Eastfield Et Cetera March 4, 2015

Etera

MISD showcases student art work in gallery 219 See Pg. 8

THE GREAT DIVIDE Eastfield College

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Volume 46, Issue 8

Why Does Racism Still Exist In America ?

See page 6

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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

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The Et Cetera

Senate considers allowing guns at colleges

Public open-carry bill also clears first legislative hurdle of session

By Brandon Wagner etc4640@dcccd.edu

A bill passed by a state Senate committee would allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons on public college campuses, including Eastfield.

Last month, the Senate State Affairs Committee also passed a bill that would allow the open carry of weapons in public. Both bills are now awaiting consideration by the full Senate.

“I don’t think there should be guns on campus,” Eastfield student Stephany Sam said. “Isn’t that why there are police stationed on campus? It just doesn’t feel right.”

Bree Croxton disagreed.

“I think people with handgun licenses can conduct themselves the same while carrying on campus just the same as anywhere else,” she said.

“These are adults, and allowing them to bring a gun to campus will not change that. If people can responsibly own firearms at their home and in public, then there shouldn’t be a problem at the schools.”

Ann Hatch, director of media relations for the Dallas Community College District, said the district, like most Texas colleges and universities, opposes campus carry.

“We, as a district, want to be able to exert more local control if/when campus carry is passed,” she said in a statement. “Campus police chiefs have started a study to determine what kinds of needs and costs would be involved if campus carry passes, but the study isn’t finished.”

In 2013, the Legislature passed a law that allows licensed gun owners to keep weapons in their vehicles on college campuses. In recent months, open carry advocates have demonstrated by carrying weapons in public places and stores.

All 50 states allow citizens to carry concealed weapons if they meet certain state requirements. In 20 states, concealed carry is banned on college campuses. In 23 states, the decision is left up to the campus. Due to recent state legislation and court rulings, seven states now have provisions allowing the carrying of concealed weapons on public college campuses.

More Texas voters support allowing concealed guns on campuses than open carry in public, according to a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Only 32 percent of Texans would allow licensed or unlicensed open carry, the poll said.

But voters are split on the campus carry issue with 47 percent saying faculty, staff and students should be

Guns on campus

Twelve hundred registered voters were asked their opinion on allowing licensed gun owners to carry weapons on public college campuses.

45 % Oppose

47% Support

8% Don’t know SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS/TEXAS TRIBUNE POLL

allowed to carry weapons on campuses and 45 percent saying they should not.

An informal Et Cetera poll of 28 students found stronger opposition.

Eighteen said no, six said yes and four were undecided. The same students were asked whether they would feel safer knowing that concealed carry in colleges would be legal: 20 said they would not, two said that they would feel the same and six said they would feel safer.

If the bill passes, Gov. Greg Abbott

MARLON BELL/THE ET CETERA

seems likely to sign it. As a candidate, he proposed allowing universities to opt out potential campus carry laws.

But he indicated a shift of position at a press conference last month.

“I will sign whatever legislation that reaches my desk that expands Second Amendment rights in Texas,” he said.

Many Texans believe that owning and carrying a firearm is a constitutionally protected freedom unchanged by being on a college campus.

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp has voiced support for the bill.

“Having licensed gun owners in possession of legal weapons on our campuses does not raise safety concerns for me personally,” he wrote in a letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. “Do I trust my students, faculty and staff to work and live responsibly under the same laws at the university as they do at home? Of course I do.”

Others fear that having easier access to firearms within a school invites more violence than it would stop. Colin Goddard, a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting, testified at the Senate affairs hearing to criticize the bill.

“We survivors do not think that it is a good idea to have guns on campus,” he said. “There is no evidence that a bill like SB 11 would do anything to stop a mass shooting, but SB 11 would make the average day on campus more dangerous in an environment where students are dealing with failing grades, alcohol abuse, relationship problems.”

University of Texas Chancellor and retired Admiral William H. McRaven sent a letter to Gov. Abbott discouraging him from signing a campus carry bill.

“There is great concern that the presence of handguns, even if limited to licensed individuals age 21 or older, will lead to an increase in both accidental shootings and self-inflicted wounds,” he wrote.

Green brewer uses new technology for age-old craft

By Courtney Schwing etc4640@dcccd.edu

Turns out, beer is more science than art.

At the first Science, Technology, Engineering and Math session of the semester, Shannon Carter, founder and president of Shannon Brewing Co., talked about microbrewing technology with an emphasis on chemistry, engineering, mathematics and microbiology.

Carter’s brew house, located in Keller, is a custom designed space that runs on wi-fi, cloud-based technology and storage. Shannon Brewery is also moving forward and leading the industry for rapid growth in sanitation technology.

“About 25 percent of our time is spent on actual brewing, about 90 percent of that 25 is dedicated to sanitation preparation,” Carter said. “We have been 12 percent up every year for the last 10 years, with 12 years of double digit growth.”

Shannon Brewery is also a “green brewery,”

paving the way in water conservation for the beer industry.

“Brew with spring water, clean with city water,” Carter said.

The green brew house is built on a natural spring allowing the brewery to have two separate water systems.

“Our brewery is built on a natural spring in Keller that produces over 150,000 gallons of water a day,” he said.

This also aids the company in creating quality and wholesome beer by using spring water as opposed to more popular mainstream brewing companies.

Carter said the company’s recipe is based on his Irish family’s recipe that coincides with the ancient tradition of fire brewing as opposed to super-heated steaming.

“My great-grandfather was a brewer in Ireland, he had this brewing process and I was very interested in replicating it,” Carter said.

“Once we had these recipes replicated on my pilot, we went to my friend who has a steam

system and we tried to replicate some of them on the steam system and we were unable to do so.”

After trial and error Carter had to abandon the idea of using current methods to brew these recipes.

“We wanted to recreate these old school recipes and the only way to do was to use methods from centuries ago,” he said.

In addition, Carter’s brewery imports Irish moss to clarify its beer and incorporates brite tank and kettle brewing over keg. This method is preferred over D.E., which filters virtually everything out of the beer, including flavor. This method is found in Budweiser, Bud Light and Miller, he said.

During the seminar, Carter mentioned that master brewer Peter Boettcher is working to develop and teach a master brewer certification on the Eastfield campus in April. Boettcher has over 25 years of experience in the science of beer brewing. The class would take six to 12 weeks.

BRAULIO TELLEZ/THE ET CETERA

Shannon Carter, of Shannon Brewing Co. in Keller, discusses how scientific knowledge informs his brewmaking techniques at a STEM seminar on Feb. 18.

NEWS The Et Cetera

3 www.eastfieldnews.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Snow, ice shut down campus Snow and ice caused the college to close on Feb. 23 and 24 and prompted an early dismissal Feb. 27. The weather also caused several events to be rescheduled, including a memorial service at Eastfield for the Dallas County Community College District's first chancellor Bill Priest, the Harvester Theatre Co.'s performance of "The Great Gatsby" and the Black History Month read-in honoring Maya Angelou. Although spring break begins March 9, the winter weather may not be over. Sleet and freezing rain were forecast for the afternoon of March 4.

PHOTOS BY ANA GALLEGOS/THE ET CETERA Clockwise from top left: An Eastfield student clears his windshield of ice and snow before leaving campus Feb. 27. Eastfield's art piece Solar Magnet No. 29 by Raffaele Martini Pandozy collects snow.

