The Centurion
29_Apr.COM_COM_B001_B002_Layout 1 5/1/2014 11:06 AM Page 1
The Award-Winning, Student-Run Newspaper of Bucks County Community College
Week of April 29, 2014
The votes are in for a new Student Government!
Volume 51 Issue 12
www.Bucks-news.com Twitter@BCCCCenturion What’s Inside
Feature
After a week of voting, new members for the student government have been elected into office
Pg. 2
BY: JAMEELAH WILSON Centurion Staff
the results are in for the 2014 student government elections and they have already started to tackle current issues here at Bucks in order to provide the students with a more comfortable environment. many of the candidates who ran are eager to kick off the fall semester with a confident start. Current members of sgA re-ran for the 2014 fall semester and were all excellent students. students that didn’t win are still apart of the sgA which is very optimistic for the club. it shows that many of the students show good sportsmanship and are ready to tackle issues that are arising in Bucks. danielle selko, 22, a psychology major, won the councilor of clubs and organizations. selko is looking forward to what the 2014 fall semester has to offer, “i’m thrilled to get the clubs and orgs involved in more of the campus life here at Bucks.”
Do the youth of today suffer from political apathy?
Feature
Will personal computers define our generation?
Feature
Students demonstrate democracy when voting for student government elections.
cannot wait to begin his new position as treasurer next semester, “i feel very excited to get the ball rolling for next semester’s activities.” the winners of the 2014 student government elections are as follows: Brad Blosser won the presidency. Andrew strauss won the vice presidency. matt hoeffer won treasmatt hoeffer, 20, who is urer. theresa Kelly won secralso a psychology major
tary. danielle selko won the councilor of clubs. Christina smith won lower-Bucks liason. there are many projects the student government Association has been working on in the past year, their main goals are to provide students at Bucks attend a more com
in order to achieve their goals, there are many outlets which provides the club a better understanding of what the everyday Bucks student’s needs; the club has made it easier for students to send in their
complaints and suggestions they may have for the college on the school fortable environment and website. one of the several projto allow full-time and part-time students to feel ects student government at ease. Continued on page 2
Feature
Centurion Staff
Continued on page 2
Bucks-news.com
Trends are the definitions of generations.
Centurion@bucks.edu
Weather
Tuesday Showers with a high of 50.
Wednesday - Storms with a high of 55. Thursday Showers with a high of 74.
Photo Credit: WiKimediA Commons
trends are the living and breathing definitions of a generation. trends come in storming and rampaging. they make people think, or stop thinking. trends move in fast, and often are gone just as quickly. this generation – known as the millennials - doesn’t have a great depression or World War to define it; nor has it witnessed the kind of social unrest that typified the 60s generation. it does, however, face many problems and
Pg. 10
A look at the job market of the future.
The Centurion looks at the traits that define a generation stresses. it is, after all, the post 9/11 generation, the first to grow up in a world in which the idea of fortress America died along with the 3,000 or so victims of the terrorist attacks. this generation feels the profound insecurity that comes with the realization that we are no longer safe within our own shores. so, in this post 9/11 world, this is the generation that is under greater scrutiny than any other in history, a fact we know courtesy of nsA whistleblower edward snowden. it is any wonder,
Pg. 8
Gender Identity: Are we really born this way?
Photo Credit: Kelly Armstrong And WiKimediA Commons
What makes the Millennial generation tick?
BY: ERICH MARTIN
Pg. 5
Friday Partly cloudy with a high of 68. Saturday Partly cloudy with a high of 65. Sunday Partly cloudy with a high of 67. Monday Partly cloudy with a high of 66. WeAther Courtesy of the nAtionAl WeAther serviCe
Visit us at Bucks Newtown Campus Rollins Building Room 127
29_Apr.COM_COM_B001_B002_Layout 1 5/1/2014 11:06 AM Page 2
Election Results Continued from page 1
has been working on is the issue with septa buses, the 130, not running through the campus on saturday. this problem makes it difficult for students wanting to take saturday classes, and those who decide to tough out the situation, the only option is to walk the two mile long journey of the roads from the village of newtown shopping Center to the campus in order to attend class. sgA has taken this problem into major consideration, and has set up a meeting with the Bucks County tmA and a member of sePtA. Another project the club has been working on is small one, but a very big step to what they and many other clubs had been doing in the past. in order for clubs to have projects they wish to operate on, trips wanting to attend, or fundraisers to start, the club President must fill out a several
pages by hand and submit it into the clubs and organizations office. however, matt Cipriano, director of the student life Program, feels that they are stuck in the stone ages and wants to upgrade to something more digital. “i wish to make the forms into web-based forms to make things more streamlined.” not only does sgA fix the issues that are affecting students at Bucks, but the club also does fundraisers dealing with financial literacy in an event called “Kiss a Pig,” where they raised $1000 to kiss a pig. recently, student government created an event to raise money where many brave students on campus auctioned off themselves for ChoP.
