Richland Chronicle October 1st, 2019

CHRONICLE Richland Richland

Vol. Vol.XLVI XLVIIssue Issue77October October1,1,2019 2019

Learning Latin Uncovering American roots Pg. 7 local history Pg. 7

• Impeachment inquiry underway:

Pg. 2

• Climate strike storms Ft. Worth:

Pg. 3

• Guyger goes to trial for murder:

Pg. 4 Special section on Pg. 9 pages 5-8

• ‘Industry Giants’ come to Dallas: RichlandStudentMedia.com

Richland Student Media

@RLCStudentMedia

Richland Student Media

2 NATIONAL

October 1, 2019

Photo The Associated Press

Activists rally for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington D.C, Sept. 26.

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Whistleblower implicates Trump

White House officials took extraordinary steps to “lock down” information about President Donald Trump’s summertime phone call with the president of Ukraine, even moving the transcript to a top secret computer system, a whistleblower alleges in a politically explosive complaint that accuses the administration of a wide-ranging cover-up.

The whistleblower, in a 9-page document released Sept. 26, provides substantial new details about the circumstances of the phone call in which Trump repeatedly spoke of how much the U.S. had aided Ukraine and encouraged new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to help investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son.

Accusations of efforts to pressure the leader of a foreign nation to dig for dirt on a potential 2020 Trump rival are now at the heart of a House impeachment inquiry against the president. The whistleblower’s official complaint alleges a concerted White House effort to suppress the transcript of the call, and describes a shadow campaign of foreign policy efforts by the president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani that unnerved some senior administration officials who felt he was circumventing normal channels.

The previously secret document, with its detail and clear narrative, is likely to accelerate the impeachment process and put more pressure on Trump to rebut its core contentions and on his fellow Republicans to defend him or not. It also provides a road map for Democrats to seek corroborating witnesses and evidence, which will complicate the president’s efforts to characterize the findings as those of a lone partisan out to undermine him.

In response, Trump threatened “the person” who he said gave information to the whistleblower as he spoke at a private event in New York with staff from the U.S. mission to the United Nations.

“Who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information? Because that’s close to a spy,” Trump said in audio posted by The Los Angeles Times. “You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart?

Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now.”

On his Twitter account, Trump insisted the entire controversy is political: “The Democrats

are trying to destroy the Republican Party and all that it stands for. Stick together, play their game and fight hard Republicans. Our country is at stake.” His tweet was in all capital letters.

Under pressure from House Democrats, the White House a day earlier released a rough transcript of the phone call between Trump and the Ukrainian president. In it, Trump prodded Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential 2020 election foe, and Biden’s son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

But the complaint released Sept. 26 offered a broader picture of what was happening in the White House and the administration at the time. In the aftermath of the call, according to the whistleblower, White House lawyers were concerned “they had witnessed the president abuse his office for personal gain,” the complaint says.

Maguire said he was unfamiliar with any other whistleblower complaint in American history that “touched on such complicated and sensitive issues.” He praised the whistleblower as having acted honorably, said he recognized the complaint as immediately sensitive and important and insisted the White House did not direct him to withhold it from Congress.

In the complaint, the anonymous whistleblower acknowledged not being present for Trump’s Ukraine call, but said multiple White House officials shared consistent details about it.

Adding another layer of intrigue, those officials told the whistleblower that “this was ‘not the first time’ under this administration that a presidential transcript was placed into this codeword-level system solely for the purpose of protecting politically sensitive – rather than national security sensitive – information,” the complaint said.

In this case, the complaint said, the officials told the whistleblower they were “directed”

by White House lawyers to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization and distribution to Cabinet-level officials.

“This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call,” the official complaint said.

- The Associated Press

October 1, 2019

LOCAL/STATE 3

Protesters take on climate change André Duncan

Social Media Editor “Hey, ho, climate change has got to go.”

The thunderous chant blasted through the echo chamber that is downtown Fort Worth promptly at 9 a.m. on Sept. 20. Ingrid Archibald, a graduate of Washington University’s Environmental Studies Program led the demonstration, capping her five-year plan as a field organizer with Audubon Texas.

The Audubon Society, known for protecting birds and bird habitats, is leading the fight in Texas to change the way we use fossil fuels and pressure lawmakers into funding climate friendly resources. Archibald said via a Twitter that, “I know ultimatums aren’t very productive, but I don’t know what else to say: Either you actively support survival on our planet or you don’t.”

As the crowd shifted its deafening chants to “system change not climate change,” information tables were set up to answer questions from those passing by, public servants and journalists.

“I’m asking people to sign the petition, to be on the list, to be kept involved in the campaign about renewable and clean energy and letting our legislators know how important this is to us,” said Jennifer Girard.

“I’m a volunteer, but my niece (Archibald) is here on behalf of Audubon Society running this campaign and they’re going to be talking to Texas legislators and getting a group of folks together here in Texas.”

September 20-27 marked the Global Climate Strike. Four million people all over

the world joined the youth-led action calling for climate action and an end of the fossil-fuel era. Activists from the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area joined in the fight.

The day before this demonstration at city hall, the greater Houston area was hit by Tropical Storm Imelda, dropping more than 40 inches of rain on some parts of the area, according to The Associated Press (AP). Girard remembered the results of Hurricane Harvey from 2017 and elaborated on her reasoning for being climate-conscious activist.

