Martin inspires students, discloses ‘sexy’pastime

bathed and tended to the sick and helpless, Martin’s inspiring life story began to unfold.

From homeless shelters in Boston, to refugee camps in Kenya and the rubble of Ground Zero, Martin has drawn inspiration for his writing. Describing his writing style as “confessional writing,” Martin delivered passages from his stories causing the listening students to sit up and take notice.

As frightened and astounded as any other citizen during the tragic time of the World Trade Center attacks, Martin wished to help in any way he could. Armed with his faith and a listening ear, Martin nervously walked amid the smoking ashes protected only by a prayer and a gas mask. For almost three weeks after 9/11, Martin worked with police officers and firefighters at ground zero providing, what he dubbed, a “ministry of presence.” The experience led to the creation of “Searching for God at Ground Zero,” Martin’s latest offering. “I just had to tell this story of what I saw,” Martin said, “I just had to tell it.”

Craig Vagell, a senior English and communication major and volunteer firefighter, found great insight in Martin’s words. “When I heard he had worked at ground zero I immediately wanted to hear him,” Vagell said, “He gave great insight.”

“In the people I worked with and in their generosity I found

God at ground zero,” Martin said, “I stood beside grace.”

Martin lightened the mood of the afternoon by admitting his enjoyment of the risqué television show “Sex and the City.”

Opening the floor to student questions, Martin discussed his favorite character, a surprise meeting with Cynthia Nixon, Miranda from the show, and reactions to his choice of viewing. There was great amusement when Martin described one character, Charlotte, as “too proper.”

“I liked the way he incorporat- ed comedy into his talk without demeaning the tragedy of the events he talked about,” freshman Annmarie Chacko, said.

After his talk Martin stayed behind to meet a line of impressed students and sign copies of his book. “I could tell he was very passionate about what he wrote. Though I could not identify with his particular situation, he was interesting to listen to,” Jana Fagotti, a senior English and communication major, said.

PAUL NASELLA STAFFWRITER PJN723@CABRINI EDU

Asymposium was held last Wednesday, Oct. 13 to discuss the 1954 Brown vs. The Board of Education Supreme Court case and its far-reaching impact on education.

The symposium began with the viewing of the film, “The Road to Brown.” As the Widener Center Lecture Hall fell dark, the audience watched on as the film depicted Linda Brown, a fifthgrade African American girl from Topeka, Kan. walking through a railroad yard to cat ch a bus in order to attend her all-black school instead the all-white school just four blocks from her home. With help from the NAACP, the Browns took their case all the way to the Supreme Court where the case was ultimately ruled in their favor in 1954.

“Brown vs. The Board of Education is probably the case that told the African American community that civil rights legislation was possible. I think in many ways Brown is the beginning of the civil rights movement and I think...it had a tremendous impact on changing the face of America,” Margaret McGuinness, the department Chairman of religious studies, said.

After a quick introduction by moderator Shirley Dixon, the coordinator of Diversity Initiatives in the Mission Integration Department, Dr. Dawn Middleton, the department Chairman of the education department, gave her presentation on social isolationism. As she stood at the podium, Middleton told the group of education majors that students have the tendency to isolate themselves in groups and that this problem is most prevalent in cafeterias. As a means of breaking this cycle of isolationism, she made everyone aware of Novem- ber 16, National Mix-It-Up at Lunch day. It is only this day that people are encouraged to introduce themselves to people they have never met before and get to know them. “I think that it’s true,” special education major Jenna L’Italien, said, “I think the Mix-It-Up program is a great idea because it gets the kids out there to meet other kids they normally wouldn’t.”

Speaking to the audience about the effects Brown vs. The Board of Education has had on women in education as well as the gender bias that continues to occur today was Dr. Phyllis Rumpp, an education professor. She explained to those in attendance that since Brown vs. The Board of Education took place, women have been able to do more and have more available to them than ever before.

“Women now can go into law schools, medical schools, be presidents of universities, be on different sport teams and get the funding, resources, and money for that,” Carol Bennett-Speight, chairman of the social work department, said. “So, I would say out of most of the areas, women have really had the biggest impact and are doing well,” Bennett-Speight said.

Since that fateful day in 1954, Brown vs. The Board of Education has had a deep impact upon many facets of education, especially special education. Dr. Philip Matilsky, a professor in education, said that, “Brown has taken us from exclusion to equal rights.” Since Brown was decided in 1954, many decisions concerning those disabilities such as Hobsen vs. Hansen and the PARC vs. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have come about. Now, those with disabilities have equal protection under the law, due process of the law, as well as