Issue 2 Spring 2020

THE RAMPAGE The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

Spring 2020 | ISSUE 2 | February 12, 2020

THE FIGHT FOR FAX

9,336

District and students search for a permanent solution for a popular program

FCC Students took advantage of the free FAX bus pass, resulting in a total of 221,247 rides in fall 2017

Page 4

9,817 FCC Students obtained the pass in fall 2018, and 270,181 total rides were calculated

The ASB card's status as a free FAX bus pass, one of its most popular benefits, will be suspended at the conclusion of the 2020 spring semester. The pass was previously funded through the parking maintenance budget which also funded the construction of the solar panels in the remodeled parking lots. Photo/Moises Buitrago

NEWS

03 11

Entertainment

presidential candidate and former nyc mayor michael bloomberg's rally at fcc.

SPORTS

07 Pro/Con 09

John bruce writes about the altogether, the new vanguards of folk music.

OPINION

Rams blow out chabot in weekend series.

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Should you worry about expired Food at the ram pantry? Read our pro/con debate.

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2 NEWS 2.12.20

THE RAMPAGE

The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief Ben Hensley

News Editor Hannah Lanier

Sports Editor Patrick Henslee

Entertainment Editor John Bruce

Opinion Editor Kris Hall

Social Media Editor Moises Buitrago

Multimedia Editor Kiara Alcaraz

Art Director Tommy Tribble

Reporters

Adam Peters Alejandro Iglesias Alexis Garcia Aundriauna Del Toro Brianna Beltran Floritzel Garcia Hernandez Hannah Medrano James Mora Janine Tate Jonathan Pazos Julia Espinoza Julie Chavez Kiran Kaur Luis Barreto Luis Hernandez Mayra Martinez Monica Flores Garcia Natalie Gallegos Ricardo A. Reyna Ruby Roque Sean Bowen Vicente Vasquez

Advisers/Instructors Kathleen Schock

Contact Us

Tip Line 559-422-8262 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.

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Study Abroad Advocates for Global Cooperation against climate Change Julia Espinoza | Reporter jespinoza@therampageonline.com

Graduates of the Arava Institute visited Fresno City College on Feb. 3 to recruit new students to study environmental cooperation in the Middle East.

The Dialogue Project is a discussion led by alumni of the institute that aims to widen the cultural backgrounds made up of their student body.

Being culturally inclusive is crucial to global environmental cooperation, which is why they brought this discussion to the FCC campus.

“We would like to see more people, especially from California, coming to our program,” said Sarah Braverman, Arava Institute university relations manager and alumni. She said that students who join the program also gain a unique experience to include in their resume for future job seeking opportunities.

According to Braverman, the central focus for students in this program is the environment, but the experiences that come from the institute are applicable to any career path students may choose.

“For North American students in general a lot of the issues that we see in the Middle East exist here in the United States. Race,

religion, police brutality: these are topics that come up on campus that we talk about out there but they absolutely apply back here,” said Braverman.

The Arava Institute wants a wide variety of students under different majors. It is not only limited to those who want to pursue a career in the environmental or sociopolitical fields.

“There is always something for you at this program. If you're interested in being a leader, this is a good program,” said Braverman.

With tensions between groups in the Middle East, the Arava Institute brings together students from Israel, Palestine and other countries to focus on the multifaceted impact of climate change.

Alumni of the institute Mohammed Jarad and Shira Fisch also joined the discussion.

Recalling their personal experiences, the graduates of the institute explained how being raised in different geographic locations affects how we communicate about environmental issues.

“When you grow up in Israel, you don't have many opportunities to meet Palestinians.

Pretty much none,” said Fisch who was born in California but moved

Alumni from the Arava Institute talk about their studies of environmental cooperation in the MIddle East, Monday, Feb. 3. Sarah Braverman, manager at the institute, led the discussion, which focused on the institute's main focus of environmental and socio-political issues in the region. Photo/Julia Espinoza

to Israel with her family when she was 7 years old.

The Institute was created to bring people together who may have not been able to meet otherwise, while also aiming to create future leaders.

“We know that we want to do something for the future for our descendants and we can’t keep this injustice going forever,” said Jarad.

Although the Institute’s main focus on environmental issues is

within the Middle East region, Braverman said that students from all over the world are enrolled for the purpose of a better understanding of international environmental issues.

For more information about applying for the program contact Sarah Braverman at sarah@ friendofarava.org or visit the website www.arava.org.

Campus Highlights: Transferring Beyond Community College Everything You Need to Know Aundriauna Del Toro | Reporter adeltoro@therampageonline.com

John Bruce | Entertainment Editor

Luis Barreto | Reporter

African American History Month John Bruce and Luis Barreto Fresno City College held an opening ceremony for African American History Month on Feb. 3 in the Old Administration Building Auditorium.

The commencement of the ceremony began with an opening prayer, which was then followed by the pledge of allegiance and concluded with a performance of the Black National Anthem by fellow FCC student Jordyn Smith.

Deborah Lewis, president of the African American Faculty and Staff Association gave a welcoming speech for the ceremony in which she encouraged all youth alike to take advantage of their free speech and emphasized the importance of voting in a democracy.

Lewis stressed that it wasn’t about how or who you vote for, but that the ‘right’ to vote alone is the power that deviates this generation from the generations that weren’t given a voice throughout American history.

Professor Kehinde Solwazi performed a libation ceremony, then followed it with a playing of traditional African drums and performance of cultural dances.

This ceremony served as an opening to other African American History Month festivities in February.

Other events included the Historically Black Colleges and Universities fair on Feb. 4, the Walk for Peace celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King on Feb. 7.

Festivities will be punctuated with Claudia Rankine’s Speakers Forum appearance on Feb. 13 in the OAB Auditorium.

Speakers Forum Claudia Rankine John Bruce Poet and playwright Claudia Rankine will be coming to the Fresno City College OAB Auditorium on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. to speak about her works.

She is well known for her advocacy of racial equality and for her work in creating The Racial Imaginary Institute, an educational academy that showcases exhibits about the stories Americans share on race and how they play into stereotypes and narratives.

This Speakers Forum is presented in tandem with the Fresno County Public Library which has chosen Rankine’s 2014 poetry collection “Citizen: An American Lyric” as their Big Read of the month.

Rankine is the first of three speakers coming to FCC in the Spring 2020 semester including former Utah Representative and author Jason Chaffetz and political pundit and host of “The View” Ana Navarro.

Claudia Rankine will speak at the OAB Auditorium on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and parking will be relaxed.

jbruce@therampageonline.com

lbarreto@therampageonline.com

Campus Closed John Bruce Fresno City College will be closed on Friday, Feb. 14 and on Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Lincoln Day and Washington Day. Classes will not be held and all offices will be closed during normal business hours.

The campus will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 18 with its normal schedule.

Fresno City College Transfer Center is open from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, with an extra hour being offered on Wednesdays until 6 p.m. to get transfer students ready for the upcoming semester.

According to FCC counselors, students looking to enroll in a 4-year university need to know how the transfer process works and what tools the college offers for a successful transition to the university of their choice.

“We have a full staff of counselors. We can do counseling appointments for general questions, education plans, researching colleges, assisting with any of the application steps like ordering transcripts and applying for graduation,” said David Shoemaker, Transfer Center counselor/coordinator.

Students can either make an appointment or walk in and

Transfer Center and wait for the next available counselor.

The Transfer Center also hosts workshops that reach students who may not know about the center and what help they offer.

The workshops are geared towards reminding students of specific dates for transfer and how to submit the best applications to universities.

“We are often a connection for other transfer campuses recruiters. Fresno State has different people who come here and meet with students and other UCs as well” said Shoemaker.

If students are looking to transfer to a UC, they should pay attention to the application dates, which are between July 1 and 31 for Spring 2021 and Nov. 1 and 30 for Fall 2021.

CSU applications dates will fall during the month of August for Spring 2021 transfers and between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 for Fall 2021 transfers.

