THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE SINCE 1893 Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Volume 132, Issue 7
www.oxyweekly.com
Veitch: Splatter Humiliated Occidental
Chris Ellis Students enter Splatter as an ambulance and its crew tends to patients in need of medical assistance for alcohol abuse.
Ben DeLuca Occidental administrators are working to limit the damage after local news sources widely reported on eight alcohol-related hospitalizations during the Splatter dance on Saturday, Oct. 23.
The reports, which depicted Splatter as a school-sponsored “rave,” could put the college’s standing in jeopardy. “I think [the coverage] may affect admissions, it will probably affect donations,” Occidental College President Jonathan Veitch said. Though Veitch was unhappy with
the coverage, he was also disappointed with students who chose to abuse alcohol. “I hope the [student] response is embarrassment because you bring shame on the institution when you’re seen on the six o’clock news in that kind of state,” Veitch said.
Campus Safety and administration officials shut Splatter down almost an hour early due to the situation. Campus Safety estimated that 800 people attended the event and 75 percent had alcohol on their breath when they entered. A men’s soccer recruit was one of the eight total hospitalizations, with the others being under aged students. “I’m disappointed and I think those students need to reflect seriously on, most importantly, the fate of their friends, and the humiliation that they brought on the institution,” Veitch said. Other administrators expressed similar dissatisfaction with students’ behavior at the event. “I’m mad that the actions of a few have now impacted this entire community,” Assistant Dean of Students Tamara Rice said. Many students agreed that the event was embarrassing, but that it does not reflect on the institution as a whole. “I also agree that it’s embarrassing to the institution, but I don’t think we should let eight people’s actions hurt our reputation,” Kristen Treat (sophomore) said. “It’s unfair to blame all of us.” The administration agrees that the problem does not involve the entire student body.
“I don’t think it’s a campus-wide problem, I think it’s localized into a subset of students that either lack maturity or don’t understand their own limits or don’t intervene when students make stupid decisions,” Veitch said. The administration has been moving quickly to set up a framework for investigating the causes of the incidents at Splatter and recommending solutions. “We have developed this ad hoc task force, and that includes Programming Board, Alpha [Lambda Phi Alpha], RAs, me and Devon MacIver (from OSL) and Tim Chang and Juls White (from REHS) to look at our large-scale student events and coming up with recommendations for how to manage them. We would like to present our recommendations to a General Assembly,” Rice said. Multiple sources in the administration maintained that while education and discipline play a role, the most viable option to control alcohol consumption and keep students safe is selfpolicing. “Of all the things that have been suggested, self-policing is likely to be the most effective tool if students em-
SPLATTER Continues on Page 3
Federal Cuts Could Affect Financial Aid Tigers Pounce on Chapman Ryan Strong Occidental’s Financial Aid Office is concerned that a congressional super committee charged with cutting $1.5 trillion from the federal budget may severely cut funding to the Pell Grant program that many students rely on. Occidental has already absorbed spending cuts to financial aid programs recently. Additional substantial cuts would significantly affect the college’s ability to continue to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need, according to Financial Aid Director Maureen McRae. Last year, 496 Occidental students received federal Pell Grants worth a total of $2.03 million. Occidental contributed an additional $15 million, enabling each of the Pell Grant recipients to only take out about $5,000 in loans on average. But, that could change if the super committee decides to cut spending on Pell Grants by lowering the adjusted grant threshold income levels, according to McRae. The college already absorbed $650,000 in cuts to federal and state grant programs last year, managing to account for every dollar in support students lost. But, McRae does not think the college could handle another significant cut the same way.
“It’s at the point where something has to give,” McRae said. Options for absorbing a loss of Pell Grant funding include making more need-aware admissions decisions, no longer meeting full demonstrated need of students, increasing the amount of money students must borrow or rethinking the maximum work hours the college allows in its work-study program. The administration does not find any of these options palatable, but they may be forced to take one if cuts are made. “We do not want to be in the position of turning down students just because it costs too much money to fund them,” McRae said. McRae took issue with some in Congress who doubt the importance of Pell Grants, in some instances calling the program “a form of welfare.” “If it is a welfare program, it is the most successful one in the history of the country because it moves people into the middle and higher classes very quickly,” McRae said, noting that studies have shown those who go to college earn over $20,000 more per year and over $1 million more in their lifetime than those who don’t attend. “Why would you cut a program that moves people to higher levels of income, thus extending the tax base?” McRae said.
NEWS ................................... 3 OPINIONS ............................ 4 LETTERS .............................. 5
For now, Occidental is waiting on the super committee to finish its deliberations. Congressman Xavier Becerra, who represents the district Occidental is in, is on the committee. Upper levels of the administration have talked to the congressman and his staff about the importance of Pell Grants to students and the college, according to McRae. Students who depend on financial aid worry that any cut to their funding could make it very difficult to continue attending the institution. “If the school were to dramatically cut my financial aid, I would strongly consider other options for higher education such as going to a cheaper college closer to home to decrease costs,” student Elya Shamskhou (sophomore) said. As the decision on cuts nears, several organizations are leading the fight to save financial aid. The National Association of Student Financial Aid and Administrators (NASFAA) asks students to write to their senators and representatives. Letter templates are available on NASFAA’s website http://www. nasfaa.org/. Students can also join the Save Student Aid Faceboook campaign to voice their support and advocate for federal financial aid dollars to be preserved from further cuts.
FEATURES ............................ 6 SPORTS................................. 8 A&E..... ................................. 10
Miriam Subbiah Wide receiver Ryan Rodriguez (junior) signals for an Occidental touchdown against Chapman on Oct. 29. Rodriguez had seven catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the contest, helping the Tigers pick up a homecoming victory. HOMECOMING Continues on Page 8
The Occidental Weekly is recyclable.
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THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
- November 2, 2011
THIS WEEK Youth Lagoon Today, 11/2 - 8:30 p.m. The Echo
Cyndi Lauper Friday, 11/4 - 7:00 p.m. Club Nokia
Dance-A-Thon Saturday, 11/5 - 5:00 p.m. Booth Courtyard
Drums Inside Your Chest Sunday, 11/6 - 7:00 p.m. Largo at the Coronet
“Hot Coffee” Monday, 11/7 - 7:00 p.m. Weingart 117
Check out new band Youth Lagoon, who was just awarded Best New Music by Pitchfork.com for their debut album.
Watch 80s pop star Cyndi Lauper perform bluesy hits from her latest album, “Memphis Blues.”
Dance from 5:00 p.m. to midnight for the Downtown Women’s Center in L.A. There will be themed hours and treats.
This showcase created by Amber Tamblyn presents America’s leading spoken-word performers, poets and musicians.
The politics department’s film series will be showing “Hot Coffee” to exhibit controversies in the civil justice system.
INFORMATION: www.attheecho.com
INFORMATION: www.clubnokia.com
INFORMATION: Student Events Calendar
INFORMATION: thedrumsinsideyourchest.com
INFORMATION: Student Events Calendar
IN THE NEWS
This
Newspaper
AT OXY
IN L.A.
NATIONALLY
GLOBALLY
Nine Occidental research abroad students presented their summer research October 25 at a conference on campus, according to Occidental’s website. The Research Abroad scholarship allowed those students to travel to Paris, France, Ghana, Ireland and South America. Their research subjects ranged from literature to economics and cognitive science. Occidental is one of the few institutions that provide this research opportunity to its undergraduate student body. This award grants $3,000$6,500 for research programs eight to 12 weeks long that take place throughout the world. Occidental students independently develop their own research plans and conduct their experiments, but college faculty supervisors provide support. The students who participated in research abroad all agreed that the program makes Occidental unique. Senior Elaine Westcott did a study on bee-keeping in Paris, France. Senior Chris Suzdak did research on microfinance and chieftaincy systems in Ghana.
UCLA researchers have devised a computer program to counter gang violence in LAPD’s Hollenbeck East Los Angeles Division according to the Los Angeles Times. Previously, police forces had a 50 percent shot at identifying gang suspects after crimes had taken place. Now, that percentage has risen to 80 percent, according to program co-author Martin Short. The computer program makes sense out of complex information such as recent local gang activity and the criminal records of known gang members. The complex algorithm crunches probabilities and estimates which gang suspects were most likely to have committed crimes. 80 percent of the time, the program estimates correctly. LAPD has increasingly begun to make use of innovative predicative policing. The UCLA researchers and LAPD have teamed up to request federal grants to continue research in this emerging field. The latest information about UCLA’s predicative policing research can be found online in the mathematical journal Inverse Problems.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently accused the Obama administration of being anti-catholic after the Department of Health and Human Services denied the organization a grant to support its efforts against human trafficking according to the Washington Post. Federal grants to counter human-trafficking have been reallocated from the Conference of Bishops and granted to groups that support abortion and contraceptives options for victims. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has denied the anti-catholic claims of the Conference of Bishops. The HHS points out that the Conference of Bishops received 19 million dollars in new grants three days after the HHS canceled the anti-humantrafficking grants. Acting assistant secretary for the HHS, George Sheldon, said the agency followed standard procedure and does not seek to target any group. The tension between catholic groups and the Obama administration have led Catholic spokespeople to declare that the federal government looks to further a pro-choice agenda.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sought to work a deal with Pakistan’s spy agency to halt warfare with the terrorist group Haqqani according to the New York Times. Recent attacks by the Haqqani have resulted in the deaths of at least 10 Americans in a suicide attack and also in multiple insurgencies across Pakistan. Despite the call for peace, tensions remain high as Pakistan refuses to budge until U.S. troops withdraw. Pakistani officials were enraged after U.S. admiral Mike Mullen accused the Pakistani spy network of using the Haqqani as a “veritable arm”. The Pakistani government was not happy with the statement and President Obama reportedly did not like Mullen’s comment. For a while, it has been speculated that the Pakistani spy service is responsible for harboring and financing Haqqani groups. The peace talks between Secretary Clinton and Pakistani delegates have led to few results. The Pakistani spy service refuses to help hunt down Haqqani militants until the U.S. presents specific plans and details about their military activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Written and Compiled By Damian Mendieta
REPORTS MONDAY, OCTOBER 24
7:46 PM Stewart Hall Parent of an Oxy student said she was unable to reach her daughter by phone. Responding Officer made contact with roommate who stated the student was in Fowler Hall studying. Contacted student and asked her to contact her mother.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 2:15 AM 1418 Armadale A concerned resident reported seeing a male rummaging through neighbors trash cans. Responding Officers made contact with teh subject who was collecting recyclables and advised him about the complaint. The male complied by leaving the area.
