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What disabilities? These journalists enjoy challengesBy Kara Edgerson Monitor Staff Juaquin “Jake” Roussel, a student at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, is determined to become an entertainment writer despite an obstacle that might derail others. He is blind. Roussel said he faces discrimination as a black journalist, but he said he faces “more discrimination” because of his blindness. He said even other journalists have discouraged him. “ ‘Oh, you’re blind. Why are you trying to do this?’ “ is a common reaction, he said. Despite that, Roussel, a 21-year-old free-lance writer, said he thinks he can do what other journalists can do. He works at his school newspaper, and in June, he started writing for African-American Reflections magazine. In recent years, he has traveled to New York to cover entertainers such as Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, and Aretha Franklin. Roussel also self-published his novel and a book of poetry, and is a frequent contributor to online entertainment publications. “ I do a lot of online [writing] to keep away from discrimination,” he said. Roussel, who grew up in Germany and in Austin, Texas, decided on a career goal at age 12. He had volunteered to work with Doug Banks’ syndicated radio show when it was based in Dallas, and Banks offered encouragement and became a role model for him. Roussel said the experience with Banks is one is the reasons he wants to become a broadcast journalist. “Even though it isn’t print, I wanted to be involved in the scene,” Roussel said. Roussel focuses on entertainment because he loves music and said a career covering the arts could be a way for him to travel, meet a lot of people, and have readers notice his work. Elizabeth Campbell, who is blind, is a general assignment reporter for The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and says she knows firsthand some of the challenges Roussel faces. “Many believed I couldn’t become a reporter because of physical challenges,” she said. Campbell was hired at the Star-Telegram under a recruitment program for minorities with disabilities. Many doubted what she could do, Campbell said, but she was glad to have the opportunity to prove herself. Campbell uses Braille to report her stories. She has to rely on other people to drive her to assignments, but she is mostly independent. In addition, Campbell said she tells her helpers that although she is in charge, she needs their help with descriptions. The National Federation of the Blind has an organization that provides mentors to young people trying to build careers. Roussel attended a recent journalism convention in Austin, but he felt that no one took him seriously. He decided to attend the 2003 NABJ convention for exposure. “Last time, I felt like other people gave me the same old little routine - ‘Here’s my card,’ ” he said. So far, Roussel said, his experience at the job and career fair has been wonderful. He went to each booth and told recruiters of his career goals. He said that Bob Meadows, a correspondent with People magazine, made a big impression because he took the extra step of offering advice on his clips and resume. “I did not treat him with kid gloves,” Meadows said. “ I told him his resume was too long, and he had typos.” Roussel said that his goals are to work and build opportunities for others with disabilities. “Even though we have disabilities,” he said, “we can still do what others can.” Kara Edgerson can be reached at karaenabj@hotmail.com |
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