Information pamphlets and flyers sit at the Transfer Center on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The Transfer Center is located in the Student Services Building in ST-200. Photo/Ben Hensley

2.12.20 NEWS 3

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Michael Bloomberg, presidential candidate and former mayor of New York City, speaks on hot button issues like gun control, poverty, immigration and climate change, Monday, Feb. 3. Bloomberg is employing an unusual campaign strategy, skipping the first four primary states in favor of a bid for Super Tuesday states like California. Photo/Ben Hensley

Dozens of Bloomberg supporters gathered in the OAB courtyard to support their candidate, Monday, Feb. 3. Photo/ Ben Hensley

Bloomberg Courts Voters in the OAB Courtyard

Ben Hensley | Editor-in-Chief bhensley@therampageonline.com

Presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg held a rally at Fresno City College in the east courtyard of the OAB on Monday, Feb. 3.

Dozens of people attended the event, which was held on a chilly morning in front of American flags and campaign signs that read “vote early,” and “Bloomberg 2020.”

Bloomberg, who announced his visit just two days prior, confirmed his presidential bid last November.

He currently sits fourth in polls at 8% according to a national polling average from the New York Times. He trails Sen. Elizabeth Warren (14%), Sen. Bernie Sanders (24%), and current Democratic front-runner and past Vice President Joe Biden (27%).

Bloomberg spoke for just under 20 minutes before supporters, as well as local and national media, touching on topics such as gun control, poverty, immigration and climate change.

“In the White House, gun safety will be at the top of my agenda,” Bloomberg said about one of his primary platforms in his campaign.

He also went on to speak of the importance of immigrants and finding solutions to immigration issues.

“Central Valley issues are Latino issues,

and Latino issues are American issues,” Bloomberg said before resounding applause.

Bloomberg also talked about the impact he hopes to make in region and state, citing his intention to open 20 offices across the state, including one in Fresno.

“We’re working with over 300 staff members and we’re growing daily,” Bloomberg said, stating his intent to grow those numbers to 800 by Feb. 14.

Bloomberg also directly called out current President Donald Trump, calling for an end to his presidency in the November elections.

“The President spent yesterday insulting the Democratic candidates, and he does that a lot,” Bloomberg said.

“I guess when you can’t defend your record on healthcare or wages or the environment, you resort to insults.”

He continued his campaign tour in Compton later in the evening.

“This is a campaign for change; it’s a campaign for sanity; it’s a campaign for honesty,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg has been employing an unconventional campaign strategy, bypassing many early polling states and setting his sights on states whose primaries fall on or after Super Tuesday.

California’s primaries land on Super Tuesday, which is March 3, 2020.

Corrections

Retractions from the January 29 issue of the Rampage

• In the article, "ASB Card Loses FAX Bus Pass, Retains Discounts and Ram Pantry," it was incorrectly stated that the bus pass was suspended by a vote by the SCCCD board of trustees. While the bus pass will be suspended at the end of the Spring 2020 semester, it is not because of a vote by the board.

• In the opinion article, "A Dog With a Job," the name of the dog was spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling is "Eevee."

4 NEWS 2.12.20

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The Fight for FAX District and Students Search for a Permanent solution for a popular program.

Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

Yonas Paulos came into the Rampage newsroom the second week of the spring 2020 semester on behalf of his disabled step-son, Joshua Rodriguez, who is a welding student at Fresno City College in distress over the upcoming suspension of the free bus pass program.

“Have you guys gotten to the bottom of it?” he asked. “[My son] was deflated, angry, I've never seen him like that,” he said. ‘I can’t believe they took my bus away, it worked for me,’” said Paulos.

Paulos was not the first person to bring their concerns to the Rampage after the news broke.

Over the summer, the State Center Community College District decided to reallocate funding for the FCC Free Bus Pass Program that was offered to all enrolled students and faculty with the purchase of an Associated Student Body card for $5.

The program has existed for three years, and will expire at the end of the spring semester.

How It Started, and Why It’s Ending The district used funding from parking revenue to implement the bus pass program in the fall of 2017 to help students and faculty navigate the lack of parking due to the solar panel construction.

During the first semester the bus pass was offered, 9,336 FCC students took advantage of the program, resulting in a total of

Janine Tate | Reporter jtate@therampageonline.com

221,247 rides.

Last semester 9,817 students obtained the pass and 270,181 total rides were calculated, according to the Office of Institutional Research at FCC. “We thought, ‘We’ll do this for a year and then address the parking issue,’” said SCCCD Vice Chancellor of Operations Christine Miktarian. “It was very successful.

Then the next summer rolled around and we said ‘Do we want to go for another year?’”

The bus pass was never meant to be something lasting.

It was a temporary solution for the loss of parking due to construction, she said.

Last summer the district opened communication about the program, ultimately deciding that they could no longer fund it out of the parking revenue. “[The parking revenue] is supposed to be paying for our parking maintenance. We can’t sustain [the bus pass] through that fund if we are going to maintain our parking lots through that same funding as well,” said Miktarian. “So that is why. It was supposed to be a year. Then we did two years. This is supposed to be our last year of the program.”

Miktarian said the request for an increase of funding for parking revenue was a controversial issue between the district and the board

Continued on Page 5, FAX BUS PASS The ASB card's status as a free FAX bus pass, one of its most popular benefits, will be suspended at the conclusion of the 2020 spring semester. The pass was previously funded through the parking maintenance budget which also funded the construction of the solar panels in the remodeled parking lots. When that project was complete, new funding needed to be procured. The benefit has been suspended until it can be funded. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Vice Chancellor of Operations Christine Miktarian sits down with the Rampage to discuss the controversial decision by the SCCCD not to renew the FAX bus pass program. Since 2017, students with an ASB card have been allowed to purchase a pass to ride the FAX busses free of charge after the initial purchase of the pass. Photo/Ben Hensley

2.12.20 NEWS 5

therampageonline.com FAX BUS PASS, FROM PAGE 4

in 2015.

The funding for the free bus pass program comes from the parking revenue, which is generated from parking

“

Marcos Zepeda Education

A lot of us are going to have to pay $1.25 to get on the bus which stems from our pockets, the money we could use for books, money we could use for the rent, the PG&E bills. tickets, meters and parking passes which increased from $19 in 2015 to $30 in 2020.

The revenue has been stretched thin for the last three years due to the funding of the bus pass, pulling away from necessary services such as increasing police services and student patrol workers.

Student patrol workers are funded through the parking revenue. Additionally, one quarter of the salary for campus police officers and public safety staff comes from those funds, according to Miktarian.

The number of student patrol workers have also been increased in an effort to keep the campus safe, Miktarian said.

“Based on a need and request from everyone district wide, all of the active shooter things that were going on. It was a necessity, a feeling of safety,” said Miktarian.

The Task Force “[The bus pass program] is our top priority,” said Miktarian.

“A lot of people do want to keep it,” said Associated Student Government President DeRon Walker.

“Not everybody knows what is at stake,” said FCC President Carole Goldsmith.

The administration is either frustrated or motivated by the suspension after students expressed their concern. But overall great efforts are being made to resolve this before students at FCC have to be without it.

“There is a desire from faculty who want to help,” said Goldsmith. “Since this has come out, I have been

approached by a number of faculty and administrators who have said ‘I’d be willing to pay a little more as long as I knew that those dollars would go to a fund to help students,’” said Goldsmith.

Walker explained that in an ASG meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, Dean of Students Sean Henderson presented alternative funding options for the students to fund the program themselves.

In the presentation, Henderson estimated that a $5.50 fee per semester from 24,000 students would cover the costs of the program.

Dean Henderson could not be reached to comment on this presentation.

“The administration here has talked to various grant programs to see if funding bus passes for various individuals would be an allowable expense,” said Goldsmith.

Miktarian explained that the district is in the process of establishing a group of students, faculty and college presidents to create a task force.

“The chancellor has recently put together a task force.

There has been a lot of work done by myself and President Bennett from Clovis,” said Goldsmith.

Clovis Community College is the only other college in the district that is being affected by the suspension, but “their situation is different,” said Goldsmith. “Their ASG is concerned.”

