Insider Magazine 2014

AmericafestSoCal’s largest fireworks display keeps getting bigger and more inside...

Glendale Community College

the insider

Jazz

The “N Word”Is it ever appropriate?

What does the future hold for this American art form?

Jorge GalindoOne student is thriving with support from the DREAM Act

Glendale Community College Magazine

On Our Cover: Spectacular pyrotechnics explode in vivid colors above the Rose Bowl in Pasadena at the 88th annual fireworks show on July 4. More than 50,000 celebrants attended. Stadium ticket holders enjoyed mu-sic performances and a motorcycle stunt show and thousands of others gathered outside the stadium for a gigantic tailgate party.

From the Editorlearning skills, building experience

Spring 2014 Volume 7 Number I

Welcome to the seventh issue of the Insider!

Glendale’s journalism department has much to offer students. With only an introductory class – JOURN 102, new reporters may start getting their work published through the campus newspaper, El Vaquero. There is no better way for GCC’s students to start building a professional portfolio for internships and employers.

Photography students may take photojournalism, JOURN 110, and after learn-ing the basics, submit photos for publication and online slideshows. Students with any level of ability may learn to create a web content, including newscasts.

The magazine writing class, JOURN 107, is offered only once a year, has no prerequisite, and gives motivated students the opportunity to be published both in print and online and start accumulating professional work samples. Over the years, many El Vaquero reporters and photojournalists have contributed as staff members and for 2014, Kathy Bakowicz, Rich Kontas and Sal Polcino have brought their newspaper-honed experience to supplement the Insider staff.

This year’s offerings include everything from profiles of notable students, the controversy of gluten free diets, fireworks, the future of jazz music and whether it has become acceptable to use the “n word”. Best of all, Glendale College’s Year in Pictures is featured in the center spread. In short, there is something for every reader. Enjoy!

— Jane Pojawa, Editor-in-Chief

the insiderPeople: One student uses faith to cope with his disabili-ties. Another student discovered his abilities as an activist at GCC and is now preparing for a career in medicine.

Music: What does the future hold for jazz, one of America’s unique art forms?

Challenges: Gluten-free is a term that has become synonymous with “healthy.” But is it really?

Community: Our cover story: Americafest has been an Independence Day tradition for 88 years and continues to grow.

OpinionHas it become socially acceptable to use the “n word”? What does this say about our culture?

Campus: What happened on campus this year? Photo spread covers the highlights.

Print copies are available for sale at http://gccinsider.magcloud.com

Send letters to:

1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208(818) 240-1000 ext. 5349Send E-mail to: [email protected]

faculTy adviserMichael [email protected](818) 551-5214

adverTisiNGJeff [email protected](818) 240-1000, ext. 5493

SPRING 2014 Volume 7 NumbeR I

ediTor-iN-chiefJane Pojawa

To submit an idea or an article:

The insider accepts story ideas in news, fea-tures, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. Send ideas or articles, to the editor at [email protected] or (818) 551-5349.

sTaff WriTersAlton Ina IIRichard KontasRachel MelikianLorena Mendez-Quiroga Janice M. RobinsonSal Polcino

Letters to the Editor:

Letters may be reproduced in full or in part and represent only the point of view of the writer, not the opinion of The Insider or Glendale Community College and its district. Letters must be signed and typed and include the full name and address of the writer. The Insider is a First Amendment publication.

the insiderGlendale Community College Magazine

Here’s What’s Inside...

Jorge galindo: UndocUmented immigrant Hopes to cHange His own commUnity

by Lorena Mendez-Quiroga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2

Jesse cUevas: stUdent Uses FaitH to overcome disability

by Janice M . Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4

Flavor oF tHe montH: glUten-Free diets by Alton Ina II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

commUnity: americaFest Fireworks

by Sal Polcino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

gcc: tHe year in pictUres

by Richard Kontas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8

opinion: tHe FUtUre oF Jazz

by Sal Polcino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16

opinion: tHe “n word”by Janice M . Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 20

member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges

sTaff PhoToGraPherKathy Bakowicz

2 the insider | Spring 2014 www.glendalecollegeinsider.com

People: undocumented Immigrant Hopes to Change his own Community

It is 2:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. I’m scheduled to meet Jorge Galindo at the DMV in Lincoln Heights. Today marks a huge milestone in his life, one many would take for granted. “This is the day I have been waiting for,” says Jorge.

He is visibly nervous and proceeds to say, “Before I take my written test, why don’t we cross the street to Lincoln Park and we can talk there?”

