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Renegade Rip, issue 3, Oct

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The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong><br />

Vol. 100∙ No. 3 Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

Bakersfield College<br />

BC to offer a second<br />

bachelor’s program<br />

News, Page 2<br />

Huerta Foundation<br />

receives grant<br />

News, Page 3<br />

Opinion, Page 7<br />

BC’s campus needs<br />

more “Noises art Off” full of<br />

fabulous chaos<br />

Opinion, Page 7<br />

SANDRA TERREL/THE RIP<br />

Folklorio dancers from the Teocalli Cultural Academy perform to a<br />

sold out crowd at BC.<br />

JARED BUYS/THE RIP<br />

Professor Kris Tiner closes out the Nakatani Gong<br />

Orchestra at the Panoroma Music Festival.<br />

HONEY CROWDER/THE RIP<br />

32 Cleveland Cj Tolbert running the ball past the 20 yard line<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> @bc_rip Follow us online at www.therip.com


Page 2<br />

News<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

Delano LRC ribbon-cutting<br />

By Sandra Terrel<br />

Reporter<br />

SANDRA TERREL/THE RIP<br />

Faculty, staff and community leaders<br />

join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.<br />

BC’s Delano<br />

Campus commemorated<br />

its<br />

new Learning<br />

Resource<br />

Center with a<br />

ribbon-cutting<br />

ceremony and<br />

open house on<br />

Sept. 19. Faculty,<br />

staff and<br />

community<br />

leaders who<br />

have been instrumental in campus growth were in attendance.<br />

The occasion was marked with enthusiasm as Delano area<br />

students having accessible education has been a vision for<br />

many.<br />

According to Brian Rodriguez of Delano Rural Initiatives,<br />

the new center will permit enrollment of one thousand additional<br />

students. There are also additional plans which include<br />

on-site mental health specialists.<br />

BC’s newly appointed acting president Steve Watkin spoke<br />

at the event. He hopes the new building will be a place the<br />

community can gather and sees campus growth as a beacon<br />

of hope and a symbol of progress.<br />

KCCD Interim Chancellor Tom Burke spoke as witness<br />

to the importance of accessible education. He explained to<br />

attendees how he sees the changing footprint of the rural<br />

outreach.<br />

Former BC student and current KCCD president Romeo<br />

Agbalog told the group how the new LRC isn’t just a building,<br />

it represents an idea that he and others have envisioned<br />

for years.<br />

This concept was reiterated<br />

by politician and<br />

former Delano resident<br />

Rudy Salas who was also<br />

on hand to speak. He reminded<br />

the audience of<br />

how new programs are<br />

changing people’s lives<br />

as the seeds of their future<br />

are planted.<br />

Representing students<br />

at the ceremony was<br />

BCSGA president Cindy<br />

Miranda.<br />

SANDRA TERREL/THE RIP<br />

Brian Rodriguez explains how<br />

the new LRC will benefit the<br />

students.<br />

The LRC has already had a positive impact. According to<br />

campus librarian Elisabeth Sundby, students steadily use the<br />

center for a variety of reasons.<br />

After the event, staff were on hand guiding detailed tours<br />

of the facility during an open house.<br />

New baccalaureate program<br />

By Mason Almaguer<br />

Reporter<br />

BC’s new Research Laboratory Technology<br />

(RTEC) Baccalaureate program<br />

is a new opportunity for those who are<br />

looking for a career working with new<br />

and advanced laboratory technology.<br />

The program manager, Dorothy<br />

Mullen, had some time to talk about<br />

the benefits and skills this emerging initiative<br />

offers to its applicants.<br />

Mullen said that this program involves<br />

being more “hands-on” and “less<br />

theoretical.” Its purpose is to be able to<br />

teach students to go into a lab setting<br />

and “use equipment and maintain it.”<br />

Students in the program will learn to<br />

“set it up, [and] break it down.”<br />

When asked how difficult the program<br />

is she said that “if you’re someone<br />

who has an interest in sciences” then it<br />

would be a good option. “It’s geared<br />

towards community college students,”<br />

she added.<br />

Mullen also thinks this is a great<br />

chance for students. She elaborated,<br />

“I think it’s tremendous, a really great<br />

option to save money.” It is “cost-effective”<br />

and “a great opportunity for people<br />

who don’t want to go out of town.”<br />

Mullen outlined the jobs available to<br />

these graduating students, stating that<br />

students can become biological, chemical,<br />

environmental, and geological<br />

technicians. Mullen and other people<br />

involved in this program will “visit local<br />

labs in the next couple weeks to see<br />

what equipment they’re using” so they<br />

can get some ideas for what they should<br />

use.<br />

They are gearing the program towards<br />

what is currently in demand in<br />

the market. They will “tour the Kern<br />

County crime lab” and “Sun World in<br />

Wasco.” “The goal is for students to<br />

work jobs in the Central Valley,” said<br />

Mullen.<br />

If you want more information regarding<br />

this program, RTEC is hosting multiple<br />

information sessions for both of<br />

Bakersfield College’s baccalaureate degree<br />

programs, Industrial Automation<br />

and Research Laboratory Technology.<br />

Remaining sessions are on Thursday,<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 5 at 11 a.m., and Friday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 6 at<br />

6 p.m. Do not miss it if you’reinterested.<br />

All sessions will be held on the 2nd<br />

floor of the Campus Center building.


