Play raises hate crime awareness
DISTRICT
IT program starts new classes on NE Campus
FRED NGUYEN campus editor collegian.editor@tccd.edu
Alex Nguyen originally wanted to be a teacher after graduating with a history degree but always had a knack for fixing technical computer issues.
“I had a friend who did IT, and she’s like, ‘Well, it’s not any different from what you’re doing right now. So why don’t you just get a job and do this for a living?’” he said. “So that kind of led me down to searching up how to get into IT. And the rest is history, I suppose.”
That was what led him to enroll in an IT program on NW Campus, which has recently been expanded to NE Campus and started its first session on Jan. 13.
The Computer Networking and Cybersecurity Technician program has been offered on NW for two years and offers three industry-standard IT certifications while helping students build networking and cybersecurity skills.
The CNCT program was a direct evolution of the Personal Computer Network Technician program that Nguyen took. The latter only offered two certificates while CNCT offers three.
The expansion to NE was to accommodate the demand the course generated. NE coordinator Hank Johnson said these certificates help distinguish a person in the IT industry.
“Some of those are defining certifications,” he said. “These absolutely establish with any employer the value that this person brings to the table if chosen as a
DISTRICT
Adjunct pay raise approved
FOUSIA ABDULLAHI
editor-in-chief
fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu
The TCC board of trustees increased the pay rate for all adjunct instructors and full-time faculty who have an extra workload.
Adjunct instructors work at an hourly rate determined by how much education the instructor has and applied to student support hours and professional development.
“Adjunct faculty and full-time faculty teaching overload courses will be compensated at a flat rate of $65 per instructional contact hour,” said Shelley Pearson, Vice Chancellor and Provost.
“This rate would include support hours, preparation fund and any professional development required,” Pearson said.
“This flat rate would only apply to credit courses and associated developmental courses.”
Pearson also said this would allow TCC to quickly open classes and attract faculty who are in competition with eight other institutions trying to attract the same group.
Other items on at the board meeting included a $50,000 donation from Autobahn BMW Fort Worth for automotive technology scholarships.
NE students Cas Wheatley, Brooks Gentry, Ethan Cox and Caliana Graham run through a scene of
“The Laramie Project.” The play showcases the town’s reaction to Matthew Shepard’s murder. Shepard was murdered due to his sexuality, which led to historic changes in hate crime legislation.
TCC received $30 million from the state appropriations and has not yet received reimbursement for Financial Aid for Swift Transfer students from the fall and high school FAST students from the summer. The high schoolers are students
Event teaches fascism warning signs
Students share concerns over historic parallels to past atrocities
FOUSIA ABDULLAHI editor-in-chief fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu
NE history professors held a presentation on the rise of fascism in Europe and key factors that contributed to fascism spreading throughout Italy and Germany before World War II.
Associate professor Karen Wisely defined fascism as the centralization of authority under a dictator, violent suppression of the opposition and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
“First of all, it’s a dictator that, in both cases of Italy and Germany, will take power legitimately through an election,” Wisely said. “And then they will consolidate power under their authority to become a dictator after the election is over.”
Other forms of dictatorships she mentioned were violent suppression of the opposition by threatening to imprison anyone who isn’t a member of their party, be it the Nazi party or fascist party, and suppressing the media.
She also explained the difference between nationalism and patriotism to the audience.
“I studied history, and I studied some of the worst things that the United States has done,” Wisely said. “And yet I am possibly one of the most patriotic Americans you’ve ever met. Talk to me during the Olympics, but not if you’re from another country.”
Students also learned how to identify trusted sources versus uncredible opinions.
NE student Emily Russell had
Fousia Abdullahi/The Collegian NE student Jack Buch talks to the audience during the Rise of Fascism event. He addresses the similarities between the the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy during World War I and today.
a personal connection to the event. They said that they took a gap year and went to Germany.
“I got to see this church was, like, bombed and then it was rebuilt that was a result of Nazism,” Russell said, “I also visited a city in France that had been taken over by the Nazis and then was reclaimed by American forces.”
