Obviously the war in Iraq and the Middle East has a lot to do with oil. It may have everything to do with oil. However I think a lot of what Sam says is border line bashing the Christian culture. I understand that he's trying to make a point. But does that mean that I agree with the point he's making? Not at all. Yes I could see how people outside of the United States would not like us and think that we are evil. I can understand that the people living in the Middle East are very scared of Americans and probably have the completely wrong view of what a typical American is like. I was thinking about this whole situation, and I thought to myself that yea maybe citizens of the United States and the people the Iraq and the Middle East aren't that different when it comes to each other's viewpoints. And then I sat back and I thought no way. Hold on a second. Am I to sit here and really believe that were the same at all? We're from different parts of the world and obviously there are millions of differences in our cultures. We don't think the same. We barely do anything the same. Just because Sam sits us down and tells us to try out this experiment, I'm going to leave class and automatically believe that the Iraqi's and all other middle easterners involved in war are justified for their actions. There's a bomb going off every day over whether it be a car bomb or someone becoming a martyr and blowing themselves up. C'mon now that stuff rarley happens in America compared to it happening every day over there. The people in general are much different. Yes I'm there are some people over there who are rational and don't want to be at war, but their culture is just much different and some of the things that terrorists and insurgents do on a daily basis is mind boggling. We're not the same at all. And at the end of this lecture, after all the things he said about Americans and Christianity, his final point was just that I can see why someone would become an insurgent? Okay that's good for them I guess, but why would I care about that? We're at war with them, and it doesn't really matter to me if Sam can understand them. In this particular situation I'm only concerned about my country and the well-being of my family friends and other Americans. We're at war. We're not supposed to be friends, and I don't think it matters if people can understand their way of thinking. I got the sense that Sam was trying to give us a sense of "see we're not so different after all." I don't agree with that. We're different people who live completely different lives. I found it very hard to put myself in the shoes of an Iraqi because I don't know how they live. I don't understand their way of life so I'm not about to try and understand why they would want to join the insurgency.

I am one of those people who ate the second piece of chocolate and I didn't find it difficult to stomach or any of those kinds of emotions. I found it quite easy especially with Sam's sentiments towards the subject. He said if you are never going to eat slave trade chocolate again, then don't eat the second piece. However I was realistic with myself, and I know that there is no way I'm going to not eat chocolate for the rest of my life. I did feel very very awful for the people in Africa who became enslaved, and I couldn't imagine ever going through such a horrific experience ever in my lifetime. However I don't think not eating the second piece of chocolate was going to change anything about modern slavery in this world. If you ate the first piece of chocolate and were able to stomach that then I do not understand how the second piece could go down any different. It was a miniscule piece of chocolate. Eating it was as easy as swallowing an advil. If there was anything that I found gross about eating the chocolate was that someone who was unidentified to me took these pieces of chocolate and rapped them up in tin foil. I was hesitant to eat the chocolate when i first got it, but I was kind of hungry and they were tiny pieces so I didn't see any harm. While watching video I couldn't express how bad I felt for these people. But in the end was not eating the second piece going to make these slaves any better off? I don't believe so. Also when the slave said that we were eating his flesh, I took that more as a figure of speech. Yes he put his blood sweat and tears into that cocoa however I didn't feel as if I was eating actual chunks of his flesh. Asking if I would eat the chocolate if the man was sitting next to me is a ridiculous hypothetical situation that I highly doubt will ever be a real life situation, but if the man was sitting next to me I wouldn't eat the chocolate just out of respect for him. The person asking this question is in this class so I'm just wondering if you can't stomach eating that chocolate then how can you stomach using all the other products that come from modern slavery or sweat shops. We've learned about clothing and cell phones and other things that come from slavery, and you never asked this question so I'm wondering why you're asking it now. If you have eaten chocolate all your life, and after seeing the video you do not anymore, then I give you the utmost respect and I applaud you. However if you do eat chocolate that you now has come from slavery then this is a waste of a question on your part.

