TCCD Collegian November 4, 2020

collegian.tccd.edu

Sacha Baron Cohen returns to his iconic role page 6

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – Volume 33 • Issue 10

It’s all up in the air The race for president is undecided

Remembering heritage, culture with flair page 3

TCC offers costefficient nursing program page 8

We can’t keep waiting for LGBTQ rights. page 7

Where would we be without Trump? page 7

Kamala Harris stops by Everything Fort Worth sucks page 2 page

Grumpy old man talks Everything Kamala Harris about gatekeeping sucks comes to town page 7

page page

Illustration by Amber Davis/The Collegian

Page 2 • November 4, 2020

News

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Harris tried to capture Fort Worth voters

Giovanni Rebosio/The Collegian

Vice President hopeful Kamala Harris visits Fort Worth on the last part of her political campaign to turn Texas blue. Texas is a major state during presidential elections.

Vice presidential candidate rallied voters during political stop for the 2020 election season MADDY REMINGTON managing manag ing editor

Deomocratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris made a historic visit to Fort Worth Oct. 30, the last day of early voting in Texas.

This is the first time a Democratic presidential ticket member has made a visit to Tarrant County in the home stretch of the election since former President Bill Clinton in the 90s.

Harris spoke about the last day of early voting in Texas and the record nine million people who had already cast their ballots. She encouraged people to continue their commitment and their drive to see it through.

Harris said we are in the midst of four crises — first and foremost is the public health crisis that has caused more than 220,000 deaths. She sympathized with the

families who have had to suffer loss because of COVID-19. Not only have millions contracted the virus, but this pandemic has disproportionately affected Black Americans and Latinos, Harris said.

Harris recognized this as the greatest mass-casualty event since World War II. The president failed to recognize the seriousness of the pandemic and handled it ineffectively by even calling it a hoax, Harris said.

She criticized the president for his response when learning of the pandemic. Harris said the pandemic has hurt the economy and even more sohurt American families who were already working to get by. She vowed that the Biden administration would work to prevent families from having to work two to three jobs to make ends meet.

“We have a country that has not made it a priority for a family to have paid sick leave and paid family leave and that will change in a Biden-Harris Administration,” Harris said.

Harris also criticized Trump for misleading the American people when they need factual information the most during this public health crisis.

Shespoke about how there are clear choices in this election because of the vastly different approaches to healthcare.

“Biden understands that healthcare access is a right and not just a privilege to those who can afford it,” Harris said.

Her campaign plans to expand coverage and healthcare. She criticized the Trump Administration’s lawsuit to get rid of the Affordable Care Act because there are 10 million Texans with preexisting conditions this act protects.

Harris talked about the worsening wealth gap and the growing number of people who had to file for unemployment insurance, which is now estimated at 30 million people.

Americans are in the midst of a hunger crisis — 1 in 6 households are not able to pay

their rent, and small businesses are suffering because of the current economic recession that she said she compares to the Great Depression.

The criminal justice system needs reform now more than ever, Harris said, and she outlined her campaign’s plans to take steps in reforming the system that is rigged against people of color.

“We are facing a long-overdue reckoning of racial injustice in America,” Harris said.

She called out Trump for encouraging white supremacists and said Trump undermined and questioned the legitimacy of our first Black president, Barack Obama.

Biden’s first priority as president would be to restore unity and heal the divisiveness that America is facing, Harris said.

Harris said she came to Texas to thank supporters and encourage people to speak up for these issues and vote

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High voting turnout across US resulting in limbo Voting tallies still being counted in many states after Election Day has run its course COLLEGIAN STAFF Close poll numbers have left results undetermined for the presidential election.

This has especially been the case in swing states, which are states that could be won by either party. Texas, Michigan, Florida and Ohio were all magnets for attention with their small margins.

For the majority of the night, those four states slightly favored President Donald Trump, but it was still difficult to determine what the end results would be.

Results were finalized in Ohio first, then in Florida and finally in Texas. Trump won in all three states.

Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvania have kept people waiting throughout the day on Nov. 4 to see which candidate has come

out on top.

