The Guardsman, Vol. 175, Issue 8, City College of San Francisco

Page 1

The Guardsman

A Mural’s Home is Hard to Find

NEWS BRIEFS

Commencement 2023 Set for May 25

It's commencement time!

The 2023 Commencement takes place on Thursday, May 25 at 11 a.m. in George M. Rush Stadium.

The two-hour program features Jenny Ming as the keynote speaker. Ming is a former retail fashion industry executive who currently serves as a Board of Director member for Levis Strauss & Co.

Volunteers are needed to help on commencement day. You can sign-up on the CCSF Commencement Website. Parking is free for the event.

City College’s cherished Diego Rivera mural is scheduled to return to the Ocean campus in September this year. After its three-year debut at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, known to locals as SFMOMA, the Pan American Unity mural will return home to the Diego Rivera Theater, but not quite as planned.

When City College and SFMOMA signed the Memorandum of Understanding to loan the mural to the museum in 2017, it seemed like a perfect arrangement. The intricate plans were paid for by the museum to feature the masterpiece as part of their Diego Rivera exhibit. The renowned museum also guaranteed deinstallation and a safe return in three years’ time. The mural would gain more viewership and City College would earn more recognition at MOMA during its display from Sept. 13, 2020 until Sept. 1, 2023. Mural, continued on page 2

Is There a Recent Surge in COVID Cases at CCSF?

For the past few years as COVID-19 swept the nation, students and workers had to convert to online activities; however, starting this summer with transition to in-person classes, students will not be required to show proof of vaccination at City College as coronavirus has become less of a fear factor.

Students and staff members are encouraged to continue wearing masks as symptoms of infection may not show up during the first day or two and Student Health Services asks students and faculty to submit a COVID-19 positive case report to the COVID response team if infected or if someone they know has contracted the virus.

Student Carson Chow shares,

CCSF Acts to Prevent "Ghost" Students

In an effort to thwart the enrollment of ghost students in the summer and fall sessions, the college is creating a process to verify who are real students.

“COVID is still a thing. As long as I wear a mask and stay up to date with vaccines, I should be fine, but I think [City College] should do more to announce those changes.”

According to data published on City College’s COVID-19 update page, there are 1,613 faculty and staff who have had their vaccination status confirmed with 34 exemptions and the number of students who have had their vaccination status confirmed is 31,336 with 275 exemptions.

From Jan. 9, 2022 to March 19, 2023, there have been a total of 252 reported cases on campus. In 2023, the current highest number of positive cases in a single week is 10 with averages of one to four per week. You may find more information at https://www.ccsf.edu/covid-19-updates/ safety-dashboard.

Covid 19 continued on page 2

The move is in response to a surge in ghost students appearing on class rosters in recent semesters that often time prevented real students from enrolling in classes they needed to graduate. Reportedly, unidentified hackers seeking access to financial aid targeted California's community colleges. Some City College departments reported they were hard hit with ghost students that accounted for a significant number of enrollments in their classes.

Active Shooter Training Planned for Fall 2023

With the rise in active shooter incidents on the nation's school campuses, City College will hold two formal training sessions for faculty in Fall 2023. The sessions will focus on how faculty should respond to an active shooter on campus and how to protect students. The sessions will be led by City College Police ChiefMario Vasquez.

Music Culture Street Art Culture Have your Say Opinion Page 4 Page 8 Page 6 Vol. 175, Issue 8 | May. 17 – May. 31 | City College of San Francisco | Since 1935 | FREE | www.theguardsman.com
Diego Rivera’s Pan American Unity Mural on loan from City College as displayed in San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Photo by Renée Bartlett-Webber / The Guardsman COVID 19: Identifying the symptoms

Mural continued from page 1

At the conclusion of the loan, it would be installed into the newly-built Performing Arts Education Center, also called the “new Diego Rivera Theater.” It all went seamless until construction of the new theater never started.

The City College board of trustees explored tentative options for other temporary placements. The Treasure Island Museum showed interest in having the mural on loan. However, community members voiced their opposition, citing air pollutants, expense of transportation and installation and the long length of the loan (five years, according public commenter Harry Bernstein). On March 23 , Trustee Vick Chung announced that the board concluded Treasure Island would not be a safe environment for the artwork and “we’re wanting the mural to come back to City College. Thank you for your concerns, we heard them.”