Russell said that kids are disillusioned or don’t pay a lot of attention to politics or history because it is boring or sad. Accessible events like this are important to educate them, they said.
“I follow a lot of news outlets on social media, ... a little more leftleaning outlets,” Russell said. “But my grandparents like to watch more right-leaning media. I’m also staying informed on that side as well, so that I can have a more rounded perspective”.
It is your duty to know what’s going on in your country, or you won’t have a country.
Karen Wisely NE associate professor of history
NE student Justin Sims noticed the parallels between these historical events and the current political climate in America.
“This sounds really familiar with America right now, like early stages of this,” Sims said. “I feel like I’m not trying to put a whole bunch of hate on our government
or anything. I try to stay neutral for the most part. A lot of the things we’re talking about are happening right now.”
Wisely told Sims the point of the event was to make students aware of what happened there, so it wouldn’t happen here.
“I appreciate that you say that you want to remain neutral, but I think that maybe we’re approaching a time when that’s not possible,” Wisely said. “More courage is needed, and it’s something that we need to probably hold on to.”
According to associate professor Hailey Stewart, the struggles of post-World War I Germany led to Nazism.
“That’s why dictators rise when economic downturns occur or when things are rough,” Stewart
Kailey Raley/The Collegian
Cybersecurity
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The six-month program puts students into small classes that Nguyen said he preferred over his experience getting a history degree at UNT.
“You ... establish a better connection with not only your professor, but with your peers as well. Considering it’s a tinier classroom, it definitely felt more close-knit.” he said. “We all got to know and get along with each other much better than being in a class of 200.”
NW coordinator Tripp Moultrie was a mentor for Nguyen during his time in the program. Before coming to TCC, Moultrie had worked 25 years in the IT field and said certifications have helped open opportunities for him, and he wants the same for other people.
“Not everybody has a couple hundred thousand to go to college. Not everybody has the opportunity to earn scholarships,” he said. “This is another way to kind of keep in the playing field. You can spend a fraction of the money and still earn a living, and a very good one at that.”
The program has gained the interest of DFW employers who have a high demand for people with IT certifications. Graduating students have worked at places like John Peter
History
Smith hospital, Texas Oncology and Nextlink Internet, Moultrie said.
Nguyen got a job only a couple months after finishing the course. He said the certifications gave him an advantage.
“I made it to the end decision,” he said. “It was between me and another candidate, and the person who hired me said they hired me because I did have both of my certifications.”
Johnson said the program’s goal is to help students get a start in the IT field.
“This course, and the instructors that are part of this course, are there to help people take that first step with confidence ... and move forward into a career that’s very rewarding and very high, very strong in its demand,” Johnson said.
Moultrie said the CNCT program is one of the best programs at TCC, and he wants to spread the word that there is an alternative to the traditional college route.
“It’s a cheat code. I think it’s kind of something that people sleep on,” he said. “This is one other option that I think maybe some folks would be interested in ... And it can have a really, really good payoff.”
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said. “It’s because they’ll promise you the moon.”
NE student Jack Buch said regardless of political opinion, there are similarities between how the rise of fascism began and current times.
“We see that now … regardless of your political opinions, you don’t have a job,” Buch said. “It’s hard to find work. It’s because an immigrant has your job. Now we hear the price of eggs are too high. It’s someone’s fault, and we’re hearing that constantly.”
A lack of awareness or need to get offline is causing some people to ignore the warning signs.
“It’s too depressing,” Wisely said. “It is, but it is your duty to know what’s going
on in your country, or you won’t have a country. So, you have to be engaged and talk to your friends, talk to your co-workers, talk to them about getting them engaged.”
History instructor Samantha Elkins said the history department’s goal is to present relevant topics to students in class. The department identified a gap in discussing fascism. There usually isn’t time in a classroom setting to discuss these topics in detail.
“I’m not saying history repeats, but it definitely reflects itself, and we definitely see things that might concern us but also concern our students,” Elkins said. “And we want to make sure that we’re talking about them.”
