I wasn’t initially planning on commenting on this blog, but I started reading this man’s words and completely got caught up in what he was saying. I couldn’t help but wonder about the circumstances of his crime the entire time. So many questions ran throughout my head, “What was the situation? Who did he murder? How did he murder him/her?”

I do not believe that any one murder is worse than another murder, but at the same time, there is something drastically sick and disturbed about you if you violently torture and murder someone. It is interesting to me that this man spoke so much of the compassion that is alive in prisons, of how it is painful to see another man suffer. That is why he and his friend patted the fellow prisoner on his back to show their sympathy about his son dying. I cannot help but reflect on how hypocritical it is that they feel compassion and sorrow for each other, yet they did not have the compassion to keep themselves from KILLING another human being.

The man who was weeping over the death of his son surely felt pain, but so did the mother and father of the person that he KILLED. He cause that same grief to family, friends, everyone in that person’s life. Where was the compassion then?

Is it that these men have grown and are at peace with their sentence and now have no choice but to try to lead a life? Were they always compassionate people who just slipped up? I’m sorry, but I just cannot wrap my mind around how one human could kill another. Like I said, I would be extremely interested to hear the stories.

I am taking a 400 level sociology class next semester that provides the opportunity for students to visit prison and meet the “lifers” there. I am still not sure whether or not I will go. One of my close friends went this past semester and explained to me that it was the most eye-opening experience that she’s ever been through. I am not one to ever turn down an opportunity that I feel will leave a lasting impression on me or better me in any way. Yet, I must say, I do not know that meeting “lifers” would necessarily help to culture or better me as a person. I am already extremely compassionate.

I think the thing that would bug me the most about going to a prison is that these “lifers” deserve the punishment they receive. I believe that they shouldn’t get the luxury of our company to break up their day. They were sentenced to sit in a cell for a reason.

I agree with her optimistic standpoint that there is so much more to being a woman than waistlines, curves, good hair, great clothing. I do not necessarily consider myself a feminist, but I have of course always believed that women are just as capable of men. I feel that history has shown that woman bear the same intelligence and capabilities that men do. Look around! We see women politicians, women athletes, and successful females in and outside the workplace. Although we have not yet reached that point of complete equality, we are certainly getting there!

So, then why do we let this body image issues haunt us like they do?

I suppose the answer to that argument is similar to the answer to questions regarding race. Why is it STILL a pressing issue? Because it’s a deep-rooted issue. It’s something that has been engrained in us so long that it would be impossible to just get over. Perhaps one day we will be beyond it- but that day is a long, long journey ahead.

I don’t know how it was determined, but women have always been responsible for having sex appeal. As I am typing this blog- I am looking around my apartment. There is a Cosmo and People magazine inches from me on the couch. Why is it that we aspire to look like these airbrushed models that saturate the pages?

As ashamed as I am to admit it, for as long as I can remember, I feel like I’ve been concerned about my body and appearance. I have a good time when I feel confident, but I shouldn’t feel like I need to have a new outfit on or lose 15 pounds before that can happen.
I do not consider myself a vain person at all either. Truth is, I really don’t see how image obsessed I am until I take a step back and think about it. Every day, nearly every single day since I’ve been about 14, I’ve worn make-up. When I stop and really think about that- it’s crazy! Why do I feel the need to cover my face with foundation and lengthen my lashes with mascara.

Could you imagine if guys had to wear up? They’d never put up with it! This is the beauty of sociology. I’ve grown so accustomed to a culture where girls pretty themselves that the thought of a guy doing so is assuming. That gets me thinking though— guys really do have it so much easier when it comes to this department. Sure, they’re self conscious at times. They want to be tall. They lift so they can be strong and tone. They spray some cologne. But let’s be honest—they do not have to worry or think about nearly half the appearance issues that girls face. The standards that society has created and that they strive to live up to.

I have believed for a long time now that the emergence and popularity of video games amongst our youth encourages some of the violence that exists in the world today. It is outrageous to me that we would create such unnecessarily brutal and violent games for children to play. However, this clip shows a whole new unforeseeable level. I am utterly disgusted by the perverted idea behind it. I would love to sit down and talk with the man who created this. What is wrong with him that he sees this kind of brutality necessary? Is this the kind of violence we want to expose to children?

Whatever happened to the days of Donkey Kong and PacMan? Seriously!

This is not the first time that this train of thought has crossed my mind. As conservative as it may seem, I will flip through the station after station on TV shocked at the sexuality and violence on television. I do not want to be one of those adults who does not allow their children to watch any TV growing up, but at the same time why would I want them to see killing and torturing, rape, murder, explicit sex?

