Spring 2016 Issue 4

Rampage

INSIDE: Special Election Coverage

Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

The Rampage

@rampagenews

@FCCRampage

March 9, 2016

ISSUE 4

Vol. CXXVI

Candidates Make Their Pitch for Presidency

Dr. Craig Follins, Interim president Dr. Cynthia Azari and Dr. Jeremy Brown answering questions from the public during their public forum for the positon of Fresno City College president in the Old Administration Building on Monday, March 7, 2016. Photo/Ram Reyes

BY DAVID CHAVEZ

Managing Editor dchavez@therampageonline.com

The three finalists for the presidency of Fresno City College told standing-room only audiences their plans for tackling major issues facing the college at forums on March 7.

During each of their scheduled 50 minutes in Room 251 of the Old Administration Building, Cynthia Azari, interim president; Dr. Jeremy Brown, former president of Portland Community College, and Dr. Craig Follins, former president of Northeast Lakeview College, spoke

l SEE PRESIDENT ON PAGE 4

ASG Trustee Threatens to Resign over Decision to Include Miller in Debate

BY ANDREA BRISENO

News Editor abriseno@therampageonline.com

A key member of the Associated Student Government has threatened to resign over the decision to include Ted Miller, candidate for the California Assembly District 31, in a political debate in the Old Administration

Building Auditorium at 4 p.m. on March 16.

Cody Sedano said said he would step down as student trustee after members of the ASG buckled under pressure from the college administration and overturned their earlier decision to exclude Miller from the debate.

Miller will face off against Joaquin Arambula and Fresno City Councilman

l SEE MILLER ON PAGE 2

International Women’s Day Marked at Fresno City College FREE TICKETS INSIDE!

BY TAMMI NOTT

Reporter tnott@therampageonline.com

Jennifer Dorian, director of Peer Assisted Student Sessions, led a march for women’s awareness from the Fresno City College Library to the Free Speech area in honor of the 105th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8.

The group walked through campus voicing empowering messages and upon reaching the free speech area, invited others to join the march to express their thoughts on the status of women in society.

“The more men and women we have standing in unity, the better,” Dorian said.

A diverse group of men, women and Jennifer Dorian, Peer Assisted Student Sessions Coordinator, leads a march for transgender individuals draped in red International Women’s Day on March 8, streamers held signs as they expressed outrage about the abuse and oppres2016. Photo/Larry Valenzuela

POLLS VIDEOS

Clint Olivier, both candidates for Assembly District 31. All three candidates -- Joaquin Arambula, Clint Olivier and Ted Miller -- have confirmed their attendance at this debate.

“I quit because Ted Miller was putting pressure on the administration

sion that women experience, even in 2016. Students spoke out about various topics, from abuse to rigid gender roles.

Dorian cited statistics which showed that one in every three women is abused and one in every five women is raped. When the group was asked how many of them had been a victim of violence, all but one woman raised their hands.

“We need to stop the blaming.

When a woman is attacked, the woman is blamed for it. Not the perpetrator,” said Kelly Campbell-McKay, a student.

“We need to blame the people that are acting on the violence, not the people who are the victims of it.”

l SEE WOMEN ON PAGE 5

FM104.1 New Rock Spring Fling March 11 @ 7PM

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NEWS

3.9.2016 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Rampage Staff

Editor-in-Chief Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado Managing Editor/Copy Chief David Chavez News Editor Andrea Briseno Arts & Entertainment Editor Jasmine Yoro Bowles Opinion Editor Alexa Leyva Martinez Sports Editors Keaundrey Clark Michael Ford Photo Editor Daisy Rodriguez Multimedia Editor George Garnica Broadcast Editor Larry Valenzuela Reporters Caleb Owens-Garrett Michael Mendez Rudy Perez Ryan Holquin Destinee Lopez Ashleigh Panoo Amrita Aulakh Aedan Juvet Trevor Graham Travis McDonald Edward Smith Christopher Del Castillo Connor Linville Jorge Alamo Bineet Kaur Ram Reyes Tammi Nott Rampage Adviser/Instructor Dympna Ugwu-Oju dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu Contact Us Tip Line: 559.442.8262 Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to: editorial@therampageonline.com

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Go to www.therampageonline.com Ted Miller, candidate for Assembly District 31, scolds Cody Sedano, Associated Student Government Student Trustee, after a weekly meeting on Feb. 23, 2016. Photo/Larry Valenzuela.

Miller

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and was, to my knowledge, threatening to sue like he was doing with Fresno State and the Maddy Institute,” Sedano said. “He put pressure on ASG.” Sedano says the college administration was, “scared of the image it would give the school.”

During their meeting on Feb. 23, members of the ASG had decided to omit Miller out of the debate, similar to the Maddy Institute’s [Fresno State] action earlier. An ASG representative explained that the organization preferred to have candidates Olivier debate Arambula on March 16 and have Miller at a separate forum two days later. All candidates would have received the same amount of time.

Cody Sedano, ASG trustee, said the ASG decided to exclude Miller from the main debate because Arambula said he would not appear at The Maddy Institute debate at Fresno State, if Miller were invited. Sedano said they took into consideration the poll numbers as well as the amount of support each

candidate was getting from the community.

“The guy [Miller] has not had one endorsement,” Candidate Arambula said. “He has not raised one dollar.”

Sedano said that the ASG had made the initial decision to invite only viable candidates instead of including “someone who is just bored of being retired.”

Miller accuses the ASG of coming to a hasty initial decision to exclude him because of rumors about him, including an alleged restraining order for his conduct toward Arambula’s mother.

“I did hear from a guy on the task force [ASG] that the restraining order came up,” Miller said.

“And that’s the guy that heard the story about me harassing Amy Arambula [Arambula’s mother].”

Miller admits to having a restraining order against him but says it is a tactic by Arambula’s campaign to smear him.

“They want to poison my candidacy based on a restraining order,” Miller said.

l SEE THE FULL STORY AT WWW.THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Letter Reveals Concerns of Discrimination Against African American Students

BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Editor-in-Chief crodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

Does Fresno City College care about its African-American students?

The college’s African-American Faculty and Staff Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) are asking themselves just that , according to a lengthy letter to the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees.

According to the letter received by the district, the AAFSA expressed concern about African American students who they say are “marginalized, overlooked and discriminated” against at the college.

A copy of the seven-page report obtained by the Rampage reveals critical concerns about how African-American students are served at FCC. “We seek honest answers to questions about [FCC’s] strategy and leadership transition,” the letter said.

The letter took aim at the college’s handling of student equity, noting that African-American students have become one of the most “disproportionately impacted student populations in every area addressed by the [Student Equity Plan] except [Access].”

“We are requesting equity with accountability,” the letter states.

The letter also called for a “thorough review and revision of [existing] district policies that can perpetuate the current inequities and practices.”

On many occasions, the letter states, there has been a question of whether or not the African-American community’s voice was even desired in decision making.

The letter calls out the State Center Community College District’s hiring process.

The AAFSA claims that hiring selections were made -- for interim district chancellor, interim president, dean of library and student success, equity director and director of special programs -- with little input from African-American administrators.

Students in “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts line up to ask questions of Dr. Jeremy Brown during the Fresno City College presidents forum on Monday, Mar. 7, 2016.

“We attempted, through the African-American Faculty and Staff Association, to serve on the FCC presidential search committee,” the letter states.

“But were thwarted by the bureaucratic process that could be seen as perpetuating racism, divisiveness and failure among the [FCC] community.”

The letter also cites instances where African-American administrators were moved from their positions with short notice.

“These reassignments with no replacement in kind leaves a void that can directly affect African-American students as evidenced by their [subsequent] lack of confidence in the fairness of the system,” the letter states.

At a forum featuring FCC presidential candidates, interim president Cynthia Azari also expressed concerns of racism at the college.

“I will emphatically state that racism is not tolerated on this campus,” Azari stated. “Racism disgusts me.”

The letter claims that these concerns have been shared with every level of management.

