The Dolphin - Delgado Community College

March 9, 2016
The Dolphin
Celebrating 93 Years of Education at Delgado Community College
Volume 48, Number 6
Do you really understand how FAFSA works?
By Christian Prevost
Millions of students apply for and receive financial aid every
year, but how many students actually know all the rules and regulations
that comes along with receiving student aid? When I was graduating
high school I had teachers tell me and fellow students, “If you can’t
afford to pay for college out of pocket, apply for FAFSA, it’s free money
to receive a degree.” At the time it seemed like the greatest news in the
world. Free money to go to college. That word free automatically gives
you a false impression of what financial aid really is.
Financial aid is supposed to help students from low income
families afford higher learning institutions. Not all students that apply
for FAFSA receive a Pell grant (aka the free money) or a loan. The Pell
grant is based off the amount of money either the student or student’s
family made the year before the student applied for aid. That determines
the student or family’s contribution towards the FAFSA, which decides
how much aid the student will receive for the year. Financial aid does
not always cover all the cost of attending college. Some students may
notice when they first attend some colleges, their Pell grant will cover
their full tuition, books, fees, then whatever money is left over is given
to the student in the form of a refund check. Refund checks are used for
whatever the student wants, there’s no restrictions. Some students like
Tranell, a nursing major at Delgado, learned last year that her Pell grant
would only cover her tuition. She thought she was receiving an amount
higher than she received one fall semester, changing her plans to buy
books for her classes and a new laptop with her refund.
Your college makes the decision of how much aid you will
receive every semester based on how your performance has been in
school, and how much they feel your need is. Students who do not
receive enough financial aid from the Pell grant to cover all cost of
attending college tend to apply for student loans. Student loans are fine
for the fiscally-responsible student who knows to only take the amount
of loans needed to pay what the Pell grant won’t cover, like the remainder
of tuition, books, or even that laptop you need to be successful. It’s best
to only take what you need. These are loans and they do draw interest
over time. Meaning the amount you’ve taken out will be higher when it’s
time to pay it back.
Many students, when they have a refund check in hand
for thousands of dollars, may buy cars, clothes and other unnecessary
things that don’t pertain to their success in school. One UNO student,
who would like to remain nameless, took out loans totaling $50,000,
to buy himself a car, and stylish shoes and clothes. Now he regrets his
overindulgence in student loans. He is no
longer able to receive FAFSA to pursue his
degree, and has to work full time to pay off his
loans and support himself.
Losing FAFSA is easier than
receiving it. Students with FAFSA must
maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP). This is accomplished a few ways.
Students must maintain a GPA of a C average
(2.0 or higher) while pursuing a 2-year
associates degree, or a 4-year bachelor’s degree.
Failure to maintain this GPA will result in
loss of financial aid. Many students don’t
take classes as seriously as they should, and
end up failing them. One F can take a 4.0
GPA and make it a 3.0. It’s helpful to drop a
class before receiving an F or using the repeat
delete method, but using these fixes can
cause another major problem. That problem
is Academic Pace. Academic Pace is based
off the percent completion rate for degree
“Do you really understand how FAFSA works? Students awaiting help
seeking programs. That means if you have a
full class load your first year and you drop half in financial aid.” Photo credit: Eliot Kamenitz.
your classes, and continue to follow the same
approved. This is the most common way get it back. You can also pay
pattern the next year; that will put you at a 37.5 percent completion rate
for classes out of pocket to raise your GPA to become eligible again, or
your second year. You should be at a 75 percent completion rate, so this
you can change your major or school to see if that will help.
causes a loss of FAFSA from not meeting Academic Pace. The average
One major thing you can do is not lose it at all. Don’t take
associates degree has a max time of 3 years to achieve and a bachelors
on a load that’s too much. If you’re not sure what you want to do or why
has a max of 6 years.
you’re going to college, don’t go until you’re ready. You can wait --you’re
Adam (not his real name), a transferring Mass
never too old to go to college.
Communications major at Delgado, was maintaining a GPA higher than
FAFSA deadline for Summer semester 2016 is March 18,
a 2.0, but lost financial aid due to Academic Pace. “When I went to my
Fall semester 2016, May 22, and Spring semester 2017, October 16. You
freshmen orientation the speaker told the room, ‘if you’re in danger of
must apply before these dates to have a chance at getting your money in
failing, drop the class and receive a W instead of an F,’ but what wasn’t
time to pay for your classes.
said was, you’ll maintain a high GPA but you’ll run into trouble with
TOPS is only funded 25 percent next year, as it stands,
financial aid,” Adam said. His hours taken had become higher than the
meaning fewer TOPS scholarships will be awarded next year.
hours completed, giving him a lower completion rate.
To contact Louisiana legislature and ask for a solution to
Loss of FAFSA is not the end. There are ways of getting back
save
the
state’s
public higher education system, go to https://www.legis.
your financial aid. You can file an appeal which is like the waiting game.
la.gov/legis/Contacts.aspx.
You must file the appeal before the deadline then wait to see if you’re
Why this will be the most searched article on the internet
By Meghan Henoumont
Who looks in a dictionary or newspaper anymore? With the
rise of the Internet and digital search engines, such as Google,
answers are just a click away. So if you’ve been wondering if the clouds
in Mexico are capable of producing a tornado, or if the airport in San
Diego has ever had a power grid collapse, or if you’ve wondered what
exactly the feared Al Qaeda (all spellings) is, be careful typing your
questions into the alluring search bar, because there’s a good chance you
are being watched, by your own government.
In 2011 a non-profit government watchdog group called
EPIC submitted a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release
information about the agency’s surveillance of social networks and news
organizations.
According to the group’s website, epic.org, “…the Department
of Homeland Security announced that the agency planned to implement
NEWS
a program that would monitor media content, including social media
data. The proposed initiatives would gather information from online
forums, blogs, public websites, and message boards and disseminate
information to federal, state, local, and foreign government and private
sector partners.”
After months of no response from the DHS, EPIC filed a
lawsuit for the disclosure of documents relating to the agency’s media
surveillance program. In January 2012, the DHS disclosed 285 pages
of agency records in response to EPIC’s lawsuit. The documents
included contracts, price estimates, Privacy Impact Assessment, and
communications concerning DHS Media Monitoring program.
The documents included details of the DHS’s intention (and
execution) of spying on social network users and journalists. Included
was a list of key words that if searched on the Internet gives DHS
the right to track and spy on whoever types them in, and it gets
worse.
Here are a few actual excerpts from those documents:
most searched article on page 11
“WE CANNOT SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME
ART & ENTERTAINMENT
THINKING WE USED WHEN WE CREATED THEM”
- ALBERT EINSTEIN
Burt’s Café
#FreeKesha
SOCIAL
Page 2
SPORTS
Page 7
Twitter
EDITORIAL
Instagram
The Aftermath of “The Quiet Storm”
Page 4
“Zootopia”Movie Review
Page 9
NEWS
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WWW.DELGADODOLPHIN.NET
PAGE 2
C A M P U S - L O C A L - NAT I ONA L - I N T E R NAT I ONA L
Tornadoes rip through Laplace
Photos by Temarious Williams
The tornado that hit Laplace in late February ripped through multiple neighborhoods and damaged 200 homes. Residents, including many Delgado
students, are dealing with devastation in the wake of a natural disaster for the
second time in four years. More than 8,000 homes were out of power for over
4 days.
Food Drive for The Single Stop Food Bank at Delgado
By Isadora Linheira
Did you know that Louisiana is ranked one of the top ten in the
country for food insecurity? And within the state, New Orleans makes
up 12 percent of hungry? Did you also know that in America 17 million
children go to bed hungry every night, and 1 out of 6 people is affected
hungry?
The statistics may scare you, and they should, hunger is a worldwide
problem and there is no better to way to fight it, than starting locally. For
that reason the Introduction to Social Welfare 153 Section 101 at Delgado
Community College is having a food drive for The Single Stop Food Pantry.
Students may not know, but Delgado has its own food store, where
students who may need help with groceries can have access to snacks,
drinks and food in general for free. However, the food store needs to be
restocked and the volunteers need your help to keep the store going strong
and helping students in need.