Board
(continued from page 1)
“We will end up exceeding our budget there at the end of this year, with that additional $2.5 million that we’ll get in February,” said Pamela Anglin, Chief Financial Officer. “And we do get payments, 50% in October, 25% in February, 25% in June, and then our tax revenue, the bulk of the collections always come in January. So, we’ve had a huge jump in our tax revenue from December, and we’re at 75.5% of our projected tax revenue.”
Holly Stovall, the executive director of institutional research, updated the board on metrics including the top TCC student completion degrees and certifications:
Business Administration, Management and Operations
• Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
• Computer/ Information Technology Administration and Management
• Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
On Feb. 17, TCC and Texas State University signed an agreement to streamline the transfer process between the two schools. TCC students who earn their associate degree and have a 2.25 GPA or higher will be guaranteed admission to Texas State and can qualify for transfer scholarships.
“It just talks to the commitment that TCC has to ensuring that students have a path that they continue and wish to continue their education,” said TCC board president Teresa Ayala.
Hank Johnson
Illustration by Dominick Martinez/The Collegian
Alex Hoben/The Collegian
Alex Hoben/The Collegian Vice chancellor and provost Shelley Pearson speaks to the board of trustees about the increase of pay to adjunct faculty and staff. NE student Emily Russell asks about different groups that threaten fascism.
Crafting club helps create camaraderie through service
LAUREN MCCREERY staff reporter collegian.editor@tccd.edu
The Needle Arts Club brings a sense of calm community to students on NE Campus.
Every week, students are allowed to join in on the Needle Arts Club, whether they’re new to the world of needlework or not. Meetings are held on Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. in NBSS 1103 in the community room.
Every semester, Needle Arts Club has an ongoing project where they try to give back to the community. This year, members are working on making baby blankets for JPS Hospital.
“It is a good year-round project that we can always work on, and we know the hospital will always welcome it,” said Samantha Elkins, instructor of history on NE Campus and co-founder of the club.
Recently elected secretary, NE student Aurora Blauser has been a part of the club since it was started in the fall of 2021.
“It is a good way to meet people outside of classes and I learned how to crochet through other members,” Blauser said.
Supplies, like needles and yarn, are provided if students are brand new to the hobby. Students and advisers are more than happy to show new students the ropes.
“I am always posting new tutorials onto our Canvas with various levels of skill so students can always have techniques readily available,” said Megan Garcia, vice president of the Needle Arts Club.
During the meeting, lo-fi music was being played with a very relaxed atmosphere.
“I really want the club to be a safe space where students can come during the week to just decompress,” said Garcia.
As well as the soothing music, on the last Thursday of the month, club members are given the opportunity to watch a movie while they work on their crafts.
CAMPUS VOICES
Q: “What events would you like to see on your campus?”
Hannah Grote NE Campus
“I would like to see more artbased events. Art is the kind of thing that brings us all together in culture, talent and other areas. I like art because when you have the ability, you can create anything in your own world or design so that’s why I want more art events.”
Luther Otis South Campus
“Just more music, more games we can play with each other. More chances to make friends and interact socially. I think that could be really fun. ... Because as we get older, there’s a lot less opportunities to socialize, less spaces to be able to do that, and we’re getting more jaded with each other.”
DISTRICT CRIME LOG
off-campus agency.
NW: A report of criminal trespassing was reported and handled by an off-campus agency.
Fernandez NW Campus
“I’d like to see more fishing-related things, maybe like a seminar by Marine Creek Lake or a demonstration where people even bring their catches. Fishing brings a real-world aspect. People don’t spend too much time outside. It takes them outside for a moment to see what nature has for you.”
Maina NE Campus
“I would say more transfer events just because I feel a lot of students are ready to transfer. So just different transfer programs where different schools come in and take us through the whole process of transferring. I feel most of the events going on now conflict with my classes so spreading them out would help.”
Valerie Gonzalez TR Campus
“I would like to see more music events that would be cool, or even art events. The events we have now are cool, but I haven’t been to them ever since I’m always studying for my classes or taking pictures of downtown Fort Worth, but I would definitely like to go.”