Page 3<br />

News<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

Dolores Huerta Foundation<br />

By Hector Vizcarra<br />

Reporter<br />

The state of CA has awarded a $7<br />

million grant to The Dolores Huerta<br />

Foundation to contribute toward The<br />

Dolores Huerta Peace and Justice Cultural<br />

Center. In celebration, a press conference<br />

was held on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.<br />

in the Laborers Union Hall at 2201 H.<br />

St. Bakersfield, CA and in attendance<br />

was Dolores Huerta herself.<br />

Before the press conference, Dolores<br />

Huerta and members of her<br />

foundation looked around at the land<br />

where the center would be built. The<br />

32,000-square-foot building will be at<br />

2105 Eye St. in downtown Bakersfield.<br />

At the Laborers Union Hall, Camila<br />

Chavez, daughter of Huerta, State<br />

Senator Anna Caballero, Assembly<br />

Members Dr. Jasmeet Baines and Sabrina<br />

Cervantes, and California State<br />

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas all<br />

spoke about the importance of having<br />

a building to honor the history of immigrants<br />

in the San Joaquin Valley area.<br />

Senator Anna Caballero thanked<br />

Governor Gavin Newsom and Rudy<br />

Salas for supporting the development<br />

of the building. Caballero when shared<br />

her hopes for the center when she said,<br />

“I’m particularly exciting about the<br />

youth leadership development programs<br />

and equitable educational opportunities<br />

to address discriminatory<br />

practices and alarmingly high illiteracy<br />

rates.”<br />

Dr. Jasmeet Baines then spoke about<br />

why she thinks building is significant.<br />

She said, “If we don’t invest in a place<br />

that represents our history, we are<br />

doomed to repeat the same mistakes.”<br />

The sentiment of unity was continued<br />

by Huerta herself when she said,<br />

“We want this center to be dedicated to<br />

the working people that feed us.” She<br />

mentioned that the center is to honor<br />

many different groups such as, the Indigenous,<br />

Native Americans, Mexicans,<br />

Okies who came from the South because<br />

of the Dustbowl, Filipinos, Koreans,<br />

Japanese [and other Asians.]”<br />

Huerta touched upon the importance<br />

of farmworkers when saying, “Often,<br />

we talk about essential workers during<br />

the pandemic and yes, our health workers,<br />

our firemen, our police men are<br />

essential workers, but the most essential<br />

workers of all are the farmers... because<br />

they feed all the other essential workers<br />

as well as the rest of the country.”<br />

Toward the end of the conference the<br />

team behind the center demonstrated<br />

an interactive AI generated hologram<br />

of Dolores Huerta that will be housed<br />

in the center.<br />

The Dolores Huerta Peace and Justice<br />

Cultural Center is projected to break<br />

ground in<br />

2024 and<br />

be completed<br />

in<br />

2026.<br />

Hector Vizcarra/The <strong>Rip</strong><br />

Dolores Huerta speaks at<br />

Laborers Union Hall.<br />

Academic resources at BC<br />

By Marcos Huerta<br />

Reporter<br />

Some academic resources are available<br />

to help students with their schoolwork.<br />

There are many academic resources<br />

on campus and online to help students<br />

succeed in their classes. Bakersfield College<br />

offers The Writing Center, Tutoring<br />

Center, Math Lab, Net Tutor, and<br />

Pal. Each of these resources are easily<br />

accessible for all students.<br />

The writing center is in the Humanities<br />

building, room 207, and it is open<br />

to students Monday - Thursday from<br />

8 a.m.-10 a.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-12<br />

p.m. It helps students with any writing<br />

assignments they have. Students can set<br />

up appointments with tutors at the writing<br />

center to get one-on-one help with<br />

their assignment or any other questions<br />