Editor-in-Chief
Kelly Armstrong erich martin Managing Editor timothy Zenno mike Plassa Web Editor manuel rodriguez Advisor tony rogers
Youth culture continued Continued from page 1
then, this generation might be a little paranoid about being watched, and might be more inclined to stay at home on a saturday night. And for that matter, who would blame them if they turn away from politics and the news of the day, with so many grim developments taking place around the world. the following pages tell the story of the current generation’s trends, from
illicit drug use to staying boarded up only talking through the internet to friends. these are the stories of people in this generation, struggling to deal with the taxing ordeals of life, as well as find themselves in a way which we all know lacks finality. in the following pages, staff of “the Centurion” pieced together stories to show the uncertainty that we all face as young people growing up. Jeff
gadzinski tells the world of the apparent ignorance of today’s college students. tim Zenno delves into the darkness of those paranoid, be it of the internet or everything else. i tell the story and side of those who much prefer to stay inside, as opposed to venturing into the world in order to socialize. Political apathy is examined by manuel rodriguez, and Kelsei toth is showing the politically
correct side of students today. Kristof Phillips questions the education race seemingly apparent around today. Chris guisti and sydney tasey discuss some of the more taboo trends to grace the generation, including prescription drug abuse and the “androgynous” generation, respectively. these are the trends that will define the generation, for better or worse.
Political disinterest? Many associate youth culture with political apathy- but is it really the politics we are unamused about, or the people we have running our country? BY: MANUEL RODRIGUEZ Centurion Staff
more than 40 years ago, college campuses were the settings for demonstrations on seemingly a daily basis. And there was plenty to protest – the vietnam War and the u.s. military’s incursions into Cambodia, the my lai massacre, and of course civil rights. Perhaps the most notorious and tragic protest occurred at Kent state university in ohio, when (i think it was national guardsmen, you should check this)killed four students and injured nine more, simply because they were fighting for something they believed in. fast forward four or five decades and what do we have? College campuses that seem neutered by comparison. Among the young adults of today, political action all-too often amounts to liking certain stories on facebook or sharing a youtube video. But seldom are those same people out in the grit of the protests and fighting for what they believe in. the last glimmer of political action we saw in the u.s. was the occupy movement and that didn’t last long. Before that, we had hurricane Katrina, where only a handful of people spoke out against the government’s poor handling of
the situation. there was the stop Kony movement, which became a rat race on who could “like” what first on facebook and who had the best Kony 2012 profile pic – as if that was putting a dent in Joseph Kony’s regime. in short, young Americans by and large can’t be bothered with political involvement. According to a 2014 survey conducted by the Pew research Center, an alarming 50% of millennials “describe themselves as political independents,” holding no affiliation to any political party. “it’s just not my thing anymore,” said computer science major eric miller, 29, of morrisville; “i get politics but it’s just not something that’s important to me right now in my life.” miller wasn’t always as indifferent about politics, “i used be all over local political issues a few years ago, i actually attended many borough meetings and spoke my mind but i soon realized there were more important things to worry about, i had to do me, worry about myself.” like miller, deandre simms, 20, of Bristol, explained that he “didn’t have time to even think about politics, it’s not something that affects how i live – out of mind, out of sight.”
many young adults interviewed shared the same feelings (or lack thereof) about politics as miller and simms. Clearly, there is a different dynamic at work today than there was back then when people were out fighting for their rights. one possible reason? We haven’t had any forceful changes brought about that will put us, let’s say, in danger – something as forceful as a draft. Christoffer Bell, a journalist for Chicagonow.com, wrote in an article last year that “historically, when presidents enacted a draft, it sparked young adult interest – it made them care. they know young adults will start to care and pay attention if there was another draft and that is precisely why there will never be one.” miller explained “if there were a draft today, it would suck but i guess i’ll have to serve, even if i don’t agree with it” while simms was against being drafted into a war he didn’t believe in. “i would most definitely try to do something about a bogus war – it leads to nothing.” some other young adults ignore anything political altogether. dana ruminski, 21, a liberal arts major from langhorne, explained that her disinterest in pol-
itics is “simply because it separates people, every time someone mentions something political, people get defensive and often times agitate one another.” like ruminski, daniel gibson, a 20 year-old pre-med student from Quakertown, said that “politics is like religion, it pits people against each other, everyone holds down their flag, their belief – a good percentage of them are people who follow their ‘side’ blindly.” “how can i trust a government that can’t even trust themselves,” said 22 year old liberal arts major, stephanie Philpot. “they agree to disagree, bills that matter don’t get passed and they talk behind each other’s’ backs like they’re in high school!” this apparent segregation between politicians is repulsive for young adults today – there is no longer a trust for anything that causes separation anymore. to that point, ruminski mentioned that “people are really about getting together today, not separating because of differences – these politics are stuck in the past, they separate each other because of differences in ideas and beliefs, much like it was with race a long time ago – they need to wake up, not us!”
To recieve the Centurion’s Email Edition:
register at www.Bucks-news.com and a .Pdf version of the newspaper will be delivered directly to your email box.
Letter Policy
letters should be limited to 300 words. they will be edited for spelling and malicious or libelous statements, and may be edited for space. letters must be the original work of the writer and must be signed. for identification purposes, letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and telephone number, although the address and telephone numbers will not be published.
