THE
The
Breeze Volume 26 Issue 3
Photograph by Nathan Lunn Illustration by Tristan Walsh
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CHAFFEY BREEZE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
Calendar Wednesday, September 30
Wednesday, September 30
Thursday, October 1
The Role of Korean Americans in The L.A. Riots: At 12:30 p.m. in WH-102, Professor Julie Song will explore the conflicts that led to and resulted from the 1992 L.A. Riots.
Music Faculty Concert: A special concert will be presented by Chaffey College’s renowned music faculty and special guests at 7 p.m, in CAE-102. The concert is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, September 30
Thursday, October 1
Transfer Fair: The Annual Fall Transfer Fair, hosted by the Transfer Center, will be held in the Rancho Quad from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Over 60 university reps will be in attendance. For more information visit SAA-120 or call (909) 652-6233.
Find A Job!: An Effective Search Strategies Workshop will be held at the Career Center at 1 p.m. to help students with finding a job. For more information or to sign-up call the Career Center at (909) 652-6511.
EOPS Spring Applications: At 9 a.m., the Extended Oppurtunities Program and Services (EOPS) will be accepting applications for the Spring 2016 semester. Applications are online only and are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. For further information or to schedule an information session, call the EOPS office at (909) 652-6349 or (909) 652-6358.
Editor-In-Chief Chris Salazar csalazar23@hotmail.com Managing Editor Sadie Gribbon Copy Editor Kristina Rocha Online Editor Erynn M. Affeldt Photo Editor Gina Duran Features Editor Sydney Powell
Friday, October 2 Manufacturing Day: A Manufacturing Day Expo will be held at Sigmanet in Ontario from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Expo is free to the public and aims to improve the publics perception of manufacturing careers and its value to the economy.
Campus News Editor Jullian Aiden Bravo
Baseline Editor Joshua Arnao
News Editor Roberto Hernandez
Staff Writers and Photographers Students 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.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
Contents News: 5. What You Need to Know Campus news: 6. Club rush 7. Socktoberfest Opinion: 8. I am That Statistic 9. Pumpkin Spice Latte 10. An Open Letter to Trump Sports: 11. Panthers’ Prospective Futures Review: 12. More Running 13. Johnny Depp’s Killer Return Feature: 14. Making Magic Meet Magic
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CHAFFEY BREEZE
NEWS
What You Need to Know ROBERTO HERNANDEZ
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A potential government shutdown was averted. On Friday, Sept. 18, the congressional house passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood after hours of heated debate. The controversial health organization has been the subject of heavy criticism as of late, after a secretly recorded video that claims to show employees discussing the illegal selling of human fetuses for profit was posted online in July. The 241 to 187 vote was split almost entirely along party lines, with Republicans voting in the majority. On Thursday, Sept. 24, Senate Democrats blocked the bill 52 to 47. sources: AP, Reuters
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The U.S has pledged to take in more refugees amidst a crisis in Europe that has hundreds of thousands of people seeking asylum. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a news conference in Germany that he hopes to increase the number of refugees coming into the country per year from 70,000 to 100,000 by 2017. Kerry’s declaration is in response to Germany’s plea for other countries to take in more refugees. Germany recently had to impose strict border controls and highway checks after a record 40,000 Syrian refugees were taken in. The meeting took place Sunday,
Sept. 20, three days before the EU agreed to admit 120,000 more refugees. Sources: Reuters, BBC, The Washington Post President Obama has made U.S. history by electing Eric Fanning secretary of the army, making him the first openly-gay leader of a military branch. Fanning has served as undersecretary to current secretary John McHugh since June. The announcement comes as part of an ongoing initiative by the Obama Administration to advance LGBT rights in the government, including the repealing of the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy and its appointment of its first openly transgender staff member Raffi Freedman-Gurspan
historic first congressional address. In his speech, Francis urged the nation to extend peace to the nation’s undocumented immigrants, and adressed the issue of the Syrian refugee crisis “I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants,” he said. His speech inspired tearful reactions from many including house speaker John Boehner, who is catholic.