Students tread carefully as early dismissal sends Harversters home Feb. 27. Students celebrate early dismissal with an impromptu snowball fight in the main courtyard.

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PUT IT ON YOUR

Calendar March

Wed

4

Looking for a job? Need help cleaning up your Facebook or Twitter page? Link tutor BIlly Dennis presents Social Media 101: Professionalizing Your Social Account, 10-10:45 a.m. in L-208. A repeat will be held from 3-3:45 p.m.

In honor of STEM Week, join us for a discussion at the Women in STEM Panel in G-101/102, 11:15 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Fri

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As part of the 2015 Spring Recital Series, the Les Amis String Trio will perform, 12:30 p.m in F-117.

In honor of STEM Week, a Geology Open Lab will be held in C-321, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Mon

Spring Break begins.

Campus is closed through Friday, March 13.

Wed

Learning Frameworks professor Ke’Shun Walker presents Notetaking: Take Note of What’s Important, 2-3 p.m. in L-208.

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18 Thu

Having trouble memorizing the rules of punctuation? Join developmental reading professor John Garcia for Using Mnemonics in Your Writing: A Punctuation Pattern Guide for Writers, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in L-208.

Fri

Panicking over your math mid-exams? Math professor Dr. Erika Glaser hosts a mid-semester review for chapters 1-5, 1:30-3 p.m. in L-208.

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20 Tue

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Accounting professor Regina Brown presents A Student’s Financial Makeup, 12-1 p.m. in L-208.

Join philosophy professor Kristina Manzi in How Not to be Duped: Learning About Logical Fallacies in Mass Media, 2 to 3 p.m. in L-208.

ABOUT THE COVER DESIGN BY MARLON BELL PHOTOS BY BRAULIO TELLEZ

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The Et Cetera

Gas-price drop fattens student wallets

By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu

Starting in November 2014, the United States saw a drop in oil prices that translated into prices of gas at the pump for the common consumer.

“For the you and I, the consumer, (this) is a good thing; for the industry it’s not a good thing.” economics professor Bob Felder said. “But oil companies in the U.S. didn’t share our enthusiasm,” Since the oil prices dropped, American oil companies have begun laying off employees. This spells out an economic future for America that is complex and constantly moving.

Gas prices at the pump dropped as low as $1.69, and students took advantage of the financial relief.

Psychology major Keaton Howell said that he previously spent about $45 a week on his “small, four cylinder car” before gas prices fell, but now spends $10 a week and is” free to travel more.”

“I’ll spend more if we’re out somewhere and I feel like getting us something to eat, me and my fiancé,” he said. “But not as much as, say, buying a new game that I want. I would save it.”

Economic Consequences Felder said that as prices drop, it costs more to produce oil than it’s worth. The result is layoffs “across the board in the oil industry.”

According to the Associated Press, Houstonbased oil company Baker Hughes is estimated to

lay off 7,000 workers. Schlumberger Ltd., the largest oil producer in the world, has plans to lay off 9,000.

“It could have a drag for the economy,” Felder said.

Economics professor Gerald Shilling said it’s unlikely to hurt the United States, though oil-dependent Venezuela and Russia are likely to suffer.

“We’re much more diversified,” he said.

All of this is short-term, though. The long-term consequences of dropping oil prices are less certain. A lot of it depends on the actions of Saudi Arabia, Shilling said.

Right before oil prices fell, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, commonly referred to as OPEC, tried to convince Saudi Arabia to slow oil production in order to level out the price of oil, according to Shilling.

Part of this was an attempt to put American oil companies out of business, and Saudi Arabia is simply fed up with taking the financial fall when oil prices need to be balanced, he said.

Though they don’t have their traditional power to manipulate oil prices, Shilling said the American economy is going to take hits.

“Texas will take a hit, West Texas has already taken a hit,” he said, though he doesn’t foresee the hit Texas takes being as bad as that of the ‘80s.

Oil Prices Rise Again In January 2015, gas prices began to rise as oil

companies slowed production and laid off employees. The burden Saudi Arabia normally carries, reducing production at the cost of profit, has been taken up by the United States.

The United States is still a major OPEC consumer and the fact that the U.S. oil companies such as Baker Hughes and Schlumberger Ltd. have cut back production of crude oil has affected prices; consumers are feeling it. We saw prices on gas at the pump jump overnight by 10, 20, and 30 cents a gallon in January and continue to climb to just over $2 as February rolled around. On March 2, the average price in Texas was $2.23, according to AAA. Protecting Yourself and Your Pocketbook Shilling and Felder advise students not to get too carried away with the extra cash in their pockets. Be frugal, they say.

Shilling went further, advising students to plan for their economic futures now.

“A lot of college graduates wish they had taken more time selecting their major,” he said. “In other words, we have a lot of college students getting out of college and they don’t have a major that is in demand.

“No. 2, which they may not like to hear, is study harder. The third one … is most of them wish they had worked when going to college. Especially if they’d done an internship in the field in which they planned to major.”

Dallas jazz group performs at Eastfield

By J. Gomez etc4640@dcccd.edu

The seasoned Jazz band “The Funky Knuckles” performed Feb. 25 as part of the Spring Recital Series.

Their performance included music from their recent album “Meta-Musica,” which topped the iTunes music charts last year. The band also played tracks from their first album “As of Lately.”

Many of the band’s members have worked with stars such as Beyoncé, Kanye West and Michael Bublé.

“We started playing at church together,” bass player Wes Stephenson said of the band’s origins. “Caleb McCampbell, Cedric Moore, and then afterwards we started adding people in.”

Stephenson’s resume includes performing with Erykah Badu, R&B singer Chrisette Michele and many more.

Evan Weiss, the bands trumpet player, use to hang out with the other guys at a local lounge before he got a chance to play with the group.

“Eventually I started sitting in more and more often, started playing regularly, touring and recording stuff,” he said.

Corrections

In the Feb. 18, issue of The Et Cetera, the cover design was miscredited. Marlon Bell and Braulio Tellez designed the cover with photos courtesy of the National Archives.

Also, Harvesters’ pitcher Emelio Gonzales’ class status was misidentified. He is a sophomore.

The Et Cetera regrets the errors.

Weiss can also be found touring with indie choral symphonic band Polyphonic Spree.

Music major Joh-Shun Griffin praised the band for their music and his own personal ties.

“Funky Knuckles is a dope band, definitely,” Griffin said. “I know some of the guys personally, and it was a real honor just to be able to hear them at [my] school.”

The band plays weekly at the Free Man Café in Dallas.

BRAULIO TELLEZ/THE ET CETERA

Evan Weiss and Ben Bohorquez infuse Eastfield with funky jazz

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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Campus town hall talks race relations Miles, a former Eastfield student, was mistakenly charged with murder and imprisoned for 15 years because he was wearing similar clothes as a criminal. He believes an all-white jury did not provide proper representation and that prejudice is still an issue today.

“If you don’t talk about race, you are running from the real problem,” Miles said. “And yes, race is part of the problem.”

Panelists explored whether officers have the right to profile minority youth based on appearance.

Audience members added that people of different races wear similar clothes, but are not stereotyped the same way.

Engineer major Devante Peters spoke from experience, pointing out that citizens should wear what they want without fear of profiling by police. “[Do clothes] look that way on the rack?” Peters said. “Is it the clothing you’re judging, or are you judging me, or are you judging me based on where I am when I have [these clothes] on?”