1:21 PM Campus Rd. and Alumni Ave Received report that the protestors were throwing objects at the trees behind their sign and acting in an “unruly” manner. Responding Officers observed protestors seating and docile and made contact with protestors who stated they were playing with paper airplanes and not harassing anyone.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 7:30 AM Culley Lot Received report that two Grounds Workers were involved in a verbal altercation. Investigation revealed that one worker, driving the “Bobcat” loaded with compressed pile of cardboard boxes, accidentally grazed the leg of the other worker as he bent down to tie his shoe lace. Incident report filed. 4:30 PM Hillside Theater Observed five male juveniles acting
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suspiciously on the north side of the building. The subjects fled the area as Officers approached. Subsequently, two of the juveniles were detained, identified, advised regarding private property, and escorted off Campus without further incident. 9:42 PM Chilcott Hall RA reports that unknown person(s) slide marijuana stems under his door. Responding Officers confiscated marijuana stems and disposed of them. No further action taken.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 12:18 AM Clapp Library Staff reports an unidentified male (local) in the Library. Responding Officers detained subject, warned and escorted him off property, without incident.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 8:01 PM 1651 Ave. 46 (Cross House) Observed social gathering of approximately 25 persons in front yard. Officer contacted student tenant and issued “Sanction Flyer.” No complaints received. 10:04 PM 4576 Alumni Ave. (Formerly ATO) Observed LAPD in front of location. LAPD advised they received a noise complaints and contacted the property owner who would not allow them into the residence but stated he had dispersed people form the location. 10:55 PM E. Norris Hall, Yellow Officers conducting a building check heard loud music coming from Hall. Officers entered the Hall, found room door wide open, five students inside with several cans of beer and a bottle of Vodka in plain view. Incident report submitted.
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Founded in 1893, the Occidental Weekly is the official newspaper of Occidental College. Published by the Associated Students of Occidental College, the Weekly is distributed to 2,000 faculty, staff, students, parents and community members every Wednesday during the academic year.
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THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
November 2, 2011 -
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Students Partake in Rally Against Farmer Exploitation Oliver Field
T
hirty Occidental students participated in a rally outside of Trader Joe’s headquarters in Monrovia on Friday, Oct. 21, in support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), an organization working to improve conditions for farm workers in Florida’s tomato fields. Nearly 400 students, farmworkers and community members picketed a Huntington chain and marched toward the headquarters in an attempt to raise awareness and coerce Trader Joe’s into signing a fair food agreement that raises wages by one cent for every pound picked and institutes workplace standards. Companies like McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, Irvine-based Taco Bell and Whole Foods Market have already signed agreements with the coalition, prompting questions as to why a company like Trader Joe’s, which has worked hard to earn a reputation as an ethical, fair trade food supplier, won’t sign. The coalition launched a similar boycott against Taco Bell in 2005, ultimately pressuring the company to sign and comply with their demands. They hope that this protest will have a similar effect. “We’re asking Trader Joe’s to put their purchasing power behind a certain set of standards that safeguard workers’ human rights,” CIW organizer Marc Rodriguez said.
Student Jordan Delano (junior) was surprised by the reaction the rally received when it arrived at company headquarters. “Once we got to the Trader Joe’s headquarters, the Trader Joe’s employees were very hostile, they were even shouting out of their windows at us as we arrived. People definitely became disillusioned with Trader Joe’s by their reaction to the protest,” Delano said. Trader Joe’s released an official statement in May defending their refusal to sign with the CIW. “Many customers ask why we would not just sign on to a cause that is a simple “Fair Food” approach to selling tomatoes? Unfortunately, the agreement that Trader Joe’s has been asked to sign is overreaching, ambiguous and improper,” the statement read. The statement went on to detail specific parts of the agreement the company found unreasonable. Point 5 explains why Trader Joe’s finds the agreement overreaching. “The draft agreement requires Trader Joe’s to terminate any vendor or supplier upon written notice from the CIW. This is one of the reasons for our characterization of ‘overreaching.’” On Oct. 23, they updated their statement by saying that Trader Joe’s does pay the penny-for-pound that CIW is asking for to farmworkers and is willing to let CIW do audits to verify this. CIW continues to push for Trader Joe’s to sign on to the legally-binding agreement, saying that without it, Trader Joe’s claims are just words.
Courtesy of Rachel Liesching Protestors, including Occidental students, rally in front of Trader Joe’s headquarters, demanding the company sign on to a fair food agreement that includes a raise for farmworkers and workplace standards to protect workers from abuse.
ResEd Facebook Post Ignites Outrage, Sparks Discussion Splatter From Front Page
-brace it,” Veitch said. Juls White commented on the challenges facing the administration. “Obviously I can’t prevent anything, but how I can help educate students what to do prior to dances and before that is important,” White said. Director of Communications Jim Tranquada agreed. “This is not an issue that applies just to Occidental. Binge drinking is an issue on most college campuses. It’s not an issue that lends itself to easy solutions,” Tranquada said. Alcohol Policy Discussion Possible changes to college procedures have been floating around since Splatter, specifically changes to the school’s zero-tolerance policy, but President Veitch has reservations about at least one of the ideas. “One that blows my mind is the idea that the zero-tolerance policy is responsible for [the hospitalizations],” Veitch said. Veitch is referring to several students who have claimed that the alcohol policy is too restrictive and encourages unsupervised binge drinking in the dorms. The students say that the college should be more open to discussing alcohol issues with students and working with them instead of looking to discipline them. “It’s not wrong for the administration to play a role, but by banning alcohol they’re just sticking the problem in a corner and trying to pretend that it’s not their problem,” Alexa Olson (sophomore) said. But administration officials assert that they are obligated to enforce the alcohol policy. “The college is required to certify with the Department of Education that
it is enforcing existing drug and alcohol laws,” Tranquada said. “If Occidental does not certify or attempt to enforce existing laws then that puts federal student aid in jeopardy. At Occidental, that’s about $12 million. About half the student body gets federal financial aid.” Some students’ main concern though is what they see as aggressive and adversarial enforcement that could be done differently. But the administration finds the enforcement necessary. “If we have a zero-tolerance policy and it’s not working, then what more can one do short of ratcheting up the consequences on the students that are involved?” Veitch said. Assistant Dean of Residential Education Tim Chang posted a comment online stating that having a discussion on alcohol policy enforcement would not be helpful. “It is clear that students feel that enforcing the College’s alcohol policy causes students to binge drink. Some would counter that not enforcing the policy might lead to more people drinking more often. Unfortunately a debate on this is pointless as we have to maintain and enforce an alcohol policy that follows the law,” an “Oxy Housing” Facebook post read. Tranquada also said that the administration has tried to engage students, but with little success. “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink, and if people don’t care and aren’t interested in being part of the conversation, then… We make stuff available online, we talk to the Weekly, we send out emails which most students don’t read because most students don’t check email,” Tranquada said. Tranquada wants students to take the initiative to fix this problem. “I hope the students won’t just sit back and wait for the administration, I’d hope that they actually step up,” Tranquada said.
ResEd’s Amy Winehouse Post
Discipline for Hospitalized Students
Last Wednesday, a heated discussion occurred on the Oxy Housing Facebook page after Chang posted a link to an article stating that Amy Winehouse’s death was due to alcohol poisoning. A caption accompanied the link, reading “You can drink yourself to death.” The post led to outrage among students, many of whom considered it condescending. “Can we dwell for a moment on the fact that ResEd just used the death of a human being as a way to make a condescending and largely unnecessary point?” Gabriel Mathews (junior) said. Chang offered his apologies to anyone who found the post belittling, but was also disconcerted by some of the responses. “I’m maybe a little surprised about the comments,” Chang said in an interview. “I’m surprised that there’s a lot of deflection in the comments and not reflection about the seriousness of the problem and what students can do to solve it.” But, the discussion on ResEd’s page turned constructive, with students and alumni proposing possible solutions to the issue. Jacquie Adorni ‘11, created a list of six suggestions that 14 people “liked.” “2) Take the power to write students up for alcohol violations away from RAs. This creates an atmosphere of greater trust between students and RAs, and means that students will be less likely to hide drinking from RAs, thus allowing RAs to intervene/contact pro staff if they believe that students are dangerously intoxicated,” Adorni wrote. Other students proposed additional solutions, including an increased number of on-campus events. ResEd later said that they appreciated the suggestions and would take them into consideration.
The students hospitalized for alcohol-related medical issues were all underage and will have a meeting with a member of the Dean of Students’ Office, according to Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability Emily Harris. Dean of Students Barbara Avery said that she is not involved with the conduct process for the students so she can stay neutral in the event of an appeal. However, she did say that there is a possibility that the students hospitalized may not be exempt from the conduct process through the amnesty policy, which includes provisions regarding how a student who needs medical attention brings their situation to the attention of the College. According to the policy, only students who call for help themselves, or have a friend call for them, qualify for amnesty. “If they were found by campus safety or an RA, it may not apply. I don’t know who ran across them, or if a friend helped them, I have no idea,” Dean Avery said. One person hospitalized was a prospective student visiting the men’s soccer team. That prospective student’s host will likely not qualify for amnesty. Harris explained that prospective students are considered guests under the college’s guest policy, meaning this student’s host was responsible for his behavior and safety. “When rules are broken, there are consequences,” men’s soccer coach Rod Lafaurie said. “Rules were broken, and there will be and have already been consequences.” Media Attention and Its Effect The media coverage of the Splatter hospitalizations, likely sparked by Los Angeles Fire Department radio traffic monitored by freelancers, lasted for days after the incident.
Newsreel, an independent video firm shot the video of the incident and sold the footage to KTLA and other networks. Contrary to statements made in the media coverage, Tranquada and Rice verified that Splatter was not a rave, and others within the administration acknowledged that the college was portrayed inaccurately. “We were portrayed unfairly in that the coverage suggests we have more of a problem with this than other institutions,” Veitch said. The local ABC affiliate, who deemed Splatter a “rave-style campus party,” declined to comment on the criticism of their coverage. Rice also noted a possible complication with donations that could result from the media coverage. “Trustees have been calling the offices, and foundations…We’re trying to do JSC renovations, and Rose Hills Foundation could be saying ‘Wait a minute, we’re going to give you money for this renovation but what kind of students do guys you have here?’” she said. Administrators report that the Halloween concert featuring A-Trak on Monday went relatively smoothly. A fire marshal was present, along with two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) hired by the college to run a first aid station. Rice reported that one EMT observed a female student in need of medical attention while on patrol at the event. The EMT treated the student at the tent with the help of Occidental staff before asking the fire marshal to contact paramedics. The fire marshal contacted the fire department directly, without placing a 9-1-1 call. An ambulance responded and began transporting the student to the hospital before the student refused treatment and was dropped back off at the college, according to Rice. It does not appear that any outside media reported on the incident.
