collegian.tccd.edu
New rom-com underwhelms PG. 6
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – Volume 33 • Issue 17 News
Feature
Entertainment
Opinion
Editorial
SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES TCC provides students with a variety of scholarships. PG. 2
SOUTH’S NEW GATE Students take on a new welding project. PG. 3
STRAIGHT FROM THE ‘90s A look back at Placebo’s sophomore album. PG. 6
FEELING TIRED? Get some sleep to boost your academic ability. PG. 7
DARK LEGACY Bezos hasn’t set a prime example. PG. 7
Alessandro Biascioli/Adobe Stock
In 2020, about 15 to 26 million people gathered around the U. S., participating together in Black Lives Matter protests, according to The New York Times.
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Discovering history of Black-led protests LOGAN EVANS
campus editor/photographer
In 1961, Black-led activists fought segregation by sitting together in mixed racial groups on interstate buses. When they reached the Deep South, these activists — known as Freedom Riders — were met with a violent backlash that turned civil rights into a national issue. Sixty years later, that issue remains an exposed nerve to millions of Americans — and Black activists are still gathering to make their voices heard. “The Freedom Rides represented a major evolution in the tactics of the civil rights movement,” TR government instructor Stacey Muse said to a virtual audience on Feb. 6. “They were able to engage the
media and gain a sympathetic national audience.” Muse spoke as part of TCC’s Protests in American History series, a look back at landmark demonstrations and their lasting impacts. This month traced Black-led protests from the Freedom Rides to Black Lives Matter — and drew several parallels along the way. Early news coverage of the Freedom Rides was mixed, similar to what we see in regards to BLM, Muse said. Many accounts criticized extremists on both sides, equating civil rights activists with their segregationist opposition. On May 14, 1961, a bus carrying Freedom Riders through rural Alabama was attacked and bombed by a white mob. Photos of the charred bus circulated in the news, an image Muse said “changed the country’s consciousness altogether.”
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“The resistance of African Americans showed much less toleration for the harassment of the past.”
Meredith May
Connect history proefessor
Although The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed racial discrimination thanks in large part to protests like the Freedom Rides, it was ignored in many pockets of the south, Connect history professor Meredith May said. In 1970, students at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas marched against a decades-long regime of racism by Chief of Police MC Roebuck. Roebuck fought back, arresting protesters and attacking them with mace,
but was eventually charged with the killing of a Black man. Although he was found not guilty, Roebuck’s indictment alone was a sign of progress, May said. “The resistance of African Americans showed much less toleration for the harassment of the past, showing exactly what can happen when students get together and organize,” she said. Elaborating on the power of organization, NE chair of government and paralegal studies Joan Johnson stressed the difference that one idea can make in the hands of many. Johnson said that BLM — now a global movement — began as a Twitter hashtag after the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin. Her voice sank as she recalled the strain Martin’s death put on the nation. “I remember when I saw the
story,” she said. “I looked at Trayvon and I could see my children." Notably, the Feb. 6 presentation took place on what would have been Martin’s 26th birthday. In 2013, Martin’s killer was acquitted after a two day trial. The BLM hashtag gained popularity and three women — Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi — founded the organization Black Lives Matter. “It should be jarring to all of us that this statement has to be made and that this organization has to be formed,” Johnson said. In the years following Martin’s death, BLM became a mantra to be chanted with anger and passion in the wake of similar killings. The phrase — and the movement behind it — culminated in worldwide protests after the 2020 death of George See Protests, page 5
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Toxicity in gaming Celebrating Black poets’ work has personal impact Poetry workshop encourages students to find their voices with TCC students ALYSON OLIVER campus ca mpus editor
JOSE ROMERO campus editor
Online gaming’s rising popularity has made its toxicity prevalent. A toxic player is one who unpleasantly interacts with others in a game by swearing or directing slurs towards them, according to Cyber Definitions. In any given match, players interact with multiple anonymous users, sometimes leading to a negative interaction. “I used to play ‘World of Warcraft’ and have experienced toxicity in raiding guilds,” student Christopher Anglin said. “You would join a large group of players to fight the games’ hardest bosses and dungeons. Some guilds take raiding so seriously that the guild leaders would scream and berate players during the
game.” The toxicity Anglin experienced in these groups made him leave the guild, looking for something more casual. His experience with “League of Legends” — a popular teambased game — was so negative he ended up quitting it entirely. A survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League discovered 81% of overall multiplayer gamers have had experience with harassment. A reason it’s simple to experience harassment in an online video game is because of voice and text chat. Depending on the game, some have microphone or keyboard enabled communication, allowing players to speak directly to each other. On top of direct communication in matches, messages can be See Gaming, page 5
One’s voice has the power to speak their truth and share their light, published poet and English professor Darius Frasure said in his Voices of the Past: A Journey of Identity Through Poetry event for TCC students. It was a part of Lift Every Voice, an initiative centered on sharing and encouraging students to engage with African American poetry. Frasure shared his poems and several other works by Black poets and encouraged attendees to find their own voices. He opened with his “Ode to Hip Hop.” “‘Poetry has gone through the stages of purity, oppression, expression, is now undergoing transformation through a spiritual reformation,’” he read. “‘Poetry in the eyes of the sublime has become a
forgotten medium of expression.’” Even when he was not reading, his words would occasionally pour out to a rhythm. “I believe my poetry is how I connect with myself and with others,” Frasure said when an attendee asked what his poetry means to him. Next, he picked up the book “African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Song.” He described it as an anthology and a collection of voices. Before reading, he asked the audience to think about where they find their own voices, power and identity. He paused, took a breath and then began reading “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. Afterward, he encouraged the audience to examine how the poem made them feel, to take off their own masks and to find their own voices through music, art or any other passions. Frasure also sang James
“I listen for emotion, I listen for feeling, I listen for that that is beyond the words.”
