Rape, war instills fear, devastates women, children
By Nina Cestaro, Staff Writer
March 18, 2015
When one is asked to think of reasons to oppose the United State’s renewed intervention in Afghanistan, one readily thinks of having our soldiers sent to their graves. But does anyone ever give thought to the decades of damage done to women and children? War hits the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest....
‘Modern’ society still imposes gender roles
By Marlene Rivas, Staff Writer
March 17, 2015
This month serves as tribute to women everywhere for all that they have done and continue to do. Throughout history women have played multiple roles. They have been caretakers, warriors, activists and workers. Women have stepped in when men were not able to perform their duties. And tho...
The old soul with hands of gold
By Manning Peterson, Staff Writer
March 4, 2015
Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of the most devastating day of my young life. The exact date of this egregious event was Friday, March 5, 2010. My name is April May. I am a 36-year-old single mother of three charming children, community service employee for 10 hours a week and a full-time student ...
Cornered veterans
By The Advocate Editorial Board
March 4, 2015
Out of roughly 6,000 students currently enrolled in classes at Contra Costa College only 86 of them are veterans of the United States military. And the modest number of veterans on campus reflects in the effort CCC has put into creating resources that cater to these students. Limited services and a sheer lack of s...
Sexualized comments off-putting, unnecessary
By Marlene Rivas, Staff Writer
March 4, 2015
There are a few things that will instantly ignite my anger and draw a dark shadow over my already sullen face. Of those things, one of the worst is the indecent behavior men can have toward women. And it always seems to be done in a forceful nature. Women will often have no choice but to be subject...
Diverse celebrations
By The Advocate Editorial Board
February 25, 2015
Many people who talk about African-American history often start at the slave trade and end with the civil rights movement. While the myriad of student groups, civil rights activists, abolitionists and legal groups who helped end the legalized racist practices of the past are important, one cannot fo...
Mainstream education neglects societal issues
By Rodney Woodson, Associate Editor
February 24, 2015
Seemingly from birth, family and society team up to mold little ones into what they believe to be an upstanding “American citizen,” or at least someone fit to survive the struggles of life in the U.S. At home, Americans are usually taught the basis of some religion, how and what foods to cook and h...
Heads down society
By Manning Peterson, Staff Writer
February 24, 2015
Prologue — Last month my curious, scholarly 8-year-old grandson, “Mojo,” asked, “Hey grandad. What did you do when you were a kid without a computer, smartphone or the Internet?” My simple, concise, honest answer was, “Everything, baby boy, everything!” Have you intentionally observed or pai...
Racial profiling used to ensure national security
By Mark Wassberg, Staff writer
February 24, 2015
Racial profiling is when law enforcement officers detain, search or arrest an individual due to his or her ethnicity. In the case of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, racial profiling was not used. The story is that Brown robbed a convenience store of several cigarillos. In the process he assaulted ...
Input required
By Editorial Board
February 11, 2015
The Contra Costa Community College District is less than three months away from making a decision that might reduce the length of the spring and fall semesters each by two weeks. Making the switch to a compressed calendar of 16 weeks from the current semester length of 18 weeks would potentially enab...
Holiday neglects love, promotes spending
By Janae Harris, Assistant Photo Editor
February 11, 2015
Valentine’s Day is Saturday and once again overpriced flowers, candy and cards surround me. Everywhere I turn, red and pink signs of materialistic love cover billboards and flood advertisements. It is all just a commercialized false holiday that reminds single people that they’re alone. There ar...
Many car owners are negligent, unaware
By Cody Casares, Assistant Photo Editor
February 11, 2015
Working as an automotive technician, inspecting cars has provided me with horrific insight into how people treat the vehicles they are so dependent on. Why is it that people spend tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, on such an important item, yet do not take the time to learn how to proper...