News:
Entertainment:
Opinion:
College begins recycling initiative to help environment
North Campus comedy exposes Cuban culture
Does society have the stomach for war? Page 5
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THE FALCON TIMES THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MIAMI DADE COLLEGE NORTH CAMPUS SINCE 1961 THEFALCONTIMES@HOTMAIL.COM
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
VOLUME 46, ISSUE 6
Florida rejects Amendment 8
Miami-Dade County only area to support proposal with 61% approval Laura C. Morel Editor in Chief
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff
After weeks of Miami Dade College promoting Amendment 8 - a proposal that would have given the community the option of supporting their community colleges - was not approved by Florida residents on Election Day. In order for Amendment 8 to have passed, 60 percent of Florida voters needed to vote in favor of it. However, only 43.5 percent voted yes for Amendment 8, and the other 56.5 percent of residents voted against it. “I feel disappointed,” said electrical engineering major Rodolfo Sayegh. “People donʼt care about students and education.” The amendment would have placed language in the Florida Constitution that would give counties the choice for a referendum of paying a half a penny sales tax to help fund community colleges at a later date. After $20 million in budget cuts, Miami Dade College could have received $175 million every year
SUPPORT AMENDMENT 8: North Campus students hold up signs during the US-1 rally.
GO TO AMENDMENT 8, PAGE 2
Seeing beyond disabilities Laura C. Morel Editor in Chief Paul Edwards was looking for lingerie. It was 1987. He walked into a department store at Aventura Mall in search of a gift for his girlfriend. He made his way to the womenʼs section and started to shop, feeling the fabric for softness and texture. “The way it feels is far more sensual than the way it looks,” Edwards said. But the store manager didnʼt think so. “Stop fingering the merchandise” was what she had to say. The manager made Edwards leave. But she failed to understand something about him. Edwards is blind. “I [wasnʼt] leaving, but the police made me leave,” he said. “There was no law that protected my rights.” Twenty-one years later, things seem to
be improving for the disabled. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, a Civil Rights law that protects people with disabilities against discrimination. Today, Edwards sits at his desk at the North Campus as the director of Access Services for the North, Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center and Hialeah campuses. He has been at the college since 1986. Access Services provides assistance, such as tutoring, note taking, and interpreting for students with documented disabilities. The smell of coffee and cigarettes fills the office. Three miniature boats are framed in the wall opposite his desk, a faint reminder of his sailing days in Jamaica. The walls are littered with certificates and plaques of appreciation in recognition of Edwardsʼ work in protecting the rights and services of the disabled. He will soon have another award to add.
Edwards was appointed by Florida Governor Charlie Crist in October as one of 21 members of the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. He is also president of the American Council of the Blind. As a member, Edwards will have to make sure the blind receive the services they need. His term as a member will run through August 2011. James Kracht, a Miami-Dade County lawyer, has known Edwards for 20 years. He has witnessed his dedication to helping the disabled community. “Heʼs worked in every facet in advocating for the disabled,” Kracht said. “He has given his whole life to advocacy work.”
GO TO PAUL EDWARDS, PAGE 8
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College still targeting alternative support
November 12, 2008
NEWS
Recycling initiative commences “There is a huge difference between the normal trash and recycled trash.” - Campus support services director Wilson Georges
FROM AMENDMENT 8, PAGE 2 for five years after the referendum, according to college officials. The money could have funded student scholarships, academic programs, and facility enhancement and future expansion of the college. “A lot of people didnʼt vote for it because it raises taxes,” said criminal justice major Gatina Privert. The only county in Florida that did approve Amendment 8 was MiamiDade County with 61.2 percent. But there is still hope. Miami Dade College president Dr. Eduardo Padron said there are still other alternatives that need to be assessed before MDC gives up. “Our quest for local supplemental funding is far from over,” said Padron to the Miami Herald. “We will join our stalwart Miami-Dade legislative delegation to make an even stronger case in Tallahassee for an avenue for local funding for our beloved college.” Padron also said the efforts of Miami Dade College in advocating for the amendment made a difference in getting people to vote yes. These efforts include making class presentations about Amendment 8, having volunteers promoting the proposal at early voting sites, distributing fliers that explained the proposal, wearing pins in support of it, and organizing a rally Oct. 28. Nearly 390 students and faculty of all the MDC campuses gathered while carrying signs that promoted Amendment 8 across US-1, stretching out from Florida City to the Wolfson Campus. “The people were extremely supportive,” said Jaime Anzalotta, Student Life director. Staff Writer Yamel Lora contributed to this report.
