gdp's Comments

Race Relations Project : Creating Terrorists

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:32:39 +0000

Suicide bombing has proven to be one of the most efficient and least expensive tactics ever to be employed by terror groups. The 32 groups in 28 countries have adopted this terrorist tactic. Counterterrorism observers have tended to ignore female terrorists because historically there have been few of them, as compared to male terrorist, and they were usually less violent, and less visible. Because women rarely lead violent organizations, most officials see men as threats and not women. However, female suicide attacks in Israel and Chechnya demonstrate the effectiveness of female terrorists, who get close to their intended targets more easily than the male because they do not attract the same level of search from security personnel. Using women for suicide bombings has an added danger to those charged with preventing bombings. Women are less likely to be searched for bombs than men, either for moral or religious beliefs. Sometimes searches might be portrayed as an indecency act towards women, especially the possibility of being accused of sexual harassment or fear of breaking Islamic laws that require women to remain traditionally clothed in public. As this phenomenon of female suicide bombing increases, however, security forces in Iraq, for example, “could be faced with the possibility of having to deal with a group of young, educated, middle class women”, fighting for their beliefs and their territory (Honawar). The use of women has other advantages, as the innocent appearance of pregnant women can be effective in passing security and gaining close proximity to the target. Women’s motivation for carrying out such attacks can be the issue of equality as already mentioned, but, often, romantic feelings trigger female volunteers or even their desire for revenge for a dead relative or a significant other (Dugdale-Pointon). Whatever, the motivation of suicide bombers, all terrorist suicide attacks are incredibly difficult to stop. Check points and tightened security can help prevent the bomber reaching a high profile target but some casualties are unavoidable. Preventing a random suicide bombing in a crowed public place is extremely difficult to prevent, and even if a bomber is detected, defusing the explosives is almost impossible. The greatest potential risk suicide terrorism may pose in future is if terrorists combine the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction to spread smallpox or ever anthrax across the nations. Such a combination of attack methods would increase the death numbers of a single terror attack and would increase the psychological effect on public morale. Although this level of suicide terrorism would constitute a tremendous threat, in reality, the delivery of effective countermeasures is proving to be a very difficult task. Given the globalization of terror from nonstate groups, I believe that suicide bombings, which include female suicide bombings, will increase. Next will be the “first” Al Qaeda female suicide bomber. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation has acknowledged that Al Qaeda is actively recruiting women, 106 perhaps for just this role” (National Counterterrorism Center). Moreover, international terrorist organizations will try to further assess U.S. security vulnerabilities and exploit weaknesses. “While female suicide bombing may not change the political outcome for the United States or its allies, it will negatively and emotionally affect American lives, beliefs, and morale” (Zedalis). Honawar, Rohit. Research Officer, IPCS. “The Glorification of suicide terrorism”. October 19th, 2005. http://ipcs.org/article/jammu-kashmir/the-glorifi... Zedalis, D. Debra. “Female Suicide Bombers” 2007 http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdf... Dugdale-Pointon, TDP., “Suicide Attacks – Terrorist”/http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_suic...

