Volume 77, Issue 14 | www.elaccampusnews.com | Wednesday, March 4, 2020 | Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents
Warren rallies Latino voters to ‘dream big’ BY JUAN CALVILLO AND RAYMOND NAVA Staff Writer Elizabeth Warren compared the Latino janitor protests of the early ‘90s, to the persistence and hard work needed to win the 2020 election during Monday night’s rally at East Los Angeles College. Warren said that her purpose at the rally was to shine a light on a specific group. “Tonight I am here to honor Latinas, who are the unsung heroes,” Warren said. At the time of printing Warren did not win the California primary and had zero delegates to her name in the state. Nor did she win her home state. Some of the speakers at the rally included First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Warren herself. Among some of the points mentioned were touting some of Warren’s accomplishments like her creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and rejecting the notion that the race for president was down to two people. “I know a lot of male talking heads on television have counted Elizabeth out. One of them was forced to resign tonight,” Newsom said in a reference to MSNBC anchor Chris Mathews, who resigned on air hours before the rally. Though the rally was briefly interrupted by protesters after Warren took the stage, they were quickly escorted off and Warren started her speech. After congratulating Joe Biden on his win in South Carolina, Warren told the story of the Justice for Janitors movement in the 1980s and undocumented immigrants. “Instead of demonizing
undocumented workers, the janitors embraced them because workers are workers regardless of status,” she said. Describing the election, Warren said that it “is about power. About who has too much of it, about who needs more of it and about the fight to get that done.” Warren said that members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) came to talk to the workers about the simple idea of power. Over time these women janitors began sharing their experiences and stories. This caused them to ask for more rights for all workers. “They proved the lesson, that (when) women start telling their stories, change is on the way,” Warren said. These seeds eventually became the rallying force for the Justice for Janitor protests of the 1990s. Warren said that despite the protestors being arrested and some hospitalized, the group continued on pushing day after day for the chance to be heard and have a place at the bargaining table. This culminated with a sit down between the companies that employed the janitors and the janitors as equals. The sit down brought benefits and wage increases. Warren said that this showed the persistence and strength needed to get change to occur. She said that the upcoming election was going to be similar. “It is an unshakeable truth that I learned a long time ago. Nobody makes it on their own,” Warren said. She said that to win and create meaningful change needs partners and a coalition. WARREN Continued on page 2
CN/JULIE SANTIAGO
‘FIGHT HARD’—Elizabeth Warren reminds voters, at a rally at East Los Angeles College, that persistance was the key to getting things done and that having great ideas have to include great plans.
Marijuana convictions for 66,000 resentenced, dismissed
Prop 64 provides second chance to minorities BY VANESSA A. RAMOS Staff Writer As a result of Proposition 64, nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions in the Los Angeles County area are eligible for dismissal. This was announced in a news conference on Feb. 13. District Attorney Jackie Lacey and Code of America are working together with Code of America’s Clear My Record software to assist district attorneys in the state of California for resentencing or dismissing for sealed convictions. Lacey stressed relief for minorities with these convictions. Convictions being eligible for relief can be dated back to 1961. This single court motion is for resentencing or dismissal as well as sealing of prior eligible marijuanarelated convictions. AB1793, a law that requires all county district attorneys to review convictions eligible under Prop 64 for expunction or deduction, reviews have a deadline of July 1. Prop 64 was passed by California voters Nov. 9, 2016. California adopted the proposition to “legalize specified personal use and cultivation of marijuana for adults 21 years of age or older; reduces criminal penalties for specified marijuana-related offenses for
GRAPHIC BY STEVEN ADAMO
adults and juveniles; and authorizes resentencing or dismissal and sealing of prior, eligible marijuanarelated convictions. The proposition includes provisions on regulation, licensing, and taxation of legalized use.” In addition to Prop 64, Lacey expanded the criteria to dismissing convictions; if convictions are of individuals 50 years or older, if in the past 10 years individual has not been convicted of any additional convictions, if individual has successfully completed probation
and lastly, for individuals who are 21 years and younger convictions are subject for review to dismissal. An overall review of this motion is to acknowledge Prop 64 to fulfill its promise to re-evaluate convictions of eligibility. Under California State law, marijuana was legalized since the Prop 64 adoption. For individuals with a history of convictions, it has created barriers for long periods of time. The relief of this request is to rehabilitate those who have been
affected. Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office website says? the 53,000 individuals are quite diverse with, 32 percent black or African American, 45 percent Latino, 20 percent white and the 3 percent are others or unknown. In this motion dismissal, individuals who suffer from marijuana-related convictions will now be eligible for employment, housing and other resources. “This can assist in efficiency in the county of Los Angeles for district attorneys and prosecutors. For
people who were once not eligible for certain resources, now have the opportunity to apply for employment and county resources. In the State of California marijuana is now legal, so diminishing conviction of the past should be taken into consideration,” Administration of Justice Department professor Sharon Johnson said. Johnson said that standardized field sobriety tests would have to be addressed to reflect the changes that the proposition brings with it. “California should take into consideration test levels moving forward when determining driving impairments under the influence of marijuana. If laws are taken into consideration on cultivation, possession and resentencing, laws should work together to create a procedure for law enforcement to determine how much is too high,” she said. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has set up a hotline for public questions at (323) 760-6763. The public can also visit http://pubdef.lacounty.gov. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law and a Schedule 1 drug. Prop 64 does not tailor to the Compassionate Use Act (Prop 215) or the Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA).
