Interviews and photographs by ZolBoo (Lili) Bayarmagnai and Nick Cooper | central circuit staff
Student voices are important to Central Circuit.
For this issue we asked one question:
Martha Ercolano
“Sounds like a cool idea,
but it’s trivializing the
idea of free speech,
which should be
everywhere.”
If you have a question, comment, concern or opinion, please contact us!
Write to studentsubmissions@seattlecentralcircuit.com or to any of the email addresses
of the Central Circuit editors listed throughout the publication.
r a n d a l y n n s m i t h | student contributor
Our jobs are lost to corporate greed
while still, with many mouths to feed,
our children lie in broken glass
of shattered dreams,
wet with tears of hopelessness.
While others dine on foie de gras,
the goose that made the gander fat,
the homeless trade the buttons found from jackets tightly fi t
to sell them for hot coffee to stave the hunger
that growls deeply from within.
The dream has not just faded, it has died a sudden death.
The dream of our America was murdered while we slept.
With chapped skin, and senses numb,
the want for just a crumb has now become a blade
that glistens in the stillness of the night,
one that makes our children restless
as an uncertain future whistles through the alley on a bitter wind.
So lock the gates and close the doors,
and try to silently ignore the storm that’s rising.
The money spent on baubles and holidays
while castaways lie homeless in the street
is an agonizing statement of a restless defeat,
where the winners have won nothing
and humanity has traded its conscience
for a frosted glass of cold champagne
d a v i d a l v a r e z | copy editor
On November 9th, Hip-Hop legend Lawrence Krisna Parker (better known as KRS One) lectured at the Broadway Performance Hall.
KRS One discussed the history of Hip-Hop from it’s very birth in The Bronx, New York City. KRS One explained the importance of relationships in Hip-Hop’s early stages of development. DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambatta and Grandmaster Flash all pioneered this new form of expression replace inner-city gang violence with dance and music. According to KRS One, Hip-Hop at that time related more to social issues, shifting in the 1990’s when gangsta rap icons such as Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. emphasized drugs and violence.
The term “Hip-Hop” was coined by Cowboy, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, making fun of a friend who just joined the army. The physical movements that accompanied those performances mimicked that of a soldier. Cowboy would later incorporate the same dance moves into
many stage performances. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five later used the term in “Rapper’s Delight.” Afrika Bambatta also used to term furthering its popularity.
KRS One was careful to avoid excluding a particular group or person from Hip-Hop “culture” explaining, “everyone is involved.” Race and gender is thrown at the window. An example of this was witnessed earlier this year at the United Kingdom B-Boy Championship World Finals held in London. A French crew, Vagabonds, won the competition and their crewmember, Mr Keyz took home top honors. KRS One described the scene. “No one cared that he was French or a man. They just thought of how dope he was,” supporting the larger claim that Hip-Hop is a universal language that brings people together and shatters social boundaries.
KRS One is part of a larger community devoted to sharing and studying the history of Hip-Hop. His lecture deepened the cultural exploration of this community.
t i f f a n y p r i v a t | editor-in-cheif
albeit half the year. Ever poignant, a quote of his that resonates with many is “Why is it that we, as a culture, are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than hands?”
You may know of Antwone Fisher from the 2002 movie based on his life, Antwone Fisher, directed by Denzel Washington. Fisher’s story of overcoming trauma is riveting and inspirational. He writes of the experience as an adult meeting
his mother for the fi rst time: “In the place inside me, where the hurt of abandonment had been, now only compassion lived.” There is a resonance of truth and pain that draws the reader in, in a way that a movie doesn’t always achieve. What especially stands out are the stories of his overcoming obstacles in his life. It is remarkable in how compelling he is in drawing the reader into the hope that he is triumphant.
When Maya Angelou wrote her autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, she addressed diffi cult experiences like racism, rape and a not a search for identity, but rather a quest, through psychological barbed wire. Her work is primarily autobiographical, ranging from her childhood through her adult life. She is a highly acclaimed poet, including being nominated
for a Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie. She was chosen as the Poet Laureate for President Clinton’s inauguration, where she read her poem entitled “On The Pulse of Morning.” One of my favorites of her poems is “Phenomenal Woman.” Phenomenal woman, indeed.
Obviously there are too many African American authors to include them all in this small space. We are fortunate in that way, to have so many writers, so many words, so many voices that could fi ll pages and pages and pages. These are simply a few authors that have impacted my life with their work. Write to me and tell me your favorite African American author and/or a work that you find especially important, I will share the responses in a future column.
