Issue 2 Fall 2019

THE RAMPAGE The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

Fall 2019 | ISSUE 2 | September 11, 2019

9/11 page 5

9/11 happened 18 years ago today. Despite a tremendous cultural impact, there are those born shortly before or after the tragedy who don't remember it as vividly, or at all. It is history to them, fading ever rapidly.

NEWS

04

entertainment meet your new asg president. deron walker wants to be your voice.

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Opinion

we looked back on green day's classic "American idiot." Read our review.

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The editorial board reflects on their memory of 9/11.

There are people who lived through 9/11 and people who read about 9/11. The generational divide grows as 9/11 turns 18. Photo Illustration/Leticia Leal

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2 NEWS 9.11.19

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THE RAMPAGE

The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Tommy Tribble

News Editor

Hannah Lanier

Entertainment Editor John Bruce

Opinion Editor Derek Bullis

Sports Editor Ben Hensley

Multimedia Editor Leticia Leal

Reporters

Adrian Marin Alfredo Rodriguez Autumn Chatlovsky Camila Rivera Christian Zarcone Derek Bullis Jeffery Gilkison Kris Hall Leilani Bustos Logan Woods Luis Barreto Mark Ross Moises Buitrago Natalie Gallegos Patrick Henslee Ruby Rogue Symmone Woods

Business Manager Avery Johnston

Advisers/Instructors Dympna Ugwu-Oju Kathleen Schock

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Letters to the Editor editorial@therampageonline.com Corrections media@therampageonline.com Any correction needed for an article should be brought to the attention of the staff of the Rampage. The Rampage is committed to accuracy and should be made aware of any mistake in an article that appears in this paper.

Views expressed in the opinion pages are those of the individual writer and not of the newspaper.

The Rampage is produced by students of the Journalism 11 A, B, C, D class.

Students arrive to buy required books for their classes only to find empty shelves 25% through the semester, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley

Bookstore Becomes Unreliable Place to Buy Books Kris Hall | Reporter

khall@therampageonline.com

The leaders of the academic senate and student government expressed frustration with the state of the Fresno City College bookstore during the meeting of the State Center Community College District board of trustees on Sept. 3.

“Textbooks are not on shelves or they are the wrong edition,” ASG President DeRon Walker told the trustees. “There are wrong materials batched together and access codes that are not correct.”

Walker explained some of the problems, including textbooks that are not priced-which prevents the books from being sold. Ultimately, these problems kept the books out of the hands of students-those who need it most.

“I went from a student with A’s and B’s to a student who is potentially going to fail,” said Lola Gayles, an FCC student who spoke to the trustees with no prepared speech. She held just a book in her hand.

Gayles told the trustees that she took two classes in the summer of

2019 and was unable to purchase the materials she needed for each class. The book she held was what she needed for her summer class. She was only able to purchase it in the third week of the fall semester.

In an email to some staff and faculty, Carole Goldsmith, FCC president, wrote that she had spoken earlier that day at the Chancellor’s Cabinet meeting where she shared the FCC Bookstore Survey results for Fall 2019 which 1,737 students had participated in as of 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2019.

“It reflects the highest response rate we have recorded in recent memory,” Goldsmith wrote. “Regrettably, far too many students have indicated a negative experience with the bookstore, and disappointingly, far too many students still have yet to receive their needed textbooks.”

Gayles said she was unable to redeem her textbook vouchers from the department of rehabilitation or anywhere else.

Instead, she was forced to visit the bookstore every day to check if the problem had been resolved.

Gayles choked up a few times as she spoke passionately about her commitment to school and how the discord in the bookstore has hurt her academic standing.

ASG President Walker said that students are not getting itemized receipts, which is important for students’ financial records. He also said that some books are not listed under the book title but rather by teacher’s names, adding to the confusion.

Aggravating the problem was the state of the new computer registers which kept crashing and causing more delay and lines that lasted hours and forced students to pay in cash.

“Students who are receiving financial aid such as CalWORKs and EOPS that can only be used at the bookstore were not able to purchase their books here and were forced to look elsewhere,” Walker said. “Which means for students already on these programs, there is really no chance for that.”

Karla Kirk, president of the academic senate, said it is imperative to present the bookstore problems which she characterized as “grave and

urgent concerns” to the trustees.

Kirk reported incidents of staff at the bookstore falsely blaming instructors for not ordering their books as justification for empty shelves.

After following up with the teachers about absent books, Kirk found this accusation to be false; to the contrary, some of the instructors whose books were missing had placed their orders months in advance, leaving ample time for any problems that may have risen to be resolved before the beginning of the semester.

“The wrong edition of a $200 textbook was sold to students,” Kirk said. “A student in the program showed me his book and told me he could not get a refund.”

Kirk told the trustees the bookstore’s response was that refunds would be completed within four to six weeks.

"We are [now] four weeks into the semester,” Kirk said about the absence of textbooks. “That's 25% of the way. Midterms will begin in four weeks."

Rent Is On The Rise, Students Face A Dilemma Moises Buitrago | Reporter mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College students face rising rents and housing insecurity.

“It’s very difficult finding affordable rental units in town, many apartments are as expensive as rental homes themselves,” said journalism major Noah Correa.

In California, landlords are allowed to raise the rent as much as they please once the old tenant moves out. For example, student A is paying $800 and moves out student B moves into student A’s old apartment but is now paying $950.

Major cities such as San Jose and Oakland use rent control to prevent landlords from raising rent a certain percentage in a given year.

However, it is currently in place by a city-by-city basis in California. Proposition 10 was on the voter’s ballot last year, which would have allowed local governments to enact rent control on residential

property, it did not pass.

For some student tenants like Correa, college is their first time renting and they struggle to juggle school and rent payments.

A survey was conducted by the Ramage featuring 70 students and found out that 34% of students said they have felt insecure about their housing situation. The survey also found that the average rent for students was $695.

When renting students often face problems out of their own control.

Correa currently pays rent at the Victor Apartments located

by Fresno State. According to Correa, vinyl floors were chipped and torn across the entire apartment and mold was across all the baseboards, creating a nauseating odor.

California law requires landlords to notify tenants of any issues when there is mold inside the house or if they believe there is any possibility of mold in the residence (Cal. Health & Safety Code

§ 26147). When students are faced with these problems the State of California advises that tenants keep a list of all the things the landlord did not maintain.

The average rent in Fresno is much higher than assumed: $1095 to be exact according to the rentjungle.com. Rent in Fresno is up 6.2% from last year according to rentcafe. com.

Rent payments in California are becoming more and more difficult to maintain every year, if a student works 20 hours a week making $12 an hour the student would make $1,040 a month, which is not enough to pay for the average rent in Fresno.

“I think the cost of rent is not proportional with the rate if pay people receive (minimum wage). There’s not enough government funding for housing assistance either,” said FCC student Erica Garcia.

California is in a housing crisis. The National LowIncome Housing Coalition

released an annual report calculating that for every 100 households categorized as extremely low income, only 35 affordable rental homes are available a shortage of over 7 million affordable and available homes “In my opinion it’s a state issue worth being upset over, especially those in urban areas.

We need to take a look at the real estate market and analyze how property tax is driving up home values and driving out more families, creating a higher demand for rent,” said Correa.

California is currently working on a petition to enact a statewide rent control led

by Assemblymember David Chu, who authored the bill, is currently in the process of gathering signatures for AB 1482, the bill would prevent landlords from increasing rent by more than 7%. The bill would not override counties that already have rent control.

9.11.19 NEWS 3

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Second year students Mikaela Ehrastrom and Sarah Bartron perform a routine dental cleaning, at the Fresno City College dental cleaning clinic, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. Photo/Avery Johnston

Dental Hygiene Clinic Provides Bright Smiles at Low Cost Avery Johnston | Reporter ajohnston@therampageonline.com

Students who have postponed seeing their dental hygienist because they are uninsured have something to smile about.