“For me personally, this was a very good coincidence, but I became very involved when we [the U.S.] started doing things like pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, when we started dismantling the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), as well as the escalation of our global temperature. I’m also an animal advocate, so I keep an eye on how the animals are doing,” Girard said.

Teenage climate activist from Sweden, Greta Thunberg, spoke Sept. 20 at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. She faced members of the United Nations and scolded world leaders.

“This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here,” Thunberg said. “I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you have come to us young people for hope.

How dare you. You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”

She added: “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and yet all you can talk about is money. You are failing us.”

Girard was motivated by the courage of Thunberg and, when it comes to

Fort Worth resident Jim Roaten holds climate change protest signs.

the personal responsibility of citizens, she takes what she calls the Thunberg approach.

“I’ve been so impressed with Greta Thunberg going out talking to people and when people ask her ‘What can I do, what’s the one thing I can do?’ She (Thunberg) says

Staff Photo André Duncan

‘Understand the science, just understand the science of what is happening with climate change’ and I think that’s just a brilliant answer, because it’s not just one thing. It really takes an educated look at science,” Girard said.

Imelda drenches the southeastern Texas region Staff Writer

As hurricane season got underway in the Atlantic, many along the Texas coast experienced Tropical Storm Imelda. From Sept. 17 to 18, six to 20 inches of rain fell on Matagorda and Brazonia counties. On Sept.

19, the storm moved eastward and dumped

torrential rain on Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Liberty and Jefferson counties.

Five people died as a result of the storm that prompted the release of toxic air pollution from chemical plants and refineries in the area, according to The Associated Press.

National Weather Service Houston meteorologist Jimmy Fowler said it was a record- breaking tropical storm.

“It is the seventh-wettest tropical storm in

Photo The Associated Press

First responders search for citizens in a flooded neighborhood in Huffman.

history, the No. 1 being Harvey and that’s within the continental United States,” Fowler said.

A tropical storm is classified when wind speeds reach between 39 and 75 mph according to Fowler. Tropical storms can be threatening to life and property. Fowler said Imelda brought torrential rain and produced tornadoes but did not have enough strength or time to cause storm surges. The National Weather Service reported the highest rainfall was in Jefferson County at 43.15 inches.

Tropical cyclones are known for strong winds but Imelda downpours at a dangerous rate.

“It wasn’t just the amount of rain that fell.

We were getting from four to six inches of rain per hour. So when you have rain falling down that quickly, it doesn’t really have the time to run off or be absorbed into the ground,” Fowler said.

As the floodwaters receded, rescue operations got underway. Krystal Smith with the American Red Cross said the organization has made several trips to assist those affected

by Imelda.

“We have deployed several volunteers, some of [whom] are from right here in the North Texas area, down to assist the efforts,” Smith said. “We have shelters that are still in

operation right now for people [who] were displaced from their homes due to the flood waters. At those shelters, we’re providing them a safe place to sleep, we provide meals and snacks, everybody gets blankets and a cot.

So we try to make them as comfortable as we can during such a difficult time.”

Smith said the American Red Cross has coordinated with government at all levels to help the affected, assess the damage and coordinate relief donations. Although they have provided assistance by sheltering and feeding those who have been displaced, the Red Cross has also provided emotional assistance.

“We also have our disaster mental health and spiritual care teams that are out there, going through the communities to talk to people,” Smith said. “Some of these people are still stressed from Hurricane Harvey and so the fact that another flood had come in through can obviously cause some emotional distress. So we have disaster mental health workers there to help them process that as well.”

Hurricane Harvey heavily flooded several parts of Southeastern Texas two years ago in the same region affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Alex Ortuno

4 LOCAL/CAMPUS

October 1, 2019

Guyger prosecutors reevaluating manslaughter Andrew Castillo Staff Writer Former residents of a Dallas apartment complex, where fired Dallas police officer Amber Guyger shot and killed a neighbor in his own apartment, say they too were confused as to what floor they were on in the South Side Flats apartment building in downtown Dallas. The tenants took the stand after Guyger testified in her own defense Sept. 27, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Prosecutors questioned why Guyger missed signs that she was in the wrong apartment when she entered the unit directly above hers.

The 31-year old Guyger said she mistook the unit for her own and thought 26-year old Botham Jean was an intruder. Guyger broke down several times during cross-examination causing the proceedings to be delayed.

She said she believed Jean was a threat and intended to kill him when she fired, according to AP. The highly anticipated murder trial began last Sept 23 at the Frank Crowley Courts building in Dallas. Testimony was streamed live on several media outlet websites. During testimony, it was revealed that Guyger called 911, but Jean succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Guyger was later arrested and in November she was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges.

The shooting raised bigger questions and added fuel to an ongoing national conversation about police use of deadly force and how Dallas police treat residents of color, according to AP. There is speculation that

the outcome of the trial may draw as much attention as the shooting.

Throughout the week, prosecutors focused on a series of text messages she shared with her married police partner at the time, with whom she had been having an affair.

During testimony, she stated that she was fatigued from work the night she fatally shot her neighbor.