These games are pretty ridiculous. I know personally I would never play a video game where the main object to win is raping women. That's some of the strangest stuff I have ever heard. I don't mind graphic shooting games, and that could be just because of the culture I've grown up in where a shooting video games are among some of the most classic American video games. However a video game where girls are being raped is disturbing to me, and I'm a male. I do not exactly understand when some people say that these video games offend them personally. If you don't want to play then you certainly don't have to. However when seeing what happens in these games did make me feel uncomfortable because rape probably the worst crime you can commit whether its committed against females or males. I do agree that the Japanese shouldn't be promoting any of these games within the United States, but if they want to sell and advertise these games in Japan then I personally don't really care about that at all. Also if I was a Japanese official and the United States media was trying to talk to me about these issues I would blow them off too knowing that this piece will air in the United States and spin a negative view on Japan. I'm guessing in Japan you have to be a certain age to buy these games, or at least I hope so. But from the looks of it these games seem like a pretty hot commodity in Japan so I feel like they have a strong fan base. I don't think a game like this would get put on the market in the United States but hypothetically if it did, I don't think it would be a very popular game. Maybe it would work in adult video stores for certain people who are into that kind of thing, but I couldnt' see this game being popular in the United States.
I'm personally a fan of some pretty violent games like call of duty and grand theft auto. Call of Duty certainly doesn't have any sexual type situations going on in it, but on the other hand some grand theft auto games are pretty graphic. You can pick up prostitutes, and when I was about 12 years old i thought that was hilarious. If I saw these Japanese rape games when i was 12 I don't think I would find them very amusing. Basically I don't think theres any room in the United States for these games. There would most definitely be an uproar and protests if it were ever to happen. And to anwser Sam's question i would definitely not sit around with my friends drinking beers and playing rape games.

This was an interesting question to bring up. As i sat in class on the day when this question was brought up, i too did notice that some of the black people in the class did overreact to some of the questions. However after this happened, I didn't think that much of the subject. It just seems like commonplace in our society as well as within the classroom. After hearing this question proposed, i realized that its seems like black people overreact to many miniscule things. I understand why they act this way. It has become engraved in their culture. Because of the history of black people in the United States, one can surely assume that black people are very sensitive to race issues and can easily feel threatened from any comments that can be perceived in any way racist. It just so happens though that many times people make comments that can be maybe in some ambiguous. For me personally, I can see why some white people do not want get into race issues. How could white people feel in any way comfortable with such hostile conditions when it comes to race? I don't blame blacks for being as sensitive as they are, and how could anyone?
However we as a culture are growing when it comes to our relations with people of other races here in the United States. I think it would be a very beneficial thing if black people could work at becoming more understanding. When comments are made up on the board by black people that in any way poke fun at white people, it invokes no emotional response in me because i see no reason to comments serious that aren't directed at me personally nor do I know the person making the comments. But black seem to be offended by even the smallest remarks. I think that in time this sensitivity in black people will go down as they will see that most white people really aren't racist and that everything whites say isn't said to be racist. I'm not sure how to help people of color to understand that not everyone is out to get them. Just telling someone that you're not racist or that you don't mean anything by a comment doesn't seem to cut it. I think both races need to work together on this, and eventually black people will become more relaxed. After all times have certainly changed a huge amount of the last couple decades. And today in America we have many prominent people of color in our society such as our multicultural President Barack Obama. I think its time for people to move past the sensitivity and become more calm about racial issues.