Race Relations Project : Those Dolls Say Alot About Who We Are

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 14:17:50 +0000

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students and denying black children equal educational opportunities unconstitutional. The decision overturned earlier rulings going back to Plessey v. Ferguson in 1896. Handed down on May 17, 1954, the Warren Court's unanimous (9–0) decision stated that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." As a result, de jure racial segregation was ruled a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This victory paved the way for integration and the civil rights movement. In 1950th Dr. Kenneth Clark conducted a test to see how black children would react to a well formatted questionnaire. The results were astonishing. As it turned out at very young age the black children already possessed bitter feelings about their heritage and their skin color. Recently there was another study done as we saw on YouTube. Unfortunately, although we might have thought that we came far with race issues, in reality we still have a long way as the young children are a proof of continues segregation among light and dark skin complexion. It was very hard to watch children hesitate between two dolls. The segment with a black girl first picking a white doll as a good doll and then switching to black doll saying that it was a bad doll…. And then when a question was raised as to what doll she was as it turned out she really wanted to be a white doll….. But since she was black she had to pick a black doll that she previously identified as a bad doll. It is a heart breaking reality to see those children in such young age make such extreme decisions and divisions Moreover, it wasn’t one or two black girls who did there were boys tested as well and as a result 15 out 21 children participating in this survey picked a white doll over a black doll although they themselves were black and were raised in black communities. I personally think that that’s where the whole segregation point of view starts. Parenting and the community where those children grow up are very powerful factors in shaping children’s opinions. Therefore, most of the blame is on the parents of those children. I feel that there is less segregation and hate coming from white people than among the multiracial communities. I feel like the people in black communities are creating more tension between themselves and formulating false statements about whites where in reality I feel as most of the white people would not ever think twice about how dark or light a certain person looks. As we saw in the video not even once did the black girls mentioned that a white individual told them that they are too dark and that’s why they are not pretty, as oppose to that they hear comments and segregation within their community in relation what is pretty and what is not. I honestly think that if the white people thought black was not attractive they would not be in tanning salons every day, even though they know that they might get cancer and other implications to their body. White people lay in the sun all summer just to look darker in the Fall. Therefore, I think if the black people interacted more with white people they would see that whites through education learned to accept everyone… and only the black people still are in their bobble and think that they are looked at differently because of their skin tone. I personally judge people on how they act. If they are loud and obnoxious and scream each other’s name while they walk, then I would judge them, but it has nothing to do with their race. It all comes done to behaving civil and proper when in public. I hope that someday the people will realize that and stop talking about segregation among themselves or in front of their young children. Children don’t get those idea from their heads… they get them from their parents. So, I hope in a near future those children will not do the same and would not grow with the same ideologies as their parents did. I feel as education is a key in changing the views of those communities. I fell as the black communities were a little bit in disadvantage as to education and learning about white people while the white people are more exposed to race classes and have more opportunities study abroad and travel to countries in Asia, Europe and Africa and even South America.

Race Relations Project : The White Minorities

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:44:39 +0000

According to a blog posted on Dvorak Uncensored webpage, the white majority in the U.S. will be outnumbered by Americans of other races by 2042, eight years sooner than previously projected by the Census bureau. The Census Bureau said in a statement that minorities, everyone except non- Hispanic, single-race whites, will make up 54 percent of the U.S. population in 2050, compared with 34 percent of the population today. Based on census results and assumptions about future childbearing, mortality and migration, show the minority population of the U.S. will be 235.7 million out of a total of 439 million in 2050. More than half of all U.S. children are expected to be from minority ethnic groups by 2023. The non-Hispanic, single-race white population is expected to rise slightly to 203.3 million in 2050 from 199.8 million in 2008, while the Hispanic population is expected to almost triple to 132.8 million from 46.7 million, with its share of the total increasing to 30 percent from 15 percent, the Bureau said. The black population is expected to increase to 65.7 million, or 15 percent, in 2050 from 41.1 million, or 14 percent, in 2008. The Asian population will increase to 40.6 million from 15.5 million this year, almost doubling its share of the total, to 9.2 percent from 5.1 percent. "By the year 2055 at current fertility and immigration rates, white European Americans will be a minority for the first time since they came to outnumber the Native Americans in the 18th century," said Joe Feagin, a UF sociologist and expert on race relations. Moreover, in just 35 years, the majority of young people in the United States, those ages 18 and younger, will not be white, said Feagin, co-editor of a new book of essays about race, ethnicity and the urban crisis titled "The Bubbling Cauldron." Having less children has more to do with economics than anything else. The reason that the average number of children in the US is lower than say Mexico is that it is more expensive to have children in the US. I believe that on average whites are better off economically than say Hispanics in the US therefore, they don’t have time to think of raising a family only about how to make more money. The Whites priorities education and long hours at work over having some quality time to raise a family. Therefore, as Hispanic couples become wealthier, they’ll start having fewer kids just as blacks are having fewer children as their economic condition improves. This problem does not only face US but Europe and other countries as well. I also believe that the decrease in white births is due to interracial marriages. According to some research I did, I found out that percent of pigmentation is controlled by incomplete dominant genes. Each gene contributes differently to the percent of pigmentation expressed. For example, when great-grandma and great-grandpa have a child, if great-grandpa is white and great-grandma is black then the child will probably be somewhere in between(because of probabilistic arrangement of chromosomes in independent assortment). If this grandpa marries a grandma that is white, their child will probably be somewhere in between the parents, so a little blacker than a white person, but close. This parent marries a white woman again. Their son will be almost or totally white. Each time it depends on whether you get the gene from one parent or the other. So, if there was one great-grandma that was black and everyone else in the family since was white, then after 5-10 generations it is extremely probable that all the offspring will be white and there is no trace of the original black great grandma. But what are the chances of having so many white marriages after the initial interracial relationship? So, I do believe Whites will be in minority soon. http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/08/15/white-peopl... http://www.albionmonitor.com/9-18-95/minority.htm...

