I think the main reason that I am less affected by the tragedy in Haiti is basically because it is so distant from my own reality. I have never experienced a third world country or anything significantly different from my comfortable, suburban hometown. My life has been pretty free of tragedy and hardship so, for myself, it’s hard to understand the magnitude of what has happened in Haiti. I, like most other people, have only seen images on TV and the Internet but clearly that does not what is actually going on any justice. I think it is really unfortunate that more people can’t experience the situation first hand because then I think people would get it. People would be directly affected and more likely to care about what is still going on there. That’s not to say that people who haven’t traveled to Haiti don’t care. I mean I think I care about the people there but obviously not as much as some other people. For me personally, it’s difficult to take myself out of the moment and focus on other people. Honestly, it’s hard for me to think about Haiti when I have a huge Stat exam in the morning. I feel like it’s that way for a lot of college students. We are self-centered people and tend to think of what is best for ourselves and not what is best for those around us. That being said, I know that if there was a natural disaster or tragedy that happened in American we would all be willing to get on the plane and help our fellow Americans. We would do this because one, the disaster would be hitting closer to home and two, we are fiercely patriotic people who tend to jump to other Americans aide when needed. Look at how people responded after September 11 or Hurricane Katrina. We aren’t used to seeing one another suffer on such a large scale and I think that is why people are so quick to lend a hand to those in America. I wish there was a way to allow everyone to experience the devastation that would have more impact. It is definitely important to continue to have speakers and presentation on Haiti because even though it happened several months ago, the destruction is going to last a long time. People need to keep Haiti in their minds and even if it didn’t happen in their backyard it still happened. America is so much better off then countries like Haiti and I think that we need to use this to help others. I hope that in the future I will be able to make a difference in someone’s life directly but for now I will have to settle for indirect impacts like donating money.

In all honesty, the Christian Invaders lecture was probably the first lecture that actually made me take a step back and look at things for another perspective. I am extremely stubborn and set in my beliefs so, often times I don’t fully take to heart what Sam says in class. On Thursday, I was forced to think of how being from America is, in fact, somewhat similar to being from any Middle Eastern country. How being Christian is just like being Muslim. I think the biggest issue that could be brought up from the lecture is ignorance. People around the world are ignorant of each other. It’s so unfortunate because if people understood each other a little more less lives would be lost. I’m not saying that all of a sudden there would be world peace and everyone would be dancing in the streets together but perhaps there would be less violence or hatred. That being said, I don’t know if I personally will ever be able to understand exactly what it’s like to be a Muslim person in the Middle East. I know I will never be able to understand why thousands of innocent people were killed in horrific, premeditated attacks. Yes American Christian have killed probably just as many innocent people but only after we ourselves were attack. I’m not saying that anyone has the right to kill other people but I do believe that in this world, to ensure the safety of one’s country, leaders sometime have to engage in war. I think it’s an awful truth that just has become habit throughout the history of humanity. It is scary to think that fighting and killing one another is the only way to gain peace in the world or to gain something. Sometimes, I don’t even know what we are fighting for. Sam says it’s all about oil. I guess that’s true but I’m not sure if that’s what it’s all about. I think Americans are fiercely patriotic and loyal people. When we were attacked on September 11, 2001, so many people felt the urge to do something, anything to avenge the loss of people they didn’t even know. Then again, I’m sure there were scores of people who felt the same way in Iraq and Afghanistan when us Americans started bombing and killing civilians. It’s just so weird to think that people who live in these countries are just like Americans but with a different religion. I think that’s why I liked this lecture so much because it actually opened my eyes. I don’t know if it changed my opinion on the war or foreign relations but it definitely made me more of aware of the similarities between me and people who I thought were so different.