As she gave her pitch to remain at the college and enter as the permanent president for the college, Azari said, “I will not tolerate prejudice, bullying nor discrimination in any form.”

NEWS

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 3.9.2016

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Campus Eateries Have History of Extensive Inspection Violations

BY MICHAEL FORD

Sports Editor mford@therampageonline.com

Pacific Cafe and Fresno City College Cafe are two very popular spots to grab a bite to eat at Fresno City College; what students may not know is the extensive history of health code violations at both restaurants.

Both businesses have been cited for a string of violations, but what is indisputable is the fundamental difference between how the two eateries operate. That is reflected in the reports conducted by Erica Armstrong, health specialist for the Fresno County Department of Health.

Pacific Cafe has been cited for more significant violations than the Fresno City College Cafe, although the frequency of violations overall is relatively the same.

In 2015, Pacific Cafe was found to have violated regulation each of the 12 times of inspection, including reinspection, for violations such as build up of leftover food around equipment, inconsistent food temperature, storing cooked and uncooked meats together and cleanliness of the eating area.

Fresno City College Cafe violated each of the 10 times for failure of equipment such as refrigerators, built up food left where meals are prepared and wall paneling in need of repair.

Inspectors conduct their inspections every three months, and the most recent inspection occurred on Jan. 25. Armstrong said that both restaurants received citations for violations, including temperature control problems and overall cleanliness of the eating environment.

“They were having food temperature issues as well as their hot holding display in the front. There were temperature issues both there.

They also had cleaning issues. They had a lot of cleaning to be done.” said Armstrong.

Wayne Fox, manager of the environmental health division of the Fresno County Department of Health,

explained the importance of keeping food at the correct temperatures.

“We hold temperature violations very serious,” said Fox. Food temperature violations are considered very serious because certain food borne illnesses spread easier when food is kept at certain temperatures.

Those types of violations occur when food temperature are not held at certain temperatures -below 41 F for cold food and above 135 F degree for hot food, Fox said.

“You try to keep the food always out of the food danger zone which is in between there,” he said.

Fox also said that while Tom Hagihara, owner of Pacific Cafe, has always been able to fix the temperature and cleaning violations, the Pacific Cafe has established a pattern of showing the same type of problems at each inspection.

“We hold temperature violations very serious,” said Fox. Food temperature violations are considered very serious because certain food borne illnesses spread easier when food is kept at certain temperatures.

Although Fox said that consequences for violating regulations vary, perpetual violators who do not fix the problems are subject to fines and are required to take food handler classes. However, if the violations continue, the restaurant can face more serious consequences.

“The ultimate result is if they don’t fix the violation, we will close them,” Fox said. “What they [Pacific Cafe] have done is they have remedied the situation.”

Fox added that the Pacific Cafe’s violations “keep coming back” and there “needs to be some more consistency with their operation and how they operate.”

Hagihara, owner of Pacific Cafe, says that the time of day of the inspections makes a difference in the results.

“In the morning or the afternoon [is the worst time], not at like 11, 12 o’clock or 1 o’clock,” Hagihara said.

A Fresno City College Cafe chef serves food to students at the college cafeteria on March 8. Campus eateries have a history of extensive inspection violations.

Photo/Larry Valenzuela.

“But you know, I can’t control it; I can’t control it.”

Armstrong disagrees.

“It doesn’t really matter the time that I go there,” she says. “I come at all different times of the day, later in the afternoon or earlier; kind of when they open.”

Armstrong said she can only work with the restaurant hours.

“They close a little bit earlier, especially during the summer, so I may be there before 2 p.m,” she said.

When a violation is discovered, businesses are given a deadline to remedy them, and the deadline varies based on the severity of the violation.

“If it’s going to be temperature issues where maybe we think that the equipment is not working,” Armstrong said, “then I would want to go out there pretty quickly, pretty close to the first date.”

Fresno City College Cafe, located across the free speech area, adjacent to the Student Lounge, was also cited for a violation during the last inspection.

Inspections of both restaurants were conducted at the same time.

Armstrong found that similar to their competition, the refrigerator at the Fresno City College Cafe stopped

working and food was not being cooled properly. The food was not thrown because food the food was out for significantly less time than than the permitted four hours.

“One of our refrigerators was down, but the maintenance crew fixed it right away. They came back in a couple days,” said Anita Handy, manager of the Fresno City College Cafe and customer director for Taher Inc. “It was just a minor violation.

If it’s not fixed, then it would be a significant violation.”

The quality of the food and eating environment has not gone unnoticed by students. Gregorio Ruiz, a student at FCC who eats at both restaurants on a regular basis said he has noticed that Pacific Cafe is not always as clean as it should be. He said he has become concerned because of this.

“If I get a tray, I could pretty much tell if it had been used by someone else; it will have crumbs on it.” said Ruiz.

“Sometimes they are clean, and sometimes they get a little sloppy,“ Ruiz said. “It doesn’t bother me too much, but I hope that they can fix that pretty soon because that is an easy way to spread germs.”

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Go to www.therampageonline.com

Women The idea of women gathering to call for equal rights can be traced back to 1908, when a group of 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York to demand better pay, better hours and voting rights.

The first official women’s day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, following the lead of the U.S. National Women’s Day celebration in 1910.

In 1913, the date was changed

International Women’s Day rally. Photos/Larry Valenzuela

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to March 8, and that day has been celebrated every year on that date since then. In 1975, the U.N. officially acknowledged the day, and has celebrated it ever since.

The march prompted one student to ask if there is a feminist group on campus. Dorian responded that there is not one yet, but that one is in the works.

Dorian is proposing an open mic, community event for the end of April called “Listen, the Story of

Every Woman.” She is planning on five speakers and wants to include a candlelight ceremony that will recognize women from the past, present and future.

“It is 2016. There has never been a better time, that I am aware of, to be a woman,” Dorian said. “We can’t rest on our laurels.

Women in the 60’s and 70’s fought for us to be here today. We want to make sure that we never forget where we come from.”

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President

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about their experiences and why they are best qualified to lead Fresno City College.

Azari said her focus would be providing quality information, ensuring that the bond measure is passed and making sure that the campus is up to date with current technology. She also acknowledged that workforce is a big challenge facing the college.

She said that her immediate goal will be “working to help community members understand what passage of the bond would bring to the college to benefit students.”

In an email interview on the same day, Azari enumerated the benefits of a successful campaign. “It would add parking, which is a huge problem, and a new Math Science Engineering building which would expand our science and technology offerings.”

Additionally, she would “work with the college to prepare for the upcoming accreditation visit and continue to improve communication throughout the college.”

In his session, Jeremy Brown stressed the importance of working collaboratively with both the faculty and students and being able to have open discussions.

“It is extremely important to remain focussed on the strategic plan, direction from the chancellor and the board as well as the needs of the students and the community,” Brown said in a March 5 email interview. “Once strategic intentions are determined and aligned within the district, I would engage a collaborative and inclusive process to move forward.”

Brown’s immediate goal would be to reach out “to both internal and external constituencies to learn more about issues that should be addressed.”.

Craig Follins stressed the importance of engaging everyone in a collaborative effort. He said he wants to model good behavior and seek finance that will help issues that are identified through active and open dialogue.

“My focus will be on the students,” Follins said in a phone interview on March 4. He said he wants to “understand [the FCC] culture” and “respect the history” that has been established. He will strive on “building consensus” campuswide and districtwide.

3.9.2016 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Each candidate spoke about acknowledging the tradition and importance of FCC’s history. They also noted how much of an impact community colleges have on the life of an individual.

“Fresno City College is a very dynamic institution that has a rich history and an extremely bright future.

I am extremely impressed with the quality of the academic experience, dedication of the faculty and staff at the College as well as the connectivity to the community,” Brown said in the email interview.

He expressed optimism about the college’s future which he described as “poised to grow dramatically in various dimensions and become a leader on a regional, state and national scale.”

Follins said he wants to add value to the FCC tradition and work within the different communities to help students find pathways and ensure they are receiving the support they need to be successful.

