Eastfield Et Cetera September 11, 2019

Etera Eastfield College

K Building employees to be laid off by next semester See page 3 ➤

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Volume 51, Issue 2

Terror after El Paso Recent attack leaves Hispanic community in distress See page 4 ➤

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

@TheEtCetera

The Et Cetera

Facility upgrades help growing program add office space, storage

By ESON FELLERS Reporter @EsonFellersETC

SIRGIO RUVALCABA/THE ET CETERA

Ximena Espitia serves a customer at Dairy-Ette about three months after a kitchen fire closed the restaurant. “It was very fortunate that the whole place didn’t burn down,” owner Bob Prikryl said.

Local gem gets back to the grill after rebuilding from fire

By HARRIET RAMOS Reporter @TheEtCetera

Business is back to normal at Dairy-Ette, the 1950sstyle diner and drive-in on Ferguson Road.

You would never be able to guess from the spotlessly clean wood-paneled dining room and the tan, old-brick exterior that the restaurant was the scene of a fire just a little over three months ago.

Ximena Espitia, a waiter at Dairy-Ette, brings cheeseburgers and baskets of shrimp to customers in the dining area and fills orders at the drive-in. Owner Bob Prikryl goes back and forth between the kitchen and the dining area. He greets customers and fills the ice-cream machine, preparing for another busy day.

Penny Fortenberry and her mother Billie Bard arrive shortly after 11 a.m., accompanied by friends Holly Roberts and Ann Schwartz. They are at Dairy-Ette to celebrate Roberts’ birthday.

As they settle into the booth in the far-right corner and place their order, they talk about Bard’s 88th birthday party. It was scheduled to take place at Dairy-Ette on May 30 but had to be relocated because of the fire early that morning.

Fortenberry had spent the evening of May 29 at Dairy-Ette, decorating the dining area with 50sthemed-decorations. When she returned the next day, she learned about the fire.

“I looked in the window and all my stuff wasn’t on the tables,” she related. “They said, ‘We’re closed today,’ and I said ‘No you’re not. We have a birthday party today!’”

Espitia said she was getting ready to go to work at Dairy-Ette on the morning of May 30 when her phone rang. It was Cisco, one of the cooks.

“The place burned,” he told her.

Prikryl was out of town and Cisco wasn’t sure what to do. Espitia promised to come right away.

When she arrived, she found that there had been a fire in the kitchen. Firefighters had broken through the door and the roof in order to access the building.

“It was just a mess,” she said.

Prikryl said that the fire was isolated in the kitchen.

“It was very fortunate that the whole place didn’t burn down,” he said.

Prikryl’s father opened Dairy-Ette in 1956. He built the red-and-white awning that still stands outside the building where the drive-in-customers wait for their orders to be filled.

The awning was not affected by the fire, but the roof of the building had to be replaced.

So did the ventilator fan in the kitchen and one of the grills.

Espitia said the whole dining area had to be thoroughly wiped down. It was close to a month before Dairy-Ette was able to reopen.

Joel Klump, the lead admissions representative at Eastfield, said he used to ride his bike to Dairy-Ette as a 10-year-old. As an adult he still enjoys a float, prepared with Dairy-Ette’s house-made root beer, after a hard day.

“I was concerned that they weren’t going to reopen [after the fire],” he said, “So I was real happy to see that they did.”

Prikryl’s son, Bobby Lee, said there wasn’t any talk of closing the restaurant permanently.

“I knew it was going to be fixed,” he said. “It’s not like this thing was in ashes on the ground with a little flag that says ‘game over’ or something.”

Other than having to get used to the new roof and ventilator fan, Prikryl said, things are the same as they were before the fire. Customers have returned as well.

“They’re drifting back in,” Prikryl said. “It’s all picked up back to where it was.”

Construction in the L Building, originally meant to be finished by the start of the fall semester, is upgrading L-108 to compensate for overcrowding and older technology.

The construction on the L Building and portable buildings is expected to last until at least December, or January.

“I’m having three station soldering labs put in, and the space between those two rooms will be new storage,” said Russell Dale, mechatronics and electronics professor.

The project also includes five offices, four mechatronics laboratories and a break room in the area formerly occupied by the student computer lab. Dale’s current area has one lecture classroom, one electronics laboratory and one mechatronics laboratory.

He said that it was difficult to increase class offerings in electronics and mechatronics with such limited space.

“It’s a massive redo,” Dale said.

“The program is actually really growing.”

Michael Brantley, facilities director, said that modernization has been a huge focus during the expansion.

Larger equipment pieces, like circuit panels, will be able to be used more regularly in a larger space, with higher ceilings and bigger windows.

“The labs will be taller and will be able to handle all kinds of equipment on a more industrial scale,” he said.

The mechatronics department was formed in 2006, and some of the equipment used in classrooms today is from the 1980s.

Sharon Cook, college spokeswoman, said the work will be loud and will probably cause vibrations in the L building and surrounding areas.

“They’re trying to do the work early in the mornings, as far as the noise, and then even later in the day,” she said. “The area is fenced off, so pedestrians and staff should be avoiding the area.”

Alongside the L-108 improvements, a portable building has been added to Parking Lot 6 to accommo-

RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

A construction worker digs up ground outside the L Building.

date the large amount of high school students on campus for dual credit and early college high school.

Brantley said this 5,200-squarefoot building comes with two classrooms, but they plan on adding two more classrooms, as well as some restrooms and a lounge area.

Brantley said the city of Mesquite’s permitting process and construction problems have delayed the building’s completion.

“We had hoped that we would have that open by Aug. 23, but the city processes have slowed that project,” he said.

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The Et Cetera

PUT IT ON YOUR

Calendar September Wed Melinda Imthurn, soprano,

11

F-117 Recital Hall, 1 p.m.

September 11 Moment of Silence, The Hive, noon-1 p.m Financial Aid Scholarship Workshop C-135, 12:30 p.m.

Fri

13

Dallas Children’s Theater Performance: Miss Nelson Is Missing Performance Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Mon Hispanic Heritage Month

16

Kickoff Lower Courtyard, noon-3 p.m.

Tue Constitution Day Scaven-

17

ger Hunt, VIBee Lounge, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

STEM Transfer Fair, The Hive, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wed Honors Program Mixer,

18

S-100, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kent Ellingson Jazz Quintet F-117 Recital Hall, 1 p.m.

Thu Push-Ups For Veterans

19

and First Responders Suicide Awareness, Lower Courtyard, 12:30-2 p.m.

Day of Action: Bees and Food Justice, 2-4 p.m., off campus Artist Lecture, G-101, 11 a.m.-noon

Mon Eastfield Chatbacks:

23

Diversity Dialogue Series, G-102, noon-1 p.m.

25

F-117 Recital Hall, 1 p.m.

Wed Solero Flamenco,

Et Cetera Publication Day

FAFSA Workshops Every Wednesday 2-4 p.m.

Every Thursday 5-7 p.m.

