en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/768935 Comments by pennstategirl https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment69942912 I was the girl who said that all immigrants should do so legally. I still stand by my position. We are essentially being like a teacher who sits and does not pay attention when he or she hands out a test and allows students to cheat. The honest hard working student ends up with a lower grade they the girl who went out the night before and sits with her friends while they google and text the answers. I think that the same person who would cheat the system to get into America would be the same person who used our health care and takes our jobs and overall takes advantage of America! I know that undocumented workers do jobs that many Americans would not do but they also do jobs that young Americans would do. I spent many summers in Bethany Beach Delaware and I have worked there for 2 summers. I got my 1st summer job there when I was 14. In recent years they have started to bring in Immigrant to work the jobs at the beach that high school and college kids normally work. Why??? Because as High Schools have started to go later in the summer they were able to get these workers whenever they want. They do not ask for a week off for vacation. They do not have friends that visit them at work. Do not have people who are constantly texting them and they do not have to leave in August to go back to school or for cross-country practice or football or any fall sport. They will not ask to go home early because their family is in town There are there whenever the company needs them. They also do not have to increase wages because they will take minimum wages. What is the result getting a job in Bethany is harder and harder. It is now almost impossible to get a job as your average high school or college kid. I do not know if the workers they bring in are documented or un documented ( they are seasonal and young and do not speak good if any English .. I think that is stores and restaurants it alimental hurts your business if they do not speak English and Having worked along side these workers I can say that most American are more driven and hard working then these people) You may thing I am being picky but I am not. I come from a relatively wealthy family but I have worked since I was 14 and one summer I bussed tables in Bethany and would work over 45 hours a week. I was always the one closing because I wanted the extra money and the people fro mother countries did not. That was a sight most people do not think would happen but it does. To see a little blonde 17 year old stacking chairs 100+ chairs and bar stools and mopping an entire restaurant @ 2 am. In j crew shorts and usually wearing pearl earrings and some kind of pink bow in my hair. I made 5 times more money that summer than any of my friends and I would be willing to do it again any summer but I can no longer get a job in Bethany. People have a complex about them they do not want to see a girl who looks like the girl next store picking up their dirty dishes. They do not want to a Doctor’s kid taking out the trash so they don’t but news flash they want to. Most people who were really successful had a drive and did shitty jobs I the summer and regardless of how much money their parents had worked their asses off and had 2 and 3 summer jobs and made good money but kids today sometimes do not have the opportunity to do that. My neighbor tried to start a lawn mowing business it failed why because I live outside DC and you can go 2 3 different 7-11 and pick up a illegal immigrant and he will do work for nothing…no like 90% of my neighbors do whenever they need landscaping or painting or ect why pay more when you can pay less because instead of putting out money back in out pockets we are putting it into another country. What do there people do when they make money they send it home …and take it out of the American economy. My parents have never gone and got a worker from 7-11. I had a terrible job finding a summer job last summer like everyone else I know and if we did not have all his or her illegal immigrant we would not have this problem. I finally got a job at a sechy restaurant and it was un by immigrants ( idk if tey were legal) but illgial people def worked there . When I got my 1st check everything was wrong and when I showed it to my dad it was obvious that they were either not paying taxes or cheating on their taxes when my dad came in with me to ask what was wrong they fired me and told me dad to never come back. When I would ask questing they would tell me I did not know shit because I was a girl and they would always make discussing sexual comments and jokes. They owners drove crazy nice cars and had a TON OF $$$$$$$. Why because with the current system cheating the system pays off ! I feel terrible for people living in other countries and I want to help them but we need to worry about our country 1st! Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:37:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment69942912 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68301823 I completely understand thinking and I believe I was able to put my self in someone else shoes today and I con honestly say I understand why so many people are against americans but sam has us do this every class I just think that if we do that with everything we can forget to hold true to what we believe . Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:43:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68301823 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68289440 How does Christianity bend the constitution? We are " one nation under god " God is every religion even in the jewish religion. It is called a Christian country because in the US population only 2.2% is jewish . ( according to google) It is not that we do not recognize jewish people and this is not your country it is just that Christianity is by far the majority. I am sorry that you are hurt by those people. They are the radicalist that sam discussed today . I do not think anyone is judging you I think that are just trying to spread their faith . Just walk away and hold your head high. You know in your heart what your believe is right ! Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:39:25 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68289440 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68288681 I understand where he came from in class and I complexly understand Muslim’s point of view but I think as a teacher Sam could have chosen a more point that college students could do something about. The war is a touchy subject I think it is safe to say that someone in that room today lost a loved one while they were fighting in Iraqi. It is one thing to talk about a women’s period or breast but to say Hey I know your Mom Dad boyfriend girlfriend died protecting our country but they were wrong. That takes guts and I do not believe anyone has the right to say that. My cousin was in Iraqi for 3 years in the heat of the war. My family asked him if he and the guys he fought with agreed with the war and he said everyone did. He said when you are over there that it is obvious that we need to be over there. I do not think everyone needs to support the war I do not even know if I still do but out of respect for the men and women who are fight for our lives I think we should honor and support them. It one of the facts of life that I had to learn very quickly in college is that you cannot be a fan of everything. Sometimes you need to fight for yourself. You cannot root for Penn State and ohio state for the Steelers and the eagles. You can not spend all your on thon and still have time to cure hunger. We pick what is right for us. I am proud to be an American and I will never forget 9-11. I will never forget thinking that my Aunt was on the American Airlines flight ( she was scheduled to work) I will never forget that my mom a former flight attended was very good friends with the pilot and knew the entire crew of the American Airlines flight. I will never forget hearing that my soccer coach a pentagon employee pulled bodies out of the pentagon for day and was the 1st to go in. I will also never forget him say that in the cockpit he found the Koran. I will never forget that my dad has decided to come home a day early and cancel his meeting in the world trade center on September 11. I will never that being from DC how many people we knew that were affected by 9-11. At ten years old I was never more proud to be an American that I was on the September day as my mom held bed and me as she and my dad were glued to the TV. There is no doubt that what Americans did after 9-11 was extraordinary. We came together and we all changes as a country and as individuals. “Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.” Sam tries to make out that americans and college students are full of hatred and greed. As I walked around campus today I saw 40,000 people who are determined to save the world I saw I generation where starbucks was giving out free coffee to those who brought in a reusable mug. That thousands of students are already preparing to cure childhood cancer and were able to raise $7.8 million dollar in one of our worst economic times. I see peta people raising awareness about animal right students collecting recycling for free. Thousands of students volunteering on weekends and breaks. Our generation has seen a sore in volunteering. I see people who are passionate about so much more than money and power and I see people who want to make a difference in the world . I do not like it when Sam says we are just ordinary and that is all we will ever be. He talks about Penn State like it us piece of shit u in central PA . Penn State is a great school I chose to come here out of state and I got accepted into many schools. I have friends who turned down duke and ivy leagues to come to Penn state. Penn state is not full of drunks either. We have the largest student run philanthropy in the world and we have one of the highest volunteering rates. Thousands of Penn State graduates have gone and got amazing jobs . It would be nice if one day I could sit in class and not feel like shit and like the world is a messed up place. I would like to sit in class one day and feel uplifted and not bitter about the state of the world. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:31:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68288681 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment66823826 When Sam talked about “ bleeding” and women getting their periods in class I was completely appalled. I was one of the people who voted that Sam was completely out of line and did not know what he was talking about. I was pretty upset in the way that he talked about it and I also did not understand why he made such a point to talk about it. I think of it as a private issue like going to the bathroom that does not need to be discussed. I don not want to hear anyone say that they just took a “ huge shit” and I also do not to here people talk about their period. However yesterday when that time of moth came I decided that maybe Sam was right. Since High school my period has been very ill regular and I am fortunate to only have it a few times a year. (Not because of medicine) But this being said all the symptoms are escalated. I woke up yesterday with two huge twin zits on my chin that were the size of my eyeball. My completion is generically very clear thanks to proactive but the day I am going to get my period I get the hugest zit imaginable. This happen the morning of my senior pictures and on the morning of my high school graduation b/c my period always seams to be present for big events. And yesterday the day I was going to meet up with this guy who I really like and I thought something would finally come of it ( it is way overdue) . As soon as I