THE
BREEZE VOLUME 26 ISSUE 2
THEBREEZEONLINE.COM
2
CHAFFEY BREEZE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
Calendar Monday, September 14, 28 Desegregate/Dismantle Engage
Isolation:
The Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art will hold an event on how to engage with the Counter-Narrative Society’s instatllation “Desegregate Gate/Dismantle Isolation” on September 14, 28, Oct. 12, 16, Nov. 9 from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, September 15 Resume Writing Workshop At 9:30 a.m. the Resume Writing Workshop will be available to students in MACC 208. For more information or to sign up, call the Career Center at (909)652-6511
Editor-In-Chief Chris Salazar csalazar23@hotmail.com Managing Editor Sadie Gribbons Copy Editor Kristina Rocha Online Editor Erynn M. Affeldt Photo Editor Gina Duran Features Editor Sydney Powell
Wednesday, September 18
Saturday, September 26
Constitution Day Student Activities, ASCC and FInancial aid will be hosting Constitution Day in the QUad from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The event will commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution. Students will also be informed of their constitutional rights.
Tailgate Party The Annual Tailgate Party will be held in the Rancho Cucamonga campus tennis court from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. food trucks, games and entertainment will preceded the 6 p.m. kickoff against MT. SAC.
Wednesday, September 16
Fast Track 2 Registration Registration for Fast Track Session two begins Monday, Sept 28. Classes begin Monday, Oct 19. For informaton contact Eric Bishop at eric. bishop@chaffey.edu, or call 909652-6501.
Stay Healthy Panthers Student Health Services will be in the Quad with information on stress management, heart disease and health education.
Monday, September 28
Campus News Editor Jullian Aiden Bravo
Baseline Editor Joshua Arnao
News Editor Roberto Hernandez
Staff Writers and Photographers Studnts of Journalism 30 & 31
Sports Editor Cody Warner
General Manager Janet Trenier
Reviews Editor Hanajun Chung
Lab Tech Roberto Hernandez
Opinion Editor Erick Valenciano
Faculty Adviser Michelle Dowd
A & E Editor Kyle Smith
Journalism Coordinator Neil Watkins
The Breeze is published up to eight times a semester by the journalism students at Chaffey Community College, 5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737. Telephone: 652-6934/6936. Opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff and should not be interpreted as the position of the Chaffey College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof. Letters and guest columns for or against any position are welcome. Letters should be kept as brief as possible (fewer than 300 words) and are subject to non-substantive editing according to guidelines established by the Associated Press. The Chaffey Breeze is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
SEPTEMEBER 14, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
3
Contents Project Up
4
Nothing is Over Until You Let It End
5
Brady and the Tyrant
6
Sleeping Giant
7
The Dodgers Distinguished Voice
8
Vasectomy is the Mother of Invention
9
Of No Fixed Address
10
Prison Narratives
12
Straight Outta Compton
14
Our Numbered Days
15
Download The Breeze app for iOS
Correction In the previous edition, volume 26 issue 1, there was a misprint of CampusEAI’s response.
False and Inaccurate Statement #7 “Google Apps for Education is completely free. . . and offers emails, calendars. . .” Chaffey College uses the myCampus platform to provide single sign-on, web content management functionality, targeted notification systems, and apps that integrate into the institiutions ERP, LMS, and library databases. Google Apps for Education by comparison does not offer any of that same functionality.
4
CHAFFEY BREEZE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
CAMPUS NEWS
Project Up JULIAN AIDEN BRAVO
T
o study the curvature of the earth, the Chaffey Engineering Club launched a weather balloon into the sky to study the curvature of the earth on May 23, 2015. The team undertook the feat after obtaining the proper materials and research information needed for launch The project, called “Project Up”, was proposed by Engineering Club Vice President Joanna Farias in Dec. 2014. “I have always been fascinated about space especially when it comes to the curvature of the earth,” Farias said. “I had been thinking about a weather balloon project for years now so I made a profile on portfolium.com and that’s where I saw that the founder of that website [Adam Markowitz] had done a weather balloon project of his own and that’s where I got the idea.” Adam Markowitz, founder and CEO of portfolium.com, is a retired rocket scientist. Markowitz, along with a colleague, launched a weather balloon into the sky with the goal of taking photos of the earth’s curvature. The success of Markowitz’s project inspired members of the club to begin their own project. Engineering Club President Nathan Little, along with other members of the club, agreed the project could be done. “We got our inspiration from this guy [Markowitz] who did his own project under 200 bucks,” Little said. “We showed our members the video and eventually we just started researching.” Research began on January 24, 2015, and construction began on April 24, 2015.
