South Park is amazing because it says what everyone in society is thinking but is too afraid to say because its taboo. Don’t exclude anyone. They make fun of every group of people, including themselves. south Park makes social commentary in a subtle way, in that they are able to present the issues facing society without making a judgement. Similarly to Dave Chappele presents racism as an absurd thing, South Park presents society as an absurd thing, but doesn’t preach. In the Tiger Woods episode, they point out how absurd it is that rich, successful men should be monogamous. I feel that South Park features children. The children always get it. But the arents never do. The kids are the only people smart enough to et wats going on. It points out how ignorant adults can often be and how closed minded they can be. For example, the handicapped kid named timmy starts a band and cince hes retarded the music is “terrible.” The parents get mad because the music sucks, but the kids cheer just to support him and have a goo time. bottom line, the parents never get it...but the kids usually do. Despite the controversy and absurdity, there is often a lesson or morale tat comes with South Park. The lessons aren’t precahy in vibe, but they suggest new idea that should eb considered. they just want you to think outside the box, just like Sam Richards wants us to. It serves as a release from stress because its humor, but it also shows uncensored commentary that nooone else says. South Park is the most entertaining source of life lessons i’ve ever seen. Civilised societies have been in place for so long, but we still do give the knowledge to the next genertion. My parents have taught me alot, granted, but I feel like they hold back. We learn shit in school about math and english and whatnot and noone teaches us how to live in the real world. South Park actually does this. It tells us hen were being douches, and when were right. I may be exaggerating, but I really think we need to educate people on simply how to think. Because alot of us simply don’t think. south Park gives you access to things ou don’t always thnk about. South PArk probably isn’t the best source of life lessons, but they are the only people that really through their opinions out there. It can be too offensive for older and younger people. Nevertheless, at the end of the show they always learn something and more often then not their right. Not only is it funny, but its genius. Its such a scarce resource. Matt stone and Trey Parker are not just comedic geinuses but life geniuses.

I don't think Sam is seriously suggesting that Christians are actually trying to take over the world. I think he's suggesting that, to the average Arab Muslim, it may seem like some Christians are trying to take over the world. That said, it's not so hard to see the rationale behind some terrorists actions against the U.S.

Basicaly, it seems as though each side is killing the other because they fear violence from the other. Each side believes they are defending their own people from terrorists. In my opionion at least.

"I didn't sign up fro a religion class" WHAT?!?!

Actually you did. You signed up for a sociology class. Religion is one of, if not the most influential factors affecting human sociology. Entire civilizations have been built lives around religion. You can't possibly try to study the reasons people do what they do without taking religion into consideration. Taking religion out of the lecture just bc it "rubs people the wrong way" is both irresponsible and detrimental to the learning process.

Here’s a quick run through of my spiritual history. I was a raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family, went to Catholic school, and didn’t really question my beliefs until about a year ago. I looked around at all the other religions around the world that we Christians brush off as being not true like Islam, African Tribal religions, etc. I came to realize that the bible can’t be trusted and that in reality there is no evidence for Christianity or any other religion for that matter. Some days I wake up and I see so much beauty and complexity in the world and I feel like surely some intelligent being created this. Other days I look at the lack of evidence and the darker side of the world and believe that certainly there can’t be a god. It literally changes day by day. I guess that makes me agnostic?

Anyway, I thought the girl who complained about the Jesus and Saddam Hussein picture comparison is being way too sensitive. It's a joke. If you’re a white person, your church probably hangs up crosses with Jesus portrayed as w white guy. Now there’s something to be offended by.

I also agree with the dude who thinks that IF there’s a god who judges people, then she’s sure as hell not going to buy the “I’m just one person I can’t make a difference” argument.” The religious people should be the first ones in line to help. But they rarely are.

I actually went to that talk that the United Students against Sweatshops and I was blown away by the sweatshop laborers and the stories they told. The saddest part is that after their college speaking tour, they are going back to work in the sweatshops once again. What was even sadder is that only a handful of people went to the talk and far fewer actually care enough to get involved.