Students can get their teeth cleaned for only $15 at the Fresno City College dental cleaning clinic, and you do not even have to be affiliated to FCC to get the service.

Anyone who does not suffer from any medical or dental condition that would make treatment hazardous and whose oral condition is acceptable for student learning is eligible for a teeth cleaning. Patients who are approved are given a free preliminary exam before the cleaning as well as a follow up appointment.

The clinic is operated and supervised by faculty and a licensed registered dental hygienist, and the services are given by second year dental students. There

Problems Facing ASG Leilani Bustos | Reporter lbustos@therampageonline.com

ASG cancelled their weekly meeting in the Fresno City College Senate Chambers on Tuesday, Sept.

10 due to lack of attendance.

The student government has shown difficulty in performing their normal tasks such as keeping their office open during regular 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours, all as a result of being unable to recruit more members.

Weekly meetings are struggling to occur due to the small team being insufficient according to ASG rules, “We need to have two-thirds of the senate present to call a meeting to order” says Fernanda Torteledo, student representative for ASG. ASG has been encouraging other members of the student body to take on leadership roles that have been abandoned.

Meeting hours are typically 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday, although the meeting was cancelled 17 minutes after the intended Call to Order.

Due to three members missing, the meeting was postponed to the next week. This is ASG President DeRon Walker’s first semester being president.

is one faculty member on watch for every five dental hygiene students.

“I am proud of our students and our diversity,” said Joanne Pacheco, director of the department of dental hygiene. “We are turning students into professionals where they will have a career that will last their lifetime.”

The program is accredited by the American Dental Associations’ Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is the only nationally accepted accrediting body in Dental Hygiene.

The clinic should not replace regular visits to a private dentist.

The services offered only include; dental hygiene therapy, full mouth radiographs survey, panorex radiograph, bitewing radiograph survey, sealants, interim therapeutic restoration, and duplication of radiographs. The services can range from $5 to $15.

The only downside is that appointments can range from two to four hours, so patrons are

encouraged to plan accordingly.

Supervisors must verify each step through the process for the students learning and the safety of patients. Fees are also due the same day as service.

“I was very happy with the dental care I received today,” said Jared Bartron who was was all smiles as he left the clinic “Even though they are students, it still felt like they knew what they were doing. They were like professionals.”

The Dental Hygiene Clinic makes sure to send clients off with some dental care products that are adjusted to their needs, such as floss, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouth-wash.

Students are encouraged to call (559) 244-2601 or visit the Dental Health Clinical Skills Lab during office hours to make an appointment.

Sam Flores, assistant baseball coach died on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. He is survived by his wife and two children. Photo/Courtesy of Facebook

FCC Assistant Coach Passes Away Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

Sam Flores, an assistant baseball coach for Fresno City College, died on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019 after suffering a brain aneurysm.

He was 41.

Flores played for the Rams in 1998-1999 as a member of back-to-back conference championship teams, under head coach Ron Scott. He ended his playing career in 2001 after transferring to CSU Stanislaus.

He earned his Master of Arts degree in Kinesiology-Physical Education from Fresno Pacific University in 2017.

Flores became an assistant coach in the 2016 season; most recently, he was a position coach,

overseeing outfielders.

Flores started his coaching career at Edison High School in 2002. He also served as an assistant coach at Clovis West from 2004-2007, helping lead the Golden Eagles to four consecutive conference championships, including a valley title in 2004.

He served as head coach at Edison High School from 20082015; in 2014, he led the Patriots to their first league championship in 39 years. Flores also taught physical education at Hoover High School.

Flores is survived by his wife Andrea and two children, a daughter, Claire and a son, Cal.

Better Food Choices = Healthy Life Natalie Gallegos | Reporter ngallegos@therampageonline.com

If you ask Fresno City College students about nutrition, some may tell you they find a quicker route to a meal-fast food.

“It’s a lot easier to just eat out,” said Leo Bautista, a freshman majoring in criminology. “Homework always gets in the way, and sometimes, there’s not enough time to make yourself a meal.”

According to FastFoodNutrition.org, the average American gains 190,000 calories a year, just from consuming fast food. These meals contain sugar, salt, and trans-fat, which can all be just as addictive as alcohol or drugs.

“Fast food will provide energy for the body, just like any other foods will,” Kristen Stenger, registered dietitian and nutrition instructor at FCC said. “However, over time, frequent consumption of fast foods can have an impact on health and the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and obesity.”

Stenger said that nutrition is important because it is the single most influential behavior that impacts health.“It’s slightly more important

than exercise, and actually even more important than whether you smoke tobacco or not.”

In order to ensure students are getting the nutrients and calories that are needed throughout the day, Stenger suggests students download MyPlate, an app that provides users information on calorie count intake based on gender, age, and height.

“The more you eat things that don’t really belong in a food group, the less room you have within your calorie budget to meet your nutrient needs,” Stenger said. “Within each food group there are choices to make more often, and choices to make less often.”

Scattered around the FCC campus are vending machines filled with snacks that might not be the most nutritious option for students.

“Some schools have removed vending machines because they are generally the types of foods we should be consuming less of,” Stenger said. “It’s difficult to have healthy foods in vending machines because of shelf-life.”

Of course, FCC students always have the campus cafeteria as an open option for meals between classes.

“The cafeteria has healthy options and it has less healthy options, just like

any other restaurant,” Stenger said, adding that it is up to the consumer to be knowledgeable about their food choices.

“I don’t usually think about nutrition when consuming; I focus more on taste,” said Adilenne Torres, a sophomore majoring in biology. “As a college student, I’m living life very fast and I don’t have much time to focus on details like that [nutrition] very often.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death in the U.S. is heart disease, which results from a poor diet and high calorie foods.

Knowing the importance of nutrition is a big key to being healthy. Fats are needed in one’s body, but when a person’s intake is more than recommended, their risk of heart disease increases.

“It’s a good idea to try and eat a variety of colors when it comes to fruits and vegetables,” Stenger said. “I also encourage people to explore whole grains other than wheat, like quinoa, amaranth, teff, farro, spelt, and oats.”

4 NEWS 9.11.19

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ASG President DeRon Walker Voice of the Students Kris Hall | Reporter

khall@therampageonline.com

DeRon Walker, 29, is a busy man, juggling his job, Associated Student Government presidency and responsibilities as a husband and father, all while staying on top of his classes.

"I never get sleep," he said, only halfjoking. "Really it's about managing your time. Study your syllabuses, make sure you've got your scantrons and whatever else you need before class begins."

An example of his dedication to time management, he finishes school assignments ahead of time, never at the last minute. Walker also said he addresses emails as soon as he sees them in order to stay on top of ASG concerns.

Walker is a computer engineering major in his third year at FCC and in his first semester as ASG president. He was born in Fresno and wouldn’t dream of leaving.

While others might want to leave, he sees too much potential in Fresno to give up on it.

For the benefit of his success, Walker surrounds himself with a loving and supportive family, including his 12-yearold son DeChris Walker.

"I absolutely would not be able to do what I do without support from my family,” said the president. Clarifying that his home today contrasts starkly with the one he grew up with.

He never knew his father. When he was 12, his mother was incarcerated. Shortly thereafter his grandmother sold the house that Walker and his siblings were living in and left.

Walker was left with no legal guardians after his grandmother left, and said he technically should have been in foster care.

He was only capable of supporting himself at such a young age by spray painting address numbers on curbs.

As a young entrepreneur, Walker was able to bounce around from couch to couch, making money when he could for much of his adolescent life. Survival was paramount from ages 12 to 17.