Library L-200

www.eastfieldnews.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Campus child care set to be outsourced K Building staff to be laid off amid reorganization

By SKYE SEIPP Editor in Chief @seippetc

By 2020 about 13 people working for the Children’s Laboratory School in the K Building will no longer be employees of the Dallas County Community College District in a decision made by the Eastfield leadership team.

The work will instead be outsourced to a private company. A letter from President Eddie Tealer that informed employees of the decision named the ChildCareGroup, a nonprofit organization that’s geared toward serving low-income families, as the company that may be taking over after Dec. 31. A contract has not been finalized.

Tealer said the employees have options to be hired with whatever company is chosen on a probationary period or they can apply for other positions in the district.

Tealer said the center does not currently benefit students or the community in its current state because it’s not affordable and switching to another company will be “bringing those barriers down for the students.” Eastfield previously offered nighttime child care with prices adjusted by income, but it’s no longer

ET CETERA FILE PHOTO

Theater professor Dusty Reasons Thomas attends a Poteet High School football game with her daughters Charlotte, right, and Violet.

in service.

“This has been done all over the country,” Tealer said. “You have to understand what it is we’re here to do as a community college and how the needs of the community have really changed and evolved. As we learn more about what those needs are, we have to change … the college to meet those needs.”

In spring 2019, Eastfield had 1,176 total students who expressed interest in learning more about child care programs, according to a district survey.

Tealer said there will be a series of Q&A’s with the affected employees and the leadership team to answer any questions and hear any concerns they may have. Sources said the first

one took place on Sept. 3. Tealer said the objective was to inform employees of the change and allow them time to think over it, prepare questions and then have a conversation with both parties.

“It’s not like we’ve told them something and not gone back to them and just said, ‘It’s this way and that’s it,’” he said. “We’re trying to really make sure that we understand anything that might have been missed or misinterpreted. That we refine that and they’ll have the opportunity to talk directly with us.”

Parents whose children are enrolled at the day care center found out about the change in an email from Social Science Dean DeShaunta Stewart.

district partners have a relationship with a Dallas County Community College that they establish and value,” said Eric Ban, managing director for the Promise.

“Eastfield’s been playing a very large part in the process and I think that’s a division of the community college district leadership is that colleges are really involved in the communities that they serve,” Ban said.

Not all students who sign up from MISD will attend Eastfield, as the Promise has opportunities for students to attend universities and other schools within the Dallas County Community College District.

Only three of the five schools in MISD will join initially: Mesquite High School, West Mesquite High School and North Mesquite High

School. Poteet High School and John Horn High School are expected to join the following year, Ban said.

MISD Superintendent David Vroonland said the reluctance to join the coalition was because they wanted all five high schools to be a part of the program. But due to how Dallas County Promise is set up, they began with the first three most economically challenged schools in Mesquite.

After conversations with members of Eastfield’s leadership team and people from the Dallas County Promise, MISD decided to join the affiliation.

“One of the advantages we saw was being a part of a cohort of schools that were working toward the same initiative,” Vroonland said.

“Not just in terms of being able to

Theater professor Dusty Reasons Thomas, who has used the center for both of her children since 2015, said she is worried that the bonds the teachers and children have will be broken.

“Those are bonds that our kids have developed with these wonderful people,” she said. “It’s a lot of change, and little kids struggle with a lot of change.”

As a member of the parent council for the Children’s Laboratory School, Thomas said the biggest concern from parents is about the teachers and what will happen to their pay, benefits and retirement if they are no longer employed by the district. In an Aug. 30 interview,Tealer said there are no answers as to the status of employee benefits, pay or retirement.

“They [ the teachers] take care of the most precious things to us in the world,” Thomas said. “So they’re like family, and we want to make sure they’re taken care of as well.”

She said the transition would have felt better if there had been a conversation with the parents before a decision was made to switch companies, something Tealer said was not needed.

“If the problem was that the day care isn’t making money, bring it to the parents ... before just changing it and saying, ‘Oh well, you’re going to have to deal with it,’” Thomas said.

Thomas said her family pays about $2,000 a month for her two daughters to attend.

See Child care, page 5 ➤

Mesquite ISD makes Promise to students

By SKYE SEIPP Editor in Chief @seippetc

It took the Mesquite Independent School District about two years, but administrators have now pledged to join the Dallas County Promise, and Eastfield will be one of the prime locations for students to attend.

This year will see the first group of students with MISD sign the Promise pledge. They are expected to increase enrollment numbers at Eastfield starting in fall 2020.

Dallas County Promise offers free tuition and other services to graduating seniors of participating high schools.

“We [the Dallas County Promise] do not work in isolation, so all of our

collaborate with each other, which is valuable, but also in terms of being able to work as a cohort of schools to influence the state Legislature on some things that we feel are important in terms of supporting kids from poverty especially.”

Dallas County Promise is a “coalition of school districts, colleges, universities, employers and communities” across North Texas that offers tuition assistance and guidance to graduating seniors at qualifying schools.

Currently, 11 school districts and 57 schools (including the three MISD high schools) are a part of the Promise. There has been two cohorts since the Promise started in 2017.

See Enrollment, page 12 ➤

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NEWS

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

@TheEtCetera

Living in fear

The Et Cetera

In wake of the El Paso shooting, Hispanic residents worry about their safety

By SKYE SEIPP Editor in Chief @seippetc

History professor Kat Reguero-Vandeventer was on vacation when she read the news Aug. 3. A mass shooting had just taken place at a Walmart in El Paso, leaving 22 people dead and 26 injured. She was horrified.

“It took me a while psychologically before I was OK to go into a store again,” she said. “It was really scary. I know this happens, but this one hit home.”

Reguero-Vandeventer, an activist in the Hispanic community, said her fear was intensified because the shooter was targeting immigrants in what she called a “hunt.”

Authorities believe the alleged shooter from the Dallas-Fort Worth area posted a 2,356word manifesto titled “Hispanic Invasion” on the website 8-Chan. Authorities said he was targeting Hispanic immigrants.

“These people that had everything to live for were just doing some last-minute shopping for back to school … and they were gunned down,” Reguero-Vandeventer said. “I think that’s why it hit so hard. I was in la-la land on vacation, enjoying life, just going around doing my thing, and all of a sudden reality hit.”

Since the shooting, Hispanics across the country have been living in fear of falling victim to crimes because of their ethnicity.

Carlos Revelo, a government professor and political analyst with Univision, said the political climate before the shooting was already tense, but the shooting in El Paso heightened it to new levels. Revelo emigrated from El Salvador in 1980. He said in 40 years he has never had to be this cautious about his actions.

“I love this country as much as any native U.S-born American,” he said. “But this issue of immigration touches me close because I have an accent, because of my color and because of my exposure. So I can easily be the target, and I never felt that before.”

While he fears for his own safety, Revelo said he is more worried about his students. Some are DACA recipients and others are afraid for their family’s safety.