Chancellor David Martin later wrote in his report for the meeting on April 27, “currently, the plan is to store the mural in the old theater facility until the new performing arts complex is ready.” There has not yet been a date set as to when groundbreaking will begin for the new theater. The construction has been delayed for more than a decade as it was part of several bond

Student Irish Gwyneth Villanueva says, “People can still decide whether to take a class online or not depending on what it offers so I don’t really think COVID is much of a threat to the campus.”

A symptom chart of coronavirus can be found with help from the World Health Organization. As COVID has similarities with the cold and flu, students and faculty should continue to test themselves and quarantine if feeling unwell.

High risk groups include those with compromised immune systems or chronic health conditions, and seniors. If feeling unwell, stay home and rest. Your body will thank

measures approved by San Francisco residents in 2001, 2005 and again in 2020.

Rivera originally painted Pan American Unity in 1940 during the Golden Gate International Expo on Treasure Island. It was commissioned by City College, then named San Francisco Junior College, to be housed in the yet-to-be-built Pflueger Library. At the start of World War II, the library was stalled indefinitely. The artwork was stored on campus until 1961 when Milton Pflueger, the younger brother of the original architect, finished the Diego Rivera Theater. The mural was intended to be moved in 1995 to the Rosenthal Library, built with a four-story atrium specifically for the mural, but concerns of potential damage prevented its installation.

It remained in the Diego Rivera theater where it will return after the completion of the three-year loan at SFMOMA. Theater Arts Professor Patrick Toebe says he is happy about the decision to store it in the old theater. Despite a bit of flooding in the base of the theater during recent heavy rainstorms, he said that the area where the mural will be is elevated and experts have examined the space and determined it safe.

you. “COVID doesn’t seem to be a threat as people are getting vaccinated, and even if not, students and faculty are still wearing masks,” says Tyree Booker, “even if they’re not wearing masks, there shouldn’t be a scare if they’re honest with themselves.”

In response to courses that usually become full, students believe that as long as an individual understands what their body is going through, they can make the judgment to notify the teacher and stay home. If students feel at risk in-person, they can always wear a mask and sit farther away from others.

opinion -

Correction

Dr. Dennehy, quoted in "CCSF Adapting to a New Alternative to Online Classes" in Issue 6, pointed out some inaccuracies in the piece. She said, "There are a lot of stakeholders that we want to include as we design a Hyflex program. It is still in the 'proposal phase’ because we want to hear from students, we want to include the union, and we want to make sure that we have clear communication between IT, Buildings and Grounds, faculty, support

staff and the administration. Your article was important because it got the word out to students that we are designing this program. That's awesome! But we want to be sure that our design is inclusive and equitable. Also, it is in addition to our other online offerings, not replacing them."

GNEWS | 2 Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31 Staff Editor-in-Chief Visuals Editor Opinion Editor Illustration Editor Copy Editor Design Editors Ellen Yoshitsugu egiese@mail.ccsf.edu Fran Smith franchon.smith. theguardsman@gmail.com Renee Bartlett-Webber rbartle8@mail.ccsf.edu Fran Smith franchon.smith. theguardsman@gmail.com Gene Thompson Lolie Mahe Joan Walsh Cindy Chan Linda Liu Sebastien Thugnet News Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Layout Editor Online Editor Social Media Editor Ellen Yoshitsugu egiese@mail.ccsf.edu Emma Pratt espratt8@mail.ccsf.edu Onyx Hunter onyxhunter@gmail.com Sebastien Thugnet sthugnet@mail.ccsf.edu JT Wildfeuer jt.wildfeuer@gmail.com Derek Chartrand Wallace dwalla30@mail.ccsf.edu
Diego Rivera’s Pan American Unity Mural courtesy of City College of SF.
Covid 19 continued from page 1 Illustration by Cindy Chan/Guardsman “The interview process” - Illustration by eduardo Morales for the Guardsman.

Happy Birthday, Mahalaya!

Mahalaya, the brainchild of former City College journalism student Casey Ticsay, is having a birthday bash, and you are invited!

The free, monthly community newspaper celebrates its first year of serving San Francisco’s Filipino community on Saturday, June 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Problem Library, 1288 15th Ave., San Francisco.

