tTOfje Crter
Date: May, 17th____________Issue: 7___________________Spring	2010
Do Tattoos and Piercings define and/or change who we are?
By James E. Reed Creative Individuality should be the norm in our society. As tattoos and piercings become more popular even among the professional world, there seems to be a resistance by specific groups of people. I started attending C.C.C. in the Fall of 2009 with no visible tattoos or piercings. Because no one knew that I had them, there seemed to be no issues with it. I spent breaks speaking with students and forming a network of what I thought would be new and valued friendships. Mid way through the semester, I decided to get a visible tattoo and add two piercings. Now I wasn’t expecting all positive reactions, however, I also wasn’t expecting to be shunned by those same people whom had no issues with speaking to me just days before. Why? Why do we as a society allow differences to separate us and take away from possibly valuable relationships. Why do we unfairly judge people rather it is a tattoo, a piercing, a person’s weight, skin color, sexual orientation or whatever else comes to mind. I myself experienced what 1 considered to be a form of prejudice. I heard some very degrading and personal comments made towards those of us who choose to use this form of expression such as “Did our fathers beat us too much” or “Did our mothers not love us enough”. I look at people on our campus and see a variety of styles and individuality from conservative, athletic, punk, maybe even some who be considered nerds but does this bother me, no! I chosen to form my relationships and/or friendships based on who the person is inside, also and their willingness to accept not only myself, but true to who they are as well. Someone who I can trust, who can accept me for who I am, someone who can be themselves and not care what others think oh them. So I ask this question Do Tattoos or Piercings define who we are, I think not. Just like the decisions made regarding the clothes we worn or style of music we listen to, these things are more of a statement of our style not the person that we are. I know those who are very conservative and dress very professional that I would trust less than someone who dresses gothic or punk. I also know those who dressed Gothic or punk that I trust less than those who dress conservative. It goes both ways. So my question remains- Do Tattoos and Piercings define who we are? Why are there those who judge based on a difference, but ignore their own ?
The class of 2010
By: Brittany Young
As we all come to a close in our college education here at Coming Community College, we need to always remember what has brought us here in the first place. We came here to try to be what we need to be to get good paying jobs and to fill our personal and impersonal dreams. Do you remember the opening days when you would walk down the halls and look at one another with apprehension and wondering to yourself whether or not that you actually belong here in college? Have you ever woke up late and wondered if you would be to class on time? As the semesters rolled on through the year, did you realize the changes to you body and mind? Slowly, did you recognize the fact that from the opening of school to the end your dress apparel had changed dramatically? All these beginning thoughts are what made us ready to face the trials of college and life to be ready to become a hard worker. As we transition from place to place we all may feel as though we aren’t cut out for one particular thing or not, but the main thing is to remember that we need to have faith in ourselves, our dreams, and know that we can do it. Please, look at yourselves now and realize that you have done everything that is needed to do in order to be you’re very best. With the knowledge that our instructors have given us, is what we need in order to survive in the real world beyond college. Take that knowledge to heart!!!
Well, you made it, earning all those hard earned credits in order to become who and what you want to be in life. Attending college is one of the most important obstacles in your life in order to become the person you dreamed to be. With the education that you have successfully earned and completed, you are now able to go down your destined paths, and make the most out of it. I want to say, on the behalf of the Crier, CONGRATULATIONS to the Class of 2010!!! You now have the opportunity of a lifetime to expand your horizons and be what you will. As you either go directly to jobs, or go to a four year college, we wish you the best of luck. Study hard and work hard to be the best you can be. When in doubt, think back to this moment of graduating at CCC, and think to yourselves that you can do it. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it!!!
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Inter-Faith Understanding Dialogue
(How it relates to everyday life!)
By James E. Reed
You may ask yourselves, what is Inter-Faith Understanding Dialogue ? I recently attended a conference at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY which focused on just that. This conference, which was Inter-generational brought together a diverse group of over 500 people ranging from the age of 13 years old to 85 years old, all from different cultures, backgrounds and belief systems. We had in attendance anywhere’s from Atheist and Pagan to Christian and Catholic with Buddhist, Muslim and an array of others mixed in. The focus was not on one particular way of believing or not believing, but rather on how each one of us has a specific part of the puzzle, how each one of our difference brings strength to the other. We were given the opportunity to experience the practices of some of those faiths such as Buddhism. I, myself, am a Secular humanist. I do not hold to the traditional believes of the Christian Faith. While I do believe that the world was created by a high power and have a sense of spirituality, I do not follow the belief that I have to participate in corporate worship or follow the story of Jesus in order to ultimately result in a positive eternity. I believe that we are all on separate paths and that the choices we make individually will result in the ultimate outcome of life after. The focus of this conference relates to what our focus should be in our daily lives. Not to judge one another for the differences we have rather spiritual, Nationality, skin color, sexual preferences or social class but rather to accept each other, to learn from each other and to use others differences to strengthen ourselves. At one point in the conference there was a statement made “ NO ONE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING”. This is so true, life is like a huge puzzle with each of us holding a small piece needed to complete it. If we were all created alike, imagine how boring and plain the world would be. We all contribute a certain color or flavor to society which makes us each unique, yet focusing on the same goals in our individual ways. The amazing thing about this conference was the unity felt, although we were all different in so many ways, there was a peace and acceptance towards all. Sure there were things that we disagreed on relating to religion and some other areas, however, we didn't focus on those things. We spent three days just getting to know each other. I relate this to our college campus. We are a very diverse group of students, coming from so many faith beliefs, backgrounds, social classes, sexual preferences and the list goes on. I hear so many focus on the negative and allow that to consume not only the individual but also the campus experience as a whole. The following is a quote which I like to focus on daily “We must be the change, We wish to see in the world”. If we wait for everyone else to make the first step towards change it will never happen. Boldly allow yourself to connect with someone who has different religious or non-religious beliefs, backgrounds, lifestyles, interest or personality and let those differences blend not only to strengthen yourself but also to build a network of friendship that would otherwise be missed out on.