“I have to be on the look out, because you never know how you’re going to be perceived by someone that already thinks that I’m the problem,” he said. “If they [students] fear, I have to sympathize with them and tell them that I understand. That’s something I’ve never experienced before.”

Fernando Hernandez, who is working on an Associate of Arts degree, said the shooting was just another tragic event that has become normal.

“Well I was shocked, but at the same time, it was something that I found a bit predictable,” he said. “Because it’s something that has

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIA JONES

A memorial outside of the Walmart where the Aug. 6 shooting took place.

happened a lot over the past few years and yet nothing has been done.”

Hernandez said laws to restrict gun purchases and high capacity rifle magazines should be enacted to limit the number of mass shootings.

He also said the rhetoric of President Donald Trump gives people like the alleged shooter in El Paso an incentive to target members of minorities.

Since his campaign began in 2015, Trump has been talking about an invasion of immigrants coming to America. His calls to build a wall along the Southern border to stop what he said was an influx of “criminals, drug dealers and rapists” from Mexico was a major part of his campaign. Last week the Trump administration diverted $3.6 billion from the Pentagon to pay for a wall.

Sociology professor Tasha Brown said that normalization and reoccurrence of mass shootings in America stems from a variety of factors, such as culture, value systems and leadership.

She said the glorification of violence, easy access to weapons and corrupt ethos throughout the country are some of the factors.

“When you do not promote the message of acceptance, when you don’t promote the message of unity, when you don’t promote the value of diversity, well then people do not value those things,” she said. “Further, when you promote

the lack of unity and diversity and it is OK to engage in prejudice, discrimination, etc., well then that does provide a reference point for some people in terms of how they can interact with society and other people.”

Guns and hate In two years Texas has been home to two other deadly mass shootings. In November 2017, a shooter at a church in Sutherland Springs killed 25 people (and one unborn child) and injured 20. A shooting at Santa Fe High School left 10 dead and injured 10.

On Sept. 1, less than a day after a mass shooting in the Midland-Odessa area killed seven people and injured 22 others, new laws took effect that loosened restrictions on guns.

House Bill 1143 allows for guns and ammunition in school parking lots, as long as they are locked in a vehicle and out of plain sight. HB 1387 allows for more armed marshals in school districts.

Restrictions on guns in places of worship were also lifted during the legislative session.

Senate Bill 535 allows for licensed handgun carriers to bring their weapons to places of worship, and HB 1177 allows anyone to carry a handgun without being charged with a crime in the days following a declared state of emergency.

Possessing firearms in homes is easier now with the passing of HB 2363, which makes it illegal for landlords or homeowners of rental properties to prohibit renters from lawfully carrying weapons on the premises. HB 2363 makes it legal for foster homes to keep guns in the house so long as they are locked in a safe.

A number of Texas lawmakers asked Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session to address the issue of gun violence following the shooting in El Paso.

On Sept. 3, Walmart announced it would stop selling ammunition for military style assault rifles, asked customers to not open carry in its stores and vowed to ask Congress to step up gun control measures, such as universal background checks. Kroger, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens followed suit that week and asked customers to not open carry in their stores.

On Aug. 14, Abbott launched a Domestic Terrorism Task Force with the goal of countering acts of extremism in the state. The task force met for the first time Aug. 30 and, according to a news release from the governor’s office, is expected to meet quarterly or whenever called by the governor.

The news release said the task force will be “conducting investigations on criminal gangs affiliated with Neo Nazi and White Nationalist groups and networks espousing terrorist attacks.”

White nationalist groups had an increased presence on college campuses across the country. Research by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism reported a 7 percent increase in white supremacy propaganda on campuses between Sept. 1, 2018, and May 31, 2019, over the same period from the year prior, which had 292 cases.

In July, the Dallas Observer reported that campuses across North Texas had seen the group “Patriot Front” passing out flyers and putting stickers on campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including at Brookhaven College.

These groups have protections under the First Amendment to peacefully pass out flyers or leaflets on campuses, however public universities can control when, where and how groups recruit.

Call to action on campus After the El Paso shooting, Eastfield’s Student Success and Wellness Division sent an email offering extra support from the counseling services and the Center of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity to any students who may be dealing with any type of problems associated with the shooting.

Katy Launius, dean of Student Success and Wellness, said the events in El Paso left an impact on her, and the idea to offer extra support See page 5 ➤

NEWS

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The Et Cetera

www.eastfieldnews.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Gun violence in America 2019 Total Number of incidents

38,569

MASS SHOOTINGs DEFENSIVE USE

291 1,043 UNITENTIONAL SHOOTINGs 1,135

NUMBER OF DEATHS

10,171

Continued from page 4 to students came from that feeling.

“I think knowing that kind of hate lives in our community was a concern,” she said. “I can only imagine what it must feel like for our students. Then, knowing that the attack targeted Latinx folks, targeted immigrants, and knowing who our students are, that those are our students, that they might be thinking, ‘It could have been me.’”

Launius said she wanted people to know that her department is here for the “holistic well-being” of students.

She also noted that it’s important for colleges to let their students know racist viewpoints are not necessarily the viewpoints of a college, but that those groups are allowed to peacefully participate in what she called “inflammatory speech” on campuses.

SOURCE: GUN VIOLENCE ARCHIVE

Counseling services on campus have not seen a rise in students coming in because of the events in El Paso, said Katie Neff, a licensed counselor on campus. She said people who are feeling a level of anxiety because of the shooting should seek counseling.

Neff also gave five tips for coping with emotions: seven to eight hours of sleep, a healthy diet, proper exercise, staying socially active and releasing emotions creatively or through meditation.

Mental health is not the only concern for students and employees.

Hevan Cathy, a childhood education major, said after seeing the news on Aug. 3 she thought about how easy it would be for something like the El Paso shooting to happen on campus.

“It’s not that I don’t feel safe, it’s

GRAPHIC BY MANUEL GUAPO

just that it’s scary because of the fact that anyone can just walk in and out,” Cathy said. “It’s very open.”

She said the college could be taking better safety measures by enforcing the ID rule that began in April, which she said not many people follow. Cathy also said the college should make visitors wear guest passes and students should be better educated throughout the semester about the emergency procedures.

Emergency procedures are typically told to students at orientation, but not all new students attend.

There’s also a video located within the “Police & Safety” section of the school website that gives instructions on how to respond to college emergencies.

Brigham Wilcoxson, district emergency manager, said the problem with increasing safety mea-

sures is finding what he called “middle ground.” He said people have to take responsibility for their own safety now and suggested people watch the emergency procedure videos found on the district website.

“Have more situational awareness,” Wilcoxson said. “Go into a room and ask: ‘How could I best handle the situation if it were to happen in here?’”

District Police Chief Lauretta Hill also sent out an email after the shooting to remind people about the procedures in place if an active shooter came on campus.

Hill stated in the email that all officers on campus have received the proper training to deal with an active shooter.