The motivation of professor Geralyn Morrell is to show her students
how social problems are part of our daily lives, and we can and should
make a difference. We can start by helping our fellow struggling students.
“With your help we can feed needy students and families at Delgado
Community College. This will allow them to remain in school. We are
looking forward to your support” said professor Morrell.
The Introduction to Social Welfare class is stepping up and
starting a food drive at Delgado Community College at City Park, where
nonperishable items or cash donations will be collected. The dates for the
food drive are February 29, 2016 to April 29, 2016. The donations will be
collected at the W.I.S.E Women’s Center on Building one, second floor.
For further information contact professor Geralyn Morrell at 504671-6325 or by email at gmorre@dcc.edu.
Spread the word and donate, you can start making the change with
one single step!
CAMPUS NEWS
THE DOLPHIN
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WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016
C A M P U S - L O C A L - NAT I ONA L - I N T E R NAT I ONA L
Burt’s Café under new management
By Julie M. Dedebant
Every morning John Burt, his wife Paula,
and their daughter Jessica Gillian rise early
in Houma, to make the drive to New Orleans
to open up Burt’s café and Catering located
in the student life center at Delgado’s City
Park Campus. John has been in the catering/
restaurant business for over 20 years. He is also
legally blind.
In October of 2015, John, Paula, and
Jessica became the new owners of Burt’s Café
courtesy of The Randolph Shepard Program.
The Randolph Shepard Program gives legally
blind people a second chance at a career.
The program assets the legally blind by
providing job opportunities and allowing
receipts to follow their career dream while
providing for themselves and their family.
John and his family love down home cooking.
This passion translates into each food item
they sell. Following their business motto of,
“Perfection, Customer Service, Consistency, and
Cleanliness,” The Burt’s make each and every
dish. Burt’s Café can accommodate students and
faculty with food allergies, vegan’s and diabetics.
Higher Ed Cuts:
Students rally in Baton Rouge
Featuring an extensive menu with
everyday fare such as, burgers and
fried seafood, all of the dishes are
so well-crafted, southern staples are
elevated to perfect flavor-filled bits
of heaven. The catfish is Light, fluffy,
served at the perfect temperature and
well-proportioned at an excellent
price. A meal at this eatery is average
$7.50. And for a limited time, Burt’s
Café is giving away a homemade
brownie to anyone who buys a meal
for $7.50 or more.
Burt’s Café offers event
catering as well. Last month, they
catered Irma Thomas’s Birthday
Party. Catering customers have
praised Burt’s Café’s event catering,”
…this is ridiculous perfection.”
Burts café photos by Julie M Dedebant
Burt’s Café Hours of operation
are: Monday –Thursday 7:30a.m.
-2:00p.m
Friday- 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m.
Catering inquires can be emailed to:
Burtscafeandcatering@gmail.com
SPORTS
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G A M E S - AT H L ET E S - C A M P U S & C OM M U N I T Y
Who Says Football Is Over?
Major League Football Kicks Off This Spring
By Stefan Muro
Awards have been given and champions have
been crowned. Super Bowl Sunday has always marked
the end of the football year and the beginning of a long
and dreaded wait for the next season. A new league,
called Major League Football, makes its debut in attempt
to make football a year round sport.
MLFB is designed to be a developmental
league for young players that missed the cuts, in NFL
team training camps; and a last chance for veterans to
impress the big league scouts. Notable college players,
in recent years, will get a second chance such as: former
South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia, Oregon QB Darron
Thomas, Baylor RB Lache Seastruck, Arkansas WR Joe
Adams, and LSU CB Harry Coleman. Open tryouts were
held all over the country last year and over 2,000 players
are under contract for the selection processes. The
former Carolina Panther return specialist, Joe Adams,
was selected #1 overall of the MLFB inaugural draft held
in late January. Surprisingly, these draft picks still don’t
know where they are playing this April.
Former Saints wide receiver, Wes Chandler,
founded the publicly-traded organization that is
dedicated on increasing the popularity of the sport and
support, rather than compete with, the NFL or NCAA.
It plans to focus on emerging markets in smaller US
cities. The eight MLFB selects in March will be based
on economic growth and favored weather conditions
for the athletes. Unofficial sources claim the teams
will be based in the Midwest and Southeast regions
of the country. But ESPN reports, “MLFB is primarily
interested in: Little Rock, Arkansas, Eugene, Oregon,
Akron, Ohio, and Orlando, Florida. The league also
intends on expanding franchises to Canada and Mexico
in 2017.” Like the NFL, NCAA, CFL, and Arena
Leagues 1 & 2, MLFB will have specific rule changes to
mark its brand on the game itself.
MLFB rules are mostly similar to the NFL for
the league’s main purpose of being a developmental
and yet competitive way to get a second chance at the
next level. The field dimensions are reported to be
identical of the NFL’s guidelines but the rules of the
game are quite different. For instance, NFL games
have a 40-second game clock while MLFB will have a
30-second game clock. Ten seconds may not seem like
a big difference to some people but it will drastically
increase the amount of total plays in the game. Unlike
the NFL, MLFB rules state that the ground can actually
force a fumble. Field goals are worth the same 3 points
but in MLFB, if the field goal is 50 yards or over, it is
This is what will be the official game ball of MLFB. It
worth 4 points.
bears the league’s “Three Laces” insignia
The Aftermath of “The Quiet Storm”
Major League Football Kicks Off This Spring
By Stefan Muro
Ten years ago, The New
career highs in Saints’ history. He has
Orleans Saints selected big name
an impressive six 1,000+ yard seasons
players such as Reggie Bush, Roman
and a Super Bowl ring to add to his
Harper, Jahri Evans, Zach Strief and
exceptional resume. He also holds
Rob Ninkovich in the 2006 NFL draft.
records for most 100+ receiving yard
The newly-acquired head coach, Sean
games (28) and most games played by
Payton, was building around his new
a wide receiver (146.) Despite of his
free agent quarterback in Drew Brees.
great value and efforts, he was never
Some of these players played a role in
selected to the Pro Bowl. Now that the
the magical 2009 season while others
storm has passed, how will Who Dat
found success in a different system.
Nation remember him?
Looking back on the past 10 years, it
MORE- MORE-MORE
Sean Payton told the media last
is easy to say our best draft pick was in
week, “Upon his arrival as a sevenththe last round.
In the seventh round and
round draft pick 10 years ago,
number 252 of 255 overall picks, The
Marques’ immediate contributions
Saints selected Marques Colston. The
were significant in getting this team
6-foot-4 and 225-pound wide receiver
turned around so quickly to the
hailed from Hofstra University, which
point where you win a Super Bowl in
no longer has a football program.
Year 4. His production, consistency,
With a 4.50 second 40-yard dash and a
toughness and work ethic were second
37-inch vertical jump, many prospects
to none. You always knew what you
believed he would become a tight end
were going to get from Marques, and
due to his size and catching ability.
that was everything that he had. All
Sean Payton had other plans for him
of the characteristics that Marques
after trading former wide receiver,
possess are what we look for in a New
Donte Stallworth, to the Philadelphia
Orleans Saint. I thank Marques for all
This is quoted by #12 himself from his farewell message posted on his website
Eagles. This was the beginning of “The last Monday. SOURCE @Saints via Instagram
that he did for our team and wish him
Quiet Storm.”
the best of luck.”
behind former Tennessee Titan QB, Vince Young.
