en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/769108 Comments by Gwillakers https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment71341199 This is a tough question. I do believe that there needs to be some structure on how we allow immigrants to become citizens. Like Sam said every country has border control. I dont believe you should have to have money to have a better life. I wish everyone could enjoy the benefits I have in the United States but unfortunately its not possible. I believe that if you work hard enough that you will become successful. Its really hard to take a certain side on this one. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:56:24 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment71341199 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71340090 These two video’s were so inspiring and actually made me tear up a little bit. It’s so reassuring to know there are people in the world that are so willing to help other with question. As for the first movie, it’s so moving to hear that someone is willing to give up part of their own body to help another individual. The women said it the best she truly believed that this man was an angel. You know it random acts of kindness like these that make me believe that there is a God. It also makes me look at myself and realize that I am here to help others in the world. We should all realize that there is a bigger picture that we are not hear just to go to school or work but to enjoy our lives and the lives of others. Life is too short to live from point A to point B. Be thankful for everything you have your family your friends, your pets, just be thankful and appreciative. I don’t believe that we should take anything for granted in this world because we are truly blessed with what we have no matter what. We are simply blessed for being alive today. This next video is so genuine and priceless. That little dude is awesome and shows us how innocent feelings can be at a young age. This little guy likes a girl for the simplest reasons. Not because she has a lot of money not because she wears the latest fashion but simply by the way she puts her hair in a pony tail. Its things like these that make me want to be that age again because at that age. It just goes to show you that you don’t have to live like the media wants. This kid is so happy and living life that I’m almost jealous. This video just goes to show us that when you’re young you don’t care about the superficial things the media throws at you. We should take this and realize that we used to not care about half the stupid things that we do now. Let’s get back to the basics, love for another doesn’t have to be complicated. I don’t know just thinking that I used to not care what I wore or what I looked like makes me sick. How haven’t we grown to understand that we are all different and unique in our own way? We should be more embracing towards each other. I don’t want to give into the media image I want to live freely and with an open mind. I believe that if we can try to be more open minded and not so caring about what the media want us to be then we will progress as a society. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:49:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71340090 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69757345 This is a tough question to answer. Yes I understand where he is coming from but when remembering what Sam said about how where we live was all luck of the draw it helps me understand. I just believe that if you understand that you can make a difference doesnt mean you feel superior it means you were blessed with more than others.I believe it's what you do with these resources that makes you who you are. God intended people to help others, so what if you have more it just makes you able to help more people. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:35:32 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69757345 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/tent-cities-in-haiti__trashed/#IDComment69755558 This just goes to show us how strong a country can be if they come together. Its amazing how they created these little cities and legitimate businesses out of tents. Still Haiti is far from an economic rehabilitation and transformation. Like this video says the only way for these people to make a living is by selling things, most if not all of them do not have legitimate jobs. Like the guest speaker said in class we cant just be giving away things thats not going to help Haiti in the long run. We need to help create jobs to secure the economic stability in this country. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:29:13 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/tent-cities-in-haiti__trashed/#IDComment69755558 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69752547 She’s absolutely right. What happened in Haiti is a horrible disaster but I believe some people do care more about tragedy when it affects us directly. As people in society most of us are more caring about ourselves before others and what we have going on in our lives and how we are going to become successful. I’m not bashing this concept I just believe that “most” people in the United States have a me first approach on life. I’m not going to sit here and say I have always thought about others before myself, I would be lying. I don’t know why but sometimes I think about myself as if I was the only person in the world. I forget what I have learned by going to church and how to live through others. God has a golden rule “Do unto others as you would want done to you”. It is such a simple rule but yet very hard for us to live up too. As people, we need to self examine ourselves and ask if what we’re doing is going to help not just ourselves but others as well. Also I don’t want to get to religious but some of us believe that what we do in this life greatly affect where we are in the afterlife. So for people who believe this why aren’t we devoting our lives to helping others? I guess because we feel the need to have better things like TV’s, iPod’s, computers things that shouldn’t be the priority in our lives. So in order to get these things we have to work more and it takes more of a priority than more important things. Its one thing to work to support your family but it’s another to work to get the new iPod touch. As people we need to enjoy the life we have and the people in it before it is too late. Think about what you as a person is going to leave behind you and what you have left the world with after you pass. I have just thought about this myself and I know it’s a lot to digest at once, but I guess this is me brain dumping my feelings after hearing last lecture. The lecture really made me think about my own life and right now I feel I feel I could do better. Not just in school but in the community, with my friends my family, everything. I think appreciation and thankfulness goes a long way and after hearing that lecture on Tuesday I am truly thankful for my family and the people in my life. While also living through others and helping others can make us all better people and help society progress. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:19:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69752547 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment68443110 I think there are many possible step two's. But mine would be just to understand what really goes on around the world when it comes to slavery and imported goods. We need to be more aware of where and how we get our goods so cheap. Its a reality check so maybe now that we know all these horrible things that are going on in the world that we might try to make a difference and do something about it. So my step two is just realizing how we contribute to the horrible labor practices going on in the world and how we can stop them Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:21:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment68443110 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68434031 I believe the end goal is to just get us thinking about things we never really wanted to discuss out loud. Sam said this class is all about getting the award topics of race relations out so we can find a solution together. In order to find a solution and progress towards equality we need to talk about the things we usually dont talk about with others. I think this class has helped me become more comfortable talking with different races about the controversial issues most find inappropriate. Also this class has helped me think outside the box from another perspective Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:00:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68434031 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68431865 This was a very good video post and something I really haven’t thought of. I would say absolutely. Men are constantly trying to fit the image that the big companies and the media portray. It’s sickening that we as society can’t feel comfortable with ourselves because the media and “other factors” make us think we need to all look alike. I think this topic especially relates students in college we all want to fit in and feel accepted by our peers. You see it everywhere the gym, downtown, in the class room, everywhere. We should be happy with what we have been given because this is truly who we are. I don’t want to be like everyone else that what makes me who I am. I believe everyone feels this deep down inside but it is really hard to stay true to who you are while commercials are throwing “images” in our face. Instead of showing us before and after pictures of some women after she took fat burning pills why doesn’t the media commercialize self love and uniqueness? That would send a better message to our youth than what we have on television today. Another thing that I actually didn’t think but I after I read a couple post agreed with also. Alcohol consumption is a big thing for men. This is a huge thing men feel they need to conform to especially while in college. You see all the people downtown having good times, it’s only natural for you to want to be a part of that. I think this subject is more related to men because I believe it’s a more social thing for men to drink than women when it comes to making friends Also I wouldn’t be surprised if men are more critical of their bodies than women. Seriously I don’t know it’s just how I feel. I feel like we feel we have to be tone and defined and have a nice tan in order to get ladies it’s pathetic. Women want the Abercrombie model they want the all American image because that is what they see on TV and in magazines. Thanks big corporations because of you I now need to go to the gym 5 days a week fake tan and sculpt my hair as if it was going to be on display at an art museum. When’s it going to end when is the beer belly is going to come back into style haha. But on a serious note big corporations really need to stop plugging into our heads that we all need to look alike. Love yourself love your features your personality everything because that is who you are no matter what they tell you. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:42:07 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68431865 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65685533 I kinda would have to agree with the people making the Census. Obviously a lot of research has gone into the categories of racial terms used on the ballot. They didn't just throw a bunch of slang terms for different races and told people what to pick. I guess it is a little confusing if you are Hispanic and African American you might not know what to put .Another topic of the word negro on the ballot, If i am correct we learned in class that some people chose the term negro. I do however think the term is outdated but if that is what people chose then we should respect it.That is the way I look at it. The Census isn't racially discriminatory its an appropriate way of understanding the population of people in the United States. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 02:29:48 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65685533 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65589850 I agree with the student on the whole LLBean issue.I believe the company was simply trying to appeal to other races. To me those pictures look normal just because the models were African American doesn't mean they wouldn't go hiking or hang out by the lake. Its these common assumptions that is setting our society back and that's why were not making any progress. We need to start thinking as a "whole" in society not by races. When we separate into races that's when we start looking at things like this. We are all people and all different. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:56:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65589850 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65563018 This video was very interesting and quite shocking when i found out that African Americans children chose that white doll over the black doll. I couldn't believe the questions and answers that were being given by this young girl. When she was ask which doll looks bad the girl chose he black doll. I couldn't believe it, it actually killed me to here that and then to find out that 15 out of 20 kids felt the same way. What have we done in society to make these thinking processes suitable in today's society.What image have we created to our young children, what message are we sending them. All of these questions are very serious and we need to do something. I thought we were passed that stage when it comes to race but i am definitely wrong. In America today it should be our goal to make sure everyone is comfortable with their own culture, physical features,and personalities. Everyone is different we should not try and force an image that everyone should follow its absurd. Be proud of who you are and were you come from, don't listen to everyone else. If you want to straiten your hair do it! if you dont want to then dont! we are free to look as we choose and we should be proud of our natural features we have because that is how God created us. The is our fault as society not encouraging uniqueness and trying to set a standard for an image of men and women in society. We need to start encouraging uniqueness and naturalness. I guess what Im trying to say it be true to who you are and society we should understand that God create us to look a certain way and we should try to change that. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 15:09:01 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65563018 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment64228255 I dont know how much changing the history books would help shift white guilt but i do believe that openly discussing this issue and pointing out key factors could help the issue. When we address the issue of racial discrimination head on we tackle the debate to the core and make more progress than just overlooking the guilt of white people and just assuming its all in the past.. This class has helped me address the problems with discussion of race in society and taught me to express my opinion. It has also helped me to never leave anything unquestioned. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:09:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment64228255 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/flip-the-script-for-a-moment__trashed/#IDComment64218289 I agree. I think we should leave no stone unturned when it comes to life and the way we think and live. We need to ask questions because this is how we evolve and progress into a better society. If we dont understand then we are left to believe whatever someone wants us to think. It suppresses the human mind and free thinking.Once we get it out in the open and think for ourselves and take all considerations forward and then we can come to a rational decision. But by not talking about certain subjects or anything only hurts us in the long run and keeps us from learning and progressing to become better people. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:51:34 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/flip-the-script-for-a-moment__trashed/#IDComment64218289 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64075263 This is a very interesting topic and I agree we haven’t spent much time talking about how we as society perceive Asians and Asian Americans in the United States. I don’t consider Asians and Asian Americans part of the “brown” people minority I believe they are in their own separate category. I can remember from class when we were going over the average salary of minorities I believe Asians were among the highest in that category. As society (this is just my opinion) I believe we look at Asians as very hard working and highly intelligent people. To me being called hard working and intelligent is a huge compliment. This can be a great advantage in corporate America and could very well be the reason they have such high salaries. I don’t know exactly where these generalized characteristics came from but its just the way I see it today. I didn’t really grow up around many Asian Americans, I only had one Asian American friend growing up, but when I came to Penn State I became more familiar with the people and their culture. Now I have many Asian friends and respect their culture a lot more now than before. I think in general when we are introduced to new cultures and people we need to be patient and not assume anything. Interact with others as if they were of the same culture and stay open minded. As society I feel that sometimes we shut the door on how we think about different cultures and just assume things about different cultures without getting our own opinion. On the topic of can I distinguish the difference between Asians and Asian Americans. Not really I believe I have don’t have a good idea of the differences. The only thing I have noticed to me that stands out is the style of clothing. My Asian American friend who I have grown up with wore the same brands and styles as I did growing up. But since I have been to Penn State of have seen many Asian students wearing a very unique style. I cant really describe it well, but I do notice a difference. Its more fashion oriented(like trend setting) and well put together. I could be completely wrong about this but It was something I have noticed. I have even tried to get some style tips myself. I think as people in society when we meet people from different backgrounds we need to take all the positives from our experiences and use them to better society. Everybody can contribute something good to society that’s what makes the United States so different because we all come here from everywhere in the world and contribute something positive to society. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:30:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64075263 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment59952773 I feel really bad for this women. If she was told she could wear the scarf then what all of a sudden made them change their mind. That is totally hypocritical, if they don't discriminate in their workforce than why did they fire her. I understand Abercrombie is trying to maintain their "image" but what really is the big deal. Its a scarf and she wears it because of her religion. I think she should be allowed to wear it. She did everything she was told to do. This is a prime example of discrimination in the workforce Fri, 5 Mar 2010 23:02:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment59952773 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment59951848 This whole article is controversial all the events being discuss as racial discrimination in the school was allegedly done by minorities. So who is discriminating who? I don't really understand. With that being said the events that were committed can be cruel and make students uncomfortable. I don't believe these acts should be tolerated but by blowing up the "ghetto" theme party is just going to fuel the fire of discrimination. To me having a theme party like that doesn't seem to be offensive but that's only my opinion Fri, 5 Mar 2010 22:54:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment59951848 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really__trashed/#IDComment59943762 This article is amusing and humorous and shouldn’t be taken seriously, I hope. First of all this guy