Coronavirus ends study abroad plans BY RUSSELL NAVARRETTE Staff Writer Coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has put a halt to the East Los Angeles College’s study abroad program and future plans to visit China and Japan. Co-directors and professors Norm Vega and Lynn Vogel-Zuiderweg for the Center for Global Education and Engagement from East Los A n g e l e s C o l l e g e ’s M o d e r n Language Department worked with the Engineering Department to plan a possible study abroad program in China for 2021. The Japan program is exclusively for ELAC students, Professor Vogel said that it was designed for students that had at least one semester of
Japanese. Other trips waiting for approval include: Florence, Italy, which will focus on architecture, Paris, France, for language and culture and Costa Rica for life sciences and ecology. “In the past, when you think (about studying) abroad, you think, ‘Oh, you go to study the language.’But we want to expand it so the idea ultimately being global education and becoming global citizens,” Vogel said. However, since the pandemic of COVID-19, plans have stopped until further notice. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the virus was first detected in Wuhan, China and has now been detected in 70 locations internationally. The Coronavirus is part of the
large coronavirus family. The CDC said that coronaviruses are common in people and different species of animals like bats, cattle, cats and camels. These viruses rarely transmit from animals to people and then spread to other people like this current coronavirus. Nurse practitioner at ELAC, Michelle Quon said that there has been no cases reported here on campus and that it is unnecessary to wear medical masks. “It’s not necessary because they (CDC, LA Health Deptartment) are not recommending people wear them if they are feeling well. If you are sick that’s a different situation,” Quon said. For more information visit: www.elaccampusnews.com
Photo Journalist Art Page 3
News Briefs Womens/Gender Studies speaking event
Winona LaDuke will have a speaking engagement Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. The event is free and will be in building G3 in the Ingalls Auditorium.
VPAM Converstation The Vincent Price Art Museum will host a talk with artists Yolanda Gonzalez and Lauren Stacia Gonzalez today from noon - 1:30 p.m.
Correction CN/IVAN CAZARES
WHAT LINE?—Voters submitting ballots at East Los
Angeles College wait up to two hours to cast their votes, during Super Tuesday. It was the first California primary using the “Voting Solutions for All People” system.
On page 2, in last weeks issue, in the article “Petitioners are a Nuisance” Jesse Aguiar was misspelled.
Opinion LA county weeds out convictions 2
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
making campaigning representatives more amicable. District Attorney of Los Angeles, Jackie Lacey with the help of Code for America, has California’s Proposition 64 moved for 66,000 eligible cases legalized the recreational use of related to marijuana convictions to marijuana for adults over the age be dismissed, expunged, or have of 21. their charges reduced. The law had immense support Code for America, a San Francisco from California voters when it based non-profit, specializes passed in Nov. of in software 2016. engineering. Marijuana was They played a only available for vital role in the medicinal purposes “This is a good thing efforts to aid the via prescription marijuana happening for the 66,000 from a doctor until conviction cases the law passed. various minority groups in Los Angeles U n d e r County. Proposition 64, that are affected by Code for C a l i f o r n i a n s improper convictions.” America created voted to not only a program named decriminalize Clear My Record marijuana but to that uses a specially also rewrite clauses that pertained designed algorithm, which helps to marijuana related offenses. identify cases that are eligible for Prop. 64 has brought the cannabis expungement. community new standards in care, Clear My Record eliminates the packaging and new regulation of tedious and costly process a person products to ensure safe consumption. would have to go through in order Although California passed to have their record cleared. Proposition 64 nearly four years It also aids people that don’t know ago, it has been a slow process they are eligible to have their record for the legislation to reach its full expunged. potential. Without Clear My Record, it has Proposition 64 is supposed to been proven by people who have help people with marijuana related worked to expunge their record. offenses clear their record or at least The increase in revenue from the help to reduce their charges, but the taxation of marijuana helps fund change had been stagnant. local communities. Until a non-profit organization, It also funds scientific research Code for America, collaborated in order to get a better and with elected officials in major cities more reliable understanding of to put forth a self-made solution to marijuana’s medicinal benefits. this issue. Marijuana has gained a lot more With elections coming up, thus popularity through its legalization.
BY JULIETT MARIE VILLEGAS Staff Writer
Consumption of the drug in its many forms such as in food, tinctures, topicals, concentrates and herbs as people dive into this cannabis frenzy. In this contemporary time it has become normal to drive down the Interstate Five Freeway, seeing billboards promoting legal storefronts and delivery services. Marijuana companies are rising and expanding their efforts to reach different consumer groups. It has become common to see and hear marijuana being talked about casually on television shows without a malicious overtone. This new attitude of acceptance toward marijuana is in huge contrast to when the drug was first deemed as a Schedule One substance by the federal government back in the 1930s. Partly due to this, marijuana, colloquially referred to as weed, has always caused a great divide across the nation. Unbeknownst to many, under the Controlled Substance Act, marijuana is still considered to be a Schedule One drug. That means that federal law prohibits any activity involving the sale and consumption of weed. This clashes with California state laws regarding marijuana, and so many people have argued that the federal government should take an unbiased approach in order to stabilize this contradiction. The antiquated ways of file -keeping within the government would lengthen the amount of time it would take to resolve this issue and consequently reduce the chances of a positive outcome.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020
EDITOR IN CHIEF Luis Castilla MANAGING EDITOR Melody Ortiz ONLINE EDITOR Alex Handy FRONT EDITOR Juan Calvillo OPINION EDITOR Juliett Marie Villegas NEWS EDITOR Melvin Bui FEATURE EDITOR Jonathan Bermudez
GRAPHIC BY STEVEN ADAMO
Code for America has put their program in motion by erasing 8,000 marijuana related convictions in the city of San Francisco back in February of 2019. Not only did the project run smoothly and finish ahead of schedule, it was completed without having to spend the full amount of funding it received. Their specially designed software has identified many other eligible cases that date back decades,
that otherwise would have gone unnoticed for fixture by the government. This is a good thing happening for the various minority groups that are affected by improper convictions. If legislation proves successful it will serve as a reminder, that society and government is the most efficient when people embrace their civic duty and participate when change isn’t brought quick enough.