The bottom line is that “students are being impacted,”

“

Tyesha Buggs

African American Studies We're going to be faced with adversity and there's always going to be a stumbling block and you have to know how to get around it to continue to get to your goal. said Goldsmith.

Students Set Adrift “There are a lot of students here,” Benny Jimenez, a student, said. “Some don’t have transportation at all and this is the only way for them to get from point A to point B.” Abigail Urich, a studio arts major, is one of those students. She has been using the bus as her primary mode

9,336

9,817

FCC students took advantage of the free FAX bus pass, resulting in a total of 221,247 rides in fall 2017.

FCC students Obtained the pass in fall 2019, and 270,181 total rides were calculated.

—The Office of Institutional Research of transportation to the college for about 3 years.

“It takes about an hour to get here from the bus,” said Urich. She felt shocked when she heard about the decision.

“

Kathleen Fernandez Criminology Instructor

I’d like the readers to know that we [faculty] also care deeply about this issue and are not happy with the thought that some students might have to literally drop out of school because they simply can't get here, all we want is for them to succeed and it's frustrating.”

“I might change what college I go to because I actually looked for colleges that offered this.

Transportation is a big deal to me,” said Urich.

“It’s a poor decision, it’s taking away aid from needy students, chopping away the aid a little bit at a time,” said Tyesha Buggs, an African American studies major.

“I’m struggling to go to school everyday and now that’s going to be taken off,” said Marcos Zepeda, an education major, who was irritated when they heard about the news.

Zepeda uses their bus pass every day.

“A lot of us are going to have to pay $1.25 to get on the bus which stems from our pockets, the money we could use for books, money we could use for the rent, the PG&E bills,” said Zepeda. “It's a big deal to save up as much money as we can to pay for those things.”

Zepeda explained that they use their bus pass for so much more than to go to school and back. “It helps me also to get to church, home, the store or even to work,” they said.

The initial goal of the program was to alleviate parking issues, but it soon became a primary means of transportation at FCC. Zepeda believes it is important that students do not lose hope.

“For those people that are trying to find a way to get to school, there is a way. Keep on trying, don’t give up,” they said.

Others see the value of public transportation as a means to save the environment. “I do want to be more conscious about my carbon footprint,” said Joyce Yang, an art major.

“That's why I take the bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Solidarity With Their Students Eight members of the faculty were interviewed for this report, all of whom expressed concern for the suspended bus pass program.

“I’ve asked some of my students, ‘How do you think this will impact you?’ and some students have said, ‘I won’t be able to get here without that bus pass’,” said Kathleen Fernandez, a criminology instructor.

“I’d like the readers to know that we [faculty] also care deeply about this issue and are not happy with the thought that some students might have to literally drop out of school because they simply can't get here,” Fernandez said. “All we want is for them to succeed and it's frustrating.”

Fernandez also worries that the loss of the free bus pass will contribute to the parking issues on campus.

Mark Trezza, instructor of political science, is also concerned for students and disappointed about the decision.

“You have reserves for situations like this, it affects students who can’t make it to get an education,” said Trezza.

“What are you waiting for?”

“Even if it's 10 students that are using it, that's 10 students that aren’t making it to school, that aren’t showing up for

classes, that’s 10 students too many in my opinion,” said Nick Hernandez, political science instructor.

Department Chair of visual media technology, Carolyn De Anda, was very disappointed when she heard about the news.

“We are hurting our most vulnerable students or the ones that are more financially insecure by taking away this community motive transportation to help them get to school,” De Anda said.

“You don’t kick someone when they're down by taking away a very basic need, so this needs to be reinstated,” said De Anda.

“

Allen Siroky

History Instructor

Our students are the future of our community and the world, so opportunities are important and we need to provide opportunities for our students to succeed."

Finding a Permanent Solution Since the news got out that the bus pass was ‘being taken away’ from the students at FCC, action has been taken.

Students have made petitions and flyers; posting them around the campus to raise awareness of the fault on the district's end.

Faculty have talked with students, empathizing with the thought of them losing a primary form of transportation.

Administration is seeking funding elsewhere.

The FCC community is moving to prepare for the storm, rather than waiting for it to hit.

“This was always temporary,” Miktarian said. “Hearing students and the need to continue it is helping to try to find a way to fund it.”

Above all else, the district wants FCC to know that they are in support of the bus program, she said.

A temporary solution for a parking fiasco in 2017 resulted in a program in popular demand, that ultimately became a necessity for 42% of the college community.

6 ENTERTAINMENT

2.12.20

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Oscars Alright?

Parasite Dominates, Uncut Gems Snubbed Kiran Kaur | Reporter kkaur@therampageonline.com

A loud distorted boom echoes. A deep voice resounds. Fast-paced cuts flash across the screen. Big bold letters appear:“MOVIE OF THE YEAR!” Why is it that every generic movie has the same phrase slapped on its trailer? How is the audience supposed to know that before it even comes out in theatres?

There is always a great argument over which film should be considered ‘Movie of the Year’ and the Oscars manage to fuel it even more. It’s also difficult to decide whether or not the Oscars even matter anymore.

With its lack of diversity in winners and content, and a focus on sensational news like the red carpet and who’s wearing what, interest in the Oscars seems to be on a steady decline.

Starting in 2018 the TV ratings dropped by around 17% by Variety Magazine’s numbers. According to TV Line, this year’s ratings went down between 20% to 30% for its 92nd showing, the worst decline in its history.

What viewers usually have seen at the Oscars is not a reflection of the Hollywood industry itself, which is now more diverse than it has ever been.

The best picture of the year comprises several different elements. The film should be structured in a way that flows together cohesively with solid character development. This includes all aspects of it, not just the script, but the cinematography, sound design, editing and more.

Film is a lens into society and a connection to the audience can always be made to what’s on the screen in one

way or another. That doesn’t mean it always has to be a serious drama.

Every genre brings its own style, composition and rules. Each of these films should be like a snapshot of the times in which they were released.

That being said, it was great to see one foreign film and one movie directed by a woman recognized by the Academy this year. The South Korean film, “Parasite,” won Best Picture, and rightfully so. The film is one big, giant metaphor about the complexities of man and our capitalist society. It’s clear why it deserves Best Picture.

Every shot reels the viewer in who waits to see what happens next, yet offers great relief throughout with comedy. The movie is tense, yet hilarious. The director, Bong Joon Ho, stays away from simplicities such as rich vs. poor or good vs. evil, and offers the viewer more complexity which stays on the mind hours after screening.

Other nominees for Best Picture that were the most memorable this year include “1917” and “Little Women.”

Director Greta Gerwig delivers a new interpretation of the long adored novel that explores the bond between sisters.

It is emotional and sensitive, delving into gender and socioeconomic truths, but for people that aren’t already invested in the book, the context may be lost on them. Still, “Little Women” would not have been a disappointing win for Best Picture.

“1917” came forward with a gamechanging single shot style and visual effects that took the theatres by storm.

You take that aspect away, however, and it’s just another war film about a harrowing adventure. The plot

"Parasite" won the Academy Award for Best Picture on Feb. 9, 2020, the first foreign language film to do so. While the Academy Awards have been facing diversity issues, viewership has plummeted rapidly.

Photo/Courtesy of Myke Simon on Unsplash

relies on the technical achievements to set it apart in the genre, which makes it better fitting for the Best Cinematography category.

“Uncut Gems” is a film that was released during the eligibility period but was not nominated. It provided probably the most memorable performance of Adam Sandler’s career. It was produced by A24, an indie entertainment company that’s becoming a solid player in the industry.

A number of A24’s recent films have been snubbed at the Oscars. From “Hereditary” to “Midsommar” and now “Uncut Gems,” their creative and original works have repeatedly not been given the recognition they deserve.

“Uncut Gems” is a modern day Greek tragedy. The main character is an absolute train wreck, a fact that’s driven home throughout the film. Yet the direction and Sandler’s

performance help audiences to root for the character all the way to the end.

Watching the film is an anxiety inducing experience, like a rollercoaster except the rollercoaster is stuck at the very top, rocking back and forth, waiting there instead of going down for 2 hours and 15 minutes.

