Viewpoints Fall 2017 issue No. 1 August 24, 2017 by RCC Viewpoints

viewpoints An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving as the voice of the students since 1922.

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VOL. XCVIII, NO. 1

AUGUST 24, 2017

ASRCC swears in new officials Maritzza Jeronimo and Clara Velarde begin terms as ASRCC president and vice president

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Political Science major Clara Velarde (left) and Sociology major Maritzza Jeronimo hope to increase student involvement. SAMANTHA BARTHOLOMEW @RCCviewpoints

As the voices of the students, Maritzza Jeronimo and Clara Velarde share a vision to bring to light to Riverside City College’s greatest resource, the power of the students, believing that student involvement is the key to success. “We want to increase student engagement on our campus,” Jeronimo said. “I am a firm believer that involvement can increase love for your own education and can serve as motivation.” Jeronimo and Velarde were elected for ASRCC president and vice president after beating their opponents, Bryan Barrera and Simranjeet Singh, by 72 votes May 3. Their slogan “For the students, with the students!” served to display their belief that RCC should be more than a school or destination. “One of my biggest goals is to be an advocate and a voice for other students who face the same barriers I do. I hope to get a program or services started that are dedicated to those students,” Jeronimo said.

“ We w a n t t o create a space for our students where they feel comfortable and encouraged to be more involved,” Velarde said. A former Campus Activities Council member and a former senator respectively, Jeronimo and Velarde are no strangers to stepping up to leadership roles, each having served in various positions before even joining ASRCC. “When I started getting involved back in middle school I knew that serving and helping others was something I never wanted to stop doing,” Jeronimo said. “I want to make a change and be able to leave RCC knowing that I had a positive impact the time that I was here,” Jeronimo said. Throughout their endeavors, Jeronimo and Velarde have been inspired by people to give their best to achieve their dreams in leadership. Velarde found inspiration in the women that have influenced her experiences and upbringing.

CONTACT US Newsroom: (951) 222-8488 Editor-in-Chief: (909) 689-6053 Advertising questions: (951) 373-0314 viewpoints@rcc.edu

IMAGE COURTESY OF JESSICA HARMON

college. “ I r e a l l y d o n ’t understand why it has such a bad connotation, but I want people who come here to have the same experiences that their friends have at other institutions and also be proud to be attending one of the best community -- Maritzza Jeronimo colleges,” Jeronimo said. “Our adviser Megan Bottoms said, “I am influenced by the strong we are not just a women of color in my life, there are community college, we are a too many to name,” Velarde said. college in the community.” “They surround me everywhere I “My motivation comes from go and their resilience inspires me the students here at RCC. It may to keep strong.” sound so cliche but it’s the honest Jeronimo, a Deferred Action truth,” Jeronimo said. “Seeing the for Childhood Arrivals recipient different obstacles and issues that and a Dreamer, was impacted by we face as college students has those that share similar experiences motivated me to take a stance and to her own. be the voice of the students.” “My high school teacher, Luis “I love being an active member Fuentes, has been the best and on campus, not only through biggest influence in my life,” ASRCC but through different Jeronimo said. “He was always the clubs and events that are hosted by one pushing me to give everything students trying to gain visibility,” my best and be the best version of Velarde said. “The passion I see myself that I could possibly be.” from students motivates me. I love A goal of Jeronimo’s is to speaking to these students and dismantle the stigma that she feels gaining better communication so comes with going to a community that ASRCC can help with future

“We want to make a change and be able to leave RCC knowing that we had a positive impact the time that we were here.”

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events.” The pair have both reiterated their belief that anyone on campus can find a home at student government. “If you like to advertise, join Public Relations. If you like to decorate, join Campus Activities Council. If you like law and the constitution, join the Supreme Court. If you are interested in advocating, join Senate,” Velarde said. “There is always a place for you.” “Don’t be scared to join because it is one of the most rewarding choices you can make,” Jeronimo said. “Not only do you get to do such amazing things for your campus but you get to do it alongside some great people.” The issues Jeronimo and Velarde plan on tackling during their terms include student union and engagement, awareness of resources available to students, student sustainability, mental health awareness and taking on student homelessness. “I am excited to make a change on my campus and get people excited about making a difference and getting them active,” Velarde said. Jeronimo and Velarde will begin their terms Aug. 28.

