fall 2016, issue 1
The BCC Voice
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Family having lunch in their tents. There are 10 people living in this home.
Rows and rows of tents at Piraeus Port. There are an estimated 2,000 people at this single camp.
Inside This Issue BCC Voice - Fall 2016 - Issue 1
THE BCC VOICE is produced by English 14/15 students at Berkeley City College, with funding from the Associated Students. A special thank you to the ASBCC, the BCC English Department, administrators, faculty, and students who make this school great!
The Refugee Crisis
Photo Credit: Rose Hanson
ON THE COVER: Chris Robertson is a Canadian artist living in the Kanien traditional territory, where Montréal is located. He attended University of Waterloo practicing screen printing and can be found screen printing at his shop La Press du Chaut Perdu in Montréal. Robertson believes that despite political and cultural differences, people have a common shared interest in each other's lives. His many travels he has found that despite people's differences they essentially want the same things. He is represented by Galería de la Raza in San Francisco, CA. Website: migentevota.org/chris-robertson
By Rose Hanson
True Stories From Athens, Greece
3 The Refugee Crisis rose hanson 4 Study Abroad Through Peralta angela de mesa 5 Wanna Get Away? maggie lee 6 Contributing to the Community jade ingersoll 7 LOUD! axel stanovsky 8 Time In-Between Classes? james dennehy and christine villanueva 10 Holey-er Than Thou cecilia majzoub 11 Who Wants a Free Massage? megan kilduff 12 Wait, What Am I Voting For? rachael moore 13 Global Visibility is Stressful nicolas vargas 14 No, You May Not Touch My Hair devisadaria duchine-khauli 15 Hook-Up Culture lucia wara-goss 16 Dancing in the Streets sabrina sellers
Athens, GR-- This year has brought Europe's refugee crisis to the forefront of mainstream media. With conflicting plans proposed by different countries, refugees are more often being displaced than embraced. Compounding the stress, when it comes to understanding the magnitude of this issue, media outlets report different views and ideologies of those residing in refugee camps, many not scratching the surface of suffering that refugees endure. Determined to seek the truth for myself, I went to the ports of Piraeus in Greece to see the camps that were holding 2,000+ people from Afghanistan and Syria in an attempt to understand their personal struggles as well as their own stories. The camp resides on the far edge of the ports, separated almost completely from any cruise and ferry ships. A few people wander outside their tents, as volunteers try to engage the children in an art activity. Far off in the concrete distance, a truck distributes meals for lunch. It feels more like a modern shantytown than government-funded aid. I spoke with families as well as individuals. Here are some personal stories. Samim Wafair, Nangarhar Province I am originally from Afghanistan and have been here for one and a half months. I was an economist, translator, and I worked in databases. I left my home because of safety; the Taliban invaded my home. I received a letter from them, they threatened me. They told me they would kill me. Then one day as I was in my car driving to work, I saw a man on a bicycle with a white flag attached to it. My heart was racing, it was them. I drove faster trying to lose him. While looking behind me, I crashed. There was glass from the windshield in my head, even when I arrived here there was still glass. [Wafaier rubs his head.] Nobody likes refugees. They won't sit next to me on the metro. I am a university educated man! That doesn't matter; we are all the same to them. I don’t know where to go; I don’t have any family. I left everything to come here. I am mentally stuck. Anis Hasahi, Kabul I am 37 years old; I am here with my daughter and son-in-law. They are 13 and 17. My brother is in Germany. I don't have a husband, and I don't have a father. I'm not happy here. I hope to go to Germany with my brother. I am from Afghanistan, but there are many gun terrorists. I am very sick. I have MS, and I need a walker. They won't give me [my] medication here. I have only taken one class on how to speak English. Right now I am teaching my daughter how to read. [Hasahi motions to the notebooks and pencils scattered inside of the tent.] Ahmad Shah Qaderi, Herat I am from Afghanistan. Here is my wife, daughters, son, mother, and brother. I have been here for 4 months. It is small here, all of us in only 2 tents. Afghanistan is full of violence, it's radical. My children had to stop school. The Taliban bombed my house building. I hope to move to Hamburg, Germany. Back home I worked at a sportsman shop. I used to power lift, do you know what that is? It makes me happy. I could lift 215kg! [Qaderi shows me videos of him lifting on Facebook.] I hope to continue in Germany, this really makes me so happy. Samiallah, Amamdin, Fardin, and Ramin Kafak, Kabul We are all from Afghanistan. We left our families. All of us came here as individuals so we had to stay in a tent all together. [Fardin speaks] I was on the island of Lesbos when Angelina Jolie was visiting. They were really nice to us days before she came. The kids were playing and smiling. That's all the cameras showed. They did not show the long wait. They did not show the tents. That's what makes me mad. Even here, they don’t give us meals during the night. We have to save the meals in the daytime for the night; it's Ramadan. The food they serve us expired! Sometimes I think it's better to just go home. There is no place like home. Even if none of the buildings are the same or gone. This place will never be home. I apologize. [Fardin begins to roll loose tobacco.] I know it's Ramadan and this is wrong, but you can't blame me. I know at least 20 people here do drugs. Heroin, meth, crystal cocaine. They all go to a park, over that way. [We all look off towards residential buildings in silence.] Do you know how hard it is here? There are no jobs if you can't speak Greek. Not even for the people who speak English! I have lost a lot. My girlfriend was killed in a bombing, I am here all alone. I just want people to see us as people. I want them to stop for one moment and listen.
Illustration Credit: Christine Villanueva
A plaza in Cadiz, Spain taken by Allison Meins while studying abroad.
Funding Resources Available
Collection of pamphlets from BCC's Study Abroad Fair on September 21, 2016.