We sit on picnic benches close to several murals, homeless folks, kids in strollers, a sketch artist and a nun. Galindo, 21, is well-dressed with a quiet, cool and calm demeanor to him.

Galindo is an honor student at Glendale Community College who plans to major in neuroscience. He wants to become a medical doctor and help the communities in South Central L.A. and Compton where he grew up.

“I like helping people, and I think that at some point, I’d like to set up small clinics and help other people around our area,” he says. “Healthcare is a very big issue in places like South Central. Where I’m from, one of the rules is you don’t go to the doctor unless you’re dying.”

“You can’t afford to go have a checkup, because either you check yourself for health problems, or put food on the table. Food is always going to win. In my house, it is very hard to go to the doctor. My mom always said ‘Suck it up. Here’s your Pepto if your stomach hurts.’ That’s an issue because a lot of people in those communities don’t have access to healthcare.”

His parents Ana and Mario work in the sweatshop industry in the fashion district of downtown Los Angeles. They get paid by the number of pieces they sew, which means very long hours and menial pay.

“I recall when he was a little boy he was always so dedicated to his school,” says Ana. “My husband and I worked such long hours, so he stayed in preschool or after-school care. But every single time, his teachers and care providers would tell us how smart he was and how much he loved numbers. As he got older, he just loved going to the museum and library. “

Galindo, who graduated with honors from Central City Value High School, knew his future looked promising when he was accepted to every university he applied to, including USC. “I made the principal’s honor list and the dean’s list,” he says. “I was really good at memorizing things, so I got certificates for reciting, for public speaking. I was very active in school and created a few clubs. I was also ASB president. I really wanted to

go to USC.”But just after graduation, a devastating blow would put

Jorge’s dreams on hold. His parents never told him he was undocumented or that he did not have a Social Security number. In addition, his parents would not be able to pay for college. Applying for state and federal scholarships was something Jorge was counting on, but being undocumented made him ineligible for those types of student aid.

In addition, a counselor misguided him and discouraged him from going further. It seemed that everything he had worked so hard toward was for nothing.

“I wanted to go to med school and I tried looking for a couple of medical internships or volunteer spots that would help me achieve my dream, but so many places required a Social Security number and a few other things I just did not have, says Galindo. “So it was impossible for me to get into these programs.”

“He was even invited to the White House but he just could not go due to the fact he had no legal documentation,” his mother says. “I felt so impotent. I so wanted to help him.”

Regardless, Galindo’s parents pushed him to go to GCC. This was not the dream college Galindo had in mind. “I went to community

Jorge Galindo

— By Lorena Mendez-Quiroga

Spring 2014 | the insider 3www.glendalecollegeinsider.com

When someone is undocumented, there is a lot of shame. I didn’t

want to be seen as that.”

college because my parents forced me to. I was there against my will at first. I had given up.”

Then a young lady befriended Galindo and invited him to a school club, VOICES (Voices Organizing Immigrant Community for Educational Success). He says he went mostly to make friends because he felt alone. But what he says he found was a miracle in the form of knowledge.

“I found this club on campus, where I started the whole activism on immigration reform,” Galindo says. “At first, I did not want to associate myself with them because I thought people would look at me in a demeaning way. When someone is undocumented, there is a lot of shame. I didn’t want to be seen as that.”

But Galindo learned that the California Dream Act, if passed, would allow students just like him to have an opportunity to go to college.

The California Dream Act consists of three bills, the AB 540, AB 130 and AB 131. Together they allow undocumented and nonresident documented students to be treated the same as resident students. They pay the resident fees at public colleges, apply for and receive private scholarships, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers and Cal Grants.

The controversial bill was in fact signed into law in October 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown, giving thousands of undocumented immigrants a chance at getting an education.

“I was dragged into the whole political scene with the California Dream Network (CDN) almost by mistake, Galindo says, “but then I started assisting their meetings and getting involved. Thanks to them, I got an internship at CHIRLA [Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles]. That would never have happened had I not come to GCC.”

Galindo’s girlfriend, Kathia Garcia, 22, was also undocumented, graduated

with honors from high school and was accepted to UCLA. But regrettably, she ended up not being able to attend due to her legal status and financial means.

Today, she looks up to Galindo. “I really like his confidence, especially the way he speaks in front of people,” says Garcia. “I remember he did this speech on the day deferred action came out. I would’ve fainted. That was pretty brave. I also like that he is knowledgeable.”

Galindo wants to continue educating others. He organizes for CDN in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley region, in hopes that Congress will pass the Federal Dream Act.