they have. Students are also welcomed<br />

to come to the writing center if they<br />

want to do work from their classes.<br />

Another academic resource is PAL,<br />

if you aren’t familiar with PAL or never<br />

heard of, it stands for Peer Assisted<br />

Learning.<br />

PAL stem leader Maria Marcos Baltazas<br />

said, “The purpose of this is to<br />

break down material that may be hard<br />

to process as well as provide studying<br />

material for upcoming exams and labs.”<br />

There are PAL study sessions seven<br />

days a week both in person and online,<br />

they have a few locations depending on<br />

what a course is about. Baltazas also<br />

stated, “Students who come to study<br />

sessions tend to do better on exams,<br />

labs, classwork, etc.”<br />

Net Tutor is another option for students<br />

that is only online. Students can<br />

find and access net tutor by going to<br />

any course they are taking in Canvas,<br />

looking at the left side menu and clicking<br />

net tutor. There is no limit on sessions<br />

and the sessions include live tutors<br />

trained to assist students.<br />

The Tutoring Center is in the CSS<br />

building room 203, it is free to students,<br />

and they can go in person or online<br />

whichever they prefer. The tutoring<br />

center is designed to help students with<br />

any homework they have or a class they<br />

are struggling in. The Tutoring Center<br />

also offers online meet up times on<br />

zoom for students.<br />

BC also provides a Math Lab located<br />

in the GS building room 8. The Math<br />

Lab is specialized with helping students<br />

with their math homework. The lab is<br />

available in person Monday through<br />

Thursday 9a.m.-5p.m. and Friday<br />

9a.m.-12p.m., and open to students<br />

virtually Monday 5PM-7PM, Tuesday<br />

through Thursday 5p.m.-8p.m., and<br />

Friday 5p.m.-7p.m.


Page 4<br />

<strong>Renegade</strong>s<br />

lose nailbiter<br />

Sportss<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

By Gesus Garcia<br />

Reporter<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

MLB Awards Race<br />

Sports Buzz<br />

By Honey Crowder<br />

Reporter<br />

The night of Sept. 30, Bakersfield<br />

College’s football<br />

team went up against archenemy<br />

El Camino College. The<br />

parking lots filled with fans<br />

that came to see Bakersfield<br />

College’s match, but <strong>Renegade</strong><br />

fans were left disappointed<br />

with a score of 31-24,<br />

resulting in the end of the<br />

Gades 3-week win streak.<br />

The game held up to the<br />

expectations of tailgaters,<br />

coaches, and players alike as<br />

the teams battled it out and<br />

the scored, being mere inches<br />

of each other.<br />

However, this would change<br />

as the Warriors scored a<br />

touchdown during the last 2<br />

minutes and 50 seconds of<br />

4th quarter.<br />

Jeff Larma, member of the<br />

Helmet Club and alumni renegade<br />

football player, predicted<br />

that the game was destined<br />

to be a close game as the Warriors<br />

were a tough team, even<br />

back when he was playing.<br />

But Larma and other members<br />

of the BC Helmet Club<br />

are still proud of them.<br />

Running back coach Dereon<br />

Washington and head<br />

coach R. Todd Littlejohn stated<br />

that the team is set for a<br />

good season despite the result<br />

of Saturday’s match.<br />

They need to work on small<br />

mistakes, which caused injuries<br />

and penalties, Littlejohn<br />

stated. “We’ve been having a<br />

good season and have seen improvement<br />

with every game,<br />

this season is truly shaping up<br />

to be a worthy one.”<br />

Players such as Gabriel Zuniga,<br />

Jordan Norwood and Jalen<br />

Hankins claimed that the<br />

team is pulling it together and<br />

coming back more improved<br />

than before, taking each game<br />

as a<br />

learning experience.<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong>’s next home<br />