The tallying process is taking significantly longer this year because of the record numbers of people who voted early. Texas’ early-voting numbers exceeded the 8.9 million in 2016, according to The Associated Press. This year, 9.7 million people voted early in Texas.

Final results should be expected several days after the general elections, and will likely look different from what was seen in the early results, according to GBH. This influx was especially evident locally.

“In Tarrant County, more people have voted early than in all of 2016,” a report by NBC DFW said.

Absentee ballots were another reason for delays. Their popularity increased due to COVID-19, and many states lifted restrictions

on this method of voting to accommodate those wanting to avoid risking exposure to the virus, according to CNN. The Texas Tribune said 973,083 ballots were cast by mail during early voting.

Several hours into election night, in the midst of all the uncertainty, both candidates gave speeches and made public statements on Twitter to address their supporters.

“We feel good about where we are,” Biden said in his tweet. “We believe we are on track to win this election.”

Trump’s message displayed similar optimism.

“We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election,” he said. “We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed!”

It was flagged by Twitter shortly after it was posted as possibly misleading about the

ongoing election.

While the presidential race carried on, local elections were also in progress.

Republican candidates predominantly pulled ahead in Tarrant County. Twenty-three out of 36 precinct districts voted for Republican representatives according to AP Election Results. Despite the favored Republican candidates, a handful of Democratic county commissioners and constables took the lead in their races.

Roy Charles Brooks was the only Democratic candidate for county commissioner to win. For constable positions: Robert J. McGinty, Pedro Munoz, Sandra Lee and Michael Campbell were the Democratic winners.

Live updates can be found on CNN, ABC and NPR. Alyson Oliver, Linda Puga and Jose Romero contributed to this story.

The Collegian

Feature

November 4, 2020 • Page 3

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Celebration of life continues after death

Folklórico dancers performs outside Grand Prairie City Hall during a Day of the Dead celebration.

Photos by Azul Sordo/The Collegian

Hispanic culture utilizes costumes, makeup and altars to honor deceased family members LINDA PUGA

campus editor

The Day of the Dead holiday continued for NE student Yaravidt Ramirez Olivas even without being able to gather with others to celebrate her deceased loved ones.

“My favorite part is the ability to dedicate time once a year to those members that are on to the next life,” Olivas said.

Remembering her lost family members has helped Olivas stay connected to her Hispanic culture, despite the current circumstances of the pandemic.

Olivas said her family usually holds a big family gathering, makes tamales and lights candles placed in front of photos of the deceased at the end of the evening.

Because the holiday is celebrated Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Olivas said her family decided to reschedule the festivities due to COVID-19.

TR student Jaime Mejia said he admires how Day of the Dead unites the Mexican community.

It doesn’t matter if you are from the North or South of Mexico, the day can still be celebrated and expressed through customs and contemporary art, Mejia said.

Preserving this holiday has become important as more countries have recognized and adopted these traditions, he said.

“I strongly believe that it is not just important to celebrate Día de los Muertos but also to be proud of embracing this ancient tradition,” Mejia said.

Mejia and his family take part in praying

for the souls to be resting in peace on Nov. 2.

South student Fatima Albarran admires that the holiday commemorates life.

“My favorite aspect of Día de los Muertos is that instead of completely mourning lost ones, those who celebrate it can remember and celebrate their spirit as if they were truly alive,” Albarran said.

She sees importance in this holiday because of its origin and purpose.

“The Aztecs believed that the dead would be insulted by sadness, so instead their life is celebrated, and their spirit can come back to join their family through traditions they would already do if they were alive,” Albarran said.

Preserving this belief is a big part of the culture to ensure lost loved ones still feel re-

membered, she said. Albarran and her family only celebrate the holiday with the original traditions when they are in Mexico.

“We go to festivals where everyone eats and does activities the deceased would have loved,” Albarran said. “I would love to celebrate it more here than I do.”

However, she said her family still finds a way to incorporate those traditions even from their home in Fort Worth.