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Pope Francis arrived in the United States for the first time since his papacy began. He landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland Tuesday Sept. 22 at about 4 p.m. ET. He was greeted by President Obama and the First Family. This marked the beginning of a six-day visit which included a
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
CAMPUS NEWS
Club Rush KENIA ANGLIN
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ith over 15 clubs present at the Rancho Cucamonga quad, students engaged with club representatives and explored various interests and opportunities at club rush on Sept. 23. “Club Rush is awesome. It gives the student body an opportunity to get to know all the clubs,”said Mitchel Quin-
“It gives the students a chance to become something.” tero, president of the Veterans club. Students also helped themselves to tacos during the entertainment provided by 99.1 KGGI radio. Crystal Perez, on air staff and head of Saturday Night JumpOff from 10p.m to 2a.m said, “You guys have a beautiful campus. You have a lot to offer. It’s just a lot of opportunity, so we definitely want to remind people of that.” Nesreen Alham, treasurer of Arabic Culture club said, “It’s good for transcripts and to transfer, so we usually try to join as many clubs as possible, we just like to get involved.” “If it was 150 degrees, I’d still be out there,” manager of student activities and ASCC, Charles Williams said. “It’s my dream that every stu-
dent at Chaffey College is part of a club. People come for the noise, stay for the food. I think it’s kinda fun being on a college campus.” Honors program representative Rukmini Ravi said, “I already love it, just for being here an hour, because you don’t often notice this much campus life or this lively setting a lot. I’ve met so many people just in this one hour that I haven’t met over the course of the whole year. I’m glad that this event exists.” Club tents involved in the event included the Arabic Culture club, Veterans club, Chess Club and the Honors Program, along
with other student organizations. “It brings the community together; it gives the students a chance to become a part of something,” Student Hayze Cencak said.
A shopping cart converted into a tank made out of cardboard at Club Rush on Sept. 23. Andres Vargas
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CAMPUS NEWS
Socktober Fest JULLIAN AIDEN BRAVO
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he Inland Empire (IE) Hope Collective is accepting donations of new socks, beanies, jackets and more, which will be donated to displaced people of all backgrounds. Gina Duran, psychology for art therapy major, is founder of the IE Hope Collective. Since the age of nine, Duran has provided aid to the homeless and she established the collective in 2013. Through her many charitable trips, Duran has met many of homeless people with a multitude of backgrounds. Her plan is to supply provisions to all homeless people despite who they are and what they have done. “The thing that disturbs me most about our society is that many people have a tendency to belittle and devalue the sick, weak and the meek,” Duran said. “I just hope to bring light Students participate in the production of inspirational to this situation to inspire others messages during a “Words in Art” workshop hewld at the to lift up one another by improvWignall Museum on Sept. 23. ing our communities and society Michelle Dowd through empathetic efforts and bettering the lives of those that that go the fastest.” need it most.” Socktober Fest, as Duran calls the The Collective is accepting “Fall charitable campaign, does not solely Weather” clothing. However, their foaim to provide donations to the discus is primarily on sock donations as placed, they aim to also inspire them this is the most important provision with secret or inspirational messages for every displaced individual survivinserted inside donated socks. On ing on the streets. Sept. 23 Duran directed a “Words “Socks are one of the most needand Art” workshop held by English ed necessities along with beanies and professor Michelle Dowd at the Wigblankets,” Duran said. “A lot of people nall Museum, which allowed anyone get blisters on their feet because they to participate in the production of inhave no socks. Socks are the things spiring messages.
Donators also have the option of designing inspirational artwork on the exterior of a sock. Through these inspiring messages, Duran hopes to motivate the homeless through their times of struggle. Working with participating members, Duran plans to donate to displaced people in multiple cities like San Bernardino, Upland, Muscoy and Pomona. The collective will be accepting donations until Oct. 31 and will hand them out in November. All donators may leave donations in a bin located at the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art.
“I just hope to bring light to this situation... through empathetic efforts...”
