I really enjoyed reading our post a lot. You offered many different points and opinions that I really agreed with and reading. It is also very interesting to read what others think and have to say because it allows me to see and learn different opinions and topics. I also thought this lecture was very interesting and really enjoyed the many different examples and stories Sam had to offer for this particular topic. Dont get me wrong, every one of these lectures has had many interesting points and topics, but these one in particular stuck out to me because I was really unsure if I knew a whole a lot about affirmative action, and everything that deals with it. It was really helpful for me to hear about the Penn State role on affirmative action also, because it gave me a first hand look at this. Seeing as we are students of Penn State and a real member of this great community, it showed me how our group/culture deal with this very complex topic. Overall I was very happy with this lecture and I learned a great deal.

This lecture was extremely interesting because I personally did not know much at all about Affirmative Action. So going in, I knew I had to have an open mind and take in all of the information possible. Overall I really enjoyed this lecture because it made me think about many different things, specifically what goes on around us on a daily basis. Throughout this class, there have been so many different lectures that have really interested me, but this one in particular really sparked my interest because it was fairly new to me. I have definitely heard of the term and know of it, but really nothing more than that. It is always very good to go into a lecture when you dont know something well if at all, because you know there is a great opportunity to learn and really develop knowledge on this particular topic. Affirmative action is such an important factor throughout the world today, because of the constant discussions and arguments over different races and cultures. Still people argue the differences between races and cultures, and what makes one better than the other. This class especially has shown me just how much arguing still goes on to this day. Obviously I was aware these things were going on, but this class just highlighted it that much more. It is very interesting to think about the question that Sam posed about who benefits the most from affirmative action. Especially after learning through the lecture and seeing different examples, this question just had me think that much more. There are so many different scenarios that people bring up when discussing affirmative action. Some of these scenarios may actually never happen, but of course people always feel the need to cause controversy or a stir. In every scenario there is an argument for each and every side, no it will always be very difficult to really come up with a final correct answer of who is benefitting. But this class allowed me to see both sides of the situation and really think more than I would normally. You cannot really agree or disagree with a certain argument, unless you take time to see both sides of the situation and put your selves in that side. By no means am I saying that this is an easy task to do, but this class really showed the true impact of actually seeing both sides of the situation and not just being closed off to one because you may disagree with them or not like them or any reason. I really believe that everyone should have equal opportunities in life. Obviously there will be those individuals and families who will be more blessed and successful than others, but for the most part it needs to be fair to get the opportunities that others are getting.

I really enjoyed reading your post, because I too had many of the same feelings about this lecture/topic. The different things you brought up really allowed me to think deeper into this situation, and really try and see what I personally think about it. This class has really taught me so many things, and one in particular is seeing both sides of the situation, and trying to see it through the eyes of the individuals involved in the different scenarios. The letter that Sam read really struck me as well, because it was truly something that struck me as mind blowing and interesting. These are the kinds of things that have really made this topic so complex and nonstop because nothing is ever good enough, there always has to be more added in. With immigration, people always feel the need to throw their two cents into the argument, and think they have all the right answers. Immigration is a very tough topic to get a true grip of, and down the road we as citizens of this country need to be more open minded and hopefully find a true answer for it.