After reading this, I decided that this league mostl likely won't be too successful because I personally don't believe theres any more room in America for minor league basketball teams. There already is the NBDL, the national basketball developmental league, where they dont exactly pack arenas and the players salaries are not even close to that of an NBA contract. The way that Moose Lewis approaches this situation comes off like a racist. I realize he's trying to stir up controversy to get this league some attention, but when he explains his reasoning he just sounds like a an intolerant racist. If he wants to start a league with a slow tempo style game that focuses more on fundamentals, I'd say that is just fine. However restricting leagues to players of only a certain race seems like a backwards step in our society. I do agree with what the man in the NAACP said when he explained that there is no place for such a league in America. We have come so far throughout history and this country is more about equality now than ever, and starting a league that only allows whites is a step in the wrong direction. I also don't think many people want to see a slowed down game. It's just not as entertaining to the average fan, so the idea in itself is just bad in the first place. Fans want high flying up paced action rather than the slow down work for 24 seconds to get one shot. Even if this league was to come into existence, the players who are the highest talented will show and because these players are more talented, they won't have to focus as much on fundamentals because they can get away without sharpening all of their skills. In this sense, i believe this potential league would eventually evolve into an NBA like league. So in my opinion, this league is just an awful idea thats stirring up more controversy where it isn't needed. However it does leave questions to be asked such as "what about the white man in professional basketball?" Currently the number of white American born players in the NBA is at an all time low. Some might say what's fair is fair and if white Americans can't perform at a high enough level then they just won't be able to compete in the NBA. However I have seen segments on television that focus around racial profiling of white players. No matter what Sam tried to explain during class about all people having the same chance of being good at sports given the right resources, blacks are more athletic than whites on average and that's all there is to it. I've had a basketball in my hands since i was born as my father was a college basketball coach with an office right next to a gym. I've played a ridiculous amount of basketball in my life but I'm still slow and white and that will never change. But that doesnt mean that there are other white players out there who are capable of competing in the NBA. Some are capable but don't get the chance because of racial profiling. Some scouts see a player, and if he's white then they automatically assume his athleticism is inferior because of skin color. I don't know any solutions to these problems, but they are certainly situations we can take into consideration and works towards for a better tomorrow.

A large part of the reason for the poverty that Native Americans experience is due to the fact that not many people are aware of the lifestyles many of them tend to lead. And for the people that are aware, it's most likely that they are rarely reminded of this fact. I personally do not know one person that would identify his or her self as Native American or American Indian. Part of that reason seems to me that many Native Americans fall under extreme categories. I hear a lot about Native Americans being very poor and leading tough lives centered around drug and alcohol abuse and different kinds of violence, and I also hear about Native Americans that own casinos and are very wealthy thus leading good lives. I come from a middle class home, and that's how most of my area is. There certainly are not many Native Americans in my town, if any at at all. Because of that I was not really aware of the strife that these people experience. I'm currently 21 years old and up until this point in my life, I have never been told that I am to blame for the Native Americans losing their land many years ago. I can see why is tough for people to cope with the fact that they may be to blame. But then i question it again and say, am I really to blame at all for being born and living my life. Yes it is awful what poor Native Americans have to experience. But I haven't knowingly done anything to harm Native Americans. I am not sure what i could do to help them. I don't exactly lead a lavish lifestyle. By no means am I poor, but I do have to work for what I have. I have to work to pay for my own schooling. I don't know exactly what I can do in the already busy life, and I don't know of any reasonable items I even have to give Native Americans. Obviously It's not like we can just give them back their land at this point. What do we do for them? If they want an apology, well i would gladly say sorry just to appease the situation. But deep down you can't really be sorry for something that you don't feel blame for.

On a side note, perhaps I'm not understanding something because of lack of knowledge, but I do not understand why Native Americans cultures get as upset as they do about sports teams having mascots that are Native Americans warriors. What I've heard is that they believe it disgraces their heritage, but I don't see how. Having a mascot that is a Native American is paying homage to some of the greatest warriors of their history. My ancestry is Irish, and I certainly do not get angry that Notre Dame's nickname is the Fighting Irish. I don't feel like having a team name like the redskins is mocking their heritage. Sports are about winning and being agressive. I don't think having Native Americans warriors or tribes as team names is part of the problem in America. The poorest Native Americans don't have time to care about things like team mascots when they're wondering where their next mean is coming from. And if this country were to take away all Native American team names, it still won't put food on poor Native Americans table or money in their pocket.