Darius Frasure SE english professor
Wheldon Johnson’s “The Black National Anthem” to show how the melody of the song added an extra layer of meaning. When an attendee asked him what he feels when he reads poetry, Frasure said there is a disconnect at first. He has to make a transition to convey what the narrator intended. He uses the punctuation and the rhythm of the words as a guide. He read works by Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes to demonstrate this. “I listen for emotion, I listen See Voice, page 5
News
Page 2 • February 10, 2021
The Collegian
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TCC gives students careers in firefighting
File photo/The Collegian
Hands-on training is offered through the TCC firefighting program. Students have the chance to practice with real equipment used professionally in the field. FRANCES JAMNIK reporter
TCC’s Fire Training Academy, located on NW Campus, not only teaches students how to fight fires, but also offers them a plethora of valuable skills for their future firefighting careers. In the program, students learn how to use and wear equipment, drive and use fire trucks, climb ladders, ventilate and inspect buildings. The academy meets weekdays and covers both in-class learning and hands-on training. Fire Academy coordinator Chief William Pearson started the program in 1989.
He explained that EMT now makes up more of the work than firefighting. “Starting back in the early ‘80s, firefighters have always done some type of first aid because often they are usually the first responders, so it became natural for them to become emergency medically trained,” Pearson said. The Basic Program or 12-week Fire Academy admits the students through different areas or categories, administrative assistant Margaret Burns said. Some have already been hired by a department while others are interested in volunteer service or becoming a certified paramedic or emergency medical technician, she said. “Individual applicants within each quali-
fying category who meet all requirements are placed on a space-available basis according to the date complete application is received by the Fire Academy office,” Burns said. “The Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Fire Suppression certification exam is given at the end of the class.” The Fire Technology program, though different from the Basic Academy, still gives students the medical and scientific knowledge needed for firefighter positions. Randall Alexander, coordinator of the Fire Technology program and a firefighter for 35 years, explained the difference between the Fire Academy and Fire Technology program. “The Fire Protection Technology pro-
gram is a 60-hour undergraduate program in which our graduates earn their Associate of Applied Science degree,” Alexander said. This program consists of many who are already fight fires professionally, so it is mostly taught online, but many first-time students can choose to study for this degree, Alexander said. The Fire Training Academy program ranges from 12 to 14 weeks while a Fire Technology degree spans two years. Applicants must be 18, have a high school diploma, a valid Texas driver’s license and complete the application by registering through TCC and sending in an application packet.