Send Letters to:
the Centurion 275 swamp rd newtown, PA 18940 Centurion@bucks.edu 215.968.8379
15_Apr.COM_COM_B03_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:30 AM Page 1
3
BUCKS
Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
29_Apr.COM_COM_B004_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:31 AM Page 1
4 TRENDS
Is political correctness correct? Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
BY KELSEI TOTH Centurion Staff
Historically, college campuses have always been havens of free speech and self-expression. But in recent years, at some colleges and universities, that simply hasn’t been the case. In California, Modesto Junior College Student Van Tuinen was stopped from handing out copies of the U.S. Constitution on his school’s campus. The University of Cincinnati faced accusations of violating students’ First Amendment rights when it restricted members of the UC chapter of Young Americans for Liberty from circulating a petition across campus. Most recently, Ayaan Hirsi Ali was invited and then disinvited to receive an honorary degree at Brandeis University’s commencement ceremonies, after some students complained that her outspoken criticism of militant Islam might be offensive. Over the years, people have been fighting to end the use of bigoted and offensive terms. This battle began in the 70‘s, and while the efforts and motives are very wellmeant, the line between “intentionally insulting” and “honest mistake” has blurred considerably. It’s become very difficult for some people to recognize the difference between someone using the wrong word, and someone using a hateful word. All-out wars have been waged over simple slip ups, such as using the word “agender” instead of “genderless,” honest and common mistakes which can be labeled “hostile.” It’s becoming a prevalent issue amongst internet bloggers, specifically on websites like Tumblr, where many people of different backgrounds and social standings come together and converse on touchy topics such as race, sexual orientation and gender. It’s understandable that there is a lot of pent up aggression and anger in some of these bloggers after dealing with actual bigots for years at a time, some of these people are ready to take their blind fury out on people who simply mixed up their terms. Among these new strange social constructs being put into effect, a new word has been coined to properly define small acts of subtle
Protesters speak at a “Public Zone” at Washington University.
racism or oppression “microaggression,” which is “the idea that specific interactions between those of different races, cultures, or genders can be interpreted as small acts of mostly nonphysical aggression." Many of the small mistakes which people often make fall under this category. The effect these new rules have had on the online blogging community can be crippling; free expression becomes difficult as no one wants to step on anyone’s toes, and no one wants to address anything too sensitive openly for fear of social ruin. These constructs make it much easier to label everyone as a bigot, while making it almost impossible to remove that reputation and redeem oneself, should a slip up occur. These unspoken laws aren’t only affecting people regarding comments made about race, religion or gender and sexual identity, but they can prevent people from even making innocent comments with no mention of sensitive subject matter. The cause for this kind of irrational behavior may be due to the great confusion regarding the difference between hate speech and mislabeling. People appear to be growing less and less able to discern negative intention from harmless mix up. Hate speech is words created to be offensive, the very definitions of such words are usually centered around smallminded stereotypes. They are often used in anger and during outbursts.
There have been rallies on college campuses and other properties dating back to as late as the 1970's, to end the use of discriminatory language. Professor George Aaron Broadwell, a linguistic discrimination expert, and an expert on Anthropology, offers his views on hateful language; “Since I am actually in favor of sensitive and inclusive language, let me explain my position. I think it is a good idea to use language carefully, and to avoid language that minority groups and women find offensive. On university campuses, students should avoid bigoted language directed at other members of the community.” Broadwell adds, “The Republican critique of this position is to portray this as censorship. But all of our constitutional rights have some limits. Slanderous speech, for example, is illegal because of its effect on the slandered. In a similar way, I think it is appropriate for universities to prohibit certain kinds of racist/homophobic language because of its corrosive effect on the university community.” When trying to hand out copies of the constitution on his school’s campus, Van Tuinen was allegedly informed by college officials that he could get permission to distribute the constitution copies, if he pre-registered for time in the “free speech zone,” a concrete slab big enough for two people. An administrator told him that he had two people on campus already using the slab, so he’d have to wait until
either Sept. 20, 27, or to a date sometime in October. Citing a quote from Charles C. Haynes’ article regarding this incident, he shares his opposition to limiting speech on campuses, “Virtually everything about the Modesto Junior College ‘free speech’ policy is wrongheaded and unconstitutional.” As Robert Shibley of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) explains, the college “sent police to enforce an unconstitutional rule, said that students could not freely distribute literature, placed a waiting period on free speech, produced an artificial scarcity of room for free speech with a tiny ‘free speech area,’ and limited the number of speakers on campus to two at a time.” Haynes continues, “Why have so many American institutions of higher learning, reputed bastions of intellectual freedom, retreated into fear of freedom? Are school officials afraid of debate and dissent? Are they trying to keep people (outside the zone) from hearing words that may offend someone?” But that’s in regards to deliberately hateful speech; there’s no subtlety in a slur, but what does one do when they don’t even know they’re using the wrong word? With slip ups, some people can’t tell passive aggression from a simple lack of clarity, and their idea of “proper education” is less than favorable. For Ayaan Hirsi Ali, being barred from Brandeis’ commencement was
PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
just the latest in a string of obstacles she has faced in speaking her views. After Ali wrote her 2004 screenplay “Submission,” which chronicled the trials and tribulations affecting Muslim women and girls, she received death threats. In fact, the film’s director Theo van Gogh was assassinated. He was found with a note pinned to his jacket which called out Hirsi, personally. She was then placed under police protection. Brandeis, for its part, had this to say: “She is a compelling public figure and advocate for women’s rights, and we respect and appreciate her work to protect and defend the rights of women and girls throughout the world. That said, we cannot overlook certain parts of her past statements that are inconsistent with Brandeis University’s core values. For all concerned, we regret that we were not aware of these statements earlier.” Ali, on the other hand, called the university’s excuse “feeble.” While a world of understanding and caution when speaking might seem like a good idea, some see it as being carried out by irrational, overly defensive people who have the potential to lose their cool at the first inkling of even the slightest example of “microaggression.” While the dissent usually comes with good intentions, a question which we should be asking is how much speech we are willing to restrict.