Headings
Be sure you have... DS-11 application form ONE passport photo (Yes. Just one) Proof of your U.S. Citizenship Official copy of birth, naturalization certificate or your most recent passport Government issued ID Driver's license, state, or military TWO separate payments: Passport fee to the U.S. Department of State which must be a personal check, money order, or cashier's check Processing fee/s to the passport office Take above items and your body to the closest Passport Acceptance Facility
Studying abroad is a valuable learning option available to any Berkeley City College student. There are numerous resources available through the Peralta system with benefits to match. Community college students can learn in exotic destinations like Cuba, Ethiopia, and Iceland! “The most popular destinations for students are in Europe,” said Drew Gephart, the International Service Manager of the Peralta Community College District. But students should not feel limited. There is currently a program available at Laney College to go to Ghana during the Summer 2017 semester through the Dance department. Another option is enrolling in an Automotive Technology class through the College of Alameda. This class includes a summer trip to Cuba where students learn from under the hoods of classic, vintage vehicles and experience the city of Havana. These trips are considered official courses that will count as college credit to assist any student in achieving their academic goals, whether that is an AA degree or transferring to a four-year university. UC Berkeley and other schools under the UC system also offer study abroad programs that Peralta students are able to participate in. “I had a student go to France through UC Berkeley’s study abroad program,” said Gephart. He aids students in the study abroad process, “[students] can always contact me. I help them create a plan and figure out what they want.” That includes meeting with students to advise them, identifying the best program by location or course, finding classes that tie into their academic goals, and locating financial resources. Faculty members heading a specific program and Peralta’s own International Services manager are Berkeley City College students’ most valuable resources when exploring study abroad opportunities. The financial factor of studying abroad is a realistic concern that has frightened some students away from pursuing this exciting academic opportunity. However, there are thousands of dollars worth of scholarships and grants available to motivated students. "IIE, the International Institute of Education, provides the largest study abroad scholarships," according to Gephart. Financial awards for travel can be added to any aid received through FAFSA and other scholarship providers such as the Peralta Colleges foundation. After consulting logistics with a faculty member, completing your passport application, and applying for financial aid, you will be ready to enjoy the benefits of traveling to a new country, immersing in a new culture, and earning college credit. Other benefits are, “a clean slate… you get to be whoever you want to be," said Allison Meins, an alumnus of the UC education abroad program. When asked about the value of studying abroad in Spain, she said, "I got to know myself in a different capacity and that was the most rewarding.” Lessons from studying abroad go far beyond the classroom. If you're feeling curious and want to explore studying abroad, grab a pamphlet from the welcome desk at BCC to learn about opportunities and funding sources. Visit: web.peralta.edu/international/ study-abroad or reach out to Drew Gephart at dgephart@peralta.edu to see what your next adventure will be.
Study Abroad Through Peralta
UC Berkeley Passport Office: 2301 Bancroft Way
Wanna Get Away?
By Angela de Mesa
Photo Credit: Allison Meins
If you have never had a passport and you are thinking about fleeing to Canada once Trump becomes our new president, as if that’s your only choice, it would be wise of you to get one now. Life is full of uncertainties: where might you end up next year, next month, tomorrow—who knows? You might receive a scholarship and be in Italy next semester, or you might meet a wanderlust who invites you to come along for his/her next adventure, which starts tomorrow. Your golden ticket, your romantic escape, or your plan to become a righteous American refugee will only be a dream if you don’t have your passport ready by your side. A passport not only allows you to travel to another country, but is also a legal form of identification that serves as both a valid photo ID and proof of citizenship combined. This comes in handy when you are starting a new job where the company requires you to submit both. If you have a passport already, check for the expiration date. Most countries require your passport to have at least 6 months’ validity after your intended return date. “Are you serious? This is my third time at a passport office!” said a frustrated applicant at the UC Berkeley Passport Office. They are for real. Passport agents deal with frustrated applicants all day, every day. Whether the applicant is missing an official birth certificate, valid ID, or a check for payment, 3 out of 5 applicants don’t have all they need and get turned away by the agent. According to the U.S. Department of State, the current routine processing time has changed from 4 weeks to up to 8 weeks. In many countries, you need to have your passport months before the departure date for visa and air ticket purposes. Although many countries don’t require a visa, it is still better to be safe than sorry by making sure to double check the destination visa requirements. If you’ve got the cash to burn and the time to spend, you can expedite the passport process and cut the processing time to 2 to 3 weeks by paying about $100 more than the regular process fee. Or you can go in-person to the closest federal agency when your travel date is in less than 2 weeks away and wait for up to three hours in line. But forget the stress and think about what you can do with that extra $100! Applying for a passport is not as easy but also not as complicated as you may think. With a little planning, you will get your passport and you will travel. Bottom line: be the adult you are and be prepared! Here is the ultimate checklist, with tips on how to apply for a U.S. Passport: Pro Tips: ● Go to the Passport Office at UC Berkeley during the weekdays before 5p.m. There's little to no line! See: recsports.berkeley.edu/u-s-passports/ ● The passport photo must be taken WITHOUT glasses, effective November 1, 2016, and must have been taken within 6 months. ● An abstract birth certificate is unacceptable! How do you know? Look for the word “Abstract.” If you see the word, get an official full-size copy from your birth county’s vital records office ASAP. ● Get a passport card! With an additional $30 added to your passport book fee, you can get a passport card. It’s a wallet-size ID, and although you cannot fly internationally with only the card, it is still a valid photo ID which proves your citizenship. This card may come in handy when you encounter unexpected events abroad (e.g. you’ve been mugged). ● Do take advantage of the mail-in only renewal form if you are eligible. Repeat: Mail in only. Do not use this form if you want to process your renewal in-person. For in-person it will be the DS-11 form, regardless of whether it’s new or a renewal. ● You need a passport to travel to Mexico and Canada, too! ● If you have a passport, make sure you have at least two blank pages and your passport is not DAMAGED. ● A starter check is an unacceptable form of payment. Starter checks are temporary checks the bank gives you when you first open a checking account. Last tip for you: Don’t be lazy. If you are reading this article 6 months after it’s published, chances are some regulations have changed since. Always check the U.S. Department of State’s official website travel.state.gov for up-to-date information.