Immigration is an extremely interesting topic, specifically for us here in the United States. Nearly every day in the news there is discussion about immigration and individuals who are in our country and taking jobs and money from American citizens. It is a very complex and detailed situation because there is so much that goes into it. This particular lecture really stuck out to me, because I knew about immigration but this lecture taught me so much more about everything that is involved in immigration. It really showed me the impact it can have on the individuals involved, but also the country as a whole. There is so much that goes into, and this lecture really opened my eyes to just how important it really is. The different policies and laws are so interesting because there is so much that is involved with them specifically on the different countries. The different rules really allow for us to get a better understanding of different situations involving immigrants. There is always talk about the differences in immigrants, with most of the time many people are very upset that they are able to do certain things. It is an extremely important issue that really needs to be brought to the table and fully figured out. One of the main problems in my mind is the fact that there is so much controversy and dos and don’ts. There always seems to be something that is causing problems, and not allowing for a final answer or idea. The biggest argument is over these immigrants and individuals coming to a country that they are not from and taking jobs and other things that Americans believe they should have. This is a very valid argument, and with this lecture it made me think about it even more. Even the littlest things can be such an important factor in an individual getting a job. The different examples and stories Sam had to offer throughout the lecture were really important to me because it allows me to just further learn and take in all that goes into this particular topic. I really have enjoyed each and every lecture because of the stores and examples given for each one. Immigration especially is really important because it allows you to open your mind more and see both sides of the argument and what and why each are thinking. I really have a much better understanding of this whole situation now because of the thorough examples and teaching for this topic. We really need to be more open minded about topics like this, because rarely do ever people really take time to see both sides and really learn everything that is important to a situation. In this situation it is seeing everything, especially from the side of the immigrants.

I agree with many things you stated throughout this lecture. I also didn't know much if anything about multiculturalism and the reasons for why it is inevitable. It really allowed me to take time and learn something new and make sure I had a good grasp on it. This is such a complex and difficult topic to fully grasp because there is so much that goes into it, and not just simple and easy to understand. But at the same time this is why it was so interesting to me because it made me think about the different things brought up, and then I was able to relate them to my daily life the best I could. The different points and examples used throughout the lecture, really served as a bonus to the actual topic and allowed me to further understand the topic. The world is so detailed and complex and it is because of people we see every day of our lives. Even though we may not take time to realize it, it is something we must continue to be better with and realize that we are all here for a reason.

As I read through many other people’s post, I really agree in saying that this was an extremely interesting topic, and really had my full attention from start to finish. Not only did it continue to build of the past lectures throughout this class, but it also opened my eyes to many things I never knew about or realized in my life. So often we as individuals feel like we know it all, and there is nothing that we should learn or understand. This class in particular has really opened my eyes to this situation, specifically dealing with race and culture. There are so many interesting topics and information that really have showed me so much about the world around me, specifically people I interact with on a daily basis. I will be honest in saying that I was a person who looked at others differently because they may have looked or acted different than me. This class has really changed my perspective on this because I see and realize the differences now, and want to be more open to everyone around me all over the world. It is so important to see the world around us and not just be closed off to just us and the small group of people we know. Rarely do we ever take the time to see where others have come from, and what they had to do to be here on this earth today. As I have stated in many of my other posts, this class has opened my eyes to this fact and has really taught me a lot not only about myself, but the world as a whole. This world is so special because so many different people all over make it up to what it truly is today. The best part about all of this is that it is only going to continue to grow and become that much better and diverse. We rarely take time to realize even the smallest things are available to us because of people who have come before us and paved a path for us to follow. This really goes along with this class, because we are called to live a life with open eyes and treat others and you would like to be treated. This class and lecture in particular in my opinion really deals with this topic of treating others with respect, because it opens our eyes to the many many different individuals all over the world. No matter what race, culture, gender, or group we may be, we are all here on this earth for a special reason.

I really enjoyed reading your post, because I really thought about the same kind of things, and it had me think even deeper into these subjects. So many points that were brought up throughout this lecture had me thinking about many things not only in my life, but all around me throughout the world. The examples and driving definitions and points just further emphasize the main points of racism and culture. They are such important topics to discuss, because they really have a big impact on many people’s lives. It is really interesting as a white male, to learn about this stuff because it allows me to think about it as a whole, and see it from many different angles. It is so interesting to see and then think about more, the differences and similarities between white people and other races. Normally people don’t even think about these kinds of things, because everything just seems normal on a daily basis. But in thinking more, it allows us to see the broader picture, and really the reasons for why certain things happen.

