I think it is rare times like this lecture that we actually put ourselves in another person's position. As a Christian, I was not offended by what was said at all, and do not think anyone should have been because what was said was not insulting or wrong. The use of videos and examples for us to put ourselves in another person's shoes worked very well, and they point was well conveyed. In the beginning of class we all saw the Muslims as the bad guy, but towards the end of class I think many people realized that we were that exact same bad guy to them. It was nice to try to imagine at least a small portion how an opposing side may see us here in the United States of America, and why they may dislike us. There are always two sides to the story. We tend to only look at a very small portion of the entire picture. We see them in the most negative light, and they see us in the most negative light. Every country is going to frown upon intruders no matter what religion they are. If some one storms in to your home demanding change of the way you do things, you are going to be upset. Many people of Iraq see what we are doing as a good thing and helpful, while many of course believe we are ruining their country. After the terrorist attacks, we felt attacked so we took action to go into Iraq to try and do something. Now, just like us Iraqis may feel the need to defend themselves or attack us. Religion does make matters ten times worse because Christian and extreme Muslim views are very different. This fact makes invasions much more heated. This is why many Iraqis may have hatred towards us and why many Americans have prejudice towards Muslim people. When we think the other side is doing something wrong, we tend to focus on their religious beliefs and disregard what we have contributed to their decisions. Our media also greatly helps to shape the world for our eyes. Many times what is portrayed on television is just what we want to see. I think both sides need to come together and see what is really going on behind the scenes. Two parties should gather without the violence, without the war, and most of all without the ulterior motives. These misunderstandings and wrong judgments are causing a large loss of lives on both sides. We are in such a different time in age today that war should not be our answer. I know this will take a lot of time because there are things we can not agree on, but we should try soon.

I think it is rare times like this lecture that we actually put ourselves in another person's position. As a Christian, I was not offended by what was said at all, and do not think anyone should have been because what was said was not insulting or wrong. The use of videos and examples for us to put ourselves in another person's shoes worked very well, and they point was well conveyed. In the beginning of class we all saw the Muslims as the bad guy, but towards the end of class I think many people realized that we were that exact same bad guy to them. It was nice to try to imagine at least a small portion how an opposing side may see us here in the United States of America, and why they may dislike us. There are always two sides to the story. We tend to only look at a very small portion of the entire picture. We see them in the most negative light, and they see us in the most negative light. Every country is going to frown upon intruders no matter what religion they are. If some one storms in to your home demanding change of the way you do things, you are going to be upset. Many people of Iraq see what we are doing as a good thing and helpful, while many of course believe we are ruining their country. After the terrorist attacks, we felt attacked so we took action to go into Iraq to try and do something. Now, just like us Iraqis may feel the need to defend themselves or attack us. Religion does make matters ten times worse because Christian and extreme Muslim views are very different. This fact makes invasions much more heated. This is why many Iraqis may have hatred towards us and why many Americans have prejudice towards Muslim people. When we think the other side is doing something wrong, we tend to focus on their religious beliefs and disregard what we have contributed to their decisions. Our media also greatly helps to shape the world for our eyes. Many times what is portrayed on television is just what we want to see. I think both sides need to come together and see what is really going on behind the scenes. Two parties should gather without the violence, without the war, and most of all without the ulterior motives. These misunderstandings and wrong judgments are causing a large loss of lives on both sides. We are in such a different time in age today that war should not be our answer. I know this will take a lot of time because there are things we can not agree on, but we should try soon.

I agree with you on this statement. I think it is really sad that many of us see all Muslims as people like Osama bin Laden. This religion in general has gotten a very bad reputation because of Jihad and their actions. I do not think we should be putting the blame of the attacks of September eleventh on all the people of the Middle Eastern countries. We do not know a lot about this part of the world so we generalize. Like you said just because a person is Muslim he or she should not be looked down upon.

I agree with you on this. Each side has a story. Many times we do not know our enemies reasons for attack or defense. We are all just trying to protect our resources, our families, our jobs, and everything else we have. We see the people trying to hurt these things as the bad guy, but what we do not realize is that they may see us in the same exact way. We may be just as bad as those horrible "terrorists" we hate so much and do not understand. Innocent people are being killed on both sides so all in all both sides are doing an equal amount of harm.

I agree with your question, it was as though there was a piece of lecture missing. The next step of what needs to be done by us was left out. A second step must exist because no one should be living under these conditions. I think now that we have seen some of what is going on and it has affected us, we should be told of what our options are. I feel as though just knowing what is going on is not enough. It would be a good idea for some to share more ideas like buying fair trade chocolate.