29_Apr.COM_COM_B005.qxp minus picture (erich is sending one in)_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:27 AM Page 1
5
TRENDS
Breaking communication barriers with the internet Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
More and more people are finding ease and comfort of communication over the internet. BY: ERICH MARTN Centurion Staff
said “I think the internet gives me a means of staying in touch with my friends who have moved around over the years. It’s like sitting in a living room just hanging out with them to me at this point.” Another student, Bill Cassady, 20, a liberal arts major from Levittown attending Bucks explained the use in “keeping touch with friends and family. Even when people live far away, it allows us to easily stay in touch with them.” When these friends do get together, they usually enjoy a night of various board games, pizza, and general camaraderie. The internet allows the camaraderie to extend into student’s day to day lives as they share video games and image macros as opposed to pizza and cold drink. Cost plays an important factor in how college aged people choose to interact, even when those people aren’t in high school. “It’s much easier to sit in your own home and communicate as opposed to going out. I also go to college four hours away from my high
PHOTO CREDIT: ERICH MARTIN
Inside a dark room, Peter Davis, 19, stares into the alluring glow of his computer monitor. Flashes of light explode from all over the screen as Davis stares intently at the action. A dull hum can be heard from the headset that Davis is wearing. The hum is not just music or game sound effects, but also the voices of five of his closest friends. Although it would appear to the naked eye that Davis is experiencing intense isolationism, he is actually communicating with his best friends in a way that would be difficult were they hanging out in person. The internet acts as a tool, allowing the friends to talk endlessly while playing games for hours on end. This is the use Davis and company have found for the internet, however, many young people use it to a lesser extent, capitalizing on Facebook and Twitter to stay connected to their otherwise distant friends. The internet enables the kind of interaction Davis and his friends are expe-
riencing. This is a kind of intercommunication that is becoming more and more common. Some worry it is replacing the face-to-face connection among many people, especially the young. For many college age people, including Peter, Students allured by computers in class. video games make and other internet venues up a big chunk of their is not always done at the social time; “I spend expense of face-to-face most of my free time social interaction. Many playing video games, so I young people are engagdon't go out a lot. The in- ing in social media activternet complements my ities at times and places hobby, allowing me to when traditional social socialize and play games interaction wouldn’t have with my friends,” exbeen possible, such as plains Peter, 19, a comwhen it is late at night.” puter science major from Dr. Thomspon is a proLevittown. fessor of media and mass Many people use techcommunication at Syranology such as Skype, in cuse University, at the addition to Facebook and Newhouse School of Twitter, to seemingly re- Public Communications. place the traditional face Dr. Thompson is an exto face interaction that pert on popular culture. has been the staple of Having friends sepahuman synergy for eons. rated by long distances is Not everyone believes another reason for online this is a bad thing. Dr. chats. One person expeRobert Thompson of riencing the geographic Syracuse University said, disconnect is Penn State “The social interaction University sophomore people have on Facebook Alex Mayor, 20, who
school friends, so in order to talk to them regularly, I need to use it,” says William Bittner, 20, sophomore at Penn State University. Not all professionals believe that the increased closed off interaction is not harmful. Kay Stahl, a professor of English at New York University, noted her feelings regarding less personal interaction. She said “I think it is potentially dangerous but I don't believe that the largest danger is in crisis situations, such as suicide and crimes that tend to receive the most publicity. I believe the broader danger, although more subtle, is the detachment from intimacy with others closest to us. I believe it is in not being present in the environment that young people (and even their parents) are a part of.” At the end of the night, five separate friends all turn off their computers. With a heavy hand and drooping eyelids, Davis rests his headset on top of the computer, and collapses into bed to rest for another night, likely to repeat the same steps the
29_Apr.COM_COM_B006_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:32 AM Page 1
Is ignorance really bliss? 6 TRENDS
Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
Studies are showing that young people pay little attention to their world at large. BY: JEFF GADZINSKI Centurion Staff
In the news universe of our digital age, there are seemingly endless ways one can get caught up on current events. Newspapers, TV and radio are the old-school options, but people are just as likely to get their news from Facebook or Twitter – most times getting the latest scoop straight from our smartphones. College students seem more likely to say, “Oh I heard about that on my Facebook newsfeed” than to have watched the news or read the newspaper. But does the enormous range of choices mean that young people are more knowledgeable about national and world events? Many say no. Christopher Harper, a journalism professor at Temple University, and a media columnist for the Washington Times, has a wealth of knowledge in the field. He worked for media companies throughout the years including ABC News, Newsweek, and The Associated Press. It seems apparent that Harper would have a firm commitment to making sure students are up on current events – even he is losing hope. Harper explained, “I gave up on giving current event tests about 15 years ago,” because students did so poorly on them. Harper believes blame could fall to our educational system. “I think people are not told the value of news in kindergarten through twelfth grade, and this carries over to college.” According to www.stateofthemind.org, newspapers have seen a steep decline in recent years. From 2006 to 2012, print advertising revenues have gone down more than 50 percent, and trends hint towards a continued decline as the years pass, dropping $1.8 billion in 2012; over an 8 percent decrease from the prior year. The Centurion did an experiment – it printed 100 news quizzes with five fairly easy questions about recent events in the news, then handed them out around the campus. About half of 100 people here at Bucks answered questions accurately. To a question regarding the location where a soldier opened fire, and eventually, killing himself; the answer was in
Fort Hood, Texas. Many students circled answers A or B; Fort Polk, or the US Military Academy – only half said Fort Hood. Many people here at campus knew for a fact that Russia was beginning to invade Ukraine, but at the same time people were left saying, “I’ve got no clue;” circling the answer of Poland, or Belarus even though Obama’s speech was projected in every state, voicing his disapproval of Russia’s brute force. “What surprise visitor greeted President Obama in Houston?” The possible choices of answers: Jay Z, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, or Russell Simmons. The only relevant political figure from Houston among the answers is George H. W. Bush, but the answer was not so obvious to the students here at Bucks. About half of the people got the answer correct, but almost just as many believed Obama was greeted by Jay-Z at the airport. This answer is not too far off as one may think. The ‘best friend’ fantasy began when on radio station Hot 97, Jay-Z when said, “We’ve exchanged phone calls and texts before.” This brings to light an even bigger problem in America today and especially in its younger demographic. People are more interested in the stories of celebrities than they are with what is truly going on in the world. Outlets such as TMZ, which focus solely on celebrity gossip, get more views and generate more revenue than many news programs. News still is very valuable in providing a lot of income, but we are in the technological era where iPhones are stared at blankly and newspapers end up as fragile packing paper for pottery. Playing your favorite app or checking up on what your friends are doing has replaced picking up a newspaper or watching the daily news. Apple, Microsoft, Google and IBM are among the top five brands in all of the United States and it’s no coincidence that they’re technology corporations. This is why many news outlets are turning to websites to deliver their news. The problem with this
Newspaper vending machines grow rarer with increases ignorance in the young.