At 17, he decided to drop out of high school to take care of his niece and nephew. Shortly after, Walker decided to have a child of his own. DeChris Walker

was born out of Walker’s enthusiasm to give love and to receive it-deciding to start his family at 17.

"First and foremost it's really just about the love,” said Walker.

Walker worked to ensure the success of his family and to address health concerns about his son, who was born two months premature. “He was wearing a diaper about the size of my palm, and it was huge on him,” he said.

Ultimately DeChris Walker pulled through and overcame his health issues.

He is now a healthy, thriving 12-yearold interested in pursuing the subject of English.

Walker said his family survived mainly off of Top Ramen. After so many years of the same noodles every night, he can't stand the stuff. He cooks homemade meals for his wife and son every chance he gets.

Walker said being a dad is something he is grateful for every day.

Before enrolling at FCC he settled into a comfortable position at work and

“

First and foremost it's really just about love.”

-DeRon Walker ASG President was considering a part-time pursuit in education. But circumstances resulted in job loss, forcing Walker to reconsider his plan-piloting his entire college endeavor.

"I never wanted to witness that [job loss] happen to me or my family anymore.

It was tragic to go from thinking I was stable and comfortable to not,” Walker said. “So, I just got into school and ran

DeRon Walker, right, is the new ASG president. Here he is at a meeting discussing the need for all gender bathrooms on campus. Photo/Kris Hall

with it, and it's been the best decision I've made yet."

He quickly joined the student activities office where he was able to help students directly and address their individual needs, he said. It was during his work there that he developed a relationship with the ASG. "I'm good at gathering people and communicating effectively,” he said. “I'm really good at confrontation and deescalation."

At the ASG meeting on Aug. 27, Advisor Ernie Martinez said, "This is the strongest ASG so far."

Walker said he was initially intimidated by the ASG presidency. The ASG officers on campus always looked undeniably professional. He encountered them at his job and often wondered if he had anything to offer. “I would help on the sidelines but I didn't need the recognition for it."

His first position in the ASG was as the elections commissioner. It wasn't until the ASG scandal in 2018 when Christopher Washington, former president, was arrested and ultimately convicted for dissuading a witness, that Walker was finally interested in running for president.

Walker said he is proud and honored to be a part of ASG this year. "Dr. Martinez has seen a lot of different faces in ASG

over the years, so when he said that, it meant a lot to me."

Walker hopes he can have a lasting impact on students.

"I want my legacy here to be for students to feel that their voices can be heard. Not just an FCC, but a national politics as well. I'm only going to be able to do that by working with others. I need as many people on this campus were willing to help others and want to help, all working together. With that I believe I will be able to leave behind a legacy I am proud of."

Walker says he sees a diverse community at FCC. "Even our international students program and students without legal citizenship are welcomed here." He said that he loves how the college encourages all walks of life. "[The administration] really believes in what I believe in," Walker added, "college is for everybody, and should be available for everybody.”

Walker said, "Bring me any questions or concerns. I'm here to help you."

Walking around on campus it is easy for students to see that the ASG president has notably amazing hair. "The secret," he says, "is shampoo and conditioner."

Simple Steps to Ace Your Next Essay Leilani Bustos | Reporter lbustos@therampageonline.com

Essay writing doesn't have to be the literal worst. These eight tips can save your life and your GPA. Problems with writing essays is a common complaint among students taking writing classes on college campuses. Students often struggle to complete English class assignments requiring critical thinking or poetry.

“I’m not good at writing essays or personal stories,” Fresno City College student Isaiah Barcelos said.

The college provides numerous resources such as the Writing Center and Tutoring Center to assist students struggling to put their essays together.

For students who cannot go to these places, they can heed these recommendations from English instructors and tutors on improving their writing proficiency.

1. Always proofread your writing A very simple yet important rule is to always reread what you’ve written. Students often catch mistakes that they didn’t catch the first time.

2. Read your writing aloud, and even backwards Professor Trevino states that reading backwards forces your brain to read your work sentence by sentence.

Reading aloud helps you catch more mistakes.

3. Focus on what’s necessary The basics of your writing are the base of your essay

topic which includes the main ideas that you plan to get across to the reader. After this, you can then clean it up and make it nice.

4. Do an outline This self-made guide to keep you on track of what you want to include in the essay and where it should be placed can be beneficial.

5. Brainstorming Before jumping into the writing process, it’s best if you first figure out what you want your topic to be and what ideas you can pull out of that topic.

6. Start as early as possible As soon as you’re given a writing assignment, begin working on it as soon as possible. Even if it’s just brainstorming your topic, it’s best to have an idea.

7. Reading books “If you expose yourself to better writing, you’re more likely to become a better writer,” states FCC English tutor Raquel Chaves. As you expose yourself to others’ writing, you can pick up on techniques and styles.

8. Take feedback and constructive criticism Take the advice that’s given to you into serious consideration, whether it be from a classmate, a friend or your instructor. Accepting feedback and critique helps make you a stronger writer.

Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor or anyone from the writing or tutoring center for additional help in fixing up your writing.

The writing center is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

9.11.19 NEWS 5

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The Decay of Time: Memories of 9/11 are Rotting A substantial generational divide exists between those who remember 9/11 and those who know it only through history books Senate also passed the bill with only two members opposed.

A divide has split the country and its people; members of both parties initially ignored the pleas of first responders. Only after media outlets published the video of Stewart did an overwhelming flood of support arise from the legislature.

On Dec. 7, 1941, a naval base on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, was attacked, but 78 years later, news stories have stopped coming out about its anniversary.

It is only a matter of time before the same thing happens to 9/11.

John Bruce | Entertainment Editor jbruce@therampageonline.com

9/11. Patriot Day. In the nearly two decades since the incident, the date has gained a powerful connotation. Politicians use it to grandstand, and we celebrate veterans of the subsequent Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Eighteen years ago, Americans everywhere watched helplessly as people jumped from 1,300 feet to escape the blaze roaring above them, if only for a few moments.

It’s the American Way “It was a shock, it was a big shock. I remember that people became really militaristic. There was lots of flag-waving.

The Hummer brand took off,” said Malcolm Glazier, a sophomore history student and veteran who was born in 1985.

“That ‘boot in your ass’ song was everywhere. Every military promotional video or compilation, there was the song.”

Glazier is referring to Toby Keith’s certified platinum 2002 country hit, “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.”

After the attacks, Keith and his song became emblematic of the nationalism sweeping the country.

“In boot camp, the drill sergeants taught us the rules of war. To them, it wasn’t a joke. They had some level of respect for the people there,” Glazier said. But he also remembers rhetoric circling at the time that Iraqis and Afghans were tribal and uncivilized.

“I remember certain cadences,” he said.

“There was one where we chanted ‘An Iraqi don’t scare me, I’ll slit his throat and watch him bleed’.”

David Booth, a sophomore criminology student, born in 1968, remembers the vitriol immediately after the attacks.

“Everyone got really angry. There was a lot of anger, especially at the government.

I remember the Dixie Chicks called out George W. Bush for something or other,” Booth said.

He remembers being shaken by the news.

“I was driving a truck at the time and when the news came over the radio, I pulled over and just thought, ‘What is this world coming to?’” Booth said. “I wondered what kind of world my kids would have to grow up in.”

In 2011, for the 10th anniversary of the attacks, the American Psychological Association included articles describing the psychological impact of 9/11.

“Among other things, Americans expressed increased political intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, and desires for vengeance,” reported authors G. Scott Morgan, Daniel C. Wisneski and Linda J. Skitka. Though according to the article, the country’s reaction was not completely negative.

“Americans also responded with a number of positive and prosocial reactions, such as greater intentions to do nice things for friends and family, giving millions of dollars in charitable donations, and becoming more civically engaged,” stated Morgan, Wisneski and Skitka.

A deep wound was cut into the nation’s psyche the day the towers fell, but for some today the remembrance of 9/11 has become laborious.

