LIFE

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS Invited guests arrive to the thank you reception at the newly opened Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California on Oct 21, 2022.

Museum cements city as cultural hub

Civil Rights Institute raises social justice awareness

STEPHEN DAY PHOTO EDITOR

“Still I Rise” greets you as you walk into the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California. The title of a poem from the late great Maya Angelou, sets the tone of the new museum in downtown Riverside which opened to the public on Oct. 22.

The opening exhibit, Still I Rise – the Black IE fight for justice, includes works of art, and historical memorabilia that speak of the struggle and victories of the Black community in the Inland Empire, curated by Dr. Vince Moses Ph.D.

There are exhibits that honor Black entertainers, politicians and a large wall that honors the memory of Tyisha Miller, who was shot and killed by Riverside Police in December 1998.

Other exhibits teach about the history of racism in employment and features the Stater Bros. Case of 1999. The exhibit demonstrates how despite publicly stating a no tolerance policy regarding racism on the job, Stater Bros. was allowing rampant bigotry toward their Black employees. With the help of Riverside civil rights attorney Diane Roth, 12 Black men were successfully able to get the company to settle for a significant sum.

Finally, after walking through the history, presented in pictures, interactive screens, video and even scannable QR codes to online content, visitors are presented with a final mostly blank wall, which asks “How will you fight for justice in the IE?” and post-it notes and pencils are there for all to express how they will aid the cause.

On Oct. 20, a thank you reception was held to honor the contributors and sponsors of the event. Prominent members of the Riverside community such as Assemblymember Jose Medina, Congressman Mark Takano, UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox and many others who contributed monetarily, provided artwork and or photography for the museum.

Medina was honored with an atrium in his name for his efforts to secure a 3 million dollar grant toward the completion of the museum. Takano also took the stage to talk about the struggles for civil rights, stating that “the stakes are just as high today as they were in the 60’s.”

The institute shares the 92,000 square feet of space with the offices of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County and 72 units of affordable apartments that homeless veterans in the Riverside area can move into as soon as Nov. 1, according to Rebecca Louie, President/CEO of Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation.

Dr. Lalit Acharya, who is responsible for the installation of many of the civil rights monuments throughout downtown Riverside, was joined on stage with community activist Rose Mayes, both of whom serve on the Board of Director for the institute. They talked about their work and experiences leading up to the opening.

The public opening of the museum was described by Sabrina Gonzalez, Executive Director of the institute as “an amazing block party right here in downtown.” The event featured a keynote address by Olympic gold medalist and civil rights activist Dr. Tommie Smith. Smith was also on hand to sign copies of his book “Stand. Victory!”

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS Congressman Mark Takano was one of many prominent Riversidians who came out to show their support for the opening of the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California. TOP A wall size exhibit tells the story of Tyisha Miller, killed by Riverside Police, reminding viewers of the struggle the Black community continues to face in the fight for justice.

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

RIGHT “How will you fight for justice in the IE?” asks the final exhibit in the Civil Rights Institute.

BOTTOM Throughout the institute viewers are treated to artwork created by Black artists that bring life to the varied successes and struggles in the fight for civil rights.

Ghostly tales spook RCC staff and students

STEPEHEN DAY PHOTO EDITOR

A gust of wind on a windless morning distracts you from the man wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase walking toward you in the Quad. As you look back to the man, he’s gone.

Walking toward your car on the first level of the nearly empty parking garage a whirlwind of voices surrounds you that seemingly come from nowhere.

Stories like these have long been told around the Riverside City College campus, a destination for paranormal investigators and home to many supposed ghosts who endlessly wander the inbetween of the mortal and spiritual planes.

Many stories you’ll hear center around the on-campus murder of Cheri Jo Bates on Oct. 30, 1966. Almost sixty years ago.

While never definitively connected, many believe that she was the first victim of the infamous Zodiac killer.

Bates was killed in a parking lot where the Digital Library now stands, and many around campus have claimed to see Bates or feel her presence around them.

Another famous ghost around campus is Ira Landis, the namesake of our Landis Performing Arts Center.

Jodi Julian, theater director, recounts the story of a 9-year-old girl who came with her family to watch her sister perform in the production of “Les Miserables.”

After the show Julian says she asked the young girl how she liked the show, she was shocked when the girl talked about a man in a suit who was on the stage that ruined the show for her. The little girl pointed out a picture of Ira Landis in the lobby and said he was the man she saw.

“That freaked me out!” Julian said through a chuckle.

Dorie Couture, audio engineer and auditorium specialist, laughs and says, “Everyone sees Ira, he’s everywhere, but he don’t hurt nothing.”

Couture also recalled the paranormal investigators who came to the theater to try and interact with the ghosts.

In the upper levels of the theater, they encountered a ghost who prevented them from entering the two rooms Couture had told them they couldn’t have access to.

“That’s when I realized that (the) ghost is a protector ghost, so I am not afraid of him anymore,” she said.

Ashly Calia, photography major at RCC, said she has had “spooky encounters,” in the women’s bathroom in the art building.