though, is that it gives the people even more of a choice to see or turn a blind eye to the events going on worldwide. This generation now faces more ignorance than ever before. The fact that many would rather
snuggle up with their phone shows how close we are to being consumed by technology. The ignorance of current events poses a huge threat to the reputation of this country. People are brainwashed by their de-
PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
vices, and themselves. General empathy no longer exists. There is always some hope though, as Harper said, “I think people become somewhat more interested in the news as they get older.”
29_Apr.COM_COM_B007_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:33 AM Page 1
7
BUCKS
Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
29_Apr.COM_COM_B008_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:34 AM Page 1
8
TRENDS
Findings one’s gender identity Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
BY SYDNEY TASEY Centurion Staff
Picture of transgender student Dylan Myers
*
For BCCC Students *based on your GPA
BEST. YOU. EVER. EVERYDAY IS TRANSFER DAY! Take advantage of on-the-spot credit and scholarship evaluations. Schedule your personal appointment today: 845.398.4101 or ncapitel@stac.edu. 100+ Academic & Career Programs 16 NCAA DII Sports Military Friendly School® - Yellow Ribbon Program Participant
S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S C O L L E G E ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY | 845.398.4100 | www.stac.edu
AQUINAS
UP TO 50% TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
THOMAS
St. Thomas Aquinas College Can Help You Make College Affordable!
COLLEGE
male with tight clothes and makeup on goes into the men's locker room to shower. The stereotypes, weird looks and assumptions do affect people in the LGBT community greatly. People today seem to constantly preach to just be yourself, and not care what others think. However, by being gender diverse you're constantly put in a position to have people say things that may affect how you feel about yourself in society. "I don't understand why it's a huge deal for people to wear clothes that don't fit their assigned gender role. They aren't hurting
it would be better for them to live." Says Susan Stryker Ph.D. and Associate Professor of Gender and Women's Studies in her book Transgender History. People are open to the idea but often it’s hard to tell whether society is ready to fully accept gender diversity. Despite a general attitude of acceptance in society, it's still hard for anyone in the LGBT community to live their lives in the same way that others do, for example; without the weird looks as female with short hair and baggier clothes enters the women's restroom or the
A U.S. News & World Report Top-Tier Institution
PHOTO CREDIT: DYLAN MYERS
S T.
Walking down the halls on campus is a boy dressed in tight flamboyant clothes, gaudy jewelry and a strut sassier than Heidi Klum on the runway. Is his gender identity male or female? What gender category should he be placed in? Sexual orientation is based on which gender you find yourself attracted to sexually or romantically. Gender, on the other hand, is an external thing; how people express themselves through hair, clothes, voice, etc. This can be confusing because, "society only likes to see gender as biological sex, a lot of people are not well educated so they look at how a person is born; male or female, and assume that's their gender. It causes confusion for people under the trans umbrella." says Dylan Myers, a transgender male here at Bucks. "Some people move away from their birth-assigned gender because they feel strongly that they properly belong to another gender in which
anyone,” says Jourdên Lloyd, another Trans male here at Bucks. This issue doesn't just affect people in the LGBT community; it can also affect someone who is straight but chooses to wear clothes that are gender diverse so they're put in the same position as anyone who is LGBT. There are many different terms in the LGBT community that people who are not gender diverse seem to misunderstand. A lot of times transgender and crossdressing get mixed up. To be transgender is having a gender identity that doesn't match the sex you were born with,
whereas cross-dressing just means to change your style, to what the opposite gender would normally wear, but you do not seek to be the other sex. Back before the 1950's males were the ones who mainly wore pink but females wore blue because it represented delicacy. In today's society, we think of when you have a baby boy you paint his room blue and a girls pink. Throughout the years the acceptance of gender diversity has increased. There are many people who are still not accepting of it, but there is a high chance that they were raised differently from how kids are raised today. Many children now are brought up with LGBT parents or influences in their lives and understand that you don't have to fit societal norms on gender identities or roles. As society grows with more open hearts and minds, there is hope for everyone who is gender diverse to be fully accepted and supported in our generation and generations to come.
