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Opinion: Informing LBCC women about the negative effects of hormonal birth control

fernando pacheco
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Opinion: Informing LBCC women about the negative effects of hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control is harmful for women, especially being that college-aged women are among the great percentage to use contraceptives.

Synthetic hormones are an unnatural disturbance to the body, in long or short-term use, being that their purpose is to alter your body chemistry in order to stop natural phenomena from taking place.

Manipulating your body with an influx of hormones is indefinitely harmful to a woman’s mental, physical, and emotional health.

There are various forms of birth control available to women, like the pill, the 3 month Depo Provera shot, the arm implant, the patch, and a multitude of intrauterine devices (IUD’s).

Hormonal birth control is prescribed to women for contraceptive use, but it is also regularly distributed for regulating menstrual cycles and controlling acne.

There is only one form of effective, long-term, hormone-free birth control available to women to date, called the Paragard IUD.

According to the Paragard website, the contraceptive is an intrauterine device made of copper, no hormones included, because the presence of copper in the uterus works with your body chemistry to create a toxic barrier against sperm, and it is the only form of birth control of its kind.

There are other hormone-free methods like a diaphragm, sponge, or condoms, but those are meant for short-term use and higher maintenance.

According to the National Cancer Institute, women taking oral contraceptives, or pills, have an increased risk of acquiring breast or cervical cancer, whilst reducing the risk of other forms of cancer, like endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal.

Nonetheless, birth control pills put women at risk of cancer and there is evidence to prove this.

According to Harvard Medical School, a recent study conducted on Denmark women ages 15 to 35, has proven there is an increased risk of depression with the use of all hormonal birth control methods, emphasizing that adolescents using birth control are susceptible enough with puberty and their natural hormones changing.

All of these methods overload the female body with an intense amount of synthetic hormones, in order to reverse fertility, so one does not become pregnant, but with long-term use, this high degree of hormones to the bloodstream and brain can end up taking a toll on a woman with no history of depression.

LBCC showcases health and wellness workshops from time and it would be a great idea for our school to promote birth control awareness, and educate young women about what they put in their bodies, being that this is a shared experience amongst young women.

Mental health services are also covered by a semesterly student health fee, for anyone affected by depression needing to seek help and talk to a Mental Health Clinician on campus.

Birth control prescriptions are also available in the health office, covered by the student health fee.

They should come with a disclaimer, explaining adverse effects like depression, durastic bodily changes like mood swings, and the intensity of the drug as a whole, to spread awareness beforehand, instead of being handed out so freely.

With each woman’s story, a little more light is shed on this issue and by reiterating its importance, more thorough research with each passing day is what we can hope for modern medicine.

Natural hormone imbalances can occur in the human body, as well as these said unnatural imbalances perpetuated by birth control, but the reality is that all imbalances are unhealthy to a person’s health.

The only difference is that one is deliberate, being the use of hormonal birth control, and human beings allow it.

A diverse group of advocates come to see their presidential candidate

cassandra reichelt
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A diverse group of advocates come to see their presidential candidate

A diverse crowd, big enough to fill up both Grand Park and the steps to the Los Angeles City Hall consisted of people who decided to show up based on different personal reasoning.

The rally was open to people of all ages, emotional support animals, and also provided ada assistance.

The ‘yuge’ crowd of people, according to Bernie Sanders himself via Twitter, was made up of people of all different styles, ages, races, genders, sexualities, animals, and people with disabilities.

The rally was set to be coordinated at Grand Park in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 23.

The park was full, so some people listened to the ideas Bernie proudly referred to as ‘radical’, from the top of the hill at Grand Park to the bottom steps at City Hall.

Ariel Rose, who wore a fuzzy pink hat to the rally, alongside her dog named Lucy to see Bernie speak, “He’s part of the revolution … the real deal and we all know that,” Rose said.

Ariel Rose, with her dog name Lucy, taking a seat in line to wait
for the Bernie Sanders LA rally to start. Photo by Fernando Pacheco.

Rose mentions her long time support for Bernie and how she’s been committed since before the 2016 election.

She admitted that she lost a bit of  hope when Bernie did not make it to the 2016 election, however, Rose feels hopeful this time around.  