looked in the mirror a certain 4-letter word entered my mind and I reached 4 my zit cream and cover up. I went to class and went about my day and they went to get ready 4 a party where this guy invited me. I decided to ditch the outfit that I had been planning on wearing b/c I felt and looked 15-pound heavier b/c of all the water weight my body retained and because I crave junk food like it is my job before I get my period. So I instead wore a huge dress that made me look like I had no shape b/c I felt so fat. My cramps started to get a lot worse and I called my mo mom like clockwork and she told me to take something which of coarse I already had and I sat on my bed and got ready to get sick from my crams. I got my act together and went to this party with all my friends but had to bring a purse like a mom because I did not know where to put my tampon. And I never responded to this guy’s text until I left b/c I did not want to see him looking fat with a huge zit on my face. It occurred to me last night that despite what I often say my period does affect my life and that it does influence my actions. I started to reflect on how I paid to have my “ period zit” photo shopped out of my senior pictures, how I would only stand on one side of graduation pictures, how many places I had randomly brought a bag bc I needed one 4 tampons , and in middle school 1st bringing my pencil bad to the bathroom and everyone asking why ?, I thought about calling my mom to come home for cramps, about how once a boy saw my tampon string sticking out of my bathing suit and how embarrassed I was, how my mom was mortified when my guy friend saw me unpacking tampons on move in day freshman year and my mom immediately hid them and he laughed and said I have a sister, all the emergency trips to happy harries @ the beach when I forgot to pack tampons and randomly got my period, and all the events I was not my self at because it was that time of month, all the times I refused to get in a bathing suit b/c I was bloated, about my best friend would now swim when she went to camp in 8th grade bc she had her period and was afraid of tampons, about my friend having her period @ thon and how it made the 46 hours even harder than it already was. So maybe Sam was not so far off when he talked about this. It does impact my life. And although I will never ever go around and talk about it. It would be very nice if boys were more aware. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 16:04:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment66823826 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64770049 This video and the discussion that followed impacted me far more than anything else we have talked about in this class so far. I know this video will stay with me for the rest of my life. It is almost a week since I have seen the video and I cannot stop thinking about it. I was the one who asked why a child would pick a white doll and I was shocked by my classmate’s stories and responses. Growing up I LOVED dolls. My mom tells me that I far preferred blonde dolls because they looked like me. I remember far preferring Kristen my blonde American girl doll over molly my American girl doll with brown hair. The concept of a little girl wanting a doll that looked anything different than her baffled me. And was incomprehensible to me until I heard testimonials from my classmates. I still cannot get the concept around me that a small child would think that they are not beautiful. I almost cried when a saw the little girl say that the black doll was the bad doll. I still do not get why tho. I do not think white people are to blame. I could be wrong I just think that kids that young are not around white people enough to truly understand racism if it still exist. I cannot imagine growing up thinking that you were ugly. Sure I thought I was ugly . I do not know many girls that do not. And every day I continue to think that I am fat and ugly. But as a little girl beauty was always achievable. I would curl ( yes@ 5 I made my mom curl my hair ) my hair and put on dresses but I was tall blonde and in my 5 year old eyes beautiful. As I got older I always felt that beauty was in my hands weather it was putting on lots of makeup curling straightening or crimping my hair and later loosing weight and tanning. As I have grown older their are things I do not like about myself.. My nose my hips ect but I have never felt it was out of my control and that I was in any inferior. I cannot imagine growing up believing that and thinking so little of you self. We are face rejection at some point in our lives. We are told that we are not smart athletic or beautiful and it hurts but what hurts the most in being told that we are not “ nice” I had been told I was not smart million of times I knew I very well that I was not athletic and I am sure had been told it and I was laterally obese so I had been told millions of times that I was not beautiful but it was not until college that I was told that I was not nice. I went through sorority rush freshman year and dropped out for a variety of reasons but mostly because I did not get my choice sorority back I wanted so so bad to be greek that I went through rush again as a sophomore and made it to bid day only to get a call that I would not be offered a bid from the sorority I suicided . I wanted to be a part of the greek community so bad and 2 have 30/ 31 sororities that you were not nice or pretty enough to be their friend hurt far worse than being told that I was not smart or pretty or good at sports. I have nothing angains sororities if anything I envy them. But I cannot imagine growing up with that mindset. As I 19 year old I was devastated but I was able to understand some of it but I know little girls would not be able to understand it. I think it is terrible that some people grow up with this mindset I just do not know what can be done about it Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:29:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64770049 