Student discusses reactions after coming out

Thursday, May 6, 2010 11:22 AM Chronicle
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Meghan Gray
Staff Writer 

Jake Sanchez of Beach Park, Ill. doesn’t claim his sexuality as a defining attribute. Instead, he describes himself as “energetic, classy and determined.”

Sanchez has attended CLC for three semesters studying business administration. His ultimate vocational objective is to operate his own small business. He has been an employee at Best Buy in Gurnee for over three and a half years and is a member of View Point. Sanchez has received several promotions throughout his employment and is a valued team member.

Things haven’t always been smooth sailing when it comes to the workplace though. While he explains that his coworkers are tolerant, others have not been. He described an incident where a customer harassed him using a pejorative term and was eventually removed from the store. This sort of blind repugnance is what Sanchez and many other gay and lesbian people experience.

“Freshman year when I first came out, I got phone calls to my house, death threats, letters slipped in my locker, and hateful messages on Myspace,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez has identified with being gay since middle school, but has been romantically involved with women in the past.

“I had a couple of girlfriends when I was younger and knew something was wrong,” he said.

Sanchez was sexually abused as a child and explains that this experience led to confusion. It didn’t turn him gay but it raised questions about his sexuality. He explained that, sexually, it’s more appealing. His belief is that one is born gay; it is not a decision.

One might think relations between heterosexual and homosexual couples are different, however, Sanchez explains otherwise.

“Relationship dynamics are the same,” Sanchez said. “You give yourself to someone and hope they give themselves back.”

Sanchez is biracial and claims that the Hispanic community is not as liberal. His religious affiliation growing up was Lutheran but he is Agnostic. He added he believes society stereotypes because of religion.

“You have religious influence that says homosexuality is wrong and impure,” Sanchez said. “If you remove religion from the equation, the world would be a lot more accepting.”

The greatest misconception of the gay community, he added, is that everyone has AIDS and sleeps around with one another. In the end, everyone makes their own choice, regardless of sexual orientation, Sanchez said.

He outlined another false impression about homosexual couples.

“Gay men can’t have a successful relationship because we’re men, we’re dogs by nature,” he said. “I’ve seen couples that have been together for a long time.”

While he has never been in love, Sanchez said he would enjoy seeing Proposition 8 revoked. The law states that marriage between a man and a woman is the only union California recognizes. Sanchez wants to marry someday and hopes society is more accommodating by then.

When questioned about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Sanchez said he understands the reasoning behind it, but it’s unfair, adding that, if one is willing to serve their country, we should let them. DADT is the policy restricting the United States military from efforts to reveal gay, lesbian, and bisexual armed members or applicants and bars them from serving.

Pushing past stereotypes, Sanchez said he is a successful individual who intends to make a difference in the community through government and education.

“I would like to help our government realize they need to stop cutting spending on public education,” he said.

Sanchez said he finds college to be tolerant and considers CLC an unprejudiced environment. Like many other openly gay individuals, he has experienced flack for his decision, yet added his family and friends are an amazing support system.

“You feel more comfortable with yourself after coming out,” Sanchez said. “You don’t have to put on a show. You’re no longer masquerading.”

Sanchez said others ought to be more open minded, hoping that people will get to know someone by who they are rather than their orientation.

Student reactions: Texting while driving

11:19 AM Chronicle
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Ali Marks
Staff Writer 

            Eight of 10 CLC students said Thursday they are for the law which prohibits texting while driving. The students were asked if they were for or against the law, if they text while driving and why they are for or against the law.

            Although most students were for the law prohibiting texting, nine of the 10 students said they text while driving. The responses come after the law was approved and put into effect Jan. 1.

            While many of the students said they were for the law, they could see both advantages and disadvantages for being able to text while driving. Gracie Graham, CLC student for the law prohibiting texting is one of those students.

            “The main reason is because of car accidents,” Graham said. “But it’s a very controversial subject. For an experienced driver it could be okay, but then again it’s still distracting which is a huge safety hazard. I can understand people needing to text in emergencies and I think that should be allowed.”

            Students Jennifer Cardenan and Eric Breitbach don’t think the police will be able to enforce the law.

            “I don’t think it’s going to work,” Cardenan said. “How will they know? It’s not like a cop is in your car. It’s really easy to hide the fact that you’re texting.”
Breitbach simply said it won’t work.