Melissa Bravo/Falcon Staff GOING GREEN: One of 20 recycling bins that have been placed throughout the North Campus in order to involve the student body in making the environment cleaner.
Rebeka Silva Staff Writer Plastic and aluminum bins have been placed around the North Campus in an effort to better the environment, according to campus support services director Wilson Georges. There are 20 bins of plastic and aluminum. The cardboard and paper bins are less visible to students walking around campus. Paper and cardboard are thrown out more in office areas because the bins were strategically placed where the outcome would be greater. Some students were not aware there were paper and cardboard bins around the campus, but there are more then 20 bins each. “I only see the paper and cardboard bins because I work in the Student Life department, or else I donʼt think I would
ever see them,” said Luis Morraz, an industrial engineering major. When Georges began working at the North Campus five years ago, paper was the only element being recycled. Plastic, aluminum and cardboard bins were later added in September 2008. North Campus president Dr. Jose Vicente organized a recycling committee more than five years ago in order to get the MDC campuses involved in helping the environment. Students as well as faculty participate in this committee. “This committee has been going on way before I was here, so MDC has been working on this project for a while,” Georges said. This all happened with the help of Southeastern Recycling Company, which provides the campus with the bins. “The college as a whole wanted to make an effort,” said Georges. “Kids now
are environmentally conscious. And it is theyʼre civic responsibility to be so.” Georges said the turn out of the amount of recycled trash has been very successful. “There is a huge difference between the normal trash and recycled trash. The recycle bins are see-through, so it helps the students be aware of what they are for, which also helps with the amount of trash collected,” he said. “If the trash can is closer and I am throwing away a recyclable item I will take the time to walk to the recycling bin because I know the effect it will have on the environment if I donʼt take the time,” Daniel Cabrera said. In 2009, MDC campuses will be receiving money based on the amount of plastic and aluminum recycled trash collected. “It will be a great reward for all the hard work,” said Georges.
Spring enrollment climbs as semester ends Erik Steinhardt Staff Writer Enrollment for the spring semester atMiami Dade College (MDC) has spiked over the last couple of weeks, extending across all campuses. Dr. Jose Vicente, North Campus president, said the North Campus has seen a 4.4 percent increase in student enrollment compared to last yearʼs spring matriculation. “College-wide as of today,” Vicente said, “the enrollment increase is even more significant as we are up college-wide with a 10.3 percent increase in enrollment throughout the institution in contrast to the same time last year.”
This could be attributed to the economic crisis. During many economic downfalls, matriculation at community colleges has jumped radically. “Historically, when the economy worsens, more people go back to school to pursue a degree or be trained/retrained in other fields where there is a higher opportunity of employment,” Vicente said. The school has already seen an increase in student population. Many students are finding it difficult to stay within the brackets of their grants. Whether or not the enrollment increase can be attributed to any grant problems, it is still a problem some students face. “The school told me they would only cover half my grant for school,” James
Fischer, a music production major said. “Iʼm wondering if next semester Iʼm going to get a grant at all.” Malou Harrison, dean of students, sees this increased matriculation rate positively. “I see global benefits with regard to an increase in student enrollment. More students taking the initiative to pursue a college education means a more educated workforce for Miami-Dade County and our region,” Harrison said. “It translates long term into increased consumer power and inevitably economic growth for our community.” Both Harrison and Vicente said that registering early is key to obtaining the classes and times that will fit studentsʼ
schedules. “Our awareness efforts are aimed at urging students not only to register early, but also to take the necessary steps to ensure their classes are in a paid status so they do not get voided for non-payment,” Harrison said. According to Harrison, the next step is to see the financial aid department to receive help. “Our financial aid department is the place to seek advice and guidance in terms of paying for classes, and now is the time for students who have already been awarded financial aid to re-confirm their awards for the Spring term-this can be done on the MDCʼs main page, financial aid Web site,” Harrison said.