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- November 2, 2011
OPINIONS
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
Don’t Blame the Banks for the Government’s Folly
A culture of expectations, not greed, put the economy in shambles
Anthony LaBarga
F
or some time now, we have been witnessing a wave of protest and civil disobedience, which has come to be known as the Occupy movement. Our friends with the signs and tents are protesting what they perceive to be the root of the financial crisis: corporate greed. Unfortunately, this conclusion stems from a misunderstanding of the housing bubble. It was the government, not the banks, which initiated the emergency. The central premise of the Occupy movement is that banks investing in mortgage backed securities caused the recent panic. The activists claim that due to their financial clout, the banks are able to prevent the government from stopping the banks’ “reckless” behavior. There seems to be disagreement over where the panic came from, with some members of the movement saying that the banks lost control of the financial system in their quest for profit, and others saying that they intentionally created the panic to reduce civil liberties. In terms of a solution, the protesters take a populist stance. The world, they say, is under the control of a few financial aristocrats, against whom the masses must rebel. They are occupying Wall Street to show that they will no longer tolerate economic elitism in America. They hope to effect some form of re-organi-
zational revolution, which will change the fabric of the global economy. The protesters are misguided because the panic didn’t happen that way. The panic can be traced to the 1990s, when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were directed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make at least 50% of all their borrowers individuals who could only qualify for subprime mortgage rates. Subprime mortgages are those which are not granted the “prime,” or lowest, interest rates. These mortgages are more volatile than prime-rate mortgages because the lower a borrower’s income, their payments are more susceptible to disruption. These mortgages are riskier to grant on average, and banks charge a higher interest rate to compensate for this risk. The purpose of HUD’s action was to increase home ownership, which many have come to believe to be a right of an American citizen. In reality, this behavior was pushing the housing market far out of line with the financing to support it. This rapid expansion of housing credit to subprime borrowers caused the housing bubble. Mortgage backed securities came from the need to reduce the riskiness of these subprime mortgages. By packaging them with prime mortgages and selling them to investors who otherwise refused to buy the subprime mortgages, banks could make the mortgage group-
ings more stable, since the subprime mortgages typically composed a minority of the associated securities. While in hindsight this was certainly ill-advised, it should be noted that the banks did this to reduce the riskiness of owning these securities, not as part of an evil plan to bring down the global financial system. The government’s attempt to boost housing ownership succeeded in raising ownership by a few percent, but it also created a whole class of people who were living in homes that they couldn’t afford. When these people began to default, they did so much faster and in much greater quantities than was expected by the bankers who assembled the mortgage backed securities, which became unstable. The crash followed. Therefore, the banks did make a series of poor decisions but it’s crucial to understand that they didn’t start the fire. The root of the problem which is being is actually Uncle Sam himself, and his myopic policy. The economy metes out goods based on income and willingness to pay, and attempts to fool it with subsidies and directives are hubristic. You can outrun the market for a little while, but the market will always catch up. We will always see a bubble and a crash whenever we decide that everybody should have access to something. This moral of the panic is this: the economy is not a bellboy. Don’t occupy Wall Street, occupy Pennsylvania Avenue. Bureaucrats and
Washington’s master plan...
Make banks pay! Make banks pay!
Dean DeChiaro
politicians foolishly intervened in the otherwise functional housing market, and they must be held accountable. The banks took the economy for a wild ride, but the potholed road was built by the government. More regulation, which is what the Occupiers say is the solution, would achieve nothing because the banks weren’t the primum movens anyway. There is 1% of the population deciding what happens to you. They hold
the power, and they can confiscate your future with the stroke of a pen. They sit in their offices, ignorant to what effects their decisions will have on you. They are your bureaucracy. They are your government agencies, wholly unelected cronies insulated by their pensions from your problems. Let them hear you. Anthony LaBarga is a junior Economics major. He can be reached at labarga@oxy.edu.
College Must Change Its Gaddafi Shaming Bodes Poorly for Libya Approach to Alcohol Policy S B am
The ratio of alcohol-related hospitalizations to dances in the first two months of the academic year is not a figure the administration should be willing to accept without seriously considering changes to its alcohol policy. On the day that happens, President Veitch and other administration officials need look no further than nearby Claremont, where Claremont McKenna College implements a policy that, while admittedly imperfect, creates a campus culture that is safer and more mature than Occidental’s. The key to Claremont’s success is continuous discussion and compromise between students and administration officials which creates an atmosphere that keeps students safe. Drinking is an open topic of conversation at Claremont. These efforts create a culture of trust and freedom while Occidental suffers from a culture of defiance and constraint as a result of its stringent policies and enforcement practices. After the media coverage of the Splatter dance, Occidental created an ad hoc discussion panel regarding the management of large events. While this is a start, it seems born out of a panic-stricken situation, rather than an acknowledgement of the current policy’s shortcomings, and it is not yet clear whether that panel will discuss the alcohol policy specifically.
And while the administration cannot prevent some students from making poor choices, it should not blame the recent hospitalizations on a few students because sound policy and discussion will create a more healthy culture on this campus in the long term. As exhibited by ResEd’s recent Facebook posts, which call debate on the matter “pointless,” it seems the administration as a whole already holds a dismissive attitude on the issue. The administration’s choice to use the law as an easy deflection from the effort it would need to exercise to establish a more open, understanding culture at Occidental stands in the way of any potential progress the college may make. Should the administration abandon its loyalty to the outdated and unrealistic policy, Occidental will likely avoid future media embarrassments, angry neighbors, and, most importantly, hospitalized students. The answer to this problem is not a single, swift administrative onesize-fits-all solution. Nevertheless, the imperative created by twelve hospitalizations after two dances means that the administration must reevaluate its policy, initiate more open communication with the student body and act before the school wakes once again to the local news broadcasting its Sunday morning walk of shame.
This editorial represents the collective opinion of the Occidental Weekly Editorial Board. Each week, the Editorial Board will publish its viewpoint on a matter relevant to the Occidental community.
yrne
Libyan leader Col. Muammer Gaddafi’s body reveals a death of a most brutal nature, and remained on display in a two-day public event. Images show the tyrant’s decaying corpse on the dust ridden floor of an empty meat market, as surrounding spectators grin and applaud, holding toy guns and making victory signs with their fingers. Though Gaddafi’s death marks a new period of Libyan freedom, the macabre spectacle glorifies the very traditional Hammurabi “eye for an eye” mode of punishment. Showcasing a mangled body not only violates burial rituals of Islamic tradition, but it hinders the ethical and political progress in a country that desperately needs a stable government. Following Gaddafi’s death, the Prime Minister of Libya’s National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, declared his intention to transition from autocracy to a more democratic system following Islamic Shariah law as its basic source of legislation. The new transitional leadership also vowed to bury the dictator privately within twenty-four hours of his death, respecting Islamic tradition. The end of Gadaffi’s reign was supposed to mark the beginning of a democratized, fair government that respected human rights, but the way the rebels handled Gaddafi’s murder violates the democratic right to humane treatment and a fair trial. The pre-trial killing of Gaddafi cast doubt on the new government’s promise to respect human rights and to prevent vengeful acts
of punishment. Already the new government’s policies do not stray far from Gaddafi’s own torturous and murderous acts as former dictator, even though Mustafa Abdel Jalil intends to transition into a fully functioning democracy. The fact that the National Transitional Council has yet to investigate the murder in a court of law, and did not make even the slightest effort to intervene when Gaddafi’s body was placed on display as a prize for the Libyan people shows that the new government feels no rush to begin the vital transformation of the government’s policies. Jalil addressed Gaddafi’s death at a news conference in Bengazi, acknowledging that “free Libyans wanted Gaddafi to spend as much time in prison as possible and feel humiliation as much as possible.” While he recognizes that an ideal democratic solution would have involved the capture and subsequent imprisonment of the dictator, Jalil never directly condemned the rebels’ bloodthirsty murder. He never ordered the rebels to kill the tryrant, yet he also never declared the murder or the open display of the body as contradictory to the values of the new government. To sustain the wave of democratic fervor Jalil hopes to associate with the National Transitional Council, a more tactical approach would have been for Jalil to publicly declare Gaddafi’s murder a vengeful and criminal act that violates behavioral standards of the new government. The crowds in Sirte who came to view the body indicate that a significant emphasis has been placed on
the fact that Gaddafi’s reign ended with death, whereas Libyans should also remember to consider the implications of Gaddafi’s brutal murder as well. The new leaders need to denounce and discourage the former ruler’s heinous acts, instead of displaying his corpse in an crude and disrespectful manner. Placing Gaddafi’s brutalized cadaver on a dirty floor, leaving it for the viewing pleasure of young and old alike, does not solve anything, let alone the deep corruption of the Gaddafi regime. It might bring solace to the oppressed people of Libya, but it does not help to build a new government or fix the problems perpetuated under the deposed dictator’s leadership. The democratic ideals the new interim government proclaims stand in stark opposition to those of Gaddafi’s political establishment, and yet its supporters executed the leader in a similarly gruesome manner to how Gaddafi executed victims in his own era. In the interest of moving toward a stable and democratic society after the successful deposition and capture of Gaddafi, the rebels should have granted the former ruler a trial, and considered a judicious punishment not involving a brutal and spontaneous murder in the midst of a chaotic riot. If putting Gaddafi’s body on such barbaric display sheds any light on how the new government will lead the country, it should come as no surprise to Libya when its government makes little progress in the months or years to come. Sam Byrne is a junior Economics major. She can be reached at sbyrne@oxy.edu.
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
November 2, 2011 -
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LETTERS Dear Editor, As Occidental College faculty members, we want to express our solidarity with students who have been involved, off-campus and on-campus, with the Occupy movement. Throughout U.S. history, all successful movements for economic and social justice -- the abolition movement, the women’s movement, the labor movement, the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement, the feminist movement, the movement against apartheid in South Africa, the environmental movement, and the LBGT movement, to name a few -- have started with a handful of people and then grown into powerful forces for a better society. They were scorned and mocked at first, but eventually their movements changed public opinion and their ideas became common sense. Particularly in the post-World War Two era, college students and young people have played important roles in every movement for justice. White students joined with their AfricanAmerican counterparts to challenge racial segregation. Male students joined women in fighting for gender equality. Straight students joined LBGT students in working to overthrow discriminatory views about sexual orientation. U.S.-born students joined immigrant students to challenge society to become more inclusive. And in movements for economic justice, students from privileged families joined with students from more modest backgrounds to help create a more humane, fair, and democratic society for all. In the past month, the Occupy movement has helped change the national debate over economic inequality, including the reality that the super-rich and big business have too much influence in our economic and political systems. We are proud of the Oxy students who, in different ways -- from writing letters to Congress, to participating in rallies, to volunteering with unions and community organizing groups, to engaging in civil disobedience -- have joined forces with Americans around the country to draw attention to these issues and move America in a better direction. Professors Allan, Angell, Anthony, Ashenmiller, Axeen, Boesche, Burkdall, Christianakis, Cohen, de Fren, Dreier, Dumenil, Ebert, Ellis, Fernandez, Fett, Fineman, Ford, Freeman, Freer, Frey, T. Gonzalez, Gottlieb, Gratch, Grayson, Guillen, Heldman, Homiak, Horowitz, Hsu, Knoerr, Lang, Lehr, Lin, Lopez, Lorenz, Lukes, Lyke, Maeda, Martinson, Matsuoka, Meade, Mehl, Montag, Mora, Morissey, Nam, Near, Newhall, North, Perchuck, Pillich, Pondella, Prebel, Puerto, Reddy, Richmond, Rodriguez, Ronk, Schmiedeshoff, Soldatenko, Solorzano, Sousa, Stone, Swift, Thompson, Tien, Traiger, Trevizo, Upson-Saia, Wade, Wilson, Wright, Wyatt, and Yin.
