Issuu

Finding Andee - Financial aid employee finds themself in accepting their identity Page 5

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 – Volume 37 • Issue 14

@tccthecollegian • collegian.tccd.edu

DISTRICT

Student, staff begin taking precautions against theft

Balancing college needs with business, financial RYAN CUTRER

staff reporter collegian.editor@tccd.edu

FOUSIA ABDULLAHI

campus editor fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu

NE experienced a theft in the photography department located at NCAB, and South had a car theft. The car theft was reported on Monday, Jan. 29 at approximately 10 p.m. at South. A timely warning notification bulletin was sent out on Jan. 30. “The vehicle was parked in Parking Lot six, near the west entrance to the lot on the South,” the notification read. “The stolen vehicle is described as a 2017 Dodge Charger 392, red in color, with a gold decal on the trunk and gold rims. At this time there is no suspect information to relay to the public.” The district police said, “It is important to remember to always lock your vehicle and keep any valuables out of plain sight. Keep your vehicle key or keys secured with you at all times, in a pocket or purse. The Tarrant County Col-

Rama Ajlouni/The Collegian

On Wednesday, Jan. 24, a theft in the NE photography department occurred in one of the classrooms in NCAB. lege District Police Department also encourages any person to report suspicious activities, for example persons walking around the parking lots looking in vehicles.”

Ting Huang, department chair of communication arts and associate professor of photography, recalled what happened the day there See Theft, Page 3

Academia and business are the two main aspects of running a college, but can they coexist with one another? How well does TCC keep these two philosophies balanced? In recent years, college professors and faculty across Texas have taken issue with the idea of managing a college like a business, including NE English associate professor Annette Cole. Cole’s concern with the business side of college management is the idea of looking to make a profit more than anything else and referring to students as clients. “This is not a business,” Cole said. “We don’t roll out a product, we produce thinkers.” Cole’s main concern is the effect someone with exclusively a business background can have on college policy and funding decisions, calling for more people with educational backgrounds to

be placed in positions of power at TCC. According to Cole, many professors voice the same concern. “Until we go back to looking at the students who come in as students and not clients, then it will continue down this road,” Cole said. “I cannot tell you how much I hate it.” TCC board of trustees Vice See Business, page 3

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Vice President Kenneth Barr during the January meeting.

TRINITY RIVER

Photography exhibit inspired by ‘The Talk’ Work showcases lasting effects of police brutality on Black community

Darough has been working on this collection for a few years with photos like “It Was Just A Cell Phone” being taken in 2019. The exhibition is open in the Fork Gallery on TR Campus until March 8.

Darough is from Ferguson, Missouri, where the Ferguson uprising took place after the murder of Michael Brown by a police officer in 2014. He often frequented the area where Brown was killed. “I could’ve been a Mike Brown,” Darough said. Following the Ferguson uprising, his photography took a more political lens. “The Talk” drew inspiration from different sources throughout history and extensive research. “I started creating different images,” Darough said. “I was watching the news, and every time I am watching the news, I am jotting down notes. Who is being killed?

Who is being stopped? How are they being stopped? The language that they are using with the individual. I am trying to make sure I am getting the rhetoric right so that when I am creating these images, they are coming from a place of truth.” TR speech instructor Sheldon Smart attended the artist talk and opening reception. Smart said the exhibit “hits close to home.” “Well, it was emotional obviously being a Black male,” Smart said. “I think it was also emotional because when you see the number of instances, it’s not a one-off type of thing. But it’s the number of instances.” Though his work focuses on a personal and heavy subject matter, Darough found the process of creating “The Talk” to be cathartic. “I had an opportunity to deconstruct the image and not focus on what I was feeling,” Darough said. “How I can make this presentable for the audience and how I can get people to enjoy this while still thinking about what’s going on?” TR student Lexine Henry resonated with the piece “I Fit the Description.” The work features Darough with his back toward the camera and hands raised towards two lights shining on him. “We all know the ending in which they forcefully got murdered. They died, so you’re wondering how long is this going to continue?” Henry said. Darough has enjoyed seeing the varied responses to his exhibition. “Everybody has a different reaction to it,” he said. “Some like the technical look of it. Some get lost in an image, and some feel very emotional and drawn to it.” He hopes attendees will understand that racial inequality still exists in the United States. “We have some work in terms of fixing that,” Darough said. “Until we acknowledge it and make efforts towards fixing the institutional racism we have, it’s going to continue to be a problem.”

