The Scene Issue 1 Fall 2022

Taliban kidnapping victim is student at Forest Park

By Quiara Shields The Scene staff

Many people wouldn’t be able to survive a Taliban kidnapping and feel comfortable talking about it in a college presentation.

But that’s exactly what ZamZama Safi did on the Forest Park campus last month.

“I want to use my story to inspire people to never give up, have strong determination and per severe,” she said in an interview after the talk.

Safi, 25, who goes by “Z.Z.,” is a general studies student at St. Louis Community College. She eventually wants to earn a master’s degree in journalism.

On Sept. 14, Safi gave a presentation called “Never Give Up” in the Forest Park cafeteria. She described her for mer life, growing up in Afghanistan, an Islamic country where girls and woman are strictly limited in their opportunities.

“Girls weren’t supposed to go to school because it wasn’t prideful, and it was shameful to our community,” she said.

Safi said she started attending school at age 4, despite general disapproval among friends and neighbors. Her rights were protected because NATO forces, includ ing the U.S. military, had a presence in her city.

Safi’s family was somewhat isolated because her parents were considered abnor mal for wanting her and her sisters to be educated.

“My father was the biggest advocate for

my education,” she said. “And he under stood how important it was to be an educat ed woman.”

The Taliban is a fundamentalist Islamic and jihadist movement. Safi said its mili tants kidnapped her at age 15 when she was walking home from school with her brother.

Safi was supposed to enter into an arranged marriage with a Taliban commander, but she escaped by persuading him to let her go home and tell her family about the wedding.

“I had to swear on the Quaran that I would come back to marry him, but my swear was not genu ine,” she said.

Safi later worked as a NATO transla tor off and on from 2012 to 2020. In some cases, she had to travel to remote areas with harsh con ditions.

During this time, Safi also earned a bach elor’s degree in political science at Karwan University in Kabul.

After NATO left Afghanistan in September 2021, Safi’s case caught the attention U.S. representatives of a special immigrant visa program in Afghanistan.

Safi said they helped her emigrate to St. Louis, where she now lives with a host family. Her biological parents are still in Afghanistan.

“Though I was very sad to leave my family, I couldn’t trust any of the people in Afghanistan,” she said. “I was always scared that someone could be a spy or turn me in.”

Photo by Leilani England

Drive-in movie

Marijuana

ZamZama Safi speaks about her life in Afghanistan in the Forest Park cafete ria. She’s asking for help to bring her family to the United States.

During Safi’s presentation at Forest Park, she asked fellow students to help with her family’s situation by sending emails to the U.S. State Department and pleading with officials to bring them to this country.

“I want people like the women in America who have the privilege and opportunity to receive an education to use that education to help people who are less fortunate,” she said.

Today, Safi doesn’t identify as a Muslim. She describes her religion as “love” and urges people to love and respect one another.

Safi is taking English and writing classes at STLCC. She plans to use her journalism to help further her activism.

“(Taliban militants are) fighting with guns,” she said. “I’m fighting with a pen.”

Campus renames buildings, changes room numbers

By Obersy Robles Valdez The Scene staff

Changes in building names and room numbers on the Forest Park campus just before the start of fall semester caused confusion among students, faculty and staff.

For the first few weeks, old locations were posted on Banner Self students get their class schedules. Yet signs next to doors reflected new building names and room numbers.

In addition, campus maps at major entrances were still showing for mer building names, as well as outlines of the A and B towers, which were demolished two years ago.

“I was confused,” said Gabriel Montilla, 19, a general studies student who plans to major in interior design. “When I was heading to my Public Speaking class, the classroom lights were completely off, and nobody was inside.

“I asked another student who was walk ing down the hallway, and he told me that the class was in the theater. Luckily, I wasn’t late to my class.”

Students such as Shanel Banks, 21, a culinary arts major, were less impacted by the changes. All classes in that department are held in the same area of the Hospitality Studies building, rather than being scattered across campus.