She said campus police receive active shooter training every two years and other emergency training on a

regular basis.

“We’re trained, available and ready to respond to emergencies, and that’s what we train for in our jobs,” she said. “Our mission is to make a safe, accessible and welcoming environment for our students, faculty and staff, and they should have the confidence that we’re able to deliver that.”

For Reguero-Vandeventer, Eastfield feels as safe as any place.

Whether she’s at the store, on campus or getting her hair done, the worry of being another statistic has been on her mind since the El Paso shooting.

“I can’t tell you when I’m going to wake up in the middle of the night and reach for my husband and make sure he’s still there because I had a nightmare or whatever,” she said. “I just try to live my life every day and be grateful for what I have.”

Child care closure leaves questions for parents, staff Continued from page 3 Multiple attempts were made to contact employees in the Children’s Laboratory School.

Some declined to comment, while others never returned calls or emails. Taylor Hernandez, the new director of the Children’s Laboratory School, redirected all questions to Stewart, whose division is over the children’s center.

Stewart then redirected all questions to college spokeswoman Sharon Cook, who declined to comment.

Courtney Carter Harbour, dean of Arts and Communications and a parent whose child attends the Lab School, agreed with Thomas on wishing there had been a conversation with the parents before deciding to go forward with the

changes.

She said she would like to see an open dialogue with information pertaining to the switch and a timeline of the events.

“I think honing in on our Eastfield values, particularly those in terms of person-centeredness and integrity, would have really gone a long way with myself and the other parents,” she said. “And then definitely to have had a follow-up conversation once these changes were going to take effect, versus reading an email and allowing folks to develop conspiracy theories about what might be happening and what might not be happening.”

While she also worries about the status of the teachers, Harbour expressed concerns over what the values of the new company will be

and whether the Children’s Laboratory School will regain accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which she said was missed this last year by about 2 percent.

In her email, Stewart said ChildCareGroup will “keep the standards of NAEYC.” Multiple attempts were made to make contact with representatives of ChildCareGroup, but no one returned calls or emails.

“I find it very interesting that as we become more aware of our culturally responsive practices, that it appears as if our male-dominated leadership is somewhat silencing the voices of our female employees, from how decisions have been made and communicated.” Harbour said.

Another concern Harbour and Thomas share is that they would no longer qualify to use the center if, as discussed, it’s for families classified as low-income.

Harbour said if that’s the case, then ample time will be needed to find a new service since some day care services have wait lists of up to a year.

Tealer said children currently enrolled will be allowed to return, but did not give a definite answer about whether faculty and staff will be able to use the services in the future.

“You’re concerned about faculty, I’m concerned about students,” he said. “Students cannot afford the basic functions of that service right now. And we have way more students that need child care than we ever realized.”

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LIFE&ARTS

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

@TheEtCetera

The Et Cetera

far beyond the hype Rap’s best artists of today Who comes to mind when discussing the top hip-hop artists ever? Of course the usual suspects like Tupac and Biggie will be in this discussion. But other all-time greats like Rakim, DMX and OutKast could also be mentioned. I think everyone’s preferences would look a little different.

Recently, a hip-hop podcast called “The Brew” tweeted out a list of the “Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time”. The list that resulted in a Twitter uproar of angry fans and members of the music industry.

The commenters had several big complaints. For one, no female artists were listed. One-hit wonder and now outspoken hip-hop critic Joe Budden was listed at No. 3. And a number of highly regarded top artists were either ranked horribly or absent from the list altogether.

I agree that this list included a truly ridiculous sequence of artists. Upon seeing the list for the first time, I honestly thought it was a joke or a troll.

So I decided to create my own Top 10 rankings while acknowledging that, because I’m 18 years old, my list caters more to the present-day era of rap. So here’s my ranking of todays greatest artists..

Story by: Sazoun Grayer Illustrations by: Allan Garcia-Ramos and jessica Martinez 1. Kanye West Best Song: Heartless Best Album: Graduation One word wouldn’t be enough to describe the eccentricity of Kanye West. Almost everyone knows something about him, whether it’s his interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 Video Music Awards or his marriage to one of the most iconic women of pop culture ever, Kim Kardashian. However you may feel about the person Kanye West, the artist is an undeniable legend. A jack-of-all-trades — rapper, singer, producer and businessman — West has produced some of the most legendary masterpieces of rap history such as “College Dropout,” “808s and Heartbreak” and “Yeezus.”

It’s hard to choose just one best album because all of them are equally amazing. His music has been so innovative and influential on rap culture. He is an absolute master of sound production. He knows exactly what combinations of rhyme and sound will create the perfect result. Just one listen to any of his albums, and you’ll understand the true gift this man possesses. He has helped shape what hip-hop has become and has influenced many of today’s top artists.

2. Kendrick Lamar Best Song: B**** Don’t Kill My Vibe Best Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City Being a native of Compton, Lamar was passed the West Coast rap torch by Bay Area OGs like Dr. Dre. The so-called “king” of hip-hop is one of the most talented and creative rappers we’ve ever seen. Only five albums in since his “Section 80” debut in 2011, Lamar has quickly solidified himself as one of the most important figures in rap today and of all-time. He has a plethora of classics and a Pulitzer Prize to back it up.

Lamar is a lyrical genius, and he effortlessly produces groovy, soulful beats that time and time again embody the definition of rhythm and poetry.

3. Future Best Song: Where Ya At (featuring Drake) Best Album: Future Hndrxx Presents: The Wizrd Future is the definition of “new-school rap.” He may not be as lyrically sound as the likes of a Kendrick Lamar, but his use of catchy wordplay and hard-hitting beats has projected him to hip-hop’s elite. He’s been popping out banger after banger for years, and he shows no sign of slowing down. Especially after already releasing his second album of 2019, “Save Me.” One thing that really separates Future from his fellow artists is the replay value of his music. I’ve been listening to his songs for quite some time now, and they haven’t got old yet.

4. Travis Scott Best Song: Pick Up the P Young Thug) Best Album: Astroworld

Imagine this. Take the musical g it with the production savvy of Kid Travis Scott.

Scott took no time in becoming ures in hip-hop. If he isn’t the grea the greatest stage performer. No o ing his stage presence. His conce madness and chaos that they cau arrested following a show for inciti tremendous, but hearing it live is e There’s no wonder that Scott ha of Kanye West, he signed with We beginning stages of his career and with him on many occasions. Sinc on a rampage to create his own la most unique personalities in rap. F talks and to his seemingly never-e as one of the best to ever do it.

