en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/765163 Comments by courtt912 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69956174 I think it's great that Sam posted this letter. When I think of lifers, I just think that it's insane for that person to actually realize there is no getting out. Especially being put in prison at a young age, they're going to grow up and see how they just screwed themselves over. I'm sure people do a lot of thinking in prison. Which can shape them as a better person, even if that doesn't mean they'll get out. This man who wrote this letter seems like an intelligent guy. He's obviously got some feelings and when it comes to sympathy for other people he truly does care. and it's hard to believe that he actually killed someone. It sucks that he became a lifer and he can't experience the world because it was taken away from him. He's definitely changed as a person and I think it's just sad. i can't imagine waking up everyday in a prison cell and knowing I'll be there until I die. I don't think I'd be able to stand it, I would definitely lose my mind. There's just so much time to reminisce on the past and take notice of what happened was a huge mistake and there's nothing you can do about it. Even if you honestly learned your lesson. Although his compassion and love for his friends and for who he is now is still strong. I think that's awesome. At least he still has people in his life that still care about him and I'm sure that means a lot to him. This letter was very eye opening to me in a sense where I can actually get a clear idea of some of the people in prison who really would probably make it in the world today. This isn't true for all of them because everyone is in there for a good reason. But after all of the years pass by and you're way older from when you just got in, it's touching to understand the way they truly feel now. But on another note, I don't understand why there is so much violence in the world. To actually follow through with killing a person is just absurd because 1. you know you're most likely not going to get away with it and that person should know the consequences, and 2. Why murder? Why can't people just walk away from that? Save themselves some jail time. But for the few lifers who have come realize what they have done wrong are stuck there now. Their lives are completely changed because they've learned their lesson but they're still stuck. This letter just helped me realize that not all prison inmates are that terrible. It helped me look at it from a different perspective and now I can know not to judge someone by what they did just because they're in prison. Obviously the man who wrote this letter is aware of his wrong doing. And for being a friend of Sam, I could imagine he's actually a real cool guy. It's just real shitty he's totally screwed for the rest of his life. But it's nice to know he's not alone. I'm glad he has visitors and people to talk to just to try and make his life a little better. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:22:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69956174 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68401929 I thought yesterday's lecture was pretty intense. It was definitely an eye opener to get the feeling of what's really going on with war. To be put in the shoes of Muslims was a great way to truly understand ethnocentrism and get a sense of why war is really going on. The only reason Sam pushes so much is because he wants us to really think deeper about the situation to look at it in a different way. And I thought that he did of great job of doing this in class. I'm sure that most people don't really know why war is still going on and to look at it from another country's perspective might change their mind. In my opinion, it got me thinking more when he showed clips of the United States crushing their car with a tank and all the other semi-disturbing, violent videos makes me understand why everyone has a problem with us. It's different when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to see through their eyes. And from this is why I could get a better understanding of war. But what I don't understand is how we do have a good amount of oil here but we're just not using it and fighting for someone elses. I just wish more people would be for peace and actually follow through with it. I can now see what we are doing is more bad than good. I also find it insane that our soldiers are over there to protect some of the people in Iraq but at the same time we're fighting for our country. But I never saw it as a holy war involving the Christians. But back to playing the role of an Arab Muslim, I did feel scared and felt as if things were taken away from me. It's this stereotype that the we have that makes us thing that we, as the U.S., aren't harming anyone else, but trying to fight for our country. But looking at it through someone else's lense, we can see that we are taking things away from them, and we are trying to overcome them. I think it's so important to learn about other cultures so we can get a straight understanding about why all of these things are problems. I think Sam is intelligent professor. I'm kind of getting sick of hearing how some people don't believe what he says and how nothing he says makes sense. I feel like just because a laid back guy, people don't want to think what he is saying is right. But it is. This is why he's teaching it, because he has the knowledge that he wants us to be aware of. I don't think anyone has the place to say they haven't learned anything from this class. Because i think everyone has, including myself. It gave me this sense of really thinking about things and seeing things from other peoples perspective to get a better understanding. I never really understood why we are still fighting in war but now after that class I can really get it and think deeper into the whole scenario. Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:11:55 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68401929 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400897 I thought yesterday's lecture was pretty intense. It was definitely an eye opener to get the feeling of what's really going on with war. To be put in the shoes of Muslims was a great way to truly understand ethnocentrism and get a sense of why war is really going on. The only reason Sam pushes so much is because he wants us to really think deeper about the situation to look at it in a different way. And I thought that he did of great job of doing this in class. I'm sure that most people don't really know why war is still going on and to look at it from another country's perspective might change their mind. In my opinion, it got me thinking more when he showed clips of the United States crushing their car with a tank and all the other semi-disturbing, violent videos makes me understand why everyone has a problem with us. It's different when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to see through their eyes. And from this is why I could get a better understanding of war. But what I don't understand is how we do have a good amount of oil here but we're just not using it and fighting for someone elses. I just wish more people would be for peace and actually follow through with it. I can now see what we are doing is more bad than good. I also find it insane that our soldiers are over there to protect some of the people in Iraq but at the same time we're fighting for our country. But I never saw it as a holy war involving the Christians. But back to playing the role of an Arab Muslim, I did feel scared and felt as if things were taken away from me. It's this stereotype that the we have that makes us thing that we, as the U.S., aren't harming anyone else, but trying to fight for our country. But looking at it through someone else's lense, we can see that we are taking things away from them, and we are trying to overcome them. I think it's so important to learn about other cultures so we can get a straight understanding about why all of these things are problems. I think Sam is intelligent professor. I'm kind of getting sick of hearing how some people don't believe what he says and how nothing he says makes sense. I feel like just because a laid back guy, people don't want to think what he is saying is right. But it is. This is why he's teaching it, because he has the knowledge that he wants us to be aware of. I don't think anyone has the place to say they haven't learned anything from this class. Because i think everyone has, including myself. It gave me this sense of really thinking about things and seeing things from other peoples perspective to get a better understanding. I never really understood why we are still fighting in war but now after that class I can really get it and think deeper into the whole scenario. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:30:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400897 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68421371 I thought yesterday's lecture was pretty intense. It was definitely an eye opener to get the feeling of what's really going on with war. To be put in the shoes of Muslims was a great way to truly understand ethnocentrism and get a sense of why war is really going on. The only reason Sam pushes so much is because he wants us to really think deeper about the situation to look at it in a different way. And I thought that he did of great job of doing this in class. I'm sure that most people don't really know why war is still going on and to look at it from another country's perspective might change their mind. In my opinion, it got me thinking more when he showed clips of the United States crushing their car with a tank and all the other semi-disturbing, violent videos makes me understand why everyone has a problem with us. It's different when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to see through their eyes. And from this is why I could get a better understanding of war. But what I don't understand is how we do have a good amount of oil here but we're just not using it and fighting for someone elses. I just wish more people would be for peace and actually follow through with it. I can now see what we are doing is more bad than good. I also find it insane that our soldiers are over there to protect some of the people in Iraq but at the same time we're fighting for our country. But I never saw it as a holy war involving the Christians. But back to playing the role of an Arab Muslim, I did feel scared and felt as if things were taken away from me. It's this stereotype that the we have that makes us thing that we, as the U.S., aren't harming anyone else, but trying to fight for our country. But looking at it through someone else's lense, we can see that we are taking things away from them, and we are trying to overcome them. I think it's so important to learn about other cultures so we can get a straight understanding about why all of these things are problems. I think Sam is intelligent professor. I'm kind of getting sick of hearing how some people don't believe what he says and how nothing he says makes sense. I feel like just because a laid back guy, people don't want to think what he is saying is right. But it is. This is why he's teaching it, because he has the knowledge that he wants us to be aware of. I don't think anyone has the place to say they haven't learned anything from this class. Because i think everyone has, including myself. It gave me this sense of really thinking about things and seeing things from other peoples perspective to get a better understanding. I never really understood why we are still fighting in war but now after that class I can really get it and think deeper into the whole scenario. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:11:55 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68421371 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400661 I thought yesterday's lecture was pretty intense. It was definitely an eye opener to get the feeling of what's really going on with war. To be put in the shoes of Muslims was a great way to truly understand ethnocentrism and get a sense of why war is really going on. The only reason Sam pushes so much is because he wants us to really think deeper about the situation to look at it in a different way. And I thought that he did of great job of doing this in class. I'm sure that most people don't really know why war is still going on and to look at it from another country's perspective might change their mind. In my opinion, it got me thinking more when he showed clips of the United States crushing their car with a tank and all the other semi-disturbing, violent videos makes me understand why everyone has a problem with us. It's different when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to see through their eyes. And from this is why I could get a better understanding of war. But what I don't understand is how we do have a good amount of oil here but we're just not using it and fighting for someone elses. I just wish more people would be for peace and actually follow through with it. I can now see what we are doing is more bad than good. I also find it insane that our soldiers are over there to protect some of the people in Iraq but at the same time we're fighting for our country. But I never saw it as a holy war involving the Christians. But back to playing the role of an Arab Muslim, I did feel scared and felt as if things were taken away from me. It's this stereotype that the we have that makes us thing that we, as the U.S., aren't harming anyone else, but trying to fight for our country. But looking at it through someone else's lense, we can see that we are taking things away from them, and we are trying to overcome them. I think it's so important to learn about other cultures so we can get a straight understanding about why all of these things are problems. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:28:01 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400661 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400518 I thought yesterday's lecture was pretty intense. It was definitely an eye opener to get the feeling of what's really going on with war. To be put in the shoes of Muslims was a great way to truly understand ethnocentrism and get a sense of why war is really going on. The only reason Sam pushes so much is because he wants us to really think deeper about the situation to look at it in a different way. And I thought that he did of great job of doing this in class. I'm sure that most people don't really know why war is still going on and to look at it from another country's perspective might change their mind. In my opinion, it got me thinking more when he showed clips of the United States crushing their car with a tank and all the other semi-disturbing, violent videos makes me understand why everyone has a problem with us. It's different when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to see through their eyes. And from this is why I could get a better understanding of war. But what I don't understand is how we do have a good amount of oil here but we're just not using it and fighting for someone elses. I just wish more people would be for peace and actually follow through with it. I can now see what we are doing is more bad than good. I also find it insane that our soldiers are over there to protect some of the people in Iraq but at the same time we're fighting for our country. But I never saw it as a holy war involving the Christians. But back to playing the role of an Arab Muslim, I did feel scared and felt as if things were taken away from me. It's this stereotype that the we have that makes us thing that we, as the U.S., aren't harming anyone else, but trying to fight for our country. But looking at it through someone else's lense, we can see that we are taking things away from them, and we are trying to overcome them. I think it's so important to learn about other cultures so we can get a straight understanding about why all of these things are problems. I think Sam is intelligent professor. I'm kind of getting sick of hearing how some people don't believe what he says and how nothing he says makes sense. I feel like just because a laid back guy, people don't want to think what he is saying is right. But it is. This is why he's teaching it, because he has the knowledge that he wants us to be aware of. I don't think anyone has the place to say they haven't learned anything from this class. Because i think everyone has, including myself. It gave me this sense of really thinking about things and seeing things from other peoples perspective to get a better understanding. I never really understood why we are still fighting in war but now after that class I can really get it and think deeper into the whole scenario. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:26:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400518 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400119 I thought yesterday's lecture was pretty intense. It was definitely an eye opener to get the feeling of what's really going on with war. To be put in the shoes of Muslims was a great way to truly understand ethnocentrism and get a sense of why war is really going on. The only reason Sam pushes so much is because he wants us to really think deeper about the situation to look at it in a different way. And I thought that he did of great job of doing this in class. I'm sure that most people don't really know why war is still going on and to look at it from another country's perspective might change their mind. In my opinion, it got me thinking more when he showed clips of the United States crushing their car with a tank and all the other semi-disturbing, violent videos makes me understand why everyone has a problem with us. It's different when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to see through their eyes. And from this is why I could get a better understanding of war. But what I don't understand is how we do have a good amount of oil here but we're just not using it and fighting for someone elses. I just wish more people would be for peace and actually follow through with it. I can now see what we are doing is more bad than good. I also find it insane that our soldiers are over there to protect some of the people in Iraq but at the same time we're fighting for our country. But I never saw it as a holy war involving the Christians. But back to playing the role of an Arab Muslim, I did feel scared and felt as if things were taken away from me. It's this stereotype that the we have that makes us thing that we, as the U.S., aren't harming anyone else, but trying to fight for our country. But looking at it through someone else's lense, we can see that we are taking things away from them, and we are trying to overcome them. I think it's so important to learn about other cultures so we can get a straight understanding about why all of these things are problems. I think Sam is intelligent professor. I'm kind of getting sick of hearing how some people don't believe what he says and how nothing he says makes sense. I feel like just because a laid back guy, people don't want to think what he is saying is right. But it is. This is why he's teaching it, because he has the knowledge that he wants us to be aware of. I don't think anyone has the place to say they haven't learned anything from this class. Because i think everyone has, including myself. It gave me this sense of really thinking about things and seeing things from other peoples perspective to get a better understanding. For example, I honestly never really understood the whole thing about war and why it is still going on, but now I can really see whats happening so it makes me think deeper into the whole scenario. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:23:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68400119 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66831160 I don't really agree with this kid because I believe there are many things in class that we've learned that have changed my view on things. Especially reading Disposable People opened up my eyes to how cruel slave holders are that these innocent people are suffering because of it. There's no way that learning about this can't have an effect on a person. People have an ideal image on what slavery is but there's no way that knowing a majority of the things we use/ eat in our every day life made by slaves can't change someone's view on slavery. It's rather sad that people are abused and being taken advantage of as slaves. Even the video we watched yesterday in class affected me even more because it's really a terrible thing. It's so messed up that we own so many things made by slaves. I think that people who try to run a business should man up and do it for themselves instead of being lazy and beating people to do work for them. Another thing that I've already had a sense of but understand a little bit better about is LGBT issues. A lot of people have this image about gay people that it is wrong. They don't see that these are human beings just like everyone else who have feelings for each other. It's not like they're doing it on purpose to piss people off, they're living their life like every one else its. Sam's stories we're helpful on making people understand that they are no different than two people in love. But I still don't understand how a person can think Sam isn't an influence on anything. Another thing that was interesting and an eye opener are the racial identity stages. These are very helpful with identifying on where you are in acknowledging racial issues. I just don't know how this person thinks that nothing has made sense to him. Everything talked about in this class are real issues in the world today and I don't understand how someone thinks they're getting nothing out of it. I also don't know why some people hate on Sam so much. He's a clever Sociologist who knows what he's talking about and I think just because he's a pretty laid back cool guy people take advantage of that. Or they just don't agree with him. But everyone is privileged to their own opinion although he's an experienced professor and he's even traveled to see these issues in the world for himself. I think it's pretty cool that he gets the opportunity to gain knowledge on these issues for himself that he shares with us to help us understand. I just think that some people don't take him seriously sometimes but I've definitely learned from him. Definitely opened up my eyes to things that I didn't understand fully. Maybe the person who raised this blog question doesn't want to believe the things that are really going on but I think it's very interesting to actually learn into depth about what's going on in the society all over the world. Sometimes people tend to take advantage of things that they know or may not know the real story behind it. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 16:49:50 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66831160 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65352087 It's very interesting to see a study like this done with little children. Especially involving children of color to choose between a white doll and a colored doll. I think that a majority of them chose the white doll because that is what most kids might see the most of and feel like it is the most popular. For example, commercials advertised on tv show many white dolls or action figures as the top selling item. Since these are kids and they don't have the knowledge of race or know the problems that go on with race, they are just going to follow what they see as an "idol." There is definitely more white women out there who appear to be the people of beauty and it's confusing for kids like this to come upon these things when there are less black figures to publicly look up to. Even with barbie dolls. I can remember when I was a kid I had all white barbies and I felt that there were more of them made than the black barbies. Which doesn't make sense because we are all human and it's just a skin color. I think some people have the wrong mind set in their head to distinguish the good and bad between black and whites even as dolls. To see some kids choose the white doll and less choose the black I feel that they are confused as to who they are. Because normally you would think that they would choose the doll whom has the same features or skin color as themselves. I don't know if these kids being this age are exposed to violence on tv or even in their home or neighborhood that it would make them make that sort of decision. But it's just such a stereotype that white women are the ones who are seen to be beautiful. This isn't completely true because everyone is beautiful in their own way. No matter what race they are. And it's sad for kids to believe they need to try to be something they're not just to be accepted. It goes back to when we talked about how people tan or use a cream to make their skin lighter.. or straightening your hair everyday to change you appearance just to feel accepted. It's just horrible that people think they need to change their self to become more happy. And it's horrible that some women believe this because there have been many situations where people would have an eating disorder just because they think they need to be skinny. I just think that these little kids shouldn't be pulled into these kinds problems at such a young age. They need to realize who they are and what they can be. It's sad to see such young kids of color thinking that being white is the only way of being accepted in their mind. I don't know what the problem is in this world that it is such an issue. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 23:24:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65352087 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64225846 Props to Laurie. There is no reason a woman should be ashamed of their period. Every person in the world know that this happens once a month and it's nothing to be ashamed about. I like how Sam described in class that this is a male dominant world and if they were the ones who bleed every month they would brag about it to their guy friends. Maybe that's true, maybe not. But either way, it's a natural part of life. And of course there are guys out there who think it's gross when girls talk about it, but it would be great if they could look at it through Sam's perspective as something "beautiful." Maybe it's not literally beautiful, but the fact that this happens is beautiful. Because if it didn't, none of us would be here. And it's natural for females to be able to talk about it with one another because we all go through it and yea it's a pain in the ass, but there's no choice but to deal with it. Men are just lucky