29_Apr.COM_COM_B009_Layout 1 5/1/2014 11:33 AM Page 1
The paranoid generation 9
TRENDS
BY: TIMOTHY ZENNO Centurion Staff
public. According to internetworldstats.com as of 2000, there were over 108 million people using the internet but whether or not authorities take a watchful eye of everyone is questionable. Cyber-crime is a new transgression to be on the lookout for as well, even on Bucks’ campus. Director of the IT Academy at Bucks, Owen Forrest, has been concerned about some strange recent complaints. “People are getting phone calls saying they represent the college, and try to get credit card information. When people press them for questions, they hang up,” says Forrest. “Bucks will never call you for your credit card information.” Modern employers have more freedom than ever to screen applicants. In today’s world, we face more internet scrutiny during the employment process than any other previous generation. The internet, after all, exists to make information accessible to everyone – even if companies are using it to screen their employees.
The week of April 29, 2014
“They’d be silly not to,” says Ed Dress, former investigative producer for CBS. “You want to get feedback about your employees.” Dress has admitted to using the internet in the past to research people himself. “Some people are putting way too much stuff up on there. Some employers even ask for access these days, there’s no need to hide it.” Not everything about information gathering on the internet is a bad thing. Ryan Kloepfer, 24 year old computer science major says that web browsers now “have personalized ads, products and services that are tailored specifically for you.” Kloepfer also recognizes the risk, “The bigger problem is government abuse. When you start accusing people of crimes before they happen, people automatically become targets,” he says. Employers, advertisers, criminals and regular people all use the internet alike. There are a lot of things one can do to protect themselves. “First off, try Googling yourself,” says Dress.
“You’d be surprised what you see. If you put it online, be careful. There are privacy settings. Think of it like a cop on the side of the road. If you don’t make it public, it won’t be,” Dress continued. Forrest offers some sound advice too, “An easy way to protect yourself is to follow this process: stop, think, connect.” Forrest advises to never respond to something requesting information too quickly. Strong passwords for anything that requires a log in, mix it up with some numbers and capital letters as well as any symbols if it allows. “Stop to think about it first, and try to think
about what that message is saying. The whole thought process could save you,” Forrest added. Bucks is working with Forrest and the Department of Homeland Security to hold an event on April 29. This event will educate students on internet security and how to protect yourself in general. “Internet crime is very much present in our society today, and we have to be careful,” warns Forrest. The IT Academy’s event is open for everyone. People are advised to educate themselves before it’s too late, as many students fear it may already be.
PHOTO CREDIT: OWEN FORREST
Your group of friends decide to have some fun away from the public eye. Everything is going well until someone comes knocking at the door. For Charlotte, 20, a communications major who asked that her last name not be used, this was a reality. Some friends were having a few drinks in the dorm of a four-year college. “My one friend tweeted about it without us knowing,” Charlotte says. “All of a sudden our RA (resident assistant) was banging on our door asking us what we were doing. My friend was confused, considering her Twitter is private, but word still somehow got out. She told us to take it off Twitter and that this was our warning.” Charlotte says she “learned that night that nothing on the internet is private, no matter what the setting.” Charlotte doesn’t think this is a bad thing, though. “If you’re putting it on the internet, a lot of people can and are going to see it.” It’s no secret that things like Facebook and Twitter are
Bucks-news.com
Generation Rx: raised to be numb BY CHRIS GIUSTI Centurion Staff
“I can’t tell you how many pills doctors have put me on over the years for problems that I have. I was smart enough to not let it lead to more but I have been around too many kids that weren’t so lucky,” said a Bucks student who wished to remain anonymous. This generation has too many people on these prescription drugs to “make them feel and live better” but don’t see what it could possibly cause in the long run. “It really is sad to see all of these kids losing their lives at such a young age from something that really should not be happening,” said Vince Pulli, 21, a business major from Warrington. According to WebMD, more than 5 million teens, nearly 25 percent, said to have abused their medications. There have been different names for almost every recent generation, from the “G.I. Generation” all the way up to “Generation Z”. Recent opinions have shown that this current generation should be known as the “Rx Generation.” Dr. Patricia Schram of the Children’s hospital Boston Center for Ado-
People today fear being watched regardless of where they are.
