THE CAMPANIL
10.04.16 // Volume 102 // Issue 3 //
// Student-run newspaper serving Mills College since 1917 //
In this issue
News
Opinions
Standing Rock >> pg 2
Charlotte >> pg 6
The Center hosts an event for Standing Rock.
The staff editorial looks at recent events in North Carolina.
Health & Sports
Arts & Entertainment
Innerstellar >> pg 7
Root Connection >> pg 5
Patti Smith’s collection is on display at Mills.
Visit Innerstellar in Berkeley.
Kayla Moore’s family to receive court date Dani Toriumi design editor
DANI TORIUMI
People stopped traffic in Berkeley to raise awareness for the injustice faced by Kayla Moore.
Fort Point offers a local’s perspective on the Bay Area Calli Storrs sports & health editor The Golden Gate Bridge may be one of the first things that comes to mind when someone mentions San Francisco, but underneath its famous burnished arches sits a lesser known but equally majestic attraction. Three stories high and over 150 years old, Fort Point is solidly built out of bricks and stone, with barracks of wood and glass. Archways line the open courtyard, leading to coves for the cannons. The fort was completed in 1861 as part of a military strategy to protect San Francisco from foreign attack during the time of the Gold Rush. It
was strategically positioned to be a vital military base and was later used as a major deterrent for the Confederacy during the Civil War, but was never actually involved in any military exchange. Today, Fort Point brushes up against the legs of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is situated just below a special arch that was added to the bridge, designed solely to preserve the National Historic Site. With my friend and Bay Area native, Tate Bissinger, in the lead, my friends and I took a bus and then a Lyft to get to the fort on a recent Sunday afternoon. By mistake, our driver delivered us to the Fort Point Vista, the bluff above the fort itself. To get to our correct destination, my friend led the way down a trail to the fort’s roof tier. see
Three years after Kayla Moore, a transgender woman with schizophrenia, died in her home while in the custody of Berkeley police, a court date has finally been set. In a demand for justice for the wrongful death, despite the City of Berkeley’s recent attempts to have the case dismissed, the trial date will remain set for Oct. 17, 2016. On Sept. 20, 2016 family members and supporters of Moore flooded the streets of Berkeley to bring awareness to the
upcoming trial. Maria Moore, Moore’s sister, stood on the top steps of the old city hall in Berkeley, California and recalled her sister’s death. “This was a case of torture that was extreme and unnecessary,” Maria Moore said. Moore was a transgender woman of color who suffered from schizophrenia and an anxiety disorder. At around 11 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2013, police arrived at Moore’s apartment in response to a mental health related disturbance and a warrant for the arrest of Xavier see
Moore page 3
Cross country works towards final competition Melissa Berkay staff writer
With two meets down and five remaining, the Mills College cross country team is setting short term goals and working hard to meet them in time for their end of season competition. For NCAA West Regionals in November, the team is training and implementing Head Coach Ivory Veale’s coaching philosophy into every practice and meet, like setting multiple short-term goals, perfecting the fundamentals of distance running and emphasizing teamwork. The team is motivated to work together to achieve success and is focusing more on enjoying the process of achieving their goals, rather than on the end results. In their most recent meet at Humbolt State, the average 6K team’s time was faster than last
Fort Point page 5
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MELISSA BERKAY
The cross country team has been working on setting short-term goals in order to achieve long term goals.
year’s mark. According to Veale, last season set the momentum and motivation for this year’s season; the goal is to keep the momentum going. Veale emphasizes team
orientation, self-discovery, general fitness improvement and competitive confidence. He encourages his athletes to set goals and to give them the necessary tools to be successful student athletes. see
Cross Country page 8
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10.04.16
News
City council members sit Students gather in solidarity with Standing Rock during national anthem Melissa Berkay staff writer
At an Oakland City Council meeting last week, council members discussed their participation in refusing to stand for the national anthem as a silent protest to events of racial injustice in the United States. The topic of refusing to stand for the national anthem as a protest to racism and police brutality was prevalent during the city council meeting. While addressing issues in the city, members of the council voiced their reasoning behind choosing not to stand. Before the commencement of the City Council meeting, Council members Desley Brooks and Rebecca Kaplan both spoke about their choice to refrain from standing while the national anthem played. They mentioned the police shooting of Terence Crutcher and of athlete Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand. Brooks, an Oakland City council member and the vice mayor of Oakland, spoke on racism and police brutality in this country. She said that Kaepernick sitting during the national anthem is representational of the freedoms we have as citizens of this country. “He has the absolute right to
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Kaplan addressed refusing to stand for the national anthem.
ASMC ELECTION RESULTS
Abbey Flentje Editor in Chief eic@thecampanil.com 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Rothwell 157 Oakland, CA 94613 510.430.2246 phone
the freedom of expression. If we [understood] what this country is about, we would not get upset over somebody exercising their constitutional rights,” Brooks said. Brooks hopes that individuals will ask about the issues that are being protested and not about the media spotlight on Kaepernick protesting. She does not want the media to distract from the conversation citizens need to have. The topic of racial discrimination is being well-discussed on college campuses by many students. According to Sophomore Natalia Sandoval, silently protesting by refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem are powerful actions. She thinks that Kaepernick’s act is simply freedom of speech. “On a constitutional stance, I think what he did was just,” Sandoval said. “I hope that more influential individuals will follow in Kaepernick’s footsteps.” Mills community volunteer and Board of Trustees member Kathleen Burke notes that there has been some change and progress in the country. According to Burke, the idea that someone chooses whether or not to stand is self-choice. “The way he is protesting is clear and expressive,” Burke said. “However, it has brought out violence to the extent of people reading it as disrespectful to the military; these kind of reactions are what bother me.” Kaepernick has received extensive media attention for his refusal to stand. As stated by ethnic studies professor Nikole Wilson Ripson, many individuals are paying attention to what he is doing rather than asking why he is doing it. She sees his action as an act of patriotism since it raises questions about what we are doing wrong and how we can do better as a country. “This silent protest is directed in an area in which our country can do better; asking that of it is true patriotism,” Ripson said.