INDEX VOL. XCVIII NO. 1 August 24, 2017

NEWS 1 SPORTS 3 LIFE 4 OPINIONS 6 EDITORIAL 7

August 24, 2017

NEWS BRIEFS Welcome Day Incoming students are encouraged to attend Riverside City College’s Welcome Day on Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the event, students will receive guided tours of the campus, open houses of the Student Services Center, the Outreach Center and the Digital Library. The bookstore will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students to purchase textbooks and school supplies. Check-in for this event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Landis Performing Arts Center. Free parking will be available in the main parking structure at Terracina Drive and Magnolia Avenue. Concert Choir Auditions The Riverside City College Concert Choir will be holding their class meeting on Sept. 6 from 2 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. in the Coil School for the Arts on University Avenue. In order to participate in the choir, students must be registered for MUS-29. Performances for the fall semester will be held on Oct. 27 and Dec. 9. Theatre Auditions Riverside City College’s Theatre Department will be holding auditions for their performance of “Equus,”, a play that tells the story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious fascination with horses. An informational meeting will take place Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. with auditions occurring Aug. 31 and Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. Those that want to audition must be at least 18-years-old and have prepared a one-minute contemporary, dramatic monologue. Performances will be on Nov. 9, 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. Wind Ensemble Auditions Riverside City College’s Wind Ensemble will open their doors to auditions from Aug. 28 to 30 in the Coil School for the Arts on University Avenue. A sign-up sheet can be found in front of the band room and on director Kevin Mayse’s office door. Each audition must be seven minutes in length and must demonstrate the technical and expressive qualities of their performance and major scales. Students must also prepare a few excerpts provided by the conductor that can be found on the wind ensemble website.

AMPUS CRIMES July 24 Hit and Run Property Damage A student’s 2013 Ford was damaged by an unidentified suspect in Lot A at 12:00 p.m. August 1 Possession An adult non-student was arrested for drug possession in the Digital Library at 11:40 a.m. August 3 Hit and Run Property Damage A student’s 2007 Toyota was damaged by an unidentified suspect in Lot A at 12:00 p.m. August 5 Harassing Calls A former RCC employee is listed as suspect in a number of malintent and harassing phone calls directed to the administration building. August 8 Attempted Burglary An attempted burglary and vandalism were committed by an unidentified suspect in the Evans Sport Complex. August 15 Vandalism District and college property were defaced by an unknown suspect with graffiti. August 17 DUI A non-student was arrested on Market and University for driving under the influence at 8:29 p.m.

News

Trump proposes major cuts to higher education budget

IMAGE COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS

SAMANTHA BARTHOLOMEW @RCCviewpoints

The Trump administration released its budget proposal for the 2018 fiscal year, Oct. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018. The proposed budget would cut federal education programs by more than $10 billion with the Department of Education’s total operating budget being reduced by $9 billion. Spending on secondaryeducation programs would be applied to fulfill Betsy DeVos’ school-choice efforts. The proposed cuts include plans to cut several programs that aid primarily low-income and minority students, such as the proposed elimination of the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TRIO, eight outreach programs that support the progress of low-income, firstgeneration and disabled students starting in middle school and the Perkins Loan program, which is due for an extension by Congress, would be allowed to expire. The budget would dedicate no money for funding student support and academic enrichment that is meant to help schools pay for mental health services, antibullying initiatives, Advanced Placement courses and science and