The public will sample Filipino food and share desserts with the writers, designers and organizations that have contributed to Mahalaya’s remarkable success over its first 12 months.

Artists will present their work, including “a gallery showcase of every Mahalaya issue printed over the first year,” according to the newspaper’s announcement of the event. Striking photography and graphics are a hallmark of the paper.

Founding Editor-in-Chief Ticsay earned her master’s degree at USF after attaining a bachelor’s degree at SFSU and completing courses in journalism at City College of San Francisco, where she wrote articles often critical of the administration’s budgeting practices.

Ticsay discusses the guiding philosophy of Mahalaya in the abstract of her University of San Francisco master’s thesis, proposing “a shift toward a thick solidarity approach to news gathering and media-making in both professional and community journalism.”

Staff writer and managing editor Bernard Remollino explained that the notion of thick solidarity “drives every decision we make.”

Defining the concept and clarifying its importance to Mahalaya, Remollino said, “Thick solidarity is deliberate action rooted in an understanding of the shared stakes, the shared investment that comes through collaboration, not looking for a story simply to fill pages but to empathize…to care about how the outcome may affect how people can live in dignity.”

He spoke also of the interconnected struggles of Filipinos, Black people and others who have suffered from colonialism, enslavement and other social oppression.“We see it rooted in

traditions of anti-blackness, of anti-queer, anti-trans…. Fostering an awareness of that is part and parcel of how we run as a paper…. The paper, its ethos and its spirit are very much aligned with the movement for broader Black liberation…. It’s reflected in this dynamic of thick solidarity.”

Remollino earned his doctorate in history at UCLA, where he had to live in his car because his pay as a teacher’s assistant at the university was so low. He’s doing better now, commuting from his home in the Sunset District of San Francisco to teach classes at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.

He’s a colorful personality in more ways than one. While profiling Filipino tattoo artist Tito Gavina for Mahalaya, he asked to have an unfinished tattoo of his grandmother on his back embellished in a way that honored “the unbroken connections with my ancestors.” Gavina “tattooed my entire back from shoulders to buttocks over the course of thirty hours.”

Remollino is the primary organizer of the June 3 anniversary event, which had to be relocated from Chinatown to the Problem Library when the original venue fell through. But the new venue turned out to be perfectly suited to Mahalaya’s purpose.

“The space is usually used to facilitate young, upcoming artists to go into a career in the arts,” Remollino said. “I was told that in the last two or three years 80% of the students at the space were young Filipinos in and around the Bay Area. The connection is deeper than I could have imagined. Call it serendipity if you will. Things seem to work out.”

A devoted core of contributors has enlivened Mahalaya’s pages with vibrant portraits of the South Pacific Islanders and Filipino residents in the South of Market and Excelsior districts. But the paper’s role as a community builder extends beyond the streets of San Francisco. While Remollino says Mahalaya collaborates closely with the Filipino Community Center in the Excelsior District, “the folks we interview, that are our artists, writers and photographers, are located across the United States, mostly on the Pacific Coast, but we have folks in D.C., in New York, in Boston… We have some folks in Arkansas that are in rising Filipino communities out there, through our public health initiatives and performance art, theater, spoken word, that we would love to have come out and join us.”

Historic Women's Resource Center Mural to be Restored

The historic City College Women’s Resource Center mural is being moved from Smith Hall to the Women’s Resource Center’s new location in the Student Union Building.

The artist Wei Lin produced the mural over 20 years ago in honor of the founding of the center. The mural depicts some of the key founders..

The mural will be damaged during the moving process but Lin will be working on-site to repair it. Students are welcome to watch Lin work in-person to bring the mural back to life at its new location - restorations will start soon.

“This is not only a work of art on campus that many people are not aware of, but it’s a great example of many parts of the campus community working together to save this mural,” said Barbara Lass, chair of the Works of Art Committee and member of the Behavioral Sciences department.

The move will cost the college $250 as an honorarium to Lin for the restoration work, plus the cost of any supplies needed, said Lass. Eventually, the mural and the Women’s Resource Center will be housed together permanently at the new Student Center

MahalayaVol1,No.6,frontpage,fromhttps://issuu.com/ mahalayasf Mahalaya Vol.1, No.5, front page, from https:// issuu.com/mahalayasf Mahalaya Vol. 1, No.1, front page, from https:// issuu.com/mahalayasf
Photo by Fran Smith/ The Guardsman
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Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31 CULTURE | 3

NOISE on Balboa a Mixture of Past, Present and Future San Francisco

NOISE is a treasure trove of vinyl records, a compact retail shop on the Balboa Street corridor in the Outer Richmond. Within this tiny storefront a world full of music lives; huge sounds, rhythms, beats and melodies all coexist.