She explained why she brought her dog along, “She’s my girl I take her everywhere and I wanted her to hear him speak too, it’s a historical moment,” Rose said.

For Luis Reyes, a Bernie supporter since 2016, who showed up to the rally wearing a blue paisley neckerchief wondering if Bernie would speak about Puerto Rico.

“I’d also be curious if he mentioned Puerto Rico, I’m Puerto Rican and I know he’s a big supporter of being aware and bring awareness to the state that Puerto Rico is in,” Reyes said.

Reyes’ friends explained their feelings of the country being divided between people, but were excited to be in Los Angeles to rally for a change.

Which lead Reyes to explain his thoughts, “There’s a lot of hope.”

The Mueller report was one of the reasons why people showed up.

Wearing dark pentagon shades Hector Solarao, a recent college grad, “The American people deserve to see the Mueller report,” Solarao said.

For Idalia Gonzalez, a LBCC student who has been supporting Bernie since 2016, she wanted to hear about environmental issues, “Environmental justice reforms he has planned.”

Although the possibility of Bernie not making into the election again, Gonzalez wanted to explain that there is still hope, “The seed is planted because when he started fighting in 2016, he was thought of as radical for talking about climate change … it’s not that much of a drastic or radical ideology anymore,” Gonzalez said.

During Bernie’s hour long speech he touched on many issues that he wishes to alter as a potential democratic candidate.

One of which included stating his thoughts on the Mueller report, “I also know that it is absolutely imperative that the Trump administration make that full report public,” Bernie said.

He spent some time explaining his plans, which included,  providing more jobs in America through the construction of affordable housing, helping educating the workforce by making colleges and universities that are public and tuition free while attempting to lower current student debt.

He also mentioned raising social security benefits, and shifting our energy system away from fossil fuel into energy efficiency.

The rally ended with the crowd cheering ‘Bernie’ as soon as Sanders concluded his speech by saying, “I believe that when we go forward together nothing is going to stop us. So Los Angeles thank you for coming, let’s move forward together.”

For each individual, the reason to rally is different, but for Bernie it’s about moving forward together.

Opinion: LBCC should help all struggling student mothers

fernando pacheco
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Opinion: LBCC should help all struggling student mothers

Struggling student mothers studying at LBCC would benefit from more support and services, catering to issues that hinder their opportunity to a successful academic performance.

While LBCC offers programs, like Extended Opportunity Programs & Services, CARE, and CalWORKS, which are designed for students with children, low income, and household challenges; however, they are not beneficial for all mother’s studying on campus due to eligibility requirements.

Supporting services like childcare, transportation, and meal cards would benefit mothers, by having more study time, reduce stress, enjoy more student life, and clearly focus on being a mother.

While LBCC has a child development center directly on the PCC, mothers studying at the LAC can utilize the Child Development Center on Clark Street which is approximately a 22 minute walk or a 15 minute bus ride.

The Child Development Daycare Center (CDC) at PCC operates during the week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and full day child care services at the CDC on Clark Street, over a mile from the LAC, are offered from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

If mothers studying at LAC do not have personal transportation, daycare provided at another campus a few miles away creates more strain on them.

In addition, the LBCC child care services have a strict acceptance policy in terms of age, income requirements, and prices, which make it difficult for struggling student mothers to receive the child care they need if they fall just out of those requirements.

Student mothers often return to school after giving birth, but LBCC child care prohibits children under the age of two from enrollment.

This means that from one to four semesters, a student mother with a child under two years old will not have an option to benefit from LBCC’s child care programs.

In conjunction, mothers who are not eligible for EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKS services, who do not meet low income requirements and who are not homeless or receiving county assistance are also not eligible to receive reduced or free child care while studying.

The requirements of services created for student mothers should be fair to all; some moms are not homeless but still have trouble paying their rent.

Other mothers do not qualify for county services, but have trouble putting food on their dinner tables.

LBCC should offer more unconditional services to mothers will create higher success rates among this demographic.

Vikings defeat Cerritos at home, in a valiant comeback effort

malik reeves
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Vikings defeat Cerritos at home, in a valiant comeback effort

Emotionally charged Vikings prevailed from being down as much as 7 runs to defeat Cerritos College 10-9 in an intense game on Tuesday March 26.