November 12, 2008
In Short... By Daniel Masip & Laura C. Morel Staff Members
Women’s volleyball wins state title and are looking ahead MDCʼs volleyball team overpowered the Hillsborough Community College Lady Hawks in four sets for the FCCAA State Championship on Nov. 1st. The Lady Sharksʼ victory marked the 18th state title in the last 19 years for MDC volleyball. With this win over the Hillsborough Lady Hawks, the Lady Sharks bettered their overall record to 24-6. The next stop for the Lady Sharks will be Council Bluffs, Iowa, to compete for a national championship on Nov. 20-22.
Italian veteran seizes Miami Film Festival Tiziana Finzi, a former deputy director of the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland, has been named the new director of the Miami International Film Festival. Finzi will begin her position as festival director on Dec. 1st, replacing last yearʼs chief Patrick De Bokay, whose contract was not renewed. Through the work she began at the Locarno International Film Festival, Finzi said she will continue to bring prestige to this Miami event by incorporating “a connection between the cinema and contemporary culture in all its forms.”
Magazine provides opportunity to students Reflections magazine is now hosting the College Prep Poetry Contest at the North Campus. The contest is open to all college prep students. The poetry submissions must be one minute long, and each person can only submit two entries. The awards ceremony will be Nov. 26 at 12 p.m. in Room 6132. The winners will be published in the Reflections Online Magazine. The first place winner will receive $125, second place will receive $50, an third place will receive $25. For more information, visit “www. reflectionsonlinemagazine.blogspot. com.”
NEWS
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ENTERTAINMENT
November 12, 2008
Faculty members reveal hidden literary works
Photo by Media Relations THE LOVE FOR BOOKS: (Top) Residents visit the Miami Book Fair International street fair. (Bottom right) The Book Fair also attracts young readers with their selection of children’s books.
Daniel Masip Entertainment Editor With the Miami Book Fair International in full swing, the public will get a peak at the literary works of Miami Dade College professors. Throughout all of the college campuses, staff members such as Phyllis Baker, Ricardo Pau-Llosa, Geoffrey Philp, Michael Hettich, and others will be present to show off their most recent printed works. Focusing in on the North Campus, three faculty members will be at this yearʼs Book Fair: Debbie Goodman, Joseph McNair, and Samuel Grant. Goodman, department chairperson of the School of Justice, is exhibiting two books of a ten part series that gives insight into how past criminal cases occurred and how they can be handled later on. Goodman said that as a former MDC alumnus, she always felt a certain void in the criminology books she has read and thus created these books to invoke her knowledge onto others. “I am delighted to help educate our local community in the field of criminology with my books,” Goodman said. Another faculty member representing the North
Campus will be McNair, an education professor. Having a literary inspiration like Walter Mosley for his latest novel, McNairʼs O Şe Şango combines the spiritual elements of African Cosmogony with a compelling fiction story. “Using the novel as a teaching device, [O Şe Şango] is a way to introduce the Òrìshà religion to the West,” McNair said. McNairʼs O Şe Şango was his first novel printed by The Asili Press, Inc. and he is awaiting three more books to be published in the near future. Grant, a professor of advanced web design courses, is no stranger to the Miami Book Fair International. Promoting his graphic novel “The Opposite Sex” for a second year in a row, Grant said that his book was used for online discussions and entertainment purposes. “It was fun knowing that people used or discussed my book in online forums and bulletin boards,” Grant said. “[ʻThe Opposite Sexʼ] is for people who just like a good read.” Grantʼs graphic novel would have never been published in 2007 and would still be dormant in his sketchpad if it wasnʼt for his daughterʼs belief in him. “This was a novel that was never meant to be a novel,” Grant said.
In regards to MDC staff members publishing writing pieces, students do not find any harm in them doing so. Noemi Carbonell, a psychology major, said it does not affect the environment of the student body. “It is a way for professors to express their views outside of the classroom,” Carbonell said. Overall, these faculty members are more than excited to be a part of this yearʼs book symposium. Goodman, could not agree more. “The [Administration] is looking forward to interacting with citizens on a variety of topics they might be interested in, as far as books are concerned,” Goodman said.
Cuban family brought to life on student stage “Our Lady of the Tortilla” production presented at the North Campus William Lehman Theater Jessica Tejeda Theater Review
Carlos Llano/Media Relations CUBAN DRAMA: Dahlia, played by Alejandra Cossio Del Pino.