An Empty Chamber Jon Stewart, former host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” made headlines this summer when he fiercely fought for a bill that would extend the “September 11th Victim Compensation

“I think it’s good we remember it because it was a bad time for our country and we got through it,” Robin Garcia, psychology major, said. Photo Illustration/Leticia Leal

“It was a shock, it was a big shock. I remember that people became really militaristic. There was lots of flag waving.

The Hummer brand took off. That ‘boot in your ass’ song was everywhere. Every military promotional video or compilation, there was the song,” said Malcolm Glazier, history major. Photo/Courtesy of Pexels

Fund” to 2090. The original bill allowed funding to be set up for first responders who suffered from health issues directly resulting from the attacks. Stewart chided the House Judiciary Committee because only five of the 41 members attended the hearing.

“What an incredible metaphor this room is for the entire process that getting health

care and benefits for 9/11 first responders has come to,” Stewart said. “Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders, and in front of me, a nearly empty Congress. Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to no one.”

Just a day after his speech, the House Judiciary Committee approved the bill, and the full house passed it 402-12. The

A New Generation “The government still takes it seriously, just look at TSA,” said Vincent Zuniga, a mechanized agricultural major born just five months before the attacks. “It’s important to say thanks this time of year to those who gave their lives and who helped with everything because we don’t say it every day.”

The Department of Homeland Security was created in the wake of the attacks and the Transportation Security Administration was radically changed to help prevent further attacks. But for an entire generation of Americans this is the status quo.

“I remember Disneyland closed. People were [legitimately] scared there was going to be another attack,” said Robin Garcia, a psychology major, born in 1972.

Instead of celebrating the military response to 9/11, people now revere the victims and the families who lost loved ones.

“I think it’s good we remember it because it was a bad time for our country and we got through it,” Garcia said.

People too young to remember have learned about the event from family stories and now from history books.

Children learn about American history beginning in fifth, eighth and 11th grades, but now it’s taught through an academic lens and not from vignettes. Students, who were born after 9/11 do not know what it’s like to live without constant surveillance.

In 2005, the Real ID Act was passed with the goal to standardize identification requirements across the nation. It was created in direct response to the attacks on 9/11, but has taken 15 years to implement.

“I believe we should support the victims and the families who lost people that day,” said Vianna Jimenez, a graphic design major born in 1999. “The impact isn’t as it used to be. People used to remember, but now they don’t think it matters.”

Here at Home In remembrance of the fallen, Fresno City College is holding events on Sept. 11 to commemorate the tragedy.

There will be a Memorial Wreath March beginning at 9 a.m. in the Free Speech Area followed by a Veterans Peace Memorial Annual BBQ held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a National Anthem Singing Contest at noon.

The attack-three time zones and 3,000 miles away-hit home that week when former FCC adjunct art professor, Bill Heiderich, lost his brother-in-law, Jason Dahl, the commanding pilot on Flight 93 which crashed outside Pittsburgh, en route to the White House. No one on that flight survived. “‘[The pilot] had no intention of crashing that plane,’ Heiderich said, in a 2001 interview with the Rampage. “'His intention was to land somewhere, but you only have so long before you run out of time, air or blood.’”

6 ENTERTAINMENT

9.11.19

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'American Idiot' Turns 15, but its Message Endures John Bruce | Entertainment Editor jbruce@therampageonline.com

Every kid who grew up in the 2000s knows the iconic riff played at the beginning of the decade’s most influential rock album, and now it’s turning 15.

Green Day’s “American Idiot” Sept. 20, 2004 release was not only a turning point for the band, but for the nation and the culture the band influenced. While not entirely commercially successful in a year dominated by R&B artists—Usher’s “Confessions” was Billboard’s year-end top-selling album—the rock opera became an anthem for troubled youth everywhere.

“Welcome to a new kind of tension all across the alien nation.”

“American Idiot” tells the story of George W. Bush presidency’s effect on the nation’s youth. Through the opening title track, the band gains the trust of its angst-filled teenage listeners by showing them that the band members, though years older, are also lost in the mess of politics and media vying for their attention, and they do it in under three minutes.

Green Day uses their titular song as a preface to describe what they see America becoming before their very eyes. By 2004, America had endured a terrorist attack and gone to war with Iraq and Afghanistan.

The music video for the track punctuates their message succinctly by pointing television cameras directly at Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool, mocking the 24-hour news channels and constant coverage of daily events.

Obviously, the version of America the band saw growing up has decayed into something nearly unrecognizable. To the band and their listeners, the country seems foreign: filled tragedy, stress, and idiocy.

The title song is the only time the band uses its own voice on the album. The rest of the story is told through the mind and emotions of the Jesus of Suburbia, a kid from the suburbs anywhere in America. He’s used as a figure to describe a kid from a broken home, but his situation isn’t the point.

Instead, the song’s focus is on how he deals with his pressures and dissatisfactions when faced with a dead-end job, a breakup or having to grow up.

“Hear the dogs howling out of key to a hymn called ‘Faith and Misery’” It seems the feelings Green Day captured with its seminal work were prevalent in the 2000s. My Chemical Romance, pioneers of the emo genre, released their debut album “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love” in July 2002. Fall Out Boy, kings of the pop-punk genre, released their first album “Take This To Your Grave” in May 2003.

The following year brought Paramore’s debut album “All We Know Is Falling,” Panic! At the Disco’s first album “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” and Fall Out Boy’s sophomore album “Under the Old Cork Tree.” All these albums expanded upon the then burgeoning pop punk genre. Green Day’s “American Idiot” brought an old name to a new sound.

That ethos would carry them through the next few years as a great band and it sold them a lot of albums.

There’s a stereotype of what a ‘punk’ or ‘emo’ male teen growing up in the 2000s looks like and that image is largely owed to Billie Joe Armstrong and Pete Wentz, the bassist for Fall Out Boy. In stores everywhere, people flocked to the heart-shaped hand grenade whether it be on a CD, t-shirt or poster.

“My name is St. Jimmy, I'm a son of a gun.”

So there was a really influential album 15 years ago and they helped invent and cultivate an aesthetic seen throughout the decade. Why does it matter?

While rock has fallen off the charts in place of hip-hop and bands who were once alt-rock icons like Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and Panic! At the Disco have turned more pop than punk, Green Day’s message has remained unchanged.

Jesus of Suburbia and St. Jimmy, core figures in the album, still serve

The "American Idiot" album cover highlights the themes of rage and love present throughout the work by using imagery of a heart-shaped hand grenade, Sept. 10, 2019. Photo/John Bruce as a guiding light for those lost ago about legitimate anxieties of their single “Bang Bang” at in the chaos of party lines, mass still applies to American teens the American Music Awards shootings and financial crisis. Only, and young adults today, but it’s in November 2016, Armstrong it’s a different generation dealing certainly comforting to know that shouted “No Trump, no KKK, with these issues. no one’s alone. no fascist U.S.A,” so it seems a Now a new cohort of American rebellious sentiment remains deep youth have to bob and weave the “Nobody likes you, everyone left within the band. non-stop propaganda. In a world of you. They're all out without you, With 2020’s looming presidential visual and auditory bombardment, havin' fun.” election, it is a perfect time for does that leave some young people Green Day continues to be a Green Day to release another numb? prominent rock band. In 2015 they culturally relevant and musically Generation Z is now coming into were inducted into the Rock and impressive album, but only time its own and it’s taking the Roll Hall of Fame along with Joan will tell. mistakes and experiences of Jett and the generations before them into Blackhearts, Bill Withers, Lou account. Social movements are Reed, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. already being started by many In 2016, they released “Revolution college and high school students Radio,” a spiritual successor to like March for Our Lives in 2018.

