The way that the soldiers were treating the Iraqis was completely wrong! I feels as if them not understanding exactly what the Iraqis were saying IS NOT a valid reason to crush their cars. Obviously, if they have a car, I’m pretty sure that it was very difficult for them to buy one. We do not know all of the struggles they may have gone through in order to just get that one car. And when they crushed it along with the wood, it showed no remorse in the soldier’s eyes. How could you stand for pride and then go and destroy the only source of heat that Iraqis have. I know that all soldiers are not like this but the army should have some way of regulating the act of their soldiers. The way that the soldiers were treating the Iraqis was completely wrong! I feels as if them not understanding exactly what the Iraqis were saying IS NOT a valid reason to crush their cars. Obviously, if they have a car, I’m pretty sure that it was very difficult for them to buy one. We do not know all of the struggles they may have gone through in order to just get that one car. And when they crushed it along with the wood, it showed no remorse in the soldier’s eyes. How could you stand for pride and then go and destroy the only source of heat that Iraqis have. I know that all soldiers are not like this but the army should have some way of regulating the act of their soldiers. The way that the soldiers were treating the Iraqis was completely wrong! I feels as if them not understanding exactly what the Iraqis were saying IS NOT a valid reason to crush their cars. Obviously, if they have a car, I’m pretty sure that it was very difficult for them to buy one. We do not know all of the struggles they may have gone through in order to just get that one car. And when they crushed it along with the wood, it showed no remorse in the soldier’s eyes. How could you stand for pride and then go and destroy the only source of heat that Iraqis have. I know that all soldiers are not like this but the army should have some way of regulating the act of their soldiers. The way that the soldiers were treating the Iraqis was completely wrong! I feels as if them not understanding exactly what the Iraqis were saying IS NOT a valid reason to crush their cars. Obviously, if they have a car, I’m pretty sure that it was very difficult for them to buy one. We do not know all of the struggles they may have gone through in order to just get that one car. And when they crushed it along with the wood, it showed no remorse in the soldier’s eyes. How could you stand for pride and then go and destroy the only source of heat that Iraqis have. I know that all soldiers are not like this but the army should have some way of regulating the act of their soldiers.

After learning how common it is that someone gets sexually abused, is a sickening thought. However, to think that this is possibly happening somewhere along the lines of my family is both terrifying and sickening. This situation is something that we, as a community, have to overcome and find a way to get these people help. You may not think it’s affecting you, but you DON’T know. The thought of one of my family member being in this position takes this topic to another level. It takes it to the point where I want to make people more aware of sexual abuse. Showing that it, sexual abuse, happens MORE OFTEN than you would believe. I’m pretty sure all the families out there that are affected by someone (a son, daughter, niece, nephew, brother, sister, etc.) had NO idea what so ever that this tragedy was going on. Because IF THEY DID KNOW they would have stopped it before it got to where it did. They would have seen the signs, or at least been more aware of what was going on along the lines of their family.
Other than being aware, I still wonder is there anything else that I can do to MAKE SURE that this does not occur in my family. With that being said, I am still shocked, because I don’t know how I would feel if I were to find out this was happening along the lines of my family. So, I really feel for the victims and their family because overcoming something that you NEVER really expected, such as having someone in your family getting sexually abused, can be compared to a loss in your family. Just for the simple fact that things will NEVER feel the same. As a family or parent, you won’t know who to trust, believe, or even want to allow your child to go with another individual. This may cause parents to be OVER protective because your job as a parent is to MAKE SURE that nothing harms them. In the future, as a parent I will HAVE to be really aware of what my child is doing, and who she is with because if I lack the knowledge of these things that is when they run into trouble. Also I will have to let my child know that we can talk about ANYTHING, because having the right communication with your child will allow them to come to you with ANY problem. Just the thought of all sexual abuse occurring within my family is something that I will not want to deal with, so I’ll do whatever I can to ensure that me, my family, and everyone else is safe from this tragedy.

