collegian.tccd.edu
Dirt bikes meets mentorship in coming to age film. PG. 4
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 – Volume 33 • Issue 7 News
Opinion
Opinion
Editorial
Feature
YOUR VOTES AREN’T SAFE How election security has become a popular topic. PG. 2
KEEP IT TO YOURSELF Reasons for maintaining political privacy online. PG. 5
DEBATES DON’T MATTER The debates aren’t changing anyone’s vote. PG. 5
LAST PLACE DOESN’T COUNT How one man’s ego and influence is destroying America. PG. 5
THE FIGHT CONTINUES How women’s rights will be affected by the election. PG. 6
Kevin Dietsch/Pool/Abaca Press/TNS
President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the first of three scheduled 90-minute presidential debates, in Cleveland, OH.
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Students weigh in on presidential race SPECIAL TO THE COLLEGIAN
When it comes to the 2020 election, TCC students will choose what they feel are the lesser of two evils and someone who addresses what they deem as dire, which is healthcare racial injustice and climate change. “Trump wouldn't even get hired at a fast-food restaurant with the types of allegations he has against him,” TCC student Julia Antu said. “I can't respect someone that repeatedly shows disrespect to people like me and my friends.” Antu said her main priority is to vote for someone who is a good person and has a plan for the future and betterment of the country. “I understand politics are difficult, and it's hard to please everyone, but if they come down to not being a good person, how can I vote for that person and trust that they will
help America have a better future?” she said. While she doesn’t agree with everything Biden has done in the past, she feels he will move the country in a direction where everyone is taken care of, not just his like-minded voters. TCC student Andrea Cross doesn’t claim either party but leans more democratic on social issues when voting for this election. “Right now it's all about equality, and I think that's great that we, as a nation, are highlighting the race issues in this country,” Cross said. Cross says since she doesn't claim a political party, she is voting for the beliefs the party stands for. “It’s difficult because I am progay marriages and pro abortions but I’m also pro-Israel so I have to prioritize the issues that matter most” Cross said, “I have decided to vote for Joe Biden this year. My reason is not because I hate Trump, though I
do, but like I said above, democratic issues seem to outway the republican for me.” Antu also said it is important for politicians to talk about issues like racial injustice, climate change, and COVID-19, which she said affects everyone. “There is so much uncertainty when it comes to our lives and we have a better plan and care more about not just ourselves, but each other,” Antu said. “I love my country and am proud to be an American, but we are a very selfish country. We have to care more about how things impact our neighbors and not just ourselves.” Cross said politicians should talk about issues that aren't being talked about enough such as Healthcare. “I think that we need a better system in place because there are so many millennials that I know who aren't able to pay for the healthcare
“Trump wouldn’t even get hired at a fast-food restaurant with the types of allegations he has against him.”
Julia Antu TCC student
that they need along with the other bills they have,” Cross said. “I'm one of them.” TCC student Eric Norris said neither candidate is his ideal candidate, but he will be determining which candidate principles align closely with his. “I am voting for Joe Biden because Donald Trump is the most corrupt, inept, sociopathic, authoritarian, narcissistic fool to occupy The White House,” Norris said. “Joe Biden isn't my ideal candidate by a
long shot but he is not a fascist terrorist, so that sets him apart from the current humanoid abomination in the executive branch.” TCC student Jessica Gallardo said she has decided to vote for Biden. Biden's stance on politics is similar to her political views and said another four years of Trump's administration would be harmful to the country as a whole. Robert Morrison, Cydney Williams, Megan Towery and Vanessa Mendez contributed to this story.
TCC students are determining what makes for a good presidential candidate. So who do you think should win the 2020 presidential election?
BIDEN
TRUMP
BIDEN
Alma Govea NE student
Austin Williams NE student
John Bailey South student
COVID-19 pandemic “I feel as though there’s no order or control over this pandemic, and the way President Trump is handling it hasn’t gone very well.”
Leadership qualities “I don’t believe in who Biden is, and he is kind of childish,” “He can’t say complete sentences without somebody telling him what to say.”
Trump’s Conduct “I have settled on Joe Biden because since Trump has been president there have been numerous scandals that have been leaked in his term,”
Truth The main thing I’d be looking for is that they are truthful and not just saying things we want to hear.
Economy “I am looking for someone who has an active plan to help rebuild the economy and someone who is focused on lower-class citizens
Health Care “Finding a way to make health care affordable to low-income families is important along with reducing the price of medication that is needed for survival.”