“Uncut Gems” is an amazing example of the power of film. Not receiving a nomination emphasizes the point that the Oscars have a long way to go in the kinds of films and artists that are represented. “Parasite,” a foreign film, winning four Oscars at the 92nd award show is a long overdue step in the right direction.

Best Picture can be different for each individual viewer. Although the characteristics of one will stay the same, film stirs different emotions for anyone participating in or viewing it.

The best option: let the viewer pick their own Best Picture.

The Reign and Legacy of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Ricardo A. Reyna | Reporter rreyna@therampageonline.com

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” stands out as one of the greatest sitcoms to grace our TV screens during the 1990s. Through both humor and seriousness, the show managed to captivate audiences in a way that has yet to be replicated. It also served as an inspiration to many of the shows that would follow in its footsteps, all while helping change the way people of color were seen on TV.

Starring actor Will Smith, and loosely based on his own life, “Fresh Prince” revolved around a streetwise, fatherless teen from Philadelphia who moves in with relatives in the upscale California community of Bel-Air. Will’s aunt, uncle and three cousins are a family of class and wealth. In an era when most black television characters were portrayed as poor, from the streets, considered ghetto or painted as criminals, the show really broke away from these

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" has informed many other black-centric sitcoms and movies, leaving a legacy of representation. Photo/Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

stereotypical images.

By allowing its characters to run against the grain of social and cultural prejudices African Americans had for so long been subjected to, the hit show helped usher in a black socio-cultural movement that is still seen in TV and movies today.

Constantly clashing with his family about how he believed they should be reacting to situations, or carrying themselves, Will demonstrated the difference between life in the ghetto and life in the suburbs.

The show achieved this while shifting the narrative of how characters of color that were portrayed in television had to act or think.

The effect that “Fresh Prince” has had on modern cinema and TV today can be seen across the boards; even in movies like “Black Panther” and shows like “Atlanta.”

In “Black Panther,” Wakanda is shown as a technologically advanced, wealthy and sophisticated African society, which goes against the way African culture and kingdoms have been portrayed in movies up until that time.

“The Fresh Prince” offered an entertaining and optimistic outlook on a lot of situations that occurred throughout the 1980s and 1990s—many very laughable and joyful, but some very dark.

From Will driving home drunk and having a dream where he learns his lesson via ghosts in a graveyard, to the famous line where Will’s friend Jazz—who is being asked to place his hand on the bible in court by an officer but refusing to put his hands down—says “No way. Dude’s got a gun, next thing you know I got six warning shots in my back.”

“The Fresh Prince” has managed to remain culturally relevant even 24 years after the show initially had its finale.

Programs like “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “My Wife and Kids,” and “Everybody Hates Chris” are just a few of the shows where this show’s influence can be seen.

The show has even managed to produce some of the internet's favorite gifs and memes. Even scenes like Will asking Uncle Phil why his father never wanted him have managed to make a comeback and go viral on social media.

Will Smith has come out and said that, despite the rumors, he does not plan to produce a reboot which solidifies the program’s legacy as one of the greats.

The show is a one-of-a-kind sitcom that can never be duplicated, truly making “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reign supreme.

2.12.20 ENTERTAINMENT 7

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The Obscurity Zeitgeist: The New Vanguards of Folk John Bruce | Entertainment Editor jbruce@therampageonline.com

Folk music has taken a hit since the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young or John Denver.

It’s evolved into light and fun bluegrass, poppy overproduced stale country and an independent hybrid of electronic, old country and sixties folk.

It’s a lost art form, but versions of true folk music have been returning in droves and one three-piece band from Manhattan are the ones saving it.

“When you planned your day, baby/did you count on meeting me?”

The Altogether has released a total of 12 songs over two EPs and two singles and they are bringing back folk music as America once knew it.

Guitars, drums and strings dominate the sound, but it takes on an all-too-familiar tone of a melancholic hopeful pessimism present in much of the old style capital-F “Folk.”

Even ancient American folk had that downtrodden feel to it, indeed it was the focus of the music. Old country and bluegrass stemmed from slave spirituals and grew into an art form preferred by the poor whites and blacks of post-Civil War American South and the Appalachian region.

Think of the Soggy Bottom Boys from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” A ragtag team going across the South and making music

and trouble wherever they go.

Artists in the mid 1900s began using the genre as an insignia of the counterculture simultaneously protesting war, the status quo and the raucous new “rock and roll” genre.

Bob Dylan, like The Altogether, commented on life in New York and metropolitan environments in general with one of his earliest works “Talkin’ New York.” Like John Denver, The Altogether seem to want to speak to nature as a form of spirituality.

For many, folk offered a soft lilting tone backed by an acoustic sound that flew in the face of the norms. In a time of choice and competition, The Altogether is a band doing exactly the same.

“When I lay me down to rest, it’s part of some eternal jest/but since you’ve left me here I’ve grown” The opening song “Five Minutes” off the first EP from the band, “Look Up,” offers a raucous beginning compared to the other four dreamlike songs on the 17-minute lection.

An acoustic guitar is accompanied by a tenor and bass voice harmonizing on wishing someone farewell. Other themes like the narrator’s struggle with depression and the past are featured along with a delightful song about working up the nerve to talk to a stranger on a plane.

Their first work is fun and bright and,

though sometimes sad or hopeless, it reminds the listener of the sun shining through dark clouds after a storm.

Off this EP, the best song is easily “Sophie” which laments an old on-again-off-again relationship and the longing of the narrator to make things more serious despite the red flags present throughout the tumultuous romance.

“When We Were Kids,” the follow-up EP to “Look Up” follows, as the title suggests, a focus on childhood and childlike wonder at the world.

Two songs in particular stick out as stories that could be told at bedtime. “Emelina, Right or Wrong” and “Billy & Anne” both tell the tale of people on a journey looking for better circumstances than those in which they find themselves at the moment.

From this EP, the best song is far and away “This Manhattan Man” which serves up a gut-wrenchingly poignant take on life in the modern day big city.

Founding member Jonah Scott’s sister Sierra Scott joins in this collection to fill out vocals and instrumentals with the other founding member Brian David Gilbert.

Like the vanguards of folk music before them, The Altogether takes elements of calmness and pensive musings and shapes it into a message applicable to anybody and everybody.

“There's only one thing left to say this time/I hope you're fine, goodbye”

Lady Gaga released “Joanne” in October 2016 and it was shocking to see such a vivid, colorful epitome of “pop” music turn country, but even then she couldn’t shed her roots. Vulture called it a “slightly frustrating mix of country and EDM,” and they’re not wrong.

Mitski, an up and coming artist, has her roots in folk but she sometimes tries too hard to make her music appealing to mass consumers. Sometimes certain genres will only appeal to certain people.

In the 2010s, country music became less about family, life and heavy serious topics and more about drinking to pass the time, the reinforcement of traditional conservative values and big green tractors.

Musicians moved away from songs about life, love and mortality and toward materialism.

Regardless of preference and artistic ability, genre seems to be experiencing a blend in the mainstream. In a time where independent folk wants to mimic pop and pop wants to mimic independent folk, The Altogether is the one band staying true to their roots and their sound.

They blend new themes with old sound seamlessly and the stories they weave and the language they use can ease anyone out of their daily stress.

Quite simply, “When We Were Kids” and “Look Up” are the best albums you’re not listening to.

Three-piece band from Manhattan, The Altogether, is making music in the style of old folk reminiscent of famed artists like John Denver, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Photo/Courtesy of The Altogether on Bandcamp

Oh the HUMANITY! Erven's take on Tony Winning 'The Humans' James Mora | Reporter jmora@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College is presenting its take on the play “The Humans” by Stephen Karam in the FCC Theatre during the last week of February and the first week of March.

Performances take place on Feb. 28 and 29 and March 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., March 4 at 1 p.m. and March 1, 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. "The Humans" was a finalist for the 2015 Pulitzer Prize and won the 2016 Tony Awards for Best Play.

"The Humans" is a drama about a family in Manhattan dealing with issues during

the Thanksgiving holidays. It explores and expands upon the emotions that a typical family would feel during the holiday season.

