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VOL. XCVII, NO. 9
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MARCH 9, 2017
Plane crashes near RCC
The death toll rises after a Cessna 310 fell into houses near the Riveride Municipal Airport
The morning after a plane crashed on Rhonda Road, Riverside city workers sift through the ashy rubble of the four affected homes. JOSE MARQUEZCUEVAS @RCCviewpoints
A plane crashed approximately three miles from Riverside City College on Feb. 27. One of the two survivors, Stacey Pierce, died March 8, according to the GoFundMe page raising money for her. The crash in the Hillside neighborhood on Rhonda Road left five victims, four now deceased – three adult women, including Pierce, 46, and one adult male. The Riverside County coroner’s office confirmed the names of those killed in the crash, identified by relatives in San Jose as Nouri Hijazi, 83, Dana Hijazi, 67, Adine Ferales, 22. Riverside police began receiving calls about the accident at approximately 4:41 p.m. A total of 60 firefighters rushed to the crash site. The debris of the plane was found in pieces spread across a length of about 100-150 feet beyond the center point of impact. Two adult female survivors were immediately rushed to local hospitals, both in critical condition. One of the survivors, Stacey Pierce, was found in a room of a
demolished house, and was later rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and later was confirmed by the burn center to have suffered from 90 percent third degree burns. The other and single survivor identified as Silvia Farelas, 46, was found in the vicinity of the crash after having been ejected from the plane. She suffered from airway burns and was rushed to Riverside Community Hospital. The five occupants were heading back to their hometown of San Jose after attending a cheer leading conference at Disneyland. They were departing from Riverside Municipal Airport when they were suddenly winded off their flight landing in a fiery crash just over two miles from the airport. According to Riverside Fire Department Captain Tyler Reynolds, a total of four houses have been damaged – two houses completely damaged and two houses with smoke damage and minor exterior damage. American Red Cross is aiding families that have been affected. Services that are provided include a temporary shelter, mental health and trauma assistance, food and water. Tony Briggs, an American Red Cross representative has
CHRIS EDSON | VIEWPOINTS
CHRIS EDSON | VIEWPOINTS
Members of the Riverside County Fire Department work to put out the flames of the plane crash soon after impact.
clearly explained that a total of about five families have received support. “Once the wreckage has been recovered we will start gathering archived information related to the man, the machine, and the environment,” said Stephen Stein, Air Safety Investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board. The investigation consists of
a long chain of processes before any department can conclude the probable cause of the incident, and if any mechanical systematic deficiencies played a role in the fallen aircraft. “Once the fact gathering phasing investigation is complete which is a process that can take 15 maybe even 18 months, a factual report will be released on our website along with a public
docket with all the supporting information gathered during the course of the investigation,” said Stein. As the investigation of the incident continues, the NTSB encourages any witnesses that have seen, heard, or observed anything to submit statements through either their website or contact their office at the NTSB headquarters.
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March 9, 2017
News Briefs Jill Stein to speak at RCC Former 2016 presidential candidate, Jill Stein, will be speaking at Riverside City College on March 15. She will be speaking at 1 p.m. on the steps of the Martin Luther King building.
News
Resolution shows support
A graduate from Harvard University, Stein is apart of the Green Party. The Green Party sits on the four pillars of peace, social justice, democracy and ecology. Their aim is to create a government without the support of major corporations. As part of her eight day speaking tour, Stein will be addressing the current political climate.
Black History Month On Feb. 23, RCC celebrated Black History Month with an event hosted by the UJIMA Club and sponsored by ASRCC. Music and a trivia game were apart of the celebration. Important African American figures such as Rosa Parks and Carter G. Woodson were recognized. Professor Miguel Reed, an advisor to UJIMA, spoke briefly about his role in UJIMA and the plans that the club has in the future to help African American students at RCC. ASRCC first reached out to UJIMA to discuss creating an event in recognition of Black History Month. UJIMA responded to ASRCC by putting together the event all in a matter of days. Arthur Horner, an RCC student at the event s a i d , “ I t ’s g o o d t o k n o w t h a t t h e c o m m u n i t y cares about black history and spreading awareness. “
Art gallery holds exhibition RCC’s quad art gallery will be holding an exhibition titled “Out of Line, Against the Grain Figurative Masters.” from Feb. 27 - April 7 with an opening reception March 2 from 6 - 8:30 p.m.
BOT elect officials RCC District Board of Trustees elected Tracey Vackar to the position of vice president and Janet Green as secretary Dec. 14. Virginia Blumenthal will continue to serve as president.
Open classes listing For students looking for open classes in the beginning of the spring semester there is an open class list on Webadvisor in the left hand corner of the front page. The text will read “View list of open classes by campus.”
RCC secures overflow parking RCC has secured overflow parking for the first month of the spring semester starting Feb. 23 - March 13. The overflow is located at Calvary Presbyterian 4495 Magnolia Ave.
Student Trustee Election March 8 and 9 students will be able to cast a vote on WebAdvisor to choose the student trustee candidate. It is a brief campaign week so students should take this time to read up on all running candidates.
STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS
Riverside City College Faculty Association President Dariush Haghighat speaks to the Board of Trustee members prior to their vote on resolution 38-16/17 on Feb. 21. scope to handle. Some are outside of our jurisdiction,” Figueroa said. @RCCviewpoints However, it was also made clear that the district’s legal With President Donald departments will assist the Board Trump’s latest executive orders in guiding them through those causing fear among marginalized situations, should they arise. students, the Board of Trustees Another criticism for the has created a resolution to declare resolution was the lack of their support for their students. inclusion for religious minorities The Board met Feb. 21 to and the LGBTQ community. introduce the resolution, in Wi t h t h e t w o m a j o r Support of Student Access and amendments standing, many Protection, and subject it to the were worried about the possibility discussions and comments of of the Board deciding to review concerned students, faculty, and the resolution; therefore delaying members of the community. its release to the student body. The resolution expresses RCC student Joey Mendoza the Board’s desire to uphold spoke candidly at the meeting. the district’s commitment In light of the resolution’s in supporting their students, passing, unaffected students are regardless of their race, wondering how they may go religion, sexual orientation or about showing their support for immigration. affected students. Many who expressed concern “It’s all about approaching and confusion over the use of this at a grassroots level, educate the term “required by law,” in yourself, don’t just leave after reference to releasing student your last class; get involved,” information. They believed that Mendoza said. it contradicted the point of the Mendoza is also introducing resolution as a whole. a coalition to the campus that Board of Trustee Mary focuses on visibility and creating Figueroa expressed that while a unified environment for all the Board would remain loyal students. “The thirst is out there. The desire to speak up and be heard is there, they just don’t know where to go,” Mendoza stated. M e n d o z a also pointed out his belief that the communication system between -- Mary Figueroa students and the RCCD Board of Trustee member administration was inadequate. Figueroa agreed that the issue was one that needs to be addressed and handled, so as to ensure that there is a clear line to their students they, as elected of communication between officials, take an oath to respect the two entities or else risk the and follow the laws of the state chances for miscommunication and the country. and misunderstanding. “Not all laws are within our SAMANTHA BARTHOLOMEW
“
“This is an issue that requires both to come together and find common ground.”
“This is an issue that requires both to come together and find common ground,” says Figueroa. Overall, Figueroa believes that the Board succeeded in creating a resolution that is supportive, useful, and understandable. “Many are fearful of what is being said on the national level, although we still don’t know exactly how that might affect our students, it’s important to publicly state our support and what we won’t do and what we will do,” Figueroa said.
Board resolution in Support of Student Access and Protection What: Board of
Trustees met to create a resolution that showed care for marginalized students, and to explain that they, as elected officials, also need to abide by the law.
When: Feb. 21 Criticism: Religious
minorities and the LGBTQ were left out of the resolution.
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March 9, 2017
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Former student pleads guilty Enrique Marquez Jr. admits to role in San Bernardino terror plot
NICK PERALTA
@RCCviewpoints
Enrique Marquez Jr., the man who bought high-powered rifles used in the San Bernardino terrorist attack, plead guilty Feb. 16. Marquez was the only person criminally charged in the December 2015 attack that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others at a meeting of San Bernardino County employees. Husbandand-wife assailants, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, were killed in a shootout by authorities later that day. Marquez plead guilty to illegally purchasing the rifles used in the deadly San Bernardino terrorist siege for his friend Syed Rizwan Farook. Marquez appeared in Federal Court on Feb. 16th in Riverside with his hands cuffed and chained to his waist. Although he was a high school dropout, he understood the allegations and consequences of the plea agreement with prosecutors that could sentence him up to 25 years in prison while sparing him a trial. In addition to purchasing the weapons, Marquez plead guilty to conspiring with Farook to outline earlier mass killing plots targeting Riverside City College, where both were students at the time, through which they had planned on carrying out shooting and bombing attacks at the library or cafeteria and soon after a gridlocked 91 freeway. The prosecutor said the pair researched bomb-making and bought the proper materials to make explosives, but never carried out those attacks. Marquez sounded choked up after the prosecutor finished describing what he had done. Prosecutors said Marquez acknowledged being a “straw buyer” when he purchased two AR-15 rifles from Farook which would be used just a few years later in the massacre at the Environmental Health Services division in San Bernardino.
GEOVANNY GUZMAN | VIEWPOINTS
Greg Clayborn, whose daughter Sierra was one of the victims in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attacks, speaks to the press following the court hearing for Enrique Marquez on Feb 16. Marquez admitted to purchasing rifles used by the assailants. Prosecutors stated Marquez agreed to buy the weapons because of Farook’s Middle Eastern nationality which could’ve aroused suspicion. Gregory Clayborn, the father of victim Sierra Clayborn, opposed the deal of a possible 25 year sentence in a profound and sentimental plea to the judge before the hearing began. “This man supplied these murderers with these weapons and he’s going to get a slap on the wrist, your honor,” Clayborn said, “My daughter, she didn’t deserve this.” Afterward, Clayborn told reporters he believes Marquez knew about the San Bernardino attack. U.S. attorney, Eileen M. Decker, said she understood why the victims’ relatives may feel
the sentence is insufficient due to the pain they have suffered, but explained that she is bound by the law and there was no evidence that Marquez participated in or had prior knowledge of the San Bernardino killings. Decker does believe that the purchase of the weapons and preparations with Farook for the attacks they never committed at RCC and citizens on the 91 freeway laid the foundation for the 2015 assault. “These chilling plans could have inflicted mass casualties. These plans thankfully were not executed,” she told reporters outside the courthouse. “But there are connections between their planning in 2011 and 2012 that we believe assisted in the horrible attacks that took place in 2015.”
Providing a wealth of services to families since 1949.
CAMPUS CR IMES Outside Warrant/Misdemeanor Feb. 26
A transient male was arrested due to an outside warrant while at Riverside City College’s Math and Science building.