6. Migos Best Song: Kelly Price (feat Best Album: Culture

The first and only group on this the legacy of legendary hip-hop gr NWA that came before them. Wha those other groups, though, is tha even hear it in their music. Uncle Q Takeoff never miss a beat. They c and their trademark ad-libs are jus

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LIFE&ARTS The Et Cetera

Phone (featuring Quavo &

genius of Kanye West, combine d Cudi and what you get out is

one of the most prominent figatest artist of all time, he is by far one has even come close to haverts are notorious for the absolute use, so much so that he was once ing a riot. His music is already ecstasy. as been so successful. A prodigy est’s Good Music Label at the d has produced and collaborated ce then, though, Scott has been ane in hip-hop. He has one of the From his sound to the way he ending energy. Scott will go down

turing Travis Scott)

s list, the Migos have continued roups like the Wu-Tang Clan and at I believe separates them from at they are all related. You can Quavo and cousins Offset and complement each other so well, st the cherry on top. “Splash!”

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

8. Big KRIT Best Song: Banana Clip Theory Best Album: King Remembered in Time This is going to be the biggest head-scratcher for most people reading this list. KRIT is not a super well-known rapper. But he should be. KRIT is a strong-tongued, dynamic MC, and his lyrical ability is matched by only a few.

What really sets him apart from other new age rappers is that he has an old-school style to his music. The vibes to his music are so smooth and relaxing that he appeals to a wide range of listeners.

If you’ve got your great uncle riding in the slab with you, I highly recommend giving KRIT a play.

9. Mac Miller Best Song: The Question (featuring Lil Wayne) Best Album: Macadelic

5. Young Thug Best Song: Check Best Album: Barter 6 When it comes to personalities, the “Thugger” has one of the biggest. His flamboyant, artsy lifestyle reflects not only in his fashion but also in his music. Thug doesn’t have as great as of a discography as others in the elite rap class. But when it comes to producing catchy, lovable tunes that stand the test of time, Thug is your guy. I have always been blown away by how effortlessly he creates these smooth, rhythmic tracks that leave your ears dumbfounded. Not to mention that he’s also an incredible singer.

His song “Killed Before,” off of his joint album “Super Slimey” with Future, showcased his tremendous vocal abilities. It even had Lil Duval, among others, calling for a Grammy for best R&B song. He got my vote.

7. J. Cole Best Song: Fire Squad Best Album: Born Sinner Kendrick. Cole. Kendrick. Cole. The debate may never end. I like to appreciate the best of both worlds.

J. Cole is a rare specimen. He’s not only one of the most talented rappers alive, he’s also one of the most relatable. A lot of rappers today like to boast about their luxurious or dangerous lifestyles that the average listener probably can’t relate to. J Cole’s lyrics talk a lot about the everyday struggles of the common man and issues that everyone went through during a time in their lives.

Many people will say he has one of the greatest albums of all time with “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” but I’m more of a “Born Sinner” type of guy. The reason why Cole falls to No. 7 on this list is that he can be a little predictable at this stage in his career. He doesn’t really have that “wow” factor anymore, and replay value of his music is not as high as others. Still, he’s a phenomenal talent and an all-time MC.

Mac Miller was an incredible artist and such an underrated rapper as well. He could rap, he could sing and his flow was uncanny. His style was also unique, so it was hard to really compare him to anyone else. Unfortunately, he died last September at the age of 26. A month before his death, he released his final album, “Swimming,” that featured some absolute masterpieces. The album came out the same day as Travis Scott’s “Astroworld,” so it didn’t really get the recognition it deserved. If you haven’t heard it, give it a listen.

10. Gunna Best Song: 3 Headed Snake (featuring Young Thug) Best Album: Drip or Drown 2 The final slot was a tough choice. There are many great artists to choose from, but ultimately I landed on a slick, still up-and-coming Atlanta rapper named Gunna.

Gunna has only really been on the scene since 2016, but the reason he makes the list is his flow. He has the most fascinating flow of any rapper I’ve heard since Busta Rhymes. Give this man a hard beat, let him spit some flames over it and boom! Instant classic.

Keep your eye on this man, because he will probably be higher on the next top rappers list.

Honorable Mentions: Jay-Z, T.I., 21 Savage, Chief Keef, Rae Sremmurd, Lil Uzi Vert, Kevin Gates, A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, Kid Cudi, Drake

Have a different list?

Tweet us your Top 10 @TheEtCetera

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LIFE&ARTS

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

@TheEtCetera

Two friends create unique art with common materials

The Et Cetera

Eastfield welcomes students back for fall

ESTEFANY KULAS/THE ET CETERA

Taylor Barnes, left, is one of the “Holding Weight” artists, discusses her piece with an Art Appreciation student at the reception on Aug. 29.

By ESON FELLERS Reporter @EsonFellersETC

“Holding Weight”, a campus exhibition featuring the work of artist friends Taylor Barnes and Delaney Smith, showcases fiber-based artworks using handmade letter-pressed papers, duck cloth (a sturdier form of canvas) and charcoal.

Smith, the artist responsible for handmade and letter-pressed paper pieces such as “Breaking the Cycle,” said her background in graphic design and training as a seamstress led her to making this form of art.

“I’m making these functional things for clients all day, but then I’ll see a material and think, ‘How cool would it be to make a sculpture with this?’” she said. “My brain would just always go there, so there’s always been this natural inclination.”

Smith said she is focused on the process when making her papers. She uses a procedure called letter pressing, which involves imprinting letter forms into paper while it is still wet as it’s being made, creating a three-dimensional effect.

Smith said that her design professor at the University of Southern Mississippi had a major impact on her love for paper.

“He took a piece of cotton paper and shook it, and the sound that it made hit me in this really guttural way,” she said, “and ever since then I’ve been obsessed with paper.”

Taylor Barnes, the other half of the artist duo, hones her skills as a charcoal artist, creating works such as “A Small Sacrifice.”Barnes said she loves how labor intensive working with charcoal is as well as the connection she feels to such a beautifully dark medium.

“I like that charcoal comes from a natural material, not something that went through a process to become something else,” she said. “I’m connected

to its process.”

Barnes said that her art is for whomever resonates with it the most.

“I think any audience can look at it and relate to it,” she said. “But it definitely has a lens that is my experience.”

Eastfield students were involved with the making of one of the pieces, titled ”Cast Words by Eastfield Visual Arts Students.”

Planning for the gallery started when Smith came to Eastfield to lead a workshop on the cast paper process.

About 30 students from Design I, Drawing I and 2D and 3D design courses participated in the workshop over a two-day period during class time.

Iris Bechtol, art professor and curator for the gallery, said that the workshop allowed visual arts students to create different words using the same cast paper process that Smith uses.

“I think that art making is a creative process,” Bechtol said. “I think it’s a way for us to explore our understanding of the world.”

Several Eastfield students viewed the exhibition during its opening reception on Aug. 29.

Isaac Brady, a business major, said the work was creative, and he questioned the repetition of the word “no” in some of the pieces.

“Why are they saying ‘no’ a lot?” he said. “With the handmade paper, they could be saying no to waste.”

The word “no” is a recurring theme in pieces.

Smith said the pieces represent emphasizing the ability to stand up for oneself and make your voice heard.

“We’re surrounded by paper all the time.” Smith said. “Looking at it in a different way I think is really beautiful, looking at this everyday material in a different light.”