Participants discussed the impact of this attitude and the danger of relying on hearsay to racially profile or stereotype individuals. A conversation that minority parents have with their children was referred to as “the talk,” meant to instill in children the

By Karina Dunn etc4640@dcccd.edu

One by one, five panelists at Eastfield’s town hall agreed: Yes. Race played a role in the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by a white Ferguson, Missouri, police officer.

“Race plays a role in everything we do on a daily basis,” attorney Russel Wilson said.

One panelist dissented. Eastfield campus police Lt. Timothy Ellington said no one could know the mind of Officer Darren Wilson during those minutes of confrontation on Aug. 9, 2014.

“We can’t know if it had to do with race or if the officer was just being afraid,” he said.

The relationship between minority young men and police officers was the focus of the Feb. 18 town hall cosponsored by the Office of Student Engagement and Retention and the Men’s Empowerment Coalition.

Moderator Brenda Turnbull put the event in perspective.

“At this point we must ask the question, why are we still talking about race?” she said.

Other panelists were minister of social justice Danielle Ayers, speaker and youth mentor Kivarris Rector, professor of criminal justice Patrick Patterson and author Richard Miles.

best way to engage officers.

“It starts when we’re kids,” Rector said. “If these are the people who are supposed to protect us, then why are they scaring us?”

Audience member Charles Siler said he’s had “the talk” with his son.

“I’ve had enough encounters with police officers to know they need to understand they’re meeting someone who is their equal,” he said. “I’ve told my son, ‘If you get pulled over address him as officer.’ You don’t have to be shady. You don’t have to back off.”

Government professor Rhonda Miller said she advises her students to know their rights.

“It’s important that students talk to police officers about their experiences,” Miller said. “It puts young people at ease.”

Ellington mentioned standard procedure for police officers answering low-risk situations.

“The officer is supposed to announce himself and explain why he is stopping you,” he said. “Do not argue. It could escalate the situation.

“Some of our younger black males do not respond right, especially to police officers” Ellington said.

“You have to be careful when you’re stopped by a police officer, follow those commands. Or else that officer may get a little tense… in his or her mind thinking they’re in danger.”

Miller agreed with Ellington on

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

From left to right: Courtney Brazile, Patrick Patterson, Russel Wilson, Danielle Ayers, Richard Miles and Lt. Timothy Ellington.

not making an encounter with officers more volatile than it needs to be.

“We do have control over ourselves,” Miller said. “It’s not about bowing down. Humble yourself, giving 100 percent of what you know you’re supposed to do.”

Participants acknowledged that individuals can never know when they will encounter crooked cops, but should never demonize all law enforcement based on the actions of a few.

“I cannot account for the actions of every police officer,” Ellington said.

“but I can account for the [Eastfield officers] and how they’re trained.”

Courtney Brazile, speech professor and adviser to the Men’s Empowerment Coalition, provided closing thoughts.

“I would hope you all take away that it’s very important we learn to respond to things instead of reacting to things,” he said. “That is one thing that can help de-escalate situations.

It is only through discussion that we can help students be empowered and help you make better decisions for yourselves.”

THE HOT TOPIC Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals allows children brought to the U.S. illegally to avoid deportation.

Should it continue?

Jeff Garcia

Dominic Nigro

Patrick Gales

Cindy Fabela Accounting Major

“It should continue ...

People have lived decades here without papers. After so many years of living here, they should just let them stay here.”

“It depends on the situation ... It’s such a hard subject because you know you want to help people, but it’s like they aren’t letting you help them. We are making it difficult as well.”

“They should really continue it … Why should we limit people’s opportunities?”

“I think it should continue ... You’re opening the door for people who have done something for this country. People are here working … and helping the economy.”

Science/Biology Major

Criminal Justice Major

Nursing Major

Richard King

William Burcess

“They’re here already, so what’s the point? Might as well let them be here. Why kick them out?”

“People are already here working illegally. Why don’t they just get to work here without getting in trouble for it?”

Art/Music/Business Major

Undecided Major

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The Et Cetera

#ALL LIVES MATTER Racism in America and how millenials can end it

By Courtney Schwing etc4640@dcccd.edu

In August 2014, Ferguson, Missouri, erupted into a scene reminiscent of the time of the Black Panthers, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. Fifty-five years after the civil rights movement, the country’s great divide exposed itself again.

America watched as crowds demolished cars, looted businesses and set fires in the streets. Within those same streets, thousands of people walked together with their arms stretched above their heads chanting “hands up, don’t shoot”.

The killings by police of Eric Garner, Mike Brown, John Crawford III, Akai Gurley and Tamir Rice have sparked a national outcry.

The hashtags #BlackLivesMatter and #HandsUpDontShoot flooded popular media outlets and have ignited protests stretching from Oakland, California, to the subway system of New York City, with millennials leading the way. These events have opened a national dialogue about topics that have been considered offlimits in the past. This begs the question: Is racism still just as problematic now as it was 50 years ago?

America has battled a strenuous war with racism since its formative years. The U.S. stripped the land it claimed from Native Americans and imported slaves from Africa and the Caribbean.

In a recent poll, 30 students at Eastfield were asked if race is still an issue in America. Twenty-eight responded yes while two said no. The same group was later asked if race is an issue on campus, and only one said yes.

“I’m Hispanic, so I had a customer at work one day and he asked me what my name was,” nursing major Doug Castillio said. “I told him my name was Doug and he says, ‘Oh. You look like a Jose to me.’ ” Not all who were interviewed agree that racism is still an issue.

“To some people, yes,” Damariz Martinez, an undecided major, said. “I guess it depends on that person. I’m not the type of person who hangs out with one type of ethnicity.”

Racism has evolved over the years. Its perpetrators have become more subtle, said Jose Lopez, a science major.

“It’s more progressive in a way,” he said. “If there is racism happening, it’s not as apparent. I think it’s more subtle. It’s not as violent as it used to be. Before it would have been just avoidance of a race, then it was just full out violence.”

What most Americans don’t recognize is the difference between race and ethnicity. Ethnicity is often times what people are referring to when they say race, said Dr. India Stewart, a sociology professor.

“Race isn’t a real thing. It’s what we call a social construct,” she said.

“It’s an idea, but we know it’s not biologically true. But because people perceive it to be true, then people regard it to be true.”

Racial grouping, like most classifications, creates an environment for people to comprehend and digest ideologies on a much more comprehensive scale.

“The fact that we have these classifications, in and of themselves, is not an issue,” Stewart said. “However, because we act on stereotypes based on these classifications, it’s our actions that are discriminatory that are an issue in America.”

Racial stereotyping isn’t necessarily done with malicious intent, Stewart said, but is part of human nature. However, racial stereotyping coupled with factors such as fear or worry can produce discrimination on a much larger and insidious scale.

Recently, a nationwide debate has evolved over a series incidents where white police officers killed black men. In response to the deaths, FBI Director James B. Comey said that unconscious racial bias is part of human nature, but he acknowledged that police officers must develop methods to suppress it.

“At many points in American history, law enforcement enforced the status quo, a status quo that was often brutally unfair to disfavored groups,” he said in a speech at Georgetown University last month.

However, racism is not exclusively white on black or black on white. Latinos have become the target of racial stereotyping

in recent years. This is particularly in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California, where immigration laws have been a hot topic.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Arizona Senate Bill 1070 allows police officers to request immigration papers from people suspected of being in the country illegally. Critics argue this law is discriminatory because it doesn’t define what “reasonable suspicion” is, suggesting it is based on racial profiling.