Over the summer, Guyger’s lawyers argued that the case should be moved out of Dallas, saying that public officials and “media hysteria” Photo The Associated Press had biased the local Amber Guyger listens to pretrial arguments in a Dallas courthouse on Sept. 23. community against Guyger, limiting her of a “smear campaign” against Jean. In an old accountant. She was still in uniform at the chances for a fair trial. interview with The Washington Post last year, time.

During the trial, her attorneys also argued he said that the warrant fit into “a familiar Guyger said she tried to use her electhat it was improper to compare the Jean pattern” seen in police shootings involving tronic key fob to enter the apartment, but shooting to other incidents involving police, black victims. was able to push open the door. While the saying that media outlets had spread “the Neither the prosecution nor the defense defense has argued she made a tragic mistake, false narrative that merely because Guyger is disputes that just before 10 p.m. on the one without criminal intent after a long day white and Mr. Jean is black, the incident must night of the shooting, Guyger parked on of work, prosecutors laid out that she was the wrong floor of her apartment complex, instead distracted. have been racial.”

Lee Merritt, an attorney representing Jean’s walked to Jean’s apartment and then opened family, called the warrant’s contents evidence fire with her service weapon on the 26-year

Homecoming brings festivities to Richland Adrienne Aguilar Editor-In-Chief

The second-annual Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) Homecoming will take place on all district campuses Oct. 11 to 25. Richland alumni are invited to come and celebrate along with the rest of the surrounding community.

Regina Harris, administrative assistant in the Office of Planning, Research, Effectiveness and Development (OPRED), said the event is still in its infancy. The Richland homecoming took place for the first time last year.

“It could have been better,” said Harris.

“But, it’s a new idea, a new initiative.”

The Richland homecoming will consist of a series of events over several days designed to give students a break from classes. The main focus will be on athletics.

“Faculty and staff can have a good time and celebrate our athletic department,” as well as

students and non-Richland members. “That’s the purpose of it,” said Harris.

Oct. 11 will open with Richland College Color Day where students, faculty and staff wear their college colors. The Lane Banks exhibit, located in the Brazos Gallery, opens the same day. It will be on view through Oct. 25. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The Alumni Homecoming Tailgate Party takes place Oct. 12. It’s a specific event for Richland Alumni. Refreshments, music and activities will be held in the Fannin breezeway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome to join the fun.

Also on Oct. 12, Richland’s volleyball team will play Paul Quinn College at noon. The Richland men’s soccer team takes on Cedar Valley at 7 p.m.

The Richland Symphony Recital Series will also be featured during Homecoming. A special presentation will take place at 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 in Fannin Hall.

The next day, Richland celebrates its 10th annual Ducktoberfest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the east breezeway. Harris said music and food would be an important factor.

“You know, you have everything except the beer,” she said. TJ the DJ, Richland’s music facilitator, will be playing the tunes.

“He had a nice variety of music and I like that. He had your Latino, your hip hop. He had your old school. It was very good and I’m very excited,” Harris said.

The Richland Fusion Band will perform at noon, Oct 17 on the cafeteria stage in El Paso Hall.

Oct. 18 and 19, the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Convening comes to Richland.

The Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving-Institution (AANAPISI) will host the conference aimed at discussing and developing student success programs for minorities. Those interested in attending should register in advance. The event is free.

The last event will be a percussion and steel band performance at 12:30 p.m., Oct. 22 in Fannin Hall. Harris stressed getting Richland’s community involved in the activities provided.

The main objective is to raise awareness of Homecoming among students, faculty and staff. Harris said the event involved coordinating with Richland’s athletic department and alumni via coaches on campus. She noted that getting the alumni involved wasn’t the difficult part. The coaches were interested too. “Sure, we would love to do something like that,” Harris recalled one of the coaches saying.

“I really wanted to do something kind of fun where you bring out the grills and things of that nature,” Harris said. “Still, we’re going to have a good time with what we got.”

For more information about Homecoming, visit www.richlandcollege.edu/alumni or email alumnirlc@dcccd.edu.

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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

RichlandStudentMedia.com

October 1, 2019

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October 1, 2019

‘La Valiente’ initiates discussion of sexual violence at the border Nabeela Iqbal

Staff Writer The Richland community saw the first program of the “I am Evidence” series for this season on Sept. 24 and 25 in Sabine Hall titled “La Valiente: No Estas Solas … Violación y Violencia en la Frontera” (Brave Woman: You’re Not Alone ... Rape and Violence at the Border).

Equity Richland/Studies in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion partnered with Achieving Latino Academic Success (ALAS), the Black Student Association (BSA) and the Office of Student Life (OSL) to present the program “We chose to focus specifically on equity; to make sure that we’re going a step beyond, a step above equality, so that every student and every employee is actually being treated as they want to be treated, not just equally, but on a level that is tailored specifically to their needs,” said Amy Bell, history professor at Richland and co-program coordinator of Equity Richland.

“La Valiente” was the first session of a series based on the documentary, “I am Evidence,” a documentary focused on the nationwide rape kit backlog. A rape kit is all of the DNA evidence collected from the body of the victim of a sexual assault incident, male or female.

“In the last five to 10 years, we have discovered that many of these rape kits, these boxes full of evidence, have been going on a shelf in a warehouse and nothing is ever done with them. It was discovered that we had more than 200,000 of them, at least, across the country sitting in warehouses that had never been tested or followed up on at all,” Bell said.