“The thing we do every year when we are not in Mexico is set up an altar with all of our deceased loved ones with a candle by their picture to bring back their spirit while we bring positive vibes through eating and drinking food and drinks such as Mexican sweetbread, mole, hot chocolate and atole,” Albarran said.

Attendees look at the dances that honor relatives for the Day of the Dead celebrations.

The ofrenda competition is to honor the dead with offerings to the spirit world.

Attendees release monarch butterflies, which are believed to hold the spirits of the dead.

Folklórico is a collective term for traditional Mexican dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics.

News

Page 4 • November 4, 2020

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Grant offers local entrepreneurs funding

Daniilvolkov/Adobe Stock

The Everyday Entreprenuer Venture Fund seeks to provide opportunities for funding and education to budding small business owners in Tarrant County.

TCC is the only community college in Texas to be a part of the recipients to receive funding ALYSON OLIVER campus editor

TCC invites current and aspiring small business owners to apply for the Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund and potentially receive up to $8,000.

Students are eligible to apply, as are alumni and other Tarrant County residents. The program is meant to assist entrepreneurs by giving them resources they wouldn’t have access to otherwise, with a specific focus on aiding minorities.

“It is exactly what it says it is,” said Shannon Bryant, campus executive vice president of corporate solutions and economic develop-

ment. “It’s for the everyday entrepreneur.”

Stewart and Chip Weismiller created the fund about five years ago, NW business and entrepreneurship instructor Lourdes Ramboa said. Later, they worked with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship to extend the fund to community colleges that are providing entrepreneurship programs.

During phase one in 2017, the four participating community colleges received a total of $1 million in funding between them, Ramboa said.

This will be TCC’s first time participating in the program. It is the only community college in Texas to be a part of phase two.

Participants need to present clear, data-backed explanations as to why their business idea is likely to succeed, Ramboa said. They need to show an understanding of several components such as their target customer base, their industry and competition, the financial aspects of their business and their marketing strategy.

“It’s less about the pitch and more about an understanding and knowledge of what their business opportunity is all about,” she said.

Furthermore, participants need to focus on the value of their business, Bryant said. It is important that they have a clear idea of the positive difference their business is expected to make, in the lives of individuals and in the community

as a whole.

Small businesses are important in this respect. They have the power to greatly benefit their communities, Ramboa and Bryant said. They are vital when it comes to economic growth, and they consistently generate new job opportunities. They also create local diversity, which is needed in order to see communities thrive.

Additionally, small businesses are able to serve the people around them on a more personal level.

They can directly observe the needs of people within their community and then innovate in order to meet those needs, Ramboa said. On a larger scale, however, those needs might be overlooked.

Ramboa also said business

ownership takes strength. Aspiring entrepreneurs need to be prepared to make mistakes, but most importantly, to learn from their shortcomings in order to better adapt in the future.

“It’s not about mistakes,“but rather about lessons learned,” Bryant said.

Those who are awarded a grant will receive educational opportunities as well as financial support, she said. They will have the chance to attend a program spanning almost two years with workshops pertaining not only to business ownership in general, but to their business in specific and the niche it falls into.

TCC will continue accepting applications through Nov. 13.

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In current digital age, it takes skill to navigate online information Research, critical thinking, fact-checking and awareness of own bias are vital things to practice while reading online ALYSON OLIVER campus editor

Digital literacy is the ability to use information and communication technology with knowledgeable skill, and it is more important than ever with information so readily available on the internet, south librarian Angela Morse said.

Research shows many students are proficient in using technology, NW assistant director of library services James Baxter said. However, students – and Americans in general – are not as proficient when it comes to evaluating what they see online.

With news just a few clicks away, and the thoughts and opinions of others constantly circulating on social media, it can be difficult to determine what is true and what is false.

Someone with digital literacy knows how to do exactly that: fact check and recognize credibility, SE

associate history professor Kristan Foust said.

Baxter, Morse and Foust all said it’s important to ask the right questions when looking at new information. For instance, who published the news article? Is it outdated? Who is the author, what are their credentials and could they have any conflicts of interest? Is their work well-sourced, and what sources have they cited?