How is it that thousands of Penn State students can raise $7 million for childhood cancer every year, but less than 50 participate in the anti-slavery/anti sweatshop club?

I love THON. I have participated in THON for the last two years and it is possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever participated in. That said…what is more of a tragedy? People succumbing to cancer, a natural cause of death, which was not created by society or people succumbing to slavery and sweatshop labor, which was created by society? Part of me thinks the latter. If half the people that participated in THON joined that anti-sweatshop club I honestly think they would have much more of an impact.

I hate to sound like a pessimist but I think real answer is that we simply don’t care about those slaves/sweatshop workers. Because of them, we get cheap products, and continue to live are ridiculously luxurious lifestyles. It’s way easier to find some way to justify it by saying bullshit things like “its out of our control” or “its part of God’s plan”

Lets just be honest: it is way easier and way more enjoyable to live our privileged lives in denial/ ignorance than it is to actually do something about it. We can stop these social injustices. All we have to do is want it bad enough, and right now we just don't.

I think what the girl meant by how we “win” is at what point is a race relations class no longer needed. I think the answer is when we as a society have eliminated racism in all forms. Furthermore, when people stop stereotyping each other and feel equally comfortable with people of all races.
On an individual level, I think I’ll have “won” when I don’t stereotype anyone or make assumptions based on skin color. I think if I can appreciate my whiteness and also appreciate other culture then I have won.
As a society I don’t think we are going to “win” in any of our lifetimes. Racism is simply too deeply rooted to be 100% exterminated. That said, I think we can get pretty close to winning, say 95% of the way there, within the next few generations. I think as more and more people begin to marry outside their race and fewer and fewer people are 100% white or 100% black that will also force us to be less racist.
As far as the LL Bean catalog, I think people need to chill out about that. Sam was simply showing that some people look down on members of their own race, who in their opinions, don’t act like there race. Examples include black people who get annoyed when other black people “talk white” or white people who hate wiggers. I think when people feel comfortable with their own race, talking about race with others then they too, have won.
The first step towards winning is education. You have to be aware of the problem to be able to fix it. I think race relations classes should be taught in high school so that everyone can really have their minds opened at early age. I do however, she a problem arising if there aren’t enough crazy teachers like Sam who can actually teach this stuff in an unbiased way.
Furthermore, we as a society just need to simply talk about race more, like we do in our weekly discussion groups. Personally, I have really enjoyed the experience and know that people can really learn a lot and grow a lot as people by talking about race among a group of people who are very diverse.
In conclusion, I feel as though racism isn’t going to go away anytime soon. However, we have made some great strides in the past 100 years, heck a black man is President after all. I think we as a society just need to stay committed to equality and judging people by the content of their character. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.

With regards to whether or not there are questions that “just shouldn’t be asked”, I think that we should be able, in the right situation ask any question. However, some questions are sensitive and cover topics that quite frankly people don’t want to listen to. A topic like bleeding for example would be better suited for a medical class or a women’s studies class.
I think the menstrual cycle thing was hilarious and possibly brilliant. I completely agree that this “mans world” has shaped women to believe that their periods are gross and shameful. However, maybe they are gross? We don’t talk about our shits all the time, so why should we talk about menstruation.
However, at the same time, I understand why people like Sam want EVERY topic to be fair game for debate 100% of the time. Such extreme open-mindedness is healthy and great if you are comfortable with it. But not everyone is comfortable with it and you shouldn’t be forced to listen to topics you are uncomfortable with.
Sam, I agree 100%. I had my own “awakening” about 6 months ago when I realized that I actually enjoyed questioning life and learning was no longer a pain in the ass, but a thirst that constantly needs quenching.
Some questions I feel have been left unanswered are: Why don’t we talk about the extermination of the Native Americans? And why do we only have two parties?
First off, the Native American thing bothers me more than any other social issue. We have black history month, we’ve embraced a lot of black culture like hip hop and such, and we acknowledge that slavery was a horrible crime. However we have not REALLY acknowledged the tremendous crimes we committed against the Native Americans. We don’t have Native American history month, we don’t celebrate their culture at all. They are simply forgotten.
How can this be? Personally, I think the government can accept acknowledging that this “nation of freedom” was founded by eliminating an entire race of people. Furthermore, I think far too many Americans are content with saying “Well it’s a shame but it’s too late to do anything about it…so stop talking about.” My father has that attitude and it absolutely infuriates me. Sam is right this is RED LAND.
I’m not asking for reparations or anything like that. I simply want 1) a formal, written government apology and 2) more discussion about what really happened to the Native Americans, especially in schools.
As far as the two party thing I mentioned earlier, I think the two parties are conspiring to prevent third parties from breaking into a mainstream and increase competition. If we had more legitimate parties we could actually have diversity in our Congress.