“I am Evidence” follows the stories of different cities and efforts to begin clearing that

backlog. In Detroit, this search led to the discovery of more than 800 serial rapists freely roaming the city, according to the film. Repeat offenders, people who have raped over and over again, have never been caught or punished for their crimes.

In Texas, the Lavinia Masters Act went into effect in September, allowing a formal procedure to be put in place to clear the backlog of rape kits. There are at least 20,000 untested rape kits sitting in Texas warehouses.

Bell said that this is not the entire focus of the series, however. She hopes the series will allow participants to have conversations throughout the year among different groups to discuss rape culture, sexual violence, toxic masculinity and gender issues.

“What I’ve asked the members of Equity Richland to do is actually choose a demographic group that they’re interested in working on. We’re going to have sessions throughout the year, one every couple of weeks, starting in October, that are tailored for the specific demographic groups that these members have chosen,” Bell said.

The first session focused specifically on the violence faced by Latinas (Latin-American women) migrating into the United States. The film took the audience on a journey, which began in three different Central American countries; Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the state of Chiapas in Mexico. Women from these places face unimaginable acts of violence, forcing them to seek refuge status in the U.S. in hopes of living a better life. ” The session also included a guest speaker, Elissa Polley, director of survivor advocacy at Traffick911, an organization that works to free youth from sex trafficking through prevention, identification and empowerment.

Gilbert Castillo gives a presentation about assault on the border.

She talked about the signs that help identify victims of abuse and informed the audience about various ways they could help survivors of physical or sexual abuse.

Jamilah Williams, a Richland freshman, said listening to the stories of migrant women in the video clips shown at “La Valiente,” opened her eyes to the struggles Latina immigrants face when seeking asylum in the US. “I think it’s very important that we are made aware of the trials faced by people who come from a different place because it helps us exercise more empathy,” Williams said. “I feel

Staff Photo Mubeena Wahaj

like the people who judge immigrants do so because they’re ignorant of the horrors that they faced back in their home countries, so sessions like these do a great job of educating everybody.”

Upcoming sessions throughout the year will focus on different demographic groups including the LGBTQ community, the AfricanAmerican community and the Asian-American community. There will also be a session focusing on various religions and even one for people with disabilities.

Resources for survivors of sexual assault Traffick911 www.traffick911.com 4575 Claire Chennault, Addison 817-575-9923 Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center 2801 Swiss Ave, Dallas 972-641-7273

The Family Place www.familyplace.org 214-941-1991 (24-hour crisis hotline) RAINN National hotline 1-800-656-4673

Venezuela-poor little rich country Barbara Gandica Martinez

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Design Editor

Staff Photo Glen Pierre

Art professor Miriam Lefeld lectures on Venezuela in Sabine Hall on Sept. 24.

“My school best friend was imprisoned for posting a tweet,” said Mirian Lefeld, art professor and director of 2D studio art at Richland. She led the presentation “Poor Little Rich Country: A Conversation on Venezuela,” part of the Passport to the Globe program organized by the Institute of Global Citizenship. The program was presented Sept.

24 in Sabine Hall. Lefeld discussed the history of Venezuela, her country of origin, leading up to the current socio-economic climate.

She highlighted what Venezuela is known for, including beauty pageants (seven Miss Universe titles), oil reserves and the contemporary art movements of modern informalism and geometric abstraction.

According to Lefeld, Venezuela historical roots are similar to that of the United States.

She recounted the history of Venezuela from the settlement by Spaniards to the current political crisis.

Then she recounted the moment when the peace seized. In February of 1989, the price of gasoline rose by 100%. A series of protests occurred on February 27 resulting in violent government repression. In 1992, Hugo Chávez led a coup against the government and spoke on TV. “Chávez said to the public ‘We have not reached our goals yet.’ Just recounting it give me chills,” said Lefeld.

Chávez went to prison following the coup but was pardoned by the government in 1999.

That same year he won election and became president of Venezuela. Lefeld recounted that Chávez called for referendums and constitutional change. There was no separation of power between the political branches. Chávez served in office until he died of cancer in 2013.

That year, an election was held. Vice-president Nicolas Maduro competed with opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Continued on www.richlandstudentmedia.com

October 1, 2019

Hispanic Heritage celebrated at the Dallas Farmers Market Kobloh-Obase Kammonke Assistant Managing Editor

Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off Sept.

15 with a celebration at the Dallas Farmers Market downtown. The event featured activities and attractions ranging from dancers and a mariachi band to food and music, all in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. “This event is significant of the time when Mexico fought for their independence from Spain and became its own country,” said Brenda Chavez, who attended the festival. “It [Mexico’s Independence Day] begins when they do the chant.”

Telemundo 39 news anchor Norma García, said, “Today marks the 209th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence from Spain. Twohundred-and-nine-years ago, Mexico launched the Independence War,” García said.

The famous chant, “Viva Mexico” is synonymous with Mexican Independence Day celebrations. It holds historical significance and is now part of a yearly ritual performed by Mexicans all over the world the night before their Independence Day.

“There is something called the chant in Mexico. There was a priest, Miguel Hidalgo in Central Mexico, and he had been plotting how to revolt against the crown. He had gathered people and had done a lot of grassroots work,” said García.