Senate Positons:
Transfer Senator: Izamar Rodriguez Natural Sciences Division Senator: Phaedra Saxon Commuter Senator: Cindy Castillo Access and Support Senator: Kiley Becker Letters Senator: Rebeca Montaño
Managing Editor Monika Sabic Chief News Editor Emily Burian
COURTESY OF ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS
The pipeline that is being protested would stretch from North Dakota to Illinois, as seen above.
Marisa Tangeman Asst News Editor On Sept. 27, a group of Mills College students and staff gathered in the Solidarity Lounge for a time of reflection and dialogue on how students can be in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe as they fight to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The DAPL is proposed to transport 450,000 barrels per day of highly volatile crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline will run directly upstream from the Standing Rock Reservation. Members of indigenous groups from all over the world have been gathering in support at Sacred Stone Camp, a community established by Standing Rock community members. Private security forces have pepper sprayed and released attack dogs on the peaceful protesters, and many have been arrested. Sophomore Savannah Marlow attended the dialogue to learn what she could do to help. “I went to the meeting to figure out what solidarity would look like,” Marlow said. “I have heard that their water supply has been cut off, and [so] I think water would be
a great place to start.” Marlow feels connected to the issue because she has family members that are Cherokee, but feels that other students more closely connected should speak the most in the dialogue. “I have family who are Cherokee, but I don't identify as Cherokee because my dad raised me saying ‘you’re white passing, and so you should be,’” Marlow said. “My connection is not as grounded as Professor Lee’s or other people’s connections; there are people who go to this school who have come from reservations and are activists.” As for the next dialogue, for which the date is still undecided, Marlow hopes that there will be more time for Native Americans to speak. “Two people who identified as Native American had time to speak, and I want it to serve as an atmosphere of alliance where people who aren't Native American listen instead of speak,” Marlow said. Alfredo Del Cid, the assistant director of The Center, planned the first meeting with Assistant Dean of Students Sabrina Kwist and Chaplain Dara Olandt. They decided to not define what solidarity would look like and left it up for the students to discuss.
Class Council 2017: President: Mary Ruiz Vice President: Tess Imhof
Opinions Editor Annie Clark Asst Opinions Editor Jeanita Lyman Online Editor Alexina Estrada
Asst News Editor Marisa Tangeman
Design Editor Britt Hart & Dani Toriumi
Arts & Ent. Editor Erin Strubbe
Copy Chief Kenna Wright
Sports & Health Editor Calli Storrs
Staff Writers Melissa Berkay
Class Council 2019: Historian: Eve Gottwald
“We want to make sure that we are inclusive when it comes to deciding on an action. I don't know what it will look like, but I think there’s a lot of different opportunities,” Del Cid said. “A lot of this is happening really organically, and today was just the first step.” Olandt wanted to make a space available for people to reflect, as well as get informed on the issue. “I see this as an occasion to come together for meaningful and thoughtful conversation,” Olandt said. “It's a good opportunity to talk about what solidarity can mean, and to reflect on intersectional movement-building for positive, social change.” It is still unknown what will come out of these dialogues, but there is plenty of room for discussion and for all voices to be heard. Olandt hopes that these dialogues will help students form connections, unite and take action, and learn from each other. “I hope people will continue to speak and share together, [build] a community through dialogue and action, honor the wisdom of experiences shared, apply critical social justice analysis, unite with larger efforts and come up with meaningful ways to impact social change,” Olandt said.
Class Council 2020:
President: Sunshine Anderson Vice President: Amanda Wheelock
The Campanil welcomes public commentary on subjects of interest to the campus community, as well as feedback on the paper itself. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 150 words. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity only. All submissions must include the author’s name and contact information and may be submitted via e-mail or in typewritten form, accompanied by an electronic copy. No anonymous submissions will be accepted. Submissions must be received one week before the publication date to appear in the next issue. The Campanil reserves the right to upload all content published in print, in addition to original content, on our website, www.thecampanil.com. The Campanil is published every other Tuesday. Students interested in joining The Campanil staff should contact the Editor in Chief at eic@thecampanil.com
News
10.04.16
Campus presidential debate viewing sparks discussion Emily Burian
cheif news editor
DANI TORIUMI
Community members marched in front of the city hall building in support of Kayla Moore. from
Moore page 1
During the response, Moore had a psychotic episode. The police said that she was being non-compliant during her arrest and took actions that allegedly took Moore’s life. On Sept. 23, 2016, at the pretrial, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer believed that the reason for Moore’s arrest was appropriate. “This is a case of excessive force in the court’s opinion,” Breyer said. A large portion of the discussions during the pre-trial between representatives of the City of Berkeley and the Moore family focused on each defendant’s statement for the cause of death. The City continued to state the cause of death was a poorly timed cardiac arrest, while Moore’s representative claimed it as neglect, and excessive use of force and restraint. Moore’s psychotic episode was briefly addressed by the family in the pre-trial as a justified reason for her apparent non-compliance
during her arrest. Judge Breyer said Moore’s psychotic episode would not be a strong enough argument for the family‘s case. Adante Pointe, the representing attorney for the Moore family, spoke to the injustice in regards to misgendering Moore. Pointe said that the misgendering occurred
DANI TORIUMI
Maria Moore speaks on steps of city hall before the march.
in multiple news outlets and for a greater part of the pre-trial, until the matter was formally addressed and corrected. Elizabeth Martin (who uses they/them pronouns), a leader of Gender Splendor at Mills College, believes there must be an end to the growing violence against trans women of color. They also feel a positive increase in visibility should not have to consequently result in an increase of violence. “Misgendering Kayla Moore was another act of violence that has been irresponsibly propagated throughout reports of her death,” Martin said. With each new day the fight will continue on, for not only the Moore Family but for the countless victims of these transfocused attacks. “The family and supporting community still has a ways to go and has much more left to prove,” Maria Moore said. The start of the trial will be held Oct. 17, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco.