“Fresno City College is a great place with great students,” Follins said on March 4. “Students have a lot of [campuswide] activities.”

Also addressing the college’s history and tradition, Azari added in a March 7 email interview, “it also has great faculty and staff and a beautiful campus. The programs are outstanding, and the college is an integral part of the community.”

During Azari’s forum, a few attendees brought up an issue that has been simmering on campus about a letter that the Black Faculty and Staff Association wrote to the board of trustees alleging that the interim president and FCC administrators discriminate against African American students and faculty.

“There have been accusations of racism and that the administration has allowed racist behaviors on this campus,” Azari said. “I will emphatically state that racism is not tolerated on this campus. In fact, racism disgusts me. When i hear about these behaviors, I want them addressed immediately.”

Azari said that the faculty and staff need to reflect the diversity of the FCC community and stressed the importance of cultural competence.

Brown said that he would be more than willing to open “Pandora’s box” when it comes to issues of possible racist activities. He said he would commit to equity and hire qualified faculty that would reflect success. He also said that students who feel they

An audience listens to presidential candidates for Fresno City College during a forum hosted in the Old Adminsitration Building on March 7, 2016. Photo/Ram Reyes. are not included would not feeling at home on campus, and that they need to see instructors who support and like them.

Brown said, “How people feel is just as important as what happens.”

Follins said his approach would revolve around finding facts and accepting challenges. He would build committees around the conversation of possible discrimination and emphasize on educating and understanding one another.

“I will be an advocate for all students,” Follins said. “I will be a champion of diversity.”

Azari has spent the last 10 months as interim president. She became the first female president of FCC and served from January 2009 to April 2011 before becoming president of Riverside Community College and later an interim chancellor for the Riverside Community College District.

Before she became FCC president, Azari was also the vice chancellor for Workforce Development and Educational Services for the State Center Community College District.

Brown was president of Dowling College in New York from June 2011 until Sept. 2012. From 2013 to 2015, Brown was president of Portland Community College and “left because the Board’s direction forward was not consistent with the agenda I was given when hired,” he explained.

He said that in his two years at PCC, “There were many significant advances including the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, record fundraising, stabilisation of the budget following several years

of deficit spending and an enhanced commitment to equity and inclusion.”

Despite the controversy with the board during his tenure in Portland, Brown said in an email interview on March 5, “There were no issues with respect to my performance or results.”

In Brown’s closing statement he stated that “It is within our grasp to do something here. Believe in yourselves and all of the possibilities that you can become.”

Follins has served as president of Northeast Lakeview College, and his contract as president of Olive-Harvey College in Chicago was recently voided. Follins claims that differences in the way he managed resulted in the fallout. The college had three attempts at accreditation and failed.

He also said that change is hard and that he will not apologize for putting students first.

Follins has taught for 15 years. He has taught a variety of students from those seeking an associate degree to doctoral students, and he has been a president of a community college twice.

He said, “I want to change students’ lives now and for the foreseeable future.”

Brown added in the March 5 interview, “I am convinced that community colleges are the key to changing lives, driving the economy and building community.”

Azari said in her closing statement, “You know who I am and what I want for our future; it would be a pleasure to continue with you on this journey.”

SCCCD Bond Measure to Be on June 7 Ballot

BY ANDREA BRISENO

News Editor abriseno@therampageonline.com

The State Center Community College District will be placing a local bond measure on the June 7 ballot, so voters have a chance to support generating $485 million for the college district’s needs.

Members of the board of trustees voted to place the measure on the ballot during their March 1 meeting.

The bond will provide needed repairs for Reedley College, Clovis Community College, Madera Community College Center, Oakhurst Community College Center as well as California’s oldest community college -- Fresno City College.

“We will be able to provide stateof-the-art career technical education facilities, in addition to upgrading classroom buildings, labs, and technology for the nearly 50,000 students that we serve,” said Interim

Chancellor, Dr. Bill F. Stewart, in a March 2 news release.

If the bond passes, FCC will get a replacement of the Math, Science and Engineering Building. The new building will provide bigger and modernized classrooms as well as advanced technical areas.

FCC students can look forward to a multi-story parking structure which will accommodate 1,500 new parking stalls. The district anticipates that the parking garage will relieve the stress of finding parking at the district’s largest college.

Stewart said that the proposal incorporates a career and technology center with ultra modern Police and Fire Academies to better prepare, students and veterans “for jobs or university transfer.”

Fresno City College also looks to expand and provide an educational facility in West Fresno. The district seeks to give the community greater

The Math, Science and Engineering building is expected to be remodeled if a district bond measure is approved during the June 7 ballot. Photo/Ashleigh Panoo and convenient access to higher education.

If this measure is approved, it will require an independent financial and performance audits annually in addition to oversight by a committee of citizens.

In order for the bond measure to be

approved, At least 55 percent of voters have to support it.

This money will provide for many facilities and projects. According to state law, this money cannot be used for any other benefit such as salaries for teachers and administrators or for other operating expenses.

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 3.9.2016

PASS Coordinator Honored for her “Brain Food” Project

NEWS

5

BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Editor-in-Chief crodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

Jennifer Dorian, Peer Assisted Student Sessions Coordinator and Instructor at the Fresno City College, takes student reporters on a tour of one of the tutoring centers on campus.

She points to a bowl of snacks sitting at one of the tables in the center where students can gather and indulge on what she calls “Brain Food”.

“I came up with the idea for the ‘Brain Food’ project in the fall of 2014,” Dorian says as she walks down the hall pointing out different sections of the PASS center. The food, donated by the community and also funded by student equity funds, is free to students.

Dorian says the community is “gracious enough to share with the students in this way to really, holistically meet students’ needs.”

The holistic approach Dorian refers to is her program’s commitment to comprehend the different issues students face and ultimately resolve them, with solutions that encompass the whole problem.

“Often, we talk about student success but it is other factors of life that get in the way of student success and one of those on this campus is hunger,” Dorian says.

It is for her initiative of start-

ing the “Brain Food” project at the PASS center that Dorian has received much praise.

Dorian is a candidate for the 2016 Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award for the very close work she does with students at the college, mainly due to her “Brain Food” project for students.

“I was very, very honored that FCC has selected me to move forward in this way,” Dorian said. “[It is] a major validation for me, the team [and] the students because this just tells us that the work that is being done here is respected by the campus.”

Dorian was nominated by the Certificated Personnel Committee and voted on by the Academic Senate. Her name has been forwarded to the state level. Awards ceremony is scheduled at the Sacramento Convention Center on April 22.

The simple “Brain Food” project is being recognized throughout the country, including at Texas A&M University where Dorian visited last May. “I was lucky enough,” Dorian says. “[To] share with them there what we are doing here on this campus and how providing food to students increases their engagement and supports their academic success.”

On March 9, Dorian is traveling to Savannah, Georgia where she will present her project at a conference

hosted by Georgia Southern University.

“I am very excited about that because in the fall of 2016, the Journal of Student Success and Writing will be publishing an article that I have written on ‘Brain Food’,” she said.

Similarly, Dorian was selected to receive the 2016 ‘Dorothy Golden Teaching Award’, also for work with the “Brain Food” project.

Dorian’s dedication to FCC students and their success stems from her inclination to aid and encourage those around her.

“I just can remember from a very young age, wanting to help other people become their best selves,” Dorian said. “Education helped me do that for myself, so I knew that this was the way that I could help other people.”

Her numerous award nominations have bolstered the overall moral among student aides, tutors and students who attend the PASS center, Dorian says.

“I could definitely tell you that winning at the state level would really confirm PASS as one of the premiere programs not only at FCC but within the state of California for sure,” Dorian says.

Though she did not teach her regular English class this semester, Dorian says every student who walks into the center feels like her own.

Jennifer Dorian, Peer Assisted Student Sessions Coordinator, is nominated for a statewide award.

Photo/Larry Valenzuela.

She says no matter what happens, she is forever grateful and honored to have received such praise for her work.