The gallery is open for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 27.

SKYE SEIPP/THE ET CETERA

Welcome Week offered an array of activities during the first week of classes. Above, President Eddie Tealer served food at Pizza with the President on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Below, science major Carter Willingham, in front, and game design major Jaylon Gross play Jenga at the Office of Student Engagement and Retention’s Thrilling Thursday Arcade Fair on Aug. 29.

SIRGIO RUVALCABA/THE ET CETERA

Sports The Et Cetera

Sept. 11 Sept. 14 Sept. 20 Sept. 24

Volleyball vs Southwestern Adventist Volleyball vs. Southwestern Christian Soccer vs. Mountain View Soccer vs. Richland

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7 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Academic All-American strives to be role model

By BRIANNA HARMON Reporter @ItsBHarmonETC

As the sun rises, 10-year old Brenda Limon barges through her sister’s bedroom door in a rush. “Nancy, Nancy, wake up!” she shouts, shaking her sister Nancy Limon awake before her alarm goes off. It’s 5 a.m. and the Limon household is buzzing with excitement as the first day of school has arrived.

It was Limon’s duty to get her little sister ready for school since her mom was out of town. Brenda was so excited that she was 30 minutes early.

The extra time was helpful, because Limon didn’t have any to spare. She had a 7 a.m. soccer practice to start her sophomore season at Eastfield.

As Limon walked her sister down the school hallway, she became overwhelmed with love and pride.

“We could have had someone else take her,” Limon said. “I didn’t want her to feel alone and get sentimental seeing all the parents around. So I made sure I took her.”

Limon is a third-team Academic All-American center-midfielder for the Harvesters.

To be a National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-American, the athlete must maintain above a 3.6 GPA. Limon says that she has always made good grades throughout school. The last two Harvester soccer players to be named as Academic All-Americans were Aileen Hernandez and Elizabeth Valdez in 2016.

Knowing her younger sister is always watching motivates Limon to be better every day.

“She looks up to me for everything,” Limon said. “Things she won’t tell my mom she will tell me. I’m her go to. It puts a little pressure on me. Whatever I want to do she wants to do, and I don’t want to give her a bad example.”

Limon is pursuing an Associate of Science degree with hopes of attending nursing school. She is currently enrolled in six classes on top of soccer.

“I want to do it for myself,” Limon said. “I’m looking at the bigger picture. I’m making all the sacrifices now.”

BRIANNA HARMON/THE ET CETERA

Not only does Limon’s little sister look up to her, so do her teammates.

“She is always the one that everyone goes to,” mid-fielder Crystal Evanyk said. “We have each other’s back. She is the one that has the perfect grades and works hard. If anyone has any question they ask her.”

The team’s focus on academics has led to them reserving study rooms in the library to work on their assignments. Evanyk says her bond with Limon grew stronger after playing together last season.

“She stepped up last year, and that’s why we have such a good relationship now,” Evanyk said. “She pushed me to be better and had my back. She is always talking and giving me constructive criticism.”

The duo also took a couple classes together. Evanyk will turn to Limon before anyone else when she needs advice or assistance.

“She is someone that I can talk to about school and soccer.”

Evanyk said. “It’s pretty relieving and calming. I don’t live around here and I don’t know anyone, so it’s nice to have a partner in

Players of the week

Soledad Cruz

RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

Left, Nancy Limon’s little sister, Brenda, gets a piggy back ride after Limon’s game against Western Texas on Sept.

5. Right, Limon sets up for a throw in against Murray State on Sept. 6.

Two Eastfield athletes were named Dallas Athletic Conference Players of the Week for Aug. 25-30.

Freshman forward Soledad Cruz captured her first collegiate hat trick against Division I Cisco Junior College. The forward scored two more goals against Paul Quinn to help lead the Harvesters to a 3-2 win.

The freshman out of Mercedes leads the team in goals scored with eight, and is No. 5 in the nation in goals scored.

Cruz said she was overcome with excitement after completing the hat trick.

“I wanted to cry but not cry at the same time,” Cruz said. “In order for that goal to happen it wasn’t just me, it was the team. The team did pretty good passing that ball.”

Soccer is sitting with a 3-2 record with one game left before starting conference play on Sept. 13 at Cedar Valley.

class or someone that I feel comfortable with.”

Coach Paul Tate said Limon grew as a student athlete over the offseason. Tate challenges her to consistently get better on the field.

“She takes a pretty big leadership role,” Tate said. “You can see where her academic side comes out because she understands the game and reads it well.”

Tate said when Limon puts on her uniform she turns into a different person.

“Nancy is a super sweetheart, but when she’s on the field she turns very aggressive and ready to go,” he said. “It’s like a switch for her, and she knows when to pick up that competitive edge.”

Limon has started every game in her career at Eastfield and plays a big role for the Harvesters. She has helped lead the team to a 2-1 start this season.

“School stresses me out and I try to make soccer the fun part,” Limon said. “It’s really tough trying to balance it out because we have away games. It takes away time from my studying and my homework, so I have to manage my time. It’s hard to keep this Academic All-American title, but I’m really trying to keep it.”

Courtnae Calhoun

Returning All-American Courtanae Calhoun was also named Player of the Week. She has posted 60 kills against six schools and averaged an attack percentage of .362 in six matches.

Calhoun led the way against Pratt Community College with 18 kills and added 10 against Dodge City Community College. Against Cisco she posted 13 blocks and had a team-high 14 kills and a .320 hitting percentage against No. 8 ranked Navarro.

Calhoun is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation with 38 total blocks and No. 3 in the nation with 26 block assists.

The Harvesters volleyball team is sitting at No. 10 in the nation after falling from No. 5. They have lost the last seven consecutive matches, leaving them with a 3-8 record. The team will start conference play at North Lake on Sept. 23.

— Compiled by Brianna Harmon

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

Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editor in Chief Skye Seipp Creative Director Anthony Lazon Graphics Editor Erik Krouskop

Senior Photographer Rory Moore Reporters Eson Fellers Brianna Harmon Harriet Ramos Graphic Artist Allan Garcia-Ramos Jessica Martinez Cartoonist Laura Sanchez Romero Eric Santos Photographers Estefany Kulas Sirgio Ruvalcaba John Haire Christian Vargas Contributors Jordan Lackey Laura Sanchez Romero Sazoun Grayer Stephanie Carrillo Editorial Assistants Marie Garcia Jonathan Winter Social Media Reporter Hunter Tate Publication Adviser Elizabeth Langton Student Media Manager Sarah Sheldon Digital Media Adviser Sandra Evans Faculty Adviser Lori Dann

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 by a student staff.

Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera.

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.

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ABOUT THE COVER ILLUSTRATION BY ANTHONY LAZON

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

OUR VIEW

Disrupting lives shows lack of integrity Eastfield employees in the Children’s Laboratory School in the K Building discovered they would be laid off in a move that President Eddie Tealer said was to help benefit students that are in need of child care.