NOISE is a throwback from the sixties with a modern twist. It is an intergenerational family run business. There is a little bit for everyone at NOISE: it’s a record store, art gallery and music venue. NOISE first opened its doors in 2015.

“NOISE is a representation of what I remember San Francisco in the 60’s to be,” said Sara Johnson. “It’s what I remember San Francisco being in terms of the artwork, the music, the camaraderie.”

NOISE acts as a community hub bringing neighbors together.

“The ability to connect with people of all walks of life. Noise is one of the places where things are so inexpensive we make it so easy that everyone can shop here. People come here and even trade things, we make it real easy and we do it on purpose,” said Johnson.

Most albums at NOISE are less than $10.00 and there is even a $1.00 bin.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Johnson is the mother of the owner of NOISE, Daniel Brown. Johnson said her son has been a collector of albums since he was six. Brown does all the purchasing of the vinyl records and he is also a professional musician and saxophonist.

Johnson volunteers at the store daily where she greets every customer with a huge smile as they walk through the door. Store hours are 12:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.

What makes NOISE stand out is its representation of all music genres.

The store carries classical, rock, soul, funk, hiphop, rap, electronic fusion, country, folk, punk, new wave, blues, zydeco, comedy and a lot of jazz. Noise has a huge number of categories other stores are not carrying such as spoken word and local recordings.

“We sell artists that come in and want us to sell their records. Each one of these envelopes is a local musician or band. So what we try to do at the store is represent what the local musicians and touring bands have, whether it's vinyl, tape or CD,“ Johnson said.

NOISE is also an entertainment venue. Carpool Tunnel and Ginger Root are two acts who have played at NOISE and stood out to Johnson as excellent musicians before going on to having a huge following on social media and international success.

A nice perk for customers is that Johnson plays any vinyl record requested, on the turntable at her desk.

NOISE customers are very important. Johnson asks every customer for permission to take a picture of them with their purchased item: vinyl, CD or cassette. She has an estimated 12,000 photos collected.

Albums are still relevant today and are making a comeback with the millennials and the Gen Z population.

“Albums are so important because it’s not only about one song, they tell a story. People would listen to the full album” said Johnson.

Ashlan Parker is a regular customer who is purchasing Color of my Skin by Swing 52 which he characterizes as house music.

“I like all the different records that I can find here.” My favorite genre of music is between house and Jazz, I got a lot of good jazz records here that I fell in love with,” said Parker.

“I bought the Stanley Turrentine. I discovered it here because I loved it when you were playing it. It’s really nice that customers can try the album before buying them,” said Parker.

Tyisha Hill is a DJ at USF. She purchased a cassette from NOISE of a local band called LEER. Hill had recently gone to a show a few weeks back and described their music as hard core.

“A lot of my friends like to collect vinyl, CDs, cassettes because it's something cool to have”said Hill.

The owner of NoISe (Daniel Brown) with his mother (Sara Johnson) who volunteers at NoISe during store hours 12 pm. - 3 pm. daily. NoISe is a record store, art gallery and music venue on Balboa in the outer Richmond. Betsy Avila, newly arrived from southern California, found the store on Google Maps. Avila is happy with her purchase of olivia Newton John's greatest hits and praised the very good selection of records. Ashlan Parker is a regular customer at NoISe. He is purchasing Color of my Skin by Swing 52 which he characterizes as House Music. Parker has purchased a lot of jazz records here and he discovered Stanley Turrentine at NoISe when it was playing on the turntable at the store. Parker is on a big Jazz binge now. Photograpy by Beth Lederer for the Guardsman
4 | CULTURE Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31
Tyisha Hill is a DJ at USF, originally from San Diego, and this is her fourth visit to NoISe Hill is purchasing a cassette of local band-leeR-hard core music and had recently seen their show.