game is set for Saturday, <strong>Oct</strong>.<br />

14 at 2 p.m. against the Allan<br />

Hancock Bulldogs. Tailgaters<br />

are asking for everyone to<br />

come on out and “support our<br />

boys as they give them hell on<br />

the field.”<br />

HONEY CROWDER/THE RIP<br />

Number 32, Cleveland Cj Tolbert,<br />

running the ball past the<br />

20 yard line.<br />

HONEY CROWDER/THE RIP<br />

Player 28, Jordan Norwood,<br />

running the ball to El Camino’s<br />

goal.<br />

The MLB season is just<br />

a couple of weeks away<br />

from coming to an end,<br />

and there’s no better time<br />

to look at the awards race.<br />

This section will focus on<br />

the National League (NL)<br />

awards. Stats are as of<br />

Sept. 24.<br />

Whereas the AL MVP<br />

has been a one-horse race<br />

since the beginning of the<br />

summer, the NL MVP will<br />

come down to the wire.<br />

Atlanta Braves superstar<br />

Ronald Acuña Jr. has put<br />

up a season nobody has<br />

ever seen. He is the first<br />

player in history with a 30<br />

homerun (HR)/60 stolen<br />

base season to go along<br />

with a 1.010 on-base plus<br />

slugging (OPS) and 7.8<br />

wins above replacement<br />

(fWAR.)<br />

Despite that, he is not<br />

a runaway favorite as Los<br />

Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie<br />

Betts has kept up in this<br />

tight race. Betts has played<br />

second base and outfield,<br />

which makes him more<br />

valuable than Acuña Jr.<br />

defensively. With his bat,<br />

Betts has hit 39 HR to go<br />

along with a 1.000 OPS<br />

and 8.2 fWAR.<br />

NL Cy Young is given<br />

to the best pitcher in the<br />

league, and San Diego<br />

Padres lefty Blake Snell<br />

is on the cusp of his 2nd<br />

Cy in his career. Snell has<br />

been thoroughly dominant<br />

since an early season<br />

slump, which is shown<br />

with a 1.26 earned run<br />

average (ERA) dating<br />

back to May 25th. De-<br />

Gesus Garcia<br />

spite Snell having command<br />

<strong>issue</strong>s that lead to<br />

a lot of walks, a slump by<br />

his closest competitor in<br />

Chicago Cubs lefty Justin<br />

Steele, Snell’s Sept.<br />

19 start vs the Colorado<br />

Rockies almost served as<br />

a coronation party after<br />

he didn’t give up a hit or<br />

run in 7 innings.<br />

The last award given<br />

out is for Rookie of the<br />

Year, and Arizona Diamondbacks<br />

speedster<br />

Corbin Carroll has been<br />

the favorite since Spring<br />

Training. Carroll has<br />

lived up to the hype, becoming<br />

the first rookie in<br />

MLB history with 25 HR<br />

and 50 stolen bases in a<br />

season. Carroll’s spectacular<br />

year has allowed the<br />

Diamondbacks to stay in<br />

the playoff hunt for the<br />

first time in six years.<br />

While the award winners<br />

won’t be known<br />

until the World Series<br />

concludes in November,<br />

it is interesting to spotlight<br />

the players contending for<br />

major hardware.


