en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/772045 Comments by ashleyroots5221 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment69527477 The way Sam approached the issue was in a very strategic open-minded manner that really allowed students to experience what it is like to be the “enemy.” I definitely enjoyed the fact that Sam framed how we, as Americans view the war in an ethnocentric manner. There were probably a lot of students that thought that their point of view is right and that our actions are always justified and fair. However, Sam really called that idea into question in my mind because, although our primary goal is to hunt the Taliban and terrorists that hide themselves like cowards behind the veil of religion, there are other benefits and definitely other reasons why we went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. As former Fed Chairman Greenspan put it, “it is sad to say the war in Iraq and Afghanistan is primarily about oil.” I also liked how Sam specifically looked at some of the media such as the Christian camp that promoted entering the military, and how Muslim Arabs would view this media. It was ultimately a really unique experience to see how Americans view Muslim Arabs and how the Muslim Arabs view the “Christian Invaders.” It really comes down to the fact that we view each other in such a negative light, not because of our history with one another or our intricate understanding of each other’s cultures (because that is definitely not the case), but rather because through our own ethnocentric lenses, we misperceive the other people’s culture, ideals, and beliefs. Just like Sam understands what it is like to be in the other person’s shoes, I too now understand. To me, it makes perfect sense that an Arab Muslim living in the Middle East who is only exposed to negative media about “Americans” where George Bush calls the war a crusade, John McCain identifies the war as a means of securing oil, and a high-ranking U.S. Army General saying that “their God is a false God” can come to perceive Americans and the U.S. army as Christian Invaders. This lecture was really eye-opening. Before today, I never thought about all the civilians who are people like me and my family. Their lives must be turned upside-down after all that has occurred in their country. And for what, oil? I knew oil was part of the reason we went over to the Middle East, but I never knew whether or not it was the sole reason. From the quotes we heard from George Bush and an oil company executive, it seems that oil was the most important reason for our leaders who decided the US should move into the Middle East. I think it is really a shame. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 02:02:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment69527477 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment68284977 Coming into this class, I have always understood the point and what we were supposed to get out of it. The underlining meaning of this class is to open our minds to different situations to make us think with a broader mindset. Most people think that Sam is trying to conform us and make us think the way he thinks, but in all naturality he probably doesn’t even think that way. He is just trying to look at all sides of the spectrum. Many people’s opinions are formed because of parents’ opinions or opinions that are community or culture based. I believe Sam does a good job completing his task. Although there are a lot of things he talks about that I do not per say want to hear about or even believe or agree with in the slightest. But I always stay openminded to hearing what he has to say. I, personally looking back cannot say that there has been a time where I have changed my views on what he has said completely, but there was a time when I really listened to something he said and realized that I fell into the category of being a way that was labeled a hypocrite. I usually am a strong minded person and do not change my opinions off of listening to someone else but I will give a listening ear to someone who has proved his point and brought up interesting and proven points. This is how I feel that Sam tries to relay his information. Maybe if we all just opened our minds and placed ourselves into the shoes of another person or view2ed a situation from another standpoint we would be different as people. The point of this class is not to go against what you believe but to be exposed to another side of the story so that you can better understand where they are coming from. Sometimes listening to things that we do not want to hear can be helpful to our development. For example in Dr. Mulvey’s book she mentioned that even though black people do not want to be treated unjustly we often treat others that way. And as much as I hated hearing Sam all class talk about whit people feeling bad and feeling audited around black people I realized that he was right. I cannot say that I have changed exactly what I do to this day, but I can say that I am more aware of what I say and do and I try not to act certain ways so that I do not fall into the category of being a hypocrite. So I would say to answer the student’s question I think we all have self-consciously learned or changed something whether we admit it to ourselves or not. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:55:14 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment68284977 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-if-we-got-rid-of-welfare__trashed/#IDComment66899277 Welfare as I beleive is something that can go either way. It can either be a positive thing or a negative thing depending on it's use. I believe that the United States should not abandon the welfare program. Since there are individuals out there that really needs its support. One of the problems I think that we have with the welfare system is that there are so many people that cheat and lie and get away with it. If the people that are on welfare are watched and screened more closely before they go on welfare as well as while they are on welfare maybe we would not have as many problems. There are some people that are on welfare and they find new jobs that are off of the books so to the government it seems like they still need assistance however in reality they no longer need welfare assistance. This is not fair because they are cheating everyone else. Welfare should be strictly for the people that truly do need it and it should only be for a very brief amount of time. Some people become so dependent on welfare that they forget the point of it, which is it meant to get you back into the working world and find a home of their own for them and their families. If the government stops providing people with welfare then, more people will become homeless, have less money, have no jobs, and there will be more people with an even later start in the race. Then the government will