Black Expo NW clubs plan to celebrate Black History Month with event Page 2

AI in photography Discussion takes place on ethics of AI use in photos Page 2

Book of Clarence Beautiful actors and setting in Grammy-worthy performance Page 6

NINA BANKS

managing editor nina.banks@my.tccd.edu

“The talk” is a potentially lifesaving conversation Black families have with their children. Prior to the opening reception, Darough held an artist talk where he recalled receiving “the talk” on how to interact with his surroundings without drawing unnecessary attention to himself. “Before I left the house as a young kid, my parents had to sit down and have a conversation with me,” Darough said. “They had to talk to me about how I should carry myself in the streets, how I should address police officers, how I should address people. So that talk was necessary. If they wanted me to come home at the end of the day, they needed to make sure they had a conversation before I left.”

...I could illustrate what I was feeling to make an artwork about it.

Michael Darough Photographer

Photos By Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Photo Courtesy of Michael Darough

“The Cycle (1)” depicts the targeting of Black males by law enforcement.

“Remembering Gordon” is inspired by a portrait of a freed enslaved man.

Cruel and unusual Capital punishment via nitrogen hypoxia is immoral Page 7

Stop buying Curbing shopping habits with spending challenge Page 7

2 • Wednesday, February 7, 2024

NEWS

NORTHWEST

Black Expo will celebrate culture, artistry Campus clubs collaborate to highlight creativity, Black experience KEYLA HOLMES

campus editor keyla.holmes@my.tccd.edu

To celebrate Black History Month, students can get together for the second annual Black Expo event at NW Campus. On Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. attendees can enjoy food, music, poetry and raffle prizes. The event is organized by the NW African-American Student Organization, the NW Intercultural Network and NW Student Activities to create an enjoyable and educational experience for those who can make it. As a result of Black Expo, AASO adviser and associate professor of history Sharron Conrad hopes students know Black History Month is for everyone. “We can all celebrate the art, music, food, dance, poetry, fashion and creativity that emerges from the African-American experience.” Kennedie Watkins, NW President of AASO hopes that students can walk away feeling like they had fun, she said. “When Black History Month comes around it’s all about the bad – the trauma of Black people or it’s the same stories being told over and over,” she said. Watkins wants for students to leave the event feeling empowered. She hopes those who attend feel like they can change the world. “I hope the event makes people talk and have more conversations,” she said. The event is a way we can build a sense of community and unity for Black students, Watkins said. “It’s also a way to make others aware of

Photos by Alex Hoben/The Collegian

NW AASO Vice President Eron Mills and Treasurer Leander D’Costa (left) are working together with Intercultural Network members such as Tesya Tshienda, Precious Falodun and Helena Tarpeh (right) on the Black Expo event happening Feb. 22. our history,” she said. Those who attend will have the opportunity to learn about Black artists, as well the different genres of art that exist within African-American culture today. “We hope that students can seek inspiration from these artists’ lives, and their efforts to create a better understanding of their community,” NW Treasurer of AASO Leander D’Costa said. There will be t-shirts, educational flyers

and performances to showcase topics and events that created change for the Black community. Last year’s Black Expo event was a success, Conrad said. The key to that success was students. “Empowering students is so important to everyone involved in Black Expo, and it reflects how valuable and rewarding student leadership is on our campus,” she said. For students who can’t make it to the

event, AASO adviser and academic adviser Tunia White hopes they know TCC is a welcoming place. “We find ways to celebrate one another throughout the year,” she said. A successful event is achieved by creating a fun environment for students to learn and rejoice in Black culture, Watkins said. “Giving participants something to look back on and smile at would make us feel like we have achieved our goals,” she said.

AI AT A GLANCE

AI influence in photos bring up concept of art LAUREN GARZA

staff reporter collegian.editor@tccd.edu

As AI grows to create artificial works of photography, people in the NE Campus photography department have stated their discomfort with the artificial advancements. NE photography instructor Ting Huang said that AI makes editing photos faster. Neural filters are one of the tools in Photoshop she has seen help students with color correcting. “I see students scan their black and white negatives, they turn on the neural engine, and it gives them something that’s basic for them to begin with,” she said. “It saves them a lot of time.” Huang said that AI raises copyright concerns because there are no regulations. Anyone with the right equipment and knowledge can create work using AI. “They could sample other artists’ styles and be able to apply their style to a work, and I think that’s very concerning,” Huang said. The problem with Midjourney and ChatGPT, two popular AI programs, is that they do not understand the generated images they’re spitting out. Huang said she doesn’t consider the images as real art because of this. “I think it needs to have awareness for it to be meaningful,” she said. “I don’t think they’re creative, just because they do not have the ability to appreciate the art.” Huang explained that AI should only be a tool used to improve work because otherwise, the output is subpar.