Race Relations Project : Does this rudeness thing cut both ways?

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:41:44 +0000

I honestly do not know where to begin with this but it certainly has weighed heavy on my mind. After I found this post online I had to take a few days to ponder on it and come up with a justification to this rude behavior. Moreover, by then I realized that there is tension amongst races and I will not deny that there are a handful that make it worse for others, but to base the information on someone looking at you funny, or bumping into you and not apologizing as being rude or hateful just doesn't cut it with many of us. I don't think "all Black people are rude." I think the problem is that many Black people distrust Whites and have poorly developed social skills. Moreover, I think that the reaction from black people observed in the classroom setting is not a matter of rudeness or hate but their temperament. They got used to the fact that the whites always tip toeing around them in terms of political correctness to avoid offending them. So, when in class the whites are required to speak their minds the blacks don’t like it. The individuals with darker complexion are always feeling like they are looked differently upon etc when in reality it is not true. As I mentioned before, the social skills play an important role as well. The white people either poor or rich have been receiving a much more privileged education and are more aware of equality and acceptance of others, while the black people (not all) are still deprived of that opportunity especially in urban areas. Therefore, they are still with that mentality that whites hate them and instead of being nice they act out just to show that they are not weak and can stand up for themselves while in reality they don’t have to do that at all because the whites don’t think of them any less. I personally feel like any black individual is the same as I, or another white person, or Hispanic, etc. We are all human beings, period. However, the problem comes in when the black people do have this low self confidence and they try to act out, which results in them being portrayed rude and without any disciplinary manners. Therefore, it’s not about them being rude by nature but more about their present behavior. Obviously, there are blacks who do not fit that profile, but it's hard to differentiate when 75% of them scream, curse, accuse, etc. whenever something is going on that they don't like. It's like no one ever explained to them that the world isn't always going to go the way they like. Honestly, if a white individual would obnoxiously laugh, talk loud or would make comments or show annoyed facial expressions he/she would be considered rude as well. On that basis, I would say that the reason we have encountered 'rudeness' from black individuals might be explained by the fact that they are more sensitive to being treated badly. People who are rich, white and privileged rarely get so defensive because they don't assume anyone is being rude to them because of who they are. But if you're black, I guess you are always suspicious that any perceived rudeness might be because of your color; whether that is true or not. In my opinion, there isn't a race that is not rude, or hateful in this world. Some will bite their tongue, hide in a closet and hang out with their buddies and use words that are so vulgar a bed bug wouldn't even want to hear it. But the majority who does get along with one another should express their opinions and why they believe what we state. As planting a positive seed instead of a negative one makes the world a much better place to live in and isn't it our generation who has been desiring change? I always recommend taking the high road in these situations. Let the person know that you believe his or her action or words to be unacceptably rude without being rude in return. It can just start a vicious cycle. Try not to punish the next person for the last person’s rudeness. Give each one a clean slate. If you do take the opportunity to challenge rude behavior, be prepared to explain why the rude behavior was wrong and how the person should have acted or spoken.