The Arts and Philosophy department at the North Campus presented its first play of the 2008-2009 season: “Our Lady of the Tortilla.” The play, written by eight-time Emmy award winner Jose Santeiro and directed by Max Ferra, director of the Actorʼs Arena Theater Program at the North Campus, was shown Oct. 25-Nov. 2 at the William Lehman Theater. Based in Hialeah, this production magnificently showed the trials Cuban families face, yet demonstrated perfectly how close the family remains united. Nelson, played by Bryant Del Toro waited anxiously as his American girlfriend, Beverly meets his family for the
first time in the opening scene. It was intriguing that Del Toro started to put away saint statues in the corner table where there was a shrine on display. It was hysterical to see such things as a saint shrine and a picture of Jesus Christ in the set because such things are very typical in a Cuban house. The set was like Tia Martaʼs living room, with peach wallpaper and outdated velvet curtains. What was most pleasing was the painting of El Morro, or the famous Cuban lighthouse in the kitchen, where Dolores, played by Lizaida Mansito, was cooking and trying to be as easy-going and “normal” for her nephew as he waited for Beverly. It was interesting to see the relationship Nelson and his older brother Eddy, played by Logan Fernandez, had with each other. It was not so much of a sibling rivalry,
but more that Nelson was ashamed of his older brother for not being successful in anything. Dahlia, played by Alejandra Cossio Del Pino, was your typical sassy Hialeah mom. She was outspoken and said what was on her mind at all times. Del Pino really did portray the Cuban stereotype perfectly as she argued and pushed her way to get her husband back. The laughs were unstoppable when Mansito found the Virgin Mary in the tortilla. And after all the chaos, it was brought to the Cruz household it brought to the Cruz household, the tortilla is what eventually gave the family sanity and unity. Although the play ended abruptly, it gave off a sense of warmth that represented the overall way of the Cuban-American family today.
November 12, 2008
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OPINION
Do we have the stomach for war? Ivomar Haseth Contributing Columnist
THE FALCON TIMES
We need to prevent hate from overcoming our
I
n a time not so long ago, from World War II and before, war was something that people all across the globe had a stomach for. It was normal to fight for freedom from tyranny, protection of your nation and people, and even for religion or rights to trade routes. Wars would often be bloodier with methods of destruction via the sword and other gory weapons like the battle axe German barbarians used to conquer Europe. Today, we are quite tame people who cannot stomach war and often are not willing to fight for a cause. Itʼs currently 2008 and we have been living with war since 2001. According to “icasualties. org,” there have been 4,190 U.S. deaths in Iraq and 534 U.S. deaths in Afghanistan, respectively. This is the escalating cost of freedom that we as Americans have to pay. The $1 trillion plus dollars being spent on the “War on Terror” is nothing compared to the cost of spent lives. To compare, there were 37,248 fatal car crashes in 2007 on the highway, alone. Yet Americans canʼt stomach the amount of deaths we have in Iraq and Afghanistan despite the chance of someone dying from a car crash on the highway being greater. We as a people have become too soft when
world. We need protection of our democracy, freedom of speech, and our individual accountability and rights. These are things that
11380 N.W. 27 Avenue, Room 4209 Miami, FL 33167 (305) 237-1253 (305) 237-1254 Fax: (305) 237-8262
we must defend and fall in love with. it comes to fighting for justice, but then again the last ʻjustʼ war that was fought was WWII. Right now, we are undergoing a war on terror and instead of standing up for our brave men and women, we ridicule them. They have a thankless job, risking their lives and fighting so we can be safe. Furthermore, they are getting blasted by many of their peers for a ʻstupidʼ choice: joining the military. As many in our generation view war as something pointless, unnecessary, or a thing of the past, our opponents who hate America and all it stands for, think differently. In a world of ever increasing violence, we need to protect people from all walks of life who have been unfairly singled out. All across the globe there is hate and hateful people. In the Netherlands, there are gays
? k n i h T u o Y o D t a
Wh
being thrown off buildings or into rivers by Muslim extremists for being different. There is genocide in Darfur, and in Iraq we have seen tension between religious sects and more hateful crimes for different reasons. We need hope in order to prevent hate from overcoming our world. We need protection of our democracy, freedom of speech, and our individual accountability and rights. These are things that we must defend and fall in love with. This is what I ask all of my fellow Americans: do we have the stomach for war? If we donʼt have the stomach for war, imagine what happens when we will actually need it. Ivomar Haseth is an 18-year-old undecided major at the North Campus.
