I also agree with a majority of what everyone else has said regarding whether or not this can be considered as racist- there is definitely a fine line that is drawn, but just because you, by chance, have better opportunities than other people in undeveloped countries does not constitute as something so negative. It is especially unracistlike to want to be able to put these opportunities to use and really help other people out. I originally thought this video, because of the title, was going to be asking if a certain comment or term was considered racist, but I’m really glad that it was asking this question in particular, because it is something so interesting to consider. Overall, I really think it’s how you portray yourself. If you’re going to go around and parade the fact that you’re better off than a lot of other people in different countries, then maybe racism will come into play.

I can understand why there was a lot of outrage for what Sam discussed in class regarding the ‘Christian Invasion’, but I think people really need to start putting themselves in the shoes of other people. Because I think that with Sam’s whole argument and putting us in the shoes of the Muslims, it is really easy to understand their negative thoughts about us. It all works out in a way that we make our beliefs and judgments based off of the information that we know, and sometimes if we are not well informed enough then we are going to make assumptions. Of course this is a terrible thing, but I really think this is something that is absolutely inevitable. Therefore, as hard as it is to hear all of the negative things that the Muslims say about us and vice-versa, only better communication can potentially solve this problem in society.

I am so glad that this man reached out to us through his letter. I kept reading it over and over again because I was so intrigued. To be perfectly honest, I had all of the preconceived judgments about people in prison that he was talking about. I just assumed that there was no way any good people could exist in prison. I never but too much thought into it, but if anyone would have asked me what I think about the people in prison, I probably would have just said something along the lines of the them being terrible people. That being said, I feel like the terrible person now for thinking that.
It is so weird to actually sit down and really take a deeper look into what compassion really is. It is displayed so often, but no one really ever thinks about it. I think it’s such a cool thing that people are basically programmed to show empathy and feelings towards other people when they know that it is needed the most. I never really put much thought towards this either, but I feel like a lot of compassionate moments are really overlooked sometimes, and that’s really sad to me. From now on, I want to observe every moment of compassion as possible. I’m also going to really appreciate the compassion that other people show me.
I also think it’s so cool that moments like these take place and are observed in prison. My preconceived and naive judgments about that kind of place also assumed that this never happened. I really needed to realize that just because some people have committed terrible crimes does not mean that they don’t have feelings and are not capable of showing compassion. I think that a lot of other students’ eyes will be opened by this letter too. Letters like this, and any other form of an eye opening experience, needs to occur more often. As upset as I am with myself, I’m really glad that I was able to take something away from this letter.
This has taught me that I really need to take a deeper look into the lives of other people. I don’t think that I’m too big of a judgmental or critical person, but I know that I also need to stop making assumptions. It makes me so sad though that people like this man have obviously changed everything about himself, but still cannot be given a second chance at living his life. I know it would be too difficult to somehow test the lifers and see who can qualify to be released, because it would be way too hard to draw the line, but I just really wish there was something that could be done.

I do not necessarily believe in and agree with everything that this man is saying, but of course he is entitled to his own opinion. Sometimes I felt like he didn’t really know what he was talking about with regards to some of the issues (i.e. bringing all of the troops back home… although this would obviously be nice, I think it is very naive of him to say), but I definitely think he has a point when it comes to immigration. Again, I don’t really agree with what he claims, but I can definitely see where he’s coming from because immigration is in his roots. His family worked hard to get where they are, so it is understandable for this man to feel the way that he does. Also, it’s fine for him to have his own opinions just like everybody else, but I really think he could approach the situation a little better, as opposed to putting up rude and offensive signs.

I really think this is a good question, and I am definitely going to read everyone else’s response after I post my own. To be honest, I don’t think I have necessarily changed my opinion about much… but it’s not because I don’t agree or that I’m stuck in my own ways of thinking. Sam has definitely opened my eyes to a lot of different opinions that I may potentially have, but in order to actually change my mind about my thoughts, I think that I have to do a lot of research on my own to really confirm my way of thinking. So, therefore, I don’t think Sam has changed my opinion, but he has definitely instilled in my head that there is always a different approach to every situation and I really have to explore all of the options for myself to see what I really believe and think.