Race Relations Project : I Reckon She Can Hit

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:47:53 +0000

The timeline of women’s history, especially their major leadership roles within a society, takes us way back in the day. However, since the women were not significant members of the society their accomplishments were not recorded or written down to be passed down from one generation to the next. Despite these discrepancies, some of the significant events that were recorded brought females’ recognition within their society to the next level. For example, the 1848 Women's Right Convention in Seneca Falls, NY was widely regarded as the beginning of the Women's Right Movement. In 1920 Women’s Right to Vote amendment was ratified by last state, and made the law: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” In 1964, the Title VII of Civil Rights Act was passed, prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion and national origin. Then, the Title IX of the Education Codes of 1972 helped enforce equal access to academic and athletic programs in education regardless of gender. The amendments and laws mentioned above significantly helped females to put their own fingerprint to today’s history. Some very brave women took the chance and I think succeeded in becoming something that the males would not even think would be possible just a few centuries ago. For example, in 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman doctor in the Western hemisphere. In 1870 Madelon Louisa Stockwell of Albion was the first woman admitted to the University of Michigan, and also in 1872, when Victoria Claflin Woodhull was the first woman to be declared for the U.S. Presidency. Then, in 1911 Harriet Quimby of Branch County became the first woman in the US to receive a certified pilot’s license. Therefore, it’s not a shock to see our society to drastically grow in terms of equality and fairness when it comes to offering the same opportunities to all individuals given that they are fully capable to fulfill all of the requirements needed for specific performances. The female history only stared to get known and the video about Natalie Randolph makes my point even stronger. I found out that on Friday, March 12th, Randolph was named the head football coach at Coolidge High School in Northwest Washington, making her what is believed to be the only woman coaching boys' varsity high school football in the United States. This was proven by Sydney Chambers of the Clell Wade Coaches Directory, which maintains a database of all coaches at U.S. colleges, high schools and junior high schools that stated that there was no woman listed among the 15,675 public or private high school football coaches last season. For Natalie to become a head coach of football let alone male football team takes a lot of guts and will to accomplish. However, Natalie seems like a tough cookie although she comes off very sweet and friendly. I am very proud of her and I wish her luck and success in the future and maybe she can be yet another role model for other females who would love to enter some of the male known work related positions. Furthermore I just wish for our society to finally be fully equal in terms gender, race etc. Hopefully, I will still see that day that all are seen as one and there is no prejudice or unfairness.

Race Relations Project : Are Whites the Only People Willing to Humiliate Themselves?

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 17:43:16 +0000

The Bachelor is an American reality television dating game show debuting in 2002 on ABC. The show is hosted by former game show host and news anchor, Chris Harrison. The fourteenth season, On the Wings of Love, premiered on January 4, 2010. Solid ratings throughout the twelve completed seasons have resulted from an average audience of nearly 10 million viewers, with some decline in the series' more recent seasons. While much of the series has aired on Wednesday nights, its ratings slide reversed somewhat with a move to Monday nights in January 2006. I understand that some people might wonder why the show is not multiracial but I seriously think that it has nothing to do with race. It is mainly up to the bachelor or a bachelorette, for that matter, what candidates for their potential spouse are appropriate. If the bachelor decided that he is attracted to a specific type of woman than the directors of that show will do their best to help and find these perfect women for him. For example, if he likes tall and blonde-haired women then the majority of women will be tall and blond. However, if he is into multicultural or even older women then that will be what he will get. Moreover, there have been episodes with black and Latino women in the past. I personally enjoy those shows and never thought twice about them in racial context. I do sometimes question myself as to how some of those girls even got on the show in the first place. I am being honest here. Unfortunately, some of those fine women have no brains and if they do they are already with a child or were divorced or something. The show itself is very much entertaining for all age ranges and from time to time, the show will even throw some curve balls to make it more interesting. There have been a few interesting twists such as Brad not picking either of the women and Jason changing his mind during the "After the Final Rose" show. The runner-up from the first season, Trista Rehn, later starred in The Bachelorette, a spin-off program in which the format is gender-reversed. Her wedding to the winner of her season of The Bachelorette, Ryan, was also televised. I remember just a few seasons ago, there was a single millionaire who in reality was a farmer and had an average income. If was very funny how the women completely changed their minds about the guy as soon as they heard that he was not rich. It is very disturbing to find that our world is all about money. The people are hungry for money and think that money is everything, when in reality the money is the number one cause for war, hunger, and just dishonesty and betrayal.