He sees a bright future, and has refocused his goals and now wants

Lorena Mendez-Quiroga is a documentary filmmaker. This is her first semester on the Insider staff.

to go to UCLA. Galindo passed his DMV written exam – having a driver’s license would not have been possible without an employment authorization document. The EAD [Employment Authorization Document] or work permit allows young people like Galindo to work in the United States, another benefit of the DREAM Act.

If there is anything life has taught Jorge Galindo, it’s that you never give up. To him, it is about beating the odds, even when those odds are against you. He says, “There’s always a way for you to get a desired position if you keep at it. That is one of the greatest things I’ve learned at GCC. Perseverance does have a lot to do with getting to your dreams.”

”


Jesse Cuevas is a quiet, unassuming young man who seems far more mature than his mere 18 years. He is dressed impeccably and can often be seen around campus, flying down a hill in a rush to somewhere only he knows. His smile is brilliant and he always has it on full beam. His head is often buried deep in his bible and you will notice a slight tilt of the head as he tries to absorb what he is reading. The last thing one notices about Cuevas is that he is in a wheelchair.

Cuevas’ entrance into the world was a violent one. He was born five months prematurely. His parents were driving in their automobile while his mother was pregnant with him. Suddenly they were struck by a drunk driver, which resulted in his mother going into an early labor. He weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces and was given only a 10 percent chance of survival. He spent the remaining four months – which should have been for precious development inside his mother’s womb - developing in a cold hospital. Cuevas defied the odds

and survived, but will have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The diagnosis for his condition is cerebral palsy.

This is Cuevas’ second semester at GCC. His major is undecided at the moment but he says, “Every accomplishment motivates me to go further and I am eager to learn.” He dreams of being able to one day live independently and sustain a family of his own. He loves to go to movies, to church and spend time with his family.

Cuevas’ joy is contagious and he attributes it to his belief in God. He says that he is of the Jehovah’s Witness faith and his mother taught him early in his life the scriptures that he relies on. One in particular that he lives by is Matthew 22:37, which says “And

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Jesse is not ashamed to speak of his faith. This scripture he says “is

the best advice my mother ever gave me.”

When asked how his teachers receive him, his eyes light up when speaking about one of his favorites, whom he affectionately refers to as “Mr. J,” aka Professor William Juzwiak. Jesse says that he is his “favorite teacher” because “he inspired me to keep going. He is kind, teaches at an understandable pace and uses great visual aids. He’s THE MAN!”

“Jesse brings one thing to

my teaching experience that I have rarely seen from other students in my 27 years of college instruction: He constantly gives me praise and

Smiling in God’s Favor Student Jesse Cuevas uses faith to overcome disability

— Janice M. Robinson

Jesse Cuevas is a motivated student and devout Jehovah’s Witness.

www.glendalecollegeinsider.com Spring 2014 | the insider 5www.glendalecollegeinsider.com

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whith-ersoever thou goest.” –Joshua 1:9

Student Jesse Cuevas uses faith to overcome disability

positive critical feedback on my teaching methods,” says Juzwiak. “This is a sign of great unselfishness on Jesse’s part; he really cares that I feel appreciated and that I know my teaching strategies are effective.”

Cuevas is joyful and confident about his contribution. “Jesse’s greatest strength as a student is that he is a tremendously serious learner who applies himself to every task with great focus and concentration,” says Juzwiak.

When asked what message he would give to others who may have challenges and obstacles Cuevas says “Disability is an obstacle. I have conquered it. It is always difficult, but it is just a part of life for me. It is not how difficult a given situation is, but how you manage it.”

“Despite his trouble with transportation, Jesse is determined to get to class, to participate and to get an education,” says

English Professor Dennis Doyle. “He’s got more heart than most students, has good attendance, and keeps up with his assignments.

“Jesse is obviously a man of faith; he catches biblical allusions in the literature. His personality is very positive; he greets me at every class.”

Cuevas’ faith is the centerpiece of a life filled with promise and joy. He says the best thing he has ever done in his life is “dedicate my life to God and graduate from high school.” It seems faith and education often go hand in hand for Jesse.

Asked how he keeps that smile on his face, Cuevas replies with another biblical verse, Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy

God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Read more articles by Janice M. Robinson in this issue and online at www.glendalecollegeinsider.com.


Once little more than a fad, what was formerly a nutritional recommendation has for some adherents become a way of life. Miley Cyrus, Zooey Deschanel, Lady Gaga and Chelsea Clinton are among the celebrities who have chosen to eliminate gluten from their diets.