With no prior conversation with the parents or employees, Tealer and the leadership dropped the bomb on workers in the K Building during the first week back at school, while parents found out in an email from the dean of Social Sciences, DeShaunta Stewart.

If the Eastfield leadership team wants to help students who need access to child care, we are fully supportive of that decision. But not being transparent with the employees, some of whom have worked here for more than two decades, is just wrong.

Eastfield is supposed to be like a family, and the employees in the K Building are doing a great service for the faculty and staff on campus who use the Children’s Laboratory School.

By telling these workers they will no longer be employees and that their options are to either go on a probationary period with a new company or apply for other positions in the district does little to offer reassurance.

Put yourself, Eastfield leadership team, in the position of these employees.

If someone came to you and said you would no longer be a district employee, but that you would be put on probation with another company, would you feel confident in your job security? Would you feel valued by the district?

No one would argue with the objective of helping students, but they currently have options that aren’t being used.

What dream are we trying to achieve here? Not only is the college disrupting the lives of people whose job is to take care of children, but what about the faculty, staff and administrators who pay for this service?

The Children’s Lab School is not cheap, and failing to be forthcoming with the people who are the current investors in the program lacks integrity.

It seems as if the only people the college is considering in this move are students.

While students should be important, we are temporary. Your faculty, staff and admins are the people who will take this school to new heights if given the proper tools to succeed.

But doing business deals behind their backs and leaving them wondering where their future paychecks will be coming from or how they will be able to support their own families is not transforming lives in a positive way.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, one of the most important qualities of a teacher in early childhood is ANTHONY LAZON/THE ET CETERA passion. It’s hard to remain passionate when you’re stressed out about where your meals will be coming from at the beginning of the new year.

On the Eastfield website, the second goal of the school is to “foster employee success.” Yet it appears you’re trying to limit the number of employees you have to foster.

And let’s not forget about your employees’ children. Since this district doesn’t offer much by way of maternity leave, faculty and staff who are new mothers are likely to begin using the Children’s Laboratory School at an early age. These kids have formed attachments to some of their teachers, and now these relationships could be broken.

The leadership team has a responsibility to everyone on campus. Outsourcing the work in the K Building and giving little information to those most affected by the change does not represent good stewardship.

Instead of letting a group of employees go and changing services paid for by some of your colleagues, have a conversation with them and maybe collaborate a little on other options.

Having done the college life once before, I was dreading returning to school after a seven-year hiatus.

Walking into Eastfield on Aug. 26 was an unexpected experience that brought me a new hope to make something of myself.

The day started off with so much excitement with my first class.

My digital media professor, Sandra Evans, told us about her life adventures and how much she enjoyed working with advertising.

She ended the class asking if anyone was interested in the school paper.

I was able to think about what I wanted to do and how active I wanted to be at Eastfield.

By the end of the day she even had applications for us to sign up.

me see how much better college life is here.

My first college experience wasn’t anything like this. Coming from a small town and attending Dona Anna Community College in New Mexico was not the best college experience for anyone to have.

The school was still going through a growth process and had no activities or clubs.

Feeling uninvolved and a bit discouraged about the whole college life, I chose to drop out in 2013 and invest in my job full-time.

I soon became a manager of a restaurant, and I thought it was worth investing my life into.

Until I got married. My husband graduated from the University of New Mexico in December of 2018

Campus life reignites passion for learning Stephanie Carrillo @TheEtCetera

A few days later, Eastfield held an involvement fair to introduce students to all the clubs and organizations they have, from the Science Club to the Plant-Based Nutrition Club.

I got to see how much time the faculty and staff put into getting students involved, not only in school but in the activities that make each person put their best foot forward.

Just walking around and seeing how Eastfield students act around each other and around the staff made

and his job brought us to Texas. My husband told me that it was my turn to get a degree and do something I was interested in.

Going to another community college, I was expecting it to be a chore to earn my degree.

Thankfully, Eastfield is so much more than just another college, and it has brought excitement back into my life.

My dream is to be a video game developer, and I know Eastfield is going to give me everything I need to succeed.

My advice to students is to be active and take advantage of all that you can learn at Eastfield.

There are so many opportunities here. If you take advantage of them, doors will open for you.

OPINION

11

The Et Cetera

www.eastfieldnews.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Sony throws monkey-wrench into the Spider-Verse Spider-Man is far from home following the recent disagreement between Sony and Disney, and everything the fans and actors have grown to love about the franchise is at risk.

Two movies with two more on the line are going to be ruined if Sony wins the argument.

There are a couple of reasons behind Sony and Disney’s falling out.

They’re hard to put together and make into one big point, so let’s start from the beginning.

In 2015, Disney, Marvel and Sony decided to share the Spider-Man film rights.

The deal allowed Sony to control and edit movies where Spider-Man was the main character, such as “Spider-Man Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”

Disney controlled the movies where he wasn’t the headliner, such as “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” Disney asked Sony to help pay for films with Spider-Man in an effort to raise their profit margin from 5 percent to 50 percent.

When Sony refused, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, pulled back from the fran-

Laura Sanchez Romero @TheEtCetera

chise and is no longer a part of the production of the two upcoming Spider-Man movies.

Now Sony doesn’t want to share its biggest franchise with Disney. Perhaps Sony thinks they can make it big without any help.

Just look at the massive success of the Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature this year, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

But removing Spider-Man from the MCU is a terrible idea.

Everything that we experienced along Spider-Man’s journey wouldn’t have the same impact if Sony gets its way. For example, The XMen and Venom both exist within the Marvel Universe like the comics and games, but they’re

not in the Cinematic Universe.

Under the new disagreement, Spider-Man would still be with Iron Man in other media, but the fans have already grown so attached to the dynamic duo relationship developed between the two heroes.

The MCU had big plans for the series. They had already built up Peter Parker’s origin story by forging a new mentor for him to learn from in movies such as “Captain America: Civil War” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” These films feature a growing bond with Tony Stark that is similar to a father-son relationship..

This reminds me of the terrible, heartwrenching pain I felt when Spider-Man pleaded for his life in Iron Man’s arms and disintegrated into nothingness in “Avengers: Infinity War.” And what about those last few moments Spider-Man had with Iron Man. “Mr. Stark? Hey, Mr. Stark? Can you hear me? It’s Peter. We won, Mr. Stark. We won, and you did it, sir. You did it. I’m sorry. Tony.” This iconic moment suddenly doesn’t mean anything.

Starting with “Captain America: Civil War,”

Smokers need compromise on campus There is a war against smokers. When one thinks of discrimination, it’s usually on the grounds of race, sex, religion or orientation.

But this is a newer breed of intolerance.

This cloud hangs heavy in the hearts of tobacco users nationwide.

This is a modern and socially acceptable form of discrimination.

This is judgment delivered from atop a moral high horse by legislators and administrators.

We’ve heard the anti-smoking agencies and what they’ve had to say. Now it’s time for the black-lunged army to have a turn. We just need a minute to catch our breath first.

