en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/6240888 Comments by Chocogirl101 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/04/18/voices-from-the-classroom-305/#IDComment624007353 There are many things that I will never forget about this class. One of the lectures that will stick with me would be the suicide one. I have had a friend attempt suicide and another that committed suicide. It was hard to think about death and what people who committed suicide experience. I still do not like thinking about it. I will also remember all the times Sam asked someone to pick the blackest person in the class, or pick people who are down with brown. It was entertaining and I loved seeing people feeling uncomfortable. I will also remember the last lecture of this week talking about the stages of being comfortable with different races. This lecture puzzled me a little, and during it I was thinking why not just encourage kids not to go beyond stage one? After all if you look at stage one and compare it to stage six there is really no difference. Both don’t care about race and both are very comfortable with people of other races. So why go beyond stage one? Even Sam said most people don’t even go beyond stage two. Why not keep the thinking of a little kid, where everyone is your friend and it doesn’t matter that a person looks different. And looking different is even cool. I think race relations would be solved if we had the thinking of children on this matter. Who said growing up is better? Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:40:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/04/18/voices-from-the-classroom-305/#IDComment624007353 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/04/09/voices-from-the-classroom-298/#IDComment619414809 To tell the truth I have only been with one person, my boyfriend. At first I would not tell him that I didn’t because he never asked. Then when he started to ask he would be disappointed and he ego was hurt. The thing is though that it’s still enjoyable. Like Sam’s wife said, girls don’t always need an orgasm, would we like to, sure but it’s not the most important thing. If a guy asks a girl, and she says no, he better be prepared to do a little extra work. If you don’t want to do extra then don’t ask. I also have a theory of why girls don’t say anything. Like Sam said in class this is a man’s world. In movies, tv, and porn the girls always have an orgasm. If that is all a girl sees and doesn’t ask anyone who has experience then she is going to assume that every time she will get an orgasm. So when one doesn’t come she think that she did something wrong, or that she is not normal. So if she acts like she did or doesn’t mention her not having one, that would make her seem normal. Also like Sam said relationships do matter. By being in a good relationship you have a deeper connection than just lust. Also your more comfortable talking about your likes and dislikes if you have been in a long relationship. Everyone is uncomfortable with their bodies so why would you have that discussion with a stranger? Or for that matter have sex with a stranger? Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:33:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/04/09/voices-from-the-classroom-298/#IDComment619414809 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/04/05/voices-from-the-classroom-291/#IDComment613914030 To answer the question, we are improving education every year. America tries to make better teachers to hopefully teach kids more efficiently. This doesn’t always work though, better teachers tend to gravitate to schools that succeed more than they go to low economic school regions. One step would be to give equal funding to every school. The only draw back to this plan is that this would require schools to be more government controlled than publicly controlled. Not many people know that most of the funding for schools comes from local taxes and not federal taxes. That means that certain places get more money than others. Many people would be against the federal government being more in control because it means our government will be more socialist. Most of the jobs Sam was talking about were in the science and electronic fields. There is a reason why other countries are ahead of us in this field. That reason I believe is they get exposed to these kind of classes sooner than we do. I don’t remember having a class for science other than natural science until middle school. And the computer classes were had just taught us how to use basic programs. If we were to study these things sooner than our scores and interest would improve. There is so many components to the education system that no one can really say that fixing this or that is really going to improve it. And what’s to say that putting more emphasis on science and math, won’t harm our scores on things we are decent at now? More effort and research need to go into these questions. Then hopefully one day our education system will be the best in the world. Sun, 7 Apr 2013 18:43:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/04/05/voices-from-the-classroom-291/#IDComment613914030 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/28/voices-from-the-classroom-284/#IDComment608557580 I completely agree with the girl in the video. Sitting here I can not think of any thing that would be a middle ground. In my view there really is no middle ground, you either help them or you don’t. To add to that someone in our discussion class brought up a good point. Why are we raising money for Haiti when the American people need help on these reservations. Not that I think it’s bad to help Haiti but it brings me back to something I have heard many times. You can’t truly help others unless you help yourself first. Meaning you have to fix your own problems before you can help to fix another persons problems. I also think that we just can’t give them money we have to do something more. If we just give them money than they will just learn to rely on that money. The problem will be fixed but a new problem