End of semester
By Vazmenko Bondulic
The end of the semester is here, and I have never been so glad about it being over. I'm sure that my feelings are being shared by many of you as well. It’s been one of those semesters that really had a toll on me. I had to work extra hard this semester in order to accomplish every task and assignment that was asked of me, from getting my article’s done and publish on timely manner for The Crier, our school newspaper, to researching and finishing long writing assignments for most of my course’s. I guess it’s because am getting older and the college work seems to be getting harder for me to catch up with my young peers. Or it might be that my body knows that the semester is all coming to an end, and it’s trying to shut down. Whatever it might be, am just glad that Friday the 22nd is that last day of classes, as well as final exams. So I end this semester by saying to all my fellow student peers, on and off campus. I hope next semester and the semesters to come; you’ll try not to give in to the tolls that college life brings, and understand that the college toll is not because of your age or because the work may be getting harder. It might be that you’re forgetting what it takes to accomplish those dream and goals. No matter what your mind might be telling you, Stay on track, they’ll pay off in the future.
The crier, as well as myself, wants to wish you all well on your finals, and I hope you enjoy your summer, and most of all be safe and have a safe couple of months off. For many it’s not off time because of work and all, but for those that don’t have to work its’ all good. We’ll be seeing some of you again in August.
Another life snuffed away:
By Vazmenko Bondulic
A few weeks ago, we had another young man plunge to death from one of the New York City sky scrapers. Why did this young man take his own life at the ripe age of 21 years old? There are no clear cut answers why would someone do this horrible act to themselves, and Didn’t realized that when his life was over, the rest of his family and friends will suffer for the rest of their lives? This young man had so much to live for, and just in a few seconds it was gone. This young man had everything going for him, so why would he commit in ending his life if ? There is just no good reason I could think of him doing this himself. His family seemed to be very close and no matter what this young man got involved in his parents supported him anyways. His final good bye was written on a piece of paper that was left behind in his dorm room where he lived with other students on campus. Needless to say, all of his family members and friends are in total shock, nobody seen it coming. From my understanding, he was a extremely popular happy go lucky kid with many friends. I guess when someone is bent on killing themselves, they are not going to tell anyone or for that matter broad cast it to their family.
I’ll keep writing about these unthinkable suicide until it’s made clear to everyone who will listen to the jewels I’m trying to express: That is not a way out, there is always home for a piece of mind. Don’t be afraid to talk about it no matter who that person might be, whoever you feel comfortable with talk to them about it. Suicide’s only brings more agony and pain to those that are left behind. For instance, my daughter's friend is still reeling from her loss and she keeps telling me that it will be a long time until she can cope and deal with it. Your solutions only bring unresolved issues to your loved ones.
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Immigration Law, the state of Arizona:
By Vazmenko Bondulic
On April 19th 2010, the governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer signed a bill into law, that states if a person is stopped and can not produce proof of their citizenship or legal status to the stopping police officer, then they may be arrested, fined, or even thrown in jail. Can you imagine walking or driving down the a street in the state of Arizona, and a police officer stops you and asks you to produce papers of proof legal resident in the United States? The governor of Arizona says that nobody who is legal should be afraid that she is protecting her people and her borders. Brewer pervious stated, that “she will not tolerate racial discrimination or racial profiling in the state of Arizona”. Besides being an air-head she must be living in some sort of unrealistic world where she can make her own rules and laws that prohibit people of all walks of life to be free to breathe the fresh air and make a few dollars to support their families. Her tolerance no longer has anything to do with this, no matter how noble her intentions are. For time being, she has made racial profiling a law in her state of Arizona. Maybe she can explain how “reasonable suspicion” in Arizona will ever be other than this:
If your complexion is any shade of brown, you need to provide papers to make sure that you don't go to jail in this state? So I ask how about if I don’t carry any papers on me, do I get arrested and locked up in jail for several hours until someone comes with my papers? I see nothing but trouble looming on the horizon for the state of Arizona. Is the President of our great country going to step in and saying that this is unconstitutional. In fact, if you stop one you must stop every person whether they are brown, black, or white? There are plenty of brown people that are not from Mexico and South America but from eastern countries. There are South American people that are black, and you would think that they were African-American. If you are white or black then you will not be questioned.