CONTACT TIFFANY PRIVAT
Editor-in-Chief
editorinchief@seattlecentralcircuit.com,
In honor of Black History Month, I am featuring some of the African-American authors, both from longer ago as well as contemporary, who have written words that I especially treasure. These authors have done what has been considered the most important part of writing to many writers; they have connected with their reader.
When we read there is a connection to our own life experience, or a wish for such. The characters become like real folks to us, and sometimes the end makes us feel a unique lonesomeness for the characters we have come to know.
Toni Morrison is a writer who has that gift. She is the first African American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. My favorite of hers is Song of Solomon, a story of brotherly love and a tale of redemption. There were lines in the book that were so beautiful and moving that I wrote them on pieces of paper and left them around – in my purse, in my cupboard, on the coffee table, so I could have the joy of reading them again when I came across them. Morrison also won the Pulitzer Prize for fi ction in 1987, for Beloved. Two other notable books of hers are: The Bluest Eye and Sula.
Another Nobel Prize winner, Ernest Gaines, is a writer I admire. His literary achievements, including A Lesson Before Dying, are world-renowned. I am proud to be from the state he resides. I am always happy for Louisiana when I think about the fact that he chooses to live there,
j e n n i f e r p e k o l | student contributor
The Way We Eat is a column devoted to sustainability within the culture of food.
these, knowing the food won’t spill all over my backpack. Glass containers have a wide price range. I bought a large container with a clasp-on lid for $11 at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and a set of 3 Pyrex dishes of different sizes for $10 at Target. I’ve also bought single-serving glass containers at the co-op for $3 each. Perhaps the most classic and bulk way to buy glass containers is to purchase mason jars. You can buy cases of them for around $12-$20 from the local coop. With the right lids they self-seal so they won’t leak in your backpack. The added bonus is that they are perfect for canning. I’ve never canned. If you have, please tell me about it. Perhaps you could write about it for the next column.
Contact Jennifer Pekol
Student Contributor
enough for this most recent acquisition of bulk food.
I started digging through the cupboards in my kitchen. I’ve managed to collect jars from roommates, friends and thrift stores. These containers store my food pre-cooking. Obviously, I like to cook. And when I cook, I cook in bulk
The weekend we bought the beans I made 8 gallons of soup, chili and sauce. So then I had to deal with what to do with all that food and how to bring it with me to school for my lunches. I store the food in glass containers. I’ve read a lot about the dangers of storing food in plastic containers. The chemicals leech chemicals that can have harmful effects on our bodies. I’ve invested in quality glass containers. I have a few large containers that have lids that clasp on. I also have some round Pyrex dishes with extremely tight seals. I like using
BEAN UPDATE: I, along with six other people, formed a bean club. Each of us contributed $75.00 and ordered twenty-five pound bags of beans, split peas, lentils and quinoa. My friend Jessica and I spent the better part of a Saturday weighing and sorting and laughing at ourselves. We sorted 390 pounds of beans.
After the initial sorting, the next thought was: Now that I have almost 60 pounds of bulk food, what the hell am I supposed to do with it?
I have a long history of buying bulk food and I have quite the collection of bean holding containers. I have a hodgepodge of old mayonnaise jars, Adam’s peanut butter jars, spaghetti sauce jars, and pickle jars. I created labels for each one so I know how much the jar weighs when it’s empty and its bulk code. I have an entire cupboard of jars, and yet even I didn’t have
(I usually freeze about a quarter to
half of everything that I make.)
(Once the food is cooled, half way
fi ll a small freezer bag. Be sure to
get all of the air out of the bag (to
avoid freezer burn). Lay it flat in
the freezer.)
(The next day, stack the frozen
bags of food. During midterms
and finals you can just pull the
bags out of the freezer, heat it and
eat.)
l i l i b a y a r m a g n a i | Central Circuit Intern
January was the month of the “Lunar New Year” also known as “Chinese New Year.” Seattle Central Community College (SCCC) students had an enjoyable and memorable Lunar New Year celebration. Student Leadership sponsored an event for the Japanese Community Club, International Student Union, Chinese Club, Vietnamese Student Union, Engineering Club, and Taiwanese to celebrate together.
Lunar New Year happens on different days every year depending on the Lunar Calendar. 2012 is the “Year of Dragon” and students started their event with a “Chinese Lion Dance” outside of SCCC. Each club was selling their traditional souvenirs, food and drinks such as bubble tea and milk tea.