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The Mills College community tuned in for the first 2016 presidential debate on Sept. 26 that featured Democratic party candidate Hillary Clinton, and Republican party candidate Donald Trump. The viewing and discussion was hosted by the public policy program and International City/ County Management Association at Mills (ICMA), followed by a discussion guided by Larry Magid, a Mills public policy professor. The debate drew a full room of people, with vocalized criticisms that mostly surrounded republican candidate Donald Trump’s performance in the debate. Afterwards, Magid asked audience members what surprised them, and what they thought each candidate needed to do to win voters. Zoey, a public policy graduate student, commented that Trump did a good job appealing to
his supporters. “I’m surprised he didn’t make an attempt to pull third party voters or undecided voters; he just went to his base,” she said. Rick Rivera, a graduate student, was happy with Hillary’s performance, but raised some concerns during the debate section about race and policing. “I felt like it was a misstep on her part to go with the soft, lawand-order, policeman position,” Rivera said. Mills professors also gave commentary about their reactions to the debate. Lori Bamberger, head of the Mills public policy department, was surprised by Trump’s lack of policy. “I was surprised there wasn’t any policy articulated by Trump,” Bamberger said. “I was more surprised he never got really flustered by his inability to articulate policy.” Mills’ Public Policy Program will also be hosting a vice presidential debate viewing featuring Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the faculty lounge.
EMILY BURIAN
The Mills community gathered in the faculty lounge to watch and discuss the 2016 presidential debate.
Hillman inaugurated as 14th president
Professor Ajuan Mance places medal on President Hillman at her inauguration.
Emily Burian
cheif news editor
At convocation on Friday, Sept. 23, Elizabeth L. Hillman was formally inaugurated as the 14th president of Mills College. Convocation happens every year in the fall for seniors to celebrate the start of their last academic year at Mills College. This year, the
ceremony took place on Holmgren Meadow. Graduating seniors sat in the front of the audience, while alumnae, current students and faculty sat in their section. Many students earn scholarships and awards for their academic achievements, and faculty receive honors and appointments. Hillman, after receiving her presidential necklace with every president in Mills history's name on
it, explained her excitement for the upcoming changes. "Mills will always be coming of age and so will our students," Hillman said. "I look forward to seeing that happen." Other speakers included the mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaaf, ASMC President Erin Clark, Imani Perry and Alumnae Association President Vjii Nakka-Cammauf.
ALL PHOTOS BY AISHA GONZALEZ
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10.04.16
Arts & Entertainment
MCAM honors Patti Smith’s legacy Department celebrates 50 years of
NORA ROTH
Smith’s albums line the walls of the Mills College Art Museum.
Celine Viravong Contributing Writer This semester, the Mills College Art Museum combines its expansive collection of works by Patti Smith – legendary artist, musician, poet and author – with performances and installations dedicated to Bay Area artist and visionary Anna Halprin. On Sept. 14, the museum welcomed members of Mills and the Bay Area community to its newest exhibition, entitled Root Connection: 20 Years of the Patti Smith Collection + The 96th Ritual (For Anna Halprin). Smith and Halprin’s collections are both distinctly reflective of some of Mills’ core values, like curiosity, courage and risk-taking. Attendees, including local art collector Victor Landweber, were enchanted by the range of Smith’s unusual short films that played in the Art Museum’s screening room, while others perched themselves at one of three viewing stations, which broadcasted different performance pieces from “95 Rituals” just outside. “I admire their power of raw expression. They have this ability to just put it all out there,” Landweber said. The Patti Smith Collection
includes rare materials from the multi-talented and notoriously eccentric Smith. Smith’s publications, photographs, recordings, films and ephemera were gifted to Mills by library employee Robert Byler. Works from the collection are spread out from the Art Museum to the Heller Rare Book Room, as well as the small Book Art gallery in the CPM building. Some visitors had never heard of Smith, and some were long-time followers of her life and works. The collection’s breadth is its greatest asset, offering something for every person to enjoy. “I’ve always been really intrigued by Patti Smith, and wanted to see her original
photography,” Mills College undergraduate Walker Guinee said, as she considered an arrangement of black-and-white portraits. The pinnacle of the event was the rendering of “Drowning Man,” a performance piece created and performed by Shinichi Iova-Koga and Edward Shocker. Their work is an homage to “95 Rituals,” a collective production of performance art pieces created by the Bay Area theatre and dance collective, inkBoat. “95 Rituals” was first performed on Halprin’s 95th birthday, in celebration of her noteworthy contributions to the world of performance art. The 96th Ritual, “Drowning Man” explored both the physicality and sound of water through dramatic movement, creation of sound with water and ordinary objects, and an undecipherable lyrical element, gurgled through a mouth full of water. Like most performance art, it is something you have to see in order to understand, but its poignant commentary on the world’s most precious resource spoke to many of the guests in attendance. Guests who had come with no expectations were the most jarred by the strange drama. Local resident Patrick Sasaki left the abstract performance with a powerful message in mind: “Water is life, water is death.” “I didn’t know what I was walking into. I’m from the neighborhood,” Sasaki said. Starting Oct. 12, new performances, interactive tours, readings and installations will be available to Mills students and the surrounding community. More information on current and upcoming special events is available at mcam.mills.edu, and students are highly encouraged to explore all of the remarkable works that are scattered around campus.