“We should not be OK with mediocrity. We have to use it just so that we can elevate ourselves,” she said. “But we have to learn it. If we don’t learn it, then we’re behind the times.” NE student George Garcia said that he has heard about AI through reading and watching YouTube videos. AI has helped him regardless of the concerns many have. He said that it can be beneficial for photography students. “The Photoshop tools make editing photos a lot easier,” he said. “You don’t have to spend as much time.” Mark Penland, NE photography instructional assistant, said he has been working with Midjourney every day since the 5.1 update. He also uses the neural filters in Photoshop. “I just did hundreds of headshots, and touching up a headshot and making the skin look nice used to take me about an hour a piece. Now it’s one button,” Penland said. He does not believe that any one can define art, including works made by AI. He explained that there is no wrong way about how an artist conducts their work as long as it is done. “If the artist is captivating and captures something in my mind or my heart, then you’ve succeeded as an artist,” he said. Penland said that since AI is becoming more common in photography, students might want to learn how to use it because it can contribute to their success. “This is a legitimate tool for artists to use, and if you’re not embracing it, you’re falling behind,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, greet picketers at the Netflix picket line.

Photo courtesy of Jay L. Clendenin/ Los Angeles Times

A group of indie film-makers and A.I. enthusiasts hosted a screening of A.I.assisted film projects, in the Cary Grant Theatre in Culver City, CA.

Introduction to AI editing in film sparks industry concern KEVIN MORALES

staff reporter Collegian.editor@tccd.edu

AI developments in film has created discussion on the topic of efficiency and the future of jobs in the industry. NE RTVF instructor Chad Jones is worried that AI will chip away at some jobs by getting rid of assistant editors. With AI tools being adding to editing programs, such as Photoshop, Adobe Suites and Adobe Premiere, the possibilities become endless. “I would say that the demand for an official assistant editor has gone down a lot based upon these automation tools that are in the software,” Jones said. “My personal opinion is that I think we need to start teaching our students how to use these tools and get a little bit ahead of the curve. It’s developing fast.” NE RTVB student Mary Payton feels that AI can be helpful to an extent. However, she believes it should not override work ethic. “It’s helpful to a point, you know, don’t get me wrong, AI can make us a little lazy. But I don’t foresee it getting rid of jobs,” Payton said. Payton is getting her associate degree after having already done school, but is pursuing her passion by further expanding her knowledge on aspects of film, radio and television. She does not worry about AI in film, and says she even uses it for some of her projects and shows. Even with AI, Payton believes there are many things that AI won’t be able to do, like replace editors. “You may not need as many [editors] depending on what the project is,” she said. “You’re going to need multiple editors because this is a lot of stress. If you’re trying to edit sound, you’re trying to edit video and you’re trying to edit you know the other things that go with a production. It’s hard for one editor to be able to do that, having

to make sure 100% is correct.” Gilbert Manuel, an aspiring scriptwriter, believes that the usage of AI in the film industry is a very negative aspect of the creation of films. He believes that by having these tools in hand many of the inspiring and current actors, editors, and scriptwriters are scared of possibly not finding a job or losing their job to the usage of AI. “It’s not a great thing because the writers and actors strike just happens, it takes away people’s jobs,” Manuel said. “It might seem like it’s original, but in reality it’s not. It can’t replicate what the human mind can create. It only uses limited information from previous work and you know, AI it’s just not natural.” Manuel believes that it’s necessary to strike against the growing use of AI in the industry. He thinks by having the option of AI, workers will feel less motivated to create and be a part of these bigger companies and studios who will feel more obligated to go down that route of using AI. “Big studio executives or CEOs are gonna see AI and view that as a cheaper, more viable option, rather than hiring someone who could cause problems or think that AI is probably a safer option,” Manuel said. “It doesn’t help a lot of people when they know that a company could just fire them in a second and then just go to AI. I know many people are scared of AI taking their jobs, especially since it’s becoming easier and more advanced, it’s progressing, and it’s not gonna get any slower, if anything is gonna get even better and better.” Jones acknowledged the potential of AI to alleviate the workload of practitioners in film. “The plus is, if you’re a practitioner using these tools, it speeds you up and makes you able to work on a higher level or, I guess higher level creative activities. On the downside is that it does eat away at some jobs,” Jones said. “But, I see the potential for it to cause downward pressure on wages because things are easier to do”