SPORTS EDITOR Erica Cortes Michael Dominguez COPY EDITORS Gustavo Buenrostro Ivan Cazares CARTOONIST Zasha Hayes STAFF WRITERS Alejandro Ambriz Jeremy Arias Andrew Ayala Johanna Calderon Miguel Dominguez Samantha Iniguez Maria Marroquin Monroy Raymond Nava Russell Navarrette Noe Ortega Maya Perayra Vanessa A. Ramos Julie Santiago Sonny Tapia Melisa Valenzuela
Bands should be able to share political views choose. No one should be surprised that a band called Chicano Batman favors a liberal candidate. You knew what you were getting Bands should be able to show into when you started listening to a support for political candidates band whose name is a stand-in for Mexican-Americans.The band’s without any backlash from fans. Many local bands have begun music also has very liberal themes, showing support for their preferred so when a conservative fan suggests presidential candidates to the the band keep their politics to themselves, it outrage of some comes off as fans. bewildering. OC Hurricanes, Chicano Batman, Art should be subjective Even if fans do not agree with an SadGirl, Allah-Las and bands are artist’s political and Perfection are just a few of the comprised of people views, that is not a legitimate reason Los Angeles-based with autonomous for turning on the bands that have artist. publicized their thought. Music fans support for Bernie should not be so Sanders on social easily turned off media. Because Los Angeles has a strong from great music just because they Sanders following, many fans were disagree with a musician’s stance happy to hear that both their music on certain topics. When it became apparent that and political worlds were in line Morrissey was a supporter of the with one another. Others, however, brought up the far-right, there was a notable lack concern that music and politics of backlash.Music is a product should be kept seperate. Art should be of emotion, so it is bound to be subjective and bands are comprised intertwined with the beliefs of its of people with autonomous thought. creator. The music scene in Los These musicians are allowed to Angeles is comprised mostly of show support for whatever they left-leaning musicians.
BY LUIS CASTILLA Staff Writer
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Warren rallies constituents to ‘fight to save our democracy’ The rally comes on the heels of the South Carolina primary where she placed fifth as well as She said that from the Justice a day after fellow Democratic for Janitors protestors to those presidential candidate and frontrunner Senator students that Bernie Sanders took part in the held a rally at 1968 walkouts, it th e L o s A n g eles showed the power “History teaches convention center. of fighting back. Fellow presidential “History teaches us the power of candidates Pete us the power of fighting back. So, fighting back. So, Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropped yes, these are hard yes, these are out and endorsed Joe times and yes, Biden. California people are afraid. hard times and is key to many And the danger yes, people are presidential hopefuls is real, our very as the state has the democracy hangs afraid.” greatest number of in the balance. So delegates. we can’t get timid, Exit polls result we can’t cower. ELIZABETH WARREN Sanders in first place Or we can fight Presidential Candidate with 34 percent of back...this is the the vote with Warren fight we have been in second place with called to. The fight 17 percent of the vote. to save our democracy,” Warren said.
WARREN Continued on page 1
CN/IVAN CAZARES
GRASS ROOT SUPPORT— U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren seeks the support if Latino voters a day before Super Tuesday, at a rally at East Los Angeles College on Monday. www.ELACCampusNews.com
ARTS EDITORS Gabriela Gutierrez Johanna Perez
East Los Angeles College Campus News 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez E7-303 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (323) 265-8819, Ads (323) 265-8821 Fax (323) 415-4910 The East Los Angeles College Campus News is published as a learning experience, offered under the East Los Angeles College Journalism program. The editorial and advertising materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The opinions expressed are exclusively those of the writer. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College, or any officer or employee thereof.