engineering instruction. The budget would also completely eliminate subsidized student loans and public service loan forgiveness for new student loan borrowers. Public service loan borrowers made up over 43 million students in 2015, a dramatic increase from the 24 million in 2005. According to the budget all student-loan proposals, including public-service loan forgiveness,would apply only to loans originating on or after July 1, 2018. The White House endorsed reinstating year-round Pell Grants with a policy change already enacted by Congress in May in a funding deal for the current 2017 fiscal year, but otherwise doesn’t strengthen the program. The maximum size of the grant, $5,920, would remain unchanged and wouldn’t be indexed to inflation. The proposed budget also makes large cuts to science agencies: 11 percent for the National Science Foundation, 22 percent for the National Institutes of Health and 17 percent for the Department of Energy Office of Science, effectively cutting down funding for research studies. While the administration’s budget proposal is not the final version, many congressional and educational leaders have already

stated their opposition of many of the president’s drastic cuts. “These cuts would be incredibly costly to the institutions that serve students,” congressman Mark Takano said in a statement about the budget. Takano served as a teacher for 24 years and was a trustee for the Riverside Community College District for two decades before taking on the role of congressman. According to the National Association of Student Aid Financial Aid Administrators, Riverside City College would lose $958,755 in student aid under the proposed budget, with Norco College losing $404,063 and Moreno Valley College losing $539,472 respectively. Though the budget has not yet reached its final version, many have stated their discouragement at the president’s lack of interest in education. “Education has built the foundations of our country,” RCC student Amelia Garcia said. “Limiting resources only serves to devalue and disrespect those foundations.” If the budget proposals are approved by Congress or new policies are put forth by the Trump administration, it is difficult to determine just how much higher education will change or how educational institutions will handle the bow to their financial resources.

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SPORTS

August 24, 2017

- Heyward Broun

Former Tiger shines in track and field world championship “Sports do not build character, they reveal it”

NICK PERALTA @Nickthephantom

Former Riverside City College track and field star Chris Benard placed sixth in the triple jump at the Track & Field World Championships in London on August 10. Bernard achieved a qualification mark of 17.2m and followed with a final result of 17.16m to earn him a top ten spot in the world rankings, one of only three Americans to do so this year. Since becoming a professional, this is the highest honor Bernard has garnered. The former Tiger had also made

a significant jump in progress over the course of his fiveyear professional career by improving nearly a meter from his professional and official best. The U.S’s athletes collected a total of 30 medals, including 10 gold, topping the overall 11 medals earned by second-place Kenya. In 2016, the U.S. had only placed as high as ninth place winning less than half the medals collected this year. Bernard, who graduated from RCC in 2010, amassed a handful of accolades including winning the long jump and triple jump titles at the 2010 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Championships. He was also

a part of the 2009 and 2010 CCCAA state championship teams. After competing well for RCC, Benard went on to compete for Arizona State University. He competed three times at the NCAA level, coming 19th in his debut at the 2011 NCAA men’s division Track and Field Championships, then taking the runner-up spot at the 2012 NCAA Men’s Division I Track and Field Championships. The U.S finished back-toback on the podium in the triple jump with Christian Taylor and Will Claye finishing with gold and silver respectfully. Nelson Evora of Portugal would capture the bronze.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY LYONS

Chris Benard competing in the 2016 Summer Olympic trials

Tigers 2017 baseball players transfer to universities following successful season NICK PERALTA @Nickthephantom

The Riverside City College Tigers baseball team had a phenomenal 2017 season that saw them place second in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) standings. They would follow this success all the way to the wellearned California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Regional playoff berth run. Despite losing the final series of the season against the Pasadena City College Lancers, the Tigers experienced more success following the season with a total of 18 student-athletes continuing on to play at four-year universities. This season’s scholastic success also eclipses that of last season, which saw nine students

moving on to four year college. Of the 18 student-athlete graduates, three of them received Division I scholarships. A d d i t i o n a l l y, 1 0 s t u d e n t athletes received Division II scholarships and three earned NAIA scholarships.