“When you put good out in the world, good is what you get in return,” Dorian said. “That is the most important lesson here. When you care authentically, that is what comes back to you.”

6 A&E

3.9.2016

15th Annual Rogue Fest

Performers of the 15th Annual Rogue Festival performed for the Rogue Teaser Show showing two-minute snippets of what is to come, Friday, March 4, 2016. Rogue Festival will is showing until Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Tower Theatre, Fresno. Photos/ Daisy Rodriguez

Blood, Sex and Vulgarity-- the R-Rated Film Formula!

The “Deadpool” live action film adaptation hit theatres on Feb. 12, 2016. Photo courtesy/ archonia.com

BY TRAVIS MCDONALD

Reporter tmcdonald@therampageonline.com

Blood, sex, and vulgarity. The descriptors of a good R-rated film, be it of any genre, are those three items.

An R-rating is not anything new or different, unless that rating is given to a comic book film.

Comic book films have been made for decades, with heroes such as Spider-Man, Batman, and the Avengers taking center-stage. These characters have had a combined 14 films come out since 1989, with another seven films if you count the solo films for members of the Avengers.

With two more movies premiering in May, “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Captain America: Civil War,” there is no sign of slowing down for the comic movie boom.

For a long time, an R-rated comic book movie was few and far between, with movies such as “The Punisher” and “Watchmen” falling under the radar, possibly due to their rating. However, with the release of “Deadpool” in February, it has changed the game.

“Deadpool” is possibly the most inappropriate comic book film in the history of cinema, and according to BoxOfficeMojo.com, has grossed $609 million worldwide, making it the number one grossing film in the X-Men film series. It also holds an 83 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and an audience score of 94 percent.

“Deadpool” is an anomaly in the comic book film genre, much like the actual Deadpool comic books are, in the sense that the movie has had the same, if not more, than a standard issue PG-13 level comic films such as “The Avengers” or “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

Previously, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com, the highest grossing rated-R film based on a comic book was 2007 film “300,” bringing in $456 million, with “Kingsman: The Secret Service” behind that at $128 million.

“Deadpool,” “300” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” were all very good movies, holding scores of 83 percent, 60 percent, and 74 percent, respectively.

Their visual styles were artistic, and the storylines a n d characters were very faithful to the source material.

The reason they were so faithful is due to their R-rating, as their comic book counterparts were gritty and realistic in the case of “300,” violent and witty with “Kingsman,” and “Deadpool” comics were gory, vulgar, and selfaware.

The R-rating allowed for these films to truly flesh out their source material and appeal to the fans of the comics, instead of being watered-down disappointments.

These movies show that it is possible to have an R-rated comic book film and not alienate a vast amount of the audience. In fact, the diversity actually helps the market, and allows for reinvention of series and helps avoid a stifle to creativity.

When the R-rating fits the style and the tone of the character, it should be done with that rating. This direction has already started to take shape, as the planned “Wolverine 3” movie has been announced as having an R-rating, a first for the character after seven film appearances.

With the success of films like “Deadpool,” “300” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” it is now evident that there is a market for R-rated comic book films.

ELECTION 2016 Ballot

Fresno Mayor Candidates

2016

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March 9, 2016 College Local State National

Assembly District 31 Candidates Scheduled for Debate lSEE AD-31 INSIDE

31 Three candidates for the California State Assembly District 31 seat will square off at a debate hosted by the Fresno City College Associated Student Government in the Old Administration Building Auditorium on March 16, 2016.

Photos/Google.com

ASG to Launch Initiative to Entice More Students to Serve

BY EDWARD SMITH

Reporter esmith@therampageonline.com

For Fresno City College students interested in becoming members of the student government body, petitioning begins on March 9, the first step in the process for candidates before the April 26 election.

Students seeking to serve as part of the ASG receive an instructional packet requiring that they receive 150 signatures before being put on the ballot. After students have enough signatures, they must attend the mandatory orientation on April 12, then attend the Candidates Forum on April 19.

Elections will take place April 26-28 via student e-mail.

Currently, Maizie Lee leads the student government as President. Members of the ASG are hoping to recruit enough students for the upcoming student government in the fall semester. “Every position is up for grabs, and no position is safe,� said Matthew Scott, a history and political science major who represents special programs as a senator for the Associated

Presidential Candidate Poll Student Government.

While no experience is required to hold office, students must have at least six units during their tenure and must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, according to the bylaws of the ASG. Available positions include president, legislative and executive vice presidents, president pro-tempore, the student trustee as well as all 22 senators.

The president, according to the bylaws, presides over the senate and has the power of veto over legislative bills.

The bylaws also dictate that the legislative vice president not only stands in the president’s place during an absence, but oversees and monitors all college committees.

l SEE ASG INSIDE

l SEE BACK

ELECTIONS 2016

: ASG

3.9.2016

ASG Hopes to Fill More Positions For Fall 2016

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

All bills for financing must go through the executive vice president as well as fundraising. The EVP must also approve all requests for payments from the ASG. The president pro-tempore chairs all Inter-Club Council meetings.

The student trustee sits at all meetings of the State Center Community College board of trustees and then submits a report back to ASG. Elections Commissioner Danny Yang, a third semester student in business administration, will oversee the entire process from the neutral ground of the Student Union.

The concern the Student Union has about ASG involvement in the elections process comes with how much influence incumbent officers may have that may unfairly sway voters in their favor.

Yang feels like officers may want to push their campaign to bring in votes, but as Elections Commissioner, he says he will “nip it in the bud” by enforcing the bylaws and ensuring candidates are on an even keel.

Doing this, Yang says, will allow him to separate “the wheat from the chaff.”

Yang will examine how interested students are about becoming members of the college’s student government.

Yang will determine who is capable of getting their petitions in, and who is willing to come to orientation and attend the candidates’ forums.

“If you’re not willing to put in the time to do this, you’re not cut out for the position,” Yang said. “We need

someone dedicated to the job.”

ASG often has trouble filling positions, but Scott says that promotion has not always been a priority and visibility has been low in the past.

If all positions are not filled during elections, the ASG must fill the empty seats the next fall. “It makes us inefficient because the first few months are spent recruiting to fill in empty positions,” Scott said.

The bills that can bring the changes that students ask for cannot be written without senators to write them, nor can funding be approved for student activities or club functions.

Out of 22 open senator positions last year, there was a point in the Fall Semester where only one had been filled.

Last year, all five students campaigning for office ran unopposed, and many were elected with a single vote.

But those empty positions have to be filled because only senators can write bills to enact change or approve funding.

“In the past, some people thought it would be easier to come in the fall semester instead of going through the elections process,” Scott said, “then have ASG, which was only five members, vote them in.”

One area where ASG currently lacks representation is in its Technology Committee.

“Because of the bureaucratic process, everything goes through committees,” Scott said. “But because we have such a high turnover rate, those

governing bodies forget to ask for student representation, and those decisions are then made from a faculty perspective.”

Scott pointed out examples such as the slow networks in the library which may not be resolved because the virtual desktops for the faculty often work with greater efficiency than those for students.

Problems with student computers might get overlooked because there is no one to tell them about it.

He said when he first began as a senator, he was surprised by the bureaucratic process and lack of student representation.

“Everything that happens here [FCC] goes through a committee,” Scott said. “Issues like the bond measure; refurbishing the Math and Science Building; all the way to approving events and changing the curriculum, go through committees before any decision is made.”

But these critical decisions are being made without student input because of low student involvement. Yang is working to remedy the situation by being more inclusive and increase awareness for students who might want to run or simply want to get their voices heard.

Yang will be working with the Public Information Office to send informative emails to all students about not only upcoming elections, but also descriptions of the positions.

Yang said, “If we do the advertising as big as possible, it will give students the initiative to be curious about ASG.”

President

Legislative Vice President Executive Vice President President Pro-Tempore

Student Trustee

Senators

2016 Ballot Initiatives

Public Vote on Bonds Initiative: “Requires voter approval for projects that cost more than $2 billion funded by revenue bonds.”