D’marcus Wells South Campus
“Maybe more social events. I like skateboarding so maybe something active. They can plan a game or something. That would be really cool. ... There’s going to be music, for sure. There’s going to be a lot of ... [interaction] between the students and things like that. I just like seeing people get along. That’s my thing.”
TR: Theft of property valued at less than $100 was reported in the East Fork Building.
Mark
Luis
‘Puss in Boots’ brings fun to NW theatre
Production introduces magical, playful twist to fairy tale classic
DIEGO COLLAZO
campus editor
diego.collazo@my.tccd.edu
With daring adventures, comical moments and sprinkles of crowd interaction, NW Theatre Department’s upcoming production of ‘Puss in Boots’ promises to transport audiences into a world of wit and wonder.
Running March 6-8, this adaptation of the classic fairy tale aims to bring laughter, charm and excitement with its quick-witted jokes and animated characters, making it viable for theatergoers of all ages.
Historically, ‘Puss in Boots’ has been a story of trickery, often portraying Puss as a cunning and self-serving character. DreamWorks’ version follows a similar path, with Puss beginning as the bad guy before learning to be good.
However, this adaptation, based on Girolamo Morlini’s original tale and adapted by Moses Goldberg, takes a more playful and comedic approach.
Director and NW Learning Lab manager Derek Salazar wanted a more light-hearted interpretation where Puss is a heroine helping those who help her.
“It’s less of that conniving, ‘How can I get what from who vibe from ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” Salazar said. “Much less of the dark side from older fairy tales. It’s more about helping others and, of course, a cat with boots and a hat.”
Salazar said he incorporated audience participation to enhance this playful tone. Viewers will be invited to assist in various scenes, such as blowing warm air toward Puss when she’s thrown into a cold river to help warm her up.
“There’s a show within a show,” Salazar said. “It starts with the cast, an acting troupe, that has been performing together for a while, preparing for ‘Puss in Boots’. Audiences will
PLAY PREVIEW
see them setting up props and scenes before introducing the play itself.”
NW student Alma Dominguez, who plays Puss, said she infused the character with her personality to differentiate it from previous versions.
“[Puss] is clever, loyal, always a step ahead and so sassy,” Dominguez said. “The character is less serious. I had to detach myself from what I knew about Puss and Antonio Banderas’s version to make her my own.”
Dominguez said this allows her character to thrive on humor in a way other portrayals might not have.
NW student Scotty Ebron, who plays the king, Jones and the ogre, said each of his characters have unique quirks and challenges.
“There’s stuff you just have to suck up and do, like getting on the floor and pretending to lick it as the ogre,” Ebron said. “Seeing people laugh gives you that confidence boost and makes it all worth it.”
For NW student and understudy Ezra Steward, this production marks her first time acting, presenting new challenges and experiences.
“I’m terrified of being in front of people, but Derek has been very supportive,” Stew-
ard said. “I’m usually working backstage, so when I tell my friends about the play, they get excited.”
With NW theatre currently under construction, the play will be performed in the NW01 learning stair foyer. Adjustments had to be made to ensure the production fit the unconventional space.
“The learning stairs have a glass background, and with construction going on, eyes tend to wander,” Salazar said. “Our set designer had the idea to create a forest scene with three-dimensional elements to make it stand out more.”
Salazar said another challenge was the lack of a traditional dressing room.
“The costumes are simplified,” Salazar said. “We have a base set that allows for layering on top, which works well with the ‘show within a show’ concept.”
Because of the performance space, a traditional ticketing system isn’t possible. Instead, admission is pay what you can, with proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of North Texas.
“You can donate a bag of dog food, gift cards, bandages, anything the Humane Society needs,” Salazar said. “If you pay with cash, half of the proceeds will go to NW theatre scholarships, and the other half to the Humane Society.” Salazar said this format aligns perfectly with the play’s message of helping others for the sake of kindness. For more information, the NW production website includes donation options, along with Salazar’s contact details for any questions.
SHOWTIMES
Evening: March 6–7 at 7 p.m.
Matinee: March 8 at 2 p.m.
