Volume 143, Issue #3
Students need to work to support themselves while attending college. But, finding a job that is considered "grown-up," pays well enough to survive and accommodates one's class schedule is difficult. Many students work in retail jobs or in restaurants at minimum or poverty-level wages and are forced to stay because of the flexibility and odd shifts that allow them to attend classes. But, once school is completed and a degree earned, former students are still working for a pittance in dead-end jobs and earning only enough money to pay off school loans. Years ago, a degree in hand practically guaranteed a position, but now a bachelor's no longer places potential job applicants ahead of others because, more likely than not, their competition also have diplomas. Does that mean earning a bachelor's degree no longer carries the same weight it once did? If the answer is no, then why are so many college graduates working at these menial jobs? What does that mean for a City College student whose goal is to transfer to a four-year university to earn a degree? Nowadays, the chances of surpassing the competition are slim; either you know somebody or you are just that damn good. Internships are another way to make your name out there. Even if they do not pay now, they will definitely pay off later. Being able to say that you have earned a bachelor's degree is an achievement, but to say that you collect a hefty paycheck because of that is an accomplishment in itself. e-mail: editorial@theguardsman.com
DANK STANK CAN BE RANK
The debate over what constitutes responsible use of marijuana is comprised of as many rational arguments as it is with convoluted logic, and on both sides. Among all the reasons for ‘smoking-up’ I consider sound, I cannot find one rational argument for blazing a fat-one on a college campus. Most of the people who attend City do not come to campus to smoke marijuana get high—whither they engage in ‘responsible use’ on their own time or not. Being bombarded by the aroma of a cannabis cloud in the middle of the school day can, depending on the individual, be a mild annoyance or a down right hindrance to sober minded study. It’s easy to forget in San Francisco, but government repression of the sale and use of marijuana is at an all time high. As far as the feds and concerned no one has the right to use pot at anytime for any reason. But here of all places, smokers are slightly aloof from that repression. Why make your personal use a matter for campus police? No matter what we study at City College, we are all here to learn how to function as members of a democracy that has a constantly evolving sense of freedom. Still the words of Oliver Wendell Holms can serve as a litmus test for liberty. The former Supreme Court Justice said, “The right to swing my fist end’s where the next man’s nose begins.” If you replace the word swing with smoke and fist with blunt, bowl, joint, spliff etc. you’ll have as good a definition of responsible use as I’ve ever heard. e-mail:a_e@theguardsman.com CONSIDER THIS A BULLETIN POSTING
Be honest, are you vaguely interested in any of the following information: the last meal I ate, how many times I visited the mall last week or what my favorite shoe brand is? Any takers? I didn’t think so. Myspace.com has become a contagious outlet of e-socializing and free communication in many young people’s daily routines. Who can resist keeping in contact with high school alumni and befriending new classmates with such leisurely convenience? That said, the boundary of (Too Much Information) TMI has reached a point of newfound obscurity. As if the “About Me” and “Interests” sections aren’t enough space for one to list their personal likes/dislikes/favorites/hobbies/activities/blah blah blah... The ever popular “self-survey” has filled up the Bulletin board to the brink of explosion. I use the term “self-survey” only to familiarize readers with what I’m referring to. These narcissistic TMI lists should really be titled “my word vomit.” There should be an anti-award given to the Myspace friend who spends the most amount of time answering these dull inquires. It should be called the “Do Not Hire Me, I Will Spend On-The-Job Time Posting Reflective Word Vomit Via Cell Phone On Myspace” anti-award. The most tasteless question I have come across so far has been: “Preferred type of plastic surgery?” Does anyone else have the same “WTF?” response to this as I do? I’d like to sympathize with those who have responded to this question with sincere honesty, but quite frankly, I do not want to know how shallow and aesthetically judgmental you are! Disagree with me? You’re entitled to your own self-absorption and must be itching to know the answer to my opening statements. Very well, here they are: raw corn with butter, zero times, and BCBG. I hope you’re satisfied.
Should students be worried about putting personal information on Myspace?
BY ANNYSE ACEVEDO I have a problem, and no, it is not a drinking problem. It has to deal with relationships in my life (or lack there of). My friends tell me I am too blunt and upfront when it comes to the opposite sex for my own good. They tell me not to “be me” when it comes to certain males in my life, for fear that I might scare them away. But why is my bluntness a bad thing? Wouldn’t a guy rather have a female who knows what she wants than one who is aloof all of the time? Or maybe I am just going at it all wrong. This problem of mine is processed in my mind like this: I’m old and I don’t have time to play these little high school games anymore. I would rather just get straight to the point so there is no confusion later on down the line. We are no longer in the time where “true womanhood” exists and we speak only when spoken to. Women nowadays say what they want, whether it is good or bad, especially when it comes to relationships. I can’t help my bluntness though. I come from a long line of outspoken women; it is in my blood and something that has always been there. Only now, with the help of my wonderful friends who tell me I scare boys, have I tried to control this directness of mine. Its called biting my tongue, which sometimes doesn’t always work. So back to the problem at hand, the relationships (or lack there of) in my life. What should I do? To be me or not to be me, that is the question.
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