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TCC continues to aid students in academic success JANINE SHUMAN reporter
The TCC Foundation offers a multitude of scholarships every semester, but a lot of them go unfilled due to a lack of applicants. Students should not feel discouraged from applying regarding qualifications. Angelina Molina and Susan Dunn, administrative assistants with the TCC foundation, encourage every student to apply for scholarships despite their preconceived beliefs as there are opportunities for every student. “Our donors make it possible for TCC to offer a wide variety of scholarships with varying eligibility requirements,” Dunn said. “Some scholarships are tailored to specific applicants, including but not limited to: students pursuing a specific major, those with a history of volunteerism, first-generation stu-
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dents or single parents.” Some scholarships require students to maintain a certain GPA and be enrolled in a specified number of credit hours. Applying for scholarships at TCC is a simple process. Many people miss out on additional financial support in avoidance of a task they regard as tedious. “Students only need to complete one general application,” Molina said. “They [students] are automatically matched with all scholarships for which they meet the criteria, according to their answers to the application questions. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee a scholarship offer.” In addition to the general application, the foundation requires two professional references for consideration. South student Reginald Garth applied to scholarships he was matched with and earned
multiple awards. “As students, it is important to exercise our innate right to ask for assistance where given and if it is in the form of funds that push for academic success, it would be wrong to turn down such an offer, dare I say foolish,” Garth said. “While it is not always 100% guaranteed that a student will win a scholarship, it is worth taking the time to apply in the instance that you do.” For Garth, his scholarship awards helped him combat the financial obstacle standing in the way of his educational aspirations. “There were many times when it seemed like attending college might not be an option for me,” Garth said. “These funds have helped to ease the stress of not having enough money to attend college and in turn, helped my family and I stay afloat during these trying times.” Molina and Dunn advised all TCC stu-
dents not to procrastinate submitting their applications. “The application will open Feb. 15, 2021, and close at 11:59 p.m. April 9, 2021. Do not wait until 11:59 p.m. though – the application will shut down promptly,” Molina said. There is no shortage of awards waiting for dispersion to deserving students. With a diversified profusion of scholarships targeted towards several types of students, Molina and Dunn hope every student takes advantage of the opportunities the TCC foundation offers. “We have scholarships each semester that go unfilled. We encourage students to invest in themselves by applying for scholarships,” Dunn said. “To our students I say, ‘Be bold, apply for scholarships and take that next step towards your future.”
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Feature
February 10, 2021 • Page 3
SOUTH
South welding project beefs up security
Logan Evans/The Collegian
The renovation came to fruition by multiple classes in the welding program at South Campus. The new gate guards the welding department’s material and equipment.
November team assignment is now in the final stages of its development on South Campus JOSE ROMERO campus editor
The South Campus welding department just did their biggest project yet. Before Thanksgiving break last semester, they decided to begin replacing the gate that leads behind the welding labs where materials such as metals are stored. “We had a gate there at one point but it was kind of falling apart, so we just took the reins and built a new one for our advanced layout class,” welding instructor
Jason Russell said. Russell chuckled, saying the old gate had been there long before he arrived at TCC. He and 11 students constructed the gate from scratch, socially distanced. The only thing left to do to finish the project is lettering and a cutout for the front of it. Each student had varying roles during the construction of the gate. “I ended up doing some of the measurements as far as the pickets inside the fence as well as the mainframe of the fence,” student Jacobs William said. The hands-on experience re-
sulted in Williams getting hired at Watts Water Technologies, building tank vessels for water supplies and water heaters. Student Riley Davis said the course is the closest he’s going to get to actual job training without being in the career field. That response is exactly what Russell is going for with the structure of the course. He hopes students gain the knowledge to build off the top of their heads or have an idea of where to begin. During projects, Russell is willing to assist students by answer-
ing questions but mostly lets them lead it. Taking the course has been a way for Williams and Davis to fulfill their career aspirations. Davis plans on doing something production-related after graduating. His end goal is to do pipework for companies, but, for now, he’s focusing on structural work. Williams has set his eyes on the railroad-making business. He laughed, then said it’s a pretty good-paying gig. The experience he’s gained from taking courses on welding has motivated him to start a side busi-
ness. Williams purchased personal machinery to continue building his expertise. This gate project is one of many that have been done around campus. “The machine division, they’ve had us build a few things,” Russell said. “Woodworking [as well]. We try to, in that intermediate layout [course], to have projects for them to build to kind of leave their footprint around TCC.” More information on TCC welding courses can be found on the welding technology homepage.
Photo courtesy of Welding department
Members of the South welding department pose proudly together in front of the nearly completed gate, their latest and largest collaborative project on their home campus.
Photo courtesy of Welding department
The old gate was there for many years before it was replaced in November by a team of 11 students and an instructor.
Logan Evans/The Collegian
The new gate was built using pickets and inch-and-a-half square tubing for the main structure.