In his rookie season, Colston
Saints owner, Tom Benson said,
He was well ahead of his more celebrated teammate
immediately became Brees’ favorite and primary
“There have been very few players in our franchise’s
Reggie Bush, who was selected second overall in the history that have represented this team with the class,
target. He recorded 70 receptions for 1,038 yards
’06 draft. “The Quiet Storm” gained strength with
and 8 touchdowns, which outperformed Cowboys’
dignity and performance of Marques Colston. In
great on and off the field work ethic and returned the the locker room, on the field and in the community,
legend, Bob Hayes’ 46 receptions for a 1,003-yard
next season as the new starting wide receiver.
and 12-touchdown rookie season. Colston’s first
Marques has always been a true professional, a role
Over the next 9 seasons, Colston proved to
season is one of the greatest the NFL has seen
model and a winner who played a significant role in
have far surpassed the value of a seventh-round pick. our team becoming a perennial contender that won
since Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin and before
Rather than running a big mouth like fans are used
Odell Beckham Jr. Although the season ended in a
a Super Bowl. On behalf of our team, I wish Marques
heartbreaking 39-14 rout in the NFC Championship to seeing in players nowadays, his big plays did the
and his family nothing but the best, and they will
Game against the Chicago Bears, Colston was ranked talking. “The Quiet Storm” racked up 9,759 yards
always be an important part of our organization.”
and 72 touchdowns on 711 receptions, which are all
second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting
MUSIC
THE DOLPHIN
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MOV I E S -
GAMES -
WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016
T E L EV I S I ON - M U S I C
Plug-In and Tune-Out: The best albums of February 2016
By Meghan Henoumont
It’s been a month of reissues,
reconstructed old tunes, and rediscovering
artists that we’ve loved for many years.
Matmos: Ultimate Care II
For 15 years Baltimore-based duo
Matmos have composed intelligent electronic
music from samples pulled from surgical
procedures, 16th-century war anthems and
parapsychological experiments. With Ultimate
Care II, the couple dissects the Whirlpool
washing machine model the album is named
after, which exists in the basement of the home
they share, with the help of of local acts who
sometimes drop in to do their wash, including
Dan Deacon, Jason Willett of Half Japanese
and members of the severely underrated
avant-rock outfit Horse Lords. Together, this
ragtag ensemble proceeds to rattle, flip, filter
and process the watery, domestic rhythms and
drones to fine-tune a continuous 38-minute
suite that lasts the exact length of a small load
cycle.
Heaven Adores You was released last year, the
accompanying soundtrack is only now coming
out. The album is set up to be a summary of
Smith’s career, versus the usual rarities set. It
includes a previously unreleased version of
“Christian Brothers” recorded with Heatmiser,
the band Smith was in before going solo. The
record’s two live numbers also capture the
sudden transition Smith experienced when his
career crossed over to the mainstream from
the indie realm. The instrumentals, however,
are perhaps the most interesting; as unfinished
tracks, you’re left to imagine the words Smith
might have added to his work.
Lissie demonstrates resilience in the wake of
California/stardom’s illusionary appeal.
Lake Street Dive: Side Pony
Ten years and three albums in, a fullyrealized Lake Street Dive has finally arrived and
announced itself as a force to be reckoned with.
Their new Nonesuch follow-up, Side Pony, provides both an encore and evolution of the songs
that were presented on 2014’s Bad Self Portraits.
The earlier tracks on the new record find the
band adeptly grooving in the particular, difficult to categorize niche of neo-soul and jazzy
pop that they’ve made their signature, and one
initially fears if perhaps there’s been little additional growth.
Lissie: My Wild West
Elliott Smith: Heaven Adores You Soundtrack
Though the Elliott Smith documentary
Lissie, in many ways, is the millennial/
post-millennial generation’s golden promise:
follow your dream, work social media, find
believers, win! But after hitting a plateau, the
young Midwesterner with the intriguing, dusky
alto came to grips with the liar’s poker nature
of the dreams Hollywood feeds you. Pondering
the loss of innocence, rise of awareness and
acceptance over 12 songs and 45 minutes,
Fashion week schedule
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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MOV I E S -
GAMES -
T E L EV I S I ON - M U S I C
Finally, an Oscar for Leo
By Peter Howard
It became one of the longest running jokes in
Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio had been nominated
for an Academy Award five times over the past 22
years before this year’s ceremony, and each time his
Oscar-worthy performances were passed over for
other actors. So when the 2016 list of nominees was
released, many were thinking that the Academy would
continue to tease Leo with the possibility of a golden
statue. However, at the ceremony held Feb. 28, Leo’s
Photo credit The Observer
moment arrived.
Upon winning the award for Best Actor in
the film “The Revenant”, Leo took his opportunity
to thank the Academy, his costar Tom Hardy, his
family, as well as various others before jumping on
a soap box about climate change. “And lastly, I just
want to say this: Making “The Revenant” was about
a man’s relationship to the natural world. A world
that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in
recorded history. Our production needed to move to
the southern tip of this planet just to be able to find
snow. Climate change is real, it is happening right
now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire
species, and we need to work collectively together
and stop procrastinating.” He wrapped up his speech
by saying, “I thank you all for this amazing award
tonight. Let us not take this planet for granted. I do
not take tonight for granted.”
Photo credit oscars.org
Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, dead at 89
By Peter Howard
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee, best known
for her classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, passed away in her
sleep at an assisted living facility in Monroeville, Alabama. Born
Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, she attended
elementary and high school in her hometown before going to
college at University of Alabama. Lee was quoted as saying, “I
went to school in the local grammar school, went to high school
there, and then went to UAL. That’s about it, as far as education
goes.”
In 1949, Lee moved to New York. After eight years of
working for several airlines as a reservations clerk, she submitted
her manuscript for “To Kill a Mockingbird” to J.B. Lippincott &
Co. After rewriting the book at the request of the publisher, “To
Kill a Mockingbird” was published on July 11, 1960. It received
both commercial and critical accolades and the following year,
Lee was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is still taught in high schools
and colleges across the country. It is the story of a young girl
and her brother living in a sleepy Alabama town, based on
Monroeville, with their gentle lawyer father, Atticus during
Photo credit cnn.com
Save The Date!
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My Home is Your Home
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segregation in the South. The book has sold more than 30
million copies – still selling at least a million per year, and has
become an American classic.
In 2015, Lee released her second and final novel
titled “Go Set a Watchman” to tepid reviews. “Watchman” was
a continuing story of the adventures of Scout, the young girl
in “Mockingbird” and there was a noticeable difference in the
beloved Atticus. Regardless of critics’ reviews, many are grateful
that Lee was not a one-hit wonder of the writing world.
In recent years, Lee had experienced declining health.
A stroke had left her partially paralyzed and wheelchair bound
as well as losing almost 95 percent of her vision. She resided in
an assisted living facility for her final years.
Lee’s nephew, Hank Conner, said in a statement following her
death, “This is a sad day for our family. American and the
world knew Harper Lee as one of the last century’s most beloved
authors. We knew her as Nelle Harper Lee, a loving member
of our family, a devoted friend to the many good people who
touched her life, and a generous soul in our community and our
state. We will miss her dearly.”
THE DOLPHIN
PAGE 7
WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016
The Life of a Photographer
By Teamarious Williams
When I tell other students what I do for a living, the first
thing they always say is, “Your life must be so exciting!” I am not only a
photographer, but I’m also a student at Delgado Community College. I
own my photography company called TeamariousJavon Photography.
So what does it take to be a photographer? First, the job is not
as glamorous as people think. It’s mostly practice, persistence, and the
ability to be adaptable to a variety of situations. Second, you have to be a
people person. Being shy will not put nervous clients at ease. Remember,
a photographer’s goal is to get the perfect shot. Some will be very uneasy
in front of the camera which will translate to your picture. For these
clients, I find that talking and joking with them helps them forget the
camera is there. For very confident clients, you’ll need to keep them
focused, which means you’re talking, directing and shooting all at once.
Next, no client will be the same. Some will know exactly
what they want, others will not have a clue. So in this sense you must
be a bit of a designer. You will need to be capable of composing shots
on the spot, based on the setting, lighting and mood of a shoot. All of
those beautiful fashion spreads you see in magazines are planned well in
advance but can change at a moment’s notice if the client is not happy.
Remember, they are paying you. So you need to do whatever they want
regardless of your personal preference. You do get to put your two cents
in and be creative but at the end of the day, your client has the final say.
Lastly, let’s talk about equipment and editing. Yep, the
most technical part is the bulk of the job. When you start out as a
photographer, you will need to have your own equipment. This is
expensive, especially if you’re building your arsenal from the ground up.
You’ll need a good camera, a variety of lenses, a tripod and some lighting
equipment in case the elements are not cooperating. Photography is a
skill that you never stop learning. Photo editing is a must. You will need
a good editing software program and the dedication to spend many,
many hours learning how to use it.
