en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/5349202 Comments by NSmith2013 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/12/07/voices-from-the-classroom-221/#IDComment515431804 After hours of trying to sign in on this, I finally get to tell my opinion. I think we as a culture subconsciously do not realize how we are living in these box's. I asked myself the question of why is that I am not as comfortable around different races as much as I am with my own. I know that I can hold a conversation with anyone and I know that I have white friends who I can talk to about anything, but why is it that I am not as initially a little uneasy when first interacting with white people who I don't know? Is it a fear that I will be judged? Is it a fear that I might say the wrong this? Or is it that I am just not into interacting with different races and cultures? Its none of those. I find that I am just nervous, just as much as I am when I meet an African American who has power or authority. Its really no different. I think the reason why we stay in our own boxes because we either have no real knowledge of the other persons race, which means we've never intertwined in any way which leads to a fear in some way or we prefer to stick to our own cultures. I came to penn state to get out of my so called box. Going to school in DC, I was in a majority African American area. There were Hispanics, but they stuck with Hispanics. There were white people but they preferred to stick to their own kind. You didn't talk to the other because you figured you had nothing in common, so the effort diminished. I had Hispanic friends but I never really knew much about their lifestyles. I also had white friends but there were only a total of 4 people throughout my high school career. So there was no need to step out of my box. The issue with this is that that isn't life. In order to work, most likely there are going to be many people who are different from me. How would I know how to work or hold a conversation with them? I needed to know how work and feel comfortable with people who were different than me. I have always been open and willing to learn. I don't get mad at people who do not want to go out of their comfort zones until ignorance transforms an opinions into facts that may not be true. I think that box prohibits real life ideas and thoughts from being exposed. I think being in that box cripples you because you live so oblivious to what is actually going on with people inside and outside. Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:08:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/12/07/voices-from-the-classroom-221/#IDComment515431804 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-211/#IDComment494618937 Watching today's lectures made me wonder what it was like to be on the other side. As an American, it made me think about all the things I thought I knew to be true about the war that I find are not anymore. Sam's video examined the hate that has festered in between Islamic countries and Christian Americans. I do not feel that the remarks made by American christian officials were the same views shared by all Americans. We do not all believe that Muslims all want to destroy American or just Christians in general, but I did make me understand why so many people could hate us. We physically went to someone else's country and over a time have killed hundreds of people off our own opinions. I do understand that since these things have occurred it could possibly have consequences on our side. The video about jihad was thee most nerve wrecking video I have seen in awhile and if I didn't know any better it could have convinced me that these people were out to kill us but I know that it is certain people who want to hurt and kill Christians and Americans. We ignore so many things and instead of helping other countries by not intervening in their wars or offering aid, we cause issues. Sam does a good job of flipping the story as if we were the ones who were in danger but I do not like that he makes if as if all Christians feel this way. Just like I know all Muslims do not feel the same. Its a soft topic when discussing 9-11. Many Americans lost their lives and in such a large amount. This has contributed to American hatred towards Islam. I feel since this video was made, things have begun to change and I think discussing it presently would have a better affect on the class. One thing that might be able to make students understand whats going on in places like Gaza, might be to make it mandatory for students to Skype with an Islamic person who might want to talk to an American or an Islamic person who actually hates Americans but wants to understand us. To fully get the effect would change the perspective and understanding of the students. I think it makes sense so that discussions like that could actually flow between to teacher and the students in our class setting instead of group discussions. Overall, the fact that some Muslims harbor some hate towards Americans is rightfully so, but it does not fix things. The fact that most Americans are blind to what actually happens outside of our own box, makes us so ignorant. Not all Christians despise Islam. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 05:19:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-211/#IDComment494618937 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/06/voices-from-the-classroom-204/#IDComment487718292 I feel as though most people who are homosexual do not choose to be gay. They were born that way and not only have physical attractions but emotional connections with people of the same sex. Their human being just as we are. Though most are born that way, I do feel as though it is a phase for the others. By phase, I mean choice they have made to become gay. Throughout my life, I have met plenty of people who resort to homosexuality as an escape from heartache. I find that its most common in high school and college students. I have noticed females go through this phase more often then males. For example, they want to experiment with same sex out of curiosity or they don't want to date the opposite sex due to heartbreak or bad experiences. I soon find that these people tend to revert back to being straight after a period of time. These examples are choices. I don't understand why people claim that its a choice, when most of the time these people knew since they were young that they were attracted to the same sex. I didn't choose to like opposite sex. Why is it different for others? Since we are built in a physical way to appease the opposite sex does not mean that our hormones and our brains work the same way. Its much more complex than someone just telling someone they made a choice. If that be the case, since its a choice, how are those who are gay but do not want be gay to change that? How can they ignore their feelings? How can they ignore they emotions for the rest of their lives? It would be unnatural for straight people to do that. How could it not be for them? I think that as time goes on, I think people will get past this idea of it being a choice to be gay. Most who are gay did not want to be gay once they realized they were but gave in it to it. For the rest of the world, its not normal and for most its not expectable. The ways of the world are changing and people are beginning to understand that its not a choice. I think past assumptions and beliefs have brought the idea that people choose to be gay. Since many consider it a sin, the idea of it was punishable. When people say they gay people made a choice, it gives them an excuse to criticize. It makes them feel comfortable with them believing that. Being gay is not a choice and those who choose to be gay are never actually gay because they eventually change back to being straight. Mon, 12 Nov 2012 05:24:46 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/06/voices-from-the-classroom-204/#IDComment487718292 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/10/voices-from-the-classroom-183/#IDComment463990672 Tammy’s story is very heart wrenching and it made me appreciate every blessing in my life so much more. I felt sorry that things in her life did not fall in to place like she wanted them to and I would want to encourage her to believe in herself. Though her situation is tough, she needs to keep pushing for not only herself but for the future of her children. If she were to come into class, I would want know why her life might have spiraled downward. I do not feel as though her family history has everything to do with it but I do feel like the effects of her childhood might have influenced decisions she made. I wondered whether she may have had a learning disability or maybe if she dropped out of school and even whether she might have been on drugs at one point. One thing I do believe is that she may have developed a mental problem through stress and the trauma in her life. I would want her to talk about her and her sons bond. When she spook about how her oldest son thinks he’s better than her, I thought about both of their sides of the story. He wants better then what he has while missing that his mother tries. In the midst, she gets upset because he makes her feel like she may not be good enough but probably feels guilty that he cannot look up to her. I would tell her to support both her son’s dreams because they need her as much as she needs them. In class, it seemed as if most people were concerned that she is on welfare but let us not forget that it is a system was made to help those who have a hard time helping themselves. She has a job and she does seem to understand that is not doing but so much to get them by. She shows that she is persistent in some degree by walking 10 miles just to get to work. The conditions of her home, car situation, clothes and land are a prime example of why she needs some help. Maybe if she had more money, she could have time to focus on the idea of becoming a teacher and disciplining her children but she cannot. Welfare is not making her situation any better, so I do not believe she is taking advantage it. No one ever really wants to be on welfare. I would really try to stress to her that she could better herself by maybe just believing in herself and finding ways to support her children so maybe they would appreciate her a lot more than they do. I would also ask her if she believes in God. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:15:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/10/voices-from-the-classroom-183/#IDComment463990672 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/25/im-wondering-how-i-would-see-things-if-i-walked-in-this-mans-shoes/#IDComment457913872 I thought this was a terrible example of injustice for this man. How can they jail a man with no physical proof? How can they torture another human being because they “claimed” he was a terrorist? I’m certain that if they had happened in America or was done to an American, they would be uproar. People would be marching on Washington and suing everyone. How could this happen? He was beaten, hung by his arms for seven days and electrocuted. As much as I would like to say “I’m surprised this happened!”, I’m not. We don’t ever know what’s truly going on overseas. I wonder how his life after being in prison for five years has changed. I wonder if he ever has nightmares about the torture he experienced. I wonder if he was able to get a job and take care of his children after. I wonder if he wonders if they will ever come to his home again and take him away. Nasim probably now even carries a hate for the US and I cannot blame him. Being wrongfully imprisoned for five years and being completely innocent most defiantly can change someone’s opinion on the world. I am completely despise the idea that this man lost many years of his life. The fact that there was no explanation on why he was there is another issue. There is no reason why the US army should feel it is okay to go into another country and flip it upside down. I understand there are people outside of the