February 10 , 2021 • Page 4
News
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Entertainment media’s personal impact ALYSON OLIVER campus editor
Out of everything there is to choose from in the vast world of media, TCC students discuss the forms of art and entertainment that resonate with them the most as artists and creators. Student Colt Taylor says entertainment has been an influential part of his development. The shows he grew up watching left an impression on his thought processes and interests. They also inspired him to start crafting his own stories, he says. In addition to running Dungeons and Dragons campaigns on the weekends, Taylor is working on a book set in a post-apocalyptic world barren of trees and greenery. The TV series “Avatar” inspired him to write more complex characters, he says, especially when it comes to villains. Taylor says “Avatar”, on the surface, is a fun series about people who can manipulate the four elements. But a closer look reveals it’s more than that. “The adventure and the characters are just extremely well-written,” Taylor says. “It’s a very human story.” The protagonists aren’t merely heroes, he says. There is also an element of humanity and complexity to their characters. Similarly, Taylor says “Avatar” was his first time seeing a show humanize an antagonist and give them believable goals, rather than being evil for the sake of it. While he used to seek out complex plots, now Taylor says he focuses on characters whose writers craft them with care. “I want stories with humans, with flawed people,” he says. “I want to see those flaws and how they overcome them or how they work around them.” Student Nicholas McCord says music
has helped him navigate through his life. He says he started out playing ‘90’s grunge and rock. Then, he transitioned into R&B pop. And recently, he’s delved into Texas county music, he says. He’s spent time in the studio, signed to a record label and does a lot of writing. McCord says when he was younger, his focus was on using music to look cool or as a way to showcase skills. Now, music has taught him how to run a business, he says. It’s a career and a way to provide for his family. But it’s also about creating art on a consistent basis, McCord says. Music gives him an emotional outlet and has helped him during his personal struggles, and he’s able to put things down on paper and then perform them out. “Music starts to impact your life a little more,” McCord says when describing how music’s significance has changed for him. “You start to listen to words as opposed to just writing them down. You start to really feel what those words mean.” He says he enjoys listening to music with strong lyrics that tell a story. Student Mary Maturo says the 2018 film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” was her most anticipated movie release in a decade. The art style, characters and storyline resonated with her after watching, she says, and the film was a source of inspiration when it came to her life ambitions. “I have often had trouble believing I could achieve my dream career in the fields of animation and entertainment,” Maturo says. “This film cemented my dreams and made me fully accept that I needed to follow them.” She says a scene in the movie that impacted her was when Miles, the protagonist, takes a leap of faith toward harnessing his power. As he free-falls, the audience’s point of
Grandfailure/Adobe Stock
TCC student creators share their perspectives on the impact entertainment media has had on them creatively and artistically. view flips on its head, so it appears that Miles has begun to soar, she says. “He accepts that he can be everything he needs to, but he also sees that this can be done in a way that is unique to himself,” Maturo says. “It inspired me to chase my aspirations in my own way.” Additionally, she says the style of animation used in the film left an impression on her art, and her work reflects different aspects of it. “I love the beautiful harmony of nature as seen in the scenes of autumn foliage, and
the more harsh edges of the city as the snow falls,” she says. Maturo’s appreciation for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” lives on. She says it continues to give her something new when she rewatches it, even if it simply plays in the background as she does her design homework. Maturo says she thinks this is a sign of great art — that there is more to be taken away when a person returns to it. “Its meaning doesn’t remain stagnant, but grows within itself,” she says.
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Program offers students mentorship for their future
LINDA PUGA
campus editor
TCC’s Intercultural Network is a support system available district-wide for students. Jaime Martinez, TR academic adviser for the Intercultural Network, works alongside coordinator Dantrayl Smith to help students get the skills they need to graduate college. Social and emotional support is one of their five pillars, matched with the use of a one-on-one partnership with a faculty or staff mentor, Martinez said. The others include career competency, leadership skills and personal growth. The last pillar, academic support, offers tutoring as well as partnerships with the campus’ Transfer Center, giving students opportunities to attend leadership conferences, Martinez said. To support the social needs of her students, NE coordinator Marjeanna Burge and her team hold weekly meetings that foster
discussion and target specific majors. These include special sessions for students of color in the field of computer science and student-led sessions on career or education tips. Something Burge wants to expand on with the department is awareness of cultural diversity. “Students have expressed how much they loved the program we provided for Native American heritage month, where a group of different individuals shared information from the Caddo Nation community,” Burge said. “I’m Comanche so my desire is that we can replicate something like this one without it being only in November.” Having been a non-traditional student as a single mother when starting college, she deeply understands the challenges individuals face who lack the resources they need. “I love the ability to not only be creating and providing services in support of our diverse student body but also being an advocate for all students that may not have all the an-
swers, knowledge and connections they need to accomplish the goals they set,” Burge said. Before the pandemic, students could meet in a designated safe space that helped them interact with one another. This semester, fellowship continues through the use of programs such as the Men of Color Collaborative as well as one for the ladies called Caring Open Mentoring Program Advancing Student Success. New to the TR department is the Social Justice Student Ambassadors, a year-long program for students to learn about leadership and openly discuss topics on race and equity. Michael Russ, South coordinator, hosts a weekly empowerment workshop at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays called ELEVATE that brings students together to focus on self-efficacy and self-confidence while working towards their academic goals. “ELEVATE has become very popular with our students and we all look forward to Tuesdays,” Russ said. “I admit, it is a little different virtually, however, it has become a
staple of our program and it’s always great to see our students connecting.” At the Intercultural Network, Russ and his team tailor their services to the support each student is looking for. Like Russ, SE coordinator Larry Jefferson uses specialized workshops to support his students’ academic development. “Providing workshops on financial literacy, career assessment, mental health and social development has really helped add value to programming efforts,” Jefferson said. Additionally, Jefferson and his team have checked on students through the pandemic by doing bi-weekly calls to identify their needs. “For me, advocating and cheering students on while they travel the road to success is one of life’s best gifts,” Jefferson said. Students can connect with their campus’ Intercultural Network by enrolling in the department page located under the organizations tab on Blackboard, following their Instagram page or contacting their designated coordinator.