The thing that gets to me is that I am okay with these things being incorporated into television or movie plots, but just not to the extreme that Hollywood has to go to. Everything seems to be about the extreme nowadays. What more, these people that are taking it to the extreme are getting paid so much for it!

Another good example of this is in the explicit song lyrics in today’s music. It reminds me of a story that happened only a couple of years back. I was walking through Sports Authority one Sunday afternoon shopping with my parents. That Eminem song came on where he is talking about hanging himself in the closet. The song is full of swear words, derogatory towards his girlfriend, and primarily about suicide. This little grade school kid was roaming the isle on his own singing all the words! I couldn’t believe it! He knew every single lyric to this explicit song. I’m not sure that he was old enough to grasp the meaning behind it, but he was singing along anyway.

It makes me sick to think about how the average American family struggles to afford a nice summer vacation and someone like Eminem is swimming in wealth. Someone who sends out these kind of harsh messages that will influence the youth of America. I am not trying to justify the wealth distribution in America, but at least give that excessive pay to someone who is a good role model. It makes me cringe to think of all the kids who know all the words to his songs. I know it’s a lot more than just that little kid I saw in Sports Authority.

I personally believe that this segment goes on to show one of the resurfacing issues that we’ve discussed both in class and in our recitation: over sensitivity. Don’t get me wrong- there are plenty of issues in this class, in fact, MOST issues in this class that I feel deserve to be scrutinized, but at the same time, there are also times when I think we are working against ourselves by becoming “politically correct” or by taking offense to something that was either never intended as an insult, or should just be shaken off.

We talked about how stereotypes should not be taken seriously, but rather as something to laugh at. Of course, this is situational, but for the most part, I laugh because I’m Italian and I talk with my hands all the time and eat way too much. Stereotypes obviously do not encompass everyone but they must have started because some pattern was noticed. The best thing to do is laugh them off. It would make me look foolish to fight them. “No! It is unfair that you think we ALL Italians talk with our hands and wear a bump-it!”

This segment shows how many people are taking offense to the term “Negro” on the Census. I am not an African American so I may very well have no merit in saying this, but I honestly feel that this is another sensitivity issue. I do not believe that the U.S. Census Bureau was in any way trying to offend black people by putting this term on the Census. The mission of the Census is to get the most accurate data available to help us. They added this term for older generations who still identify as a Negro.

Would the older person have known to identify as “African American” had Negro not been listed as an option? Probably. Nevertheless, I don’t think anyone should be taking any offense to this.

I am all about understanding our roots and taking pride in our past. I know that I am Polish and Hungarian, and Italian. On the Census I would obviously identify as “White.” I noticed that when the CNN anchor went around New York asking people what they thought about the racial categories, there was criticism about how everyone’s race is more complicated than the options offered. I know that America is the melting pot and we have so many different backgrounds living here, but for the purpose of this Census it is impossible to encompass everyone’s eclectic mix. The people being interviewed and the anchor kept reflecting on the confusion of the race category. I really don’t think that it needs to be as complicated as everyone’s making it. We must not focus on this issue and forget the purpose of the Census- it exists for good reason, to HELP us!

I have to agree with Sam on this one. I started taking Sociology classes because I thought it was interesting to think outside of the box. After my first soc class, I took two more. It is now my minor. We go about our everyday routines without second thought. We don’t stop and question our behaviors, our norms, our values that we practice.

It was not until I spent a summer in England that I realized how truly different cultures can be. My roommate freshman year was from London, so I went home with her after our first year at Penn State. It was my first extended stay in another country.

I was amazed how many subtle cultural differences there are between the English and Americans. (This was something I had noticed when living with her throughout freshman year). Just because the two countries speak the same language does NOT mean they are the slightest bit similar. Everything- from one’s sense of humor, to eating habits, to social cues and norms- was different than what I was used to. References I made, things I teased, the way I talked- were all unfamiliar amongst my roommates family and friends.

My friends that have studied abroad have all said the most worthwhile part of the program was not the sightseeing and touristy things, but instead living in an unfamiliar place, putting themselves in situations that made them uncomfortable, watching and learning a new way of life.

We rarely take a step back and question why we think the way we do. I have to say that when Sam mentioned the menstrual cycle in class, it was TRULY the first time I sat and thought, “Wow. What if men had periods?” As a 21 year-old woman, I am quite used to having my period. It has always been engrained in me as something that was not to be discussed. I keep it very private. I rarely even mention to my roommates. This is normal to me. I never stopped to question it. But, wow, what if men had to go through menstruating every month? I am most certain it would bragged about and publicized. Men would want it to be known.

I personally have not had the same rough pains and cramps that I know women often experience, so I don’t think having my period is all that bad. I bet if I were a guy though, I’d be exaggerating the pains, the flow, to make me look more “macho.” I can just imagine how different pad/tampon commercials would be. I can see companies marketing the period as a sign of manhood- providing masculine packaging and ads.