The Vikings got off to a hot start with scoring the first 2 runs in the first inning with both scores from freshman center fielder Yazmin Zendeja.

After scoring the first two runs of the games the Vikings went cold, as they were kept to zero runs scored over the next 3 innings.

Momentum shifted the Falcons way as they got on the board with 2 runs in the 3rd inning, also went on to hit 2 home runs in the 4th inning pushing their lead up to 6 points.

The Vikings showed fight in the 5th inning after not being able to put points on the board, freshman infielder Ilena Rivera hit a triple to score in three of her teammates to cut into the Falcons lead.

Rivera discussed her key play that helped the Vikings regain some momentum.

“I feel like a weight as been lifted off my shoulders because I’ve been struggling at the bat, so when I got that hit it felt amazing.” Rivera said.

Freshman Alor Murray lies on the ground after a scary collision with a Cerritos college player. Photo by Malik Reeves

During the 5th inning a scary injury occurred, when freshman Alora Murray collided with a Cerritos player, this forced an almost hour long stoppage to the game.

Vikings players in a prayer circle awaiting the outcome of the seriousness of their teammates injury. Photo by Malik Reeves

Coach Megan Martinez discussed how the injury motivated their team to finish the game with a win.

“The injury we felt like no one was caring about my kid, and our team took it to offense and we just pounded from then on.” Martinez said.

The Vikings returned to bat with motivation to finish the game for their teammate, as they scored 3 more runs to close out the 6th inning.

Freshman pitcher Joette Vega, who pitched with an injury helped closed the game out for the Vikings striking the Falcons to give the Vikings the win.

Vega discussed how she pushed through her injury to help give her team a win.

“I ignored the pain and just pushed through, and it felt great to get the win.” Vega said.

Coach Martinez discussed what she saw from her team in the comeback win, “I saw a big fight, their a talented young squad and we were just in the fight we were down 7 runs at one point and they just didn’t let that stop them.

With the win Vikings overall record becomes 16-13, and 7-7 in conference play.

The Vikings will be back home Today March 28 against El Camino at 3 p.m.

Altercation ends with campus safety’s intervention

abel reyes
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Altercation ends with campus safety’s intervention

Correction: An earlier version of this article had incorrect information and had descriptors taken out. The article previously had the incorrect department that showed up. The descriptors ‘aggressor’ and ‘older’ was taken out because the previous description can misinterpreted. The numbers 911 was also corrected.

LBCC student Angel Gonzalez was aggressively confronted by another man after completing a class assignment with a group in the E-quad at LAC, around 2:44 p.m. on March 26.

According to Gonzalez, he sat on the concession bar stand and began talking with two other students when another man who had been working in the same space immediately cursed him out for being too close to his belongings and repeatedly screamed at him to move.

Threats were made to Gonzalez and was called numerous derogatory names.

Gonzalez then took his cell phone out and began to record the man.

The other man called 911, posing to be faculty and claiming his belongings had been tampered with and that Gonzales was instigating.

Two campus safety officers arrived and spoke with the originally at the concession bar and found out that he was a student.

The officers asked the man which classes he was enrolled in, the man stated that he studies online and was only on campus to complete a few tasks and that he called the police to de-escalate things.

The two officers who showed up on site saw no issue and left promptly.

LBCC provides support for student parents

cassandra reichelt
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LBCC provides support for student parents

Correction: A previous version of this article had a title that was not accurate. While the CARE program is only available to student parents who are single, the other programs are available for all student parents to apply for.

LBCC provides vital resources to its student parent population such as school supplies, gas cards, and grants through the CARE program and other resources like a lactation room and childcare provided on both campuses.

LBCC students, who are single parents and head of household, may qualify for a CARE grant by applying for Extended Opportunity Programs, otherwise known as EOPS, located in AA-1134 at LAC and GG-217 at PCC.

Deborah Boyle the CARE/EOPS program specialist explained what students can get out of the programs, “We cover a lot of different areas, personal development with the workshops and financial assistance with the grants. We even do field trips with EOPS. What is great for both programs is that we create a community.” Boyle said.