News
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Protests
(continued from page 1)
Floyd at the hands of law enforcement. Fort Worth musician Esosa Obazee took part in multiple BLM demonstrations during this time. “I feel like a lot of people only cared about the property damage,” Obazee said. “I wasn’t there to riot, I was there to be with my people.” To Obazee, there was a weight in the air during that time. It only made sense for Americans to come together and push back. “Many students expressed an interest to see how certain current events have played out in the
Gaming
past,” NE history professor Chloe Northrop said. Black History Month presented the opportunity for the department to use the series to explore BLM as a successor to the civil rights movements of yesterday. What began as a single hashtag expressing frustration became what could very well be the biggest movement in modern history, Jones said. “Far too often, we hear people say ‘I’m just one person, it’s just one vote,’” she said. “I want us all to be aware that we really do have a lot of power.”
(continued from page 1)
for feeling, I listen for that that is beyond the words,” Frasure said. “The words are just a way of getting there, right?” Near the end of the event, he introduced his book “Of Stone and Rope” and read another original poem. “‘We are yet a broken people,’” he read. “‘That’s why our poets don’t recite lines, they spit pieces. And you don’t hear their words, you gotta feel them.’” He wrapped up the workshop by answering a couple of audi-
ence questions. One attendee asked him to explain who “Amethyst Rocks” by Saul Williams, one of the poems Frasure read, was addressing. He described it as a critique of people in positions of power. Another attendee asked him to explain more about voice and its properties. Frasure reiterated that one’s voice has the power to speak their truth, and they can find it through silence or by taking off their mask. “Pursue joy, pursue peace,”
he said in closing. “Use those as guiding posts for you.” After the event, Tracey Robinson, assistant director of SE library services and program coordinator, said she hopes students will explore poetry outside the classroom because of Lift Every Voice. TCC library offers a variety of poetry to choose from. “Poetry can be a vibrant and emotional experience when you find poems that resonate with you,” she said.
(continued from page 1)
Jose Romero/The Collegian
PlayStation’s online service has over 41.5 million subscribers according to Statista. Xbox’s service has over 90 million.
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Voice
February 10, 2021 • Page 5
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sent directly to a user if the option is enabled. Multiplayer games often have filters to combat toxic interactions, but sometimes the offender is punished after the fact. Negative confrontations with others became prominent enough to warrant adding a mute feature to League of Legends, Anglin said. Communication is important in a game like League, he said, and muting a player hinders strategy, usually resulting in a loss. Toxic experiences can have enough of a long-lasting impact to the point where online matchmaking will be avoided altogether. “It's a reason why I mainly keep from being online as much, just to take a break,” South Gaming Club president Reginald Garth said. “Away from these types of players and ultimately put myself into a state of relaxation before going back online.” Garth shared an experience he had in the “Fortnite” battle royale game — large matches where players fight to be the last standing. He said his teammates let out their frustrations on him by directing derogatory and racist comments towards him. “Normally with events like this, I just brush it off as it being one of those tryhard players upset over one
tiny [loss] in a game that doesn't hold any value outside of the gaming experience,” Garth said. “But it can tend to be a bit much when a random player constantly bugs you about little things you are doing wrong or just try to be rude for the sake of comedy.” Game developers have begun to take action in combating toxic behavior. Rockstar Games punishes griefing players — users who deliberately irritate or harass others — in “Grand Theft Auto V” by separating them with other griefers and equipping the characters with dunce hats. “Overwatch” uses a commendation system, rewarding players for positive behavior. The commendation system resulted in a 40% drop in toxicity, according to the website Engadget. Not every game has software-enabled options to combat griefing, meaning players are left determining individual ways to avoid conflict. “Playing other video games, less competitive ones, is a great tip,” South Gaming Club vice president Elijah Chapman said. “‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ has helped me to just enjoy the breeze and not deal with some harsh winds in ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,’ I would say. I watch TV or movies
“It’s a reason why I mainly keep from being online as much, just to take a break.”