Materials for the project were purchased online at www.highaltitudescience.com and left over scraps from a SpaceX project were donated to the club by A&R Tarpaulins Incorporated. On May 23, after a 4-hour drive to the launch site, the engineering team set up base on a dry lakebed in Grass Valley Wilderness Area, a wilderness preserve located 20 miles southeast of Ridgecrest California. At about 5 a.m. the team began preparing equipment for launch. “We began working at 5 a.m. just to prepare everything,” Little said. “The balloon came down once, so we had to fill it up with more helium and when we saw it launch up we were so excited and just relieved to see it fly up like a regular balloon.” The team’s objective was to capture footage and photographs of the earth’s curvature at a height of 100,000 feet. However, due to of technical difficulties, two GoPros attached to the balloon’s payload stopped recording at a height of about 50,000 feet. Despite minor losses in footage, the height was enough to capture some of the earth’s curvature. Footage is available on the engineering club’s website at www.chaffeyengineeringclub.com. The team estimated the balloon reached had a height of 100,000 feet where it soon burst and began its descent back down to the surface. “So basically the weather balloon goes up to 100,000 feet and expands to about 20 feet in diameter and then pops,” Little said. “The parachute opens and helps lessen the fall.” A GPS device allowed the team to monitor the balloon’s trajectory as it made it’s way across the earth’s
surface. After a thirty-minute hike through the desert, the team located the balloon about an hour away from the launch site. Kelvin Montgomery, computer science major and club officer, recalls the moment of having located the balloon. “It was really fun when we found it,” Montgomery said. “We had to hike up an entire hill. We knew it was there because we wrapped it in mylar.” Mylar, or polyester film, is a thin reflective sheet that reflects the suns rays. This allowed for easy spotting and prevented a collision with aircraft. After reviewing footage and photography captured by GoPros, Little believed the project was successful. “It’s our first time from nothing,” Little said. “To have an idea and to have it grow this big, that’s still a pretty big feet right there.” The team’s participants were Engineering Club President Nathan Little, Vice President Joanna Farias, Treasurer Usman Baig, Club Officer Kelvin Montgomery, Erin Darafeev, Jose Martinez, Yvonne Miranda, Jose Garcia, and Ryan Stark. During a club meeting on Sept. 1, 2015, talk of a possible rocket project sparked excitement among members of the club. Ideas bounced around as each member expressed enthusiasm toward the prospect of building and launching a rocket. Reinforced with experience from the weather balloon project, Little agreed. “I think it’s a possibility,” Little said.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
5
SPORTS
Nothing Is Over Until You Let it End CODY WARNER
L
ast year Mufaro Murinda learned he was behind on units and his GPA was low. He could earn all ‘A’ grades and still not be eligible for NCAA Division-I sports. After sitting two seasons at Chaffey College and one at Claremont high school because of his grades, Murinda began to wonder whether playing Division-I basketball was a realistic objective. “I started to think ‘am I crazy for having this goal,’” he said. A native of Pomona, Murinda displayed obvious talent on the basketball court. At an invite-only junior college basketball showcase in Las Vegas, Murinda finished the tournament as the highest ranked player. His basketball talent was never going to hinder his future. Instead, Murinda’s life outside the gym was going to determine whether or not he could pursue his dreams. Four years ago, while attending Claremont High School, Murinda was unable to compete during his senior season because of his low GPA. Senior season is often the most important for high school basketball players hoping to play at a high level in college. “Friends and family were encouraging me to pursue other things rather than focus on basketball. They understood that my chance to play basketball at an elite level seemed like a long shot,” said Murinda. Once he knew he wasn’t able to play for his high school anymore, Murinda began to spend time around people who, he says, were a negative influence in his life. He was encouraged to do things he knew he
shouldn’t and he saw his life begin to spin out of control. However, his basketball ambitions never let him completely hit rock bottom. Murinda decided that playing NCAA Division-I basketball was what he wanted to do and he began to consider how to achieve his goal. Murinda chose to continue his education at Chaffey, because it gave him a chance to play competitive basketball again. He was able to escape the negative influence of his peers and could now focus on regaining an eli-
“I started to think ‘am I crazy for having this goal’”
gible academic standing so Division-I schools would consider making him a scholarship offer. While he displayed top-end basketball ability, his achievements in the classroom still didn’t quite match his prowess on the court. Because of his GPA, he had to go through redshirt and grey-shirt seasons where he could practice with the team, but was ineligible to play in any game for the Panthers. Because of this, Division-I schools removed Murinda’s name from their lists of scholarship candidates. “I was told that I could probably go Division-II if I wanted, but that was it. But I knew Division-I was the only option I was considering,” said Murinda.