Page 2 • October 14 , 2020
News
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Security efforts deter voter participation Gov. Greg Abbott is blocked by District Judge Robert Pittman limiting ballot drop-off locations
Photos by Azul Sordo/The Collegian
Citizens use ballot drop off locations to cast thier votes for the upcoming 2020 election in November. Voter fraud and surpression have been hot topic issues the election year. AZUL SORDO photo editor
As Election Day draws nearer, the line between voter security and voter suppression takes center stage in Texas. District Judge Robert Pittman blocked Gov. Greg Abbott’s order limiting the number of ballot drop-off locations to only one per county Oct. 9. Abbott said these measures were intended to enhance voter security and ensure greater transparency. Three federal lawsuits were filed within a week of the proclamation, alleging it undermines the public’s trust in the election process, according to The Dallas Morning News. Pittman argued Abbott’s order would force voters to decide between risking their health to vote in person or traveling potentially great distances to hand-deliver their ballot, citing concerns that the USPS may not be able to deliver ballots in time. “These burdens fall disproportionately on voters who are elderly, disabled, or live in larger counties,” Pittman wrote in his order. NE government instructor Jennifer Green says this order, coupled with Texas’s already restrictive mail-in voting criteria, speaks poorly of the U.S. as a democratic society. “While security is something that we should think about, we should make sure nothing we do in the name of security compromises somebody’s ability to vote and have their vote counted,” Green said.
The order would also permit poll watchers to observe activity at every ballot drop-off location. NW student government association president Stephen Brown said this measure poses the greatest threat to voter security, citing its history as a voter intimidation tactic. In 1981, the Republic National Committee organized over 200 armed “Ballot Security Task Force” members to patrol polling sites in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in New Jersey, according to The New York Times. Following the incident, the RNC consented to a decree that would limit its ballot security operations. That decree expired in 2018. “They [poll watchers] have no elected power, and I find that very concerning,” Brown said. “ I think it panders to what’s going on in our nation— this idea that white supremacy is re-emerging in its final push.” Green said the voter-fraud narrative is largely “fantastical,” laying the foundation for more pointed accusations against the election process should the odds not be in President Donald Trump’s favor. “It would just be interesting to see if with all the claims of voter fraud rampant in the system, what the narrative would be should Donald Trump win the election,” Green said. Brown compares Abbott’s concerns over voter fraud to “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” “If we question the validity of our elections every single year, then obviously the process isn’t working and there needs to be reform,” Brown said.
Drop off boxes are guarded while voters submit their ballots for the 2020 election.
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Community market, food pantries helps students during pandemic TCC fights student and community hunger with fresh food and other items that are donated at locations MEGAN TOWERY campus editor
TCC hosts food pantries on NE, South and TR campuses. The food pantry is closed this year because of COVID-19, but students can get the food they need at the annual Fresh Food Market. The fresh food market provides items like vegetables, canned food, cereal, candy, Lunchables, and chicken. Volunteer opportunities for these food services are available on the website, NE sociology instructor Cheryl North said. NE assistant professor of sociology said students have the opportunity to learn leadership skills, by volunteering at food pantries at their TCC campus. “There are also leadership positions for the food pantries that are involved such as informing and answering questions that people might have about the food pantry,” she said. If students would like to be involved, but not take on leadership the pantry offers other positions such as emailing people about the food pantries, using social media to inform others of the food pantries, educating people about the food pantry and walking the new volunteers step by step on how to do their job.
People can also volunteer to put food on the shelves and check expirations dates. Another opportunity is to become a partner agency, The few minimum requirements is serving one of the 13 county area served by Tarrant County food bank. Distributes food on the basic need or emergency. The food bank has been helping people through COVID-19 by focusing on feeding the age groups that need it the most: seniors, kids, and the homeless. Since March 2020, the Tarrant County Food Bank distribution of food has increased by 65%. Every Friday from 8-11 a.m., the food bank hosts a Mega Mobile Market at the Herman Clark Stadium in Fort Worth to give away food at the drive-through. Every family receives 100 pounds of meat, dairy, and other foods. Pre-registration is not required. People can just drive up there and get their necessities. Students are able to access the food pantry at tafb.org to find more information about scheduling at specific locations, volunteering, and donating. A donation of one dollar can provide five meals. It is important to call a few hours beforehand to confirm those hours when visiting. The food bank also delivers.
The Collegian file photo
TCC food pantries strive to assist students and surrounding coumminities where campuses are located.