If you’re only in it for the money, then you will never
be successful as a photographer. It’s all about passion, skill, and
commitment. One of the great aspects of this job is that no day is the
same. Being a freelance photographer enables you to pick and choose
how you spend your time. There have been many highlights in my
photography career, and one is being published. Another is getting
recognized by celebrities on social media. I genuinely love what I do, and
with this job, there is always something exciting to look forward to.
#FreeKesha: A legal battle about a lot more than just music
By Isadora Linheira
The artist who got famous with her first hit “Tik-Tok,” Kesha
Rose Sebert, better known as Ke$ha, is going through a legal battle
against her music producer and possible abuser, Dr. Luke.
Dr. Luke is a successful, well-known music producer who has
created huge hits for the likes of Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Pink.
Since his label is owned by Sony Music Entertainment (SME), that gives
SME full rights to his services as a producer.
But in October 2014, Kesha and her lawyers filed a lawsuit
alleging that, for the entirety of her career, she had been controlled and
abused by Dr. Luke. According to Kesha, the producer persuaded her to
sign with his label, promising her fame and fortune and has been pulling
her strings ever since.
“For the past 10 years, Dr. Luke has sexually, physically, verbally and
emotionally abused Ms. Sebert to the point where Ms. Sebert nearly lost
her life,” the suit alleged.
“Dr. Luke abused Ms. Sebert in order to destroy her
self-confidence, self-image, and self-worth so that he could maintain
complete control over her life and career.” The suit included claims
of multiple instances where Dr. Luke had “forced himself ” on Kesha
while she was “intoxicated and drugged,” and then threatened her into
silence. The suit also claimed her continued association with the record
producer would be “life threatening.”
Dr. Luke and his lawyers filed a suit against Kesha, claiming her
allegations were defamatory and were an attempt to release Kesha from
her exclusive agreement with Dr. Luke.
In 2015, Kesha and her attorney Mark Geragos petitioned for
a preliminary injunction in her case. Geragos stated the motion was to
hasten a decision in her case and allow her to record with other labels
and producers in the meantime. “Her brand value has fallen,” Geragos
stated. “And unless the court issues this injunction, Kesha will suffer
irreparable harm, plummeting her career past the point of no return.”
A judge for the New York Supreme Court said her allegations were vague
and there was no medical evidence provided to back up her claims of
abuse. The injunction was denied, and her fans, outside the courthouse
and around the world, reacted with anger.
Kesha posted on her Instagram account a day before the
ruling came down, saying, “I have nothing left to hide.” She wrote, “I did
this because the truth was eating away my soul and killing me from the
inside. This is not just for me. This is for every woman, every human
who has ever been abused sexually, emotionally, mentally. I had to tell
the truth, so the outcome will be what it will be.”
Fans and many other artists are supporting Kesha such as
Demi Lovato, Lena Dunhan, Kelly Clarkson – who worked with Dr.
Luke previously -- Taylor Swift – who donated $250,000 to Kesha to
Kesha cries while in court after the judge decided that the allegations were vague. Photo credit: USA Today.
help her. Since Kesha is not allowed to work with anyone other than Dr.
Luke, Jack Antonoff tweeted her saying he would gladly work with her,
producing her music and leaking it to fans.
Fans and feminist protesters are raising their voices online,
starting petitions, and promoting hashtags to make Sony end any
contract between Kesha and Dr. Luke, so she will never have to work for
her abuser.
The topic has also brought to the surface the lives of many
superstars who start at a young age and are exposed to drugs, mental,
sexual and physical abuse by producers, managers, and people related
to them. Kesha seems to be the new advocate for the cause, getting the
attention of many and being supported by important voices in the music
industry. Lady Gaga not only supported Kesha, but also dedicated her
performance at the Oscars to her and many other people who suffered
with sexual abuse with the song “Till It Happens To You.”
The allegations and the legal battle are not over yet. Many
tweets, personal messages and emails are being collected by Kesha’s
lawyers to prove that Dr. Luke was in fact her abuser.
To keep up with the trial online, you can follow the hashtag
#freekesha on twitter, where the movement to support Kesha has taken
form.
REVIEWS
THE DOLPHIN
WWW.DELGADODOLPHIN.NET
MOV I E S -
“Eddie the Eagle”
GAMES -
PAGE 8
T E L EV I S I ON - M U S I C
Three out of four
stars
By Jeff Boudreaux
It’s hard
to dislike a film
such as “Eddie the
Eagle,” an inspiring,
true account of
one man’s lifelong
battle against
the odds. From a
young child with
a knee brace to a
wide-eyed teenager
with seeminglyinsurmountable
dreams and finally,
the young man
who captured the
heart of the world
during the 1988
Winter Olympics,
Eddie devoted every
moment of his existence to discovering his personal best.
As he overcomes each obstacle that is thrown in front of
him – whether it be the sport he loves or that pesky British
bureaucracy – we are there every step of the way to cheer
him on.
That’s because Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) is
probably the most aspiring chap you’ll ever have the pleasure
to meet. A lover of the slopes, Eddie has big dreams about
making the cut to compete on Britain’s downhill squad
during the Winter Olympics. When his performance isn’t
quite good enough to procure a final spot on the British team
– and partly because his late entrance at the trials amounted
to his fellow Brits being knocked down like a procession
of dominoes (!) – Eddie isn’t about to quit like everyone,
including his mother and father (played by the terrificallycast Jo Hartley and Keith Allen), wants him to. Nope, in fact
the word “quit” isn’t even part of Eddie’s vocabulary. If at first
you don’t succeed, try something similar – and way more
“Son of Saul”
dangerous! Eddie decides what would really set him apart
from the rest of the crowd would be to do what no British
athlete has ever done and that is to attempt the dreaded
Olympic ski jump, like his idol Matti Nykänen (Edvin
Endre).
Buying a ticket to Germany for their Olympic
trials, Eddie fits in right away by perfecting the 15 meter
jump – the problem for him is that it’s basically the kiddie
slope. When it comes to the 40m jump, he has a nasty habit
of falling flat on his face. Also take into account that this is
only the proverbial “tip of the iceberg,” as there’s a 70m jump
and finally, the gargantuan 90m ramp, as well. Disgraced
former Olympic competitor (and current drunk) Bronson
Peary (Hugh Jackman), now employed as a slope-sweeper,
notices Eddie and his series of failures and (of course)
reluctantly agrees to train the guy. Here is where the crux of
the film lies – the relationship between Eddie and Bronson.
It’s a mutually beneficial situation – for Eddie because he gets
first class instruction for free from someone who’s actually
been there, and even though Bronson doesn’t realize it yet,
he needs an excuse to disconnect himself from his alcoholic
crutch – a flask of whiskey which he affectionately refers
to as his “jacket.” With the help of his new coach and some
dogged determination, Eddie won’t be ending his campaign
until he competes as a ski-jumper, on ramps including the
feared 90m jump, in front of a worldwide viewing audience.
Co-starring Christopher Walken as Warren Sharp, Bronson’s
former coach and ski-jump author extraordinaire.
“Eddie the Eagle” is the third feature-length film
directed by prolific British actor Dexter Fletcher, and the
third time is certainly the charm as his other two films
(“Wild Bill,” “Sunshine on Leith”) didn’t exactly make an
impact on this side of the Atlantic. The force behind this film
is largely in part to the impeccable casting of rising British
star Taron Egerton as Eddie. A testament to his acting ability,
it didn’t occur to me until after I watched the film that this
was the same actor who had played the lead role of “Eggsy,”
the tough kid turned suave secret agent in 2014’s mega-hit
“Kingsman: The Secret Service.” As counterintuitive as you
can get by connecting the dots between Egerton and these
starkly different characterizations, this fine young actor is
undoubtedly going to impress moviegoers for a long time to
come. Hugh Jackman is also genuinely likeable as Bronson,
and this rare supporting role happens to agree with the
superstar actor. Unfortunately, he can also stake claim (at
least acting-wise) to providing the film’s most outlandish
scene. Attempting to prove to Eddie (and the obnoxious
German team) that he still “has it,” Bronson successfully
completes a 70m jump at night, while drunk and smoking
a cigarette! I think we all can agree that Hugh Jackman is
the epitome of cool (his name will forever be synonymous
with Wolverine for crying out loud!) but this is nothing
short of ridiculous. And even though I hate to admit it,
screen veteran Christopher Walken manages to detract
from the role of Warren Sharp, because frankly…well…
he’s Christopher Walken and he does a good job of playing
himself.
