition compared to the first one and I felt the growth I had since the first competition,” Rivas said. The team competed in Prose, Poetry, Impromptu and Informative Speaking against the University of North Texas, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of North Carolina Charlotte. “It felt rewarding knowing I continue to improve my work and myself,” Vela said. “I learned to be patient with myself and realized the real competition was against myself. I won this past weekend and I’m proud.” Alden Sparrow, a freshman majoring in network administration and cyber systems, competed for his first time in Impromptu Speaking, and sophomore public relations and advertising major Nichaela Shaheen took third place in Poetry. The next tournament, Off Broadway Swing, will be held Dec. 4 in Long Island, New York, where students will compete in person against other schools across the nation. “I think it would be a better opportunity to compete in person. It doesn’t allow for technical difficulties like video lagging and allows for more human interaction,” Sparrow said. The team is led by Director of Forensics Sarah Contreras, a professor of speech communication. For more information on how to join the Vocal Vikings team, contact Contreras at 361-698-1566 or slcontrer@ delmar.edu, or stop by Suite D206 in the General Academic and Music Building on Heritage Campus. — Staff Reports
MICHELLE MIRELEZ | FOGHORN NEWS
Celebrating DMC veterans
Sarah Preston, a veteran, picks Campus. Preston, an English and up a free lunch Nov. 11 from the speech education major, served in Veterans Center on Heritage the Air Force.
FOOD FROM PAGE 1
NURSING FROM PAGE 1
to ensure one of the 400 spots is available to them. Once pre-registered, they will receive a QR code that the Coastal Bend Food Bank will use to check them in. Once checked in, they will be instructed to pop their trunks to have their food loaded in, according to Hernandez. Travis Collingsworth, director of the food pantry, said that although there will be 400 pre-registered spots, if people show up, they will be served as long as there still is supply. “I’m sure we won’t be turning people away if there’s stuff left over,” Collingsworth said. “We’ll just make sure that the 400 get theirs first.” The food is being provided by the Coastal Bend Food Bank through a disaster relief grant. “We’re just excited to be able to do this during COVID,” Collingsworth said. “It’s going to be good for the community and Del Mar.”
“Our studies and research have been great. It’s intense — it’s a lot of work,” Jimenez said. “The office hours are very useful, and so is our lab time.” Jimenez said she chose DMC over Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi or the A&M-Kingsville campus because “it’s affordable and convenient.” Jimenez also said she decided to pursue this program through Del Mar for a better interaction with the instructors. “The instructors are very open to listening and we’re both navigating through the new program together,” Jimenez said.
DMC hopes to gain more students through this program. “We are very excited to finally have the program running,” McWha said. “We are currently in the process of obtaining initial accreditation for the RN to BSN program and hope to receive initial accreditation next year.” Students interested in joining the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program next year can apply in February 2022. Applicants must have an RN degree from a board approved program, an unencumbered RN nursing license, meet immunization/CPR requirements and completed the required 54 SCH of gen ed and core courses.
“The instructors are very open to listening and we’re both navigating through the new program together.” JO ANN JIMENEZ BSN MAJOR
FREE / LOW COST BIRTH CONTROL, CHECK-UPS, STD TREATMENT, COVID VACCINES
SCHEDULE ONLINE AT
FREE / LOW COST
www.wamhs.org/schedule-appointment
4410 DILLON LANE SUITE 1 361.857.0101
3536 HOLLY ROAD 361.855.9107
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
4
ENTERTAINMENT
PLAYREVIEW
Drama students fearlessly take the stage Department performs its first play in a year, 'Circle Mirror Transformation'
NICHAELA SHAHEEN | ASSOC. EDITOR nshaheen@foghornnews.com After over a year of no productions due to COVID-19, the Del Mar College Drama Department is finally back. Drama students started their 2021-22 season off with director Carl Yowell’s interpretation of “Circle Mirror Transformation.” The Annie Baker play, which opened Nov.5 in the Finley Theatre, is about a group of individuals who find themselves experiencing heartbreaks and breakthroughs during a six-week session of a community center drama class. Audience members grow with the characters through each of their unique journeys. This play highlights the impact others have on someone's life even in just a short time frame. The lights illuminated a stage set to look like the inside of a community center room: basic. Four tan yellowish walls. Two bulletin boards. One beer pong-esque white plastic table. And a few foldable chairs. However, the scenes that took place in that basic room had the chance to take audience members on a journey that ultimately felt short-lived. While the script written by Baker showed range and growth from characters throughout a six- week period in a community center's drama class, I was left on opening night wanting more character development. With each week passed demonstrated by an addition to or change in costumes and an electric sign placed above the set that indicated the week number, the actors themselves took us on
MEGAN BREST | FOGHORN NEWS FILE
Drama students Sarah Garcia (from left), Dalton Allen, Erin Heflin and Kaylee Longoria rehearse for the play “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker, in October. Drama students performed the piece over the first two weekends of November. a one leveled journey with vocal patterns that were similar to the recited opening lines. The actors did take the audience on
some fun as we saw the inner workings of improv games. The vibrance in costumes added a layer of detail that helped breathe more life into the characters.
