I do not think people think they should not help or they should just move on, I think it is a situation where we are so consumed with ourselves, our lives, and what is going on around us that we just don’t remember to stop and think. Haiti is something that is not directly affecting us, so it is easy to not keep it at the forefront of our minds all the time. For people who have been to Haiti after the earthquake, it is a life changing experience and they are willing to do whatever they can to help. For the majority of people though, it is a tragic thing that happened… and then we move on and go about our day. Just like in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina was a terrible natural disaster, especially because it was our own country and own people that were being affected, and it was in the news for a little bit, then it went away and we hardly think about it anymore. In reality though, New Orleans is still in ruins and people’s lives are still being affected by the hurricane. To me, Haiti is a tragedy and I feel so terrible and sad for the lives of the people who were lost, as well as for the people who have to endure what is to come. Yet, it is hard for me to fully grasp the situation because I was not there and I have not really seen the damage done or met the people whose lives have been changed because of the earthquake. Even though we are one big world, one big family of people, we are also self-involved. We hear about sad things that happen, and it affects us for a little while, maybe we give a little money, but then we go right back to our days, our problems, and our lives. When it is something that is immediately affecting our lives…like our family members die, or something happens to our community or people we love, of course we are going to respond and mourn and do all we can to make things better- but that is because it is impacting our lives in a tangible, real way that we can see and feel. For most people, Haiti did not impact us in that sort of way, so it is easy to almost forget about it or not think about how awful is still really is. 300,000 people is a lot of people who have died, and so many more are still dealing with the earthquake- you would think we would want to take action and care more, but sadly we just aren’t and we don’t. If we could really get a sense of what is going on down there, and really begin to feel their pain and care for them, then I think 300,00 people dying would mean a lot more to us.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from lecture today or really what the lecture was going to be about. I thought for sure it would just be Sam bashing Christianity in his subtle way. I was surprised when he started talking about the war. I actually do agree with the stuff he was saying and it does really make you think a little differently about the war. My brother is in the army and he will be leading men in Afghanistan soon, so obviously I support him, what he does, and our army. I always kind of view our army like the good guys, and even though I know everything we do isn’t great, I just support America because that is where I’m from and who I am. From hearing today’s lecture I obviously still support America, but that is just because I am an American and have grown up in this culture and society. If I was an Iraqi, I would most likely be fighting against Americans, or in the very least, I would probably not like Americans. Sam gave the analogy of what if the Chinese who take our coal were on the Penn State campus and in our hometowns and in our country just monitoring us and essentially invading us. I would be pissed and obviously not like them. That is what we are doing in the Middle East. Also, as much as people try to say it is not a war over oil, at least to some extent it is. Maybe Sam made it out to be more than it actually is, maybe he didn’t, either way his claims hold truth. As a Christian, I think that he made Christians out to look like crazy people. Watching the videos he played, some of them made sense to me and I agreed with what they were doing- I think it is great that people are missionaries, risking their lives to tell others about Jesus. That is what they believe is right and they are trying to tell others about it too. I see no problem in that. Mostly, I just think the war is something I will continue to support just because it is America and my brother is fighting for our country. I don’t necessarily agree with all of the reasons we are fighting, and I hate that innocent people are dying unnecessarily. Mainly, this class just made me think about how I would feel if I did not belong to one of the most powerful countries in the world, but I was being invaded by them. I would probably hate us, or at least feel a little bit of bitterness towards us, so all in all the class wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was a good class.

Watching that video about people who were actually slaves, hearing their stories, and seeing their scars was definitely an experience. It is one thing to read the book by Kevin Bales, and be aware that it is going on, but to actually see the people and hear what happened to them- it was moving. I can not imagine what those people have been through. The physical pain they have been through- being beaten, worked to the bone and deprived of food- and the emotional pain- being taken from their homes and not knowing where they are- must be unbearable. Also, the injustice of not being paid, doing all of that work and not getting an ounce of money for it… it is just maddening. Sam’s stories also went to the heart, about the women who he has promised to tell her story, to tell of the injustice that is happening around the world. I can see this is such a serious and important matter to Sam, because he has actually seen the injustice in person, talked with the people, and heard their stories. We, on the other hand, have seen a movie and read a book. The movie was probably ten minutes long, and the book was a mandatory read so you could get a good grade on the test. I’m sure some people have been touched and have been sickened by what they have learned- including me. but I am also sure that for a lot of people in goes in one ear and out the other or, they think it is sad, but it really does not affect the way the live their lives. That is why people ate the second piece of chocolate- it really hasn’t touched their lives in any sort of way- and it probably won’t until you really have done what Sam has done. You have to experience the people and their lives full of hurt in order to really feel something for this issue- if you don’t it is just something that is sad but that is all. Also, I am sure a lot of people think that not eating the second piece of chocolate really won’t make a difference. It has already been made, it will continue to be made, and not eating on chocolate chip won’t stop slavery. You can’t judge the people that eat the second piece of chocolate- maybe I would have too if I liked dark chocolate- because it really doesn’t make a difference in the big picture. Sam actually said that too- eating the second piece of chocolate wouldn’t change anything. Yet, being aware and maybe trying to make some small changes- like buying the fair trade chocolate will make littler differences in those people’s lives.