Before I had seen this film or even its trailer, I was
instantly reminded of 2012’s “Chasing Mavericks.” Was it
because Hugh Jackman was driving a van on the film’s poster,
just as Gerard Butler had in that movie? Maybe. I mean,
Taron Egerton was on top of the van while Jonny Weston
was inside of it in the other film as I recall, but I digress.
This belief was further solidified in the opening scene by
having young Eddie timing himself while holding his breath
underwater in his bathtub. Then I came to the realization
that the two films seem similar because they’re both
representations of the classic mentor/student relationship
that’s at the heart of many a sports film, of which “Eddie the
Eagle” is a prime example. After watching the film, I quickly
dropped the notion that this was anything other than the
feel-good story of the year about the young man who learned
to soar like an eagle. Settle in and enjoy the life and pursuits
of the ultimate underdog and you just may become a little
stronger because of it, if only vicariously.
Three and a half
out of four stars
By Jeff Boudreaux
Every
generation has its
own cinematic
indictment of
the Holocaust.
In 1959, George
Stevens adapted the
perennial bestseller
“The Diary of
Anne Frank,” and
showcased a young
girl along with her
family and friends,
seeking refuge from
persecution (and
imminent death) in
an attic. A touching
and highly emotional
film, it confronted
the notion that
Jewish people were anything other than people in an era that
was still reeling with anti-Semitism. Then came the muchapplauded “Schindler’s List” in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s timeless
account of one man’s crusade to save a few precious lives from
the snares of the Third Reich. Since then, films such as “Life
is Beautiful” and “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” depicted
life and death in Nazi concentration camps, rightfully eliciting
pathos for the six million individuals that were murdered
during mankind’s darkest hour. In “Son of Saul,” first-time
feature Director László Nemes places us right into the heart of
the most notorious death camp of all, Auschwitz, and into the
shoes of the men who disposed of the bodies of their fellow
Jews along with any evidence of these crimes.
The year was 1944. In the waning days of the second
war in Europe, the extermination tactics of the Germans are
in high gear. Thousands of Jews from all over Europe, each
and every day, are brought in by trains, told to strip naked and
enter the “showers.” Faceless denizens who aren’t happy about
their containment, yet they have no idea of their impending
doom amidst the upbeat promises of hot soup and job
opportunities that will follow their delousing. Forcibly made
to do the Nazis’ dirty work are strong and able Jewish men
known as Sonderkommandos, or “the bearers of secrets.” They
must hold the doors to the gas chambers shut, rifle through
the possessions of the dead, and scrub the floors where all
of the oozing bodies lay in the days, weeks or sometimes
months before their own date with death. This is the story of
one of these men, a Hungarian Jew named Saul Ausländer
(remarkably played by Géza Röhrig, a poet whose only other
acting credit is a mini-series from 1989), and what is effectively
the last days of his life.
Just as Saul and the other men are beginning to clean
up the latest atrocities of the gas chamber, a boy is discovered
alive. It is here where we are reminded that there was no greater
embodiment of evil than Hitler’s Germany. Following a careful
examination by the Nazi doctor, a well-placed Hippocratic
hand over the child’s nose and mouth make sure that the job
is finished. As for Saul, he seemingly recognizes the child
and makes a deal with the Jewish physician who’s ordered
to perform an autopsy (Sándor Zsótér of “White God”) for
the boy’s body. Why? Saul believes it to be his son. Yet, no
one else seems to share that belief – particularly the viewer.
Regardless, risking what are most likely the last days of his life,
Saul undertakes a quest within the constantly chaotic camp
to find a rabbi among the walking dead in order for Saul to
administer a proper Jewish burial. None of this will be easy as
Sonderkommandos do not have the full run of the camp and
rabbis are usually among the first to be executed. Besides, he
faces opposition from his fellow prisoners, led by Abraham
(Levente Molnár), who are planning a revolt and feel that he
may jeopardize their one shot at freedom (and with it life).
This harrowing journey of a condemned man and
his familial bond is truly an effective piece of filmmaking, and
it’s quite different from what audiences today are accustomed
to. The director has decided to present this story in Academy
ratio (1.37:1), otherwise known as “full screen.” A rarity in film
since the advent of widescreen cameras in the early 1950’s,
the narrow lens proves to be a perfect choice as it constructs
a claustrophobic descent into the head of Ausländer, with a
bird’s eye view of the horrors that surround him. After all, why
should the audience have anywhere else to go, except for where
Saul is inclined to take us? Most of the deaths and bodies of
the victims are blurred in the background, disassociating the
viewer (along with Saul) from the nameless and now faceless
victims of Germany’s “final solution.” This is a very rarely-used
filmmaking technique, and in this case – it packs a tremendous
wallop.
The director only focuses on background events
when it suits him, and what we are allowed to see changes
on a dime. For example, in a pivotal scene where Saul is held
at gunpoint from a skirmish with a prisoner known as “the
Renegade,” a former rabbi who wants nothing to do with his
past, the SS commandant is clearly seen several feet away
while asking for Saul’s account of the events that led up to this
other man attempting suicide in the river bank. Through his
reply, the officer finds out that Saul is Hungarian, and there
is a language barrier. When a translator from the ranks of the
“Oberkapo” is called in, immediately the two men become
blurred – and the focus is the only thing that has changed
in the shot. This is astonishingly effective in providing us
with what may be Nemes’ intention of humanizing these
historically-maligned Nazi collaborators. Lastly, there is no
score to be heard throughout the entire film, as the loud
atmosphere of the camp, its commandants and kapos, provides
an exacerbating soundtrack of anxiety and despair.
Oscar-winner for best foreign language film and also
the prestigious “Grand Prix” at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival,
“Son of Saul” is the “Mad Max: Fury Road” of Holocaust
movies. That is, the film grabs the viewer by the throat and
doesn’t rescind its grasp until the final credits roll. As it is, the
ending is intended to perplex and will be ripe for discussion,
long after you leave the theater. And all at once, you’ll be
thankful that our indirect experiences with this subject matter
are relegated to our enjoyment of a film, and won’t transcend
unto a day-after-day nightmare as it was for the individuals
that comprised the ranks of the Sonderkommando.
THE DOLPHIN
PAGE 9
WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016
“Zootopia”
Three and a half
out of four stars
By Jeff Boudreaux
Disney returns
to their historical
place at the pinnacle
of animated
entertainment,
with the charming
“Zootopia,” a 3D
re-imagining of
what our planet
would look like
as populated by
animals. In a
landscape where the
differences between
predators and prey
are a complete
non-issue, there are
those who wish to
set back the relations
between mammals
by hundreds of years by creating chaos seated in bigotry
(sounds straight out of current newspaper headlines if you
ask me)! Unsurprisingly, it is up to a fearless bunny and a sly
fox to uncover such a conspiracy and restore harmony among
the groups. Byron Howard and Rich Moore, the respective
directors of “Tangled” and “Wreck-it Ralph,” team up to deliver
a hilarious, heartfelt and substantive treat that parents can
enjoy right alongside their kids.
Little Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) has aspirations of
being a police officer, which would certainly be the first of
her kind. Known even at an early age to stick up for other
rabbits and sheep alike from the bullish tactics of the local
fox, Judy journey’s from her mom and dad’s carrot farm to
the animal metropolis known as “Zootopia,” where residents
can be anything they want and where predators and prey live
in perfect harmony. Graduating with honors from the police
academy, Judy is relegated on her first day to functioning as a
meter maid by police chief Bogo (Idris Elba), a cape buffalo.
While this isn’t exactly what Judy envisioned as a heroic
member of the force, she sets out to be the best meter maid
that she can be, setting twice the department record for tickets
written. Her luck seemingly changes when she discovers a
sneaky fox named Nick (Jason Bateman), peering outside
the local ice cream shop. Investigating his activity, and after
initially being scammed herself, Judy discovers that Nick and
his popsicle-begging “son” are just a couple of free-enterprising
hustlers and there’s nothing Judy can do about it…yet.
