en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2389420 Comments by Brion0722 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/#IDComment143215933 Schools are more segregated now than in the 1970’s because there was a lot more income equality back than in today’s society. Income plays a huge role what resources are available to communities and its schools; the more wealth in a neighborhood, the more taxes being paid for education. Once one is leaving in a low-income neighborhood, it is very difficult to get out. Capitalism is at its prime in today’s society. Only the top 1.5% of the population in the United States has the most power. How can the smallest population in country rule the country? They do it by owning technology companies, mass amounts of media, and control the government. These big capitalist know what they want and live to see their interest accomplish. Mostly white and Asian families benefit in this capitalist world because they have the highest income in the country. Their children are provided so many resources to succeed. These children receive the benefits of Nepotism as their parents are highly connected. Everyone else who do not have these connections are left to work even harder to even get close to the “American Dream” that we have come to believe is having it made. Since whites and Asians have the highest incomes in the country minorities as well as immigrants are usually the demographic for low income neighborhood, hence the segregation. If there were true equality, everyone would have a fair chance to succeed and the schools would be more integrated. Some people in these low income communities are not there by choice, they have been subjected to some form of racism. Racism is another factor of why schools become more segregated than ever. Studies are done all the time to prove that minorities are subjected to racism when applying for housing as well as jobs. Racism thwarts any kind of true equality in the U.S. In the 1970s people were about change and activism. Movements such as the feminist movement and the Gay rights movement occurred during this time. Military spending was also low as people did not want any more war killing innocent soldiers and people of other countries. Since the government was not spending on military, it had room in its budget for more social programs. A lot has changed in the last 40 odd years. The United States has become a society out for self and materialistic perspectives are in full force. You can “pull yourself up by your boot straps,” but in most cases you can’t very far. This is how things are and America has to do some real souls searching to fix this issue at hand…when is enough, enough? The 70s was such a simpler time and I feel as though America was working together. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:51:57 +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/#IDComment143215933 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/what-do-you-think-of-the-291-statistic-and-what-number-would-you-pick-119-blog/#IDComment141156511 When told in class that the United States has decided that the amount of civilians that are killed for one enemy killed is 29:1. This statistic puzzled me because the U.S. believes this is ethical. Sam told us at the beginning of class that we were supposed to think as though we were middle class Arab Muslims. Now in the mindset of an Arab Muslim I was appalled further. Those 29 people could have easily been my entire family. With all the technology the U.S. has, why can’t they use surveillance technology to catch that one bad guy, or give the civilians a fair warning! Some soldiers in the U.S. military are spiteful and enjoy the misery of others. In the video in class, we saw a group of soldiers run over a car because an Iranian man was “stealing wood.” Iraq the wealthiest country and most people are destitute. Looking at this situation as a fellow middle easterner, I could justify the stealing of wood because these people need warmth to survive those cold nights. But the soldiers did not seem to want to resolve the situation or even here the man’s reasoning behind it. All they seem to care about was terrorizing the “criminals.” In most case the U.S. military seem to be the real criminals here. Here in the U.S. most police officers act in the same manner. Most police officials are arrogant and are on power trips; not essentially doing their sole job…to enforce the laws of the land. So if we as U.S. citizens believe this behavior is acceptable in our country, soldiers “enforcing the law” in other countries will have the same approach to civilians. Does the U.S. really think they are helping the people in the Middle East? How could they if countless innocent lives are spared for a few terrorists. Most Americans do not sit back and think about this situation at hand. In the beginning, when September 11th happened, Americans were emotional and acting soling on that. Negative perceptions of Middle Easterners without premise began. All we as Americans knew that “Arab Muslim terrorists” attacked the World Trade Center and we were scared. Ok, but not all Muslim live by the “Jihad.” America was not only going to war because of terrorist attacks, they had an oil retrieval agenda. Lives are not as important as oil. The U.S. has to make sacrifices, but what is a life worth anymore? How much is an American life worth? We don’t think about things like this on a daily basis. I didn’t until I attended this week’s class. We receive numerous propaganda through the news about Arabs, but so do they about Americans. They actually live this reality that Americans are invaders not protectors. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 03:31:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/what-do-you-think-of-the-291-statistic-and-what-number-would-you-pick-119-blog/#IDComment141156511 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/how-will-you-be-treated-differently-if-whites-become-the-minority-119-blog/#IDComment138618876 If whites were to become the minority I think two or more situations can occur: they cannot accept it, both accept it and begin to see how it is to be the minority, or treat everyone the same as before. First, I think that whites will not accept the fact they are now the minority. In class yesterday, most white people responded that they were uncomfortable with this occurring. Sam says that the “world is getter browner.” I don’t think whites want to come to this realization that it is, in fact, happening. Maybe the main reason why they are uncomfortable with becoming the minority is that their “whiteness” will not hold much weight in our society; to a white person this is potentially all they have. Face it if your particular group had power because of their skin color, you would feel some type of fear of losing that power. Every human desires to be powerful! Next, I think that white people, after a while, will begin to accept their minority status. Most people in America that were born and raised here love this country. They could not imagine leaving it all behind. I think that white people will deal with being a minority and acquire sympathy for those in the “new majority.” Maybe this country could get along much better if this were to occur because each culture could understand the hardships of being a minority. Lastly, I think that some white people will have the same notion that they are still superior to other cultures; even though they are the minority. Currently in today’s society, the top 10% of the U.S. population controls this country’s economy, government, and media. This “minority” controls the majority, maybe indirectly, but it is clear that this currently happening. White people’s perception of their power could simply stay the same. Their becoming the minority could backfire and make them believe they are far more superior than before; causing an uproar in this country and maybe civil war. Hopefully that will never happen because who needs another civil war ending in countless lives lost. Besides white people coming to fruition that our nation, and even the world, is becoming more multiracial, all cultures must do the same. We all have to start looking past skin color among other differences in people. You would think that in the 21st century, we would be more advance as people and race didn’t matter. It does! I even think about race as my perceptions other cultures are sometimes validated when I interact with different people. I am very aware that everyone is different, but I do believe that we can look past the differences since most people are beginning to explore and intermix with other cultures. Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:36:37 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/how-will-you-be-treated-differently-if-whites-become-the-minority-119-blog/#IDComment138618876 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-factors-in-your-race-make-it-difficult-to-date-outside-your-race-119-blog/#IDComment137091792 Dating is already a stressful situation to enter in. Dating outside your race is even more stressful. This causes many obstacles for both you and your partner. If I were to date outside my face, being African-American, society and my family and friends would have their own opinions about my dating outside my race. The African-American culture is very complex because on one hand they discriminate against other races and the other hand they discriminate within their own race; dark skin versus light skin. A couple of years ago, I saw a show on MTV’s True Life about interracial dating. There was a white male and black female. Most of the black men voiced their negative opinions often throughout the show. It seems to me even if the black woman was attractive or not, people in this culture still would still have their issues with their relationship. The media rarely show interracial couples dating. I do not see it often and maybe that is a factor in why people become so uncomfortable with it. Some of my black female peers have a problem with black males dating white women. Most of them feel as though black men see them as “easier” women to deal with; this angers them especially if they are single and looking for a mate. To me it doesn’t seem as though the black culture will ever accept interracial dating unless their family is of mixed race. If I were to have a white mate or a mate of a different race, my family would be a little shocked initially but wouldn’t have many issues with it. My family would poke fun at my mate, but never to be derogatory towards them. I personally think I could handle dating outside my race. It would give me a thicker skin because I would have to deal with constant stares from both sides, negative slurs, and cultural differences. This could be frustrating at times and I would image it is overwhelming, but if I were to love this person that would not deter me from being in this relationship. You can’t help who you fall in love with and I would hope that my family and friends could understand that if I was in this situation. Personally, I do not have a problem with interracial dating, but it is difficult to break the ice between races. For me being African-American, daring someone that is Latino or Hispanic would not be a big deal, but dating someone that is Arabic or white would be. Their cultures are quite different than mine, but I don’t see why it would make much of a difference. I just don’t know how to approach males from another race. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:20:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-factors-in-your-race-make-it-difficult-to-date-outside-your-race-119-blog/#IDComment137091792 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/scholarships-for-white-men/#IDComment133904075 After all these years, racism is still alive and taking its cruel affect on innocent bystanders. In the United States, whites have the majority. Because they are white, they have privileges and opportunities that others don’t. How is that a recent study proved that hundreds of identical resumes were sent out to employers, but whites were five times as likely to receive call backs than blacks: with or without a criminal record? White males especially have the advantage over any group in this country because, like it or not, this country is male dominated. Women are totally left out of the equation. Do you think Hilary Clinton would have really won the election against John McCain? No she’s a woman. This country would rather a man of any race to win the election than a white woman. To give white males a scholarship for higher education does not justify the fact that other racial groups have been oppressed. These oppressed groups deserve scholarships to receive the same opportunities as the majority. Our country is already unequal enough, that we have to force universities through law to offer the same resources to other ethnic groups. If affirmative action for blacks was not put into place, than who knows if I would attend college. Not to say that I was not top of my class in high school or had good enough SATs, but sometimes in this world that doesn’t matter! It’s not about what you know, it’s who you know. Since whites, in general, make more than most families they are able to make more connections and network with more people. Networking can be the break that someone needs to get ahead in life. Other groups work twice as hard to earn those same connections. Racism thwarts the chance for others thrive and acquire success. One might be asking, what about the poor whites? In class we saw a video about a poor woman, Tammy, that had a son that wanted to go to college and better himself. He is poor, but his white privilege is more likely to get him ahead than anything. Giving scholarships exclusively to white males will give them an advantage on top of a present advantage of being white. The society we live in is already unequal, but I strongly believe these scholarships endorse this inequality. As previously stated in class, white people don’t think twice about being white because they are not oppressed people. They don’t think they received a job because they are white or got into college because of being white. The scholarship will unlock more reasons to believe they are the elite and others are inferior. Maybe they are just taken advantage of making it seem as though they want to be equal to other ethnic groups. Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:35:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/scholarships-for-white-men/#IDComment133904075 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/#IDComment128812247 Here in the United States we are allotted many opportunities for a better life. Either you are living up to your potential or not, the life style alone is far great than other countries. In class yesterday, we saw a picture of a young man with a tumor on the left side of his face from Haiti. If Ian did not try to help him, he would only have three months of life left. In America, a person with the same situation, rich or poor, has some shot of receiving medical care; medical centers around the country are dedicated to treating and finding a cure for cancer. In addition to medical advances here, we as a nation like to have nice things…we want the “American Dream.” A socialized concept that tell us, the consumer, this is what you need to live a happy life. You need big homes, big cars, flashy jewelry, and gourmet food. We are a people to show other what we have and how much it costs; ostentatious bullies if you ask me. As the discussion came up about salve made items, some responded that they would buy a slave made item if it was cheaper at Wal-Mart. Everyone is entitled to their own way of living. I think the whole point of Sam showing us the video of the African slaves was to get us to think about how our purchases affect other countries in the world. If you could save a slave for $2 more, I am pretty sure you would. I also believe strongly that the media is so concentrated and working for profit, instead of working for us, we lose valuable information that can change our prospective on what needs to be done in our own country. Our country also values energy and lots of it. We consume more oil than we produce. But face it we are a drill baby drill society. We need to warm our homes, fill up our cars, and charge our computers to get on Facebook; why use anything else? Oil makes profit for big business and big business runs the government. So if money is needed to fund research for alternative energy, but it takes away from oil profits, then we will cut the research funds for more oil. Burning oil fills the environment with toxins and further disintegrates the ozone layer. Ruining the planet is not important to us because we have what we need now; natural resources will not suffice forever. America has to sit back and really challenge the way it sees society. No we can’t save the world, but if there is an alternative for a better life, at least look into it. Before class I didn’t know anything about fair trade products…I’m curious. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:04:28 +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/#IDComment128812247 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/how-have-the-choices-youve-made-and-determinism-affected-your-life-119-blog/#IDComment127459375 No one can be completely free. We as humans learn different behaviors and morals from our surroundings. I believe strongly that there is a balance between free will and determinism; both have affected my life in some way. For instance, take free will for example. Most of the choices we make have consequences: positive and negative. I know for a fact that I have made some bad choices and my life and I have had to live with them. Sometimes I never take the time to realize how they can potentially affect those around me. One day my friend asked me to help her carry laundry from the laundry room. It’s not like I didn’t want to help her, but I had school work to finish. I don’t mind if my friends don’t want to help me with small errands, but my friend took it in a entirely different way. My friend looked at the situation as I’m not being there for her. She then got upset and angry at me. My action hurt my friend, but her actions made me angrier with her. Occasionally we will have the same sort of confrontation. I try to understand her, but she has the free will to act and think as she pleases. I have also made the choice to work hard for the grades I acquire. For the most part when I apply myself, I receive the grades I want. Determinism is also a factor in life’s outcomes. I am an African-American and this particular trait contributes to the many losses and successes in my life. Most schools abide by the Affirmative Action and I believe this can determine if I get into certain schools so they can reach their quota. Another determinant is the income my family earns. Unlike some of my peers, I did not attend the best schools. If my family was to have a higher salary, maybe I could have earned a better education or preparation for college. It’s not that I didn’t work hard and acquire certain skills at my high school, but the types of schools I am referring to have better resources for its students. After my undergraduate years, I plan to go to law school. This field is male dominated and the fact that I am a woman alters how some may think of my professionalism. This is sad to say, but there will be some things, that we cannot control, that can drastically affect our lives. We as a people make choices, good or bad. Most of the time we work as hard as we humanly can, but at times this is not enough. Other factors beyond our control can determine our success or failure. All we can do is live the life we have now! Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:42:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/how-have-the-choices-youve-made-and-determinism-affected-your-life-119-blog/#IDComment127459375 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/do-you-think-race-can-stop-being-an-issue-in-the-future-119-blog/#IDComment126062183 The future is so unclear for most and difficult to tell what will happen. Change can occur for better or for worst. I strongly believe that race will be an issue in the future, but I think people will become less sensitive because of the cultural intermixing of races. In general people are extremely sensitive about race. First, race is such a touchy subject in today’s society, but it is an issue that needs to be somewhat resolved. The main issue I have when discussing the subject of race, is that some races tend to look down upon other races. Most people in America have done this one time or another: no matter what race. Whites sometimes look down upon blacks; blacks sometimes look down upon Latinos, and so on and so on. Every particular race has gone through struggle of some kind: slavery, the Holocaust, and the Trail of Tears are some big time examples. Second, people are ignorant to the customs and culture of each race. Most people do not simply correct the ignorance, but they just get offended and make a scene. If one were to educate others about their race then they wouldn’t feel the need to get offended. I also feel as though many races contradict themselves and deny certain things occur within the race. I am an African-American and I definitely live up to the stereotype of eating fried chicken; most stereotypes derive from some sort of truth. Think about it. If certain perceptions were so far fetched, they would be urged to be dissolved. Lastly, I understand that people take pride in their race, but I feel as though most people do not go into situations with an open mind. I believe that people are quick to point out that someone is completely different from them other than take the time to realize potential similarities between the two. So many friendships and opportunities are lost in result of this. In current news, cultures are beginning to come together for the same purpose. If only we as a people could do the same. In class, Mr. Richards explained that we as a people are moving towards being brown people because of all the intermixing of races. More people will become multiracial and this may make way for being comfortable to discuss race. The only question that may come up is simply explaining the mixture. Mixing races will not solve all the issues when discussing race. It relies on self effort to want to understand the customs and culture of different races and ethnic backgrounds. People need to see the incentive of do so for motivation; this is sad to say, but I believe it holds some truth in present day. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 03:21:51 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/do-you-think-race-can-stop-being-an-issue-in-the-future-119-blog/#IDComment126062183 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment124424079 Political Correctness is necessary in today’s society. This gives us a way to correctly identify a person without offending them. To truly connect with people of all walks of life, you have to be sensitive to their feelings and culture. I strongly believe that if you take the time to seek political correctness, you will receive great gratitude and insight on the beliefs of other cultures. In addition to understanding how people would like to be identified as, political correctness plays a huge role in how other people may think of you and it can hinder or create opportunities that may come your way. For example, if someone were to still call African-Americans, or Black people, the “N-word” they would put forth the impression of being a racist. The black person would not want to be involved with that person, and any opportunity of getting to know that person would be lost. In class yesterday, Professor Richards said that most people aren’t dialed in to the current way of doing things; this is not something to be taken lightly. Ignorance is not bliss in this situation. Furthermore people take pride in their ethnic background and customs. To blatantly not show some concern for whom they are as a human being is not being a respectful citizen. I also feel as though it is the right of everyone to feel like they belong in this country; everyone is due respect. I don’t have to agree with everything that my fellow “Americans” do, but I have to display common courtesy. Some may argue that political correctness causes too much confusion and awkwardness between different races. These people are lazy and are oblivious to the effects on the people surrounding them. To get in the door of being familiar with a person, you have to be politically correct, but once you become comfortable with that person there is no real need to be correct in a sense. When a person is attempting to be understanding and patient in forming new relationships out of their comfort zone, then this speaks volumes for that person’s character. Political Correctness allows this person to be mindful of other people’s perspectives and beliefs. If I know that someone is trying to connect with me, initially, by coming to me with respect and courtesy, then I will return the same actions on to them. Political Correctness allows people to break away from the confusion and awkward beginnings and delve deeper into meaningful conversations overtime. Of course everyone that does not believe being politically correct is needed is not a bad person or racist. They are, in my opinion, just not willing to be in uncomfortable situations and cannot handle confrontation. Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:38:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment124424079 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/25/stories-for-uplift/#IDComment122649253 To begin, I would like say I am impressed with the little boy’s maturity level as regards to his understanding of affection. His attraction for the little girl is genuine and sweet. The reason he gave for liking her is that he is rather fond of her pony tails; the boy is coy and shows it more when the girl stands by him. To see someone at that age so sure of his affection for another person leaves me with a lot of questions: what types of hardships go on in their country, what morals are also valued, and how are they educated? Hardship and poverty in America has been proven to be in a better state than those of Third World countries; in America I believe we are allotted more opportunities to grow and provide a better future for our families. But if you were to take a deeper look, Third World cultures seem to be somewhat better off than Americans because they have adjusted to a humble lifestyle. These cultures also seem happier because they live a straight forward life of working and spending time with their families; family is a strong portion of their support system and a high priority. In addition, I feel as though people that reside in these countries have a stronger moral background because, to reiterate, they have more time to bond with their families and more influence over what is right and wrong. Not to say that Americans do not spend time with their families or have poor family support, but with recent social the network boom in our lives, connecting to today’s youth can be difficult at times. What happened to the simpler days? Technology provides us with a greater platform to reach everyone simultaneously, but a little quality time with your family wouldn’t hurt: not at all. Lastly, all cultures have a mean of education. In a recent study the University of Chicago has asserted that a third of American college graduates actually graduate with logic and critical thinking skills (USA TODAY). This astounding to me! Most of my professors believe strongly that we as students learn a skill set, not an education; most Americans take education for granted. While in other countries, education is a prime necessity because they do not have all the resources that are present in America. Learning and exploring the world is essential to the people that live in these countries. They become more literate to the world around them: becoming more educated as a result. At the end the video, there was a phrase “our children are color blind” and I was moved by this statement. There is so many prejudices that are apparent in all cultures around the world, but the fact that these children are of different ethnic background really spoke to me as the little boy was not concerned of that aspect of the little girl. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:33:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/25/stories-for-uplift/#IDComment122649253 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9ca%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment120786418 SOC 119 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:11:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9ca%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment120786418