Exploring Issues, Empowering Voices: Meet City College's Student-Run Publications

Student-run publications are essential platforms for amplifying student voices and fostering discussions on issues that matter to the campus and surrounding communities. City College now has three: Decolonize your Mind, Forum Magazine and etc Magazine.

Started by City College student Yenia Jimenez, the goal of the up-and-coming Decolonize Your Mind magazine is to educate readers through thought-provoking articles, and spark conversations surrounding topics that affect their communities. The magazine's inaugural October 2023 issue titled “An Ode to Gentrification” will explore the theme of gentrification, and its causes, effects and environmental injustices.

Decolonize Your Mind also plans to release an Indigenous Peoples Month November 2023 issue to amplify discussions on land repatriation, the preservation of spaces, language and culture with the hope of spotlighting many artists and writers.

In an interview that appeared in CanvasRebel Magazine, Jimenez said that she grounds her writing in personal experiences, and believes that the representation of different cultures and histories is vital.

“Without it, we are unable to show our younger generation that we are, too, capable of having a seat at the table,” she said. “From poetry, prose and storytelling to nonfiction writing, indigenous people are very underrepresented,” Jimenez told the magazine.

Decolonize Your Mind strives for inclusivity and accessibility, and envisions a future “where their issues reach juvenile detention centers and prison systems,” breaking the “historical dominance of Eurocentric publishing” as well as offering a platform for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, the magazine said in an email.

To learn more, contact decolonizeyourmindeditors@gmail.com or visit its Instagram, @ decolonizeyourmind.

Following a hiatus of almost two years, City College’s award-winning Etc Magazine returned this semester for its spring 2023 issue.

Part of the Journalism program, Etc Magazine aims for fair and objective reporting, covering essential issues that impact students, faculty, and staff, as well as topics impacting the college and the city. At the 45th Annual San Francisco Press Club Awards in 2022, the magazine won seven awards, including Best College Magazine. This year marks the magazine’s 25th anniversary, and the spring 2023 issue is its 50th issue.

Jupiter Max, current editor-in-chief of Etc Magazine, said that even after a pandemic-induced hiatus, the magazine is going strong. “There’s a lot of talent on the magazine,” she said.

Etc goes through multiple drafts of stories to ensure quality, and even with new students, Max said everyone fell into rhythm, contributing their skills and expertise.

“The stories are compelling,” Max said, noting that she likes the in-depth research that comes with writing for a magazine. “You get a lot of interviews first of all, because every story is like 2,000 words, and you get a lot of pictures because we have a lot of space to fill up. It’s a 32- to 40-page publication. It’s long, but you have a bit more freedom. I feel like there’s more rules within a newspaper. That’s what drew me to the magazine.”

The fall 2021 issue included an investigation into the transition to City College's newly appointed chancellor, David Martin, an in-depth story about the college's recycling program, and a spotlight on Sanjay Sakhuja, the person behind the printing press who publishes the magazine.

Etc is published in the spring and fall, and students handle every aspect of the production, including writing, editing, photography and design.

Sign up for Journalism 29A, Introduction to Magazine Editing and Production, taught by Molly Oleson in Fall 2023.

Decolonize Your Mind Etc Magazine Forum

City College’s literary publication, Forum was established in 1937 and is “dedicated to providing a platform for the contemporary, urban voices of our institution,” according to the magazine’s website. It includes photography, short stories, creative nonfiction, poetry and more, and it is published in both the spring and fall semesters.

With a history spanning decades, the magazine is an integral part of City College’s cultural landscape. The creative writing program often hosts poetry readings and other literary-themed activities.

Creative writing student Irene Fuchshuber joined the magazine to develop her writing skills. She said, “I was an editor in the nonfiction group where we look at nonfiction pieces and rate how good they are before determining if they are a good fit for Forum.”

Ultimately, Forum encourages collaboration among student-writers and connects them to larger communities. Fuchshuber agrees.

On May 24, Forum will be hosting the launch of its spring 2023 issue at Medicine for Nightmares, Bookstore & Gallery, 3036 24th Street, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo by Forum Magazine / The Guardsman Art by yenia Jimenez / The Guardsman
Photo by etc Magazine / The Guardsman Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31 CULTURE | 5
COMING SOON FALL 2023!

Have your say What would you tell/ask the administration if you had their ear right now?