NORA ROTH
Community members appreciate MCAM’s tributes to Smith.
the Center for Contemporary Music
DANI TORIUMI
The CCM has been housed in the music building since 1967. studios and making music with it.” Many professors teaching at the Erin Strubbe Center for Contemporary Music Arts & Entertainment Editor today are alumni of its graduate program, including John Bischoff This year, the Center for and Maggi Payne. Contemporary Music (CCM) “I don’t see it as a narrow celebrates 50 years of musical tradition,” Bischoff said of former innovation and exploration at Mills students going on to become College. faculty. “If it’s a healthy tradition, The CCM was founded in and I think it is, then it provides 1962, as the San Francisco Tape some continuity. All that I learned Music Center, a place to push here, the ways I was challenged…I the boundaries of the unexplored try to carry that on as a teacher.” territory of electronic music. The passion that today’s “CCM is all about the future, students bring to the program looking forward,” CCM Technical certainly hints to the likelihood of Director Les Stuck said. the continuity of this tradition. The Over the years, the Tape Center center’s modest 50th anniversary attracted pioneers and artists like celebration, for example, was Don Buchla and Pauline Oliveros, entirely planned by CCM students. who helped shape the Center “[The celebration] was really before and after its transition to organized and run by the students. the Mills campus in 1967. A few of Summer of 2016 is the 50th these original artists from the Tape anniversary, but the faculty wasn’t Center continue to be involved with able to put together an appropriately the CCM today, including Pauline huge thing,” Stuck said. “But Oliveros who teaches music classes the students got all enthusiastic via Skype. about it.” But it is not only its illustrious On Sept. 22, students and faculty faculty that has shaped the culture gathered in the Ensemble Room and success of the CCM over the to celebrate the occasion the best past five decades. Students have way they knew how: with music always played an integral role to and innovative performances from the program’s functionality, dating both faculty and students alike. back to when the program’s biggest The event, which featured a Skype claim to fame was its accessibility performance from Pauline Oliveros to the larger public. and a variety of both live and “When the center first moved pre-recorded pieces, was a fitting here it had a grant from Rockefeller celebration for the CCM’s legacy Foundation, and part of that grant of experimentation, innovation and was to provide public access to above all, community. anyone who wanted to learn and Next year, the CCM faculty make electronic music and access hopes to organize a comprehensive a recording studio,” long-time celebration of the CCM’s history in CCM professor and alumnus Chris the experimental music tradition. Brown said. “The roles of students and staff here were to basically assist community members, who To read the rest of this story, go to weren’t students, in using the http://bit.ly/2cHT5FX.
Theater company sets stage for toxic masculinity dialogue Selena Guido Contributing Writer Local activists and community leaders called attention to the impact of toxic masculinity through Shakespeare and a dialogue. On Sept. 24, the California Shakespeare Theater led a series of community panel discussions called Civic Dialogue. The discussion created a space for people who work to improve specific areas
that reflect the underlying themes within the play. In their large outdoor theater situated amongst eucalyptus and oak-lined groves, Cal Shakes invited four panelists to tackle topic questions regarding the impact of toxic masculinity: Michael “MJ” Jones, a black, queer, non-binary trans writer, activist, educator and musician; nationally acclaimed artist Ariel Luckey; Chief of Staff of Youth Uprising Sikander Iqbal; and Anthony J. Williams, a writer,
researcher and organizer. The first question of the evening laid the foundation of the dialogue: What is masculinity? Though seemingly basic, Iqbal pointed out that it is a very difficult question to answer because there are two types of masculinities: one that is taught to you and one that you discover. Williams added that masculinity is a social construct, defined differently among cultures and generations. It shapes how people see one another based
on presentation and what they understand as masculine. “I think that some of the [examples of healthy masculinity] that came to mind was like a strength and a resilience as playing the role of protector,” Jones said. The panelists discussed the differences between healthy and toxic masculinity. Jones brought up the issue that toxic masculinity has the power to make women, in particular black women, be considered less feminine if they
display traditionally masculine qualities, such as strength and resilience. “It was interesting because... those are all things that I’ve seen my mom exhibit...thinking about the strength and resilience that black women have and how often their womanhood is rescinded,” Jones said. To read the rest of this story, go to http://bit.ly/2d2q3Sp.
Arts & Entertainment
CALLI STORRS
A view from the inside of the Fort. showing the old barracks, the lighthouse and the scaffolding of the bridge above. from
Fort Point page 1
From the roof facing the Bay, the afternoon sun sparkled off the ocean to my left, turning the bridge above us into a shining orangegold. In front of me, the lush green hillsides of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area smiled at me, and to my right the rest of the bay opened up. Boats could be seen from the roof, as well as kitesurfers and windsurfers riding the work of the waves and the wind. Far in the distance, the dome of the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre winked, and the outline of the Oakland Hills stood on the horizon. According to their website, up to 500 men were garrisoned at Fort Point during the Civil War. The bed bunks inside the barracks consisted of barely padded, thin pallets and coarse blankets. Having two men per bed, four men to a bunk, five bunks in the room, looked like a tight fit. Next to the water, at 15 feet above sea level, the rooms had a chill in the air to them, adding to their already peculiar scent and unsettling emptiness. “It has lots of potential for creepiness and that’s part of why it’s awesome,” Bissinger said. “I like older style architecture because
there’s a sense of it having a story.” That hint of creepiness is a feeling that has long been associated with Fort Point. In 1958, director Alfred Hitchcock filmed part of his psychological thriller “Vertigo” near the fort, in which one of the lead characters, played by Kim Novak, jumps into the sea off the edge. Walking out of the housing, we heard a call from the courtyard below. “Cannon demonstration in five minutes!” yelled a staff member. We clambered down the tall stairs, crossed the courtyard and settled on top of the benches that faced the front of a cannon. Our guide told stories of soldiers learning how to skip cannonballs – like skipping pebbles – in order to hit an enemy ship low enough to capsize it. In another story, for a holiday celebration, the soldiers sent a boat full of fireworks out into the bay. They wanted to light the fireworks by shooting a cannon and setting the filled boat ablaze. After hours of firing, the soldiers eventually had to send someone out to light it instead. Though not an impressively large building, the Fort makes use of every inch it has: seven-footthick walls, and enough space
to accommodate 141 cannons. Although the greatest number the building ever held was 102 cannons, the Fort was impressively equipped with enough cannons that could fire 24, 32 and 42 pound steel cannonballs, and “hotshot” furnaces that could heat up the cannonballs enough to set ships ablaze. Though California was geographically removed from the Civil War, Fort Point still played a significant role in it. According to our guide, although California was democratic at its founding, San Francisco itself was divided almost half pro-union and half confederacy. Because of this, the cannons point in all directions, including the back side of the building that does not face the ocean. The Fort took precaution to aim cannons at the entrance of the building, the only way in and out, in case of a mutiny in the city. After the Civil War started in 1861, the Fort faced another adversary: possible demolition. The original plans for the Golden Gate Bridge did not leave room for Fort Point. It was only after Chief Engineer Joseph B. Strauss visited the Fort that the plans changed. He decided to make room for the Fort because he believe that “while the old fort has no military value now, it remains a fine example of the mason’s art.” The fort’s location is picturesque as well as strategic. It stands today as a reminder of the Bay Area’s rich and complicated history. I recommend it as a place to take a breather, or to see the bridge without the traffic. Most importantly, visitors can revel San Francisco from a different, quieter standpoint. “It’s an interesting view of the Golden Gate Bridge,” Bissinger said. “Most people would go to the Marin side for the picture.” Although its location’s historical significance is often overshadowed by its beauty, the value of the fort’s history is not lost on the people of the San Francisco area. “When you live here, it’s important,” Bissinger said.