Dear Editor, Your article on retention concludes by noting that Oxy is, at 2123, the largest it has ever been and then
declares: “Prior to 2008, the student body hovered between 1800 and 1900 for nearly a decade.” As enrollment is one of the most important numbers in understanding Oxy, I think it is worth recording that in 1998, the college size was 1550. This was deemed to be below our ideal size of 1678, and the Trustees aimed for that number for 2004. In fact, we reached 1841 in 2004 and have kept going to the current size, 26% above that target. Some of the complex repercussions of this significant increase in institutional size are being evaluated by the Enrollment Taskforce, but exit interviews of departing students about the epiphenomena of institutional size might give us a clearer idea as to whether our accelerated growth has impacted our weakening retention. Dan Fineman (Professor, ECLS)
strained corporate money poured into our democracy. Lastly, Drew says our protests don’t endear him because we call “bankers like [his] father greedy, money-grubbing, lazy…” To be clear, we have no problem with Drew’s father or any individual banker for that matter. We have a problem with a system that allows banking institutions to gamble with our mortgages, deploy predatory lenders to low-income communities of color, and employ legions of lobbyists to turn our Congress into the lackey of corporate America. Our grievances have always been with systemic and structural injustices, not individual issues. Mirja Hitzemann (Sophomore, Independent Major) Kiran Rishi (Junior, UEP) Tyler Dewey (First-year, Politics) Jordan Greenslade (First-year, Undeclared) Michelle DiBattiste (First-year, CTSJ)
Dear Editor, We are responding to Drew Hamilton’s letter, which criticized the Oxy students organizing around the Occupy movement. Drew first says we are “ignorant” and “do not understand the basics of economics or a capitalist system.” In free-market capitalism, if your business fails and hurts the economy, the government should not save you - that would incentivize bad decision-making and create moral hazard. When huge financial institutions declared bankruptcy in 2008, literally wrecked the global economy, and left working Americans with a foreclosure crisis and a recession, our government gave these institutions $700 billion of our money. A few years later, real unemployment remains above 15% and the bottom 90% of Americans have an average income of $31,000, while the top 1% still owns 40% of the nation’s wealth and CEOs earn 185 times more than the average worker (Mother Jones, “It’s the Inequality, Stupid”). By any basic definition of capitalism and democracy, failed institutions should not be rewarded with taxpayer money for crashing the economy and the government should be serving the interests of the majority – working, non-rich Americans – instead of bailing out the wealthy. We understand both capitalism and democracy and we think neither is working properly. Secondly, Drew says we have “come to the table with no viable options or ideas,” which is both false and misses the point. There is a plethora of ideas supported by protesters on how to fix our destructive financial system and end the corporate takeover of our democracy, including but not limited to: reinstating Glass-Steagall; repealing Citizens United; instating a Robin Hood or financial transaction tax to generate revenue for a public works program; running publicly financed campaigns, and so on. Obviously, we bring ideas to the table. But that misses the point. As Betsy Reed, executive editor of The Nation, says “we on the left don’t have a scarcity of policy ideas,” we just “lack the power to put them into practice.” By facilitating public action, Occupy Wall St. and the solidarity protests across the country are building the power of ordinary citizens to put those solutions into practice and organizing a muchneeded counterweight to the unre-
Dear Editor, We are responding to Dean DeChiaro’s letter “Do Better or Do Nothing,” which seems to support the overall spirit of the Occupy movement, but says, “our school’s response has been nothing short of pathetic.” Dean cites two examples: first the appearance and disappearance of the Students Occupy L.A. tent on the quad and the Oxy’s participation in the Oct. 13th National Student Walkout, which he says “failed.” As organizers of both actions, we would like to provide context and clarification to Dean’s observations. The tent disappeared because it was taken to City Hall so students could sleep in it during fall break. We believe a tent outside City Hall is more powerful political statement than a tent on the quad, and the tent returned to the quad this week. Furthermore, a tent on the quad is a symbolic tactic, intended for outreach, and its removal will not doom the student movement. Secondly, the walkout - a national action coordinated by the Occupy Colleges network - was highly successful because we achieved two critical things: solidarity and momentum. By rallying along with over 100 campuses across the country and calling Mayor Bloomberg en masse to protest the imminent eviction of Occupy Wall St., Oxy students contributed to a national statement of student solidarity. Furthermore, we collected the names and emails of the 50 students at the rally so they could be contacted about the International March for Change on Oct. 15th. As Weekly report Haley Gray noted, 40 students came to the march and 10 stayed over night. That’s a successful mobilization. But the momentum didn’t end there. Student organizers spent fall break building a cross-campus network, which culminated in the first Mass Assembly of Students Occupy LA on Oct. 22nd with representatives from over six nearby schools. Our second Mass Student Assembly this past Saturday was bigger and better than the first, with students from over 8 nearby schools meeting and organizing. From the rally to mass assemblies, each tactic has built on the momentum from the previous action.
We would like to note that Occupy LA itself started on Oct. 6th, which means in less than a month Oxy student organizers have participated in a national solidarity rally, marched in Downtown, slept outside City Hall, successfully coordinated two Mass Student Assemblies and received endorsements from Occupy Colleges and the AFL-CIO, American’s largest labor union, who offered us financial and legal support should we get arrested. We do not believe this response is “pathetic” and we are proud of how fast Oxy activists responded to this movement. But, in many ways, you are right Dean. While we consider all of our organizing to be successful thus far, our core group of organizers is still a small cohort. We need to do better. We must do better outreach and include as much of the student body as possible. We need to train more organizers and escalate into more high-profile actions, including civil disobedience. We need to show more students the severity of the crises we face and the importance of taking responsibility for our democracy. And we need more positive press. The Weekly can play an instrumental role in helping this movement grow by improving its coverage of the movement. The national context of our rally and our successful networking efforts were not covered. And we did not see any Weekly reporters at our highly productive Mass Student Assemblies, which meet every Saturday at 12:30PM on City Hall’s North Steps, or at our on-campus Public Forums, held on weeknights, although reporters are welcome at both. This movement deserves well-informed coverage or none at all. We suggest the Weekly have one reporter consistently cover the student movement, allowing that person time to learn the local and national context that our organizing exists within. And to the rest of the student body, we say, join us! We need more organizers! Rarely is the need for action so dire and the potential for change so great. This movement, still in its infancy, has the power to save our planet, our democracy, and our economy. If there has been a time for our generation to stake our place in history, it is now. Guido Girgenti (Sophomore, UEP) Jack Moreau (Junior, UEP) Maddie Resch (First-year, DWA) Lucia Martinez (First-year, DWA) Jacob Surpin (Sophomore, ECLS)
Dear Editor,
I began work at the Green Bean Coffee Lounge back in October of 2009. I saw the space be transformed from an unused dining room/meeting room to a beautiful new cafe with comfortable seating, cable TV, abundant plug outlets, and a wide variety of foods and drinks that aimed to cater to student demands for more allnatural, preservative-free, fair trade, and organic options. The Green Bean has been, for me, a way to get to know people on campus, be involved with the Oxy community, and earn good
money ($9/hr for Baristas and $10/ hr for Shift Supervisors). The Green Bean gave me an opportunity to learn a fun and useful skill without having to leave campus, and every member of our staff is a student. We learn the process of running our own business and managing our own money (the GB’s money is NOT part of Oxy’s money), and during staff meetings, everyone’s opinions and suggestions for improvement are heard. Our staff knows our customer base very well. After all, we’re your friends, your roommates, your neighbors, and your classmates. We know how it is to be a student, involved with sports, Greek life, music, and clubs. We have incentive to do our job well because of this, and our job is much more difficult than it looks. We get up early on weekends to open for our customers. We stay late nights during the week (1:30am on Sundays). We have the same obligations and events to look forward to as our customers. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget that we’re still students when our aprons are on and we’re behind the bar, and sometimes our customers take liberties at our expense, both literally and figuratively. Midterms and finals are stressful. We get it. Food at Oxy is expensive. We know. The Green Bean managers and staff work very hard to find products and materials that are as ecofriendly as possible, but this commitment means that costs will go up to make sure our vendors and the laborers who supply them get fair wages. This is also the price for the amount of work it takes to be able to compost and/or recycle -all- cups, utensils, lids, and containers in the Green Bean. This is what your 20¢ goes to when you ask for a cup for water or ice. This is why we encourage bringing your own mugs or containers for a discount. We offer vegetarian and vegan substitutes with soy and almond milk, but a 32oz (1qt) carton of either costs nearly double the price for a gallon of cow milk. Our half-and-half is also supplied to us by the quart, and so is just as expensive as our specialty milks. That being said, the milk we supply in carafes for coffee and espresso is not intended to fill your whole cup, and we’re more than happy to give you a cup of milk, which will be cold and fresh. Please stop stealing our milk and half-and-half. Please also respect our space and help us keep it clean. All of our staff is trained to do every kind of work and keep up to California Health and Safety standards, and every other week on Friday evenings we deep-clean the GB top to bottom. However, the health inspector hasn’t come to the GB yet, and we need it to be as clean and tidy as possible. What most people don’t know is that even though the GB is separate from Oxy Campus Dining, we share facilities, and so if the GB fails the health inspection, the Market Place will be shut down as well. Tips are also not given to us immediately as staff members. We decide what to do with the money as a staff at the end of the year, whether it’s to replace or fix things or whether it’s to be divided among the workers as a bonus check. That said, we don’t mind if you take a penny or a dime when you’re a little short on change, but please don’t take dollars out of our tip jar. We’d appreciate your help to make the Green Bean an even better place to enjoy. Meghann Louie-Heintel (Senior, Group Language)
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THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
- November 2, 2011
FEATURES
“Our biggest mistake was being born in Pakistan” Abroad in India, Lizzy Dutton meets a group of Pakistanis in peril
Courtesy of Lizzy Dutton Lizzy Dutton (junior) (seated, middle) traveled five hours by bus to meet with Pakistani Hindus seeking refuge in Jodhpur, India. “What can you do for us?” they asked. Dutton pledged to share their story.
Lizzy Dutton
T
his week, Occidental junior Lizzy Dutton contributes to the features section as a guest writer. Dutton is spending the semester in Jaipur, India with a Sustainable Development and Social Change program through SIT Study Abroad. A native of Austin, Texas, she is researching beekeeping as a form of economic empowerment for the tribes and castes of India’s rural state of Gujarat. After meeting with a displaced group of Pakistani refugees on Oct. 6, Dutton penned this resonant reflection on the experience. What is like to be, in all senses of the word, “stuck”? Last month, I had the opportunity to meet Hindu refugees from Pakistan living in Jodhpur, India, who are physically and psychologically stuck. They are outcasts on both sides of the border: Hindus in predominantly Muslim Pakistan, unwanted Pakistanis in India. They have left their homes in Pakistan to escape religious persecution, only to face rampant discrimination as second-rate citizens in India. Despite being college-educated in Pakistan, they work in India as migrants and day laborers. All of the refugees dropped their day’s work to talk to the students in
my study abroad program. After we asked them many questions, they asked us just two. “Why are you here? What can you do for us?” My companions and I promised to spread the refugees’ story, but for me, the “real answer” to their question is that I am not going to “do” anything. As I write this, I am on a bus driving away from their settlement. I am going to finish my program abroad and return to Occidental to study mathematics. I can romanticize the idea of abandoning studying abroad, dropping out of school and dedicating my life to helping the marginalized groups I’ve met in India. Wouldn’t it be empowering? It would fulfill this burning desire I have to step outside of the “plan.” To deviate from what is expected of me. Just to follow my heart. But then I realize the danger of thinking it is my job to fix everyone else’s problems. Especially problems THAT I think I understand just because they evoke within me an emotional response. Empathy is not understanding. What I can do is share their story. Despite being incredibly ill the morning we met the refugees, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to talk to them. So I went. It was sweltering hot. They invited us into an open tent in the shade. We all sat on the ground, with us facing them. So far on this
study abroad program, the locals we meet usually have an introduction or a speech prepared. These refugees did not. They had a humble air about them. They weren’t overly eager to tell us about all of their problems. They sat quietly and patiently listened to our questions. The refugees suffer from the circumstances and consequences of the partition of India. A result of the Indian independence movement of 1947, the partition created two separate nations, demarcated on religious lines: Pakistan for Muslims and India for Hindus. Before the partition, both nations were one colony, British India, held under British rule. The refugees explained that their grandparents had lived in Rajasthan, India, but farmed in areas of current Pakistan before the partition. When the partition occurred, Hindus were given a few weeks to relocate from their farms in Pakistan to India. Many people stayed, including the refugees’ families, because their livelihoods depended on the lands they owned in Pakistan. It made no sense for them to move to India permanently. When the line was drawn between the two countries, like the flip of a coin, their parents and grandparents were no longer considered Indians but Pakistanis. They had no idea what their decision to stay as Hindus in Pakistan would cost them and their descen-
dants. “Our biggest mistake was being born in Pakistan,” one refugee told us. So the refugees have come by tourist visas to Jodhpur, India, which has become a transport camp for immigrants, to escape the religious persecution in their own country. Now, instead of religious discrimination, they bear ethnic discrimination. Many of them have lived in Jodhpur for 10 years or more. Most have children who were born in Jodhpur. I asked if that meant that their children were citizens, in the same way that the United States grants citizenship to anyone born on its soil, but that is not the case. There is no way for either the refugees or their children to become citizens without going through India’s extensive and bewildering naturalization process. In the best circumstances, it takes seven years to get citizenship. Often, however, as was the case with this particular group of immigrants, it can take much longer. The government requires paperwork that often goes “missing,” and the price of citizenship is expensive. Some said that they would have to save up for years before they could even begin to consider it. The cost can exceed 20,000 to 50,000 rupees ($400 to $1,000). Even when they have the money, sometimes their application gets “lost” in the labyrinths of India’s notorious bureaucracy.