NEWS

Theft

(continued from page 1)

was a theft in her classroom. “We went into the darkroom, and when we came back, a student realized that his camera was gone. We couldn’t find it. So, the other students began to help him search,” Haung said. “And then they started looking into their own backpacks, and they realized that some of the students’ wallets were also gone.” Students who wished to remain anonymous expressed concern about the theft and have started taking precautions with their belongings. “It was, of course, a little bit of anger, especially the feeling of being violated. Your things were being touched by somebody you didn’t know without your permission,” Haung said. “And I would say panic and anger.” NE student Lindsey Elliot student photographer for the district, said that while she wasn’t in the department when it happened, she would be making some changes. “I think the only difference is I’m carrying my bags everywhere with me, whereas before I would leave it in a room or something... I was comfortable doing that,”Elliot said. Students are trying to do their part and monitor their things. “As a faculty member here, I have to do our part. Our staff, we have to do our part that

Business

we still have to find solutions to make them feel better,” Haung said. “We have to think of source solutions. I’ve asked our staff to walk around our department more just so that they see that somebody is here.” Assistant Chief Police Department Chanissa Dietrich provided information on how students and staff can stay safe. “Be aware of your surroundings and think about how you would defend yourself,” Dietrich said. “Develop a game plan for prevention. Know where the telephones are located. Know how to dial emergency numbers. Avoid walking alone, particularly after dark. Take your keys, lock your car, and never hide a spare key in a vehicle. Never leave your car running while it is unattended. Keep all valuables and packages which may tempt a thief out of sight.”. She hopes students know this is a rare occurrence and they are still in a safe learning space. “I want our students to know that this place has always been about creativity, has always been about learning and friendships,” Huang said. “That for something big like this to happen, theft once in 10 years is unusual. We are doing everything we can to make sure that it doesn’t happen again, so that we can return to making great art, beautiful things that we cherish.”

(continued from page 1)

President Kenneth Barr disagreed with applying this idea to the board of trustees. “I think the fact that we have a diversity of backgrounds on the board is more important than all of us being a bunch of educators,” Barr said. “There’s nothing wrong with having educators on the board, but I think it works better with a diversity of perspectives.” Trustee Shannon Wood explained there “would not be checks and balances” if there were more educators on the board. “It’s a tight balance, because you have to balance your budget,” she said. “You can’t overspend, but you also want to make sure the students are taken care of.” Wood emphasized that she tries to do what is right for students while doing the same for taxpayers. She said the board does not give money to run the college unless the students succeed. “Most of the decisions we make are business decisions,” she said. “If we give too

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • 3

BOLDLY GO Pioneer Preview Day Feb. 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn more about Admissions, Housing, Finacial Aid and Scholarships. Preview Academics and Student Services. Tour the campus.

much away, the students aren’t respecting it, they’re not going to take care of it.” Cole referenced those campus management as being unaware of the world around them, saying those officials “don’t see what we see.” “If you’re hired by the college you need to come in and teach at least one class and experience what we deal with,” said Cole. Wood, while disagreeing with the idea of requiring TCC officials to teach, highlighted the importance of board members and other administration officials visiting campuses and classes. “I get excited when people invite me to stuff, because I want to know what is going on,” Wood said. “If somebody doesn’t invite me then I would never know.” Barr adds he does not spend a lot of time talking directly to faculty members. “The system is pretty good at bringing that information to the board,” he said.

WE ARE HIRING Apply online for these positions!

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Applications available at https://collegian.tccd.edu/employment Email completed applications to collegian.editor@tccd.edu

4 • Wednesday, February 7, 2024

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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • 5

Photos by Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Andee Rodriguez has worked in the financial aid office at NE Campus for 13 years. Their bright personality is easily seen through their colorful office.