Reginald Garth
South Gaming Club president
after I play a game to have a fresher mind.” It’s important to take a deep breath to calm down, Chapman said. Games have report functionality, allowing users to submit grievances to game developers. If a person is reported enough times, they can be suspended or permanently banned from using the online service. Toxicity in gaming gives players a bad reputation which is unfortunate because the majority aren’t toxic, sexist or racist Anglin said. Charities such as Games Done Quick and Child’s Play raise money for cancer patients and children’s hospitals. “In my opinion, toxic gamers are like bad drivers; There aren't nearly as many out there as the good ones, but they stand out so much more than the majority that doesn't cause trouble,” he said
Page 6 • February 10, 2021
Entertainment
The Collegian
NETFLIX REVIEW
Rom-com disappoints with generic plot
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Zac and Mia sit in Mia’s hospital room to discuss Zac’s plans for her 18th birthday. He surprised her with VIP tickets to see her favorite band, LANY, in concert. MADDY REMINGTON managing editor
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Zac and Mia meet face-to-face for the first time after Zac breaks isolation.
“Zac and Mia” is a predictable rom-com with mediocre acting, cheesy dialogue and cliché storylines. The series starts by introducing the main character, Zac, who likes video games and memorizing statistics. But he also happens to have cancer and is in protective isolation for 100 days. His family is always around him and he indulges in being an anchor for them as they deal with the emotional turmoil of his illness. Next up the audience meets Mia, the stereotypical “valley girl,” who likes her hair, makeup and cares only about her image. She also happens to have just been diagnosed with cancer, but she hides it from all of her loved ones out of fear of looking weak. The storyline is almost comical because of how predictable it is. The blonde girl moves into the hospital room next door. They see each other for the first time, and their eyes light up. The boy falls for the girl, but there’s a twist: the girl has a boyfriend. In typical “Wild-Child” style, while the girlfriend is away the boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend. Who saw that one coming? The series seems to follow its predecessors like “Six Feet Apart” where the pair begins to fall in love in the confinement of the hospital and the world is their oyster, or so they thought. As they begin to realize their intense feelings for each other, they do riskier moves to the point where Zac breaks his protective isolation to prove his spontaneity. Ultimately, he ends up in a coma because he was exposed to a germ that severely affects his already compromised immune system. In a series of rather odd dreamscapes, the audience is introduced to Zac and Mia’s fears,
which adds to the already confusing storyline. The series is pretty fast-paced and provides no real clarity as to the situation in which they fall in love at ample speed in their bubble. Meanwhile, Mia is still simultaneously dating her boyfriend, Rhys, from school, who also happens to be cheating on her. The dialogue is predictable and seems like it was taken directly from just about every other rom-com out there, and it adds no real substance to the series. The storyline is incredibly cliche and tacky to the point that the viewer is cringing. The second season only gets cheesier and confusing. The production company decided to recast several of the main characters as well as throw in brand new characters, which only increases the perplexion. The acting was mediocre at best. Kian Lawley, who plays Zac, portrays the lovesick puppy trope at about an average level. Meanwhile, Anne Winters, who plays Mia, does a great job at letting the emotions speak for themselves. She highlights the torment that comes with chemotherapy impressively, where similar films would normally brush over it. Zac and Mia, to its credit, has awe-inspiring cinematography. This was the most impressive element of the series, probably the result of a relatively high budget because of its production through Netflix and AwesomenessTV. The score was relatively great, with renditions of LANY present as the couple’s “song.” However cheesy and cliché the series was, rom-com fans can still find delight in the simple pleasures of the overdone hospital romance trope. Zac and Mia can be enjoyed by anyone who’s a fan of the Disney Channel-esque “trying-too-hard-to-be-relevant” theme.
MUSIC REVIEW
‘90s rock album delivers raw sound and candid lyrics ALYSON OLIVER campus editor
London-born rock band Placebo, formed in the mid-1990s, isn’t afraid of authenticity. “Nancy Boy,” a single from their self-titled debut album, started their upward trajectory. Their sophomore album, “Without You I’m Nothing,” sustained that trajectory, and their honest lyrical content and androgynous image set them apart from the pack as they rose in popularity. “Without You I’m Nothing” was released in 1998. With it came five singles, a feature by David Bowie and plenty of rawness in its sound and subject matter. “Cue to your face so forsaken,” laments the track “Summer’s Gone” over soft guitar strums. Other slow songs, such as “Ask For Answers,” “The Crawl” and “Burger Queen,” deliver the same permeating melancholy. But not all of the instrumentals are sleepy. Many songs are full of fuzz effects and energy. Hypnotic “Pure Morning” demonstrates this right away, kicking off the album with a catchy looped guitar riff and clever lyricism. The band no longer favors the track, as described by lead vocalist Brian Molko in a 2017 interview with NME, mainly because he feels it is not the greatest example of his lyric writing. However, it’s one of their most popular songs.