At all stages of the process, refugees are at the mercy of the government. Sometimes they will try to go to the appropriate government building to inquire about the status of their application, but often no information is given. The refugees’ stories of “missing documents” and bribe payments are endless. While the Indian government allows them to settle in Jodhpur, recognizing their lives are in danger in Pakistan, they are not allowed to leave the city and risk getting arrested or deported if they do. The Indian government is happy to keep them there as laborers without recognizing them as refugees or citizens. The refugees’ main issues have to do with lack of access to both healthcare and education for their children. Healthcare is essentially unavailable, as they can’t afford trips to the hospital and the camp lacks its own doctor. Access to water is also expensive. A single tank that lasts only three or four days costs 200 rupees ($4). One man explained that many of the children, who were sitting in their fathers’ laps and playing games with us, did not attend school because it was too expensive. He also told us that the children didn’t attend school because they would need an education visa to be eligible to enroll, and an education visa was anything but attainable. Other men countered that there is, in fact, no such thing as an education visa.
November 2, 2011 -
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY This sparked the beginning of my confusion. I wondered whether the education visa existed, and marveled at how the answer was so contested and unavailable. I thought back to a friend who told me that before the financial crisis, he had thought that there were groups of responsible people who worked in well-lit rooms every day to make sure the nation’s economy ran smoothly. It was so easy for me to think that there must be a solution, some website that could explain this all to me. But there isn’t. Welcome to the life of a refugee trying to find their rights. I was surprised to find out that the older refugees were educated and had received college degrees in Pakistan before moving to Jodhpur. When I found out that all of them work in neighboring farms, I ignorantly assumed that many of them had done the same in Pakistan. In fact, when they lived in Pakistan, they had much higher-paying jobs, but they can’t get the same jobs here in India because they lack citizenship. They are reduced to migrant or under-the-table work, where they are exploited and paid less than Indians with the same jobs. Most of them make just enough money to feed their families and cover basic needs. Their standard of living is much lower than it was in Pakistan. After learning all of this, we asked
if they regretted leaving Pakistan or if they would go back. The answer was a unanimous no. They continually used the phrase “second-class citizen” to describe their status in Pakistan. For someone like me, this phrase has no personal meaning. I have never been treated as a second-class citizen. We asked them for more details about what they meant by the term, but their answers were limited to the nodding of heads and reaffirmation that conditions were bad. One man eventually mentioned, as an example,
sues could be discussed over chai and biscuits. How could we munch away on our salty chips while jotting down notes about how these people are literally stuck? I felt so selfish and still do. I am using their story to learn more about life and economic development in Southeast Asia, but I have nothing to offer in return. I have to remember that while these issues are new and frustrating to me, they are something that the refugees face every day. This is their life; this isn’t about me or the
It was so easy for me to think that there must be a solution, some website that could explain all this to me. But there isn’t. that if he married a Muslim woman he might get shot. The telling statement hung in the air, and we refrained from trying to clarify further what “second-class citizen” meant. I can only speculate how terrible the religious persecution must have been in Pakistan that they would trade their economically comfortable lives for migrant work without regret, even if it meant their children would lack education and proper healthcare. A few of the refugees brought us chai tea and snacks. For a moment it felt so ludicrous that such serious is-
sadness I feel. The refugees’ lack of identity is what made their story stand out more than others I have heard during my time in India. The refugees have no upward mobility. Without citizenship or the proper visas, they have no geographic mobility either. They have no political power to control their fate. This was the first time I really understood the importance and privilege of being able to vote, the privilege of being a citizen. The refugees are in the hands of a government they have no part in or ability to contribute to.
What links them to India is their identity as Hindus. Although the majority of Indians share this identity with them, the refugees still face prejudice because they are Pakistani. They are questioned by the government. They are mistrusted by the Indians around them. Just 60 years ago, their families were considered “Indian.” Now they are in a state of refuge in the place that used to be home. The mind reels. Even in all of the United States’ “corporatocracy,” I still have faith in my rights as a citizen and the power of a mass movement. No movement by the refugees could be cared about or considered in India. When I told people I was going to India, I remember people telling me, “Wow, you are going to see a lot of poverty, you know.” I come back to this statement a lot here, wondering exactly what it means. It seems to imply that poverty does not exist in the U.S., only in “Third World” countries. What exists here, in my opinion, is the “unavoidability” of poverty. In my life in the United States, I’ve never been forced to see things that could make me feel truly uncomfortable like abject poverty. Here, the poverty is enveloping. But to be honest, I’ve rarely felt deeply and truly pained by something I have seen in India. Instead of looking at the “poverty” with a sheepish sidewards glance of pity, I put my
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Hindi into practice and joke around with the people I meet. I don’t “see a lot of poverty.” I do see a lot of people. Something else I consider: why is it that so many of the interesting stories I’ve heard have been taught to me in a classroom? It doesn’t have to be that way. It is true that an academic setting facilitates a certain kind of dialogue, not to mention beneficial connections with people I might not otherwise meet. But seeing how open the refugees were to answer our questions, I was reminded of how many people are willing to open their hearts and tell their stories if I just ask. The Indian refugees reminded me, too, of how much I don’t know about immigration issues in my own country, especially those in Los Angeles. There are people who live in my neighborhood who could probably share similar stories, yet I have never met them. Now, I wonder how this could be possible. Before we drove away from the refugees, the leader of the settlement came onto our bus and thanked us with a deep “Namaskar.” His smile stretched from ear to ear, and he continually bowed his head, telling us to spread their story to others and thanking us for visiting. I was being thanked for listening to a story. The least I could do is what he asked me to, and share their story with others.
Eagle Rock “Can’t Help Falling in Love” With Performer
Veteran Elvis impersonator makes Eagle Rock Farmers Market his stage
Damian Mendieta Like most farmers markets, Eagle Rock’s weekly farmers market has everything. Vendors offer gleaming produce, fresh-cut flowers, handmade jewelry, tempting confections and the tantalizing food of enough cultures and cuisines to span the globe. But only the Eagle Rock farmers market can lay claim to a Elvis impersonator with furry sideburns, neon-colored shades and a booming voice uncannily similar to the King’s. Donovan Chavez has been a fixture at the market for so long that he can’t remember when he started. A versatile performer, Chavez covers Presley’s songs, from his raw 1950s hits to his refined 1970s sound, and hundreds of rock and pop standards. Chavez’s gyrating hips and mannerisms take inspiration from Presley’s early years, but his wardrobe of bellbottom pants and colored capes is all 1970s. Chavez said he began singing at an early age and hasn’t looked back since. “I started in junior high school, when I was 13,” he said. He was inspired to begin his singing career by a friend who heard him sing. “I had no income, I had no job and a friend of mine goes, ‘You know what? Get into karaoke. Do some singing. Do something.’” Chavez’s father, a former security guard and custodian at Occidental College, accompanied Chavez on stage for his early years in Eagle Rock. “Me and my dad started it way back,” Chavez said. “After my dad retired, he gave the business to me.” Chavez’s father may have stepped down from the singing duo, but he continues to make occasional Friday appearances singing at the market. Chavez said he chose to imitate Presley because of their physical resemblance and the inspiration the King was to him personally. “He did
gospel, rock and roll, the music of the 1970s,” Chavez said. “He had a very flamboyant look, and he sang to the world. He was an icon, and that really inspired me.” The singing career of Eagle Rock’s Elvis impersonator has taken him to contests in Las Vegas, Nevada; Memphis, Tennessee; Yuma, Arizona and even Presley’s hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. Chavez said that he is also in high demand for private parties. He maintains that his popularity stems from years of polishing his act and practicing his moves to resemble the King as much as possible. “I’ve had to train and train myself to do the hair and watch Elvis videos over and over until it just comes naturally,” he said. Chavez’s performances closely resemble Presley’s actual shows, from the greased-back hair and rockabilly moves to the smooth baritone voice. The breadth of Chavez’s repertoire is impressive. He can go from Presley’s bluesy “Blue Suede Shoes” to Ray Charles’s soulful “What’d I Say” to Johnny Cash’s droll “A Boy Named Sue” with ease. Chavez also akes many song requests, and the performer is so accommodating that he performs encores for his audience whenever asked, even after the farmers market has officially closed. Occasionally, Chavez is called on to use his local fame to help the community. For example, a group of seventh-graders from Saint Dominic’s School in Eagle Rock recently asked Chavez to help them raise money for an upcoming school program. The children were selling snacks and drinks to fundraise for a field trip to Washington D.C. All night, “Elvis” advertised their stand between songs. Saint Dominic’s student Sergio Gutierrez and fellow classmate Carla, who declined to give her last name, enjoyed seeing Chavez perform during their fundraising night. Gutierrez
said he’s a longtime patron of the farmers market and has always held Chavez’s performances in high regard. I think he’s awesome,” Gutierrez said. “He’s talented, he’s a dancer and he’s very enthusiastic.” A newcomer to the farmers market, Carla found Chavez to be a charismatic and enthusiastic performer. “He’s funny and friendly,” Carla said. “He’s so outgoing, and I think it would be fun to see him again.” Carla added she would recommend the farmers market to her friends, even if just to catch a glimpse of Chavez in action. Neighborhood resident Lydia Hammond, who has been coming to
Courtesy ofYelp
the farmers market for years, said the Elvis impersonator has been a part of the farmers market as long as she can remember. Hammond said she has spoken with Chavez on various occasions. She calls him an icon and anchor of the neighborhood. “I really like him,” Hammond said. “Just watching him and all the other people, it just really feels like a community around here. He’s really nice and so are his family and his parents. He’s one of the iconic figures.” The energy that Chavez radiates can be seen on the faces of the pedestrians who stop by to listen. When the smooth Southern voice of “Elvis” begins to flow through the farmers market, faces light up and pedestri-
ans crowd near the performer. The compact venue allows Chavez’s voice to permeate every corner of the market and reach every participant, not just those in front of Chavez’s microphone. For a free show, Chavez’s performances are executed seamlessly. Each show is heartfelt and each song is received with ample applause and enthusiasm from onlookers. As one song ended, Carla exclaimed over the applause, “Give him some tips!” During songs, couples dance and children sway to the tempo of the King’s rock and roll, and Chavez’s family roots him on. Chavez says he performs his impersonations because they bring his audiences joy. “I like to see the people’s faces when I sing. Some of them remember Elvis,” Chavez said. “They were there when he was alive.” As the farmers market wrapped up on Friday, Oct. 14, various stands began to call it a night. Enormous trucks swallowed up booths and equipment while vendors packed away their produce and merchandise. As everyone else was packing up and heading out, Chavez continued to croon. On this particular night, a twosong encore followed Chavez’s “last song” after the audience made consecutive song requests. The Beach Boys’ “Fun, Fun, Fun” captivated the remaining patrons of the night. As the applause refused to die down, Chavez began to belt out a rich version of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” After the song, Chavez began to wind up the cords of his sound equipment, but an elderly woman begged him for one more song, “Jailhouse Rock,” a raucous track and one of Elvis’s most enduring hits. Chavez flipped through his C.D.’s until he found the backtrack for the tune. He then proceeded to close the night with all the groove and glamour the “King” of rock and roll himself had in his heyday.