United States that would like to do harm to Americans but it is not everyone. The September 11 attack does not give us the right to override someone else’s life just because they have suspicion that that person may be a terrorist. When there are situations like this, there are a cause and effect that does take place. Hate cannot be fixed with hate. It only leads to other killings and other forms of violence. I guess we think of the army is doing us justice and I do support them, but what I do not support is the killing and torturing of innocent people. They said there are hundreds of people who have been imprisoned falsely and two have died due to abuse. Why haven’t we talked about this? Why hasn’t anything been done about it? How long will this continue? It’s amazing that this man is alive to tell his story and I congratulate him on his courage to tell us. The real question is what can be done to stop this? How can we help those who have been wrongfully done wrong and taken away from their everyday lives? Mon, 8 Oct 2012 03:05:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/25/im-wondering-how-i-would-see-things-if-i-walked-in-this-mans-shoes/#IDComment457913872 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/16/voices-from-the-classroom-164/#IDComment447267964 The youtube video we watched, I didn't like at all. I felt as though it was very disrespectful to the Islamic religion and culture. It seemed as though it was made to blatantly insult the religion and its prophet Muhammad. I haven't seen the whole video but I am not interested in seeing the rest. I don't think its okay to make fun of religion at all. Everyone is entitled to believe in what they want but just because someone doesn't have the same beliefs does not make it okay to disrespect them. I feel that when people do that, the impact can be harsh. People have died from the backlash and had nothing to do with it. Stereotypes develop on both sides, ending in violence. I believe that the muslims do have a right to be upset. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 03:59:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/16/voices-from-the-classroom-164/#IDComment447267964 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/12/voices-from-the-classroom-162/#IDComment441883960 I totally agree with Sam's statement. The first time I watched this video, I didn't really understand what he was trying to say but after a while it made sense. I think its extremely important to focus on differences in order to eventually not focus on differences. As weird as it sounds, the process actually works. The process will allow us to realize our flaws especially when it comes to being around others who are different. The wheelchair example was a perfect example of how people become very uneasy when around a person in a wheelchair. Someone who has never spent time with someone in a wheelchair will focus on not only the chair but be overcome by fear of not knowing how to support that persons needs. Some people do not know how to respond to those with physical differences. Another great example is how some do not know how to handle those with mental disabilities or amputations. When I was younger, my great-grandmother had her legs amputated and not only did I not understand but I was afraid of her. My great uncle has down syndrome and I grew up knowing that he was a little different but there was no physical difference between him and I so I responded better to him than to my grandmother. I eventually got use to her because the chair did not make her anymore different than me just like my uncle was no different than me. I think those who have never spent time people with disabilities do have a hard time feeling comfortable but it cannot be ignored. Talking about it in class was a great way to help the us understand that the same thing occurs with race. People become very uneasy and stimulate a fear. This class is giving us experience and understanding outside of our own beliefs. The challenge of stepping outside our comfort zones is a great way to starting a new way of thinking. Sun, 16 Sep 2012 17:12:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/12/voices-from-the-classroom-162/#IDComment441883960 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/07/voices-from-the-classroom-161/#IDComment437028509 In class, I was amazed at the amount of ignorance and confusion. There are so many things we do not understand about one anothers cultures and beliefs; not only between African Americans and whites. The comments about the term "colored people" were pretty funny. The young lady did not know that she would offend so many people by saying it. Personally, I do not agree with the term colored people. Also there is a difference in between the terms "colored people" and "people of color". Like Prof Sam said, colored people was a term to delicately name African Americans. I have learned from my own a experience, it is a polite way of saying the "N" word to an African American. Many believe that the words have adapted to all cultures presently who are not white and this is not true. People of color has taken on that meaning. There is a difference. Let us not forget that "colored people" does pull the race card. I believe that no one wants to be called colored. It takes on past hatred. I personally would rather be called by my ethnic background rather than race. Race is made up word that refers to people as colors rather than what they really are. This is why I don't want to be called "Black", just like the Native American doesn't want to be called "Red Man" and the Asian doesn't want to be called "Yellow Man". I understand that she did not understand but many do not. There is a way of doing and saying things and lashing out isn't going to solve anything because we all have our own beliefs and opinions. It is our job now to listen and understand why everyone does things differently. Sat, 8 Sep 2012 23:43:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/07/voices-from-the-classroom-161/#IDComment437028509