Economics play a large role in the underlying issue of racial stereotyping. In cities where the national minority transitions into dominance, these sectors of the city are generally poor.

“Look at what parts of Dallas Cesar Chavez Boulevard and MLK Boulevard run through,” history professor Kat Reguero said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic and Latino people account for 16.6 percent of the national population and blacks for 12.6 percent.

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to see clearer and why the world is the way it is. It’s a great way to educate yourself.”

Twitter users number 645 million with an average 58,000 tweets per day, according to Statistic Brain Research Institute.

“We live in a 140-character culture,” Reguero said.

But social media has a less virtuous side.

Memes depicting racism and stereotypes spread rapidly among networks. The more clever the meme, the more attention its creator or user gains.

“In person no one’s going to say anything to you,” said student Gloria Morales. “There are very few people who will actually say something racist to your face. But online people think that because they’re behind a screen, it’s OK to say whatever they want.”

Education is one possible solution to easing racial tensions, Reguero said.

“Being in an academic environment exposes students to different cultures and beBeing in an academic environment liefs,” she said. “Exposure educates students.” exposes students to different culResolving America’s past of racial discrimination and injustice has proven to be a tures and beliefs. Exposure educates marathon, but it’s not an impossible feat, FBI students.

Director Comey said.

—Kat Reguero “We all need to talk, and we all need to lisHistory professor ten, not just about easy things, but about hard things too. Relationships are hard,” he said.

“Relationships require work. So let’s begin.

It is time to start seeing one another for who and what we really are.”

“

”

In Mesquite, the Hispanic and Latino population is much greater at 33.7 percent and blacks are 23.1 percent. According to a study performed by the University of South Carolina, 30 percent of black men, 26 percent of Hispanic men and 22 percent of white men have been arrested by age 18. These numbers increase with age. By age 23, 49 percent of black men, 44 percent of Hispanic men and 38 percent of white men have been arrested at Social media has created a platform for human rights activism that doesn’t require the organized meetings that were commonplace during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Twitter has allowed millions of Americans to know times and locations of protests within minutes, triggering much larger numbers at events than word of mouth created during the previous movements.

“I think that the Internet has also made us more tolerant,” said Richard Hefner, a business major. “It’s given us access to more things

Staff writers Darnisha Cornelius, Karina Dunn, J. Gomez and Braulio Tellez contributed to this story.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Reporters experience small taste of police work

By Braulio Tellez etc4640@dccd.edu

We are often told to put ourselves in other people’s shoes if we want to understand their perspectives.

The recent shootings of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice have raised questions regarding how law enforcement should handle situations that require lethal force.

My fellow editors and I visited Eastfield Director of Criminal Justice Randy Stewart to walk us through the use of force procedure they teach in the criminal justice training center. The training teaches potential officers the laws regarding using force against suspects and the proper ways to react to danger. I figured if we could experience what cadets go through when they train, we could view the controversy in a different light.

Life & Arts Editor Andy Carrizales, Opinion Editor Parker Ward, reporter James Hart and I volunteered for the exercise.

We were buzzing with anticipation on our way to the W building. Even though I knew it was simulated, I was nervous about being put into a confrontation.

When we arrived, Stewart took us to a gym where the cadets do their physical training. On the back wall was a projection screen, surrounded by motion sensors and microphones. Stewart explained to us that the screen ran simulations of real altercations officers experienced. Actors recreated the scenarios several times, each with different results depending on what the cadet says and does. It is up to the cadet to speak to the characters on the screen and evaluate the situation. We were equipped with a gun, pepper spray, stun gun and flashlight. All four objects had been modified to interact with the simulated environment and were harmless in real life.

Stewart quickly went over lessons cadets are taught before reaching this part of the course.

Although we are not able to attend a full semester of cadet training and our knowledge is limited, the exercises we went through gave us real perspective on what officers face.

The first exercise required two people to stand in front of each other. Each person held a fake gun and played either an officer or a criminal. The officer was to yell “Drop your weapon,” while the criminal was instructed to raise their weapon as fast as possible and yell “bang.”

“Your reaction is always going to be slower than the initial action,” Stewart said. “Officers are often put into situations where it becomes difficult to know when to pull the trigger.”

Each time the officer attempted to shoot the criminal, the officer was shot first.

“It’s rare that an officer will ever get the upper hand in a face-to-face situation,” Stewart said.

After going through that exercise, it was time to run through the simulator. I went first.

I was given a police belt with each weapon in its assigned holster. Stewart told me to speak to the suspects as if I were approaching them in real life. He also placed a makeshift wall that I could use for cover.

I was to approach a dark warehouse where there had been reports of a suspicious man roaming around. The lights were turned off and the screen began counting down from three.

I walked up to what looked like a building you would see in Dallas’ industrial district. I pulled out my flashlight and shone it inside the doorway. About six steps in, a white man dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans and boots popped up from behind a counter.

He lifted his right hand in front of his face when I shone the light on him and left the other hand behind a box on the table. He said, “What, man? What do you want?”

I asked him what he was doing in the warehouse so late and he told me that he worked there.

At this point, I felt the situation becoming tense. Even though it was only a projection screen, the man was intimidating. I had no clue what was in his other hand. I could only assume.

I raised my voice and told him to raise both hands in the air.

“Why?” he asked. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m just working a late shift trying to get some work done.”

I told him one more time to let me see his hands, but before I could get a grip on my pistol, he pulled out his own gun and fired six rounds.

I was dead.

“You see that?” Stewart asked.“You had no time to react to his gunshots.”

The point Stewart made earlier about action and reaction started to resonate more clearly .

Carrizales, Hart and Ward went next, each with a different experience.

Ward dealt with two children playing with a gun on a school bus, while Carrizales had a shootout with a man who had just shot her partner. Hart tried to settle a domestic dispute with an aggravated man.

Now that I have seen a tiny glimpse into what a police officer must go through mentally when called to handle a disturbance, I understand the severity of assessing a situation with a limited amount of time.

Police officers must be mentally heightened at all times and be able to make decisions at the drop of a pin. Not doing so can result in injury or death.

The police shootings under national scrutiny took place under unique circumstances, but all required an officer who was steady of hand and properly trained to deal with that altercation.

Even so, a few of the cases do not add up to me, and I would only hope that if there was an injustice done, our judicial system would do its best to put any unlawful person to justice.

Life &Arts

The Et Cetera

www.eastfieldnews.com

8 Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Harvesters impress judges in competition

By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu

The Harvester Theatre Company brought home awards from the Texas Community College Speech and Theater Association State Festival.

Morgan Solorzano, Charles Ratcliff, Kayla Anderson and Brianna Lewis impressed the judges in their rendition F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”

Brianna Lewis, who was originally a costume designer, was brought in to play Myrtle Wilson one week before the competition and won an award for her performance.

“When we went to the competition play, that was the first time for me walking out on stage without a script in my hand,” Lewis said.

Most of the cast said they enjoyed working on the production.

“Acting is a passion that I have and no matter what show I’m working on,” Solorzano said.

However, it was a “nightmare” getting the show ready for competition, Solorzano said, with every day bringing a new challenge. Solorzano

emphasized the role of the technical abilities of the crew, which included the cast and crew members.