“The Theatre Department at FCC consistently produces plays that are current and speak to issues that are relevant to today. ‘The Humans’ definitely fits that description,” said actor James Knudsen who plays the father in this production.

Admissions range from $14 for general admission, $12 for students, staff and seniors, and $8 for a group of 10 or more.

The FCC Theatre Department also has

a Facebook page where they update the public on upcoming shows.

The Munro Review on Youtube, where Donald Munro reviews plays around Fresno, spoke with James Knudsen, Brandi Martin and Christy Ania Hathaway, three actors involved with the production. They offered their insights and opinions on what audience members will get out of watching the play.

“The Humans” is different from other plays produced by FCC because the faculty members have more roles. FCC’s iteration of “The Humans” is also double cast so certain roles and performances

will have an almost entirely different cast.

“It’s relatable to anyone except for children, and it’s not because of horrible language, violence or sex. It would be boring to them,” said director Charles Erven.

Along with the use of unique sound design during the show, the set is also innovative because of the use of an upstairs and downstairs. Scenes will sometimes occur simultaneously between the two stories.

Opening night is Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Theatre. Tickets can be purchased before the show at the box office.

8 OPINION 2.12.20

CAMPUS VOICES Kiran Kaur | Reporter kkaur@therampageonline.com

What would you most like improved at FCC?

Edson Flores

Fashion Merchandising Major “What’s the point of having to pay for parking if you’re not guaranteed a spot?”

Are You the Real You Online?

Natalie Gallegos | Reporter ngallegos@therampageonline.com

Social media can only capture a small glimpse of our lives, that we make out to seem picture perfect and in a way, it’s like we’re living a double life.

The negative parts of our lives are often hidden from social media and are replaced with happy moments and selfies.

We often appear to be happier on social media than we truly are in real life.

“Social media sees fun, care free, ‘let’s have fun’ Jocelyn,” said Jocelyn Velasquez, freshman and Forensic Psychology major. “Not the anxious, overwhelmed, on edge Jocelyn.”

Sometimes people form a certain perspective on a person just from looking at their pictures. Without

mflores@therampageonline.com

Graphic Design Major

“No one’s really enforcing [the anti-smoking policy], it goes along with the lack of security.”

Courtney Magner

Biology Major “With the amount of trash and junk everyone leaves here, there should be designated squirrel feeders.”

Nicholas Trevino Psychology Major

even getting to know them in person, they judge.

“Social media has definitely put me in interesting situations,” said freshman and Forensic Psychology major Joceyln Velasquez, “I had a stalker for a while who would show up to my house because he saw me on Instagram and thought I was good looking.”

Online, it’s easy to be whoever you want to be. You could have pretended to enjoy your aesthetic looking lunch you posted on Instagram, but nobody would ever know it tasted like cardboard.

The way we communicate online is also a lot different than having a faceto-face conversation.

“I would say I’m much more introverted and shy in person versus what I type or post,” said Paola Rivera, freshman and Film Arts

A Quality Life Without College Monica Flores | Reporter

Alexandria Fernandez

therampageonline.com

Four years of college: a dreadful moment for most, life can be fulfilled with it and without. Many people have lived high quality lives, without obtaining a degree.

From singers to happy farmers, life is what you make of it. Some are happily living a life of quality with the basic necessities.

“If you're a gym freak and always at the gym you're going to love it, ”Jenny Valdores said to a student at FCC. When you work on something you love, it no longer feels like a job but a passion.

“College is for certain people,” said Mayrah Gonzales, an FCC student.

Not everyone believes the worthiness of obtaining an education to a better life, or simply thinks of it as not necessary. Traditional schooling is a time consuming course. In order to obtain a college degree you have to be committed to doing the work. College is more than studying, going to lectures and doing homework. In college you have to learn how to balance and sacrifice a work life, school life and social life which can become difficult for most to handle. No one ever thinks of college as easy and it isn't Many college students face a lot of sacrifice such as homelessness, and hunger issues.

Overall a study concluded 36 percent of college students say they are food insecure.

Another 36 percent say they are housing insecure, while 9 percent report being Homeless According to a new study from Temple University and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab found more than a third of college

students can't always afford to eat or have stable housing.

Options such as vocational schooling is education that prepares people to work as a technician or in various jobs, obtaining a job with a company you can grow in can also be a good option without having to go in the full traditional schooling time for a career they may not find worth doing so for themselves.

“If you're a gym freak and always at the gym you're going to love it, ” Jenny Valdores said.

College has given individuals the ability to have a better career opportunity. One of the basic facets of measuring quality of life is knowledge and humans gain via education is enlightening and therefore, education plays a prime role in this enlightenment. Knowledge begets knowledge. There is no end to self-improvement.

A knowledgeable person is revered and respected.

Education aids you to achieve higher working demands by skills you have acquired throughout learning.

“I think you can do everything like start a business and get a business license,” Jeny Valadores said. People promote young children to continue and strive for excellence throughout college because it is the only way you will be able to get you to work in something you are deeply passionate about.

College benefits you in many forms and ways but most importantly people choose college because you seek something more than employment but a passion you are truly entirely engaged into.

When you work on something you love, it no longer feels like a job.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash major.

Just because a person posts about having fun and going out, doesn’t mean they have a better or easier life than you.

Influencers online post pictures of their glamorous life, but followers probably never see the struggles influencers face in their lives.

When we text, some of us express ourselves through emojis and most of the time. we’re not actually laughing when we use the term ‘LOL’.

We just find it easier to use emojis and social media as a way to communicate and express an

emotion we’re feeling, rather than showing it in person throughout our day to day lives.

Nowadays, image filters can change more than the quality of our pictures and, with the powerful tool of photoshop, it can take you just seconds to have the features that you want.

“Personally, I feel that since we can see things that others can’t about ourselves, we try to cover that up,” English major and junior Bryce Bustamante said, “when in reality, we are covering up what makes us unique.”

The more we post about the perfect picture life we don’t have, the more our image starts to differ from the offline version of ourselves.

We often rely on happiness or validation online to define our self-worth and count on likes to feel socially accepted. It’s not the healthiest thing to do.

People tend to forget that as soon as you click out of your app, you’re back to reality. As humans, we should remain our true selves off and online.

Students and Their Furry, Feathery and Scaly Friends Alexis Garcia | Reporter agarcia@therampageonline.com

Animal lovers on campus tell us what it’s like owning and interacting with a pet.

Every animal has a different temperament and affection requirement. Some animals would love to be pet by a bus full of school children. Other pets, well, that's where the claws come out.

Cats seem to be the perfect lap companion when curling up and reading a book for school.

Or maybe fish? Across from you a fish tank with finned friends displaying exuberant color, clearing your mind from the stress of your next final.

You close your eyes and are greeted by a slobbery wet kiss from your dog Fido. How could you choose between Fido the dog and FeeFee the cat, indeed it is a hard choice.

There are many Fresno City College students that have pets. Different owners have different furry friends ... Or scaly.

FCC student Gerado Rojas spends his time helping students with math in the

tutorial center. But when he’s not at school he hangs out with his pit bull. Rojas with lizards and even peacocks.

He reminisces about the time he owned a peacock during his childhood.

Peacocks can stand over 4 feet tall, with sharp talons and aggressive temperament due to their territorial nature. “To be honest I was kind of scared of the peacock because it had big claws,” said Rojas.

Peacocks might have scared him but for lizards it was different. “I treated them more calmly and they just like to sit on you and walk around a little bit,” he said.

Student Rayshelle Isaak works alongside Rojas in the math section of the tutorial center. She has an abundant experience working with animals. From dogs, cats, guinea pig, frogs, tarantulas, hamsters, fish, bunnies, birds, turtles and lizards this student knows her animals!

Isaaks’s advice to handling animals differs from pet to pet. “It honestly just depends on the animal, who the animal belongs to and the temperament.”

“The Ram Pantry food is always expired and it’s disappointing.”

Alexis Garcia poses with her picture perfect pup, poised to play in the park.