How to Get a Passport
By Maggie Lee
Photo Credit: Maggie Lee
Photo Credit: Angela de Mesa
Homelessness in Berkeley has hit an all time high, rising 23% since 2009. According to a 2015 survey done by Berkeleyside, there were more than 1,200 homeless individuals in the city of Berkeley alone. Many are homeless due to mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and other health related issues such as AIDS and HIV. There is also a rising number of homeless youth in the community. "In the 2015 homeless count, there were a total of 77 young adults aged 18-14... of the 77, 41 were sheltered, and 36 were unsheltered,” according to a letter from the Interim City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley, to the Mayor and City Council Members in January 2016. As many of you know, this is a time of transition from ages 18 to 24, and there are men and women just like you and I struggling to survive and grow to their full potential. BCC Students can help. As a community we can donate our time and resources to those in need. In 2015, I started LENT: Let’s Eat Now and Tomorrow which feeds the homeless in San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey County. LENT started out as a school project but ended up turning into something bigger that I truly care about. I have met hundreds of people in different phases in their lives who became homeless due to economic and health reasons. In some cases, the homeless have chosen to live this way. Others are in transition from homelessness or are trying to get home to their families. But the transition is difficult, the cost of living is high, and there are not enough affordable homes for everyone. Each person I have met while handing out lunches and wellness packs has changed my life and taught me to be more thankful for what I have. I went out this month to hand out LENT wellness packs and talk to the homeless people in Berkeley. I asked them one question: What can Berkeley as a community do to help you? One woman I met, Nina, explained that she didn't want people to judge them: “Well, they could not assume so much that everybody is doing the same stuff. Give the same respect that they want to receive.” In Downtown Berkeley, I met Willie, who came to the Bay Area on July 4, 1975, with his brother Ronnie, who passed away last year. He said he feels lost without his brother, who saved his life. When I asked him how the community could help him he said, “How can you replace a broken heart?" We can’t expect to change their living situations overnight, but we can offer our time to listen to their hardships. We can listen to the stories about Willie's brother Ronnie and about his life. There are many ways to help those less fortunate in your community. Berkeley has been working to shelter, provide food, and services to its homeless. You can offer your time by: sitting and talking to them, preparing an extra sandwich in the morning to give to someone on your way to work, and donating gently used clothing directly to them or a charity of your choice. If you are interested in offering your time to those in need check out the sites below. Youth Engagement, Advocacy, and Housing: yeah-berkeley.org Berkeley Food and Housing Project: bfhp.org Homeless Action Center: homelessactioncenter.org Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency: self-sufficiency.org LENT: letseatnowandtomorrow.weebly.com
Photo Credit: Jade Ingersoll
Jared Fields below the rainbow parachute adorning the rafters of the attic space where LOUD! hosts its meetings
How Rising Homeless Rates in Berkeley Inspired Me to Give Back
Loud!
Joey (left) and Willie (right)
Empowering Creativity in Berkeley Youth
Nina and her puppy
Photo Credit: Axel Stanovsky
By Axel Stanovsky
A Berkeley institution, the Pacific Center for Human Growth has been a focal point for community in the East Bay since 1973, and their resurgent youth program, LOUD!, nurtures a new generation of LGBTQ youngsters. The Pacific Center provides both individual and group counseling, as well as peer groups for LGBTQ people. As Leslie Ewing, Executive Director, described, “The Pacific Center is important because it allows people to get out of that pigeon hole, to take off that persona they have to wear to exist in the [broader] community.” As they adjusted to the changing needs of an increasingly assimilated LGBTQ community, Ewing recognized a need for adaptation in their youth services as well. “Young people are dealing with a lot of things around gender-identity, not just sexual orientation,” Ewing said. To help meet that need, Ewing hired Jared Fields in the summer of 2015. “Jared really deserves the credit for rebuilding our youth programs.” On the eve of Oakland’s pride festival, I met with Fields, to learn about his work. I approached on my bike, to find Fields perusing old books at the Creative Center for Reuse, across the street from where we would meet for brunch. Violets and teals glinted off mirrored sunglasses above his broad smile. Early in our conversation it became clear what motivates Fields: “If two people meet at LOUD! and feel way better about themselves because of it and they’ve never had a relationship in their life. Do you see what I’m saying? I just made space for them,” he said. “Now they have this new experience that validates them as people.” But Fields does much more than just "make space" for people. Over the summer, he orchestrated a role-playing adventure based on situations that came up in group discussions. “We walked around the neighborhood and at every intersection there was a different encounter, and every block I hid a treasure scroll, and they earned morale points for how their actions affected the group.” Fields’ zeal for enabling creativity through group activities shows no sign of slowing down. In the fall the group will hold a hands-on fashion event to explore the boundaries of personal image. “A drag performer is going to come in and talk about makeup and how he chooses to don his persona.” Fields described, “We are going to do make-up, and clothing and cosplay (costume play) and see how that ties into changing how people perceive you.” As exciting as he finds his students’ growth, and the program’s events, he made sure not to gloss over the reality of his work. “We’re definitely working with a lot of high functioning, high risk people,” he said, “Other than that they might have evidence of self harm on their bodies, you would have no idea that some of them don’t want to be alive.” Ewing elaborated on the societal forces behind this troubling psychology, “It’s a dangerous time to be different. We’ve seen a 30% spike in appointments for counseling services since the Orlando Shooting. Many young people didn’t live through the AIDS epidemic and for them, Orlando was a real wake up call. They realized that there are people out there who might want to kill them or don’t care if they die.” The juxtaposition of that hard reality, with the playful nature of LOUD!'s events is exactly what makes Fields’ work so important. With trained mental health experts at every group meeting, the Pacific Center both creates space for people to be themselves and provides the role models and counselors to help them grow from there. For more information about LOUD! visit the Pacific Center's website at: www.pacificcenter.org
By Jade Ingersoll
Contributing to the Community
Time In-Between Classes?