This week’s incident has been very heart breaking for all Penn Staters! The thought of a former Penn Stater & a former coach molesting a child is something I bet NO ONE thought would ever happen (sorry if that vulgar, but I don’t know another way to show how disturbing it is) I feel like the media has projected this whole incident in terrible ways. Instead of focusing on Sandusky and the crime he committed and instead of worrying about the many families that have been affected by this whole incident; they ONLY want to focus on Joe Paterno because he is a figure at Penn State and in order to get “BREAKING NEWS” they must have something an interesting topic. The media doing so everyone may get the wrong idea of the topic, the media made it seem like it was the “Joe Paterno scandal” instead of the “Sandusky scandal”. The reason I say this is because I personally had friends from New Jersey asking me did Joe Paterno actually molest a child, and that’s when I had to sit there and run the whole story with them. So, if many people I know had that idea I would not be surprised if there were thousands out there thinking the same thing. That being said when Penn State students riots and it was on the news it made us seem like we were rioting to support Joe Paterno (making it at the end of the day seem like we were supporting what they BELIEVED Joe Pa did) Which is not the case. I affected me GREATLY NEGATIVELY because Joe Paterno a old mad got his life token away from him, which is football, yea he didn’t report what was a RUMOR to him, but Mike McQueary the one who WITNESSED THE INCIDENT WITH HIS OWN TWO EYE and DIDN’T go to the police; still has a job & and will be coaching this Saturday. I am not the only one who feels this way because we as a school know that “Joe Paterno” IS PENN STATE and taking him away is like taking “We Are” away from us. Like I said it’s heartbreaking, and I feel that this will at the end of the day affect us as students. I feel bad for the seniors because to have this happen their last year in high school may or may not affect their job opportunities. At the end of the day I just can’t wait for this weekend to begin. So, Saturday the Penn State Nittany Lions WILL go out and defeat the Nebraska Corn Huskers for Joe Paterno, the seniors, our schools name, the family that were affected and MAINLY…… FOR THE KIDS!!!

What I wrote this blog response, in another language? Many reader would be like “what is he talking about?” This is how I feel SOMETIMES, when someone speaks another language around me.
When it comes to someone else speaking a foreign language around me, I sometimes do not mind at all but it is those times when I’m the only one around. When I say that, I mean if it were a whole bunch of people in our setting I wouldn’t find it uncomfortable. However, if it were only me and two other individuals talking to each other; it is then & only then will I feel uncomfortable. The reason for this is because I have no idea if they are talking about me. I doubt I am the only to feel this way because it is pretty much in human nature, our conscious, to be aware of our surroundings. That being said when someone is talking and you happen to overhear it your mind unintentionally focuses on the conversation unless you try to ignore it, but once you are aware that they are speaking a language in which you cannot understand that is when numerous thought come to mind. Thoughts such as, “Are they talking about?”, “What are they saying?”, & “why can’t they speak English?” Well at least that’s what I think. I am not saying that those individuals should be confined to speaking only English, but if they are in a public location where English in primarily speaking; then why not speak English. There are a few exceptions that I DO NOT get uncomfortable when some speaks a foreign language is when it’s an adult who does not speak English at all. So, they bring their child with them in order to translate for them. I actually find that very interesting and cute, because I know how it feels to do that.
On the other had my personal experience with having someone speaking a foreign language around: It has only happened a few times, not very high amount of times but often enough for me to find it annoying. My parents spoke primarily Creole, but as soon as they were able to speak English they attempted many time to speak English when they are in public settings because it would be great practice & in addition they wouldn’t have to always rely on me and my brother to translate for them. At the end of the day everyone has the right to speak whatever language they prefer, despite what another individual thinks/feels, even if they may FEEL like they are being talked about. But, having everyone talk English in public settings would be very appreciated amongst the population.

Racism is an interesting topic! I DON’T mean that its good, but whenever someone brings it up the conversation can go on for hours. The reason for that is because many individuals have different views on it. When it comes to racism I wouldn’t say it only exists in amongst people of white ethnicity and people of black ethnicity because racism is EVERYWHERE. Whether you believe it or not, it true because I view racism as ANYTHING that would be “pushing it” when talking about another race other than yours. Not only that but if an individual were to come up to me and say something offensive CLAIMING that there race is better than mine I would assume they are racist not specifically against my race ( Haitian Ethnicity) but to anyone who didn’t share the same beliefs/race as he/she did.
But in the society we live in today some people take small things and jump to the conclusion that whoever said, (insert a slightly offensive statement) is racist. For me, that isn't the case because I know by experience that some people:
1.Are completely naïve.
2.Have NO common sense & don’t realize that everyone does not share the same traditions as them.
3.Some people don’t realize race until they step out of there norm.
4.DO NOT THINK BEFORE TALKING.
For those reason I cannot assume that every negative statement I coming from a racist individual. But I can tell you, when I KNOW that the who person said something “offensive/racist” and they do not fall in any of these four elements, I will have some words to exchange with this person. I wouldn’t drop down to their level and say something racist back at them, but instead I will open their eyes with some knowledge of how they are very being very ignorant. Because to snoop down to their level would make me just as wrong as they are, and that is something I refuse to do.
I have never really experienced someone being racist towards me, you may think that I’m being very lenient, but I would just say that my view is different. I just make sure that I let it be known, from the get-go, that I will respect you if you respect me & if you say something I will be the one to inform you that you are being offensive; so that way it won’t happen again. There’s no need to take every little thing and make it very dramatic, just go up to the person tell them how it is and that individual will more likely understand. Instead of criticizing it, my goal is to change views of other, regardless whether they do it intentionally or not.