A large part of the reason for the poverty that Native Americans experience is due to the fact that not many people are aware of the lifestyles many of them tend to lead. And for the people that are aware, it's most likely that they are rarely reminded of this fact. I personally do not know one person that would identify his or her self as Native American or American Indian. Part of that reason seems to me that many Native Americans fall under extreme categories. I hear a lot about Native Americans being very poor and leading tough lives centered around drug and alcohol abuse and different kinds of violence, and I also hear about Native Americans that own casinos and are very wealthy thus leading good lives. I come from a middle class home, and that's how most of my area is. There certainly are not many Native Americans in my town, if any at at all. Because of that I was not really aware of the strife that these people experience. I'm currently 21 years old and up until this point in my life, I have never been told that I am to blame for the Native Americans losing their land many years ago. I can see why is tough for people to cope with the fact that they may be to blame. But then i question it again and say, am I really to blame at all for being born and living my life. Yes it is awful what poor Native Americans have to experience. But I haven't knowingly done anything to harm Native Americans. I am not sure what i could do to help them. I don't exactly lead a lavish lifestyle. By no means am I poor, but I do have to work for what I have. I have to work to pay for my own schooling. I don't know exactly what I can do in the already busy life, and I don't know of any reasonable items I even have to give Native Americans. Obviously It's not like we can just give them back their land at this point. What do we do for them? If they want an apology, well i would gladly say sorry just to appease the situation. But deep down you can't really be sorry for something that you don't feel blame for.

On a side note, perhaps I'm not understanding something because of lack of knowledge, but I do not understand why Native Americans cultures get as upset as they do about sports teams having mascots that are Native Americans warriors. What I've heard is that they believe it disgraces their heritage, but I don't see how. Having a mascot that is a Native American is paying homage to some of the greatest warriors of their history. My ancestry is Irish, and I certainly do not get angry that Notre Dame's nickname is the Fighting Irish. I don't feel like having a team name like the redskins is mocking their heritage. Sports are about winning and being agressive. I don't think having Native Americans warriors or tribes as team names is part of the problem in America. The poorest Native Americans don't have time to care about things like team mascots when they're wondering where their next mean is coming from. And if this country were to take away all Native American team names, it still won't put food on poor Native Americans table or money in their pocket.

A large part of the reason for the poverty that Native Americans experience is due to the fact that not many people are aware of the lifestyles many of them tend to lead. And for the people that are aware, it's most likely that they are rarely reminded of this fact. I personally do not know one person that would identify his or her self as Native American or American Indian. Part of that reason seems to me that many Native Americans fall under extreme categories. I hear a lot about Native Americans being very poor and leading tough lives centered around drug and alcohol abuse and different kinds of violence, and I also hear about Native Americans that own casinos and are very wealthy thus leading good lives. I come from a middle class home, and that's how most of my area is. There certainly are not many Native Americans in my town, if any at at all. Because of that I was not really aware of the strife that these people experience. I'm currently 21 years old and up until this point in my life, I have never been told that I am to blame for the Native Americans losing their land many years ago. I can see why is tough for people to cope with the fact that they may be to blame. But then i question it again and say, am I really to blame at all for being born and living my life. Yes it is awful what poor Native Americans have to experience. But I haven't knowingly done anything to harm Native Americans. I am not sure what i could do to help them. I don't exactly lead a lavish lifestyle. By no means am I poor, but I do have to work for what I have. I have to work to pay for my own schooling. I don't know exactly what I can do in the already busy life, and I don't know of any reasonable items I even have to give Native Americans. Obviously It's not like we can just give them back their land at this point. What do we do for them? If they want an apology, well i would gladly say sorry just to appease the situation. But deep down you can't really be sorry for something that you don't feel blame for.