Race Relations Project : Men and Women. Hmm...Are We Really This Different?

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:02:15 +0000

cont... The inventor of this doll claims that Roxxy “will have sex whenever you please -- as long as her battery doesn't run out”. No shit, females will have sex too but there is a limit to their human battery too. After women have children, their sex drives go down and something I think a man should understand and not get frustrated nor buy himself a robot, nor cheat on his wife just because she doesn’t enjoy sex as much anymore. “Meet Roxxxy, who may be the world's most sophisticated talking female sex robot. For $7,000, she's all yours.” What happened to personal touch, feelings, romance and for that matter even sense of smell, etc? The sad reality is that thousands of men already pre ordered this doll online and are waiting for a delivery within a few months, which means a tremendous decrease in the male market. I honestly do not understand those man and their sick erotic fantasies. I do not know but I feel like this invention will not bring any good to anyone. In my opinion, this will only create more psychopaths and killers who will fantasize about this robot and then go out in the real world and will not know how to start conversing with a woman. His awkwardness will bring to rejection that will follow by his anger and later even violence toward that female. What happened to romance and all the crazy/awkward stories we all like to share with our friends and later grandchildren about how our first dates went etc. I honestly would not want to hear a story about how anyone first met his/her dream sex robot.

Race Relations Project : Men and Women. Hmm...Are We Really This Different?

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:00:23 +0000

Wow what in the world…. This man is sick and so is his invention. Although it is cool that he was so creative in creating a talking female robot… but honestly, who in the world would want to settle for something fake when you can enjoy the real thing? Speaking from a female’s perspective, I know that dudes want to have sex more than us, women, but sometimes it is opposite…. and no matter how our sex drives work I believe everyone enjoys sex. However, I have a huge problem when people rely 100% on technology in terms of video games, internet, phone text messaging etc. and now on dolls to satisfy their sexual needs. What happened to a society where face-to-face communication and interaction was implemented? I think all those computer inventions will soon overtake human lives and we will be in the background while the robots will take over our daily lives. My generation already cannot survive a day without their phones and internet connection. If suddenly they lose their phone they get antsy and left out; they freak out and get lost. It is sad that today’s world is seen only through technological eyes. I have to admit I am a technology freak too and I would not know how to live one day without a TV, radio, IPod, my phone, etc. However, inventing a robot to substitute a potential sex partner is just absurd.

Race Relations Project : Another Reason Why Gay Marriage Matters

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:01:11 +0000

cont.... My friend is not confused about her sexuality and is definitely a heterosexual. Moreover, she is well raised in a family full of love and affection. She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She is very open-minded and sincere. You can talk to her on any subject and she will definitely tell you her true feelings on certain matters and she is usually very open to opposing opinions of others. It is heartbreaking to see that although USA is a free country, not all people are free nor are treated the same. I think that it should not matter if you are a homosexual or a heterosexual couples. Each couple deserves the same rights no matter what their orientation is nor what kind of lifestyle they have outside of what is considered to be a safe environment for a child to grow up. Also, deportation of an individual who is in love is ridiculous especially knowing that if it was a heterosexual couple they would just make the couple to get married and file for a permanent resident status.