used to be a wrestling and boxing promoter enough said. I really don't think he knows a thing about the game of basketball and the evolution of the game. I’m going to give him the benefit of doubt and say he is strictly looking at this from a business perspective, that race is not the issue for him at all. African Americans didn't change the game of basketball for the worse, not even close, if anything they added more elements to the game and gave it more style to make it better. As a matter of fact it was us as athletes and society that became stronger bigger, and faster, this was the reason basketball has changed not solely because of African Americans. Today Athletes have better training programs better facilities and more resources than back in the day. I agree the game has become faster pace and more self promotion but this is not because of African Americans. I think that the reason there isnt more white basketball players is because as White Americans they have more options and variety of sports to play because they have more resources to do so. Basically because they have the money to do so(from the statistic in class on household incomes). Other sports can be very expensive like hockey and golf and majority of the athletes that play these sports are white. Many African Americans do not have these opportunities to explore different sports like white people. It is not expensive to play basketball all you need is a ball its that simple. Also it goes with location most inner cities thrive off basketball and majority of the people that live there are African Americans. Its not their fault they are taking advantage of what resources they are given. If you are good at something you should peruse it regardless of what it is. So basketball shouldn’t be any different. We can only do so much with what we are given, we have to make the most of it. That’s exactly what African Americans did. We cant be pointing the finger for the faults in basketball at African Americans. The reason professional basketball is down goes way beyond any racial issues. I respect the fact that African Americans have so much passion for the game of basketball and take the game very seriously. We should be inspired by this and use it. Anything you do in life regardless of what it is you should do to the best of your ability. Take pride in what you do and be proud of what given abilities you have. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 21:52:17 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really__trashed/#IDComment59943762 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-comment__trashed/#IDComment58891312 I totally agree with what he said. Its a lot tougher for a former African American felon to get a job when he gets out than that of a white person. The statistic we saw in class really made me uncomfortable. It showed that companies rather hire a white person that has a felony on their record than hiring an African American with absolutely nothing on his. Now just imagine if he actually had a crime on his record. Its the horrible reality of this discrimination happening in the workforce that makes people angry. I hope that soon change will be implemented and regulations will be put into place to stop this. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:52:52 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-comment__trashed/#IDComment58891312 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/question-on-discrimination__trashed/#IDComment58890170 This is a good question. I would assume that they might still choose a white person just based off the statistic we saw in class but I could see them choosing an African American also. I guess it would depend on the boss. If it was my decision I wouldn't be discriminatory towards race. I would hire the best fit for the job because at the end of they day its all about making money in a business. I feel that this should be a standard with all business application processes. If you choose someone just based on the color of their skin not by the accolades then your hurting your business in the long run. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:42:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/question-on-discrimination__trashed/#IDComment58890170 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58720806 The topic of Native American discrimination was relatively un heard to me. I have heard of the discrimination of African American from history class, I have read about the Holocaust but why haven’t I been taught about the cruel and heinous acts committed against the Native Americans in America. The only material I really learned about the Native Americans was from middle school when we were taught about thanksgiving. (Totally not anywhere close to the real story of the history of Americans and Native Americans). Its no wonder Native Americans have the highest suicide, drug addiction, unemployment rate and alcoholism in America. We have slowly tried to get rid of or restrain Native Americans from being accepted in society. Americans have left them with no resources to live off of and use them as a scapegoat in society by putting them on reservations. I understand that we technically didn’t take land from the Indians and cause the genocide but we contribute to it still today. We live on land that was taken away from people who owned it and commit the acts of discrimination directly. But technically None of this land is our not a single inch of it, yet we still call this place our home. We are not deserving of this place, and we need to realize the truth. Dave Matthews put it in terms for us to understand in the song we listen to in class. It tells us how we would tell the Native Americans that we will take your land from you, and if you try to fight back we will bury you. Could you imagine if someone came into your family’s home and said “This is no our home and you will leave immediately” I would have acted the same as the Native Americans I would have fought until my last breathe to protect what is mine and my families, all of us would. The question always comes up though. “What I am suppose to do about it”. We as society have to do some self reflection about this issue. We need to accept what has happened and reflect on our past and understand that we still contribute to this indirectly. There isn’t a right answer on how to make things right, its all up to you and what you feel needs to be done. Whether its spreading the word to the misinformed or demonstrating on street corners. Its all up to us and what we feel is the right thing to do. I can tell you one thing after reading and listening about this I will do my own inner thinking and self reflection to try to figure out something I can do. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:17:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58720806