Tigers 2017 baseball stats • • • • • • • • •

29-13 season record 15-6 conference record 19-2 Home record 10-10 Away record .284 team batting average 245 total runs scored 29 total home runs 286 total pitching strikeouts Longest winning streak: 6

Student-Athlete

Four Year University

Level

Dean Miller Matt Acosta Kyle Hatton Peter McAvoy Ryan Mota Blake Tuthill Christian Stiegele Patrick Vizcaino Darin May John Gonzalez Daniel Agramont Peter Gomez Bayley Chesterton Garrett McKee Zach Grande Dallas Burk Jake Ayala Vini Haro

UC Riverside CSU Northridge University of Hawaii Stanford Cal Baptist Chico State Chico State Cal Poly-Pomona Cal Poly-Pomona Cal State Dominguez Hills Embry-Riddle Embry-Riddle Colorado Christian Oklahoma Baptist Cal State Los Angeles Biola University Saint Katherine University Union College

Division I Division I Division I Division I Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II Division II NAIA NAIA NAIA

4 August 24, 2017

“And

that’s when

know it’s over.

LIFE

soon as you start thinking about the beginning, it’s the end.”

― Junot Díaz, This Is How You Lose Her

End summer with a hit, man Reynolds and Jackson’s dynamic duo takes the film up to number one at the box office

Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) and Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) in “The Hitman’s Bodygaurd.” VIRGINIA VALENCIA @RCCviewpoints

As the fall season approaches with the waning sun and the shorter days, I find myself craving the last drops of summer fun. Heading to the movies is the epitome of summer. I found myself watching “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds. Michael Bryce (Reynolds), the world’s top protection agent is entrusted to guard the life of the world’s top hitman Darius Kincaid (Jackson), who has the witness statement to put away a merciless Eastern European dictator Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman). Salma Hayek as Sonia brought about a latin flare as the humorous and tough-loving wife of Kincaid. Elodie Yung plays Reynolds’ ex-girlfriend, Amelia Roussel, an Interpol agent. For the next 24 hours, Bryce drags Kincaid from England to The Hague encountering outrageous high-speed car chases, ridiculous boat escapades and the many men under Dukhovich that will stop at nothing to keep them from reaching their goal.

IMAGE COURTESY OF LIONSGATE

I mean, how could I not want to watch this? How could anyone not want to watch this? This film’s buddy action comedy that was once a staple in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it gave my heart a leap. I grew up watching all kinds of mismatched pairs bicker back a forth. It made me laugh and root for the slap in the face of justice that was awaiting the bad guy. Although the action is run of the mill, the comedy is top-notch. The squabble between Kincaid and Bryce is amusing. Bryce exemplifies Reynolds’ wise guy attitude and Kincaid exhibits Jackson’s shameless and inappropriate demeanor. The personality clash that they have is bound to get out of hand. When it does, there is no option but for the audience to love it. Ryan Reynolds’ renowned performance as “Deadpool,” has made a platform for humor that bleeds into his most recent work. Samuel L. Jackson has repeatedly proven that he is a character with a strong back bone. I would argue that the main allure of the film was Jackson’s over the top, R-rated dialogue. This film is the first major feature with Jackson as an action lead since 2006’s “Snakes on a Plane.” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is a well-timed movie to end this summer’s movie season. As the theater doors closed behind me the cold air surprised me. Ah, here comes the fall.

Tips to get back to school and back on track IMARI REDE @RCCviewpoints

Plan your success

Are you someone who is often unorganized? Is getting assignments done at the last minute your thing? Well, stop that right now! Don’t start the semester off the way you ended last semester. Buy a notebook style planner if you work better with writing things down. Use a planner on your phone or a digital calendar that can send reminders that will keep you prepared for anything. Time management problems will destroy you and your academic progress. Don’t let planning be the problem that brings you down this semester.

Book it to the library

The first weeks of school are always pretty stressful. Wait until you see the syllabus that each professor provides on the first day of classes to buy your books, unless told otherwise by your professor. Sometimes professors will recommend an older and cheaper version of a text or give you a specific lead that could help keep your bank account afloat. If you have assignments that are due within the first week with no access to the book, use the class copy that should be on hold in the Digital Library.