Illustration Credit: Tatiana Ray
Check Out These Locations Around BCC
By Christine Villanueva and James Dennehy
All illustrations by Christine Villanueva
For the type of person who likes their leisurely walks between classes Berkeley City College’s ideal downtown location offers great amenities you might be glancing over if you run straight to and from class. The professor in your three-hour lecture class has probably explained the mandatory 10 minute break following 50 minutes of instruction, but how do you manage this 10 minutes in between? “We like our breaks, but we only need one.” explains student Ali Sanford, "Crucial for me, especially in long lectures, I learn better when I have some time in between to recuperate.” When asked about how she likes the campus, Ali stated, “It’s so nice and concentrated.” Most students squander their breaks by hanging around the hallway or checking theirs phone, but there are plenty of productive ways to spend your free time in the heart of Downtown Berkeley. Here are a few suggestions: Berkeley Art Museum 2155 Center Street Mondays – Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays – Thursdays, Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Fridays – Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Berkeley’s newly completed art museum and Pacific Film Archive is just as shapely as the works inside it. Take advantage of your $10 student discounted ticket and spend a day wandering through the winding halls of Downtown Berkeley’s newest attraction. Copy Central 48 Shattuck Square Mondays – Thursdays 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Copy Central of Downtown Berkeley is a great resource to BCC students who need to print on a budget. They offer better deals than our library’s ten-cents-a-copy rule. Students may also find themselves in the store asking about the many readers they carry for professors at BCC. Berkeley Art Passage 2055 Center Street Mondays – Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This literal hole-in-the-wall gallery is one of students' favorite ways to blow 10 minutes while waiting on classes to start. Located through the Berkeley Central Apartments, this passage will get you from Center to Addison St. with a view along the way. The artwork is all created by local artists and often has a theme that relates to the city. K’s Café 2002 Center Street Mondays – Thursdays 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fridays 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Stop by BCC’s favorite café for a coffee and bagel made any way you could want it! For years, this café has been a staple in the City College scene and can feature anyone from professors conducting office hours to students procrastinating over hot coffee. East Winds Books of Berkeley 2066 University Avenue Mondays – Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sundays 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. For over 20 years, East Winds has served as the first Asian-American bookstore in the San Francisco Bay Area to house a curated selection of Asian American studies, language-learning titles, and literature. As the go-to providers for academic institutions, their specialization provides people with specific cultural resources and serves as a space for discussion on colonial struggles. “We want to have open discussion of our voice,” assistant manager, Erika Pallasigue notes. East Winds’ recent book expansion now includes African American and ethnic studies to keep awareness of the communities affected by suppressed social freedoms and inequality. Half Price Books 2036 Shattuck Avenue Monday – Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Half Price Books' selection depends on the people in the community. "Seventy percent of the used books are from the public," says store manager, Joshua Lynn. “The selection you see here is from the same people who walk through the front door.” The bookstore holds a large section of nonfiction and academic reads but not to say they only have one section to keep your interest. Their art books, comics, and music sections have vibrant titles, new and familiar, to rummage through. Sit and stay for a while. There’s always ample seating when you are ready to dive into a new book! Fantastic Comics 2026 Shattuck Avenue Sundays – Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday – Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. As an independent comic bookstore that takes the focus off the Marvel and DC standards, Fantastic Comics shows off their quantity of small publisher and local comics. “The more you read comics, the more the ‘other’ stands out," says bookstore owner Uel Carter. "It's the weird [stuff] that you wouldn’t get from publishers that only worry about sales.” Fantastic Comics hosts monthly book signings and a ladies’ comic book club that welcomes both visitors and loyal patrons. Stop by the store or check out their website to participate in upcoming events. November 19th, Fantastic Comics will be hosting Local Comic Artists’ Day, a new annual celebration featuring cartoonists from the local community and limited edition comic books and collectibles. Keep it in your calendars! ATMs (See Map Above for Locations) Machines Open 24/7 If you’re in need of cash for a BART pass or a revitalizing coffee, fear not. There are many ATMs located a couple blocks from BCC, including: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, 1st United Credit Union, and Citibank. Each of these are open all day and will help you get what you need to stay awake.
Wellness Services You Already Paid For
ACUPUNCTURE & MASSAGE Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Book online at ccacu.net
Holey-er Than Thou
MEDICAL CENTER Monday & Wednesday 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Drop-in
Hobbies include: hanging out and taking pictures in front of bagel shops
Who Wants a Free Massage?
By Megan Kilduff
COUNSELING Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Email jgreer@peralta.edu
By Cecilia Majzoub
Feeling stressed? You can meet with a counselor or schedule a massage therapy or acupuncture session between classes free of charge. These are just some of the resources available to all enrolled BCC students at the new Health Services Center, located behind the classrooms on the first floor of 2000 Center Street in Room 110. Also known as the Wellness Center, the space provides a number of basic medical and mental health services throughout the week. Best of all, because these programs are funded in part by the $18 health fee included in our enrollment each semester, all of these resources are available to Peralta students without additional charge. District Clerical Assistant for Health Services, Veronica Crawford explained that, “not too many students know why they pay the health fee and what services are provided,” so she tries to boost awareness about the offerings. To break it down, students pay an $18 health fee at the beginning of every fall and spring semester in which they enroll in classes, and a $15 health fee during summer session. This gives all Peralta students access to the Health Services programs available at every Peralta campus. At BCC, this includes medical services, mental health services, acupuncture, and massage. Students can drop by the new BCC Wellness Center to meet with a medical assistant for health concerns —including preliminary physical exams, HIV testing, pap smears, flu shots, and tuberculosis exams—on Mondays and Wednesdays. If a student hasn’t had an eye exam in the last two years, the medical assistant can supply him or her with a voucher for an eye exam at the affiliated optometrist in Oakland’s Chinatown. This qualifies students for an eye exam for only a $10 co-pay and for discounts on prescription lenses. A counselor is also available at the new Wellness Center for mental health assistance—whether it is for grief, anxiety, stress, or anything else— Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To set up an appointment, a student can email jgreer@peralta.edu. To provide acupuncture and massage, the service most utilized by students, the district partners with Octagon Community Wellness Center. Licensed therapists are available for appointments at the BCC Wellness Center on Tuesdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m. throughout the semester. A student may make up to three appointments per semester, which can be scheduled online at ccauc.net. Due to high demand, appointments are taken very seriously. Students must arrive on time or they risk forfeiting their appointments. Students who do not show up may be blocked from making another appointment for four months. There are a number of offerings available at the BCC Wellness Center that don’t even require meeting with a nurse or counselor. The center provides informational handouts on topics like nutrition, HIV, vaping, breast exams, UTIs, and alcoholism. It also has resources on consent; sexual assault awareness and prevention; and information on the Campus Safety Aide, a service that escorts students to their cars. Students can even get free condoms! Crawford explained that in the last year there has also been an introduction of information on local short and long-term housing options for homeless students. These students are encouraged to reach out to Wellness Center programs and counselors as needed. If you’re seeking assistance after hours, the Center lists contact information for local medical and mental health providers and hotlines open 24/7, including: Crisis Support Services of Alameda County: 800-309-2131 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255) This new space replaces the previous Health Services Center, which was located in the South Campus Annex last year. Earlier this year, a press release from BCC administration reported that the old building is due to be torn down. The advantage of the new location is its convenience. Because the Center is just two doors down from BCC’s main building, students can easily drop by or schedule an appointment between classes. I did just that, and booked a massage treatment with the specialist on staff, Stephanie, for right before an exam. That service helped me walk into the exam less stressed, calmer, and more focused. BCC students have access to Health Services at every Peralta campus. This includes access to meeting with Patient Navigator John Holman, who can help students apply for CAL Fresh, MediCal and Covered California. While his office is at Laney, he can come to other campuses upon request. More information on the hours and services of Health Services Centers at other campuses is available on the Peralta Health Services website. The Health Services department holds periodic workshops—including the recent Mental Heath Awareness Week panel held in the Atrium—to help students and boost awareness services. To stay updated on these kinds of events, students can consult the Peralta Student Health Services page on Facebook. To make it easier to utilize these services, I’ve broken down when each of the three branches of the new BCC Wellness Center operates and how to book appointments below.
