Writing the truth in notebooks

The One Book, One College program hosted its culminating event Wednesday featuring the writer of "True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall" speaking about his book and the message it portrays.

Salzman's speech was the last in a series of events that included panel discussions and a debate. J-Train, a jazz vocal ensemble made up of all FC students, performed to the nearly-filled Campus Theatre as the crowd waited for Salzman's appearance.

James Duran, a member of the One Book, One College committee gave a history and introduction to Salzman's work and also touched on the program.

"The program was made to get students to read and get people talking about books," said Duran. After much anticipation, Salzman arrived ready to greet the anxious FC masses.

He enthusiastically spoke about his early ambitions as a young adult of being a Kung-Fu fighter to "get girls" and how he "fell into writing backwards."

Salzman had the crowd in an uproar of laughter when he talked about his awkward early years.

Salzman earned his degree in Chinese Literature and started teaching in China to translate academic journals to med-students.

He kept a journal about his experiences in China which turned into his first book that a friend submitted to an editor.

"I didn't know he was writing a book,' Salzman said. When Salzman returned to the U.S., he was offered a position to start a program to show boys in a Juvenile Hall how to write and journal their feelings. He discovered clear and mature perspectives that these 16-year-olds had. With that experience, he wrote the book, "True Notebooks."

Soheil Rahmani, an FC student, explained that he felt inspired to hear Salzman speak.

When Salzman was asked to explain his reaction to coming to FC as a guest speaker, it surprised the audience. "Hot Damn! I'm so excited," Salzman said.

Salzman also explained that he doesn't look at his book as a sad experience, but rather as one that would encourage the audience to see these teenagers as humans rather than criminals.