The Collegian
Feature
October 14, 2020 • Page 3
Representing Native communities
Azul Sordo/The Collegian
TR student Leialani McDuffie highlights her Quechan reservation’s traditions and talks about representation issues for Native communities in America.
TR student celebrates indigenous heritage by honoring traditions, advocating Native issues MADDY REMINGTON managing editor
Leialani McDuffie is a TR campus student of Native American descent. McDuffie is one of the many students at TCC with a diverse background. With Indigenous People’s day being celebrated this week, it’s a fitting reminder to celebrate the students of our college community and amplify their voices. McDuffie grew up on the Quec-
han reservation, formerly known as the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, which borders Arizona, California and Baja California, Mexico. The Quechan reservation is a part of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. She lived on the Quechan reservation for 10 years before moving to Fort Worth with her family for job opportunities. “I do miss the Bird singers and dancers,” she said. “They sing songs, or more like telling stories through singing, and the dancers dance to the
songs dressed in ribbon dresses.” Ribbon dresses are their traditional wear. “It is a very beautiful experience,” she said. Her identity plays a crucial role in her life because she said she wants to strive to be the best possible version of herself to represent her people well. She plans to attend medical school after she graduates to become a medical examiner. She said being a Native American doctor is a significant accom-
plishment for her because Native American women don’t often go into medicine. She hopes to bring recognition and representation to Native American women in medicine and show that success is possible no matter someone's cultural identity. McDuffie wishes to make her family proud of her venture into the world of forensic pathology. “It’d be a really cool thing for not only me, but my family and my culture just to say that I'm that successful,” McDuffie said.
McDuffie is also Hispanic, and she said her Hispanic heritage was the dominant culture in her childhood. However, now that she’s an adult, she is seeking ways to get more connected with her Native American heritage as well. McDuffie said she puts a major emphasis on Native American traditions. She sees the traditional aspect of her culture as a defining characteristic. “Tradition is really big to us in everything that we do,” McDuffie said.
Vice presidential race heats up with sharp debate
Amber Davis/The Collegian
MADDY REMINGTON managing editor
The 2020 vice presidential races are heating up as viewers tune in across the country to see the nation’s leaders debate on the national stage On the issue of climate change, Vice President Mike Pence said that the Green New Deal would crush american energy, the economy and american jobs. The progress the U.S. has made so far is because of a strong free market economy. He went on to note that the U.S. has reduced CO2 more than those in the paris accord due to natural gas production. “Our air and land are cleaner than ever and there are no more hurricanes now, then there was a
year ago,” Pence said Whereas Kamala Harris had a different opinion, acknowledging that the west coast is burning, gulf states are being battered by farms, and mentioning Joe Biden has talked to Iowan farmers affected by the floods. The way forward is clean and renewable energy and Biden believes in the science to back it up, said Harris. “In this election, we need to decide who is prepared to deal with these existential threats,” said Harris. On the topic of Abortion as a segway into Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing, Pence fails to answer the question of how we would want his home state to handle the legality of abortion. Instead using his time to say that he hopes Barrett gets a fair hearing, “We
don't want to see an attack on her faith,” Pence said. Harris says that she thinks they should push the confirmation and let America decide who to put on that supreme court. However, she also addresses the question saying that she supports the pro-choice argument. “I will always fight for women to have the right to their own body,” Harris said. Then the debate takes a turn, where Harris and Pence get into more of a heated argument. Pence asks Harris directly if she is planning to pack the court. “You are openly advocating for adding seats to the supreme court,” Pence said. While Harris does not directly answer the packing the court question, she does counter that it is not
following history for the U.S. to rush through a confirmation. “I’m glad you brought up history, let's go through a little history lesson,” Harris said. “Honest Abe said it's not the right thing to do, American people have the right to make the decision.” The pair was then asked their opinions on police reform and if they think Breonna Taylor got the justice she deserved.Harris said that she wanted to save lives and her life was taken unjustifyingly. People around the country of all ages, gender and races marched for equal justice under the law, but yet their cries weren’t heard. She then goes into the specificity of her ticket’s platform. “We always must fight for our ideals,” Harris said. Pence talks about how his
heart breaks for the loss of american life and Breonna Taylor. He then talks about how the cities were burned to the ground by rioters and looters and defends police to an extent. “The presumption that law enforcement has implicit bias against minorities is ridiculous and insulting to law enforcement,” Pence said. Harris brings up that Trump refused to condemn white supremacy in his debate using the line “stand by and stand back.” Pence responds to Harris’s allegation, claiming that it is “not true.” Which causes Harris to get even more riled up on the subject essentially outlining all of Trump and Pence’s racist actions. Which leads Pence to state that the media tries to selectively edit moments.