Back at police headquarters there’s much bigger fish to fry,
namely 14 missing citizens (all traditionally predators). The
latest case being Mr. Otterton, whose wife (Octavia Spencer)
is pleading with the Chief to find her husband. Judy feels pity
for the woman and agrees to find the otter (much to Bogo’s
chagrin). The embarrassed Chief gives her two days to do what
the rest of his department can’t or she is fired. Seeking the help
of everyone’s favorite con artist, Judy goads Nick into bragging
about the “tax-free” money he makes, of which she promptly
uses their conversation to blackmail him into helping her find
the otter. Starting out as an inconvenience for Nick and an
absolute necessity for Judy – throughout the next 48 hours the
two must get to the bottom of what has happened to all of these
predators. As they encounter an array of hilarious and colorful
characters, they may even learn something important about
friendship and the dangers of species “profiling.” Also starring
Oscar-winner J.K Simmons as Mayor Lionheart, Tommy
Chong as a spaced out Yak and Shakira as “Gazelle,” Zootopia’s
resident superstar singer.
Ginnifer Goodwin is perfectly cast as the voice of Judy and
what else can I say about Jason Bateman except that the role of
Nick Wilde was undoubtedly written with the snarky actor in
mind. You just won’t be able to envision anyone else pulling this
off in retrospect. When we get past the insults, the deceptions,
and the stigma that bunnies and foxes can’t coexist, it will come
as no surprise to anyone that these two traditional enemies
become fast friends, and their chemistry together is one of the
greatest things about this movie. Naturally, their relationship
becomes tested throughout the course of the film. As expected,
children will learn valuable lessons about honesty, courage,
self-worth, and that they can truly aim for the skies. Of course,
it helps a great deal by having two of the cutest and funniest
protagonists that have graced a Disney film in quite some time.
“Zootopia” is an utter (or should I say “otter”) delight for the
entire family. The laughs come at a brisk pace in this screenplay
by co-director Jared Bush and Phil Johnston (“Cedar Rapids,”
“The Brothers Grimsby”), and adults will have as much of a
reason to enjoy this film as the legions of children that will
insist upon seeing this. Throughout the entire film, I was
honestly astounded by the material geared towards the adult
portion of this film’s audience – with jokes that only worldworn denizens will undoubtedly get the full benefit of such
as the picture-perfect depiction of the much-maligned DMV
(Department of Mammal Vehicles). There’s also a magnificent
mafia send-up that concerns the appearance of “Mr. Big,” a
creature at the top of the criminal food chain in Zootopia,
of which I won’t spoil the hilarity of his appearance. What
I will say, however, is that the role is a sidesplitting spoof of
Marlon Brando’s legendary, and oft-imitated Vito Corleone
from “The Godfather.” Combine all of this with one character’s
remark about “speaking in tongues” and there is no doubt that
youngsters might feel the hair on their respective heads brush
back in response to the overwhelming wit being propagated
onscreen. Parents shouldn’t worry though, as the little ones will
be too busy being unequivocally amused by the collective antics
of Nick, Judy, and all of the other residents of Zootopia.
Throughout the advent and longevity of Disney’s lucrative
partnership with the amazing storytellers over at Pixar,
it became common knowledge that the iconic studio’s
singular work just didn’t quite add up to that level of quality
entertainment. Flops such as “Treasure Planet,” “Home
on the Range,” and “Meet the Robinsons” were seen as a
somewhat feeble attempt to remain relevant in the face of a
changing animated landscape and they outright risked forever
relinquishing their brand to the Pixar name. However, the
canon of “Walt Disney Animated Classics” have steadily made
inroads with audiences and critics alike in the last several years
and have had certifiable hits with their last two efforts, the
back-to-back Oscar-winners “Frozen” and “Big Hero 6.” It’s a
little too early to call, but the Academy’s frontrunner for next
year’s Oscar race certainly begins with “Zootopia,” and whether
or not it can stave off the challenge from Disney/Pixar’s highlyanticipated “Finding Dory” remains to be seen. One thing is
for sure, it’s a remarkable film that will deserve any accolade
bestowed upon it.
Having a Party? (or not) -- Buy These Portable Bluetooth Speakers.
By Christian Prevost
Bluetooth speakers are everywhere. From people
walking down the street, in backpacks, bathrooms, on desk, and
may even be in your classroom. You may have one in your hand
as you read this article. With all the different kinds of Bluetooth
speakers, you might wonder which should I get? These are my
top 5 choices for you.
5. JAM HX-P920 Heavy Metal
The Heavy Metal has a great aluminum body. The
speaker has a good
weight in your
hand, with a sleek
gray airbrushed
metal design. The
speaker isn’t overtly
loud but, the sound
quality more than
makes up for the
lack of volume. The crystal clear sound with the 8-hour battery
life is where this speaker shines. The microphone is a fun
feature, but it picks up all background noise; so you’ll do better
just using your phone to answer calls. The heavy metal is about
the size of water bottle, so portability wise its great for grab and
go. You will need to pack this in a bag or case to bring around.
This speaker retails for about $99.95, but you can order them
from “Amazon.com” for $57.00.
4. JBL Flip 3
These speakers are some of the most fun on the list.
Sporting a rainbow of colors to choose from; theirs a flip3 for
all walks of life. The speakers are splashproof, which most of
the other speakers are not. This means if you wet the speakers,
but don’t submerge them. The ten hour battery life provides
hours of listening fun. It is loud and brings the base with the
help of its dual external passive radiators. One of its most useful
features is JBL connect. This feature allows you to connect
multiple Flip3’s together providing a surrounding ecosystem of
sound. Caring the speaker is a breeze, it has strap that you can
attach to a bag, belt hook, or hold with. The JBL Flip 3 retails
for $99.95, but you can order them from “quill.com” for $79.95.
3. Beats Pill+
1Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II
Beats have control in the sound market. With their
sleek design, sound, and base Beats are a great brand. This
speaker is no exception. The design is thicker than the regular
pill, but its this thickness that gives it such a great sound. At
The Bose Soundlink II is the best Bluetooth speaker; I have
had the pleasure of listening to. The surprise starts soon as
you turn the device on. This speakers tells you exactly what
device you have connected through a function called text
speak. I liked hearing Christian’s iPhone now connected, it’s a
refreshing feature that I feel all Bluetooth devices should have.
full blast it can fill up a party with sound easy, and the base will
really get thing moving. The 12-hour battery life is one of the
longest youll find around. One of the cooler features on the
speaker is the charge out; where you can plug your device into
the speaker and charge your without the use of a wall outlet.
This speaker retails for $229.95, but you can pick them up at
your closets Walmart for $199.99.
2. Ue Boom 2
The Ue Boom 2 is a very unique speaker. Sporting
360 speaker technology, its putting sound out on all angles.
The sound of these speakers are almost unbelievable. Theses
speakers have clarity mixed with strong base that’s not to over
powering. The design is a perfect bottle shape, so its easy to
carry. The metal clip it has makes easy to attach to anything to
carry around. The 15-hour battery life is just amazing; giving
the casual user days of battery life. On of its greatest features, is
that it can be immersed in water up to 1m for up to 30 minutes.
The Ue Boom 2 retails for $199.95, but you can pick them up
from Walmart for $167.34.
The sound was extremely clear even at high volumes. The
bass is unmatched, but I did notice that songs with overly high
base tended to be lower in volume. I read that this happens to
keep the sound clear and undistorted. The 10-hour battery life
is a great complement to this master piece of a speaker. The
Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II retails for $199.95.
Unfortunately, there are no deals on this speaker, but with sound
like this who needs one.
Honorable Mention: Ion Tailgater Bluetooth iPA57
This power house party starter is the best. The only
reason its not truly on the list, is because not very portable. I
have thrown many parties, with this speaker being the only
device need to play music. The speaker has 50-hours of battery
life. That will allow play this speaker non stop for two days on a
single charge. There’s a karaoke feature on it where you can plug
two microphones to it and duel it out or sing a duet. The AM/
FM radio allows for local music play if your doing a bad job a
DJ’ing. The sound and
base phenomenal, this
speaker being played in
a park on full blast will
make the cops come.