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Arts
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020
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Mexican-American photojournalist captures 40 years of history BY SAMANTHA INIGUEZ Staff Writer “George Rodriguez: Double Vision” showcased at the Vincent Price Art Museum covered over four decades of Los Angeles history through the lens of a MexicanAmerican photojournalist. Rodriguez’s work documents boxing, celebrity culture the United Farm Workers Movement, the East Los Angeles walkouts, the Chicano Moratorium and the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising. Rodriguez found his love for photography by accident. Having to fulfill an elective requirement in order to graduate high school, he found himself with a camera in hand. Apart from his high school photography courses, Rodrigez, the son of struggling immigrant parents, got a job at a local photo lab to help make ends meet. To his advantage, by the time he graduated high school at age 17, he gained enough experience to land a job at a Hollywood photo lab. Wo r k i n g i n H o l l y w o o d exposed Rodrigez to well-known photographers who would often hand down their unwanted movie premiere passes down to him. This opened the door to backstage celebrity culture. He took his first celebrity photograph while in high school. The photo was a stolen shot of actor Harry Belafonte shooting a scene from the film “Carmen Jones.” During the 1960s he would hang out at the nightclub Whiskey a GO GO on the Sunset Strip. Rodriguez said what first attracted him to the nightclub was musician Johnny Rivers. After capturing a photo of Rivers, he continued to go back to the club
Rodriguez said he is always shocked at how such an amazing moment could be wasted on him, a single person. and photographed many other musicians including: Jim Hendrix, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and BB King. Through his work in the television, recording and film industries, he has photographed stars like: Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, Michael Jackson, Jim Morrison, Judy Garland and Natalie Wood. Rodriguez said he is always shocked at how such an amazing moment could be wasted on him, a single person. He feels that his photos of these once-in-a-life-time experiences are a gift to those that are not there to witness them firsthand. Off Sunset Strip, Rodriguez was hired to take publicity photos for McHammer, NWA, Soul Train dancers and others. In 1971 he was hired by Soul Illustrated to photograph the up-andcoming Jackson 5. The Jackson family extended an invitation into their home to Rodriguez and his brother. From this opportunity came pictures of a young Michael in his room with his pet rat on his shoulder, outside playing on his pogo stick along with some candids of his siblings playing basketball with Rodriguez’s brother. Rodrigez said “My brother came along with me and when Michael found out we were brothers he asked us ‘Who can beat who up?’ and we just laughed.That’s such a
kid question.” Rodriguez was also hired to take the cover photos for many records including: Van Morrison’s “Blowin’ Your Mind!,”Booker T. & The M.G’s “Melting Pot “and Al Wilson’s “Searching for the Dolphins.” He did many more covers that were also displayed in a colorful array at the VPAM exhibition. Director of VPAM Pilar Tomkins Rivas said Rodriguez is really something special. We are so lucky to be able to display his large variety of work celebrating L.A history here at VPAM. During his time off while working with studios and record labels Rodriguez started exploring the world of photojournalism. He said the reality of what was going on in his own neighborhood away from all the glamour of Hollywood seemed like a completely different world. “To shoot Hollywood stars is one thing, but I was always happiest when working with the Latino/Chicano related subjects.” Rodriguez said. While working at Colkmbia Pictures, Rodriguez would go down to East L.A during his lunch breaks to document the high school students protesting poor quality of education, lack of college preparation courses, poor resources and discrimination. The collection of photos from the walkout includes a picture of a teenager holding a sign in each hand, the one on the right read: “Roosevelt Chicanos Demand Justice,” on the left, “Fuck The Pigs.“ Rodriguez said he often gets backlash about what the signs say, but he reminds the viewers he was not the one that wrote the signs, but that was beside the point, they are overlooking the main problem. That was all the unjust acts that lead up
COURTESY OF GEORGE RODRIGUEZ VIA VPAM
PROTESTA— LAPD arresting a Chicano student protester, Boyle Heights 1970. to the students rebellion. He said it’s difficult trying to document protests without any official credentials because both sides saw him as a nuisance. At the VPAM Saturday film screening of “A Picture of George!” Producer and director of the film, Billy Rapaport said, “Although he considers himself a photojournalist, I consider him a historian having been able to capture so much of L.A’s history.” In 1969, Rodriguez received an assignment from West, a Sunday supplement of the L.A Times to cover the strikes by the United Farm Workers. For the assignment, he followed Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and other leaders of the United Farm Workers of America. He photographed Chavez out in the field, talking to workers and giving speeches. He also photographed many of the other Delano Workers fighting
with non-violent tactics for better pay and better working conditions. Rodriguez said documenting this movement was very important because without photos and documentation, history could be lost.“As a photographer I have to try my best to tell people’s stories for whoever is not there to witness it themselves. Without documentation it’s lost to the younger generation.” Rodriguez said. Closer to home Rodriguez also photographed urban life around Los Angeles. He photographed murals painted by artists, graffiti by local gangs and inspirational messages left on white walls that almost always disappeared hours later.“You can’t come back to things like this because they won’t always be there later.” Rodriguez said. Along with Urban art he shot people eating at taco stands, mariachi musicians on break, neighborhood
kids playing around or hanging out at street corners smiling. In a video honoring Rodriguez created by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational F u n d , A m e r i c a n Te l e v i s i o n Director, Jesus Salvador Trevino, said “I don’t know that George has a single greatest achievement. I think George excels on so many different fronts, but if I were to say what his greatest achievement was, it is to capture the totality of the human experience. The universal aspects of who we are as people on the face of this earth. To do it with just the click of a camera.” “George Rodriguez: Double Vision” was on display at VPAM from October 19 to February 29. Although the exhibition is no longer on display more information about his work could be found on his website https://www.whittierartists. com/GeorgeRodriguez.
Bad Bunny’s new album already taking over charts BY HECTOR GOMEZ Staff Writer Bad Bunny released his highly anticipated second solo studio album, “YHLQMDLG”an acronym for “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana.”(I do whatever I want). “YGLQMDLG” comes eight months after his dual EP “Oasis” with J. Balvin, and over a year after his debut album “X 100PRE”. The Latin superstar delivers 20 tracks with a mixture of his Latin trap, new school and old school reggaeton. Prior to the release of the album, Bad Bunny released two singles with “Vete” in November and “Ignorantes”on Valentine’s day. On Valentine’s day, he sent a tweet claiming he would be off twitter until the new album drops, hinting that it was coming soon.
On February 27, he made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon where he debuts the cover of his album as well as announcing its release for Saturday. The album includes heartbreaking songs such as “Si Veo a Tu Mama.” “Pero Ya No.” and “Solia.’ The opening song of the album which talks about feelings of still loving an ex and the memories of it. The name of the track refers to “If I see your mom, I’ll ask her about you.” It sets a chill, laid-back vibe to the project, before it picks up with tracks that will put people on the dance floor. “YHLQMDLG” is full of reggaeton throwbacks as the Puerto Rican assembled back to his roots with tracks that provide old school reggaeton beats including some of the oldest artists in reggaeton such as Jowell & Randy, Nengo Flow, and Daddy Yankee.