Medi-Cal Hospital Reimbursement Initiative: “Requires voter approval of changes to the hospital fee program.”

Public Education Facilities Bond Initiative:

Condoms in Pornographic Films Initiative:

Authorizes issuance and sale of $9 billion in bonds for educatin in schools.”

Requires the use of condoms in all pornographic films featuring sexual intercourse produced in California.”

Plastic Bag Ban Referendum: “Ratifies SB 270, thus prohibiting plastic single-use carryout bags.”

Multilingual Education Act: “Repeals Prop 227 of 1998, thus allowing for bilingual education in public schools.”

Proposition 50:

Drug Price Relief Initiative:

“Requires a two-thirds majority to suspend a legislator and defines the removal of rights, privileges and powers of a suspended legislator.”

Prohibits state agencies from paying more for a prescription drug than the lowest price paid for the same drug by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.”

3.9.2016

Mayor:

ELECTIONS 2016

Perea and Brand propose plans

Left to Right: Lee Brand, Fresno City Councilman, Henry Perea, Fresno County Supervisor and H Spees, community activist. Spees was not available at the time of request for information on the City of Fresno mayoral race.

Q. A.

Brand

Perea What are some of the most pressing issues facing Fresno today and how would address them as mayor?

There are a lot of issues in Fresno. I think the good news is there are a lot of things that are happening in Fresno. When I say good things I am talking about the people, we have great diversity in our city, and I think we have a lot of good things happening like we are in the downtown area now. We have a baseball stadium, this beautiful area we are sitting at.

JOBS There are really good things happening, but the things we need to work on… number one is jobs. We have to have more jobs in this community so that when young kids are going to college and graduating, there are jobs here in Fresno that pay well, so if they want to stay they can.

PUBLIC SAFETY Public safety is a big issue too. Crime has gone up for a variety of reasons but probably more so because there are more people being released out of state prisons and coming into our communities. So, we have to make sure we always have enough police officers to keep people safe, families safe, and their neighborhoods.

DROUGHT In this mayor’s campaign there is going to be a big issue because even though we are having a lot of rain right now, we have been in a drought. Our problem is when it rains like it did this year, we can’t store the water, and we lose the water to the ocean because we can’t store it. We are going to be building a dam in Fresno County probably in the next 5-10 years. I believe the city should be a part of making sure that dam is built.

QUALITY OF LIFE If you wrap it all together, I think the next mayor’s race is about quality of life. It’s about how we keep our city safe, how we keep it clean, how we bring more jobs so that people can work, and how we work together not just the city by itself as a government, but the city with the people, making sure that we are a healthy city, a clean city, and we are all always moving forward.

I think we are going to need a mayor who not just talks about getting things done, but actually does get things done. I think that is what separates me from the people I am running against.

Q. A.

What are some of the most pressing issues facing Fresno today and how would address them as mayor?

We are still recovering from the great recession, and we came very close to bankruptcy. Now we are in the process of restoring the city and public safety is a huge issue; vagrancy and homelessness are really hitting all areas of the city and related property crimes, breaking into cars, houses.

We probably need to hire a lot of police but we have been having a difficult time because nobody wants to be a cop anymore due to a variety of reasons including national politics and so on. So, one of the big issues is crime.

Crime Of course jobs and the economy and where we are, people need them. You can’t ever hire enough cops if you have a steady stream of young people that are joining gangs, getting involved in criminal activity. If you address the underlying issue and the underlying issue is poverty and find ways to create jobs, to work with schools, to keep kids in school to educate people.

Poverty We have 26 percent poverty rate. There are some programs out there like the Fresno Bridge Academy that takes people voluntarily who are on public assistance and we tell them… ‘We are going to teach you job skills, give you an education.’ This program is an 80 percent success rate. I can create all the jobs in the world, but if I don’t have people qualified to do the jobs, we’re going nowhere.

Jobs On the supply and demand side, you create jobs, educate and train the workforce; career technical education is really important. Everyone is not going to go on and become a Biologist at University of California Berkeley; there might be some pipe layers; there might be some machinists, manufacturing or medical.

Community hospital has a major expansion adding 1,000 jobs; we need people trained. Addressing that underlying issue will solve the other one because if people have jobs, they have hope; they can buy cars; they can rent apartments; they can buy homes, and they are less likely to break into someone’s home or car.

ELECTIONS 2016

Who do you want as President?

3.9.2016

Who do you NOT want as President?

Donald Trump : 82

Bernie Sanders : 73

Source: Rampage Online Poll. Numbers reported as percentages

AD-31: Clint Olivier

Olivier, Arambula and Miller Take Questions Before March 16 Debate

Q: A:

What are some of the most pressing issues facing District 31 today, and how would you address them as an assemblyman?

The biggest issue facing our city today and our outlying areas as well, is the fact that we have such high unemployment. Unemployment in the 31st district is twice the state average right now, and the reason for that is water. We need to bring more water to the 31st district. More water to the valley, and not because more farm workers need to make money. Those two things are true as well, but the agriculture district in this industry is a $7 billion a year industry. But that has a multiply effect, so we’re talking about the pesticide people and the fertilizer people and the tractor parts people and the tractor sales people and hotels and restaurants where people come into our community to do business with our agricultural sector.

Q: A:

Fresno remains within the top 10 least educated cities in California, how can you contribute to improving this statistic?

I want to sit down with groups, people from the Fresno Unified School District, people from the community, the State Center Community College District, students, teachers, our friends from teachers’ union and kind of figure out what’s going on in our community. So much of it is that kids aren’t prepared to learn when they arrive at school, so I think there’s an opening there to do something. Just throwing money at problems is not fixing them. We have to find a more creative solution.

Tad Miller

Q: A:

What are some of the most pressing issues facing District 31 today and how would you address them as an assemblyman?

There are three things that are important to the people of the 31st Assembly District; the first issue is water; the second issue is water, and the third issue is water. I can’t make it rain; only God blesses us with rain--which I hope we’re going to get this weekend and more of of course. What I can do is work. I can focus on building the Temperance Flat Dam. I can focus on groundwater recharge issues. I can focus on being a cheerleader for effort that are going to bring more water for our agricultural industry in the 31st Assembly District and indeed the entire central valley.

Q: A:

Fresno remains within the top 10 least educated cities in California, how can you contribute to improving this statistic?

One thing that would be important is to focus on dealing with the language issues for non-native speakers. There are distance learning schools, charter schools, and I’m concerned about them; they are run by a for-profit corporation down in Lancaster. I’m concerned about the level of education the students that go that route are getting.

The No Child Left Behind legacy that we have, everyone has to pass calculus and take calculus in the ninth to 11th grade. Every eight grader has to be in Algebra. I don’t think that’s practical. The concept… that’s an attractive concept, but it’s completely unworkable. People have talked about offering different tracks, and I think that’s something we need to

look at. Where we have opportunities for people to get more trade related skills that are valuable trade skills, as opposed to trying to turn everyone into a nuclear physicist. Instead of No Child Left Behind, I think we need to focus on a more appropriate education for everyone.

Joaquin Arambula

Q: A:

What are some of the most pressing issues facing District 31 today and how would you address them as an assemblyman?

First has to be water. Water is the essential life blood in our community. I believe that when we don’t have water, we don’t have jobs. Short term, I would release every bit of water we have behind the dam, because we have higher than expected snow packs. Medium term, I would pass a law saying it’s a beneficial use to do design ground water research.

Long term, is more storage.

Q: A:

Fresno remains within the top 10 least educated cities in California, how can you contribute to improving this statistic?

What I can do is help with Head Start.

I believe early childhood education is the most effective mechanism we have to deal with our goals within education, specifically with our English language learners who struggle to keep up. Early education has shown to really help them adjust and to deal with education. I would support universal pre-K. Each and every kid needs to have those same opportunities.