FINDING ANDEE

Safe Space program helped employee embrace identity HUDA QURESHI

staff reporter collegian.editor@tccd.edu

Andee Rodriguez spent their youth in constant conflict with their father, religion and themselves. Rodriguez is nonbinary with a leans towards femininity. Rodriguez’s father, guided by the values of a religious Hispanic household, saw the blooming queer identity in young Rodriguez as something that needed to be corrected. The first time Rodriguez’s identity got them kicked out of their home, they were only 14 years old. “He would try to reprimand and discipline me to ‘get the gay out,’” Rodriguez said. “When little mishaps would happen, little slip-ups, where my true identity would show, … if it wasn’t a physical or emotional reprimand, he would kick me out of the house. There were a lot of times I’d end up on the streets and sleeping on people’s floors, like friends.” Today, Rodriguez works in the financial aid office on TCC NE Campus. Born and raised in El Paso, Rodriguez had no contacts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area when they moved to accept the job offer. The move came with the hope that Rodriguez would be able to express themselves openly and freely, without the judgment of family. Shani Dellimore Barrax, who was in charge of the diversity office at the time, offered Rodriguez an opportunity to be a part of the district Safe Space program, which aims to educate and inform others about the LGBTQ+ community and provide resources to those in need. “Through the diversity trainings I learned more about who I am, not who I needed to be to appease my parents,” Rodriguez said. “ It took me going 600 miles to start exploring who I am. And then little by little, I started being able to express who I am and not feel a sting of pain like I’m doing something wrong.”

Andee Rodriguez identifies as nonbinary. Throughout their office they have many Pride buttons on display. In the years before the move, Rodriguez would try to repress their identity in an effort to fit the mold society layed out for them. “I would go to bed and I’d pray, and I’d be like, ‘God, just when I wake up in the morning, I know I’m going to be straight and I’m no longer to have these feelings.’” Rodriguez said. “And I remember I would wake up and still feel the same way and I would just cry.” As Rodriguez grew older they enrolled in college and started working part-time jobs while continuing to manage the difficult emotions that came from the friction between themselves and their family. “I mean, I worked cleaning restrooms in a church for a year. I did a lot of odd jobs here and there just to survive.” Rodriguez said. Fast forward, Rodriguez can be seen working on campus sporting oversized square glasses, a fresh manicure and gauges in their ears. Their office

In the financial aid office, Andee Rodriguez says they have made great friends including coworkers Joe Rodriguez and Michelle Martinez.

They are very lovable. They have a heart for people, they love to serve people.

Princess Brown enrollment coach

glows purple, an American flag featuring rapper Ice Spice hanging from the door. Princess Brown, an enrollment coach at TCC, has known Rodriguez for over 10 years. “They are very lovable.” said Brown. “They have a heart for people, They love to serve people.” Jane Mahoney, a sociology student on TCC NE Campus, has known Rodriguez for over two years. She originally met Rodriguez through the LGBTQ+ club on campus. When she later applied to work at the financial aid office, she met Rodriguez again as an adviser. Mahoney has been working as a student mentor at the office for 18 months. “As a friend, Andee is very supportive and loyal.” Mahoney said. “And I would say very playful. We tease each other. It’s very fun.” Rodriguez started volunteering for LGBTQ+ clubs on campus as an adviser, aiming to establish support networks for queer youth, many of whom have been kicked out of their homes. “The age population that we

serve here tends to be right out of high school, and parents were doing the same thing [as my dad] of kicking the kids out of the home and they’d be homeless.” said Rodriguez. “For me, this is unacceptable. I don’t understand how a parent can do that to a child. I don’t have a child, but I still just don’t understand how you can put conditions on unconditional love. So that’s when I started saying, ‘OK, let’s find homeless shelters. Let’s do the work of where I can refer you to help give you the tools and resources you need. To survive.’” Many homeless shelters in the DFW area do not accept those in the LGTBQ+ community. So, Rodriguez created a queer resource guide to direct those in need to safe places. “Because it’s like,what other services did I need? That I wish I had, that I know are available now. That are safe, that’s why I started building that and [trying to help] not just the TCC community, but the surrounding community in Tarrant County, Dallas County, and anywhere that I go that is my circle of influence.” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez aims to influence those around them in a way that instills hope. They use their life experiences to fuel their commitment to making sure students feel welcome and safe. “What got me through a lot was my will to survive,” said Rodriguez. “And hope. I always just had hope that things would get better. That’s what kept me going through all those situations. … “So being out here and hearing that and seeing that people were going through what I went through and how our commonality was that pain. I want to switch that and make our commonality hope instead.”

