en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/759712 Comments by csd147 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment69580083 I will have to agree that we, women, are more than just a face and a body. We have more attributes than our physical appearance. Sadly, it is one of the first things someone, male or female, notices about a woman. Our society, especially the media, creates this unrealistic image of what women should look like. The media draws the ideal woman as almost 6 feet tall with long legs, long flowing hair, a size 2 body, clear and flawless skin, and a B or C cup size. Realistically, a woman cannot have all of those attributes. Beauty is not defined in one way and especially not by the media. The media also obsesses over trends and what celebrities are wearing. Consequently, our society has grown to be superficial. I am 5 feet and 5 inches tall with a chest of a 12 year old boy. I am a size two, but I have more of an athletic build than that slender model-look. Throughout middle school, high school, and my freshman year in college, I struggled with my appearance. I felt like I did not look good enough. My best friend is one of those girls who fits image media makes about beauty. I always compared myself to the looks of other girls, my best friend, and celebrities. It really brought down my self-esteem and put a damper on my teenage years. During my senior year of high school, I had a rhinoplasty surgery. I had broken my nose quite a few times and I had developed a significant dorsal hump. I could not even fit my goggles over my nose. It was a reconstructive and cosmetic procedure. I thought my life would be so much better now that my nose did not have Mount Everest projecting from it. I had a false hope that I would start to get noticed more by guys and that the guy who broke my heart sophomore year would be on his knees begging me to go to prom with him. I was completely delusional. I had unrealistic and great expectations. After I fully recovered from my surgery, my best friend asked me about how I liked my new appearance. I was honest and told her I still felt unpretty. As a good best friend, she was honest with me. She told me that I always had the looks, but I never had the confidence to go with it. She told me thought that I was lucky because people noticed me for my personality and not my looks. She was tired of people knowing her as the tall blonde girl. She wanted people to know her for who she really was. Finally, the first time in my life, I am proud of what I look like. I don’t need to compare myself to celebrities or my peers to feel pretty. I just had to realize that I had an inner beauty and just let it shine through. No one else can define beauty for you. Only you can. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:40:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment69580083 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69580001 That is an interesting question. There is definitely a fine line between what is and is not racist and ethnocentric. I can understand why the commentator can see a gray area. In third world and developing countries, many individuals from developed countries come to these locations to offer there aid. But does it mean that people say from the United States are better than individuals in third world countries? No. Just because somebody needs your help does not mean that they are better than you. It means that they are better off than you in that particular situation, not better than you. This is why some people become resentful of help. But just because someone is white, black, Asian, Indian or from the United States or a third world country mean that they are better than someone of another race or country. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:39:49 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69580001 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69579786 I also always wondered why we never stopped everything we were doing when such tragedies hit us. On the days following September 11th, the parts of the United States that were not attacked continued on with their regular lives (despite the extra security and talk about the event). There were some people who went to the sites to help those in need, but majority of us continued on with our lives. I still went to school and my after school activities. My life did not change even though terrorists attacked the country I lived in. I feel some sort of guilt that I was not helping out. Same goes for the earthquake in Haiti. 300,000 people died and 2.5 million were left homeless. I was starting up my spring semester at Penn State while people in Haiti were trying to find hope through the destruction. I wonder why we do not stop what we are doing to help victims of major tragedies even when they do not directly affect us. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:38:46 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69579786 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68083927 The Race Relations Project and Soc 119 in my opinion is to expand our horizons and start a conversation on topics were avoid talking about due to political correctness. Sam’s goal is for us to continue the conversation outside of the classroom. Throughout the course, Sam has talked about issues I was never aware of. I felt so naïve and ignorant because I had no idea about these things were going on in the world until he brought them up in class. Maybe all of these emotions of guilt and hypocrisy that stirs up in some of us in class is to motivate us to change the state of the world, start a conversation, and bring attention to these issues in order to fix them or improve the situation. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:53:59 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68083927 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68083452 I am not a guy. I do not have any brothers. I do have guy friends. I swam in a swim lane with all guys my senior year in high school. I have taken classes throughout my high school where males were a dominant gender. I am definitely not an expert on men. However, I am a people watcher (thanks to my lifeguarding job). To answer this question if men conform to society, I will share a story about one of my high school classmates. I always heard about this guy in seventh grade since he was popular kids (yes, popularity was a big deal in seventh grade). As the new girl to the public school system, I barely knew anyone or him in that matter. One day, one of my friends pointed him out to me. He had a bleach blonde faux-hawk, a probably one of those West Coast Choppers t-shirts, and those black pants with all those pockets and chains. I guess he would have been classified back then as a “punk.” Then when we got to high school, I had a class with him. I could barely recognize him. He had the regular short hair guy haircut that was his natural color. He was not wearing anything drastically different from the other guys in my class…jeans and a t-shirt. But when he liked a particular girl, he would dress to impress her. Unfortunately, I was a victim of this. He thought I would like him more if he wore a nice Ralph Lauren polo. He also thought my friend would like him if he wore an international soccer team jersey since she was a big soccer fan. Didn’t he ever hear of the phrase: “It’s not what you where, it’s how you wear it?” Apparently he did not get the memo. When he started dating this one girl, he completely transformed his look. He dyed his hair brown, hit the gym, and started to wear more American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch. Maybe it was to meet the standards of her ex-boyfriend who was a model for American Eagle. Before graduation, he toned down his look. I have no clue what he is wearing now. I am not saying all guys are like this because this was a pretty drastic situation. From what I can conclude from this story, I think some guys conform to society. However, you do not see it as much as you would for females. Women tend to dress to impress and to boost self-confidence (on occasion). But are men as conscious as women about what they are wearing and how they look? Do they get self conscious too? I am curious to hear the male perspective of this because this is something I really do not talk about to my male friends. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:52:55 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68083452 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66436219 I do not think Sam has significantly changed my opinion on topics discussed in class. Even though Sam thinks it is okay to talk about periods and encourages us to be open about it, I still do not talk about mine especially to my male friends. However, some of his discussions and the assigned readings have opened my eyes and taught me things I never knew of. I never knew of modern slavery and how many of the products we use come from individuals who are pretty much slaves in foreign countries. I was also shocked to learn that parents sold their daughters into sex slavery to pay off debts and that sex slavery is a major tourist attraction in Thailand. I also did not realize that in the United States, there are many impoverished people. Tammy’s story shocked me. The class may have not changed many of my opinions and beliefs, but it has allowed me to open my eyes and be less naïve and ignorant to the world and reality. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 18:17:01 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66436219 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66435926 I really cannot believe that there was a video game on the market that alluded to sexually abusing and raping women. Really?! That is really demeaning towards women. The video games portray women as weak, helpless, and vulnerable. Also, the video game simulates a vulgar and disgusting act. What really made me mad was that there was not an option for the women in the video game to fight off their attackers. Come on! Give women some empowerment. Seriously, who thinks of this crap and buys this crap? Is it okay to rape someone? No. Is it cool to play a video game in which the objective is to rape someone? No. It also took the Japanese a while to take it off of the market. These rape video games should not have been on the market in the first place. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 18:16:10 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66435926 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/is-quality-the-question__trashed/#IDComment66435557 In regard to the question about affirmative action, I would rather have someone more qualified taking on a job or position than someone in a position to level out the playing field. In places like hospitals and the medical field, qualifications should supersede affirmative action because patients’ lives are at stake. The best of the best should be treating patients because they can perform surgeries, procedures, and any other medical treatments with the highest quality and lowest risk. The best and most qualified person for the job should be hired in all fields of work, not just medicine and without regard to skin color or gender. Someone should not be hired or not hired in order to level the playing field. In acting and theatre now, actors and actresses are hired