I personally feel as if HBCU’s (Historically Black College & Universities) are a great experience if you attend one. I KNOW in fact that you will be informed about your heritage & African-American history as well. One thing people may not know is that HBCU’s do not only have African Americans students & students of color; it’s just PREDOMINANTELY African American students & students of color. Does it prepare you for real experiences? I would say HBCU’s DO NOT prepare you for the real experience. Before you get the wrong perspective such as, “Oh he must be white because he’s trying to bash HBCU’s” or even take everything that I’m saying the wrong way, let me inform you that I AM A STUDENT OF COLOR (African American/Haitian) I AM NOT down playing HBCU’s I’m just giving my opinion. My point-of-view is a black man trying to make it in a white world. Let’s not be naïve; in the world we live in today, it’s tougher for a black or person of color to get a position compared to a white person & Asians. Yes, you will learn all the same material that a college that DOES prepare you for a real experience will learn. You will have all the same treatment, opportunities, and resources. However, the only difference is the ENVIRONMENT in which the college has, and when I say that I mean being a student of color in a PREDOMINANT white college, is about the same as a job-seeking employee of color in the real world. A college preparing you for a real experience would be one that matches the environment in which you’ll step into once you have received that degree, and to people of color unfortunately is going to be a tough path. If you go to school and your constantly working, collaborating, and competing with white/Asian students then you’ll be use to it. I must say when I came to University Park, PA it was the first time I felt different to a certain extent. Growing up in a small town in New Jersey where it was pretty diverse, I felt in the norm of everything. But, when I stepped foot on campus it was when I realized that my race ISN’T the majority on campus, so it took me a while to adapt to it all. Especially, being the ONLY student of color in my classes. Remember that my goal isn’t to down play HBCU’s because all of them are great schools & you will gain countless amounts of knowledge/experience. But, the experience is not the one that matches the world we’ll step into. Honestly, that why I chose Penn State, it took me out of my normal element and allowed me to ADAPT to the change BEFORE I go job-seeking; once I get my degree ofcourse!...

“53 cent of every dollar we’re paying for tax goes to military!” The government can be both a good and a bad thing in our society today. I know we have a high demand for military assistance, and I know the government wants to make sure that every citizen here in the country is safe. But one thing I will NEVER understand is why we spend so much money on war. War isn’t cheap I know, but when we have citizens, HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, who don’t have health care, or jobs. Not only that but we have children that aren’t receiving education because the state doesn’t have funds to pay teachers which causes many to get cut. In addition, local post offices are being shut because lack of funds. All of this makes you want just want to sit and think where have the priorities of our government gone? I turn on the news and all I hear is “War this… war that… Yesterday in war… Tomorrow the military…” It gets quite frustrating after a while because we have not been focusing on our own problems, nor helps other countries that recently have experienced a natural disaster such as HAITI, JAPAN, etc. The negatives of having 53% of EVERY dollar can go on and on and on, however think about the senior citizens, whom do not drive anymore, they have to walk to the post office BUT when the LOCAL post-office closes they may have to walk a lengthy distance. Furthermore, it’s not like they, the government, don’t have money to pay teachers, give the state money to keep the post offices open, give citizen Medicare. Like the speaker said, WE are funding the biggest war machine the world has ever known. If I could I would give the war the share (that petty $1 trillion over a span of 10 years) compared the $3 trillion+ we give, in taxes, EVERY YEAR. As much as I love not having to worry about terrorism because the government does a good job with the “self-defense” system, but cutting a few unnecessary budgets and giving it to pay for schools, insurance, helping foreign countries, and all the other things that actually NEED aid.
What about the left over money? It’s obviously NOT being used for anything we know about, so if WE the citizens are paying taxes in other words paying the people who are in office, why don’t we know any information? Such as how much money goes to the CIA (central intelligence agency), NSA (national security agency), and DIA (defense intelligence agency), I believe we need to know what goes on with OUR money. Overall, I believe the way the government spend our money is DUMB & CORRUPT.