What Abercrombie did to that poor girl was most definitely racist. She should sue the hell out of them because they HIRED her knowing that she was going to wear that scarf.
What Abercrombie should have done is NOT having hired her in the first place. Some jobs should be able to hire specific people to their specific niche. (Flight attendants have height requirements; Personal Trainers should have to be in good shape etc) Abercrombie has very specific, rice, preppy, yacht club kind of look and the scarf doesn’t fit it. In fact, if they had told her in the first place that she couldn’t be hired if she was going to wear that scarf I might have been okay with that.
But that is what happened. They DID hire her, knowing she would be wearing that scarf. They then later FIRED that girl for wearing that scarf. That’s flat out inexcusable. Its serious racism and should be dealt with accordingly.
I am going to back track to the statement I made about how some jobs need to hire people of a certain look. Within reason, I think that sort of discrimination is ok. For example if a pizza shop only wants to hire Italians that’s fine because personally, (and I think most people would agree) I would prefer my pizza made by Italians as opposed to Irish, Russian, or Asian people. Similarly, I do not have a problem with Abercrombie telling people what they can and can’t wear even if it’s their “religious beliefs”. Religious beliefs are chosen. If you choose to wear religious articles of clothing in an Abercrombie, a Hot Topic (goth store) or something like that they should be allowed to NOT hire you. But once you’re hired, if they knew about your religious requirements, they should be able to change their minds and fire you for it.
Furthermore, I think we need to be weary of “over equalizing” everything. Certainly discrimination is most often wrong and a bad thing in general, but political correctness and over sensitivity towards peoples differences. I don’t want to live in a world where anyone who is different can blame the fact that you didn’t hire them on some superficial fact about how they look. Because lets be real here: LOOKS MATTER. They do. They just do and it’s a fact. You shouldn’t sue a modeling agency if they don’t hire you because you’re fat and have poor facial symmetry. The fact of the matter is that some peoples looks CAN and WILL cause you to have fewer customers and/or lose revenue. I don’t think we should necessarily force jobs to hire everyone. That said, I know modeling agencies don’t hire fat people, and although that was probably a poor comparison it made my point that if we let political correctness and diversity apply to too much of our daily lives, it will cripple us and have a negative impact on society.
In conclusion, Abercrombie was wrong, give the girl some money, but be careful in the future.