Taking the stage is no easy feat and these actors took the stage fearlessly even amid a pandemic, showing there is great potential for the Drama Department this season.
Located in the St. Clair Building Room 111 on Heritage Campus Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm Tutoring Friday 8:00am-12:30pm Located in the St. Clair Building Room 111
Tutoring One-on-one sessions
Small group sessions
Tutoring
Peer Tutoring for Math, English and More!
are available to assist students with the information Tutors One-on-one sessions
that they have gained from instructors and course material. group sessions a Small For complete list of tutored subjects, call (361) 698-2259. Tutors are available to assist students with the information that they have gained from instructors and course material.
TSIA.2 Assessment andsubjects, Tutoring For a complete list of tutored call (361) 698-2259.
TSI Test Prep for Reading, English, and Math!
Gain awareness of the TSI grade scale and an understand-
TSIA.2 Assessment ing of class placement. and Tutoring
planfor of Reading, action tailored to you! TSI Test aPrep English, and Math! Establish Gain awareness of the TSI grade scale and an understanding of class placement.
Tutor.com 24/7 Homework Help Establish a plan of action tailored to you!
Don’t have time to meet with a tutor on campus and in person? You can use Tutor,com to get 24/7 help!
Tutor.com 24/7 Homework Help
1. Log into Canvas at delmar.edu/canvas (student ID required) Don’t have time to meet with a tutor on campus and in person? You can use Tutor,com to get 24/7 help! 2. Click the “Tutor. com 24/7 Homework Help” link on the Viking Central Tab 1. the Logunder into Canvas at delmar.edu/canvas (student ID required) 3. Need more help? Go to https://www.youtube.com/ for Homework a short video to learn 2. watch?v=PergFMSBNiM Click the “Tutor. com 24/7 Help” link on more or callthe (361) 698-2267. the under Viking Central Tab 3.
Need more help? Go to https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=PergFMSBNiM for a short video to learn Enrollment Assistance Services more or call (361) 698-2267.
Apply Texas
Scan this code for more info
Peer Tutoring for Math, English and More!
on Heritage Campus Scan this code One-on-one sessions Mentoring and Workshops Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm for more info Friday 8:00am-12:30pm Small group sessions
Peer Tutoring for Math, English and More!
Located in the St. Clair on Heritage Monday-Thursday Friday 8:00am
Need assistance in starting your Apply Texas? Need a scan-
Enrollment Assistance Services ner to copy your required documents? Stop by the SSC and we can help get you started! Apply Texas
If you have questions about your Apply Texas or FAFSA ap plications, Need assistance starting your Texas? Need a scanwe can in point you in the Apply right direction. ner to copy your required documents? Stop by the SSC and we can help get you started! For more callabout (361) your 698-2259. If youinformation, have questions Apply Texas or FAFSA applications, we can point you in the right direction.
Success Coach Mentoring
are available to students assist students with the information Tutors Success Coaches work with on: Mentoring and Workshops that they have gained from instructors and course material. self-advocacy Forclarification a complete of tutored subjects, call (361) 698-2259. Success Coachlist Mentoring goal Success Coaches work with students on: motivation self-advocacy mindfulness TSIA.2 Assessment and Tutoring goalmanagement clarification time TSIemploy Test Prep for Reading, English, and Math! a student-centered approach which builds in Coaches motivation
dependence and accountability. of the TSI grade scale and an understandmindfulness Gain awareness ing of class placement. call (361) 698-2259. To schedule an appointment, time management
a plan of action tailored to you! which builds in Establish Coaches employ a student-centered approach dependence and accountability. Technology To schedule an appointment, call (361) 698-2259.
Technology Center Help (TRC) Tutor.comResource 24/7 Homework
The TRC computer lab provides workstations for academic supTechnology port and includes a variety of software printers, scanDon’t have time to meet with aprograms, tutor on campus and in ners person? and access to the You canInternet. use Tutor,com to get 24/7 help!