Yes I feel men feel the need to conform almost as much as women. We see men trying to get bigger and stronger like the athletes they see or the friends they have everyday. Just like women, men try to change their body to look more attractive to the opposite sex. Women may come off as more insecure, but I think men have many self image issues as well. We are all social creatures, and we feel the need to be like one another so that we are accepted. Men are no exception to this. I think such a big deal is made of woman trying to change their appearances, that men issues are overlooked.

The answer to why the chocolate was eaten is simple, I feel as though you are very confused though. The chocolate was already in your hands and you had already eaten one piece, what else are you supposed to do. Second piece of chocolate was eaten because it was already bought and in our hands. By purchasing the chocolate, the damage was already done. To not eat the chocolate would be a waste, and would solve very little. If we did not eat the chocolate then we would just be throwing the work away. This would not be making a difference in slavery. The video we watched in class shocked me. I think it is absolutely horrible the way chocolate is made by slaves, and how they are treated for their work. This video made me think, and made an impact on many people. Of course no one wants to eat another human's flesh, but sitting in that classroom and not eating that piece of chocolate would not have made a difference in the issue. I feel as if there is nothing we can do right away and by ourselves. The chocolate was already made, and people had already suffered. The video and asking us if we would still eat the chocolate was just to make a point. I do not think Sam actually wanted us to throw away the chocolate. I do not think the issue lies in how much chocolate we consume, but who it is bought from and how the large companies produce it. There are so many things made by slaves in this world that refusing to buy or use what is slave made would mean refusing to buy or use anything at all. The only way to solve the issue is ensuring that the workers making the products receive what they deserve. Better laws need to be implemented against slavery, and laws that monitor where and how big companies get their products. Showing videos like the one we watched in class is a good step towards making more people aware of the problem. So many people think very little slavery exists today. The more people we can make an impact on, the more will want to take action in preventing abuse of workers. The second piece of chocolate had much more knowledge attached to it than the first piece, but both pieces had an equal amount of change they could make, none. So in that sense, I do not think people should be frowned upon for eating the second piece. As long as they absorbed the message presented, then they could eat the chocolate if they wanted to. Throwing it away would have done very little.

I agree with this statement. I think places such as hospitals do not hire a person just because he or she is black, brown, or Asian. Good qualifications and experience are the most important factors when being considered for such jobs, not skin color. I think, affirmative action does not really apply to jobs in places like hospitals. Affirmative action exists so that people with less get more of an equal opportunity. The minority card can not automatically land a person a job. So no I do think Affirmative action will lower the standard of places giving out affirmative action.

I agree with you on this statement . I wish we would discuss more solutions to the problems that are presented in class. Sam discusses many problematic situations that occur in our society, but it feels like there is nothing that can be done by us. Hearing more opinions and ideas would give everyone a more positive outlook, and maybe make some people think more. More discussion should exist between students, so we know what ideas and possible solutions exist. Like you said I am learning many things in this class, but I would like to hear other students more.

After watching this CNN report, I was disgusted and scared. I never knew games in this genre existed. This is basically men raping innocent women through a video game. Even though it is not real life, the thought process of these actions still takes place in the minds of these men. I do not understand why anyone would even create this type of game. The creators of such games should by no means be receiving money for this, instead they should be punished. These games should be outlawed everywhere. Governments need to get together and make sure games like this are not created, and if they are make sure they do not spread. Not only is this disgusting, it is incredibly dangerous as well. Even though the culture in Japan is very different, and it may be normal to degrade women in these ways, these games have gone way too far. These games shine a positive light on the assault of women. You hurt a woman at a train station, and you earn points. This message of rape and assault of women is being spread across the world. The creators of these games could be putting many women in danger. A person to buy and play these games is obviously not normal in a sense. What if a player of one of the game decides he or she wants to try these game experiences in real life? A game should not have the power to anyone's life in danger. In what society is this acceptable? Also, this game becomes very dangerous when it gets into the hands of young children. Children should not grow up with this kind of violence or degradation of women. When they play these games, they see these things as more and more acceptable and less as a major problem in society. Even if it is just a game, a young child's mind absorbs it as real life. These issues should not even be placed in to a child's mind. With games like this in a child's hands, I think we have a much higher chance of creating more rapists, stalkers, etc. Most games that involve violence include an enemy the player must defeat in order to stay alive. Games of rape have no enemy, they are solely for the purpose of taking advantage of females . These games produce violence just for the sake of violence. The violent acts are taken against innocent women. All in all, I think it is outrageous games like this even exist. Stores and the internet should be raided to rid our communities of such dangerous games. This will be an important step in protecting our children and even women.