en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/758581 Comments by aqm5110 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71884307 I just had to say that these two videos made me want to cry. To see the utter compassion some people have for others is amazing to me. I mean to give a kidney to someone you barely know is incredible and I wish there were more people like that in the world. The kind of people who are willing to do anything for someone just because they feel it is the right thing to do. What that man did is simply astonishing and he changed that grocery clerk's life forever. I also thought the video of the two little kids was just adorable. I mean to see that they like each other despite what society tells them is amazing. We really can learn so much from children and it is so incredbly sad to see that we allow the world and society around us to corrupt what we believe in when we're young. As kids we believe anything is possible and we chose how we like people based on their personality, not on their race, gender, sexual preference, or anything else. It is society that teaches us to think in such a cruel way. So what if these kids are difference races? Let them love whomever they chose to love. I think these we also a great tie in to Thursdays class. Yes, at first it was awkward staring into the eyes of a stranger, but once you got past that you realized you we just looking into the eyes of another human being. Their skin color didn't matter. Their religion didn't matter. You just saw who they are and that they are not much different from you at all. Sun, 2 May 2010 22:13:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71884307 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment70014296 I'm so excited that healthcare here is changing now, because now people who are gay or lesbian identified can finally visit their partners in the hospital. Imagine being denied the right to sit and hold your loved ones hand, because in the eyes of the Government you both aren't really together. Imagine not being able to give that last hug goodbye or say those last words because you are gay and it doesn't count that you have a "union." Now, these people finally have a small portion of what they have been searching for. We are taking big strides in this country towards equality and I can't see what else is to come. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:47:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment70014296 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment70014269 I definitely think so. Like the previous post, I agree that it should be offered regardless of social status or class. Health-care is so important and should be considered a basic human right. I don't understand why so many people think otherwise. I think immigrants deserve to be treated for their ailment just as much as the next guy, maybe even more, because they can't afford to pay for the medical bills. Immigrants have such a hard time in this country as it is and deserve to be fairly treated in the health-care system just like the rest of us. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:46:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment70014269 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment70013316 I agree there is a very fine line and it is hard to determine what is just, well confidence in the affect you will have on the world, and what is just plain racism. I think that you didn't do anything wrong and that many people would feel that way. However, I don't think it is because you simply think you're better. I think it is because we come from a nation that provides us with so many more opportunities and advantages than developing 3rd world countries do. It is simply what is available to you. I'm sure if the people in those countries had the same opportunities we do as Americans, they would go on to accomplish so much in this world. I mean for all we know one of them could have the cure to cancer, but don't have the opportunities to get a good education and go on to do research, because of the lack of what is available to them. I mean its the same here in America. A rich white person is no better than a poor black person simply because they could afford to go to a good school and were, therefore, introduced to many more opportunities and more doors were opened to them. It is not a race thing, it is more of a class issue than anything. Unfortunately, I know there are many people here in our country that do genuinely believe they are better than say a tribe in New Guinea or the poor in Ethiopia or Haiti. It is an unfortunate fact, but the truth about some of Americans and I think we need to change that. I don’t think that many people take the perspective that maybe they were just fortunate enough to be given the wealth and freedom that they have to live a more than comfortable life. I also, think that we need to change the mind set of many of those who are fortunate in this country. I think being arrogant is sometimes mistaken for self-confidence in this country. Being arrogant is not okay, because we are all equally important. We may not all have the same situations or the same finances, but every man is as important of the next, regardless of race, upbringing, religion, class, etc; I think all you can do is hope to use what has been given to you here in America, and give back to those 3rd world countries you visited, so that maybe one day they can make a difference in the world as well. Simply caring is making a difference and I think that is what is the most important thing. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:39:48 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment70013316 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68445526 Now, saying that, I don't think suicide bombing is the answer. I mean I never have and never will be for war. I believe that there are far more productive ways of solving issues. I'm not sure exactly what can be done, but something needs to be done before any more people get hurt. I just think it is important to take the time to understand these people, though crazy to us, are just trying to fight for their country and their people and I'm sure the same would be true if our country was under attack constantly. I'm sure there are many who would take whatever means possible. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:45:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68445526 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68445477 Like many people have said, I too have never thought about war from the enemy's perspective. I mean what we view as an act of terrorism, is in their minds an act of heroism and is encouraged. I guess the "suicide bombers" are just giving the ultimate sacrifice, which is their life, to protect their country and their people. I also, never took the time to see that maybe they were just trying to protect the lives of loved ones. I mean if I thought that someone was going to come and hurt my family, I would do anything and everything to protect them because they are everything to me, and I know it is the same for those in the Middle East. They are just trying to protect the lives of their families and loved ones. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:45:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68445477 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68284611 I really enjoyed today's lecture. I have always been against war and never understood why we needed to invade another country simply to gain power of their oil distribution, but today I finally realized why so many Islamic people are bombing things, killing people, and committing "terrorist" attacks upon the U.S. and other countries. Its like they are snakes or bees or any animal for that matter, they will attack if provoked and if attacked first. They are just as scared of us as we are of them, if not more. I mean we claim to be afraid of these terrorists coming and attacking innocent people, when that is what we are doing over there. You don't think they get upset every time an innocent civilian dies? Now, along those lines, I said that today I finally realized why terrorist attacks are happening; I did not say that I understand. In my mind I can't understand the bombing, shooting, or killing of any individual. Its not that I am a bleeding heart liberal, but is war really the best way to solve a problem. I mean it just shows that we haven't learned anything from our past mistakes. History just continues to repeat itself. As for the Christian invaders, I agree with the post above. I don't think Sam is on a vendetta against Christians, he is just merely explaining the other side of things. To us, the Islamic religion is teaching these people to do these things and we judge all Islams for what happens. Its a sad fact, but true. But, to the Islamic people, Christianity is the same thing. It teaches us to have "blinding faith" in all that is taught. We are told that "God" has a purpose for us or that it is "God's will." It is the same thing as in Islam. We think we are so much better because we label it as out of the "greater good of our hearts." But, what if say Australia started invading our country and trying to "help" us, by taking over completely? We never take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of the other. Islams are not bad people simply because they believe differently from us Americans just don't like what they don't understand. Now, I’m not saying Christians are stupid or anything because I am technically one. I was raised Irish Catholic and had to go to church every Sunday and the whole shebang. I personally don’t really follow the religious teachings of the church for my own reasons. It doesn’t mean I think Christians are trying to take over. I just think that many of us who do identify ourselves as Christian should look at our own faith and take the time to understand the faith of those we identify as Islamic. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:51:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68284611 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/the-white-minorities__trashed/#IDComment65670508 I mean with so many people opening up to the idea of marrying outside their race, I think more and more people are going to be a number of different things. Not simply, white or black or asian or whatever. To be honest I look forward to that day because in my mind people who are mixed races are some of the most beautiful people. Don’t get me wrong everyone is beautiful in their own way blah blah blah, but truly the most beautiful people are those who are mixed. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 00:35:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/the-white-minorities__trashed/#IDComment65670508 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/the-white-minorities__trashed/#IDComment65670486 I think that this is a very interesting question. I have thought about this question a few times and I have to say so what? I am white and I think it is about time that we were the minorities for a change. It’s not like the white people are suddenly going to be degraded and put down just because someone else is in the majority. I think that the whole minority and majority thing is stupid anyway. I think the way things are going, there wont be a clear cut minority or majority. I want there to be a country where we’re not defined by race or religion, but by who we are. I know corny right, but its true. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 00:35:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/the-white-minorities__trashed/#IDComment65670486 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65668506 This is a great question and it is something we talked about in my race discussion the other day. I am a white, irish catholic, female from the suburbs of New York and yet I have always had a very real sense of race, religion, sexuality, and so on. I was raised in a predominately white area, however many of my friends were not white. They were a mix. Everything from Catholic to Jewish, Italian to Asian and Hispanic. I believe I was really awakened to race early on and got past those early stages of race relations before I was even old enough to understand what the stages meant. I was also raised to love and treat everyone the same. Despite, how corny that may sound, it is incredibly true. I grew up in a family that is accepting of everyone. I was raised around many different kind of people. Some were gay, some straight, some were jewish and some were muslim. In my mind it really didn’t matter and to this day it still doesn’t. We were also discussing interracial dating in my discussion group the other day and I know my parents would be okay with whom ever I decide to date. I think it would by wrong first of all for many reasons but also because I have an uncle who is black and a cousin who is a mixed race. So for my parents not to accept, say me bringing home a black guy I think would be wrong. I also think it doesn’t matter. For me they are my cousin and my uncle, not my mixed cousin and black uncle. They’re my family and I don’t care what they are because it wouldn’t make me love them any less. I know it sounds like I’m just saying all this to say this, but I was raised to see people for who they are not what they look like. Which, I guess in a strange way makes me a little blind to the problems that some races and people face. I know that there is racism that occurs and I know some of the hardships any race that isn’t white can face, I guess I just never realized how hard it can be. I guess I assumed I was, in a way, getting by with the race issue by being friends with those of other races. However, I don’t think I ever took the time to realize the problems they may face. So, I guess I can say that this class has reawakened me in a way. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 00:24:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65668506 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment64252002 Anyway, I think that there needs to be more focus on other historical black figures and I think will definitely help to educate kids earlier about the rich history there and maybe help to alleviate some of the guilt the white people feel for what happened in the past. Education is definitely the key to defeating the guilt. The more you understand, and know, the better I think we’ll feel. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:27:35 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment64252002 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment64251967 I completely agree. I mean as a white person I sort of feel guilt to some extent, but not really because I had no control over what happened. Having said that, I think that changing the history books is a great idea. I mean we learn about like the bare minimum about black history and I think its important for everyone to learn about black history as well as white. I mean I think that there is so much left out of history books including the truth about like Columbus and other historical figures. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:27:13 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment64251967 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64248265 I think that's a great question. I think, for the most part, people don't stop to think about the difference between the different ethnicities that consider themselves to be Asian. I feel like most people just lump all the groups together. For example, I've heard many people just assume someone is Chinese when they are in fact Japanese, or vice-versa. That is just completely ridiculous because both groups are so different. It is like someone saying a Russian person and an Italian person are the same simply because they're both white. It’s so stupid. Wouldn’t you be upset if someone continuously lumped you with a group of people that you have nothing in common with and are nothing like? I know I would. I’m sorry, but I think that being white is no longer an excuse to be ignorant about race issues. Yes I understand the awakening stages and stuff, but I also think that a lot of the ignorance against other races like the Asian race, can be dealt with simply by education. We can teach our children that there are physical differences in those who are Chinese or Japanese or Vietnamese. It may not be a huge help, but I think it’s a start. I am from New York and I grew up in an area where there was a lot of Asian people and I had a lot of friends who were Asian. I know that they personally would get offended when someone would call them Chinese when they were actually Japanese, or in one instance, I have a friend who was called Chinese, when he is actually Phillipino. I think these are things that shouldn’t be happening. Another thing is the confusion by some people with Asian people who have immigrated here and those who are actually Asian-American. I don’t know why, but for some reason a lot of people assume that when they mean an Asian person there will be broken English and everything. Um, no, some of these people have parents and grandparents who immigrated here and who were born in the U.S….making them citizens just like the rest of us! I think that this is something we should talk about in class and I really hope that Sam does because I feel like it is another thing that needs fixing in our society today. I mean why can’t we just take the time to understand one another and treat each other with respect. I think once we do that the hate will begin to fade, if even slowly. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:54:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64248265 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment63015496 I think this is completely ridiculous, but as many of you have already stated, I'm not surprised. I mean, its Mississippi. I feel like a lot of the south is against things like this. I mean we are in a new era in which, I would like to believe, everyone was treated equally. Sadly, that is not the case and it is upsetting to see something like this happen. I don't understand why the school board feels the need to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples from attending prom with their significant other. I guess in their mind its ok that she is gay, but not if she flaunts it (like sam talked about it class). Would they rather she attend with a date she doesn't want to be with and wear a pretty little pink dress? I am proud of this girl for standing up for who she really is and what she believes in. Also the school district should expect a wave of uproar from this because I can pretty much guarantee that the ACLU will get what they want and have this turned over and a huge lawsuit against the school district. This girl is now getting national attention as she should and I hope that her courage to fight for what she believes wakes this country up to the oppression of gay people. They have a right just like everyone to be happy and marry who they love Where I come from stuff like this doesn't matter. I mean granted I am from New York and things are a little more liberal in my neck of the woods, but her sexual preference should have nothing to do with her going to her senior prom. My friend Vinny brought his boyfriend along and no one said anything or even cared for that matter. I don't see how her going to prom with her girlfriend is affecting the school district in any way shape or form. Like why should they care? This girl is right to have stood up for what she believed in and if her classmates really want a prom then they should get behind her and push the school district to change there prehistoric ways. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:34:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment63015496 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-four__trashed/#IDComment58598933 I think there needs to be more emphasis in things like the media that portray the native people in a positive light because not only are they the poorest treated peoples in our nation, but many believe in the feathers in the hair, braids, tomahawk wielding stereotype that so many believe. I mean really, they are people just like you and me. They too shop at wal-mart and wear sweatshirts and live in a home, that’s right homes, not tee-pees. I know it may be shocking for some people to hear, but I think that is why education through the media could be the fastest and easiest way to reach Americans and help them to understand what is wrong with the current situation. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:36:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-four__trashed/#IDComment58598933 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-four__trashed/#IDComment58598857 I completely agree! I think that education can be a huge help. I mean going back to what we learn from, even the very beginning can be changed. I mean we learn as young children that Christopher Columbus is the great guy who helped to discover the Americas and that is why we devote a day to him every year. However, the truth is he was a terrible guy, who I almost lump with Hitler after everything I've learned, because of the cruel way in which he treated and basically slaughtered the natives. That, though gruesome, I think is something that needs to begin being taught at a younger age. I for one didn't fully discover this until maybe middle or high school. That’s, what 5 years, that I went through life thinking "oh yea! Chris Columbus was a great guy who helped discover the land we cherish. Sure we sure celebrate him ever year." No! I mean another example is with the children's film Pocahontas. You don't really think that John Smith and his buddies really just came over and peacefully took over the land and then just left to go back to England when they realized they were wrong right? I mean millions of native people were killed either through brutality or by diseases that many English settlers brought over and gave to them. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:36:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-four__trashed/#IDComment58598857 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58597605 I think that this is a really interesting question to discuss. I think that it is not so much of a race thing as it is a money issue. I mean don't get me wrong I think that there are plenty of cases in which race plays into the discrimination of an individual, however I think that the larger issue in society at the moment is the fact that money can help you more than your race in getting out of something. Now, I'm not going to go on and on about the OJ case because that is just one example. There are tons of different cases in which, merely being a household name saved the person from any jail time at all. For example, take Paris Hilton and her what 4 hour stint in jail? She didn't have to stay because she had money and was a whiney little heiress. There are a ton of other examples of celebrities who got off way too easy when it came to a crime they committed and paying for it; of all races. They have the best lawyers that money can buy because they can afford to. That I think is the real issue is who has the access to the sort of lawyers who can get a person convicted off an attempted vehicular manslaughter charge off on just community service or sometimes even less. People with money have access to things that we mere mortals just don't and I think that is where a lot of people say race plays a role in the court system. The truth is, that because of how twisted this country is the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. Many of these poor are statistically black people because of the unfortunate way this county has become divided up. Areas that are predominately white are that way because the taxes are increased to the point that many black families looking to move into the area simply can't afford it. Its like residential segregation and something needs to be done about that before we can ever really have a conversation about what is fair and what isn't. So many underprivileged people just can't afford the types of things that those with more money can and its unfortunate that this means an increase in crime in poorer neighborhoods because, quite frankly, its what is expected there because the opportunities are sparse. I think that we need to almost work our way backwards to try to even attempt to correct this problem. We need to start with improving the poorer neighborhoods and providing more opportunities for those in those communities like those found in the richer neighborhoods and then the issue of crime. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:22:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58597605 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57568737 It's all about playing off of people's desires and fantasies in order to boost sales. It's sad, but true and unfortunately it leads to an unfair view of lesbians versus gay men. However, I wonder if people tend to be more accepting of lesbian relationships involving more feminine women versus those of more butch females. I have a bad feeling that people only accept what they know and there needs to be a change and people need to be more education so as not to pass as much judgment. Maybe a way of fixing this would be to have more "gay friendly" advertisements then maybe one day there can be more acceptance. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:14:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57568737 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57568554 I think this is definitely an interesting question. I mean there is such a focus on female on female sexuality that it is almost hard not to accept. I think a lot of this had to do with advertising. I mean let's be honest sex sells and the female body is one of the biggest ad sellers out there. Most men are probably very arouse by the idea of two women being together so I genuinely think that many advertisers play off of this fantasy to sell ads. Beer ads love this! I mean "twins" for Budweiser or whatever I'm sure sold quite a few beers off the shelves. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:13:13 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57568554 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57566313 I think that this is a really interesting and valid point. I also really appreciate your view on it and explanation on it. I tend to get very frustrated with people who are really religious because they can't explain why they think gay people shouldn't allowed to be married. That being said, I have a reverse question, if marriage is a religious institution, does that mean that those of us who are straight, but aren't religious, aren't allowed to be married either? I mean I was raised in a typical Irish Catholic home that went to church on Sundays and was taught that marriage is an institution between a man and a woman, which is part of the reason I shy away from my religion today. Eventually my personal beliefs trumped that of what my religious beliefs were supposed to be. I personally have my own beliefs and one of those is that everyone has the right to be happy. So why are so many people using so much of their time and energy to ensure that those who identify as gay can never be with who they love and can never be truly happy. Why is it that so many people are against giving gay people the same rights that we as heterosexuals have? I mean what is the point in judging someone for something they cannot control? It's like tell all black people that they can only have unions and not marriages and they are not allowed to the same rights as white people. We've been through that situation and everyone saw how wrong it is to restrict people from rights because of what they can't control. White people, black people, gay, straight, in the end we're all human beings and should all, therefore, receive the same rights in all aspects of life...no questions asked! I don’t think that finding a new situation with all the same rights is going to work. I mean it’s still discrimination and makes them different from everyone else, which is not the point. The point is supposed to be that they are the same as everyone else and that they deserve the same rights and respect as everyone else. They deserve to have a marriage just like everyone else and they deserve to be equal. Stop judging people for who they chose to be or who they chose to love. We can’t control who we are or what makes us happy. Isn’t not possible. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:55:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57566313