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Fort Point sits, shrouded in fog, within its special alcove under the Golden Gate Bridge.
10.04.16
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COURTESY OF NETFLIX
“Narcos” follows the true story of Pablo Escobar’s cartel.
“Narcos”: the most addictive Netflix original Maria Hosfield Contributing Writer “Narcos” has become one of my favorite Netflix originals since its first episode in 2015. It opened with the statement: “Magical realism is defined as what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe.” Sometimes while watching the show, it really is almost impossible to believe that some of these events actually occurred. “Narcos” follows the rise of Pablo Escobar and his cocaine empire through the 1970-1990’s in Medellin, Columbia. This show centers on the true (though dramatized) story of Pablo’s cartel as well as the two DEA agents on the hunt to capture and take him down. Season two, released on Sept. 2, focuses on the mounting manhunt for Escobar and reveals his other enemies within the drug business. Now, with few allies to turn to and a new and ruthless team of DEA agents and military officials hot on his trail, on top of the other drug lords that want him dead, Escobar must make intense and brutal choices to reclaim his dominance and his position as the most dangerous drug lord of Columbia. One aspect of the show that I really like is how it reveals the issues made by the Colombian and U.S. government officials regarding the hidden drug politics as well as their involvement in the war on drugs. In the show, after the arrival of more DEA agents as the search for Escobar intensifies, the tension between both governments increases as both the Colombian police and DEA agents struggle to work together. But it is really the show’s ability
to make the audience sympathize with Escobar in spite of all his misdeeds that keeps me from doing my homework on time. Not that I agree with his tactics or morals, but I’m interested in the way he’s perceived as a “Robin Hood” figure to the communities in poverty. I also have to admit that I was impressed with his mind-bending tactics of hiring pregnant women to smuggle cocaine or hiring neighborhood kids to be on the look out for cops. Eventually I’m cheering on both sides, hoping that it’ll be a neverending chase. This, and the fact that each episode ends in another twist that keeps you on the edge of your seat, are the reasons “Narcos” is one of my favorite shows. One thing that I didn’t realize before watching “Narcos” was that the show was in both English and Spanish. Although I appreciate that they stayed true to the country’s original language, I found it occasionally difficult to follow, since I’m not fluent in Spanish and spent most of the time reading subtitles. I usually won’t invest in shows that require subtitles but this show was worth every word. On the other hand, I wasn’t as much of a fan of the surprise sex scenes that didn’t always seem necessary. I also wish there was more screen time for women. There weren’t very many female leads in the first season; the women who are mostly shown are the ones smuggling cocaine for money. The second season improves somewhat as it focuses more on Pablo’s wife, Tata, and Judy Moncada, the widow of a narco, as they become more important and dominant characters to the plot. Although on opposite sides, these women are strong willed and deserve more focus. If you enjoy movies similar to “The Godfather” or shows like “Mad Men,” then “Narcos” should be added to your list!
VISIT FORT POINT A little calmer than some tourist destinations, Fort Point offers a wonderful view of the Bridge, the Bay and North Beach. Some other attractions nearby Fort Point:
Crissy Field
Beaches for kitesurfing and dog walking
Cafes and souvenir shops
Palace of Fine Arts
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10.04.16
Opinions
Staff Editorial Body cameras insufficient for holding police accountable There was a sense of helplessness in the room as our staff gathered together to discuss this week’s topic: the recent shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina. How many times are we going to sit around a table and discuss one of these crimes in outrage? And what can we do as journalists, aside from bringing attention to these crimes and lending our solidarity? Like the shootings of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and too many others, Scott’s death sparked city-wide demonstrations as protesters demanded the video from the responsible officer’s body camera be released to the public. The Charlotte Police Department refused to release any video evidence of Scott’s death until Sept. 24, four days after the shooting, when they distributed a video taken from the responsible officer’s body camera that appeared to have been recorded in the aftermath of the shooting. This does not lend any insight into the exact circumstances surrounding Scott’s death, and many of us on staff believe this fact exposes a critical flaw in police body cameras: officers can simply turn them off. We feel it is irresponsible that what is supposed to be a mediating
factor in holding police accountable is able to be controlled by those same officers. An editor discussed how, just last August, police body cameras failed to capture the death of 18-year-old Paul O’Neal. When asked what went wrong, the Chicago Police Department simply said the officers responsible were unaccustomed to the new technology. We believe a truly impartial solution would be a constantly streaming live video that police are unable to turn off. This way, there would be no gaps in recordings, no claims from police departments that video was lost or unable to be recovered. Additionally, it would resolve concerns about conflicts of interest for the police departments responsible for the distribution of evidence that could potentially incriminate their officers. In many states, body camera footage is public record to begin with. What is to be gained from holding back information the public has a right to by law? Additionally, body cameras do not always deter police from abusing their power. One staff member gave a recent and very pertinent example of body camera footage that surfaced just last week on Sept. 22, depicting police in Hagerstown, Maryland man-
handling and pepper spraying a 15-year-old girl. Behind each of these violent incidents is blatant racial profiling and police officers who respond to situations with deadly force due to improper training. We believe these are problems that cannot simply be solved by increased surveillance of police activities. Many of us on staff feel that there are crucial flaws in the hiring and training of police, leading to unfit officers being dispatched onto the streets to deal with lifeor-death situations they are not equipped to handle. We feel that, at the very least, police should be screened for psychological issues, as well as be required to complete extensive emergency response and implicit bias training. One staff member pointed out that periodic psychological evaluations, similar to what airline pilots are required to undergo, would ensure that officers remain fit to hold their jobs. Even as we condemn this shooting, and all others like it, we can’t help but feel at a loss for what to do. If the culture behind these crimes does not change, we are sure it will not be long before we are sitting here again, discussing yet another horrific consequence of police brutality.