based on talent and the ability to fulfill a role, not on their skin color or ethnicity. It is known as colorblind casting. For example, in the most recent Cinderella film, black singer and actress Brandy plays Cinderella and the prince is played by a Hispanic actor. Although these characters are typically Caucasian, Brandy and her counterpart in the movie were the most qualified for their respective parts in the movie. Other fields of work should take a similar approach to hiring….colorblind hiring. Work should be awarded to those who meet the qualifications, not according to affirmative action. Also, affirmative action can cause reverse racism or reverse gender discrimination. In regards to the issues of nepotism, qualifications should definitely exceed that fact that the candidate may know somebody within the company or organization. I have witnessed and worked with people who got jobs through nepotism. For five years, I worked at a neighborhood pool as a lifeguard. Many of the board members had children and used their power to get them jobs at the swim club. Last year, two veteran concession stand workers were not rehired because children of the board members wanted jobs there. Even though these two former employees were more qualified than the new employees, they did not get the job because they were not related to any of the board members. The one employee who got his job through nepotism is being charged with theft (from another incident unrelated to the pool but still unacceptable). I recently asked if he would be rehired after the incident, and nobody could give me a straight answer. He definitely should not get his job back even though he has a parent on the board. Also, somebody who is perfectly qualified for a job should not be rejected because they know somebody in the organization. A person should be hired on the basis of their talent, skills, personality, and the ability to work well with others in the organization. Gender, ethnicity, skin color, and who you know should not be a factor on whether or not you or somebody else gets a job. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 18:14:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/is-quality-the-question__trashed/#IDComment66435557 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65396069 It seems that the Census will always be in a lose-lose situation when it comes to political correctness. When the Census developers created the Census, they included the term Negro with African American. One of the CNN reporters went onto the streets to ask individuals how they felt about the political correctness of the terms used in the Census. The African Americans approached about the Census including the word Negro seemed insulted. One woman said that obsolete term reminds her of slavery. In addition, there were not many options of Latinos and Hispanics when asked about their race and ethnicity in the Census. Maybe instead of having boxes to check off which ethnicity and race each individual is, the Census should just have the Census takers write in their race and ethnicity. The United States is so big that not everyone is going to be happy with the political correctness of the words in the Census. There might be some problems with implementing this solution, but it solves the political correctness problem. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 01:58:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65396069 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65395737 When watching the point in the video “A Girl Like me,” I seriously got a knot in my stomach. To see those young girls prefer a white doll over a doll of their own skin color because they thought it was ugly, I was shocked and saddened that these girls felt that way about themselves and their race. They were ashamed of being who they are. It is sad because they felt so insecure about themselves and their race at such a young age. Being unhappy in your skin will not allow you to live a happy and fulfilling life. These girls will feel that they will not be able to fulfill their goals or live a happy life because they feel that their skin color will hold them back. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 01:57:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65395737 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65395269 Growing up, I did not feel like I was thrown into the revision stage, so I cannot really comment on that. However, she does bring up an interesting point about Disney. It does seem strange that the first movie based on Africa had animals as characters. Was that intentional or a coincidence? Now that I am in college, many of my classes are starting to relate to each other and intertwine. This semester I am taking the Art of Theater. Yesterday, we were talking about African American Theatre and how racism was a major issue from its beginning. African American Theatre started in 1776 as a result of the creation of a Christian society and slavery. Slavery was not an acceptable concept in this Christian society, so they developed the theory that blacks were “sub-human.” They were not categorized as animals. To establish their theory that blacks were sub-human, the United States counted African Americans as 3/5th s human. One of the only ways for whites to understand African Americans was through theatre. One of the first types of African American Theatre was minstrelsy. They were basically ridiculous and offensive plays with white actors who painted their faces black and would speak in bad English. For example, they would say “I is” instead of “I am” to mock the fact that African Americans could not speak English correctly (very stereotypical). After