            Kelsey Durce is among many of the other interviewees who watched the Oprah special on texting while driving. Durce said texting while driving is distracting in many ways. She said the Oprah special changed her views on the topic. Other students such as Richard Medlicott are for the law simply because it’s not safe.

            Some students are merely for it because they do it and haven’t gotten in any serious trouble. CLC student Justin Shea is against the law prohibiting texting while driving.  Shea said he’ll still text and drive because he hasn’t heard of anyone getting into an accident.

            Student Katherine Wardlow needs the law to force her to not text while drive.

            “I’m for the law because it’s dangerous. I need a law that prohibits texting while driving so I don’t do it. I need the paranoia that I might get caught in order to stop me [from texting while driving],” Wardlow said.

            Student Sean Patterson said texting while driving is stupid. He doesn’t believe people should do it because it’s really easy to have some close calls and he wouldn’t want to learn his lesson the hard way.

            Masciel Flores has a first-hand experience of the dangers of texting while driving.

            “I myself hit the curb and broke off a part of the wheel because I was texting and driving. I don’t think people understand the full consequences of doing it [texting while driving]. I know I didn’t,” Flores said.
                                                            

Bulls season ended, offseason hoopla begins

11:16 AM Chronicle
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Salvador Galvan
Staff Writer 

          The Chicago Bulls 2009-2010 regular and off-season have officially come to a close.

The Bulls made the playoffs for the second straight year since drafting Derrick Rose, and hoped to make another great impression on the league and by defeating the NBA’s best, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The last time the Bulls and Cavaliers met in the playoffs, Michael Jordan was playing for Chicago. Jordan hit a game winning shot in 1993, similar to 1989.

This time the Cavaliers have a number 23 set to take the Cavaliers where they have never been before.

            The Cavaliers had the best record in the NBA, 61-21, and were ready to take on the eighth seeded Chicago Bulls, who finished the year with 41wins, 41 loses.

The last time the Bulls and Cavaliers met, it was the regular season and LeBron James was out and resting for the playoffs. The Bulls won the game.

This time, King James and his squad were back to full strength and with new faces including Shaquille O’Neal, and Antwan Jamison, to help them on their quest to the NBA Championship. Both Shaq and Jamison could take some of the load off of James.

In game one of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, the Cavs played very well. LeBron had 24 points, along with three other players who scored in double figures. The Bulls weren’t getting it done on the boards and were out rebounded by the Cavs 50-38. They were dominated in the paint and were out scored 42-26.

In the third quarter the Bulls found themselves down by 22 points and it seemed as if the Cavs would cruise to a 1-0 series lead.

But the Bulls didn’t stop fighting. They eventually brought it back within seven points, but that was as close as they would get to the lead. James took over and helped put the Cavs ahead for good, winning the game 83-96. The Bulls saw Derrick Rose blossom again in the playoffs. He finished with a double-double, 28 points and 10 assists.

            Game two was more competitive and personal for the Cavaliers and the city of Cleveland.

Joakim Noah had some choice words for the city of Cleveland. He isn’t fond of the nightlife and expressed his dislike publicly. Adding fuel to the fire and trash talking while still in Cleveland probably wasn’t the smartest move, but it is the playoffs and anything goes.

The Cavs came out strong and were determined to take a two game lead into Chicago and inch closer to the NBA Finals. Noah was booed every time he got the ball, which was expected, but he did end up with a great night. He finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bulls, but was no match for James who scored 40 points, 15 coming in the final quarter. The final score was 112-102. The wins weren’t blow outs, which many people expected from the Cavs. The Bulls needed to come home and get some wins in order to keep the series going.

            With a few days off to prepare for the Cavs at the United Center, the Bulls knew it was a must win game if they had any chance to get back into the series. The Bulls came out strong on both sides of the court.

            They played well on defense, despite some foul trouble, and were magnificent on the offensive side thanks to Rose’s 31 points, Kirk Hinrich’s 27 points, and Loul Deng’s 20 points. Noah once again had a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

            They would take the lead into halftime and going into the third quarter, the Bulls clicked and pulled ahead by 21 points. Over the course of the third and fourth quarter the Bulls slowly saw the lead diminish to a one point deficit near the end of the game.

            The Bulls depended on free throw shooting to win the game for them, but they missed many. The Cavs would hit some big time three’s to cut a seven point deficit to a one point lead with less than five seconds remaining in regulation.