Some standout tracks on the album are “Yo Perreo Sola.” ‘Una Vez’ and “Safaera.” which are fan favorites. These tracks instantly drag fans onto the dance floor with its intense old school reggaeton beats. “Safaera” is one of the most entertaining tracks because of its explicit lyrics along with a trembling beat that switches gears many times. The album definitely contains a collection of rhythm with tracks such as “La Dificil” and “A Tu Merced.” However, he also makes sure to remind everyone why he’s one of the best Latin trap artists with tracks fifteen through nineteen that include “Esta C***** Ser Yo.” and “P FKN R.” Here he features two global artists Anuel AA and Arcangel with songs that talks about how hard it is to be him as well reminding everyone he’s
from Puerto Rico. Within the first 24 hours of its release, the album received over 60 million streams, making it the biggest opening day for an album in quite some time. All 20 tracks already chart in the top 55 of Spotify’s Global Chart, with four tracks landing in the top 10. “YHLQMDLG” is a global celebration of Bad Bunny’s skill in being able to succeed with a mixture of themes as the album incorporates heartbreak , ambition, Latin trap and a good time on the dance floor. He finishes the album thanking everyone who has supported him throughout his career and confessing how his next album will come out within nine months and possibly retire after that. “YGLQMDL” reminds everyone who is the most popular Urbano Latino artists at the moment.Bad
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC LATIN ENTERTAINMENT
Bunny delivers 20 great tracks on this album, and by the looks of it, “YHLQMDLG” will probably be
playing all summer long.
Netflix’s new show depicts issues of family, culture
CURTSEY OF NETFLIX
FAMILY TIME— Casimiro shares a meal inside his family’s taco restaurant with his two grandchildern Erik and Chris. BY JUAN CALVILLO Staff Writer “Gentefied” examines the impact gentrification and cultural dilemmas can have on communities without trying to give answers or fairytale endings. The Netflix show deftly handles
both in your face questions and more intimate familial ones with humor, sarcasm and intense quiet moments. “Gentefied” focuses on the Morales family and their struggle to help their grandfather Casimiro keep their taco restaurant from closing down.
The family is made up of cousins, Ana, Erik and Chris. Each of the members of this family comes with issues of their own that are affected and reflected by the cultural upheaval in the show. While these characters each go through things that are unique to themselves, it speaks to the strength
of the show where despite the issues being different they are woven into the cultural aspect of the show. Casimiro is played by Joaquin Cosioa veteran of the silver screen and television and is the classic latino grandfather. When it comes to his grandchildren he is both understanding and expectant. Cosio plays Casimiro as almost a bi-polar sage. One moment he wants his grandchildren to be themselves and understands that they are trying to become individuals. Yet at the same moment he is able to push them into understanding that family is the center that must hold. Chris is on a mission to become a true chef, but is often flat out seen as a “coconut.” This means a brown person who is “white” or “caucasian” on the inside. Carlos Santos plays the character spot on. Showing the battle between wanting to prove himself as a true member of his people versus trying to stay true to who he is. Erik is trying to figure out a way to prove his worthiness as a father to his girlfriend Lidia. Joseph Julian Soria does a wonderful job of at first making his character unlikeable then within a few episodes showing an emotional depth that proves
he alienated just as much as his cousins. Ana wants validation as a latina and lesbian artist. Living with her girlfriend and creating art has her constantly butting heads with her more traditional mother. Karrie Martin plays Ana, and her depiction of the mother daughter rebellion is heartfelt and is a depiction of what many latino families go through. Their relationship is part of the cultural push and pull of what many latino young adults have to live with in their own families. The constant war that Ana shows between trying to be who she wants to be,while staying true to her family really shows Martin’s acting chops. During the show each family member has to deal with the encroaching specter that is cultural appropriation and gentrification. These themes, while being on the nose when talking about latino culture, will have an audience empathize with at least one of the members of the family. The bonus in the issues being so overt is that it allows viewers to wonder what the best way to handle things could be, and whether the characters are
setting themselves up for more problems. “Gentefied” has an interesting choice of musical artists and its depiction of the Boyle Heights area is as accurate as it can be. These help set the stage and are a huge part of not only the show but the story. It’s the community and its people that are on the line throughout the episodes. The changing community is the main antagonist of the show, not the boogie man behind the change. It’s the idea of change that is startling and challenging. “Gentefied” is good at showing that there is no clear cut answer to when it comes to what is right or what is best when it comes to the idea of gentrification and cultural dilemmas. The best example is a situation that involves Ana, trying to make amends for doing what she loves and wants represented in her community. Her actions take away the choice of another in her community and this is the problem when it comes to answers. Sometimes there is no real good outcome. “Gentefied” is streaming now on Netflix and rated TV-MA. www.ELACCampusNews.com
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EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020
South Korean film ‘Parasite’ depicts economic struggle barrel of the lower class. Naming the movie Parasite was Staff Writer to help illustrate the ill nature of leeching off of another person’s fruit of labor. Parasite is a dark comedy for The Kim family forged all of their mature audiences that has a satirical credentials for their jobs and relied theme and exposes the dark reality on the referral of one another. of social inequality The reason the and greed. referral was held in Parasite was such high regards nominated for seven was because of the “Naming the d i ff e r e n t a w a r d s respect the Park’s at the Academy movie Parisite had for Ki-woo’s Awards, however, friend, Min. Min is was to help they only won four an affluent college out of the seven. student who is a well illustrate the They won Oscars known tutor. ill nature of for Best Picture, The disparity of Best Director, Best social hierarchy is leeching off Foreign Language seen when a strong of another Film and Best storm floods the city Original Screenplay. person’s fruit of and the homes of The plot revolves those who live in labor.” around the lower [Banjiha], so they class Kim family have to evacuate to and their social a safety center along mobility toward the with thousands of upper class, as they other residents that take advantage of their newly are in the same predicament. established relationship with the However, for the wealthy the upper class Park family. storm is just another strong rainy Gore is seen throughout the day that will soon pass. movie, as the climax starts to build Banjiha are small homes for up. lower class people that are built The Kim family is comprised of halfway underground with little to Chung-sook the mother, Ki-taek the no sunlight. father, Ki-woo the son,and Ki-jung This contrast between the lives of the daughter. the wealthy and poor are prominent The old housekeeper of the because they allow the viewer a Park family, Moon-gwang and her glimpse into other people’s reality husband, Geun-sae are prominent and the hardships of what they go characters in the movie because through on a day-to-day basis. they represent the bottom-of-theThe Kim family occupies