Race Relations Project : Another Reason Why Gay Marriage Matters

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:00:37 +0000

In todays heterosexual world it is very hard to live as a homosexual. Although a significant amount of changes took place over a few decades we are still at the point of not being o.k. with homosexuality. It feels, as gays are more segregated and oppressed than any other group of people who is different from the norm. Although, norm is almost impossible to define and I think it does not really exist because it is something people got into their heads it still circulates among us. Plus, sometimes I feel as if people who think a little bit differently are scared to admit it to avoid the threat of not being accepted by their peers. Therefore, although we came far in regards to accepting gay relationships and even marriages in some states we are not even close to reaching a comfortable stage where it is o.k. to be gay. Hopefully, it will not take as many years as it takes to eliminate race stereotypes and segregations, and hopefully past events like inequality and racism will somehow open peoples eyes and they will see that it is o.k to be different and unique. Plus, who should be the judge as to what is norm and whats not. I think homosexuals think that homosexuality is the norm. Therefore, when people start to throw smart comments or looks they should first look at themselves in the mirror and realize that they are not any different from any other gay individual. The only difference is their sexual orientation. As to the video, which was posted on the blog, I think it is pathetic. Although I think that homosexuals should not be allowed to be married in church due to religious respectful and beliefs, they should, however, have the right to get married and have, adopt and raise children. I personally have a black female friend who was adapted by a Jewish homosexual couple.

Race Relations Project : Animals vs. Humans vs. Welfare Cheats

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:53:06 +0000

Although Andre Bauer was out of the line with his expressions and comparison of human beings and animals, I do agree with his metaphors and his grandmother’s opinion,“ to quit feeding stray animals, You know why? Because they breed! You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that.” I also understand that most of the people on welfare don’t have the choice especially children, people who are disabled, lose jobs or income due to unforeseen circumstances. However, those people are only a small % of the people who are on welfare today. And although I think that no one deserves to be called an animal, I think the comparison does a good justice to most of the welfare cases. I currently live in the center city of Philadelphia and I have witnessed firsthand people on welfare. I live near them, I went to school with them, and I used to be good friend with most of welfare children. So, my interaction with those individual formulated my opinions on the subject matter. First, when people say that people who are on welfare have no choice but to use government funds that’s understandable. However, most of the people abuse the system by being irresponsible and don’t give a …. I know of one situation where one of my classmates got pregnant because she knew that she will receive government assistance. She said that the more children you have the more money you get from the government. Also, a lot of people lie on their applications about being disabled, or about not having a job. Some people file for welfare while working under the table. I am very giving person and I always feel bad for poor people especially for children of low income families and I always donate to Salvation Army and give a few dollars to homeless people on the streets, but when it comes to most of the cases I despise people who are lazy and just don’t feel like working. Here is my story of a personal experience. My parents and I came to US with nothing but two suitcases each. We started with maybe $500, with no place to live, no language knowledge, no friends, no relatives what so ever. In just one year, we managed to buy a house, a car, stay credit free and still have a decent life. Yes we did compromise a lot in terms of not having the newest TVs, computers, cell phones etc. but it was only for a few years. Now, it’s going to be our tenths year living in the States and we are considered as Middle class, income vice. Although my parents both college grads their diplomas worth nothing in the States. They held prestigious jobs overseas but just because of lack of opportunity for my generation they decided to move and offer my brother and me more possibilities. So, when we came here that first week we all were on job hunt, my parents didn’t have a pride and settled for most low paying jobs possible. My mom was a housekeeper in a family and my dad was washing dishes and then a car mechanic. However, because they wanted to succeed they did everything and as a result now they both have nice jobs. My point is that if you are willing to compromise and go for it you can definitely escape poverty in America. However, you have to have a strong will to do so and don’t have pride in stuff you have to do in order to reach your comfortable stage. So, although I was probably poorer than those children in my public Middle school and High School there is a huge gap between us now. They were indifferent about where they want to be in five years and they just continued the same lifestyle their parents had and I strongly believe that their children will follow the same path. I hope that someday people realize that it takes only one person to change the destiny of their family line for life. It is true that they might have to compromise now but if their children receive a nice lifestyle they will for sure provide even better lifestyle for their children.