Hit and Run Property Damage Feb. 14
A students vehicle was hit by an unknown suspect in RCC’s parking structure.
Theft of Personal Property Feb. 14
A student’s purse was stolen from the cafeteria by an unknown suspect. The student checked with the lost and found and later reported the incident at 8:16 a.m.
Hit and Run Property Damage Feb. 14
An unidentified suspect crashed into a student’s vehicle in the parking structure at 7:40 a.m.
Vandalism less than $400 Feb. 13 • FREE Birth Parent Services • Come-to-you Counseling • Adoptive Parent Services • Foster Care & Adoption Services
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An unidentified suspect broke the ASRCC’s building window with a red brick. The incident was reported at 6:48 a.m.
Stolen Vehicle Feb. 12
An RCC golf cart was found by the Riverside Police Department at 11:37 p.m. The golf cart was abandoned by an apartment complex on 5360 Olivewood Ave. No suspect was identified.
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March 9, 2017
News
Conference unites LGBT community
UC Riverside hosts Asterisk Trans Conference emphasizing transgender legislation, people EMILY AGUILAR @RCCviewpoints
During the third annual Asterisk Trans Conference, held at UC Riverside on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, transmale Drago Renteria claimed, “it’s a great time to be trans.” He believes that this era’s progressive mindset will help transgender individuals gain civil rights. Renteria’s words enforced an optimistic attitude that resonated with his audience. “Twenty years ago...I couldn’t even live out in the open,” said Jamie, a transwoman. “Things are getting easier.” The conference was open to people of different ages, races and gender identities, including Riverside City College students and professors. The common consensus was that people need to consider understanding life from the perspective of a transgender person. Many speakers emphasized the importance of not only fighting for human rights, but making an effort to
understand a trans person’s fear of confronting hostility. With that in mind, the next two days were spent sharing ideas on how to support transgender people in public and private settings. During the “How to Help a Transperson After a Traumatic Experience” workshop, a Norco College sociology professor asked for advice on ways she could implement a welcoming environment in her classroom. “I want to be someone who my (transgender) students can rely on, but I don’t know how to go about doing it.” A few individuals suggested that she put the ally symbol on her syllabus while others advised her to initiate conversations about being transgender with her students. Students from across the state also mentioned that during lunchtime their campuses had successfully implemented accommodations for transgender students. Ashley Kennon, a leader of the LGBT club at Moorpark College, shared that her school has gender neutral bathrooms. Kennon expressed her belief
by transgender poet and musicians J. Mase III and Vita E. Cleveland. Mase III and Cleveland, founders of transgender talent agency awQward, taught the attendants how to beatbox and write. The attendees were then allowed to write and perform their own poetry, most of which were about gender identity and sexuality. Cleveland said that art helps people “overcome self-restrictions” and recognize the importance of self-expression. Cleveland and Mase EMILY AGUILAR | VIEWPOINTS Vita E. Cleveland, founder of a transgender talent agency, demonstrates III closed the event by performing music and the importance of self- expression at UC Riverside on Feb. 24. original poetry. At the end, Cleveland that it is “not fair” to prevent to express their emotions through told the audience to “continue to someone from using the restroom therapeutic workshops. look for the answer” through art. because of their identity. Some workshops were about She also encouraged everyone She also added that no one dealing with sexual abuse, to never stop trying to overcome should tell transgender people while while others consisted boundaries set before them. “how to think, feel and love.” of analyzing the psychological “You’re meant to be here,” While the conference effects of living with gender Vita she said. emphasized the importance dysphoria. The workshop that “It’s important to stick of educating the audience on garnered the most attention was around. Pain is not all the time, transgender legislation and called “Even My Drums Are and remember that you’re transgender people in history, it Revolutionary”. awesome.” also gave attendees an opportunity The workshop was hosted
LIFE Java joint to host jam
March 9, 2017
“The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will.”
JACKIE MASLOW @JackieMaslow
On March 11 a surge of local music to one of Riverside’s most popular entertainment spots. Back to the Grind, an independent coffeehouse, is known throughout the Inland Empire for opening up its doors to the community while providing a usable space for bands, weddings, event hosting, art shows and open mic nights. In a world that has become oversaturated with online Do It Yourself (DIY) musicians, places like Back to the Grind do well to keep a channel open for people who are actively seeking new music in the form of live, raw talent. Local Riverside bands Castle Pines, Be Still Kid and Adventurist are set to perform at the local coffee shop March 11. Each band has roots in the Riverside Community College District. Be Still Kid’s guitarist and vocalist Michael Estrada is a Riverside City College graduate, and members from both Castle Pines and Adventurist have history in the Music Industry Studies program at Norco College. The MIS program is working to pave a new way
JESSICA VELOZ | VIEWPOINTS
Band members from Be Still Kid, Castle Pines and Adventurist are alumni from Riverside Community College District will have a concert at Back to the Grind on March 11. for local talent to emerge and Back to the Grind is always willing to collaborate with them to showcase new artists. March 11 will mark Be Still Kid’s first performance at Back to the Grind. Members include Estrada on guitar and vocals, lead guitarist Dylan Del Campo, bassist Jake Tracey and drummer Ivan Crawford. Estrada has wanted to play at the coffeehouse for some time and was more than happy to accept the invitation for this upcoming show. “We’ve been friends (with Castle Pines and Adventurist) for a long time before we were musicians and we love playing with these guys,” Estrada said. One of the well known local bands in the Inland Empire;
Castle Pines has performed at Back to the Grind countless times over the past six years. “We haven’t played there in a while and we’re working on new material so we’re really excited to try out a couple new songs,” singer and guitarist Leandro Barrientos said. Castle Pines formed in 2010 with Barrientos and drummer Sterling Fairfield. They have since introduced Ricky Garvey on lead guitar and Jesse Briseno on bass. The band has transitioned from the old underground music scene and has a strong online presence with its website and social media activity. Also set to play at the show is up-and-coming indie rock band Adventurist. Adventurist
is made up of four members which include Jon Esqueda on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jeremy Fischer on lead guitar, Andrew Vanni on bass and Skyler Stigmon on drums. Adventurist performed their debut show at Back to the Grind last December and filled the multi-level coffeehouse to capacity. Now the four piece indie rock band is ready to take the main floor again. “When it comes to the music scene, Back to the Grind has a good way of making things happen,” Esqueda said. The show is set for March 11 at 8 p.m. and is open to all ages. Back to the Grind is located off University Avenue and Orange Street.