While he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to manufacture success in the classroom the way he had on the court, he decided to go for it anyway. He went on to earn all ‘A’ grades during the 2015 spring semester and then completed three summer school classes with all ‘A’ grades as well. Because of his determination and hard work, Murinda made up the credits he was missing and earned an NCAA eligible GPA. Murinda, now 22, received multiple offers this summer when he became eligible again and chose to attend Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland on a full NCAA Division-I scholarship. Coppin State plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and faces some of the most touted Division-I basketball programs in the country. The Coppin State Eagles Men’s basketball program has made four appearances in the NCAA National Championship Tournament. “I’m excited for the future,” said Murinda. “I can finally focus on the journey ahead.”
6
AUGUST 10, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
SPORTS
Brady and the Tyrant ERICK VALENCIANO “More probable than not…” Those were the four words Ted Wells used in his investigation that allowed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to slap Tom Brady with a four game suspension. Goodell based his sanction on Brady’s “unwillingness” to cooperate with the investigation and claimed it “violated the integrity of the league,” despite there being no substantial evidence linking Brady to “Deflategate” in the report. Brady fought back. He took the NFL and its tyrant to court and won, nullifying his suspension. Brady didn’t violate the integrity of the league; Goodell did by getting shot down, once again, in court.
This case is particularly significant because the court was handpicked by the NFL. Yet for the third straight time (see Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and now Tom Brady) a judge ruled in favor of the player. So much for home field advantage. The notion of “our CBA, our rules” didn’t work so well for the shield and because of it, Goodell’s legacy is about a step away from being destroyed, much like Tom Brady’s alleged cell phone. The NFL leaked misleading information to ESPN from the get-go in an act to set an agenda, one the media has followed every step of the way. However, the ruling had less to
do with how the NFL handled the investigation and more to do with the fairness of the sanction imposed on its player. In the end, Goodell looked like an incompetent bully who can’t seem to find a way to win in court. Despite his win/loss record, Goodell is a businessman first and has made the NFL the king of sports in America, but he’s undoubtedly damaging the league with his constant battles in court. Goodell won’t lose his position, but a shift in power is imperative to save his league’s reputation: something all the owners need to get behind.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
7
CHAFFEY BREEZE
OPINION
Sleeping Giant CALEB BEAVER
O
n Monday, August 24th, the Stock Market took a massive 588 point dive; I didn’t hear one person my age talking about it. By comparison, social media absolutely blew up after the MTV VMA’s with everything from Kanye to Miley and then back to Kanye. This kind of blasé reaction to events in the financial and political sectors from my demographic is nothing new, but it’s getting ridiculous. In politics, it is no secret that the 18-to-24-year-old demographic doesn’t matter. Sorry, but that is an established truth. Even Obama in 2008 couldn’t get a voter turnout of 50% from the youth, according to Current Population Surveys done by the U.S. Census Bureau, and he was wildly popular by current standards. So why are we so uninvolved? I know we don’t feel that politics affect us or have much money in stocks, mutual funds, etc; but that’s not an excuse for this kind of behavior. There have been times where the students took politics into their own hands. This happened in 2013 at Cooper Union. Cooper Union is an elite New York City college that focuses on art, engineering, and architecture. The most interesting thing about Cooper Union, though, is the fact that it has free tuition. This is because the founder, Peter Cooper, believed that education is such a right that it ought to be free, and for many years it was. This idea was challenged in 2013 when the President and Trustees voted to start charging tuition for the first time. Finally, a sensitive spot on the students was hit and they began to protest. They did sit-ins, marches, and met with officials; all to no avail.