6 • Wednesday, February 7, 2024

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIE REVIEW

Religious satire impressed this Muslim OLLA MOKHTAR

campus editor olla.mokhtar@my.tccd.edu

Think of the most heinous thing you’d do to avoid being crucified. I guarantee you Clarence superseded you. “The Book of Clarence” was overwhelmingly entertaining. In fact, as a Muslim I cackled harshly and shamelessly in the theater. I appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to understand any Biblical references except for the widely known story of Jesus. It felt inclusive all the while being heavily satirical. “The Book of Clarence” follows the story of a citizen of Jerusalem when Jesus was alive. Clarence, played by LaKeith Stanfield, stuck out like a sore thumb as he was the only known disbeliever of God, which was the complete opposite of his twin brother, Thomas the Apostle, also played by Stanfield. The brothers come at a crossroads when Clarence decides he wants to become the 13th disciple, but this is not without an ulterior motive. Clarence is unfortunately in love with the person whose brother he owes a large debt to, Varinia. While he doesn’t have the means to pay her brother, Jedidiah the Terrible, Clarence decides to make the whole town believe he is now a Christian. That way Jedidiah wouldn’t be allowed to kill Clarence. His logic is that if he’s the 13th disciple of Jesus then he would be untouchable. He would garner the protection of the people as well as the disciples and be, in effect, untouchable. “The Book of Clarence” follows his journey into figuring out how to avoid Jedidiah’s plan to crucify him if the debt isn’t paid. Even resorting to naming himself the Messiah and performing faux miracles in the process. The film’s aesthetics were set perfectly, with the traditional garments of the people of Jerusalem and the majority Black cast. As someone who’s Sudanese and who’s culture also wears thobes regularly, it was nice to see

Photo by Moris Puccio/Courtesy of Legendary Entertainment

Main character Clarence and his best friend Elijah try to pay off their debt in the most creative and unorthodox ways. something like that in an American theater. The colors and the set itself was beautifully done. And of course, I greatly appreciated Stanfield’s looks. The traditional garb of the Jerusalem men and women, was exquisite. It made Stanfield look even more attractive and the robes, while essential for costume, made me even more excited to watch it. Not to mention the songs that were all sung and made by Jeymes Samuel, the director of the film. The effort he put into the film showed and I would be very surprised if he

didn’t win an Oscar. The film is just too good to not be at least nominated. In fact, it had me searching on TikTok for men in thobes so much, they have now infiltrated my “For You” page. Beautiful. Stanfield in a thobe and acting like a Messiah was one of the most captivating things I’ve seen. Playing opposite characters and making it seem like they were truly different people is something that was indisputably talent. While the movie is not based on any Biblical stories and is fiction, the directors

integrated both seamlessly. To be completely honest, I thought I wasn’t going to understand anything because it is based on Biblical references I wasn’t taught growing up. But I was pleasantly surprised. So if you’re looking for something to make you laugh, it made this Muslim cackle, so go ahead and watch it.

MOVIE REVIEW

FROM WEEKDAY CLASSES

ON US TO WEEKEND FLIGHTS

‘Mean Girls’ musical anything but fetch KEYLA HOLMES

campus editor keyla.holmes@my.tccd.edu

On Wednesdays we wear Elf products. “Mean Girls” was underwhelming to say the least. The 2004 comedy that has become the Mecca of pop culture references has returned to the silver screen. With less clothing and more singing. Cady Heron, played by Angourie Rice, did not eat. Her acting was nearly insufferable, and didn’t compare to Lindsay Lohan’s 2004 performance. While the 2024 musical adaptation was filled with great singing and random celebrity appearances like Megan Thee Stallion and Nia Soux from “Dance Moms,” the jokes weren’t funny. And the Mean Girls weren’t mean. In comparison to the 2004 movie, Renee Rapp, the actress who played 2024 Regina George, just didn’t have me convinced. She was blonde, pretty and not very nice, but she wasn’t nearly as mean and bratty as the 2004 Regina. Rachel McAdams portrayal of Regina George was catty, psychological and calculating. She kissed Aaron Samuels and meant it. Chris Briney’s interpretation of Aaron Samuels wasn’t convincing either. He didn’t give jock. His contribution was so minimal that it felt like if he wasn’t in the movie, it wouldn’t have mattered. Briney was like a prop, and while in some ways, that’s the point – it didn’t work this time around. I also didn’t like seeing all of the Elf products throughout. I understand that Elf is currently a trending line, but it just felt like I was watching an ad and not a movie. While there should be relevance, it should never