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
OPINION
I Am That Statistic SADIE GRIBBON
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am not a feminist. This separates me from many of my peers. I am liberal. I do believe in equality for all. I believe in feminism. I believe in living in a country that gives equal opportunities to both men and women. One in five women have gone to Planned Parenthood at least once in their lifetime. I am part of that statistic. Planned Parenthood started in 1916 and was founded by Margaret Sanger who created a place for women to make decisions about their bodies in a safe way. It is now 2015 and it feels as though I have been catapulted into Sanger’s time of being told by a bunch of White Anglo-Saxon Protestant men (WASP’s) telling women around the country that they have no voice. The irony is almost unbearable. The House of Representatives decided (yet again) that Planned Parenthood should be defunded by the government. Of course they choose to wait until the Pope visits town, America is thrusted into the GOP Debate and a highly edited video is released “showing” Planned Parenthood selling the tissue of unborn children. I hope that is not the case, but I am not in the place to say whether or not it is true. This began to snowball just in time for the CNN Republican debate where we got to hear Carly Fiorina release an artificial whimper over the edited video, and then go on to talk
Sex Columnist
about how weed kills. I have sympathy for her and the tragic death of her son but come on Carly, Willie Nelson is living proof that your point is invalid. It was easier to discredit her statements about Planned Parenthood after that and I made somewhat of a
Courtesy of mediamatters.org mockery of it until I was confronted with the harsh reality that the House was aggressively pushing for the defunding of Planned Parenthood. The probability of tacking it onto other bills, although we already know Obama will veto it, is a real threat. Of course, the House will drag America into yet another pointless government shutdown, which never helps anything. So instead of my taxes going toward under-privileged women in need of healthcare, it goes toward paying for a bunch of Republicans to sit around and cry about not getting their way. Cool.
A lot of Republicans don’t want to “fund” Planned Parenthood with their tax dollars, yet the rest of us are supposed to pay tax dollars to pay them to sit around on their asses and whine like a temperamental three-year-old? That makes sense. What riddles me is that Republicans think that they are “funding” abortions, but the statistics don’t lie. In reality, 3 percent of the patients who go to Planned Parenthood receive abortions, according to the Planned Parenthood 2013-14 annual report. That leaves room for 97 percent of patients visiting Planned Parenethood for multiple reasons. 42 percent of men and women get STD treatment and testing. 34 percent receive contraception(less babies reproduced equals less money funneled into welfare, you’re welcome Republicans). 11 percent go toward other women’s health services like Pap smears and other reproductive health necessities. 9 percent goes to cancer screening and prevention. Yes, Planned Parenthood wants its patients to be healthy. How shocking. Whether or not this bill will ever be enacted, America is reverting back to an unjust time in society where women were oppressed and that is not okay. 2.7 million women, men, and teens aided by Planned Parenthood. I am not a part of the 3 percent who received an abortion, but I am a part of the 20 percent who received free healthcare from Planned Parenthood as a teenager. I am that statistic.
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OPINION
Pumpkin Spice Latte NICO RECANA I remember when my mom and aunt bought my cousin and me matching Simba outfits for Halloween because it was Buy one get one free. I remember when it was my turn to say what I was thankful for during Thanksgiving (most times it was my favorite toy). I remember when my family would match outfits during Christmas and take pictures to declare the best dressed from our whole extended family. I remember the first time I had a pumpkin spiced latte. Nostalgia, it hits hardest when the Holidays come around. Thanksgiving dinner is here and everything looks as if the Last Supper’s chef has cooked it. You take a bite of the turkey and you remember why you only eat turkey once a year. It’s the blandest piece of meat you’ve ever tasted, but that’s not how we remember things. We look back and relish in on our memories. We are all so enamored with an enigmatic wave of yearning for an unappeased homecoming that never really was the way we remembered. Every time we reminisce, we always say, “Remember when this was popular? Or this? Or that?” Youth and happiness have no correlation. We experience nostalgia because we remember we got through that time just fine. Everything you see has nostalgia
Millenial Columnist
in it. You go on social media, you go online and you see nostalgia because people are afraid of the future. The future gives us anxiety.
collapsed. Even current students are anxious about their future. People are worried about student loans, tuition fees, life after college and job security. In 2013, CBS News reported a study about stress levels comparing generations. Millennials were reported to have the highest levels of stress at a 5.4 out of 10 possible levels. The researchers stated that a normal stress level is 3.6. According to the study, the majority of millennials said work, money and relationships stressed them out most. We’re all at the age where we are just learning what it really means to have adult responsibilities. Old enough to stay out with no one to say otherwise, but still young enough to want our parents to make our dentist appointments. Growing up is a little bit like getting on a train, not knowing how long the journey will be and not knowing the destination. No matter which way you look at it, the struggle is real. Our endeavors are a mixture of our hopes, our dreams and our anxieties. The path we choose is bumpy, Courtesy of flickr.com regardless of our aspirations. As time That unsettling feeling is validated, passes, that feeling of anxiety is quickespecially when we look at the presly replaced by the nostalgia we’ve ent. In this post-recession age, we all come to desire. Trust your struggle, still feel the effects. Many college stuenjoy that feeling like the first time dents graduated when the economy you sipped on a pumpkin spice latte.