“How do you prioritize the student's needs? I feel like there are a lot of things students want individually, or if they’re part of a program. I understand that sometimes those needs and those wants could be overwhelming, like if they’re given the opportunity to say, ‘Hey what do you guys want to address?’ sometimes they can feel bombarded with a lot of stuff so how do they go about prioritizing what they’re going to address?”

“I feel that it would be great if you can have a certain zone where students – only students of CCSF – can have free parking. Even if it’s just like a few hours. Some sort of ticket that can be generated and afterwards you can be charged for the parking but if the student is just visiting with his or her parents, they can just park the car for just a few hours. That would be great. So free parking, a particular zone for that.”

“If I could speak directly to the powers that be here at City College, I would encourage them to take care of students. Students are what makes City College a college, it’s what makes it a thriving community. Without students we have nothing. Ensuring that students are getting what they need on campus and off campus. And making it easy for them to be students here.”

“I think for in-person classes, staff should make it mandatory to at least record some portion of it for those that can't attend because I actually have a full-time co-worker who is planning to take a in-person class next semester but they told me they’ll be unable to attend the first hour due to their work schedule.”

“I think fo “I think that there should be some type of system, to let people know what classes may or may not be returning next semester. I have a classmate who has a class required for their degree but are unsure if it will actually be hosted at City College next year or any following year so just making it known for maybe like the smaller and like niche classes that people need for their degrees to be known and pushed forward.” r in-person classes, staff should make it mandatory to at least record some portion of it for those that can't attend because I actually have a full-time co-worker who is planning to take a in-person class next semester but they told me they’ll be unable to attend the first hour due to their work schedule.”

Breaking the Silence: Addressing Mental Health Barriers in Filipino/a/x and BIPOC Communities

Mental health is a topic that affects all of us, yet it remains shrouded in stigma. In a world that highly values productivity, achievement, and success, meeting expectations often comes at the expense of our well-being. We push ourselves to the brink, ignoring the warning signs of burnout and fatigue until our mental health inevitably suffers. Mental health is an issue that affects people of all backgrounds, but it can be especially challenging for Filipino/a/x, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities due to systemic discrimination, racism, and cultural barriers. City College serves a diverse student population and should be responsible for providing resources and support to students from all backgrounds. This includes mental health resources that are culturally sensitive and appropriate for the needs of all students.

The Filipino Student Association organized the Mental Health Awareness Month Panel on May 8 at the Student Health Center, with the Philippine Studies department as one of the sponsors. The event highlighted the importance of mental health and the need for resources specifically designed to address the unique challenges facing Filipino/a/x and BIPOC communities. As President of the Filipino Student Association, I helped organize the event.

We invited four professionals to speak about the importance of mental health amongst the Filipino, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. The main challenges include language barriers, cultural differences, and stigma around seeking mental health support within their families and communities. In the Filipino/a/x community, in particular, Filipinos’ colonial mentality, cultural values, and Catholicism play a massive impact on our mental health.

Colonial mentality

The Philippines has a long history of being a victim of colonization; Spain colonized the Philippines for 333 years (1565-1898), Japan for four years (1942-1945), and the United States for 48 years (1898-1946). The Philippines only gained independence from the US in 1946. Remnants of colonization

are still embedded in Philippine culture, with colorism being one of the main manifestations of such. Filipinos often associate having lighter skin with being more attractive and deemed desirable. Having a darker skin tone is regarded as shameful. Eurocentric views continue to faze Filipinos’ self-concept and self-esteem.

Cultural Values

Speaking of shame, in Filipino culture, we call it hiya. When someone has a mental health struggle, hiya prevents Filipinos/a/x from getting the help they need. Community Mental Health Expert Stephanie Balón, who spoke at the event, shed light on how hiya exists to control Filipinos. Former Journalist and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Christi MoralesKumasawa spoke about her battles, about how she was called nakakahiya or shameful for having mental-health-related struggles.

Another part of our culture that affects our mental health is utang na loob or indebtedness. In most Filipino families, children are expected to ‘pay back’ their parents by supporting them financially or taking care of them when they get older. Additionally, pakikisama, which means “getting along with others,” has a good effect on interpersonal relations but often means we have to endure a relationship at the expense of our own well-being.