*Oprah's I-love-carbs voice* I love bagels! It’s become a running joke among friends, but now a serious acclamation and my alter ego. I not only want to share personal adoration for the bagel, but the college-kids need for the cheap, quick, easy and wonderful carbohydrate. Now, let’s rate five bagels within a half-mile of BCC. They will be ranked according to texture: Are they dense enough? Too crispy? How about the bagel to schmear ratio? Does the schmear hold its coolness, or does it fade away alarmingly like our innocence when we found out that the Berenstein Bears are actually the Berenstain (I’m still not convinced)? The culinary journey will be treacherous, but I must test the bagel for my fellow students. K’s Coffee House 2002 Center St. First up, the closest location to BCC: the lovely K’s Coffee House. This café is a staple, and so are their bagels. I prefer the whole wheat sesame option, but cheese is by far highest in demand. Sociology student Kinsey D effused that, “the mystery fruit bagel, which might be blueberry or raisin” is their favorite. “It’s got a cinnamon quality that makes you question what you’re eating, but in the best way… with a little butter and honey…the crispy edge…yes.” K’s bagels are a solid 5/5. Location is key, the product is ideal, and the guys behind the counter are friendly. Good people, good quality bagels, what else could you ask for? The Butcher’s Son 1941 University Ave. For Saturday classes, vegan deli The Butcher’s Son has your back. The options feel healthier (whether it’s actually healthier or not, I cannot confirm.) They have more sandwich-style options than simply cream cheese which is accommodating to mood, but can make a decision difficult! The Butcher’s Son is a 3/5. They lose one point due to weekend availability only and the cream cheese is grainy rather than smooth, silky, and cooling. Another one point was taken for the bagels themselves not being toasted thoroughly. Nuha's Café 2115 Milvia St. Nuha’s Café, like The Butcher's Son, also has non-schmear options, but the bagels are not the most alluring. They taste like Thomas’ brand. I mean, it’s food, so it feels extravagant to say anything super negative, but… I would not recommend them: 2/5. On the other hand, Max A., student of Political Science at BCC, expressed his positive revelations about Nuha’s bagels. He prefers them because, “The crunchy crust acts as a capsule to deliver the delicious cream cheese, which lingers on your taste buds.” You do you, Max. Lox Stock & Bagel 2043 Allston Way LS&B offers the idyllic, dare I say, the holy grail of bagels. This is the only other bagel receiving 5/5. The texture is entirely flawless. Dense enough, without being doughy, and the schmear holds up to the test! The ingredients are fresh, an imperative detail usually forgotten. The service is not as friendly as K’s, but LS&B still gets 5 stars because the bagels are that good. Bagel Street Café 2148 Center St. Bagel Street Café is the right place if you prefer more of a buzzing atmosphere. The shop resides between BCC and UC Berkeley, so there is generally more foot traffic. Their bagels are more hollow and not as dense as LS&B, or as generic as Nuha’s; the Bagle Street Café is somewhere in between. They also have more bagel-sandwich options, if that’s what you’re looking for, but I stick with the plain schmear for rating purposes. The cream cheese is softer and to my dismay, does not hold up to the heat of the bagel. 2/5. Bagels are a critical element of the collegiate diet, and there are plentiful options for BCC students. Hopefully this assessment has helped open your mind to the options that surround you and your peers and intrigued you to dive into the holy world of the dynamic and mysterious bagel.
Photo Credit: Karen Thomas
An Examination of the Bagels That surround us
How to Stay Informed
Social media's transformation into the new mass media stifles the engagement of many young adults when it comes to political and social issues. Its quick turn-over time and expedited rate of decay has caused attention spans to shorten and interest to dissipate. Hearts have also been broken. With the advent of social media, consumers have numerous sources for information and outlets to learn from. With all of the options, people can choose to favor the sources they believe are less biased. But as the number of “unbiased” news sources increases, so does the time and commitment one needs to spend researching so they can consider themselves “unbiased” consumers of information. This task can be suffocating. "There is a positive to ignoring what's happening around the world...it's a form of self-care...I've become numb to most of it," said BCC student Chris Lopez, in a recent interview. Lopez's sentiment is no outlier. Multiple sources agreed that staying out of politics and social issues is due to the need to care for themselves emotionally. So, my question for the students of BCC: is it more important to feel less stressed out about the world's pain, or is it more important to seek it out and understand it? Another student, 21-year-old Jordan Lloyd, shared his perspective. "It isn't that I don't want to be informed, it's just that it all happens so fast that the more I seem to put my nose in it, the quicker it appears, the quicker it piles up." This intense feeling of apathy is not the fault of the average and sometimes overly causal observer. We tend to "become overly ungrateful and disrespectful towards our privilege to have this information," student Ciara Delgado put it. I counter that this privilege is forgotten, mostly due to social media. We have access to so much that the meaning and impact is diluted by the vast amount of information out there. Information can be a powerful tool used to fight against the oppression of ignorance. If you are ignorant to the happenings of your social, political and cultural environment, then you have no control over what happens outside of your self. You are given power, influence and agency (hopefully) in a democratic society. To fully take hold of that responsibility it is essential that you are informed. To engage in this responsibility, those with less accessibility to resources and lower media literacy, can use certain tools and resources to assist them in keeping up with the times. One example of a helpful resource that can either connect or disconnect you from the internet is the public library. At its core, the library is a free and open space to digest information for those who don’t have the funds to subscribe to newspapers or order the newest academic publications. The library offers multiple options for obtaining information, one of which is checking out a litany of books on subjects such as economics, politics, social justice, education, and health justice. There are plenty of books that can give you good introductions to these topics through a variety of knowledgeable sources. My favorite is a series called "Introduction Books: Graphic Guides." You may also use the library to read newspapers and magazines that are known for being credible sources. Plus, the library has computers to utilize if you don't have one for web-based resources (or doing your homework!). A resource I strongly recommend is a platform called News360. It's a sophisticated application utilizing algorithms that understand which types of news and stories you favor. Then it collects, bundles, and delivers these stories to your app for easy access on or offline. You can select different types of news stories and analyses you like; categories ranging from science, to art, to economics, to politics, to entertainment. With your newfound interest in news and current events, News360 will satisfy your need for knowledge by providing relevant and helpful information. With this utility belt of social media resources, you can equip yourself with a manageable itinerary that will keep you informed and healthy. When it comes to diving deep into the ocean of social and political issues, "accessibility," "time," and "priorities," were the top three concerns of the students surveyed. To help ease these concerns, it's important to have tools and systems to streamline awareness of the political climate and social issues. As student Tatiana Lee put it, "Whenever something happens, I imagine how it would affect me if I was the center of the story, or how it would affect my family. So yes, I do care about social issues, because [they are] about me." Try News360 or a similar personalized news reader to help you cope with the stress and negativity that stems from sifting through the daily media onslaught in search of truth.