Rana Saldano, a dietary intern from Cal Poly Pomona, recently spoke at Glendale Community College of the good and bad effects of such a choice.

“The gluten-free diet became a fad because people can lose weight on it,” says Saldano. “But it’s not healthy for everyone. People without celiac disease or gluten intolerance are missing out on vital nutrients and vitamins.”

The gluten-free diet excludes gluten, a protein composite that is found mostly in wheat, barley, and rye. The diet was created in the 1950s for people who suffer from celiac disease, a condition that can prevent important nutrients from being absorbed by the small intestine due to an abnormal immune response to gluten, which, for people with the genetic predisposition, is an allergen. At its worst, celiac disease can damage the lining of the small intestine. Approximately 1 percent of Americans live with the disease, which is a four-fold increase from the 1950s, possibly because of improved diagnostic tools. Because mild celiac disease has few or no symptoms,

about 83 percent of cases are undiagnosed or masked by other conditions. It is estimated that 3 million Americans have celiac disease, while 18 million Americans have a sensitivity to gluten.

There is much confusion about what gluten is and what role it plays in a healthy diet. On the May 9 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the host surveyed four people who maintain a gluten-free diet asking them what gluten is. Of the four, not one person was able to give a sensible response.

Gluten is found primarily in bread and pasta and also in commercially processed foods where it is used as a stabilizer, an emulsifier, or a thickener in everything from soups to self-basting poultry. It is a popular meat alternative. Gluten levels in processed foods have tripled since 1997.

Gluten is not found in meat, dairy, fish, eggs and vegetables, and in other grains such as buckwheat, corn, rice, and quinoa. Oats do not technically contain gluten but may be contaminated if processed using the same equipment as wheat.

The popularity of the diet is undeniable. U.S. News and World Report estimates that nearly 15 to 25 percent of consumers report looking for gluten-free products. Growth in the gluten-free food industry may reach $6 billion by 2015.

“A gluten-free diet is about 55 to 60 percent of a healthy diet,” says Saldano.

“Just to eat healthier or to lose weight are not good reasons to go gluten-free.”

Health claims abound advocating the gluten-free diet. Besides gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, studies have been conducted on whether a gluten-free diet could reduce symptoms of autism, adhd, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis and more. The results have not been conclusive.

Subjectively, many people find that giving up wheat products and processed food improves their health.

“Seriously we feel better… more energy and our skin looks better,” says Natasha Rezai, 24, who went gluten-free with her boyfriend about a year ago.

The gluten-free lifestyle is easier than ever. Gluten-free alternatives to pizza, pastries, pasta, beer, and other wheat-laden foods are readily available and popular restaurants including PF Chang’s, Chili’s, and Red Robin, offer gluten-free menus.

With wide varieties of gluten-free substitutes, devoted websites, and even phone apps, gluten-free dieters can live a normal life without too many limitations. But it’s still important to research the options.

As Rezai says, “the problem with gluten-free is just because it says gluten-free does not mean it’s better for you.”

flavor of the Month: — By Alton Ina IIGluten-free diets

www.glendalecollegeinsider.com Spring 2014 | the insider 7

The sweet smell of barbecue smoke pervaded the air as tailgaters fired up the grills at the 88th annual Fourth of July celebration at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tens of thousands of celebrants turned out to see the largest fireworks presentation in Southern California. This year’s festival was named Americafest and featured live music by the Liverpool Legends, a Grammy nominated Beatles tribute band endorsed by George Harrison’s sister and Sir Paul McCartney, teen idol Ian Thomas and a live motorcycle stunt show before the 20-minute pyrotechnics show began.

Crowds started to arrive as early as 2 p.m. to grab the available seats inside the stadium, though the fireworks did not go off until 9 p.m. According to Pasadena’s public information officer William Boyer, 32,000 seats were filled and as many as 60,000 others came and set up canopies or laid out blankets on the grass by the parking

lot in front of the stadium entrance for the best views.

Pyro Spectacular, a family owned company that has been in the Bay area for more than 100 years and has produced the Rose Bowl show for 35 years, lived up to its name. The show featured 7,000 low-flying fireworks that only those seated in the stadium could see, as well as the thousands of exploding lights up to 1,000 feet above. Ten tons of equipment was needed to send the nearly 2 tons of explosives into the air.

Residential streets were restricted to residents and visitors with parking passes and the Pasadena police department enforced a zero tolerance regulation on illegal fireworks. Even with the large crowds, parking at the Rose Bowl lots was plentiful.

Read more articles by Sal Polcino in this issue and online at www.glendalecollegeinsider.com.

