I think this whole tent cities thing is amazing. People are so resilient to instead of being upset about all they have been through and having to live in a tent they are making the most of it to do what they can to get by and support their families. Instead of just crime increasing and people stealing things from others they are helping out each other by buying things from each other. It is important that they are still doing things to add relaxation or enjoyment to their lives by watching movies or getting their nails done. I could not imagine living in a tent with the only money being the money they had on them on the day of the earthquake. That is an extremely scary thought, but it is amazing that they are doing the best they can to support their families and enjoy their lives.

This letter from the impact really opened my eyes and made me think. I'll admit that when I typically thought of someone in prison I would usually instantly think of a scary criminal with tattoos and huge muscles that was always looking to start trouble. However, after reading this letter I defiantly have a whole new perception on prison inmates. Yeah at one point that did something that was horribly wrong, however everyone makes mistakes and it does not mean that they are a bad person. Unfortunately they do not have another chance out side of the prison but at least they are making the most of the rest of their lives. Instead of being resentful and angry I think it is amazing that they comfort each other in times of need and help to do whatever they can to help out others from inside the prison like donating blood and sending donation letters.

This brings up a really good point that I have never really thought about before. When saying that you think you can do more to contribute to the world you technically are saying that you think you better than other people. However, I do not think that you are being racist. There is a very fine line between thinking you are better than other people and being racist. I think that if you were racist you would be saying that you are better than other people and can accomplish more than them and contribute more to the world because you have a different skin color than them or something to that sort. However, I honestly think that this guy is just being honest. I think that people in developing countries can contribute a lot to the world and have a lot to offer. I just think that sometimes people in developing countries do not have the opportunity or resources to contribute their great fortune to the world, and this is extremely unfortunate. I think that this student was trying to say that compared to people in developing countries he has a greater chance to go to college, further his career, and more access to resources that can help him contribute to the world. For most people in developing countries they are more concerned with working and trying to get enough money to support their families, therefore they do not have enough money to go to school or do things that would get them noticed enough to be able to contribute to the rest of the world. I think that people in say the United States are just more fortunate to be able to get to the sources that they need to help and contribute to the world. I think that this is very unfortunate because I think there are so many creative, intelligent people in developing countries that if they had the time, recourses, and access to the things they need then they could do amazing things that would help out the entire world. So I think that the better way to state this would not to say that he thinks he is better than the people in the developing countries but to say that he is fortunate enough to have the access and resources to and opportunity to accomplish great things and help our others. If it is stated somewhere along those lines I think it would be far away from the racism line. Also maybe he should say that he can affect the world in a greater way because that does seem a bit conceited or getting close to the racism line. Instead he should say that he has a better chance at making and impact on the world.

This student brings up a good point. I think that the end result of all of this is for all of us to get along. The whole point of race relations is so that people of all different races no matter what skin color you have or where your ancestors are from. If race relations solved all of the problems then we would not have to worry about people being racist or judging other people. The whole point of this is for people to move past the idea of people having different skin color and on to seeing people for who they really are and what their true personalities are. Because in the end what is on the inside matters unlike what is on the outside.

This kid brings up a very fast solution because if no one was buying these girls then the sweat shops would have to shut down because they would not be able to afford to keep the factories running. However there is no way that this would ever happen. You would always have the people that are self centered and do not care that people are being forced into slavery, so they would continue to buy the shirts. Also, people need shirts, it is a necessity. You would not get served at a store without a shirt on. To go to work at pretty much any job or go to school you are required to wear a shirt. Therefore, people are going to continue to buy new ones. Kids grow out of shirts, shirts can dirty or ripped, therefore new ones are going to have to be bought. So although this would solve the problem of the slavery it is not very practical.

This post really brings up a good point. Coming from a female's point of view I think that most males try to conform to society, that it is not only females who do this. Although females may do this more often males defiantly do it as well. Especially guys who are in high school or college. They typically want to fit into the "norm" and have nice bodies or wear nice clothing. A good example of this can be seen around campus. Many of the different fraternities on campus has a certain "stereotype" and the males that want to be in that fraternity might conform themselves to try and fit into that stereotype. This may mean tanning, or working out more, wearing their hair a certain way, or buying certain clothes. Although they may not take it to the extremes like getting plastic surgery they are still conforming to society.