Photo/Alexis Garcia

2.12.20 OPINION 9

therampageonline.com

EXPIRED FOOD

PRO

Students line up by the dozen every weekday outside the Ram Pantry to get free food rations, Tuesday, Feb. 4. Photo/Ben Hensley

Don't Sweat It Flortizel Garcia Hernandez | Reporter fhernandez@therampageonline.com

The Ram Pantry is an essential student resource, it provides food, snacks, and even hygiene items free of charge for currently enrolled Fresno City College students.

Each student is allowed to take up to eight items per day from the Pantry which is located next to the bookstore building.

Supplied based on donations from places like Target, Catholic Charities and Poverello House.

Opened Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Wednesdays 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

“According to the US Department of Agriculture, the expiration date refers to its quality, not its safety."

The Pantry offers various foods such as milk, chips, canned food and pasta.

Some students have brought to light the fact that expired foods have left the Pantry in the hands of patrons, but is it really as bad as it sounds? After all, shouldn't individuals be responsible for checking the dates?

Why get mad that some, not all, food at the Pantry has expired? You should consciously be thinking of checking it.

When you go shopping for clothes you don’t just ignore the price of whatever

you’re getting, it should be the same with food. Instead of checking for a price just check for the expiration date and then nothing is lost.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the expiration of foods refers to its quality, not its safety.

Federal regulations do not require expiration dates on meat, poultry, dairy, cans and boxed foods.

However, federal regulations do require expiration dates on infant formula, but FCC does not distribute infant formula in observation of the law.

Why should the Pantry be pressured if there are no laws being broken?

Kyreese Bailey, a Ram Pantry employee, has been attending FCC as an art major for two years.

Bailey says he sees the positive side of the food helping people, especially the homeless, who attend the pantry frequently.

“Some of them care, some don’t, some are just happy to get food.”

Bailey says the Pantry has a process that they follow notifying them what foods they can hand out. Although they do their best to limit the amounts of expired food on the counter, it can be quite challenging.

When asked, Bailey recommends students still visit the Pantry. “I would just say for the customers who come to the Ram Pantry, just be super cautious and remember it’s free.”

According to FCC, the Pantry serves over 3,400 patrons every month. That's 3,400 people who don't have to go hungry.

In the end, shouldn’t we be grateful we receive something rather than nothing?

CON

Definitely Sweat It Bri Beltran | Reporter

bbeltran@therampageonline.com

Yes, it’s true, the idea behind the Ram Pantry is amazing.

Giving out free food to hungry college kids? Great! However, the execution is mediocre at its best.

The Pantry gives out food to cook with, hygiene products, and snacks to Fresno City College students for no fee.

It sounds great, in theory, but the Pantry has an issue of distributing out some expired foods.

“When items are post the expiration dates the taste can be altered. Just because students lack money, it means they deserve stale tasteless food?"

When students are poverty-stricken and free food is available, they gravitate toward the Pantry for help and sustenance.

This has upset some of FCC’s students.

“Kids can’t afford food most of the time.

Other places give out food that hasn't expired so why can’t Fresno City do the same thing?” said Fred Moody, an FCC first-year student.

Some students are aware, but some were shocked to learn of this dilemma.

“I had no idea the Ram Pantry gives out expired foods. It’s gross,” said Carrew Davis, a first-year student as well.

A few food items that are in the pantry

Roughly 319 students will pick up canned foods and snacks a day from the Ram Pantry, located next to the bookstore, Monday, Feb 3. Photo/Floritzel Garcia Hernandez

include common products like Hot Cheetos and chips, to off brand spaghetti and red sauce for pasta.

Some of these items were found to have best by dates going back to 2018.

Typically peanut butter is enjoyable, but when mold is present on the bottom, it’s not nearly as appetizing.

That’s what I found when I went into the Pantry to investigate: peanut butter with an expiration date going back to 2018.

When I turned it upside down there was clear presence of a white mold.

If a student had picked up the jar of peanut butter, taken it home, and had no idea mold was at the bottom, the Pantry should be held responsible.

Not only is sickness a concern but so is the taste.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the quality of products can deteriorate after the best by date, even if the products should still be safe if no signs of spoilage are present.

So, when items are past the expiration dates, the taste falters. Do students deserve this tasteless expired food?

Kyreese Bailey, a Ram Pantry employee, explained his thoughts on the issue.

“It’s not expired food. It’s food beyond the best by dates.’

“We have lists we go by,” Bailey continued, “the lists we have show what foods we can put on our shelves. Some foods and drinks can last months past their best by dates.”

Basically, the whole point behind best by dates is all about quality.

We need quality food for quality students.

As students in a community college, it’s already hard enough to pay for books, the least you expect is to be offered expired food.

Students have the right to be informed and decide whether any action is taken or simply ignored.

10 SPORTS 2.12.20

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Williams and Keysaw Serve as Co-Athletic Directors Following Departure of Zierfuss-Hubbard Ben Hensley | Editor-in-Chief bhensley@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College has a storied history of successful athletic programs.

Since 1955, the school has been home to numerous professional athletes such as Tom Flores, Cameron Worrell and Tom Seaver, countless conference titles and 58 state championships, ranging from wrestling, to basketball to badminton and most recently, the 2019 men’s soccer team.

Pamm Zierfuss-Hubbard, who took over as FCC’s athletic director in the fall of 2018, accepted the position of athletic director at Clovis Community College during the 2019 winter break.

Zierfuss-Hubbard, a native Californian, returned to the state following a successful 11-year stint as associate athletic director of University of Alaska Fairbanks, a school with only 10 sports, compared to the Rams’ 21 programs in 2018.

Her sudden departure could very well have rattled the core of another athletic department.

“I knew she was leaving in December,” Rhonda Williams, former long-time softball coach and current co-athletic director said of Zierfuss-Hubbard’s abrupt departure.

Zierfuss-Hubbard departs FCC for Clovis, a school with eight programs - a still young, up-and-coming athletics department.

Wrestling coach and co-athletic director

Co-athletic directors Paul Keysaw and Rhonda Williams, Monday, Feb 10. Photo/Ben Hensley

Paul Keysaw praised Zierfuss-Hubbard for her work as athletic director in her short time here.

“She started branding,” Keysaw said.

“She’s got a few projects in the works.”

During her time here she supervised the replacement of the floor in the gymnasium, as well as renovations of the

locker rooms on campus among other projects.

“The branding, I think, is huge,” Williams added. “You can just see what the difference looks like [in the gymnasium].”

Looking to build off the successes of Zierfuss-Hubbard, Williams says FCC is searching for someone who will be a

long-term successor. Having filled the seat of athletic director herself in 2014-15, she acknowledges that there is a long list of things to do.

“It’s a big job,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of things that we’re [Williams and Keysaw] not even tackling this semester that are long-term projects.”

Williams attributes the size and difficulty of the job as part of the struggle in finding a long-term solution to the vacancy filled

by Zierfuss-Hubbard.

The concern this semester is to keep the program stable until a permanent replacement can be found, aiming to take pressure off the coaches whose programs are in season and helping to facilitate their needs.

A committee has been formed to find a successor for Zierfuss-Hubbard and applicants are expected to be screened starting in mid to late February.

“The hope is that we’ll have a new athletic director July 1,” Keysaw said.

Both Williams and Keysaw praised FCC’s athletic department as it currently stands.

“I think that one of the things that you can absolutely be proud of in Fresno is Fresno City College athletics,” Keysaw said of FCC’s history. “Pick any sport and we’re good.”

Whoever permanently fills the position is coming into a historic program, according to Keysaw.

“I think this [FCC athletics] is one of the best kept secrets in the Central Valley.”

Rams Blowout Taft, Sweep Season Series Ben Hensley | Editor-in-Chief bhensley@therampageonline.com

The Rams’ women’s basketball team was able to put an end to their three game losing streak at home on Saturday, Feb. 8, defeating the Taft College Cougars 92-40.

The win improved the Rams’ record to 13-10 (5-3 conf.) and dropped the

Cougars to 2-22 (0-9 conf.).

Sophomore guard Jordyn Brown led the Rams in scoring with 27 points and nine rebounds in the Rams’ blowout win.