The college argued that tuition was necessary because the concept of a free education doesn’t work. But the students shot back citing a mismanagement of funds. On May 8th, 2013, they stormed the President’s office and did a sit in. They stayed for weeks and even protested during Commencement. As a result, tuition was not imposed and five Trustees stepped
“I am advocating for student involvment by any means necessary.” down. I’m not advocating for this level of protest: I am advocating for student involvement by any means necessary. Last year I took California politics with Professor Cameron and it was a great class for anyone, regardless if you like politics. In that class I learned a hugely significant term: tacit dissonance. This means that we know things are bad but we refuse to speak about them or to gain knowledge of the situation. As someone who is on the other side and informs himself on current events and understands their significance, it boggles my mind that we partake in this. Although a single vote may not seem to matter, a critical mass always does. Community colleges are one of the easiest places to start a political initiative. There are 2.3 million
community college students in the state of California alone. We all know it doesn’t take that many to create a change in Sacramento or Washington. Do you ever wonder why politicians are so hesitant to touch Social Security and pensions? It is because the 55+ demographic are by far the most active voters; therefore politicians need their votes in order to get elected. Not only do the elderly vote in larger numbers but also more consistently in Primaries. We have the numbers but we are currently lacking the drive. However, many students feel like it is out of their control to influence politics. We have 2.3 million students, Cooper Union had less than 100 students protesting. We should absolutely be the most vocal demographic in politics and finances because we are inheriting all of the problems, which are significant, from the people in power now. We get mad about student loans and the lack of policy reforms taking place, but then don’t vote. We are going to inherit a huge debt, but we don’t talk about it. We complain but don’t bother to get involved. The progress we seek is doable and we have the resources; now we must accept responsibility.
8
CHAFFEY BREEZE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
SPORTS
The Dodgers’ Distinguished Voice KYLE SMITH
A
25 year-old Vin Scully became the youngest man to broadcast a World Series game in 1953 when his Dodgers fell to the New York Yankees. Now at age 87, no man has covered one team longer than he has been calling Dodger games. On August 28 at Dodger Stadium, fans in attendance gave the voice of the Dodgers a standing ovation after they were informed by Jimmy Kimmel that he would return for a 67th and possibly final season. Since 1950, when Brooklyn was still the home of the Dodgers, Scully has been calling plays on radio and television in a beloved narrating fashion. The words that Scully uses when history is made are just as special as the plays themselves. Scully does not get stuck relaying the statistics to viewers - as that is what Twitter and MLB Network are for. Rather, when you hear his voice on the radio it is like listening to your grandfather tell you only the most important things, painting a beau-
tiful picture of not only nine players on a baseball diamond, but stories that stand for something far beyond the game. He never fails to teach long time ball fans something new about the game they have loved for so long. Growing up, I always knew my mom went to the first game of the 1988 World Series, or better known as the Kirk Gibson home-run game, which is something I will forever be jealous of. Although I was not yet born, I have watched the game in its entirety. Early in the playoffs, the Dodgers lost their slugging outfielder to a double leg injury and it was not until the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs and his team down by a run that Gibson would hit in the World Series. This is why I am a fan of Mr. Vin Scully. With Gibson slowly limping to the plate and everyone in the stands losing their minds, Vin Scully announces to the fans who were unable to make it, “you talk about the roll of a dice... this is it.”