From one sophomore to another: Fighting the slump Annie clark
opinions editor
The phrase “sophomore slump,” at least as I first heard it, is sometimes used to describe “the curse” of an artist or musician’s second major release. After a well-received debut, the artist or musician produces a second effort that barely lives up to the promise of their first. I have only recently come to understand it in the context of the “slump” that many students experience upon returning for their second year of college. After high school, I took a few semesters off to work, save money and figure out what I wanted to do with myself. I felt disconnected from the campus culture at the school where I had enrolled parttime, and I was doing little more than accumulating credits. I wanted to be excited about school again. A few months before my twentieth birthday, I decided to enroll at Mills full-time for the following semester. Last year was the first time I’d ever experienced all of the Brand New Exciting Things that come with being a first-time college student: living in a dorm, moving out of state, pulling all-nighters. I absolutely loved the community of people I lived with in Warren Olney, and after a while, Mills felt like an endless sleepover (in the best way possible). My classes were engaging, but not stressful. Being new to the Bay Area meant that I got to explore it in all of its sprawling, cultural, (expensive) glory. For eight months, I was a tourist in San Francisco, the Redwoods, San Jose and right here in Oakland. Sophomore year felt different almost immediately. I was not living with the same community of people that made Mills feel like home last year. I was dreading the full course load I was taking in order to graduate on time, and I was having serious doubts about one of the majors I had COURTESY OF FLICKR already declared. It was safe to Protesters gather in Charlotte, North Carolina following the death of Keith Lamont Scott. say that the spell was broken; the
novelty of college had worn off and it was time to get serious. This realization, of course, was the driving force behind my own “sophomore slump.” In many ways, the “sophomore slump” is unavoidable. You cannot expect to live with the same community of close friends each year. Some of them will inevitably graduate, transfer or just drift. There is also an argument to be made against living with friends all through college, in that it can discourage meeting new people. And there is no avoiding the “Choose a Major” phase of sophomore year; it’s something that you agree to do when you decide to become a college student. Still, the inevitability of that decision does not lessen how permanent and final it feels. I have tried to get through this semester by reminding myself that I am only 21-years-old; I have a lifetime to change my mind. If anything, living apart from my best friends has forced me to make an effort to see them as often as I can, which is great prep for maintaining friendships after graduation. Into adulthood, you actually do not live with your best friends and see them every day, or so I’ve heard. I have adopted this mantra, not just for school, but for anything at all that stresses me out: nothing is fixed, even if it seems that way.
Letter to the editor: Proposed Oakland soda tax would benefit public health I laud The Campanil for calling out the American Beverage Association’s false portrayal of Measure HH through their exploitative casting of people of color in their ad campaign (Staff editorial: Oakland's proposed soda tax). That The Campanil claims to have insufficient information to make up its mind on this measure, however, is simply bizarre. The League of
Women Voters/Oakland and the San Francisco Chronicle have had no problem accessing the facts, leading them to take a YES position. They are joined by the American Heart Association, the California Dental Association, the Academy of Pediatrics and more than 125 other organizations and individuals recommending a YES vote on HH. From day one, the Oakland City
Council, lead by Annie Campbell Washington, Desley Brooks, and Rebecca Kaplan, has been crystal clear about where the more than $6 million generated by this tax are to go: for health programs that address the devastating effects of soda consumption. This is evidenced in the measure itself, which includes a 9-member community advisory board tasked with recommending the fund-
ing of programs and projects to improve community nutrition, reduce tooth decay, increase physical activity and prevent diabetes in children and families. The measure is modeled after the successful Berkeley soda tax measure, which has allocated its $1.5 million in tax revenues for school gardening and nutrition programs, and health education programs. If Berkeley, why not Oakland?
The health and financial costs of diabetes are overwhelming, and our children are most at risk. Every year, more than 5,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed among children and youth, with the highest rates among children aged 2 to 19. Measure HH is a common sense policy to help turn the tide of this skyrocketing epidemic. -Robin Dean Oakland
Editor’s note: With the exception of staff editorials, the views expressed in columns and the Opinions section do not necessarily reflect the views of The Campanil and are solely those of the author. Additionally, statements made by contributors outside of The Campanil do not reflect the opinions of the editorial board.
Sports & Health
10.04.16
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Innerstellar Studio opens hearts and heals Abbey Flentje Editor-in-Chief Sunday morning light filters through skylights in the roof, making the soft green walls glow in the space. The room is primed with wellness equipment and spare yoga mats for students who desire to use them. The three students attending the early afternoon, donationbased Stellarflow class are starting to stretch and lay out their mats. Each one of them speaks with their classmates and the instructor, laughing and preparing their bodies for the hour of poses ahead of them. A sense of community connects these individuals, something an onlooker can see clearly in their ease with one another, even though they do not know one another. To someone who has never set foot in a yoga studio before, such as myself, it is incredible to see how something as simple as physical activity can connect folks like this. The instructor, Marie Grob, walks to the front of the class and motions for the three to come closer to her. She adjusts herself to sit cross-legged on her mat and faces the group. “It’s nice to have intimate meetings, especially for heart opening,” she says, a soft smile on her face and in her voice. As she begins the class, all three students become intensely focused on the moment and space they are in. “That’s the intent today: opening the heart, embracing vulnerability… [it’s] the only way to accept what is given to us.” Words like Grob’s opening to her class show the nurturing feeling that permeates Innerstellar
COURTESY OF FREE STOCK PHOTOS
Innerstellar Studio offers a wide variety of classes for yoga students of all experience levels.