famous novels. This year was “American Notes” which was a travelogue that told of Dickens’ travels during his visit to the United States. “This year’s (novel) he took about six months and went to America during 1842 and each vignette depicts sort of what he thought about the White House, what he thought about Boston,” Jacques said. Jacques says that because of his family, this year was his favorite. “As my children are more involved, that makes it more interesting to me,” Jacques said. “As a family, it’s much more fun than just me being here.” Actors portrayed famous authors from the Victorian era, some of them could be found wandering the streets such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson and Jane Austen. While many of the guests
admired the clothing and the music of the time, 27-year-old Blake Pinelli loved the authors. “You know the actors put so much effort into knowing who they’re portraying that it feels like I’m actually talking to those people,” Pinelli said. Visitors could listen to the stage performances, eat scones or drink tea, take their children to Oliver’s Alley and learn to play period games such as Graces, a game that taught children to be graceful by flinging a wooden hoop from two wooden sticks before their partner caught it. For those who were over 21, one of the biggest hits was the tavern. Kendra Taylor, an RCC alumnus, has been working at the tavern as a dancer ever since it opened four years ago. “I was approached by two of my good friends who founded the tavern and they asked me if I wanted to join their troupe,” Taylor said. “Of course I said
yes, because who doesn’t love Can-can?” The tavern was created to show a different side of Dickensian England. “During the Dickens Fest, everything is so literary and proper and Madam Barbara wanted to have a different aspect
- Andy Warhol
TRIVIA QUIZ Harry Potter Edition
1. What is Harry Potter’s patronus? 2. Who did Hermione go to the Yule Ball with? 3. What were the names of Harry’s broomsticks? 4. How does Dobby the house elf get set free? 5. What three elements make up the deadly hallows? 6. Name the Weasley family from oldest to youngest. 7. What type of dragon does Harry fight in the Goblet of Fire? 8. What spell do they use to unlock the doors? 9. What two other schools participated in the Tri-Wizard Tournament? 10. What does Harry Potter use to breath underwater during the tournament? 11. Lord Voldemort’s real name is? 12. What is Malfoy’s position on the Slytherin’s quidditch team? 13. How does a quidditch game end?
Answer Key: 1)Stag. 2) Viktor Krum. 3) Nimbus 2000 and Firebolt. 4) A Sock. 5) The elder wand, invisibility cloak and the resurrection stone. 6) Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny. 7) Hungarian Horntail. 8) Alohomora. 9) Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. 10) Gillyweed 11) Tom Riddle. 12) Seeker. 13) The Seek must catch the Snitch.
Back to the Grind will host concert that will feature RCCD alumni
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Dickens Festival comes to downtown Riverside MISTY SEVERI @MistySeveri
Men with mustaches escorted women in long dresses while children played in the street as bagpipes played loudly in the distance. Actor Paul Jacques has portrayed Charles Dickens at the Dickens Festival every year for the last 13 years. “This is living history,” Jacques said. “It’s a lot different reading a book than it is to go and experience living history around you.” The Dickens Festival honors Charles Dickens, the successful English author whose known for his novels “A Christmas Carol”, “A Tale of Two Cities” and “Oliver Twist,” among others. The Dickens Festival happens every year in downtown Riverside and highlights one of Dickens’
of the Dickens Fest, have more of the bawdy, common folk,” Taylor said. “So she created the tavern.” At the end of a day at the festival, the actors put on their ball gowns Sat. night for a night of Victorian era ballroom dancing at Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.
STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS
Two participants of the Dickens Festival sing as attendees pass them by in downtown Riverside during the festival on Feb. 26.
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Life
March 9, 2017
ide transforms for Dickens Festival STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS
(Upper left) Two participants in 18th century attire pose in front of a police call box, (lower left) Oscar Wilde crosses Main Street in old attire. (Lower left) The explorers lounge and converse with one another during the Dickens Festival. (Middle) Shannon Morgan from Ashes of Arcadia sits at her booth selling handmade leather masks during the festival. (Upper left) A sign at the festival directing the attendees for the weekend sits in front of the Historical Riverside Courthouse. (Mid left) A participant in red crosses Main street. (Center) Charles Dickens, played by Paul Jacques, raises his arms during his presentation in front of the Historical Riverside Courthouse. (Upper right) Edgar Allan Poe and his wife following Dickens during the parade Feb. 26. (Lower right) Captain Michael McCloud pretends to send a message during the festival. (Lower right) Queen Victoria and her court socialize before the parade begins on Main street. (Far lower right) Participant of the festival Sean Marsh, known as “The Mad Master,� is dressed in old attire as he poses near Main street on Feb. 26.