will come out of it. We need to help them make businesses and other things so they will be able to sustain themselves without the government’s help. Only then will this problem will be permanently fixed and there way of living will be increased. But again that plan really is not a middle ground. There is no such thing in my opinion, so why look for something that is not going to solve the problem? Mon, 1 Apr 2013 01:42:22 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/28/voices-from-the-classroom-284/#IDComment608557580 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/21/voices-from-the-classroom-274/#IDComment602499058 Hand outs are something that I have always been taught to stay away from. At a young age the idea and principle of working to get opportunities has been drilled into me. I come from a family of farmers, so there was never an uncle in a big corporation. Both of my parents have gotten their jobs by their ability, never because they knew someone. The only time I have ever gotten a job through my parents is babysitting. But with that kind of job they have to know you, they are not just going to give their child to a stranger. It honestly annoys me when people try to give me money for no reason. I say no to my parents when they try to give me money for textbooks, because they are paying my tuition so therefore I feel that it’s wrong to take any more money from them after all I do have a job. If I was in the situation the guy from class was with the internship, I would never had told my uncle or who ever that I applied to it until they were finished with the application process. I would have felt guilty otherwise. My family feels the same way. This past year there was a scholarship that was in memory of my great uncle. There were only two people who were recommended for it, me being one of them. In the end though I didn’t get it. The other person did more activities in school than I did and also had gotten slightly better grades. But he was the better choice. In my family we have a strong belief that the better qualifying person should get the job, after all it’s the right thing to do. Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:01:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/21/voices-from-the-classroom-274/#IDComment602499058 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/12/voices-from-the-classroom-269/#IDComment598096441 Not everyone is uncomfortable talking about a women’s periods. Most of the guys I hang out with will actually ask questions about it to understand better. Most every time girls are together we talk about how much we hate our periods and about our cramps. It has also been an open topic in my house as well. I have no problems talking about it at all. In class I really truly did not have my period or I would have raised my hand. When I first started buying my own pads I was embarrassed caring around a bag of pads in the store. But after a while I stopped being embarrassed. My logic was, at least I need them. To answer the question though I don’t think that this is really part of our freedom. I think it’s more of women being considerate of the others around them. Women for the most part knows who is uncomfortable with the subject so they will not mention it. It’s more respect and curtsy to other rather than women not having the freedom. Most other topics that are as awkward to talk about are the same way, just being considerate. After all it is really rude to bring up a subject that know one wants to talk about. Compare that to having an atheist in a catholic church. It’s defiantly not something to be ashamed about, like Sam said it is a very natural thing. It’s definitely better to have your period than not be having one at all. If you think talking about your period is awkward, talking about teen pregnancy is even more so. Anyway it is really fun to see someone squirm when they see you carrying a bag of pads. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:40:41 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/12/voices-from-the-classroom-269/#IDComment598096441 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/01/voices-from-the-classroom-262/#IDComment587434914 In that day’s lecture it didn’t surprise me that no matter your religious believes or lack of, we still go to the same place. It actually confirms what I was taught in church. My church emphasizes that Jesus died for everyone’s sins. Not just Christians but everyone. If Jesus and God forgave everyone then why would we not go to the same place. Again everyone reported the same experience. This whole class just confirmed what I already knew. I was even more fascinated about the concept of reincarnation. I had read many accounts of reincarnation. They were very believable to me, but I have always interested in the odd and strange things in this world. I have believed in reincarnation before that class and all the stories have heard just confirmed that as well. None of my beliefs have changed during that class, they have instead been reinforced. Wed, 6 Mar 2013 20:46:36 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/03/01/voices-from-the-classroom-262/#IDComment587434914 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/02/21/voices-from-the-classroom-257/#IDComment578656026 If I were to wake up tomorrow and everything said that God did not exist, I would still believe. The papers and news channels already lie to us, so I would think that this was just another lie. To not believe in God would make me feel like my life has been wasted. I Would need evidence that God did not exist. Now some people may ask me to show them evidence of God existing, and I would not have a hard time showing them. I would show them the trees, and the flowers, and my niece and nephew. I would show them these things because that is where I see God. Belief in a God is not just something you grow up with, at least for me it’s not. It’s deeper than that. Believing in a God makes me feel safe because there is someone watching out for me. When I go through a hard time or I’m not sure about