The Citizen

The New Age of Aquarius Pt II

Biri Ramos, Staff Writer • April 30, 2021

I mentioned before how Aquarius is an air sign and how this sign is known for being a thinker and doer. This is going to play a huge part for us because we are going to see a lot of innovations during...

Into The Unknown: Students turn to optimism in new year

Ryan Barba, Editor in Chief • January 18, 2021

When the ability to enjoy life to its highest degree dampened in 2020, transitioning to the next chapter may appear bleak. In the COVID world, the continuous lack of certainty has created a downshift...

Remembering Scott Strain: Journalism Instructor and Mentor

Ryan Barba and Luke Wrin Piper • November 7, 2020

The Laney College community is in mourning as longtime journalism instructor Scott Strain died suddenly on Sept. 25. He was 70. Strain was a long-serving member of the Peralta community and was...

Inside our newsroom: Ryan

When I think of journalism, I think of truth, integrity and advocacy.

Ryan Barba, Managing Editor • October 26, 2020

This piece is part of a series that members of the Citizen staff wrote to share our stories and in response to comments that Trustee Linda Handy recently made about our newsroom. ~~~ Trustee...

Surviving Portland: Escaping a Mental Prison

Community College student recalls living in Portland, Oregon during COVID-19 pandemic and days of protest and civil unrest

Ryan Barba, Managing Editor • September 28, 2020

This past Valentine’s Day, Zack (whose name has been changed at his request) departed from his home in Oakland, California to start a new life in Portland, Oregon. Due to the Bay Area’s high cost of...

Lock-down Diaries: Ryan

Ryan Barba, Associate Editor • April 25, 2020

“Lock-down Diaries” is a series featuring different members of The Citizen newsroom as they go about their day while under the shelter-in-place directive. Ryan Barba Saturday, April 11,...

The Planet Doctor: Gregory Schwartz

Laney Professor gives his students advice on life, saving the planet

Ryan Barba, Associate Editor • March 10, 2020

Laney College Geography instructor Gregory Schwartz Ph.D. has a message, “I am here to inspire hundreds and hundreds of students to play a part in healing the planet.” Schwartz is an environmental...

Thousands attend Oakland A’s FanFest on brink of 2020 season

Team shares plans for ball park, area developments in Jack London

Ryan Barba, Associate Editor • February 11, 2020

Home is where the heart is — and although the new home base for the A’s has yet to be determined, A’s fans packed the annual FanFest to show their support for their favorite team. In a line longer...

New journalism chair revitalizes department

How Eleni Gastis’ dedication inspires student success

Ryan Barba, Staff Writer • December 11, 2019

A renovated newsroom, updated curriculum, increase in enrollment, rebranded publication from the “Laney Tower” to “The Citizen,” new website (in-process): these are just some of what Eleni Gastis...

Talent share at Laney reignites campus vibe

Performing Arts Club showcases immense community talent

Ryan Barba and Luke Wrin Piper • November 21, 2019

The Laney quad echoed with the sounds of poetry, singing, solo dance routines, rhyme and spoken word as a crowd of more than 50 gathered for the talent share hosted by the Performing Arts Club at Laney...

Black Cats Aren’t Bad Luck

Ryan Barba, Staff Writer • November 8, 2019

If black cats are bad luck, then my family and I are going to be doomed forever. Cats supposedly have nine lives, and five out of our seven cats happen to be black-furred. Our lives are forced to revolve...

Nonprofit leads “Know Your Rights” workshop for Undocumented Student Week of Action

Ryan Barba and Luke Wrin Piper • November 1, 2019

Laney College’s Undocumented Student Week of Action came to a close on Oct. 17 with a “Know Your Rights” workshop led by the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), a local...