Techno Terror: The Silicon Valley take over
May 8, 2019
California has long been known as a bastion of liberalism and inclusivity, but for those who lived through the gestation period preceding the birth of widespread gentrification, it’s never been more than a sun-kissed version of the segregated south. Perception is not always reality and for all th...
Illusion of Freedom: Corporate policies incentivise evil
By Ryan Geller, News Editor
May 16, 2018
America got it wrong about property from the very beginning. The founders of this nation saw other humans as property. The government of this nation has enshrined genocidal maniacs on its money to remind us all that property is legitimized from behind the barrel of a gun. The completely wrong-head...
Athletes express concern about gun legislation
By Efrain Valdez, Social Media Editor
March 14, 2018
As the best professional boxer of the 20th century, and renowned activist, Muhammad Ali once said, “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” National Basketball Association (NBA) all stars Lebron James and Kevin Durant have lived up to that. They proved their value with their responses to Laura ...
Limited instructor availability sullies learning environment
March 1, 2018
California community colleges have followed an evolving trend of hiring easily replaceable part-time professors instead of cultivating a crop of costly, yet better prepared, tenured-track employees. Students everywhere know the pain of tracking down professors with erratic office hours only to fin...
Temporary Disruption
By Robert Clinton, Opinion Editor
March 1, 2018
Filed under Forum
In a nation driven by a 24-hour news cycle that blurs the lines between fake news, breaking news and the hyperbole spewed from the mouths of talking heads and paid corporate shills, less sensational stories get pushed to the background. As the American media become more enthralled with President Trump...
Transient ‘fast fashion’ trends spawn global scourge
By Alondra Gallardo, Opinion Editor
February 20, 2018
Filed under Forum
While women walk around with a $12 little black dress on to support the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, think about the young girl making your dress inside a factory under extremely poor conditions, receiving little to no wages and possibly experiencing sexual harassment herself. Fast fashion is de-v...
Lack of campus liaisons foster divide in community relations
February 20, 2018
Over the past year, the Contra Costa Community College District has continued what some see as a disturbing trend of decreasing the number of people of color in leadership positions at Contra Costa College. On Thursday, CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh announced she would be returning to her old post at...
Valentine’s Day ignites false sense of love through materialism
By Michael Santone, Associate Editor
February 20, 2018
Filed under Forum
For many, the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day is etched in an atmospheric romance of greeting cards, candle lit dinners and the occasional afterglow of holiday lust. Scented bouquets of red roses are ordered by lovers for lovers, as boyfriends, girlfriends and secret admirers douse each other in he...
Threats of ICE raids demand preparation to impede arrests
January 30, 2018
Filed under Forum
In the wake of recent threats by the federal government to conduct sweeping immigration raids across Northern California and the Bay Area in general, civic leaders and state employees have vowed to stand up to the impending menace. On Jan. 23, Diablo Valley College President Susan Lamb sent an email to all...
Mother inspires perseverance, shows strength
By Michael Santone, Associate Editor
December 18, 2017
Filed under Forum
The first time I ever saw my mother being hit by a man, I was 10 years old. Cowering in the corner, I threw a blanket over my face to shield myself from the scene that filled our one bedroom apartment. At the time, I didn’t understand the chaotic discord that not only had me weeping in fear, but fear...
Brand name clothes overrated
By Denis Perez, Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2017
Growing up I always longed to wear top brand-named clothing to feel comfortable at school, until my late teens when I realized it was better to have been raised to not care for them. Much of my adolescent life revolved around fitting in in a new land that my parents had immigrated to for a better life...
New generation products mar Apple reputation
By Andrew Weedon, Advocate Staff
October 30, 2017
Filed under Forum
I own one Apple product, a second generation iPod touch. I would be the first to admit that I love it and am proud to call it mine. When I see someone with a new Apple product however, I don’t feel jealousy or envy. That person likely bought that product because it was their understanding it was...