Other tracks, such as “You Don’t Care About Us,” carry The Clash and Sonic Youth’s likeness. “Scared of Girls” packs a headbanging punch. One of the record’s best features is its lyrics. It tells its share of dark stories — for instance, “Brick S---house” is a macabre tale narrated by a ghost, according to a Pukkelpop interview with Molko. “Every You Every Me,” one of Placebo’s most popular songs, declares, “Carve your name into my arm / Instead of stressed, I lie here charmed.” And “Allergic (To Thoughts of Mother Earth)” scorns a religion-based disregard of the climate by some, according to Molko in a 1998 interview with Sally Stratton, sourced from the Placebo Russia Archive. Other songs drip with brutal honesty. The album’s title track tells the story of a failing relationship (“I seem to lose the power of speech / You’re slipping slowly from my reach”) to a powerful soundtrack. And songs “The Crawl” and “My Sweet Prince” appear to deal with substance abuse. The latter, with its simple composition and haunting lyrics (“Never thought I’d have to retire / Never thought I’d have to abstain”), is one of the album’s best, most emotional tracks. Listen closely, and you’ll find “Without You I’m Nothing” is an emotionally-charged experience as a whole.
Photo courtesy of Hut Recordings
The release of Placebo’s popular second album greatly aided them in their career success. It peaked at number eight on Billboard 200 in Feb. 1999. Some listeners may find the lyrics too broody, while others may enjoy that component, and the record can blur together since some of it is fairly similar sonically. Overall, though, the gloom is set to a beautiful soundtrack. It has its energetic moments and its darker ones. The lyrics and music complement each other wonderfully. And Molko’s rhyme-laden, at times surreal writing style — punctuated by the peri-
odic blunt word or phrase — goes nicely with the dark stories he tells. Placebo’s “Without You I’m Nothing” is good for a late night or a rainy day. But it’s great enough to be enjoyed at any time, with or without a side of introspection.
Opinion
The Collegian
Viewpoints
Sleep deprivation is a dangerous game
JANINE SHUMAN reporter
Sleep deprivation is the silent epidemic that plagues many college students. An alarming statistic reported by the National Institute of Health claims more than 70% of college students state they receive less than seven hours of sleep a night. Once the exam season bells chime, the bottomless coffee pots brew as students prepare to burn their retinas at their computer screens all night, cramming a semester’s worth of knowledge into a few nights. Social media instigates this unhealthy lifestyle by glorifying the nosleep culture through memes and relatable posts. The habit students deem beneficial for their exam scores ironically causes brain-fog, anxiety and depression, all perpetrating eventual academic burnout.
Aside from the laundry list of short-term side effects such as memory loss, impaired concentration and mental health obstacles, this continuous unhealthy lifestyle may lead students down a troublesome path. According to Eric Suni, a staff writer at Sleep Foundation, statistics explicate that continuous sleep deprivation can lead to heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, obesity and impaired immune systems. My intention is not to mirror Web-MD and convince you that you only have moments to live because you lost a few hours of sleep. I believe that we should collectively encourage healthier lifestyles and keep our health in mind before making decisions. Time management is challenging for college students juggling a full course load with jobs and other obligations. While it may feel like there are not enough hours in the day, staying organized is imperative. Instead of sacrificing the sleep that allows us to refresh and function throughout the day, push your task to the next day. Chances are you will have higher clarity, resulting in even more academic success. The next time you feel the urge to spare your sleep time, you should consider giving your eyes and your overworked coffee pots a break for the sake of your health.
Cicely Tyson leaves behind great legacy
STAYCE PETTIES campus editor
Cicely Tyson, who was one of the world’s greatest actresses, passed away on Jan. 28. Tyson was an African American actress and fashion model whose career expanded for more than seven decades. Her portrayal of strong African American women is what garnered her so much attention and acclamation. She paved the way for so many Black actresses and actors. Tyson was the Black goddess of film. Tyson became well known for her movies and acting abilities. In her lifetime, Tyson received three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, one Tony Award, an honorary Academy Award and a Peabody Award. Tyson initially had minor roles in film and television. As she contin-
ued in her career, her aspirations grew larger, which is reflected by her performance in the 1972 film “Sounder.” Her role as Rebecca Morgan in the film was a fire-starter to a long career. Tyson continued acting in the growing film industry and on television in the 21st century. In 2011, she played the phenomenal role of Constantine Jefferson in the award-winning film, “The Help.” The movie touched the hearts of many, and not only that but, it was something about Tyson’s acting that pulls you into the characters she portrayed. She saw a resurgence through Tyler Perry-directed films that touched the hearts of many such as “Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Alex Cross” and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” Any film Tyson acted in, you felt her performance to your core. She gave you what you came to see. Whether pain, joy or fear, you lived it and experienced it through her. Though she is gone, her legacy will continue because she impacted the hearts of so many people in the film industry. The achievements and awards she won will remain in the hall of fame of film and television history. Tyson was, and forever will be, the best female actress with a phenomenal legacy that will never be replaced or erased.