Drugfreeworld.org studlescent Substance Repeople admitting to abusies showed each year 4.4 search noted in an intering drugs such as comillion teenagers (aged view with drugfree.org caine, hallucinogens, 12 to 17) in the US adthat the younger generainhalants, and heroin. tion doesn’t realize what Many studies show that mitted to taking prescription painkillers, and 2.3 they’re getting into. its origin is from the ac“They don’t know what cess of prescription drugs million took a prescription stimulant such as Rithey’re taking or what at an early age. With the could happen to them, growth in technology and talin. Many Bucks students and then they end up in science, drugs are made the hospital in bad much stronger and have a have experience with taking these types of shape.” lasting impression on PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS drugs as well as similar Although many teens ones. that abuse drugs come “I was diagnosed with from a family that has a ADHD when I was drug abusing history, younger and took the Schram goes on about drug Concerta all the how it could happen to way up to the beginning anyone. “This can hapof high school,” said pen in any family, even Mike Lafferty, 19, a those without a history of sports management addiction.” Popular doctor Drew Pills like Adderall are commonly used major from Chalfont. to medicate children “I stopped taking my Pinsky also added his Concerta after my sophothoughts on how adults people. more year in high school see prescription drugs You have a headache, because I would not have compared to the younger take Advil. You have a an appetite and I was just generation, telling cold, take Tylenol Cold. not myself on it,” added PBS.org, “Our general We get hooked on these Lafferty. attitude toward prescrip- pills and they end up There are multiple reation drugs is that they're leading to much harder sons behind the whole going to make our lives drugs. drug craze that teenagers happier and better. Pills Other types of drugs are designed to treat that students know much get into. It ranges from medical problems, not to about are Ritalin, Adder- just wanting to fit into a group, to escape or relax make life easier. Adults all, Concerta, etc. These from things like school think you can use these drugs are used to help or their jobs, to relieve things without consepeople with ADD or boredom, to rebel, or to quences, and adolescents ADHD. Many students just experiment. now a days are predon’t see the long-term Oklahoma State’s comscribed them to help horizon.” missioner of health, Terry them focus in class, but According to drugfreeCline, added his take on these are the type of world.org, in the United the whole generation getdrugs that lead to harder States alone, 15 million people abuse prescription ones and defines why we ting into this craze. “Just over the last 10 years, or are known as the “Rx drugs. This is more than about 10 years, we have the combined number of Generation.”
seen a 372 percent increase of the number of deaths from misuse of prescription drugs – it’s huge.” So many concerned citizens of this epidemic want to try and find a way to stop teens from getting their hands on these drugs. The problem is, people don’t realize how easy it is to get the drugs. The Huffington Post reports that 64 percent of drugs come from a friend or relative. “It’s sad to see how easy it is to get the drugs nowadays,” said Nick Swinehart, 20, a criminal justice major from Warwick. Although we try to enforce all of these laws to try and get drugs off the street, there is only so much you can do with all of the prescription drugs out there that are designed to help people. Even though those drugs are made to help people, it seems like it’s doing more harm than good. “It doesn’t matter whether you buy your drugs in a liquor store, a pharmacy or on the street; you’re going to be just as dead at the end. You know, addiction doesn’t care where you get your drugs,” said addiction specialist Dr. Hal Vorse.
29_Apr.COM_COM_B010_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:49 AM Page 1
10 TRENDS
Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
Jobs of the future will require more than a high school diploma BY: KRISTOF PHILLIPS Centurion Staff
Rieger earned his Master degree in economics from Perdue University in 1973 and started his career in the private sector working for Chemical Bank, now JP Morgan and Chase. “Globalization killed off lower paying jobs,” continued Rieger, highlighting the ever-increasing importance of college degrees, job training and certifications, as more and more minimum wage jobs are being replaced by new technologies. A trend experienced by most people as they approach check-out lines in grocery stores, where cheap and efficient computer screens have replaced what a minimum wage worker once did. As our society becomes increasingly technologically advanced, many worry that workers will be displaced by technology at startling rates and left with outdated skills, resulting in prolonged unemployment. “Improving technology keeps growing our productivity but it is important not to leave people behind, and education and training play an important role in that,” said Rieger. “The demand curve for training and higher education keeps increasing, and as demand for training and education increases, so does its price,” explained Rieger. This is something Mark Grigorenko, a 19-year-old engineering major here at Bucks County Community College, knows a little about. Grigorenko attends
PHOYO CREDIT: KRISTOF PHILLIPS
For Aaron Burner, the choice to continue his education after graduating from Quakertown High School in 2008 was not much of a choice. While a college education was something Burner desired, he acknowledged pursing one was a necessity. “After high school you go to college because it is the best option,” said Burner. “If I felt I wanted to attend a tech school then I would have already been involved in one in high school,” said Burner. After visiting various colleges Burner settled on Kutztown University. Burner found his time at college to be beneficial, balancing school and work while developing “life skills.” “College is your first chance in the real world to be on your own, away from Mom and Dad,” said Burner. Burner graduated from Kutztown University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. After a year of working as a roofer and then in a pretzel shop, Burner’s four years of hard work were finally rewarded when in February 2013 he found a job in his field of study. Burner now works for Avogadro Environmental Corp. in Easton testing the air quality at various facilities along the East Coast. “I get to test air admissions, which is good for humanity and I get see new manufacturing facilities
every week, so every week is like a new one for me,” said Burner. According to the BLS’s “Occupational Outlook Quarterly” of spring 2014, jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (S.T.E.M) are anticipated to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022. Software developers, civil engineers, and network and computer systems administrators are projected to grow the fastest. They typically pay over $60,000 a year, and require at least a bachelor’s degree for entry level work. The U.S. is ranked first in top universities around the world, boasting 31 out of the top 100 universities, according to nationmaster.com. Yet, in a study released by National Center for Education Statistics in 2009, 61 percent of the U.S. population between the ages of 25 and 64 have not completed a higher education program, falling behind Japan, Russia and Canada. As a result, many fear there will be a shortage of workers in the U.S. with the qualifications to fill these S.T.E.M jobs, which could lead to prolonged unemployment in the U.S. as companies look abroad. “We’ve been selling the idea anyone can get a degree, but only some go on to earn a degree, there should be more training programs,” said Al Rieger, an economics teacher from Bucks County Community College.
An economics class earns an education for the future.