Why are lesbians more accepted than gay men?
Because most men love lesbians while fearing the social repercussions of being a gay man/associating with gay men.
In my 21 years of life experience I have never met a man who disapproved of two hot women having sexual relations. In fact most guys I know, including myself, LOVE lesbians. Why?
1.What’s more arousing than one superhot naked female body…that’s right…TWO superhot naked female bodies.
2.The novelty factor. Watching two chicks make out at a party makes guys cheer. Why? Because it’s not normal. At parties it’s often a sign of drunkenness and promiscuity…two things the average college guys can’t get enough of.
3.This one’s a longshot, but I’ll mention it anyway. Why else are two hot girls who aren’t afraid to mess around with each other hot? Because it leads to the thought that, ”wow if I can seduce one of these lesbian/bisexuals…perhaps I can fulfill my ultimate guy fantasy…a threesome with two hot girls! Giggity goo!
Being gay is social suicide in most male friendship groups, especially in middle school/high school and usually into adulthood
1. Being gay, is often interpreted as being the antithesis of manly. Gays are often shunned in high school by the rest of the “heterosexual” male population. They usually just end up having a shitload of female friends.
2. That said, if you are friends with gays/support gays, you will be interested as being gay yourself by many guys and this will often result in being shunned from the heterosexual male community.
I think part of the reason homophobia runs rampant in male circles is in part because traditional masculinity is based almost entirely on the goal of seducing as many beautiful women as possible. Why do guys go to the gym, pick up a guitar, or play high school football. Yes, its partially because they love those activities, but a lot of it has to do with the perceived increase in seduction abilities by people who are really good at those things. Furthermore, being attracted to females is such a core factor in the construction of traditionally male personality that to NOT be attracted to women makes it very difficult to assimilate with the rest of the heterosexual male population. It would be like an avid anime player who hates sports trying to befriend the meatheads at the gym. They simply have very little in common. For better or for worse, liking big titties and wanting to fuck hot bitches is so important in a heterosexual males life, especially if they think about sex every 10 seconds or whatever the myth is. For gay men, this means they have a much harder time finding personality traits in common with most heterosexual men and that’s why I believe its very hard to them to integrate in the heterosexual male community.

The loss of language is truly tragic. One of the problems with todays globalizations is the dying of cultures. We humans seem to be moving towards a melting pot world, but some cultural identities are not holding on. For example, even though they have some reservations and other means of living. The native Americans of the united states have been losing their culture for generations. What was once hundred of proud cultures and languages is now down to just a few hundred the wast majority of which are not very well known. The native Americans a re restricted to these reservations that are surrounded by normal united states cities. The children of these cultures have been losing theoir language and cultural identitiys The have been too integrated in that they have lost touch with their native American roots in favor of a white and Christianized society. This is tragic because the native Americans used to be one of the prouydest and most unique cultures on the planet. It is also important not to lump native Americans together as if they are a single race when infatc that represent hundreds of different cultures and ethnoic identities. Unfortunately there is not much we can do to prevent language loss and culture loss in the united tastes and in the rest of the world. WE could form laws to write down these languages but if no one speaks it then who cares it’s a dead langiage like latin. Similarly white America is losing ots culture as well. It used to be that whites weren’t one category either. There were irish, german, English, whatever. Now everyone is just white.
To play devils advocate, maybe this is actually a good thing. Individual cultures have led to tons of war and violence. Perhaps if we keep integrated as we are, some day their will only be one culture and that’s ok with me. In fact I think that may solve many of our problems. I’m running out of time two minutes, oh my god, I gotta type faster, but I suck at typing. Heres 350.

I saw the movie Avatar and it tells a story we have heard before. Their is a group of aliens that live a very different lifestyle than the humans. The aliens love nature, shoot bow and arrows, and do not care for money or power. (aka The Native Americans) The aliens live on a planet with a plethora of valuable resources.(aka North America) and the humans (aka white people) decided to violently attack the aliens (aka Native Americans), steal their land, and ruin their lives...all in the name of resources and profit. The hero is a human (white guy), yes, BUT, he is a hero because he turns his back on white people and becomes a member of the alien (native american culture). So what is the message here? White people are bad? Or The White Messiah theory. Perhaps its both? That way the non-whites in the audience enjoy the movie AND the whites love it too. Maybe its just a movie and the meaning dosen't matter? I don't know if Brooks is right or not but his ideas are certainly plausible. I also agree with Sam's statement about not being able to fully understand your culture without the input of someone outside your culture.