A&E 7

3.9.2016

ArtHop Showcases Arts of All Kinds

ArtHop attendees walk in front of Warnors Theatre(left). ArtHop attendees look at one of Marij Bouwmans’ pieces at Studio 1821 in downtown Fresno on Thursday, March 3, 2016 (right). ArtHop happens on the first and third Thursday of the month and has venues in the Tower District, Downtown Fresno and Clovis. Photos/ Ram Reyes

BY BINEET KAUR

Reporter bkaur@therampageonline.com

Various locations -- museums, galleries and studios in Downtown Fresno and Tower District -- hosted the March 3 ArtHop, featuring paintings by artist Dustin Scharnick.

Scharnick has been an artist since 2000 and taught drawing at Fresno City College for three years. He started pursuing art full time about a year ago. He describes his work as personal and memory based with emotional derivatives.

“[ArtHop is] good for Downtown [Fresno],” said Scharnick. “It gets people down here. It’s grown a lot in the past four, five years. The engagement is sort of good.”

Artist Daniel VanGerpen said he loves “inter-

acting with people” during ArtHop, VanGerpen has been an artist his whole life. His mom is also an artist. He enjoys working with painting, photography, and mixed media. He collects rocks and sticks when hiking.

Featured artist Robert Weibel uses a variety of mediums for his art pieces. One of his pieces on display was made by igniting gunpowder onto paper.

He used fumage, or candle soot for another piece.

Weibel can be found on FaceBook and YouTube under Robert Weibel and at robertwiebel.com.

Attendee Daniel Schwartz said he attends ArtHop regularly and enjoys coming back because “the exhibits change. [It’s a] cool social environment

and kind of a party environment.”

One display that Schwartz liked in particular was Chris Sorensen’s Art Scientifique. This display uses art to showcase aspects of science.

Betty Torres, a first time ArtHop goer, said, “We wanted to see the different art from different places.”

ArtHop occurs on the first and third Thursday of every month. The events take place at various venues in Downtown Fresno and Tower District from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Many artists place their art pieces on display and attendees also get to enjoy live music. All individuals are welcome to attend the free event.

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8

OPINION

3.9.2016 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Let’s Keep Azari -- a Proven Leader

BY RAMPAGE EDITORIAL BOARD editorial@therampageonline.com

For the better part of 2015, Fresno City College was granted a leader when it was not clear what would become of California’s premier community college. President Tony cantu had just suddenly died, and we seemed adrift.

Nearly one year later, the transformation is evident. Our college had what it most needs --stability. The stability resulted from great leadership, and that leader is Cynthia Azari, interim president of Fresno City College.

As the first anniversary of the shocking news of Cantu’s death looms, the board of trustees will select the next president from the three finalists.

In a forum held in the Old Administration Building on March 7, the three -- Azari, Jeremy Brown and Craig Follins -- made their case for why they should be named the president of this great college. Both Brown and Follins impressed with their resumes and grasp of the issues facing the college.

But Azari spoke from a place of experience. She has walked the walk and talked the talk. She knows the college well and understands its complexities thoroughly. She is clearly the most qualified to lead us at this time.

With approximately 24,000 diverse students to educate,

infrastructure that could use a face lift, perennial parking fiasco, in addition to the day-to-day operations of one of the largest community college campuses in California, FCC is not an easy college to lead. But Azari has shown, now for the second time, that she is uniquely qualified to be president and leader of this college.

In January 2009, Azari became the first female president of the college.

In those years, most of the campus realized Azari’s effect and recognized her genuine efforts to listen and validate the numerous voices on this campus.

Azari has been a friend of the Rampage because she is committed to the success of all students. Her accessibility and warmth are important qualities in a leader who is invested in creating a fair learning environment.

Azari was president during the year-long celebration of the college’s centennial. She was also president at the start of the budget crunch that squeezed FCC as it did other colleges throughout the state. She has led the college in abundant times as well as lean times and remained constant through it all. She has certainly

earned the right to continue.

Who is better to lead the college than a woman who knows the campus and who is loved by many?

In our coverage of Azari, we have learned many things.

Born to migrant farm workers in Texas, Azari has experienced what many in the Central Valley live everyday.

A good percentage of students who attend FCC come from similar backgrounds and can look to her as a model that their lives can be shaped after. But even the students whose experiences are different can recognize her resilience and what she represents and be inspired.

Like many in the valley, Azari knows the life of migrant workers and migrant families. She picked grapes and cotton with her parents and siblings, hoping that one day, she would break her family’s cycle of poverty.

Despite the hardships, Azari was determined to succeed. In all the years she has led FCC, Azari has stayed true to those values.

The Rampage Editorial Board recommends that Azari remain in her position.

We want to keep her.

This college deserves to continue under her leadership.

Campus Voices

How will you cope with losing an hour of sleep?

Interviews/Michael Ford

Bobby Brown/ Art Major I am going to have some very, very strange dreams off of this, because if I go ahead and get an hour less of sleep, I would be more tired so I could have some naughty dreams about how I go off and run around naked or dance in a thong.

David Chavez, managing editor, did not participate in the production of this editorial.

Hackers and Hacktivism

BY TREVOR GRAHAM

Reporter tgraham@therampageonline.com

FBI, CIA, Sony, Mastercard, Bethesda, and many more have been the targets of sophisticated hackers who took over their servers for, as they said, “just for the lulz”. Hackers have become much more well known in this day and age because of the surge in technology around the globe. However, with the power of the computers nowadays you can do a lot more than just hack a random company just because you can.

Political battles happen all over the internet some without the general public even knowing that these battles are evening happening. These hackers that infiltrated government servers however are known more as a hacktivist. A hacktivist is anyone who uses the skill of hacking for political reasons obviously but the mainstream media like Fox and CNN simply refer to them as hackers.

Which isn’t wrong because yes they are hackers, but can give the wrong idea of these people to the general public. The usual thought of a hacker is some guy living in the basement of his parent’s place chugging Mountain Dew and eating Hot Pockets all day.

However, hacktivist can be anyone in the world. Could be the guy at the gas station, your

computer professor, a journalist or any other person you can think of, could be a hacktivist.

A regular hacker though is usually separated into three categories of how and why they hack. They are either a black hat, white hat, or a grey hat.

A black hat hacker is the bad guy. They are the ones hacking Sony and stealing people’s information or hacking the CIA’s website and bringing it down because they can. These are the people that security teams are always fighting and having problems with because they are constantly challenging their new security updates.

A white hat hacker is someone who get’s paid to hack a company’s security program and then fix those problems.

Norton and McAfee are security programs who hire white hat hackers to secure their security programs as well as the FBI and CIA as well.

Grey hat hackers are people who hack into a

company without their knowledge and then show the company the loophole in their security. They will usually offer to fix the problem, for a price of course. Grey hackers feel there is a moral obligation to go around hacking random companies’ websites to help ensure the security for people using the Internet.

So what makes this so important to know the difference of different hackers? Their overall goal for hacking. Anonymous, one of the most well known hacker groups is constantly involving themselves in political situations that they are opposed to. When Egypt had their conflicts going on with the government, the government shut down their use of the internet. Restricting it so the groups of protesters couldn’t communicate with each other to better organize.

Hackers in the US and other parts of the country felt this was completely immoral so they went under the Anonymous name and helped send tweets out to the activist to help organize rallies and to inform the citizens of the plans the Egyptian government would try to do to neutralize the protesters.

Hacktivist have become essential in this new world and to damage their character as a bunch of teenagers with nothing better to do with their time can essentially hurt the causes they are trying to do and could also hurt our internet freedoms.

Illustration/Tony Nguyen

Mathew Duarte/ Art Major It doesn’t affect me. Before, my dog had epilepsy and so when she would have seizures in the middle of the night, back-toback, I would go the rest of that same day with an hour of sleep, and I would be 100 percent functional.

Elizabeth Montejano/ Liberal Studies Probably go to sleep earlier.

Limit my activities at night. If I work out, it keeps me up longer.

I guess, just be less active an hour before.

Larry Welch/ Criminology To be honest,actually, I try and stay up as long as possible to try and reset my whole sleeping schedule, so by the time I wake up and go through the normal day, I’ll be able to go to sleep early and catch up on my sleep.