BY MELVIN BUI
a Banjiha and aren’t homeless, however, they are treated as bottom -of-the-barrel citizens. It is seen when pesticides are sprayed into the open windows of their house and when someone urinates on their window while they’re eating dinner. Joon-ho uses many literary elements throughout the movie. Symbolism is seen when Ki-woo receives a special rock from his wealthy friend, and his family treats it as a sacred item. The rock was a special item given among scholars to bring them good fortune and opportunities. Ki-woo brings the special rock as a peace offering to Geun-sae but ends up getting bashed with it. The rock represented the good and the bad opportunities that come with social mobility. It is seen prevalent when Ki-woo gets recommended to work for the Park family soon after receiving the gift. Geun-sae, husband of the old housekeeper, leeched off of the Park family until Ki-taek found him after discovering a secret entrance. When Mrs. Park was talking about how the rain was a minor inconvenience and made her reschedule the camping trip. The rage is seen building up in Ki-taek’s face as he’s driving and eavesdropping into Mrs. Park’s conversation. Resentment is seen when the Park family would cover their nose whenever they were in the presence of someone in the lower class. The movie reaches its climax
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ODD JOBS TO LIVE—The Kim family gather around to build pizza boxes to help fund their necessities of life.
when Ki-taek kills Mr. Park, after he covers his nose in revolt toward Geun-sae. The covering of the nose is an insult toward the lower class because it ridicules their lack of hygiene. Lower class people are not able to clean themselves as lavishly as others, they are required to calculate their daily routines so that it doesn’t add more cost to their everyday living. When the everyday life of one
is shamed, it degrades the person. Narrative suspense is built up in the movie, as minor details help paint a broader picture in the plot. The movie helps illustrate the necessary exploitation of the lower class for the satisfaction of those in the upper class. This is a prevalent issue that is seen in industrialized societies around the world. The prominence in talking about these issues help raise awareness and start a conversation about
detrimental social norms that take place in society. The movie was produced by CJ Entertainment in 2019. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, a South Korean based filmmaker. Parasite was filmed in South Korea, around Seoul and Jeonju. The movie had a budget of $11 million and managed to gross more than $200 million worldwide. The language of the movie is Korean and has subtitles to pair with it for different language groups.
Pixar teaches family values through elves BY JUAN CALVILLO Staff Writer Pixar’s “Onward” blends humor, action and heart to create a beautiful and emotional film that centers on family. The movie is set in a fantasy, swords-and-elves world where magic was once the primary source of power and wonder. As time passed, technology and science replaced it. This is where the movie’s main plot begins. The Lightfoot family, a family of elves, is made up of Barley, Ian and their mother voiced by Julie Louis-Dreyfus. Ian is the movie’s main character and has just turned 16. The character is voiced by Tom Holland of Spider-man from the MCU(Marvel Cinematic Universe) Holland turns in a decent job as the voice of a character that is shy and lacking in self confidence. Ian has never met his father and as the trailer shows, the movie is about the chance for him to finally meet him. Barley is Ian’s older brother and is voiced by the silly and hilarious Chris Pratt. Pratt basically plays himself
amped up to 11 while voicing Barley, which is not a bad thing. Unlike Ian, Barley has memories of his father and wants nothing more than for Ian to meet their dad. Barley is one of the few who still believe magic and fantasy exist, and it’s this belief that lends to hilarious fantasy based one-liners. Imagine the dungeon master for any dungeons and dragons game, and that’s pretty much the level of hilarity that comes with Pratt voicing Barley. The story really takes off after Ian and Barley find the magical staff and try the spell that their father found. Unfortunately the spell isn’t completed and only half the boy’s father is actually re-created. From there the brothers go off on a quest to find a magical stone. The stone can repower the staff and once again can be used to finish the spell and bring back their father. Their quest takes them face to face with a manticore, puts them at odds with a recreated dragon, and even a cliche meeting with a pixie-like biker squad. The brothers are the true center and core of the movie, and rightfully so. Trailers show the story is about getting a chance to meet a family member that has been lost. But more than that, the brothers’ relationship is really the focus of the
remainder of the story. At the onset of the movie, Ian and Barley’s relationship is strong but there is a hint of sadness that Barley has memories of their father that Ian will never have. As the movie unfolds some harsh truths come to light and some amends are made between the brothers. It’s the emotional journey between Ian and Barley that really makes the movie hook audiences. Pixar has mastered many of the tools it created when it first made “Toy Story.” While “Onward” may not have the same notoriety that the “Toy Story” franchise may have, it does take advantage of the immense technology that has been refined because of it. Most Pixar films are beautiful to watch, but “Onward,” and the attached trailer for their next movie “Soul” show that Pixar is at the top of its animation game. From small towns and castles changing into skyscrapers and vans, the animation is pitch perfect. Everything from the color palette and shading to the brilliant lighting effects on characters and magical spells is awe inspiring. Making these animated movies takes years of work and commitment and the animators and techs at
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QUIT YOUR TAPPING—Ian (left) and Barley (right) try to communicate with their father after the reanimation spell fails to bring him totally back. Pixar should never be forgotten when talking about technical achievements. Unfortunately the movie’s score is just adequate. This movie doesn’t have that original song or accompaniment
that transcends the movie and becomes special. That’s saddening because so many of Pixar’s films have moving and enjoyable musical scores. Pixar has created a truly fun and emotional family film.
