Not Even Water - Muslim students share their experiences during a Western Ramadan Page 6
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – Volume 36 • Issue 21
@tccthecollegian • collegian.tccd.edu
NORTHEAST
TEDx shows ‘Ever Changing World’ at TCC KEYLA HOLMES & OLLA MOKHTAR campus editors
Change, in its many forms, can cultivate the space for growth and new ideas, which was the theme for the TEDx event April 6 on NE Campus. Students and faculty could learn about various issues, creating the opportunity for them to engage with new ideas and become active in their communities, according to TEDx’s mission statement. Presenters from TCC and around North Texas participated in the event held in the Fine Arts Theater. NE psychology professor Jeanell Buck was one of the coordinators organizing the event and provided insight on the theme, “Ever Changing World.” “We really wanted to talk about change,” she said. “Every person was talking about how knowledge helps us change, and that was part of our process. I think it went well.” Cheryl North, NE sociology instructor and TEDx team member, said how students and staff can benefit from being included in TED conversations. “TED is such an institution,” she said. “I think we all have heard them [TED Talks] in classrooms and have learned things that were new. It’s important that TCC be in on that a little bit and to bring that right here at home to our students.” Jasmine McGowan, a volunteer, has always been interested in astrophysics as a child and even owned a few telescopes. She believed the presentation ‘What color is the Sun?’ by Raymond Benge, A NE associate professor of physics
KJ Means/The Collegian
Special Agent in Charge Eduardo Chávez presents his Tedx talk “The New F Word - Fentanyl,” which addressed fentanyl avoidance. and astrology, related to her most. “It shows that even things we assume are facts are not and we should always be open to new knowledge and ideas,” she said. Raymond Turner, the producer of Sparklefly recording studio at Cook Children’s Medical Center, explained why music is essential in everyone’s life. With the early passing of his infant daughter, he realized the best way that he could continue her legacy was to see the light in himself. To tell others about her story, ful-
filling his promise to never forget her. “Music to me is life-blowing,” he said. “Without it, I don’t think much would still exist. It is like air and water, and really, I think there’s so much that’s powered by music that we don’t even realize. I don’t think we can survive without it.” Despite all of the potential stressors college students may experience, Turner said it’s important for students to prioritize staying connected to what drives them. “What do I find myself dream-
DISTRICT
ing about in those unguarded moments when I’m sitting in class and the professor is going on and on, where does my heart drift to?” he said. “It’s never too early, especially in college, that’s the time to really start to hone in on ‘What is my passion?’” NE student Amy Ramirez said music allows people to express what they can’t put into words, and that people are “sparkle flies” because everyone experiences hardship. “Every human being has to
overcome certain difficulties in life, and it’s always great to have the mindset of perseverance,” she said. Another presenter that experienced hardship is Keidrian Brewster, who discussed the idea of change and the fact that everyone is capable of transformation. “I want people to know the power of transformation,” he said. “The power of investing in themselves and creating a person they deem fit for themselves as far as who they want to become – I’d tell
See TEDx, page 2
SOUTH
VITA program provides help, guidance for those filing taxes HOPE SMITH
managing editor hope.smith393@my.tccd.edu
The newly-introduced “Restrict Act” could potentially change the way companies use technologies going forward. The “Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act,” commonly referred to as the “Restrict Act” or (S.686), is a bill currently under consideration by Congress. The act was introduced by the U.S. Senate on March 7 and has since been a cause for concern by various people. According to a summary of the bill on Congress’ website,
“This bill requires federal actions to identify and mitigate foreign threats to information and communications technology (ICT) products and services (e.g., social media applications). It also establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations under the bill.” A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e b i l l summary provides further clarification regarding what the Restrict Act is meant to impose, stating the Department of Commerce will need to identify, disrupt, prohibit and investigate ICT products that may pose a threat to the safety of American citizens. Despite concerns, Rachel Cohen, spokesperson for Senator Mark R. Warner, said in a widespread media statement that
the act is not meant to target average American citizens. “To be extremely clear, this legislation is aimed squarely at companies like Kaspersky, Huawei and TikTok that create systemic risks to the United States national security – not at individual users,” Cohen said. If the act is passed and becomes law, the United States government will be able to put bans in place to remove any applications that may pose possible cybersecurity risks. Using applications like virtual private networks to bypass such restrictive measures could result in cybersecurity breaches. There have been people who do see merit in the government’s current efforts to shut down social
See Restrict, page 2
A team of people from The United Way of Tarrant County and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey made their way through the Family Empowerment Center on South Campus April 6. Their reason — the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The United Way funded the VITA project, which has been in operation on South and SE with the goal to give free income tax preparation. The program relies heavily on the help it gets from IRS-certified volunteers trained to assist during the tax season, and the Family Empowerment Center has volunteers there ready to help. One of the coordinators, Allison Knott, said she and the people who work at the center partner with community organizations like Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. “We’re all about community, so everything we do focuses on our students and community,” Knott said. Veasey came to observe how VITA is working for Tarrant County residents. As a member of Congress, he said he wants to ensure that taxpayer money is being used wisely and believes this program is a way for people to get their taxes done without a fee for a rapid refund. “A lot of consumers don’t realize that when they go to those places [that offer a rapid refund] that they’re really essentially giving them this loan,” he said. “It’s not really your actual refund check. They’re gonna get your refund check back, and they’re giving you an advance
NW plant sale TCC community gathers to purchase flowers and plants Page 2
Artistic Visions Student-submitted artwork on display on TR Campus Page 3
Sonic was murdered SEGA’s beloved mascot has been killed in new free game Page 4
Broken health care system The health care system in America is a confusing mess Page 5
Ariel Desantiago/The Collegian
NE student employee Victor Lausell uses the NE Campus computer labs in NCAB. The inital TikTok ban affected TCC in February, and talks of cybersecurity have continued since.
Proposed legislation aims to aid government in fighting cyberthreats XAVIER BOATNER
campus editor xavier.boatner@my.tccd.edu
against your refund check, so it’s not actually your money.” Leah King, current CEO of United Way Tarrant County, started as a volunteer and moved up through the ranks. She said the current goal for VITA is to reach more families who need the assistance and are receiving the deductions that they could qualify for. “If we’re going to do 5,000 families this year, we want to do 10,000 next year because that is money that otherwise is not coming back into our community and might be left in Washington because it’s unclaimed,” she said.
People can come here and have confidence that the IRS has endorsed what’s happening.
Leah King
CEO of United Way, Tarrant County
Households with an income of less than $60,000 are eligible for VITA assistance, and King said she saw VITA benefit the community through the offer of free assistance and complete IRS certification. “People can come here and have confidence that the IRS has endorsed what’s happening,” she said. “Also, there are opportunities for financial coaching which can help someone on a budget or in debt to really help their overall family.”
Artificial Intelligence concerns The are many potential ethical and moral issues regarding AI. Page 5