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
8 - November 2, 2011
SPORTS Rugby Ranked First in National Polls
Sant Kumar
A
fter the rugby team’s breakout season last year, the men will start their season as the number one team in Division III rugby. The Tigers hope to overcome the loss of some of its best players and adjust to the changes this season brings, a new coach for example, and win the DIII championship this year. The team plans to revitalize the program through new coach Dallen Stanford, who his players call “Paki.” Stanford brings experience and leadership to a program that is ready to take the next step and go far into the postseason. Stanford is a former captain of the U.S. Eagles rugby team for which he played backline. “We’ve struggled a little bit with our backline, and that is our coach’s specialty, so we’re really excited about becoming an even better team this year,” team president Matthew Nixon (senior) said. Nixon says that his team is not focusing on their triumphs of last year, reflected in their number one ranking, but rather looking forward to competing for the championship that eluded them last season. “It is cool that we’re ranked number one, but the ranking does not mean too much. We want to continue to nationals and win this year. That is our goal and that is what we are focused on,” he said. Nixon is also not concerned about graduating key players after last season and is instead committed to this year’s personnel. “We lost a good amount of seniors, but we have a lot of depth. There were players last year who could start on a lot of other teams, but they did not. This year they get a chance to start,” he said. Though the team graduated many seniors, they also brought in a lot of new players. Jason Park (senior) is confident that they can not only help them get to the championship, but also be impact players. “We got a lot of new players so far, who are really picking up the sport fast. They are going to help us a lot,” he said. Despite the fact that rugby plays in the winter, the preparation for this season began in fall. They have been practicing for a few months, lifting before practicing, and practicing twice a week. Even if it is a new season, the rugby team will face the best the conference has to offer in Cal Lutheran as well as a game against University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV). “Both of those teams are strong and will be hard games, but I have no doubt that we will be prepared for those,” Nixon said. The rugby team will open their season this Saturday, Nov. 5, when they play in their first tournament at Long Beach. Their first scrimmage will be against Riverside on Nov. 12.
Football Victorious at Homecoming
Tigers capitalize on four Chapman turnovers
Jack McHenry Perhaps the most anticipated event of Occidental College’s homecoming weekend was the 1:00 p.m. football game against Chapman at Jack Kemp Stadium on Oct. 29. The weekend included a variety of events and games, all of which occurred in a festive environment attended by students, parents and alumni. Occidental came into the game with a 3-3 overall record and was looking to get their first home victory of the season. Chapman had a lopsided advantage in the running game, gaining 208 yards and scoring two touchdowns as opposed to Occidental’s 69 yards and one score. Despite this, the Tigers were able capture a 2717 victory from the visiting Panthers. While Occidental’s rushing leader Wes McDaniel (junior) was not at 100 percent due to a nagging knee injury, the passing attack led by quarterback Luke Collis (senior) flourished. Collis passed for 271 yards and three touchdowns, finding Matthew Tuckness (junior) on a long 69-yard touchdown pass and Ryan Rodriguez (junior) for two more scores. Collis’s two biggest plays both came on fourth down. In the third quarter, Collis connected with receiver Sam Stekol (first-year) on fourth and four to keep a drive alive that ended in a go-ahead touchdown for the Tigers. Then, up by three late in the fourth quarter, Collis saw a hole in the defense and launched a pass to Rodriguez for a 27-yard touchdown on fourth and one, giving Occidental a 10-point advantage. Turnovers were the most telling statistic of the game, as Chapman
Miriam Subbiah Ryan Rodriguez (junior) evades Panther defenders on his way to a touchdown in the homecoming victory on Oct. 29.
gave Occidental the ball four times while the Tigers had a turnover-free night. Chapman lost two fumbles and quarterback Bret Visciglia (senior) threw two interceptions to Jordan Lance (sophomore) and Carter Norfleet (senior), respectively. Lance’s interception came on Chapman’s final drive of the game and sealed the victory for the Tigers.
Wide receiver Bobby Phillips (senior) offered his insights on what led to Occidental’s success. “[The keys to the game for us were] determination and heart,” said Phillips. “They tried to keep our offense off the field and tried to run the ball and wear us down, but our defense ended up wearing them out. The defense showed willpower, and the family aspect of our
team showed tremendously.” By getting their first home win of 2011 in front of the largest crowd of the year, Occidental now moves to 4-3 overall on the season and 2-2 in the SCIAC. Next week, the Tigers will face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, a game which will determine who holds the third-place spot in the SCIAC Conference.
Exercise Man Loyal to Tiger Soccer for 16 Years Josh Throckmorton
When attending Occidental home soccer games, it is virtually impossible not to notice their most loyal fan. Students and players refer to him as “Exercise Man,” and he has been attending Tiger soccer games for the last 16 years. At matches he can be found cheering on the far sideline, suggesting that the Tigers’ striker needs to take a better angle to a ball in the corner or that the referee should open his eyes. Whenever the ball is kicked out of bounds, he drops to the ground and begins performing as many push-ups as he can before play resumes. His workouts are why he is known as “Exercise Man.” He enjoys staying in shape and uses Occidental soccer games to do just that. “I live on a hill nearby. So I run over here and work out and then run back up the hill at halftime,” he said. “Exercise Man” can usually be found wearing gym shorts and an Occidental shirt, namely the grey “Tigers Soccer” t-shirt given to him last year by the women’s team or the orange “Oxy Event Staff” shirt he received from the Athletic De-
partment this fall. He received both shirts so the college could recognize his immense dedication to Occidental soccer. “Exercise Man,” now an Eagle Rock resident, originally moved to California from Connecticut to attend Stanford
University. After graduation, he moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue a career in the arts. “I came down here to be the next great actor and screenwriter,” he said. “Unfortunately, some of my plays are collecting dust on the best shelves in Hollywood.” “Exercise Man” did have one successful
piece, however. He wrote a play for stage called the Liberty Bell Sweepstakes, for which he won multiple national contests. When he’s not attending Tiger soccer games or writing, “Exercise Man” is a father to two girls, age 14 and 17, who are pursuing careers in the performing arts. In his first years in southern California, “Exercise Man” can recall being the lone
f a n at Occidental soccer games. While he is not an alumnus
of Occidental and he does not have a son or daughter on any Tiger athletic team, he claims he comes back for every match because of his love of the game. “I couldn’t make my team at Stanford because they were too good,” he said. “They had these guys from all over the world, literally, and they were just great, but I couldn’t make it. So, I like to come here because you can taste the sweat, you know what I mean?” “Exercise Man” says he plans on continuing his tradition of attending all Occidental home soccer games and supporting the upcoming Tiger talent. As for his nickname, he enjoys the support from the Occidental community. “I wish they’d call me Ronaldino or Pele or something more fitting to my ability, but no, it’s cool,” he said. While neither men’s or women’s soccer will be competing in the playoffs this year, players and students can rest assured that “Exercise Man” will return to the Tigers’ sideline for his seventeenth season in 2012.
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
November 2, 2011 - 9
SPORTS IN BRIEF
Miriam Subbiah Kevin Coleman (sophomore) kicks up big during a Tigers’ offensive possession.
Women’s Soccer (5-10 overall, 5-7 SCIAC)
Oliver Field
Men’s Water Polo (7-18 overall, 2-3 SCIAC) The Tigers faced a tough double header on Oct. 22, competing against UC San Diego and following it up with a SCIAC match against Redlands. Occidental was overpowered by San Diego, falling 16-4. They looked to bounce back in a nail biter against Redlands but ultimately found themselves on the wrong side of a 9-7 defeat. Joe Reynolds (junior) led the team with two goals, while the rest of the offensive power was spread around to five others. Reynolds would follow that performance with a game high five goals against Caltech on Oct. 26, a match in which the Tigers had 10 different team members score. Occidental was able to keep the lead after jumping out to a 5-2 lead after the first quarter, ultimately winning 23-8. On Saturday Oct. 29, the Tigers faced both the University of La Verne, Chaffey College and then played an Alumni Game. They kicked off the day against the La Verne Leopards. The Leopards took the early lead, and the Tigers were unable to overcome the deficit, losing 15-7. Just two hours after their game ended with La Verne, the Tigers took to the pool again against Chaffey College. This time, the Tigers came away victorious. The Tigers opened the game with a 9-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. By the final buzzer, 12 different Tigers had scored, including goalie Kyle Reuther (junior). Following the Chaffey game, the Tigers played the water polo alumni and ended the game victorious, by a score of 1413 in overtime. Water polo will play tonight at 4 p.m. against Cal Lutheran University at Taylor Pool.
The women’s soccer team will not be making a postseason appearance this year. The Tigers took the field against a tough Redlands team on Oct. 19 and came out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory. Midfielder Alex McHenry (senior) scored her second consecutive game winning goal for Occidental with a strike just before halftime. The Tigers then looked for revenge on Oct. 22 against the Pomona-Pitzer team they narrowly lost to earlier in the season. The game stayed deadlocked at zero and headed into overtime. Taylor Renshaw (sophomore) recorded eight saves against the Sagehens, but the Tigers conceded in overtime with a strike by Pomona’s Claire Mueller (junior). Occidental went back on the road to Whittier on Oct. 26, where Whitney Roline (junior) gave the Tigers the lead in the seventh minute, but four unanswered goals by the Poets ended the game 4-1. Oct. 29 marked senior night and the final game of the season for the Tigers, who lost 2-1 to Cal Lutheran, the ninth ranked Division III team in the nation. Occidental’s lone goal came off the foot of Elissa Minamishin (sophomore) in the 20th minute and the orange and black would hold the lead until conceding a goal to the Regals in the 83rd minute. The game went into overtime, where Cal Lutheran scored the golden goal off a questionable no call on a handball, leaving the Tigers with a bitter taste from the 2011 campaign. The Tigers will graduate seniors Maddy Rasch, Liz Martin, Bree Geary, Alex McHenry, Kellee Murayama and Lauren Johnson.