It is also important to pay attention to whether or not multiple news sources are reporting on the same story. If not, that should raise skepticism. A number of credible sources will report on real events, Foust said.

Finally, lateral reading, or consulting a variety of sources, is crucial in digital literacy, Baxter said.

So is reading the entire article, because studies show many people stop after reading headlines and first few paragraphs.

“I think we have to realize there are no shortcuts to understanding

the news,” he said. “We all have to spend a good part of our day reading if we want to understand what’s going on in the world.”

When it comes to news on social media, it’s been debated whether or not companies are doing too little to counter disinformation on their platforms, or if they’re overbearing.

This debate is nothing new, according to Foust. It’s just that it’s evolved as online information has spread.

When considering this topic, it’s also important to take into account the difference between disinformation and misinformation, Morse said. Whereas disinformation is the intentional spread of falsehood, misinformation comes from someone who is simply unaware of the facts.

Both political parties have made claims of unfair censorship from sites such as Facebook in the past, Baxter said, but he hasn’t seen any evidence of this. He said censor-

“I think we have to realize there are no shortcuts to understanding the news.”

NW assistant director James Baxter

ing false information about COVID19 to benefit public health and safety – such as claims that masks are ineffective – is justifiable, for instance.

Foust said knowing the difference between good moderation of disinformation and unjust censorship is still a work in progress. She proposed placing warnings on content and giving readers resources to find out more, rather than simply taking the content down.

It’s not a good idea to rely on social media for news anyway, Baxter said.

“Look to Facebook for entertainment and look to professional journalists for your news,” he said.

Morse and Foust said social media’s impact hasn’t been all negative – it allows for event coverage that may not have been possible otherwise, gives people the power to connect with one another and breaks up the monopoly larger media corporations have had.

Still, at the end of the day, it’s best to look to a number of sources to see the bigger picture, Morse said.

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News

Page 5 • November 4 , 2020

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A different perspective on virtual classes

Insta_Photos/Adobe stock

While the switch to online learning this semester has posed challenges, it has also had beneficial outcomes for students by giving them more flexability.

DIOANY YOSUINO reporter

The switch from taking classes in the classroom to online classes due to COVID-19 has been the best thing these TCC students have experienced to improve their academic performance.

South student Elontay Phillip is one of many people who cannot afford transportation, so she would have had to struggle every day to get to her classes.

Online classes have been beneficial by allowing her to study from home without worrying about how to get to class on time, she said.

“When my classes were on campus, sometimes I couldn’t make it to class and I missed tests that counted for a lot in my grade,’’ Phillip said. “It was difficult because I had to find time to make up the tests, and some teachers didn’t understand my situation, so I had to get a zero.”

However, online classes are now allowing her to focus better on studying for exams and getting good grades rather than on how she might get to class that day.

TR student Jhoniel Rodriguez said the daily grind of having to leave home, pay for gas and buy food for his stay on campus stressed him out and left him with little time for research and homework.

The unplanned change brought by the pandemic has allowed him to have enough time to do all of his assignments from the comfort of home.

“Once my online class is over, instead of rushing home, I just start doing my homework,” Rodriguez said. “The fact that I have time to spare has helped me be more productive and improve my grades.”

South student Giselle Comparan said on-

line classes give her extra time to work and pay the tuition for her classes. Before the lockdown, she didn’t have enough time to work and pay for four classes and ended up cutting back to two.

With the move online, Comparan is back to taking four classes. And she doesn’t depend on a strict schedule to do assignments. Instead, she can do them after work.

“I think online classes are for busy people like mothers, fathers and employees,” Comparan said. “Also, I think it’s a great alternative for people who have to work to pay for their studies as I do.”

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Student leader organization grants academic benefits FRANCES JAMNICK reporter

Phi Theta Kappa is an organization that grants access to scholarships, helps students gain connections and other achievements for having good grades and being an active member.

Mary Maturo, vice president of PTK’s TR chapter, said she first joined her second year. Like many others, she described her first months as not being entirely involved with the campus at first.