Your printing problems are over

Printing out assignments, reading material and essays are a necessity as a college student. To make sure that you are on top of your work and it’s looking pristine and professional check out some of the printing options that Riverside City College has to offer. If you are looking to print less than ten pages, free printing is available in the Student

Resource Center located behind the cafeteria. The Digital Library has plenty of computer access along with the ability to print at two stations. It is $.10 per black and white page and $.50 per color page but if you are printing a bigger job it is better to use some sense and pay the cents.

Chase Goals, not papers

Google Docs is a part of the Google Drive application. This app can save your life! It’s a word processor that can be accessed using any electronic device. It’s a place that will let the fear of losing your flash drive be a thing of the past. Losing or breaking a device wouldn’t be a factor keeping you from turning that paper in on time. One thing to note is that printing through Google Docs isn’t as efficient as it could be. Go to the library and copy and paste your work onto Microsoft Word to make sure that the style and page layout is completely accurate, don’t miss out on those points!

Sleep ain’t for the weak

College students often balance school with work and plenty of other responsibilities. Sleep is probably one of the first things that students will be willing to compromise but we shouldn’t do that! We all want to be successful and thriving individuals so sleep should be prioritized. Try getting at least six hours of sleep per night. Avoid those three hour “what day is it?” naps. Shoot for an hour or less for a midday boost.

Got time to lose, take a snooze

The Digital Library has comfortable chairs and peace and quiet. It makes for one of the best places to take a power nap before your next class. If you’re an individual that needs some background noise in order to nap, the cafeteria also has several wideset chairs that are available for your sleepy selves.

August 24, 2017 Tell

Views

us what you think, in a letter to the editor, in an email, or use #RCCnow.

When tolerance is too tolerant Apathy instead of action towards white supremacy, racism and neo-Nazis is an endorsement

KEVIN KNOX @KevinNotKevin

“Should a tolerant society tolerate intolerance? The answer is no,” philosopher Karl Popper said. “When we extend tolerance to those who are openly intolerant, the tolerant ones end up being destroyed and tolerance with them.” I have thought a lot about Popper ’s words since white supremacist hordes descended upon Charlottesville, Virginia, Aug. 11. That event is enough to make anyone question how far their tolerance for different ideas and politics should extend. Personally, mine ends when white supremacists bearing torches and swastikas march alongside Klansmen in the streets of America. History has already proven that their vitriol puts society in tremendous peril. World War 2 proved what happens when a country remains apathetic toward such groups who openly wish to oppress others. They lure people in by making them feel special and superior, blaming every problem on other, “inferior” groups. When they finally seize power, all who

apathetically dismissed them as “crazies” find their lives suddenly very difficult because they’re not part of that “elite” class. This scenario can happen anywhere, and has. This fascist rhetoric has wormed its way into our society for years now, and apathy has allowed it to resonate within a significant portion of our populace. The fact that the rally in Charlottesville even happened in the first place proves this. More importantly, the police response that day may reveal this ideology has found its way into our government as well. Footage taken by one Emily Molli shows a group of these white supremacist demonstrators pushing up against a line of riot police, literally assaulting the police. How did Charlottesville P.D. respond? Well, they just stood there and took it. There were no tear gas canisters fired, no vicious beatings given, at least not by the police. In fact, it seemed as though the local police were content to give these Nazis free reign, even after one of them committed an act of terrorism by driving into a crowd of protesters, killing one and injuring more. In a Democracy Now segment, Cornel West described how a local church that hosted an event of its own was beset by these white supremacists that day. West and other parishioners were essentially held hostage inside the church, unable to leave after the services for fear of being attacked. If it weren’t for the protection of counter-protesters, West and his group would have stood no chance. Still local police