Men’s Soccer (5-13 overall, 5-9 SCIAC)
Volleyball (18-8 overall, 10-3 SCIAC)
Football (4-3 overall, 2-2 SCIAC)
The Tigers’ dreams of making the playoffs vanished after suffering three straight losses to the University of Redlands, Pomona-Pitzer and Whittier College last week. The team had an outside chance of reaching the top four of the conference but was overpowered by the nationally ranked Redlands (21) by a score of 6-2 on Oct. 19. The Bulldogs have scored 59 goals against SCIAC opponents while allowing only four, three of which belong to Occidental’s Ben Murray (junior). The men played a crucial match next against PomonaPitzer at home on Oct. 22 where the Tigers were shut out in a narrow 1-0 loss. The final dagger came on Oct. 26 as the visiting Poets took a commanding 4-0 victory to solidify their playoff spot. Seniors Will Moseley, Andrew Larkin, Nitzan Sherman and James Kornfield played their final game on their home turf. On Oct. 29, the Tigers traveled to Cal Lutheran and pulled off a win over the Kingsmen. Playing solely for pride, Occidental scored first in the 34th minute off the boot of Jon Richardson (firstyear) and carried a 1-0 lead going into halftime. After the break, Richardson struck again with his second goal in the 64th minute. Cal Lutheran scored a goal of their own minutes later, but were not able to hold off the Tigers who rolled to a 2-1 victory. Although Occidental failed to make the playoffs this season, a win in their final game of 2011 allowed them to end on a strong note. The Tigers will attempt to maintain this positive outlook as they enter next fall.
Occidental pulled off an upset of conference leader and nationally-ranked 14 Cal Lutheran University on Oct. 21, winning 3-1 in front of an energized home crowd. The women fought hard against a tough opponent and were able to overpower the Regals offensively. The team was lead by captain Logan Boyer-Hayse (junior) and setter Jessie Altman (sophomore), who leads the SCIAC in assists per set. Boyer-Hayse had 15 kills on the night while Altman recorded 44 assists. The Tigers took the court again the next day in a double header, splitting their two matches with a 3-0 victory over West Coast Baptist and a 3-1 loss to Cal Lutheran. The women returned to winning ways with a road victory over La Verne on Oct. 25. The Tigers gained momentum with the play of Stephanie Gann (sophomore), who had 14 kills, and were able to take the match 3-1. The Tigers honored their lone senior, Gwynne Davis, in their final regular season home game on Oct. 28 with a commanding win against SCIAC rival Redlands. Davis had 12 kills and 14 points in the contest and helped boost the Tigers to a 3-0 victory over the Bulldogs. With their winning season, the women will now be making an appearance in the first round of the playoffs. They will take on CMS in the SCIAC Semi-Final on Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.
A large crowd cheered on the Tigers at Patterson field on Oct. 22 in hopes that the team could pull off a win against Redlands. The game turned out to be an offensive thriller, going back and forth as both teams searched for control. After erasing a 14-point fourth quarter deficit, Occidental was just one play shy of tying the game with 10 seconds remaining. Many fans eagerly awaited the snap as the Tigers went for the two-point conversion to tie it up and send it to overtime. The pass fell incomplete, and the nationally-ranked 14 Bulldogs walked away victorious. The Tigers won the offensive yardage battle 537 to 389, but the difference was Redlands’ ability to generate 21 points off the Tigers’ mistakes. Quarterback Luke Collis (senior) had another powerful performance, throwing for 393 yards and 3 touchdowns. Many of his completions were to Mathew Tuckness, who recorded 177 receiving yards on the night. Running back Wes McDaniel (junior) also had a big game on the ground running for 119 yards. The game dropped the Tigers to fourth place and gave Redlands sole possession of second place in SCIAC.
Women’s Cross Country At the SCIAC Championship, the women’s team finished in third place. All of their top five finishers placed in the top 30. The team was led by Sierra Walker, who finished 12 with a time of 24 minutes and four seconds. Their third place finish in this meet places them third place overall in the SCIAC. The team also hosts the NCAA West Regional on Nov. 12 at Pomona-Pitzer.
Men’s Cross Country
Ian Agrimis
Jon Richardson (first-year) scored two goals in the Tigers’ final game of 2011.
The men’s cross country team ran its way to a first-place finish in the SCIAC Championship. Eric Kleinsasser (senior) led the team, finishing in first place with a time of 25 minutes and 37 seconds. His finish marks the fourth time Kleinsasser has taken first place, a feat no other runner has accomplished in the history of the SCIAC. Colin Smith (first-year) finished in fifth, Cole Williams (first-year) in sixth and Sebi Devlin-Foltz (senior) in 15th.The cross country team will host the NCAA West Regional at Pomona-Pitzer on Nov. 12. As the top-ranked team in the West, the men’s cross country team is a favorite for the regional.
SCOREBOARD Football
Volleyball
M. Soccer
M. Water Polo Cross Country
(5-10 overall, 5-7 SCIAC)
(7-18 overall, 2-3 SCIAC)
Oct. 25: 3-1 win over La Verne Oct. 28: 3-0 win over Redlands
Oct. 26: 4-1 loss to Whittier Oct. 29: 2-1 loss to Cal Lutheran
Oct. 26: 4-0 loss to Whittier Oct. 29: 2-1 win over Cal Lutheran
Oct. 26: 23-8 win over Cal Tech Oct. 29: 15-7 loss to La Verne 18-6 win over Chaffey
Oct. 29: SCIAC Championships Men: 1st Place Finish Women: 3rd Place Finish
UPCOMING
UPCOMING
UPCOMING
UPCOMING
UPCOMING
(18-8 overall, 10-3 SCIAC)
Oct. 22: 42-40 loss to Redlands Oct. 29: 27-17 win over Chapman
UPCOMING
Nov. 5: At CMS, 1 p.m.
W. Soccer
(5-13 overall, 5-9 SCIAC)
(4-3 overall, 2-2 SCIAC)
SCIAC Semi-Final Nov. 3: Versus CMS, 5 p.m.
END OF SEASON
END OF SEASON
Nov. 2: Versus Cal Lutheran, 4 p.m. Nov. 5: At CMS, 11 a.m.
Nov. 12: NCAA West Regional
10
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
- November 2, 2011
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Longest Gang War in America
Politics Department screens documentary on continuing war between the Bloods and Crips Kate Bustamante
P
olitics professor Thalia Gonzales presented the documentary “Crips and Bloods: Made in America” on Wednesday, Oct. 26 as part of the Fall social justice film series, “Justice, Community Action, and Social Change,” that she organized this year. The film highlights the origins and the current state of the most famous gangs in America: the Crips and the Bloods. While Occidental College prides itself on being an “urban liberal arts school,” giving its students the opportunity to explore the city of Los Angeles, students likely know little about the dangerous gang war, “one of the longest wars in American history,” going on in their backyard. Shown in context with two other films shown in previous weeks, “When Kids Get Life” and “Juvies,” “Crips and Bloods” has won official selection at the Sundance, Los Angeles and Torino film festivals, among many others. Critically-acclaimed director Stacy Peralta’s other documentary, “Dogtown
and Z-Boys,” has also won several awards including “Best Documentary” at the Independent Spirit Awards. Born and raised in West Los Angeles, Peralta witnessed firsthand the 1992 riots, which were spurred by gang tensions and wreaked havoc on the city. As a result, he began questioning the reasons why such violence broke out a second time since the infamous 1965 Watts Riots. He also questioned why two of the most notorious African-American gangs were formed in L.A. Thus began a 15-year long project in which Peralta explored the lives of the people involved in the Bloods and the Crips. He has said this film was his most personal and his most difficult to make. With music from Snoop Dog and the Game setting the mood for the story, Peralta documents how the Crips and the Bloods emerged from the extreme racial tensions affecting the nation. The story starts with three South L.A. boys who created “street-front fraternities” in response to the exclusion of African-Americans from
the Boy Scouts of America. From these social groups emerged a negative connotation of black youth in society. Relations between these young men and the white population grew tenuous, particularly with the white police. Blatant racist treatment from society’s officials left these boys “culturally distorted,” selfhate bubbling up inside them. When the Watts Riots broke out and black culture was in total disarray, they formed two gangs in response. First, the Crips and shortly after, the Bloods, who would become, as Kumasi, one of the original gang members, said, “instruments of their own oppression.” “The film asks viewers to consider the following questions: if affluent, middle-class white American teenagers were forming gangs, arming themselves with automatic weapons and killing one another, how would our country respond?” asks Gonzales. “Would our government step in to investigate the crisis, counsel the victims, heal the community and direct funds towards a lasting
solution? Or would our government allow this violence to continue unabated, decade after decade after decade?” he asked. By following the stories of several former gang members, “Crips and Bloods” gives its viewers an insider perspective on the two gangs, providing a first-hand look at what it is like to be members and why they got involved. Most members say that drugs, poverty and flaws in the justice system tore their families apart and forced them to find family in a gang. Once in the gang, as one former member explained, “It is kill or be killed.” These stories carefully address the harsh reality of what gang violence has done to these young people. The film addresses how society has negligently dealt with the problem of gang violence. Individual members of society do not view themselves as having any relation to gang violence while the government seems to actively avoid confronting it. Violence between the Bloods and the Crips consequently continues to perpetuates itself.