— Cover Story and Photos By Sal Polcino

SoCal’s Biggest Pyrotechnic EventAmericafest

www.glendalecollegeinsider.com8 the insider | Spring 2014

— Compiled and designed by Richard Kontas

photo by Jakey Galmadez

photo by Jonathan Williams

GCC: The Year in Pictures

photo by Kathy Bakowicz


NEWS: The Glendale SWAT Team trains at GCC, center (January 2014). A TV production crew uses the AS building for a two-day shoot (No-vember 2013), counter-clockwise from upper left. A student walks down a dark hallway as the third power outage in three weeks takes place on campus, (June 2014). Col-lege and city officials break ground for the new Lab/College Services Building (October 2013). A construc-tion excavator tears down the Los Robles building to make way for the project (October 2013). The parking blues continue with the loss of Lot 32 from March through December 2014. A Pasadena police helicopter made an emergency landing on Sartoris Field (March 2014).

— Compiled and designed by Richard Kontas

photo by Michael Cole

photo by Kathy Bakowicz photo by Kathy Bakowicz

photo by Richard Kontas

GCC: The Year in Pictures


SHOWCASING TALENT: Churhyun Yun perfoms a one-handed hand stand in the “Phanatix” dance production, center (April 2013). Dance Performance 2014 features an airborn Jacob Magana (May 2014), counter-clockwise from upper left. Music instructors perform at the Fac-ulty Recital (May 2014). Students display their talents in Dance Performance 2013 (December 2013). Ensemble dancers are featured in Dance Performance 2014 (May 2014). The International Student talent show starrring Yani Santos, in red, and Tibor Fober (May 2014). Rapper “R-Mean” performs in Plaza Vaquero (May 2014). Featured players argue in the Theatre Arts department pre-sentation of “A Flea in Her Ear” (November 2013).












CAMPUS EVENTS: Clark Surrey juggles his way to second place in the ASGCC talent show, center (October 2013). The International Student Day Festival fea-tures traditional Japanese Taiko drummers (November 2013), counter-clockwise from upper left. Firebreather Evan Cantrell blows flames 20 feet into the air at the Spring Luau (April 2014). The Stanford Marching band practices at Sarto-ris Field for their Rose Bowl performance (December 2013). Fire Academy cadets cook and pass out hot dogs at the Welcome Back Barbeque (September 2013). Parkour Club founders Varog Hakopian, left, and Jonathan Erdos demonstrate getting airborn (March 2014). Fire dancer Natalia Chandler shows off her talents at the Spring Luau (April 2014).

photo by Sal Polcino


Spring 2014 | the insider 13www.glendalecollegeinsider.com




photo by Jakey Galmadez


www.glendalecollegeinsider.com14 the insider | Spring 2014






photo by Kathy Bakowiczphoto by Kathy Bakowicz

photo by Sal Polcino

SPORTS: Track and Field 1,500-meter State Champion Lizzie Nelson bites her Gold Medal, center (May 2014). Dro Dermeger-dichian serves during the 6-3 win against the Ventura Pirates (March 2014), counter-clockwise from upper left. All-state honors golfer Vincent Lam lines up his shot at the conference finals (April 2014). Utility player Jerry Ismerio slides safely into third base, during a 9-8 win over Victor Valley College (February 2014). Swingman Emmett Duvall goes up for two points during the 75-52 win over San Diego Mesa College (December 2013). Wide reciever Brock Kap breaks away from the pack during the 41-6 blowout over San Diego Mesa (September 2013).



Opinion: the future of a uniquely American art

With the advent of the celebrity-as-musician trend in the 21st century, artistry is quickly going by the wayside. Many of today’s popular artists can’t sing or play an instrument. They are all image and attitude. Jazz, always touted as America’s one true art form, is struggling to survive. The major record labels shy away from niche markets, and promotion and marketing money goes with the youth demographic, which is generally under-educated about the art of music. This presents a cultural and ethical problem.

In this age of political correctness, many children are taught that everyone is special — everyone can sing, dance, write or be a top athlete. Pop culture reinforces this idea with reality shows like America’s Got Talent and the Voice, where one can win success in a contest. These shows are far from reality. Musicians, particularly jazz players, spend years honing their craft and still are not assured of a successful career.