February 10, 2021 • Page 7
Editorial
How much money does one man need
Amber Davis/The Collegian
It is impossible to comprehend a billion. So, let’s break it down: a person who earned $1 per second would become a millionaire in about 11 days, while it would take them over 30 years to become a billionaire, according to The Conversation, an independent news organization. Before Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon on Feb. 2, the company made him one of the richest people in the world. His net worth was $192.4 billion as of Feb. 8, according to Forbes. Building such an empire was an incredible feat from a business standpoint. According to a timeline by CNN, Amazon started selling books in the mid-‘90s, running out of a garage in Seattle. The business expanded, becoming an “everything store” and a staple in the lives of many. Now they own several businesses from The Washington Post to Whole Foods. How Bezos wields his success in terms of ethicality, however, is shameful at best. Amazon has been involved in so many controversies that there is a Wikipedia page dedicated to listing them all. One issue is how they’ve treated other businesses. An example is that Amazon began selling diapers after the emergence of Diapers.com, owned by Quidsi, and cut their prices to run their competitor into the ground, according to Ars Technica. Amazon eventually acquired the company, then shut it down in 2017. They’ve been cruel to small publishers in particular, according to Front Page Live. Amazon’s lawyers had to step in to stop the mistreatment. But one would think a company so vast would
at least create safe work environments for its employees. Unfortunately, a revealing 2015 article by The New York Times — “Inside Amazon: Wrestling Big Ideas in a Bruising Workplace” — showed there was little mercy for workers, even during extenuating circumstances. They were pitted against each other, and many were fired or quit. Bezos hasn’t hesitated to insult them or overwork them in unsafe conditions to boot, according to Front Page Live. He has also been stingy when it comes to charity. The issue is not that he hasn’t donated at all. For instance, $10 billion — still a small fraction of his net worth — went towards combating climate change at the start of 2020, but relative to his wealth and donations by other wealthy figures in America such as Bill Gates, his philanthropy has been minimal, according to Market Realist. Moreover, Amazon Smile is a program that will donate a portion of a purchase to charity. But it is separate from Amazon’s official site, leading many users to forgo it, and in 2015, only a fraction of a percent of Amazon’s profits went to charity, according to Nonprofit Chronicles. The bigger picture is that Bezos’ fortune is not just an example of greed, but extreme wealth inequality. He presides over an opulent kingdom built on cutthroat mistreatment while millions of people live in poverty, on next to nothing, without any justice. If your wealth is so large it is incomprehensible, yet the state of the world goes unchanged, maybe it’s time to take a look in the mirror.
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Be Feature
Page 8 • February 10, 2021
Mine
How college students are spending the holiday this year LINDA PUGA
campus editor
Without being able to gather at her local diner due to COVID-19, TR student Alani Carranza plans to spend her Valentine’s Day with her gals on Zoom for a brunch party. I think it’s important to celebrate with the people you love, Carranza said. Growing up, Carranza remembers the excitement of the holiday that consisted of decorating mini mailboxes made of cardboard to exchanging candies and cards with fellow classmates. Carranza thinks the holiday is sweet rather than cliché because of the expression of love that is shown between others. “Throughout the year, people are continuously on the go and they don’t stop and show appreciation towards their significant other,” Carranza said. “This is the one day in the year where they can truly focus on what is important, love.” Like Carranza, South student Alfredo Ornelas finds the holiday to be a fun day as well, but in more ways than one. “I have never gone a single year without celebrating,” Ornelas said. “Not because I always
have a date, but because I was born on Valentine’s Day.” To celebrate, Ornelas plans to spend the day with his family, whether it’s at home or going out to dinner. He doesn’t have a significant other and doesn’t see it happening soon, so Ornelas feels as though he isn’t as connected to the holiday compared to other people. “It’s not because I don’t want it to happen,” Ornelas said. “I just have so many goals for myself and my family that I don’t see myself having the time for it.” He happily spends the holiday with friends and family while celebrating another year of life. TR student Katie Moore also prefers to celebrate with friends and although she recently went through a breakup, she looks forward to dressing up and going out to eat with her family. Moore recalls a special tradition that she’ll always remember from her elementary school days of celebrating the holiday. “My dad would send a Valentine’s gift every year,” Moore said. “It was always so fun being able to leave class and go and pick up whatever gift he had sent me.” Moore enjoys Valentine’s Day because it’s a day dedicated to loving the people around her and she looks forward to sharing that love with her friends. “My significant other in college is most likely not going to last, but the friends I have made at TCC are some friends I know I will have in my life for a really long time,” Moore said.
Illustration by Amber Davis /The Collegian