en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/5334561 Comments by aee5075 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-214/#IDComment507273293 Obviously being a religious Jew, I have encountered anti-Semitism throughout my life, Both in the United States and in Europe. I like how Sam addressed this topic in class because I feel like it is something that many people take for granted and are very ignorant about, even today with all the resources we have. I feel like many people sometimes don’t realize when someone is being anti Semitic and I also think that because of ignorance about Jews and the Jewish faith people can become anti Semitic. This is one of the reasons why I personally always talk to people about my Judaism and things especially when I came here and have met people who have never met a Jew in their lives. I did like how Sam showed the extremist on both sides of Jews and Arabs because it is important to show how, even though many people don’t feel like that, there are those people who do. Even as a Jewish person it is good to show the Jewish extremist as well because then people will be more informed and will be shown what it looks like when people are ignorant and extreme. As a Jewish person who has actually gone and visited the concentration camps in Poland, it honestly sickened me to see the signs from both groups of people saying annihilate them, send then to the gas, etc. this shows just how un-sensitized those extreme people are. They forget just how hurtful those words and Ideas can be. I was embarrassed that those Jewish people would say things like that but at the same time I can understand why these two groups of people feel these ways. As someone who has been and lived in Israel, I have seen first hand these extremist groups. They are very convincing and when you feel down and feel like these people are hurting your livelihood, it is very easy to fall pray to their speeches. There are such better ways to deal with situations but for some reason these are the ways that are being done. If more people where just informed more then I think it would be easier to have conversations with other groups that may be fighting. Even though I am a full supporter of Israel I will say that I am not a supporter of extremist like the ones that we see in the video. However, I have to say that I do know people (some who are in the army) who do feel like those extremists. I hope that one day things will be more peaceful in the middle east because that is eventually where I want to live and raise my family, but until then, just speaking out and having classes like this one will defiantly help. Sun, 2 Dec 2012 04:14:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-214/#IDComment507273293 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-209/#IDComment492552833 I actually really enjoyed the video lecture that we had on Thursday. I feel like it was easy to relate to because I feel like now a day, especially in my life, religion is so much more prevalent than race or social standings or economic standing. Understanding other religions and the countries where those religions are so dominant is really important in understanding those certain cultures. I liked in the lecture when he had the class pretend like we are Muslim Arabs. I agree with Sam when he showed the class that usually what Americans think about Muslims and how they portray them are untrue. Also, the videos of the American soldiers who were acting like complete arrogant, power hungry, ignorant people really made me sick. That is one of the reasons why I personally think that so many countries in the Middle East don’t like American soldiers. It is clear that there is something terribly wrong going on. Either in the communications between the army and the civilians of that country or between what is told to soldiers when they are preparing to leave and what is told to them when they are actually over there. Also, it makes me upset when I see those videos because Sam said those are the videos that are being showed and promoted to the civilians. It makes me upset that that is the idea that they will have of Americans but I think it goes both ways. All the videos of terrorist doing whatever makes people in America think that all Muslim Arabs are like that and clearly that is not the case. Honestly though is it a surprise how much they dislike or have strong opinions against America because when Sam had us imagine that we were the Arab Muslims and had us imagine that our country was being invaded and out resources were being taken away and they were trying to convert me would piss me off also. When Sam also asked the class if we would join the insurgence against America, thinking about it now, I think that I would. But honestly like we talked bout in my discussion group, how do u know since I have never lived anywhere where I was surrounded my war and lived in that situation, but I would think that I would join and fight to keep what I think my country needs. I wish that people knew about these situations in the Middle East before they made assumptions and things like that. Americans are so misinformed on so many issues and so they don’t understand when people fight against things that Americans do. If they knew more maybe they would be more understanding and willing to talk to those people in the Middle East and hear their side of the story. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:17:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-209/#IDComment492552833 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/06/voices-from-the-classroom-203/#IDComment486525295 I think that the topic of sexuality is a very hot button topic. I personally do not see being gay as being a sin. Yes, I agree that is a very strange comment for someone who is religious but I guess that's just the way I was brought up in my childhood. I think the reason that being gay and acting on being gay is such a hot topic because religion has such a strong hold on our society and America today. Even though people say we separate church and state...how separate is it really? Many of those other “sins” in that PowerPoint some would say are sins because they are in the bible however; they have become such common acts in our society, especially here in a college town. Especially when it comes to drinking and sex before marriage just to name a few big ones. I think that is why people where laughing so hard. They were laughing because they know how common those “sins” are and that probably most people in the soc 119 classes do them. I was one of those people. However, when it came to