Jazz and classical music were never top sellers for record companies. Both genres have been considered “highbrow” and have mostly appealed to relatively small, sophisticated audiences, but with changes in how markets are exposed to music, the decline has become more rapid. In 2008, the National Endowment for the Arts, in conjunction with the U.S. Census Bureau, conducted a survey of public participation in the arts. In 2002, 10.8 percent of all adults had attended at least

one jazz concert. That number shrank to 7.8 percent in 2008. On top of that, jazz fans are aging as well, with the median age jumping from 29 in 1982 to 45 in 2008.

With the average person over 45 less willing to go out to concerts, this does not bode well for the future.

Bloomberg Business Week’s Devin Leonard said few genres have suffered more during the record industry’s meltdown than jazz. Bloomberg also reports that jazz record sales have plummeted in the past 10 years by 50 percent.

Sony’s Columbia label, the former home of Miles Davis’ recordings, no longer signs jazz, even though Miles Davis’ 1959 Columbia recording “Kind of Blue” is still the biggest selling jazz album of all time with more than 20 million sold to

date. However, last year Sony Records resurrected the OKeh jazz label, after dropping the former subsidiary of Epic Records in 2000. Okeh plans to release as many as 20 albums this year.

Even the prestigious jazz label Blue Note Records is changing its profile, releasing genre mash-ups like Roseanne Cash meets Wayne Shorter. Verve, part of Universal’s music group, has gone in the R&B direction with acts like Ruben Studdard from “American Idol.”

Don Was, former member of Was Not Was and long-time record producer, is the current president and CEO of Blue Note records. In an effort to keep jazz alive, Was has teamed Blue Note with an artist funding organization, ArtistShare, which will assist select jazz artists in funding their recordings. Blue Note would then

— By Sal Polcino

The chart, right, shows the rapid decline of the music market share for jazz records .

Jazz as a percentage of all albums sold

Sales of Jazz Albums

2003-2013


The Jazz Punks, L .A .’s jazz-punk fusion band, perform at Jax Bar and Grill in Glendale . Photos by Kathy Bakowicz .

This page, saxophonist Robby Elfman . Next page, pianist Danny Kastner, Mike Polcino on bass and Sal Polcino on guitar .


lend its promotional expertise. Was said that this is a low-risk development for the record company and artists would retain all rights to their music with full control of individual projects.

Another up-and-coming label, Origin Records, was started in Seattle by jazz drummer John Bishop 14 years ago and has visited the Grammy’s repeatedly. Origin has signed 240 artists to date and focuses mostly on young jazz artists.

There have been many resurgences in jazz over the years with constantly changing adaptations. Miles Davis led the electric jazz revolution in 1969 with, “In a Silent Way,” which featured many of the ’70s generation players to follow. Chick Corea and Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters and, most importantly, Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter who formed the incredibly popular Weather Report, whose 1977 release, “Heavy Weather,” has been re-released 17 times, mostly by Sony and Columbia. Even then, the record did not go gold until 1994.

It’s a sad state of affairs when a relatively unknown hip-hop “artist” like Iggy Azalea can sell more than 50,000 units in one week, when Weather Report, arguably one of the greatest bands of all

time, took 17 years to get a gold record, even after winning countless Grammy awards.

Young people buy music, so to sell jazz or any other “high art” music, one would have to capture that elusive demographic.

Is there a solution? Jazz critic and historian Terry Teachout doesn’t

have one. In his article “Can Jazz Be Saved,” he said, “No, I don’t know how to get young people to start listening to jazz again. But I do know this: any symphony orchestra that thinks it can appeal to under-30 listeners by suggesting that they should like Schubert and Stravinsky has already lost the battle.

If you’re marketing Schubert and Stravinsky to those listeners, you have no choice but to start from scratch and make the case for the beauty of their music to otherwise intelligent people who simply don’t take it for granted. By the same

token, jazz musicians who want to keep their own equally beautiful music alive and well have got to start thinking hard about how to pitch it to young listeners — not next month, not next week, but right now.”

Some of the older jazz artists still have faith in the current generation of youth. Longtime jazz artist Terence Blanchard recently remarked, “There are younger people in the audience. When people have that argument that the audience is graying, I think that is because some artists are trying to uphold tradition. We have to constantly move forward.”

Jazz trumpet player Wynton Marsalis travels the country speaking to young musicians. His approach is to liken rhythmic structures to sports, chasing pets or shopping malls, making cute and popular analogies to stress a point. Marsalis, however, is one of those traditionalists of whom Blanchard speaks and may be part of the problem and not the solution.

Jazz does not have the exposure it once had. The genre has been relegated to college and NPR stations. However, most young people have confusing ideas about what jazz is. Smooth jazz, while fairly popular by today’s standards, is a watered down version of the art form and has syndicated shows on commercial FM


stations. When jazz is mentioned to many 20-year-olds, they think of John Legend or maybe Alicia Keyes, both talented artists, but not jazz artists.