the Civil War, African Americans were searching for identity, dignity, and humanity especially through the arts. Many became amazing actors, dancers, singers, and musicians. Ira Aldridge, an amazing African American actor, was praised by audiences. On the posters advertising the shows he was in, they did not indicate that he was black as they would for any other actor of color. Over time though, African American artists became widely accepted and praised by their audiences. After hearing about African American Theatre in class and reflecting on my childhood experience, I do not think Disney’s intentions for Lion King was to make Africans seem like animals. I think that Disney wanted to make a movie about the animal kingdom and the African Safari and bring those characters to life with human qualities. As a child, I loved learning about animals and was fascinated by the African Safari. Disney wanted to make an animated film to fulfill an average child’s imagination of what animals would be like if they could talk. I do not believe that Disney wanted to make the characters animals because they thought of Africans as animals. They made the characters animals because many people associate Africa as a place that is the habitat for many animals of the animal kingdom. If Disney decided to use people instead of animals in the Lion King, wouldn’t the context of the movie change? Would it stir up controversy? Recently though, Disney released the Princess and the Frog which featured the first African American Disney Princess from New Orleans. I do not think Disney has racist undertones and that Lion King is referring to Africans as animals. I think it is over-analyzing it. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 01:55:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65395269 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment64086331 I am really happy that the commentator asked this question about individuals of multiple races and how they tend to be excluded or not accounted for equally. During class last week, I was wondering why Sam did not have a question for multi-racial people to give their opinion on. It seems that get overlooked in situations like the one in class and even in situations like the census. How is that fair? We are at a point in our society where people of different races are getting married and having multi-racial children. I also liked the point he brought up about how we are all people of color. Whether we are white, black, brown, or red, we all carry a pigment in our skin. I really appreciated his insight. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:57:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment64086331 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment64086220 Rudeness should be cut both ways. It really should not be tolerated. Also, everybody no matter what race should refrain from sharing or expressing disrespectful comments. I do agree that when a white person makes a rude comment about a colored person, witnesses tend to gasp and be appalled. However, when a person of color makes a rude comment about a white person, nothing is said. This is because white people fear the race card, so they sit back and tolerate the rudeness. Unfortunately, this is creating stereotypes that white people are pushovers and that people of color are disrespectful. For example, the initial reaction of Taylor Swift after Kanye West interrupted her VMA acceptance speech for Best Female Video was fear and silence. Taylor did not even attempt to stand up for herself or finish her speech. Also, the presenters on stage did not say anything at the time. I am not saying that what Kanye did was acceptable because it was completely uncalled for. However, I wondered if no one said anything immediately after because they feared the race card would be pulled. Fortunately, Kanye West was scrutinized for his actions after the VMAs and went into hiding. But this makes me wonder why this happens. Rudeness needs to be addressed no matter what especially what race it is coming from and who is reacting to it. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:56:59 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment64086220 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64086017 Kudos to the commentator for being so open about “bleeding.” Personally, I agree that menstruation should not be called bleeding. Period is the best way to term it in my opinion. It does seem that women are ashamed about talking about their periods or having it. Many women seem to resent it instead of embracing it. They also do not what to talk about it especially to men because they do not think they will understand. That is true though men do not understand what it is like to menstruate. They can sympathize with us women or be turned off and disgusted by this natural occurrence among women. Men for sure cannot emphasize about this matter with women. Talking about menstrual cycles may be similar to talking about race relations. When people do understand another person’s point of view or fear what the other person thinks of them, they back off and do not say anything at all. Does menstruation need to be talked about like race relations? Sure, why not. Women should not be ashamed of having their period and fear telling other people about it, but I think women are taught to not to talk about their periods at a young age since it is “inappropriate.” In sixth grade when some of my friends were starting to get their periods, we would talk about it in a secret manner as if it was a forbidden topic to talk about. When would talk about periods, we would call it TOM—as in “time of month.” We would also fear the color red. We