Gibson could hardly walk. Watching him swing a bat was painful to watch. The question was not “will he hit the ball?” it was “can he make it to first?” He fell behind in the count, and Mike Davis took second, giving Gibson a better chance at being a hero. Vin Scully analyzes, “Now they don’t need the muscle of Gibson as much as a base-hit.”Gibson, a few pitches later, took Dennis Eckersley’s fastball into the left field bleachers, winning the game and putting his team in position to become World Champions. After nearly a minute of no words, he comes up with this: “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!” This is only one of Scully’s memorable moments. Others include Sandy Kofax’s perfect game and Henry Aaron’s record-breaking home run. It seems as though the big stories find him, and Scully, entering his 67th season, just has to sit and wait.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
9
CHAFFEY BREEZE
FEATURES
Vasectomy is the Mother of Invention KENIA ANGLIN
A
merica is a nation where it’s okay to push the thought of a newborn about as far away as the thought of jury duty, which is why Plan B exists. Consequently, innovations created for women’s birth control in the last six decades has placed a massive burden, along with negative social mores, on women’s shoulders. Other than condoms and vasectomies, men aren’t provided any other precautions when it comes to safe sex. Women are left to deal with the daily, monthly and yearly “re-ups,” along with the side effects, while still dreading the one to three percent chance of pregnancy. Without condoms or vasectomies, men have no other options to effectively prevent children on their behalf. More importantly, younger men might not want to jeopardize a family in the future just for a good time in the present. Male birth control could be the next innovation to redesign the views on roles in society and safe sex. In 2010, the Parsemus Foundation, a nonprofit that supports medical research within India, began developing Vasalgel – a new form of contraception intended specifically for men that could prevent unwanted pregnancies for ten years. As described by Kristen Fawcett, a writer for the U.S News and World Report on health, Vasalgel is a “reversible, surgery-free form of vasectomy.” The procedure involves a doctor injecting a polymer contraceptive, Vasalgel, into the males’ vas deferens – the tube that transports sperm.
This forms a rubber-like barrier that blocks the sperm, giving it the term “Gel Vasectomy.” The process would take approximately 10 to 15 minutes and would prevent conception for ten years. If a man requests to restore the flow of sperm, the polymer is flushed out of the vas deferens with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) solution
“The procedure involves a doctor injecting a polymer contraceptive” and fertility is allegedly restored within several months. According to Stephanie Castillo, writer for Medical Daily, “Over 26,000 men are on the mailing list to receive new information on Vasalgels’ upcoming clinical trials.” Vasalgel is designed to be affordable and obtainable. The contraception is estimated to cost a full day’s wage and includes possible insurance coverage for those who qualify. The Parsemus Foundation anticipates bigger trials in 2017, following
minor clinical trials in 2016. Should human trials prove successful, Vasalgel will be available to men as soon as 2018, given enough financial support. Elaine Lissner, executive director of the Parsemus Foundation, rates Vasalgels’ effectiveness at an alleged “99 percent-plus.” The benefits of long lasting contraception for men are more than plentiful. American culture would transform the idea of gender specific roles and social norms. Women will no longer carry the monumental burden of unplanned children and have it be solely their fault. Men will have the option to contribute to their partners and their own safe sex practices.
Providing a wealth of services to families since 1949.
• • • •
FREE Birth Parent Services Come-to-you Counseling Adoptive Parent Services Foster Care & Adoption Services
Holy Family Services
840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026 1231 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831 80 E. Hillcrest Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 1407 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92405
1-800-464-2367
www.HolyFamilyServices.org
10
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
FEATURES
Of No Fixed Address ABRAHAM NAVARRO
T
he Inland Empire enacts new laws each year that discriminate against homeless people. Vagrancy discrimination laws began in the 1800s and are still American policy, especially in California. Laws vary by city. These laws prohibit begging, food sharing, standing, sitting, resting in public places and sleeping in a car. These laws allow authorities to cite or arrest people based on status more than criminal acts. According to a study from Berkeley Law’s Policy Advocacy Clinic, vagrancy arrests have increased by 77 percent in California from 2000 to 2012, although arrests for drunkeness decreased by 16 percent. These laws are designed to target certain people: appearing to look homeless or resting in your vehicle may lead to being arrested. The Berkeley Law report also states that if trends continue, cities will collectively enact 11 new anti-homeless laws each year. The combination of these many laws and the media by-passing this information leads to misinformation about why they are detained. The L.A. Times reports more than 7,000 Californians cited for vagrancy in 2013. This includes children. The SB County website shows 8.5 percent of children in the Rancho Cucamonga school district are homeless. One-fifth of the entire homeless population consists of people who suffer from a severe mental illness or injury. Last week in San Bernardino, a homeless man broke into the San Bernardino branch of Options for Youth