CHAFFEY BREEZE
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
OPINION
An Open Letter to Trump SABINO VILLANUEVA
Never before has a candidate been as controversial as Trump. Traditionally, the presidential candidates of both parties tend to capture the Latino vote, but this occasion is completely different. The Latin community has become his villains. Latinos must be remembered for its contributions to the economical and cultural presence in American society. We come to this country for one reason: the opportunity for a better life. Trump’s stance on Mexicans is merely political propaganda and by
doing so, Trump’s main goal is to gain publicity and relevancy in the polls. I want to remind candidate Trump that this country is composed of multiethnic races who hold some of the hardest jobs. Who else is going to build your hotels to make your life easier, Trump? Trump is a dictator. When Latino journalist Jorge Ramos began asking questions regarding Trump’s immigration policy in a press conference last month, Trump chose to ignore it and asked for Ramos to be escorted out.
Ramos may not belong to the group of journalists that applaud you, but you should not have insulted the Latin community by demanding him to leave. When you told him, “Sit down and go back to Univision,” your message was loud and clear. The Latino community has become the main focus of your presidential run rather than the well being of the American people.
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SPORTS
Panthers’ Prospective Futures LISA TRUONG The flicker of the scoreboard can be seen across a field of freshly cut grass. The recently painted Panther logo is now visible from the parking lot. The energy from the bleachers is now explosive with screaming fans here to support the football team. For some students, this is just another community college football team, but for those who play the sport, this is their life. The Panther football team trains day in and day out to prepare for the season ahead. Marquis Jones is not a stranger to this. He has been a linebacker with the Panther team since 2014. “We trained in the spring three days a week and in summer for four days a week,” Jones said. Training consists of running over plays and learning to recognize them, plenty of cardio related exercises and weight lifting to condition the body. “It’s all about how you practice, and how you practice will translate into the game,” defensive back Jedidiah Lulu said. Many of the players take the weight lifting course taught by Coach Phil Roberts during the academic year. He teaches the players to reach their body’s athletic peak, which helps them exert their maximum potential on the field. Aside from physical training, being mentally prepared for the football season is of utmost importance to these players. There is one goal in mind: success during the football season. “Teamwork is what we pride ourselves in; that’s what we practice, because at the end of the day, without having each other we wouldn’t be a
team. The success that we are having now wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for all of us pitching in together,” Lulu said. But what is a goal without struggling to reach it? Jones can tell you that his biggest struggle in football is actually not playing for the Chaffey team itself, but what lies beyond it. Jones felt somewhat hopeless and debated whether he should go back to his hometown in Georgia. His dilemma: go home to his parents and find a “regular” job or stay here at Chaffey and continue to pursue his dreams. “The hardest struggle is being patient, because when I first got here I didn’t really have any offers or any universities looking at me or showing any interests,” Jones said. However, after his first season at Chaffey, universities began showing interest in him and this kept him motivated to work harder at his craft and hope for the best in the seasons to come. Jones began to receive letters of interests from universities, and realized that his patience and hard work were opening doors for a chance to play for a Division-I school. Because football is a way of life for these players, they are willing to put all their efforts into succeeding in the 2015 season and in the seasons to come. “If you love the game of football, no matter what, you are going to get nervous. No matter what, if you really love it then nothing will stop you and you just play. If everything works out how it’s supposed to work out, then who knows, maybe one day we will be playing on Sunday,” Lulu said. Win or lose, there is no denying
that these players have worked hard for their goals and there is no looking back, but only moving forward.
UPCOMING GAMES Oct. 3: BYE Week
Oct. 10: Santa Ana / @ Santa Ana 1 p.m.
Oct. 17: Long Beach / @ Long Beach 6 p.m.
Oct. 24: Citrus / HOME 1 p.m.
Oct. 31: El Camino / @ Redondo High 5 p.m.
Nov. 7: Riverside / @ RCC 6 p.m.