“It’s cool,” Banks said. “Nothing has changed for me. I didn’t even notice that the room numbers changed.”

For decades, the Forest Park campus of St. Louis Community College had two major classroom building wings with seven towers: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Each tower had five floors, leading to room numbers such as B-202 or F-418.

The college demol ished A and B towers in 2020 to make way for the new Center for Nursing and Health Sciences. In June of this year, offi cials decided to rename the two classroom build ing wings “East” and “West” with towers iden tified by numerals and room numbers such as E-322 or W-113.

“This is a very large project, and it is more than just changing signs,” said Forest Park President Julie Fickas. “We have to change all the sys tems. Our focus is to help students navigate through the school a bit easier.”

New signs are being installed outside every classroom, office, elevator, bath room and closet throughout the new East and West wings. Hallway signs will point in the directions of rooms on each floor of each wing.The project is called “Internal Interior Wayfinding.” All the new signs are blue and gray, the districtwide colors of STLCC.

Photo by Michelle Compton

up

the Forest Park

watch

Panther” on

photos

“(Taliban militants are) fighting with guns. I’m fighting with a pen.”

– STLCC student ZamZama Safi

News

Solar umbrellas provide more than shade

By Theodore Geigle The Scene staff

St. Louis Community College has added three solar-powered umbrellas to picnic tables on the Forest Park quad.

They not only provide shade but also allow people to charge cellphones, laptops and other devices.

“They have solar panels on the tops of the umbrellas, and then those solar panels turn the sunlight into electricity for stu dents to use,” said Jason Young, campus coordinator of marketing and communi cations.

The umbrellas were installed on Aug. 22. They’re getting positive reviews from students so far.

“I haven’t used them much, but I like them,” said Tenshy Shaw, an education major. “They’re good for blocking out the sun, and the outlets are good for comput ers and phones. I’d say they’re in good use.”

“I think they’re good,” added Rabia Mohamed, a nursing student. “I like them.

The three umbrellas cost $6,092 each for a total of $18,282. STLCC doesn’t plan to install anymore.

The umbrellas are built to last with the ability to withstand 120 mph winds, accord ing to Young. Officials expect that they won’t need to repair or replace them nearly as often as the cloth ones the campus had before.

“They provide a service to our students

and allows them to use the plaza more and go outside to enjoy the weather,” Young said.

“I dig it,” said Natalie Merlo, a tutor in the writing center. “I’ve never seen (solar umbrellas) before. I hope the students use them.”

Forest Park veterans help feed hungry children

By Cristian Romero The Scene staff

Nine Forest Park students in the St. Louis Community College Veterans Club were part of a well-oiled machine this month, helping to pack 281 boxes of food to feed hungry children around the world.

The students joined 200 other volun teers at Kennedy Recreation Complex in south St. Louis County for the project. It was spearheaded by Feed the Need STL, a partnership of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Feed My Starving Children organization.

“We’ve done 13 different charitable events under the veterans organization in the past year,” said District Manager George Herrera, 46.

“I chose this event because the goal of our organization is to assist transitioning and current service members in their civil ian life, as well as to show that, even when

they’re done with the military, they can still serve, not just their nation but community as well.”

The packing took place on Sept. 9. The 281 boxes contained enough food to pro vide 691 meals to children who live in countries where malnutrition is common.

“It’s a really neat event that allows people all ages and backgrounds to come together and work towards an amazing charitable cause,” said Bob Debolt, 56, charity direc tor for the Veterans Club.

Feed the Need STL has provided more than a million meals to hungry children since it was founded in 2007. The food is given to non-profit organizations and humanitarian aid programs, which distrib ute it mainly in Caribbean nations, South America and Central America.

It costs $88 to feed one child one meal a day for a year, according to the Feed the Need STL website.

“I’m proud of being of veteran and my military service,” said Mirella Figueroa Lopez, 51, a cybersecurity student and Veterans Club treasurer who helped with the packing. “That’s what I love. So that’s why I decided to join the event.