They “are a very talented group of people,” he said.

The cast and crew grew close over the course of the production.

“It was like hanging out with your friends every day,” said Anderson, who played Daisy Buchanan.

Due to complications involving winter weather, their first performance in front of an audience was at the contest.

“Ten minutes before the show, a switch just flipped in all of us,” Anderson said.

The production’s awards included Superior Award for Acting and another for Costume Design for Lewis; Excellence for Acting for Monica Lira; Excellence in Scene Design and a Superior in Scene Design for Anderson; Excellence in Acting for Ratcliff; and Superior in Lighting Design for Jarvin Lockett; Excellence in Sound Design for Adam Wright; and an Excellence in Makeup Design for Stephanie Carroll.

Hunter Cave and Brianna Lewis act out the final scenes of “The Great Gatsby.”

ANA GONZALEZ/THE ET CETERA

Art show shines spotlight on young artists

By Andy Carrizales etc4640@dcccd.edu

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Clockwise: “Ocular Migrane” by Senior Ricardo Rosales from North Mesquite High School, “Elegance” by Senior Payton Robertson from Poteet High School, “Fruit Bat” by Junior Lauren Heard from North Mesquite High School.

Every March, the galleries of Eastfield College host the work of new and upcoming young artists.

The FutureMakers art show is a chance for AP Art students from Mesquite Independent School District to line Eastfield’s walls with their original creations.

Located in gallery F-219, the exhibit will open March 5. A closing reception will take place on March 26 for artists, teachers and art connoisseurs involved in the art show.

The collaboration between the AP Art Program of Mesquite ISD and Eastfield galleries started in 2007. This is the ninth consecutive year Eastfield has hosted the exhibit.

This year, 75 students from MISD high schools will present one art piece.

High school teachers in charge of the AP art classes select work for the show based on the artists’ skills and originality.

The MISD art coordinator then gathers the work and sends it to Eastfield gallery director Iris Bechtol for arrangement and installation.

MISD Facilitator of Art and Theatre Laurie Huff said she likes to work on this project because it creates communication between schools. “[The exhibit] gives the AP students an opportunity to all [present] together,” she said. “This is a way for them to see what some of the other AP students are doing in other campuses besides their own.”

Apart from the conversation created between young Mesquite artists, the exhibit can also launch professional careers in the arts. Many previous participants have received university scholarships and grants based on their artwork.

A judge, usually an Eastfield art professor, chooses the three best works at the end of the exhibit. The prizes usually consist of high quality art materials and gift cards for art supply stores.

Professor David Willburn will select from five sculptures, one ceramic piece, one jewelry piece and 68 two-dimensional works submitted this year. The works are judged based on technique, subject matter and overall execution of the work.

Most of the artwork reflects the artists’ perception of the world. With a large number of individuals participating in a communal show, the breadth of work explores an extensive range of interests.

Mesquite High School student Jose Quinones submitted his piece “Fun and Games.” The colorful print features six identical images of a girl staring disinterestedly at the viewer. Quinones’s piece is reminiscent of the work of Andy Warhol.

Portraiture, still life, and psychological works are always present in student exhibits.

“There’s a lot of work that has… sort of the turmoil of being a teenager, and also [representations of] the world that we live in today,” Bechtol said.

Bechtol doesn’t see the artwork until it is compiled and sent to her for installation. However, this is a practice she enjoys.

“There’s always a really good variety of work, so every year is kind of like a nice, little surprise,” Bechtol said.

LIFE&ARTS

9

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

www.eastfieldnews.com

The Et Cetera

‘Do You Believe’ delivers with star-studded cast

SPRING BREAK EDITION

By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu

DARNISHA CORNELIUS/THE ET CETERA

Pick up a few good reads from the library’s best-seller and new books displays before spring break.

Cheap, easy spring break Don’t have cash for a trip to the beach or the slopes?

Make this spring break a relaxing one without spending much cash. Whether you want to veg on the couch or stay active all week, we have the perfect suggestions to fill your days and nights.

→ Read a book

Spring break is the perfect time to catch up on the trendsetter you missed. Read “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn, the terrifying story of a couple whose happy life isn’t what it seems.

Go back to the classics with the Pulitzer Prizewinning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This novel is told through the eyes of a young girl who grew up in the South during the 1930s.

Its sequel, “Go Tell a Watchman,” comes out July after it was believed lost for more than 50 years.

Find out what all the buzz is about and read the autobiography of Chris Kyle, the inspiration for the hit film “American Sniper.”

→ Visit amusements in town

Through March 22, the Dallas Museum of Art will display the Impressionist Paintings from the Reves Collection exhibit, which includes work from PierreAuguste Renoir.

Enjoy Mother Earth’s gift at the Dallas Blooms Festival at the Dallas Arboretum, which will include thousands of spring flowers and live Texas music on select days.

→ Get active

With all the wintry days hopefully behind us, grab some friends and get active.

Nothing says spring break like a fun day in the sand. Town East Park has public sand volleyball courts.

Go for a jog. Hit the 9.3-mile trail of White Rock Lake that encompasses the lake itself, giving joggers a beautiful scenic view. Make it extra enjoyable and find a spot to picnic after a great workout.

Paddle down the White Rock Lake with kayak rentals. At only $20 per hour, you and a friend can enjoy the calm waters of Dallas.

“Do You Believe?” is a powerful story that focuses on 12 characters whose lives meet at a crossroads. Although different in many ways, they have one thing in common: faith.

The film is from the producers of the hit Christian movie “God’s Not Dead,” which disappointed critics but enchanted its audience. “Do You Believe?” will not disappoint that same audience, and seeks to reach more than before.

The film depicts the characters’ struggles with life; from a church pastor to a Marine veteran to a man who is at the brink of death. The movie observes how they affect each other’s lives, knowingly or otherwise.

The film follows these people and the way one simple symbol – the cross – changes their life in ways both small and dramatic, a symbol of the ultimate love and sacrifice that offers eternity for all who believe in the man who died there.

The brilliant storyline, though sometimes slow, manages to hold the moviegoer’s attention. It is complemented by wonderful cinematography and great music with tracks from Christian pop-rock band The Newsboys. The actors will have the whole theater laughing at moments, holding their breath at others and even crying at some.

The tale is brought to life by a stel-

COURTESY PURE FLIX

Sean Astin is one of many familiar faces who appear in the new film from the makers of “God’s Not Dead.”

lar cast featuring a diverse group of actors including “The Lord of the Rings” star Sean Astin, former Seahawks linebacker Brian “Boz” Bosworth, Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino, “Six Million Dollar Man” Lee Majors and movie and television star Cybill Shepherd.

The movie has faults, too. The slow pace of the film, though necessary, does seem to bog things down, and the plot twists are predictable. The film serves its purpose, though, and invites moviegoers from all walks of life to enjoy a great story.

Set to release March 20, “Do You Believe?” is a must-see drama that comes together like a carefully woven basket, holding its audience captive with plot twists and developments.

Without a doubt, “Do You Believe?” is destined to be as great as “God’s Not Dead,” beckoning only one question of its viewers: Do you believe?

→ Volunteer

Take some time to help out those in need. The Stewpot serves three meals a day, every day to the homeless and atrisk citizens of Dallas, requiring the help of 1,300 volunteers each month. To register, call 214-746-2785, ext. 320.