Page 5<br />

Campus<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

Panorama Music Summit<br />

By Jared Buys<br />

Reporter<br />

It was a moderately-crowded scene at<br />

the Simonsen Performing Ars Center<br />

at Bakersfield College on the evening<br />

of Sept. 21 as the Panorama Creative<br />

Music Summit. With several musical<br />

acts to perform, the night began with<br />

cordial introductions as the first piece<br />

was readied.<br />

This first piece, “In C” by composer<br />

Terry Riley, started with rhythmic tones<br />

looping again and again with subtle yet<br />

rapidly evolving variations. The brass<br />

section rang out, contrasting woodwinds<br />

that chimed aside it. Then came<br />

accordion and light percussion. The<br />

piece went along for some time with<br />

no significant crescendos or decrescendos.<br />

Though it was musically dissonant<br />

in some places, it was paired with expert<br />

precision that made the air feel as<br />

though the audience were seated inside<br />

an enormous clock.<br />

Then came sharp, staccato flute tones<br />

that sounded among a continuously<br />

plinking piano’s C note, hence the<br />

piece’s name. Once that came, a sudden<br />

upswell of crescendo as the chorus<br />

of instruments grew. Bits of electric guitar<br />

set a melodic pace as a cello set a<br />

bassline throughout.<br />

Later, a chime was struck that rang<br />

out reminiscent of a ship’s bell. The<br />

piece fluctuated in and out as it grew<br />

loud and soft and ended with a final,<br />

full-throated thrum, leaving only the<br />

metronome of plinking piano to fade<br />

off.<br />

The song ended and the stage was<br />

reset for the second half of night. This<br />

next part was the Nakatani Gong Orchestra,<br />

led by its founder, Tatsuya Nakatani,<br />

who travels around to different<br />

places with his instruments, inviting students<br />

at the places he visits to man each<br />

station.<br />

The last piece consisted of a 16-piece<br />

gong orchestra, arrayed around Nakatani,<br />

who conducted said orchestra<br />

from the front.<br />

Some students banged their gongs in<br />

a traditional sense, while others used<br />

custom-made bows that Nakatani built<br />

himself to run along the sides of the<br />

circular bronze instruments. Haunting,<br />

otherworldly sounds reverberated<br />

around the performing arts center for<br />

almost half an hour before Professor<br />

Kris Tiner, Director of Jazz Studies<br />

here at BC, closed out the P.C.M.S.<br />

with a Q &A, allowing Nakatani to<br />

have some interaction with the appreciative<br />

audience. Nakatani had his own<br />

merchandise and promotional material<br />

for sale at the front of the auditorium.<br />

Roundtable talks unions<br />

By Gesus Garcia<br />

Reporter<br />

Bakersfield College hosted its first segment of The <strong>Renegade</strong><br />

Roundtable on Sept. 27. Five BC professors, Reggie<br />

Williams, Savannah Andrasian, Matthew Maddex, Javier<br />

Llamas, and Joe Saldivar led the discussion. The interdisciplinary<br />

panel gathered at the Levan Center to speak about<br />

labor unions and wages from both a past and present standpoint.<br />

The discussion begins with the panel talking about strikes<br />

seen this year. Three of the strikes mentioned were the pilot<br />

strike, the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike and the Writers<br />

Guild of America strike. Andrasian brought up the demands<br />

of the UAW workers which included a 15% increase<br />

in base payment, a 36-40% wage increase over the next 4<br />

years and better retirement benefits. They discussed cost of<br />

living and how it plays a big role in determining what a “fair<br />

wage” is, determining that therefore strikes are very common<br />

in today’s day and age.<br />

Maddex began the history section of the discussion by<br />

talking about the early stages of labor strikes, as he explained<br />

how the 1768 New York tailors strike paved the way for labor<br />

unions. Known as the earliest recorded strike, a group of tailors<br />

gathered to protest a reduction of wages.<br />

To add on, Llamas stated that during the Gilded Age in the<br />

late 19th century, the government was siding with big businesses<br />

which made life difficult for the workers.<br />

Nevertheless, the Progressive Era allowed for the introduction<br />

of 8-hour workdays and 40-hour work weeks, which<br />

benefited the workers.<br />

Llamas continued stating that unfortunately, it did not help<br />

the economy, as high wages and weak labor unions played a<br />

factor in the beginning of the Great Depression in the 1930s.<br />

Minimum wage was also discussed, and Saldivar advocated<br />

for students to take a finance class that helps them learn<br />

more about real-life economics.<br />

Regarding working a<br />

minimum wage job as a<br />

college student, Saldivar<br />

said, “You’re not supposed<br />

to live like that,”<br />

as students should grow<br />

and aspire better jobs afterwards.<br />

The next <strong>Renegade</strong><br />

Roundtable is scheduled<br />

for Nov. 15, but Williams<br />

also invited students to<br />

GESUS GARCIA/THE RIP<br />

Guests listen to a discussion<br />

about labor unions at the <strong>Renegade</strong><br />

Roundtable.<br />

the Gadfly Café, a similar roundtable gathering also held at<br />

the Levan Center, on <strong>Oct</strong>. 4. He stated that the main goal of<br />

the discussion is to gather and talk “civilly and respectfully”<br />

about social and political <strong>issue</strong>s.


Campus<br />

Page 6<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

BC’s folklorico performance<br />

By Sandra Terrel<br />

Reporter<br />

Folkloric dancers from as far as Fresno performed at BC’s Edward<br />

Simonsen Performing Arts Center on Sept. 16 in celebration<br />

of Mexico’s Independence.<br />

The sold out Las Playas de Mexico was organized by the new<br />

Folklorico Ritmo y Sabor student club at Bakersfield College. The<br />

group welcomes members of the community as young as 13 years<br />

old and from any ethnic background. It was formed last year in<br />

hopes of preserving and promoting Mexican culture.<br />

First to perform was the popular Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli, a<br />