“I’m passionate when it comes to helping people, especially the children, serving oth ers in need.”

Founded in 2011, the Veterans Club has 382 members in the STLCC district, includ ing 165 on the Forest Park campus, where it’s most active.

Any student who is a veteran or an active or inactive member of the guard or reserves is eligible to join the club. Family members are encouraged to volunteer during events.

“We want our volunteer opportunities to be a family atmosphere, where all are welcomed,” Herrera said. “All our volun teer opportunities are open to other clubs throughout the district because we believe there is strength in community.”

Photo by Michelle Compton Business administration major Frida Avila, 27, left, sits at a solar umbrella table with psychology major Monee Walters-Jarmon, 24.

Photo by Michelle Compton General transfer student Ronnie Jones, 18, works on her laptop, which is plugged into a charging port attached to a solar umbrella on the Forest Park quad.

Handout photo Students and other volunteers pack food at Kennedy Recreation Complex in St. Louis County to send overseas.

Campus chatter

Andrew Barnard, 21, general transfer

“I don’t know much about it. I think it can be pretty scary because once you get it, it can mess up your appearance. I think that’s pretty scary.”

Charmion Gorden, 44, general transfer

“I am not concerned. Why? I would say because I haven’t seen it for myself. I’ve heard there were a couple cases in Missouri, but I haven’t seen it, so it’s kind of like out of sight out of mind. That’s all.”

Tyler Halter, 20, general transfer

“No, I’m not concerned. I just don’t have a lot of contact with a lot people on a regular basis at school. I haven’t known anybody with it, but I know (the cases) are increasing. The sooner we get down to the bottom of it, the better.”

Laila Annoor, 17, nursing

“No, I’m not concerned because I feel like it’s the government trying to hide something. They’re trying to put something on us to make us figure something else out about monkeypox, and I wonder what other stuff they’re hiding from us.”

Samericka Harris, 22, general transfer

“Yes, I am, because it spreads easily, and it is an STD, and it can be spread sexually, and people don’t wear their masks, and there are big crowds going around.”

Are you concerned about monkeypox?

Mekayla Jones, 20, general transfer

“No, I’m not really concerned about it be cause it hasn’t really been a big outbreak. I do keep tabs on the news to see if there is an outbreak. … So, yes, I do keep tabs on it.”

“No, I’m not really that worried about it because I don’t really contact people at all, and I also don’t contact places people have contacted before me. I’m pretty isolated myself, and then I don’t take part in things that would transfer monkeypox. I wash my hands, and I take care of my face.”

Leon Faulkner, 22, general transfer

“I’m not really concerned because I haven’t heard any large concerns of it being in St. Louis. If there were more cases, I would be concerned, mainly because I am not sure how to prevent the spread of that because it’s skin contact.”

By Markell Tompkins

Ronald House, 18, filmmaking

“I would say I’m in the middle about it because, sure, monkeypox is dangerous, and it’s very contagious. But at the same time, (the number of cases) is very low. I don’t see a lot about it. … The only thing I would say is, stay safe and keep your distance. If you do see someone with monkeypox, don’t make a dumb decision.”

Glenn Williams, 20, surgical technician

“I am concerned about it, and then I’m not at the same time. The reason why I’m not is, I see the janitors, and they’ll be cleaning up every time after class. … And why I’m concerned is the cases are rising, and I’m concerned about us going through another pandemic or epidemic.”

Lucas Kocher, 16, general transfer

“I’m not really worried about it. It’s not something that’s directly affecting me right now. It is a huge thing, but personally right now, it’s not something I’m worried about.”

Billie McDaniel, Trio peer leader

“I’m 50/50. I’m the type of person who doesn’t really enjoy personal touch or anything, so I avoid being around people and being too close to others. So I’m very cautious. If I do come close to someone, I just have to make sure to do my routine of washing my hands and maintaining good hygiene.”

