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November 19, 2014 VOLUME 30 NO.8 Visit online at www.collegiannews.com
Follow us on Twitter! @GPCollegian THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE STUDENTS SINCE 1987
Our Journeys By Alem Giorgis Staff Writer
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orn and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Raymond Hebard has traversed a long and arduous journey to his current role as a GPC student. Growing up in an extremely difficult environment of crime and poverty, Raymond learned early about the harsh realities of life. He explained how torn he was when his father became addicted to heroine and left him and his pregnant mother right before his fourth birthday. Being raised by a single mother and surviving on welfare and food stamps became even bleaker for Hebard when his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was only a pre-teen. Throughout his mother’s harrowing struggle with mental illness, unemployment and homelessness, Hebard was primarily raised by his grandmother, who he credits with literally saving him from living on the street. At 17 years old, Hebard quickly accepted the offer of a Navy recruiter who convinced him to enlist in the military and leave behind the increasingly traumatic and precarious environment of his hometown. After a few years, however, Hebard became disillusioned by the war and chose to leave the Navy in search of a different, more fulfilling path.
Hebard spent several years working at various jobs, including retail management. Though only a young man searching for his way in the world, Hebard became the guardian of his ill mother. Now, not only does he multitask the demands of being a son and caregiver, he is also a dedicated husband and a full-time student with an intense course load. Hebard is often seen in the library, tutoring center or computer lab well into the evening. As a career changer, he possesses an enormous amount of drive, and his commitment to his education is well-evidenced by his excellent performance in school and stellar GPA. Though he carries a great burden, Hebard is adamant not to portray his life through the lens of victimhood. Rather, he describes the turbulence and anguish he has endured as a series of experiences that have molded him into the resilient man he is today. “The people who were chief engineers in raising me taught me that although I was poor in money, I could be rich in intelligence, honor and dignity,” said Hebard. “I stand on the shoulders of giants, and there is an endless tapestry of people who have loved me, invested time in me and inspired me.” Hebard’s gratitude and reverence for his past is quite clear. (continued on page 3)
War veteran Raymond Hebard exemplifies persevearance
Photo courtesy of Raymond Hebard
When asked about his journey, Hebard said, “I was once a student of the streets, then a student of war, and now a student in college; yet, through it all, I’ve always been a student of life…GPC is a good gateway because it tries to fit into the lives of people with very complicated lives along with those trying to reinvent themselves.”
The criminal justice system and forgiveness Mixed reviews for "Picking Cotton" book and event By Barry Switay Collegian Staff
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n Nov. 12, GPC students, faculty and the general public had the opportunity to attend two speaking events with authors Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton of this year’s GPC Reads book selection, “Picking Cotton.” Students attending the Clarkston event at 2 p.m. had some mixed reviews of the book, although many students found the event interesting. When interviewed after the Clarkston event, film student Tim Cowan said, “It was the first non-fiction book that I really enjoyed.” He liked the presentation because he felt that in person the authors went into detail they left out of the book, but he was disappointed Thompson-Cannino didn’t really “talk about forgiving herself.” Computer science major Cecil Mills travelled from the Newton campus because he thought it was an “outstanding book,” and it
showed that “the criminal justice system is not perfect.” Further, he appreciated the “two different perspectives of the criminal justice system.” Some students attended the event without knowledge of the book’s topic. Clarkston Psychology major Will Leftridge had not read “Picking Cotton” before the event. “I thought the book was about slavery,” said Leftridge. “I didn’t see the rape story coming.” He wants to read the book now and realizes, “I have a long way to go to forgive people.” General studies major Deondra Henderson admitted “I wouldn’t have been able to forgive [Thompson-Cannino] if I was in [Cotton’s] shoes.” While the students interviewed demonstrated a generally positive reception of the book, an anonymous GPC faculty member reported that several students they encountered this semester had either been wrongfully incarcerated or raped themselves and did not want to read about it again. This faculty member also pointed out that the book
was not very well written, and poorly edited. They felt that the book was not fitting for the college level. The talk followed the book’s first two sections: Thompson-Cannino told her side of the story in much personal detail. Then, Cotton told his. Cotton also entertained the audience with a song he wrote as a part of his retelling. Both authors were present to sign books before the event, giving students the opportunity to briefly meet them. While students had been informed since the beginning of the semester that a book signing would follow, Thompson-Cannino had to leave immediately after the event. She was only available to sign books for students who were able to make it to the presentation before it started. Cotton stayed after to sign student’s books. There was no question and answer period following the Clarkston event, so students who may have had questions for the authors were unable to ask them.
Photo by Farhin Lilywala.
Ronald Cotton signs books for students after the event.