complain how we as citizens are not doing our part, or how they just have to rescue us. I wish they would make up their minds. As far social class goes, it seems that welfare will always mean you are poor. And even if they take it away, those who use will still be poor, mediocre, and looked down upon. Those in the middle class will continue to get taxed more and more, while working hard just to get the little money they do, and the rich will continue to get richer. Welfare should be based on a system of effort. Weekly or monthly checks should be made on the individuals receiving welfare. If they are making an effort to find or keep a job, then they should have a maintained or increasing welfare until they qualify to leave the welfare system. However, if their progress digresses and they start to take advantage by quitting their job or some other factor, then their welfare should decrease. Of course there are exceptions to these rules. Such as disabilities, medical reasons, car accidents, etc. In the end welfare can be a very thing to our society if used the right right. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 23:53:55 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-if-we-got-rid-of-welfare__trashed/#IDComment66899277 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/flip-the-script-for-a-moment__trashed/#IDComment65020127 Ok….. so I understand where Sam is coming from. I also understand the reason behind him teaching this class. Meaning that he is supposed to open our eyes to different views even if we choose not to follow them. The menstrual cycle topic is acceptable because it is just another topic that is and can be controversial if shed more light upon. Yes, I do also believe that this is a man’s world and that women’s problems and life experiences are very frequently overlooked. However, NO ONE wants to sit up in class and talk about this shit for a whole two weeks! I am sorry but I myself am a very open person and don’t mind talking about much, but when the focus becomes blood that comes out of a woman’s private parts for two weeks straight…I have a problem with it. I do not feel that it should be overlooked and I do feel that men should be educated on it a little more. But this is getting sickening. I barely want to see my period when it comes on, barely want to think about it when it’s not on! So NO I don’t want to sit and talk about it all day with my teacher who thinks it is cool to look at his wife’s blood in the toilet! Me personally being a woman I think that it is the most disgusting and unsanitary period of time in the world, and it is frustrating me that this is becoming such a main focus! Sam, I was with you on every discussion we had in your class so far. Even when it had to do with my own race being prejudice or me being an angry black woman. But you definitely lost me when you spent more than one class period on this shit! Every time I go on the site to do a blog there is something new up relating to this “bleeding” crap! Can we get some more blogs? A better variety? Please end this it is getting old! And to add a comment to the class no one wants to know if you are bleeding right now because personally I do not care! Now as for comparing it to race issues….Not even comparable! Reason being is because this is something that affects people negatively and destroys their quality of life by segregation. Women are not being treated negatively or unequally because they have a menstrual cycle! It is just not talked about because that is something that is personal for that woman, just as women don’t talk about their sexual life or partners as openly as males. If anything women are being treated unequally simply because they are women! They don’t have a penis! Yes maybe the world would be different if men went through the same things as women but the world was not made that way. Women have vaginas and men have a penis. We were created differently from the beginning because that is the way it is supposed to be! But it was not in the plan for individuals who have a different color skin to be treated differently. I might be wrong but I needed to vent! Sorry if I offended anyone. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:41:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/flip-the-script-for-a-moment__trashed/#IDComment65020127 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64288660 I really respect that you were truthful about this topic and your opinion of darker skinned girls. It seems to me that many black guys feel this way but do not want to admit it. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 03:09:10 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64288660 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64288335 After watching this video, I was not surprised at all. Being African American myself, I have learned about and struggled myself with this very same problem. I am a darker skinned individual and all of my life I have been haunted by the fact that I am not included in the same category as lighter skinned girls when talking about beauty. So many people act as though this doesn’t exist and that they are shocked that a child this age would feel this way about themselves, when they are the people influencing the act. I personally and passionately feel that everyone wants to blame it on the media and everyone else when the problem lies amongst African Americans themselves. Yes, the media and the public might “HELP” but in my opinion the hate and inequality is derived from us. We as people are so quick to turn on each other it is a shame. There has always been such thing as we talk about in class everyday as “White supremacy”, meaning “white is right, and somewhere along the lines black people have it instilled in them as true. That is why the lightest girl in the neighborhood is the one who is the most sought out. Sometimes that girl doesn’t even have to be a nice looking girl but if she is light she is much more preferable than the very attractive darker skinned girl. Most people mainly “black guys” would say this is not the case due to their denial. But I have found that even with my own boyfriend it still lies in his thoughts. He once gave me reasoning for why he preferred darker skinned girls as being because “the light skinned ones have attitudes and think that they are too good. This made me come to the conclusion that he preferred darker skin due to the fact that a lighter skinned girl was too good for him, referring to the fact that he was not stable enough to fit lighter skin girl’s standards so he had to settle for a dark skin girl because their standards were not as high. Also one day we were talking and one of his friends took interest in my friend who happens to be light skinned and when describing why he liked her he named some physical traits but kept repeating “because she was light skinned and her complexion was just right”. As though he had