“When I open the door it always

STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS 37.5 gallon drums of water line the fallout shelter, aka ‘The Dungeon’, in the basement of the Landis Performing Arts Center. This is one of several spots in the theater that people have reported spooky occurances

sounds like there is someone on the toilet, but no one is,” she said. Sergio Ballon, groundskeeper, laughed when asked if he’s ever seen a ghost on campus, but then turned serious as he recounted the time he was landscaping near the Math and Science Building in the early morning hours.

“I am running my blower and I have my headphones on so I can’t hear anything, but all of a sudden there is a man walking next to me.” Ballon said.

Then, after a brief pause he admits: “I think it was just some guy sleeping here.”

Whether it’s doors opening on their own, lights turning on and off, or ghostly figures and voices wisping through the campus, RCC has no lack of spooky tales and goings on.

On Oct. 28, the campus will be even more spooky as Halloweentown once again takes over the Quad, and this year, the theater is putting on a haunted maze.

Maybe you’ll get a guided tour from our very own ghost host, Ira Landis.

REVIEW: Actors thrill in ‘The Watcher’

Netflix’s latest mystery is undeniably captivating

VIANNEY MORALES STAFF REPORTER

Netflix’s latest hit series, “The Watcher,” generated considerable anticipation before its recent release Oct. 13. However, many viewers are split about the mystery’s ending.

“The Watcher” is a limited drama series, co-created by producer Ryan Murphy, very loosely based on the true story of a family who was harassed by threatening, anonymous letters after purchasing their dream home.

Murphy has a track record of deeply dramatizing and completely losing sight of the actual events when adapting a true story into a series. “The Watcher” is by no means an exception to this.

Like numerous other adaptations that are proclaimed as “based on true events,” the writers take many creative liberties with the story. I was slightly familiar with the true story and was surprised by the direction the series takes, yet I couldn’t help but go along with it.

It has an undeniably captivating story. It was completely compelling in terms of the plot, writing, and performances.

It’s almost like a whodunnit, except there isn’t an unsolved murder. Rather, there’s a seemingly endless stream of strange, nerve-wracking events that demand answers that no one could quite answer. The mystery strangely reminded me of “The Haunting of Hill House.”

It checks off nearly every box for a binge-worthy watch. It has seven episodes, with each episode ranging from about 40 minutes to an hour.

Just when you think you can get a grasp of what’s happening and who’s terrorizing the family, the story takes an entirely new direction.

It has an exceptional cast with familiar faces like Naomi Watts and Jennifer Coolidge. Bobby Cannavale plays the protective

husband and father, Dean, who gets lost in the mystery as he unrelentingly seeks to find the person responsible for tormenting his family. Cannavale and Watts both deliver notable performances as the leads of the series but the supporting performances are just as impactful.

It has some of the best writing I’ve seen in a series all year. It’s pretty bizarre but also wildly entertaining.

Going in, I knew that the real mystery it was based on was never solved. However, with the many added details of the adaptation, I didn’t necessarily expect the writers to stay faithful to this. Needless to say, I was slightly disheartened by the ending. Though other viewers are extremely disappointed and even angry with the ending, I can appreciate a mystery that lingers with the viewers.

After all, it’s a powerful thing– leaving an audience to ponder and make their own conclusions. It’s kind of like a big joke played on the audience; even if there was a definitive answer of who or why, people would still complain.

I should admit that, in hindsight, the series is fairly ridiculous. Somehow, the writing just made me lose sight of my instinctive guesses and I believed every detail that was shown. I never once questioned that someone might be lying about a story or memory because their retelling was supported by a reenactment of their version of events.

It felt like you were going on this journey with this family who are desperate to uncover a mystery that can’t stop growing.

It made me reflect on the art of storytelling, which is often overlooked and not truly appreciated. The utter detail that went into the series makes all of the other shows I’ve watched recently dull in comparison.

The series certainly isn’t for everyone, especially those who just want to skip to the end and figure out the who and why. However, it makes for an extremely entertaining watch.

PHOTO COURTSEY OF NETFLIX

Students and Faculty tour the new greenhouse at the grand opening of the greenhouse at the outdoor plant lab on Oct 25.

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS

Greenhouse blooms once again

RCC welcomes an improved plant laboratory

ALYSSA VELASQUEZ STAFF REPORTER

The grand opening of Riverside City College’s Greenhouse ceremony was held at the Outdoor Plant Laboratory next to the Math and Science Building Oct. 25.

Frita Carter, Interim President of RCC, welcomed students and staff who attended a “historymaking moment for the college.” Carter acknowledged botany and life sciences biology professor, Virginia White, for all her planning and hard work in developing the greenhouse.

“(Virginia White) planted the seed, watered it, nurtured it, tended to it on this plot of land. (And) you see what dedication developed (into),” Carter said.

She ended her speech by congratulating White and asked Dean of STEM-K, Scott Blair to speak.

Blair explained this plan for opening a new greenhouse has been in the works for many years and mentions there had been countless meetings discussing the future of expanding the Outdoor Plant Laboratory to include one.