“American Idiot” and “Dookie,” It’s saddening that an album their most critically acclaimed written and released 15 years albums. During a live performance

Choose Your Fighter: The Best Streaming Serivce in 2019 Toni Woodruff | Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com

It is Friday night, you finally get to relax after a long week, with your feet up and brain on cruise control. Only one more decision is to be made, Netflix or Hulu?

In order to figure out which service reigns supreme over others, we must look at a few determining factors starting with content, pricing/plans and overall experience.

“I prefer Netflix because they have a wider selection of not only movies but comedy shows, documentaries, talk shows and tv shows,” said FCC student Courtney Carr “Hulu seems to be more movies based.”

When it comes to discussing content, original content is what separates the streaming services. Since Netflix doesn't have to worry about reaching one target audience or generating ad revenue, they have more room for variety within their shows and movies. Some Netflix originals gained popularity showcasing

Netflix's flexibility in content are: “Orange is The New Black,” “13 Reasons Why,” “Bojack Horseman,” and “Narcos.” Hulu recently has made their original content a bigger force with the addition of “Handmaid's Tale” and “Pen15.” Hulu has the upper hand when it comes to older but classic television shows such as: The Simpsons, Keeping up With the Kardashians and Seinfeld.

According to Hulu’s website, Hulu.com.

Basic: $5.99/month with commercials Standard: $11.99 with no commercials Hulu Live TV: allows up to 50 hours of DVR, no commercials and television networks such as: ESPN, Fox News, TBS, CNN, HGTV and FX is $44.99/month.

According to Netflix's website, all plans include offline download for times you don't have access to internet connection.

Basic: $8.99/month: access to all shows and movies

Standard: $12.99/month: allows streaming on two seperate devices Premium: $15.99/month allows streaming on four different devices The overall experience of each service is completely tailored to the viewer.

Fresno City College students Gissell Rodriguez and Veronica Rodriguez say Hulu has a better selection of movies and their inclusion of adult cartoons makes them stand out over Netflix.

Netflix's algorithm is set to personalize each of their subscribers watch list and rates movies and shows based on what the viewer watches the most.

This kind of consideration could mean a lot to subscribers who aren't sure exactly what to watch next.

“Netflix has many different categories and overall their visual appearance is better to me than Hulu,” said FCC student Davante Sherman.

'Let the Right One In' Preparing to Preimere Christian Zarcone | Reporter czarcone@therampageonline.com

A story about love, vampires, and drama, Fresno City College Theatre Arts starts production on their new play, “Let The Right One In.” The play is about a young boy named Oscar who isn’t the most popular kid in school. He gets bullied and picked on by his peers, but eventually meets someone else, a vampire girl named Eli. She befriends him and the show explores their relationship.

“It becomes both a vampire story and a sort of horror movie on stage on some levels, but it’s really a coming-of-age love story between these characters,” said Director Chuck Erven.

For its new season, FCC has gathered an amazing cast and crew for this special performance.

“Everyone in the show is super talented and very nice and it's a really awesome group of people to be in work with for such a unique and rarely seen of play,” said actor Chris Ortiz-Belcher.

While this show allows both its

director and its cast to have fun, the story is also very powerful.

“The message is about humanity and how people are viewed differently just because of the type of person that they are,” said OrtizBelcher. “It kinda just turns how we view people and everyone's stories on its head.”

The director wants audiences to leave changed.

“Let the Right One In” is also a novel and has been adapted for the screen, but bringing it to the stage gives it a new perspective.

Watching it, the audience sees a clean and polished production. But behind the curtains, everyone is kicking it into overdrive. To make each scene work, they must have a large crew changing the set once lights dim.

There is no finished product yet, but when the actors perform and when the story is told, weeks of passion and drive will be laid out on stage.

9.11.19 ENTERTAINMENT 7

therampageonline.com

The view outside from the 10th floor of The Grand 1401 on Fulton St. during Art Hop September 5, 2019. Inside, Alicia Nelson showed her Photography. Photo/Mark Ross

FIVE Tower District hotspots to visit this semester Toni Woodruff | Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com

One of the many advantages of being a student at Fresno City College is the proximity of a good time and even better food. Whether you only have an hour to kill between classes or in the mood to enjoy a night out after class, FCC is closer to all the hotspots than people might think.

Here are five places every FCC student should visit this semester Tower Blendz A new juice shop located in Tower District, Tower Blendz, specializes in providing a healthy lifestyle boost through their locally sourced acai bowls, smoothies and wellness shots. Their menu also includes, salads, sandwiches and wraps. Starting out as a small reading circle for children owner Yami Tadesse combined her love

of community and healthy but delicious food into Tower Blendz. “To get my kids to eat vegetables, I’ll bend it up into a smoothie so we thought hey that would be good to have in Tower District,” said Tadese.

The store still continues the children's reading circle that includes arts and crafts.

Tower Blendz also hosts open mic on the first and third Wednesday of each month and participates in Art Hop the first and third Thursday of each month.

“Family oriented, black owned. It’s healthy but its delicious.”

Gazebo Gardens It is more than just a garden, the 97-year-old establishment provides a host of activities for its guests. This plant nursery is also home to a gift shop and Cafe Van Ness. Thursday Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Gazebo Gardens

transforms into a beer garden with food trucks and live music. Gazebo Gardens is perfect for morning coffee or a relaxing night out. According to Aaron Buchheim, nursery manager, Gazebo Gardens produces an all around family friendly environment.

Tower Tea Located across the street from FCC, one-stop-shop Tower Tea’s menu includes not only drinks like their fresh milk teas, smoothies, slushies and coffee but also, garlic fries, spring rolls, mozzarella sticks and much more. Store owner Binh Ngyuen, opened Tower Tea in 2018 to give students a relaxed, calm, space to eat authentic food. “I went back home to Vietnam to learn recipes, everything on the food menu is my own recipe and everything is made fresh as its ordered, there is no pre-cooked food here,” said

Ngyuen. He is confident Tower Tea will succeed, saying “We may be small and new but dont judge us by our size. What I’m doing here is quality over quantity.”

dinner theatre experience introduces people to a mix of classical musicals and newer broadway shows like “Something Rotten” and “Freaky Friday”.

Roger Rocka's Dinner Theatre In collaboration with Good Company Players, Roger Rocka's puts on a unique experience found in our nearby Tower District. Enjoy a meal accompanied with live musicals year round. On Thursdays and Sundays, the theatre provides a buffet.

They provide brunch on Sunday mornings wile Friday and Saturday nights are regular dinner service.

Administrative assistant at Good Company Players, Meg Clark says that though there are many theatre studios, “it’s safe to say that Good Company has been around the longest and is producing the most theatre.” This special

Goldstein's Mortuary & Delicatessen Enjoy Tower District's nightlife at bar and brewery, with 45 beers on tap ranging from $3.50 to $9.00 and live music with a private back patio, Goldstein’s is a great place to unwind this weekend. Bartender Justin Williams says Goldstein’s entertainment of live music and karaoke every night keeps the crowd alive. The brewery has plans to start a pop quiz night on Mondays.

“People come here because they love our beer selection and the fun and friendly environment,” says Williams.

“We have a lot of regulars that have become like family.”

Art Hop Showcases Local Artists' Work John Bruce | Entertainment Editor jbruce@therampageonline.com

ArtHop, an event sponsored by the Fresno Arts Council, is hosted every first and third Thursday of the month and gives local creatives a chance to display their works.

Centered in Downtown Fresno and the historic Tower District, businesses, galleries and museums can participate by opening their doors to the community for engagement.

The next ArtHop is Sept. 19, 2019.

Laticia Valencia, La Catrina de Visalia at Artes Americas soft opening of their new, exhibit.

Photo/Mark Ross

Day of the Dead inspired merchandise for sale at Art Hop in Fresno, Sept 5, 2019. Photo/ Mark Ross

8 OPINION 9.11.19

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CAMPUS VOICES

What do you remember about 9/11?