Every first Saturday of the month, volunteers clean White Rock Lake as part of the Adopt-A-Shoreline project.

Get involved from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can also volunteer at the Dallas Habitat for Humanity store, where you can help collect donated household items.

→ Binge watch TV

Stay at home and catch up on some favorite TV shows.

The Netflix original series “House of Cards” is back. If drama is not your thing, revisit a crowd favorite and splurge on “Friends.” You can’t go wrong with this comedy.

Stay up-to-date on NBC’s comedy” Parks and Recreation.” With its series finale aired, make sure to know your stuff before the spoilers get out.

— Compiled by Vanessa Trevino

COURTESY PURE FLIX

Delroy Lindo as Malachi in a scene from “Do You Believe?”

10

LIFE&ARTS

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A BOOK TO CONSIDER

www.eastfieldnews.com

‘Mockingbird’ still relevant

Since its release, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, has been praised as an important piece of American literature. The book was originally published on July 11, 1960, and has since sold more than 30 million copies and been translated into 30 different languages.

Nelle Harper Lee was born in 1926 and grew up in Monroeville, Ala., a small town that inspired the fictional Maycomb in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“It is a coming-of-age novel,” said Nancy Anderson, an English and philosophy professor at Auburn University at Montgomery and friend of Lee. “Harper Lee described it as her love story to a small town. She thought it was disappearing.”

Lee discovered her love for writing as a child but pursued a law degree at the University of Alabama. However, in 1949, Lee left without completing her degree and moved to New York to pursue a literary career. There she reunited with childhood friend Truman Capote and helped him research “In Cold Blood.”

Plot

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is set in 1936 when nine black men are wrongfully accused of raping two white women. The story follows Jean Louise “Scout” Finch and is loosely influenced by Lee’s own experiences. Scout’s father, Atticus, defends Tom Robinson, one of the accused rapists. Scout and her brother Jem are wrapped up in the tension of the town over the case and struggle with their emotions and how to deal with the issues of race and truth.

Honors and Pop Culture

“To Kill A Mockingbird” won the Pulitzer Prize, stayed on the best-seller list for 88 weeks and was selected by librarians as the best book of the 1900s. Lee

COURTESY THE WHITE HOUSE

President George W. Bush recognizes Harper Lee with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

was awarded the Nation Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The 1962 movie adaptation earned numerous Oscar nominations and a best actor Academy Award for Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.

There “are many ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ references in pop culture today,” Anderson said. “There’s even a reference in an episode of ‘The Good Wife.’ It’s just something that even in pop culture today the writers and the audience know this novel has permeated our culture. They can make an allusion to it and not stop and have to explain it.”

For instance, Homer Simpson once said: “I swore never to read again after ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ gave me no useful advice on killing Mockingbirds. It did teach me not to judge a man by the color of his skin, but what good does that do me?”

Controversy

Even with all the praise Lee has received, many disapprove of her use of the “N” word 17 times in the book, despite the reality of that term during the time the book is set. School districts throughout the nation have banned the book’s teaching as well as removed what many feel to be disrespectful language from the book in order to keep teaching it in the classroom.

“Rewriting it is just stupid,” Anderson said. “If we don’t leave these words in their historical context, we will hear them again. We need to discuss them honestly.”

Legacy

“There’s some kind of universal theme in the book,” Anderson said. “It’s not just about a small town in Alabama. It’s the importance of doing something just because it’s the right thing to do and having the courage to do it.”

Harper Lee’s work is not over. “Go Set a Watchman,” a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is to be published July 14. After the death of Lee’s older sister, her lawyer found the manuscript, long believed lost, attached to a typed draft of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Lee’s reclusiveness has enhanced the book’s legacy, as well as set up a mystery for what is to come. Readers are intrigued by the surprise of a new work surfacing from the well-loved author, creating chatter and high expectations for the upcoming book. ­­— Compiled by Chandler Claxton

The Et Cetera

Mixed expectations: Fan worries author exploited for new book I was 8 years old when I first read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and 15 when I re-read Harper Lee’s classic work for a high school advanced English class.

Sassy and quizzical, narrator Scout Finch was my hero, aside from Hermione Granger.

Her character is immortally effervescent. With the way young Scout befriended the underdog and listened intently to her wise father, Atticus, she became the heroine of “Mockingbird” and a literary legend.

You could imagine my disappointment when I realized Harper Lee had never written another book after publishing her Pulitzer Prizewinning “Mockingbird” in 1960.

That was until earlier this month, when HarperCollins Publishers announced a sequel (of sorts) to the beloved American classic.

“Go Set a Watchman” is set to release July 14 and is already a bestseller on Amazon due to pre-orders.

Fifty-five years after the release of its predecessor, the highly anticipated novel has become the subject of great controversy.

Currently 88 years old, Lee lives in an assisted-living facility due to the recent passing of her sister and caregiver, Alice.

According to family members and close friends, it wasn’t a secret that Lee had written two versions of “Mockingbird” and that the abandoned manuscript was in Alice’s possession. After Alice’s passing, Lee’s lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it.

Lee has frequently been labeled as a recluse, avoiding media interaction as much as possible. Exploitation is on the lips of many people, fans and critics alike.

The famous author had a stroke in 2007, which reportedly left her nearly blind and almost deaf. How could a woman who is almost completely disabled be in the position to authorize the publication of a manuscript that was deemed unpublishable 58 years ago? How far is too far? Do we celebrate the work of a renowned author who has shed light onto racial inequality and become a staple of literature in classrooms nationally despite this gray area of consent? How do we honor great artistry that has proven itself to be

Courtney Schwing

timeless and moving without disrespecting the wishes of the artist?

I have mixed feelings about the release of “Watchman.” “Mockingbird” immortalized a perception of racial injustice this country was not expecting to hear in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. Because of the advocacy Lee’s work sparked, “Watchman” already shines brightly in my mind as I await the return of Scout Finch in her adult years.

Despite my adolescent nostalgia, I pause to think of what Lee wants. If she chose never to release “Watchman” or write another novel, I respect that mystery.

The fact remains that there is no proof of exploitation, nor is there proof that this is Lee’s choice. All that is certain about “Watchman” is that it is coming this summer, regardless of the hidden details.

“Watchman” transports us to 1950 as an adult Scout Finch returns to Maycomb, Alabama, after having ventured to New York. This novel is presumed to have overlapping themes that still focus on racial injustice and how it remains applicable 20 years later.

If one stops to consider the recent riots in Ferguson, MO., and the protests in Oakland, Calif., and New York City, perhaps “Watchman” is coming to us at the most opportune time.

Our culture is culminating around the concept of human rights activism, stemming from its grandfather, civil rights activism.

Just as “Mockingbird” embodied the time of civil rights, “Watchman” is a symbol of human rights.

We left Scout a whimsical 6-yearold girl and she returns to us as an adult when we need her the most.

America never outgrew the importance of “Mockingbird” and we have not outgrown the need for a “Watchman.”

Sports

March 6 March 7 March 10 March 16 March 20 March 21 March 24

Baseball vs. Brookhaven Baseball vs. Brookhaven Baseball at Northland Baseball at Weatherford Baseball vs. Northlake Baseball vs. Northlake Baseball at Texas Wesleyan

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Sophomore Outfielder Mason Arasato swings big in Harvester’s win.