Race Relations Project : The Enlightened "West" Knows Best

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:22:07 +0000

Aside from the government role in banning burqas, I feel bad for Muslim women who have to wear it not by choice but by force. Moreover, that force is usually not physical but emotional. In fact, most of the females don;t really get beaten up for not wearing that specific type of clothing but more of emotional abuse. Men might not want to marry those ladies, the females would get negative comments and a lot of stairs on the streets etc. While I think that the women living in Muslim countries don't really have a choice as to what to wear. In countries like France, Great Britain, USA etc they have the freedom to do so and I think they should. I never wore any traditional clothing but I think that it might be a little uncomfortable to wear all black during humid summers. But as I said before, it should be up to a person to choose if they want to endure such hot conditions or maybe they would even reconsider their religious affiliation and their dress code or they might change their country of residency all together. No matter what their choice should be they should always have the right to make that choice and no government should ever stand in between those choices.

Race Relations Project : The Enlightened "West" Knows Best

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:19:42 +0000

I think that the government should have no right to ban any dress codes of other cultures. Each individual should have the right to dress how they want, when and where they want. It should be a personal choice and not an imposed law or regulation from a government. In Europe as well as here and other places the ladies tend to dress as they want and although our grandparents or even parents would not always approve what we want to wear we still wear it and tell them that they have to get used to the trend and convince them that that's the style and everyone wears it. Well, for Muslims it's their style, they fashion, their choice. If they grew up wearing “niqab” or “abeyya” or “hijab” then they should have the freedom to wear it when they want even when they immigrate to other countries and are seen in public. Plus, I doubt that their relatives will listen to them if they decide to go against their religious/cultural dress code and start dressing the way government will see fit. But in the same time, I think that they should not be treated any differently in airports when it comes to searching and patting down for security purposes. I think that they should be searched thoroughly just for hazardous situation and the protection of well-being of other individuals in that airport or later in the air. That said, I don't want to hint that those people who are wearing that type of clothing are prone to any terrorism but the people who would want to be involved in such deeds would certainly misuse the traditional clothing to cover up their faces and maybe even bombs on their waists. In today's world, everything is possible and I think that the government should take some percussion to eliminate such potential threats. However, the government should not have the right to punish the rest of the good fellow residents who only wish to follow their cultural traditions by sticking to specific dress codes.

Race Relations Project : Racism Looks Pretty Mild on This Side of the Atlantic

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:10:51 +0000

(continue... last part ) Moreover, they are not racist nor do they possess hatred toward an actual person of a different race but more to the fact that they have never been exposed to those “different” people. For example, if something is knew to you, you would naturally either ignore it/ refuse to accept changes or proceed with caution. The same has happened in Europe. Europeans were used to see only White people on their teams and now with better athletes from Africa, Asia and South America, European teams recruit those better athletes to join their teams, but the fans at home are not that accepting. Most Europeans are soccer fanatics who consider their favorite team as their extended family. Any changes within the team cause tons of controversies and riots. Therefore, if Europe education exposes new generation a little bit more they would be more accepting to people of other race. Just to recap what I just said- the issue in here is not the race itself but the mere fact of difference and not being exposed to different types of people. I hope that one day the people will realize how pathetic they once were and start being civil but until then we just have to be open-minded and educate everyone to be more open-minded.