This speaker can be
used for modest home
use, but it was invented
to get the party started.
The Ion Tailgater retails
for $149.87, but you can find this diamond in the rough for
$84.95 at Amazon.com
EDITORIALS
THE DOLPHIN
WWW.DELGADODOLPHIN.NET
L ET T E R S -
C OLU M N S -
C OM E DY -
PAGE 10
OB S E RVAT I ON
Behind door number two:
Pro-life clinic to open next door to new Planned Parenthood in New Orleans
Imagine you
are a young woman who
has just found out she
is pregnant. Perhaps,
you are a student with
no finical support or in
an abusive relationship.
Maybe you were raped.
Every second that passes
feels like an eternity. You
are shaking with fear.
Who can you tell? What
will you do? You type the
words “Abortion clinic
New Orleans” into the
Google browser and hold
By Meghan Henoumont
your breath. You let out
a sigh of relief. You have
options. New Orleans has two abortion clinics. Or so you think.
One of these clinics isn’t an abortion clinic at all. It’s a pro-life
clinic that offers no actual abortion procedures or birth control options.
No they offer “counseling” in which you will be told that what you are
doing is wrong, against God, the community and all life. You are immoral
and committing a sin that no holy water can wash away. If you thought
you felt bad before, you will be made to feel somehow worse. Of course
you will not know any of this when you schedule the appointment over
the phone, nor when you show up to the nondescript brick building. It
will look like a clinic. You will fill out paperwork and wait for the doctor.
Everything will seem legit. The kicker? You are right next door to an
actual medical abortion clinic and it’s completely legal.
Operating under the guise of “…high quality, authentic and
responsive heath care and pregnancy services to women of all ages.”
These pro-life clinics are popping up next door to abortion clinics all
over the country. They actively deceive women by promoting their
services as that of an abortion clinic, but only offer services that benefit
the woman if she decides to keep the child. They are religious run and
most of their care is based on theology versus biology.
The latest one to open is right here in New Orleans. The
Women’s New Life Center (WNLC) will open at 4612 S. Claiborne Ave.
right next door to where the new 7,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood
was set to open this year. The new Planned Parenthood was to be the first
to offer abortions in Louisiana, as well as, mammograms, STD testing,
cancer screenings, birth control access and other vital women’s health
services. Its future is now in limbo.
On Feb. 24 the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a federal
judge’s ruling that a state law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting
privileges at nearby hospitals is unconstitutional. The ruling shut down
Photo courtesy of Planned parenthood. The current Planned Parenthood in New Orleans is run out of
an old house and services thousands of women.
nearly all abortion clinics in the state. Louisiana is now down to two
abortion clinics. One in Shreveport and one in New Orleans. Which
means there are now two doctors serving all Louisiana women with
abortion care. Many Louisiana physicians are now concerned that
women may attempt their own abortions, often ending in death or severe
injury to both the woman and child.
According to research from the Texas Policy Evaluation
Project (TxPEP), “… up to 240,000 Texas women have attempted to end
their own pregnancy without medical assistance…” Many of the women
who participated in the study were immigrants without family or finical
means to travel outside the state to receive the care they needed. Many
of them suffered severe physical complications, and some died. An
emergency appeal to the Supreme Court is now scheduled amid growing
concerns of access to abortions in both Texas and Louisiana.
In New Orleans, some of the city’s poorest zip codes, life
expectancy is just 54.5 years. Louisiana has the second-highest rates of
gonorrhea in the country, the third-highest rates of syphilis, and the
fourth-highest rates of chlamydia. New Orleans also has the secondhighest number of estimated HIV cases in the country, and the highest
rate of death after HIV infection.
Louisiana is already a difficult place to be a woman: The
infant mortality rate in Louisiana is one of the highest in the country,
with an average of 10 babies dying every week in the state in 2011.
Maternal mortality is also high in the state, where 1 in 5 pregnant women
of color see their prenatal care delayed or nonexistent. Louisiana has
the largest gender pay gap in the country, with women making 66 cents
to a man’s dollar. African-American women make just 49 cents to a
Caucasian man’s dollar.
The pro-life clinic, WNLC, already operates a clinic located
in Metairie next door to the recently closed abortion clinic, Causeway
Medical Clinic, on Ridgelake Dr. One patient of the Causeway Medical
Clinic was duped into entering the WNLC a few years ago and said,
“As every situation in need of such a clinic, mine is a very
sensitive one. I called with lots of questions, in which they reassured me that
I would be fine. Gave me pricing and told me how everything would work.
When I got there for my counseling appointment, I found out that they had
lied. They don’t even do procedures, they’re a religious organization trying
to talk you out of it! What I need to do is hard, but the way they mislead is
disgusting.”
Until the Supreme court can reach a decision Louisiana
can only pray that women in an already difficult situation will find the
compassion and health care they desperately need.
Why are we on the chopping block?
By Jeannette Glen
As students,
there are certain
essentials that are vital
for our education.
Money for tuition,
books, gas, rent, food
and transportation
are all necessities that
contribute to our
physical and educational
sustainability. All of
the sleepless nights and
hard work seemed to be
for nothing after being
told that the very reason
we are able to attend
school (grants and loans) may soon be cut. To make matters worse, some
schools, including our own, will be unable to function after the cuts and
are at risk for closing on April 30. It’s an economical disaster that we
students wish we were not in the middle of.
I felt bad after hearing of the rising deficit of the state. But
it angered me when I heard of the state’s intent to raise cigarette and
alcohol tax. It’s bad enough that the state already singles out smokers-we have to walk off campus, stay at least 20 feet away from stores and
stand outside of our favorite bars to smoke! Why the attack on cigarette
smokers? Especially since Louisiana has enough chemical plants to blow
up the entire state.
How will citizens who are neither students nor smokers show
their support for this cutback and tax raise? And is the state willing to
extend their efforts at correcting this deficit to include all citizens? Why
does higher education have to suffer for a deficit that is not the schools
nor the students fault? Why aren’t there other revenues and options
available besides raising cigarette and alcohol tax? Will the cuts and tax
increases be enough to pull our beloved state back from this economical
abyss?
Before Jindal’s administration, Louisiana had a surplus of revenue. When
Jindal left office, he also left behind a deficit which he is not being held
accountable for. Jindal incurred state expenses for his failed presidential
campaign that cost $10,000 a day (think state trooper bodyguards), yet
he is not being asked to reimburse the state. Over $2 million would help
somewhere in the state deficit.
Why is our state so broken? Why weren’t our legislators able
to get all of this under control before turning the state into a financial
madhouse? People are in need and citizens, especially students, are losing
hope. Where will we go from here? It makes me feel like we, our parents
and our grandparents all worked hard and paid into a system that has
now failed us and possibly the next generation.
Making sense of the stars
By Jeannette Glen
If you’ve ever read the horoscopes in the paper, you may have
thought that they could apply to anyone. This is true in part because the
horoscopes in the paper are based only on your sun sign. Most people
tend to think that astrology is not a “real” science, but it has been around
for thousands of years. If given a fair shot, astrology can be a way to
understand yourself.
What exactly is astrology? Astrology is based on how planets
affect individuals with their orbits, gravitational pull and alignment. The
sun sign is found from the position of the earth and sun at the exact time
of your birth. It represents personality. It is found using only your month
and day of birth. Signs of equal importance are your rising sign, which
represents your overall outward physical appearance and how you come
across to the world. On the astrological ecliptic there is a point that is
called the eastern horizon. This point is located on the eastern part of
the equator. This is how your rising sign is calculated. Astrologers take
the sign that was over the eastern horizon at the exact time of your birth.
Your moon sign represents your emotions. The moon takes about three
days to pass through the entire zodiac in opposition to the sun which
takes the greater part of a year. The moon sign is calculated using your
full date of birth and it tells which sign the moon was in at the exact time
you were born.
