en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2440239 Comments by ALL015 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/were-you-surprised-by-any-of-basums-responses-or-his-appearance-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment145110662 It was very relieving to know somebody that lives over there is willing to get along with us Americans. Basum seemed so caring about everybody around him, in his country and in ours. So to know that there are people like that out there, it doesn’t matter what country they’re from, feels great. What I really enjoyed was his last few words to the class and that was to not let this war affect my life in the long run. It’s only hard for my because my sister has been there and is going again for her deployment. I wish everybody over there was like him, and I wish everybody here in the U.S. thought like me. Then, there wouldn’t be a war. I wish that some day we wouldn’t have to talk to someone in class over a webcam just to see if the people in his/her country really hated us, or what they think when they see us on their territory. It’s sad. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:37:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/were-you-surprised-by-any-of-basums-responses-or-his-appearance-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment145110662 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/were-you-surprised-by-any-of-basums-responses-or-his-appearance-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment145110605 Basum’s answers to the questions were unexpectedly great. Not everybody hates the U.S. which is great! I was really hoping for that. The people over in that country are just the same as us. They are scared to see us, and we are scared to see them. When we see a middle eastern, some Americans automatically will think “terrorist”. But I’m sure when we are over in their area, and they see American, they think “killer”. In the end, we’re all scared of each other. That’s mostly my opinion and doesn’t have much to do with Basum’s answers. But with the way he answered ?s and what we were talking about, that’s just what came to my mind. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:37:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/were-you-surprised-by-any-of-basums-responses-or-his-appearance-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment145110605 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/were-you-surprised-by-any-of-basums-responses-or-his-appearance-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment145110547 Yesterday was a great class for us and I’m really hoping it changed many of my classmates minds about being so judgmental. Yesterday’s class we got to talk to Basum, and ask many questions. At first I was nervous to hear what his responses would be like. The reason for this is because of what I hear around me. Even though I’m just one person in the country, to other people outside of the country I am just like everybody else. The only difference between me and other people would be that I don’t have hatred for other countries. I feel like just because we are at war with the middle east is why people have such hatred for other people over there. Simply, the government is telling our soldiers to go over there, and those people over there are just defending themselves. Do you blame them? Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:36:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/were-you-surprised-by-any-of-basums-responses-or-his-appearance-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment145110547 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment143124018 In conclusion, what this says about our society is that we are not fully accepting of other races yet in the US. There are still hate groups in the US as well. Our society needs to let go of past opinions and keep with their own, then I feel like this would be a much better place for all people of all races. I disagree that schools are more segregated than the 70s because I don’t think they’re segregated at all. In the 70s, you had kids who had the opinions of their parents who lived through the 50s, so there had to have been some harsh racism, but then again, not so much segregation. If anything, people of different races feel the need to segregate themselves for their safety. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:11:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment143124018 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment143123977 In my high school we had a variety of Russian students. I thought it was weird that some of them would eat in a different room than the lunch room, but that was because of the choice they made. Our school had no hint of segregation. There were kids that would make unnecessary comment to these Russian kids, or other people of different race, and that too me is defined as racism, not segregation. When somebody of a different race is attending my high school, they are entering a school of mostly whites. My town is small, with not very many open minded people. I’m not saying that people are racist, but it’s just new when someone of a different race comes into the town. So when I saw this question I looked at the answer in a different perspective as to what he is asking for. What I’m saying is, there’s still some racism going on in schools, and people of other races and ethnicities are uncomfortable with that. Therefore, when they choose to exclude themselves, that is their choice, not the school. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:11:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment143123977 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment143123938 In all honesty I don’t feel like our schools are more segregated than the 70s. In the 70s, there was a lot more hatred for people of color and other races that were not white. I know I didn’t live through that time period, but from what I’ve experienced with my mom, and grandmother’s generation, race is now more accepting than before. When I think of segregation, I think of having to separate because of your race, or ethnicity. With this time period now, I feel like people of different race or ethnic background are “clicky” with others that have the same race or ethnic background as them. I feel like races click with each other because they have a better understanding of each other, and can share more. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:11:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment143123938 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/has-the-class-on-the-needy-penis-made-you-uncomfortable-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139114274 What I thought could have been uncomfortable though was thinking about the homosexuals in my class. Sam and Laurie had great points, and awesome views on things but they were all related to heterosexuality. Some of the lecture could have been slightly relative, but I could see homosexuals getting angry, upset, or uncomfortable with that specific discussion. Although if there were lesbians in the class, we did learn that since women know more about their body, and their hot spots, lesbians tend to enjoy their sex more than a woman in her heterosexual relationship. This was proving that girls that have sex with girls don’t fake their orgasms because they don’t have to, but many girls fake theirs with men. In conclusion, I thought it was a good discussion for sexual women to wake up and think, “hey, that could be me” and for guys to get a better understanding that it really is not all about them in the sexual relationship. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 13:54:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/has-the-class-on-the-needy-penis-made-you-uncomfortable-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139114274 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/has-the-class-on-the-needy-penis-made-you-uncomfortable-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139114224 This may sound weird, but I thought It was awesome how they pointed out that the clitoris is the hot spot for women. A lot of guys don’t have knowledge about what feels good for women, so they don’t know this. Now, a few hundred do! I’m already talking engagement with my boyfriend so I’m not exactly worried about if guys know how to have sex or not, for my sake. Although, for others, I feel it’s important. I also thought it was great to watch them prove how fake porn is. I was worried Sam was going to make us watch something, thank goodness he didn’t! Their point was that a lot of guys learn how to “have sex” by watching porn when really is all about the guy in those videos, unless you’re watching lesbian porn. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 13:54:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/has-the-class-on-the-needy-penis-made-you-uncomfortable-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139114224 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/has-the-class-on-the-needy-penis-made-you-uncomfortable-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139114033 The talk on the “needy” penis didn’t make me uncomfortable at all. I thought it was a decent topic to talk about especially in a class of 700+ some. There were some parts of the lecture I was uninterested in knowing but I thought that Sam and his wife did a great job speaking about it. I’ve come to see that many college students go to school and think they need to get their “numbers up” and be wild and crazy and do things. What I thought was great was the fact that Sam and Laurie pointed out that in reality, a lot of people just say that’s what they want, but if you were to ask, the majority would say no. I’ve seen it myself that people are all talk, no show. What I think people really need to take in consideration too is that sex will only feel so great if you really like that sexual partner. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 13:53:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/has-the-class-on-the-needy-penis-made-you-uncomfortable-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139114033 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137508215 That’s why I’m really upset with my outcome. My best friend that dated the only black guy in the neighborhood definitely didn’t have this kind of experience. This guy was also very “white” for his race, considering where he grew up. He didn’t look for these aspects, just a companion. So, I have dated a black guy before and he was a horrible experience, and I’m insecure about dating black guys now. Because I say this though does not mean that I still wouldn’t try. I would just be a little shy about it. It’s almost intimidating to me. I’m very scared about what black girls would think about me. I’m only scared because some families grow up being taught to only date within their race. My family isn’t like that, and that’s why I would just date who I want. But also, I don’t have some qualities like a lot of those girls do, like singing and dancing. But like I said, I’m not generalizing all black guys here; I just had a bad experience. I would try again though if the opportunity came. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:38:19 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137508215 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137508182 I’m not ugly or anything (at least I and many others don’t think so) I just feel he was embarrassed about dating a white girl. What I did gain from my on-time experience would be that I’m very insecure when it comes down to talking to a black guy or dating one. When I’m talking to someone or in a relationship with somebody I would want them to be proud of whom they are dating, and not want to hide me, or yet be ashamed to speak of me. Also, from my on-time experience, this guy told me I didn’t have much talent. I do gymnastics but that’s not as good as being a hip-hop dancer or a singer. So not only was I white, I was too white. Now, the only time this guy tries to contact me is when he is drunk. That’s trashy. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:38:08 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137508182 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137508144 To me, there is nothing wrong with dating a black guy. Therefore, I would. Where I grew up there was only one black family in the neighborhood and my best friend was dating the kid that was in our age group. So, I never really had the chance. When I got to college, my honest goal was to try to date a black guy. I didn’t think it would be much different at all; I just wanted to see if it would be. Finally, I got the chance and I was talking to this guy for a while. We were hanging out pretty often for a while but then things began to slow down. I was actually pretty upset with this outcome. Although, based off of that experience, I would not generalize all black guys to be shady like he was. I would ask him if he had told his parents about me and he never would. And only one time he invited me to go out into public with him. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:37:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137508144 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/how-do-you-feel-about-the-poor-white-society-and-who-are-you-more-likely-to-help-119-blog/#IDComment134362935 My opinion about the poor white society changes depending on the situation. If there is a family that doesn’t work, and does nothing but try to make others feel bad for them, my opinion is a bad opinion of that poor family. Nothing bothers me more than when somebody is struggling to get by, and does nothing to help themselves. Then, you have a poor white family, who really does try to work hard to get by, and wants nothing but the best for everybody else. Poor white families like that are people I will not think low of, it’s not fair. There are ways of being “poor” and not looking it as well. When I was growing up my mom had to buy all of my clothes from the thrift store. At first, people would think that was gross, but nobody would guess that’s where I got my clothes from. I think very highly of people like my mother. She worked as hard as possible to make sure her kids had what they needed. A girl I grew up with also had a family