Meeta May, LBCC student and mother of two attends the workshops so she can receive grant money, “I like the workshops because I am majoring in psychology and there are a lot of different perspectives from the students who attend,” May said.

The CARE program, which stands for Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education, also supplies textbooks at a designated EOPS section in the libraries as well as ‘survival backpacks’ which contain school supplies such as a calculator, charger, and even stress balls.

Boyle is also on the planning committee for a regional CARE conference being held April 26 that will host CARE program students from local colleges like Rio Hondo, Cypress and Cerritos.

CARE students from each college will be able to network with one another while they hear from a former CARE student panel, keynote speaker and enjoy a continental breakfast and goody bags.

The conference, which is held every two years has reached its capacity, but CARE students are encouraged to email Boyle to be added to the waitlist.

Breastfeeding mothers who need a private and clean space may utilize the Mother’s room, open Monday through Thursday 8-5 p.m. and Fridays 8-12 p.m., located in room 1010 at LAC and room GG-117 at PCC.

“Last semester we had more faculty, this semester there are more students. I think they are all more aware of it now,” said Nurse Leti during her afternoon shift in the student health building.

The room, though designated for mothers, also serves as an “everything room” according to Nurse Leti, where students and staff may also use it as a breathing room or for any other health related concerns.

Parents with potty-trained kids from ages two to five, who have not been to kindergarten, may utilize the child care development center on the PCC and the offsite location for LAC at 4630 Clark Avenue.

About 12 years ago when the child development centers were being made, the plan was to serve infants, however, the expenses and regulations became too much for LBCC to handle.

Some of the boys are all smiles in the sandpit at PCC’s Child Development Center.
Photo by Sabriyya Ghanizada.

The spaces now have enough capacity for their preschool license through the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division.

For parents whose children do not meet the license requirements, Stacey Smith-Clark PCC child development center manager said, “We live in a city with a ton of resources. There are other agencies that serve school age children, such as the Boys & Girls club, YMCA and Jewish Association. Some of these organizations even provide transportation.”

Students in the CARE program may also earn up to $1600 in grants to use toward paying for their childcare.

EOPS Coordinator Deatrice Shernell focuses on resources for EOPS/CARE students as well as field trips that focus on arts and education.  

“Student needs are our concern. The goal is to go over and above what traditional students need and ensure student success by bringing equity in addition to equality. We will always provide tools that are needed to help them succeed. That ranges from a scantron to backpacks, book grants and parking permits,” Shernell said.

To see if they qualify for the EOPS and/or CARE programs, students need their ID number and will submit a quick application, if students are approved, they attend a workshop and afterwards are able to utilize the resources provided.

Bernie Sanders stops by Los Angeles for his presidential campaign

cassandra reichelt
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Bernie Sanders stops by Los Angeles for his presidential campaign

Sen. Bernie Sanders held his presidential campaign rally on March 23 at Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles, to campaign for his run for presidential office in 2020.

The area was packed with thousands of people who showed up to voice their support by wearing blue shirts and throwing up their ‘Bernie 2020’ posters.

Families along with younger and older California residents all gathered to support Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.

Single mother Kathy Vigil decided to bring her two daughters along with her so they could experience the rally as well,

“I want them to feel the burn. I want them to feel the excitement. I want them to hear him speak. I am just excited,” Vigil said

Long Beach resident and Bernie Sanders supporter Aaron Corey attended the rally to continue to show his appreciation for the senator.

“I am a democrat now but until the previous election I was an independent. I signed up to be a democrat so I could support Bernie in the primaries,” Corey said.

The event started at 2:30 p.m., with artist performances and followed by an introduction from his campaign manager Faiz Shakir.

In his speech, Shakir addresses issues of medicare and confronts big pharma which are issues Sanders have combated as well.

Shakir was followed by the president of the Our Revolution Organization and former Ohio Senator, Nina Turner.

Nina’s passionate speech left the crowd stirred and shouting for Bernie.

Supporters are holding varieties of signs on the Bernie Sanders rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles California on March 23, 2019. (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)

“What the people want is simple. We want is to be able to seize opportunities … this country would not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for ALL of us to live in!” Turner said.