The race conversation does seem to be always seem to be about black and white, and there are, in my opinion, several reasons for that. First of all, the United States did experience a very large civil rights movement with African Americans. It has long been a conflict in our country. Although America has come a very long way. Today the relationship between blacks and whites is much better than ever before, yet we still continue to talk about this issue. It just has so much history that it makes things hard not to talk about. Slavery happened a very long time ago but is still talked about very often even though it happened over a century ago. Because of how much we talk about race issues between blacks and whites, people are still going to bring up slavery. There also seems to be more prominent and influencial black people in our country, like our president Barack Obam, than other races in America. Because there are successful black people in the spotlight, the media will always be talking about them which creates more opportunities to for the race issue to be talked about. Also there are two black men in particular that stir up a lot of race talk. Those men are reverend Al Sharpton and reverend Jesse Jackson. Whenever there is any type of race issue concerning black men or women in any way, these men will undoubtedly become involved in the situation. It seems to be excessive and unreasonable at some points, but it stirs up controversy and that means good ratings for the media. These two men have most likely helped our country progress, in terms of the relationship between whites and blacks, in some way or another. But because they are so involved and they are well known throughout the country, the talk of race between blacks and whites will continue to be a topic in the news and with people across the nation. I believe that there is a race problem in our country which is worse than the blacks and whites. That would be between anyone in the U.S. who is racist against that they perceive to be from the middle east. This problem arose in the midst of the 911 attacks and the war on terror. Even though these people may not have any affiliation in the least bit with terrorists, they are always racial profiled in the United States due to their reputation here. It does not look as if this problem will go away either due to the continued threats we face from Al Qaeda and other terrorists in the world. But the abuse that middle eastern people may or may not face will not be talked about as much in our country because it is overshadowed by the racial conflict between blacks and whites.

After reading this article, i became very happy to find that David Brooks had similar beliefs to mine. I had seen all the previews and trailers for Avatar and was quite excited about going to see it. I anticipated that the movie was going to be something spectacular or at least something like i had never seen before. I went to see it on a sunday night with a group of my friends, and after leaving the theatre, i was not impressed at all with the plot line in Avatar. Yes the special effects were amazing and several ocurrences in the movie were very eye opening. However, it was just like Brooks said. After watching the movie for about a half hour, I could tell where the movie was going. It was going to be a classic battle of good vs evil, and obviously the good guys would inevitably prevail and win the war. That was the main reason why I did not enjoy Avatar nearly as much as i thought going in. I know many people who think Avatar was the greatest movie ever, and I think that's complete garbage because there are so many other movies out there that are much better. I think most people just follow the crowd, and everyone is just agreeing that Avatar is great and forming their own opinions at all. The media tells the public that Avatar is great, and the public believes it. I agree with Brooks in many ways. There are many movies out there that contain the white messiah story. Whether or not this implies something about the real world, I'm not quite sure. There does seem to be some type of correlation that can be made between white people seeing Jesus as "white" and also with the recurring theme of a white messiah as the hero who saves the lives of many. Either way, the messiah is a very popular theme in entertainment today. It makes sense becuase people seem to enjoy these movies, and will keep opening up their wallets and filling up the theatres. However i do not believe that most people even consider the white messiah to have any deeper meaning than besides what is said in the movie. It never came to my mind when watching Avatar or Dances with Wolves that it could mean something that the hero is always white. I never heard it talked about amongst friends or anything so I'm assuming that people do not tend to think about that kind of thing. However, film makers do take their work very seriously as it is their job, so it would not surprise me to learn that there are many deeper meanings behind movies. I don't think i would want to be a person to decide if the movie has hidden meanings. I really think the only person who can give credible commentary on the movie would be the writers and directors. It doesnt mean as much to me when i hear people's thoughts on movies meanings when it's not the writers saying it.