Blaire compares the proximity of this greenhouse and the previous one that had been on campus years prior.

“The old greenhouse was about 80 square feet the last time I checked. Now, we are just under 1,000 square feet.” Blair said.

He thinks this new addition will benefit the life sciences and botany programs on campus.

During their speeches, RCC Academic Senate President, Mark Sellick and White both spoke on their yearly conversations they appointed about building a greenhouse along with the newest Math and Science Building that was established on campus in 2013.

“Dr. White expressed her frustration directly to the board about the greenhouse,” Sellick said.

He further complemented Dr. Whites persistence, patience and determination to keep pushing this project to the Riverside City College District Board to come to life.

White took to the podium and thanked everyone who has been an advocate to support this project that took more than a decade to finalize.

“I failed at this for 15 years before I got it right. Sometimes it takes 15 years to get to this point. Chancellor Dr. Wolde-Ab Isaac (left), Dr. Mark Sellick, Mary Figueroa, Dr. Virginia White, and Dr. Ferita Carter (right) cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the Greenhouse at the outdoor plant lab on Oct. 25.

But it’s worth it,” White said.

She ended her speech with inviting everyone who attended the ceremony to take a step into the Plant Laboratory and cut the ribbon with some of her colleagues to finalize the new extension being open to all students and staff to walk in and take a look inside the new and improved greenhouse.

Diagnoses should not dictate your life

Breast cancer survivor sheds new light on disease

CARLOS AYALA SANTA ANA STAFF REPORTER

A breast cancer diagnosis does not indicate the beginning of the end of life, survivor Roseanne Madrid’s experience with the disease proves just that.

Her daughter received a phone call in December of 2017 from the doctor’s office informing her of her mother’s diagnosis.

Naturally, Madrid experienced waves of emotions.

“I felt very scared because I felt that it meant the end of my life, like I was going to die,” she said.

She began treatment for breast cancer in April 2018.

Having cancer changed the way Madrid lived her life, including her diet.

“I changed all my eating habits,” she said. “I don’t eat dairy anymore and I don’t eat red meat, I only eat chicken and it’s organic.”

She explained the reason for these changes is the type of cancer she had.

“(It) was hormone driven, which means my own hormones fed the cancer which allowed it to grow,” Madrid said.

By taking care of the nutrients that went into her body, she was able to put up an effective fight.

The journey through chemotherapy was difficult but one that Madrid learned to adapt to.

She describes the first few sessions and how she was able to get used to the process.

“The first (round of chemotherapy) was eight hours, it’s on a drip,” the Grand Terrace High School employee, 50, said. “The second time it was seven hours and then as time went by I was able to get it done in five and a half hours.”

Madrid’s co-workers at the high school provided her with much needed support to aid in the fight. Not only did all of the staff often wear pink ribbons to show their support, they also took meals to work for her every day.

Madrid looks back at that time.

“I never had to cook,” she said.

After a nearly two-year battle, Madrid was cleared of the disease that had changed her life. She still gets scanned every year to make sure nothing comes back again as a precaution.

Madrid offers her advice to those battling cancer.

“Be headstrong, always know that you’re going to get through it.”

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAY | VIEWPOINTS Instructor Gabriela Pineault walks through the dance line and spaces them properly at the Leyenda Dance Co. on Oct. 23.

Dancers represent their culture with grace

BAILE from page 1

Zoom, which was a very difficult process but she continued and pushed through.

When restrictions and bans were lowered she noticed a sudden increase in depression, especially among older generations, she came up with the idea to teach Mexican Zumba classes in the morning.

This led to teaching ballet folklorico to older women. That class has shown enough growth to begin performing all around the world just like her original performing class.

Connie Garcia, Leyenda’s oldest member, dreamed of performing since she was younger, unfortunately her parents couldn’t afford it. Now at the age of 67 she is finally out living her dreams.

“I came and joined and began practicing everyday just to keep up with everyone, age is not an issue if you have a passion for something, go and do it,” Garcia said.

Compared to other folklorico companies, Leyenda is known for their enthusiastic performances as well as their exaggerated movements and expressions.

Their techniques and dances have paved the way for others to be inspired further.

The company is sought out to do many important performances.

From movies in Hollywood to performing at concerts alongside Mexican artists such as Los Tigres Del Norte and Angela and Pepe Aguilar.

The beauty of Leyenda Dance Co. doesn’t stem from ridgid military style teachings, but it comes from teaching from the heart.

Showing honor and pride for what you do and who you are, not only representing Mexico but more importantly–yourself.

Alejandra Alvarez said it best, “It’s an experience where you learn many aspects from it not only from posture and exercise but this for my body, mind and soul.”

Everyone steps in with a grand smile and a drive to learn and perform.

Their comrade inspires and empowers not only the dancers but the ones that have the opportunity to witness their performances.

ABOVE Cynthia Vasquez puts into practice the steps and movements learned at the Leyenda Dance Studio on Oct. 23.

LEFT Folklorico dancers practice using the traditional Folklorico dress skirts which allows the dancer to create flowing patterns as they move