After Turner exited the stage, Bernie Sanders approached the podium to a screaming crowd.

During his speech, Sanders attacked President Donald Trump by referring to him as “The most dangerous president in American History.”

Future college student and Bernie supporter Thomasina Sanders agrees that Trump isn’t the best choice to have as president.

“It doesn’t make sense and it’s very scary to see that someone with so little knowledge and such a closed mind is actually able to execute so many things he aims to. The most horrifying thing so far has been seeing the treatment of immigrants at the Mexican border. That’s really horrifying.  Everything that was happening with his presidency was scaring the shit out of me but that really shook me to my core,” Sanders said.

Sanders continued his speech by reiterating that his campaign is focused on making lives in America better for everyone not just the elite.

He stated often that his campaign is not just focused on him but “us” which is coined in his campaign slogan, “Not Me. Us.”

Sanders joins a long list of Democratic candidates that all hope to get the opportunity to challenge the president in the 2020 presidential election.

Bernie Sanders is speaking to all the supporters attending his rally at Grand Park in Los angeles on March 23, 2019. Bernie is in kamila Harris territory where she is also running for president of the United Stated. (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)
A Bernie supporter arrived in Grand Park to see the Bernie Sanders rally In Los Angeles on march 23, 2019. Since the 2016 campaign, most of Bernie supporters in the rally are young voters. (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)
Bernie Sanders is coming on stage raising his fist in front of the crowds of thousands in Los Angeles on March 23, 2019. He ran for president in 2016 but lost the democratic primary to Hillary Clinton. (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)
Volunteers are high fiving suporters as they arrive for the Bernie Sanders rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles California on March 23, 2019. (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)
Bernie Sanders is speaking to the crowds on his rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles on March 23, 2019. Bernie is making promises of raising the minimum wage, equal pay for men and women, tuition free college, and universal healthcare for all. (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)
Supporters are being greeted by volunteers with high fives and chants when they enter the Bernie Sanders rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles California on March 23, 2019 (Photo by Jorge Hernandez)

LBCC student robbed near PCC

abel reyes
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Correction – An earlier version of this article had incorrect information. According to a statement from Lt. Omar Martinez, the victim was convinced to enter the suspects’ vehicle, but based on the information Martinez has, this is not being considered a kidnapping at this time. Additional information has also been added to the article indicating the reason why the victim gave his money to the suspects, further clarifying why this is being looked at by police as a robbery. The correct time the initial incident took place, and the time the police were contacted, have also been updated.

A LBCC student was the victim of an alleged robbery as he was leaving campus for the evening on March 19 around 5:00 p.m.

According to campus safety officer, Lt. Omar Martinez, the incident was not reported to police until March 22 at around 8:30 a.m.

Martinez commented that the student was approached in the parking lot at PCC by two males and one female and was convinced to get into the suspects’ vehicle.

The suspects then drove the victim to a nearby ATM, where he was instructed to empty his bank account.

Fearing for his safety, the victim complied with the suspects’s demands.

According to Martinez, there were no reports of weapons involved or injuries.

Due to the ongoing investigation, Martinez was unable to identify the victim, the suspects, the location of the ATM, or any other further details.

LBCC honors Hall of Champions inductees at 16th annual banquet

malik reeves
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LBCC honors Hall of Champions inductees at 16th annual banquet

Nine candidates were recognized for their achievements at Long Beach City College at the 16th annual banquet for the Hall of Champions.

For more than 90 years athletes of LBCC have been a great pride of the schools tradition as it still continues today.

The 2019 Hall of Champion inductees were Jake Kinne, Brian Turang, Terry Tautolo, Kim Young-Monteleone, Jeff Haynes, Jacqueline Rollema- Erlanson, Tom DeBerry, Tim Esposito, and Bill Tisdale

Inductees were presented with a lifetime pass for all home games, and a plaque, which will also be on the wall of the hall of champions gymnasium.

Tisdale who died in 2002 was honored and remembered as he was not only a student athlete in a variety of sports, but also an athletic director, and a sports journalist.

