en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/758241 Comments by debateordie https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment70051931 This is a really good question and I think that the immigrants need the money before they can have do anything else. It all comes down to money and that is what people usually judge each other on. For example someone who migrated here and worked very hard and didn't have much pay based on the amount of hard labor that would be put in would be looked at as modern America as a unsuccessful person. I think that is pretty shallow for people to do this because we all come from different walks of life and some f us are more blesses then others. Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:38:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment70051931 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment70048456 South Park is designed to push peoples buttons and they once again did this. The people who threatened to kill the makers of the show need to realize that its a show. It's not real and its designed for humor. I didn't really find this episode to be that amusing because I knew how the extreme Muslims would react to someone making fun of their God. I do think that the extremists don't like being mocked along with any religion because they must feel like they are made to be less important to other religions. I really hope that the creators will be a little more careful though because some really think that this is wrong to be made fun of. Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:28:15 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment70048456 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment70042732 I had the same question to and I'm glad someone spoke up about this issue. I really believe that us as Americans don't really care about what is happening in other places around the world. I know that sounds really terrible but I really feel this way about this subject. The first thing that came to my mind when this tragedy occurred was how did this happen? The country was already struggling and now they have to deal with this. Going back to the original question, If this were to happen on our soil we as Americans would be in a state of confusion and despair. 300,000 is a lot of people and if that amount were to all die due to a earthquake, this country which we believe is the best in the world wouldn't know what to do from there. Imagine a country like Haiti, very poor and not much power. An earthquake is a natural cause but in a way it seems like this country had been kicked when they were already down. I do feel as Americans we kind of turned our shoulders to the world. That is why people outside of the United States view us as arrogant. The average American would see this on the news and say it was a shame that happened but go along with there day. When I heard the news I wanted to help but I didn't know what I could do to contribute. If every American would just give one dollar then it would help greatly but it seems like we are to selfish to help some stranger who lost everyone they know but if that happened here it would be completely different. I did do this and its really sad how selfish I can be and other people. So many people are suffering around the world with issues I don't even think about like eating and taking a shower. I've taken so much for granted and people are actually dying around the world and most of the deaths could have been easily prevented. To most of us its survival of the fittest and if we have to stab someone in the back to help ourselves get to the destination we desire is pretty common. As humans though I rarely see compassion, we are so caught up in our own problems, we lose sight of what really matters. People are struggling and we just don't care, we believe it's not our problem because its not on our land. We hope that they will carry themselves out of the hole that there in. But being as powerful as our nation is, we need to use that power to help others who really need the help. Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:08:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment70042732 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68402030 I will try to answer this question the best I can from a male's perspective. I agree with everything that has been said in the short clip. The play that we viewed in class was very interesting. I think the average man wants his perfect "type" of girl to look a certain way and that's where this problem begins. Men judge so much on appearance that, most could care less what the women is really like and what her personality actually persists of. It is really sad that many women wake up every morning with no confidence because they don't look like these "fake" people they see on T.V.. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:39:35 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68402030 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68399716 In a way I feel like males try to conform to what society thinks but no where near what females have to go through. As a male when I turn on the T.V., I usually see products directed at women. From skin moisturizers to make up and so on, and they tell everyone that if you don't look like the models they use then they aren't beautiful. For products directed towards men which aren't many, they use deodorants and body wash and other "manly" products. In their commercials they show the men in these commercials surrounded by beautiful women and they clearly paint the picture of what women want and what it takes to get that attractive women. I personally don't pay much attention to the hundreds of ads I see every day and I don't think a huge percentage of all men really get caught up in it. While growing up I had some issues about fitting in but I don't think that I would let it rule me and make me want to act a different way. I would dress certain ways some days of the week and others I would dress different to impress different groups of friends. Since then I am a lot more independent and don't really care if people act a certain way because they are required to according to the media. I think this is what makes America great. You can dress or act anyway you wish because of freedom of speech. But as the media poisons young men and woman's minds and making them that they need to listen to what ever is told by them to be beautiful is very sad. I really think women are effected because when you turn on the T.V. or read through magazines the "critics" are very hard on the women. When males leave the house they put on a t-shirt and shirts and they hear nothing about it but if a female was to do that they would be looked at with a strange look. Men are supposed to be very muscular and women are supposed to be really skinny, and I'm really confused how we came to this point. When Laurie was in our class and we watched the play, it really made me think. A women with a voluptuous body is now frowned upon and is looked upon as wrong. I just can't grasp the concept, people are actually committing suicide because they don't fit in a group or don't look a specific way. Everyone brings something to this world and we need to stop basing everything off of looks and what we can do to fit into the eyes of the media. Beauty comes in many different shapes and sizes and as soon as we recognize this we will all be better off. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:20:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68399716 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68368450 I couldn't sit here and explain what I would do in the same situation, I wouldn't kill myself even if it was to avenge a loved one. I don't know if this women had nothing left in life. If she has no other loved ones to fall back on then I could understand performing this act. If I lost my wife or child and I thought that the only way to teach a lesson was to kill my self and other innocent people then I still wouldn't do it. I wouldn't try to send a message to the nation by committing suicide because there are many other ways out. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:54:43 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/creating-terrorists__trashed/#IDComment68368450 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66898929 This is a very good question and I was thinking this same exact thing after every lecture that I have attended. I would think "how would the things that Sam said actually play out in life" and even after hearing the lectures I still believe the things I do, but I understand different views and walks of life. But I do appreciate his honesty because some days I have felt like I didn't learn anything and others I felt like I could do things differently in everyday life. The lectures that hit home like the most recent one about slavery and the class where we watched the video of the dolls really hit home. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 23:51:16 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66898929 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66898153 What the hell is wrong with the world today? They are making games based off one of the most horrific things that can happen next to murder. This is disturbing how a game like this that depicts rape and pretty much makes a mockery out of it. There are thousands of women who have been victims and it's breath taking how casual the makers of this game really are and how the people and government don't feel any remorse having a game out there like this. Another question I had was do the people as a whole not think rape is a bad thing. Think about it, having games released like this kind of promotes this and its despicable that it is allowed. In a way this encourages rape and makes it look like it is no big deal. Think about the video games that are released in the U.S.. Sure they are violent but they would never use the image as rape as a "good" thing. In the porn businesses women are already disrespected on so many levels and it is quite similar to the video games that are being made in Japan. Women are looked down upon based on porn and what they are forced to do. It really does make me upset, coming from a male. I couldn't understand what any women would be feeling by watching this video and what is actually allowed on the other side of the world. What also pissed me off was how the women in the video didn't think the game any anything wrong with it. When asked the question if it was disturbing, she said "not at all". I actually re-wound the video for a second time to make sure I actually heard her say that. For young people who play these games and think that this is reality and it is okay to perform these acts is also a huge problem. She might be thinking that its only a video game but she obviously doesn't understand how this would make any other women feel. For the developers of the game to think that they wouldn't offend anyone and that it's alright to encourage this is awful on so many ways. Making this game to just get a buck at the expense of those who fell victims is so disgusting and I cant stress that enough. Japan creates a lot of video games and the popularity of "gaming" there is more then we can ever imagine. But actually making acts like this and selling it to many young people (mostly boys) and showing them that if they have a problem with a women is to rape them is so sad. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 23:45:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66898153 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65658192 I grew up in a mostly white area, but I had friends who were of different ethnicity. If I were to have grown up in a area where I had mostly back friends and some white friends I really don't think it would've changed who I am and what i believe. To go on with your comment about Disney, I don't think they intentionally tried to put African Americans in a group of "lions". I do believe though that they know that their audience is mostly white so they try to make characters that are the same skin color as who they are trying to reach. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 23:54:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65658192 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/is-quality-the-question__trashed/#IDComment65655144 This a very interesting question, but I think that it wouldn't necessarily work in this case because to be a doctor or in a high position medical field you have to first off make it into the medical school. For example if I knew someone who was severely injured and I took them to the hospital to only find that the people working were far from qualified I would be fuming. In this field they take the best of the best because when it comes to saving a life they will always put the more qualified person in the position. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 23:48:16 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/is-quality-the-question__trashed/#IDComment65655144 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65653419 While viewing that video, I really wondered how the term "negro" found its way onto that survey. Like the one African American lady said in the beginning of the video, she didn't respect that word being chosen as a choice because that word was use in the south in the slave days and for some it seems like we are bringing back a piece of history that majority of whites aren't proud of. For many older African Americans who are older "negro" isn't a term that is recognized as being disrespectful. It varies from person to person but I would think that many blacks wouldn't want to be recognized as a "negro". If someone was grown up in that time period they would believe no one is at fault because that is what they lived an experienced.There are also many who have no feeling towards the survey because it is trying to include all groups of people and not everyone can be satisfied. I also thought up a question about how whites would be feel if the term "cracker" was on the survey referring to whites. That was a negative term just like "negro" and it was viewed towards white in a terrible manner. Maybe I'm taking this a little far but it would interesting to see the majority of whites and what their reactions be if they would