Activities Committee Coordinator of the College Activity Board (CAB), Doris Ya Yuan Huang said “the event helps Asian students who are homesick during the holidays and brings them all together to make them feel like they are at home.” She continued, “The event also helps Americans and people from other countries to know what Lunar New Year is and how they celebrate it.” Students and instructors were celebrating and sharing the New Year surrounded by a great cultural environment. Students from different countries came to contribute to the event by buying cultural souvenirs, trying traditional food and drinks; moreover, playing games and singing songs.
SCCC students were also learning different ways of celebrating the Lunar New Year in other Asian cultures. Many Asian countries have the same celebration, but different traditions. The Chinese and Japanese clubs shared their traditions with the students. The Chinese Club had a “Tea Party” with a tea tasting that demonstrated how to make different styles of Chinese tea. On the other hand, the Japanese Club played the traditional game called “Mamemaki” also known as “Traditional New Year Setsuban.” People threw soybeans at others who wore devil masks to dispel bad things and devils. Koko Shimoda, CAB multicultural event coordinator and president of Japanese club said, “soy beans represent happiness in Japan.” Students from Asia and other countries enjoyed tasting different traditional Asian food and sweet drinks that were made by Asian clubs, participated in activities and playing Japanese traditional games. It was not only a celebration of the Lunar New Year, but also a celebration of diversity.
Photos by Adryenne Patterson and Erik Rios | Seattle Central Community College Students
The winner of January’s Renewal Photo Contest is SCCC student Trent Jones!
Congratulations Trent!
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, please submit your best shots (3 shots maximum per student) which depict the theme of “LOVE”. Send your original photograph from any camera type to Jenna Pool at: photoeditor@seattlecentralcircuit.com.
a m e l i a h o l m e s | business manager
TEDTalks events are held at Seattle Central Community College (SCCC) every Tuesday at 1 p.m. in MAC 210.
Whether you are an enthusiast or have never heard of it before, you may participate in one of the discussions about an idea presented.
To describe TEDTalks, for those who have never heard of it, TED stands for: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. According to the TEDTalks website (www.ted.com), “TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas worth spreading.” The goal: the three categories come together to share their greatest ideas for the future.
Twice a year there are TEDTalks conferences where inventors, activists, authors, scientists, and many other great thinkers, gather to present their ideas for the future. These ideas are all unconventional and on a wide range of topics. A few examples of the topics which are discussed are: “Plant fuels that could power a jet,” “The worlds smallest 3D printer,” and “Treating cancer with electric fields.”
The website was created in 2006, to further spread ideas of TEDTalks. Videos from the conferences are now uploaded on the website for greater range of access.
Furthering access even more is the availability of a TEDTalks app for your phone. It is free and has 900+ videos of speakers from the conferences.
SCCC TEDTalks discussions are arranged by The Film Series Committee.
d a v i d a l v a r e z | copy editor
Central Circuit: And what exactly have you learned since August?
Gephart: I learned a lot about the demographics that make up the student body, a lot about the college external partners.
Central Circuit: And what exactly have you learned since August?
Gephart: I learned a lot about the demographics that make up the student body, a lot about the college external partners.
Central Circuit: So, you’re the new grants writer here on campus, right?
Gephart: I’m the new director of Grants and Contracts.
Central Circuit: Sorry.
Gephart: That’s right get the title right! (laughing) But that does include grant writing.
Central Circuit: What other experience do you have prior to working at Seattle Central?
Gephart: Okay, I’ve got about 15 years grant writing experience and I worked as a writing coordinator and write for 2 different consulting firms before starting my own grant consulting business. [I] did that for about a decade before this job came up and I thought this was wonderful; I like working with community colleges.
Central Circuit: Central Circuit: Any reason why in particular you like working with, or in, community colleges?
Gephart: I think they do best. They make the biggest impact.
Central Circuit: So, you’re specific role is grant writer and program manager.
Gephart: Well, grant writer and grant management. It may not do hands on project management but I have an oversight rule on the grants that we do have.
Central Circuit: So essentially people work for you.
Gephart: No, they would like some guidance about a rule of compliance or regulation; I can help them with that.
Central Circuit: When did you originally decide that you want to go into program management, grant management and grant writing? When or what made you come to that decision?
Gephart: I have a fabulous story about that. I used to live in Laramie, Wyoming. I noticed a wanted help that said “wanted: administrative assistant for nationwide grants consulting firm.” I responded to the ad and said I didn’t want to be an administrative assistant. I wanted to be a grant writer. I never heard back. I went on my merry way. A year later, the owner replied to me and said ‘are you still interested in grant writing?’ I said, ‘yeah, I am.’ I started out as an editor. Two weeks later I was a writer. And before the year was out, I was the writing coordinator for this Nationwide grants consulting firm based in Laramie, Wyoming of all places.