“On the 15th [of September] at night, he grabbed the troops, he gathered them, and he said, ‘Viva Mexico, Viva la Independence la Mexico’ which means long live our independence. Then he chanted three times, ‘Viva Mexico, Viva Mexico, Viva,’ long live Mexico,” García said. The battle cry is chanted every year on Mexican Independence Day. The festival at the Farmers Market featured many activities. There were different types of food, dance performances and live music. A bar was available for those who were of drinking age. The market vendors sold fresh fruits and vegetables for those who wanted to shop for produce.

“My favorite thing about the festival is the fact that people get to enjoy themselves and bask in the culture whether or not they’re from there and they also learn about the Farmers Market,” said Nathaly Benavides, a vendor

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Staff Photos Kohbloh-Obase Kammonke

Telemundo Video sets up at the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Dallas Sept. 15.

with Folklore & Tradition, where authentic Mexican souvenirs and clothes are sold.

“A lot of people who came into my booth asked if I came for just the festival. I told them that I’m here every weekend and they didn’t know that the market even existed,” she said.

There was a diverse crowd attending the event and all seemed to enjoy the food and entertainment.

“One thing I felt like people who were not

of Latino descent could learn from this festival is that is the fact that we all come together whether or not you’re Mexican, as long as you’re of Latino descent. We’re diverse but we embrace our diversity and show each other love because we’re all one,” Benavides said.

Chavez felt like people who were not Latino could learn about the culture by attending the festival, watching the dancers, enjoying the different foods and listening to the music.

Mexican-American Studies professor Carlos Rovelo shows a corn tamale during his presentation.

Jack Ramirez Bernal Staff Writer

Carlos Antonio Rovelo, political science and art history professor at Tarrant County Community College, presented “Corn, Our Flesh” at Richland Sept. 27. The event was sponsored by the club, Achieving Latino Academic Success (ALAS).

At the event, Rovelo discussed the importance of corn and how it symbolizes the identity, history and culture of Latin American culture.

“It has to do with the way we are,” Rovelo

said during his presentation. “Our faith is important. The food we eat is important. Knowing where we come from is important.”

His presentation explored, not just on how corn has influenced Latin cuisine, but how its domestication in the early Mesoamerican period became part of how they practiced religion. Corn was part of their interpretation of the creation of life, the understanding of nature and as an artistic icon. All contribute to the identity of what it means to be Hispanic.

“Every year we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month but, most of the time, the celebration is based on personalities like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, astronauts and artists in general,” Rov-

Staff Photos Jack Ramirez Bernal

elo said. “But there are things that are more at the center of heritage. Heritage is not just about people. It’s about what makes us and corn is a descender of the way our ancestor made us.”

When talking about the historical importance of corn, Rovelo focused on how cultures such as the Mayans and the Aztecs, revolved around the growing and consumption of corn.

That lead to the creation of commonly known food items such as tortillas, atole (a corn dough based drink) and tamales. Additionally, he talked about the various ways corn is harvested in certain regions of Latin America.

He discussed the milpa rotation system used

by farmers for self-consumption growth and how it contrasts with the American method that focuses on mass production and market distribution.

Most importantly, Rovelo explained corn’s relationship to Mesoamerican religions in which the gods used the crop to symbolize of the cycle of life. Each culture represented the corn in their architecture, art and stories like the Mayan scripture, the Popol Vuh, which tells the story about how humanity originated from a grain of corn.

“As I started doing the research, I realized this was a very big subject,” Rovelo said.

“That is not just artistically, but it is also philosophically, [theologically] and obviously about humanity.”

Rovelo was keen on identity and cultural origin during his presentation. When talking about how corn represents the identity of what it means to be Hispanic, he chose works of art from artists like Diego Rivera whose work is inspired by Mexican culture. Rivera painted his famous public murals that are scattered throughout Mexico City. His work reflects his personal interpretation of what it means to be Mexican. One painting, which Rovelo showed, was “La Molinera” in which Rivera painted a native woman preparing tortillas as she grinds corn and makes it into dough. The painting demonstrated a traditional aesthetic of Mexican culture from her traditional attire to the way she prepared the tortillas.

“People need to know where they come from,” Rovelo said. “We need to know where everything began in our own culture. My own culture didn’t start in Europe. It started with the [native] Indians of Mesoamerica.”

RichlandStudentMedia.com

‘Corn, our flesh:’ Learning about ethnic food

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8 SPECIAL SECTION

October 1, 2019

“The Shape of Water” (2017) – Your entertainment editor and humble professional film critic correctly predicted this film would win the Oscar for Best Picture and Guillermo del Toro would win Best Director.

Grade: A-

“Like Water for Chocolate” (1992) – Alfonso Arau helmed this tale about the magic of baking and the passion that comes when it is done with someone you love. Featuring Lumi Cavazos (“Bottle Rocket,” 1995).

Grade: A-

“American Me” (1992) – Edward James Olmos wrote and starred in this tale about the Chicano lifestyle based on a true story. With William Forsythe (“Once Upon a Time in America”) and Pepe Serna. (“Scarface”).

Grade: B

“Stand and Deliver” (1988) – Edward James Olmos is excellent in this tale of teacher Jamie Escalante who teaches his class the importance of having calculus in their lives.

Grade: B+

Bandidas” (2006) – Two women: Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek become partners in this tale set in the Old West that features one of the last performances of Sam Shepard. Also with Steve Zahn.