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March 9, 2017 Tell
us what you think, in a letter to the editor, in an email, or use #RCCnow.
Travel ban proves un-American Immigration ban targets countries not involved in terrorist attacks in post 9/11 America
JONATHAN VAN NIEL @RCCviewpoints
Let’s call it what it is: P resident Donald Tr u mp’s immigration Executive Order is a thinly veiled Muslim ban, and it is both unethical and inhumane. The off icial title of the Executive Order signed by Trump is “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” W h i le ou r gove r n me nt should absolutely be concerned with national security threats, the seven Muslim-majority countries targeted in this ban—Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen—have not been responsible for a terrorist attack in post-9/11 America. If this ban is designed to protect the United States from ter rorism, why target these countries instead of high risk zones like Saudi Arabia, which is one of the largest international sponsors of Islamist militant
groups in the world and among the biggest exporters of foreign fighters to ISIS? Richard Painter, the chief ethics lawyer in George W. Bush’s administration, says that the Executive Order excludes certain countries because of Trump’s business interests. “Somalia is on the list, but Saudi Arabia is not … one of the factors, people are going to say, is the president does business with Saudi Arabia but not Somalia,” Painter said in an interview with CNN. According to a report by Bloomberg, Trump’s Federal Election Commission f iling listed four companies possibly linked to a hotel development project in the coastal Saudi city of Jeddah. It should come as no surprise that Trump is using the Oval Office to line his pockets, even if it means potentially violating the Constitution to do so. What should invoke greater o u t r a g e , h o w e v e r, i s t h e insinuation that a particular group of people poses a threat to national security. In 2002, the United States instituted the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, which forced people from 24 Muslim-majority countries to register and regularly check in with authorities.
ILLUSTRATION BY BELANNA WALKER
Not only is the NSEERS program an example of prejudice and racial profiling, but it proved to be highly ineffective at its supposed job as well. Out of 83,519 cases, NSEERS caught zero terrorists. We’ve seen this throughout our history before: the Trail of Tears, the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment come to mind. Each serves as an example of what happens when a minority group is generalized
and perceived as “other.” But even after witnessing these failed experiments and violations of human rights, the Trump administration pushes forward. Thankfully, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Trump’s Executive Order on Feb. 9. It is unclear, however, if the Department of Justice will contest the 9th Circuit’s ruling in the Supreme Court or if the Trump administration will draft
a new immigration ban to take this Executive Order’s place. What is most troubling about this Muslim ban is that the Trump administration is preying upon the fears and insecurities of Islamophobic citizens and attempting to rationalize and normalize discrimination by labeling immigrants and refugees security risks. Why is it that “Muslim” has become synonymous with “terrorist” in our media when right-wing Christian extremists and white supremacists like Robert Dear and Dylann Roof commit terrorist attacks on U.S. soil? Why are white extremists referred to as “lone wolves” when their actions are by definition acts of terror? According to New America, right-wing extremist attacks— which are often carried out by white supremacists and white nationalists— claimed more American lives on U.S. soil than any other terrorist group up until the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. In addition, right-wing extremists are responsible for more deaths of American citizens on U.S. soil than jihadists on average annually. So if this is tr uly about national security, then where is the Executive Order targeting white supremacy and white nationalism?
Fears and concerns from a Mexican-American The complicated process that immigrants will face in a country that benefits from them
VIRGINIA VALENCIA @RCCviewpoints
“Ya viene la migra!” my brother shouted as my ten-year -old self ran faster toward the soccer ball. I grew up with this saying that “immigration was coming for you” as being voiced as a bad joke. For a portion of my life I had little to no knowledge of the immigration process and disregarded it as someone else’s struggle. I was extremely privileged with a safety I took for granted. My childhood joke is no longer funny. President Donald Trump’s presidency has put a new fear in the people and has intensified the negative views of people who entered the country illegally. Society is filled with people
demanding them to “get in line,” and “do it the right way,” yet these same people do not know what the “right way” is. It is not simply getting a number, waiting for that number to be called and then, bam, they are a new American citizen. Our current immigration system makes it practically impossible for many of these people who entered illegally to get a green card let alone be American citizens. The American Immigration Council website informs that legal immigration to the United States on a permanent basis is limited to three cases: employment, family reunification and humanitarian protection. T he se l i ne s a r e h ig h ly regulated, subject to a vast nu mber of li m it at ions a nd requirements, and are extremely costly. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration website states that requirements begin with one’s eligibility to petition based on the three categories. After ensuring eligibility, one needs to confirm availability of visas in their appropriate category and country.
ILLUSTRATION BY DAKOTA GAUMER
According to The Society Pages website, Mexican visas h ave a w a it i n g p e r io d of approximately two decades. If one petitions and there are available visas in their cat egor y a nd c ou nt r y, t he next st e p is t o f i l l out a n I–485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status and pay the immigration fees. The USCIS website states that these fees begin at $1,140 per application. This does not include the legal help needed to undergo the
green card process which can run up to $5,000 to $7,500, according to ABC News. T h e A IC we b s i t e a l s o cautions those entering the country illegally, who make it through the initial requirements and acquire a place in a line, that it is well-known to wait years for not only service but any information pertaining to their case. These are the lucky ones. Ma ny people enter i ng illegally cannot get in a line because there is no line available for them.