local group with varying ages.<br />

Next on the stage was Aguilas De Mt. Vernon. This is a student<br />

group from the visual arts program offered at Mt. Vernon Elementary.<br />

The audience was later entertained by the engaging Teocalli Cultural<br />

Academy with playful dances of romance.<br />

The evening concluded with upcoming Mariachi singer Oskar<br />

Villa of Clovis leading the entire cast in the soulful “Viva Mexico.”<br />

SANDRA TERREL/THE RIP<br />

(Above)Dancers in traditional dress Sept 16th in<br />

the presentation of Las Playas de Mexico<br />

(Right) Teocalli Cultural Academy dancers celebrate<br />

Mexico’s Independence on the BC stage.<br />

First place nationally for two year college Websites at<br />

the Associated Collegiate Press 2020 midwinter conference.<br />

Fifth place newspapers. First place for newspaper<br />

in 2011, third place in 2013, 2014, 2015 for CNPA General<br />

Excellence<br />

Fourth place nationally in 2019 for website publication<br />

by Associated Collegiate Press<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> is produced by Bakersfield College<br />

journalism classes and is circulated on Thursdays<br />

during the fall and spring semesters. The newspaper is<br />

published under the auspices of the Kern Community<br />

College District Board of Trustees, but sole responsibility<br />

for its content rests with student editors. The <strong>Rip</strong> is<br />

a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association,<br />

Associated Collegiate Press, and California<br />

Colleges Media Association.<br />

EDITORIAL BOARD<br />

Editor-in-Chief...............Madeline Ruebush<br />

Digital Editor..............Nic “Peter” Chavaria<br />

Copy Editor...........................Samantha Britt<br />

STAFF<br />

Reporters/ Photographers:<br />

Mason Almaguer<br />

Jared Buys<br />

Julian Caro<br />

Maya Collins<br />

Breana “Honey” Crowder<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong><br />