Yoga and Pilates. Located in the heart of Berkeley, California, Innerstellar focuses on being a center of health and healing for students of varying levels of yoga experiences. Yoga studios exist all over the Bay Area and the country, with people from all walks of life trying to find spiritual and physical fulfillment, but Innerstellar is different from other yoga studios in a few specific ways. The instructors here are trained to help heal students’ injuries, both physical and emotional. But while many yoga studios merely strive to be helpful to their students in matters of health, Innerstellar succeeds at truly helping people with their healing processes. The studio sets itself apart by being one of few in the country to put an emphasis on Forrest Yoga, rather than just offering classes
here or there. Started by yoga instructor Ava Forrest, this sect of yoga emphasizes how to take an emotional experience from one’s yoga mat and apply it into their every day life. Innerstellar’s signature style is derivative of Forrest – something they call Stellarflow, which Grob teaches on Sunday mornings. Stellarflow’s combination of strength building and hands on assistance allows for a tighter student-teacher bond that creates an atmosphere for those new to yoga who see the benefits of a different approach. At several points in her class, Grob gets up from doing poses to help a student’s form, telling them softly to breathe into her bracing hand or make a readjustment to their form, always while encouraging their progress. If someone has trouble doing the exact
pose, she suggests modifications so they do not have to strain their body. “Everyone looks pretty darn good,” Grob says as she prepares to switch poses. Students are the real testament to what Innerstellar offers, though. Alexandra Greene, a columnist for The Campanil, is by no means a novice to yoga. She has practiced it for over a decade and is currently finishing up her training to teach it. However, it was not until nearly two years ago, when she discovered Innerstellar, that she realized the healing properties yoga held, Stellarflow in particular. Greene, who uses yoga to help with her mental health, says Stellarflow yoga helps her be more in touch with her own body and in moving forward. “It helps with the things I didn’t
have words for,” Greene says. And it is not just practicing Stellarflow that helps her cope. Greene attributes much of her progress to the community that she has built at Innerstellar. She sits in on Grob’s classes on Sundays, despite them being beginner classes, because she knows that everyone at the studio supports her. Even though they may not know one another outside the studio’s green walls, people can identify with one another based on the knowledge of traumas and injuries. Frequently, being in a space as accepting as this, combined with the emotional act of engaging in Stellarflow, people will be moved to tears on their mats. Of all the studios that Greene has been to over the years, Innerstellar is the only place she has ever allowed others to see her vulnerable in this way. “It’s very sacred to be in a space where you bond without telling your whole life story,” she says. As the Sunday hour draws to a close, the sounds of the three students’ calm inhales and exhales continues as if they had begun the class rather than wrapping it up. It is truly intense to witness people so focused on their breathing and bodies that they do not even realize when tears begin to fall down their cheeks. Grob told them at the beginning of the class to make space around their hearts, without regard for the sounds of the city that managed to penetrate through the walls of the studio. They have managed to do just that. “Feel for the space you might have created around your heart,” Grob says as she prepares to close the session for the day. “The light in me recognizes and honors the light in you. Namaste.”
Skincare recommendations for an all day glow Monika Sabic Managing Editor I am a huge advocate for skin care products, always searching Sephora and New London Pharmacy’s website or spending hours in Target’s skincare aisle. Rather than splurge on different makeup products, I set aside a small amount of my work study paycheck to go towards skincare items – once they run out. My ideology is: your face lasts your whole life so it is important to take care of it for the long run. The only makeup I use is eyeliner and mascara. After long hours of researching what steps and products to use in what order, I have created a system that I believe helps. Although the products I use tend to be on the pricey side, there are other products, just as good, that do the same trick. All that matters is that you have a skincare system you feel is doing the job for your particular skin. My skin is dry and sensitive so I focus on using products that focus on hydration. I use a four-step system: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Step 1 Cleanser: It is very important to always clean your face of any impurities that clog your pores. There are various types of cleansers depending on your different skin type: exfoliants for oily skin to cream cleansers for dry skin. I avoid foamy products that have to be rinsed off with water, because tap water from the sink is too harsh for facial skin. Another product that is also good for removing excess makeup and impurities is a Micellar Water. I use Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk that provides the extra moisturizing my skin needs. Apply two pumps of the cleansing milk to a cotton pad, then spread it across your face. Old makeup and dirt should appear on the cotton pads. Step 2 Toner: To remove any excess cleanser milk, I apply a toner. Toner helps clean the face and refine pores. For people who have oily or acne-prone skin, use an astringent – a toner but with more alcohol to remove excess oil. For my sensitive skin, I use the Glow Tonic from the Pixie line at Target on a cotton pad an apply throughout my face. I love how this helps even out my skin for a glowing complexion. For an astringent, I highly recommend
Neutrogena’s Clear Pore OilEliminating Astringent. It is cheap and effectively removes the oils and dirt in my T-Zone (forehead, nose and chin). Step 3 Moisturizer: For those who have dry skin, moisturizer is your friend. I use three moisturizing products: Origins Essence Lotion, a hydrating serum that leave a sticky sensation before adding a cream; Nuxe’s Crème Fraiche de Beaute light, a light cream that does not make my face feel oily after its applied; Nuxe’s Anti-Fatigue Eyecream, a cream that helps reduce the puffiness around the sensitive eye area. All three of these products are applied to clean skin using your fingertips. Step 4 Sunscreen: Of all four steps, sunscreen should be your priority and should not be skipped. Having good skin means protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays. I love using my MD Solar Science SPF 30 tinted sunscreen that both protects my skin while giving it the matte finish like a foundation. I love having my skincare system. It makes my skin look and feel healthy, clean and glowing. If you feel like your skincare system is working for your skin – keep it!
ALL PHOTOS BY DANI TORIUMI
Sabic cares for her skin for long term benefits. She has both a morning and night skin care routine.
