en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3554386 Comments by GreekxBebe215 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-80/#IDComment230421991 The videos we watched in class the other day were extremely disturbing. I was shocked, disgusted, repulsed, disappointed and ashamed. One emotion I wasn't, however, was surprised. This wasn't the first time I saw videos of American soldiers ridiculing and hurting innocent Iraqi civilians, and I'm pretty sure it was not the first time for the majority of our class. It upsets me to see innocent people get taken advantage of - people who are in THEIR OWN COUNTRY trying to support both themselves and their families. These American soldiers, who claim to be patriotic and willing to do anything to protect our freedom, are dishonoring not only our country, but their families and humanity as a whole. How dare these soldiers do such a thing? Where are their ethical and moral values? Don't they have families, friends and children of their own? Why don't they think about them when they do this to innocent civilians? And then Americans over here wonder, right? They wonder why the people in a particular occupied country are fighting the soldiers. What would YOU do if someone entered your home and tried to kill your family? Are you supposed to just let it happen? I don't think so! This is why I chose that I would support whoever was protecting both themselves and their families in the class polls - American or otherwise. After September 11th, my father and I would have many conversations regarding this topic. He never let me get brainwashed by how the news was depicting the American soldiers. From a very young age, he taught me to see the other side, the other perspective. Whenever I would try to bring up a conversation about it with other students and friends, however, I had to be careful about what I said and how I said it because some people were so patriotic to the point that nothing on the contrary could be said to them. I eventually gave up and kept my opinions to myself, so it's nice to be able to openly express them both here and through this class. Now, this blog response does not mean that all American soldiers, Iraqi soldiers, Muslims and Christians are like this. Of course not. To group everyone together would go against everything we were taught. The actions of a few certainly do not outweigh the actions of the many, but both sides must be shown. Why doesn't American television show people grieving over the loss of their soldiers over there? Why not? How quickly we tend to forget that there is a war going on FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON, and that people from BOTH SIDES ARE DYING FOR NOTHING. Stop thinking that we're getting rid of terrorists or making the world a better place, America, and realize that we are causing entire nations years of suffering that they never deserved. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:45:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-80/#IDComment230421991 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-78/#IDComment222601285 I really like this question because it is definitely something that we all need to think about. One thing that I have learned about this scandal is that life happens, and we will all move on from this. At the end of the day, after the media leaves and ESPN stops replaying the riots, this is still a university. We still have exams to take, papers to write, new ice cream flavors to try at the Creamery and sporting events to attend. Our lives are not over! We have to stop worrying about the reputation of this school and realize that we will eventually rebuild everything that we think we lost in the past week. Above all else, we need to think about the victims and how they are feeling. I feel as though everyone is upset about how others view Penn State, and I admit that I was one of those people. But after witnessing the moving vigil at Old Main and getting chills over the Penn State/Nebraska prayer before Saturday's game, I now understand that this is not just about us. Before we know it, this will all be a distant memory. We should not allow the events of a few horrible people affect us as human beings, and as a university. Through this scandal, I have learned to think about others - and that is it not about the scandal, but how we're going to recover from it. It is about how we're going to learn from it, something that we are all doing right now. It is about how we're going to help the victims, whether it's through fundraising or raising awareness about child abuse. I have already seen people outside of the HUB doing this, and it makes me even more proud of my school. I am also learning to do just that - to stop feeling embarrassment and disappointment over what happened, because it is NONE of our faults. We should all still be proud of our school, no matter what. The horrible events of the past week could have very well happened anywhere else, to any other university. But it didn't. It happened here, and there is nothing we can do about it. Instead, we must learn to accept the things that are out of our control and focus on what we can do to get this university back to what it once was - a university full of honor, integrity and amazing people who have so much to offer once they graduate and move on from this place. We must all learn that we will move on from this, and that we are still Penn Staters. As Sam said last week, the sun will still shine when we wake up, and life will still be awesome. There are bigger and better things to do, and we will only accomplish them if we learn to move on from this. Most importantly, I hope the victims know that they are in our thoughts and prayers, and that we haven't forgotten about them. To borrow something I saw on Facebook, I'd like to remind everyone of this: Jerry Sandusky is not Penn State. The people who were rioting last Wednesday night are not Penn State. The people who attended the vigil at Old Main to remember what happened to the victims are Penn State. And everyone in Soc119 is Penn State. WE ARE PENN STATE! Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:52:04 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-78/#IDComment222601285 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560793 There are certain things that are completely out of control - I wonder, is this one of them? Can we ever make all of this disappear? While we cannot solve the world's problems in one day, we can still try. Through this sociology class, we can hopefully open our eyes, broaden our horizons and take the first steps necessary to put an end to these horrors. But it won't be easy ..especially since we're not even willing to give up eating chocolate. Wed, 9 Nov 2011 23:30:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560793 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560769 Nonetheless, that second piece of chocolate is something I will think about. I will never be able to empathize with the people in the video, but I can sympathize with them as much as possible. It is absolutely disgusting to know that, in our world today, there are still slaves. In fact, according to Sam, there are more slaves in the world today than in any other period of time. How ridiculous is that? While we complain (myself included, obviously) about how terrible our lives are - perhaps you got a B instead of an A on a test, or your car broke down the other day - these people are working, sweating and bleeding for little to no pay. It makes me so disappointed in both myself and society. Wed, 9 Nov 2011 23:30:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560769 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560675 The boy who stated that people enjoy something he suffered to make resonated with me, yet I still ate that second piece of chocolate. In fact, when the girl next to took a handful of the little pieces of chocolate from a TA and asked if I would like some, I took one and ate it as if I never watched the video. No matter how guilty I felt, I knew the truth - I was not going to go out of my way to purchase Free Trade chocolate. I wasn't going to pass on eating Twix, Snickers or anything else with chocolate in it. If I were to give up chocolate, then I might as well give up on wearing name brand clothes, or coveting diamonds whenever walking past Tiffany's. Wed, 9 Nov 2011 23:29:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560675 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560607 The moment I looked up and read the first PowerPoint slide, I knew exactly what Sam was going to show us. As soon as the video popped up, I was prepared to see horrific events that would make me not want to even touch the second piece of chocolate. When I ate the first piece, it tasted beyond delicious - I can never resist chocolate. After the video was over and Sam instructed us to eat the second piece, however, I hesitated. I hesitated, but then I listened to what Sam had to say. And he was absolutely, positively right. Unless I was never, from that moment on, going to eat another piece of chocolate, then I should eat that second piece of chocolate. And I did. It still tasted good, and sweet - but it was mixed with feelings of guilt and sadness, as well. Wed, 9 Nov 2011 23:29:35 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-70/#IDComment219560607 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216028358 *surprised, that was gonna bother me! Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216028358 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216020126 I think that immigrants should learn English in order to benefit themselves, but that they should never be forced to. Some Americans are too patriotic to the point that they become pathetic. How dare they try to separate themselves from immigrants, as if they're "pure" and immigrants aren't. If you were born and raised in this country and know the language, then it's easier said than done, isn't it? Of course I want my mother to be able to communicate freely, but at the same time, people who don't know the personal histories and stories of others need to stop being so quick to judge. I understand that we all judge - but when you witness someone yelling at your mother because they think speaking louder will help her understand what they are saying, you get a different perspective on this matter. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 23:37:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216020126 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216020074 I'm very proud of my culture and heritage, and if it weren't for my mother, I wouldn't be able to fluently speak Greek as I do today. I watch the Greek channels on DirecTV with her, attend Greek concerts in Atlantic City with her and my sister, and even go to Greek festivals when I'm back home. Because of her, I am able to communicate in Greek with my family members and other members of the Greek community. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 23:37:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216020074 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019753 At the same time, however, I understood the message that Vento (who has since passed away) was trying to get across - even though he could have gotten that message across in a different way. So to answer the question, I agree with some parts of it and disagree with others. I'll be honest - I have constantly told my mother that, had she learned the language, it would have been more beneficial for her. She would be able to go to doctors and supermarkets and restaurants without the need for a member of our family translating for her. She would be able to secure a better job and wouldn't have to face a constant language barrier. But at the same time, I understand why she wants to hold onto her culture and heritage - the Greek language is the only thing she has left of home at this point. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 23:36:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019753 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019666 Fast forward twenty-something years, and Joey Vento (the founder of Philly's famous and delicious Geno's Steaks) hangs up a controversial sign after becoming frustrated with customers who didn't speak English. "This is America. When ordering, speak English," the sign read. I was honestly furious. People started using the sign, with its American flag and bald eagle backdrop, as bumper stickers on their cars, and it drove me crazy. I would grip the steering wheel and look over at my mother, livid that people did not understand her story, or why she is the way she is. My mother is a very complicated woman. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 23:36:02 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019666 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019384 But when I got older, I started to understand the pain my mother deals with every single day. My parents had an arranged marriage, and she was basically forced to move to a new country in order to establish a better life for herself. With my older sister in her arms, she boarded a plane with my father and settled in Philadelphia. She's had two brothers and a best friend pass away since she's been here, and has only been to Greece once since arriving in the United States. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 23:35:19 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019384 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019287 This is a really good question that especially hits home for me. In fact, I was really surprised that I didn't voice my opinion more publicly in Thursday's lecture. My parents immigrated from Greece to Philadelpia in March of 1980. My father, who had been in the United States prior to officially moving here, was already familiar with the English language. My mother, on the other hand, stubbornly refused to learn the language. I remember being obsessed with Dr. Seuss when I was younger, and I always tried to get her to repeat the words to some of my favorite books - she never wanted to, and we never even made it past the first page. When I was younger, I didn't understand why my mother didn't want to learn the language, or why she always said that she didn't want to be here. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 23:35:04 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216019287 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213717039 This is going to bother me: the *than in my response is supposed to be then. Haha! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:29:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213717039 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213716600 Immigrants come here for a reason - to make a better life for themselves and their families. They don't come here to steal money or get through life easily. Their lives are extremely difficult, if anything. Could you imagine having to leave behind your family? I see the pain in my mother every single day. Her two brothers passed away during her time in America, as did her best friend. Could you imagine that? Yes, my mother has a green card and therefore isn't an illegal immigrant, but the principle still remains. Give them a chance. Give them all a chance to get to where they so desperately want to be. Those who are against immigration obviously do not understand it - they have not experienced it either for themselves or through the perceptions of others. Do you all remember Erik's story in class on Thursday? Think about that the next time you question the motives of both legal and illegal immigrants. Do you really think that anyone would want to experience the horrors that he went through with his family? NO! But they did it for a reason and that reason is exactly what separates the strong from the weak, the educated from the ignorant and the survivors from the quitters. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:28:21 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213716600 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213716570 Many people would say that, after thirty-one years in this country, this is her fault - but try telling that to her, someone who never wanted to come over here in the first place. My parents had an arranged marriage. You never know the situations that people were put into, so you have to think twice before answering questions such as these. I completely understand that illegal immigration isn't exactly right - but it isn't exactly easy to become a legal immigrant, either. I believe that those who are illegal immigrants need to go through the necessary processes to become legal immigrants, but for the pure reason that I want them to be able to provide more for their family members. People need to think about that. One stereotype regarding illegal immigrants is that they are lazy, and are taking from innocent Americans who work hard for their money and freedom. This is completely false! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:28:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213716570 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213716488 As someone whose parents came from another country to the United States, I feel very strongly for both legal and illegal immingrants. If you have never been in the situation yourself, or have experienced it through the stories of others, than you really need to take a step back and consider what others have gone through and struggled with in order to provide better lives for both themselves and their families. The United States is made up of immigrants, so why are people so against them? We wouldn't be the same without immigration! There wouldn't be a variety of cultures, traditions, rituals, practices, morals, foods, etc. if it wasn't for immigration. My father is a legal immigrant; my mother has her green card. Immigration refuses to pass my mother because she has not mastered the English language. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:28:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-55/#IDComment213716488 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210138086 I honestly never realized how my race shapes the way I view the world until I began attending University Park. Growing up, I always strongly identified with my Greek culture and heritage. As the last child of immigrant parents, how could I not? I love being known as a hyphenated American, and I am extremely proud of my biculturalism. When the time came to indicate my race on standardized tests, college applications and job applications, I would wrinkle my nose, put a huge check next to the "other" box and obnoxiously scribble "Greek." I refused to acknowledge that I was white, because to be white meant being devoid of any culture. The other white children in my Philadelphia neighborhood always had a million different ethnicities to name. How could you possibly know that you're 2% Italian, or 5% German? When I would simply reply "Oh, I'm Greek," I was always answered with a "And? What else?" I guess I never realized how the color of my skin automatically granted me certain privileges. I hated typing that, by the way. The notion that you work hard to get to where you want, it's as simple as that, no longer stands true to me. After reading through our textbook and attending our lectures, I began to fully acknowledge that I am white. I do have an unfair advantage over others that is completely out of my control. I want to be hired based on my skills and personality, not my complexion. Whenever I apply anywhere, I still have to put white, however. Despite the fact that I hate the word white, because to me it sounds so generic, I still am white. My culture, however, is still something I'll always refer back to. When people see my last name, that's what they ask. That's who I am. I am from a diverse city. I attended a diverse high school in that same city, and I attended Penn State Abington, a campus which has the highest percentage of diversity. I was genuinely surprised when I discovered that University Park wasn't as diverse as I originally thought - I had never been to central Pennsylvania. I was silly to expect other parts of the state to be like my hometown. Of course, this isn't to say that there is anything wrong with the UP campus - I just wish that it had more diversity. During our lecture on Tuesday, I was upset as I read through some of the tweets on our Twitter feed - did people seriously think that people were surprised by some of the information we received? Now, up here at University Park, my race shapes the way others see me - as someone who is "shocked" to hear about the injustices of the world, the flaws in our systems. Well, guess what? Just because I got my mother's fair complexion instead of father's Mediterranean one, doesn't mean that I am not aware of the world around me. No matter what, I am a white, Greek girl. I can't change that. But the shade of my skin changes/would change how others view me. I wish we could all stop that toward one another. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:23:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210138086 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-44/#IDComment207571329 I do not have to prove myself to anyone else, but I want everyone in this class to know that I can empathize - we've all been discriminated against based on our race, sex, gender, religion, etc. On the other hand, I'll never know what it's like to be on the other side because of my skin color. I honestly never paid attention to the color of my skin because it's rarely pointed out to me the way being Greek (which I love because I'm so proud of my ethnicity) or being a woman in a male-dominated field (sports journalism) is on a regular basis. To everyone, of every size, shape and color who has ever been affected by this, I wish I knew what to say. I just hope that others realize that the guilt we feel should stand for something. It really does. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:06:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-44/#IDComment207571329 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-44/#IDComment207571311 I hated whenever people would mention white privilege because I believed so strongly in the notion that you work hard to get what you want in life - nobody else is going to give it to you. Now, after taking this class and reading my textbooks from my intercultural communication classes, I painfully realize that there truly is a white privilege. This is not to say that people of all different races, shapes and sizes don't work hard to get to where they want/need to be, but I now see that that are unfair factors that really do hold people back. It's heartbreaking. So to answer this question, I feel white guilt whenever I attend this class. I don't consciously realize it until afterward, but I do experience it. I don't want anyone ever thinking that I got a job, or was chosen for something based on my skin color. It's hard enough being a woman in this world without all that anyway. I was born and raised in a diverse city, went to a diverse high school and even attended Penn State's most diverse campus (Abington) before coming up to University Park. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:06:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-44/#IDComment207571311