Photos and interviews by Veronica Nunez
What was the main issue of the elections? Mario Garcia, 25 Pre Med Major
Maurice Johnson, 21 Undecided Major
“There are so many events that have happened that there is no other choice than to become a new world order. It starts with money. The economy is important to me, but in the grand scheme of things, after Nov. 4, our economy may no longer be the grand issue.”
Andres Quevedo, 28 Nursing Major
“The biggest issue we have right now is the economy. We need change. It will take a couple of years but we definitely need it.”
Editor in Chief Laura C. Morel Managing Editor Anahi Cortada Rebeka Silva Advertising Manager Daniel Masip Entertainment Editor Opinion Editor Erik Steinhardt Features Editor Jessica Tejeda
Staff Akeem Mayers Lauren Bernal Rebeka Silva Veronica Nunez Yamel Lora
Manolo Barco
Adviser
The Falcon Times is published by the students of Miami Dade College North Campus. Decisions regarding content are made by student editors.The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty, or the student body.
Advertising Information
For ad information, contact Rebeka Silva, advertising manager, at (305) 237-1253, or at rebeke.silva001@mymdc.net.
Dr. David Demko Sociology Professor
“I can’t vote because I am not a citizen. But coming from Venezuela, I think people should vote based on what the candidate offers the American people and not on the party you are affiliated with. Don’t vote in punishment. The reason to vote is to choose the best candidate.”
Editorial Board
“The most important issue is health care and the economy. Health care is an economic issue and health issue. Many Americans can’t afford health care. People are dying because they cannot afford health care.”
Karen Louissaint, 19 Philosophy Major
Luz Cruz, 50 Supervisor of Admissions
“The most important issue is education. The candidates should have a substantial plan for education. It is important because it is hard for students to get funding. I don’t think it is necessary to join the military as means to fund your education.”
“One of the most important issues is the economy. There are many other issues but they have been going on for a long time. Issues like abortion should not be dictated by the government because it is personal.”
Letters to the Editor The Falcon Times welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions should be 300 words or less and must be typed. The writer must sign their full name, phone number, address, student number, and e-mail address on the letter in order to be considered. Faculty and staff should include the title, department, and extension. All letters are subject to editing. Letters can be sent via e-mail to thefalcontimes@hotmail. com, with the subject “letter to the editor.”
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OPINION
November 12, 2008
American crisis pales in comparison to Haiti David O Connor Columnist
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hat country is suffering from the greatest economic crisis in the Western Hemisphere? If you guessed the United States, youʼre wrong. The correct answer is Haiti, 700 miles away. The situation there is so dire that every American crisis pales in comparison. This includes the Great Depression in the ʻ30s, the Oil scare in the ʻ80s, and the credit/mortgage/stock crisis now.
Countless problems affect Haiti and it’s people, ranging from hurricanes and environmental degradation, to political warfare and corruption.
In Haiti, you donʼt worry about a failing stock market. There is no market to speak. The United States is the richest country in the western hemisphere by GDP (Gross Domestic Product) standards. Haiti is the poorest. Eighty percent of the population in Haiti lives in poverty, with 50 percent of them living with under $1 a day.
Countless problems affect Haiti and itʼs people, ranging from hurricanes and environmental degradation, to political warfare and corruption. It relies on aid just to stay above water. Storms like Ike and Gustav make that almost impossible. The no. 1 source of income to the country are remittances, money sent home from
abroad. Much of that money is made in the United States, because there arenʼt many formal jobs in Haiti. More than two-thirds of the country is considered unemployed. The United Statesʼ unemployment rate is only 6.1 percent. Sad, but not cataclysmic. However, 2006 seems to have signaled a new start for Haiti. The economy grew the most it had since 1999, it was the first new year that Haiti had no debt to pay to the World Bank, and it attracted more aid that year than ever expected. Hopefully, the good fortune in 2006 extends for many years to come. The problems in the U.S are greatly affecting Haiti, so it will definitely take some time. But if another hurricane hits, whether an actual or literal one, or another fallout from the United States, how much time will Haiti have?