When these people ran from their homeland I assure you they were not thinking about applications, interviews or fees. They saw opportunity. Not an opportunity to cause harm or to take jobs but an opportunity to live safely like you and me. It is very simple: these people work, just like Americans; these people study, just like Americans; and these people crave to belong, just like Americans. Many of these people who immigrated illegally pay Income Taxes every year just like us. According to The Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy, more than 50 percent of them pay income taxes and over $11.64 billion in state and local taxes in a year. This population of 11 million people did not enter illegally because they wanted to but because they had no choice. President Trump’s reinforced immigration laws have given rise to ethnocentric Americans who oversimplify a process they know little about. As an American I am ashamed. As a MexicanAmerican I am angered. We cannot let ignorance prevail.
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March 9, 2017
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Party fracture benefits Trump Civil war amongst democrats threatens to deliver eight years of Republican leadership
KEVIN KNOX
@KevinNotKevin
America has never needed the Democrats more than they do right now. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are in full control of all branches of the federal government and they’ve already begun pushing their agenda forward. Just take a look at some of the members of Trump’s cabinet. Our new Secretary of Treasury, Steve Mnuchin, is a former Goldman Sachs executive. Politico reports that OneWest Bank, which Mncuchin co-owns, once foreclosed on a 90-year-old woman because she was 27 cents short on her mortgage payment, squeezed victims of Hurricane Sandy for as much money as possible and has been accused of discriminating against minority borrowers. Meanwhile, CNN reports that the new Secretary of Education has never attended a public school in her life and her career history shows she has never worked for any school – public or private. During her confirmation hearing, she refused to promise that she would not strip funding from or privatize our public schools.
ILLUSTRATION BY DAKOTA GAUMER
A t t h e r e c e n t C PA C conference, new Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt said those who wish to see the EPA abolished are “justified.” Huffington Post reports that Pruitt has sued the EPA at least 13 times over environmental regulations, and he told Fox News in 2015 that the environment would be “just fine” if the EPA did not exist. Meanwhile, Politifact reports the Democratic Party has, over the last eight years, lost over 900 state legislatures, 11 governors, 13 Senate seats, 69 House seats, and the Presidency. Bearing all this in mind, it is clear that the times call for an organized and united opposition
to this administration’s brand of far-right wing politics. A strong progressive counter to the regressive policies of the new administration is needed now more than ever. The results of the 2016 elections make it clear that the “moderate” politics of Hillary Clinton and the current Democratic leadership has failed miserably. But amongst the centrist leadership of the party, there is no introspection occurring, no recognition of the need for change. Instead of taking the lessons of the past eight years to heart and pivoting towards a progressive alternative to the Republican agenda, the
Democratic Party has chosen to wage war with itself. Centrists within the party, largely backed by Wall Street, want to stay the course and remain as moderate as possible on most issues in order to achieve “incremental progress.” For instance, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told CBS last December, “I don’t think people want a new direction,” and delivered a tone-deaf message that basically amounted to “all is well, nothing to see here, move along!” However, the more left wing, grassroots elements in the party feel this tactic has failed and that it’s time for a new direction. Keith Ellison’s campaign for the Democratic National Committee chair personifies this desire among the left. There is little desire for compromise between these groups. The centrist leadership is far too concerned with placating their financial backers and the progressives are fed up with being forced to compromise on issues they’re most concerned about. But while these factions tear each other apart, Trump and the Republicans find themselves free to run rampant and pass whatever legislation they desire unopposed. The fact that almost every one of Trump’s incredibly unqualified cabinet appointments was easily confirmed by Congress shows this. This infighting needs to end. Democrats need to unite and present a coherent opposition to the Republican agenda or else the Democrats’ losses will
only continue to grow. Currently this party is the only political party capable of defeating the Republicans and it will never be able to do that if it continues to spend the next four years cannibalizing itself. Going forward, the Democratic Party will have to do more than pay lip service to the progressive wing. They are going to have to allow them to lead the opposition. Bernie Sanders’ campaign and his actions since the elections prove that he and his supporters are capable of leading a strong opposition to Trumpism. It’s time to give them their chance. At the same time, the progressives need to understand that abandoning the party because of this split will only cause more problems than we already have. Yes, Tom Perez - another party insider - was elected DNC chairman, but that’s not the end of the world. Frankly, Perez isn’t a bad choice, despite not being our choice. He has a solid Progressive track record and immediately appointed Ellison as Deputy Chair upon his election. If you find that politicians are not living up to your standards, vote them out. Don’t abandon the party outright. The stakes are far too high to gamble with third parties, none of whom have ever been able to gain more than 5% of the vote in modern presidential elections. Transforming the Democratic party from within is the only viable option we have and if this doesn’t happen soon, eight years of Republican domination will be inevitable.
Pipeline brushes indigenous people under the rug
JONATHAN VAN NIEL @RCCviewpoints
The Dakota Access pipeline nears completion, unnerving the hearts and minds of protesters and indigenous people alike. The North Dakota Standing Rock Sioux tribe began protesting the pipeline’s construction in early 2016 due to the threat of oil leaks that could contaminate their water supply—in addition to desecrating their sacred grounds—, and have since amassed support from various tribes and concerned citizens across the country. While public outcry against the pipeline’s construction has
been considerable, it seems that even causes as noble as environmental protection and indigenous land rights are incapable of deterring corporate greed. Governor Doug Burgum issued an executive order that demanded all protesters at Standing Rock were to be evacuated from the main camp on the Missouri River near Cannon Ball, North Dakota by Feb. 22, delivering a heavy blow to activists. According to CNN, about 100 protesters left the camp peacefully. Those that refused to abandon their posts, however, were removed by militarized police forces, resulting in the arrests of at least 46 people. The North Dakota government’s willingness to risk the contamination of the Standing Rock Sioux’s water supply is both deeply disturbing and grotesque, particularly when environmental disasters involving oil pipelines have become increasingly common.