Building NFAB NW01 Learning Stairs
Student actors express impact of hate,violence
The 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard changed the town of Laramie, Wyoming forever. Shepard was a gay man who was kidnapped, tortured and beaten to death due to his sexuality. The case opened the conversation about hate crimes and how they’re defined which eventually led to the passing of legislation to include sexuality and gender in the definition of hate crimes.
The event was turned into a documentary-style play by the theater group, Tectonic Theater Project. They conducted more than 200 interviews to capture the aftermath of the murder.
The play will be coming to NE Campus from March 5-8. The 60 characters are played by 12 students in this production. Director Jakie Cabe said the shifts between characters are immediate on stage, which can be challenging for actors.
“One minute she’s [an actor] playing a Muslim student, the next minute she’s playing a rancher from Wyoming,” he said. “Everybody is having to make these immediate jumps. One minute he’s playing an actor, the next minute he’s playing a hospital administrator, then the next minute a friend.”
Matthew Shepard isn’t depicted in the play. The audience only hears about him through the townspeople’s voices and their experience of the event. The dialogue from each character was pulled from interviews, journal entries and news reports, involving real people.
NE student Kaitlin Bridges fills six roles, including the sheriff who finds Shepard’s body. She said her monologue after finding his body is tragic.
“I even did research on that moment, and she has this literal quote where she’s like, ‘Baby boy, it’s OK. I’m right here. I’m right here. Don’t give up. Please stay with me,” she said. “It just makes me tear up thinking about it, especially as I’m performing. I’m playing this very real person. You can’t help but tear up.”
NE Student Cas Wheatley plays the role of the first openly gay professor at the University of Wyoming. She said it’s important to see the full grieving process for those who are in the same community as Shepard and how they could’ve been in his shoes.
“It can feel like a very isolating incident, but it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “There are so many people who are gay and lesbian, and they’re living their best lives as older people and they’ve been able to make it. It’s almost a sign of hope.”
Cabe called “The Laramie Project” an earnest and compassionate play and felt it was a good time to show it now due to the rising intolerance.
“I always think it’s good to go back to history and look back and see what’s happening,” he said. “Have we learned or are we following the same pattern? Are we changing that pattern?”
Bridges said it was important for her to audition because she wanted to be a part of raising awareness for the hate toward the community. She said she has conservative family members coming to see the play and hopes it will open their eyes a little more.
“A lot of people have never even heard about Matthew Shepard’s story,” she said. “I didn’t actually until I learned about this. And I think this play is a great way to bring awareness.”
Wheatley said she isn’t part of the LGBTQ+ community but thinks the subject matter is important because it affects people she cares about. She hopes the play will gen-
erate more empathy toward the community.
“Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen in your town, to people like friends of friends, to people you go to school with,” she said. “Everyone has a story where they’ve been, not the victim of a hate crime, but where they’ve been taunted over something.”
Cabe said the audience will be able to recognize someone in their life in the characters.
SHOWTIMES
Evening: March 5–8 at 7 p.m.
Matinee: March 8 at 2 p.m.
Building: NFAB
“I think there’s enough of most types of a cross-section of Americana that everybody’s going to identify with,” he said. “I hope they question, ‘How would my beliefs change if something like this were to happen? How would I handle it if I found out my son was gay? Or how would I handle it if I lost my son to something like this?”
TICKET PRICES:
TCC students, faculty and staff: Free
Non-TCC students and senior citizens: $3
General public: $6
HUDA
Kailey Raley/The Collegian NW student Alma Dominguez playing Puss in “Puss In Boots” practices her facial expressions and movements to perfect the comedic engagement of her scenes.
Kailey Raley/The Collegian NE students Brooks Gentry as Stephen Belber, Caliana Graham as Leigh Fondakowski and Cas Wheatley as Barbara Pitts rehearse a scene.
Student journalists essential to democracy
In the midst of a constant news cycle, student media filled a gap in coverage during campus protests, 2024 elections and the ongoing executive orders that impact students.
Feb. 27 will be the eighth annual Student Press Freedom Day and is a national day of action created by the Student Press Law Center.