IMAGE COURTESY OF JAGZ MARIO

made no attempt to get a handle on this escalating situation. That same segment features footage of other counter-protesters surrounding a statue of Robert E. Lee while white supremacists swung torches and threw lighter fluid at them. Also featured was footage of a prominent Reverend being whisked away by security in the middle of an interview as violence broke out around her. Two policemen died in a helicopter crash that day. Still no attempt by local police to contain the situation. Photos of DeAndre Harris being viciously beaten by armed white supremacists have circulated. People have managed to identify several attackers, expose their names and hometowns, where they work, and where they go to school. But no charges have yet to be filed against any of these attackers, and no law enforcement agencies

appear interested in pursuing a case. Now think back to the Standing Rock protests. Peaceful Native Americans trying to nonviolently protect their land were sprayed with fire hoses in the middle of the night during North Dakota’s harsh winter. Local police needed little provocation to unleash violence against far more peaceful protesters. Think of any Black Lives Matter protest. At every single one the local police immediately take swift action to disperse the crowds and beat the daylights out of anyone who sticks around. A photo of several policemen who look like they’re about to invade Afghanistan, aiming their guns at an unarmed minor in Ferguson is burned into my brain. There’s a clear discrepancy between how police behaved in Charlottesville and how they behaved at any other protest of

the last decade. A discrepancy that looks like an endorsement of the white supremacist marchers, which indicates that adherents to their ideology could be lurking amongst America’s police departments. Meanwhile the federal government has shown no interest in coming down on the very violent Charlottesville protesters the way they did on the groups who, for example, protested Donald Trump’s inauguration. When Charlottesville is brought up, the president resorts to pathetic whataboutism. “What about the other guys? What about the ‘alt-left’?” He offers nothing beyond a toothless, delayed condemnation of just one protester, the one that actually killed somebody. Another endorsement. This time from the president of the USA. It’s a prime example of our inability to properly counter this extremist vitriol has helped it take root in our country. We are now seeing some disturbing words and actions from our own high-ranking authority figures. The rhetoric is dangerously close to becoming mainstream. I don’t advocate for legislation against expressing this kind of rhetoric, but what I am saying is that it is now the responsibility of us all to diligently condemn and counter it at every opportunity. Do not be afraid of debate. If they march, we must march in response. We cannot afford to tolerate this type of fascist, racist, prejudiced, intolerant rhetoric in this country. As paradoxical as it may seem, defending a tolerant society requires us to not tolerate such intolerance.

Confederate statues symbolize wrong side of history

VIRGINIA VALENCIA @RCCviewpoints

Donald Trump’s presidency has awaken hate, awaken bigotry and has awaken ignorance. He has single-handedly uncovered the ugly truth that was lying in wait all throughout America. That we are indeed a divided nation.

America has always been the symbol for a melting pot of cultures, of people and of beliefs. A safe haven that acknowledged that although we were all a bit different, we were all American, all proper human beings. This month has proven the world wrong. T he v iolent event s at Charlottesville have accelerated an already intense debate over the Confederate monuments that still stand all throughout the country. Yes, Confederate statues that celebrate the wrong side of history, still erect, looming over us. According to Washington Post, a crowd in Durham, North Carolina took matters into their

own hands on Aug. 14 when they toppled a confederate statue that stood in front of a county administrative building. I applauded because just like them, I have had enough. I am fed up with people disregarding the matter that minorities are not only seen as a lower race within Trump’s presidency but that some people believe it is okay to voice it out loud. To chant about white supremacy and glorify an era of racial unrest. These monuments have to do with race and that is a fact. The statues are Confederate rebels that fought to keep people underneath their heals, a whole race of people.

It has been almost 200 years since our civil war ended and yet, here they still are. A grotesque reminder to African Americans of ancestors who lived as slaves and died in the fields, at the point of a gun or at the end of a rope. They are a symbol of racism and of treason within America. We shou ld not h ave t he m standing like national statues as if they were heroes or idols. They were part of the wrong side of the battle, the wrong side of history. Civil wars should not be glorified especially one that had been fought to preserve the institution of slavery. Trump’s ignorance shines through when he tweeted on the matter with, “sad to see history

and culture of our country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments”. Glorifying them only brings forth more wrath because it is a reminder that we have not learned from history. That we are still stuck in that place of hate, racism, and prejudice. That this nation’s narrow-mindedness has never really evolved but was simply camouflaged. The New York Times stated that “removing the statues is the easy part,” but why has it taken so long for it to happen? We as the people need to push for change, justice, and love. It is time to rise to the point of moral decency or help us God.