twice. He lives there and often speaks to and urinates on himself. Extracting payment for a citation from a mentally ill homeless person is uncommon. Chaffey College’s Veterans Resource Center provides a sense of community for those who have served in any branch of the United States’ military. VRC student, Ava Salas, said “people do not understand how important it is to have a community feeling on campus.” Although the VRC does not offer homeless students overnight shelter, Health Services works together with Student Services to provide homeless students who can verify enrollment, with grocery gift cards. Health Services also provides handouts with information about resources. Officer Leo Benitez stated that the
“It’s illegal to homeless in San Bernadino... everything we do is illegal.” police on campus follow California state laws as opposed to municipal laws. Because it is a community college, people are not prohibited from coming to the campus, but they are encouraged to leave if they are not
enrolled, or if they seem like a threat. Jack McGraw and Frank Meadows, homeless men living in the parking lot of the San Bernardino location of Options for Youth center, agreed that the laws are specifically made to target homeless people such as themselves. McGraw said: “It’s illegal to be homeless in San Bernardino...everything we do is illegal. I’m not against the law but they are against us. Cops are the main problem.” Meadows explained that an officer recently unclipped his gun and asked him if he wanted a “one way trip to the desert where you won’t come back.” Anthropology major Billie Guerrero, volunteers at IE Hope Collective which, offers welfare resources. “We have a budget and whenever we have a budget cuts, they are always cutting social security and mental health facilities. Most homeless people are mentally ill. These things are necessary, ” she said.The Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art houses an IE Hope Collective bin for students who want to donate clothing items, blankets, and socks (which are the most requested). The City of Redlands was awarded a grant worth $2.6 million in July of 2015 to provide housing for veterans, the mentally ill, and families in need. Instead of using tax money and resources to arrest and cite people, this grants provides resources for shelters and additional housing in the Inland Empire.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
11
CHAFFEY BREEZE
Portrait of Frank Meadows, 58. Photo by Roberto Hernandez
12
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
FEATU
Inside/Outside Pr
JULLIAN AID
C
urators and staff of the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art opened doors to the public on Sep. 8 to feature a variety of artwork by a group of contemporary artists who aim to bring attention to the U.S. incarceration system. “Inside/Outside: Prison Narratives” features 10 essays and 10 narrative audio recordings of five incarcerated women who are currently serving prison sentences at the California Institution for Women (CIW) located in the city of Chino, California. With the teachings of English Professor Angela Cardinale and a collaboration with art designer Steve Shoffner, each female artist wrote essays and produced audio-recorded narratives describing their own experience of life inside and outside prison walls. Cardinale has taught at the women’s institution through a Chaffey College partnership with CIW established in 2005. The partnership focuses on educating incarcerated women and allows them to earn an associate’s degree while serving time in prison. “Chaffey has a partnership with the California Institution for Women and I’ve taught there for nine years,” Cardinale said. “This summer I worked with a group of inmate students and tutors and I had them do narratives about their experience inside and outside the prison and some of those are collected here [the Wignall] and you can hear them reading the pieces that they wrote.” Because none of the artists are allowed to disclose their identities or reason for incarceration, they remain anonymous and instead use their prison sentences and time served in place of their names. One featured artist, currently
serving a life sentence with 45-years served, recalls her life as a troubled 18-year-old girl who refuses to conform with society in her narrative titled, “A Fork In The Road”. “I chose to leave behind my Dad and all he offered to me,” The artist said in her narrative. “I told my mom I was dropping out of society. Within a year, I was on my way to spending what is looking like the rest of my life in prison.” Another narrative titled “Pathways” by an inmate artist who has served eight years of a 12-year sentence envisages herself as a loving mother and successful businesswoman had she made a different decision and depicts how the decision she did make drastically changed her life. “The journey has not been easy nor it is over, but I am grateful that today, my mind is a friend and not a foe and I am able to make more informed decisions,” The artist said in her narrative. “I am aware that like a pebble thrown in a pond the ripple is subject to cause unseen disturbances and the pebble thrower is as responsible for dam-age as the rock.” Co-curator and Associate Professor of Art Misty Burruel emphasizes the raw emotion captured in the voices of each artist’s audio recording. “The audio is such a powerful component in this particular project that I don’t think anyone expected.” Burruel said. “It humanizes these women. It adds to the dimension of who these women are.” Alongside the prison narratives is featured artwork by 12 artists that delve deep into the U.S. incarceration system. Artist Sheila Pinkel is one of the 11 artists with artwork featured in the exhibition.