In class Sam talked about how every time his wife bleeds he knows it because he can hear her scream expletives from across the house. He then proceeded to try to tell us all about his wife’s menstrual cycle and give us details. He explained that it is a natural process, just like hunger. He had guys who were hungry raise their hands, and then girls who were hungry raise their hands. He said this process is just as natural as eating and we need it to survive. Yes, I agree with what Sam is saying- it is a natural process and women need to menstruate in order for people to survive, but there are many natural processes that are just not normally talked about. He then said that because we are in a male dominated world that is why we do not talk about it. Men think it is disgusting or something that is gross to think about so that is why it is not an acceptable topic to discuss. I can see all his points, but I do not think that is the only reason we do not talk about it. I personally do not have a problem talking about it with people that I know, not because I think it is something “beautiful” like Sam was saying, but because I think it is funny to see people feel awkward. I know some girls who don’t even like talking about it, and obviously some guys who get real uncomfortable- but that is just normal. The reason it’s not commonly talked about is because it is something that is personal and it’s not something that needs to be discussed. It is one of those things like going to the bathroom or having sex. People do it and it is necessary to survive, but you don’t just discuss it with anyone and everyone. It is a personal thing. It’s not because men have pushed women to be quiet about it, it is because even some women don’t want to discuss it. When I get my period I don’t announce it to the world or tell people all the details about it, I just let it happen and go on with my life. Sam says it’s beautiful… I’m a girl and even I don’t think it is beautiful, in fact I think it is pretty disgusting, but it necessary and it has to happen. While I was writing this I told my sister what I was writing about and she grimaced- perfect example. Why did she grimace? Because she said it is a social taboo that people just do not talk about and it is gross. She is a girl and she thinks its gross…sorry Sam. Just don’t tell me about your wife and her cycle.

I went to a catholic high school and the same dilemma came up. A girl wanted to bring another girl as her date and the faculty would not allow it. I am pretty sure the girl ended up going; she just went with a guy. There was a big uproar in our school over the fact that she was bi-sexual, not because the school hadn’t allowed her to go. In my littler private catholic school society, no one really talked about or knew people who were gay and so when an issue like this came up it was definitely the topic of lunch table conversations. What is interesting is the fact that people were not upset that faculty did not let her attend, it was the fact that she had asked in the first place. I feel like a lot of people judged her because she was bi-sexual and even had the “nerve” to ask about bringing a girl as her date to prom. I remember some kids really did not care either way, and some kids just thought it was crazy that she was bi-sexual because our small little school had never openly experienced stuff like that before. It surprised me that in this town in Mississippi they actually went as far as cancelling prom just because the girl decided she wanted to bring her girlfriend as a date. If they don’t want her to bring a girl, just tell her no, don’t cancel prom because they are afraid other people might be uncomfortable, that is a little extreme. I personally think that homosexuality is wrong, but I do not dislike gay people or think badly of them, so in my opinion if the school wanted to not have homosexual couples attend prom than okay I can understand that, but don’t make the girl suffer and turn it into a huge deal. I’m not sure how I feel about the teacher at the end who said she should “remember where she was.” On one hand, maybe they were just trying to explain that of course the school would do that and she should have known, or maybe they were trying to say that she should know she is and she should not be trying to bring her girlfriend to prom. Mostly, I think the decision itself is fine, if the school did not want to have homosexual couples I can understand that, but to cancel prom completely is a bit over the top. I’m not sure if it said if it was a private school or not, but if it was a public school than that is very surprising that they would even tell her that she could not bring a girlfriend to prom, especially in this day and age.