It may have made some missteps, which are magnified due to Pixar’s stellar record, but the movie is still worthy of the production house. “Onward” releases Friday and is rated PG for action, peril and some mild thematic elements.
Buttertones aim for post-punk sound BY LUIS CASTILLA Staff Writer
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Los Angeles rock band The Buttertones dives into post-punk in their dark and thunderous new single “Jazzhound.” Formed in 2012, The Buttertones have long been a stand-out band among the buzzing Los Angeles music scene, drawing large crowds wherever they perform. Now, The Buttertones are back with a reverb-heavy track reminiscent of Joy Division’s 1979 classic, “Unknown Pleasures.” The band has also announced a new full-length album, also titled “Jazzhound” to be released April 10. The band lost secondary guitarist Dakota Lee in July and drummer Modeste Cobian lost the vision in his right eye that same month, forcing the band to end a tour. Despite having to face these obstacle the band shows no intention of slowing down. “Jazzhound,” is aggressive, heavy and it hits the listener like a ton-and-a-half of bricks. This track makes listeners feel as though they are running through a dark alley in the middle of the
Despite having to face these obstacles, the band shows no intention of slowing down. night in a strange city. It seems as though the band has finally ended their love affair with ‘50s-style rock ’n’ roll. Frontman Richard Araiza does his best Ian Curtis impression as he growls deeply during the song’s climax. The song begins to twist into itself in a violent display of beautifully chaotic instrumentation. Although Araiza has proven he is able to reach very high notes on songs like “Connie” and “Baby Doll,” he has remained within the lower levels of his vocal range recently. Ariaza has a powerful voice and incredible dynamic range. Wi t h “ J a z z h o u n d ” o n t h e horizon, now would be a good time to showcase Ariaza’s vocal
versatility. C o i n c i d i n g w i t h A r a i z a ’s deepening voice, each of the band’s four studio albums are progressively more aggressive, so it is no surprise that “Jazzhound” is one of their heaviest tracks to date. The musical stylings of saxophonist London Guzman are nowhere to be found on this track. Guzman joined The Buttertones for their third album, “Gravedigging,” and has added a unique force to the band’s wild sound ever since. The band has gone as far as to implement saxophone into songs that predate Guzman joining the band during it’s live shows. While it is lacking in the signature saxophone The Buttertones have come to be known for, “Jazzhound” is still a fierce, raw piece of music. As the leading single, “Jazzhound” is tasked with building excitement for its titular album. The Buttertones’ last album, 2018’s “Midnight in a Moonless Dream,” failed to gain as much attention as the band’s previous albums, as it lacked fluidity and bright instrumentation. “Jazzhound” is still similar in tone to “Midnight in a Moonless Dream,” but the band seems to be exploring new themes and musical inspirations.
Sports
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020
Men’s basketball makes Sweet 16 Staff Writer
Rumbles from the bleachers were heard in the men’s gym as East Los Angeles College basketball slammed its way into a 69-53 victory over Saddleback College on Saturday. This brings them to the next round of the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs. ELAC showed consistency throughout the whole game with a 41.2 field-goal percentage and a 72.4 free throw percentage. Defenses were dominant on both sides as both teams had a low scoring game. Although ELAC usually averages 88 points per game, they managed to slip through Saddleback’s game plan and execute important plays at crucial moments. ELAC will host their next California Community College Athletic Association playoff game against Allan Hancock College Saturday at 7 p.m. An electrifying second half had the crowd standing most of the time as sophomore center Malik Muhammed and freshman guard/ forward Keenan Allen hammered the ball into the basket time-aftertime Although ELAC had low shot percentages during the second half, they managed to hold a 19 point lead and close it out. Muhammed led the team in blocks with four and also managed to make key plays on offense. Allen topped ELAC men’s basketball season, earning the South Coast Conference-North player of the year. He played all 28 of the
Huskies games and averaged 27.3 minutes per game. Allen nearly averages a doubledouble every game with 18.9 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game. He wasn’t the only player to be named in the SCC-North first team. Sophomore guards Deshaun Highler and Levelle Ziegler also earned a spot in the first team. As well as sophomore forward Joseph Hampton and Muhammad. Men’s basketball head coach John Mosley also earned SCCNorth coach of the year for the sixth time since joining ELAC back in 2013. The teams were neck and neck during the first half, as both teams had 17 rebounds and three steals. ELAC sophomore guard Levelle Zeigler opened up the game by sinking a three-pointer. As buckets were swishing, ELAC supporters stomped on the bleachers and made their presence known. “The crowd boosts the energy up and gets everybody going. It feels a lot better when you have people supporting you,” said Allen. Determination and focus could be seen in the eyes of ELAC’s players during every time-out. Mosley was frustrated and showed emotion on the sideline throughout the first half. “I just thought there were a couple calls that they missed. We are a physical team and just because we’re physical, doesn’t mean you don’t call stuff on them,” said Mosley. Freshman guard Taj Regans made two vital three-pointers toward the end of the half, which changed the tempo and energy of the game. The Huskies made many decisive passes and smart shots, which showed strong team chemistry. They played with the slickness of
a well-oiled machine and managed to get back into rhythm when Saddleback began responding. “After the half we started playing better on defense. We brought more intensity to the game and that helped on both sides of the ball,” said Allen. Sophomore guard Jordan Polynice and Zeigler, were the playmakers as they managed to get the ball into the right person’s hands. ELAC led the game in bench points, points off turnovers, second chance points and fast break points. The offense constantly fought for buckets and broke ankles when necessary. “We wanted to keep up our defensive pressure. They like to
run good stuff, and in terms of their offensive battles, we want to make sure they got out of their stuff and didn’t get comfortable,” said Mosley. “Our whole idea was to pressure.” The team and Mosley share the philosophy of taking each game, one day at a time, and doing their best to prepare and focus on their next opponent.
