en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/769387 Comments by Shields1908 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68928097 The video opened my eyes to a side society doesn’t want us to see. Although we are fighting an “enemy,” that same “enemy” has a family that would be completely devastated if they were to lose their life. I honestly can say that I would not avenge my family’s death, I would probably be so heartbroken that I couldn’t live without them, but I wouldn’t continue the cycle of killing somebody’s loved one. I honestly think my next plan of action would be suicide. I do realize that by killing myself, somebody in my family would suffer, but I don’t think I would blow myself up just for the fact that it sounds absolutely disgusting and I want my body in one piece (thank you very much). A human life is so valuable, and to treat each other like they are disposable is irresponsible. There are so many other ways to express how you are feeling, at the end of the day, the Russian’s woman death was in vain, as was her husband’s. I would continue to fight the Russian forces until they were sick of me. I would rally up as many people as I could. I wouldn’t shut up for ANYBODY! My story would never be silenced, and yea she killed herself so now it’s getting publicity, but just like everything else, our attention span is so short that I guarantee by May nobody will be talking about this. After reading the article, I am left disgusted. How could they think to even begin justifying killing civilians by “offering” them a peace gift? I would be FURIOUS. There isn’t a monetary equivalent to the life of a loved one. I hope that the 80-year-old Haji Sharabuddin doesn’t actual go through with his suicide attack, but instead can continue to use his anger, hate and fuel that to let the forces know that they are extremely insensitive. How can anybody think that $2,000 would be worth a life? The fact that it’s also being offered per victim is ridiculous. Where is all this money coming from? They need to use that money towards buying a clue and realize who they real enemies are instead of creating more from civilians. This vicious cycle will never end until people realize that war truly isn’t an answer. Lives are irreplaceable and we need to realize that we can’t keep doing this anymore. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:12:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68928097 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184977 All in all, it reminds me of student Constance McMillena’s story because it all came down to the education system. The segregated proms in the Montgomery County High School is said to be organized outside of school, through students committees with the help of parents; meaning that the school board does not take any responsibility. But in all actuality, it falls back onto the school board and how they handle situations of diversity; where it pertains to race or sexual orientation. In both cases the education system could have taken full control and done the right thing. Showing children that homosexuality is wrong, is just as bad as teaching children that segregation is effective and still exist. I feel extremely bad for the young girl. But this is a situation in which she can honestly learn from. I am glad that she realized that the world was not so nice at a very young age though. Better now than later! Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:56:21 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184977 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184955 After reading this story, it reminded me of a news article that was published in May of 2009, titled: A Prom Divided. Montgomery County High School in Georgia has been holding segregated proms, since proms were first initiated at Montgomery County High School, since its schools were integrated in 1971. The most recent class of 2009 at MCH consisted of 54 students. And yet again, the Caucasian students held their senior prom on a Friday night, and the African American students held theirs that following Saturday. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:56:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184955 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184935 Yes everyone may have their own opinion about “alternative” lifestyles, but a school board should not be making anyone’s final decision! To my understanding, the duties of a school board is to establish and maintain a basic organizational structure for the local school system, create a climate that promotes education excellence, identify district needs and goals and also represent the interest of the community on the public education issues. I just highly doubt that the final decision to revoke students of their prom was a community effort. This just goes to show that the education system in the US state of Missouri is to telling its students that homosexuality is not acceptable and no way tolerable. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:55:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184935 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184911 Prom or No Prom? Seriously, this is a tad bit ridiculous. Let me say it again… ridiculous! After reading this article it made me really think about how unfair our modern day and age is. It is one thing to discriminate against someone’s race, since it has been ongoing for decades, but to discriminate about someone’s sexual orientation? This is a first for me when it comes to the public eye. Yes I always hear stories about how one’s sexual orientation may interfere with their everyday living, but little is it shown on television or popping up on news flashes. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:55:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62184911 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691237 I think that society is not going to change anytime soon when it comes to this. Lesbians are women caring for women, and gays are men caring for men. Society is clearly more comfortable watching women show affections towards each other. I think this is because women are initially taught to care and be kind, when boys are taught to be strong and firm. To me, it doesn’t matter either way. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:32:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691237 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691224 Let’s look back into ones childhood. If a young girl was not feminine and girly, out playing sports and obsessed with cars, they are considered as ‘tomboys’. Which in most cases is said when girls are just going through a phase and they will grow out of it. Whereas if a young boy is to play with dolls and want to dress up, he is highly considered as being ‘gay’ at a very young age. It is also noticeable that when a girl is young, she is supposed to be caring and nurturing, and a boy is supposed to be tough and dirty. It all stems back to how society puts an emphasis on what is considered socially right and wrong. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:31:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691224 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691158 When it comes to the company that one may keep, straight men are more open and accepting to having lesbian friends than they would have gay friends. But something that often comes up is that women are more open with their sexuality than men are. Meaning lesbians are initially more comfortable in society than gay men are. There are a lot of open lesbians in society, like Ellen DeGeneres and now supposedly Oprah and people still look at her as a human being with natural instincts. Whereas, if an openly gay man was to be the host of a television show, he would not be accepted into society, like a woman would. That is partially because the men that we do see on television are mostly flamboyant and in love with fashion design or hair. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:31:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691158 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691134 Why are lesbians accepted more than gay men? I agree that the lesbian population is way more acceptable than gay men in society. I am truly not an expert when it comes to LGBT, but I do think that there are various reasons as to why women’s sexuality is more acceptable. I have a lot of male friends and all of them expect for one, would always talk about girl on girl sex, and how they often times wished that their significant other was bi-sexual. But when it comes to gay sex, they seem to highly disagree. Most men in general do not have a problem talking about their likes of lesbian sex, but when it comes to gay sex, the men are often called ‘gays’ or ‘fagots’, when there is not term used to lesbians. There is obviously a double standard in society. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:31:25 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57691134 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56579024 I completely agree with the lady in the video. I really respect the part where she said that we as Americans cannot and should not forget the things that African Americans went through in this country. This country has witnessed the brutality and hate that has been transpired towards the black community throughout this country’s history. Black and white is the longest stemming traditional fact. The conversation of black and white comes to light every single day. I do not believe that there is a point in this country’s history, where we will completely ignore the topic of black and white. I also think that Asians and Latinos do not get enough recognition when it comes to racial facts, not just throughout this country but in this world. In the world I think that the U.S. is the only country that focuses and aims to the ongoing and changing relationship between blacks and whites in this country. Black and white conversations will never fully die. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:31:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56579024 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56578984 One thing that I do notice a lot is the talk of black and white in politics. In the past election, Barack Obama was a huge issue. No matter how a citizen felt about him, he was always brought back and referred to as being black. Barack Obama, the first black President. I have come to the belief that the topic of black and white will never end. Too much has happened within our American culture, that the conversations of black and white will be hard to erase when our country's history is just too deep and rich when it goes back to slavery. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:31:20 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56578984 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56578938 While talking about race, I have found myself in situations where African Americans tend to turn the conversation into a black and white topic. Many African Americans still have a deep thoughts and feelings about how their ancestors were treated and the subject of slavery often comes up. There are African Americans who cannot stand Caucasians because of this country's history. Where in reverse, another reason why conversations of black and white are brought up is because racism is still existent in the American culture. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:30:58 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56578938 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56578910 I have been in plenty of conversations about race, where they turned into black and white conversations. I believe that the conversation always fade to black and white, because looking back into American History, it focuses on the duration of time that African Americans have tried to gain freedom. African Americans have fought and are still fighting for freedom and equality. America has been known as a country of black and white. Other races and ethnicities, besides the Native Americans, can say that they have been through a struggle when it comes to the face of the American culture. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:30:46 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56578910 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55564200 Personally, I believe that whatever the Census Bureau refers to people, it will be a lose, lose situation. I know that there is a importance to social society when it comes to races and their specific demographics, but all the references may not be considered politically correct in one’s eyes. Some ‘African Americans’ may see the term Negro as a offensive term, but then to my surprise, there are those who would rather be called Negro than anything else. It may be all a joke. It may be that many people feel the need to be smart and sarcastic, especially in regards to the Census Bureau, because they may feel like that is the term they will use for people of color regardless of their preference. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 02:59:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55564200 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55564184 After being in this course, I never realized the ‘different’ meanings to the terms: black, African American and Negro. I consider myself to be African American because at a young age, that is what I was informed as being politically correct. I must say that my opinion are my own, but after reading some peoples responses, it boggles me that some people have the nerve to say ‘why do people get offended to black, African American and negro? ‘. It just seems to intrigue me because if a Caucasian person saw, white, Caucasian and wasichu, I’m sure someone would be highly offended. After having a conversation with a few young African Americans, the term Negro is the same as Nigger. In the south, it is assumed that it all means the same. In ‘white’ terms, the word wasichu means white people. I’m sure if Caucasians were called that in person, by a person of Native American decent, they would take offense as well. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 02:59:25 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55564184 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55564168 Including the term Negro on the American Census is not a smart idea in my personal opinion. Regardless if a person of color refers to themselves as a “negro”, I’m sure they do not want someone from another race calling them that. Yes, 56,000 people said they would rather be called Negro, but in my opinion, I believe that they were speaking amongst their self and own race. If a Caucasian person was to call a person of color a Negro, I sure there would be some type of emotions that many people may express. When it comes to Caucasians referring to them as Negros, it often brings back thoughts of historical events such as slavery, that many so called ‘African-Americans’ ancestral history traces back to. Many may try to argue that the Census Bureau is trying to be respectful of peoples preference when it comes to race, but they may not acknowledged that many people may be highly offended as well. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 02:59:10 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55564168 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54437944 Ever since 9/11, the U.S. has become sensitive to everything. If you’re wearing a turban, a terrorist. If you have a long beard and other facial hair, you’re going to blow up the plane. If you’re riding a bike, you have a bomb. It is ridiculous. I can fully understand why the flight attendant thought that the boy’s praying ritual was suspicious, because we all fear the unknown. But I do not understand that every time someone does something different than what we are accustomed to, they are wrong and at fault, and potentially a terrorist. I would hope that the next time the boy takes a flight, he prays again. Wires and all. I just want him to do that just to see what will happen once again. Or maybe even better, his sister should join in and they should pray together. The outcome may be ruff, but that still goes to show that the American culture needs to be educated. Everyone in the U.S. does not come from the same place, nor practice the same faiths. It is important to know your neighbor. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:18:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54437944 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54437921 It is an issue because we as in the American culture are not aware of everyone’s subcultures. It would actually be nice to say that we are observant of everyone’s lifestyle and religion. It does bother me however, that the boy’s rabbi, Rabbi Greenberg, suggested praying on the plane, and practicing the ritual later, when it comes to other flights. It bothers me because if that is a part of one’s religion, then one should fulfill those deeds without having to walk on egg shells around the non-Jewish by standers. Regardless of how they may feel you, you should always do what you know is right, whether the people around you understand it or not. But, I do know that it is always easier to be said, than done. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:18:25 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54437921 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54437799 Being an Intercultural Communications major, I study the relationships between various cultures all throughout the world. This article just goes to show everybody out there that being culturally in tuned and aware is eagerly stressed. I am not shocked at the actions that the pilots suggested by pulling the plane over. The boy’s grandmother said it herself “It’s true that we in America are very, very skittish.” It is also true that in America, people have the right to practice what they preach. The boy thought that the time on the plane was the appropriate time to pray. Other passengers felt it was necessary to sleep, read or even watch a movie. Just because most people are accustomed to people sleeping, reading and watching a movie while riding on a plan, why is it when someone practices their religion, it is an issue? Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:18:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54437799 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54252763 I have never been hands down fan for soccer, but after watching this video, it actually makes me appreciate them for what they do, more than ever. If acts like that were to take place in the U.S., I believe that officials would get involved. The fans in Europe are very blunt, even in regards to their own personal identity. Over here we have the KKK who hides their faces, making their identity harder to find out. If U.S. officials where in Europe at those games, I believe that the situation would be handled. It is ridiculous that it would take time for a situation like this to be dealt with. It should have been addressed the first time it took place. European soccer officials should have took on firm actions in respect for their players. And it is a shame that even the referees did not do anything to even try and stop the torment. It is actually sad to see players who are being tormented because of their skin, but their fair skinned teammates are being congratulated at the same time. But it was good to see some effort to change their belligerent ways. It really is a beautiful game turned ugly.* Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:56:50 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54252763