After she was inducted into the NW chapter, she switched to taking classes atTR and joined its PTK chapter. She said she began to flourish in a new close-knit community environment. After a year of serving

as a member, she was elected into her current position last summer.

“I want to be that sibling for students who want to go far, and being vice president means that I have the knowledge and experience to do so,” Maturo said.

Joining any organization requires having the time and building up knowledge and experience to create an atmosphere that shows what any organization is about, she said. Maturo explained that being in Phi Theta Kappa has taught her a lot.

“I have learned the value of leadership, knowledge, selflessness and work ethic,” she said. “Plus, it’s nice to be rewarded for your achievements.”

The requirements for PTK vary based on GPA and the different chapters on various campuses. The general requirements for the TR chapter, for example, include having a 3.5 GPA or above for at least 12 credit hours.

Most chapters also require that members maintain a 3.0 GPA to stay active.

When the general requirements are met, a student will receive an invitation and an application form to join.

Peter Doas, an adviser for PTK’s NW chapter, said he sees how the organization has helped students and that PTK membership opens opportunities for students who wish to transfer.

“They can earn financial benefits, such as scholarships, and can work with others at TCC or other colleges to collaborate on various projects,” he said.

Even the connections made in organizations such as these can lead to recommendations for transferring. However, it is essential to meet the grade requirement and be an active member for at least part of the time, Doas said.

“Each campus at TCC has its own chap-

ter of PTK, and some variation exists with the requirements within each chapter,” he said.

Accomplishing these requirements grants access to potential scholarships.

Nytrell Morrison, treasurer and social media ambassador for the TR chapter described it as “a multipurpose organization” that provides benefits like scholarships and personal growth opportunities.

Morrison said PTK students can pick up skills from webinars or conferences that give guidance and knowledge on topics both in and out of school.

“The things we struggle and have a hard time with, PTK can offer help, such as financial responsibility, time management, dealing with personal issues such as depression, anxiety,” Morrison said.

“Through PTK, they offer webinars, workshops, conferences, and much more beyond scholarships.”

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Page 6 • November 4 , 2020

Entertainment

MOVIE REVIEW

Kazakhstan’s golden boy returns to film

Sacha Baron Cohen returns to his unfortgettable role as Borat in an all new mockumentary to regain his honor and return to his country.

JOSE ROMERO campus editor

Borat brings along his daugter Tutar on his new adventure through America. He tries to sell her to Vice President Mike Pence.

The first “Borat” film is now 14 years old, but Sacha Baron Cohen and his new sidekick, Maria Bakalova, prove the franchise hasn’t aged a day.

It’s apparent Borat 2 replicates the comedic style of its predecessor and delivers. It also introduces new topics and a new character along with it.

Maria Bakalova plays Borat’s daughter Tutar Sagdiyev and manages to steal every scene she’s in with her charisma, wit and delivery, which are comparable to Sacha’s.

She delivers the raunchy and satirical comedy expected from the film with flying colors.

The titular character has also returned, and Sacha slips right back into his role with ease. Borat Sagdiyev is just as he was before.

His crude remarks and actions in mostly lax environments create hilariously memorable scenes. It’s difficult to tell when Borat and Tutar are in real situations or controlled environments due to the acting prowess on display.

The film also does a great job of explaining a common question a viewer of the original would have.

Photos courtesty of Amazom Studios

How is Borat going to walk around in public now that he’s famous? Tutar’s introduction alleviated the issue along with Borat’s suite of disguises.

The reactions garnered from the actions of the duo are the reason to watch. Seeing how different kinds of people interact with the two is worth the watch itself. It also helps that the material used in the film is topical in today’s climate.

From the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) to protests, each environment offers these characters different ways to go wild.

However, sometimes when the film is trying to be topical, the jokes felt forced and fell flat. But that doesn’t happen too many times. It’s also worth noting that this sequel doesn’t sting as much as its predecessor. That doesn’t mean that it’s calm by any means, but the first film had more physically recoiling moments.

Borat 2 is a worthy sequel to the comedic classic. Both actors offer a wide range of skill and know-how when it comes to making the audience hold on to their sides. The simplest way to put it is that the film is, “Very nice!”