Technology Resource Center (TRC) It is intended for academic use by currently enrolled DMC
1. into Canvas at delmar.edu/canvas (student ID Thestudents. TRCLog computer lab provides workstations for academic support and required) includes a variety of software programs, printers, scanFor more (361) 698-2234. TRC located in the ners and information, access to the call Internet. St. Clair Building, Rm. 120. thefor “Tutor. comuse 24/7 Help”DMC link on 2. It is Click intended academic by Homework currently enrolled the under the Viking Central Tab students. For more information, call (361) 698-2234.Program TRC located in the Laptop andmore Calculator Loaner 3. Need help? St. Clair Building, Rm. 120.Go to https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=PergFMSBNiM forneed a short video to learnfor Want to borrow a laptop? Do you a loaner calculator more or call (361) 698-2267. your Math class?
Laptop and Calculator Loaner Program
The is to now accepting applications for student loaner laptops TRC Want borrow a laptop? Do you need a loaner calculator for and Enrollment calculators! Please visit the TRC Center to begin the laptop Assistance Services your Math class? and calculator checkout process.
Apply Texas
For more information, call (361) 698-2234. TRC located in the St. Clair Building, Rm. 120. The is now accepting student loaner laptops TRC Need assistance in applications starting yourfor Apply Texas? Need a scanand calculators! Please the TRC Center toStop begin ner to copy your visit required documents? bythe thelaptop SSC and and calculator process. we cancheckout help get you started! Formore information, call (361) TRC located in theapIf you have questions about698-2234. your Apply Texas or FAFSA St. Clairplications, Building,we Rm. 120. can point you in the right direction. For more information, call (361) 698-2259.
ssc@delmar.edu
@DmcSsc
ENTERTAINMENT
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
5
GAMEREVIEW
‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’ misses its mark New maps, weapons great, but glitches leave players frustrated with the game ASHLY MORALES | REPORTER amorales@foghornnews.com Sledgehammer Games has launched “Call of Duty: Vanguard,” and oh boy do I have a lot to say. When you hear about a new Call of Duty game being added to the franchise people always have the same three stages of reaction. Stage 1 is of course excitement because it’s a new game, Stage 2 is sad because you are going to be leaving the last game, and of course the last stage is anger because of the game not being fully developed and completed before release. The Call of Duty franchise holds a strong track record for games having a good number of bugs at launch and “Vanguard” was no exception. For starters Field of View (FOV) seems to have a mind of its own and tends to change, which can be frustrating for many PC players who want to enjoy the game at max FOV. Another problem occurring is not being able to fully join a game with friends because the pregame lobby fails to load, and, of course, perks
SLEDGEHAMMER GAMES
The Call of Duty franchise holds a strong track record for games having a good number of bugs at launch and “Vanguard” was no exception. have their own issues too. Some perks are unusable in certain maps and then there are the Dev Errors; I could go on and on about the many issues popping up every day but let’s talk about the positives.
“Vanguard” at launch had 16 maps and 38 base weapons for players to enjoy. It’s great being able to access new maps instead of playing the same old ones on “Modern Warfare 2019.” Let’s be
honest, no one moved to “Call of Duty: Cold War” for many reasons. Skill-based matchmaking is still as strong as ever, which can sometimes be frustrating but when you have 38 weapons at launch there’s bound to be a few broken ones that can help you out. Right now, the meta is the STG because it’s a two-shot weapon and of course the broken to all hell combat shotgun. The combat shotgun can be compared to the SPR from “MW 2019” because of the mobility but it is still 100% a shotgun that can kill you point blank from across the map in one shot so use it now and make as many videos as possible with it while you can before it gets nerfed. Some other guns that are having a bit of an issue among the sniping community is that the snipers are slooooowww but hopefully that is fixed soon even though not every sniper ever made in a game is meant to be used to quick scope. Also, don’t even get me started on the RICOCHET anti-cheat when there are already clear cheaters in the game at launch. Luckily Sledgehammer Games tries its best to listen to the gaming community so I have faith that this game can slowly but surely be fixed. No one wants to spend another year on “MW 2019.”
MOVIEREVIEW
‘Ron Gone Wrong’ is everything that is right An imperfect B-Bot makes a lasting impression ASHLY MORALES | REPORTER amorales@foghornnews.com
20TH CENTURY STUDIOS
‘Ron Gone Wrong’ hit theaters Oct. 22.