Global Visibility Is Stressful
Photo Credit: Nicolas Vargas
Wait, What Am I Voting For?
We’re used to turmoil in politics, but it's no secret that the 2016 presidential election is taking politics to a whole new level. Regardless of political preference, this year’s candidates are polarizing in ways young voters haven’t seen before. But with all of the attention on who will become our next president, the rest of the 2016 ballot has gotten lost in the shuffle. There are a whopping 17 propositions you’ll be voting YES or NO on when you get to the polls on November 8th. Here’s the down-low on some of the things that could affect you in the California general election. Proposition 51: School Bonds: Funding for K-12 and Community College Facilities Essentially, this proposition authorizes $9 billion in what’s called “general obligation bonds” for the education facilities of K-12 and community colleges. According to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, general obligation bonds are issued by state or local governments, and are secured by the government’s pledge to repay the bondholders using their general funds, oftentimes tax revenues. A “Yes” vote on Prop 51 would mean money for public schools and community colleges to fix and upgrade their campus buildings and classrooms; however, these bonds would put an already debt-ridden California into even further debt. Control over these funds would lie with state officials, not local parties who have more insight on where the money would help most in their district. Supporters include Californians for Equality in Schools, while the CA Taxpayer's Action Network opposes the bond. Proposition 56: Cigarette Tax to Fund Healthcare, Tobacco Use Prevention, Research, and Law Enforcement This proposition increases the cigarette tax by $2 per pack, providing an additional billion dollars in net state revenue from 2017-2018. The revenue would be used to augment health care spending for low-income brackets. This sounds all well and good for the nonsmokers of the state, but the arguments against the proposition are worth considering. Only 13% of the additional revenue is allocated towards the treatment of smokers and youth smoking prevention. Supporters of a “No” vote also argue that the anticipated tax revenue by the increase should really address other pressing issues within the state, such as education. Another thing worth noting: the organizations listed as opposing the proposition are Philip Morris USA, Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company--their business is selling the very products that Prop 56 wants to tax. Proposition 64: Marijuana Legalization It wouldn’t be a California ballot without marijuana on the table. A "Yes" for Prop 64 would legalize the growing, possessing, and use of recreational marijuana by those over the age of 21. Regulations and standards would be put in place, and with additional tax revenues and money saved from criminal justice costs involving marijuana misdemeanors there could be a potential $1 billion for California. Imagine what that could do for our statewide debt. But for every pro there’s a con: of the strongest arguments from opposers, impaired driving and an increase in black market and drug cartel activity have high risk factors with legalization. Check out ballotpedia.org for a fuller picture; the pros and cons complete with statistics and past history of marijuana voting give great perspective. City of Berkeley Measures BB and CC: Minimum Wage Thought you just had to sift through the state measures? You'll also need to do your reading on the twelve City of Berkeley measures. Topics range from low-income housing to infrastructure bonds, but it's the measures regarding minimum wage changes that you may want to pay special attention to. Voting in support of Measure BB increases the city's minimum wage incrementally over the next three years, ending at $15 per hour by October 2019. Voting in support of measure CC increases minimum wage to $15 in October 2017. But, a consensus ordinance agreed-upon by stakeholders on both measures was reached on August 31st, according to voter information documents on the City of Berkeley's website. Support of the ordinance was unanimous--it will raise the minimum wage to $15 in October of 2018 , as well as increasing the amount of paid sick leave. This ordinance passed after the deadline to remove BB and CC from the ballot, so the City Council and supporters of the original measures are encouraging 'No' votes on November 8th, so that Berkeley can move forward with the agreed-upon ordinance that supports the interests of both parties and benefits the city's workforce. Do yourself a favor and read up on the other 14 propositions before you find yourself staring at the ballot on November 8th. You can find all of the information about the California General Election in a complete guide from the CA Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, on voterguide.sos.ca.gov (don’t let the mammoth 224 pages overwhelm you, everything is broken down for us non-politicians). REMEMBER: the deadline to register to vote is October 24th.
By Rachael Moore
Hint: Not Just For President
By Nicolas Vargas
Hook-Up Culture
By Devisadaria Duchine-Khauli
Photo Credit: Megan Murphy
In 1997 I read a book called "The Rules" by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, and I found my one true love. That was a long time ago and dating is different now: there are apps for it. Today Fein and Schneider have a new book called "Not Your Mother's Rules." It is for girls who have a hard time with men, boys, and hook-up culture. Here are a few tips I learned from the pros: Say you get on Tinder and immediately begin matching. Do you meet up with every guy pushing to meet you? Well if you never, ever get laid then that's up to you. But if your circumstances are different, do you let every match come over? No way. The world is a crazy place. You are being selective. So say he messages you and you want to talk to him because he has a cute pic. Do you answer him that very second? Nope! You wait 24 hrs. If he unmatches before you get back to him? Next!--and completely forget him. You would of course never send any messages first. You only respond. It doesn’t matter if he is the hottest guy you’ve ever seen. Move on. If he doesn't unmatch after you have waited 24 hours to respond, you can respond to his message. He needs to ask for your number after four messages or he is a Next. He is just having fun and wasting your time. If he gives you his number and says call me, refuse, but you can respond with your number. Wait for him to text you first; they all text once they have your digits. Don't text him first. You're not planning on hitting him up, you don't want to get into the habit where he thinks you're just another desperate bore. If he finally gets your number you can wait a little less, four hours. If he tries to meet right away, say no. Make sure you say no unless it is three days in advance and at a public location like a coffee house or bar. Make sure the time and place is convenient for you. Never meet him privately, or have more than one drink, or meet him the same day he messages you on Tinder. He will be trying to negotiate sex favors or something could get out of control. "Rules" girls are safety girls who don't (really ;) ) sleep around. You get the idea! "The Rules" are about putting guys to the side of your life from the very beginning. When you have more time for yourself, you develop into a fully actualized human being. And if you only have time for guys on Saturday night, they will figure it out and will be competing to get that spot. Still need help? I asked certified “Rules” Coaches Lynda Love and India Kang how to "do" “The Rules." How would you explain "The Rules "to girls who are just finding out about them? LOVE: The girls who are attracted to "The Rules" are usually those who don’t want to suffer from yet another broken heart ever again, or who want a relationship with a guy who is crazy about them and treats them with the respect and love that they deserve. KANG: "The Rules" helps you weed out the time wasters. TR also stops you from blowing it with the guy who you are crazy about. It’s actually better to lead by example. How would you suggest a girl who has absolutely no experience with men and boys do "The Rules"? LOVE: The most important thing is to never initiate anything with a guy. Let him approach you and ask you out. Let him be the one to text you or call you first. Be elusive but nice. KANG: She might be a natural "Rules" Girl. I mean, if she has no experience of TR and never dates she would naturally hold back, not have sex too quick. They already have the ‘Rules’ mindset instilled in them. LW: How do you suggest girls from all walks of life do "The Rules"? At Berkeley City College we have homeless students and girls on SSI (welfare), girls in recovery from substance abuse, and girls with checkered pasts. What can they do to move on with their dating lives as well as private lives? LOVE: If you have sensitive issues from the past, or even those you are dealing with on a daily basis, you don’t want to be telling guys you’ve just met your life story. It’s none of their business. It’s not about covering up the truth about who you are. It’s about waiting and watching him over a period of time, to determine if he is worthy. Open up very slowly. Build trust first. This is all about self-protection more than anything. KANG: You can’t say a word on dates, especially not in the beginning. These girls should try and resolve some of their issues before starting to date. Dating won’t fix their self-esteem or substance abuse issues. Dating is really tough and you have to endure many highs and lows. If she is facing personal trauma, I would recommend she gets as much help as possible. The books by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider can be purchased on Audible, online or at book stores. Good luck!