SLAM DUNK— East Los Angeles College’s Kealen Allen dunks the ball forcefully in a playoff game against Saddleback College in Saturday’s second round playoff game.
CN/IVAN CAZARES
LET’S DUAL— Amanda Seah (right), a Kinegsiolgy sophmore, and Yamei Huang, a
administration of justice sophomore, battle it out against rivals from El Camino College. The East Los Angeles College badminton team experienced its second loss in a row at the hands of El Camino College on Friday after losing to Pasadena College. Badminton faces Compton College away next on Friday at 2 p.m.
CN/MICHAEL DOMINGUEZ GRAPHICS BY STEVEN ADAMO
BY ANDREW AYALA
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CN/MICHAEL DOMINGUEZ
BRING THE HEAT — East Los Angeles College’s outfielder Valerie Contrares awaits a pitch in the game against Compton where she contributed two hits in her three at bats. Contrares drove one of the team’s 13 runs scored in the game. ELAC softball has won four games in row. In three of those games, they have scored 10 or more runs a game. They have a record of 11-6 on the season.
Sports Opinion: Collective bargaining argument bad for NFL players BY SONNY TAPIA Staff Writer The new Collective Bargaining Agreement proposed by the National Football League owners will hurt the players physically and financially. This proposed agreement will stretch the regular season to 17 games instead of 16, raising the player revenue meaning more money for on-screen time. The new playoff format will include 14 teams instead of 12, only allowing the top seeds to have a first-round bye. The CBA will cut players' salaries if their base pay is over $4.25 million. The Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz makes $15.4 million, making his pay per week $905,882 based on a 17-game schedule. He would lose money and be taking a $36,000 pay cut per week. This proposal would increase the likelihood of international games. The NFL players already travel hundreds of miles every week and adding more international games would increase their travel miles to the thousands. An increase in injury is also a factor of the new CBA proposal.
Adding an extra game and same salary as a quarterback. changing the playoff picture means The current CBA does not expire more time to beat their bodies until 2021. down. The rush that the NFL has The league has been getting into implemented into this proposal is more research on head injuries and scary. how to reduce the likelihood of it The NFL needs to take a step occurring. back and really think about the idea If the NFL of the new CBA. is so worried Even though about reducing it will reduce i n j u r y, t h e n “Health and wellness of the number of making a raining camp our men is always the tdays 17-game season from 28 to should not be most important aspect. 16, this will not an option. players avoid There is no price you help The idea injury. of injury has can put on that and that The days they crossed players’ missed practice is why I voted no.” minds. days will be filled “Health with travel time and wellness and an extra hour RICHARD SHERMAN San Francisco 49ers cornerback of our men is of game time per always the season without a most important bye. aspect. There Including the is no price playoff structure you can put on that and that is it will round out to an extra three why I voted no,” San Francisco games per season if the team is 49ers’ corner Richard Sherman a number two-seed entering the tweeted after Green Bay Packers playoffs after wild-card weekend. quarterback Aaron Rodgers tweeted This new CBA will harm the why he voted no. players. A revised version with the The sad part is NFL commissioner players in mind instead of money Roger Goodell has the best health would be the best thing for the care in football, while making the league right now.
Sports Briefs Women’s basketball bounced in second round of playoffs
Baseball loses to Moorpark
The East Los Angeles women’s College basketball team loses to Glendale College 63-58 in the second round of CCCAA Playoffs. The Huskies out rebounded Glendale 34 to 31. Freshman guard Joann Rivera led the team with eight along with 4 points in her 13 minutes of play. While Citlaly Davalos had 18 points for, ELAC the sophomore guard also was 8-15 from the field and shot 53 percent from the field with two three-pointers as well. It was not enough to stop Glendale’s sophomore wing player Tess Oakley-Stilson and her 26 point outburst to lead her team to victory and move on to the next round of the playoffs.
East Los Angeles College baseball lost to Moorpark College 5-4, dropping them to 3-15 on the season. They have now lost nine of there last 10 games they have played in. The Huskies look to split the season series at one piece as they play Moorpark again on the road tomorrow at 2 p.m. The baseball team has scored a total of 65 runs and only has had two home runs on the season and only 20 extra base hits.
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EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020