            Loul Deng took a pair of free throws and only made one, with three seconds left, giving the Cavs one last shot to pull off the impressive comeback.

            The Cavs’ Anthony Parker would launch a half court shot only to have it hit the side of the rim and give the Bulls the 108-106 win over the Cavs.

            The Bulls evened up the series, after escaping a game three loss, to give fans another memorable playoff series, as they did last year against the Celtics.

            LeBron’s 39 point effort wouldn’t be enough to defeat the Bulls this time around, but he would be back.

            Spirits up and positive attitudes, the Bulls looked to even up the series at two games when they hosted the Cavs on Sunday. However, James had no intentions of letting it happen.

             The Bulls were outplayed and dropped game four by a score of 121-98. Though history was made, thanks to Joakim Noah’s 21 points and 20 rebounds, making him the first Chicago Bull in history to ever record a 20 point, 20 rebound game, the Cavs would steal the show.

            Rose also added 21 points, but he could only watch James get a triple-double with 37 points, 11 assist, and 12 rebounds. Mo Williams scored 19, and Jamison 24.

            Halfway through the second quarter, the Bulls had a small four-point lead, but it was erased quickly and stayed that way.

            As the third quarter came to a close, James dribbled the ball up court to shoot a half court shot over Derrick Rose, just as time expired and drained it. Cleveland hit their shots and contained the Bulls the way they had been expected to.

            The Cavs looked to put away the Bulls in Cleveland for game five with a 3-1 series lead over the Bulls, and get ready to face the Boston Celtics, who already advanced by beating the Miami Heat in five games.

            It was win or go home for the Bulls and they did everything they could to keep the series alive. The Bulls were in foul trouble throughout the game, though some calls were questionable. Both Brad Miller and Taj Gibson fouled out and Noah had five.

            LeBron and Shaq were dominant the whole game and having them both drive into the lane, they would get fouled. James used it to his advantage and had a couple of add-on plays to pile on more points.

            LeBron finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. He would have one of the most decisive plays down the stretch. Rose had just hit a tear drop over O’Neal and appeared to have been fouled but wasn’t called, LeBron then ran it back the other way and scooped  it in with a foul being called giving him the 3-point play.

            The Bulls were close until the final minutes, only trailing by four, but eventually lost by two points, 96-94.

            The most important story of game five was LeBron’s right arm, which appeared to have been injured on an earlier play. It was evident in his last three throw attempts, he shot the first one right handed and hit the shot to put the Cavs up by four, making it a two possession game with four seconds left.

            The second one he planted his left foot on the line and shot it lefty but held his right elbow after releasing the shot. The Bulls would get the miss and call a timeout, and James walked off the court with a look of discomfort on his face, holding his elbow. When asked whether he would be ready to play the Celtics, he assured everyone he would be fine and ready to go.

            Now that the Bulls season is over many questions remain: Will Vinny Del Negro still be the Bulls head coach next year? His job status has been questioned since reports leaked that he was involved in an altercation between himself and Bulls president of operations John Paxson.

            Who will the Bulls pick up in the 2010 free agency? Could it be hometown native Dwyane Wade? Reining MVP LeBron James? Chris Bosh?  Joe Johnson? Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, or Amare Stoudemire if they chose to opt-out of their final year under contract? Or even take a gamble and sign Tracy McGrady? No one is sure, but the list goes on for All-Stars who will hit the free agency this summer and the Bulls will be a much stronger team with the addition of another All-Star to join Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

            The Bulls have the third most spending money this year. If money is what the top free agents want, then you could see a Wade, Rose, and Noah line up or a James, Rose, Noah line up, either one would instantly make the Bulls a legitimate contender. With a few players to help out on the bench, Chicago could very well have a seventh NBA Championship banner hanging in the United Center. 

CLC sports have talent, lack fan support

11:11 AM Chronicle
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Amber Kuehl
Sports Editor

            When you think of college sports football and basketball are most frequently mentioned because they are popular sports for tournaments and playoffs. Fans can engage themselves in the sport. Four year schools, like Northwestern and University of Illinois, have sports teams where students and general sports fans actively participate in games and cheer on their teams.

            At CLC, where there is plenty of talent among all teams, there is very little support from the average student.

            To an extent, this makes sense. CLC is a community college where students usually go to move on to a four year school. Students here have jobs and other non-school activities that affect their schedules, making it difficult to spend extra time at school for sports.

