Gabe86
24p22 comments posted · 1 followers · following 0
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
Even during times of complete peace, I observe unintentional remarks and behavior that would normally be deemed prejudicial. I assert time and time again that it’s not entirely your fault for being deprived of a cultural background outside your own, that’s what you were exposed to during your upbringing. Sometimes, ignorance is defined by your lack of exposure and not your lack of intelligence. I strongly believe that if Sandusky were black or Latino, there would be thick racial tension on the Penn State campus. Students who have not a single racist bone in their body will experience unwanted apprehension and defensiveness. In leman terms, picture our community feeling reluctant to interact with other races. Diversity thrives at Penn State and this is not a concerning issue, but is Sandusky were Latino or black, and racial outbreaks were to surface, every Penn State person and affiliate will feel some form of reluctance or skepticism in hanging out with their minority friends. This is not because you promote the hatred but perhaps it’s because you wish not to exacerbate the circumstances of the issue. You may not be entirely at fault and you will likely still interact with your friends regardless of the situation, but that slight second where you had to reconsider may manifest if left uninterrupted. Of course, this would be under the presumption that massive racial division was reached and the entire country was undergoing tension. The turning of moral, impartial, character-holding people to hesitant, easily influenced, perception-fixators will burn many bridges, cause distinct racial separation, and produce substantial inequalities.
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
The Penn State community has not quite accepted the release of Joe Paterno, as evident through the protesting and rioting that’s occurred. Most of us agree that his release was unfair and we choose to incite a riot that caused significant damage to the local area. Furthermore, it diminished our reputation as a leading institution in the Pennsylvania area. Our failure to accept this incident is also supported through the non-violent protests, such as the large vigil that was assembled the other night. Although this purpose was directed to the victims and the overall goodness within our hearts, it pays tribute to the injustices represented by the actions of our school’s administration. Our inability to accept Joe Pa’s termination is understandable because most Penn Stater’s feel that his release was a direct insult to his lasting contributions. Through these accomplishments he set a legacy that we all take pride in. Accepting his termination implies that we find recent injustices to be acceptable. Although there are few students who agree with the executive decision, they too realize that the majority of the school disagrees with the ruling.
Candidly, the Penn State student body is expressing denial in many ways. We are denying many facts to the case, such as, the strong uncertainty regarding the case. Many of us are unsure as to who know what, and to what extent. We are denying the fact that our institution made a mistake many years ago, and they are not covering their mistakes with a decision that seems drastic and futile to the victims. We are denying the fact that our school has not only enabled a perpetuator to thrive but that we also made a complete mockery of our school by rioting. We are denying the fact that many outsiders are vehemently against our views because there is plausible incentive for them to feel that way. Most outsiders aren’t fully aware of how we appreciation Joe Paterno’s legacy, but we also do not consider the severity to this case. This case is very sensitive seeing as child molestation a gruesome crime and the immediate firing of Joe Pa and Graham Spanier reflects that with severe crimes come severe consequences, even to those not directly responsible. There seems to be a lapse in certainty regarding how the people involved mis/handled the case, and this is where most of our denial comes from.
There is little to no challenge that the Penn State student body is angry. Our uncontrollable rioting was driven mainly by the angry minds of Penn State students. The angry feelings of our students compelled them to commit crimes that they ordinarily would have recognized as a consequential wrong doing. As they were blinded by the events and the producing results, our community foolishly committed acts that are not only immoral and illegal, but also very ineffective to the cause. Our cause is to ensure justice, to show our respect to those who’s suffered, and represent ourselves in the responsible and respectable image that we have ALWAYS been under.
I don’t quite see much bargaining from the Penn State student body. Although many of us were present during the news conferences its meetings were comprised mainly of questioning and answering, not requesting and fulfilling. The Penn State has had little to no contribution to the firing of Joe Paterno and Graham Spanier and any form of bargaining would be futile. The inevitable occurrences of the scandal led to a violent riot rather than a peaceful protest, where bargaining is typically most effective.
Many of us have been affected emotionally. There are Penn Staters out there who are absolutely torn about the incident and its results. Students are crying, revolting, and rioting which by my speculation may be attributed to our denial, anger, and failure to accept. Perhaps if we could make improvements in said areas, we would not be so depressed and emotionally distraught by the release of Joe Pa. The hideous crimes against the real victims is unquestionably the most emotional stimulant.