To be honest, Thursday’s topic of affirmative action really did not interest that much. So after lecture, I kind of didn’t even think twice about what effects affirmative action and nepotism could have on society. The topic doesn’t really evoke much emotion in me and I wasn’t looking forward to writing a blog on the issue. After coming across this question, I was more intrigued and I also had more reaction about affirmative action or nepotism that I previously. I guess since I have never been directly affected by affirmative action, I have never taken a good look at it. I have, however, benefited from nepotism. The summer job I have worked at for the past 2 years was given to me mostly because it is at the office where my mom works. So that, along with this question, made me thing: am I taken a job away from a more highly qualified individual who would be more beneficial for the office? I would like to hope that this is not the case but who knows. I guess that is the scary about nepotism and affirmative action. No one really knows if you are the most highly qualified applicant for a position or spot at university. If a company or school is trying to reach a quota or seem more diversified then there has to always be a lingering thought in the back of your head regarding your ability. Even though I have benefited from nepotism, I still believe that each and every individual should be considered for a job or acceptance at a school. I think this is true especially when making major decisions that could affect society. What I am referring to are things like medical school, law school, positions as doctors in a hospital, etc. People should not be put at risk because some hospital is trying to be more diverse or because the niece of a prominent donor is asking for a position as a surgeon. I think that is just utterly irresponsible. Affirmative action can let someone who may be mediocre at what they do slide through their respective system. I know that as a woman, I am not one to accept free rides through life. I think if you looked at the people who have received some sort of affirmative action, they too would not want to be handed things in life. Thinking about it, I’m sure I sound like a hypocrite because I’ve already admitted to benefiting from nepotism. In my case though, I don’t think the fact that I have my job as office help would really affect society around. So, I guess there is a line as to when nepotism or affirmative action is appropriate. I think all employers should take a look at not only who the employ but why they decide to employ them.

After this week’s classes, I really felt the need to react to the whole “bleeding” situation. First of all I agree with the girl in the video; that term does not sit well with me. I honestly don’t really know why but I think it normalizes menstruation. I know that’s Sam’s point. He wants to know why people don’t see having their period as normal or okay. The term bleeding could refer to anyone bleeding from any part of their body, including men. This is my biggest issue. Men don’t have to deal with having a period. Sam likened menstruating to perspiring when in reality they are extremely different. Both men and women sweat while only women have a period. Sure, men may have to deal with the women in their lives when they are on their period but men don’t actually know what it’s like to be menstruating. Sam is challenging all the women to not be ashamed but I know that I am not ashamed. I completely understand that having my period is a natural function and I am comfortable talking about it in the right forum. I would say that I was disgusted to hear Sam talk about his wife’s cycle as if he knew what it was like. I am happy that he is trying to instill in men that it is okay to talk about but I just want men to be comfortable around the topic. I don’t actually want them to discuss my body like they know what’s going on. I get that this plays into gender roles and women’s issues but I personally have never felt oppressed because of my period. Of course, it is a pain in the neck but as a woman there have been much bigger issues that have caused me to be angry with our male-dominated society. Our nation was built on the words of our Founding Fathers, not mothers. Like Sam said, I am sure that if women signed the Declaration of Independence we would be living in a world full of tampon dispensers and heating pads. The fact of the matter is that we don’t live in a women’s world. Over the past few decades, women have become increasingly more dominant but too much time has passed and too much history has been made and I don’t think that women will ever fully get the respect they deserve. There are a lot of instances when women need to stand up for themselves more often and let men know that women can’t just be walked over. I don’t know if talking about periods and trying to elicit some sort of reaction from the female population in your class is the way to do it.

I read about this a couple of weeks and I am really happy Sam put this up as a blog. I think the story of Natalie Randolph is an important one for everyone to hear but especially young girls. I have also that it was a shame that football is still a male sport. Almost every male professional sport has what could be considered a female counterpart. Women compete in soccer, basketball, softball and several other sports that were first played by men. Although there have been women’s professional leagues, the sport is most often looked at as strictly a man’s game. Randolph has broken the mold and hopefully girls can see that it is possible to break into anything that may be considered male-dominated. As for her coaching abilities, she obviously has them. I saw a couple comments where people were worried whether or not she could motivate a team of young men. I do not see why she wouldn’t be able to. The school would not have hired her if they did not feel like she was the best candidate for the job. This is high school football and for a lot of schools it is the most important athletic team. The administration at Calvin Coolidge would not hire a woman just for the sake of hiring a woman and getting some publicity. I am sure Randolph has proven herself to be not only an expert in the sport of football but also an expert in the art of coaching. I noticed that some people thought Randolph would not be able to fire the team up because she would be less likely to scream or give them a slap on the helmet. As a person who was a competitive athlete up until a few years ago, I can honestly say the best coaches I had did not scream or get in my face; they motivated us in much more subtle ways. Randolph being able to motivate her team is the least of my worries for her. I am more concerned with people not respecting her or her team. There will be plenty of opportunities for opposing players or coaches to ridicule her and her players. I really hope people are above doing this but I can imagine that there are a few people out there who do not see Randolph as a qualified coach. Hopefully, Randolph will prove any of her doubters wrong and more schools will follow Calvin Coolidge’s lead. All in all, this coaching decision is a really big step for woman in the world of football and equality in general. This is slowly opening up doors for girls and giving them bigger ideas. Now young girls who want to be a part of a football team or staff will have an excellent example to look up to.

I think one of the most important things said in the video was when the reporter said that the incidents at UCSD need to be turned into a “teachable” moment. I completely agree with that especially pertaining to the use of the word ghetto. We had a discussion about this word during our section meeting and there was a mutual agreement that a different word should be used to describe urban culture and lifestyle. We did decide that the word “urban” was probably our best bet. I think that the word ghetto is thrown around too easily and with little understanding as to what it actually means. The most important way to make strides in race relations anywhere but especially at UCSD is to educate people. There needs to be open and honest conversations where both sides of the situation talk maturely with one another. It bothered me that the Black Student Union leader refused to participate in a teach-in that the university had initiated. Even though he disagreed with the means of communication, he should have still participated to show that he is willing to speak about the issue with school officials. As a leader in his respective community, he should set an example that a dialogue must be pursued and that the administration is at very least making an effort to understand the needs and desires of every student. I really do hope that the student leaders did in fact have their own private discussion without the administration present. If they do not want to participate in the university-led discussion, they should definitely make an effort by themselves to speak peer-to-peer. Students speaking to students on a personal level are probably extremely effective if both sides want to listen without prior prejudice. This campus could be a really good example for tons of American colleges around the country. If students are ignorant or blind to race relations, then there are bound to be racial issues. These issues can surely be avoided though if students take the time to talk to students who are different then themselves. In college, it really depends more on if students want to take the time to talk to other students. Of course, there are faculty members who want these talks to happen but students are more likely to influence their peers. At UCSD, it is imperative to continue talks within all different areas of their campus. It can’t just be minority students talking to other minority students. Everyone needs to be engaged in the conversation on their campus. This needs to include Greek life, athletes and any other type of organization that has a major influence. Students, especially at a campus that has been so caught up in racial tensions, need to take the first step towards a solution and engage in a real and honest conversation with one another.

I think lesbians are more accepted in society than gay men because American society has been programmed that way for many years now. It has also been seen that women are more affectionate, loving, caring, whatever you want to call it while men are macho and tough. At a young age, boys and girls are taught a variety of gender roles. Girls play will dolls in pink, lacy dresses and boys play with trucks and blocks. These ideas that girls have to be submissive and meek in comparison with their male counterparts are put into children’s heads at a very young age. People tend to grow up with these ideas still in their heads. This makes it less of a weird or abnormal thing for girls to be affectionate towards one another. This, in turn, makes people less likely to turn their head or make a huge deal out of two women being loving with one another. On the other hand, males have always been taught to be hard and not to show emotion. That way of thinking, in turn makes people much more likely to stare or be taken aback by two men holding hands or affectionately hugging and especially kissing. This way of thinking can also be traced back to the way media portrays both men and women. Until recently, it was unheard of to have a gay man or lesbian be a lead character in a show. People are often apprehensive when it comes to any gay character in media. Gay men and women have been coming out publicly much more recently but rarely do you hear of a gay male athlete. It is because of the way sports have been portrayed in America that a gay man probably would not feel comfortable coming out. For some reason, people seem to think that every woman who plays a basketball or softball is automatically a lesbian. There does not seem to be uproar when a female athlete comes out because it seems to be almost imminent. Women who play sports are in turn manly while men who like to sing show tunes are feminine. I can not explain why this happens but it just seems to be true. People just seem to have an adverse response to a man who is gay because they automatically assume that gay means feminine or “sissy”. Sure, this may be true of some gay man but there are plenty of others who are just as masculine as the next straight man. I think the media and the way children are taught about gender roles really affects how lesbians and gay men are seen. There should not be a different response to either gay or lesbian just because people have grown up in an environment that teaches such strict gender roles. a

The white and black issue has always been fresh in the minds of Americans. From the days of slavery to the days of the Civil Rights Movement and even beyond, the issue has been black and white. There have obviously been weak moments in white and brown relations and even in black and brown but these issues are far less prevalent. Americans are much more likely to look at the history that we have dealt with. Black people have come such an extraordinarily long way from the eighteenth and nineteenth century. We can see this in the fact that a black man now leads America and there is even a month commemorating the legacies and history of black people in our country. Brown people are overlooked because in the eyes of many Americans, there was less for them to overcome in our country. Even though brown people are still a minority, there is less of a tangible that we can look at. I think it may also be because the history of brown people in American is less intense and power-driven. Blacks made sure that the entire world knew that they would not be denied their civil rights. Brown people, whether it is Asian, Latino/a or Native American, did not make much of a public outcry that matched the black Civil Rights movement. I may just be extremely naïve but I truly do not remember spending more than a class period on the rights and struggles of brown people in America. That is probably the biggest problem. History teachers spend so much time on the Civil Rights movement that occurred in the south in the 1960s but do not take the proper time to talk about the struggles of brown people. The biggest lesson I ever had came after a randomly stopped on HBO and watched a movie about a Latino protest in Los Angeles. I would have never known about that had I not been flipping through channels with that catching my eye. Obviously the black Civil Rights movement was a truly remarkable piece of American history but I think it is time to make sure that all different civil rights movements are given an equal opportunity to be learned about. I also believe that since September 11, 2001 people have less willing to talk about the plight of another minority in Americans. Muslims and Arab-Americans should also be focused on when teaching about minorities in schools. People must open their eyes to the extremely diverse history of struggles in America. Black and white people alike must focus not on themselves, not on each other, but on those around them. This will allow everyone to have a deeper understanding of how each race and ethnicity has struggled.