be distracting from the acting or the plot. Current fads should be so seamlessly ingrained in the movie that it feels like you’re a part of what you’re viewing, not like you’re an observer. Cady’s mom, played by Jenna Fischer, also didn’t do much for me. In the 2004 film, her mom’s performance feels genuine, making her comments funny and relatable. Watching the 2024 musical just felt disappointing. In the 2004 movie, my favorite character is Janis Ian. She’s cool, witty and funny. She doesn’t care about what people think of her. In the 2024 performance, Auli’i Cravalho didn’t do her character justice. It just seemed like she was trying too hard, which is the opposite of Janis Ian’s persona. Ian is a bit judgemental in her own way, but is unapologetically herself. Cravalho had me convinced at some parts of the musical though, like at the end right before Regina gets hit by a bus. However, her best friend Damian was pretty spot on. He’s really the only character that seemed authentic. Plus he was funny. I must say, I’ve never seen the Broadway musical. The whole time I felt like I couldn’t help but compare what I was watching to the 2004 movie. The fact that I spent two hours doing that says a lot. Going to see the movie in theaters was a waste of time and money. I don’t recommend seeing it. I thought hearing the iconic line, “on Wednesdays we wear pink” would put a smile on my face, but the experience was anything but nostalgic.

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Photo by Jojo Whilden/Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Damien on the left, Cady Heron at the center, Janis Ian on the right watch Regina George as she leads the Plastics.

OPINION

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • 7

EDITORIAL

Using untested execution method is cruel Execution by nitrogen gas is a cruel and unusual punishment. We have spent the better part of the last three years reading and watching stories on the news of people dying from hypoxia across the globe due to COVID-19. After all of those deaths the state of Alabama used Nitrogen hypoxia an execution method. On Jan 25, 58-year-old Kenneth Eugene Smith, a death row inmate in Alabama convicted of being a hit man, was killed. His method of execution was by breathing in nitrogen gas through a mask.   Prior to Smith’s execution The U.N. came out with statements saying that Alabama should stop the execution and any future use of nitrogen, because it could amount to torture. Smith’s lawyers asked the supreme court to stop his execution until he can appeal it due to his previous botched execution being cruel and unusual. In a 6-3 ruling against Smith, Justice Sotomayor said in her dissent, “Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its ‘guinea pig’ to test a method of execution never attempted before.” She goes on to say, “This Court yet again permits Alabama to experiment . . . with a human life,”.” This is the first time the method has been used in an execution. In America, we are used to death by lethal injection and electrocution,

Tj Favela/The Collegian

even more rarely death by firing squad.    Many people are pro-death penalty when someone is legitimately sentenced to death, and a known method of execution is used.

But when experimental methods of execution are used, like in this case, it turns them and those already on the fence about it against the death penalty. People have become more in-

clined to stick with life in prison and eliminate the death penalty. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S Constitution states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and

unusual punishments inflicted.” The question we are still asking today is what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment? What we do know is that suffocation is a horrible way to die. So why would we say that hooking someone up to a mask and forcibly suffocating them using gas is not cruel? It’s important to remember that Smith first conviction the jury recommended life in person in an 11-1 vote, in a ruling that is no longer allowed in Alabama the judge decided to sentence him to death. He was originally supposed to receive a lethal injection, but after hours of unsuccessfully attempting to find a viable vein, the state had to stop. This left Smith in pain, with bruised and battered arms. Death by nitrogen hypoxia had never been tested before on humans, and some veterinarians say that it is inhumane for animals to be euthanized using nitrogen gas. According to eyewitnesses was that execution began at 7:56 p.m. and a few minutes later Smith started choking and moving in the gurney for minutes. He was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. Alabama seemed set on using this method on someone so that they could start using it in place of lethal injection. There should be an investigation into Smith’s execution, and if it in fact was cruel and unusual based on eyewitness accounts and the medical records.

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Rewarding yourself can cost you your savings goal

NINA BANKS

managing editor

nina.banks@my.tccd.edu

This month, I’m not spending any money. OK, that’s an exaggeration. My niacinamide is about to run out and I won’t tough it out through a saving challenge and ruin two months of my six-step Korean skincare routine. I was watching YouTube when I got an ad for a budgeting app. I installed it to start my Dave Ramsey journey of financial freedom and currency consciousness. I linked the app to my bank account and was ready to create cute, color-coded spreadsheets and receive an ego boost for my savvy spending in 2023. Instead, I was hit with the cold, hard, fiscally irresponsible truth. I didn’t even think it was possible for a person to spend that much on Chick Fil A. I was — still am — in denial about how much I spent last year. So, I did what any sane person who is ready to take accountability for their spending habits would have done: I deleted the app and proceeded to drop $180 on two pairs of jeans and shoes. I’m not actually that irresponsible. I always save 50% of both my paychecks and I contemplate for months when making a big purchase. Food, however, is a different