The "Tribute in Light," an art installation of 88 searchlights placed six blocks south of the World Trade Center. For those that lived through the 9/11 attacks, the twin beams commemorate a skyline eternally scarred. For those born after, the lights are all that ever was. Photo/Courtesy of Flickr

Editorial: I remember The editorial board looks back on 9/11

The Editorial Board

editors@therampageonline.com

Tommy Tribble | Editor-in-Chief ttribble@therampageonline.com

Jonathan Hamm

Computer Science, 21 “I was too young to even remember."

Matthew Oates Sales Representative, 45

“They closed campus so then I was forced to lay around the TV all day watching the news, it was astonishing."

Desarae Moreno Biology, 19

"I remember being too young to remember."

Ray Navarro Pre-law, 41

"That day i was on leave I was at home. I was actually asleep then I heard my neighbor yelling like crying."

I remember the television.

I was 7 years old, and I must have been in the second grade.

I remember an early morning, a glowing TV set, and my surrogate grandmother, a woman named Mary. The screen displayed what I would one day know to be devastation—rolling smoke, broken glass, dead people, and a country that would never be the same.

But when I was 7, I just knew it was Bad. I knew because of Mary, who clutched at her chest and covered her mouth. She kept saying “Oh my god,” again and again.

And I knew it was bad as the footage replayed again and again that day, the footage of two towers falling down and apart. One. And then another.

I didn’t go to school that day. I don’t remember anyone explaining anything to me, and the hourly coverage of the attacks, the politics, the geopolitics, the international implications-none of it penetrated my young brain.

In the following years my teachers would read storybooks commemorating the tragedy. They were cutely drawn, like all art for children, even as they documented the most devastating terror attack in the modern era.

It reminds me of the picture books about the first Thanksgiving.

It’s a comforting lie meant to render a dark, troubled history in simplistic terms that children can understand. That I could understand. But it brought no clarity.

In 2002, many thousands of miles away, the many millions of victims would see the very same dark, troubled recent history memorialized by twin beams of light. There is no text there, no legend: just an emptiness where life once was.

I imagine there are many 7-year-olds that see that light and understand it only by reputation, by the look in their parent’s eyes when they see it, every year.

Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

I remember the history lessons.

I remember the memorial services hosted by my high school on the anniversary of the tragedy.

I remember the moments of silence requested over the intercom.

The great impact that this single incident had on the entirety of the future of the country-the only version of the country that I have ever known, or understood.

This day that comes with a morbid, gray cloud of sadness, oddly followed by a wave of guilt.

Guilt that comes from not being old enough to understand the intensity of the attack rather being told by my parents that they were paralyzed with fear.

Woken up in the middle of the night by a phone that appeared to never stop ringing.

Finally waking my mother up: What do you mean? You can’t be serious?

My cousin was supposed to be on that plane. Her and her new fiancé were set to site see the magical place of New York City.

Was she on the flight?

It is impossible, that this is happening. She can’t be on the flight.

Shock.

Horror.

Although the attack happened across the country, it hit home in Fresno, California.

Hours later realizing that by the merciful act of flawed time management my cousin missed her flight. Left to stay in a city filled with chaos and grief, but safe nonetheless.

Regardless of the literal security of my family, the disaster stunned people across the country.

Leaving the people feeling insecure in their own homeland.

Because that attack was not an attack on New York City. It was an attack on America as a whole.

A country comprised of millions suddenly became one family. One family that lost thousands of its own, grieving differently for each and every one.

Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

I remember confusion.

Mom and dad watching silently in disbelief. Looking back, it was all my parents could do to maintain their composure and still shuffle the kids off to school.

The memory of watching the second plane hit the tower live is the most striking memory I still have of the actual event. I had just wandered down the hallway of my house and stood in the living room, backpack in hand as the second plane hit.

Looking back now, the silence from my living room was the most deafening thing that happened that day. My family has always been commenters, be it during television shows or Thanksgiving dinner.

That day they were viewers.

Being on the West Coast, the events transpired as my sister and I were getting ready for school.

As a 7th grader, my friends and I had almost no idea what was really going on. There were announcements made over the intercom at Pioneer Middle School, but for the most part my friends and I still didn’t know what exactly what had happened.

In the following weeks however, all became clear.

Through direct addresses by President George W. Bush, to hearing “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning” in a never before packed church, the effects of that fateful day, while not immediately recognizable by my 11-year-old brain, were everywhere.

Flags popped up along Main Street.

Close friends’ family members disappeared, unbeknownst to me, heading overseas to fight in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Adults crying. Teachers crying.

Learning that my algebra teacher knew someone killed in the attacks.

The most resounding thing I remember from that day was the confusion. The confusion that such an awful thing could transpire.

Not understanding what was happening.

For one of the only days in my entire life that I can remember, there was no anger. No retaliation.

Just a new feeling of united patriotism that we as a nation were thrust into.

But we were just kids.

Derek Bullis | Opinion Editor dbullis@therampageonline.com

I remember that cold morning as I was getting ready to go to school.

That moment not realizing it would shape me forever.

I was only in the 8th grade watching terrible images of the people trapped in the towers and deciding they would rather jump than burn.

But the images on TV still always felt so far away, and never really hit home until a year later.

A few of my friends in the neighborhood still only kids fresh out of high school enlisted into the Marines. And when they never came home that’s when the effect really sank in.

Prom was coming up and the girl I was interested in asking out received word that her oldest brother was killed in action when his HUMVEE was struck by an IED. I almost forgot this was the reason I never went to Prom.

Four years after the attacks I would find myself walking down the aisle of my high school about to receive my graduation diploma. A sea of chairs with proud parents looking at us with proud admiration.

Most of those graduating that day would go on to college.

But I chose a different path still remembering the guys from my town that went to war before me.

Soon it would be my turn.

Boot camp was a sh---y experience you get stripped of everything and feel alone, isolated, attacked every waking moment by the Recruit Division Commanders who are professionals at stripping a human of their previous identity in order to make the person that leaves a stronger individual.

An individual that will one day lead other men in combat.

9.11.19

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The Tea

"In an era of clickbait, where the president calls the press the 'enemy of the people,' it's imperative to understand the how's and why's of journalism. In this weekly column Tommy Tribble, editor-in-chief of the Rampage, hopes to clear up the misconceptions about journalism and shed some light on the process."

The Darkness

Why we report the darkest stories

Tommy Tribble | Editior-in-Chief ttribble@therampageonline.com

So the world is basically bad.

We’re living a daily national crisis.

When our president isn’t tweeting deranged nonsense about hurricanes he’s inviting the Taliban to Camp David on 9/11. No, really.

Plus, there’s the climate catastrophe.

Plus the ever growing disparity between rich and poor. And structural racism.

Misogyny. Extreme gun violence.

Not to mention every day crime, terrorism, war, and destruction.

Democracy is sweating, our morale is on life support, and our oceans are rushing in to give us a really long, suffocating hug.

And in the midst of everything, the Rampage gets emails and comments every semester wondering why we can’t ever talk about the good stuff.

Often, our readers wonder why we don’t highlight the unsung heroes of the campus more. Why we don’t write about our wonderful musicians, our stellar professors, our artists and writers. They wonder why we’re so focused on the negative stuff: the darkness.

But we do, and I can’t stress this enough, actually write about the good stuff.

Literally all the time. We write glowing profiles about ASG presidents and our professors, and we send our reporters to cover concerts and plays on the regular.

Yet the world keeps turning. We profiled former ASG President Christopher

Washington, wrote that he was dedicated and driven, someone who came from nothing and rose to prominence in his community.

“

Myself and other reporters wondered if it was entirely ethical to take pride in the fact that our writing was gaining momentum and support because of struggle and strife in someone else's life.”