Unlike what seems like everyone else in the world, I have not seen Avatar nor do I plan on seeing it. I have read several reviews and editorial about the film, though. At first, I thought Avatar was just another action movie with some new technology throw in to spice it up. I quickly realized that not only was the new technology breathtaking but the political undertones of the film were what people wanted to talk about most. According to every movie critic who has reviewed the movie, there are blatant themes revolving around environmentalism and James Cameron’s displeasure with the war that America is engaged in. Mr. Brooks’ observations of Avatar were the first I had seen about the White Messiah and although I have not seen the movie I tend to agree with Mr. Brooks. I am also not surprised that Cameron included the white man’s burden storylines into Avatar. That story has been portrayed in too many films to count over the years. I do not think it is crazy that a blockbuster film has a white, dominant male lead out to save a so-called inferior race. As Mr. Brooks pointed out, we see it all the time and the films that do have this White Messiah are often the ones winning Academy Awards when all is said and done. I do believe that subconsciously the white population of America needs to see white people doing good things for foreign cultures and societies. I don’t think many Americans would enjoy a movie where white people go to a new planet, plunder their resources, kill the natives and just walk away without helping the others. That is pretty much what happened for hundreds of years when white people colonized the entire world. As white people, we are often ashamed of our violent actions towards the native people in colonies. Seeing a white man helping blue creatures in Avatar, does make white people feel better about themselves subconsciously. I honestly do not think after seeing the movie the first thing people think about is how they feel better about their whiteness. I am sure moviegoers are in awe of the unimaginable new motion-capture technology. When that initial reaction has worn off, people are sure to realize that the white man once again has saved a foreign nation. Even though this was rarely the case in history, movies allow people to see white colonizers in a positive light. The hero of Avatar could have easily been a black, brown or any other color person but I do not think that would have resonated as soundly with the American population. White people would probably admit it and there are probably a whole lot of white people who couldn’t care one bit about the color of a hero in a blockbuster but then again, there are sure to be a whole lot more who do.

The French government is completely out of line in this situation. My biggest problem with the government trying to ban Burqas is that now the government has the power to tell people how to dress or what to wear. I am sure that there are plenty of politically active people all over America who would love to ban things like Uggs or North Face jackets but they know that the government does not have the right to tell people how to dress. I think the French government is just very fearful of what they believe a full-covered face represents. I can understand that such a fundamental way of dress could make you feel uncomfortable especially in America because Burqas are very really seen. In France, I cannot understand why Burqas are so shockingly frightening. France has a very large Muslim population and, by this time, people should be used to seeing women in veils or head scarves. I think the government is trying to make the country safer and make for fewer opportunities that may cause fear. There are other ways to go about this other than persecuting someone because of their religion or personal beliefs. Regardless of what you may think, some women more than willingly wear full Burqas. It is unlikely that men are forcing their wives to wear the full veils, especially in France, but even that should not be any of the government’s business. There should be interventions if men are physically harming women or physically forcing women to wear the veils but if it is something that is done willingly then the government should not be jumping into the situation. This is also an issue of women’s rights. Everyone thinks that women wearing Burqas are oppressed and meek but in reality, they are strong willed and passionate. I think people should stop assuming that women who do things more conservatively are completely incapable of living in the 21st century. Some women just truly want to be religiously observant and stick to their faith—which is why they choose to wear Burqas. In America, if a woman wants to stay home, have kids, cook dinner for her husband and drive a mini-van people often see this as a bad thing because she is submissive to men. In actuality, the soccer mom life may be what she was always looking for and she could be extremely passionate about children. I think people see what is different or not the accepted norm and immediately judge. I know I do and the French government is doing the same exact thing now. Burqas should not be feared nor should the women who wear them.