something I automatically turn to God in prayer. It comforts me in a way. It also feels nice to know that there is a plan for me, it means that I’m important and have a purpose. I also like the sense of community religion brings about. I like going to church. I have many friends there, old and young. Everyone in my church loves and cares for each other. If someone is having a hard time we come together and make sure meals or anything else they need is provided for. This is something you would not find anywhere else. I have gone on a couple mission trips and the people we helped, they had the strongest faith. I guess if you don’t have anything, all you have is faith. Faith creates hope that someday everything will be better. It was cool to talk to them. One women had read the Bible cover to cover six times in her life. The Bible was the only book I saw in her house. A man and his very sick mom broke down into tears because we sung her, her favorite hymn. Religion touches people to the core. It moves people to do extraordinary things that they would not ordinarily do. I could not imagine my life without religion. Again it is more than just believing in a God it’s a community, it’s protection, and it’s comfort. Nothing would make me believe otherwise. Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:51:45 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/02/21/voices-from-the-classroom-257/#IDComment578656026 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/02/14/voices-from-the-classroom-248/#IDComment572821803 The reason why America has this fear of Muslims is because of 911. The people who threatened us and killed many looked Muslim. Sure 911 was years ago but since then the government targets people that look Muslim. For example in airports people who look even remotely similar get pulled aside and get pat down. Or even in stores I have noticed them being tailed by worried sales associates. This makes others think that if they are doing this than maybe I should too. This reminded me of a friend from high school, she didn’t trust anyone wearing a head scarf. She had lived just a couple miles away from New York City and had seen the smoke billowing from the twin towers. After that she constantly saw pictures of the terrorists who looked Muslim. That connection has always influenced the way she treats Muslims. Sure I saw the news and the pictures too but I was missing that personal connection with the whole tragedy. To me the twin towers were just buildings, and I didn’t know anyone that was killed, nothing about it was personal to me. As I got older I learned that the terrorists had no connection with the other people other than the color of their skin. I think a person will be more open when personal feelings don’t get in the way of logic. I don’t think that this discrimination is going to stop in our generation. There are too many who keep this issue close, but I have hope for the next. As long as our generation does not force these ideals on to our children then they will have chance to reverse and end this discrimination. Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:08:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/02/14/voices-from-the-classroom-248/#IDComment572821803 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/02/07/voices-from-the-classroom-243/#IDComment567532432 Joining the military has always been in the back of my mind for a while now because many friends of mine have joined. I respect everyone who does join, but I don’t think I would ever want to. Sure I know that there are jobs within the military that are not in the “line of fire” but my mind always goes to the worse situation possible. Which now would be worse, because of the new law being passed that makes women able to be put on the front lines. I know that it would be for our country, so that everyone can be safe and so on. But it doesn’t mean I want to put my life out there. Sure it might sound selfish but I want to live my life! I want to die an old woman not die on a battle field. I want to command my own life, not follow orders. Only recently have I really come to terms with my boyfriend being in ROTC and signing up in the near future. Just because it scares me. The same questions would pop into my head, “If he goes into action will there come a time that I will never see him again?” But I understand why he wants to do it and I support him whole heartedly. The only time I could possible think about joining the military is if a new law makes it able for women to be drafted. If that happens and we end up going to war I would sign up in a heart beat so that I wouldn’t be drafted. For people who don’t realize it if you sign up voluntarily then I will have a choice in assignment, but when drafted your most likely going to end up on the front line. So it pretty much comes down to me valuing my life too much and wanting to live out all my years. Sun, 10 Feb 2013 01:02:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/02/07/voices-from-the-classroom-243/#IDComment567532432 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/01/31/voices-from-the-classroom-235/#IDComment560266067 When we talked about suicide, cutting, and eating disorders it was hard for me to pay attention. It was hard for me because I couldn’t stop thinking about two friends of mine. One of my friends almost committed suicide but at the last second she went to the bathroom and threw up the pills she took. She didn’t tell me about this until a year later. Then this just this last year a close family friend did commit suicide. No one, not even his wife knew that he was planning his death. That’s the scary thing. Not knowing that someone close to you is thinking of killing themselves until after it’s done. Even though it was hard listening to Sam I did see the point the was trying to make. That no matter how sucky your life is, someone is/ did go though what you are going through now. Your never as alone as you think you are. I once came across an article that was talking about a bridge a lot of people commit suicide off of, but some people