And then he allegedly got drunk on campus and engaged in sexual activity in one of the restrooms. He was banned, arrested, and pled no contest to a felony charge of dissuading a witness.

It is not that journalists seek out badness in the world, it is that badness is irrevocable, and impossible to disentangle from the context of our lives.

We wrote a great deal about Washington. First about his lies to the Rampage, and then about his high profile scandal. It was one of our biggest stories,

We're All Jealous of Social Media Millionaires, but Should We Be? Avery Johnston | Reporter ajohnston@therampageonline.com

I will admit, I’m a little jealous.

Everywhere I look I see social media influencers making copious amounts of money from making YouTube videos or taking pictures of themselves.

At first I was mad-and then I just got jealous.

Growing up, I was always taught that you go to school and then get a job. A nine to five at the office is not the most appealing kind of career I must admit.

But somehow today, people are finding new ways around that.

With the rise of social media came new jobs.

A famous YouTuber or social media influencer can actually make millions of

dollars right from their home.

So how did the workforce become second class to social media?

The more I ask myself that question, the clearer the answer becomes. This generation is what is fueling the growth of social media and the platforms that these “random” people have that turns them into millionaires almost overnight.

Although it is not the old school idea of entrepreneuring, what these people are doing on the apps like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Twich and TikTok. is infact a form of entrepreneuring.

Even though many are on the same apps, they are still able to sell their individual lines of clothing and merchandise to a mass number of people.

and drew a lot of eyes to our newspaper.

At the time, myself and other reporters wondered if it was entirely ethical to take pride in the fact that our writing was gaining momentum and support because of struggle and strife in someone else's life.

There is something to be said for the “sensationalist” nature of local news.

Reading crime reporting can make it feel like the world is getting darker and darker, even though violent crime has been on a steady decline since the 1990s, according to “Why the Crime Drop?” a study by Graham Farrell, Nick Tilley, and Andromachi Tseloni.

Readers aren’t the only ones that worry about journalism. We see ourselves as bright lights in dark corners, exposing the truth for the people and making the world better. But on our darkest days we wonder if exposing the darkness is worth it, if there isn’t a little bit of exploitation that comes with the exposure.

I often think about Anton Ego, the food critic from Pixar’s “Ratatouille.” Stick with me here, it’s going to make sense.

In the film, Ego says “[Critics] thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read.” I’ve always felt a little attacked by that quote. I’ve wondered if journalists thrive on negativity, if we’re just the critics of reality.

The negativity draws eyes because it is legitimately interesting. It draws our interest because it’s aberrant-it is a wrongness, an unbalancing of scales: a crime committed, a hidden scandal. And

OPINION 9

some part of us wants it to be fixed.

Most journalists would not admit this.

We’re supposed to be endlessly objective, like machines.

We don’t talk about "solutions journalism" enough. It’s an approach where a journalist documents both a persistent problem in society (homelessness, for example), but also documents the solutions to that problem, and moreover the people that are working tirelessly to fix that problem.

The Rampage did that when we wrote about food insecurity in the Central Valley, and how it affects students. We wrote not just about the hunger, the statistics, and the grim realities of poverty, but also about the people: the real people caught up in that hunger, and also the people trying to help them.

Because the big secret about the darkness is that people are living in it.

Those people are the easiest people to forget. A journalist’s eye isn’t always driven by nobility-t’s often driven by deadlines, clout, and the guilty pleasures of scandals and intrigue.

But it is driven. We want to learn, and to know. And we want the world to shine. We delight in good art, and good people, and good things happening in the world.

But the darkness is impossible to ignore, because to ignore it is to ignore the people it shrouds, clouds, and exploits.

Social media platforms like youtube have dramatically enriched their most popular users with ad revenue, merchandising, and cowdfunding platforms like Patreon. For many millions of anonymous or just less popular users, sudden social media fame remains a dream. Photo/Courtesy of Pixabay

In a way they are managing their own business, themselves, and they have a greater financial risk by doing that, versus having a “normal” job.

Just like any other corporate job, being an influencer is just as competitive, because it's the new fad.

It looks a lot easier to do than it actually is-and as we all know, looks can be deceiving.

I feel like there are two types of people when it comes to working as a social media influencer. There are the individuals who calculate that it is too much of a risk, and decided to take the long yet proven to be safest road of going to school to earn a degree in one thing or another.

Then there are the ones who take the

leap of faith, and dedicate their time to posting on the apps to try to keep up with the trends.

Whether or not the people from both of those simulations fail, or succeed is not as important as the attempt that they make on either lifestyles.

More times than not, many are going to take the safe road to work their way towards a degree, and some kind of corporate managed job.

Either route they go, I am pretty confident in saying that they will see the effect of social media, and the toll it has on personal lives as well as businesses.

10 SPORTS 9.11.19

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Rams Dominant in Opening Win Over Santa Rosa

Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

The Rams opened their regular season with a dominant win on Saturday, Sept. 7, defeating the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs 35-17, moving to 1-0 on the season.

Sophomore quarterback Jonah Johnson threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the win, extending his streak of passes without an interception to 69. Johnson also rushed for a touchdown in the win.

Sophomore running back Rico Rosario had a day on the ground, picking up 98 yards despite not reaching the end zone. The Rams did pick up three touchdowns on the ground however, coming from Johnson, freshman running backs Tre Maxwell III and Marcus Washington.

“I’m really happy, and we played our entire roster,” Rams’ head coach Tony Caviglia said following the Rams’ victory.

The Rams marched down the field on their opening drive, ending in a one yard touchdown run by Johnson.

With the score 7-0, the Rams defense took a while to figure things out against the Bear Cubs and starting freshman quarterback Jhalen Grayer, who moved the ball well on their opening possession before being stopped in the red zone and settling for a 13-yard field goal, putting the Bear Cubs on the board, trailing 7-3.

“We weren’t quite sure of exactly the speed that they play at, the types of plays that they do and the types of things that they do,” Caviglia said of the team’s first defensive stand in which

they allowed the most yards on a single drive all day. “You know, you hate to see that but in the first game that’s what happens.”

A majority of the remainder of the first quarter mirrored that philosophy, with the Rams testing different plays offensively against the Bear Cubs.

“I’m really happy, and we played our entire roster.”

-Tony Caviglia Rams' Football Head Coach The teams traded punts on four consecutive possessions until late in the second quarter when Johnson hooked up with Chad Brown for a 19 yard touchdown completion, extending the Rams’ lead to 14-3 just prior to halftime.

The Bear Cubs got the ball back on their way to a threeand-out just prior to halftime.

The Cubs’ ensuing punt play was botched, resulting in the kicker being tackled for a loss of 12, giving the Rams the ball on the oppositions 14-yard line.

Johnson needed just one

play to extend the score further, as moments later, freshman wideout Chris Brown elevated above Bear Cubs’ defensive back Taylor Williams. The score was Johnson’s second passing touchdown on the afternoon, extending the Rams’ lead to 21-7 with seconds to go in the first half.

“As a team, we just came up here ready to play,” Johnson said of the team’s performance on the road trip. “We were all just stress free.”

After the second half began with a Bear Cub three-and-out, the Rams pieced together an eight play drive, ending in a four yard touchdown run by Marcus Washington, extending the Rams lead to 28-3.

The Bear Cubs next went on a 19 play drive, seeing a punt negated by a Rams penalty, and both the loss or momentum on a fourth down stop in Rams’ territory, but also the loss of Bear Cubs’ quarterback Jhalen Grayer to an apparent leg injury. Grayer was helped off the field after a two yard scramble. He would not return to the game.

The Rams’ special teams unit played to perfection throughout the game, downing four of five punts inside the 20-yard line, the lone punt landing outside the 20 being caught at the 30-yard line on the Bear Cubs’ final possession of the game.