“Ron’s Gone Wrong” is a charming movie featuring a boy and his new friend robot. This movie first shows how kids can quickly become addicted to technology especially when a new B-Bot is introduced to be their new best friend. This little robot follows each child around and shares their whole life with the internet. Barney, the main character, at first can’t get one but his father eventually is able to
acquire a broken one from a sketchy man in a back alley. When Barney first accesses the B-Bot you can immediately tell he has all sorts of errors. As the movie progresses Barney helps show B-Bot, who has now been named Ron, how to become his friend. He constantly says “friendship is a two-way street” but fails to show Ron any friendship in return, which he realizes later in the movie.
For a kids movie it was very cute and charming. (Spoilers ahead) I was a little shocked when the main child Barney gets lost in the woods and clearly is suffering from an asthma attack and must be taken to the hospital. I took my 5-year-old niece to see this movie and she was a little scared on this part so parents beware just in case your children get startled easily.
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
6
PERSPECTIVE
EDITORIAL
It’s time to stop playing victim
There is nothing wrong with asking for change, especially when there’s injustice that needs to be met with action. But where do we draw the line, and when do we stop crying victim? When looking at the Atlanta Braves, we see tradition for the last 55 years. We don’t see the ill intent others do when the stadium rings in unison for the “war chant” when fans are doing the so-called Tomahawk Chop. Even when just listening to it on YouTube the chills that hit are just inspiring. How is it “criminalizing and demoralizing” to the Native American culture? Now, if the team had an Indian mascot chasing a cowboy on the sidelines, it could be considered malicious. Do we think consideration was taken when naming these teams, yes. Do we think they thought “because we picked this name we get to demoralize it with a mascot,” no. When we consider naming our children do we think of something they could possibly learn to hate, no. We go out and buy a baby book that has the definitions of what names mean and pick the one that we feel would best suit them. Of course, looking at it now there are hundreds of teams named after some native background at some point before changing their name. Take a look at PETA wanting the bullpen (where pitchers practice their pitch) to be changed,
TRISTIN WILLIAMS | FOGHORN NEWS
because that’s what the holding pen for bulls is called before slaughter. Look at the case of a Native American student who recorded his math teacher as she began chanting, “SohCahToa,” also known as Sine, Cosine, and Tangent, which is a mnemonic for the three main functions of trigonometry. She didn’t stop there — she danced through the classroom chanting and standing on a
table in the back of the classroom and eventually made her way to the front where she then praised the rock god and water goddess. Was justice served on a platter for this teacher? Probably not to the extent most would wish for, but she was placed on leave. Now it is up to the school district to ensure this will never happen again. If every cowboy demanded that the
Dallas football team change its name because they aren’t real cowboys and it is insulting, or if every Mexican-American said to stop misappropriating my culture by celebrating a holiday (Día de los Muertos or Cinco de Mayo) that isn’t relevant to your culture, or if every Christian said that Christmas is only for those who believe in Christ, where would the line be drawn?
OPINION
America ... what the hell have we become? PHILIP J. PEREZ pperez@ foghornnews.com
Dear America, what the hell is wrong with you? It’s hard to narrow down to just one complaint because lately, society has taken so many steps back with the lack of common sense and decency that it’s hard to imagine a return back to normalcy … EVER! From 2016 to present day, society has turned into a giant ball of cluster-f*#! that continues to grow like a snowball going down a mountain. Many can argue that it didn’t start there but these past few years have been predominantly stupid. Let’s start with 2016. America was tired of politics as usual and wanted a change. We had to choose between a jaded “Karen-esque” career politician with a less than favorable approval rating as Secretary of State and an over-the-top self-professed playboy with no political experience and an unapologetic way of expressing himself and not giving a crap. Oh, and let’s not forget the guy who wanted to legalize weed, let Americans live free and whose campaign slogan was “Make America Sane Again.” Those were our choices and Americans made a loud, obscene statement by electing an even louder and obscener president. It was almost comical to see the reactions of every liberal talking head stare in horror with their mouths agape looking