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 3.9.2016

OPINION

TV Sets Low Dating Standards

BY AEDEN JUVET

Reporter ajuvet@therampageonline.com

There most likely isn’t a single person who hasn’t heard of the ABC reality series “The Bachelor,” but at what point does the series go from entertainment to a negative influence on society’s expectations for relationships?

I’ll admit it; I’ve often scoffed at the concept of the series in the past, but have been known to occasionally tune in to the ridiculous scenarios these participants subject themselves to. On a recent episode, current “Bachelor” Ben Higgins brings a young woman home to meet his family, and although she believed things played out positively, Ben and his family couldn’t quite agree.

Moments after meeting the family, Ben tells her, “Can I see you as my wife?” No additional explanation, just a cut and dry declaration that could be considered a harsh assessment. Tears ensue, and the devastated contestant exits promptly with a label of someone who isn’t marriage material, which is exactly my problem with reality series that implement the same formula.

Instead of the other girls or view-

ers having compassion for another’s embarrassment, they sympathize with the man who just broke up with one of a dozen women.

Creating a dynamic where several men or women enter a romantic version of “The Hunger Games” perpetuates that in order to win someone’s heart, you must be willing to compete with anyone deemed an adversary in dating.

For the male making the decision, it’s no concern because he still has multiple women around to vie for his attention. The eliminated female, on the other hand, will be left feeling publicly humiliated.

Unfortunately, even the series “The Bachelorette” has taken a stab at pitting two women against each other to earn the titular role. Men received the chance to vote one of them as the bachelorette, and one of the previously rejected women are once again sent packing, adding to the residing perception that women are often required to be competitive in these gender conflicts.

With media constantly bombarding us with expectations of appearance or personality, the added pressure of being a trophy partner takes away from

the necessary struggles of relationships. You don’t often witness people exploring legitimate emotional needs on reality television, treating the process like they need to agree with anything and everything to further their shot at this supposed prize of someone’s attention.

The importance of stimulating conversations is crucial to learning about someone, but in “the Bachelor”, subjects like life experience, hopes, beliefs, or anything of substance is never deemed important enough to explore.

To make matters more complicated, romance is equated with these extravagant dates of farfetched luxury. The more elaborate the date, the more likely they are to fall in love. Of course, it’s plausible to want to experience a once in a lifetime date, but they choose not to show the ups and downs of a daily routine and place a higher value on materialistic attainment.

Reality television isn’t always known for accurately capturing real-life, but when these competitive romance series begin to play with people’s emotions and add to negative relationship stigmas, the damage can certainly outweigh the weekly dose of so called entertainment.

Indigenous People VS. Columbus

BY CHRISTOPHER DEL CASTILLO Reporter cdelcastillo@therampageonline.com

There’s something strange about America’s past.

According to Hunter S. Thompson, a Gonzo journalist, “History is hard to know because of all the hired bull****, but even without being sure of history, it seems entirely reasonable to think that every now and then, the energy of a whole generation comes to a head in a long fine flash. For reasons that nobody really understands at the time -- and which is never explain, in retrospect, what actually happened.”

What most Americans don’t know about this country’s past is that we all don’t share the same history. From what I was taught in school, 1492 was the year Christopher Columbus discovered America. When Columbus landed in the “New World” it might’ve been new to him, but not to everyone.

We all know the claim that America was discovered in 1492 to be untrue; there were people here. Long before Columbus’ landing, there were already thousands of indigenous nations in the land of America.

What most historians for the past four centuries left-out was that the entire American continent had nearly 90 to 100 million Native Americans who called this so-called “new world” home, long before Columbus arrived.

From the sub-arctic regions of northern Canada to the great-plains of the Midwest, and even the southern tips of South America, indigenous Americans have been the most diverse people on earth.

One thing that most historians will not tell you is that Norse Vikings Leif Eriksson did exactly what Columbus did, only he did it first. Nearly 500 years before the birth of Christopher Columbus, a band of European sailors left Scandinavia on their long ships in search of a new world or what is now Labrador and Newfoundland in Canada.

The craziest thing about American history is that it’s set up like a fairy tale. Most Americans believe that the forefathers of the Constitution created the Articles of Confederation. Sorry America, that’s a lie within itself.

In truth, it was Iroquois Confederacy or the Haudenosaunee who already

had a constitution which they called the “Great Law of Peace,” long before the Europeans arrived. The Iroquois with many other indigenous nations’ concepts of law and democracy had a profound influence on the America’s founding fathers.

It’s actually funny how many Americans still think the Athenians Greeks invented democracy. “Yes” they coined the term but did not perfect it. It was the Native Americans who did, and they have the second oldest continuously existing living democracy.

For thousands of years, Native Americans have developed into diverse populations in the world with many different languages. They built cities like the temples in ancient Mexico and popularized the cultivation of corn, squash, and beans which is called the “Three Sisters”.

Many people in America have great interest in Native American culture. I am an Apache-Mexican American with some European ancestry as well. The word Apache means “enemy” to the Zuni and Hopi. And it also means “f ighting men or men who fight” to the Comanche in the Southwest.

For over a decade, I’ve been studying about Native Americans culture and it has shaped my life both educationally and spiritually. My nonNative Americans friends and family always ask me the weirdest questions.

“Why were the Apache so war-like?”or “I think I have a Native American grandmother” or “Which Gods or spirits do you pray to?”

I do my best to answer these questions. “Yes the Apache are great warriors” and always, “yes we wish for the old days,” and “yes I still pray to the spirits like most religious people, but it’s different.”

So when some hateful person talks about immigration, think of the millions Native Americans who called America their home first. We have always been here, and the Apaches will never stop being here or being who we are.

Sorry American historians, but Columbus didn’t discover America.

America was here before Columbus, and Native Americans have always called America home.

Illustration/Bobby Brown

9

Appropriation Is Cultural Appreciation

BY BINEET KAUR

Reporter bkaur@therampageonline.com

About two years ago, I was in a living room with two of my friends and we were all applying henna, or mehndi, a paste made from a plant that, when applied to skin, leaves an orange - red stain, on each other.

Mehndi is often used to leave a temporary design on skin, typically one’s hands. The practice originated from south Asian countries where it is popular.

My friends were appropriating my Indian culture, and we were all having fun doing it.

Cultural appropriation is the act of a member of one culture adopting aspects of another culture.

Often, the term is used negatively.

People have claimed that appropriation should be avoided because culture belongs to its members only.

But I disagree because I do it all the time. The clothes I wear, the music I listen to, and the food I eat are not from a singular culture. They come from many different places.

I wear Western clothes as well as Indian ones. I love Arabic music. I think Mexican food is delicious. Why would I limit myself to one culture when I don’t have to?

Also, isn’t it a kind of compliment? Someone thinks my culture is so cool that they want to copy it?

Thank you.

A popular argument against cultural appropriation is that people will be quick to adopt the cool parts of a culture and show no respect to its originators. In other words, they like the culture but not the people.

For example, they might be prejudiced against Indians, but like wearing bindis. I’m sure such people exist, and I think they are horrible.

But there are many people who are accepting of people of all ethnicities and want to share culture with them.

They’re not the bad ones. So, let’s try to avoid blanket statements.

Anger over cultural appropriation stems from a feeling of ownership over a culture. But honestly, no one owns culture. The premise of culture is that it is shared by many people - that’s what makes it a culture. If it was just one person, it would be individualism.

I also feel that the cultural appropriation controversy has made people a little fearful. It’s hard to know what is acceptable and what is not. Personally, I think intent is crucial. If someone doesn’t mean to be disrespectful, they should not be attacked. But if someone is trying to make a mockery of culture, he or she is not doing the right thing.

Appropriate culture, but be respectful. I also feel that those who borrow from another culture should be a little educated on it. Additionally, those who appropriate culture should be ready to explain themselves when faced with opposition.

Happy appropriating.