Teachout has it right. The only way to reach young people is through music education. Yet how do we pull students into the realm of jazz? Many high schools and most colleges offer jazz history courses. That’s a start. If one is truly a music lover and learns how to listen, he or she will learn to appreciate the art behind the music. Unfortunately, young people are deluged with pop culture and celebrities every day and a decision to take the classes in the first place can only come from an outside influence like parents or teachers who are fans of the music.

The jazz history class at Glendale College always seems to reach capacity, but this may be because students need the units or think it will be an easy class.

Maybe the actual history of rap music should be taught in a way that mentions beat poets and the development of spoken word in jazz. In the ’50s beat poets

“rapped” to jazz beats. (thus the name) and one of the first true rap artists, Gil Scott Heron, incorporated the style into his music. Heron, known as the “Godfather of Rap,” started playing the piano at a young

age and developed into an accomplished jazz artist. In 1970 he released his first album “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” featuring spoken word that was regarded subversive at the time. The record propelled him into stardom. Most of today’s rappers probably don’t even know his name.

Even if young listeners learn to appreciate jazz, they might never actually purchase or download a single tune. Streaming services, Internet radio, piracy and satellite radio all offer free or cheap access to every type of music. So what incentive does a jazz artist have to continue producing new music?

A writer must write, a painter must paint and a musician has to play, but they

all have to eat and pay the rent as well. While rappers and rock bands can fill giant stadiums to make money performing and sell millions in merchandise, jazz players are lucky to fill a small club. Yearly jazz

festivals are few and far between and extremely hard to book. Even the jazz festivals are booking R&B artists and smooth jazz artists these days. Only a handful of jazz musicians like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea still have the

ability to fill a room, but nobody buys Herbie Hancock T-shirts or coffee mugs.

Maybe jazz needs to take a step back to the ’70s and get louder and funkier again instead of living as an esoteric art form.

Inset album covers feature Miles Davis, Gil Scott Heron and Weather Report’s “Heavy Weather.”

Sal Polcino is a jazz guitarist and jazz blogger who has been the editor of El Vaquero, the Insider’s sister publication, for the past two semesters.


Opinion: think before you speak

On any given day walking through the Glendale campus, conversations may be overheard and one word that is heard often during those conversations is the word “nigga.” All nationalities can be heard saying it. A word whose roots bring back visions of racism, oppression and great sacrifice for equality, is now tossed around on any given day like any commonly used word.

The word is filled with such pain and hostility that it is also referred to the “N-word.” If a teacher were to say the actual word “nigger” in the classroom there would be an uproar. So if it is not appropriate to say the word in an educational setting why is it OK to say it among friends in everyday conversation?

The word “nigga” is the derivation of the word “nigger.” The word “nigger” has a history that is deeply embedded in the African-American struggle, a struggle that includes being referred to a host of titles, so many that no one really knows

what to call us. Negro, negra, colored, black, African-American and yes, nigger, have all been titles given to describe a race of people who never asked to come here. The words “nigga” and “nigger” have the same connotation to many people. It is a word that reminds many of hangings, lynchings, slavery educational discrimination, separate bathrooms and eating establishments, not having the right to vote and not being able to marry outside of their race.

”Nigger” is still how some refer to people of African descent. As an African-American woman, there is not a month that goes by that I don’t get called the name. It is as much a part of the daily conversation for those individuals as is their hate for those of whom they speak.

For the younger generation, there is a perception that the word “nigga” is a term of endearment. Tupac Shakur was the first one to differentiate between the words “nigger” and “nigga.” His song N.I.G.G.A

stands for “Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished.” This seemed to embrace a new view and pronunciation of a word that once was only viewed as hate speech. With this trend, African-Americans seem to have taken the negativity and turned it into a positive.

Professor Shuaib Meacham Ph.D., formerly a Research Fellow for the National Academy of Education with the Hip-Hop Literacy Project and currently a Research Fellow for the Center for Educational Transformation at the University of Iowa, says “Black culture has historically transformed that which is considered negative by the mainstream into something positive and praiseworthy, from ‘soul food’ to the word ‘bad’ itself.” Taking a hateful epithet out of the racist’s vocabulary and making it a word that makes the targets of this speech worthy instead of worthless is how the derivative word “nigga” began.