It is a man’s world, isn’t it? I’ve never felt that I was in an unfortunate disposition being a woman, but I’ve also never thought about it like this until now.

I know this ventures a little off topic from the question you’ve proposed, but I feel compelled to start off by saying how disappointed I am by the rude comments that came from both races when Sam opened up the texting discussion. I realize that I sound a bit like an over reactive mother or something, but I was embarrassed by the immaturity and overall disrespect of my peers. We are college-educated people here! If you want to start a conversation say something of value, not some offensive off-hand remark. Guess what- that only makes your race look even more ignorant.

The fact that we chose to take a class like Soc 119 with Sam Richards shows that we want to learn more about racial issues. There are a ton of students at Penn State who could care less about the tensions and prejudices that still exist in today’s society. I therefore find it especially sad that students who have an interest and passion in resolving these problems would text such insulting messages. It is certainly not reassuring that a racist cruel remark is what would come to mind when handed this opportunity.

In getting that off my chest, I suppose the answer to your question is rooted in being politically correct. It seems that the biggest obstacle in race relations is battling the urge to hold our tongues and monitor what we say in an effort to not have it be taken the wrong way. I’m sure there were white people who were enraged with some of the remarks made but resisted the urge to yell about it.

I think this is because of our nation’s history of injustice against blacks. White people are sensitive to fighting back when they consider the harsh past of black people in America. They learned about slavery, segregation, the Civil Rights Movement in history class.

Also, it is because of this past that Blacks are more sensitive to the insults that the Whites texted. I suppose in a way it’s similar to joking around with your friends. It is not easy to take a joke on yourself about something that was a clear problem or issue in your past. However, when you are comfortable and have always been confident about being accepted, you do not seem to mind the teasing. In fact, you may join in and tease yourself as well.

I honestly wonder if this will ever change. It just like how we discussed that the conversation always seems to come back to black and white. Will it continue to be this way? If not, when will this sensitivity go away? Will it be passed on to a different race?

Either way, I’d like to conclude by saying that I felt offended by the disrespectful comments coming from both races regardless of which race fought back more.

I suppose I shouldn’t be so shocked, however. I see segregation still exist at Penn State. Although, I must say there is a clear difference between this segregation that I witness and discrimination. Students seem to segregate themselves amongst groups that they are the most comfortable with. It is not that any of these groups are being treated unfairly; rather, it just seems that we all manage to separate ourselves. If you don’t believe me, go into the HUB any day of the week. Take a look around the food court area tables on the lower level. You will see that all of the black people sit together, all of the Asians are together, the white people, the Indians all together. Subculture groups segregate themselves as well. Sorority sisters or athletes all manage to find their territories. It is quite similar to the cliché high school stereotypes that separate themselves in the cafeteria.

One of my best friends here at Penn State is Asian American. She is in an Asian sorority. We were roommates last year and still keep in touch this year as well. It’s funny because she’s mentioned to me before that I’m her only white friend. I always think she’s exaggerating, but in fact she’s quite right. Nearly all of her best friends are Asian. I always know exactly where she’ll be when she tells me she’s in the HUB because she’s sitting with her sorority.

I’ve come to know many of her sorority sisters well and we all get along. Yet, I cannot help but feel that they share some sort of bond that I don’t share with them. I’ve questioned whether black or Asian fraternities (or any other race for that matter) are hurting themselves by secluding themselves to a small social network that cuts them off from being in a brotherhood with other races. I do understand the common bond they share however, and think they should continue if they would like. Coming from a family that is very strong in their traditions, I know how close I feel with someone from the same race as me.

Saying that an issue “doesn’t pertain to me” is, in my opinion a weak, cowardly statement. I took a course on the history of the Holocaust last semester. In the class, we discussed who the perpetrators of the Holocaust were. Of course, the instant reaction is to say Hitler, the Nazis, anyone in involved in the concentration camps. However, one of the largest perpetrators was the general German and Western European population that were not Jewish. The everyday husband and wife who went to work, came home, vacationed with their families, basically continued living life as if nothing were wrong. Their silence killed millions.

We do not know the change they could have made to the course of history, had they spoke up. Would Hitler have continued to influence if no one followed his insane anti-Semitic regime? Hitler’s plan to create the new Aryan race also included killing all those who were mentally handicapped. After serious rebuttal from citizens, especially those in the Catholic community, this practice stopped. This gives much promise to the belief that if no one complied, Hitler would have failed. The only reason he came to power in the first place was because Germany was a weak nation at the time, easily influenced by a forceful leader, but they did not have to go along with his ideas. By doing nothing and following his regulations, these people allowed this tragedy to happen.