Yvrose Jean Baptiste is just one example of someone who is taking the cards that they are dealt and playing them wonderfully. I think this story is very surprising to people because they assume that if you are poor you maybe are stupid or got into poverty in some way and would not be able to get out of it or make a living. Although Yvrose is not rich by any means, she is obviously very smart and is doing all that she can to earn a living. I went on a missions trip to a very poor city in Mexico, and people there lived in a dump and their houses were literally cardboard sheds. All this to say, the people in this city worked very hard in order to provide food for their families and survive. If people did not do this, they would not survive. That is precisely what Yvrose is doing. She is doing what is in her power to get by and to make a living. Yet, Yvrose is going above and beyond, and she is using her resources wisely. She has taken advantage of this microbusiness opportunity, has seen an opportunity and taken it. The fact that she manages all of her business dealings, loans people money, collects interest, and buys from people in a different country, all while having a fifth grade education is very impressive. Would I be able to do that if I was in her situation? Who knows…Heck, I’m not even sure if I could do that now. This story is so impressive, but it is also very sad. The Haitian earthquake was such a terrible, sad disaster, and obviously everyone was affected. Now, Yvrose has to pay the bank $700 because the people she had dealings with have either died or they cannot pay her back. On one hand I think the bank should just dismiss the fee because probably no one who was affected by the earthquake will be able to make payments, but I know that that is an impossible thought and they have to demand the money from her. Yvrose has worked so hard and done wonderful for herself, and now she has to deal with something that is far out of her control. She was born into poverty and has dealt with that very gracefully, I have no doubt that she will take new obstacles and deal with them gracefully as well. If she was in the United States I’m sure she would think that many Americans are lazy and do not know the value of hard work, or what hard work even is. She should be right. I think we should all be like Yvrose and have her work ethic, yet that is just wishful thinking.

I think this is absolutely disgusting and awful. How desperate can guys get that they have to pay $7,000 to have sex? It’s not only desperate, it is degrading. Men looking to buy these Roxxxy dolls are looking for someone to have sex with without the commitment or intimacy of a relationship. Why can’t they just get some confidence and meet a real woman without having to spend thousands of dollars on a doll? It sickens me that this is in our culture and this is what we have come to. Over 4,000 already sold and 20,000 inquired about? Come on guys, that is just pathetic. This doll just turns women into objects and it just feeds men’s lust. We’re created to be relational people, not people who can truly be satisfied talking to a robot about NASCAR. Once men get used to doing it with dolls and controlling every position, response, and attitude of the “women”, won’t this only worsen men when they come in contact with real women? Won’t they then just expect us to be exactly like that? Who is this Douglas Hines guy? How can his wife let him put this on the market? If I was her I would be offended and feel like less of a woman because I couldn’t satisfy my husband enough that he needed to make a doll in order to get some pleasure… I would also be pissed off to learn that I married a scum bag. Some people don’t think that if they had sex with a doll and they were married it would be cheating. I disagree. A lot more is involved in cheating than just physical actions. Yeah, they didn’t physically cheat on you with a real person, but they are mentally and psychologically connecting with something else and getting pleasure from someone other than their wife or significant other. To me is says that I was not good enough so they had to go somewhere else, and to me that is cheating. I think the people who are willing to buy this doll and go to such lengths in order to get some really have a problem. Think about it- you’re having sex with a doll! I mean, if you’re really that desperate, go grab the neighbor’s dog- that idea is equally as disgusting and unreasonable. This article is ridiculous; I am almost hoping it is a joke. Is that what our society has come to? Are people so inundated with sex that we are now allowing dolls to be put on the market so we can have sex with them? Come on America, don’t be desperate. Have some standards and go ask a real person out.

I think this article is really interesting and I have never really thought about languages and how they can actually die out. At first I was like, who cares, it is not that big of a deal- there is just one less language in the world. But after reading the article, there is a lot more than that. No, it is not an issue that will significantly affect us, but it is something to think about and it is just very interesting. If anything, like Sam said, it is just a sentimental issue. Maybe I am just too much of a girl and I think it is sad that no one will hear the Bo Language again and the many languages across the world that are dying out. Yet, the article said some very true things. Since no one has learned these people’s language, no one will ever know their history and background. Language carries so much importance and because of language we are more easily able to share knowledge with one another. If languages are dying out, we will never be able to learn about the history of some tribes or areas or groups of people. We will never learn about their myths, feats, or rituals. This is a sad issue because it is just like forgetting a group of people ever existed. Also, the article talks about how when we understand forgotten languages, we are taught their language and learn to understand what they experienced. It says, “As the last speakers converse, they spin individual strands in a vast web of knowledge, a noosphere of possibilities. They tell how their ancestors calculated accurately the passing of seasons without clocks or calendars. How humans adapted to hostile environments, from the Arctic to Amazonia.” Since languages are being lost and forgotten, people will never be able to learn about people who inhabited our world before us, learn how they survived, what they learned, and what went on in their lives. This is something that I think would benefit us. Of course, if no one cares about learning someone’s language, it is not going to happen and things will be lost and forgotten, and the world will still continue to go round and we will still continue to advance and happily live our lives. But, like Sam said, there is some sentimental value to knowing that languages and people will be long forgotten and never fully understood because their ancestors did not care to learn their language and carry on their memories, traditions, knowledge, or stories. I think we would be better off to at least gain some knowledge of these random languages, but then again, if people do not care, they will not do anything about it.