At GCC, the word “nigga” can be heard in conversation among the young and among those of every ethnicity just as it is on many other campuses, including high schools. Some walk by these group discussions and frown in disgust, seeing it as an act of disrespect. Others seem to not find discomfort with it at all, but treat it as business as usual. So what is it? Business as usual or a derogatory word?

“Social scientists believe that groups sometimes take ownership of a term that is used derisively towards them by using it in an empowering way,” says Richard

— Janice M. Robinson

The N-Word

Tupac Shakur, left, and Richard Pryor, right, differed on whether the use of the N-word is appropriate . Shakur popularized the acronym “Never Ignorant, Getting Goals Accomplished .”


Kamei, professor of sociology at Glendale Community College. “As you and I know, the N-word was created as a way to dehumanize and subjugate African-Americans during slavery and the Jim Crow era.”

So the problem with the use of that word is that you never really know. To many this is a word that should not be a part of casual conversation ever, regardless of the “a” or the “er” on the end. “That word should never be used,” says Mariela Rosales, a GCC student. “It was a word meant to put down slaves and African-Americans and I don’t think anyone should use it. It is an ugly word.”

There are those who think “nigga” takes away from the initial degradation meant by it and makes it a term of brotherhood. “I do use the word, basically because of media, and I feel there is a total difference between the words ‘nigga’ and ‘nigger’ and the issue has been totally skewed,” says Steven, an Asian American student who declined to share his last name. “There is a vast difference between the two.”

Consider the repercussions of using the word “nigga” in a public setting. African-Americans should contemplate the implications a bit more before repeating this word in front of those who are not of the same race. One may perceived to be ignorant in his or her behavior. That person may be the laughing stock of those so-called “friends” who hear that person repeat that word in their presence. If you are not African-American, don’t think that everyone will welcome you referring to him or her as a “nigga” if they are not a part of your group of intimate friends. Speaking that word in the wrong setting might land you with a busted lip.

To some people, no matter how condensed and user-friendly, no matter how socially acceptable that word may seem, nigga/er still resonates with the horrors of long ago and horrors that still exist to this day. To many “nigger” and “nigga” have the same meaning and cause the same pain and it has nothing to do with brotherhood and everything to do with institutionalized racism and aggression.

So why should we use this word or not use this word? That is the question. Why does it have to be a derogatory term that has been used to dehumanize African -Americans that we choose to make a pet name of bonding between friends? There are also degrading words that have been used to stereotype and dehumanize other communities. How would those

ethnicities feel if someone came to them as if they were buddies and slapped them on the back and called them that “X” word and tossed it around like the word “nigga?” Would they be so accepting and complacent about it? We don’t know.

Years ago the late Richard Pryor who was well known for using the word “nigger” decided to stop saying the word. He was one of first comedians who put that word out there in your face. In his autobiography “Pryor Convictions” he says, “And so this one night I decided to make it my own. Nigger. I decided to take the sting out of it. Nigger. As if saying it over and over again would numb me and everybody else to its wretchedness. Nigger. Said it over and over like a preacher singing hallelujah.” He then talks about his visit to Kenya and that he did not see “any niggas anywhere.” He only saw beautiful black people who looked like him, working hard, respectful and they were the majority and everywhere. He

then realized the horror of that word and he vowed to not use that word ever again. He realized it did not empower him but ultimately left him more confused than ever and that it was not a word to toy with.

Pryor concluded by saying “To this day I wish I’d never said the word. I felt its lameness. It was misunderstood by people. They didn’t get what I was talking about. Neither did I ... So I vowed never to say it again.”

Do you know what you are talking about when you say that word? Has it really made you feel “special?” empowered like you really are bonded to another or do you even think about that when you use it? Maybe if we all just stopped saying any derivative of the word we could really begin to look at one another like brothers and sisters. Maybe then we could attack our educational imbalance, our social imbalance and really start to understand one another as human beings. Not as niggers or niggas.

“To this day I wish I’d never said the word. I felt its lameness. It was misunderstood by people. They didn’t get what I was talking about. Neither did I ... So I vowed never to say it again.” —Richard Pryor

Janice M. Robinson is a student at Glendale Community College. She has been in the entertainment industry for most of her life and returned to school to achieve her degree in English so that she can teach in impoverished neighborhoods. She is the mother of one and grandmother of two.

Glendale’s journalism club. We provide support for students enrolled in journalism, mass communication, media arts and associated classes. Improve your writing, add to your portfolio and learn marketable skills while getting hands-on experience in print and digital media. For more information contact the El Vaquero newsroom at ext. 5349.

The Muckrakers

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Insider Magazine 2014