            However, there are students who have the time, but do not want, or don’t know, about sports at CLC. If students are bored, they should check out what sporting events are happening. It is also the duty of the athletic department to get more students interested in watching games. Coaches and players should encourage students to find out about CLC’s teams.

            “The only reason I don’t go to games is because they don’t advertise,” freshman Nick Hefner said. “I never know who’s playing when or where.”

There is a lot of talent and many reasons to watch sports at CLC. The question is why more people don’t watch. There is no clear cut way to get more people involved. If students are busy, they’re not going to watch. Teams could advertise game times and tournaments, or they could simply mention it to their friends and classmates. Any attention given to the teams will be welcome.

            Baseball is America’s past time, and CLC has a good team with a lot of talent. The team is among the nation’s best with 27 wins and 13 losses so far this season. And there are still several home games left before season’s end.

            Women’s softball still has games left, and they aren’t doing badly either. They have 15 wins and 15 losses this season. They have several high ranked players, especially pitchers, among the nation.

            CLC has talent, they just need others to recognize it. 

New rule regulates dirty hits in NHL

11:08 AM Chronicle
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Amber Kuehl
Sports Editor

            Mention hockey in any conversation, and people automatically think of fights. Fighting and physical contact is what hockey has always been known for, and fans love it.

            However, Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the NHL Colin Campbell, along with coaches, players and others in the NHL, have some concerns.

            While most players say fighting and checking are part of the game, those in charge say it’s too dangerous and needs to be eliminated, especially headshots.

            The 2009-2010 regular season has seen a progression of penalties for headshots and dirty hits.

            In early March, Boston Bruins player Marc Savard was hit by Pittsburgh Penguins’ Matt Cooke. Cooke blindsided Savard from behind, yet Cooke did not get penalized on the ice, nor by the NHL for the dangerous hit. Though Savard has yet to skate in a game since the hit, the Bruins are in the playoffs and advanced to the second round, and he has been cleared to play as of April 27.

            On March 14, Washington Capital star Alex Ovechkin knocked Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Brian Campbell into the boards after Campbell got rid of the puck. Campbell broke his clavicle, but returned to the Hawks April 22 after six weeks of recovery. Ovie was given a five minute boarding penalty and was tossed from the game. He was also suspended for two games by the NHL.

            Three days later, during a game against the Anaheim Ducks, Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook was charged by Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski. Wisniewski elbowed Seabrook in the face and Seabrook’s head hit the glass. He was unconscious before he hit the ice.

            On March 24, during a playoff game against the Nashville Predators, Blackhawk Marian Hossa crashed Preds’ player Dan Hamhuis into the boards from the side. Many compared this hit to Ovechkin’s on Campbell. However, Hossa’s hit was less severe as both players were racing for the puck.

            Colin Campbell said Hossa did not receive a suspension because he doesn’t have a history of violent hits and both players were reaching for the puck. The hit was still dangerous, as Hamhuis went into the boards, and Hossa was given a five minute penalty during the game.

Hits are dangerous in hockey. Hitting someone from behind could severely injure them.

In Feb. of 2004, Todd Bertuzzi, then of the Vancouver Canucks, punched Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche from behind, driving him headfirst into the ice. Moore suffered deep cuts to his face and two broken vertebrae. Thankfully, his spinal cord wasn’t damaged.

Bertuzzi was suspended until the 2005-2006 season, because of the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. He lost $850,000 in endorsements and salary.

These shots are dangerous. Players must wear helmets, padding, some even have visors on their helmets, but the hits keep coming. The NHL has implemented these regulations in an attempt to make the game safer, but they don’t protect players from hard hits, or hits in vulnerable spots like the neck and back, which may still cause damage. In the hockey rule book, there were no penalties based on the location of hits until this year.

On March 23, the NHL unanimously approved a new rule that will prohibit dangerous knocks to the head.  Players now have to take extra caution, for fear of in-game penalties, or postgame penalties, that impose suspensions or fines, for hits the league considers dangerous.

This is good news for all players. This should help lessen the fear of dangerous hits so players can concentrate on winning games.

That said, players who cannot handle a few knocks should never have become involved in such a physical sport.

Hits and fights are part of the game and should not be completely eliminated. It’s exciting when players get in their opponents face to defend a teammate or make a statement. It boosts the team’s morale and gets the fans revved up. The NHL should be aware that, while the hits can be dangerous, if they are clean and regulated, they are a boost to the game. 

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