Views

August 24, 2017

Trump takes a step back

Editorial

President Donald Trump’s announcement to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. armed forces adds another lie to his list

IMAGE SOURCE | TWITTER

Checking Twitter in the morning used to be a routine. Read headlines to various articles, check up on friends, take that Buzzfeed quiz that you didn’t need to, repeat. Since Donald Trump became president however that morning routine has changed. It seems like it’s almost a daily occurrence that Trump sends out a series of tweets or states something on a public platform that ultimately marginalizes a group of people as if it were nothing to him. Who will he threaten next in 140 characters or less? Social media timelines turned from mindless fluff to a battlefield of people fighting for basic human rights almost daily. In the early morning hours of July 26, Trump decided to announce his plan to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals serving “in any capacity” in the U.S. armed forces. He made the announcement in a series of three tweets which ended with a simple “thank you” as if he were delivering something trivial and not barring a whole group of people from serving their country. We as Americans used to pride ourselves about where we live and how we lived. The whole “Land of the free, home of the brave” line we like to sing aloud to make a point of how great a country we are seems to fall flat recently. There was a point in the past that it did start to feel like we as a country were moving forward. Our image

across the seas improved, more people were gaining health care and it seemed like people were starting to be more accepting of others or at least getting better at camouflaging their hatred and intolerance. One of the biggest communities that began voicing their concerns and demanding basic rights was the LGBTQ community. They rallied, they cried and found their support under the Obama administration. In July 2011, Obama repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and in June 2015, same sex marriage was federally legalized in all 50 states. In 2016 the long standing rule banning transgender people from serving openly in the military was ended. Trump’s proposed ban would end the Obama administration’s decision that allowed transgender troops to serve openly in the military. In his tweets, Trump claims the military “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” This is the man who claims he has no tolerance for hate and bigotry yet has again and again defended racism, sexism and has restricted minorities. This ban does not have anything to do with money, it can’t. A 2016 RAND study conducted by the Pentagon itself counters President Trump’s rationale which

found that the medical costs for transgender military personnel would be an “exceedingly small portion of active-component health care expenditures.” This study also found that the military would only see an increase in about $2.4 million and $8.4 million per year. This is small when compared to what the Pentagon is set to shell out in 2018 for the National Defense Authorization Bill that will raise defense spending to $696 billion, according to NBC News. Transgender health spending would account for about 0.1 percent of the Department of Defense’s budget. A report conducted by the Palm Center and the Naval Postgraduate School also disclosed that the banning of transgender service members would set the U.S. back $960 million. Palm Center Executive Director Aaron Belkin said it best by stating that “it would be much more expensive to fire transgender troops then to let them keep serving. The president wants to spend a $1 to save a dime, and that really doesn’t make much business sense.” If Trump was truly as business savvy as he says he is then he should have been able to see the negatives in banning transgender troops. It cannot be about the money. This is full-on discrimination.

Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dominique Redfearn (909) 689-6053 viewpoints@rcc.edu

INTERIM SPORTS EDITOR Nick Peralta viewpoints.sports@gmail.com

INTERIM LIFE EDITOR Imari Rede viewpoints.artsentertainment@gmail.com

INTERIM PHOTO EDITOR viewpoints.photo@gmail.com

INTERIM ONLINE EDITOR Samantha Bartholomew viewpoints.online@gmail.com

REPORTERS Kevin Knox

Virginia Valencia

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© 2017 by the Viewpoints staff, Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA. 92506-0528. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the Viewpoints Editor-in-Chief.