According to the Associated Press, the annual number of major accidents from oil and petroleum pipelines has increased nearly 60 percent since 2009. While the environmental dangers DAPL poses are damning enough, to limit it to such diminishes the struggles of indigenous people. Jan Hasselman, a staff attorney at Earthjustice who legally represented the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in federal court in 2016, states that various sacred burial sites were deliberately excavated by DAPL contractors. “We filed some very important evidence in the lawsuit about the discovery of some sacred and major culturally significant sites that were directly in the pipeline’s route … We were stunned and shocked to hear that they took that information and … went out and bulldozed the entire site,” Hasselman said in an interview with Democracy Now. Ask yourself this question: Would this occur had the site been a Christian cemetery?
ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON MOORE
10
March 9, 2017
Views
RCC needs more LGBT resources
Editorial
Compared to other schools, Riverside City College makes support hard to find
LAURA TAPIA | VIEWPOINTS
Riverside City College has gender neutral restrooms, but a center for LGBT resources is needed.
Our Riverside City College District Board of Trustees passed a resolution to declare support for marginalized students, but does it do enough? The resolution, in Support of Student Access and Protection, expresses the Board’s desire to support values of inclusivity and diversity in the district. However, after President Donald Trump lifted the federal transgender bathroom regulations former President Barack Obama had set in May 2016, we began to look for what support, if any, the district provided for LGBT students on our campus and found a lot lacking. Various administrators have put out statements of support for all students, which is great, but there needs to be more than words and less symbolic legislation. There needs to be action. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender centers
can be found in various colleges including UC Riverside. These centers are usually professionally staffed and provide LGBT resources in one place. Currently, RCC only has two places for students to find LGBT resources, the Gender and Sexualities Awareness club that meets weekly and a link to the Ally page on the RCC website. Unfortunately, the Ally list - which comprises of contact information of staff who openly support LGBT students - hasn’t been updated since 2013. Another issue with these options is they lack visibility. Students have done what they can by forming clubs like GSA, but there is only so much they can do. It is up to our administration to create more resources and help make the current ones more accessible.
Why not create a center like Ujima and La Casa where all these things can be found? While creating a center may take some time, another good start would be compiling resources such as, a location of all the gender neutral restrooms on campus, local and state resources, contact information for GSA and an updated list of all the Allies on campus. That information can then be placed in a location on the RCC website frequently viewed by students and visitors. UCR already has this implemented on their campus so what’s taking us so long? How does it affect CA: Transgender students in California’s public school system can remain using any facilities that they identify with according to state law AB 1732.
Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.
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SPORTS
March 9, 2017
“The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart”
11
- Robert G. Ingersoll
Tigers stopped in semifinals Riverside City College ends season to San Diego City College, 113-81, in CCCAA semifinals NICK PERALTA
@RCCviewpoints
Valiantly as they tried, the Riverside City College men’s basketball team has been knocked out of the Southern California Regionals after a crushing loss to San Diego City College on March 4. Coming into this season’s state tournament, Riverside was ranked low at 13 finishing with a modest 21-8 season and going 8-4 in their own conference. In the regionals opening round RCC faced off against Cypress College, defeating their Orange Empire Conference rivals in a thrilling 70-53 victory. The Tigers would then go on to match-up with fourth ranked San Bernardino Valley College, upsetting the lead team from the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference North in a 68-59 defensive standoff. Safe to say Riverside knew that the odds, on paper at least, were against them. But they never bought into the notion that they weren’t capable of climbing the mountain that is the SoCal Regionals and bringing home the championship. That’s certainly the attitude head coach Philip Mathews shared coming into their semifinal game against San Diego. “Once we’re in the playoffs,
the seeding doesn’t matter,” he said. “You have to go in there and take each game one at a time. I think we match really well with San Diego so it’s going to be a good game.” Assistant coach Shannon Taylor shared a similar sentiment. “Everybody’s 0-0. Anybody could beat anybody. When it comes to playoffs it’s like a brand-new season,” Shannon said. RCC would lose to San Diego 113-81. Despite a competitive game early on, once San Diego took the lead, they never gave up, leaving RCC failing in their attempt to play catch up the entire game. Turnovers were the Tigers’ worst enemy as Riverside would grant San Diego City 27 points off turnovers which accounted for nearly 25 percent of their total points scored. San Diego nabbing 40 rebounds in total and shooting more accurately in every category also contributed to the crushing March 4 loss. Even in the face of adversity in this game, starters Brandon Thomas Andre Wilson and Andy Cleaves still tried to rally their team. Thomas would score the most points with 22, and tying Wilson with 6 rebounds in the game. Cleaves, who has scored the most points for RCC this season, shot most accurately scoring on 66 percent of his field goals and making the lone three
STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS
Riverside City College small guard Andy Cleaves dunks the ball versus Chaffey College on Dec 8, 2016 pointer he attempted. Despite feeling the hardships of defeat, it doesn’t take away from the resilience that was our RCC Tigers this basketball season.Cleaves and Wilson believed this team was ready for anything and everything this
season and relayed that belief into their team before the semi’s. “We play hard. This season we have players that are not selfish. We took what was given to us and we ran with it.” Cleaves said. Wilson added his thoughts on what he believes brought this
team what cannot be described as anything other than a victorious season. “This was a winning team from day one,” he said. “The family aspect, this team is super close, since day one we’ve been close.”