Race Relations Project : Racism Looks Pretty Mild on This Side of the Atlantic

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:09:06 +0000

I came to United States when I was thirteen years old. May 1st, 2000, was my first time ever seeing a person of a different race. Getting off the plane in JFK, New York and see a family from Africa was a shock to say the least. I mean at age thirteen, one might consider themselves a young man/ woman and we feel like our ideologies, family practices etc are all set in and we do not change our views or opinions. Well, wrong!!!! As I said before, I saw a family from Africa for the first time when I was thirteen. That said, before that encounter I never seen any person of a darker skin texture than my own. The only people that were a little bit darker than me back at home were gypsies and even then, my parents were very protective of me and forbade me to have any personal contact with them simply because of their fortune telling, etc. It was said that if a gypsy woman looks into your eyes you would have bad luck all your life etc. Now, whether it is true or not I do not know but now being exposed to so many different people, I refuse to believe in those propagandas. Gypsies are the people that I am used to call black if you translate from my language. Now, the people that we call Black, African Americans in USA were only read about in the books, if at all. In schools, we were going through material on slavery, Africa, and such but the only connection to Africans we had were the pictures in the books and sometimes a story or two in the magazine about a famous model, runner, basketball player and others mainly from USA. What I am trying to say is that today, there are societies throughout the world that only know their own race, culture, and tradition.

Race Relations Project : Racism Looks Pretty Mild on This Side of the Atlantic

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:05:35 +0000

Being born and raised in Europe, as well as, being one of soccer fans myself I cannot quite explain why Europeans posses such racist views but they do. As sad as it is, the video posted by Sam portrays most of the ideologies of soccer fans; however, in the real world Europeans are pretty accepting of other races especially in countries like Great Britain, France etc. However, when it comes to soccer world, there is a huge race issue. Unfortunately, until 2000 I was probably one of those people who you would consider a racist. Now, if I would still be living in Europe today I would not even think twice that I was racist back in the day, simply because I would not know better. Here is my story: continue in reply....

Race Relations Project : Last Name Begins with "N" or "O"

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:18:13 +0000

Have a great night :)

Race Relations Project : Clubbing the "Bejesus" Out of Rationality

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:25:59 +0000

My point is read the news and become familiar with current facts and not opinions. The Haiti facts that people should know are: • Population of nearly 10 million people. • Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. • 80% of the population in Haiti is living under the poverty line. • Most Haitians live on less than $2 a day. • USGS: USGS called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti • The quake struck on January 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m. • The 7.0 magnitude quake's epicenter hit just 10 miles west of Porte-au-Prince and its 2 million inhabitants • 3 million people in need of emergency aid after major earthquake • The major quake sent 33 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582940,00.htm...

Race Relations Project : Clubbing the "Bejesus" Out of Rationality

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:24:23 +0000

If the people do actually care about Haiti, they should just turn off their televisions and instead try to find organizations or maybe even friends in Haiti through whom they should send in donations to assist with the catastrophe. Here is an example of a website with a list of charitable organizations active in the nation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34835478/ns/world_new... Moreover, us arguing which person on TV is right or wrong is not going to help Haiti in any form or shape. However, if the people actually stopped watching those shows, the ratings of those channels would go down and the directors of those shows would be forced to move on to a different topic. I believe that what happened in Haiti is no one’s fault. Not for a minute do I believe that history, people, God or any spirits were involved in this horrendous disaster- only the nature is to blame. Although, even that statement is too controversial; given the facts that human beings did influenced the nature to some degree.

Race Relations Project : Clubbing the "Bejesus" Out of Rationality

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:19:16 +0000

Oh, wow… I have been pretty out of the loop on the recent news but this seems serious. I have always been changing channels as soon as I see 700 Club is on. I honestly never listened to any of the preaching done by Pat Robertson, so I cannot judge him or his shows. However, given his quotes to Haiti disaster, I do think that he is wacky. I do not care if he is a true believer in Heaven, Hell, Devil or Angels he should not have the right to voice his strong opinions on a national television, especially when it involves the feelings of so many of us that have been influenced by the tremendous loss in Haiti. I always hated when politicians as well as the hosts of night shows argued issues without proper facts to back up their words, nor do they ever give two sides to a story. That said, Olbermann although right in the sense, had no right to bash Robertson that critically. However, it all comes down to publicity and media. Media’s number one goal is to get as many viewers as possible. Unfortunately, by creating tension/argument among individuals the viewing rates for specific channels are sky rocking.