Harvesters open strong

By Brianna Harmon and Juanita Hernandez etc4640@dcccd.edu

The No. 6 Eastfield Harvesters opened conference play Feb. 20 by taking a 2-1 home series win against the Cedar Valley Suns.

The Harvesters (10-2) got off to a sluggish start, losing the first game 3-1. Eastfield had only five hits in the game, with Tanner Dickerson going 2-for-3 and scoring the only run.

Blake Barr took the loss despite giving up just two earned runs on eight hits and striking out six in six innings.

Eastfield’s offensive struggles changed quickly in the second game when the Harvesters cruised to a 14-4 win over Cedar Valley (2-7) in a game that ended after seven innings due to the 10-run rule.

“I think we had a better approach in the second game than the first,” Eastfield coach Michael Martin said. “We were just seeing the ball better.”

Casey Maack hit two home runs for the Harvesters in Game 2, including a two-out, two-run shot to right-center field in the bottom of the fourth that gave Eastfield a 6-0 lead. He added a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to end the game. Maack also doubled while going 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

“I figured I’d try [to get some] base hits and stay on the ball,” he said of his approach.

Other leading hitters in the game included Michael Kister, who was 4-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored; Dickerson, 3-for-3 with a triple, a double, an RBI and a run scored; Daniel McConn, 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored; and Cole Hill, 2-for-4 with a double.

Starting pitcher Sebastian Murray (3-1) shut down the Suns, throwing six shutout innings before Cedar Valley got on the scoreboard in the seventh.

“My curveball was really working for me,” he said. “I was focused on hitting the zone.”

Murray finished with seven strikeouts while giving up eight hits and two walks.

“He got ahead early in the count, which allowed us to be more selective with his pitches,” Martin said.

Offense was the story in Game 3 as Eastfield rolled to a 20-10 win on Feb. 21. The Harvesters took an early 11-4 lead, then put the game away by scoring seven runs in the fourth inning.

Hill went 3-for-6 with a double, three RBIs and three runs for the Harvesters. Maack was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and four runs; Cody Duplechin went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and four runs; Blayten Magana was 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI; and Jason Serchay went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Robert Russell (2-0) earned the win in relief of starter John Bodine.

Eastfield 5-7, KCKCC 10-1

Pitcher Blake Barr gave up one run on five hits with seven strikeouts in a complete-game victory in Game 2, helping the Harvesters earn a doubleheader split with Kansas City Kansas Community College in Mesquite on Feb. 14.

Zach Red went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored for Eastfield. Other offensive leaders included Dalton Smith, who was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored; Connor Scruggs, 2-for-2 with an RBI; Cole Hill, 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored; and Cody Duplechin, 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. In Game 1, Eastfield jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, but KCKCC scored five runs in both the third and fourth innings to take control.

Casey Maack went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored for the Harvesters. Scruggs also doubled twice while driving in a run and scoring another.

Sebastian Murray took the loss, giving up five runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings.

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opinion

12 The Et Cetera

The ‘perfect body’ is an unattainable goal outside of the media

Etera Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Associated Collegiate Press • Texas Community College Journalism Association

Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Fax: 972-860-7646 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editors in Chief J. Gomez Courtney Schwing Managing Editor Caitlin Piper Design Editor Braulio Tellez Photo Editor Jonathan Wences Life & Arts Editor Andy Carrizales Opinion Editor Parker Ward Online Editor Karina Dunn Staff Writers Nicole Ceron James Hartley Veronica Trevino

Chandler Claxton John Kirvin Brandon Wagner

Designers Marlon Bell Monica Bolton Jasmine Oliva Photographers Darnisha Cornelius Ana Gallegos Guillermo Martinez Carlos Valenzuela Chase Villwok Stormy Wallbrecher Cartoonists Alberto Huerta Matthew Rohan Student Publications Manager Elizabeth Langton Faculty Adviser Lori Dann Editorial Policy The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District.

The Et Cetera is published every two weeks—except December, January and summer months—by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. Additional copies are available in Room N-240.

First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

OUR VIEW

Growing up, I was always thin and never thought anyVanessa thing of it.

My eating Trevino habits were horrible. I would scarf down doughnuts for breakfast, pizza for lunch and the occasional cookies and milk at night to help me fall asleep.

That didn’t sound like the diet of a “skinny” person, but at the age of 9, who would care about their body image? Disney Channel sure never mentioned anything about why I should not have eaten whatever my heart desired.

How could I have noticed the difference between a size 1 and a size 5 at such a young age? I don’t think anyone notices those kinds of things when they’re younger.

It wasn’t until high school that my awful eating habits caught up to me. I went from a size 0 to a size 4 in what seemed like a day. One day I was eating my mom’s delicious enchiladas, and the next day I was mortified because my pants didn’t fit me.

Normally this wouldn’t be anything to worry about, but according to magazines and television ads, “skinny” was the new beautiful and “buff ” was the new handsome. Any other body type was unacceptable.

I wanted to be accepted and I went to extreme lengths to fit in. After eating at a restaurant, I’d throw cent people can be mistakenly shot. If a shooter up in the restroom where I was sure others could hear. opens fire and another gun owner attempts to Over time, tiny red dots appeared all over my face due stop them, they can easily be mistaken for the to blood vessels bursting from the pressure of forcing aggressor. Consider the 2011 assassination atmyself to vomit. tempt on Arizona politician Gabrielle Giffords.

I won’t go further into detail, but I was bulimic for She was among the 13 injured when a man seven months until one of my friends noticed and took opened fire on a crowd outside a supermarket, me to her church where they got me the help I needed. killing six. When a survivor pulled a gun on the I was fortunate to get help so soon because many men shooter, he narrowly avoided getting shot by and women suffering from body image issues and eating another gun owner in the chaos. The shooter disorders can cause permanent damage to their bodies was subdued by a retired Army colonel who or even die. chose not to draw his own weapon.

Recently, a Victoria’s Secret ad featured the words Additionally, from a practical standpoint, “The Perfect Body” plastered on images of extremely allowing guns on campus would cost more thin women in lingerie. Three British students from the money. Both city and campus police would University of Leeds submitted an online petition that need to pull in more funding for increased prompted Victoria’s Secret to change their slogan to “A police presence and psychological training.

Body for EveryBody.”

Since state law does not allow citizens under I was surprised when I saw that college students 21 to carry handguns, most four-year schools made such an impact on the media’s portrayal of would not have very many carriers on camwomen. Goes to show that anyone really can make a pus. In two-year schools where the age of the difference. average student is higher, however, we could This ad really hit home for me. That “perfect body” is potentially have hundreds, if not thousands of what I have always been striving for. Ads such as these unnecessary guns among us. are what caused me to see a distorted image of myself Whether or not we should have the right to and hate the person I saw in the mirror. own guns is a debate for another day, but we do Men and women around the world are being told not need them in a stressful college environthey aren’t good enough through messages the media ment. sends.

Campus carry bill misfires In a misguided attempt to increase safety in Texas colleges, Republican State Sen. Brian Birdwell has authored Senate Bill 11 — a bill that would allow concealed carry of weapons on public campuses — and sponsored Senate Bill 17 — a bill that would allow open carry of holstered handguns by licensed holders. After heated debate, both bills were approved 7-2 for consideration by the full Senate.

This is not the first time a bill promoting guns on campus has passed through a Texas house subcommittee. As recently as April 2013, the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Service approved a similar bill by a 7-1 vote, but it was ultimately shot down.