It is true that there are Black and White issues in the world. Why is it all just black people versus white people? Why can’t it be someone disagreeing with someone else, or this person against this person…not the white people against the black people. As much as we want to say there is equality and no more racism in our society, there are still so many issues that we need to work out amongst our society. Maybe it is because of the Civil Rights movement, and the fact that is was not too long ago that people were segregated or unequal. This is definitely a contributing factor, but I do not think that is the only contributing factor. I think many black people are bitter towards white people and I think many white people are bitter towards black people. There is a string of racism that has run through out country and culture, not necessarily through everyone, but some people to a certain extent. People cannot look at people and see them as Joe or Jill or Jack. They see them as that white kid Joe, or those black kids Jill and Jack. Perhaps it is because there is still an obvious physical difference in the color of our skin that people just cannot seem to look past. Maybe it is the differences in cultures that people cannot overlook. Whatever the reason, people still look at each other as white and black. People cannot say certain things because they will be called racist. People who are Puerto Ricans, Native Americans, Mexicans, etc. do not suffer the same sort of scrutiny or are not involved in the same sort of problems as a race or ethnicity because they have not had to deal with many of the issues that Black people have had to deal with. They did not have to fight for their rights as famously or as recently as African Americans did. Also, sometimes ignorant people just group them together with black people, so they are involved in the Black vs. White issue because they look black or white, even though they are not even remotely so. The solutions to this problem are easily said and hardly done. Looking at a person without making assumptions or putting labels is just not what people do. They look at them as “the white girl who is probably like this…” or “the black kid who probably does this…” We can say that we just need to look at a person and not worry about their skin color, but it has never been that way and unfortunately it probably never will. I wish we could not have a black and white issue, and that people did not stereotype or continue to be racist, but it happens and it probably will continue to happen. Yes, there is a black vs. white issue. Yes, it is stupid and terrible. No, there is probably not much that will happen about it. No, it will probably not change anytime soon.

As an American woman, I look at the Muslim culture and sometimes think it is terrible that they have to “cover up” and hide behind their clothing. I know I would hate it if every day I was forced to completely cover everything and only have my eyes peeking out of my clothes. I have always heard that the women in that culture are not only forced to dress like that, but are also usually not respected and are treated as lower class citizens. Having this outlook before I read the article, I just assumed that the women did not like this “oppression” and would be relieved if they were given the choice to wear whatever they wanted and given a bit more freedom. After the article, I once again realized that this really is not the case at all. Yes, in some areas the women feel that they are oppressed and forced to cover up and show as little skin as possible. Yet, some women do not feel this way at all. I seemed to have forgotten that they do not live in the United States; they do not experience the same culture as I do, or even the same religion as I am, so it is a completely different situation than I am used to. For some women, this lifestyle is what they want and what they choose. As the two women said in the video, they want to be covered up. They will choose to do this even if the laws change and they are forced to not cover their faces. To them, it is a sign of piety, it is their religion, and it is what they know. Looking at it this way, it is understandable to see why they would want to continue to do this. From my ignorant American perspective, I do not see why anyone would want to do that, but of course- I am not from where they are from and I do not know how they have grown up. Some of these women do not know anything but this culture and would not feel comfortable doing anything else, especially because it is their religion and their “fashion choices” are a part of their beliefs. I do not think a country can just make a law saying what you can and cannot wear, and impede on people’s religious culture. If I was the two women in the interview, I would do the same thing as them. I would keep my burqa on and go about my day, even if I breaking the law or was considered “extreme” by other Muslims. I salute those women who are sticking to what they know and believe, even when everyone else is telling them to conform to another model of what they should be.