en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3553643 Comments by LilDancer21 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-83/#IDComment231772331 In sum, I agree that the war is all for oil. Being in the United States, we have the largest energy consumption out of all the other countries and with the growing population, it is only going to expand and so is our need for oil. In the sense that we are going over to a land that is not ours and stealing something to our benefit is horrible. From the standpoint of an Arab Muslim, I would hate what the Americans are doing in my land. It makes no sense for us to just go over and start a war, wasting our army just so we can get a few extra gallons of oil. If anything the United States needs to lower our dependence on fossil fuel and start looking towards other methods of getting energy. Fri, 2 Dec 2011 18:32:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-83/#IDComment231772331 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-83/#IDComment231772212 I’m sure he has an extreme dislike for America and the American soldiers, and as he should. They destroyed his entire life. We destroyed a lot lives, all for what? To take something that doesn’t belong to us? Shame on the United State’s Government, in our educational systems we teach kids not to bully other kids but on military level bullying is completely fine? I don’t think so, that oil doesn’t belong to us. I understand that we need an energy source but we need to use our own resources, maybe not oil since we don’t have a lot of that but there’s plenty of coal. I’m sure some scientist can figure out how to burn coal cleanly or figure out another energy source, like garbage, that would solve 2 problems. This lecture had taught me to keep an open mind and always try to see the issue from another viewpoint because it will give me a better understanding and also help me make sense of everything. Fri, 2 Dec 2011 18:32:27 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-83/#IDComment231772212 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-83/#IDComment231772027 Did Sam’s lecture on Tuesday change my opinion on the war? Tuesday’s class left me in a very confused state. In some ways, Sam’s words and tactics really generated a sense of anger from me. On the contraire, being put in the eyes of an Islamic person helped me see the issues from another perspective. Sam definitely changed my views on the war. I always knew that it was over oil but I never thought about it in terms of we’re taking something that doesn’t belong to us. It really does sadden me how many innocent bystanders mainly children are getting killed because we want something that they don’t want to give us. I think that the US is being a big bully in the Middle East. When we rolled in there we destroyed their cities, their economy, we took lives and we hurt a lot of people. I was appalled by the way that the American soldiers ran that car off the road and crushed that other car. It was completely unnecessary; they were trying to get wood so they can rebuild the home that the US troops destroyed. That car was that man’s entire way of making a living, what is he supposed to do now to support his family? Fri, 2 Dec 2011 18:31:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-83/#IDComment231772027 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223468749 You can no longer confide in people because you fear they will violate you too. This feeling can be regained. It just takes a while. All it takes is one person who is there through thick and thin, who doesn’t push for information, who lets you be you and come to them when needed. Eventually, this trust will be regained and justice can be served. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:25:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223468749 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223468568 One of the hardest things is overcoming an act such as this. It only takes one individual, in one act, to completely change a person’s life. Sex is supposed to be mutual. But think about when it is not. Sex is so personal and intimate of an act that when someone violates it, it cuts deep. The victims of sexual abuse feel lost and dirty. They feel used, unwanted and alone. Their biggest sacrifice and gift to share with someone was stripped from them. Who are they now? They do not feel special and wanted. The abuser stole life from them. They stole trust from them. This, above all, is what victims need back in order to speak out, trust. It is what was violated. Trust is solely confiding in someone with personal information and knowing they will understand and stand beside you. It is accepting the individual for who they are and appreciating how their lives and experiences have shaped them. It is another way of giving of yourself to another. This is taken when someone is sexually abused. The victim can no longer trust. Someone they did not know, and in most cases, do know, took the biggest value in life. Speaking from experience, this hurts. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:25:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223468568 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223468104 Sex is intended to be an intimate experience that individuals share between each other to express various feelings. Most of these feelings include love, lust, devotion, and above all trust. In my opinion, sex is the only act where someone completely gives themselves to another. It is intended to be special. Only given up to those emotionally and physically close to oneself. Sex is intimate, personal, and most importantly, it is mutual. Each party gives themselves to the other. This bond is like no other, it symbolizes unity and two beings becoming one. It is intended to, emotionally and physically, be the best feeling we can experience. With that, people get greedy. They start to only think of themselves and what they want. It is still a special act that involves giving of themselves to another, but it lacks the mutual consent. Certain people are determined to get what they want, when they want it. This is called rape, and in an even broader term, sexual abuse. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:23:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223468104 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223467686 Sexual abuse is frightening. Think about it? It is one type of abuse to completely, emotionally and physically, tear an individual apart. After an event such as that, the victim feels violated, lost and almost “dead”. I say that in quotes because, although the person is technically living, they are void of all emotion. It is like the abuser stole all life from them. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:22:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-76/#IDComment223467686 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment219882721 In my opinion, happiness and success are two different, unrelated aspects of a persons life, granted every individual person defines it differently. Success to some people may be to attain a high paying job that makes a lot of money. Others may view success as owning a house or property, providing for a family or a combination of all three. In either instance, success emphasized owning and having the responsibility of other people and material objects, and maintaining a higher status in society. If you notice, all of these require money. Our society places an emphasis on money. Without it, we would have nothing. Money is the food of our economy and society. We need it to survive and ultimately grow as individuals. The more money an individual has, the more opportunities that person will have. Such examples would be attending college, leading to internships, then finally jobs. Buying a house, a car, life, home and auto insurance, and any other toys that people like to have to enjoy life. This all requires money. It is when all this has been acquired, that success has finally been reached. I have a slightly different view of success. To me, success can be achieved through small acts or large achievements. A person does not just have one success in their life and then its over. They continuously succeed. Graduating high school, getting accepted into college, graduating from college, winning championship games or dance competitions, attending grad school, receiving that dream job and buying a house. Each success builds on the other and builds on the other to reach that sense of being and purpose. To any person in society, this is what being successful means. It is achieving goals set for your self and accomplishing those goals. Not one definition of success will not include money. Money makes the world go round. Money seems to act as simply a stabilizer. The more you have, the more comfortable a person may be. The more you have, the more successful you are viewed. Happiness, though, is defined vastly different between individuals. In more cases than not, people will say owning a lot of money will make them happy. I, on the other hand, disagree. I feel happy when I accomplish a goal, make my parents proud, or brighten someone else’s day. It is the interactions between other people that influence happiness. I guess happiness is much like success in that it is achieved through many small or large acts. Small acts such as eating a bowl of ice cream and laughing with friends makes me happy. Without this, our lives would seem as nothing more than robotic. Money only has the power to stabilize one’s future and influence their happiness. Don’t let greed control you. It is what you do with the hand you are dealt that defines you. Through this, you will find happiness and success. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:35:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-32/#IDComment219882721 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215852211 They will being treating your nails, ask you a question in broken English, and then turn to the other person working there, say something and they both laugh. It seems that they could be talking about something else until each of them exchange glances with each other and then look at you. It makes it uncomfortable to be there, like they are making fun of you and how you keep your nails or appearance. Other times is seems harmless, like they are talking about what needs to be done throughout the day or when their child needs picked up from school. But, it is those specific times when you know they are speaking about you and you have no idea what is being said that makes you mad, awkward and uncomfortable. It is almost not fair, but, at the same time, out of the question to insist that they only speak English. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:59:16 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215852211 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215852072 If I was in their shoes, I would be too. It is the language I grew up with, grew to know and an aspect of my heritage and culture to keep practicing. In addition, multiple students around campus are also of different ethnic backgrounds so it is an aspect that students share and have in common. On the other hand, I have also had uncomfortable experiences with people speaking a different language in front of me. I am a girl and occasionally like to get my nails done. As bad as it is, everyone knows that the Vietnamese people are the best when it comes to nail pampering. More times than not, I go to them only because I know they do an excellent job and because it is always slightly cheaper than going to a white individual. Anyway, several times that I have went into these shops I have felt like they talk about you. Now, I am not just being paranoid. They really do. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:58:55 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215852072 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215851833 First off, I do attend Penn State and we are a pretty diverse campus when it comes to the races and ethnicities that are enrolled here. With that being said, an individual can simply walk to class and it forces a small interaction with these diverse groups of people. It is not hard to overhear people as you follow them or pass them to hear what they are saying, and in most cases it is a foreign language to us. Now, I use the word most here in reference to the predominant race here at Penn State. This is strictly opinion, but I believe that people of Asian descend comprise most of the student body here at Penn State. With that being said, I am in no way trying to sound racist, it is just what I have noticed. When I walk to class, I hear more conversations and interactions in languages I cannot understand than I do English speaking ones. This is the scenario with which individuals’ speaking a different language in front of me has no effect. In fact, I do not blame them. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:58:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215851833 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215851324 Personally, I believe being bi-lingual is incredible. It opens up more doors to the future through traveling, education and careers when an individual can communicate with many different ethnicities. However, I am, as you would say, “on the fence” about people of ethnic backgrounds speaking their native language the majority of the time around English speaking people. I say this only because I have experienced other people communicating in their native language in front of me multiple times, and it is not always the most comfortable experiences. Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:57:08 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment215851324 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-54/#IDComment213548643 I have also experienced racism myself. I am a white female who previously dated a black man. Like any other couple, we would go out to dinner or walk around town and occasionally we would show affection towards each other in public. It was never an exaggerated make out session or hanging all over each other; just simply, a peck or hand holding. This, however, was not always accepted as simply that. For a specific example, my boyfriend and I were holding hands while shopping in a store. Another woman who was shopping in the same store walked directly up to me with the most disgusted face I have ever seen. I was not exactly sure what this woman wanted until she said, “you can do better”, and walked away. I could not believe this woman said that to me. It was shocking how upfront and blunt she was about how uncomfortable my boyfriends and I being there made her. Color was never an issue for me. This was the one experience that truly proved racism is still alive today. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:31:02 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-54/#IDComment213548643 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-54/#IDComment213548546 I, obviously, am a college student here at Penn State and like most students partake in social events and gatherings with other students. With this, I experience and meet a wide variety of students and interact with them in various activities. I can personally say, I would not consider myself racist. However, in certain instances, the societal stereotype does come into play. If one evening, I was walking home from a friend’s house late at night and passed another girl, I would not feel uncomfortable or worried in any way. Say, I passed a white male on the street. I may feel as though he is eyeing me up but never feel worried that he would follow me home or, much less, hurt me in any way. On the other hand, if a black male were to pass me, I would feel more uncomfortable and almost scared he may actually harm me. This feeling is not because I do not like black people, because honestly I do see them as equals, but it is from the stereotype society created that black males are more aggressive and violent than fellow white males. It is the fear of being taken advantage of and not being able to defend myself. Although people do not consider themselves racist, there is still that part that segregates us from them. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:30:44 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-54/#IDComment213548546 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-54/#IDComment213548132 According to Webster’s dictionary, Racism is defined as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and those racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. Furthermore, racism seems to be more of a racial prejudice or discrimination between genetic and culturally diverse people. In my unbiased opinion, racism is the discrimination between races and other people of different nationalities based upon societal stereotypes. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:29:32 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-54/#IDComment213548132 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210635692 The tricky part about this question is that there are so many different viewpoints about what defines a “poser”. In my personal opinion, I don’t see anything wrong with hanging out with people outside of my race. This isn’t back in the day when segregation was completely normal and Rosa Parks had to sit at the front of the bus just to make a point. If a white person wants to hang out with a black person, calling that white person a “poser” is like telling them that it’s wrong to hang out with people outside of your own race. A “poser” is an insult in my eyes so why would you insult someone who has friends that aren’t white? In this day and age I thought that we were supposed to be treated equal. I have never understood why color defines a person. There could be a mexican man and a white man who have the exact same personality traits and get along so well, but they can’t be best friends because they look different? Whoever thinks that they are considered posers, does that mean that an interracial couple would be defined as posers as well because they are dating outside of their race? And to not be considered a poser does this mean you are only allowed to be friends with people that are the same race as you? I have girls on my team that are different races and they are some of my best friends. I would never think of myself to be a poser because I hang out with these girls. I don’t even see them as being a different race from me. I don’t think friendship should have anything to do with color. And If I was considered a poser by some people because my best friends are different races, that still would never stop me from associating myself with them. I understand people can be very proud of where they come from, and I understand the importance of culture and ethnicity. I just don’t think that being around people who are different from you takes away from where you come from. Just because I hang out with indians, black people, hispanics, etc. doesn’t make me any less white. It doesn’t mean I am forgetting who I am and trying to have a new identity. It just means that people of different color doesn’t phase me and would never be the reason why I choose not to get close with somebody. I would also never think to go out of my way to insult other people who want to go outside of their own race and start new friendships or even relationships with someone who is different than them. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:33:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210635692 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/12/consider-the-issue-of-freedom-vs-determinism/#IDComment207693999 There are many rare stories you see of conjoined twins and how they live their lives. You usually see these kinds of stories on Oprah or on other television shows or in magazines. However, I was surprised to hear that these girls didn’t want any part of that. They turn down offers all the time to share their story and for 16 year old girls, you’d think they’d want the attention. I can understand at the same time why these two girls wouldn’t want the whole world knowing their story; it isn’t the easiest life to live. This is where freedom becomes a factor in their lives. They have the choice who and how to share their unique story with many curious people. There are many things in these girls’ lives that are out of their control, but it is their decision of how to live it. They choose who to be friends with, how to function daily and create routines that work to fit their individual needs, and what they want to keep private and what they don’t mind other people knowing. Although freedom does play a part in their lives, unfortunately compared to other people’s lives the choices they have are minimal. Determinism seems to be the dominating factor that comes along with this kind of lifestyle. The way they were born was out of their control. They were a given a chance to live but had a lot of predetermined decisions already set for them. They were given one body and two minds and are now forced to be together for the rest of their lives. This was beyond their control and will never change. I really respect the fact that these girls seem so put together about the way they live. They aren’t worried about who they will date or how having two separate families may or may not work. They seem to be living their lives day by day and do not let other people judgements or opinion matter. I think that is why they choose not to go on a television show or do a million different interviews. They don’t care about or need any possible negative attention that may be brought upon them in a result of this. To be 16 years old and have that kind of maturity is rare and respectful. I know that if I were back in high school and I had a pair of conjoined twins walking around my school, there would be so much unnecessary drama and attention that comes with just seeing these girls walk past just because they are different. Whether these girls experience this or not, I don’t think they would want to amplify this attention by going public and throwing all privacy out the door. I couldn’t ever imagine living this lifestyle, but I really respect these girls for living it as normal as possible and for being so optimistic about their life to come. Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:30:20 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/12/consider-the-issue-of-freedom-vs-determinism/#IDComment207693999 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204454012 This attitude is what attracts women. It is the desire to please men and seek their approval that promotes women to dress as they do. Who set this standard and why have men encouraged it? The answer is society. Women should dress to express themselves and their personality, and not to simply please men. Who gave them all that power? Fri, 7 Oct 2011 18:03:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204454012 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204453912 Men, like any other weekend, wear athletic shorts, jeans or even pajama bottoms with a green t-shirt. Women, as expected, exaggerate their look. They wear short shorts and cut up or revealing shirts with colorful sports bras or tank tops underneath. Their hair and make-up is all done up and styled for the same purpose, a man’s attention. The sad part is, this is what sells. Women are seen as being inferior to men and almost to the extreme of being owned by them. This is where the standard of presenting yourself came to play. It is all about dressing the part of the man’s significant other or sexual partner. We, as women, are viewed by men as sexual objects. This view is reflective of the clothing style women still wear. Men do not place this pressure upon themselves. Yes, they do still want to look good or else no woman will try and seek his attention, but the aspect of comfort is still important. Men can dress comfortably, knowing they look good and have confidence. Fri, 7 Oct 2011 18:03:21 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204453912 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204453743 On any given weekend evening in a college town, any individual may be surprised by what they see. Women are dressed in high heels, short skirts and low cut shirts that leave nothing to the imagination. Men, on the other hand, are dressed in jeans or shorts, t-shirt or polo style shirt and sneakers. Can you see a difference? I believe women dress like this for one reason only, men. These outfits flaunt every aspect of a women’s body to grab the attention of other males. It is the stereotype that women must present themselves in order to appease men that has been carried through all these years. Not only do women dress like this to catch a man’s attention, but it almost seems as if women dress in these skanky outfits to compete with other women. It is like a game. A girl will wear the cutest, sluttiest outfit that helps flaunt her body in hopes that her body will win the attention of the guy and not lose him to the girl standing next to her. For example, we, students at Penn State University, partake in the acclaimed holiday known as State Patty’s Day. This is an excuse for students to party, have day longs, and be crazy. The interesting part still lays in the attire you notice each sex wearing. Fri, 7 Oct 2011 18:02:53 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204453743