Ryan Mota leads Riverside to a, 2-1, victory NICK PERALTA
@RCCviewpoints
Riverside City College hosted a gritty match-up against the Cypress Chargers winning, 2-1, in the ninth inning. Ryan Mota scored early with a fourth inning home run to garner a lead. Cypress would press back with a run scored in the fifth inning, tying the game. Neither team budged for four whole innings until Patrick Vizcaino found home on a throwing error to finish the game. The Tigers improve to, 13-5 and will rematch Cypress in an away game March 10. ANDREW BRADY | VIEWPOINTS
Ryan Mota hits a solo home-run over the left field wall to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead over visiting Cypress College during their March 7 meeting.
softball dominated the opening rounds of the Fresno City College Tournament on March 4 defeating Hartnell College, 6-4, then proceeded to shut out the Foothill Owls, 10-0, in the next round. The team improves to 7-6. They await the next round of games that continue March 11.
Men’s tennis shutout Cypress College and Irvine Valley College both dominated the RCC men’s tennis team in back to back 9-0 home game shutouts. The Tiger’s drops to, 6-7, following these two straight losses.
Softball dominates
Women’s tennis stays on top
Riverside City College
RCC women’s tennis team
went 4-2 in singles and 2-1 in doubles to bring home a 6-3 victory over Cypress College in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) match. They followed this up with a March 7 triumph over Irvine Valley College. The team achieved 3-3 in Singles and 2-1 in Doubles to earn a, 5-4, win improving their record to 7-3.
Beach volleyball earns first win The women’s beach volleyball team earned a split of its matches at Grossmont in a pair of games. RCC defeated the San Diego State Univewrsity Aztecs, 4-1, to earn their first win of the season. However they would lose to the Grossmont College Griffins, 5-0. The women’s beach volleyball team moves to 1-3 overall.
12
March 9, 2017
Sports
Ladies hoops fall to LA Valley CAMERON WINSTON @RCCviewpoints
Riverside City College Tigers women’s basketball season has come to an end. The Tigers put up a thrilling hard fought game, but could not quite hold off against Los Angeles Valley College surging third quarter, and ended up taking a 79-73 defeat in the first round of the playoffs. The team was led by Sophomore point guard Britney Gonzalez who scored an impressive 25-point outing on 9 of 21 shooting from the field, and added four threepointers as well. Two players came away in the game with double-doubles, freshman guard Chiderah Uzowuru put up 19 points and 11 rebounds, while forward Darria Hewitt added 13 points and 14 rebounds herself. Britney Gonzalez and Chiderah Uzowuru have added a consistent spark to the team throughout the season. Gonzalez averaged a team high in points with 15.0 a game, while shooting 36.9 percent from the field, and a team high 31.6 percent from the three-point line. Chiderah Uzowuru followed up adding to the other team high in points 15.0, contributing 13 double-doubles
and averaging 9.6 rebounds per game, which was second on the team. Sophomore forward, Paradise Hanchett, averaged 13.6 rebounds and contributed to 10.6 points with 13 double-doubles as well. The Tigers, led by head coach Alicia Berber, finished this season with at 19-11, and finished with an impressive 8-2 home record. The team had a monumental start to the season starting 7-0, until losing to Palomar College at the Inaugural Palomar College Comet Classic Tournament Championship Game. In conference play, the team seemed to struggle going only 6-6, but finished third in the conference. Cypress College who finished 11-1, were first in the Orange Empire Conference while Saddleback College finished second going 8-4. Against both teams however, Riverside City College fared well. On Jan 13, the first matchup between RCC and Saddleback College, the team presented an exciting and competitive game, but ended up losing 66-62. Chiderah Uzowuru added a team high 24 points that game, and shot an efficient 50 percent as well. In game two against Saddleback on Feb 8, the Tigers enacted their revenge, nabbing a 55-47 victory with the help of Uzowuru
STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS
Riverside City College women’s basketball player goes for the hoop at Los Angeles Valley College on Feb. 24. (19 points and 12 rebounds) and Paradise Hanchett (11 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks) who garnered outstanding doubledouble performances. Cypress College and RCC’s first go around on Jan 20, ended in a crushing defeat for the Tigers
thanks to the implosion of a 33 point third quarter produced by Cypress that helped make the final score 82-72. Their second matchup toward the end of the season offered another competitive game for the Tigers. Despite putting up a fighting
effort they lost 74-69. A successful, hard-fought, and enduring season for the Tigers this year with the outlook of an even better one next season credited by the coaching of Berber, Jessie Valencia and Ron Underwood.
UNLIMITED BUS RIDES WITH YOUR STUDENT ID Thanks to the Go-Pass program, students at Riverside City College get unlimited rides on Riverside Transit Agency buses. Whether it’s a lift to class, work or the movies, or a CommuterLink express bus to the beach, just swipe your student ID for endless rides anytime we operate, anywhere we go. For schedule and route information, call RTA at (951) 565-5002 or go to RiversideTransit.com.
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