This is a day to acknowledge and celebrate student journalists who bring accurate, fair and timely information to their campuses.
Student media are advocates and are often the first line of contact for the student body and employees of their schools. They are often the first to hear about the great things happening and the issues people are concerned about.
During threats of campus election polling sites in Tarrant County, The Shorthorn at UTA and The Collegian brought attention to the efforts of county leaders and community members to suppress student votes.
College media coverage of the Israel-Hamas war put student journalists on the front line of coverage and often did a better job of informing students, staff and the nation.
The ability to give real-time information to their campus and the wider community, everything from encampments being put up, arrests of students and staff and the attempts of campus administrations to silence outlets by locking them out of their offices highlights the importance of student media.
“The turning point was certainly immediate, very sudden,” said
presenter Georgia Dillane from Columbia University student radio station WKCR to The Guardian last year. “We received a tip at 4 a.m. that there would be a demonstration on Columbia’s campus, and pretty soon after that, we went live on air.”
Students spent more than 18 hours a day covering their campuses and sending news back to their newsroom for verification and publication.
This is often the only accurate news others on campus would receive.
This meant putting themselves at risk of arrest, tear gas and attacks from counterprotesters and suspension while trying to do their jobs.
According to the AP, even journalism professors wrote phone numbers on the arms of student reporters for them to call in case they were arrested.
The North Texas Daily coverage of the anti-DEI bill shed light on the 96 UNT programs and activities eliminated or modified due to antiDEI Senate Bill 17 as well as detailing how professors resigned and
how the ban impacted research and teaching.
Protests and DEI bans are not the only issues students have had to work through difficult stories and conditions.
Students at Pepperdine University’s newspaper, the Pepperdine Graphic, reported live during the Franklin and Palisades fires. They brought breaking news about the proximity of the fires, class cancellations, where students could get masks, food and water, shelter-in-place orders and evacua-
tion plans.
Through social media and their website, the Graphic continuously covered the multiple fires in the area often taking pictures from their windows and parking lots as the fire crept closer and closer to campus.
Journalists around the world are seeing the parallels between our current political climate and times in the past.
Students are getting firsthand experience on how to cover these events ethically and timely without the restrictions that mainstream media faces.
While this is a time to celebrate Student Press Freedom Day, it is also a time to remember the importance of student media in upholding constitutional freedoms.
This is a day to also remember the First Amendment rights for students and their advisers as they risk their freedom and rights to bring news to their community.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
In a time when news outlets across the country are shutting their doors, student media has taken up the mental for their community. The protections under the Constitution are vital to the media in reporting the news. It is critical to democracy.
Hockey is the one thing most sport fans don’t know they’re missing.
The National Hockey League is an exciting and thrilling sports league, yet it often finds itself overshadowed by the more mainstream sports like football and basketball.
Hockey isn’t like any other sport. It’s fast, physical and thrilling. The game is played on ice where the players skate back and forth, chasing or handling a puck. The balance between skill and physicality makes it an unpredictable sport.
There’s an electric energy that flows through every game. The noise of the crowd, players’ bodies pounding on the boards surrounding the rink and the tense moments before a goal is scored leaves you on the edge of your seat.
CHEYENNE SHAWN campus editor cheyenne.shawn@my.tccd.edu
The highly anticipated mid-season tournament, 4 Nations, made up of four teams, USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden, featured top players from the NHL representing their countries. It gained a lot attention with the first match up between USA and Canada.
A fight broke out in which players from both sides dropped their gloves, setting the tone for what was to be an intense and entertaining game.
This kind of intensity is why the fans, and I are drawn to the sport. Because of the toll hockey has on the body, players must be dedicated, and that passion bleeds through to the fans.
One-on-one fights in hockey are a popular staple of the sport. A good fight can settle the score, rattle the opposing team or can rally the home team and crowd in a tough game.