I believe that there is not as much pressure for males as there is for some females to conform to society and what everyone else looks like. I think that part of this reason is because of the most males personality. For the most part males are more relaxed and easy going. Where as some girls are more caddy and based around material things. But of course there are some males that do care a lot about their personal appearance. From a personal opinion, I have noticed that my male friend who is gay and his friends are always trying to be the skinniest and best dressed. I am not sure if they are trying to conform to society or doing it for them selves, or trying to impress others.

I think that males have some pressure in society however not nearly as much as females. With all of the model shows, magazines, and just caddy other girls around them girls are always surrounded by the competitions to be skinner, have the best clothes, have the biggest boobs, or be the tannest. I think this is a shame because Sam is right that most girls are conforming to society and doing these things to their bodies to impress other girls and boost their self confidence, not to impress other guys. Of course if you had big boobs guys may be attracted to you more, however if your personality sucks then big boobs mean nothing because it will not become anything more that maybe just a one night stand.

It is a shame that both girls and guys have to conform their bodies to fit in. People should go to the gym to make themselves feel good, stay in shape, and stay healthy, not to be the skinniest person or have the biggest muscles, it should not be a competition. People should be able to be proud of how they were born, whether it was with really big boobs or really small boobs. Because appearance really is not everything. Eventually we are all going to get old and wrinkly and saggy and none of this conforming to society is going to matter.

I do not understand why video games like these were created in the first place. Who has a sick enough mind to take the time and make these things. Personally when I used to play video games I would play games like Mario Brothers or like race car ones and those were fun. I do not understand why people feel the need to play such violent and grotesque games. It is inappropriate, especially for younger children. Of course they put ratings on these games. But it not like they are going to a public place to play them. There is no one really to regulate what they play especially if their parents are not playing close attention. A younger kid could easily get a hold of their older brother's game and be exposed to violent and nasty things that they should not be exposed to.

This is an interesting question. I have defiantly learned a lot of interesting facts this semester and have enjoyed the class. However, I do not think that there is anything that was a like a huge life changing moment. I am not sure if it is because I am a pretty open person and did not have a very strong opinion to be changed. I do think that the things that I have read in all three of the books that were assigned this semester and also what I heard people say during my race relations group has made a difference to me. I learned a lot through Disposable People about slavery in different countries that I had no idea still existed. Also, during my race relations group I heard stories from other students that really made a difference to me because I was hearing them in first person rather then reading them from a book.

I do not necessarily believe that this guy is a bigot, or a patriot, I think that he just has a really strong opinion and wants his opinion to be heard. I am sure that somewhere in the country there are a few other people that feel as strongly or maybe even stronger about these topics regarding illegal immigrants and the government.
I do not completely agree with him when he said that if we had more security on our boarders and was able to stop illegal immigration is would automatically stop all of the crime and terrorism and drugs. Either way drugs and crime are going to find their way inside, it is inevitable. I think that even with legal immigration that could be causing some of our problems today, but no one is solely to blame. We can not blame our economic problems that we are facing today on the illegal immigrants that are coming into our country. There are many factors that are causing our present day economic decline.
I do think that he has a good point that we could use more protection on our own land since we have so much on other country's land. I think that it could maybe be as efficient if we protect our boarders rather than their whole theory if we have locations in other countries and stop the terrorism there they won't follow us home. Of course we do need some protection on other countries land, however I think that they will still find a way to follow us home if they really have the desire and resources to. I do not think that it would be fair to change the law that if a child is born in this country they are a citizen. I think it is fair because sometimes people or families do this to try and give their child a better live and better opportunities. And also, when would they become a citizen. Babies can not be taught they inform they need to know to pass the citizen ship test. Therefore they would have all the difficulties of going to school and everything else because they are not a citizen. I think that kids should be able to get a fresh start; despite where their parents are from. I do understand that it would not be fair for people to just cross the boarder to give birth, however I believe that this would be hard to regulate and there are too many gray areas.
I think that guy just has a really strong opinion. I am glad that he understands that if he wants any of his changes to be mad that he needs the support of every and that they changes are not anything that can be made quickly, however I do not think that there are enough people out that feel strongly enough about these topics to do anything and support him.

This post brings up a good point. And it made me realize that I do not like the whole "team" thing. I understand that is makes things easier for things like the text voting and quick classroom discussion. However I do not think people should be categorized like that. We always talk about how we want everyone to be equal, so then shouldn't we all be on the same "team"? I feel bad for this student because it kind of seems like he has to take sides. And if I was him I am not sure what "team" I would pick. I think it depends on how he was raised.