that was poor. I despised their mom because she didn’t work, and expected to get her money from elsewhere like the government. A lot of people really cant help their money situation and that’s strongly understandable. Some people have to grow up in that kind of situation and yes, have the choice to do better, but depending on what kind of education you have and other financial issues, it might be harder to get a better paying job. Although, if you work hard, you can do better for yourself. Sometimes people are poor because they get a job and children. Having a child is very expensive and that’s actually how many people in this world get themselves into poverty. Their low-paying job is okay for supporting themselves, but when it comes to supporting a family, it’s too small of an income. So, my opinion of poor, white people varys. Depending on the work ethic that the “poor” person has, will determine my opinion. I cant stand to see someone sit around and do nothing but complain about being poor. What makes me sad is seeing somebody that works really hard just to maintain what they have, even if it’s just a little bit. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:46:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/how-do-you-feel-about-the-poor-white-society-and-who-are-you-more-likely-to-help-119-blog/#IDComment134362935 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587132 In conclusion, I just don’t think it’s right to have so many kids if you’re already living in poverty. It’s okay to look out for yourself, and if you can hardly take care of expenses for yourself, why would you want to try to pay for child? It’s not fair for children who are brought into the world living in poor conditions. Financially, it’s just wrong. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:28:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587132 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587089 This brings me back to Sam’s discussion on choices and determination. People can make the choice to better themselves, and I don’t understand why people don’t try. Why some people don’t want that determination. Usually, I feel like it’s the undetermined people that wish and say “someday” that bitch the most about life, instead of taking action and making things happen. Dreams don’t come true right away, but every little step counts to making something happen. I give Tammy’s son credit for trying, and he’s making the choice to better himself, and is determined to do well. I think he is hard on his mom because he sees that she is determined to work hard, and thinks she’s not working to her full potential to get what she wants. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:27:54 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587089 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587051 Things like this honestly anger me a little bit. Yes, my mom is single, collected child support from my father, but all of her kids were with one man. It was hard for her to support all of us, but she did everything she could. She didn’t want to receive money from the government because she felt that since we had our necessities she wanted them to give money to people who really need it. What we had was happiness so we didn’t need extra help. But I get angry because there are people out there like my mother that works hard and tries not to get welfare, and then you have mothers who make babies like crazy, don’t do anything to work, and try to get government money and food stamps, etc. It’s bull. That’s called cheating to me, and cheaters never win in my eyes. In the long run, those people are still unsuccessful. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:27:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587051 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587021 There are many answers I believe for this question. I would say yes, it’s selfish for people to have a lot of kids while living in poverty. A lot of people know how to cheat the system that we have. What I’ve noticed is a lot of families that do live in poverty are single mom’s with children. What I have seen is moms taking advantage of this in ways that each of her children has different fathers. This way, she can receive welfare, and child support. This could be a reason why many mothers have multiple children, yet qualify as living in poverty. Or, the more children, the more money received from the government. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:27:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130587021 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment128817905 I’m coming from that low percentage of the lowest working class, yet I’m making the choice to rise above where I come from and getting an education so I don’t have to be in that classification any more. It’s not that I mid, but I know I have potential to do well, therefore I will. What saddens me is how some of the people that live in America take for granted what they have. I’m not saying that all high-class Americans don’t appreciate what they have because at one point some of them did have to work hard to get where they are today. What bothers me though, is people don’t realize how hard people work for them to get what they want and they don’t appreciate a piece of it. That’s my thoughts of how people live in America compared to the world. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:34:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment128817905 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment128817874 Like Sam had mentioned before in class, people make choices every day. Depending on the choices people make, determines where they could end up. People can make the choice to get up and go somewhere, get a job, and start something for themselves. That’s why when I see an adult, no matter where in the world, which can’t make a dime; it’s hard to feel bad. I feel bad for children who don’t have the choice or knowledge to go somewhere, but I have hope for those kids that if they get a little help, they can make a good choice to go somewhere and be somebody. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:33:49 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment128817874 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment128817832 But if I were to compare myself to others around the world, depending on the country, I could be looked at as a “rich” person. Then again, what does “rich” really mean? Because my family has shelter, education, and necessities, we look at it as making off well. Just because our things are a little smaller and cheaper, makes us no different than any other American. To people in a country like Haiti, they would look at me as making out pretty well. When I can’t get something I want, and not necessarily need, I do compare myself to people around the world and think, “well, at least I have what I need”. But if I thought everyday about how other people lived compared to me, I would start to feel guilty and living with guilt everyday would make a depressing life. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:33:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment128817832