Fights don’t happen in every game, but don’t let that steer you away. Players still throw body checks and engage in full contact in high stake moments. Hockey is still
an aggressive sport of its own. The sport brings a rough physicality with big hits at high speeds. Across the league each team has a unique tradition that makes their franchise special to their fans. The Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets have their own goal horns whenever someone from their team scores, the Hurricanes use a siren and the Blue Jackets use a cannon. Dallas Stars fans will yell “stars” during the two parts of the national anthem that say stars.
The league has been evolving over the years. What once was more about big powerful hits and slapshots is now more about skillful plays, strategy and solid goaltending.
The NHL has been trying to grow the sport with social campaigns like “Hockey is For Everyone,” pro-
As it becomes easier to share opinions globally, it can be difficult to remember that they may not be as valuable as we think.
Since the beginning of human existence, religious leaders, philosophers, and spiritualists have curated different mantras on the same theme, “Just because you can speak doesn’t mean you have to.”
As conscious beings, we are entitled to have independent thoughts and personal preferences.
Under the U.S. Constitution, we can express those beliefs so long as they don’t harm ourselves or others. Specific categories of speech deemed fraudulent, defamatory or threatening are not protected under the First Amendment.
LAUREN HARPER multimedia editor lauren.harper903@my.tccd.edu
tics, or incite violence, you’re free to speak your mind. However, the beauty of the human mind is in its exclusivity. What occurs in our inner thoughts is only externalized should we allow it.
or sufficient information is unavailable to come to a competent conclusion.
Similar concepts, usually surrounding the value of silence instead of saying something negative, are traditionally taught in early education.
Unfortunately, despite witty phrases like “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say something at all,” as social media grows, its becoming increasingly evident many adults have not yet mastered the lesson of thinking more than speaking.
A glaring example of this would be people’s tendency to express an opinion on a topic that has nothing to do with them, such as another person’s physical appearance, hobbies or identity.
marks on another’s weight or preferred dress sense in the name of honesty, despite these details having zero impact on the commenter or the commenter’s loved ones.
However, cruelty with honest intentions is still cruelty. Ignorance justified by having the right to an opinion is still ignorance. While indifference can be dangerous to one’s character, carelessly revealing a bias or preference on issues without having the authority to do so can damage a reputation. It can also affect an argument’s legitimacy.
An unfounded opinion can seem like an attack. It can make others defensive and less receptive to criticism or different perspectives.
viding a positive environment for players and families. They’ve also started to build rinks in areas where hockey isn’t popular and even created the Professional Women’s Hockey League. From the excitement of winning a Stanley Cup to the agony of your team making a playoff exit, the roller coaster of emotions keeps bringing fans back for more. It’s the combination of action-packed plays, with the culture of the fan base and their high stakes rivalries that make hockey one of the best sports to watch. Hockey is in the middle of a golden age that a lot of people are missing out on, but there’s great action and it’s fun to be part of a passionate fan base. So why not tune in, catch a game and discover what you’ve been missing?
This means as long as an opinion doesn’t meet these characteris-
The power of choice is helpful when a belief is not fully fleshed out
Common offenders justify re-
tionalism. The attention they receive from sharing a take that few agree with or find offensive feeds an egotistical belief that they’re superior or freethinking.
A trick circulating social media to determine whether a viewpoint is worth expressing comes from influencers working in education.
Teachers recommend their students refrain from making comments or criticisms that can’t be addressed in five seconds or less.
For example, someone’s weight can’t be changed within that timeframe, but a makeup smudge or piece of lint can. It’s less about suppressing beliefs and more about implementing internal checks and balances that separate a progressive stance from unsolicited commentary. Hockey
Sometimes, people express their opinions as a form of sensa-
TJ Favela/The Collegian
Turning Stuggles into strength
Driven by resilience, Murokozi rises as student leader
DIEGO COLLAZO campus editor
diego.collazo@my.tccd.edu
In just three short years since arriving to the United States from Bushenyi, Uganda, Emma Murokozi has overcome challenges and seized opportunities, transforming himself into a leader and a role model for immigrants and underrepresented students.
“Growing up in Uganda, opportunities were scarce,” he said. “People who succeed are rare, but when I arrived in the U.S., I knew I had to make the most of every chance.”