NETFLIX SERIES REVIEW

A look into the unknown returns for a second season MADDY REMINGTON campus editor

Unsolved Mysteries confounds viewers with six episodes in the volume two premiere featuring murder, tsunami ghosts, prison breakouts and stolen kids.

The season begins with a bang giving us a look at a case from 2010 where a prominent White House staff member was found dead in a Delaware landfill.

This show looks inside Jack Wheeler’s life as a White House staffer and American businessman, as well as a theory into his disappearance because of his job at the time.

But this prominent member of the U.S. government may not be what he seems at first glance.

The second episode gives an intriguing look at the story of Jennifer Fairgate, a seemingly normal woman who takes a spur of the moment trip to Oslo, Norway. But when she is found dead in her hotel room of an apparent suicide, the details don’t add up. This episode reveals details of life as a spy and leaves viewers wondering why not a single person from across the world can recognize this woman.

Who is Jennifer Fairgate? What is her story?

Unsolved Mysteries seeks to reveal all.

“Death Row Fugitive” showcases a peculiar prison break that has led to the manhunt for Lester Eubanks, a convicted killer. Decades later and he is still believed to be on the run with incredible luck. Unsolved Mysteries delves deep to reveal the mysterious details of where he is and how he managed to stay off the grid.

“Tsunami Disaster”, episode four, gives us a look at the aftermath of a Tsunami in northern Japan. Fifteen thousand were killed in the wake of the 2011 tsunami. But residents have

begun to get an eerie feeling that their friends and family who have passed are still around.

This episode follows the reported thousands of ghost sightings in the fallout of one of the most massive earthquakes and tsunamis to date.

“Lady in the Lake” takes viewers through a confounding journey to understand what happened to a Michigan woman gone missing. The signs and police point to suicide but the small details in the case point to a much larger scheme. What exactly happened to the Michigan woman? And why does it seem that the police are covering it up? Unsolved Mysteries highlights how details can make all the difference.

The final episode “Stolen Kids” takes viewers on a heart-wrenching journey back to the 70s where two toddlers both disappeared from the same Harlem neighborhood park within months of each other. The case details are too similar to be dismissed, but even with an in-depth citywide search, the kids and the kidnapper have yet to be located. They could still be alive.

This series does an impressive job showcasing cold cases from across the world in a creative way. The cinematography takes viewers through a whirlwind of emotions by making them feel as if they are experiencing the situation. The choice to showcase these cases in a docudrama was perfect because it makes the audience more invested in the case.

Unlike volume one, volume two gives viewers cases that are closer to home and aren’t as outlandish. The cases’ details make viewers question the confounding plot holes, twists and turns. Fans of mysteries and detective-style entertainment will rejoice at this formidable second installment.

Giovanni Rebosio/The Collegian

After the first volume made its debut in 1987, the series has been reimagined for Netflix and is currently in season two.

Opinion

The Collegian

Viewpoints

We can’t let up on vying for equality

ALYSON OLIVER campus editor

To think the fight for LGBTQ equality is over would be misguided.

The 2020 election will play a part in determining the future of LGBTQ rights. Since the 2016 election, permissions to discriminate have been placed above the rights of LGBTQ people.

GLAAD, formerly Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has gathered examples of this in a list called the Trump Accountability Project, including several revocations of LGBTQ rights and protections.

According to GLAAD, the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ people against discrimination when it comes to things like housing, employment and health care, received opposition from the Trump Administration.

Transgender people in the military are now made to choose between service and receiving gender-affirming

medical treatment, according to a report by NBC News, barred from serving openly even though this has not caused problems in the past.

And Trump has no problem cozying up with anti-LGBTQ activists and even nominating them for positions of power, according to GLAAD. The list goes on.

Hate crimes have increased under Trump’s leadership including those targeting LGBTQ people. This especially impacts transgender women of color, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Lives have been lost.

Despite his claims, Trump is no champion for the LGBTQ community.

It is disappointing to still see hate and false information regarding LGBTQ people to this day. Many ideas, such as the invalidation of transgender and nonbinary identities, and the notion that one’s sexual orientation is a choice, have been debunked.