Nov. 14: La Harbor / HOME 1 p.m.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
CHAFFEY BREEZE
REVIEW
More Running HANAJUN CHUNG
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hen “The Maze Runner” was released in fall of 2014, the reviews team at the Breeze found it to be a fun, clever little young-adult adaptation that stood out from the many other YA titles, deserving of the “B+” grade. Fans will most likely enjoy seeing these characters once again onscreen. Just don’t expect any sense of mystery and creativity from the filmmakers. “The Scorch Trials” is mostly exposition. Starting right where the first film ends: Thomas (Dylan O’ Brian) and his group — played by Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dexter Darden, Alexander Flores and the lone female, Kaya Scodelario — are brought into a safe haven-type facility that houses youths rescued from other mazes. When Thomas discovers that their new hosts are not what they seem (winning the award for laziest acronym with WCKD), the team breaks out, taking their chances in “the scorch” (the burnt world following a devastating solar flare and virus outbreak). The teamwork and ingenuity that made the character’s interesting in The Maze are mostly absent here. There are shades of those traits sprinkled throughout, but they’re mostly outrunning WCKD, the undead or nature. Rarely do they have genuine moments of character. When things do get interesting, it’s far too late into the film. There isn’t any real sense of discovery with this adventure, only
Courtesy of Gotham Group / Twentieth Century Fox coincidence and misfortune. The setting feels largely uninspired and familiar. Having elaborate names doesn’t make this post-apocalyptic wasteland or its zombies any more special. To the filmmaker’s credit, this has more to do with the moronic source material. Director Wes Ball, a former special effects engineer, returns for the sequel with more stunning visuals. Even with the derivative sets and locations, he constructs some gorgeous shots. The action in the first film was a highlight and it’s no different here, directed with clarity and energy that thrill each
time, except in the finale. O’Brian and his co-stars, especially Lee, definitely sell the peril during those moments. “The Scorch Trials” isn’t a terrible film. It has its moments, but strongly feels like the second film of a trilogy, without the great thematic revelation and/or darker undertones found in films such as “The Dark Knight,” or “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.” At this point, the wait for the finale — entitled “The Death Cure” — feels more obligatory than exciting.
Overall: C+
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REVIEW
Johnny Depp’s Killer Return CASEY MEDINA
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he film “Black Mass” is a biographical crime film that chronicles South Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger’s reign of terror from the mid-70s to the mid-80s. Director Scott Cooper delivers an intense film that’s intensified further with the lead actor’s performance. James “Whitey” Bulger ( Johnny Depp) is the violent yet decisive leader of the Irish-American Winter Hill Gang that terrorized the streets of South Boston. Johnny Connolly ( Joel Edgerton), a member of the FBI close to the notorious gangster, uses Bulger as an informant to catch the Angiulo Brothers. However, things go awry when Bulger ignores the informant rules through heinous crimes and murders. The film’s story and pacing are executed very well. The plot moves along slow and steady as the film occasionally cuts to the characters being interviewed giving their accounts of what happened. The small interview snip-
pets are used sparingly but effectively, almost giving the film a documentary vibe. Violence in the film is also minimal — a good balance between drama and action. Although the action scenes are intense, the scenes in which Bulger is just talking softly, yet threateningly, are more heart-racing. Johnny Depp not only steals the show, he takes it hostage (and probably buries it somewhere under some bridge in Boston just to get into character). Depp provides a bone-chilling performance as Bulger, giving the gangster an electrifying presence on screen. Depp managed to give the South Boston gangster charisma while making him terrifyingly reserved and calculating. The excellent make up and facial prosthetic only adds to his performance, one deserving of an Oscar nomination. It is arguably the actor’s best performance to date. “Black Mass” is an exceptionally great film. The beautifully written dramatic scenes mixed with the perfect amount of violence in short-but-ef-
fective bursts put you on the edge of your seat for the whole runtime. Depp’s portrayal of the South Boston gangster is generating Oscar buzz for good reasons. His performance alone is reason enough to go see this film. “Black Mass” is a film you don’t want to miss.
Overall: A+ TRIVIA As of today, Johnny Depp’s lowestrated film is “Mortdecai.” It’s considered a financial and critical failure. “Black Mass” is Depp’s follow-up to “Mortedcai.”