Grade: C+

“West Side Story” (1961) – Rita Moreno and George Chakiris won top Oscars for their supporting roles in Robert Wise’s tale of romance, love and the rival gangs the Sharks and Jets in New York.

Grade: B-

“Coco” (2017) – This tale about a grandmother and her connection with the undead in her afterlife won the Best Animated Feature of the year at the Oscars. This one has a lot of great music.

Grade: A-

“Traffic” (2000) – This great flick took home a plethora of awards including Best Director for Steven Soderbergh, best screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro.

Grade: A

“Hellboy” (2004) – Director Guillermo del Toro captured the Dark Horse comic book in an interesting way. Ron Perlman plays Hellboy, a half-human, half-demon character once cherished by the Nazis, who ends up working for the Americans.

Grade: A+

“Blade II” (2002) – Guillermo del Toro worked magic with this tale about Wesley Snipes’ bloodsucker who works with a team portrayed by Kris Kristofferson and Norman Reedus. Ron Perlman supports as one of the other members of Snipes’ team.

Grade: A-

“Cronos” (1993) – This film marked the first time Ron Perlman worked with Director Guillermo del Toro on a film that deals with the early days of vampirism. This film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Grade: A-

“The Devil’s Backbone” (2001) – Guillermo del Toro directs this Spanish-language film that deals with ghosts and other apparitions during the Spanish Civil War. Subtitles are provided in English.

Grade: APhotos Courtesy IMDb

October 1, 2019

MOVIES 9

Industry Giants Conference brings animation to life Barbara Gandica Martinez Staff Writer “Today in our portfolio review we a saw a young lady who said that last year they just slammed her and she took it all to heart and [she] had viewers today that said her portfolio was amazing,” said Vince Sidwell, co-chair of the animation collective A Bunch of Short Guys.

The group sponsored the 17th annual Industry Giants conference, which took place at Gilley’s in Dallas on Sept. 21. The event brings local animation, film and gaming students and professionals together with industry experts who share their experiences with aspiring artists. It coincided with the Big D Design conference which took place Sept.

19 – 21 at the same location.

“We want to educate and inspire and build a community of artists and that’s we been doing for 20 years,” said Will Nicholson, president of the guild. “We started out as a group of people who just wanted to make a short film, an animated film. It turned out that we weren’t as good at making a short film as we were at meeting and talking about it. So, the name A Bunch of Short Guys means a bunch of guys who want to make a short [film].”

A Bunch of Short Guys formed in 2000.

The hosted the first animation, gaming and special effects forum in 2002. Games became part of the program in the years that followed.

The speakers of the conference shared their stories of how they became professional artists, animators and game developers. There were some commonalities among the speakers who were all passionate about their craft.

“Passion always wins out,” said John Pomeroy, president of John Pomeroy Productions about his career in the animation industry.

“Learn what you love,” recommended Mark Simon, storyboard artist for the “Walking Dead” television series, on finding a focus within your field.

“People respond to stories,” Simon said.

Frank Abney, an animator with Pixar Studios recommended artists put themselves into their work. “Tell your truth,” Abney said. “As artists we want to connect with people.”

The speakers also recommended aspiring artists be assertive in their pursuit for work and never stop learning.

Grace Liu, lead artist at Airship Syndicate, encouraged young artists to learn to work with feedback. “The first step is always the hardest,” she said and told the attendees to never lose hope in pursuing their careers.

In addition to the conference, the event featured Artists’ Alley where several artists displayed and sold their work. A figure drawing class and a portfolio review session also took place and offered attendees the opportunity to get feedback on their work from industry professionals.

Staff Photo Barbara Gandica Martinez

John Pomeroy displays his work in the Artist's Alley at Industry Giants 2019.

Transfer to a better future We know transfer students — nearly half of TWU’s undergraduate students are transfers

Attend the Pioneer Preview Event

•

Get admissions, scholarship & financial aid information

•

Meet advisors & faculty; receive sample degree plans

•

Learn about the Touchstone Honors program for transfer students

•

Tour campus & view a residence hall (optional)

•

Lunch will be provided

Learn more and register at TWU.edu/transfer

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Visit our Denton campus Oct. 19, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

10 ENTERTAINMENT

October 1, 2019

‘Ad Astra’ lands in familiar territor y CHRONICLE Richland

Ricky Miller

STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS

Entertainment Editor The new Brad Pitt movie, “Ad Astra,” does not really bring anything new to the space odyssey table since at best it’s just an average science-fiction tale about one man’s search for himself and others. His screen father, a deep-space explorer portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, has been missing in space for an extensive amount of time.

In “Ad Astra,” Pitt’s astronaut, Roy McBride, is sent on a covert mission to find his father, H. Clifford McBride (Jones), who has fallen off the map and is either dead or somewhere out in the solar system.

The elder McBride has been stranded in space so long he does not even remember life on Planet Earth. I hate to admit it, but his part will probably be up for a nomination come Oscar time early next year.

Also in an inconsequential supporting role is Donald Sutherland, Jones’s co-star in “Space Cowboys” in 2000. His part involves knowledge of the aforementioned McBride and his dilemma in space.

Sutherland is only in the movie briefly since his character was just put into the script as a time filler. Pitt’s character is thrust into a land of confusion. Even the team that put him on the mission tries to disavow his existence.