More young people get involved in gangs because they lack economic stability or a proper education. Because they have already been stratified as the “problem children” of society, they do not get the help they need. Professor Gonzales hopes the film series will create an open dialogue and encourage engagement in the Occidental community about issues like homelessness, gang culture, juvenile justice, civil rights and economic justice, to name a few. “I believe that a liberal arts education should be committed to fostering dialogue both inside and outside the classrooms about the complexity and diversity of the world,” she said. “The films I select each semester reflect a continuous dialogue with students and showcase the power of narrative storytelling.” The social justice film series continues with the 1992 documentary “Incident At Ogala,” which details the murder of two FBI agents on an Indian reservation, next Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Have a Beer With Your Kebab at Spitz in Little Tokyo Jack McHenry
Spitz Little Tokyo is a new twist on an old favorite. The menu includes the same great sandwiches, wraps and pita strips that garnered Spitz creators and Occidental graduates Bryce Rademan ’05 and Robert Wicklund ’05 critical acclaim from various publications at the original Eagle Rock location. Since its inception in 2008, however, Spitz Little Tokyo (LT) has served beer and wine, which is not offered in Eagle Rock, to accompany the beloved cuisine. Within the last month, Spitz LT obtained a liquor license, allowing the Little Tokyo location to broaden its customer base by including a full bar, which features nine signature cocktails. With the downtown location, the young professional crowd and tasty beer and cocktails, “The Bar @ Spitz LT” feels like the Eagle Rock Spitz’s younger, more outgoing, little brother. “The Bar @ Spitz LT” is a larger restaurant than its Eagle Rock counterpart with a quaint, fencedin outdoor seating area outside on 2nd Street. This thoroughfare runs through the heart of Little Tokyo and features many shops and restaurants. Even on weeknights, 2nd street receives significant pedestrian traffic, as young professionals wander through the laid-back, convivial environment. Spitz LT’s proximity to this bustling street helps to attract potential diners to the restaurant’s comfortable interior. A small but well-equipped full bar is nestled immediately inside to the
right and is accompanied by smaller seating arrangements. Progressing through the restaurant, there are larger tables for groups, more booths in the back-right section and an exposed kitchen with a bar in the back-left. The general ambiance is mellow, with blues pouring from the speakers and hockey games silently displayed on moderately sized TVs. Of the five bartenders currently working at Spitz LT, according to the bartender who introduced himself as Pablo, only one had previous bartending experience. Owners Rademan and Wicklund brought in renowned chef and mixologist Kathy Casey to create the signature cocktail menu. Casey also hosted a 10-hour crash course in bartending and mixology for the new bartenders. The menu she came up with is impressive, and her training was reflected in Pablo’s ability to efficiently and skillfully crank out drinks. Offered on the happy hour menu, for instance, the Spicy Mango Chilada is an alluring option with prominent flavors. Served on the rocks, it is a bold mixture of spiced mango, pilsner style beer, lime and a shot of vodka. The mango and pilsner are the most striking tastes in the beverage, and they go together quite nicely. The spiced element to the mango gives the drink some edge, offering a sensation comparable to strong cinnamon. The x-factor was the shot of vodka. A simple combination of the mango and pilsner would have been a tasty, yet tame drink, but the vodka gives the drink an extra kick. It was a refreshing compliment to the classic chicken wrap and pita fries with hummus, which are just as scrumptious
in Little Tokyo as they are in Eagle Rock. While the Mango Chilada was enjoyable, Pablo explained that the two most popular signature cocktails are the Basil Mandarin Mojito and the Rye Invention. The Rye Invention affirmed the “craft bar” nature of Spitz LT, which includes fresh ingredients and “jiggered” drinks, or liquor measured out in jiggers similar to the size of a shot glass. As Pablo prepared the drink, he emphasized the consistent quality of this method, evident in the Rye Invention. After a long absence from “mixology” significance, American-made rye whiskey has just recently become trendy, and in the Rye Invention its presence drives the cocktail. Combined with the Italian orange liquor aperol and the French liquor St. Germaine, and garnished with a bit of orange peel, the Rye Invention was a delectable treat. The cocktail produced the feeling of whiskey warmth without the notorious whiskey face. The St. Germaine added a minty sensation in the middle of the drink, while the finish was distinctly orange in flavor. It was easy to see why it was an early favorite among the new signature cocktail menu. For customers partial to beer, Spitz LT offers a small yet quality selection of draft beer. When selecting from the beers on tap, patrons may choose a pint of the local Eagle Rock Brown ale. While the Eagle Rock brown is the same shade of black as a stout, such as Guinness, it is surprisingly light in body and offers a distinct coffee finish. Another excellent option on the
courtesy of wiki commons
The newest Spitz branch is located in the heart of Little Tokyo, alongside ramen row.
lighter end of the spectrum is the Craftsman Heavenly Hefenwiezen, with the classic wheat taste of a hefenwiezen that is accentuated with a slice of orange. Like the Spicy Mango Chilada, the Craftsman perfectly complements the savory Spitz cuisine. In addition to the great food and drink, the staff at the Little Tokyo Spitz proved to be helpful and knowledgeable, which helps explain “[Spitz LT definitely has a] regular clientele base,” according to Pablo, who has noticed an increase in customers since the full bar opened. This is an encouraging trend for Spitz since the restaurant business is notoriously slow in September, October and November, so any kind of positive customer trending in these months is invaluable. As far as the future is concerned, Pablo denied rumors that the Eagle Rock Spitz will start serving booze,
due to its smaller size, but also stated that Rademan in Wicklund are looking to open up a third Spitz location near downtown. “There are not a lot of bars in Little Tokyo and not a lot of bars like the one at Spitz,” Pablo said about the new full bar and cocktail menu. “The craft bar targets a niche market.” Indeed, the bartender got to the heart of what makes this Spitz location special. Few other culinary establishments can offer the attractive package of food of the same caliber served at the Eagle Rock Spitz alongside a great menu of beer, wine and cocktails in an entertaining urban location like Little Tokyo. When craving Mediterranean food, an exquisite beer or an exotic cocktail, do not hesitate to head to Spitz LT. The food, drink and great environment make it a great place to kick back and enjoy a relaxing culinary experience any day of the week.
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
November 2, 2011 -
New Continent, New Identity Exhibit examines post-war Asian-American status
Natania Reed The Getty Center-sponsored Pacific Standard Time initiative, a collaboration between more than 60 art institutions across Southern California, celebrates the growth of Los Angeles’ art scene and its establishment as a center of artistic innovation between 1945 and 1980. “Drawing the Line: Japanese American Art, Design & Activism in Post-War Los Angeles” examines the turbulent period for JapaneseAmericans following World War II and the attempt to articulate a cultural identity through art. The exhibit, which opened on Oct. 15, is on display at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Little Tokyo until Feb. 19. Although the exhibit focuses on just a few artists during this time period, it captures a variety of artistic mediums and encapsulates a range of artistic sentiments, all while providing a glimpse into the Asian-American experience. From automobile designer Larry Shinoda to performance artist Linda Nishio, “Drawing the Line” encompasses a diverse selection of artistic visions. One wall of the exhibition is lined with front covers of Gidra, a publication created in 1969 by UCLA students that served as the voice of the Asian-American movement during this time period. Gidra serves as a collegiate interpretation of art as a social and political initiative, and the display of Gidra magazine covers allows a glance into the issues that faced the Asian-American community, especially pertaining to matters of equality and social justice. The exhibit also includes elements of theater, featuring costumes, pamphlets and other promotional materials from the first Asian-American musical “Chop Suey,” which premiered in the late seventies and told the struggle of a young Chinese-American girl. Other pieces exhibit the prejudice towards Asian-Americans during the post-war period by highlighting their exclusion from Western society. Ben Sakoguchi created a collection of paintings, called the “Orange Crate Label” series (1974-1981) which utilized the classic crate label format to call attention to the hypocrisies of the American political state. The labels juxtapose the traditional American image of crate labels with disturbing images of war, segregation in the Black and Asian communities and the United States’ use of atomic weaponry. In one label, Sakoguchi created an homage to the famous flag raising Iwo Jima, but replaced the stars and stripes with an oil well tower, calling the brand of oranges “W.W. III Brand.” Matsumi “Mike” Kanemitsu’s images on display at the exhibition also question the ethics of the United States during this time period. “Illustrations of Southern California” (1970) is a collection of lithographs that examine the history of Los Angeles from a critical perspective, looking at the decimation of the native population, the role of corporate interests in the city’s development, the incarceration of the Japanese during World War II and the Watts rebellion in 1965. Robert A. Nakamura, a photo-
Giovanna Bettoli The UCLA publication Gidra served as an outlet for the Asian-American movement.
journalist whose work has been featured in LIFE, has an extensive collection of photography on display at the exhibit. When he moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960’s he found himself in the middle of the Asian-American movement and utilized photography to further the political and cultural goals of the group. “Cemetery Monument at Manzanar, California” (1969), a black and white photograph featured at the exhibit, is a thoughtful reflection on the devastating relocation and internment of over 100,000
Japanese American citizens in the early 1940’s. It shows a solitary white obelisk with Japanese characters in the barren, grassy landscape of Manzanar, California. Social and political critique is an important function of art, and “Drawing the Line” does an excellent job of showcasing the tumultuous experience of Asian Americans post-World War II. Though the selection of artists is small and the exhibition takes place in only three small rooms, the impact is strong and the message is incredibly valuable.
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Pianist Pratt Fills Thorne Anne Wolfstone Acts ranging from ensembles to solos, tragic to comedic, unknown to world-renowned have taken to the stage at Occidental College’s Thorne Hall. Saturday evening’s performance was certainly one act that perhaps lacked the flash of Dance Production or the macabre of a typical pre-Halloween concert. But much to its merit, virtuoso pianist Awadagin Pratt’s solo concert on Saturday featured some of the most inspired and elevated music ever to grace Occidental College’s campus. Pratt, 45, has studied the violin and conducting, but is most famous for his mastery of the piano. Throughout his professional career, he has received numerous awards, such as the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and has performed at the White House as well as internationally. Pratt’s international fame drew to Thorne Hall many of Occidental’s music students, along with faculty, staff and listeners from the greater L.A. area. The overall attendance number was less than expected, but Pratt rewarded those in attendance with an intimate performance, followed by a meet and greet with the world-class artist. To many on campus, and to those not tuned into the world of classical music, Pratt is a relatively unfamiliar name, but within that world, Pratt’s is a household name. As stated in the concert program’s introduction, “Among his generation of concert artists, pianist Awadagin Pratt is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involving performances in recital with symphony and orchestra.” In the visual sense, Pratt’s Saturday performance at first appeared anything but involving as he sat alone on a dark and unadorned stage in front of a black piano, atop a black stool, dressed in black attire. His dark, long and dreaded locks were partially pulled back, exposing his full beard and contemplative face. The lack of color in the entire performance, however, created a monochromatic artifice against which the intense emotion and colorful depths of
his music could be seen. “In concert, Pratt brought the music off of the page in a way that I have never experienced before. He was extremely focused in the varying parts of each song with intentions that were right on point,” said Music major Kristine Nowlain (senior), who was in attendance on Saturday. When Pratt began his second piece, Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B minor, there was a slow crescendo, which ebbed and flowed without pause throughout its four movements, lasting over a half hour. Pratt’s interspersed his movements with improvisational pieces, something not standard in piano performances of today. “It used to be a requirement for all good musicians to be able to improvise, just as jazz musicians today are expected to be able to improvise,” said Nowlain. Pratt’s style is remarkable. His hands moved with controlled fury, then glided slowly, but energetically across the ivory keys. The constancy of his attributed “intensity” is apparent in the persistence that rings through every note. “At some of the most passionate moments I almost felt that he was frustrated he could not get up and dance at the same time as play,” said Nowlain. In addition to his recital on Saturday night, Pratt has been participating in the Music Department’s master class series, in which a guest composer works with student musicians on a specific piece before an audience. When asked about Pratt’s offstage demeanor during one of the Master Classes offered during Pratt’s campus visit, Nowlain praised his sense of humor and casual approach to music. “He told us about a prank he did for a concert of his that happened to fall on April Fools Day and had himself and the whole class laughing so hard that he could not finish his sentences,” she said. For all his well-earned artistic acclaim, Pratt still makes it a priority to teach and to relate to students. Currently he is a Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Advertisement
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY
November 3, 2011 -
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Oxy Streisand: A-Trak Drops the Bass on Halloween Night World famous producer, DJ and record label owner Alain Macklovitch, known professionally as A-Trak, stopped by Oxy on Halloween night and played a bumping electronic set for hundreds of students, faculty and staff.
Evan Carter
Chris Ellis
Y Y X L O EK M E O W .C Evan Carter
Evan Carter
ON THE WEB THROUGHOUT THE WEEK
THE OCCIDENTAL WEEKLY Occidental College 1600 Campus Road, Box M-40 Los Angeles, CA 90041