Religion

92.5% of Filipinos in the Philippines are Christians, and nearly 80% are Catholic, according to the Philippine Statistic Authority. In the whole Filipino diaspora, about 65% of them identify as Catholics, according to Pew Research. The “lack of faith” is believed to be why some struggle mentally. Filipinos within the community are pressured to keep a close relationship with a higher deity, and up to this modern age, the pressure of sticking to religious beliefs continually affects our mental health.

These barriers are not unique to Filipinos, Pew Research showed that Latin America is home to more than 425 million Catholics. Similarly to Filipinos, these communities have a long colonial history with unique challenges embedded in their cultural values.

Migration Policy Institute reports that 22% of the US population does not speak English at home, making language a barrier for students to seek the help they need. It can also contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection from campus resources and support.

Mental Health at City College

It is especially important to prioritize mental health at City College and in our broader communities, especially with finals week coming up. Students in community colleges in the US are working and studying on top of other responsibilities. This balancing of priorities profoundly impacts our mental health and exacerbates existing disparities and inequities. Roughly 80% of community college students work, and 39% work full-time, according to ThinkImpact. As a result, many students experience increased stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly for students from marginalized communities.

Xiaowen Huang, an art student, shared how she has yet to seek help. “I would love for someone to find someone to help me out, but I don’t have the time either because I have to do my homework, and then I have work.”

Kera Roland, a video production and editing student, shared how she personally struggles with her mental health. “It affects the way I live my everyday life—like at school, my work, and my home.”

City College offers various mental health services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals. While these resources are essential, it is imperative to annex more mental health programs that are accessible and culturally responsive on campus. This requires ongoing evaluation and feedback from students and professionals to ensure that resources are culturally sensitive, accessible, and effective.

The Mental Health Awareness Month Panel is a crucial event highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support for the Filipino and BIPOC communities at City College. Resources specifically designed to address these unique challenges for people with various backgrounds can help break down barriers and ensure that students receive the support they need. City College must continue prioritizing mental health to ensure that students receive care to improve their overall wellbeing and academic success.

6 | OPINION Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31

FALL 2023 JOURNALISM CLASSES

To register for courses visit www.ccsfjournalism.com

For more information call Juan Gonzales, department chair, at (415) 517-4426 or jagonzal@ccsf.edu

Jour 21: News Writing and Reporting

3.0 units

72990 001 Lec. T R 9:40 – 10:55 a.m. Ocean BNGL 615 Gonzales

Techniques of newspaper reporting, developing and writing a news story, training in information gathering and interviewing sources

PREREQ: ENGL 93 or ENGL 95 or ENGL 88 or ENGL 88A or placement in ENGL 96 or ENGL 88B

Jour 22: Feature Writing

3.0 units

72991 501 Lec. T 6:10 – 9:00 p.m. Mission Room 217 Mullaney

Fundamentals in feature writing for magazines and newspapers with special emphasis on profile and interpretive news features. Practical experience in interview and in-depth research techniques. Training in how to write a feature story for publication.

PREREQ: ENGL 93 or ENGL 95 or ENGL 88 or ENGL 88A or placement in ENGL 96 or ENGL 88B

Jour 24: Newspaper Laboratory (News Production I)

3.0 units

72992 001 L/L M 12:10 – 2:00 p.m. Ocean BNGL 615 Gonzales W F 12:10 – 1:25 p.m.

Beginning newspaper laboratory course focused on the publication of the college newspaper The Guardsman. Provides a practical understanding of the various elements involved in producing a newspaper.

ADVISE: JOUR 21. CSU

Jour

– 9:00 p.m.

3.0 units

An introduction to the process of creating a magazine publication. Students work as part of a staff of writers and photographers focusing on writing and photographing feature stories suitable for publication in Etc. Magazine.

ADVISE: JOUR 21 OR JOUR 22 OR JOUR 37

Jour 29B: Intermediate Magazine Editing & Production

3.0 units

72994 551 L/L M 4:10 – 6:00 p.m. Mission Room 217 Oleson

M 6:10 – 9:00 p.m.

An intermediate exploration into the process of creating a magazine publication. Students work as editors focusing on editing content suitable for publication in the campus magazine. They participate in the editorial and production process and develop the skills required for publishing Etc. Magazine.