homosexuality, there defiantly was a shift in the mood. I think it is because when it comes to homosexuality, it is still such a hot topic that many people don't like to get into. It was easier I think for the class to talk about race than it is to talk about homosexuality. Those other “sins” are normal in our society but homosexuality is still not normal and is still argued about. People feel like they can go out on a Friday night and go drink and have sex with random people but if they see someone of the same sex holding hands. Stop…hold the phone. This is considered totally unacceptable. I think that the example that Sam did with having those 4 couples come up perfectly showed this. It was fun and ok when the couple was making out passionately in front of the class, I believe people even cheered. However, when the gay couple came out and walked across the stage, it was very quiet. This perfectly describes how our society feels about public displays of affection when it comes to homosexuality or homosexual acts. I do not believe that being gay is a choice; I think that that is the way people are born. This topic is a hard topic for me because I feel like whichever way I turn I am offending someone. I am also excited however, to see where Sam will take this topic and what other facts and topics he will bring up and tie into homosexuality. There are so many different opinions and voices in our soc 119 class that I think there will be a very heated and interesting conversations…if people are brave enough to say their opinions (unlike when he asked who was a republican voting for Romney) Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:04:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/11/06/voices-from-the-classroom-203/#IDComment486525295 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/24/voices-from-the-classroom-193/#IDComment475131495 I do not think it is a real surprise that most of our beliefs are not based on face and that they are based on assumption and appearance. I think people like to believe that this is not true because they want to think the best of themselves, but in reality, as Sam showed us in class, this is not the case. Misinformation and basing fact of opinion and the way people look is the main cause I think of this problem. It is a known stereotype that black people are either criminal, etc. a perfect example of this is my friend was telling me that she worked at a store over the summer. When she was being trained, she realized something about the girl who was training her. She realized that she would always get up and walk over to the customers who would walk in if they were black or Hispanic and if they were white she would just continue to do what she was doing. My friend thought it was very weird that she was doing this but when she thought about it more, she realized that this is not something unusual. She didn’t want to say anything because she was new at the job but this is the exact kind of stereotypes that are clouding the minds of American all over the country. I think that people are scared and that is why they just follow these stereotypes. It is easier to go along with what people are saying rather than try to change them. Majority of these beliefs and stereotypes come from where we grew up and what bubble we live in. this is how many of the beliefs are stemmed from what people say and tell you rather than hard core facts. We do not seem to differentiate the difference between fact and assumption but because that is what surrounds us in our every day life and when we are growing up, this is what the think is the norm. Although there may be some cases where blacks do get into trouble that does not mean that white people do not get into trouble and hurt people as well. It just depends on what is shown in the media and made public to us within our communities and it seems like those are the stories that are more present today. We have to really think about what is presented in our media because in this day and age, media is such a huge influence on the way we see people and believe things. If the media is making it into a big deal or saying something is some way than people are going to believe it. The media seems to have some credibility that we have given it (I don’t know how) but we need to monitor it more closely Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:41:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/24/voices-from-the-classroom-193/#IDComment475131495 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/16/voices-from-the-classroom-187/#IDComment469284064 Before this class, I never really talked or even knew the severity of the situation surrounding Native Americans. I feel like there are so many issues in our world today that Americans are involved in and concerned with that what is happening on our own soil seems so insignificant people, including me, never talked about it. It really is an eye opener to see just how terrible the situation is but it is also heartwarming to see just how much Soc119 has helped. I think it is important to be talking about this very serious situation in class because I really don’t think that in any other class or in most peoples every day lives and family would this topic be brought up. Having our land being taken away from us is not something that is EVER brought up. It seems like such an unrealistic claim but as we can see, it happens. It is hard to think that another group could just come in and take away everything I know but obviously people are capable of such horrendous actions, especially because we live in the United States. I feel like Americans never think of it like that. The human emotion of greed is a much stronger emotion than I could have ever imagined and this is the main reason I think that people take others land. It is scary to me just how powerful people’s greed is and this is why it does scare me in the future that my great great grandchildren could maybe have to deal with people taking away our land. It is also interesting to think that if my land was taken away like the Native Americans was I would say that of course I would fight back as much as I can. However, if the Native Americans did fight back and win, what would my life be like today? Would my life be different? Would people think differently about situations at home and abroad? Although I do think I could happen I do not think that it will be in my lifetime. The dominant group would not let that happen I think at this moment but in the very far future I would not be surprised if something like that would and could happen. It was also really sad and shocking to see how high the suicide rate was. I think this was the thing that really hit me the hardest. Especially when the speaker came and talked about his young cousin who had committed suicide. That was really quite sad and very emotional to watch and hear. I hope that I will never have to worry about anything like the Nativ Americans have had to deal with but I will never say never. Sun, 21 Oct 2012 17:19:50 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/16/voices-from-the-classroom-187/#IDComment469284064 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/10/voices-from-the-classroom-181/#IDComment462280104 I was not surprised about how high the suicide rate was. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious condition that affects our troops more than we will ever know. I feel like people say they support the troops when they are at war, but we can not only support the troops when they are far away from home, they need to still be supported when they come home. Especially when they first get home. I can not speak from experience but I am sure it is a very hard and strange transition coming from a place of war to a home and that is also when the troops need our support. Sometimes people forget that these men and women have gone through such a traumatic experience that most of us will never understand, and it is hard for them to just go back to normal life. War is such an intense time and people’s minds get so messed up with the images they see and the experiences they have to go through. It is interesting to me though to think about the difference between the suicide rate between our troops and other countries troops? Literally I am really interested if there is a big difference and I wonder what that says about America and what we put our troops through. I spend a lot of time in Israel and have many, many family and friends in the army over there. For some reason, I feel like this is not as much as a problem over there as it is with American troops. To me, someone who did not support the war that former President Bush started, supporting the troops means to support the actual soldier, not the war that he is fighting. I think, what does the soldier actual want? What does he need? Some may say that that does not matter or that will not help with the suicide rate because he or she still has to go to war. However, I do not think there is much else we can do. I think by just making the soldiers feel like they are still with us and that we are thinking of them will help them maybe keep their spirits up while they have to experience such hard times. Even the little things like sending care packages, writing letters, having concerts for them, they will know that we are thinking about them. It is sad how we used to honor our veterans and show our respect and acknowledge what they have done for us. Now a day, we say thanks, pat them on the back, and expect them to go back to a normal life. This just can not be the case. We need to show our troops how much we appreciate them when they are out fighting for us, and when they are home! Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:48:49 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/10/voices-from-the-classroom-181/#IDComment462280104 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/03/voices-from-the-classroom-176/#IDComment455013712 I was not that surprised at all when we discussed the salary amounts of different racial groups. In the PowerPoint, Asians where ranked at the top, making the most money, non-Hispanic whites followed, and then Hispanics, and at the bottom where African Americans. This is bad to say, but when I first saw these statistics, based on racial stereotypes, I was not surprised and I do not think that many people in our class were surprised either. Based on racial stereotypes, Asians make the most because they are the smartest, etc. just going down the list. From where I grew up, I was born into a household in the middle class. My parents were very involved in my life and helped me get the best education, etc. I could. I was not spoiled but my parents wanted me to have a great chance to have an amazing life (if I worked at it) and wanted to give me the best opportunities. I am lucky that they both have good jobs where they get the salary that allows me to do these things. Based on the statistics we saw it is no surprise that my family and me are white, and not only is we white, but Jewish as well. Sam said during class that the Jewish Americans are the second wealthiest people in America. To some people they may be embarrassed about that, but me? That makes me proud to be an American Jew. The stereotype for Jews is that they swindle people out of money etc. The funniest one that I hear all the time is that if a Jew sees a penny on the street they will no matter what pick it up. I feel like people like to have a scapegoat for why they don’t have as much money, and Jews are a perfect one. It would be very interesting to see that statistics to see which religion makes the most money and in what area. I grew up in a very Jewish area in Washington DC so it would really interest me to see what other people in other religions make and what race those people are. Another thing is that most Jewish people are white Americans, so it should not be a surprise to anyone that they make a large amount of money. It was very entertaining to me to hear however, why people thought those certain races make those salaries. People honestly I felt have no good answer to that question. I think that there are so many reasons why but most of them are based on stereotypes. I mean just think about what that first kid Julian said about how all Asians are engineers and then when the girl said what her parents do, she said they were engineers. It is hard to separate stereotypes and what the real reason one, and to be honest I would like sam to answer that question for me. Thu, 4 Oct 2012 04:49:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/10/03/voices-from-the-classroom-176/#IDComment455013712 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/20/voices-from-the-classroom-170/#IDComment447088204 I really enjoyed and was pleasantly surprised when we actually Skyped with someone who lives in Iran. As a religious Jew and someone who has lived in Israel for 2 years, Iran is always in my family’s conversation and when it is in the news it is always on my mind. I loved to Skyped with Pedrum because I understand that not everyone has the mindset and hatred like some of Iran’s political leaders and extremist groups. It is nice to speak to Iranians about things that have