We all can remember that wasn’t the state of Arizona the state we spent years boycotting Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday. What does this tell us, or do we not see a pattern with Arizona. Arizona wants to be independent not as a state but as a country with its own governing laws for different color of skin. At the time of their boycotting the M L K day, Arizona lost out on a Super Bowl and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues from possible conventions and tourist money. Now Brewer can attest to being the dumbest politician in her state along with her representatives who were boycotting Mr. Kings’ day as a national holiday. Here is another politician who thinks that we need to build a wall around the country. Who will build this wall, immigrants?
Governor Brewer of Arizona and everybody else have a right to worry about Mexican drug wars spilling over into this country, and flood of immigration over the last 10-15 years and which that rivals what America saw at the beginning of the 20th century. She has every right to worry about her state that is now home to more than half-a-million illegal immigrants at the least.
Would you rather have illegal immigrants coming to our country illegally that are trying to make a honest dollar so that they can live decent without their families starving, or would you rather have those terrorists that are pretending to love this country and once here they want to destroy it? What happened last week on Saturday in Times Square, New York City was a prime example which an American citizen tried to blow up his SUV loaded with explosives to kill hundreds of innocent people. I rather have the illegal immigrants coming from the south and working for an honest dollar then a terrorist who also comes illegally from the east, and try's to kill us fro being who we are.
Being a true nation
By Brittany Young
Most people in today’s society thinks what they want to think, but that doesn’t mean that a person is what that other person thinks she or he is. I feel that it just means that we all have to open up in the world, open ourselves to the right people, and learn to cope with one another, but can we do this? My opinion is no, we cant. Because we all have standards and when a person doesn’t meet those standards, they are shunned... What kind of people are we if we continually do that? Who are we to judge people by there covers? We all have one, so why not accept the fact that other people may just be like you and me, people are always trying to fit in. We all play facades, yes, we all do, so is it right to shun others for what you are doing. I think not!
People in our society are placed into categories, labeled in standards, and/or by religion, plus god knows what other stereotypes people decide to come up with. The rich and doesn't care what happens to the lower classes, because they are “fit” to live through anything because they have the money to do so. What is money and power, if you can’t have the loyalty of family and friends through hardships, what lessons are we learning by having everything given to us. They answer really is simple, you can not learn anything unless you have made mistakes, until you have sweated with the effort to make everything yours sacred and meaningful. The point is that we are all people no matter our class, our race, our heritage. We are people that need to learn to coincide with one another, a place where there is no categories, where there is no power, but just we as ordinary people, because in essence that is all that we are. We all can make a difference to this world if we can all live as one, stop discriminating against others. We all share two things in common: we all bleed and we all have feelings. The differences in one another are what make us strong but if we continue to clash, then that will be eventually our demise. We can only live as a true nation if we all stand together and live together as we were meant to.
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4
Coming Community College: Student Poetry
Spaceship Earth
By Sam Vogel
The world is ever spinning A spaceship through space Taking us along for the ride Every moment we are somewhere new Seemingly the same But miles from where we were We may never reach back To a previous place, a time now past Our future position is always looming Coming closer Never here
Laughter
By Amanda Cavallaro
It's fun to laugh It's sweet to smile
When I start giggling
It takes me awhile
It puts you up
When your down
You get that feeling
All around
Your face turns red
Your stomach starts turning
When you smile for so long
Your cheeks
The Sounds All Around Me
By Amanda Cavallaro We were driving down in the middle of the lane I put my arm out As I feel drips of rain We drove a little slower As I can hardly see I parked on the side of the roads Surrounded in jumping toads The sounds of the croaking That went on all night Up above I could see The biggest star that was so bright It shoots through the sky As fast as it could go By the time the night ended
A Day in the Life of a Fool
By Sam Vogel
The fool leads a life well worth living While the prudent putter on in their fortresses of fear Abandon all hope!
The flip side of fear Venture out with no expectations The journey is there is for meaning In a world found devoid The road will take you where you must go Never where you think Trusting the world, it will shower you in blessings Trusting in others, you’ll find love You have all you need in your bag to survive To thrive
Just step out the door on that wayward path If it be foolish then play the fool
Another Scary Movie
By Amanda Cavallaro I hear a crash in the middle of the night I wake up and I ask "is everyone all right"?
No one is awake There still sound asleep I'm thinking to myself Is this real Is this fake I walk in the dark So slow and alone I hear a sound of ringing I look back It's the phone I pick up and I say " Hello are you there"?
I heard a whisper in the back I can barely hear As I put back the phone I walk away for a bit I sat down for a second Because my stomach felt sick I think to my self again Is this real or am I dreaming I wake up so fast...........screaming