Biden has said he would take steps in the right direction if elected president, such as passing the Equality Act, making treatment more accessible for people with HIV and AIDS and championing LGBTQ rights across the world.

Regardless of which candidate wins, it’s important that LGBTQ people and allies alike keep up the advocacy – for LGBTQ rights, for racial justice, for reproductive rights and more.

Being a gatekeeper is a necessary evil

MICHEAL FOSTER-SANDERS editor-in-cheif

Everything sucks.

I mean I’m glad to be six feet above ground, but the world as a whole generally sucks in my opinion.

When it comes to being kind it seems like people have lost the general concept of what that means in this cruel world.

People want to be savages, wallow in pettiness and wait for misfortune to happen to individuals.

All one has to do is log onto a message board on the World Wide Web to see this. Manners and respect for our elders are fading.

Gone are the days where you would hear “yes ma’am” or “no sir” from children addressing adults.

Entertainment is another sore spot in the world today. While the old adage is true that nothing is new, it appears that originality is a foreign con-

cept. I can attest to this in the worlds of hip-hop, movies and games.

Once upon a time in hip-hop, it was a cardinal sin to “bite” copy, borrowing someone’s style or slang. The term “being a biter” was a death sentence for your career and could possibly cause bodily harm.

Now everyone sounds alike and uses the same slang like there’s nothing wrong with doing so —a rapper from Alaska rap has a southern drawl.

In video games, the majority of big budget projects are afraid to take chances since they fear they’ll lose profit. Every video game now has to have a season pass, microtransactions and multiplayer.

I yearn for indie-developed games that creators put their heart and soul into that take a risk with their storytelling and gameplay. Those are the projects that will be remembered and placed into the gaming hall of fame.

When a person has issues with things turning sour, theyhark about the good ole days. You run the risk of being labeled a boomer or a gatekeeper which is absolute hogwash.

Gatekeeping is necessary for standards to be upheld. In doing so, the quality of the art forms or lifestyles won’t diminish.

Maybe I’m just becoming a grumpy old man, but nevertheless, I will die on my sword about how I feel.

November 4, 2020 • Page 7

Editorial

Sounding Trumpets capture Americans

Amber Davis/The Collegian

So here we are four years later.

It seemed impossible that the reality TV star could pull it off, but he did in the 2016 election. America was sleepy and assuming as Trump snatched the driver’s seat to the land of the free.

There are several things that are far worse than when this all started. Those things go without saying in 2020, unless you have been hibernating for the last nine months. But what about the silver lining?

Organizations have gained steam since he showed up. Black Lives Matter and #TheMeToo movement has far more support now, but that is likened to what happens when you turn on your back porch light and all of the bugs show up.

Trump came along and ignited the racist fringe to combine their forces like some backwoods swamp bottom feeder version of Power Rangers.

Trump has provided a necessary, if unintentional, benefit by leading the racist, homophobic and misogynistic hordes into the light of the mainstream American political stage.

He came in like the Pied Piper of Hamelin pushing the rats into the open with his magical flute, parading before our eyes an insidious disease that plagues our nation, so that we may see it clearly.

So, the question is: where would we be without Trump? Well, if we look at the bright side a light now shines on the darkest corners of this great nation that needed tending.

The racists have been emboldened to step out of their shadows. You don’t have to wear a white hood to be an enemy to people of color.

Some men still believe they can lay claim, like real estate, to the uterus of every woman in the “free world.”

We now know that to a large portion of the population, fetuses matter more than brown children.

Men in positions of power can physically assault women and women will be blamed. We also know that those same men can lead this country and hand down rulings from the highest courts in this nation.

There is a lack of separation of church and state, unless you are talking about the protections offered white, cisgendered conservative and “Godfearing” citizens from having their public symbols or tax benefits removed.

It would seem that pro-life means fetus. We have learned that the anti-abortion stance ends for some at the inconvenience of wearing a mask in favor of a narcissistic view of civil liberty that endangers our most vulnerable and most marginalized Americans.