similar to the way I did the day I accidentally shoved a straw inside my mom’s nose and realizing that the chancla was about to enter my world and alter my life in ways I cannot explain. For all intents and purposes, Trump’s presidency wasn’t all bad, if you take away all his tweets, obscure press conferences, his controlling behavior, his narcissism and so on … and honestly, Americans knew what they were getting with him so there shouldn’t have been any surprises. We knew that the Democrats would never be willing to work with him and in my opinion, were hoping he would fail. Who does that? It’s like wanting the pilot of the plane you’re a passenger in to go head on into a building because you don’t like him. Unfortunately, the Trump presidency brought out the butt ugly in so many people. True colors have never been so bright until now. Decency toward each other has always been a problem but for whatever reason, it became a lost art. Sure, we had our problems pre-Trump in regards to race relations, especially between people of color and law enforcement, but the issues seem to have escalated tenfold after the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and many others. While half of society condemned the killings, the other half appeared to find excuses to justify their killings. Life is life, is it not? When did it become OK to murder a man because he was on drugs? Oh America, what have you become? There was once a time when Americans pledged allegiance to our flag and everything it represented and vowed to do whatever it took to support our country in every way possible. When we were at
war, we were all at war, together. Yet we can’t seem to get on the same page when it comes to defeating a virus. Our political leaders are playing tug-o-war with our lives and so many of us are jumping on one bandwagon or another using small sound bites heard on YouTube as factual evidence. We accuse experts of hidden agendas as if they are these evil geniuses trying to eradicate the world of Trump supporters. We are at war and our weapons are a vaccine and a mask and yet people would rather sacrifice the lives of their loved ones to preserve their “freedoms.” Give me a freaking break. You want to cry “My body, my choice,” yet are so Gung-ho about limiting the ability of allowing women to make a choice on abortion. You can’t have it both ways. Here’s the part where I channel the late Billy Mays when I say, “But wait, there’s more.” Just when we thought America couldn’t get worse, the events of the 2020 presidential election left so many of us with our heads buried in our hands silently mouthing “WTF” in unison. Never mind the candidates we had to choose from. Never mind the rabid followers in caravans of 4x4s driving around with rebel flags and Trump 2020 signs. Never mind the constant cries of a stolen election. What happened on January 6, 2021, made us the laughingstock of the world. The s*#! hit the proverbial fan on that day and there was no turning back. What happened, happened and there is no taking it back. And yet, that was just the beginning. We’re traveling in a tunnel right now and there doesn’t seem to be a light any-
where in sight. But let’s take politics out of this conversation. Society seems to have reached a point of no return after the events that unfolded in Houston at the Travis Scott concert. When did we, as a society, become so obsessed with celebrity that we have no regard for the safety of others? Why are we packing 50,000 people into a venue and encouraging those 50,000 people to go all-out crazy and rush the stage creating a dangerous surge and causing people to literally drown in a sea of people? By the way, did the pandemic end in Houston? I don’t remember seeing anyone wearing a mask in all of those videos when they reported nine people dead and several hundred injured. Take Scott out of the equation. People are losing all respect for human life and the fact that the surge continued even after people were falling is very telling of the lack of human compassion all because people felt the need to get closer to celebrity. Now, put Scott back into the equation and the fact that the show went on for 40 minutes after people were reportedly getting trampled and first responders were arriving on the scene. Again, head buried in hands mouthing “WTF.” All in all, can we be surprised at how society seems to regress? I mean, after all, we live in a society that is so quick to call major news media “Fake News” the moment a news story conflicts with the opinion of certain consumers, yet those same people will follow a Facebook journalist known for his involvement in human trafficking and his violation of a cake in City Hall. God Bless Your Hearts.
QUESTION: ASTROWORLD: WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY?
“Crowd control, not enough security and they would have spotted that. I heard everybody was telling him to stop, he should have stopped.” — Lydia Flores, biology
“I felt like more people could have been aware. Travis Scott didn’t do anything, like he could have stopped the show.” — Alex Arredondo, psychology
“If they had just listened to people that actually were trying to do something about it, before more people lost their lives.” — Brenda Nichols, liberal arts
“Maybe they could have increased the amount of security within the vicinity. Maybe more security would have been beneficial and helpful.” — Nathalia Medellin, criminal justice
VIKING&CHILL
LIKE TO DRAW? The Foghorn News is looking for talented artists. Stop by Room 215 in the Harvin Center for information.
sustenance. To protect this algae, the corals fluoresce, creating proteins that essentially serve as a sunscreen. • The Greek national anthem consists of 158 verses. • We all know hiccups can be annoying, but at least they tend to pass quickly — unless you were Charles Osborne, who began hiccupping in 1922 after a fall while attempting to weigh a hog
Del Mar students can advertise in the Foghorn for as little as $10! Drop by HC 215 or call 698-1246 for more information.