Page 4 • October 14 , 2020
Entertainment
HBO MAX REVIEW
Documentary adapted to urban drama
Photos courtesy of Warner Max
“Charm City Kings” tells the tale of childhood friends Mouse, Lamont and Sweartagawd growing up in Baltimore while trying to avoid the pitfalls that urban youth face. MICHAEL FOSTER-SANDERS editor-in-chief
Rapper Meek Mill plays Blax, an ex-con trying to stay on the straight and narrow path to avoid going back to prison.
Being a young Black teenager with a broken family structure is a reality that many Black youth deal with in America daily. With the lack of positive influences in their life, it’s always the chance that one bad decision could cost them their future. Charm City Kings depicts this story well without being sappy or hokey. Mouse is the product of a single-parent household where love is plentiful, but resources are scarce. He has a knack for animals, which lands him an under-the-table job at his local animal shelter. His mentor Detective Rivers helped him get it. The teen also has a passion for illegal dirt bike riding, something he picked up from his older brother who was killed in an accident. Mouse purchased a low quality all-terrain vehicle — he plans to carry on his brother’s legacy by joining the Midnight Clique, who owns the streets when it comes to illegal dirt bike riding. After trying to impress his friends at the dirt bike show that MC hosted and wrecking out in the process, Mouse is spotted by his brother’s mentor Blax, the leader of the MC. Blax is played by rapper Meek Mill. He decides to take Mouse under his wing after being belittled by the other crew members for asking to be a part of the gang. Between peer
pressure, home issues and a secret that might tear Mouse and Blax bond apart, this could be Mouse’s last summer alive. Produced by Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, this movie shows the importance of influence in children’s lives, good and bad, how inner city youths are not the stereotypes that are portrayed, and that just because a person may have a negative past it does not mean they can’t make a positive impact on another person’s life. The acting by teenager Jahi Di’Allo Winston as Mouse is top notch and realistic because it depicts a multi-faceted inner city youth who has growing pains with what he’s dealing with in his day-to-day life becoming a young man. Meek Mill does an excellent job with a sinner-turned-mentor who is really playing himself. It shows that he drew from the changes in his life after past legal issues, which turned him into a philanthropist and a mentor — it makes Blax a memorable character that will leave an impression long after the movie is over. Charm City Kings is not a perfect movie because it doesn’t show how Black boys are put in situations where they feel like they have to take responsibility for the household when things go awry, but what it does do well makes it a movie that should be watched at least once.
SERIES REVIEW
Weird, dark humor crime story set in Kansas City MICHAEL FOSTER-SANDERS editor-in-chief
When immigrants came to America in search of a better life in the early 1900’s they were persecuted and had to find out their position in the land of equality. Combine that with the not long freed slaves after hundreds of years of free labor, no skills, and laws were used to stop them from building a foundation for the betterment of their people. The American Dream became the American Nightmare for these in this so-called melting pot, no boiling pot of people trying to carve out their peace of the pie for their culture, and their people. Welcome to the world of Fargo. In its fourth season, the show decides to take its dark humor crime drama to the past to 1950 Kansas City, MO where Blacks and Italians are trying to find their piece of the American Pie illegally and legally so they can build for their future generations. Comedian Chris Rock is not known for his serious roles, but here he’s Loy Cannon. A black no-nonsense crime boss who looks to be legit. Cannon’s crew has an uneasy truce with the Italians mob, who look down upon them because of their skin color.
Also to add gunpowder on top of this volatile situation it’s a long-standing tradition for the crime families who are in power to swap their son to their other family so they can become versed in the other families’ culture. It’s not long before sibling rivalry, and random misfortune from outside forces threatening the uneasy alliance. What makes this show work is the stories that are intertwined with the main tale that will have the viewer on the edge of their seat. FX isn’t afraid to spend big on the quality of the production of their show, and here it shows. The viewer will feel like they’re a part of the 1950’s Kansas City town. It is also refreshing to see a non stereotypical black criminal which isn’t a stereotype that is prevalent throughout the media. Who carries himself as a businessman, and someone respectable, and not a flat out mindless thug. The dialogue between him and his oldest son is some of the best from prime time TV in a long time. Just because this is season four of the series new viewers need not fret, due to each season being a new story from the previous one with new characters. This show might be a contender during Emmy award season.
photo courtesy of Disney
Chris Rock plays Loy Cannon, a crime boss who will stop at nothing for success.