won the lottery and would be looked at with envy by other men because he was with a “light skinned girl”. This is a common attitude that black guys share whether they want to acknowledge it or not and in conclusion this is where these young girls like on the video pick up the inadequateness that they feel when being compared to a “white” or lighter skinned doll. They are pretty much trained to feel that they are inadequate and classified in their own category when referring to beauty from birth. And what is the most disturbing is the ones who are promoting it are not individuals of another race but their own kind. So who do they have to look to for reassurance? Sat, 27 Mar 2010 03:05:00 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64288335 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment58908863 This topic, is one that I have always wondered about just as well. It is very funny to me that people except lesbian woman and will not accept gay men. However, this is a topic that I am included in myself also. I am a lot more accepting almost completely accepting of lesbian woman. I have even caught myself thinking that it is not so bad if two women hook up. Thinking that it is almost natural, though when looking at two guys even though I have many gay friends, do not accept their relationships. When I view two men kissing I tend to look at it as “disgusting” if you will, and very unnatural and degrading. I do not understand what the justifying difference between the two is besides men are supposed to be masculine. Men were supposed to be put here to be manly figures that take care of women. Though I know that this is so 18th century this deep down inside is how I view them, just as I know many others do also. However, to see two men tonguing down each other gives me a sense of cringing. For instance, I have a male friend who is gay. He is very close to me and we talk about everything. I am very accepting of his preference and will even talk to him about his relationships, but when we start to talk about sexual relationships and he goes into what he does it disgusts me. I don’t want to feel that way I just do. On the other hand with women I guess the excuse is uncertainty and confusion, and also the fact that women cannot “actually” have intercourse. Sure they can with fake objects but not with each other’s God given body parts. So I think that is what makes it a little more acceptable. It’s almost as to say it is not completely wrong. Where as though men can and that does not sit right with me. Another point is lesbians are looked at as sexual due to the fact that we are soft and sensual. Even to the biggest hick or redneck lesbians are much more accepted and looked at as a fun and sexual pleasure. I guess it caters to the thought of a man being able to have sexual power over two women without cheating. As we know men like to have many sexual partners so maybe the thought of lesbian acts gives him that sense of accomplishment of having two women at once without having any consequences. Where as though women do not have those thoughts and definitely do not need to have more than one man in bed. In conclusion I really do not have an answer, but maybe this is a start. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:54:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment58908863 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57433270 I totally agree with the guy in the video. However, I too am torn due to the fact I agree that if two people want to spend the rest of their lives together that they should be able to. I guess I just live along the guidelines of mind your own business. Though, even though that is my way of thinking I still cannot help to feel a bit uneasy when I hear that two people of the same sex want to get married. I ask myself over and over with me being a very open and accepting individual of all people why does this affect me so much? However, I cannot think of any other explanation besides the explanation the guy in the video gave…It is a sacred union between a Man and Women! I am not someone who is homophobic in the slightest I just feel that if you are homosexual and you want to have a partner than keep it at that. I do not want to come off sounding too condescending or mean but, why would you even want to participate in the ceremony of marriage? Ok I get the fact of the benefits and the legal matters. So in that case I agree maybe there needs to be a law or something passed where “life partners” whether homo or heterosexual can attain these rights, but as to go as far as going through the ceremony of marriage? I don’t think it is necessary. I feel that whatever choices you make in life one has to accept the consequences. This meaning if you made the choice or what have you to practice this lifestyle then you have to accept the fact that you cannot do everything that goes along with a heterosexual lifestyle. Whether you are religious or not I am sure everyone believes that marriage is a sacred ceremony between a man and a woman, and just as the guy in the video said we should continue to keep it as that. There are so many things done nowadays that are making this world more and more corrupt because people think that they can do whatever..It’s their RIGHT! But in all actuality people are just using this as an excuse to do whatever they want and get away with it. Yes many people do sin, I sin maybe even every day, but to use this as an excuse to allow someone to commit another sin is ridiculous! That’s just like saying if I jumped off the bridge would you jump too? Like I said previously, am in no way shape or form against homosexual couples in a legalized union for the sake of receiving benefits. However, I just feel that there is no need to take it to the ceremony of marriage. I feel that is saying yeah I’m not supposed to do this and I’m sinning but bless this act anyway God. PEOPLE keep in mind what a marriage IS!!!! Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:45:32 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57433270 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment56115374 Though horrible and animalistic this video does not even surprise me. Through out skimming through some of my classmates responses I have viewed several comments referring to free speech. My only answer to that is bull crap! With this situation freedom of speech should not even be applied. I say this because no matter what way shape or form you put it this is racism at it's finest! I beleive that freedom of speech should be applied in circumstances such as voiceing what you beleive in when dealing with situations that can either harm or hnder someone from their right as a human being. So if individuals want to continue to voice their opinions on abortion or death penalty then so be it.