Chibale Anwisye, Trio tutor

Drive-in

Dozens of vehicles carrying students, Forest Park and other college campuses Panther” this month at the St. Louis on a parking lot at Forest Park. STLCC prizes and a photo booth. The first the Cha Cha Chow food truck. blow-up screen with sound broadcast

Photo by Leilani England Forest Park students, from left, Kevin Craig, 20, Maricela Nunez, 18, Ruene Nelson, 18, and Sage Benedick, 18, play Uno in the bed of Benedick’s pickup.

Photo by Leilani England Meramec student Deena Abuzeid, 18, tries to hold off falling Jenga blocks. Maryville University student Sarah Sawlan, 19, prepares to catch them.

People pose for photos in front of the former

Moviegoers watch “Black Panther” from vehicles in the parking lot west of the Hospitality Studies

movie

students, families and staffers from campuses viewed the movie “Black Louis Community College Drive-in

STLCC also hosted games with first 100 people got free tacos from The movie played on a giant broadcast on a radio station.

Photo by Leilani England The Cha Cha Chow food truck served a variety of tacos.

Photo by Leilani England

From left, Fontbonne University students Alek Johnson, 18, Josselynn Yates, 18, and Aidan Weber, 18, play an oversized version of Connect 4.

Layout by Gracie Ebenhoh

Photo by Leilani England former F Tower.

Photo by Leilani England Studies building on the Forest Park campus.

Opinion

GOP interference won’t stop marijuana vote

Brain Food

system.

And it would allow people with non-vi olent marijana charges to ask for their records to be expunged.

A study by American Civil Liberties Union found that Black people are 2.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white people in Missouri, although that is lower than the national average of 3.6.

Amendment 3 is important, not only for minorities who have been robbed of their freedom for non-violent possession, but also for veterans who suffer with post-trau matic stress disorder as a result of serving their country.

blocks, paving the way for a vote on rec reational marijuana by the people. But let’s look at the not-so-democratic way Republicans across the country are handling fights such as this.

“I think the legislature is a much purer way to get things done, and it represents the people much better, rather than having this jungle where you just throw it on the ballot,” said South Dakota state Rep. Tim Goodwin.

Goodwin has argued that petitions are confusing, even though votes on petitions represent the direct voice of the people.

was a “disaster” and that the amendment “was written by lawyers, and none of us in this state is going to be able to understand 450 pages of what it all means.”

It’s important to note that the amendment is only 39 pages and, as Payne points out, voters will only see one of them.

The main problem with Amendment 3 is that if it passes, medical marijuana com panies would be first in line for licensing and the right to sell it to recreational cus tomers.

By April Green The Scene staff

It’s official. The legalization of marijuana for recreational use is going to be on the November ballot, thanks to John Payne and Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

Payne is the manager of Legal Missouri 2022, an organization working to legalize marijuana in this state and across the nation. He also managed the 2018 campaign in Missouri.

Ashcroft introduced the legal initiative, known as Amendment 3. It would remove prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture and sale of marijuana for personal use by any adult over 21.

It also would also give sales tax revenue from retail sales of marijuana to help with veterans health care, drug-addiction treat ment and the underfunded public-defender

A study by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in March 2021 found that marijuana can help with PTSD by reducing its symptoms. This would be a huge help to veterans and others who struggle with anxiety.

But not everyone wants marijana to be legalized. Take, for example, Jefferson City resident Joy Sweeney, a leader of the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America.

In August, Sweeney filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court, challenging the process by which signatures were gathered for a petition to get Amendment 3 put on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Sweeney’s goal was to stop the vote, but a circuit judge ruled against her earlier this month. She appealed to the Missouri Court of Appeals and lost, then turned to the Missouri Supreme Court, which agreed with the lower court.

This would normally be the end of road

In Michigan, Republicans have blocked initiatives to add abortion rights to the state constitution, saying the words were a little too close and the wording was unclear.