Some may say, “Just stop smoking,” but it’s not up to this campus or its administration to try and influence the personal decisions of their students or staff.

Adults who make the decision to expose themselves to the potential of early onset health issues still deserve a place to feed their legal addiction.

Despite the health risks, tobacco is a legal vice, and individuals of age have every right to make their own decisions in regard to their personal health.

Reasonably enough, due to the effects of secondhand smoke, smoking is prohibited within most building spaces in order to protect the shared air of surrounding individuals.

However, the restrictions have gotten so out of hand that even outside and open-aired spaces are policed with the same intolerant vigor.

Even chewing tobacco is entirely prohibited on campus despite the fact that there is no risk of secondhand exposure.

A smoker in today’s world is often made to feel like a second-class citizen.

They’re told where to congregate and how far away to stand from almost every building.

No one is asking for the ability to light a cigarette or smoke a vape within the confines of a classroom. That would simply be ridiculous.

But now even the simple freedom to smoke outside is under attack, and personally I’ve had enough. There used to be a matter of compromise between establishments and tobacco users when it came to the designation of basic smoking areas.

It’s a simple, cheap and easy compromise. Invest in a bench and a

Jordan Lackey @TheEtCetera

large outdoor ashtray or smoker’s station and the problem is solved.

Where is this compromise at Eastfield? It’s obvious that the thirdfloor patios in the C Building are ideal for this purpose. Far removed from the risk of exposing other students to the hazards of secondhand smoke, these areas are practically begging to accommodate the smokers of Eastfield and provide a convenient yet out of the way place for that section of the student population to congregate, socialize and, most importantly, to smoke between classes.

Instead, the smokers of Eastfield are forced to rush across campus between classes and isolate themselves in personal vehicles that have turned to ovens during Texas summers.

Campus police are directed by the campus tobacco policy to ticket smokers in the parking lots if they are even standing outside of their own vehicles or smoking while sitting in their cars without shutting the door before lighting up. It may sound extreme, but I’ve experienced these injustices firsthand.

Eastfield claims to support individuality and free will, yet administrators have decided to adopt a totalitarian mindset when it comes to the discrimination of informed adults over their own personal choices.

This isn’t high school. This is an institution of higher learning attended by adults who have the right to make their own decisions.

The propaganda and encouragement of intolerance from antismoking agencies has gone too far.

The smokers of Eastfield deserve respect and consideration, the same as any other student.

Is a patio really too much to ask for?

— Jordan Lackey is a journalism major and contributor at the Et Cetera

I remember just how hyped the internet was when the official trailer dropped and SpiderMan was wielding Captain America’s shield.

“Civil War” lived up to its expectations and gave us a fresh Spider-Man who’s written to be a bright, quirky fanboy and is just hilarious.

We get to see this great character interact with Tony Stark and get taken under his wing while they grow as a team and take on the obstacles ahead.

So, here lies a constructive story with well written characters and enjoyable relationships.

I love this version of Spider-Man, and it pains me to know that it could all be destroyed.

Sony made the Tobey Maguire trilogy and the reboot Andrew Garfield duology.

Ending its deal with Disney will give Sony the opportunity to mess up what Disney worked so hard to correct.

Sony should step back, stand side by side with Disney and share the rights again so Spider-Man can get his homecoming.

— Laura Sanchez Romero is a digital media major and contributor at the Et Cetera

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Changing our language to save lives on the highways Dear Editor, Kudos to the Et Cetera News Briefs reporting on Aug. 26 for following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2014 briefing to editors and correspondents “A Crash is Not an Accident.”

The briefing explains: “The concept of ‘accident’ works against bringing all appropriate resources to bear on the enormous problem of highway collisions.

Use of ‘accident’ fosters the idea that the resulting damage and injuries are unavoidable.

‘Crash,’ ‘collision’ and ‘injury’ are more appropriate terms, and we encourage their use as substitutes for ‘accident.’

Changing the way we think about events and the words we use to describe them affects the way we behave. Motor vehicle crashes occur ‘when a link or several links in the chain’ are broken.

Continued use of the word ‘accident’ implies that these events are outside human influence or control. In reality, they are predictable results of specific actions.”

I was relieved to hear that Michael Gutierrez is expected to recover from his injuries, and I do not know the details of how they were sustained. I sincerely wish that in the future, The Et Cetera never has to report about another vehicle collision, especially not one that could be the cause of injury to members of our community. However, since that Vision Zero is unlikely at the present, I am at least heartened that your staff understand that the words we use can themselves play an important role in improving the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists on our roadways.

Sincerely, Amber Raley Research Analysis

12 Wednesday, September 11, 2019

WRAP-UP

Laura’s Mind By Laura Sanchez Romero

www.eastfieldnews.com

The Et Cetera

Students plant their school spirit

Oddball Scribbles By Eric Santos

PHOTOS BY JOHN HAIRE /THE ET CETERA

The Office of Student Engagement and Retention on Sept. 3 hosted the “Plant My Identity” event, where students planted Japanese Boxwood trees to spell out EFC. Due to a problem with other roots in the soil, they only got the C planted and expect to finish at a later date, according to Jide Carew, program coordinator with OSER. Above, Eastfield alumna Wendy Zepeda, right, and Carew plant part of the C. Bottom, music major Stephanie Cruz, left, and Carew prepare to plant a tree.

Campus expects increase in enrollment from MISD Continued from page 3 The scholarship program came from the DCCCD Foundation, which is funded by philanthropic dollars to offer students tuition, success coaches and career mentors to help prepare them for higher education, Ban said.

Students are also required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which Ban said helps Dallas County generate more federal and state dollars to aid students in paying for their tuition. He said the private dollars of the DCCCD Foundation are used to pay for the remaining costs.

“We have a wonderful, dynamic economy in Dallas, and it’s only accessible to some,” he said. “So ‘some’ don’t look like our

low-income students of color, because we’re not doing well in terms of helping those demographics complete college with the skills and credentials that are required to really participate in the full Dallas economy.”

Ban said the group is building a “county-wide community” that can share resources with each other and provide new learning opportunities.

For many students, deciding where to go to college is about convenience, Ban said. With Eastfield being in Mesquite, students who are looking to a community college are likely to pick Eastfield as their college of choice, he said.

Eddie Tealer, Eastfield president, said talks with MISD began before he came to the college in October 2018. He said he met

with Vroonland and other MISD board members and asked, “How can Eastfield be your partner?”

With the help of Janice Hicks, dean of educational partnership, and Mike Walker, vice president of academic affairs and student success, Tealer said they were able to clear up some of the questions and concerns.

Tealer said having MISD join the Promise will be good for Eastfield because of the additional enrollment and better connections with high schools and industries in the community.

“A lot of students in the (first) cohort were economically disadvantaged, so this kind of levels that playing field and brings equity into play,” Tealer said. “We all want everyone to have the opportunity to be successful.”