Imagine if someone were to come up to you and touch you in a way that was unsolicited. How would you feel? If you felt uncomfortable, would you express your feelings? For Black women, having their personal spaces invaded and their hair touched without permission is an everyday occurrence. Touching a Black woman’s hair without her permission is a racist act because Black people, Black woman in particular, have always been objectified. Due to racism and racialized sexism throughout history, Black women have had their images distorted and their personal spaces systematically invaded. Since Black women are judged by Eurocentric beauty standards, wearing their hair in its natural state, i.e afros, locs, twists, and braids, is seen as abnormal. Because natural Black hair is seen as abnormal, the practice of touching Black women’s hair renders their personal spaces unimportant, therefore dehumanizing them. Many Black women, myself included, have likened this practice to feeling as if they were animals being petted. Many have reported that they’re even accosted by strangers. I’ve experienced this more than once while riding BART or while in other public places. Oftentimes when the person touching the hair is asked to stop or told that it is discomforting, they become offended and may accuse the victim of being touchy, uptight, or hypersensitive, forgetting that they entered the person’s personal space without asking. Touching someone’s hair without their permission puts them in a vulnerable position, especially if it’s done at work or in a public space. They may feel as if they are unable to tell the person to stop touching for fear they may lose their job, get suspended from work or school, or be seen as mentally unstable. As a natural hairstylist there is no end to the complaints that I hear about this phenomenon. After styling one young lady’s hair, she looked in the mirror, smiled, and told me how pleased she was with her hair. Then her smile quickly turned into a scowl and she said, “Oh shit! Here it comes. This is when the white people start touching my hair and asking a lot of questions. ‘How did you do that and how long did it take? Do Black people wash their hair often and how long does it take you to wash your hair?’ And on, and on.” For many, the thought of touching a Black woman’s hair conjures images of Sarah Baartman and her treatment. Saartjie or Sarah Baartman was brought to England from South Africa around 1810 by Hendrik Cezar with promises of riches and fame. She was known as the Hottentot Venus and was placed on display as an exhibit for scientists to study the Black female anatomy, as well as being placed in a freak show with the Piccadilly Circus in London, England. Her body was presented as abnormal when compared to the white female anatomy. According to some reports, while performing in the circus she was displayed in a garment covering her genitals and an animal collar. Wealthy white patrons paid more to be allowed to touch and grope her. Baartman was even disrespected in death. She died in 1815 at the age of 26 and upon her death, zoologist Georges Cuvier made a full plaster cast of her body and afterwards dissected her. Her skeleton was removed, along with her brain and vagina which were preserved in jars and placed at Paris' Museum of Man as an exhibit. They remained there until 2002 when South African President at the time, Nelson Mandela, sent letters to France fighting for the return of her remains. Baartman was eventually laid to rest in Hankey, in Eastern Cape. Although she was seen as a free woman, Baartman had almost no control over her own body. Her story is often compared to the stories of Black women experiencing unwanted hair touching today. Black women, we must let people know that it is unacceptable to touch our hair without our permission, and if time and the situation permits, we must explain why it’s unacceptable. It may not be as deep as the Sarah Baartman comparison. It may be a discomfort with the invasion of personal space. At any rate, as uncomfortable as it may seem we must have the dialogue. By doing so, perhaps we will educate many, because some don’t know that the act is considered offensive to most people. Curiosity is natural, however you should never just reach for someone's hair. The solution to the problem of unwanted hair touching is simple; admire from afar and never touch without asking. This is basic etiquette. Should you ask, don’t expect a yes, and you should not feel offended if the person says no. And remember that even if it isn’t your intent, unexpectedly touching someone’s hair is rude, a violation of personal space, and yes, even racist. To learn more check out: "You Can Touch My Hair," on www.un-ruly.com The documentary can also be found on YouTube.