These are just two examples of how state legislators, specifically Republicans, are willing to bypass the wishes of the people, which is literally undemocratic.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has stated that the petition leading to Amendment 3

Parson has correctly pointed out that this would be a boon for corporations over reg ular people, and Payne agrees. It’s unclear how Missouri legislators will handle this. It’s very hard to create legislation to benefit the small companies.

One idea would be to prohibit medical marijuana companies from selling their products for recreational use and visa versa. This could create two separate industries and keep medical marijuana companies from monopolizing the business.

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Editor: Theodore Geigle

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Opinion

Cinderella meets sneaker culture in Disney film

Worth the Hour?

clear midsoles and outsoles.

The trailer gives the impression that the movie makes fun of sneaker culture and Black culture, but I think it presents a respectful view of both.

The original music contributes to the sto ryline, character and ambiance.

At the beginning of the film, audi ences are greeted with a bedazzling title card panning over the cityscape with a Morgan-Freeman-style voiceover explaining how fairytales don’t have to take place in a distant land and not all royals wear crowns.

By Markell Tompkins The Scene staff

People typically offer praise or criticism while they’re watching movies at home. But I hold off on all judgment until they’re over, then I give my feedback.

That’s what I’m going to do in this col umn.

This review looks at “Sneakerella,” a Disney Plus exclusive released in May. It’s mainly geared to sneaker culture, but it also appeals to other young audiences.

The movie is based on the classic “Cinderella” story with a modern twist. Innovations include gender swapping the main characters, utilizing a primarily Black cast and changing the location from a fairy tale village to the streets of New York City.

The iconic glass slippers are replaced with a pair of kicks that resemble Timberland boots in absurd colors with mega-stuffed

The narrator provides a brief introduction to the main character, El, who is played by Chosen Jacobs. He’s a clerk in a shoe store owned by his stepfather, who belittles him and forces him to work long hours. He’s also bullied by his stepbrothers.

But El doesn’t give up on his dream of designing and making his own sneakers, which he wears to the King’s Charity Ball. He hopes to impress the King family of “sneaker royalty,” whose daughter, Kira, played by Lexi Underwood, is the “Sneaker Princess.”

At the ball, El’s innovative sneaker design draws attention. He also connects with Kira, and their dancing causes him to lose track of time. He fails to leave by midnight, as instructed by his fairy godfather, Gustavo.

The classic vehicle that Gustavo has loaned him gets towed by police, and his fancy threads get snagged on an escalator and ripped apart.

Like Cinderella, El loses one of his sneakers when he leaves the ball abruptly. Kira locates him through social media,

and he’s recognized for his creativity and potential.

El works through more interference from his stepbrothers before finally getting an opportunity to meet with Kira’s father, the “Sneaker King,” an ex-NBA player with an

‘Sneakerella’

Rated: PG

Running time: 1:52

Stars: Chosen Jacobs, Lexi Underwood, Devyn Nekoda

Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum

Rating: ****1/2

Writers: Mindy Stern, George Gore II, David Light, Joseph Raso

Adidas deal who helps with his career. Eventually, El takes over his stepfather’s shoe shop, where he displays and markets his own sneakers.

The movie is quite entertaining with strong character development. Cast mem bers perform their roles convincingly. I would have liked to tweak the music a bit, but sweeping panoramic shots of New York City give the movie sparkle.

There are some magic moments in this poor boy-rich girl story, including the night El and Kira are dancing in their own world, just like in the original “Cinderella.”

The story celebrates the sneakers, music and fashion culture of New York, and the movie showcases Black creativity and per severance.

“Sneakerella” reviews on social media are very mixed, with some critics find ing the film deprecating of both sneaker culture and Black culture. As I already mentioned, I disagree, and particularly for sneakerheads, it’s well worth the hour and 52 minutes.

Kampus Kerfuffle By April Green

Fire drill

Forest Park students head back to class after a fire drill on Sept. 21, an unseasonably hot day that prompted some to search for shade.

Photos by Deborah Moss