While the bills would allow private universities to opt out, public colleges such as Eastfield would have no say.

We understand Sen. Birdwell’s concerns, but guns on campus can only create more trouble.

In an emergency situation, it is best to have trained professionals such as the police respond. We have no doubt that many, if not most, gun owners are responsible with their weapons, but in the heat of a school shooting, most would not have the psychological training to handle the situation safely and effectively.

This can also create scenarios where inno-

13

OPINION The Et Cetera

www.eastfieldnews.com

No such thing as ‘bad music’

The lights came up to transition into the next song.

The piano notes I had heard all throughout my childhood began playing once again. I knew what was coming, and I was ecstatic.

My childhood idols played the song I used to listen to for hours on end with my father.

I was able to sing all the lyrics. I was able to remember every note, every little verse and every reason I used to love that song. Before that night, I had not listened to that song in almost 12 years.

That is the power of music. Music.

One simple word.

It can mean many different things to many different people. To some it’s therapy, to some it is a memory and to some it is a part of their culture. There is no escaping music. It is always there, waiting to be heard.

A wide range of sources now grant access to a variety of music, so it’s hardly surprising that people listen to anything and everything they could ever want.

Music is without a doubt one of the most subjective topics you will ever debate. Some people will protect their choice in music faster than they will defend the name of their mother.

Still, I’ve heard,“That is not music.”

I can’t even begin to count the number of disgusted looks I have received when I

“

Music is an experience for me.

I actually drive to the store, buy the package and open it to reveal the golden treasure inside.

”

tell people that my main choice in music is a good heavy metal song.

I get even more when I can’t name the same songs you have heard a thousand and one times on the radio. Put simply, it’s not my cup of tea and I will not drink something I hate. That said, a sip or two never hurt me or anyone else.

However, that is the problem. People will not take that one tiny sip. In an age where everything is just one click away, people are so quick to completely discredit a certain style of music.

Music is not meant to be made solely for money. At the core it’s a form of expression. It is a feeling captured in a moment. That is why it pains me to hear a good song and later find out that it took five people, none of whom were the actual person singing the song, to write it.

We do not need big business and Record Companies controlling the artists.

Parker Ward

We need the artists’ creativity to drive the music. Although, there is little chance of big business ever not interfering. As long as someone can make a profit, they will.

Music is an experience for me. I actually drive to the store, buy the package and open it to reveal the golden treasure inside. Not only is there the cd, but there is almost always the lyrics, the credits and who the artist would like to thank, and most of all, the art. Each and every album every album, no matter how old, has some kind of art on it.

Music is what you make of it. Everybody has their own concepts of what music is and just what it means to them.

It does not matter whether you listen to Kanye West or Queen.

Music is personal and there is no such thing as bad music. No matter the artist, there is always a fan. And as long as somebody finds meaning in what they produce or just enjoys it, it is music.

Patients deserve right to medicate with pot Medical marijuana is a subject that most people know about, but it is rarely a topic of discussion. However, I often run into stories about individuals with cancer or other health problems that would benefit from the use of the prescribed drug.

One story I came across was of a boy diagnosed with epileptic seizures one week after his eighth birthday. The boy was having seizures, sometimes every 15 minutes. The mother and his doctor became very concerned. The doctor told the mother that if the seizures continued lasting more than 15 minutes, the doctor would then have to perform surgery on the boy’s brain.

The mother asked if there was another route they could go, and the doctor said he could prescribe the boy anti-seizure medication called Triptal. The boy eventually stopped having seizures, but the side effects were disturbing his mother.

The mother said he would scream, fight, punch himself and have suicidal thoughts. The mother caught him trying to commit suicide. The mother knew she had to take the boy off Triptal immediately.

The mother then looked into giving the boy medical marijuana pills.

John Kirvin

The mother got the boy on the medical marijuana capsules. Nine weeks after his eighth birthday, the boy is now a is a lot calmer and is living his life because of the pills.

Every time I read stories such as this, I wonder why the government making it so difficult for individuals with health concerns to get cannabis. My theory is because of money. The health field generates so much income from cancer and other health problems.

According to bankrate.com, cancer drugs cost $100,000 for a year’s treatment. Insurance doesn’t usually cover the complete cost and most individuals end up having to pay a co-pay.

Taxing purposes also come into effect.

How would a state tax medical marijuana? How would the state put a cap on

how many grams could be sold? These are questions that the government is asking itself.

Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana for medical use. The federal government in December agreed to no longer prosecute medical marijuana users and sellers in states where its use it legal.

Nebraska state Sen. Tommy Garrett is pushing to pass the Cannabis Compassion Care Act, stating that citizens in Nebraska in need of medical marijuana would be able to get it through the proper procedures.

Garrett is trying to make a really awesome thing happen because it shows that some senators do care about the wellbeing of their citizens. It’s my opinion that if all senators were like Garrett, the world would be a better place.

I feel that medical marijuana should be legalized in all of the United States. It would help many individuals who suffer from health problems such as seizures, cancer and anxiety. The individuals who need it should be able to access medical marijuana with ease and very little interference from the government.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Keturah Jones

‘The Wizard of Oz’ can inspire helpful new years resolutions “The Wizard of Oz” is one of my childhood favorites.

I will never forget the first time I saw this movie. My dad told us to hurry and eat our dinner because there was something he wanted us to watch.

“Oh Lord, not another Christian program on TBN,” I thought.

All six of us girls sat on the floor in his room. As the credits began to roll, I was captivated just off the music alone – and relieved that it wasn’t TBN. When Dorothy opened the back door to the house and everything was in color after the tornado scene, I was hooked. From that moment on, I wanted to be Dorothy. I believed there was an Emerald City for me to find.

As an adult, the movie still captivates my heart. Dorothy is a character that symbolizes faith and hope. She was not certain the Wizard of Oz actually existed. She just heard that there was someone who could help her get home, but her faith was so strong that she blindly followed a yellow brick road to find him.

We all have an Emerald City to reach. It may be graduating college, landing a dream job or learning a new skill.

Unfortunately, there are not any magical red slippers that will instantly make your dreams come true.

I believe there are people we meet in life who will either help or hinder us. On the way to Emerald City, Dorothy faced hardship, but still pressed on with the mutual support of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.

Even after the fearsome Wicked Witch of the West threatened her, she focused on her goal. In the end it was her faith, friends and determination that helped her stay the course and get home. Some goals cannot be reached without the help of others, even if they are lions, tigers or bears.

It is a new year and whatever goals you have made, please understand that there will be hurdles. Stay focused and learn to enjoy your path and learn lessons along the way. Do not be surprised if the courage, heart, intelligence and determination needed to reach your goals lies not only within yourself, but others.

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The content will remain that of the author.

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Zek and Slik By Matthew Rohan

Sudoku

Trivia Bits

A) “Friends” B) “Modern Family” C) “Murphy Brown” D) “Seinfeld” 2. In 2010, David Matthews used the power of Facebook to get what star a spot hosting the Mother’s Day edition of “Saturday Night Live”?

A) George W. Bush B) Chevy Chase C) Betty White D) David Letterman 3. Which of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is named for somebody who lived about a century before the other three?

A) Donatello B) Leonardo C) Michelangelo D) Raphael

Trivia Answers 1. D; 2. C; 3. A

1. What TV show started attracting serious attention with “The Chinese Restaurant,” an episode filmed in real time?

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