en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3544839 Comments by CaribbeanChick http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment231926233 I do not see how giving up State Patty’s day will benefit us. Ok we sacrifice State Patty’s day. What happens next since we sacrificed State Patty’s day? That will not make everything that has happened go away. However we may just have to sacrifice State Patty’s day. It is already hectic thinking about it. Just imagine when State Patty’s day comes how chaotic it will be. We should just save ourselves the trouble and cancel State Patty’s day. There are events all the time at our school we can get over missing one. It seems like a small sacrifice to me. It is not fair that we even have to consider canceling State Patty’s day. Then again life is not fair and we would get over it. Sat, 3 Dec 2011 01:41:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment231926233 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment231926069 It would not go over well. Can the victims just move on as easily as we have? No, of course they cannot it will be with them forever. Why should we keep paying for this unfortunate incident? We never did anything to the victims. Unfortunately since we all attend Penn State people associate “us” with the incident. Nothing we do will ever be good enough. Us not having State Patty’s day does not solve the issue, because the issue is not with us. The issue is with Sandusky behavior and until he gets what he deserves the issues will never be solved. Why shouldn’t we continue on with our celebration? Either way people are going to talk about us. Sat, 3 Dec 2011 01:40:55 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment231926069 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment231925359 These are difficult questions to ask ourselves. However I do not believe we would be able to all agree to sacrifice State Patty’s u could all day. In class we could barely agree on the subject. So how could we expect to get every student of the university to agree? It would never work. Personally I have not celebrated State Patty’s day before so it would not hurt me to sacrifice it. Everyone else who loves our self-proclaimed holiday would be disappointed or angry. I actually understand where Sam is coming from with his argument against State Patty’s day. We have got a lot of negative press lately due to the Sandusky scandal. Our every move has been scrutinized and watched since then. When we had the riots even made the situation worse. How would it be perceived by the media us continuing to have our celebration? People would not care that it was a tradition it would perceived in a negative light. Students of our university would not be seen as a united front trying to move on from the scandal. Instead, we would be perceived as selfish brats that could care less about the scandal or the victims. I do not agree entirely with Sam that we would screw ourselves continuing to have State Patty’s day. Sat, 3 Dec 2011 01:38:32 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment231925359 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-79/#IDComment227415863 People would have watched Sandusky as a minority if he messed up again or if they heard about another incident. I believe he would have been kicked out on sight and reported if he were a minority. The media would immediately blame the Black or Latino’s background for the crime. It would be numerous reasons for Sandusky’s poor behavior. Everyone would forget the principle “Innocent until proven guilty.” However race is not important and should not be important in this matter. Do you think that matter to the victims? This man took their innocent and stole something they will never get back. Even when or if they recover some part of them will always be broken. I hope Sandusky gets what he deserves for the crimes that he committed. Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:26:46 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-79/#IDComment227415863 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-79/#IDComment227414320 The cycle of abuse would have never lasted this long if it was a minority. No one would want to risk their good name to cover for the employee. People would immediately insist that the minority be put into jail or even be sentenced to death. Instead we are listening to Sandusky when we have the facts. How can he say that everything in that 23 page jury document is a lie? No one would to make up such a malicious story. I feel so bad for the victim everyday they must relive the incident. The mother who made Sandusky swear to never shower with another boy; would have never done that if Sandusky were a minority. She would have reported him immediately and would not have stopped until she got justice. There were so many warning signs but no one took the time. That would have never happened with a minority for the simple fact; that people expect “us” to mess up Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:22:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-79/#IDComment227414320 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-79/#IDComment227413644 What if Sandusky were Black or Latino? I never thought of this aspect before because this unfortunate event should not be about race. However this is an interesting question. I wonder how the race of Sandusky would affect the case. Black and Latinos are always associated with horrible crimes daily. It would have never been kept a secret for so long if he were a minority. It is the principle that white people will protect their own even when they are wrong. Penn State would not be as supportive if it were a minority. Our school would want to be disassociated with the individual. The thought of bad press would make them throw the individual under the bus. Our school proved this by firing Joe Paterno even though he was not directly involved in the events that occurred. If Sandusky were black the media would accuse him of being angry black men. People would immediately label the minority and make all type of assumptions. No body would bother to listen to their side of the story. As the media did when Sandusky had a press conference claiming he did not harm any children. However he did admit showering with boys- like that is normal. Honestly the whole entire incident makes me sick. Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:20:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-79/#IDComment227413644 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment220609239 At the end of the day you will not remember the amount of money you. Instead you will remember the people that you spent time with on this earth. The media makes people believe that their happiness depends on money. That is why some people are motivated to pursue careers they have no interest in just for the money. When you make money your main priority you can never be truly. It is similar to an addiction you will always need more after it is gone. At home I have seen countless acts of violence people killing one another just for a couple of dollars. How could you put a price on a life? Money can do more harm than good. Your happiness should never depend on how much money you posses or your status. People need to remember it is the simple things that make life enjoyable not money. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:50:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment220609239 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment220609040 Money complicates things your old concerns are gone but they are replaced with new ones. You could have all the money in the world and still be unhappy; if you have no one to share it with you. However money does provide a certain satisfaction. I know every time I received my paycheck I felt a certain accomplishment. I know that I deserved it and earn it so I took pride in my money. The issue of happiness is a subjective matter. It depends on what you place your values in. My happiness depends on my accomplishments (school, career, etc) and my family. Money should never be the main contributor to someone’s happiness. No material object should be for the simple reason that it can be taken at anytime. Memories should be treasured not money. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:49:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment220609040 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment220608768 I wonder why people always equate money with happiness, because it is not true. Money only provides stability which people confuse with happiness. It is a great relief not to worry about bills being paid or where your next meal will come from. It also depends on your mentality if you are a superficial person of course money will make you happy. You would validate yourself by your possessions and how much money you earn. I have read so many articles about unhappy celebrities and they have plenty of money. What do they have to worry about? They can travel anywhere they want and the finest things are provided for them. Does that really make you happy, though? The privileges and benefits people receive from being wealth or famous are attractive. People tend to admire you and will go out of the way to assist you compared to the average person. It seems to be all about money and status in society. If that person did not have a lot of money would you treat them nicely? It may just be all about the money and the person does not like you for your personality. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:48:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment220608768 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment217009125 It could be offensive to other immigrants who learned the English language. Why did I learn the language and they don’t have to? It is not fair at all to other immigrants, but there are more Hispanics people. I remember when I was working at a retail store this summer. I had this one difficult customer she claimed she could not speak English. She asked me if I spoke French in English. It was a frustrating situation and you still have to the best to serve the customer. It would be easier if she spoke fluent English. Could we really require everyone to learn English? It would make things easier if everyone spoke English in America. This could be a violation of their freedom of speech. Immigrants have to change in so many ways already. Then they would have to lose another element of their selves by speaking. It will always be an issue between what is right and what is fair. Fri, 4 Nov 2011 22:26:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment217009125 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment217008850 We can assume that some immigrants are lazy and have refused to learn English. That would be ignorant to assume even when it does apply to some immigrants. I think it is important to speak English for marketing and out of general courtesy. How do you expect to climb up the corporate ladder if you cannot speak English? That is why some immigrants have not progressed that much in America. Some immigrants are stuck in jobs that most native Americans do not want. Hispanics are constantly used as an example. Why do we accommodate certain languages and not others? Spanish is everywhere. Most appliances you buy will have two sets of directions one in English and the other Spanish. What about the other languages? Hispanics have a great presence in America so we have to assist them. Some establishments have signs in Spanish to encourage Hispanics customers to come there. It is a smart business move. Fri, 4 Nov 2011 22:25:55 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment217008850 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment217008395 I was actually discussing this topic yesterday in my group discussion. Should immigrants have to speak English? It sounds so harsh if you think about it. There are many factors you have to consider before answering this question. How old is the immigrant? Younger immigrants should speak English it would be easier for them to learn compared to older immigrants. How long is the immigrant going to be in America? If it is a temporary situation and they are going back to their country. They should not be burdened with learning English. The word “have” implies that the immigrant has no option. It is not a decision but it has become a command. I do believe immigrants should speak English to an extent. It is difficult to visit a country and not be able to speak the language. Imagine how much harder it is to live in a country and not be able to speak the language? It is hard transition when you come to America so it takes time to learn English. Fri, 4 Nov 2011 22:24:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment217008395 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213664629 It is definitely a transition coming from another country to America my parents tell me all the time. People get accustomed to doing things a certain way. When you come to America we demand them to change their ways. Immigrants often have to fight to fit and still maintain their culture. My dad tells me how Christmas in America is so commercialized compared to Jamaica. People remodel their houses, visit one another, and eat with each other there is no strong emphasis on gifts. It may sound like a weird concept to us since we were not brought up this way. Judging is always easier than embracing the other person’s culture. We should make immigrants feel welcome in our country instead of scrutinizing them. We all are going to referred to as a foreigner one day. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:41:34 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213664629 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213663574 However we must have limits to the amount of people that we allow in our country. America is having a difficult time taking care of its own citizen. It annoys me when people blame the problems in America on immigrants. Immigration is not the cause of our problems it is our weak economy. Most immigrants take on the jobs that native born Americans do not want. Immigrants contribute a lot of things to our society and we hardly recognize it. People come to our country seeking opportunities that were not available to them. It is the principle that everyone can make it in America. People forget that everything is not always greener on the other side. I know plenty of family members who come to America and complain. You have to work harder to get ahead in America or you will not get far. Many of my relatives in Jamaica think everyone is rich in America which is far from the truth. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:38:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213663574 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213663208 I have no problem with immigrants living in America. The majority of Americans are immigrants if you think about it. No one is entitled to this land expect for the Native Americans. That means the rest of us are intruders therefore immigrants. So how we say we do not want immigrants in our country; when we are immigrants ourselves. All that matters is the status of the immigrant legal or illegal. There are certain ways you go about things. There are certain ways you go about things. Yes I understand that people face certain circumstances that require them to leave immediately but you have to the right thing. When you sneak into another person’s country you are cheating people who are legally undergoing the process. That is how immigrants get bad labels. Why would we have a problem? America is supposed to be the land of equal opportunity but we are not living up to it. Immigration is the central element that America is built upon. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:37:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213663208 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-52/#IDComment210610530 It truly shocked me even as a person of color that some black people still think this way. When slavery still existed in America I believe those feelings were justified. Now I expected people would be trying to leave behind that part of our dark history; not trying to hold on to it. It seems that we will never move past it. Blacks and white people are afraid to talk to one another so they talk about each other. If we continue doing this we will never truly progress. Black people feel outnumbered and are defense. White people are tired of apologizing and some feel that they do not have to explain actions of the past. That is why racism and latent racism still exist. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:28:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-52/#IDComment210610530 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-52/#IDComment210610405 Society was structured by the white man so of course they think they are better than “us”. So why should we trust white people? Those are some of the most commons questions that black people ask themselves. So instead of extending ourselves to others we stay excluded in our own groups. It is just easier and more comfortable for people. We like feeling safe and secure that is why we stay in our “comfort zones”. That is why people have a problem with interracial dating. There is so many issues that we do not discuss with each other. We want to think that we live in the modern age and racism no longer exists. That is far from the truth people just do not want to admit it. The video that was showed to us on Thursday with black guy proclaiming that all white people need to exterminated. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:28:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-52/#IDComment210610405 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-52/#IDComment210609931 Racism is prominent in both groups but there is a difference. Black people face racism directly it is always talked and it happens to be a daily issue. White people on the other hand deal with latent racism which is hidden and not realized. I believed it all steamed from slavery this mentality. Blacks were treated poorly for their dark complexions and had resentment for the white man. They are out to get us and the mentality that the white man wants to keep us down. Some black people have a deep-rooted hatred or major trust issues with white people. It is the principle that history repeats itself. We can never really truly be united when people still have this mentality. People really do not trust each other. Latent prejudice happens when people are afraid. I think these certain group of people are going to hurt me. So I will just treat them the way I think that they treat me. It begins when people notice the differences in each other. Why is her hair different from mine? Her silky blond hair compared to my thick black hair. She seems so much better than me by society’s standards anyway. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:26:55 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-52/#IDComment210609931 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-42/#IDComment207577347 Racial signifiers are not needed all the time but it becomes a habit. Especially when everyone around you uses them it makes you feel like it’s a normal thing. Society sends us mixed messages as well they love categorizing people. It is not necessarily right but we have that principle that it is normal to label people. It provides a whole attribute when we define people. This big dude came behind me and I was frightened. Now watch how just adding racial signifiers provides a new element. This big black dude came behind and I was frightened. This is also an example of how racial signifiers become stereotypes it is implying that the black guy is dangerous. People forget the rest of the statement and focus on the “black “guy; when the most important part is that this person is a stranger. Racial signifiers are not going anywhere so we should learn how to use them. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:25:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-42/#IDComment207577347 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-42/#IDComment207576908 People have to be careful in the context that they are using these racial signifiers. This is how stereotypes of certain races and ethnic groups happen. The saying “those people” it is rude and usually associated with something derogatory. I use racial signifiers myself but not often. Honestly it does not matter if I am not telling a story to my friends. My emotions would not change regarding the person’s racial background. If someone bumped into me without acknowledging that they were wrong I would have problem with them. I would never hold one person responsible for their entire racial background. That person may be ignorant and a poor representative of their race. Racial signifiers are not the standard of what a person race is like. People should just focus on racial signifiers it is about character at the end of the day. If you do not like a person it should be for a good reasons like your personalities cannot get a long not because of their race. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:24:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-42/#IDComment207576908