Also woven into the tale is McBride’s failed marriage to Liv Tyler’s character Eve. The relationship is just kind of brushed over and used as a time filler.

“Ad Astra” is directed by James Gray. He

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Design Editor Copy Editor Entertainment Editor Layout Editor Online/Special Projects Online/Special Projects Social Media Editor Sports Photo Editor Photo Editor

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Staff Writer

“Crazy Rich Asians,” a “dramedy” that features many elements of Asian culture was presented by the Asian-Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) in Sabine Hall on Sept. 17.

“We chose this movie particularly because it’s the first movie in Hollywood with an allAsian cast since ‘The Joy Luck Club,’” said instructional specialist Matthew Johnson.

“Crazy Rich Asians,” which hit theaters in August 2018, came 25 years after the release of “The Joy Luck Club”.

After the final credits, moviegoers Elizabeth and John Fortner shared their thoughts.

“Finally, a film that isn’t overly cheesy as heck,” said John Fortner.

His reaction was similar to other Richland viewers. The film received wild success in theaters during its release.

The purpose of this event, however, was not just about viewing the renowned film. The main objective was to spark a conversation.

“Our hope is that, especially for our Asian students, this will encourage them to see that their heritage is celebrated and for all students

Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou

Jonathan Lin

ON THE COVER

Jone Zelaya listens to the lecture “Corn, Our Flesh.”

Staff Photo Thinh Pham

COVER AND FONTS Certain cover fonts are provided by the following www.nymfont.com – www.bvfonts.com

Brad Pitt as Ray McBride in “Ad Astra.”

likes working with Joaquin Phoenix, who starred in “We Own the Night,” (2007), Two Lovers,” (2008) and “The Immigrant” (2013).

What Gray does with the camera in “Ad Astra” is compelling sans any grandiose gestures or finishes. He sparks some interest in the characters, especially with Pitt’s McBride as well as Ruth Negga’s Helen Lantos whose parents were killed by Jones’ astronaut in deep space.

I was hoping for something fluid and amazing, but this one just falls short. I anticipated something akin to Christopher Nolan’s Oscarwinning “Interstellar” (2014), but was reduced to leftovers from “Critters” (1986) or a “low budget” Roger Corman flick from the 1980s like “Galaxy of Terror” (1981).

“Ad Astra” looks amazing on the big screen.

Photo Courtesy IMDB

I saw it in a giant THX house. The sequences in space are compelling and altogether interesting. There is a sequence involving a space tower above the Earth that falters due to some explosions and a changing balance of power.

I would have enjoyed something like Peter Hyams underrated follow-up to “2001: A Space Odyssey” with his “2010: The Year We Make Contact” (1985). That awesome tale had Roy Schneider (“Jaws”) John Lithgow, “The World According to Garp” (1982), Bob Balaban and Helen Mirren.

“Ad Astra” though, for all intents and purposes, is a slow-burn tale. Some exciting and riveting stuff happens, but it comes way too far down the line to rescue it from mediocrity.

Grade: B-

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ talk stereotypes Johanna Almendarez

Adrienne Aguilar Jack Ramirez Bernal Barbara Gandica-Martinez Joyce Jackson Ricky Miller Dara Jones Damon Craig Ryan Bingham Duff André Duncan

to begin to think about identity, representation and stereotypes not only in Hollywood, but in the broader context as well,” Johnson said.

The following day, APACC hosted a discussion about identity, xenophobia and stereotypes. Students expressed their thoughts on serious subjects, including colorism and split-culturalism. Attendees were encouraged to think of times when they experienced instances of prejudice based on stereotypes in relation to scenes in the film. The intimate discussion provided a space in which students could speak of personal injustices in a way that was transformative not only for the speaker, but for the listener who may not have experienced the same.

Following the discussion, Joan Zelaya, instructional specialist, commented on her experience encouraging student conversation.

“The students [who] participated seemed to enjoy the discussion and contributed very meaningful and insightful experiences about their own lives,” Zelaya said.

Maho Kaping, who also spoke with students, commented on her experience.

“I think it was good to have this discussion because it gave us an opportunity to talk about

representation in the media, here particularly of Asian-Americans,” she said.

Since the release of “Crazy Rich Asians,” Asian-American actors have taken the spotlight in the media. Movies featuring new faces, such as teen-romance “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” cast Vietnamese-American Lana Condor as the protagonist. It has garnered massive support.

“I think we live in a very diverse country – a very diverse city. Richland is a diverse school and I think it’s important for people to be able to share where they’re coming from and have others listen with open ears and open hearts -to be able to have open and honest conversations and relationships,” said Meghan Farmer, program services coordinator.

“The Farewell,” released this summer, has already received some rave reviews as the latest film to feature an all-Asian cast – only a year after “Crazy Rich Asians.” The dramaticcomedy follows a Chinese family that finds that their grandmother has a short time left to live. The film features Awkwafina in the lead role. She also appeared in “Crazy Rich Asians.” The film is currently screening at various theaters throughout Dallas and Garland at a discount price.