The planets are constantly rotating and every time they move,
they change the course of our lives. This happens daily. There are 12
zodiac signs starting in mid-March with Aries, then Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and
Pisces. The 12 astrological houses are named 1st, 2nd and so forth. . The
houses represent places where we struggle and excel in our everyday
lives. An example, the first house represents a person’s personality, their
natural demeanor or aura, it’s in charge of any financial matters but this
house also signifies greed and possession. Each house is ruled by its
corresponding zodiac sign. This house is ruled by Aries. A few houses
signify love and these include houses five, three and seven. House five
is ruled by Leo, house three is ruled by Gemini and house seven is ruled
by Libra. Everyday life struggles or accomplishments would be in the
sixth house which also represents your lifestyle and health. This house is
also ruled by Virgo. House 12 deals with enemies, coworkers, difficulties
in and out of the workplace as well, solitude and secrets and is ruled by
Pisces. Money is signified by the second house which is ruled by Taurus.
Astrologists use the following to compute your chart: the
sun, the moon, mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Mars,
Saturn, Chiron, True Node and True Lilith. The planets have significance.
Take Mercury, for example. It is considered the planet of communication
and it signifies understanding, consciousness, logic, reasoning, thought,
creativity and expression. When Mercury is in a specific sign, it means
that sign will excel in that area or may even have difficulties in that area
while the planet is in the sign if Mercury is in retrograde. When Mercury
is in retrograde it’s said that whatever sign or house it passes through will
have difficulty in the communication aspects of their lives. When this
happens astrologers usually tell those who are affected by the retrograde
to hold off on decision making and to not move too hastily on the
relationship frontier.
Next Issue- the planets and how they affect us.
THE DOLPHIN
PAGE 11
WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016
Horoscopes
most searched article, from page 1
By Jeannette Glen
So, the next time you tweet a phrase that includes the
word pork or riot you can be sure your followers aren’t the
only ones reading it.
Aries (March 21- April 19)
You are the spark that gets things going, Aries. You’re
confident and fearless in these coming weeks, and will
need to be self-reliant. You may be feeling a little drab but
remember you’re the fire starter. If you don’t start running,
neither will your coworkers and peers. So let’s get it going!
Taurus (April 20- May 20)
Instruction and patience are two of your best attributes.
Just don’t forget, too much order can make life a little dull.
And too much patience…well, who wants to wait forever,
Taurus?
Gemini (May 21- June 20)
Your energy is contagious, Gemini! Use that and you will
go far this semester. Try not to be so impulsive. Be more
reserved, and you will have luck in all your endeavors.
Cancer (June 21- July 22)
You are no longer being ignored, Cancer. This semester
your energy will shift whichever social atmosphere you
are in. Continue laying roots wherever you go and watch
the rewards from your harvest blossom.
Leo (July 23- Aug 22)
Your ability to encourage others and make them see their
self-worth is truly commendable, Leo. You know how to
lead by example and not just by word alone, and for that,
you will remain the kings and queens of the jungle.
Virgo (Aug 23- Sep 22)
Sometimes it may feel like your heart and your head
are at odds with one another, Virgo. This is due to your
thoughtfulness and practicality. You just have to weigh
each situation individually and then decide the best
approach to take. Mastering this technique will take you
far throughout this semester.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22)
You have a knack for partnership, Libra. You can exercise
Ignorance Isn’t Bliss:
this by working as a team in the workplace and also at
school. Your leadership qualities are good but don’t be
afraid to hear others’ opinions and to incorporate them
with yours. Changing this may take you farther than you
think.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)
Scorpio, your fleeting nature may have you wondering why
others are always passing through your life. In actuality, it
is you who are passing through theirs. You’re too willing to
go. If you want to change this and make lasting friendships
at school and work, don’t be afraid to stay.
Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21)
You always shine bright like a polished diamond! But
know there’s a time and a place for everything. Try taking
the back seat for a while to allow yourself a break from
expectations.
Capricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
Determination is a great thing, Capricorn, although being
too determined can hinder your growth in other areas of
your life. Choose one area to focus on and everything else
will fall into place. Remember, no one expects you to be
completely perfect, except yourself.
Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
You are insightful, Aquarius, but it won’t hurt to let others
in. Both you and those who surround you can benefit from
this. If you continue to guard yourself wholeheartedly,
then everyone misses out.
Pisces (Feb 19- March 20)
You’re quick on your toes, Pisces. This isn’t always a good
thing. It leads you to feeling like you’ve lost control of
yourself, and in some ways that’s true. For the next few
weeks, allow the universe to shift in your favor instead
of trying to shift the universe. If you can master this, the
remaining semester will be great!
Editor in Chief
Op/Ed
Meghan Henoumont
Allana Benoit
Advertising Manager
Aly Johnson
Graphic Design & Layout
Th
e
S
Matthew Gardiner
taff
Coming soon to Delgado’s downstairs theatre!
Managing Editor
pr
At the Super Bowl Feb.
7, Beyonce performed her new
song “Formation.” She twirled
on her haters and let everyone
know that she liked her “baby
heir with baby hair and afros,”
while acknowledging icons
such as Malcolm X, The Black
Panthers, and Michael Jackson.
Her performance contained
a message about the senseless
killing of African Americans by
police officers, but some people
didn’t get that message. Tomi
Lahren (host of the show “The
Blaze”), Rudy Giuliani (former
New York mayor), Jesse Lee
Peterson (radio talk show host),
Luther King Jr.’s civil rights
movement. They didn’t want to
react to violent attacks with nonviolent protest. The Panthers’
actions were meant to protect
their culture and race, and to
prevent white supremacists from
committing genocide.
Rudy, Jesse, Owen, and
Tampa officers believe that
Beyonce’s performance was an
attack against police because
her dancers were dressed like
Black Panther members. Not
once did Beyonce say anything
about attacking police officers
but because of what her dancers
were wearing, she was seen as
anti-police. Maybe her singing
the words “I slay” was seen as
code for “attack the police.”
Police officers in four states are
refusing to provide security
for her shows as a result of
her Super Bowl performance.
It’s interesting how Kid Rock
performs with an enormous
Confederate flag behind him
and no one boycotts him.
in S
lph 016
Doing 2
By Reggie Nickerson
and Owen Benjamin (comedian
of the show “Bar Rescue”) are
a selective few that didn’t agree
with Beyonce’s performance and
criticized her tribute to the Black
Panthers in particular.
Owen, Tomi, and Jesse
said Beyonce’s tribute to the
Black Panthers was like paying
tribute to the KKK, a white
supremacy group that uses
hate crimes to promote white
domination and refuses to accept
equality among the races. This
is not an accurate comparison.
The Panthers had goals to
improve black culture and fight
for equality. Their organization
fed and clothed children as well
as homeless people, established
free medical clinics, helped the
homeless find housing, and
assisted many black people with
furthering their education.
Influenced by the
Malcolm X theory of fighting
fire with fire, the Black
Panthers fought police brutality
with violence. Some African
Americans didn’t believe or
want to be a part of Martin
Sports Editor
Stefan Muro
Copy Editor
Peter Howard
Movie Critic
Jeff Boudreaux
Staff Writers
La’Donna Bryer, Julie Dedebant, Jeannette
Glen, KiKi Hart, Pete Howard, Jeremy
Johnson, Isadora Linheira, Stefan Muro,
Reggie Nickerson, Christian Prevost,
Teamarious Williams
Faculty Adviser
Susan Hague
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Dolphin is written, edited and produced by students enrolled
at Delgado Community College, Delgado Alumni and guest writers invited
by staff to submit work. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of the administration of Delgado Community
College, other members of the staff, or the faculty adviser to the newspaper.
The Dolphin reserves the right to accept or reject any submission or advertisement. Only publication constitutes acceptance of the submission or ad.
Letters to the editor should be typed, double-spaced, and no
longer than 400 words. Guest columns should be no longer than 700 words.
The Dolphin reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space and
to reject any letter without notification of the author. Faculty and staff members
should include their titles and department. Students should include their
majors and classifications.
All submissions must include full name and phone number. Submissions can be mailed to the Dolphin, 615 City Park Ave., New Orleans, LA
70119 or brought to the Dolphin office in CP11 Room 1004, Monday through
Friday. The office phone number is (504) 671-60005, and the e-mail address is
thedolphin29@gmail.com
Shakespeare’s
“Romeo and Juliet”
April 12 – 16, 8 p.m.
April 17, 3 p.m.
Directed by Michael Santos
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THE DOLPHIN
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PAGE 12