it doesn't happen to them. If it were the other way around, they would obviously know how it feels to go through bleeding every month and they probably would also not be ashamed. I just think that some girls don't like to talk about it to people or guys for that matter because woman are sensitive. But there's no reason someone should be turned off or grossed out by the fact. It happens, it is what it is. It's a part of life. One thing I like about Sam is he looks deep in situations at the truth to make people realize what really is happening in the world. I think it's good to pick apart issues in the world to better understand them. For example, explaining the process of a period is by comparing things in life that happen that we can't control. Such as our hair & fingernails growing all the time. We don't notice it as it's happening but it does happen. There's no need to be ashamed about what happens to woman every 28 days. Guys who don't respect woman for talking about it should get a wake up call and think back to their mothers how they went through so much shit for their child to be born. It's awesome for a woman to be able to go through these sorts of things. I'm sure men would bitch if they have to carry a baby around for 9 months and then go through the pain of delivering the baby. Good for us though, it makes us stronger and we wouldn't be able to do it if we were to never to get our period. So I just think that situations like this should be thought about and recognized as something that is important. It may be a little odd that Sam can look in the toilet and think of it as art, but you know what, good for him. He is a husband who respects his wife for who she is and what she has to go through. If only the men in this world could all take his advice in a serious manner and have the decency to not be grossed out and look at it as a natural part of life. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:54:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64225846 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment63013273 That definitely is so 90's. I think it's absurd for a school to cancel a prom because two lesbians wanted to go together. People need to start realizing that it shouldn't matter to them when there are two people of the same sex who are in love. It's completely rude to ruin an entire school's prom just because of two people. It's none of the schools business who the students want to be with and what they do in their personal lives. And for the board to cancel the event because of "distractions to the educational process," that is the weakest excuse I have ever heard. Plus prom is something for students to have fun at, not to bring their books, ready to learn for an educational purpose. I'm pretty sure that if two girls showed up to the prom together it wouldn't ruin or "distract" anyone from having a good time. Frankly, it shouldn't matter for these two to attend the prom together because there are students/friends who don't go to the prom with dates but go with each other. Usually its a group of girls attending together without dates so how it that even different. Even if her girlfriend did dress up in a tuxedo and showed up at prom with her girlfriend, what would the board do? Kick them out for being who they are? Or make an announcement to the group of students to please leave, the event is over? No, that's ridiculous. It shouldn't be that way. There are so many people in the world who are in same sex relationships and I believe it's really sad for them to be looked down upon and discriminated for being the person they are. Same sex marriage and issues that go among those lines should be straightened out between the people who hate on them. It's not like people of the same sex want to be with each other to piss off the world. Just like when straight people fall in love, that's how they feel. I don't see how that is wrong in anyway. You are who you are. These LGBT issues are serious issues that are really a problem today. The discrimination just needs to come to the complete end. It's definitely something that is wrong because half of the world agrees with it and the other half doesn't. It's just based on people's opinions of what they believe is right and wrong. The people who do not agree are very judgmental. Say someone who was on the school board was gay, would it be any different? Maybe that person's opinion would open up their eyes to see that it's not wrong at all. Maybe the prom would not have been canceled? Would the two girls be allowed to attend prom together? It's ridiculous that the whole event was canceled. No one did anything wrong. It's just a matter of what people think and really needs to be straightened out because they are humans too, it's not like they are anything different from everyone else. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:26:49 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment63013273 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment61976919 I definitely think that this is discrimination and that if A&F was going to have a problem with the way she dressed because of her religion, then they shouldn't have hired her in the first place. I have heard stories from people who used to work at these retail stores and their dress code is pretty strict. The fact that Hollister and A&F want their employees to wear flip flops and dress in their clothing, including jeans and not being able to wear eye liner, reflects on the reasoning why they fired her. I think that because there is a law suit being filed that it could be an eye opener to how they discriminated an employee. Since we live in America and we are a free country points out that people should have equal opportunities to be able to work wherever they please, as long as they do their work and get the job done. This is such a problem in the world today with people acting racist towards others isn't necessary and also shouldn't be discriminated for their religious beliefs. Hollister is a clothing store that targets younger people and a certain style of dressing which only some people prefer. But people from different cultures do wear it so it's not right for Hollister have a preference of what they want their employees to look like. A company shouldn't judge a person on their looks to perform a job they should take a look at their performance in doing the job. The discrimination that goes on needs to be looked at closely to see the harm that it being done and it needs to stop. It's a major problem and something needs to be done. Especially in this case, the company hired her with agreement that she was able to wear the scarf. Why didn't it matter then? Why did they fire her for her scarf after they