This is true in many other situations in life as well. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s would have never happened had not enough people cared to fight. Yet, sadly it took black people to start the Movement because they were fighting for their own rights. It is important to remember our freedom of speech. We are privileged to be granted such a right and we should certainly take advantage of it.

I understand that it may seem outrageous to protest for something that doesn’t personally affect you. Say lobbying for gay marriage rights as a heterosexual, for example. However, you need to think for yourself and what you believe in. Imagine if you were the gay person in that situation, you’d need everyone’s support for change to occur. Maybe marching in a parade seems a little extreme to you, then you should at least vote in favor of the rights. Remember that we’re all humans, we all deserve the same treatment and respect. We should use the opportunity of being in a better disposition than someone else as a means to help them.

It is so selfish to turn away from those suffering and say “It’s not me; I don’t care.” The truth of the matter is that ALL men (AND woman) are created equal, and hey, one day that could be you! Would you want others turning away then?

I absolutely agree. There is an awful lot of hypocrisy in America. In class, Sam showed a comic that showed all the different ways the institution of marriage is not taken seriously. It had a picture of a couple getting married from a game show, a drunk couple in Vegas, an elderly wealthy man with a young beautiful (gold digging) wife, a phony politician and his commercialized wife. Society sees all of these unions as acceptable, yet sincere love between a gay couple is unworthy of being formally recognized.

I firmly believe that one day, hopefully sooner than I anticipate, gay couples will be granted the right to marry. I feel that after this day comes, decades from now, our grandchildren will find it hard to believe that it was ever so frowned upon. They will look at the unequal rights for gays the way our generation looks at the segregation in the 50s and 60s. It is hard for me to imagine a time when African American students were sent to separate schools, couldn’t sit on public buses, drink from water fountains, or eat at certain restaurants. In the same way, our grandchildren will have a hard time believing that their friend, Joey’s dads were at one time in history not allowed to be together.

As critical as I am about the issue, I must say that I feel society’s attitude now is better than it ever was before. We are becoming more and more socially liberal. We are more accepting of gays. Although we have not granted them the rights they deserve, I personally do not feel that gay people are shunned or that they experience any prejudice. Although I am not gay, so it is hard for me to attest to this.

One of my best friends from home is gay. We all knew it throughout high school, but he waited until college to come out. He didn’t necessarily lie and pretend to be straight, but he never talked to any of us about his sexuality, and did not act on it until he was 6 hours away from home in Boston. I will never forget when we first saw each other over winter break freshman year in college. He “came out of the closet” to me, but it was almost amusing because I already knew. I could feel a physical pain in my chest for him when he told me how terrible it was telling his parents, how he was afraid his mother would never talk to him again, how his father wouldn’t look him in the eye. All of the suffering he was going through reinforced my belief that this is not the lifestyle someone choose- all the more reason why we shouldn’t punish them for it.

I find it extremely coincidental that this blog was posted because I had a similar thought during when our recitation group met last Monday. Our discussion group talked about affirmative action- something that affects all minorities, yet the conversation remained focused on black people.

I completely agree that much of the explanation for this is rooted in American history. Slavery had such a tremendous aftermath when you think about it. It caused the prejudice and segregation that eventually ended with the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
There was a blog post from a couple weeks back that discussed the extreme racism that exists amongst sports fans in Europe. The article mentioned that that Europe never had an equivalent of America’s Civil Rights movement. I initially thought that this might be the prime reason why such extreme behavior would go on in modern times. As I think about it now, however, despite the Civil Rights Movement, there is still evident inequality.

This inequality has been the focus of Sam’s lectures recently. Sam makes an effort to include all races, but I do sincerely believe that if I were to have an informal conversation about inequality, my friends and I would once again bring it back to black and white.
Again, it is because of our country’s history. Had Asians been slaves back in the 1800s and experienced the segregation that black people faced, I firmly believe the conversation would always go back to white and Asian. History has a lasting effect. Decades have past since the Civil Rights Movement, yet we still remember. We learn about it in school. I think about it when I think about black people in general.
Perhaps another reason why it always comes back to black and white is because it is the most evident racial difference. Think about it- appearance is in everything. Also, in this part of the country we are most exposed to black and white. In the hometown I grew up in and the high school I went to, there were not a lot of black people, however black people were the biggest minority. There were few Hispanics or Asians. Most of my friends here at Penn State had a similar experience.

It is also worth noting that even though the Civil Rights movement has occurred and even though there is a significant black American population, the tensions between white and black seem to be more existent than white people and other races (Despite the definite fear and suspicion toward Muslim people after September 11th).

I just really wonder if this will be a permanent mindset. Thirty years from now, will we continue to bring our conversations back to black and white?