Positive immigration reform should be considered Alejo Stark Contributing Columnist
T
here are certain people who are vehemently against immigration reform and “illegal” immigrants (as if there is such a thing as an “illegal” human being in the first place). These very same people are the ones complaining that the millions of undocumented workers in the United States receive “free” healthcare benefits, “free” public education, and other public services at the expense of the American tax payerʼs money. This is all true– to a certain extent.
By Akeem Mayers
First of all, I am sure no store clerk ever asks a buyer for a Social Security number every time he or she buys a particular product (Yes, sales tax is part of a stateʼs tax revenue). In that case, undocumented workers do contribute to the tax revenue system by purchasing products at American stores. Secondly, numerous undocumented workers have responsibly attained an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and are paying taxes like any other resident or U.S. citizen. We are talking about billions of tax dollars reaped by the federal government without asking who they came from. A positive and comprehensive
immigration reform will also increase the amount of currently undocumented students attending colleges and universities. Many undocumented students are discouraged from following higher education after high school because they are not eligible for financial aid and they cannot apply for most scholarships a Social Security number is required. Higher education undoubtedly leads to better, more productive jobs, once again increasing tax revenues. So I ask myself, why not legalize those responsible and hard-working 12-20 million undocumented workers and give them a SSN? Why are those against immigration reform so opposed to legalizing people
that will contribute with more tax dollars to our economy? This will surely help the decaying economy – it will certainly make up for all the dough AIG executives spent in their Los Angeles spa retreats. Logically speaking, it would be counterproductive and inane to spend $100 billion to deport undocumented workers and their children (potential business and community leaders, scientists, engineers…). So then, what are we to do? What is the U.S. government waiting for? Alejo Stark is an 18-year-old Honors College student who is majoring in computer engineering.
November 12, 2008
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FEATURES
A Thousand Words
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff THE FIRST SIGNS OF AUTUMN: As the leaves on the trees begin to fall, one can see that autumn is approaching. The end of the year is near.
November 12, 2008
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FEATURES
‘Blindness is very much a part of who I am’ FROM PAUL EDWARDS, FRONT PAGE As director of Access Services, the 61-year-old oversees a department that helps Miami Dade College meet the needs of its 600 Access Services students from the three campuses he supervises. He has assisted hundreds of students during his tenure. “Our job is to make the college accessible. A lot of our students wouldnʼt be successful without it.” Edwards said. “Being blind, people expect me to be pushy, and I am.” Yasmin Moses, an elementary education major, has a learning disability and has been an Access student for the past three years. She credits Edwards for building her self-esteem in the classroom. Itʼs his constant prodding that has kept her from not giving up. Moses is on track to graduate next year. “If it werenʼt for Mr. Edwards, I donʼt think I would be able to give myself much needed respect,” Moses said, who has a learning disability. “He doesnʼt look at it as a disability, he looks at it as an ability. Mosesʼ bond with Edwards has grown so much, she considers him family. “Heʼs like a father figure in school to me,” she said. “Heʼs like my grandpa and dad.” To Access Services technical specialist Jose Izquierdo, who is also blind, Edwards is a calming presence. “He doesnʼt lose it [his patience],” said Izquierdo who has been working with Edwards for nine years. “Sometimes with students and professors, I want to just blow up on them. But he is all smooth and calm.” During a Generation Engage presentation in October, students gathered to watch the presidential debate with former Florida Senator Bob Graham. Edwards sent sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired students who were going to attend. There was a minor setback. “I called media services and they didnʼt have the intention of making captions available,” Edwards said. When Edwards caught wind of the problem, he made sure the captions were provided. “If you talk to folks [at] the college, they will tell you Iʼm always pushy,” he said. “I suppose that I can be annoying.” BORN BLIND Born in San Francisco on Dec. 29, 1945, Edwards was born premature. He weighed two pounds, six ounces and was placed in an incubator. But something went terribly wrong. The heat of the incubator burned the retinas of Edwardsʼ eyes, blinding him. “Blindness is one of the most feared disabilities,” he said. “They have this picture of being completely helpless.” Edwards has proved them wrong. When his family moved
to Jamaica, he continued his education, even though resources for the blind were scarce. When he started college, he was the first blind student to attend the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. Edwards received a bachelorʼs degree in history, and a masterʼs degree in both international relations and secondary education. “Heʼs just so brilliant and creative,” said Victoria Hughes, an Access Services vocational education specialist. Edwards has been married twice, and is the father of three children, now ages 33, 35 and 37. Nearly three years ago, Edwardsʼ second wife, Gayle Chause, died of Leukemia. They had been married for 19 years. In October 2007, Edwards received an award in honor of his late wife, who was also blind, at the Light House for the Blind. Izquierdo fondly recalls the speech Edwards made that day. “He had everybody in tears,” he said. “I have tears in my eyes right now.” Although Edwardsʼ dark brown eyes donʼt see, he can imagine many possibilities. According to him, 80 percent of the information people process is visual. Edwards finds other ways to make up for it. He has a talking computer. It has a Job Access with Speech program, which reads information displayed on a monitor. “The machines are my liberation because I can use them for so many things,” he said.