nothing to do with politics or nuclear weapons. It was cool to talk to Pedrum about the types of shows he liked. I would also want to know what he knows about our famous celebrities because in the United States they are such a big deal it would be interesting to see what people in Iran think or even know about them. It was also really interesting when he talked about if an American come that Iranians would be welcoming and open. That was a little bit shocking actually, but at the same time it makes me wonder what information I am being fed by the United Stated media. It would be interesting to hear from Pedrum more questions about what he thinks of the United States. When I think of Iran, I personally would not be comfortable as an American Jew to go visit. Actually, I don’t think I am allowed to visit unless I get a new passport because I have Israeli stamps in my passport now. I would not be comfortable, not because of the general population who I know is very nice and welcoming, but I would be uncomfortable because there are people like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who are running the country and have made some very controversial statements. Although I have some very strong feelings towards Iran, I think conversations between American youth and the general Iranian population is a good way to break through those stereotypes and hatred. Sun, 23 Sep 2012 21:40:36 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/20/voices-from-the-classroom-170/#IDComment447088204 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/16/voices-from-the-classroom-165/#IDComment442092159 When Sam put up the website with the picture of the civilian children injured it made me a little sick. They were so graphic I had to look away. I am not looking away and not paying attention to the cause of these horrible injuries or trying to hide from what exactly is going on. I am looking away because images like that are very difficult to look at. I do not agree with the previous persons statement saying how they saw people look away from the pictures because they could not deal with this harsh information they may have not known. I completely think that is a 100 percent wrong statement. I am very aware of the issues that are at hand. I am not oblivion to the war that is going on around the world, but that does not mean I have to enjoy or even want to look at pictures of innocent children almost at deaths door. The pictures were very emotional but I do not think they really changed my way of thinking about the killing and injuring of civilian children. I have seen enough pictures to last me a lifetime. A picture may be worth one thousand words, but if you are not talking to the right people, what is the point of a picture? I agree that maybe there were people in the class who may not have had all the correct information and may be surprised about the images they say on the screen and I agree that it may have helped them see the wrong going on in the world, but I don’t agree that the people who needed to look away are ignorant. Just had to get that off my chest. I have lived in Israel for about 2 years and travel there almost every year. I understand how complicated situations can be and how sometimes there is no right answer. I hope that in the future there will not be these pictures that professors can show in their classes. I hope that in the future there will not be a need for civilian attacks. Sadly I do not see that happening in the near future, but maybe if we keep talking about these things in a forum like soc 119, there can be some progress made? The images shown in class were some of the worst I have ever seen and I really do not want to or need to see anymore. However, I understand that they served a purpose and were shown for a specific reason. Mon, 17 Sep 2012 01:35:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/16/voices-from-the-classroom-165/#IDComment442092159 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/04/voices-from-the-classroom-158/#IDComment437130369 I was not sure exactly what to expect going into Soc119. I knew we were going to talk about race etc. but I was not really sure how it was going to work. I think that because we are in a big lecture hall setting, it is ok for Sam to confront teaching and these serious issues the way he does because when people are in this type of setting, it makes it easier and feels safer for people to say things that maybe they would not normally say in a small group. I have to admit that sometimes it makes me feel a little uncomfortable the way he attacks topics head on, no bumper, no filter because I am not one who likes confrontation, and I feel like the last time we were in class and we had to discussion on “colored people” and “people of color” people got really intense about it (which is completely understandable) however made me feel a little uncomfortable. I do have to say that I do enjoy when Sam makes jokes when we talk about these serious issues because it not only keeps the attention of the class better because you don’t know what he will say next, but it also lightens the mood during topics where things can get very heated very easily. His “to the point” style of teaching is not only refreshing but also unique and makes me want to come to Soc119 class. It makes class exciting instead of a boring lecture class. It is nice and refreshing when a large lecture class can have a feel of a small class in a small classroom. The way Sam teaches the class and has an open forum allows people to speak their mind and feel comfortable about making comments about topics that people may have very different view points on. Sam has a unique style in the fact that he lets the class flow where it may. He lets the class talk about issues that are important but that are important to the people that are taking the class at that particular time. I love the way the class is so intense yet flows and is funny at the same time. It brings a little stress off of me and really makes me think and relate things back to myself. Although it is a huge lecture hall, the way that Sam teaches the class has really made me bring all the topics and statistics back to myself and makes me think about my own life and how these topics affect me and the way I live my life. It is refreshing when Sam just lets the class flow like it did last Thursday afternoon and we get to hear how passionate Penn State students are about these kinds of topics and makes me proud to be at Penn State Sun, 9 Sep 2012 04:34:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/09/04/voices-from-the-classroom-158/#IDComment437130369