Bucks full-time, while working part-time for his father’s construction company. Grigorenko’s first pick for a four- year college to transfer to was Drexel University. However, Drexel’s tuition is more than he can afford and he has to choose between his second and third choices, Rider and Weidner University. Grigorenko feels that not enough is being done to make places like Drexel more affordable, stating “Drexel is a great school but it’s really expensive while Rider and Weidner are half the price and both are engineering schools.” For Grigorenko, his financial aid was able to cover almost all of his tuition here at bucks, leaving just
his books as an out-ofpocket expense. “The cost of those schools is one of the reasons I came to Bucks,” explained Grigorenko. While the cost of tuition has been on the rise, the cost of not having a college degree is even greater. In 2012 the unemployment rate of individuals with a bachelor’s degree was six percent, whereas the unemployment rate of individuals with only a high school diploma or a G.E.D was 18.3 percent according to the N.E.C.S “Sometimes finding the right job is worth the wait, don’t waste time on a job that’s going nowhere,” advised Burner.
29_Apr.COM_COM_B011_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:50 AM Page 1
11
BUCKS
Bucks-news.com
The week of April 29, 2014
29_Apr.COM_COM_B012_Layout 1 4/30/2014 10:51 AM Page 1
Prepare for Titanfall 12 ENTERTAINMENT
BY: ALBERT KLESCHICK Centurion Staff
Last month gamers all over the country rushed to buy “Titanfall”, one of the most anticipated games of the year. For those who haven’t heard “Titanfall” is a new game that blends the first-person shooter genre and giant mechanical pilot-driven robot characters into one game. If you enjoy other popular video game series like “Call of Duty” or “Battlefield” then “Titanfall” is right up your alley. This game has been developed by veterans of the first-person shooter genre that revolutionized what a first-person shooter is with “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” back in 2007. After disagreements with the direction of the franchise Infinity Ward dissolved and was replaced by Respawn Entertainment. This new game studio wanted a fresh take on the genre and that’s where “Titanfall” was born. The game has no singleplayer storyline, the plot is instead incorporated into multiplayer sessions. What “Titanfall” does
differently than other shooters is place the player in vertical area maps as opposed to horizontal or “flat” styled maps. The game controls well, always responding to inputs by the player immediately. In an age where video games can be cranked out year-by-year, this game stands alone in a genre that is crowded with many disasters. Players control “pilots” and the objective is simple, eliminate the other team. Titans are the essence of “Titanfall” hence the title of the game, and they are only rewarded to players who gain a certain amount of points quicker than other players who have to wait on their timers for the Titan to spawn. Gaining a Titan earlier rather than later is key because it puts the opposition at a disadvantage since Titans are highly durable, can unload large amounts of damage and swing the momentum of a game if one team is full of Titans instead of human pilots. In the hands of a masterful pilot, they can ac-
Bucks-news.com
Promotional art for “Titanfall.”
tually outplay a Titan even though they’re a lot smaller and do less damage overall. This is because the game also rewards players who understand the “David vs. Goliath” aspect of the game.
The week of April 29, 2014
Pilots are smaller and nimbler than giant mechanical Titans so they can use their speed to dodge and damage while confusing the enemy Titan. The game is fresh, understands balance be-
tween players and finds a new angle on an already abused genre. “Titanfall” is easy to play, but hard to master, ensuring that players can play the game for a long time before growing bored.
THE WEEK IN TV/MOVIES/MUSIC/BOOKS TV
Tuesday 4/29 Glee - FOX - 8:00 NCIS: Los Angeles - CBS - 9:00 Chicago Fire - NBC - 10:00
MOVIES
MUSIC
Wednesday 4/30 Survivor: Cagayan - CBS - 8:00 Modern Family - ABC - 9:00 Chicago PD - NBC - 10:00
Thursday 4/1 Grey’s Anatomy - ABC - 8:00 Two and a Half Men - CBS - 9:00 Black Box - ABC - 10:00 Friday 4/2 Kitchen Nightmares - FOX - 8:00 Hawaii Five-0 - CBS - 9:00 Hannibal - NBC - 10:00
Sunday 4/4 Once Upon a Time - NBC - 8:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - FOX - 9:00 The Mentalist - CBS -10:00 Monday 4/5 24: Live Another Day - FOX -8:00 Mike and Molly - CBSFOX - 9:00 Castle - ABC - 10:00
Blue Ruin(R)
A mysterious outsider's quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.
Directed by: Jeremy Saulnier Starring: Macon Blair, Devin Ratray Release Date: April 30
The Howlin’ Brothers New Album “Trouble 29 April
Lindsey Stirling
New Album “Shatter Me” 29 April
Chris Brown New Album “X” 5 May
BOOKS “Unlucky 13”
Written By: James Patterson and Maxime Paetro San Francisco Detective Lindsay Boxer is loving her life as a new mother. With an attentive husband, a job she loves, plus best friends who can talk about anything from sex to murder, things couldn't be better. Then the FBI sends Lindsay a photo of a killer from her past, and her happy world is shattered.
Release Date: 5 May
“Palo Alto: Stories”
“The One ”
Now a “provocative” and “impressive” (Variety) film from director Gia Coppola (Francis Ford Coppola’s granddaughter)—starring Emma Roberts, James Franco, Nat Wolff, and Val Kilmer—the fiction debut from James Franco that Vogue called “compelling and gutsy.”
The highly anticipated third book in Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series! This B&N collector's edition includes a double-sided poster featuring the covers of The Selection and The One, as well as an exclusive extra scene from Kiera Cass! The One will captivate readers who love dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales.
Written by: James Franco
Release Date: 6 May
Written by: Kiera Cass
Release Date: 6 May