King Features Weekly Service
•nKite flying is anteams officialuse sport in Most NASCAR nitroThailand. gen in their tires instead of air. This allows tire to have much more • It’s the not unusual to crya at weddings, but in certainrate partsof of China, weeping is consistent expansion and a required parttoofheat preparation for the big contraction and cold. day. A month beforemust they tie theone knot, n North Koreans have of Tujia brides will cry haircuts. for one hour each 28 state-approved day. days in, they’re joined by their n Ten There’s alcohol in space! In mothers; ten days after that, grand2006, astronomers discovered a mothers, and eventually other female cloud of alcohol in part of the Milky family members. The practice is said to Way where stars are States forming from date to China’s Warring era when gas dust. the and mother of a Zhao princess broke n IninAlbania, some women make down tears at her wedding. an• oath to become “swornturtle virgins” The Chinese soft-shelled uriinnates order to live life as a man, with the from its mouth. rights and designer privileges of a Kors’ man.first For • Fashion Michael the restwas of their lives,ofthey are mothnever project a redesign his own again addressed er’s wedding dress,asatfemale. her second marn Over 2,500 left-handed people riage. He was 5 years old at the time. a year killed by using • Tooare much sunlight can equipment damage the made people. The algae for thatright-handed live inside shallow-water deadliest item? coral and are the The mainright-handed source of its
August 30, 2021
By Lucie Winborne
power saw. n A traffic jam in Beijing lasted more than nine days. n If you yelled for eight years, seven months and six days, you would produce enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. n A man with severe OCD and a phobia of germs attempted to commit suicide with a gun to his head. Instead of killing him, the bullet eliminated his mental illness without any other damage. n In 2003, there were 86 days of below-freezing weather in Hell, Michigan. n Until 2018, there were only two English words ending in “gry” — hungry and angry. Then the Oxford English Dictionary added a third — “hangry” (an irritable state induced by lack of food). n A decibel is not its own unit, but actually 1/10th of the seldom used “Bel,” a unit named in honor of Alexander Graham Bell for his contribution to acoustics. n “Backpfeifengesicht” is a German term for a face that badly needs a punch.
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
7
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
8
NEWS
At least 9 killed at music festival Several hundred others injured during stampede at Travis Scott performance MIRANDA MEDINA | REPORTER mmedina@foghornnews.com HOUSTON — Nine people were killed and more than 300 injured during rapper Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival on Nov. 5 at NRG Park. More than 50,000 people attended what was supposed to be a two-day festival, which began Nov. 5. This was the third year of the festival. The event was cut short when the crowd surged at the beginning of Scott’s performance. His performance was originally scheduled from 8:45-10:30 p.m., though Scott did not take the stage until 9 p.m. Attendees were eager for his set, leading to PHOTOS BY MIRANDA MEDINA | FOGHORN NEWS a crowd surge around 9:38 p.m. Scott stopped performing after an individual passed out at Travis Scott performs on Nov. 5 at Houston’s NRG Park during his annual Astroworld music festival. More than 50,000 people attended the festival, which was cut short when the crowd surged at the beginning of Scott’s performance, leaving at least 9 dead. 9:42 p.m. in the VIP section. He told individuals in the crowd not to touch the person while he called on security The Houston police and fire departments to assist the man. held news conferences the night of the trageHe then proceeded with the show. dy and the following day to announce they’re The victims ranged from 14-27 years old. investigating the cause of deaths and injuries. “I’m absolutely devastated by what took Numerous concertgoers performed CPR on place last night,” Scott victims, with at least 11 said the following day on victims in cardiac arrest, Twitter. “My prayers go “I’m absolutely devastated by said HFD Chief Samuel out to the families and all Pena. those impacted by what what took place last night. My Houston Mayor Sylveshappened at Astroworld prayers go out to the families ter Turner discussed the Festival.” incident with CNN. and all those impacted by Scott said he was not “We are praying for aware of the severity of what happened at Astroworld their family members,” he the incident when he said. “There are still two incontinued performing. dividuals who are critical Festival.” “Houston PD has my TRAVIS SCOTT — in critical condition in total support as they RAP ARTIST our hospitals — so, we are continue to look into the praying for all of them.” tragic loss of life,” Scott Scott and event ortweeted. ganizers are now facing According to the Houston Chronicle, 367 numerous lawsuits from concertgoers and vicpolice officers and 241 security officers were tims’ families, along with rap artist Drake, who Scott stops the show after noticing a man who needed medical attention in the VIP secat the Astroworld event. also appeared during Travis’ set. tion. He told the crowd not to touch the person while calling on security to assist the man.
Join for $0 Down + 1 MONTH FREE
Check us out with this