By Lucia Wara-Goss
In 1997 I read a book called "The Rules" by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, and I found my one true love. That was a long time ago and dating is different now: there are apps for it. Today Fein and Schneider have a new book called "Not Your Mother's Rules." It is for girls who have a hard time with men, boys, and hook-up culture. Here are a few tips I learned from the pros: Say you get on Tinder and immediately begin matching. Do you meet up with every guy pushing to meet you? Well if you never, ever get laid then that's up to you. But if your circumstances are different, do you let every match come over? No way. The world is a crazy place. You are being selective. So, say he messages you and you want to talk to him because he has a cute pic. Do you answer him that very second? Nope! You wait 24 hrs. If he unmatches before you get back to him? Next!--and completely forget him. You would. of course, never send any messages first. You only respond. It doesn’t matter if he is the hottest guy you’ve ever seen. Move on. If he doesn't unmatch after you have waited 24 hours to respond, you can respond to his message. He needs to ask for your number after four messages or he is a Next. He is just having fun and wasting your time. If he gives you his number and says call me, refuse, but you can respond with your number. Wait for him to text you first; they all text once they have your digits. Don't text him first. You're not planning on hitting him up, you don't want to get into the habit where he thinks you're just another desperate bore. If he finally gets your number you can wait a little less, four hours. If he tries to meet right away, say no. Make sure you say no unless it is three days in advance and at a public location like a coffee house or bar. Make sure the time and place is convenient for you. Never meet him privately, or have more than one drink, or meet him the same day he messages you on Tinder. He will be trying to negotiate sex favors or something could get out of control. "Rules" girls are safety girls who don't (really!) sleep around. You get the idea! "The Rules" are about putting guys to the side of your life from the very beginning. When you have more time for yourself, you develop into a fully actualized human being. And if you only have time for guys on Saturday night, they will figure it out and will be competing to get that spot. Still need help? I asked certified “Rules” Coaches Lynda Love and India Kang how to "do" “The Rules." How would you explain "The Rules" to girls who are just finding out about them? LOVE: The girls who are attracted to "The Rules" are usually those who don’t want to suffer from yet another broken heart ever again, or who want a relationship with a guy who is crazy about them and treats them with the respect and love that they deserve. KANG: "The Rules" helps you weed out the time wasters. TR also stops you from blowing it with the guy who you are crazy about. It’s actually better to lead by example. How would you suggest a girl who has absolutely no experience with men and boys do "The Rules"? LOVE: The most important thing is to never initiate anything with a guy. Let him approach you and ask you out. Let him be the one to text you or call you first. Be elusive but nice. KANG: She might be a natural "Rules" girl. I mean, if she has no experience of TR and never dates she would naturally hold back, not have sex too quick. They already have the "Rules" mindset instilled in them. How do you suggest girls from all walks of life do "The Rules"? At Berkeley City College we also have homeless students and girls on SSI (welfare), girls in recovery from substance abuse, and girls with checkered pasts. What can they do to move on with their dating lives as well as private lives? LOVE: If you have sensitive issues from the past, or even those you are dealing with on a daily basis, you don’t want to be telling guys you’ve just met your life story. It’s none of their business. It’s not about covering up the truth about who you are. It’s about waiting and watching him over a period of time, to determine if he is worthy. Open up very slowly. Build trust first. This is all about self-protection more than anything. KANG: You can’t say a word on dates, especially not in the beginning. These girls should try and resolve some of their issues before starting to date. Dating won’t fix their self-esteem or substance abuse issues. Dating is really tough and you have to endure many highs and lows. If she is facing personal trauma, I would recommend she get as much help as possible. The books by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider can be purchased on Audible, online or at book stores. Good luck!
No, You May Not Touch My Hair And Here's Why
How to Use"The Rules to Find the One
Dancing in the Streets
As the BART train whizzes through the tunnels and neighborhoods of the Bay Area, dance manifests itself away from the proscenium stage and off the streets of Oakland in a style of dance called "turfing." Groups of young men and women can be seen rotating their upper extremities in unimaginable positions, hanging from train fixtures, and gliding, as if on ice, for throngs of people on their daily commute. But don’t be mistaken: turfing is not just a BART-exclusive form of entertainment, but is honed and battled in the “turfs” of Oakland as well as all over the country. In a way, turfers form gangs of their own and trade violence for dance moves as a way to resolve conflicts faced in the inner city. Turf, which stands for Taking Up Room on the Floor™, is credited to dancer Jeriel Bey who originated the art form on the streets of Oakland. The style of Turf is an offset of the 60s style called boogaloo according to Wikipedia, and like most street dance, borrows moves such as popping, tutting, flexing and locking, from other styles of street dance. But turfing isn’t comprised of a set of moves strung together choreographically and methodically rehearsed; it’s mostly improvised. “You’re telling stories with your dancing. You’re like doing anything you can do with your dancing,” said turf contortionist Justin “Turfbieber” Sakamoto. “I could like tell a story of me eating a hamburger and throwing it away with my body. I’m telling a whole story with my body.” Turfing is not just a hobby for these dancers. Nor is it like its classical and codified counterparts. It’s a way for them to stay out of trouble; the kind of trouble that kills young people in their neighborhoods. “Without certain people that’s older than me, it wouldn’t even get me out of the streets,” said dancer Chris aka “J-Tro 4times." “So I had to learn how to dance instead of be in the streets selling drugs, or even holding a gun.” In this way, turfing has become generational. Everybody learns to dance through close family or friends and passes it on to the next generation within their community. And turfing evolves within that passage, changing from what it originally was into something that encompasses endless creativity. It’s also a way to create a better future for the next generation by encouraging them to stay off the street. "Any type of things that the community has to offer and they reach out to us, we always show our talent and show that you can be whatever you want to be in life. You can do whatever you want to do and just go for it and be right," said Turf Feinz dancer, Denzel "Chonkie" Montgomery. "'Cause in Oakland, there's a lot of killing and stuff so we try to push to silence the violent movement, so kids can know, you know, whatever you do there's nothing wrong with it." On any given day, turfers can be seen lifting up BART riders’ spirits with their energy. And it only takes one moment to bring them back everyday to perform. “When I see that reaction. I forget everyone else on the train,” said Turf legend Garion “Noh Justice” Morgan who dances for the renowned crew Turf Feinz. However, the reactions aren’t always positive. “We do have some people that downplay our art because they feel like it’s nothing; that anybody can do it and that you can go to school for it," said dancer, Charmika Norwood aka “Too Wet." “But within in our Turf nation….We don’t have money to go to school — so we have something to feel free. This is how we let out our expressions.” Off the train and outside of Oakland, turfing has been featured in many hip-hop pop- culture moments. Turfers can be seen in many of rapper E-40's music videos, recently in G-Eazy's "Calm Down," and most notably in the video for Kendrick Lamar's hit song "Alright." You can also find turfers and crews such as Heat, BA or Best Alive, and Turf Feinz around the Bay, both on the BART and often performing in battles and various community events, such as Oakland's First Fridays street festival every first Friday of the month at Telegraph and 23rd.
Oakland's Turf Dance as an Agent of Change
Turfer, Garion "Noh Justice" Morgan, a member of the crew Turf Feinz, showing off his moves on the BART Train.
By Sabrina Sellers
Photo Credit: Sabrina Sellers