In many ways, integrity is less important than winning for a vast majority of our nation, and we would have none of this without the clown show Trump has orchestrated.

So, let’s raise our glasses to finally being able to recognize that America is not great and needs healing.

We saw record-breaking numbers of citizens vote this week which, if Trump wins, we can only hope he extinguishes the flames of division that’s plagued our country for the past four years.

If Trump does not win, let’s hope we can keep the momentum of change going.

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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Staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Foster-Sanders

MANAGING EDITOR Maddy Remington

CAMPUS EDITORS Linda Puga Megan Towery Alyson Oliver Jose Romeo

LAYOUT & DESIGN Abbas Ghor Amber Davis Kristal Blankinship

PHOTO EDITOR Azul Sordo PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacy Luecker

ILLUSTRATOR Amber Davis

PROFESSIONAL STAFF ADVISERS Chris Whitley, Jocelyn Tatum

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Letter Policy ADVERTSING AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Anna Reust SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Rudy Martinez WEBSITE COORDINATOR Kristal Blankinship

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 8 • November 4, 2020

Feature

Illustration by Amber Davis/The Collegian

TRINITY RIVER

TCC Nursing Program Providing opportunities in the healthcare field while completing education

KRISTAL BLANKINSHIP website coordinator

The TCC Nursing program has a very selective application process.

After being accepted to TCC, students must meet the requirements to be eligible to submit a separate application to the Nursing Program.

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.4 or higher in the three science prerequisite courses. Applicants are also required to take HESI A2, which is the required admission test for Nursing.

One must earn a minimum score of 75 on each section of the HESI A2. The test consists of five sections, Anatomy and Physiology, Grammar, Math, Reading and Vocabulary.

Career and Technical Education Academic Adviser Chelsey Smithley, “Because the HESI A2 is the main component of the applicant score, the higher their HSEI A2

score, the more competitive of an applicant they will be.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way the HESI A2 test is given, said Daisy Guzman of the Department of Associate Degree Nursing. “Because of the pandemic, the test is done on online threw Prometric,” said Guzman, “The test cost 45-dollars and can be taken every 60-days.”

The program combines general and nursing education with clinical experiences in a variety of area facilities. TCC offers nursing courses on campus in 2 formats, classes on campus and Blended, which is classes on campus and online. Smithley said, “In clinic, students must be professional, reliable and timely.”

Nursing student Claudia Luna said, “My classes are a bit challenging, but it’s also exciting and fascinating all at the same time.”

The way classes are conducted has changed because of CO VID-19 says Claudia Luna. “Since COVID-19, all of our classes

Photos by Azul Sordo/The Collegian

Students can earn their nusing credentials while attending the newly build East campus in downtown Fort Worth.

including our clinical class are online which can be difficult at times, but I’m learning how to use all my resources to my advantage,” Said Luna. ­­The TCC nursing program is a Concurrent Enrollment Program. This give students the chance to work on a Nursing A.A.S. at TCC while working on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at one of the partner universities.

Luna said, “I am currently enrolled in the LVN program and like I’ve said, it is a bit challenging at times due to our classes being online and trying to figure out which study techniques work best for me, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Graduates of the program are encouraged to transfer to 4-year universities to complete their bachelor’s degree in nursing through enrollment in RN-to-BSN programs.

After successfully completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is administered by the

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Once a program passes the NCLEX-RN examination, you will get your Registered Nursing license.

The Associate Degree in Nursing and Vocational Nursing programs meet the state education requirements for a nursing license in the state of Texas.

TCC has not determined if these nursing programs meet the state education requirements in any other state in the U.S. “After I graduate from the LVN Program, I plan on continuing my education by enrolling into the LVN to RN program that TCC offers and eventually becoming an ED Nurse or a Travel nurse on day,” said Luna.

After successfully completing the program, Graduates can find job opportunities in hospitals, Doctor offices, Nursing and residential care facilities and home healthcare services.

Respiratory care center display at East campus. Featured is the Bennett PR-2 model that was used in WW2 and nicknamed “The Owl”.