It was the eighth time this season Brown led the Rams in scoring.

The win moves the Rams to third in the Central Valley Conference

standings, behind Reedley College (11-13, 6-2 conf.) and conference leader Merced College (20-5, 9-0 conf.) heading into the final four games of the season.

“We just have to keep getting better,” Rams’ head coach Alex Fletcher said of the team’s dominant performance. “Even if it’s a tiny little

Sophomore guard Jordyn Brown takes the ball down the court during the Rams' 92-40 blowout win over the Taft College Cougars on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Photo/Ben Hensley

improvement, as long as we’re getting better, we’re doing something right.”

The Rams last win was on Jan. 22, against the West Hills Lemoore Golden Eagles.

Following that win, the Rams dropped three straight to Reedley, Merced College and College of the Sequoias.

The win stopped the bleeding which Fletcher attributed to a lack of improvement on a daily basis.

“I think we got away from that and weren’t getting better, so now we’re back hopefully,” Fletcher said about his team's performance in the past several weeks.

Having been decimated by injuries to key players already this season, the Rams dressed only seven players for the game Saturday, a sight that has become all too rare for Rams fans and Fletcher.

“Hopefully we’ll get one or two girls back, but it’s just been a crazy year with a bunch of injuries,” Fletcher said of his team. “Just gotta deal with it and keep moving on.”

Taft came at a good time for the Rams, who came off a 64-61 loss just three days before at the hands of conference rival COS. That matchup saw the Rams with only two bench players again, leaving the team visibly exhausted by the end of the contest.

While the Rams still have an outside shot at winning the conference, it would rely on Merced dropping two of their final three conference games, all coming against teams who they have beaten already this season.

The Rams’ better shot at a higher conference position lies in their next home game when Reedley comes to town on Wednesday, Feb.

19. Reedley defeated FCC 79-68 earlier this season, but a win in their next meeting would put the Rams in second place in the conference standings.

“

Even if it’s a tiny little improvement, as long as we’re getting better, we’re doing something right.”

-Alex Fletcher

Women's Basketball Head Coach “Our backs are kinda against the wall, so we just have to go out and win ‘em,” Fletcher said of the team’s final four games. “Do whatever we can to win the last four, see where we end up for playoffs and try to make a run.”

The Rams next face Porterville College and West Hills Lemoore on the road before returning home to face Reedley on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. and conference leader Merced on Friday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. to wrap up the season.

2.12.20 SPORTS 11

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Local Artist Pays Tribute To Kobe and Gianna Bryant Moises Buitrago | Social Media Editor mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

During Kobe Bryant’s career, he was known by many names. The Black Mamba. Mr. 81.

Champion. Neo. However, for local artist Oscar “Super” Huerta, the nickname that sticks out the most is “father”.

Unlike other murals around the country that depict Bryant on the court, Huerta intentionally decided to paint a photo of Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

“On the father's side of things, the news was even stronger. It was stronger than the times I would watch him and feel great to watch him play,” said Huerta. “The father side of that is touching. Like, I chose not to paint him dunking on the court.”

Huerta has been doing art since he was about 7 years old and started painting when he was 12.

The passing of Bryant sent shockwaves across the nation and the planet. Bryant was just as big of an influence outside of the U.S. “Kobe is everything to me, man. Ever since he [Bryant] got into the league, I was actually still living in the Philippines at the time and about a year or two into his career” said

local Kobe fan David Lazo. “He came to the Philippines and instantly became loved.”

Despite Fresno being almost four hours away from the Staples Center, Bryant still managed to reach a fanbase here in the Central Valley.

“I chose who he was at home. All the murals that I've seen so far have been him as an athlete,” said Huerta. “I didn't want to paint him at work. I wanted to paint him how he is at home.”

Much like the greatest chefs require the sharpest knives and doctors need the finest tools, the artist also requires the best paint.

Huerta and some of his friends made their way to Los Angeles to pick spray paint that is imported from European countries.

“I do whatever it takes to have what I need as far as that goes, because paint as itself has honestly escalated to the best delivery now. It's mural based paint made in Spain and Europe and other countries,” he said.

The project took Huerta around 20 hours to complete. The finished piece can be found on the side of Fresno Tattoo & Body Piercing at the corner of Blackstone and Grant avenues, 1.5 miles south of Fresno City College.

Jordan Lazo pays his respects to his role model, the late Kobe Bryant, Friday, Jan. 31. Photo/Moises Buitrago

The Pulse of the Game: Betts Trade Reflects Modern MLB Ownership Objectives Patrick Henslee | Sports Editor phenslee@therampageonline.com

Oh, to be a Los Angeles baseball fan in 2020.

Superstars Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Cody Bellinger, and Clayton Kershaw will now be joined by outfielder Mookie Betts.

Hey, look at that. Every one of those players has either won an MVP award or World Series in the last six years. Betts did both in 2018.

On Feb. 4, the Boston Red Sox announced a complicated trade that sent Betts and pitcher David Price to LA for Alex Verdugo and prospects, but their motives for trading away an already franchise-great player not even 18 months after he achieved those accolades perfectly reflect the ideals upheld by modern Major League Baseball team owners.

The Red Sox believed Betts was destined for free agency after this season, so they exchanged him for future flexibility not long after they won the 2018 World Series as the team with the highest payroll in baseball. Surprise, there’s a positive relationship between wins and spending!

Red Sox owner John Henry is the prime example. Henry is the owner of one of the most successful and profitable franchises in professional sports history, one that’s won four world series in this century alone.

He has the money to pay for the best players and coaches, his team attracts the most ambitious and intelligent front office personnel and his organization uses modern developmental strategies to construct competitive rosters.

Henry is in the ideal situation to compete and contend. He’s instead chosen to trade away the perfect product of those resources, one that every team in the league wishes they could produce.

In the last couple years, ownership groups like Henry’s have prioritized a tighter payroll and opted not to compete in seasons that don’t have a clear window of winning for them.

In actuality, the league is now so stratified between the juggernauts and the tanking teams fighting for the first overall pick - which isn’t actually all that valuable - that any team floating around a .500 record can make a couple roster improvements and jump right into the playoff race.

That doesn’t mean teams should purposefully take a step

back since they’ll make the playoffs anyways. Last winter, the Cleveland Indians shopped their star players, believing that they’d still run away with their division… they missed the 2019 playoffs entirely.

MLB owners have made it clear that they won’t prioritize competing and they won’t put the best interest of their respective fans at the forefront. So, if they’re willing to pass on the two clearest and most efficient avenues to increase profits, what’s their game?

Easy, it’s about saving money. Baseball has adapted into an inefficient business structure, where players are paid below their production level, minor leaguers are paid next to nothing wages and money fills the owners’ pockets in a time when MLB’s revenues are soaring higher and higher by the year.

“No one buys a movie ticket only to fret about what the producers paid to hire the performers on screen,” said Marc Carig of the Athletic. “In baseball, that hand-wringing has become its own little pastime. And those who write the checks have taken cover in such foolishness.”

Baseball isn’t a “chess game” anymore. It’s Monopoly.

Rams Defeat Chabot, Keep Rolling in the Young Season Patrick Henslee| Sports Editor phenslee@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College baseball team dominated Chabot College 14-6 to win the series against the Pirates in dominant fashion on Saturday, Feb. 8. The win pushed Fresno’s record to 5-1 in their

young season and allowed them to get acclimated with the depth of talent on their roster.

Unlike FCC, Chabot has stumbled into their season, going winless in their first six games before taking on the Rams.

“Chabot is traditionally a great program,”

Freshman outfielder J.D. Ortiz stands on third after driving in the Rams' first run of the ballgame in their 14-6 win over Chabot College on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Photo/Patrick Henslee

said Rams’ head coach Ron Scott. “They played Santa Rosa, Sacramento and now they’ve played us. So, to me they’ve played three of the best teams in Northern California, and that’s why they’re 0-8 now.”

The undefeated Santa Rosa Junior College and Sacramento City College baseball programs are responsible for Chabot’s first five losses. After taking game one by a score of 9-6, FCC looked to put the Pirates away in game two.