Erynn Affeldt peers into the artwor
Karla Diaz peforms “Prison Gourmet” in the courtyard of t Outside:Prison Narratives” exhibit.
URES
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
13
CHAFFEY BREEZE
rison Narratives
DEN-BRAVO
Roberto Hernandez rk of the “Inside/Outside: Prison Narratives” exhibit on Sept. 8.
Gina Duran the Wignall on Sept. 8 during the opening of the “Inside/
Her artwork, titled “Site Unseen: Prison Industrial Authority (PIA)”, presents the viewer with photographs of objects like chairs, cabinets, couches, the U.S. flag, and the California state flag, all of which are made by inmates serving time in prison. Pinkel was inspired to create her artwork after reading a PIA catalogue she received from a man at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) about 15 years ago. The catalogue contained office furniture produced in U.S. prisons. After careful research, Pinkel discovered that according to law the California State University system, California Polytechnic University system, and local government offices in California must only purchase office furniture from PIA. “That was such an eye opener to me,” Sheila said. “Nobody realized how much is made in California prisons. I was shocked.” In addition to Sheila’s artwork is information pertaining to the number of incarcerated people in California prisons, Pinkel said. “The prison system in the united states is out of control,” Pinkel said. “And in recent years people have begun to realize the laws have to change so that we find other solutions besides incarceration for our social problems.” Amy Elkins, another artist featured in the exhibition, titles her artwork “Black is the Day, Black is the Night”. Elkin’s artwork is inspired from letter exchanges she had with seven inmates serving prison sentences in different states like, Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and Idaho. “I did a project with seven different inmates,” Elkins said. “I basically started writing letters with them and asking them about their experience in prison. This is what this work is sur-
rounding. The idea of exploring concepts of time and memory through writing people serving these epic sentences.” Artist Karla Diaz preformed her artwork titled “Prison Gourmet”, which involves recreating a meal using a recipe acquired from a prisoner by the name of Sergio Talavera. “I asked him [Talavera] why he made this recipe,” Diaz said. “And he said that it was because he remembered his daughter when he made this recipe.” “Sweet and Sour Chicken” is the name of the meal Diaz recreated. Ingredients include: Pork skins, strawberry jelly, strawberry flavored KoolAid, rice, and top ramen soup with chicken. A companion exhibition titled “Desegregate, Dismantle Isolation” is held in the Wignall Project Space. The project, produced by the Counter Narrative Society (CNS) also known as Mabel Negrete and Collaborators, features artwork titled “The Weight I Carry with Me: Sensible Housing Unit (SHU)” The complete collection of “Inside/Outside: Prison Narratives” and “Desegregate, Dismantle Isolation” is open to the public for viewing, reading and listening at the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art. Museum hours: Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday: Noon to 4 p.m. The galleries are closed on Fridays, Sundays and holidays.