Central Circuit: Wow.
Gephart: I worked for her for almost ten years.
Central Circuit: You worked for ten
years in Laramie, Wyoming?
exclusively for her, but then I worked on a freelance contractor basis for her; and then I worked for another freelance contract basis for another consultant based in Arkansas who specialized in another type of grant, so I free-lanced between the two and then segued into running my own business.
Central Circuit: There is a lot of student concern about the budget cuts. Are you allowed to talk about that?
Gephart: Everybody is concerned about it. Nobody wants to see our budget cut. No one. It’s just awful.
Central Circuit: Anything else that you’d like to share?
Gephart: Out of the three colleges, Seattle Central is just awesome. It is an awesome place to work. The level of work devotion and intensity the staff, faculty and administrators that everyone brings to serve the students is inspiring. It’s one of the reasons that I hope to be employed here for a long time. I hope I can help the college meet its funding goals.
Central Circuit: I think everyone wants to meet the funding goals.
Gephart: Pretty controversial interview (laughing).
This interview took place Nov. 30 2011. And what exactly have you learned since August?
When I began realizing the long standing grudge some teachers have against the Central Circuit, I resolved that I would not get involved in that “dog fight.” And I haven’t. I have had teachers disparage the Circuit; not in a constructive way about something specific, but about the existence of it. We, the students on staff, encounter relentless criticism from teachers based solely on events that happened years ago, before any of us were students at Central. This is our publication. It is for us, the students. It is not about you, or about your past. It is not by, or for, anyone else but the students. The students.
There is no way to know how many students have been discouraged from working with us. There is a constant barrage of criticism, not of anything specific, but simply of the publication for being the official student publication on campus. I believe in the Central Circuit, and I believe in the students. I believe as the only official SCCC publication, we have a commitment to take pride in our work.
This is the 15th consecutive issue of the Central Circuit. We are here to stay and the publication is at its best when we represent the whole student body with its many talents. Students, this is your publication. Use it to speak your truth, to tell your story, to express your ideas and thoughts. It is yours. Don’t let anyone take it away from you.
c e n t r a l c i r c u i t staff
Six students from Seattle Central’s Alpha Chi Zeta were selected to attend the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention hosted in Nashville, TN. The convention lasted April 18-21. All the attendees praised the seminars and appreciated the opportunity to connect with other Phi Theta Kappa chapters. Along with watching international Phi Theta Kappa administrators and international student officers speak, the attendees also heard keynote speeches from TV host and author Wes Moore, author and regular New Yorker and Washington Post contributor Malcolm Galdwell and author and Yale Law Professor Amy Chua speak.
On the final night, Alpha Chi Zeta member Tak-Shing (Hamo) Tsang was honored as a Most Distinguished Member and Alpha Chi Zeta Chapter Vice-President Jenn Pekol was honored as a Most Distinguished Officer.
Consistently, Phi Theta Kappa recognizes Alpha Chi Zeta as one of the International top 100 chapters.
The 22nd Annual Students of Color Conference was held from April 19-21 in Yakima. The conference is held to enhance diversity awareness and cultural sensitivity for college students. Group discussion around diversity, human rights and equality impressed community college student representatives in Washington State. Throughout the conference, Seattle Central Community College students heard discussions about peace and unity. The theme of the conference was about making positive change in the world. Students were encouraged by slogans like “If you want to change the situation, you’d better join an organization.”
s a r a h m a c a a r o n | student contributer
The Seattle Public Library system acts as a steward in the community, providing a wide range of programs, services, as well as an extensive catalog of items. Here is just a small list of items found at the library:
• Take DVDs home or download music
• Listen to award-winning authors talk about
their books
• Get homework help in English or Spanish
• Enjoy a story time with your toddler
• Get help with literacy or English as a second
language.
• Ask a Librarian by phone, email or online
chat 24/7
• Get tax help
• Job resources
If that weren’t enough, the library now offers E-books and audiobooks that work with all the various platforms of technology. Six branches are on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as seven branches designated landmarks by the Seattle Preservation Board. In regard to the Central Library, “The architects conceived the building as a celebration of books, deciding after some research that despite the arrival of the 21st century and the ‘digital age,’ people still respond to books printed on paper.”
The architects also worked to make the library inviting to the public, rather than stuffy, which they discovered was the popular perception of libraries as a whole.