The granddaughter of Tisdale, Shawna Tisdale received his plaque, “It was a bit overwhelming, but it was a very special moment for me because I was always his number one fan as a little girl, and now receiving his plaque is beautiful for him,” said Tisdale.

Basketball coach Jon Birkett from Northern Arizona University came to support his player Tom DeBerry who was being inducted.

DeBerry was a All-American honorable mention, set four records at NAU and two Big Sky Conference records for most steals and assist.

DeBerry was also the 8th round pick in the draft of 1976 by the Phoenix Suns.

“I coached him his two years at NAU, and it was nothing but an honor for me to see his growth more than what he already had,” said Birkett.

Tom DeBerry won 56 games, and was the Defensive Player of the year in 1976 for LBCC.

“To be included with this group and in this category with these quality of athletes is truly an honor to be here,” said DeBerry

Jake Kinne was honored for water polo and swimming, being the first American to win a gold medal in the League of European Nations with Cattaro Maximus.

Brian Turang was honored for baseball, who was a LBCC MVP with a .452 batting average in 1987, and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1989 and played 78 games in the Major League

Terry Tautolo was honored for football and had a standing ovation as the audience remembered his NFL career playing for the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, and Dolphins.

Jacqueline Rollema-Erlanson was a LBCC Most Valuable Swimmer in 1982, and set records for the school, and was a potential USA Olympic Swimmer for the 1890 boycotted Olympics.  

Jeff Haynes was honored for his Cross Country contributions to LBCC in 1973, as he was a MVP and number one distance runner.

Haynes received a UCLA student athlete scholarship, and was UCLA’s high point distance runner in 1976.

Kim Young-Monteleone was honored for softball, where she was a 2x All South Coast Conference catcher, and was part of the first softball team to ever qualify for State Championship, and qualify for the NCAA postseason Tournament.

Tim Esposito was honored for his two years at LBCC, where he was the All-Metropolitan Conference quarterback both years, and had 239 completions for 3,177 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Pre-Hall of Champion Alumni, Greg Townsend was also recognized as he came to see his former football teammates.

“This school changes peoples lives, it forsure changed mine and coming back seeing my teammates previous teammates being honored brought back many memories,” said Townsend.

“We are always family, and I will always carry love for Long Beach City College.”

Chuck McFerrin, retired men’s Athletic Director, presented the inductees as they were escorted to the stage by current athletes of LBCC.

Opinion: Let students skateboard on campus

fernando pacheco
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Opinion: Let students skateboard on campus

Skateboarding and other forms of quick transportation should be allowed to be used on campus without fear of school consequences.

In the student code of conduct for LBCC the prohibition of skateboarding is under campus rules line number 9.

LAC has multiple parking lots for the convenience of  students, however the parking lots closest to the majority of the class sites are for staff.

In terms of getting to class on time, students should be able to skate or other forms of quick transportation to get to class.

A staff parking lot next to Building P has been under construction since the beginning of the spring semester, which prompts staff members to park in student parking, which results in students not having enough parking spaces for themselves.

The majority of students have to park across the street at the parking structure near the T Building, which means students need at least 30 minutes to look for parking.

Students also have the option to park at the M parking lot, which is located next to Veterans Memorial Stadium, however, from there it is a 15- 20 min walk from the majority of where classes are held.

Schools have a long history of keeping skateboards off campus, but now a few universities such as CSULB have already embraced this new popularity of skateboarding culture and LBCC should embraced too.

Multiple Cal States have already embraced a skate safe campus, realizing that the culture is growing among students and it also saves them money on parking passes and citations.

CSULB for example, has followed this trend and has allowed students to ride their skateboards on campus as long as the board wheels stay in contact with the ground at all time.

As for the possibility of a lawsuit if a student happens to injure themselves while skating on campus, a valid solution would be to change the rule to “skate at your own risk”.

There are risks of students running into each other, however the risks would be significantly lower than that of students getting hit by cars by trying to cross the street to get to their class on time.

As of right now the LBCC student code of conduct states skating on campus is prohibited due to the risk of students hurting themselves or each other.

However the school has no signage on campus saying that skateboarding is prohibited.

With no signage or posters, the school should have an easy transition into a skate safe culture.

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