14
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
REVIEWS
Strength of Street Knowledge HANAJUN CHUNG
Legendary Pictures / Universal
L
ike being held at gunpoint, the cold open of the N.W.A. biopic, “Straight Outta Compton”, hooks the audience with a drug deal gone bad. As things progress, the story surrounding the group’s early years — prior to stardom — sustains that same intensity and emotion for a while, demonstrating how their lives from Compton, CA truly affected their personalities, business and art. Much like the group’s relationship in later years, “Straight Outta Compton” ultimately struggles to hold together what made such an unforgettable beginning. “Straight Outta Compton” follows the rise and fall of the prolific group N.W.A., focusing primarily on the early days between members Eazy-E ( Jason Mitchell), Ice-Cube (O’Shea Jackson) and Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins). The first act is especially compelling in showing the harshness of growing up black in the late-80s. Whether it’s drugs, poverty or simply being outside, there is a real sense of hopelessness in their lives that’s representative of many others, making
their escape into music all the more investing and hopeful. The musical numbers are excellent, and it’s hard not to get wrapped up with certain performances. The film’s best scenes are when it shows black culture and police brutality affecting their music and subsequently, the listeners from all sides. It’s almost insane how those scenes involving racist police don’t feel dated, featuring moments that conjure similar, tragic events surrounding police brutality today. It’s no wonder why this film is resonating with so many people. What ultimately hurts “Straight Outta Compton” is that once the group becomes famous, it doesn’t deviate from the many other rise and fall narratives seen in many other biopics or gangster films. Although there is a bit near the finale that’s quite powerful emotionally, the overall drama regarding their contracts deflates and drags the majority of the movie. The momentum decreases when the injustice derives from shady management. With the exception of Paul Giamatti, the cast is mostly newcomers and the performances are spectacular.
While rapper Ice-Cube’s actual son, O’Shea Jackson, does a fantastic, almost uncanny version of his father, it’s Jason Mitchell’s performance as the late Eazy-E that’s the true standout of the film. Quite possibly the most flawed character, Mitchell is able to imbue quite a bit of pathos and heart to Eazy, despite his many shortcomings. Director F. Gary Gray keeps the film energetic and fun — even during the lesser second-half — and the 147-minute runtime goes by quickly. Fans of 90s hip-hop should find much to love, especially when the cameos start appearing. The soundtrack is quite great as well, even if it’s just a greatest hits of 90’s hip-hop. Those closely familiar with N.W.A.’s history and its members will find several events omitted from the film, especially ones that paint a negative portrait. In following the structure of the film, the inclusion of those moments might make for great drama, but it wouldn’t do anything to the trite second half. Overall: C+
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
15
CHAFFEY BREEZE
REVIEWS
Life, Love and Depression CARI BIANCA
Neil Hilborn from his album “Northbound”
N
eil Hilborn arrived on the poetry scene when a video of him performing his outstanding poem “OCD” went viral 2 years ago. It is no surprise that he recently released a collection of poetry entitled “Our Numbered Days.” This is a fresh, emotional and at times tongue-in-cheek collection. I cannot say that it is strong, relative to some of Hilborn’s contemporaries, but for his first book it is a great effort. Overall, I really enjoyed this breakout collection. I found some pieces that are stripped of purpose a little lacking. Pieces like “MSP PHI LGA ALB PHI MSP” and “American Revolution Trail, Charlotte, North Carolina, Winter,” sit prettily on the tongue, but have no flavor. On the other hand, poems like “OCD,” by far the star of the collection, soak into the skin.
“Our Numbered Days,” the collection’s namesake, appears as poetic refrain throughout. Epigraphs relating to a particular concept (e.g., death, love, home) emphasize Hilborn’s thematic style. These additions keep the collection connected without forcing poems into a particular motif. The collection injects great little moments of comedy, especially in “I’m Sorry Your Kids Are Such Little Shits and that We Are in the Same Zen Garden.” Hilborn balances the importance of humor and personal tragedy by not saturating his work solely in heartbreak and depression. All in all, I was amused, entertained and charmed by this young man’s gift for language. Though at times a little lackluster, he follows through with stunning pieces. As said before, it truly is a remarkable first effort. I have high hopes for seeing more from Mr. Neil Hilborn.
Courtesy of Button Poetry
“When you’re dumb / enough for long enough, you’re gonna meet someone / too smart to love you, and they’re gonna love you / anyway, and it’s gonna go so poorly.”
- Neil Hilborn, Ballad of a Bruised Lung
16
CHAFFEY BREEZE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
Get a free ride to college.
Ride anywhere free with your college ID. It's the smart way to get through school. Plus, get real time arrivals at omnitrans.org/nextrip. No application, registration, special pass or sticker required, just a current valid ID. Offer good for the 2015-16 school year. Details at Omnitrans.org
OMNITRANS.ORG 1-800-9-OMNIBUS