Watching this CNN video and just thinking about the concept of this game gave me the chills. Although some people may think of this game as an ‘escape’ from reality, I really do not think that pretend raping girls should ever be something that people want to escape and do. The object of a game is to be fun, so what I would like to know is since when is raping considered something that can be fun? Isn’t there something else that people can do when they want to escape? I just do not understand why people would want to be the ones in control of such a terrible (understatement) thing. It makes me sick to my stomach. Read a book about rape or something. Don’t actually take part in it. Also, just because genitalia is obscured means nothing. People can look at porn if that’s what they wanted to see. And the girls are cartoons, so I don’t really think anybody is looking to see that anyway. It’s all about the concept.
I also agree with the woman speaking on behalf of the women’s rights group; by turning something like rape into a game that people play, the whole concept of it is just being normalized, and rape is something that should NEVER be normalized. Most people with a right mind would never even consider doing this in real life because they know it is such a horrible thing to do, so why is it something that can be thought of lightly enough to make it into a game. Even the sounds effects coming from the girls who are having their skirts blown up in the game are just so sad. I don’t understand how anybody could play this game without having a guilty conscience. There are plenty of other options for an escape. These people need to look at porn or something- at least those girls want you to look at them.
It’s funny to me that government officials would not make a statement about the game, and the one female who did would not release her name. That is how you know it’s a problem. It is absolutely absurd that this game has been exposed to the public as long as it has been, and I bet no one is releasing their names because they are ashamed, and that is exactly the way they should feel. But really… if they know it is something wrong and not good for society, I would think the government would want to publicize the fact that they do not agree with the game and what it stands for. Knowing that the game can have such harmful effects to society and not doing anything about it (when you are fully capable to do so) is just as bad as playing the game itself.

Honestly? It is completely absurd. There is no reason for any of this. That is why I think that if everyone had the chance to waitress and really see how hard of a job it can be, no one would ever take their service for granted. Similarly, if everyone had the chance to be categorized as a minority, they would realize that it is just as stupid to take any single person for granted. This happens way too often in society, and it is such a scary thing to witness. Therefore, I really think that globalization can be one of the best things that will happen to our world today. People need more experiences (of any kind), and this is definitely one of the ways that this can happen. People need exposure. As typical as it may sound, everyone needs to realize what it is like to be placed in somebody else’s shoes. It is too easy of a concept, but it needs to happen.

I absolutely agree with this post, one hundred percent. There are so many ways that the welfare system of our country is being taken advantage of, and I just feel as though there are so many ways that these situations can be avoided. The system has not been thought through well enough, and for that reason it should not have been implemented when it was. There are WAY too many loopholes, and it makes it all the more frustrating because so many people are aware of all of the problems and issues that are being caused. It has become way too easy to defeat the welfare system of our government, and something needs to be done about it immediately. Obviously a welfare system needed to be implemented, but if government officials knew that there would be some ways to go around the rules (if they didn't, I'm sure they do now), then I just feel like they took the easy way out and implemented a 'temporary' system that has become an absolute joke.

I can almost guarantee you that if I were in this student's shoes I would be confused as well. That is the hard part about it though; even if he feels deep down that he belongs with one ethnic group, or there is one particular group of people that he feels he associates best with, there are people in today's society that constantly make him question how he feels. To be honest, it's really sad. I am sure he can find a part of himself that can identify with each different culture that he is a part of, but the confusion is absolutely understandable. This is when society becomes so frustrating; everybody is so critical and always trying to categorize people into one group or another, and it is really truly unfair. People need to make decisions like these for themselves, without the judgment or commentary from anybody else. Society needs to be more understanding, and maybe then people wouldn't be so confused about where they feel that they belong.

I feel like in order for there to not be so much controversy in our world, people just need to have more experience. People need to have their eyes wide opened to society to really understand what people go through. Maybe this way, people will not be so hypocritical or ignorant. It may also be naïve to think that placing every single person in a minority group will cure all of the hatred that occurs in today’s society, but I definitely think it will have a huge impact. For example, I have been a waitress for the past four years, and I think this is also something that everybody needs to experience. If this happened, I really think a lot more people would be appreciative of the service that they receive when they are in a restaurant. To be honest, I really feel like I could be a minority when I am waitressing; people are rude and mean for absolutely no reason, and it is probably just because they think they have some sort of power over me. (cot'd in 3rd comment)