STAFF CONTINUED<br />

Reporters/photographers:<br />

Natalie Flores<br />

Gesus Garcia<br />

Trevor Glenn<br />

Crystal Gutierrez<br />

Jorge Gutierrez<br />

Marcos Huerta<br />

Joaquin Machado<br />

Ari Montez<br />

Lilli Smyth<br />

Sandra Terrel<br />

Hector Vizcarra<br />

Write The <strong>Rip</strong><br />

Letters should not exceed 300 words,<br />

must be accompanied by a signature<br />

and the letter writer’s identity must be<br />

verified.<br />

The <strong>Rip</strong> reserves the right to edit<br />

letters, however, writers will be given<br />

the opportunity to revise lengthy or<br />

unacceptable submissions.<br />

If an organization submits a letter as a<br />

group, it must be signed by only one person,<br />

either the leader of the organization<br />

or the letter writer. Anonymous letters<br />

will not be published.<br />

How to reach us<br />

-Address: Bakersfield College,<br />

1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield,<br />

CA 93305<br />

-Phone: (661) 395-4324<br />

-Email: ripmail@bakersfieldcollege.edu<br />

-Website: therip.com<br />

Adviser.........................................Erin Auerbach


Page 7<br />

Opinion<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

BC: A work of, or lacking art?<br />

By Julian Caro<br />

Reporter<br />

Where is the art? Students, faculty,<br />

and visitors walking through Bakersfield<br />

College have little to look at and<br />

appreciate besides the “big rock” or<br />

the two peace gardens. This is due to<br />

BC’s underwhelming artistic expression<br />

throughout its entire campus. However,<br />

do not believe that this shortcoming<br />

stems from a lack of talented students,<br />

or from a poorly historicized community,<br />

because this couldn’t be farther from<br />

the truth.<br />

We have confined ourselves to a<br />

mundane world of neutrals and linear<br />

conformity which stand to remain relatively<br />

unchanged from one year to the<br />

next. This is a grossly unfair representation<br />

of what the BC community is and<br />

fails to showcase what we continue to<br />

accomplish.<br />

We are after all a leading community<br />

college that provides opportunities<br />

to students ranging from vastly diverse<br />

cultural, economic, and educational<br />

backgrounds. We don’t turn anyone<br />

away and give the same opportunities<br />

to all. We make a real difference in our<br />

community and in the lives of those<br />

amongst it.<br />

So, what’s the solution to our dilemma?<br />

The answer is to color outside the<br />

lines by creating a vibrant atmosphere<br />

around us. One that represents an institution<br />

that’s full of possibilities and<br />

not limitations. In which we dare to be<br />

as rebellious as our mascot and to truly<br />

live up to our motto of, “We are BC”<br />

ultimately proving that we are Bakersfield’s<br />

college.<br />

We cannot continue to underestimate<br />

the immense power that art holds.<br />

It can move us emotionally, provoke<br />

new trains of thought, and serve as a<br />

celebration of our college’s expansive<br />

110-year-old history. As an institution<br />

devoted to higher education, art deservingly<br />

yearns for a grander role within<br />

our campus.<br />

A few uninspiring spots on campus<br />

that have major potential include: the<br />

stairs next to the gymnasium, the walls<br />

on either side of the PAC, the exterior<br />

walls of the welcome building, or the<br />

blank wall by the <strong>Renegade</strong> pantry. If<br />

these are deemed as being too ambitious,<br />

then why not start with a door, a<br />

window, or even a ceiling tile.<br />

Adding art doesn’t simply add aesthetic<br />

value to the campus, but it speaks<br />

for the voiceless, offers comfort to the<br />

dreamers, and reinvigorates the soul.<br />

Our community shares a plethora of<br />

talented individuals who would love to<br />

leave their mark on the community’s<br />

college. BC could even offer students an<br />

opportunity to transform a designated<br />

wall or space through a semester long<br />

rotating competition.<br />

Let’s tell our communities’ stories,<br />

let’s show why we are special, and let’s<br />

give back to the campus that keeps on<br />

giving.<br />

LA taco truck rolls into town<br />

By Joaquin Machado<br />

Reporter<br />

Ricky’s Fish Tacos located at 4615 E<br />

Brundage Ln. is another great addition<br />

to Bakersfield’s plethora of taco trucks.<br />

Ricky reigns from Los Angeles and is a<br />

renowned taco truck recognized by The<br />

Food Network as the #1 taco in America.<br />

Ricky has only been serving the<br />

Bakersfield community for two weeks<br />

now since his move from Los Angeles,<br />

but he is already making a splash in the<br />

fish taco market with his Ensenada style<br />

tacos.<br />

At $4 per fish taco and $4.50 per<br />

shrimp taco, Ricky serves tacos that are<br />

exactly what you would expect and then<br />

some. Ricky told the <strong>Rip</strong> that he uses<br />

swai fillets, a type of catfish, for his fish<br />

tacos. Swai is a great choice of fish as<br />

it does not have an overwhelming fishy<br />

smell and has a neutral taste by itself.<br />

Ricky’s Fish Tacos use the neutral taste<br />

of swai to their advantage by battering<br />

and frying the fish perfectly and toping<br />

the tacos with shredded cabbage and<br />

pico de gallo.<br />

What makes Ricky’s Fish Tacos so<br />

great is that the fish is not too greasy,<br />

and the fish has the perfect layer of batter<br />

on the outside. These are just some<br />

of the telltale signs you know you’re eating<br />

quality fish tacos and not just fried<br />

batter.<br />

Combined with his homemade tortillas<br />

and freshly prepared toppings, his<br />

tacos are a must for anyone looking for<br />

fish tacos in Bakersfield. Ricky’s also offers<br />

4 different sauces to top your tacos<br />

with, but Ricky recommends using the<br />

white sauce to capture the true Ensenada<br />

style.<br />

All of Ricky’s tacos are made to order,<br />

and the fish is only battered and<br />

fried once the order is received. While<br />