Special teams made a huge impact midway through the third quarter, when sophomore punter Eli Riofrio’s kick was downed at the three yard line of the Bear Cubs. That punt led to

Rams' football head coach Tony Caviglia and linebacker Cam Lamanuzzi exchange glances heading onto the field during the Rams' season opener in Santa Rosa on Sept. 7, 2019.

Photo/Ben Hensley

an ensuing three-and-out for the Bear Cubs, followed by a four play, putaway drive by the Rams, culminating in a Maxwell III touchdown, bringing the Rams’ point total to 35.

The Rams’ allowed two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, both on quarterback runs by Bear Cubs’ replacement quarterback Will Heckman.

Heckman ended the day with 86-yards, completing 5 of 11 pass attempts, and two scores on the ground with 46 total rushing yards.

“It’s really good to play a lot of guys and see what a lot of the guys can do,” Caviglia said

following the game. “Good first game coming out.”

The Rams ended the game after giving up Heckman’s second touchdown on the day, bringing the score to 35-17 at the final whistle.

After the game, Caviglia continued the praise for his team’s effort and result in their opener.

“We took a five hour bus trip to play this game, and it’s really hard to do that.”

Caviglia and the Rams look to improve on their 1-0 start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at home in Ratcliffe Stadium against the Siskiyous Eagles.

Sophomore running back Ryan Hunt powers through the Santa Rosa Junior College defense during the Rams' season opener on Sept. 7, 2019. The Rams defeated the Bear Cubs 35-17. Photo/Ben Hensley

9.11.19

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SPORTS 11

Men's Soccer Gets by Rio Hondo for First Win Patrick Henslee | Reporter phenslee@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College men’s soccer team beat Rio Hondo 2-0 to pick up its first win of the season on Saturday.

The win was driven by a veteran presence through the leadership of sophomores Eduardo Segura and Mason Gonzalez.

Seven minutes into the match, midfielder Eduardo Segura charged the goal and took contact from the opposing goalie, granting him a free kick that he’d take advantage of to put the Rams’ up 1-0.

The remaining first half was characterized by FCC’s possession of the ball and aggressive shooting, but to no avail.

“Maybe if we got rolling a little bit early on it would’ve taken the pressure off of our guys for the rest of the game,” said Head Coach Eric Solberg.

“We had probably four or five really good looks. I think the goals will come and we’ll settle into that,” he said.

In the second half, Rio Hondo turned the tables and broke through a faltering Rams’ defense multiple times only to come up empty.

On the offensive side, the Rams methodically passed their way up the pitch to give themselves opportunity on goal.

Segura’s help added to the scoreboard after assisting forward Mason Gonzalez.

Even though FCC came out on top in the end, the Rams’ had their moments where improvement was necessary.

“Of the three games we played, I thought this was the poorest,” Solberg said.

He highlighted the team’s slow speed with the ball, bad touches and lack of connection with their passes, making it a frustrating game for him to watch from the sidelines.

Solberg took note of the Roadrunners’ play, adjusting his players accordingly. “We wanted to press them, because it appeared they might cough the ball up if we executed that,” said Solberg.

“We just never got a good rhythm in the middle of the field or got comfortable with knocking the ball around, which we usually do pretty well,” he said.

The upcoming week has the Rams’ fighting uphill after Saturday’s shaky success.

FCC will matchup against a hot Cañada team on Wednesday, Sept.11, and the perennially Rams' forward Mason Gonzalez drives the ball up the field during the Rams' 2-0 win over Rio Honda on Sept. 7, 2019. Photo/Mark Ross impressive West Valley on in the match against Rio Hondo should be and that’s what’s next,” Solberg said.

Saturday, Sept. 14. emphasized in their practices, and their The Rams start a five-game road trip “If we play against them the way we focus would shift toward improvements on on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and will return played today, we’re going to drop a couple urgency and quick play. home on Tuesday, Oct. 1 to take on Clovis of games,” Solberg added.

“You can’t recreate the game in practice, Community College.

Solberg added that the veteran presence but you’ve got to get as close as you can

Champion Wrestling Team Looks to Crush Dreams this Upcoming Season Derek Bullis | Opinion Editor dbullis@therampageonline.com

The three time defending state champions never stopped and are already putting in the work to win a fourth state title this season.

The Rams are not even dreaming this year.

“We’re into ruining people’s dreams; that’s our goal, making nightmares,” said Head Coach Paul Keysaw.

Rams’ wrestling was in the business of ruining dreams last year, going 12-0 on the season.

Other teams are going to have a challenging time against the Rams because they are unapologetic of their goals to win another state title.

“We want our dream to come true. If our dreams are gonna come true that means we need to ruin your dream,” said Keysaw.

A couple familiar faces will be returning to the line up this year.

State champions Daniel Ruiz and Augustine Garcia look to claim another championship win.

Mario Moreno, who took

second in state last year wrestling at 125 lbs. will be returning to the Rams’ lineup this season.

FCC has a plethora of talent to work with this season coming in from all different directions.

“But I think that is part of our key. To have red shirts and third year guys who are pretty competitive so we have guys really wanting to make the team and buying their time,” said Keysaw.

The redshirts and sophomores this year will be leading the team this season but the team also looks to see good things coming out a few key up and coming freshmen.

Freshmen Daniel Long from Dinuba, and Jack Kilner from Grenada will be key wrestlers to keep an eye out for this season.

“If you want to be good.

Recruit the best kids you can.

We’ve been fortunate the last few years,” said Keysaw.

You can check out the Rams Saturday Sept. 21 at the Sacramento City Tournament.

12 SPORTS 9.11.19

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Women’s Soccer Beats Bakersfield, Make it Five-Straight Patrick Henslee | Reporter phenslee@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College women’s soccer team got their fifth consecutive win after defeating Bakersfield College 1-0 Tuesday evening.

The Rams continued their winning streak by edging past the Bakersfield Renegades in a match with little action and lots of effort.

The Renegades came out of the gate with high energy, applying a great deal of pressure to an FCC team that kept its cool.

“A credit to Bakersfield, I thought they were very physical. I feel like every team we face does a good job just sitting back and defending us, but it really tested our patience,” said head coach Oliver Germond.

He says that scouting played a hand in the Renegades’ early efforts to contain the Rams.

“Being physical against us is smart, because it disrupts our game. It’s what makes soccer fun, because we need to figure out how to get better,” he said.

In the first half, freshman forward Megan Galvan rifled in a loose ball to put FCC above Bakersfield. They’d stay on top throughout the match,

but not without worry.

“I thought we had a few chances in the game where we could’ve scored a couple more and that’s kind of been an issue so far this season,” Germond said. “Sometimes we keep other teams in the game and that makes it a little scary.”

“Being Physical against us is smart, because it disrupts our game."

-Oliver Germond Rams' Women's soccer head coach Going into halftime, the Rams felt it was necessary to make some changes. “We could see where we needed to do a better job attacking and finding space. We had a hard time using our speed and getting behind them,” Germond said.

The team made adjustments to accommodate to the game, playing more up to speed, getting their midfielders in rather than their forwards and trying different combinations to get ahead of the defense.

These changes made on the fly are a credit to the program’s attitude on learning. “ I feel like our effort today wasn’t where it should’ve been, but it’s just another learning moment,” said Germond.The women’s soccer team won’t play again for another week when they take on Solano Community College on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m.

Germond says that training will be a focus for the program to keep from slowing down over the break.

“Fitness is always a key to our game. It’s always important to maintain that to get ready for the next match,” he said.

The Rams will return home to play Lake Tahoe Community College on Friday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.

Freshman forward Itzel Rodriguez directs the ball up the field during the Rams' 1-0 win over Bakersfield College on Sept. 10, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley