en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3108368 Comments by ProdigalSon4 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170469949 I definitely agree with you on many cylinders especially not knowing who the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action are. I definitely also agree that the government could give certain school grants and money to try and alleviate or even fix some problems. However knowing the debt that we are currently in how could the US justify this or even allocate enough funds for this? I certainly believe we can but how can we do so in a way where no one would disagree. I feel as though as Americans or even humans all people should have the right not only to be educated but also to be educated in the same manner as someone else who is getting a better education. In a country that is constantly stressing innovation and remaining the top power in the world why not ensure our own people are good. We are in so many wars and conflicts yet here at our home front so many people suffer. I haven touched on food and poverty because that is a separate issue but education needs to be fixed and it should be all of our duties as humans to make sure it gets fixed no matter what. Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:20:45 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170469949 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170466871 I think it is quite amazing that the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action are white women. When I associate the term affirmative action, I also associate it with colored people. I believe this was ingrained in me however because when taking standardized exams or applying to high schools and colleges, I always had to select a race. I always taught my guidance counselors that although my GPA was slightly lower than a white male’s I would have a greater chance of getting into an institution. I always believed this to be true and learning that the middle class white women are the biggest beneficiaries make me feel as if it not doing its job. I look back at the countless individuals in the inner cities struggling to get jobs or to make it past grade school and who constantly have to go through their daily lives wondering if they will be able to do better for themselves or their families. The video Sam showed where he switched students from an inner city school from a lower income neighborhood to a better school. The stat showed that 40% had a graduation rate. The graduation rate at this school is 99% and the fact that the institution was worth 62 million is so shocking. Coming from an inner city, I cant help to imagine what schools in my neighborhood would be like if that much money and devotion would be placed into the buildings and children’s. The pools and gyms in these schools are so crazy. Its such a shame that these inner city children might never get to experience a school let alone a building such as this. The sad reality is that these school differences are not just in Chicago but is around so many American cities. It makes me really want to change the education system where I am from to help my peers excel in life but it’s so difficult to do it alone. I always wonder why cities that are known for sculptures and nightlife can’t be known for great education systems. I can’t help but imagine if the children at a school such as harper high had the opportunity what would become of their lives. It’s sad and mind-blowing and makes me wonder what can honestly be done about this. The scarier notion is that these schools are merely 30 miles away and there is such a major difference. What is the honest answer for this? It makes me wonder how can the government really solve these inequities. It makes me ask why is the biggest beneficiary of affirmative action middle-income white women when clearly those in dire need are these inner city kids. Of course I am overlooking those poor rural children but either way these children deserve to have the same opportunity. Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:08:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170466871 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168158299 I think its interesting that you brought up how you were ignorant to the topic of what would come of two homosexual couples raising a child. It’s very interesting because I had this conversation with a friend the other day before even seeing this lecture. I’m not sure if my view has completely changed but at the time with my friend I argued that this would be completely unhealthy for the child. I don’t think there would be a lack of love or anything of that matter but I wondered what ridicule the child would face or suffer if the couple came around his/her friends as he /she grew older. Yes we as a society are moving forward and becoming more of accepting of such things but at the end of the day I don’t feel any community is that accepting where that child wont have o face an issue at some point or another that affect him/her greatly. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:19:53 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168158299 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168156771 I think it was a quite interesting question Sam posed as to whether or not we would like to live in a community with people of only our same ancestry. When I see a question like this I don’t identify with my Hispanic race but identify with my Puerto Rican ethnicity. The most honest answer is that I truly wouldn’t mind living with just Puerto Ricans in a community. The Puerto Rican culture is based on so much pride and culture and we value this and instill this in current generations and future generations. The culture to me is amazing and I love experiencing new things but I don’t think I would have a problem if my community and life were all surrounded by that culture. The difference however is that I don’t feel my culture is better than any other cultures. I just so happen to cherish it so much that it would be very interesting to imagine a life such as this one. I currently believe growing up in New York City I have experienced much of the most diverse culture possible. Travelling from borough to borough I can across any race or ethnicity and this is amazing. We all have our differences and many times these differences divide us but it also brings us together. It is not shocking to me that suburbs as Sam put are getting more colorful. I don’t think many colored families are leaving suburbs to become more diverse but more so to leave the situations they are currently in which in many inner cities is dangerous and fast paced lifestyles. However it is quite interesting looking at the dynamics of my own city. I look at a traditional borough such as the South Bronx. Traditionally and historically this was known as a very poor area of the Bronx and also a quite dangerous one as well. Many immigrants live in this section and many first generations live here as well. There are many projects in this area and also many people live on government assistance such as welfare. However currently contractors are currently building beautiful edifices and buildings in these areas and making the rent very high. This location is extremely prime for New Yorkers because it is right at the edge of the Bronx and such h a close ride from the hustle and bustle of New York. Eventually many of these underprivileged people will be pushed out of the South Bronx and to another section they afford and it makes me wonder what other areas in cities like this will become in 50 years. I love how I was able to apply the things Sam are talking about in this class to my own neighborhood and make me ponder what will become of this place and what is in store for my children if they so happen to grow up where I did. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:11:32 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168156771 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165641840 I think it was quite interesting that you brought up a point that black children notice race at an earlier age than a white child. It made me take time out to really think about it. I would agree with you not for the fact that it is so ingrained in culture but moreso because it was quit simple to look into crowds constantly and see you are literally the minority in number. I figured this would only happen once children go to school but then I asked myself don’t most children go to school with individuals that are like them in the same neighborhood. This might not be the case for most or some but in an inner city such as mine minorities when to schools which were full of other minorities unless there was an opportunity to go to a more renowned and affluent school, which was predominantly white. In this instance I feel both whites and blacks would realize that I am either the majority or minority but the race would definitely impact the minority more. If this isn’t the case the media will certainly portray this race difference when showing “success” and how it usually applies to one race. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 02:22:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165641840 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165631752 These color patterns are ingrained into us as young children and I see why the young black girl chose the white doll. How often has anyone ever seen a colored doll in a commercial or this heightened in the media? I would argue close to never. The media often portrays black families and men and women alike, at least in my opinion, in negative lights. I feel as if it hasn’t been until recently that there has been a positive image of the black man in the media with the election of Barack Obama. All of the black role models were always found to be in some sort of scandal or made out to be these horrific individuals. It made me think how institutionalized racism is still prevalent in today’s society and how we often overlook these things because life as it seems normal. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:31:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165631752 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165631704 Growing up in an inner city such as New York City the video, which showed the young black females, was so relatable. Those issues really plague communities such as the one I live in. Within our own races we divide ourselves on based on anything such as skin color or hair texture. The doll exercise was honestly one of the biggest eye openers that I’ve experienced. To me, it was shocking how the young black girl chose the white doll over the black doll and the rationale behind it. It really made me ponder. I realized that as a society we are taught that dark or black is gloomy, dull, and bad yet lighter or white things are associated with good. It goes beyond race. When two couples get together in matrimony the symbol of purity and the color of the bride’s dress are white. At a funeral the common color to wear for those in mourning or even those in attendance and which symbolizes death and sadness is black. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:31:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165631704 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165631647 I found it quite interesting that Sam compared the experience or life of a colored individual as the tale of two amphibians which experiences both “land and water”. I found it extremely interesting that Sam spoke about how close blacks and Hispanics manage how white they want to be. I think to a certain extent this does hold true. I know certainly if I were to go to a job interview or speak with a professor I would change the way I pronounced words or even the words I used. My etiquette would change almost as if it was instinct but this was all done to progress in whatever the endeavor would have been. At the end of the day, whit individuals run the world for the most part so in this capitalistic society unless I owned a business it is highly likely I would work for a white person. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:31:11 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165631647 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164438112 I definitely agree with how you feel we all are inherently racist especially when using the example, “I’m with my white or black friend.” I'm unsure if I would classify any friend of mine like that. I can’t quite say for sure but I feel like if I'm being honest and with a group of all Hispanic friends and my friend coming over or to hang out was white I probably would let them know he was white. I wouldn’t do this to be racist or to tell them to act differently its almost as if its second nature. I wonder if society will ever totally make it to a place where a situation such as that would ever come up. If this were to happen I wondered how long it would be before his happened, 50 years, 100 years? I am a firm believer that people are good and if society has been progressively changing than this change would happen and the race would be used as an adjective in the future; we would all be seen as one. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:42:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164438112 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164436347 I think it was quite interesting that Sam stated white people are taught to not speak about race. I don’t know if I quite agree but I certainly like the way he broke it down and said they are taught to treat everyone as an equal, which means to not speak about race. It had me thinking until the video of the two children girl came up. That was one of the most alarming videos I have ever seen in my life. It made me wonder if when Sam had said that white people are taught to not speak about race, how often does that occur? Regardless of that, however, the ways in which those children were brain washed was something that I truly have never seen before. It made me think about what their town is like or what the children at their school think. I wondered if these children have actually done any acts of hatred or if their parents had done something. I think it’s interesting that Sam called it their awakening to their whiteness and to that being their only liking. I know immediately I thought they were racists and had committed some horrible acts. It’s very interesting how he as humans always prejudge or make assumptions about individuals. This video certainly helped me see that. I do identify as a minority and it made me question the motives that these parents had. Why were they so insistent on continuing these practices and ingraining them in their children as well? It makes me believe that we as a country are from where we need to be, even in 2011. Laws have been passed, years have gone by, society has changed for the most part, yet these problems still come up and are ever present in today’s society. The only major difference I believe exists is that racism is present in its covert form as opposed to the Jim Crow day overt forms. I wander what would happen if the twins grew up and attended a Soc 119 course. Would they be open to speaking about race and accepting other race? As they entered high school would they have already been taught this or would they still be the image of their parents. It made me wander if these children felt they had to hold true to these beliefs for fear of their parent’s reactions and if they would have some sort of change of heart if their parents had passed away. It also made me think what would happen when these young women get older and have their children. Would they implement these beliefs and values into their daily lives and would their husband have to believe these same things. It makes one really think and wonder but these ideas are great foods for though and help me speak and dialogue about race. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:35:08 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164436347 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163058252 I definitely agree with you especially when you mentioned how we don’t often think about a lot of things about ourselves. I almost never think about being right handed and something that shocked me even more is I almost never think about being a male. In my initial comment I spoke about how growing up as a Hispanic male I could often see white privilege because I knew what it was like to not receive this. Conversely, I never think about being a male. I never think about walking home late at night at Penn State and having to worry about an attack because I am a male and these are thoughts that must cross female’s minds constantly. Another thing we often overlook is being able bodied. We almost never think about things such as walking up stairs or opening doors and how easy these things are to us but it is shameful that some people deal with these issues on a daily basis. I think it’s great to think about all of these things because it makes us more conscious and aware of our privilege and surroundings. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:41:49 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163058252 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163057519 . It can help alleviate all of the discrimination that takes place even here at an institution like Penn State. It can make individuals from very dissimilar backgrounds grow together and could even level out some playing fields in terms of advancement socially and economically. One of the things I didn’t touch on but what we’ve spoken about in previous lessons also is inheritance. Aside from these innate privileges that are afforded to those of the white race, many are blessed with inheritance and money from which they can begin their own careers or even follow in the steps of other family members. Growing up in the inner city it is doubly hard for children to make it out successful let alone even go to a college like Penn State. Role models in these communities are quite scarce and I do believe that these networks and connections are ones that have been built upon for generations and which minorities in particular are lacking. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:37:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163057519 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163057488 Things have certainly changed in this country over the past few years but I think all too often we as a society have grown complacent with the notion the problems are fixed. There are many unwritten privileges of being white. Receiving preferential treatment in classrooms, jobs, or even restaurants are things that can’t be noticed if one is white, in my opinion of course. Being discriminated against firsthand I know the feeling of being unwanted and being ridiculed. I think it’s great that Sam incorporated this into his lecture because I often feel that as a society people are afraid or nervous to bring up topics as such. This fear of others reactions of being uncomfortable is what keeps us back as well. I believe dialoguing about white privilege whether it is covert or overt is something that can help us young adults progress in the future. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:36:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163057488 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163057428 I have thought about the topics Sam spoke of in class quite frequently. Growing up as a Hispanic male in New York City race is ever present. When one thinks about advancement in work fields or attending the best schools in the city one can’t help but notice that those running these institutions and those who make up these work and educational institutions are white. I certainly believe being white is an extreme privilege that is often never even spoken of. Many of my family members identify as African American and knowing the struggles they go through to this day hurts me. Seeing the statistics the previous class which showed that whites with criminal records were hired at rates higher than blacks without criminal records is extremely disgusting. Knowing that something as simple as a name on a piece of paper can be associated with a specific race and lead a recruiter or boss to deny someone an opportunity is sad as well. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:36:24 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163057428 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/02/week-4-lesson-6-race-and-ethnic-inequality/#IDComment160825035 I think many valid points were made in this response but I do have to agree with the notion that luck is included in the factors that allow an individual to succeed. Many people are born into wealth and those with the wealth in their families try to do all in their power to ensure it remains there. For instance, if an individual’s parents were wealthy doctors but their child wanted to be a lawyer, it would be highly likely that their parents would have some sort of connection or network to direct their child to because of the high social class and economic status. This opportunity is no the same for a child who grew up in an inner city neighborhood with a single parent who never went to college. That child is entering college, a new world, trying to make it on his own two feet while the other child is basically being handed wealth and a job. It is definitely about who you know but who you know is very much related to socioeconomic status. Thu, 9 Jun 2011 03:04:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/02/week-4-lesson-6-race-and-ethnic-inequality/#IDComment160825035 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/02/week-4-lesson-6-race-and-ethnic-inequality/#IDComment160823411 When watching Sam’s lecture on race and ethnic equality I can’t help but to be saddened because at times I feel as if I have been the victim of this systematic racism. It is so sad that some individuals can’t see that there are so many rules and laws that were put in place to keep minorities behind so that they wont be able to catch up socially and economically. Sam made a great example of this when he made the comparison to the grading system students would pass if it were up to them. He proved that we would shift the grading system in our favor in order for all of us to get As in the course and that directly correlates to what occurred in this country. Programs such as affirmative action had to be put in place in order to help bridge this gap, which seems nearly impossible to achieve. The way he described the mountain and who was in charge was such an eye opener to me. It made me realize that even though I myself identify as a minority in this country I always want to be on top and the best at everything I do. It made me realize that the person at the top of this social and economic rung loves the position where they are at will do all in their power to ensure that they remain up there even if it is immoral. So many people are at the bottom of that mountain and are trying and fighting there hardest to just get a piece of the top and they try for generation after generation. So many can never achieve this because of greed and racism that occurs here in the United States. Sam also brought up the way land was redistributed after the Civil War and it so sad to think how backwards we as a country were. We treated other human beings and individuals as if they were merely property. Now these same individuals have been trying for hundreds of years to make something of themselves and their families and have to struggle to do so, all because of what others did to their ancestors generations ago. What really upset me the most is that as Americans we are so caught up in greed and competition that we do not even think twice to lend a helping hand to someone that is struggling for fear that we would be equal. Everyone always wants more and more but fail to realize this is at the expense of pushing others further and further behind. This tunnel vision can indirectly cause a person with a dream to abandon that dream and do anything possible to bring in money for their families and that can range from working a minimum wage jobs for hours upon hours to resorting to selling drugs to make ends meet. Thu, 9 Jun 2011 02:56:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/02/week-4-lesson-6-race-and-ethnic-inequality/#IDComment160823411 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/25/week-3-lesson-5-social-inequality/#IDComment159829457 I think it’s ridiculous that there exist these differences and gaps between races and their direct correlation to poverty. It’s a shame that there are so much holding individuals behind especially minorities from the inner cities. Not only is the stratification shocking but the wealth distribution in the United States is downright immoral. The fact that almost all of the wealth in the United States belong to such a tiny percentage says a lot about how difficult it is to move up the economic ladder. Those with the money control the power in the country as well. I certainly agree with same when he posed the question, “How do we explain that?” I certainly believe the only way to explain that would be look back at slavery and laws such as the Jim Crow laws which were purposely put in place to keep races behind with little hope of ever catching up at all. It makes total sense why affirmative action exists but is these measures even enough? Money is not the only issue that’s affecting and plaguing these inner cities. Graduation and retention rates for races such as Latinos is at 48%. That is downright jaw dropping. This means that half of the students who are attending high school are not completing high school. In a day in age where a high school diploma means practically nothing especially of an individual expects to retain a job where they can move up some sort of corporate ladder. A bachelor’s degree is becoming more and more less valuable