survive. The author interviewed some of the people that survived, and all of them said that they regretted the decision as soon as they jumped. I can’t even think of the hopeless feeling of not wanting to do something but realizing it’s too late to change your mind. Imagine if people that are contemplating the idea of suicide went and talked to these people. How much of a difference it would make not only to the people about to do it but also their family and friends. To me family and friends are the key. My friend had stopped herself because she remembered her friends. If people focus not just on their feelings but their friends and family, I don’t think they would go through with it. For anyone out there that might be considering it, don’t. All your friends and family are going to feel like there is a giant whole in their chest and will blame themselves for not seeing it coming. Even if there was nothing they could have done or said they will still beat themselves up about it. If you don’t want to live for yourself then live for the people who love you. Or even better, live for that cancer patient that has no other choice but to die when they would rather live. Trust me they would take your crappie life in a second. Fri, 1 Feb 2013 20:51:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/01/31/voices-from-the-classroom-235/#IDComment560266067 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/01/23/voices-from-the-classroom-233/#IDComment555040830 I was not very sure of how to start this topic so I decided to look up the dictionary definition. The dictionary states racism as: 1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others. 2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination. 3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. Looking through these I shook my head at the first one. I don’t think racism really happens because they think they have the right to rule over them. At least when it comes to the U.S., that I know of. I also disagreed with the word doctrine being used, and also the mention of a system of government. This maybe just because I grew up in America, but no government should be discriminating anyone. The only part I do agree with, with this definition is the word discrimination. To be honest I think we need to replace racism with discrimination. When we talk about racism we mention more than just the color of their skin or where they are from. To me racism and discrimination go hand in hand. If you think about it we avoid or insult people more often by what they like or dis-like, rather than a persons ethnicity. We do it all the time without thinking. Think about the first couple days of class. Who did you sit by? Why did you sit by them? Or more importantly why didn’t you sit next to that person a few rows up? Your answer is going to most likely be what they wore. We are naturally drawn to people who look and think like we do. That way there is no arguments or awkward conversations. But what we tend to forget is that by having people that are the same as you, there will be no new ideas coming into the group either. Having new and different people makes you question what you like or what you thought you didn’t like. Just imagine how much we could learn from each other if we didn’t discriminate or avoid people that are different from you. Instead we should go up to the people we want discriminate against and talk to them. And after that feeling might go away. Or if it doesn’t you at least have a solid reason why you do. Sun, 27 Jan 2013 02:15:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2013/01/23/voices-from-the-classroom-233/#IDComment555040830 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/12/07/voices-from-the-classroom-221/#IDComment549515316 There is a couple different reasons for staying in your “box”. For one it’s comfortable. In this “box” you know what everything is and what it does. There is no fearing the unknown. Which ties into the second reason, we feel safe. If there is no fear then we feel safe. I think these are the main reasons for not trying new things. There is just something comforting and safe about a routine. You know everything will get done in a timely manner, and you also know that if you go away from that routine then people will notice, because it matters. Routines are also something very personal, because we create them ourselves. I can understand why some people have disorders dealing with breaking a routine. Thinking about myself, I know that in the beginning of each semester I freak out a little because my routine changed. I get worried and irritated until I get into my new routine. I think this happens to many people. I think we constantly go into cycles of routines, because it is easy and familiar. At the same time though I think we will regret our routines at least a little at the end of our lives. We will look back and ask ourselves questions like, why didn’t I go hangout with my friends instead of going to bed at my normal time? Or why did I eat Raman noodles everyday? Routines and other familiar things in our lives help us but hinder us at the same time. Sure we get everything done on our to do lists, but the world looses it’s mystery and excitement. Something that I think everyone needs a little more of. So why not try that new restaurant? Why not go a different way to class and risk being late? Why not open the “box” and climb out, life is waiting outside. Sure it might be scary at first but there will be less regret and more happy memories. We are young and able, why not take chances and risks now while we are still able to. I hope there will be many stories that I’ll hide from my kids for fear of them doing the same. I need to do stupid things every once in while just for the hell of it. I personally need to let my guard down and hang lose. This year I’m going to take risks and be a little out there and crazy. It will be good for me to do. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:07:13 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/12/07/voices-from-the-classroom-221/#IDComment549515316