Murokozi said his journey from Uganda to becoming the TR Student Government Association president is a testament to his resilience, determination and commitment to inspiring others.
“When I first came here, I was looking for a college that offered hands-on learning and affordable tuition,” Murokozi said. “TCC was the right fit. It provided everything I needed to succeed like practical courses and career advice.”
Murokozi quickly realized that education extended beyond academics.
“It’s not just about what you learn in the classroom,” he said. “I realized the importance of developing communication, networking and leadership skills.”
Murokozi said he aims to use his education to make a difference in the world.
As a cybersecurity major, he plans to start an IT school to teach cybersecurity to underprivileged children in the U.S. and Africa.
“I want to give back by helping others who don’t have access to the same opportunities I had,” he said. “By providing them with the tools they need to succeed, I hope to empower the next generation of leaders.”
That spirit of helping others is one TR instructional aid Karla Bustos said she’s witnessed firsthand.
“During a Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony, Emma came, participated and at the end, stayed after a bit to make sure the members were all fine, helped us clean up and overall did things that we didn’t ask of him but were a tremendous help,” she said.
You have to get up every day and claim your destiny.
Emma Murokozi
Student Government Association President
Bustos said characteristics like this would help Murokozi achieve his goal of starting an IT school.
“Anything he’s passionate about like [the IT school], he can accomplish,” Bustos said. “I see him expanding all his skills to help him move on to bigger things, not just at TCC but beyond.”
Throughout his journey, Murokozi said he also had to handle the challenges of being an immigrant and Black man in America.
“As a Black person, it feels like navigating a place that doesn’t appreciate my background,” he said. “But I’ve learned to adapt by building relationships, volunteering and demonstrating my value.”
Murokozi said with Uganda being a poor and underdeveloped country, his background has profoundly shaped his approach to business and innovation by requiring him to think outside the box to achieve his goals.
“You quickly learn to make the most out of what you have and find creative ways to navigate challenges,” he said. “I carry that mindset in my education and business career. It’s about claiming your destiny, regardless of the obstacles. This mindset helped me look for solutions where others might see problems.”
Murokozi participated in the Techstars startup competition, an event geared toward increasing access to entrepreneurship that took place last November in Fort Worth.
Murokozi said his entrepreneur skills were put to the test during the competition, where he and a group of strangers were challenged to create and pitch a company in just 54 hours.
“We pitched a project called ‘Tropical
Transfer’ to simplify money transfers to Africa,” he said. “Sending money home has always been difficult, so I wanted to find an easier way to do it.”
Despite the intense competition, Murokozi’s team emerged victorious.
“It was a grueling experience, but I learned a lot about teamwork and leadership,” he said. “It was an opportunity to use my skills and ideas to solve real-world problems.”
Winning the competition proved to him he had the right ideas and a vision to make a real difference in his community.
For Murokozi, leadership is about more than high-profile positions. It’s about building a sense of community.
“Small interactions can lead to significant opportunities,” he said. “I believe that every connection I make, even if it seems minor, could spark a change in someone’s life.”
He said he believes that education’s true value lies in developing skills that help individuals thrive in the real world.
“Education is important, but it’s the soft skills like how to communicate and work with others that shape who you become,” Murokozi said.
He said his Ugandan background taught him that community is essential.
“In Uganda, we value relationships and support each other,” he said. “That has helped me approach networking here in the U.S. with the mindset of contributing to others, not just what I can get.”
Academic adviser, Matt Spohn, said Murokozi’s willingness to have conversations with anyone and everyone can prove to be a valuable asset for him and TCC.
“He’s a visionary but also understanding of the needs of students and those who are underprivileged,” Spohn said. “With that connection, he can really be a voice to connect faculty and staff with students at TCC.”
For Murokozi, the message to students is clear.
“Claim your destiny,” he said. “No matter the challenges, you have the power to change your life and shape your future.”
Photos by Alex Hoben/The Collegian
TR Student Government Association president Emma Murokozi is studying cybersecurity and plans to open an IT school.
Emma Murokozi speaks with fellow SGA members outside of the February board meeting