and it is scary looking at some these statistics. I think its so shocking how so many individuals do not even realize the disparities in wealth and education, two of the most important things a person needs to be successful in this world. I always wondered what the government would do in order to fix this tragedy in our country. One can argue that affirmative action was set in stone but the largest beneficiaries of affirmative action are white females. I’ve heard some individuals say that its unfair to them that minorities have affirmative action afforded to them because it can take away from their opportunity. Some argue that minorities with worse statistics in high school get into these colleges merely off of their race. The question that I would pose to them is how do you then fix the gap that has been created in this country. How do you help a child whose parents have never been to college and knows absolutely nothing regarding the process? How do you help a child who has no money to even have access to the best education before college and once in college how do they afford to attend? The answer for the latter is definitely loans and that is completely unfair. I do have hope things will get better but who knows if the gap can ever be fixed. Mon, 6 Jun 2011 03:59:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/25/week-3-lesson-5-social-inequality/#IDComment159829457 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/25/week-3-lesson-4-ethnocentrism/#IDComment158406837 I definitely think its quite interesting how you would have no problem at all naming your child after a biblical figure. TO be quite honest I don’t know if I could name my child after a historical figure such as Jesus or Moses. In Hispanic cultures its actually quite common for children to have biblical names. I don’t if the reason I wouldn’t is because I feel subconscious about it or as if naturally I would shy away from a name as such. Just like you, the pictures from Iraq are so jaw dropping. All we ever see in the media are ravaged towns, dead bodies, and terrorists and I myself fall victim to believe that there is no good in Iraq. I failed to see things from the lenses of another human being and that mistake is on me. The pictures looked so beautiful as if everyone was enjoying their life and as if this were another big city in America. It certainly made me think how much of a factor that media can play in our visions and perceptions on people, countries, and beliefs across the world! Thu, 2 Jun 2011 03:44:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/25/week-3-lesson-4-ethnocentrism/#IDComment158406837 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/25/week-3-lesson-4-ethnocentrism/#IDComment158399357 Ethnocentrism is by far one of the most interesting topics we have covered thus far in this course. From Sam’s lecture I feel as though ethnocentrism is both good and bad for all of us. I certainly think that believing one’s culture is better than another’s and acting upon that belief through discrimination, prejudice, or racism is outright wrong and shameful. When thinking about ethnocentrism I can’t help to think about the racism and slavery in the United States. From all of my studies I took slavery as white people feeling they were better than Africans at the time and imposing this on them via slavery. Of course this was all justified by saying this was to better improve their living situations economically and the slaves were a big asset in terms of labor and money but I feel as if thousands upon thousands were brain washed as if the white culture in the early Americas was by far superior to the African culture. It was ingrained for multiple generations so much so that organizations such as the KKK arose and legalized racism was allowed on a country built upon equality and freedom. Even today in 2011, generations who were not born into racism or generations who are much more wealthy than others feel as though they are better than their counterparts and show this at times through violent acts or even simple ones such as name calling and bullying. There are some positives that I do however believe exist with ethnocentrism. I believe naturally we as human beings are always going to be competitive and want some sort of edge on a counterpart. I believe that this is innate and that it drives us to become more innovative and creative. In the case of race, ethnocentrism I believe can open eyes to see things through a lens never once seen before. For instance, if I as a Puerto Rican felt that my culture was better than the Dominican culture, and I were to take a class such as SOC 119 it would let me see things in so many different ways. It would teach me how to dialogue and get to know individuals for who they are and not some sort of preconceived notion that I had due to some experience or that was passed down generationally. I would’ve been able to see that we have so many similarities in culture from food to music yet a lot of differences in the way we carry out parties or funeral services. When a person or culture is different from you it can either force you to shy away and think you are better than that culture or it can force you to want to get to know more and make yourself a better person. Thu, 2 Jun 2011 03:11:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/25/week-3-lesson-4-ethnocentrism/#IDComment158399357 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/22/week-two-lesson-2-intro-to-race/#IDComment156199057 I think it’s quite interesting how you were asked the question, “Why do you read so much?” Sometimes the most ignorant things are said to some individuals and the scary thing is I feel as if the people saying don’t even know how ignorant the statement is or how hurtful it can be to someone. Culture differences are so big and if it were not for forums or blogs such as these people would not even be open to seeing things through the eyes of another. It was also interesting how many people judged you and your friends for merely being friends. Races should not play a factor in the way one thinks about another but this is not the case often at all. I think you showed lots of courage. I also feel like you could use opportunities like those to educate people. A lot of times a mere conversation with someone who doesn’t see they’re being ignorant or racist can open so many new views and beliefs. Thu, 26 May 2011 02:52:19 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/05/22/week-two-lesson-2-intro-to-race/#IDComment156199057