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10.04.16
Sports & Health Building a foundation in yoga MELISSA BERKAY
from
Cross Country
page 1
“Visualizing short-term goals to understand what needs to be done to accomplish long terms goals is key,” said Veale. Senior runner Brooke Chilimidos’ goals for this semester includes being present and in the moment for every practice and race. She is focusing on achieving her short-term goals in order to have a successful end of the season competition. First year Reina Kirkendall
Coach Veale teaches runners new running techniques.
wants her team to keep encouraging each other through practices and competitions. Being a part of the team, and learning new training methods in the fitness center has helped her adjust to college. Kirkendall says Veale has been a crucial asset to her transition to college from high school. “This is the first time I have done weight training,” Kirkendall said. Senior Katie Meyer returned to cross country after taking a year off. Her performance this season has been a product of Veale’s training philosophy of perfecting fundamental skills and setting short term goals. So far, Meyer has achieved her personal best time in the 6K race at the Humboldt State Invitational. As of now, her goal is to get faster and build endurance. The team looks forward to picking up even more momentum throughout the season, with their upcoming race, the Sonoma State Invitational on Oct. 1.
Vegan students balance work and lifestyle Marissa Tangeman Asst News Editor At the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester, a group of Mills College students began an informal group to meet up, make and eat vegan food and discuss veganism together. First year Raffaela Hovick founded the group when she posted in the Student Forum at Mills, wanting to meet other vegans on campus. The group consists of roughly 12 people, and they have had meet ups at vegan eateries like Cha-ya, Souley Vegan, Two Mamas and the Butcher’s Son. On Oct. 1, the group gathered at a member’s house and had a vegan potluck. “I made a post on the forum hoping to meet new people that I can share interests with,” Hovick said. “Then a bunch of people started emailing me, so we decided to meet up and start a group.” Hovick has considered starting an official club for vegans on campus to discuss their lifestyle and educate others about veganism. “I’ve thought about starting a club, but the regimen for a club is a lot more structured,” Hovick said. “I’d have to find a president, vice president and treasurer. I’m hesitant to do it for that reason, but making a club would promote veganism more on campus.” Having an official vegan club on campus may not take too long, as many college students are adopting the lifestyle. Junior Lily Drabkin, also a vegan, believes college is the place to experiment with and learn about different diets. “College as a universal concept is a place where people go to grow and open their minds to new ideas,”
Drabkin said. “It’s really easy to meet vegans in college because people are growing and learning more about the world and want to make a difference.” For many college students, veganism can be more difficult if their dining hall isn’t accommodating enough. Drabkin cooks her own food now, but as a freshman, she ate at Founders. “During my first year, Founders was better for veganism than it is currently,” Drabkin said. “It seems like now they have less options.” Drabkin struggles with being a student, as well as needing to cook her own vegan meals, but manages to do so with some personal staples. “I do cook a lot of my own food,” Drabkin said. “But since I am a sleep deprived college student, my go-to meals are carrots and hummus, tacos or frozen Trader Joe’s meals.” First year graduate student Chad Lutz is a runner, and made the switch to veganism for his health and athletic performance. Lutz believes being vegan as a student can be difficult, especially when trying to conserve money. “If you don’t have that much money and you don’t have a job, I think it’s really difficult to be vegan,” Lutz said. “You have to take what you can get which is really limiting, and you’re already limiting yourself a lot by being vegan.” Although difficult at times, Lutz believes that if done right, being both vegan and a student is an achievable feat. “Meal prep is really important for being vegan,” Lutz said. “If you consistently budget and plan out your meals, then it’s totally doable for a college student.”
DANI TORIUMI
Practicing these three yoga poses can help reduce stress and calm the nervous system.
Ali Greene Yoga Columnist A strong yoga practice takes time to build. You must start from the ground up, pose by pose. Before you can jump into the wild handstands (like the ones people post on Instagram) you must have a deep understanding of your own body. The truth is, many students impatiently blow past foundational poses. These are the same students who get so frustrated that they start to think of yoga as the enemy, or worse, they get injured before coming close to reaching their goals. Not only have I taught these students, but once upon a time I was this student. No matter which school or classes I attended, I’d become overzealous and toss away the gifts of foundational poses in favor of something harder, like a sexy arm balance. It was not until I learned the basics that I was finally able to do my dream poses. So with that in mind, take a breath and let’s build your foundation. Asana (physical posture): Wrist Stretches Stage 1: Wrist stretches allow the body to sink into
feeling mode. For those of us who spend time typing and texting, this stretch gives a much-needed release into the hand muscles. As a yogi, wrist stretches prepare the carpel bones for weight bearing asana. For grounding, focus on doing this with an Ujjayi breath and feel the parts of your body that touch the ground. To do this stretch, start by bringing your left hand in front of your body with the palm facing towards the ground. Then inhale while hugging the fingers of your right hand around your left pinky finger. As you exhale, draw your pinky finger towards the ground and relax your shoulders back. Inhale and wrap your fingers around your left ring finger. Exhale and then draw your finger towards the ground while keeping a bend in the elbow. Continue with one breath per finger. For your thumb, first bring the backs of your hands together and give a gentle squeeze before coming forward. Cat Stretches: This classic pose is great for lubricating the spine, and is often suggested by chiropractors, physical therapists and doctors. When doing this pose, focus carefully on your alignment and protect your knees with padding (a towel or blanket will do
just fine). Allow yourself to notice the juxtaposition of the ground’s unwavering support and the fluid ease in your spinal movement. Get on all fours: knees under hips and hands under shoulders. Inhale and flair your lower pelvis and arch your chest forward. Exhale and round your upper back as you press your shins into the ground. Repeat for six breaths. Modification: This move can be done with your hands in fists to reduce wrist and shoulder impact. Savasana Legs up wall variation: We all love a good yogi nap. Savasana allows the body to integrate any new knowledge and muscle memories. It also calms the nervous system by assisting in emotional well-being. Putting your legs up against a wall calms the nervous system by giving the body a new direction of blood flow while providing unconventional support. This pose is also known to calm the mind before bed. Before doing this position, find a little piece of wall. Position yourself on your side, so that your booty is against the wall. Gently float up one leg at a time and allow yourself to sink into the support of the wall. Close your eyes and just breathe.
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