Opinion
The Collegian
Viewpoints
My voting choice is not your business
RUDY MARTINEZ
social media coordinator
I am private about my political views. Is that OK with you? Social media has evolved to give every person with a log in an online platform to speak their mind, share life experiences and announce their political views. As a social media consultant and manager, the responsibility of upholding a true platform is far greater than an individual social media account. Although my personal social media accounts have a “platform,” I chose to keep my political opinion to myself and not shout it from the rooftops, like most people. Politics is not about being socially accepted and keeping your followers online. It is about the future of this country, hardly an unsolicited opinion to stay relevant.
This chaotic presidential race has separated the two-party system with exterme bias and by having non-objective thoughts. Scrolling through socal media I’m bombarded by individuals proclaiming “if you don’t share the same views as me, unfollow me!”, “don’t speak to me if you’re voting for …” or a phrase I have seen and heard: “fuck Trump!” As a moderate, I understand both sides of the argument, but I do not understand the civil war between the two parties on social media. Politics can be a very touchy subject, but why are we cutting friends out of our lives because they choose to vote for one party over the other? Or worse, people have begun to name-call, shame and threaten others over a disagreement. How are we united if one person cannot simply share their opinion without getting some type of backlash? I’d rather have a civilized face-toface conversation about politics than post on social media and get hate or even praise for my views. For that reason, I chose to keep my opinion to myself until an opportunity opens up to have a meaningful conversation where both sides can learn from each other. Not a simple headline.
managing editor
Our national debate system has become a mockery. The candidates are not debating anything, and Americans will have a hard time deciding who to vote for if we can’t even get them to answer valid platform-related questions on the national stage. It’s not like our debates are even civil anymore. The candidates use the time to attack, diminish and interrupt their opponents. Most recently, we saw this with the vice-presidential debate. While it was more civil and respectful than other debates, Mike Pence used all of his time to spread misinformation and attack Kamala Harris. Harris tried her best to counter the attacks but at one point it just turned into a debate about the candidates, rather than their experience and stances on issues. Pence didn’t even bother to an-
Editorial
Trump has to relax thinking he is great
Amber Davis/The Collegian
Stop mudslinging at election debates
MADDY REMINGTION
October 14, 2020 • Page 5
swer most of the questions, he just used the time to pivot to an attack. President Donald Trump and Joe Biden inevitably got into an arguing match on the debate stage. Party politics is getting in the way of the problems in our country and it needs to stop now. If we had an election system that was prioritizing putting qualified individuals forth rather than the most likeable person, maybe we could have a shot at getting this country fixed. We all have a problem. We are too focused on our self-interests to notice and recognize the issues happening to others. Our leaders represent this problem to a T. When did our country start to care more about the people running for office over the issues facing everyday Americans? People are drawing in debt, people are in cages at the borders, people are dying of COVID-19 complications and chronic medical conditions. But all we want to do is watch our country’s leaders argue on stage about each other’s personal lives? Americans who are still on the fence on who they are voting for did not gain clarity after these arguing matches. Politics like this is the reason the majority of eligible people in the U.S. don’t bother registering to vote.
President Trump will go down as the most divisive president in history. But to say he didn’t do anything positive would be a lie. He made people comfortable with being themselves on social media. People found out their friends from throughout the years social media posts showed how they felt about immigration not knowing if their friends’ parents came to America in search of a better life. To the naysayers who say racism doesn’t exist or America is the land of the free, four videos will prove that theory incorrect. The first is a video of a police officer being scared of a Black man who was complying at a traffic stop. The next is of a Black man being hunted like an animal. Another video shows a Black man with an officer’s knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. The last is bodycam footage of a no-knock search warrant. All these show how Black lives mattered as much now as they did in 1652. Not worth a damn penny. Now go to those social media comment sections where these videos are located. A person is going to see the vilest comments about a person’s life being extinguished because of the privilege that one may think they have. “They should’ve complied.” “Why was he running?”
“Time to take back America.” These and all other idiotic comments show that America psychologically is in a bad place. Domestic terrorism is at an all-time high. Talks of civil war if Trump loses the upcoming election, and bodily harm or cause by counterprotesters to movements whose sole purpose is to heal America from the sickness that it began to suffer from since that so-called guy discovered it in 1492. A plot was uncovered last week to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by 13 domestic terrorists who pledged their loyalty to the current commander-in-chief due to his criticism of her and his verbiage with his Hitleresque call to arms. The plot was to bomb a place to divert law enforcement to another location while performing a siege on Whitmer’s vacation home to capture and hold her hostage until their demands were met. If that was not a 1990s Michael Bay summer blockbuster, that’s the climate of America in 2020. The only way American will finally be great is for the majority of the American people who support Trump to wise up, and realize he doesn’t care about them either. They’re being used as a pawn in his game with the haves and the have nots. Thank you, President Trump, for everything.