Pedro Alvarez/Metropolis Staff IN THE OFFICE: Paul Edwards has been working at the North Campus since 1986.
Edwards carries with him a Braille Light Millenium, a device that lets him read books and connect to the Internet using dial-up. To read a book, Edwards rests the small machine on his lap and places his hands over its keys. He presses his fingers against the Braille markings as the words are etched onto the keyboard. He also owns a Voice Sense, a small device that has a built-in microphone and allows him to browse the Internet. Edwards reads faster than the average person. According to him, a person who can see only reads 250-300 words per minute, while a blind person reads nearly
500 words per minute. Edwards has never seen colors. He imagines them based on how people describe them. “For a while, I wouldnʼt wear yellow because I associated it with pee,” he said. Another person told him blue was the color of the sky. So blue became one of Edwardsʼ favorite colors. Edwards has placed small Braille stickers on his clothing that say the color of the item so he can match his clothes. His clothing is numbered from one to 26. Edwards matches his outfits according to the numbers. When
FASHIONISTA... Nail designs add style to outfits I decided to try out a funky look for myself, so I went to T & L nails in Fort Lauderdale. I love this place because they are not afraid of color and wild designs. I got my favorite ho ever thought that your own design done on my nails, which is a Leopard pattern. The artist that did my nails said there fingernails can be an accent has been an increase of girls getting cool piece to any outfit? Whether designs and art on their fingernails. you have a simple French If youʼre the type that wants a classy look manicure, or a sexy bright red with an edge, try a colorful French manicure, nail color, itʼs usually a look or do a classic French with a simple flower or thatʼs meant to match your jewel on top to give it that pop. outfit. But recently it seems It seems like Japanʼs fast growing obsession like everywhere I look, girls with these wild nails have taken over. A girl are becoming riskier with passes by you with Hello Kitty faces glued to their polish choice. From the bright neon colors that Rihanna has been her nails and a mini ice cream cone hanging seen wearing, to the rainbow leopard design from her ring finger nail. Lindsay Lohan has recently sported, itʼs safe It really is an up and coming look. And to say you donʼt have to play it safe with your if youʼre a do-it-yourself type of gal, donʼt be nails. afraid to paint your own designs. The most important factor in finding a nail Try buying a kit that sells everything you salon that does these untamed looks is to make need to create your desired look. And if you sure that they use good quality tools and long want more creative ideas, go to “nailsmag. lasting top coats in order to prevent chipping. com;” they have lots of designs ranging Hereʼs a tip, high end salons such as Medhur, from beginner to advanced, with step by step which is known for their amazing eyebrow instructions on how to do it. waxes, usually only do high end looks, like a So next time you decide to get a manicure, French manicure and solid colors. But smaller, think about all the other possibilities you can less well-known nail salons such as Sok nails, conjure up in your head, and donʼt be afraid to usually offer the “fun stuff.” try. Lauren Bernal Fashion Critic
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Edwards is alone in his house during a hurricane, he said itʼs “scary” but chooses to stay alone. Every task is a triumph, he said. When he crosses the street, he wants to stick his tongue out at cars because he made it across. “Theyʼre all victories indicative of success,” he said. Edwards doesnʼt regret losing his sight. If he had the chance to see tomorrow, Edwards said he would turn down the offer. “I donʼt think Iʼve ever regretted being blind. I donʼt know what to compare it to,” he said. “Blindness is very much a part of who I am.”