ADVISE: JOUR 29A

Jour 29C: Advanced Magazine Editing & Production

3.0 units

72995 551 L/L M 4:10 – 6:00 p.m. Mission Room 217 Oleson

M 6:10 – 9:00 p.m.

An advanced exploration into the process of creating a magazine publication. Students work in management positions focusing on leading a staff in producing content suitable for publication in the campus magazine. They facilitate the editorial and production process and develope the skills required to manage the publication of Etc. Magazine.

ADVISE: JOUR 29B

Jour 31: Internship Experience

1.0 – 2.0 units

72331 W01 Wrk Exp HOURS ARR Ocean BNGL 615 Gonzales

72996 W02 Wrk Exp HOURS ARR Ocean BNGL 615 Gonzales

Supervised on-campus or off-campus employment in a branch of journalism or a closely allied field.

ADVISE: JOUR 24, REpEAt: MAxIMUM CREDIt: 4 UnItS

Jour 37: Intro to Photojournalism

3.0 units

72997 551 Lec. W 6:10 - 9:00 p.m. Mission Mission Rm 217 Lifland

Emphasizes concepts of photojournalism, such as news and feature photography. Assignments will involve photographing people and visual storytelling at a level appropriate for publication, such as in campus publications. Access to Single Lens Reflex (SLR) digital or film camera required.

ADVISE: pHOt 51 OR DEMOnStRAtIOn Of EqUIVAlEnt knOwlEDgE. CSU

Editing
29A: Intro Magazine
& Production
72993 501
L/L M 4:10
6:00 p.m. Mission Room 217 Oleson M 6:10
Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31 COMMUNITY | 7
Ilustration by Cindy Chan/The Guardsman

Street Art in the Tenderloin

Elodie Mefret, a City College photography student, lives in the Tenderloin and takes pictures of the neighborhood.

City College of San Francisco Hosts Fundraiser Parties

This semester the City College Dance Program has invited students and local community members to participate in a series of parties designed to encourage their return to the dance classes and raise funds for the program. Dr. Jeanne-Marie Hughes, a CCSF instructor since 1989, organized four dance events featuring a variety of dance styles such as bachata, tango, salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue and ballroom. The most recent party, held on Saturday May 13, showcased Rumba. The dance program relies on the assistance of numerous volunteers. Many former students, some of whom are now dance teachers from the local community, often help attract individuals of all ages and bring people back year after year to ensure the program’s continued success.

The funds raised through these events are allocated to a general fund to cover various needs such as purchasing air purifiers, regular repairs on equipment, sound systems and obtaining costumes for performances. Additionally, some of the funds support students traveling for national competitions and help with their travel expenses. Despite reductions in classes and budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dance events have helped the program thrive and bring people together, both beginners and former advanced students. “There is dance at City College,

(left) Fun fact about this spot where the dog park is. The club "The Black Hawk" once stood here. Miles Davis has a recording "live at the Black Hawk." Back in the day the Tenderloin was filled with Jazz. we are living again; we are getting revived,” said Hughes. Former dance students are among the supporters attending the latin dance party event, observing the dancers follow the Rumba moves step-by-step, led by dance instructor liz Wong, at City College Saturday, May 13, 2023. Photo by Gracia Hernandez Rovelo/ The Guardsman (Below) erik "loki" Shannonhouse, a CCSF student, passes by a mural in the Tenderloin. At one time this wall was just a brown wall belonging to a bar "The Brown Jug". During Covid it was painted with a message to remind people of the children that live in this San Francisco neighborhood. Mural in the Tenderloin. Splitting into two groups, all ages of dance students focus on their footwork choreography during the Rumba lesson at the latin dance event at City College on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Photo by Gracia Hernandez Rovelo/The Guardsman Dance partners break into a free-style salsa dance at the City College Dance Program Fundraiser event on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The Salsa dance is well-known for its fast-paced style, typically danced with a partner for its quick spins and turns. Photo by Gracia Hernandez Rovelo/ The Guardsman Ann Kingery shows off her radiant smile as she gracefully moves to the rhythm of salsa during the CCSF latin Dance event on Saturday, May 13, 2023. “Dance is a gift that gives forever; once you started, you fall in love with it,” -Anonymous. Photo by Gracia Hernandez Rovelo/The Guardsman
8 | CULTURE Vol. 175, ISSUe 8 | MAy. 17 – MAy. 31
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