After going through this lecture and each of the video and slides, I was really opened up to many different important and interesting topics. Race and culture, the two main topics of this course, are so detailed and interesting because they both are incorporated in so many things; many that we rarely even realize. We live our lives in a certain way, and many people are closed off to so many things all around the world. This is a major issue within our society, because people fail to recognize others as they do people who are just like them. This just causes more and more problems, and leads to more and more arguments and discussions about racism and different cultures. I truly believe people need to be more open minded and see the world as a whole, and realize that yes people are different from each other, but at the same time there are many similarities that make us the people of this great world. People so often just assume many things and because they assume, problems arise when they mistreat others and categorize them in a particular group. This lecture in particular really opened up my eyes to the many beliefs and opinions that people all over the world have about each other and themselves. It is so interesting to really sit down and think about stuff like this, because I myself rarely ever recognize that things like this are happening daily all around the world. From the smallest to the biggest issues and opinions, each and every one of them can have a lasting impact on an individual or a group as a whole. Racism is such an important and tender subject all over the world, because of the bad history it carries with it. Unfortunately still to this day, racism continues to happen around the world, and it is something that is an extremely important issue, that needs to be put to an end. I also really enjoyed the example of the little kids playing with the babies, and the choice of which one they would pick up. It just further emphasized what we have been discussing and really just showed the differences and similarities from when we are younger and then as we grow older. It is really interesting to see things like this, and then apply them to life today because you are really able to see why different things continue to happen and so on. Overall I was really interested by this lecture because it just continued to drive these topics into my head, and just how important they really are, not only here in this country, but all over the world. Different things are occurring all over, but in the end it all comes back to the main topics of race and culture, that have the lasting impact.

I really enjoyed reading your post for this particular lecture. Being able to read it as a white male, was very interesting because I was really able to see it from both sides, and open my eyes to the topic even more. It is such an important topic, specifically in today's society with more and more people all over the country. Race and culture are such important factors throughout the world, and always will be. Racism especially is a subject that is so important, because it is something that needs to put to rest. There is no reason for individuals to continue to be like this because in this world today, people need to be open to everyone and treat others like they want to be treated. It is so important to be open to others and have a free mind about things like this. I agree with many things that you said throughout this post.

Once again this was a great lecture, especially going along great with the past lecture on white people and race and culture. I really enjoy this kind of stuff because it allows me to think deeper into everything that is presented throughout the presentation and slides. There are so many things that I know about and or understand, but topics like this allow me to think even further into these types of things and learn more about myself and the world around me. Race is such an interesting topic because there is so much involved in the entire topic itself, and most of it is very unclear or not known by most. People just think of the cut and dry stuff when they think about race, but in reality there is so much more involved in it. This is why this class has been so interesting for me because, because I admit that I was one of those people who just looked at it from the outside and thought I understood everything. Now I am quickly realizing and learning that many different aspects are so important in the total makeup of race and culture as a whole. No matter what people tell themselves or believe, race is that much more, all over the world. It isn’t just focused on a particular part of the world or country, it is everywhere. Race and culture is different all around the world, and this is just another reason why it is so interesting and complex. Obviously there will always be similarities between different groups around the world, but the differences are what makes it so special and unique. Each person and group has different things to offer to the table, whether they are good or bad in people’s eyes. Like every other lecture we have had, this one really opened my eyes to many different things not only involving race, specifically white people, but in culture as a whole all over the world. I have been to many places all over the United States, but I haven’t been out of this country besides to Canada. So to see and look at different cultures all over the world, is very appealing because it allows me to look at the world as a whole, and not just see people like me who I am surrounded by. Being a white person, this lecture really allows me to see it through my eyes, but then also look at it as a whole, and see the reasons for the problems and things that arise dealing with culture and race. White people as a culture, rarely ever realize things that go on, and this lecture really showed that first hand. I was very impressed with this lecture, and I look forward to going into these kind of topics more.