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SPORTS

3.9.2016 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Men’s Golf Places Third in Home Conference Play

BY MICHAEL MENDEZ

Reporter mmendez@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College men’s golf team finished third with a combined team score of 398, behind Reedley and Modesto in its first conference meeting on their own golf course at Fig Garden Country Club on March 2.

Before the first day of the meeting, the Rams went into the meeting confident. They had just won their annual alumni match as well as finish in the top five of in the Stanford Invitational at Stanford University. As this is the Rams’ home course, they did have the advantage of knowing the layout of each hole and best avenues of getting the best score.

On the first day of the meeting, the Rams played well, getting the swings that they wanted, placing balls in the middle of the fairway and finishing holes in one or two strokes once on the green. Second year player, Conner Chuhlantseff, had the best individual score of anyone on the roster, scoring 76. His score was good enough to earn the fifth top score of the two day event.

“I did pretty well during this meeting; playing off the tee was the best part of my game,” Chuhlantseff said.

“Being able to place each ball in the center of the green.”

On the second day, the Rams started to show signs of slowing down and struggled in their game. They were unable to get some of the golf swings to go the way they wanted and had a hard time finishing holes. Not being able to finish holes in a quicker pace allowed like Reedley and Modesto to shorten the gap and eventually take the lead.

“During this match, I try to have an empty mind clearing through the process, picture what I am going to do and try to execute to the best of my ability,” Gilbert Rodriguez, a Rams golfer, said.

Although the result is not what the Rams would prefer, head coach Jennie Paniccia-Klein still had high praises for her team and how they played.

She said she still has confidence in the team moving forward as they have more matches to improve their game.

“I will build our team to see where we are; I am confident as we have 14 players on our active roster and only six can play in matches,” said Paniccia-Klein. “So the competitive drive for each player is pretty high for them to do well.”

The Rams next golf match is a Central Valley Conference meeting in the Lemoore Country Club on March 9.

FCC sophomore golfer Conner Chuhlantseff (Top) prepares for conference tournament in Fig Garden Country Club on Wednesday March 2. Photo courtesy/ Jenine Paniccia-Klein FCC golfers (Left) walking on the course at the conference tournament in Fig Garden Country Club on March 2. Photo/Jenine Paniccia-Klein

Fresno City College Men’s and Women’s Basketball both made it to the CCCAA State Championships Photo/Ram Reyes

SPORTS

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 3.9.2016

11

Women’s Basketball Reaches Final 4

BY DAVID CHAVEZ

Managing Editor dchavez@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College Women’s basketball team earned their ticket into the California Community College Athletic Association state championship game by defeating Sierra College 71-62 on March 5.

The game got off to a slow start scoring-wise because of the intensity and maybe a case of nerves for both teams. Sierra was able to gain a quick 5-3 lead, causing FCC head coach Brian Tessler to call a timeout with 5:04 left in the first quarter.

After the timeout, the team increased its defensive pressure, resulting in turnovers by Sierra and leading to points for the Rams. Sophomore guard Jasmine Black came off the bench and scored 7 points in the first to help the Rams take a 14-7 lead to finish the quarter.

“I think it just kind of gives them[teammates] that positive attitude,” Black said. “Seeing somebody come off the bench and produce, I feel like they feel like they can do the same thing.”

Sierra was able to pull within 4 halfway through the second quarter, but that was the closest they would get to the Rams the entire game. After starting the game in a 2-3 zone defense to start the game, Sierra switched to man-to-man in an attempt to slow the Rams down. Sierra head coach Brandie Murrish said defense in the second quarter was the biggest difference of the game.

“In the first half, they [Rams] were hitting great shots and we [Sierra] were definitely not doing a good job of containing them,” Murrish said.

At halftime, the Rams were ahead 49-26. Sophomore guard Madison Barnes and Jasmine Black led the Rams at the half with 12 points apiece.

On the other side, freshman guard provided three 3-pointers to lead the way for Sierra with 9 points.

The Rams’ defense got off to shaky start to begin the third quarter, allow-

ing a 10-point run by Sierra to make it 49-36, causing a timeout to be called

by FCC. “I kind of got upset but I knew I couldn’t get upset because that brings frustration,” Black said. Everyone starts to see the negativity so I felt that we needed to get people in there to get it going back up and go from there.”

The run was stopped when sophomore guard Toni Edwards was able to knock down a shot. After that, the Rams were able to seize control of the game again and at the end of the third, FCC led 55-41.

“I thought we came back, regrouped and played a good fourth quarter. We knew Sierra was going to make a run, therefore we knew we had to respond with a mini run of our own,” Tessler said.

With 2:41 left in the fourth and the score and with the FCC leading 67-49, Sierra began fouling in an an attempt to slow down the game and try to cut into the lead. They would pull within 9 points and that is how the rest of the game would go. The final buzzer sounded with a score of 71-62.

We played like a team, and we came

out, and we wanted it more,” Black, who finished with a game-high 17 points, said. “Even though we made some mistakes, we pulled together as a team and we just came out and gave it to them [Sierra].

“This will mark the sixth time in nine years the Rams have made it to the state tournament,” Murrish said.

“We’re really happy for Fresno, and we wish them the best of luck.”

The Rams will travel to Las Positas College in Livermore, California on March 11 to take on Mt. San Antonio.

Tipoff for the game is at 7 p.m.

Head Coach Brian Tessler coaching the Women’s basketball team during their game against Sierra College on Saturday, March 3, 2016. The Rams won against Sierra College 71-62. Photo/ Ram Reyes

Men’s Team Advance to State Championships

BY DAVID CHAVEZ

Managing Editor dchavez@therampageonline.com

BJ Shelton scored 27 points and Fresno City College Rams beat the Contra Costa College Comets 100-89 on March 5 to clinch a spot in the State Championships.

The Rams will travel to Las Positas College on March 12 and will play against Saddleback College.

The game against Contra Costa was tight for a while in the first half until the defensive pressure and constant full team substitutions by the Rams began to wear down Contra Costa. The Comets tried to slow down the game halfway through the first half and were able to bring the margin to two with a score of 1917.

“We’ve got a lot of sophomores; we’ve got a lot of guys who are invested in the program.

We have a lot of pride and our brotherhood is strong,” Rams head coach Ed Madec said.

“There was never a doubt we weren’t going to win the game.”

Along with Shelton’s 27 points, sophomore forward Jaffrey Stillman recorded a dou-

“We’ve got to stay focused all week and clean some things up; It’s going to be a war” -BJ Shelton, Nick Hilton attempting a shot against Contra Costa College on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Photo/ Ram Reyes

ble-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Aaron Cameron also provided solid leadership throughout the game with his aggressive play and nonstop hustle.

“We brought a lot more energy. We knew what we were going to get,” Cameron said.

“Overall, we had a pretty good game, focus-wise.”

At the half, the Rams led 63-44. Karjuan Brown was the biggest contributor for the Comets scoring 25 points to lead Contra Costa in the first half alone.

“You’ve got to give credit to the other team; they’re in the regional final for a reason,” Madec said. “They made a great run at us.”

The Comets went on a 10-0 run to begin the second half and make the score a more manageable 63-54.

“Effort was the big difference of the game,” Shelton said. “Even though we had some mistakes--turnovers, missed rebounds--going into the second half, we had effort for a full 40 minutes.”

The Rams were able to outlast Contra Costa’s effort and win the game 100-89.

“We work harder than anybody in the country. We have a brotherhood that I couldn’t explain to you,” Madec said. “it’s a whole other level. It’s just bigger than basketball to us.”

Saddleback College will enter the matchup against FCC with an overall record of 30-1 and going undefeated in their respective conference.

“We’ve got to stay focused all week and clean some things up,” Shelton said. “It’s going to be a war.”

12 SPORTS

3.9.2016

ON TO THE FINAL FOUR!!

Rams Head Coah Ed Madec coaching the men’s basketball team during their game against Contra Costa College on Saturday, March 5, 2016. The Rams won 100-89 and are moving forward to the state’s final four. Photo/ Ram Reyes

Toni Edwards celebrating her team’s win against Sierra College, 71-62, on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Photo/ Ram Reyes

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