August 24, 2017

Riverside City College Restrooms Accessible Restrooms

8'0 "=

E:1

Orange

17 PARKING LOT “M”

Orange Grove

Accessible RTA Bus Lines B

Bike Racks

Pay Parking

ET ET

Elevators

Emergency Telephones Free Speech Area

Healing Garden

TUNNEL

Nature Trail

PARKING LOT “Y”

16 PARKING LOT “V”

PARKING LOT “K” MEN’S

ET ET

13A ET

PARKING LOT “Z”

L-12 L-11 L-10

L-9

L-8

Terracina Drive

ET ET

ET B

Fairfax Avenue

Fairfax Avenue ET

L-3

$ PARKING LOT “F”

PARKING LOT “G”

Terracina Drive

5A E

PARKING LOT “E”

PARKING LOT “D”

2A.

2B. 3.

Business Education (Alan D. Pauw) Independent Living Program (ILP) Technology Support Services 5. Music 5A. Music Annex 6. Music Hall (Richard M. Stover) Dean, Fine and Performing Arts Marching Tigers 7. Landis Performing Arts Center 7A. Landis Annex 8. Martin Luther King, Jr. High Tech Center Academic Labs Academic Support & Community for Academic Progress (CAP) Center for Communication Excellence Math Learning Center STEM Center Tutorial Services Writing and Reading Center 9. Viewpoints 10. Planetarium (Robert T. Dixon) 11. School of Nursing Healing Garden 12. Math and Science Building 13. Student Center (Ralph H. Bradshaw) Aguilar Patio Bookstore Cafeteria/Food Services Citrus Room Hall of Fame Health Services Heritage Room Student Activities Upward Bound 13A. ASRCC Student Government 14. Bookstore 15. (Cesar E. Chavez) 16. Sports Complex (Samuel C. Evans)

PARKING LOT “P” PARKING LOT “U”

PARKING LOT “Q”

Digital Library & Learning Resource Center Academic Senate/CTA Auditorium Glenn Hunt Center for Teaching Excellence Instructional Media Center Transfer Academy La Casa WL Lab Student Services and Administration (Dr. Charles A. Kane Student Services and Administration Building) Academic Affairs Admissions & Records Assessment Center Auxiliary Business Services/Cashier Business Services CalWORKs/Resource Center Career/Transfer Counseling Disability Resource Center Evaluations Extended Opportunities Programs & Services (E.O.P.S.) Financial Aid Outreach Completion Counts Welcome Center President’s Office Student Employment Services Student Financial Services Student Services Transcripts TRIO Student Support Services Veterans’ Services Administration (O.W. Noble) H.O.M.E. Room (The Ujima Project) Mailroom/Admin Service Center Quadrangle (Arthur G. Paul) Art Gallery Dean, Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences (LHSS)

Ramona Drive

M a p Ke y PARKING LOT “C”

L-1

Cridge

L-2

ET 6

RTA BUS LINES 10 & 12

L-4

29 RTA BUS LINES 1, 2, 13

L-5

15A

PARKING LOT “H”

L-6

Riverside Avenue/Mine Okubo Avenue

Brockton Avenue

L-7

KIN G “N” LOT

L-13

PAR

PARK ING LO T “J”

Saunders Street

ET WOMEN’S

Saunders Street

PARKING LOT “T”

17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

28. 29.

30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37.

Baseball Field Softball Field (Ab Brown) Early Childhood Education Ceramics Art Gymnasium (Arthur N. Wheelock) Athletics/Coaches’ Office Fitness Room Stadium (Arthur N. Wheelock Field) Weight Room Nature Trail (Arlene & Robert F. Richard) North Hall College House Riverside Aquatics Complex Technology B International Students Center Printing & Graphics Center Technology A Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Career/Technical Education Welding Automotive Technology Lovekin Complex College Safety and Police, L1 - 3 Gateway to College (GTC), L4 - 9 Photo Lab & Studio, L12 - 14 Tennis, L10 Tennis Courts (Fran Bushman) Gymnasium (Catherine S. Huntley) Dance Pilates Studio (Eleanor H. Crabtree) Warehouse Facilities, Maintenance, & Operations Cosmetology Alumni House - 3564 Ramona Drive Foundation Parking Structure Practice Field Updated 02/17