waiting for your order you can hear the<br />

sizzling of the fryer cooking the fish or<br />

shrimp which adds to the dining experience.<br />

Another great amenity at Ricky’s<br />

Fish Tacos is the covered seating area,<br />

so even in the Bakersfield heat it’s not<br />

too hot to enjoy your food.<br />

With a simple and easy to understand<br />

menu it can be surprising that the tacos<br />

are bursting with such flavor and character,<br />

but perhaps the simplicity of the<br />

menu allows for Ricky’s Fish Tacos to<br />

amaze with the best fish taco in town.<br />

These are the kind of tacos that leave<br />

you feeling good and wanting more.<br />

JOAQUIN MACHADO/THE RIP<br />

Two fish tacos from Ricky’s<br />

Fish Tacos


Page 8<br />

Opinion<br />

The <strong>Renegade</strong> <strong>Rip</strong> www.therip.com<br />

Wednesday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 4, 2023<br />

Prisoners, 10<br />

years later<br />

By Nic Peter Chavaria<br />

Reporter<br />

Last month saw the 10-year anniversary<br />

of the film “Prisoners” theatrical<br />

release. With an initial film<br />

festival premiere in Aug. the film<br />

officially debuted in theaters Sept.<br />

20, 2013.<br />

The film has a very straightforward<br />

and simple plot about rescuing<br />

two little girls, and how far one<br />

is willing to push themselves. Starting<br />

off, the audience follows two<br />

families, the Dover’s and Birch’s,<br />

enjoying a small Thanksgiving<br />

meal, until one simple mistake results<br />

in both families having their<br />

youngest daughters, Anna Dover<br />

(Erin Gerasimovich) and Joy Birch<br />

(Kyla-Drew) kidnapped. We are<br />

then introduced to Detective Loki<br />

(Jake Gyllenhaal), who quickly apprehends<br />

the suspected kidnapper<br />

and relays the situation to the<br />

respective families, namely the<br />

fathers Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman)<br />

and Franklin Birch (Terrence<br />

Howard). As the film goes on, we<br />

see how far everyone is willing to go<br />

to save the girls, and the desperate<br />

methods taken, both legal and illegal.<br />

With many twists, turns, and<br />

cleverly placed clues, the film is not<br />

only captivating, but leaves much to<br />

enjoy on subsequent rewatches.<br />

The legacy left behind by “Prisoners”<br />

is that of success, not just<br />

financially, but for many of the<br />

cast and crew involved. With a<br />

mid-budget of around $46 million,<br />

the film not only broke even, but<br />

was a success grossing $122 million<br />

worldwide. The film and many of<br />

its crew were nominated for a variety<br />

of awards, including both Best<br />

Cast and Top Ten Films (of 2013),<br />

Gyllenhaal winning best supporting<br />

actor, and director of cinematography,<br />

Roger Deakins winning<br />

Best Cinematography.<br />

While it takes a village to make<br />

a movie, it can’t be ignored how<br />

spectacular the movie is because<br />

of its cast. Every actor gives arguably<br />

their best performance, or<br />

within their top 5. As previously<br />

mentioned, Gyllenhaal won best<br />

supporting actor for a reason.<br />

Jackman especially gives a stunning<br />

performance that embodies<br />

a father’s tenderness and wisdom,<br />

with the rage and determination<br />

of “Wolverine” the character of<br />

Keller needed. Further highlights<br />

need to be placed on Viola Davis,<br />

Maria Bello, and Paul Dano for<br />

their roles of Nancy Birch, Grace<br />

Dover, and Alex Jones respectively.<br />

Davis and Bello perfectly encapsulate<br />

the desperation, grief, and willpower<br />

mothers would face in this<br />

situation, each in their own unique<br />

way. Dano, plays an incredibly nuanced<br />

and complex antagonist as<br />

the suspected kidnapper which in<br />

retrospect acts as a preview of his<br />

role in The Batman (2022) as The<br />

Riddler.<br />

For final acknowledgements,<br />

composer Jóhann Jóhannsson gives<br />

the film a unique identity from any<br />

other thriller, and director Denis<br />

Villeneuve wrapped the entire film<br />

in a perfect bow, giving him the<br />

opportunity to shine with future<br />

films such as Arrival, Blade Runner<br />

2049, and Dune.<br />

GOOGLE<br />

IMAGES<br />

<strong>Renegade</strong> Events<br />

Campus Events<br />

Now - <strong>Oct</strong>. 12: Jones Art Gallery featuring<br />

artist Jaime Gili’s Monte Exhibition.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 4-22: Kern Shakespeare Festival at Edwards<br />

Simonsen Outdoor Theatre featuring<br />

“As You Like It,” “The Winter’s Tale,” and Luis<br />

Alfaro’s “Electricidad.” All performances start<br />

at 7:30 p.m.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 5: Art, Architecture, and Archetypes<br />

from 6 - 7:30 pm at the Levans Center.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 9: Hispanic Association of Colleges and<br />

Universities National Internship Program. Presentation<br />

by Associate Director Andres Burgos<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 11: Deep Cuts and Conversations.<br />

1:30 - 2:30 pm at the Levans Center.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 19: Great California Shakeout. 10:15 -<br />

10:45 a.m. Statewide earthquake drill.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 20: Manufacturing Day, 9:30 a.m.<br />

check-in at the football field with sessions lasting<br />

from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 20: Agriculture Career Expo, 9 a.m<br />

check-in at the Outdoor theater with sessions<br />

lasting from 10 -12 a.m.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 21: <strong>Renegade</strong> Promenade Alumni<br />

BBQ. 1 - 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include a<br />

BBQ dinner and access to BC’s Homecoming<br />

Football game.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 24: Saving Lives: The Work of Consul<br />

Gilberto Bosques in France Featuring Monica<br />

Castellanos from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Campus<br />

Ceter Ballroom on the 3rd floor.

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