Students exchange language and culture

Originally published in La Voz News.

De Anza College offers “The Language Exchange,” a program that gives students the opportunity to learn a new language by sharing their own native language, in the Listening and Speaking Center. For example, students seeking to learn English as native Korean speakers will be matched with English speakers who aim to learn Korean.

“I strongly recommend this program to other people, since this program could help students with not only academics, but also their future lives,” said former Language Exchange participant Haiyin Jin, 25, economics major.

Read the full story at La Voz News (archived version).


Week #5: Politics and the Super Bowl – chewing a pill too big to swallow

For a little change, I'd like to talk about the impact of sports upon us this week. The following opinion piece was first written for La Voz, and can also be read on their website.

Super Bowl commercials have become the latest victim of extreme politicization. Two commercials stood out from the rest by featuring pro-immigrant advertisements in the midst of a political climate deeply divided over immigration law. Specifically, Budweiser aired a mostly fictional story of their founder traveling to America to brew, while 84 Lumber’s ad followed a mother and daughter’s odyssey to America in search of a better life.

The widespread disdain toward non-white outsiders, which in turn has created massive backlash toward these advertisements, is no doubt repulsive, but caution should also be exercised when critiquing the placement of such politicization. Understanding the complexities of political institutions and society are no doubt essential, yet it is alarming that every facet of society has become so politicized; ironically, this desire to achieve an elevated political consciousness actually turns many off from the importance of politics.

Football — what was once simply a calming means of unwinding from the harsh winds of an oppressive world — has now become another headline news center for political drama.

President George H. W. Bush and his wife practically wheeled themselves out of a hospital to prepare for hosting the game. New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, and quarterback, Tom Brady, received sharp criticism for their support of Donald Trump, even to the point of losing thousands of dedicated fans.

Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association publicly opposed President Trump’s immigration ban three days before the game, with the NFLPA’s president saying “Our Muslim brothers in this league, we got their backs.”

Let’s not forget the veterans and active service members that are frequently honored before NFL games, except that’s an advertisement too – the Department of Defense paid NFL teams over $5 million over four years for those promotions.

Even though it’s an America’s pastime, football, and other similar mindless outlets, provide the role of allowing us to escape whenever we need a break from reality, and for nearly three hours on Sunday, America got its break, except for those commercials. If we keep getting nagged about an issue, even if we’re generally supportive, t will eventually become incessant to the point of promoting nihilism.

When Meryl Streep spoke out at the Golden Globes, she turned a relaxing event of celebrating fawning into a political shitstorm which redirected all attention back toward Trump controversies. Even she was mostly correct, the efficacy becomes questionable after such repetition as many will become desensitized.

Politics are undoubtedly more important than ever now, but for our sanity’s sake, let’s keep it to a minimum in football. That means commercials too.


Dons baseball homeless but hopeful for season

Originally published in La Voz News.

The De Anza Dons baseball team is off to an extremely strong 4-1 start to the season. Despite not having a home field, the team pulled off two wins against a tough Yuba College team and split with Folsom Lake College.

“We’ve been kind of over achieving in a lot of people’s minds, other than ours, but it’s going really well so far,” Devon Canty, 19, shortstop and communications major said.

Read the full story at La Voz News (archived version).


Week #4: 500 for Mr. San Jose Shark

He did it: Patrick Marleau scored his 500th career goal. He truly is Mr. San Jose Shark.

I had the pleasure of attending the next home game on Saturday right after he reached the milestone in Vancouver, and nearly lost my voice chearing for Marleau. They mentioned his accomplishment once before the game and again during a break, and each time Marleau would only stand up and acknowledge the crowd cheering for him when he realized they would not stop until he did.

He's had his ups and downs, but he's truly a team player.

“I think when you hit a mark like this, you start thinking about everyone that’s helped you along the way,” Marleau said.

And on Saturday at home, Marleau assisted on both Sharks goals, helping out his teammates who had helped Marleau score his over the past two weeks.

Congrats Marleau, and thanks for the 20 years of hockey. Can't wait to see you raise the Cup.


Fight Nazis with peaceful condemnation, not punches

Originally published in La Voz News.

We’ve all seen the movies – Captain America and his shield bashing Nazis left and right. If one of the most iconic symbols of American Freedom does it, are we supposed to follow his example?

After the inauguration of President Trump, white supremacist and Nazi Richard Spencer was punched in the face by a protester while giving an interview. Video of the assault quickly spread around the Internet, with many celebrating the attack.

Read the full story at La Voz News (archived version).


Week #3: All-Stars

via /u/PAGinger on reddit

Last weekend was the NHL All-Star game and skills competition, with Brent Burns, Martin Jones, and Joe Pavelski representing the San Jose Sharks in Los Angeles. And to no one's surprise, they were all booed!

Pavelski scored a goal during the tournament for the Pacific Division, and Burns scored during the skills competition's "Four Line Challenge". But since they represented the Pacific, we have to talk about the impossible shot Mike Smith made.

And across the country, the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl (their all-star game) was happening at the same time. The Oakland Raiders had seven Pro Bowlers (tied for most from any team), and the San Francisco 49ers had...none.

In the meantime the 49ers managed to hire a former safety with no General Manager-related experience as their new GM. It's really not clear what Jed York, the 49ers owner, is trying out here, and why he would sign John Lynch to a six year contract.

But really, how much worse could it get for the 49ers?