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Johanna Almendarez Philipp Baumunk Rovenia Bartee Hevar Barzenji Andrew Castillo Bernard Cheatham Nabeela Iqbal Kohbloh-Obase Kammonke Obase-Wotta Kammonke

Muyideen Ogunbunmi Alex Ortuno Glenn Pierre Lloyd Roberts Aiden Biddle Pete Shannon Ola Sawlhi Mubeena Wahaj Jerry Weiss Thinh Pham

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher Meg Fullwood

Tim Jones Larry Ratliff Karin Matz

ISSUE DATES October 8 October 15 October 29 November 12

November 19 November 26 December 3 December 10

STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS Student Organization Community Service Award, 2019 Student Organization of the Year, 2019 CMA Pinnacle Two-Year TV Station Award, 2018 CMA Two-Year Radio Station Award, 2018 ACP Newspaper Pacemaker Winner Award, 2016 ACP Best of Show Awar,d 2015 ACP Photo Excellence Award, 2015 CMA Newspaper of the Year Finalist, 2014 1st Place – TCCJA Overall General Excellence, 2014 2nd Place – Pinnacle College Media Award, 2014 1st Place – TIPA Sweepstakes, 2005 3rd Place – TIPA Online, 2005 & 2006 ACP Pacemaker Winner, 2000, 2001, 2007 ACP Pacemaker Finalist, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 ACP Online Pacemaker finalist, 2007, 2008 Over 270 Texas college journalism awards since 2000

CONTACT INFORMATION El Paso Hall, Room E020, 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079; richlandchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 Email: Advertise@dcccd.edu Staff meetings: Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. in E020 Letter Policy Letters to the editor may be edited for space. They will be edited for spelling, grammar and malicious or libelous statements.

Letters must be the work of the writer and must be signed. For identification and verification purposes, letters also must include the writer’s classification (grade level), full name, address and telephone number, although address and telephone number will not be published.

Editorial Policy The Chronicle is the official student-produced newspaper of Richland College. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of individual students and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other individual student writers, editors, advisers or the college administration. © Richland Chronicle 2019

SPORTS 11

October 1, 2019

UPCOMING EVENTS All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

October 1

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. i

Free food – food truck Bring own bag.

East breezeway.

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

i

The UNT Jazz Singers Arena Theater, F108

October 2

New team in search for elusive glory Kammonke Obase-Wotta Staff Writer

It was an electrifying volleyball matchup in a storied rivalry as Richland played Brookhaven on the Bears home court on Sept. 26.

Despite fielding a revamped squad this season, it was still similar mistakes from previous seasons that haunted Richland as they fell short with a 3-0 loss. This was Richland’s second consecutive loss in the conference this season.

Coach Zelda Smith believed a lack of confidence, consistency and small mistakes cost them the game.

“They [conference games] were so close games and at points we were winning. It seemed liked they [Richland] weren’t feeling like everything was going as well as it really was,” Smith said.

In the first set, the Bears had the early jumpstart till the Thunderducks clawed their way into the game. Brookhaven had multiple leads in the first set but couldn’t sustain them until

they went 23-22. Brookhaven capitalized on two successive sloppy mistakes from Richland to take the first set 25-22.

The second set was easier for Brookhaven.

Similar defensive mistakes from Richland saw them loose points in the second set. On multiple occasions, the Richland setter placed the ball too close to the net which created an uphill task for the hitter to strike the ball with proper contact.

“We did have some problems with our quarterback, our setter,” I don’t know what was going on. One of them had a headache.

And so, that controls everything.”

The third set was rife with emotion. The Brookhaven fans were rowdy; jumping, screaming and encroaching in celebration of every play and point from the Bears. Synchronized chants of “yes, yes, yes” rang out with each touch of the ball from Brookhaven and a collective chant of “no, no, no” rang out to intimidate the Thunderducks when they had possession of the ball.

It was an intense third set with both teams

2:30 to 2:50 p.m.

Staff Photo Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou

trading points until the game tied at 23-23.

Brookhaven scored two points in quick succession to take the third set and win the game 3-0.

Richland lost by this score last year at Brookhaven. This year there was noticeable difference and improvement in Richland’s approach and personnel.

After a disappointing season last year, Smith cut most of her team. Lorena Perez is the only remaining member from last year’s squad.

Smith is adamant that this new team is better equipped to challenge in the conference this year.

“I needed a higher caliber team. And if you saw us last year, then you could see that we only had really one player. I needed strong minded, more athletic and more mentally strong [women] for the game,” Smith said.

“They are more committed to it [and] are here for one thing” Richland will host Eastfield next on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Journalism Speaker Series i Sonia Ford discusses sustainability El Paso Hall, E020

October 3 7 to 8:50 p.m.

i

Movie screening: “Le Dernier Diamant/The Last Diamond” (In French with English subtitles; 18 and over) Sabine Hall, SH117

3:15 to 5:15 p.m. i

The Richland International Film Series: “The Rules of the Game” by Jean Renoir Sabine Hall, SH117

October 4

12:45 to 2 p.m. i

SGA General Assembly Address Sabine Hall, SH117

October 9 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. i

Free HIV testing 18 or older, picture ID Health Center, Thunderduck Hall, T110

Thursdays 7 to 8:45 p.m. i Staff Cartoon Jerry Weiss

FOCUS: Fellowship of Christian University Students Sabine Hall, SH117

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Lorena Perez goes for the spike in the game against Brookhaven College on Sept. 26.

8 12

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