If on the first day of school, if I walked in and the first thing that my roommate told me was that he was gay; I’d feel uncomfortable. Not because that JUST NOT a way to break the ice, honestly. However, if he introduced himself at first and after everyone got settled in the room he told me that he had something to tell me; I’d sit and listen. Then would be an appropriate time to inform me, and I would absolutely be fine with it. Although it may take me an hour or two to digest this statement but I grew up in a family where everyone should be treated equally so, I will treat him will all due respect. Along with that I believe that every individual should be able to practice what they believe or like AS LONG as they don’t try and press their beliefs/likes on you; because that’s when it becomes an issue. If that doesn’t happen then feel free to do as you like. My living situation obviously would feel different than usual, because it would seem weird at first, for a couple days, just for the simple fact that I never lived with a homosexual individual. Once I get used to it, I believe I’d be able to treat him as if he were a heterosexual roommate as long as his flamboyancy wasn’t too much. When I say that I mean, I really won’t be able to view him as one of “the guys” especially if he walks around with a purse everywhere we go. Another thing is in college EVERYONE parties’ at least once and there will be an occasion where you meet someone cool and just bring them back just to chill. Having a guy roommate bring back a guy will be extremely odd. As if having a roommate now a day’s bring back a female is odd to me because I feel as if no one wants to overhear another smooching with a partner, like “GET A ROOM, ONE THAT I’M NOT IN”.
However if my roommate had waited a year to tell me the he was gay, I may or may not have expected it. If I DID NOT EXPECT IT I would be surprised but at the same time I would feel more comfortable living with a homosexual because to live with one for a year and not suspect it would leave me in the mindset that not all homosexual individuals are very feminine. Along with that if I did expect it; I wouldn’t say anything all year because to inform him or ask him whether he was homosexual is none of my business.
At the end of the day if being homosexual makes you happy, then be happy and ignore ignorant/close-minded individuals that don’t accept it.

I found the video of the bike thieves very interesting, because it was a great way to observe the thought process of everyday individuals, in their natural environment, when judgment based to color/race is used. The main thing that made this experiment successful was they made sure that the two actors (playing the role of a young adult stealing a bike) dressed alike and acted alike in numerous ways so that the only difference would be the color/race of the individuals. It started off really funny because they purposely told the actors to approach the stop sign that the bike was chained to and attempt to steal it. As this white actor made began to take tools out of his bag as if he were trying to break the chain on the bike, many citizens (of all ethnicities) just looked at him, and kept it moving; every now and then they may have asked him a question or two such as, “Is this your bike?”, or “What are you doing?” but once he answered they left him alone. As a student, of African American ethnicity this was quiet interesting to me. When the experiment came to the point where the black actor had to act like he was stealing the bike this was where it became more than just an experiment to me, it became “eye-opening”. As many citizens walked by they began staring down this young fellow while he was attempting to steal the bike, the same exact way the previous actor did, and it automatically became a huge scene. One citizen stopped and began to call the cops, as other citizens came by and began interrogating him. The second half of the video really stresses how we still haven’t approached, or progress in having a society that views every single individual equally. It was time to flip the switch and get a female actor to attempt to steal the bike. When this happened citizen (primarily males) assumed she lost her key and they began to help her. Just by that short clip I was intrigued to see how gender and stereotyping of women still exist more than I expected. However, although this experiment was done to inform individuals about racism and gender discrimination… the experiment could have been better. I feel that having different individuals passing by makes it somewhat accurate but could be better; if both actors (the white/black male actors) were stealing bikes at the same time but one was further down the road, then we could be completely sure that the citizen that stopped one and not the other has negative racial judgments.
At the end of the day I personally believe that this experiment can change HUNDREDS, even THOUSANDS of minds if they got to see it, because it would really make them think, “Do I judge individuals based on race/ethnicity?” and once you get an individual to think that, progress has been made.

The Haiti group project is a VERY good idea, just for the simple fact that it allows us to aid someone who is less fortunate in another country by giving them resources, ideas, and modern technology so that they are able to make a better life for themselves. Were practically helping a country rebuild its self after tragedy and that alone is a great eye opening experience for those students who feel as if they shouldn’t help those who NEED help, you can’t always do it alone. Helping others but at the same time changing someone’s perspective is one of the greatest gifts you can give to those closed-minded people. In addition to helping, I will benefit because as a 1st generation Haitian American I haven’t really done my part to help Haiti other than donating money. However, this assignment allows me to actually DO something instead of sitting in the background giving money and along with that this assignment allows me to learn more about the country of origin for both my parents, Haiti.
As I began to read the section on Clorene Blaise, I was amazed when it stated, “Her team of eight can complete an order of 300 shirts in four days” especially finding out that her team consists of 23 people and the sewing machines are at least 50-60 years old. This means that she cannot benefit, like American seamstresses, from have the modern technology that that can practically make the shirts for you. After watch the video I am really determined because I never REALLY thought about how much work it takes into produce a product form other fabrics. If we were to partner with Clorene Blaise the “first” thing that I suggest we do is get here a more modern sewing machine to assist her and her workers when it come to completing large orders. With the demand of her produce increasing due to her now having capability of completing these large order; mean that the supply in order to make these product will also rise. You can imply that in order to satisfy her customers’ order she would need to have a sufficient amount of resources in order to make these shirts, slacks, and bags. My idea for the bags she makes, instead of her buying jean for the price she currently does, we can have individuals donate their old/unwanted jeans and sell it to her for a cheaper price that way she can profit. Last but not least getting her a tag would be outstanding because a seamstress without their own tag is like Penn State without a logo or mascot. Weird I know. Giving her resources, modern technology, and ideas/designs for her shirts & purses will allow Clorene to live her dream without having to come to America.