The Rams started freshman lefthander Marcelo Saldana against Chabot. Saldana was working his fastball in all corners of the strike zone, pairing it with his wicked breaking ball to hold the Pirate’s lineup to three hits and seven strikeouts through five and one-third scoreless innings.

While Saldana shut it down from the mound, the lineup was firing on all cylinders.

The Rams lineup was held at bay until the third inning, when freshman outfielder J.D. Ortiz opened the scoring with an RBI triple. He later scored to make it a 2-0 game, but the Rams kept moving down the chain.

The bottom of the fourth started with a flurry when freshman outfielder Cole Brincefield knocked a base hit. Then the Rams got to work, following it up with another single before Brincefield came all the way around to score on a fielder’s

choice. Freshman catcher James Bell hit a ringing double to plate two more runs before the inning ended.

The Rams continued knocking around the Pirates, scoring four runs in the fifth and four more by the end of the sixth, moving the score to a comfortable 14-0.

Surprisingly, no hits from FCC’s lineup ever cleared the fence.

“We just tried to put the ball in play and put pressure on them. We just tried to do the little things to win, and for the most part I think we did that,” said Scott.

With a padded lead, the Rams pulled Saldana at 75 pitches to work out their other arms. This looked like a questionable decision after freshman pitchers Alec Flores and Hanes Hunter allowed a combined six runs in the seventh inning alone.

Despite the blemish, Scott is sure the Rams finished as winners.

“They threw a good pitcher, one of their better ones today, and I thought we played a perfect baseball game for six innings,” said Scott. “We pitched well, we played good defense, we had really good hits and we bunted well.”

The Rams took on Hartnell College on Tuesday Feb. 11, beating the Panthers 6-0. They will wrap up the series on Wednesday before hosting Sacramento at home on Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.

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Sophomore guard Eljay Gallagos inbounds the ball in the Rams' win against West Hills Coalinga on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Gallagos works hard to create his opportunities on the court and in his life. Photo/Moises Buitrago

Eljay Gallegos: Determined to Focus on a Championship Ben Hensley | Editor-in-Chief bhensley@therampageonline.com

Ronald Agebsar: six foot, five inches.

McKay Bundy: six foot, four inches.

Marcus McCutchen: six foot, six inches.

And then there’s sophomore guard Eljay Gallegos, checking in at five foot, nine inches.

Of the four players, you could guess who might be the odd man out, overlooked by the captains on the blacktop pick-up game.

But not Fresno City College men’s basketball coach Ed Madec and his team.

They know better.

Gallegos, a sophomore guard from Folsom High School, listed at 5 foot 9 inches, 165lbs is an integral part of the Rams’ and Madec’s offense. Having started in 15 games his freshman year, he has started in 15 games again this season with four games still remaining before playoffs and hopefully a record setting 19th consecutive conference championship.

Gallegos grew up in Sacramento, graduating from Folsom High in 2018.

Named to the Sacramento Bee All-Metro

third-team in his senior year, he freely admits that personal accomplishments mean less to him than team play and success.

“It was pretty cool to receive those accolades, but the high school season didn’t end how we wanted it to in the state championships,” Gallegos said, emphasizing his desire to compete and to win.

But as one of seven siblings, several of whom are athletes themselves, the drive to compete and love the game came from a familiar source - his dad.

“My love for basketball came when I was about six years old,” Gallegos said. “My dad just showed me the game and then I just fell in love with it.”

Gallegos, who helped lead his high school team to the CIF State Championship Quarterfinals, said he started to take the game seriously in middle school.

“I started working out every day and really dedicated myself to the game,” Gallegos said. “I used to work out in the mornings before school. Just any time I could get in the gym,” he continued, saying

he would routinely arrive at the gym at 6 a.m. and work out until 7 a.m. daily before leaving for school.

Gallegos is not the only basketball talent in his family however. He has two brothers and one sister who also share the love of the game.

“My two older brothers play basketball.

I think they influence me a lot,” Gallegos said. “My little sister plays basketball; she’s a junior right now.”

Gallegos believes he influenced her to play. “She’s really good now; she has D1 offers.”

In his own college career however, Gallegos aspires to help the Rams not only reach the state championship, but win it, attributing his dedication and will to compete to his athletic idol: the late Kobe Bryant.

“He influenced me to play basketball too,” Gallegos said. “My dad was a Lakers fan and we’d always watch Kobe, and even though I couldn’t be like him, I could still take certain traits that he has like hard work, determination and that sort of thing.”

Gallegos takes the hard work and determined attitude to the hardwood as a Ram. “I decided this was the best program for me,” he said about his decision to commit to FCC. Gallegos attributes his knowledge of basketball to what attracted the Rams to recruit a player that many would consider to be undersized for the game.

“I never let height hinder me,” he said about his skills and basketball IQ. While many may doubt his size when they see him walk onto the hardwood, Gallegos believes the drive to win comes from somewhere deeper than just physical ability. He attributes his success to his hard work and dedication.

“I faced some adversity, but I always feel like if you have heart, you can make it on any court.”

Gallegos and the rest of the Rams hope that they can find a way to not only win the conference again, but take home the state championship trophy this spring.

Freshmen Take Charge, Falcons Come Crashing Down Moises Buitrago| Social Media Editor mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

The script could not be written any better for the Fresno City College Rams, a 10-game win streak, a return home, and a West Hills Coalinga Falcons team who is still winless against conference opponents this season.

The Rams handed the Falcons their seventeenth loss of the season, and FCC added another curly W to their 11-game win streak and their 21-3 record, this time by a score of 115-67.

Opening up the game with nothing but freshmen, the Rams rested their usual starters to begin the game. West Coalinga came out strong to begin the first eight minutes, being able to hold Fresno City to only a four-point lead.

Freshman guard Richard Kawakami wore a mask during the game after suffering a broken nose the prior game against the Sequoias Giants after trying to rebound the ball. Kawakami said he did feel a little impaired with the mask on but adapted to it quickly scoring 8pts in 16 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, the Rams got Freshman guard Jaydan Bray-Williams blazes past over their cold start and padded a 10-point lead a Coalinga defender in the Rams' win on Saturday, within the first 15 minutes of the game.

With the regular starters coming into the game

Feb. 8, 2020. Photo/Moises Buitrago

from the bench, the Rams made sure to make their presence felt.

The Rams did what they did best and blocked shots and ruthlessly attacked the paint.

Sophomore guard Keshawn Bruner provided a monstrous block on defense to help disintegrate what looked to be a promising run for Coalinga.

Not only did Coalinga have to put up with an aggressive FCC, but they also had to deal with constant bickering between teammates as tempers boiled.

The game provided an opportunity for players like freshman guard Jaydan Bray-Williams.

Despite being up 79-43, Bray-Williams showed his grit by diving for a ball like it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

“I think the biggest thing you learn when you come to our program is just learning how to really compete at a high level. At pretty much everything you do, I think Jaydan's learning, all of them are honestly” said head coach Ed Madec.

Throughout the half Bray-Williams stuck on defenders like glue, forcing multiple turnovers, and on route to multiple points off those turnovers.

“Everybody told me to go out there. Don't

worry about anybody says; just play. And I went out and just played,” said Bray-Williams.

With one team destined to make the playoffs and Coalinga heading in the opposite direction, the Rams look to continue to battle for the remainder of the season.

Inside the locker room, the team is looking to shift gears and zero in on the playoffs.

“We just don't want to let each other down as long as we're going as hard as we can, focusing as hard as we can, that's really the culture. The culture is just giving your all,” said coach Madec.

Madec also added that the team is still looking to maximize its performance.

“I think we're getting closer to that. We haven't mastered anything yet, I still think we can peak and I still think we have some growing to go through, but we're getting there. We're getting better,” he said.

Going forward, FCC will be on the road for two games on Feb. 12 and 15 against the Porterville Pirates and the West Hills Lemoore Eagles. The Rams will come back home to face the Reedley Tigers and Merced Blue Devils Feb. 19 and 21 before beginning their quest for a state championship.