Letters to the Editor
The Collegian staff welcomes letters to the editor concerning articles that have run in the paper or on other subjects that may be of interest to the general public. All letters should be signed by the writer, who should include his or her Colleague ID or telephone number. The numbers will not be published. They are used for verification only. Letters should be typed and not longer than 150 words. They will be edited for grammar, style and space and will run as space is available and at the discretion of the editor. Letters should be e-mailed to: micheal.foster-sanders@my.tccd.edu
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Foster-Sanders
MANAGING EDITOR Maddy Remington
CAMPUS EDITORS Linda Puga Megan Towery
LAYOUT & DESIGN Abbas Ghor Amber Davis Kristal Blankinship
PHOTO EDITOR Azul Sordo
ILLUSTRATOR Amber Davis PROFESSIONAL STAFF
PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacy Luecker
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The Collegian is a weekly student publication serving the Tarrant County College District. Editorial statements and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the TCC administration. Letters to the paper should be 150 words or less, free from libel and poor taste and include the writer’s Colleague ID or telephone number (the numbers will not be published). Letters may be brought to The Collegian office (NCAB 1124A, NE Campus), or mailed to:
The Collegian • 828 Harwood Road Hurst, TX 76054 Office: 817-515-6391 Editor: 817-515-6394 Advertising: 817-515-6619 email: collegian.editor@tccd.edu TCC is an equal opportunity institution that provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status or disability.
Page 6 • October 14, 2020
News
what about women’s rights? What the upcoming election means for women in America Women’s rights are at stake this election season. TR student Faith Fishburn has always been driven by the desire to see equality worldwide. She is intrigued by politics and hopes to be a journalist in the future. The uncovering of Harvey Weinstein and the Me Too Movement inspired her and led to a sparked passion in the fight for women. She believes the most important right a woman should have is making decisions regarding her body. “For so many years, men have been allowed to make decisions for and on behalf of women and our rights, but we are beyond qualified to choose what we will endure,” Fishburn said. With the November election occurring not long after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, Fishburn believes these circumstances should motivate this generation to be proactive. In regards to the running candidates, Fishburn is settling, but nonetheless casting a vote for Joe Biden. “Biden proposes a fight for equal pay, an increase in benefits for employees in industries/ careers, ensure representation in government, and increase access to healthcare,” she said. Unsure if Biden used a tactic to appeal to the female demographic, Fishburn points out Biden’s running mate and potential vice president, Kamala Harris, is a woman of color. But female representation in government is
The upcoming generation has to exercise their right and use their voices, Maturo said. There are many underrepresented groups in government, including minority groups, persecuted religions, deaf and hard of hearing, blind communities, and those disabled or struggling with mental health, she said. “Women who are deaf or disabled face violence, wealth inequality, ostracization and isolation from politics,” she said. “There wasn’t even a sign language interpreter for the last two debates.” Free education for women all over the world is something TR student Alani Carranza deems important. “Education should be a priority for every human being, there are women who are deprived from this as if it were a luxury instead of a necessity,” she said.
not where it should be, she said. “Intersectionality is extremely important and women of color are underrepresented in law-making and policy discussions,” Fishburn said. As for the future of women’s rights, Fishburn hopes for an activist who can continue Ginsburg’s legacy and continue the fight. TR student Mary Maturo believes in the right to life, dignity and safety. “I believe that women of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities and abilities should have the right to live, without others choosing their fate,” she said. “I also believe in the right to have human dignity, and not be subjected to belittlement, discrimination or invalidation.” Maturo emphasized the importance of safety, especially victims of sex trafficking, rape and child pornography.
Carranza sees importance in changing the narrative with this election after getting four years to examine everything that’s taken place. Will Planned Parenthood be taken away? Offering STD testing, birth control, cancer exams, abortion and infertility services, Carranza wonders what will happen if it is demolished. In addition, there are worries about the work Ginsburg did to help women get equal pay. However, it is still a prominent issue in businesses today, she said. “I worry about what workplaces will look like for me, a young Latina woman, going into the film industry,” she said. “Will my salary be the same as my male colleague?
LINDA PUGA
campus editor
Illustration by Amber Davis/The Collegian