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
FEATURE
Making Magic Meet Magic JASON GRASSO
Gonzo Journalist
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arrived late to the Poetry Circus, even after leaving almost two hours early, due to the combination of bunk printed directions, a malfunctioning cell phone and my nerves about my interviewing Nicelle Davis, curator of the event. Making my way towards the carousel, a group of my fellow students greeted me. The majority of the festivities were over; however, poets were still reading. Professor Dowd introduced me to Nicelle soon after, and we agreed to talk when the circus concluded. While waiting, I caught the last couple of poets. They read in front of the carousel. People dressed in flashy circus costumes and makeup, some with fedoras, others with mustaches, complimented the poetry Carlos Ramos, the last poet of the night, stepped up to the microphone to read a poem. “Sorry for extending your night for a few more minutes.” A voice from the crowd said, “Don’t apologize for poetry!” When Carlos finished, there was thunderous applause. Then, Nicelle Davis approached the microphone. She held a bouquet of flowers, and made a brief speech. At the end, she said the carousel was, “The most vibrant and interesting place in Los Angeles.” As the rest of the spectators and attendees trickled out, I remained, carried a few chairs and waited patiently for my moment with Nicelle.
She was hard at work, moving items, while finding time to talk with each and every person who approached her. When you talk with Nicelle, she has a way of making you feel as if you are alone with her in an intimate setting, even if in actuality you are in the middle of a circus.
“I think there is something magical about the desert. So I’m not interested in loosing that magic. And I love when magic meets magic.”
I approached her. She was moving things from the merry-go-round out to her car and relocating furniture. “Did you want to ask me some questions?” I told her I did. “Should I just follow you around?” Nicelle is known for using multiple medias and performance. It is this cross-pollination that blossomed my interest in her, so I asked if she thought it has contributed to her success as a poet. Nicelle was moving chairs and tables.
“I think I am a less lonely artist working in multiple medias and collaborating with other artists. And so I think success is a very dangerous and tricky word—it’s complicated—so if I’m successful at anything it’s finding amazing people. Like right now, I’m helping—and Annette is helping me—carry a giant table. A circus doesn’t happen unless you have friends picking up the other end of the table.” Then, I said, “Do you think that it is difficult to transition from one media to the other? Like bringing written poetry to an event like this?” I motioned around towards the carousel. “No way, I think it was meant to be this way. So the tradition of poetry was actually—like it was the same thing as like the National Enquirer— so you know, like the ballad is essentially a gossip song. So you would sing that song from one town to the next.” Referring to poetry in general, I said, “So it’s a performance art, naturally?” “Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. It’s a song, and it’s theatre. It’s a hybrid, just by its mere invention. It’s the other art, and so poetry’s always been all the arts in one, which makes it a little bit sometimes difficult.” “So in a way you’re bringing it back to its true form?” I said. “Yeah—well, I don’t know if it ever left it. But I know I love poetry. The closer I am to it, the better I feel.” Nicelle holds many of her events in the LA area. I asked her about LA, “You mainly operate (perfor-
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The carousel at the LA Zoo, located in Griffith Park on Sept. 19 during the Poetry Circus Gina Duran mance-wise) out of the LA area, but you’re from—if I’m not mistaken— the desert, right?” “I am. Actually, the Antelope Valley. And so the people I collaborate with—for the most part, like the people who throw down, are desert people.” Nicelle truly is special. Not only has she helped the art of poetry by providing oxygen for avenues that might otherwise be suffocating in the shadows, but she also extends that life infusing oxygen a step further by offering a breath to fellow artists. Not a specific brand of artist or writer, either. Any artist or writer, especially the little ones. Nicelle included me with her collaborators and I thanked her. “Absolutely.” Back on the subject
of LA, she said, “For me it’s really important for the desert voices to have an equal presence in what makes LA LA. ‘Cause honestly, we do all the work.” “It’s almost like being a voice for—I don’t’ want to say the voiceless—but people who wouldn’t necessarily be heard as loudly.” “Well myself, I live in the desert, right? So even myself wouldn’t be heard unless I put on a circus. I mean the majority of the audience tonight was Chaffey students and Antelope Valley students.” At this point we went on a brief tangent about the poetry reading last spring at Chaffey before getting back to our conversation about the desert and LA. Nicelle said, “I think there is some-
thing magical about the desert. So I’m not interested in loosing that magic. And I love when magic meets magic. This carousel,” she pointed at the carousel, “Like I love downtown LA, like I have no problem with the city itself. I think it’s gorgeous, there’s a lot of hard working people, and a lot of magic. It’s just making the magic meet the magic.” If anyone is a master at making magic meet magic, it is Nicelle Davis. She keeps the element of performance in poetry and combines every aspect possible, be it cities, medias or people. She brings people from all walks of life together to bond over their love of creativity. She provides avenues for budding young writers. The world needs more people like Nicelle Davis.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
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OMNITRANS.ORG 1-800-9-OMNIBUS