be referred as cracker instead of white or Caucasian. The whites who were also interviewed in that short segment didn't like being placed in one group as well and I would have to agree with them. Yes I'm a white male but I don't like being put in a whole category just because of my skin color. Another point that was brought up was also very interesting to me. The one female said she has a little bit of Native American in her and she would still be classified as white. I really think it is how people view themselves, someone might think they are white but if they have a skin color many will think otherwise. Does it work towards someone who is Hispanic and Caucasian, would they be classified as white? The society would probably view the individual as Hispanic because that's the way our world works. Our country is mostly white and if someone is mixed they would probably lean towards being white. I'm also going to bring up a point that based off the color of the dolls and how the small children always chose the white one. If someone is on the fence about what their race is they will probably choose white because that is usually what is seen on a daily basis. Its really a shame but that is how I feel about the whole thing. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 23:42:58 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65653419 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64272019 I agree with what you have stated. I have made assumptions about Asians without even thinking about it. I would think that a group of Asians would only be from Asia but my ignorance is very broad for the subject. I wouldn't even think about placing people in groups. Everyone makes a general accusations about certian groups of people and this one is no different. The topic always sticks on black and white to because of the history between the two while white nor blacks have much of a history with the other race. Its good to see this question arise. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:03:16 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64272019 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64270772 What an emotional video. Being a white male it hits me and really made me wonder why this has still happens. It's very sad when the young kids would say that being white is being "good" and being dark is "bad". That really kind of ticked me off because the kids don't know any better they are just explaining what they see on a daily basis. Like someone said in class the media portrays beauty as being lighter and being darker is never beautiful. The story of Sam's friends daughter who came home crying because a peer said that she was dirty. The little white child wouldn't know any better because they are used to seeing primarily white everywhere they go. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:50:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64270772 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64269080 I think it really comes down to the education and how we were brought up. In elementary school I think it was an avoided subject. In 5th grade the teachers had the dreaded sex talk with young minds and even then I didn't remember discussing the menstrual cycle. In school when we learned about sex and what needs to occur for it to take place. If the teachers weren't ready to talk about menstruation then there is no way that it can be a casual subject to many others. We never really learned about women and what they have to go through every so often, it was kind of dusted under the rug because our educators felt like it was a subject that didn't need to be talked about. All that was talked about was how the sperm would meet the egg. Even my parents never explained how periods would occur and I was in around 6th or 7th grade until I grasped the whole concept. Also by reading through previous posts I agreed completely with what was said. I feel like many people particularly men would be feel very uncomfortable talking about it even though it’s a natural process. Looking around the class when Mr. Richards was delivering his lecture about "bleeding" the looks on all of the people’s faces especially the guys was total disgust. I really didn't understand though, in a way it’s just like any natural body function. I kind of feel like its pretty immature to immediately shut down a conversation that has to do with the human cycle of life. Like I read in a previous blog here a women said having her period was beautiful and I agree completely. To try to answer the last point I don't think tampons would be free if men could get periods. Nothing is free in life and why would they make an exception for tampons. I could understand from another point of view though where women would think just because it applies for men to it wouldn't cost anything. Many women might feel that men have the upper hand in everything that is done and if an item was available for both it would without a doubt free. To end what I'm saying on a positive note I think that this subject that shouldn't be left alone and it’s a part of life so why do many people deny it. Being a male I really didn't feel uncomfortable at all listening to what was occurring. Also when Sam used the example of male masturbation nobody said a word but if he talks about "bleeding", it’s uncalled for. I was glad to see this topic on the site because it really makes people think. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:38:46 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64269080 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62983856 I agree completely with what you said there. I remember at my senior prom straight girls were dancing with each other and just having fun but I guess two people who actually care for each other want to dance is just asking way to much. I'm really not surprised though that they canceled the prom because of this. Some people just don't understand what these young girls are feeling and it is so wrong to do this to them when all they want to do is enjoy one of the more enjoyable nights of their lives. I am also wondering why the student body wouldn't take this young couples side over something that really shouldn't matter. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:33:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62983856 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment62981964 This is a really cool story and I am very happy for her but you can only imagine what is going through the minds of the players that she will be coaching. If I was in the players positions I would be very skeptical at first. I think the parents, males especially won't respect the coach like if it was a male. We all know of the "helicopter parents" which hover over every move their kids make and if their son was to not make the team or play you know the "girl card" will be thrown into play. She did play in a professional league so she definitely knows all you need to know to coach and it will be interesting to hear how her first year goes. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:25:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment62981964 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment62976358 The idea of texting in answers to the front in a class is a really good idea but there will always be the people who choose to write disrespectful things. Since it is anonymous, people get away with what was said with no consequence and it will continue to happen until the texting as a whole stops. But during the activity I knew it was going to take a bad turn when whites and blacks were told to text about what was thought of the opposite race. It started off somewhat serious until a few white people wrote to the frontthat they were tired of the "loud black girls at Pollock lab" or something along those lines. The reaction to the black students in class was to instantly become defensive, which is completely understandable. But being white I couldn't tell an African-American how it feels or what they have to go through on a daily basis because I never experienced it. But as the roles were reversed and it was the white peoples turn to receive the feedback I thought it was a little more serious but there were a few comments about whites being "lazy" or "uptight". I didn't agree with this at all because i know many people are uptight, coming from all different races so I didn't know why it was only categorized for white people. I also felt like they assumed that all whites were rich which isn't the case but a good majority are. The question that was said was probably on a lot of peoples mind and I'm glad it was finally stated. I feel like whites reaction to the texts about themselves didn't really affect them. Most of the white audience pretty much shook off some of the pretty harsh comments with laughter. I was actually laughing at some of the comments made towards whites because I thought they were amusing. But blacks become very defensive because of what they have been through and still deal with. I really think this is because whites feel guilty and they don't want to be seen as racist so they wouldn't snap back and say something that might offend a black person. But i do felt like the black audience was cut some slack because they usually are the victims and it is very understandable. I also feel if a black person were to text in a racist comment towards whites it wouldn't really be looked at the same way. Like I said earlier many whites would laugh because either they don't look like they are affected or it's because they truly don't feel offended. We as a culture still have a lot of work to do to avoid situations like this and if people still think and say these things we aren't going to be making much of a jump. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:05:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment62976358 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment59958850 I agree with what you have stated. When I try to relate to a situation that occurs like that I try to put myself in the situation of the victim. If I was a victim of racism and there with strangers who witnessed it occur. I would hope that they would stand up to the person who is clearly wrong and put them in their place. But I can understand why people wouldn't say anything like you said they might feel like it isn't their place to get in someone else's business. But that is where we as an Americans need to change. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 23:55:21 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment59958850 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really__trashed/#IDComment59956548 I agree with everything you have said. I couldn't believe he said African American players brought violence to the games as well. I have never witnessed any violence in the game of basketball and that comment was completely uncalled for. I just think that was a made up reason to try to back up what he was trying to say. This whole idea is completely bogus and quite pathetic. The other thing he said really rubbed me the wrong way as well. He said that in his all white league the play would be more fundamentally sound. Which is also a false statement as well, I have played with many players white and black in high school and the blacks were all more fundamentally sound. After reading the article and the whole idea I feel like it is just a bitter white man who cant stand another race doing well in something. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 23:34:33 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really__trashed/#IDComment59956548 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/a-long-long-way-indeed__trashed/#IDComment59954195 This is a very interesting topic, and I never tried putting slave owners in present day and having them observe how far we as a nation and as a world have come from past times. It would be something to see the expressions on their faces. I couldn't even begin to think what slave owners would think if they were to turn on a television. The sport and entertainment industry is mostly black now when in the past it was predominately white. Think about it the biggest names in the music industry, Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles, Jay-z and the biggest names in sports, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and so on. The reaction of someone who treated African-Americans like dirt and also believed that whites were the only ones who deserved any kind of rights would be very confused and wouldn't know what to say or do. There is no denying that when slavery occurred and when blacks weren't allowed to do anything and they definitely had no self confidence as any other race that would've been put in that situation. Now in sports and mostly music they have a lot of confidence and the slave owner wouldn't understand why blacks would have the freedom and the power they have now. If slaves from back in the day were to witness all this as well they would also be in a shock because of the change in times. Witnessing it first hand and seeing that our president is half black is quite remarkable in its self. But back to what I was saying about how slave owners who believed that they were doing nothing wrong and what they were doing to others was cruel and unapologetic. If they were placed in present day like the student expressed they would not know what to say or do. From just walking down the street and seeing how the world has changed and what they believed in was actually the wrong perspective on life would be something very new to them because treating blacks like that is or any race is wrong on so many levels. No I'm not sticking up for people who owned slaves but that is what was happening everywhere back then and still happening today in many countries. But if those same owners were to see how much more accepted blacks and many different walks of life are included into the culture would change his idea on life and what it truly means to be free. But we still have a long way to go but the question used was a nice one to use. It really made me think about how far we have made it but we still have a long way to go. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 23:13:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/a-long-long-way-indeed__trashed/#IDComment59954195