hired her with the understanding of being able to wear it. The company obviously knew she was a Muslim woman when they first came in contact with her. It's not right for her to have lost her job because of her looks. Hollister and Abercrombie attract a certain look which includes those people who only wear their clothes. The fact that a woman who they think would never shop there wanted a job shouldn't be looked at as anything that would be considered wrong. It kind of shows because they did hire her. I don't know what made them change their mind by firing her because of her scarf. A lot of people wear scarves. Is it against the law to wear it around your head? No, I don't see that as a huge deal because we have our different religions that we practice or believe it and to be discriminated by a clothing store about it is just ridiculous and it totally wrong. No matter what, I'm sure the store is still going to make good business but the fact that they were generous enough in the first place to hire her before they fired her, could have possibly attracted more customers because maybe there are other Muslim people who would like to work there but may also feel like they would be religiously discriminated if they were to set a foot in there. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:11:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment61976919 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment59771541 Since I have never watched the show The Bachelorette, I didn't notice it consisted of white people only. Although I did find it interesting that there isn't mix of culture involved at all. Maybe yes, these white people are the only ones who want to humiliate themselves in this type of show. Could it be possible that they are the only ones to get suckered into a show like that and want to date 25 people before they meet "the one," on a reality tv show? But then again there are also shows with black people only who might also be humiliating themselves. I think that since it is an American reality show there should be other people involved rather than just whites. Maybe the network doesn't see it as a big deal because there are shows on MTV and Vh1 that are made up of mostly black people. It may have something to do with the demographics of the audience but for example, America's Best Dance Crew involves people from different races but mostly targeted to people who are into hip-hop and talented dancers which consists of blacks, whites, etc. But The Bachelorette, it's not like only white people are looking for people to marry plus accepting the fact that it is broadcasted to the whole nation. I'm thinking that the people who applied or signed up to be on the show were mostly white which is why the show is made up of them. It comes down to asking questions like, "Did any black or Latino people have intentions of wanting to be on the show?" or "Did the producer of the show purposely want it to be the way it is?" It's not like white people only marry each other so it doesn't make much sense as to why they're all white. And from looking at the pictures posted on this blog it definitely stands out. People of other races might not even want to be involved with a reality show such as this. People who watch these shows aren't against seeing a mixture of race making up the cast but it could just be a stereotype to the minority. The show Flavor of Love involves mostly black people. But when we watch shows that involve a mixture of races we don't see it as anything out of the ordinary. Why does it make a difference when the cast and crew is all one race? The people who make up The Bachelorette may be interested in finding a lover of the same race and that's why there are no other people involved. But it can also have to do with attracting a certain audience. I would say this show is targeted at young adults who actually do accept the fact that other races can be involved in the same thing. I don't think it should matter if a black bachelor and a white bachelorette were competing for love. Even though tv is a money making business and plan things out the way they think people would tune in, I don't think people wouldn't watch the show if it weren't only whites. People would still watch it. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:30:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment59771541 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58719955 I completely agree with this post. I also agree with the comment above this one where some people don't realize what's really going on because they haven't experienced or learned about what some of these people's lifestyles are like. I don't know if this relates or not but four years ago I went on vacation with my family to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and as soon as we got off the plane something just hit me just from observing the differences and I took notice of how those people live such a different life than we do here in America. It was just so extreme because we got in a van provided by the airport to drive us to our hotel, and the area we traveled to get there was just so... different and rather poor. First of all, this guy drove about 45 mph ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD, blowin' stop signs and just driving like a maniac, but had a sense of humor about it when he noticed we weren't used to that kind of stuff. And as we drove along the sights were just amazing and indifferent. There were many people just on the side of the street who lived in little shacks or didn't have a home. Rather disturbing, but I saw a dead dog on the side of the road. I was kind of scared. I felt a little insecure about it but once we arrived it was a little different in a sense where I felt more safe but everything around me was just completely new. It just made me think that you don't really know what other cultures or Native American's lives consist of. We should care. It's definitely something that shouldn't be ignored. When Sam brought up the scenario of slaves making the pieces to our phones I felt reality has just hit me a little bit more. And it goes back to what we talked about today in our discussion group today about how people can take things for granite so easily. I just think that it's important for people to have knowledge of other cultures so that we are able to see the reasoning behind situations so we can act upon the decision of agreeing or disagreeing in a legitimate sense. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:08:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58719955 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57659982 I think the reason why lesbians are more accepting of their sexuality than gay men is because they are more open about things and like we talked about in class, for example, pornographic movies show women being more natural about themselves. Both sexes watch them but don't see anything wrong, but when it comes to two guys, people are either disgusted or just not interested in watching it? I think guys are just more insecure about coming out of the closet because they don't know what other people such as their friends and family will think of them. That's a good question though as to why women are more comfortable with being gay. I just think that women are more in tact with their bodies/ self that they think both men and women wouldn't find lesbians being odd. If that's who you are then let it be. I don't think that people should look at gay men in a different way because male or female, we're both human. It's not like same sex relationships don't exist throughout the world, they're people like everyone else who were either born with the gay gene or just inhabit it as they grow up when they come in to tact with their emotion feelings. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:51:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57659982 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2009/10/the-surprises-of-coming-out__trashed/#IDComment56527474 I think that Tony and Jeffery's story is is very touching. Some people who are gay and afraid to show it have insecurities about themselves that makes it hard to come to realize the truth of their own self. I don't think that it's something to be ashamed of at all. If that's who you are then it is what it is. I'm straight myself, but I can relate to this in a way because one of my closest friends is gay. And I love him to death. He's the coolest and best friend I could ever ask for. He's very open about everything and has an awesome personality. He's not ashamed of it. The question once came up, "How did you know you were gay?" He elaborated on it and just said, "Honey I knew I was gay since I was a kid." He's 21 now and he grew up with two older sisters. One who lives in Arizona now and the other who he's close with and used to live with. And they're best friends. So he said when he was growing up that he had no interest in tonka trucks or g i joes. He spent his times playing with dolls and being the victim of having his sisters put make up on him. Ha. But that didn't have any effect on the way he was or it didn't "make him gay." It's just what he had fun with as a kid. He also has a close friend who is openly gay and a group of guy friends who are also gay. None of them have relationships with each other , they're all just friends. They're fun kids, definitely, and I think that's it's cool to have a gay friend. I brought him along with me when I went prom dress shopping in high school and his opinions helped me out. Even in all aspects that friends help each other out. I agree with the comment above me, I think that people are born gay as well. This is why some people have trouble "coming out of the closet" as they get older because maybe they don't want other people to think differently of them. It's sad that people struggle with this because there are a lot of people out there who are gay and happy. It's important to be comfortable with the person you are. Bisexual though, I may not have complete understanding of. But I can understand that people do want to experiment with the same sex but not permanently. Maybe it is even a stepping stone for those people who have trouble admitting that they're not straight. And then hopefully if they finally figure it out then they won't have that feelings inside of them that makes them feel ashamed of their self. I also hope that other people would realize that they shouldn't make fun of people or criticize them for being gay. No other person is more human than another. Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:33:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2009/10/the-surprises-of-coming-out__trashed/#IDComment56527474 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55517293 When everyone was talking about Avatar and I saw previews on tv, I didn't feel the urge at all to go and see. I rarely go to the movies anyway so there was nothing attracting me to this movie. Most of my friends went to see it in 3D and said it was awesome. Although anything in 3D is kinda cool but I still didn't consider going to see it. But they all said that it was a good movie meaning to special effects were really good but the story line was rather stupid. I find it interesting that Brooks brings up The White Messiah fable. Although, he's right. It's true that this also relates to other movies in which the white man becomes the leader of other groups of a people. Pocahontas is definitely a perfect example. I wonder though why the people who create these movies don't switch the race around of the heroes. Why are they mostly white? What is it about white people that they always have to look like the big, strong heroic people? Of course, Avatar would make the hero a white man. I wonder why they can't switch it up and make a native person the hero and a person of color. Does it really matter? I'm not sure. In his article, Brooks said, "The white guy notices that the peace-loving natives are much cooler than the greedy corporate tools and the bloodthirsty U.S. military types he came over with. He goes to live with the natives, and, in short order, he’s the most awesome member of their tribe. He has sex with their hottest babe. He learns to jump through the jungle and ride horses. It turns out that he’s even got more guts and athletic prowess than they do. He flies the big red bird that no one in generations has been able to master." Just read that. The white guy is always the hero. Why? Although he bonds with them and actually realizes that the natives are pretty cool, right? "The natives help the white guy discover that he, too, has a deep and tranquil soul." I agree when he says that the White Messiah fable looks kind of offensive. It does rely on stereotypes that white people are the crusaders. But in the movie they make the natives look like a leader to the white guy so I still question the whole race thing. And honestly, I still don't think I'm interested in seeing the movie. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 19:52:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55517293 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2009/09/hate-crimes-and-hypocrisy__trashed/#IDComment54286090 If we are supposed to believe in freedom, then why couldn't this couple be together? Why can't people just stop with the hate crimes when they have no right to do them in the first place. Love is something that is deep and it doesn't matter what skin color they have! It's about what's on the inside, not the outside. But most people in this world don't see that. Brian Milligan and Nicola Fletcher had their sense of freedom by recognizing that it doesn't matter what color you are. I think it's outrageous for a group of black males to beat the shit out him for their not so logical reasons. I understand that we see these types of things happen on the news, but what I don't understand is why people who commit these crimes don't mind their own business. It may just be this stereotype of aggressive people who take their own problems out on someone else. But still, that's wrong! From what I understand, this group of males who nearly caused him death only bet him up for him dating someone of their color. That's not a legit reason. Did these guys want to be with Nicola or just didn't approve of her boyfriend? Either way, it's not their business and that doesn't give them the right to do what they did and it's a shame to see these sorts of crimes happen. How could they live their life knowing that they put someone through hell just because of the way he looked and knowing that they can get into serious trouble for doing so? I guess they have no lives and like involving themselves in ridiculous situations to be known. People do these things thinking they can get away with it when in reality, the police, FBI, etc., is after them. Don't they know this? Do they realize that their little hobby of hate crimes can put them in jail? Do they do this because they want to go to jail? Clearly, they don't think at all. Maybe they want to go to jail because they think so much of themselves as a higher power and want people to be scared of them. I believe that the people who commit these crimes are the people who don't have an education and a brain. They should try making the most of their life and learn about things we learn in soc class because then, maybe, they might have a better sense of reality and these scenarios wouldn't happen if they could just realize who they really are. If this were the opposite and a group of white males beat a black guy, how would that turn out? I'm sure there would be a massive fight between two groups of races when really, what are they fighting for? So what if a white male and a black female are dating. It's not like it's the first time it has happen, and why should it matter? It's skin color, that's it. It's no one's fault nor a fault as to who you are. It's something that one should be proud of, we're all different. If every single person on the world was one skin color and looked exactly the same would this kind of stuff still happen? It shouldn't happen now. And it scares me sometimes because it's a crazy world out there and you never know what might actually happen. Some need a tighter grip on reality. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:41:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2009/09/hate-crimes-and-hypocrisy__trashed/#IDComment54286090 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-t__trashed/#IDComment54025082 Courtney Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:15:43 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-t__trashed/#IDComment54025082 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2009/11/the-solution-to-the-race-dilemma__trashed/#IDComment53427406 I'm not sure if I will fully understand why people of color would want to apply a cream every day to become white. No one has a say in what skin color they want to be before they are born, obviously. It's something that is just natural and makes a person their true self. Although a lot of people have used these creams, the question is why? As far as the White Supremacy goes, it's just a belief that white people are better than black people, which in my mind, doesn't make complete sense. Look at the president of our country. He's not white, and he's the man on top. I'm sure everyone doesn't hate on him for that, it's not really logical if they do. He earned his spot at the president. Black or white, I feel that it shouldn't make a difference. Yes we all have our different backgrounds and ethnicity of who we are, it's one own choice to have the urge to change their skin color. It's true about white people though who want to be darker. UV rays in the tanning bed have many bad outcomes that a person may regret when they're older, and white again. Even though tanning beds are said to clear ache, darken the skin and to give relaxation, in the end it may result in wrinkly skin and skin cancer. But how could black people have just a cream that works on its own and gives results as a white person permanently? It seems as if they don't have any other consequences but change in skin color. From my point of view, I don't see why someone would want to change their appearance in which they are to meet up to some standard that is unethical. I believe the issue with the gun control can go either way. What I don't agree with is the people who buy guns to kill people. If the man selling guns in the gun store saw a "gangster" looking type person come in to buy a gun, what goes through their head? Especially those scary looking guns that are definitely not used for hunting. I think a lot of violence may be cut down if only police and people who have legitimate reason for a gun of that sort should be able to purchase one. I have a personal experience here in which I can get my point across. For example, last year I was at Turkey Hill convenient market getting gas. My friend and I noticed some sort of "drug deal" looking type scenario going down. A person of color hopped in the car to "purchase a gun," and when he got out of the car he immediately went to the side of the building and what do I hear, "bang! bang! bang! bang!" I hear gun shots from a man shooting at a car. Like, really? Now my hometown isn't as ghetto as that may sound but this occurred in an area near my high school where it may be considered "slightly ghetto," but not a bad town at all. This is why I don't agree with random people being able to own a gun. It's not necessary to have a gun for these sorts of reasons. On the other hand, I don't think Sammy Sosa should have the thought in his head to want to become white because of the issues in the society. He's a professional athlete that people look up to. It just boggles my mind that people who are born black apply a cream every night to want to be white. I wonder what his young baseball fans think of that situation, I'm sure they don't understand either. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:35:35 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2009/11/the-solution-to-the-race-dilemma__trashed/#IDComment53427406