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
The NAACP conducted a march last semester that travelled all throughout campus and manifested so large that police were on post in case of a riot. Of course, there was no need to incite a riot because the battle was against rising tuition – the same cause driving Occupy Penn State to its current state. If both organizations were to collaboratively plan a protests against rising tuition, there outcomes would be far more satisfying. I believe that our goals and aspirations can come to realization with efficient strategizing and planning, and this pertains to almost every case context. Protestors all across the country are being led by brilliant individuals who are successful in their preparation and planning, however, there are entities who do not quite possess the leadership needed to start a movement. Impeccable leadership is needed to run an organization, but it requires significantly more skill and knowledge to carry out boycotts, sit-ins, marches, and many other forms of protest. I am arguing that a crucial component to starting a movement requires planning at the beginning, middle, and end; PRE-peration, preparation the, post-preparation.
Candidly speaking, it is not feasible for a movement to be caused solely by uneducated minds and the absence of leadership. If both skills can be implemented by accomplished leaders with insurmountable knowledge, then the outcomes to their movements are guaranteed to be in greater consistency with their initial efforts (it is predicted that their demands will not be made fully). The presumption that their entire list or set of demands that are derived from their overall cause is grounded on the idea that law-makers and government officials will only be inclined to meet some of their needs. In accordance to my initial theory, the original founders and leaders of the movement need to realize that there needs to be some form of exaggeration in their construction of what they desire.
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
In many cases, the word racism is used in the incorrect context. Sometimes, people will exaggerate their encounters because they believe it will better their chances of earning justice. On the other side of the token you have experiences that are misconstrued and falsely retold, which can be quite dangerous if the truth comes up missing. Racism is most detrimental in matters of police brutality, employment seeking, university acceptances, and many others. I do not believe that racism is as profound in other areas as they are in the examples provided. Racism should never be tolerated nor shall it be promoted, but we must also not be foolish as to confusing this term with ‘profiling’. Racial profiling is substantially less problematic but equally as unjust. When we treat a person based on our perception of what they are capable of, are simply reacting to human instinct. If we treat a person solely based on what we think their race is capable of, then we have a problem. A person’s race has never, in the history of mankind, had any effect on a person’s choice of action and/or judgment. There are no studies that show black people are biologically compelled to steal just as there is no evidence to suggest there is a correlation between being white and the inability to dance. If we were all to open our minds, and eliminate all stereotypes we posses, then we can successfully obliterate racism. Racism is nothing more than a frame of mind help by people who were deprived of culture during their youth. These people spent their entire lives with little to no multicultural influence, and therefore became ignorant to other traditions and idealisms. I have been racially profiled many times, but the times where I was a victim of racism most likely resulted in some physical confrontation. Racism is disastrous to our way of living; we should not be destroying our own population because our entitlement to “speak as we wish” has gone a little too far.
If you know a person who is victim to racism, you must embrace their demand for consolation. You must make them aware that the racism embedded in certain people is a poison and they shall forever be cursed as their racism remains present.
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
Penn State promotes multiculturalism and diversity quite efficiently, and we are continuously improving. This is significant to my argument as you consider the many interactions that we all have with people from different backgrounds. I believe that if I were to hear somebody utter the word “poser” when referring to someone who is integrating soundly and harmlessly, I would point out that he is jealous and wishes he possessed the social skills to expand his small network of friends. Absent is the evidence implicating individuals, who have diverse networks, of pretending to be somebody that they knowingly aren’t. The act of imitating or misrepresenting a culture that you clearly do not belong to is blatant and impossible to conceal. Therefore, the pretender in the group is always noted and criticized for their lack of authenticity. I remember when I was growing up and I was learning to distinguish between real friends and fake, I would consider to myself how loud or boastful some of my friends were, because that’s usually a clear indicator of who’s living a tale. Even in current day, I have a keen eye for indentifying those who possess pretentious qualities, such as the propensity to lie and answer vaguely. The previously mentioned claims embody the qualities of a “poser”, but realize how culture, race, religious affiliation, and even sexual orientation were NOT mentioned. I conclude my argument with the reminder that diversity promotes higher academic and professional success, and it is essential to diversify all boundaries so as to produce a thriving civilization.
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Tax Dollars at War · 0 replies · +1 points
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points
14 years ago @ World In Conversation - Voices From The Classroom · 0 replies · +1 points