(though I do not practice these actions). But in the case of these football players I feel that it is misused and used as a way to cover up blatant racism. These players did nothing to harm anyone. If anything they are a positive influences and should not be showered with racial slurs along with items thrown at them. They are devoted players and represent the team in which these fans were there to support. Many of them the top players as it was evident when their own coach displayed his two-faced personality. I sometimes ponder if we are any better in the U.S. i sometimes feel that if we were not such an exemplatory and dominant country, whould we allow this behavior also. Though we have come a long way from past centuries we still remain indiffrent towards each other based on color and culture. Being African American I see this difference in my everyday life. Though people here do not just come right out and say it the thought is there. It is also many times expressed. When situations such as this are brought up many Americans gasp and shun away in horror that a human being could be so cruel. However, I often wonder if they are surprised at the very act of the racism or the fact that they are openly expressing it. Sure these kind of actions will seemingly never be tolerated in the states, but it pains me to wonder just how many people can relate to wanting to carry out these actions if given the chance. This leads me to put into perspective would I rather know who my enemies were from their direct and forward(though horrible) opinions or live with people who try not to pay me too much mind or act as if they accept me when I know that they do not. Though because it is not socially accepted they are not able to voice their true feelings without shame bestowed upon them or being looked at as the word that they are deathly afraid of being called "a racist". Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:48:46 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment56115374 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment56115275 Though horrible and animalistic this video does not even surprise me. Through out skimming through some of my classmates responses I have viewed several comments referring to free speech. My only answer to that is bull crap! With this situation freedom of speech should not even be applied. I say this because no matter what way shape or form you put it this is racism at it's finest! I beleive that freedom of speech should be applied in circumstances such as voiceing what you beleive in when dealing with situations that can either harm or hnder someone from their right as a human being. So if individuals want to continue to voice their opinions on abortion or death penalty then so be it.(though I do not practice these actions). But in the case of these football players I feel that it is misused and used as a way to cover up blatant racism. These players did nothing to harm anyone. If anything they are a positive influences and should not be showered with racial slurs along with items thrown at them. They are devoted players and represent the team in which these fans were there to support. Many of them the top players as it was evident when their own coach displayed his two-faced personality. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:47:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment56115275 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment54428632 Since a child I have always been around and been placed in religious settings. I attended Catholic school all throughout grammar school and even attended a catholic high school. I have come to realize that no matter what happens in life or how many times we sin we can always look to God. Though there are many tragedies and obstacles that come our way in life varying from losing a job all the way up to the earthquake in Haiti that may seem horrible and have us questioning our creator, I believe and have always been taught to have faith. Faith is a huge part in religion and I believe if you don’t posses this trait you cannot call yourself devout in Christianity or any other religion for that matter. Faith serves as a meaning for life in my perspective. If you don’t believe in anything what is your purpose for living? I know that whenever I get into trouble or an obstacle comes my way I find comfort in praying and talking to God even if the solution does not come right away. I believe that this is what many people struggle with when it comes to turning to the creator. They expect whenever something comes their way that is difficult or whenever they get themselves into a jam, they can just pray and God will make it all better. This is where the lack of understanding comes in. Prayer is what you make it. We as people expect that everything beautiful is supposed to be handed to us on a silver platter when in all actuality we have to work for it. Take this scenario for an example a teenage girl who steals from a clothing store regularly and doesn’t think twice about it, doesn’t get the scholarship that she wants to attend college. She is so grief stricken by this and can’t understand why this is happening to her. I’m sure many people would read this and say it is bad karma and that she doesn’t deserve it because she is a thief, but this is the case for many individuals in today’s society. We have to understand that we will not get rewarded for nothing and that God will place us in situations to test our faith in him. Then you might ask yourself what is the relevance of this to the story in Haiti. I feel that it is very tragic what happened in Haiti. However, I do not believe that people should look at it as God punishing their people, but as Sam said maybe it is a test. Being a devout Christian I have never looked at the crucifixion as any other way then what I was raised on believing and am not too sure I agree fully with what Sam states about it. However, being an open-minded individual I can see how this might be applied. We as people can be so self-centered and selfish and depending on your beliefs (mine a true Christian) know that Christ’s coming is approaching us. So I look at w hat happened in Haiti and then apply Sam’s theory to it and can understand and appreciate that maybe this is truly a way for us to be put one step closer to truly redeem ourselves and show that we our worthy to enter the gates of heaven. So in closing, Jesus did die for us no matter what way you put it because he died so that we may obtain an empathetic view of what it feels like to love and want to better the quality of life and suffering of another human being. And this is something that we should never question. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:49:25 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment54428632 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-r__trashed/#IDComment54160417 CAN Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:34:28 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-r__trashed/#IDComment54160417