would not wear it and avoid coloring pictures with red coloring utensils. How immature we were. We were completely scared about talking about periods because we thought it was scandalous. As I got into high school, I was less ashamed about talking to my female friends about having my period. Yet, I would not even go to that line of discussion with my guy friends. I was a member of the swim team throughout my years in high school, and I eventually ended up practicing in a lane of all boys. Even though those boys I was in a swim lane with were practically family to me, I still was unable to talk to them about having my period. If my stomach hurt, I would not tell them my stomach was killing me from cramps. If I had to go to the bathroom, I would not tell them I had to change my tampon. Why did I not tell them this? It was because I grew up being accustomed to not talk about TOM, and I did not want to share too much information to them and have them avoid me. Like race relations, we should open up and talk about the menstruation cycle so women do not feel embarrassed to talk about it and men are not disgusted by it. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:55:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64086017 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment62685919 Maybe the University of California, San Diego should make a race relations class a requirement for graduation. The “Compton Cookout,” the noose hanging in the library, and the racial protests has created a heated college climate. Some students on campus have been participating in acts that discriminated against blacks. Action has been slowly been taken by the chancellor to stop these racist events from occurring. The students had a teach-in so students from different races can talk to each other how they feel and what they think about the this situation and the racist problems on campus. One teach-in session will not solve this issue. UCSD should consider enacting serious punishments for those involved these racist acts. They should also integrate a race relations project so students can become more aware of other races and build a mutual relationship and respect for each other. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:26:14 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment62685919 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62685771 I agree with Sam. Seriously, we are in the 21st century. Our society has come to a point that same sex couples have been integrated into our society (we still have a long way to go though). We have been become more accepting of gays and lesbians. Some states have legalized gay marriage and same sex couples adopting children. The national government has been working towards legalizing gay marriage and giving homosexual couples the same rights as heterosexual married couples. Although we are at this point, why could not a Mississippi high school allow a lesbian couple attend their senior prom and take it further to cancel it all together? The fact that the high school canceled the prom because a girl asked to bring her girlfriend was unnecessary and demeaning. They are seriously dinosaurs. Senior/Junior prom is something that most high school students look forward to in their high school career. It is one of the most anticipated events of the school year which requires a significant amount of planning months in advance on the part of the school and the students. Because the high school in Mississippi canceled the prom since a homosexual couple requested to attend the dance together created negative repercussions. It not only discriminated against the girl and her girlfriend, it made them feel like a burden because of their sexual orientation. The cancellation of the prom has most likely caused some students and parents to be mad at her. How is it her fault? The school probably feared that having a same sex couple attend the prom would be a distraction and cause controversy. Their actions have caused more serious problems. Their closed-mindedness may have canceled the pinnacle event for these high school students, but it raises the issue of the girl and other homosexual’s security in that school and town. With the cancellation of prom, the school has created the stigma that homosexuality it a burden. That itself is a harassing to the girl and other homosexuals. Then, the discriminating words and actions of the other students can harm them physically and emotionally. Situations like this one proves that the United States needs to take action and start granting the same rights to same sex couples as they do with heterosexual couples. This will better integrate homosexuals in our society. A girl bringing her girlfriend to prom or a guy bringing his boyfriend to prom would not be questioned. Now, it may throw some people off, but over time it will not be a distraction. It is a work in process. The most important factor in accepting and including same sex couples is that homosexuals do not feel like a burden to their schools, work, friends, family, and society. They deserve to be happy and be able to experience prom, marriage, and parenthood like heterosexuals do. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:24:59 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62685771 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment62685631 More power for Natalie Randolph for breaking down the barriers of only men coaching football. That is seriously an amazing accomplishment and a breakthrough for women who are passionate about the stereotypically male dominated sport. She came across as a little shy and meek during the interview, but Natalie was not in her element. Her knowledge of football and her passion for the sport will translate well on the field. She will not be shy or meek because coaching and teaching players how to play the game of football and have good sportsmanship is her something she is confident in. It is also good that the players and her are building a coach-player relationship and have mutual respect for each other. It is about time that there is some girl power on the sidelines. Hopefully, this monumental event will encourage women to become more involved in the sport and start coaching, and they will be treated equally. I wish her and her team the best of luck. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:23:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment62685631 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59599122 I have to disagree that theme parties are racist. All of the theme parties I have attended were not racially demeaning. They had nothing to do with race. Also, none of the attendees dressed in something that would mock a race. I recently attended a “Miss America,” and I do not think the party was racist. Moreover, ugly sweater parties, highlighter parties, 80s parties, etc. do not promote racial discrimination. There may have been someone at a theme party that dressed in a discriminatory fashion. However, racism is not a prevalent problem or theme in theme parties. Theme parties give attendees to opportunity to dress up, drink, and be happy. They are not intended to discriminate against race. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:50:00 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59599122 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/a-long-long-way-indeed__trashed/#IDComment59598924 That is a really cool and interesting question to ask. In Soc 119 and in our other courses, we react on what happened in the past or what is happening currently. We usually try to fathom what the slave holders were thinking when they owned slaves and forced them into grueling labor. Typically, when we reflect on the past we try to fill their shoes and attempt to experience their lifestyle (even though we do not necessarily agree with it). After hearing the question, I really had me think how a slave holder from the 18th or 19th century would react to watching blacks perform on MTV, compete in sports, hold high esteem positions, and see that the United States elected a black (well half-black) president. At this day in age, there are many successful and talented black performers. Jay-Z and Beyonce are among the most talented and successful music artists and entrepreneurs of this era. They have one of the highest combined net incomes. They have millions of fans from different races that embrace their talent. Also, there are many black professional athletes in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track, and even hockey. Moreover, more and more blacks are becoming successful professionals. Many are very educated, attend college, and obtain good jobs. The sky is the limit for them now. They are not chained down and forced to do monotonous and sometimes dangerous labor that they did a few centuries ago. They are free to pursue their goals and dreams. Yet, there is the argument of determinism. Despite the factors out of their control, blacks have numerous more opportunities to succeed and follow their dreams and aspirations than they did when slavery was prevalent. Also, blacks and whites are more accepting of each and are intermixed. Blacks and whites are co-workers, friends, neighbors, and even spouses. The barriers of race have been coming down. A slave owner would be shocked to see the opportunities available to blacks, their talent, and the success they can and have obtained. He would be especially shocked to see Obama, a half black president, running the country. The slave owner would be overwhelmed by the fact that blacks are not inferior to him. The playing field is being leveled. He would be stunned to know that blacks are not inferior to him and do not follow his orders. They have the opportunity to do what they want to do. Over the past few decades, we have come a long way in race relations, but we still have a long way to go. Whites are still dominant in the white collar work force, in the government, business executives, and in higher education. However, we are off to a good start. As our generation matures and new generations arise, race relations will continue to improve. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:48:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/a-long-long-way-indeed__trashed/#IDComment59598924 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment59598742 Watching the Bachelor and Bachelorette from time to time, I have noticed that the contestants are typically white. There is not the much diversity. Also, the bachelor or bachelorette has always been white. I never really thought what TV station the show was on would affect the demographics of the contestants. ABC is geared towards an older demographic where they in a generation that is accustomed to interracial dating. On MTV and VH1 though, stars like Ray J, Tila Tequila, Flavor Flav, and Brett Michaels looking for love date a racially and ethnically diverse pool of contestants. Furthermore, MTV and VH1 are TV stations geared towards a younger demographic. This shows that the younger generation is more accepting of dating a different race. Eventually, as the younger generation gets older, ABC may air a Bachelor or Bachelorette with the person looking for love and the contestants being racially and ethnically diverse. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:47:23 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment59598742