story. 10 dollars on a three-finger combo here and 15 on a Chipotle bowl there. It’s the difference between a ton of feathers and a ton of steel. I decided a while ago to do “no spend February.” My cousin did it last January to give her bank account a break from Christmas shopping. I don’t know how she completed it because it seems that the tendency for unnecessary purchases is genetic. I’ll still buy the necessities: groceries, gas and of course skincare. Choosing February was intentional. It’s the shortest month, I have no trips planned and certainly no pesky boyfriend to buy a gift for Valentine’s Day. And all men love Legos now for some odd reason. What ever happened to “it’s the thought that counts?” While I laid in my bed, broke and in denial, about my spending habits, I realized a common trend. Whenever I completed any task that brought me even the smallest amount of stress or anxiety, I rewarded myself. Whew, you sent that thank you email that you’ve been putting off for three days? Let’s treat myself to some boba. Wow, you went to the post office to send that crucial piece of your application? Here’s some Salata. What? It’s a salad. I’m like Pavlovian conditioning on crack. To complete any task, I need a reward. You do not want to know what it took me to write this. Perhaps a new lip oil is out of the question, but making myself a batch of cookies after a hard week can be my reward. There’s no reason why I can’t reward myself. I just need to find ways that don’t have me eyeing my savings account whenever I’m dire need of a sweet treat. However, you better believe that I will be at Sharetea at opening Mar. 1.

Media is lacking sincerity, bring back cordial moments

XAVIER BOATNER campus editor

xavier.boatner@my.tccd.edu

Sincerity in media is always in style, yet short in quantity. What happened to sincerity? There’s a lot of media to watch, play, read and absorb. Countless stories and worlds to get lost in. Numerous characters to root for in their adventures. Hundreds of thousands of lessons to be learned and valued. It’s fun. Some of the most endearing media experiences I’ve had were loaded with sincerity, passion and heart. Does it sound cheesy? Man, of course it does, but that’s what’s so great about it. I was doomscrolling away on my YouTube feed a few days ago and stumbled across a video on the sincerity of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies. That video got me thinking back on those films and how straightforward they played Spider-Man and Peter Parker’s adventures. There was an unabashed cheesiness to the trilogy, but something there made those movies endlessly rewatchable for me. And that’s something that’s missing in modern media for me. Now, I should preface that I’m not saying there aren’t modern movies I adore, because there are plenty of modern movies I adore, but there’s certain lack of “straightforwardness” to so much of media I see now. That’s just indicative of

my taste or something, but I feel it could run deeper than that. We do live in an era that loves deconstructions, reinterpretations and rejections of certainty and enlightenment. There’s nothing wrong with that, mind you, but I feel it’s gotten to a point where it’s no longer as riveting as it once was. These concepts are a part of postmodernism: a belief that there is no truth, and that the rejection of modernity is ideal. It’s interesting but trying to deconstruction and the subjection of skepticism onto so many things across media is tiring. It’s not easy to find media that doesn’t constantly turn to the audience and wink, you know? There’s a certain charm to a work of art that plays itself straight and takes itself seriously with integrity regardless of how silly or “cringe” the concept may be. I know Spider-Man, someone with the ability to shoot webs from his hands and climbs up walls in the red, white and blue spandex is a stupid, silly concept. But I don’t need the work in question – be it a movie, comic, show, game or otherwise – to remind me how stupid it is. It’s a nitpick for sure, but it’s something that I’d like to see more of. Pure sincerity and confidence in a concept that plays itself straight. It evokes an air of pride in the work. It evokes a certain type of heartfulness and passion that would otherwise get lost under the self-aware depreciation or obscured by the winks and nods. I think more media should be confident in its cheesiness and wear it on its sleeve. Treat its themes, characters and world with integrity no matter how weird. Not everything needs to be a deep deconstruction or rejection of established concepts. Sometimes, just executing concepts well with passion and sincerity is all you need.

Letter Policy 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).

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Meet the Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CAMPUS EDITORS

MANAGING EDITOR

NORTHEAST Xavier Boatner Fousia Abdullahi

PHOTO/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

SOUTHEAST Keyla Holmes

ILLUSTRATORS

TRINITY RIVER Olla Mokhtar

Hope Smith Nina Banks

Alex Hoben

Tj Favela Markus Meneses

DESIGNERS

Jerry Swinney Dominick Martinez

PHOTOGRAPHER Rama Ajlouni

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Abel Hailu

Professional Staff ADVISERS

Chris Whitley Lori Dann

PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacy Luecker

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