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/is-this-just-a-few-bad-apples__trashed/#IDComment63563895 I did not vote for Obama and I do not like the bill at all but regardless I feel that the protesters were completely wrong I their actions. The Bill hit classic democratic and republicans that have been around since the birth of our nation. There is absolutely no need to call members of congress a 'ni--er.' a "faggot," and other derogatory terms. We will always have differences and it is obvious to everyone this bill like many bills seriously helps some and seriously hurts others. I cannot get mad at those who protested. However the method they used to protest was completely wrong. The bill will seriously affect them and their families probably for the rest of their lives but it did not call for the methods they used or condone them. I talked to my best friend from home (outside DC) on Sunday and she told me that her Dad was downtown protesting the bill. I could not help but laugh and think how crazy he is. Later that Day I talked to me Dad who also told me that the Deane’s (my friends family) were going to come over for dinner but could not because Jon was downtown because he felt like he had to protest and again I said that he was crazy. Then my Dad proceeded to tell me just how much this bill would affect Jon… and suddenly it did not seam so crazy that he drove ten miles to perhaps make a difference. Jon had worked very hard to get in the place he was and with one bill so much of his life might be in jeopardy. As a successful business owner the health care taxes will not be significantly larger and he will end up “handing over” over 60% of his income. There may be people saying that he does not need it but this may mean he cannot put his younger children in catholic school, send them to their choice of college if it is out of state or pay for many things that he has worked hard to build and earn. My friend tweeted that “Any 20 year-old who isn't a liberal doesn't have a heart, and any 40 year-old who isn't a conservative doesn't have a brain.” But I have to disagree. There are many older people who will benefit from this bill and as a almost 20 ear old I am concerned that if I work hard and get a great job that the majority of my income will be taken. This gives me less motivation to work hard and while I volunteer frequently and frequently give to charities I would like to be able to give to the charities I feel need it most and at my own digression. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:16:20 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/is-this-just-a-few-bad-apples__trashed/#IDComment63563895 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment62720012 I completely disagree wit this comment. Themed parties are simply for fun. There is no real reason why it is themed …it just makes life more interesting and fun. I am personally a huge theme party fan. I have been to many this year and they have not been targeted toward black people … if they were targeted toward anyone it was white people. Some of the ones I have been to this year were jersey shore …which was based off the show and if it made fun of anyone it was people who are Italian ( a am part Italian ) and from new jersey ! 80’s and 70’s …which no racial group was targeted but if we were making fun of anyone it was our parents and what they wore in college Holiday. No racial groups. If I made fun of anyone it was Christians.. I wore a Christmas tree dress and I am a very strong catholic… twin… no racial group aging…beach no racial groups jock jams ..no racial groups ..preppy no racial groups ..jungle. no racial groups reasons to celebrate ..no racial group .but I managed to make fun of myself a preppy white girl ..and did a sale at j crew …and many other ppl made jokes about themselves.. Olympics. No racial group high school. Again no racial group. ..and CMT vs BET.. Which could be argued that it was targeted at black people but I think if you are arguing that you are looking for something to pick a fight about… most of the ppl who dressed “ BET” were people of color and white people defiantly made fun of white people my self included … I wore overalls a pregnant belly had fake tattoos pigtails fake cigarettes and other touches that completely made fun of poor white people. I understand that there have been a few parties that have “ crossed the line “ but I do not think the generalization is crazy. Today our ta told us about a Compton cookout that I can honestly say that if I was a woman of color I would be offended by this. And I am offended even as a white girl. However I think that 99% of people who have themed parties have all good intentions. They just want to have a good time and mix up your typical weekend. I think people who get upset over these things are part of the reason why racism is still a problem in our country and why white people often “ come to the race table” so intimated. I think it is safe to say that most people do not want to be racist and do not have bad intentions so I think that we should not be so quick to judge people and accuse people of having bad intentions. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:39:31 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment62720012 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment61797697 I think this student brings up an excellent point about race and the bachelor. I think that it is strange that most of the contestants have been white. I think it says something about the United States representation of beauty. When we think of someone who is beautiful we usually think of someone who is white. I think this representation of beauty is wrong and we need to expand out image of what we find attractive. In recent years there have been many attempts to expand what girls find beautiful The Disney movies the princess frog, Milan , and aladdin and dolls of other races but still the most common image of a beautiful girl in the united states is a white girl. However I am white and I personally find white guys more attractive than men of other races. I am not racist in any way but I just find more in common with white guys and I am naturally more attracted to them. I also think that on the show they also want to find relationships that are going to be compatible and usually people find more in common with people of their same race. This can also be seen in early years before kids are old enough to learn what racism is. Kids chose dolls that look like them and often pick friends who look like them. This can be a sign that maybe people are not racist in relationships and just have more in common with people of their same race. Sadly I do not think that the show’s ratings would not be as high if the bachelor or bachelorette was black or Asian or another race. I think that most of the viewers are white and they find more in common with the white bachelor or bachelorette. There have been other shows that have tried to show that race does not matter in dating situations such as dating in the dark. Where contestants are put in a pitch-black room and get to know one another before they can see what the other person looks like. However after eliminating race and image as a factor people usually chose to date someone who is there same race. This would prove that the bachelor is not being racist and is just being realistic that people are likely to find more in common with someone who is their same race. It could be said that the bachelor discriminates against other things like weight religion and economic status but in reality I think that we all yout enjoy the show and take in for what it is a reality TV show where much of it is probably stages and ABC is just trying to make money. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:12:15 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment61797697 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58884984 I could not agree with the students more especially the guy who said as Americans we think that nothing is our place until it directly affects us. I was shocked when the student said it is not my place in class …. If it is not your place than whose place is it? My only dilemma is where we start and what do we try to fit first. We live in a world with so much injustice and suffering yet … for many of us our primary concern is ourselves. And for those who have devoted themselves to a cause …it is usually one.. How do you pick? My “thing “at this time in my life is Thon. One night at dinner a very good friend who is very active in thon was convinced that we should not be raising money for kids with cancer and there were many other things that could use our money more. … At first I kind of got heated but was she right??? Probably. She made the point that one of the only reasons thon is successful is because cancer affects every race and economic class gender. She also said that childhood cancer is not caused by anything that the kids do (like smoking and lung cancer). She also made the point that the kids are cute and that and that we and everyone who gives can easily relate to them. She kind of said that it was for political reasons that Thon is so successful. So of course I was man. I love thon. But she is probably right. If we raised money for poor Africans kids with Aids…would we have raised $7.8 million? As much as I would like to say yes….. However I think the total would be lower. Would my profile picture be holding an African baby who has aids who has not been washed in weeks because his family cannot afford water?? I would like to say yes but ….Would as many comment on it as my current picture of me holding an adorable blonde girl with pigtails in an adorable outfit looking at the stage. Who needs the money more? I dedicate my time to thon because my friend died of cancer, my mom had cancer and my aunt and uncle had cancer and many of our family friends had cancer. But I would like to rephrase the kids of class question It is our responsibility but everything is ….. how do we pick and choose?? What is most important now…. We cannot do it all ??? So what do we pick?? And can you say someone is wrong for ignoring all the rest when they pick their “ thing” ?? Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:51:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58884984 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57635052 I could not agree more. I think a marriage should be something that happens in a church and is a ceremony between a man and a woman and god. However I fully support civil unions and gay rights and I think we can not fit that problem at the current time so we would be hypercritical if we called a Vegas wedding a marriage and did not call a gay marriage a marriage. Why I completely support your point and could not agree more I think that we have dug a hole that is too big for ourselves to get out of. I think that in 2010 it is ridiculous that gay couples do not have rights. I think calling a gay marriage a civil union would only make it worse and give access to more discrimination towards gays. I have an uncle who is gay. I grew up 5 minutes from him and it still is comical to me that it took me till I was a teenage to pick up on the fact that he was gay. I am from a huge Irish catholic family who sill does not acknowledge the fact that my uncle is gay. My grandma has not been to visit him in Florida in almost ten years and I think it is because he is embarrassed about his lifestyle. My family will call his “ partner” his roommate or friend and my mom says they live together for “ money reasons” but they are as gay as you can be. My mom will not acknowledge that he is gay and it is so weird to me. I have been to their annual St Patrick’s Day party that looked like an ad for a gay club and it is obvious that they are gay. I wish that they were able to admit it to society and to my grandmother. My uncle is often who I think of when I think of gay rights. Although the idea of being gay is still weird to me I love my uncle and I want him to have the same rights as everyone else. While I am very strong in my fate I also wish the church would take a different stance on gay rights. I am a devout catholic but I am also hypocritical because I believe in most of what the church teaches except for their stance on gays. I am somewhat confused on how to believe what I believe and still be faithful! I now I will always believe in god and what the bible says but god love everyone so in these changing times I believe he would love the gay community. I do not know what the next ten years will bring but I hope that after all these years gay people are able to have more rights. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:29:59 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57635052 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/swinging-past-the-other-end-of-the-ideological-spectrum-on-the-way-to-the-intellectual-gray__trashed/#IDComment56563661 I loved Sam’s lecture. I thought it was amazing! I come from a very conservative family and I would like to believe I got were I am today because of things I did but in reality I was “set up “ to succeed. My Dad is a Dr and money has never been a big concern. We are by no means really wealth but having my basic needs covered has never been an issue. I have never really worried about having a place to sleep having food or having enough money to go to college. Although I did not always agree with it unlike most people in my area my parents instilled a good work ethic in me. I started my 1st real summer job when I was 14 and I had constantly babysat and done other odd jobs beforehand. I have worked every summer and my parents have me use my own money for a lot of things. I am embarrassed to admit that some of my friends have still never had a job. Some receive monthly allowances at school (some upwards of $1000) and some don’t have an allowance because they have their parent’s credit card. Sam lecture was “right on” in so many ways. It is really both the individual and the environment they grew up in. I live outside Washington DC in an extremely Diverse area and a very wealthy area. It makes me so sad to see people with every opportunity possible fail to succeed when so many deserving and hard working people never will. I had no economic obstacles but I did have my own obstacles. In elementary school I had trouble with reading and writing. Some called it a learning disability and others just said I probably would not go to college. My parents helped me in every way that they could and I know I would not be where I am today without them. However as I got older I have to put in 4 times as much time studying as other students and really work hard to overcome my reading and writing troubles. Despite always being on the honor role my parents still did not believe I would go to school. As my senior year approached my mom took me to look at “ shitty schools” and on our way to look at Penn State said I would never get into main campus and it would be a miracle if I got summer secession. I had a 3.9 and 1850 SAT score and I got into schools better than Penn state. I also got into Penn State mail for the Fall Despite my hard work I would never be at Penn State if it were not for my parents economic situation. I had Spanish and math tutors and a sat tutor and I never worked during the schools year. Because I was not working I had time to have a stellar resume full of sports and student government and DECA. Overall I really agree with Sam and I think money does not make you happy or successful it just makes things easier . Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:16:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/swinging-past-the-other-end-of-the-ideological-spectrum-on-the-way-to-the-intellectual-gray__trashed/#IDComment56563661 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55440561 I saw the movie Avatar with my two best friends over winter break. I extremely enjoyed it into my very conservative friend (and crazy when it comes to politics I don’t agree with all her views) sent me a text while sitting next to me that said “ this is the most liberal movie I have ever seen “ my other friend laughed and then they both found it funny that I did not pick up on the political implications. After that I could not help but think about it through the whole movie. I would never tell my friend but I agreed with the movie and many of the political implications it had. I thought of the movie as a modern Pocahontas while my friend saw it is anti-American liberal and every other term possible. I think that we should think twice before invading a foreign land that we by no means know it all. While I do not necessarily agree David Brooks article I can see his point of view. White are often portrayed on top… But I cannot come to a conclusion as to why? And how we got to this position in society? And why do I feel bad and embarrassed to be grouped with these people? Before today’s class I would have said that race should not be an issue and we should just all be friends. But today and in my discussion group the other day I was forced to think maybe I have these views because I am “ on-top” Someone in my discussion group, pointed out that I was not a member of any minority. While I first took this statement as rude then I found my self-thinking about it the rest of the day. She was right. I am a white catholic conservative from a middle/upper class family in Virginia. I have blonde hair blue eyes and I am “the whitest white person”. Since starting this class I no longer know what to think? I found myself thinking of ways to help others? Guilty? And why I have been so blessed? I don’t have any answers. I often saw getting to where I am not in life as a struggle and sometimes unfair but I don’t think I truly knows what it feels like. I have had my fair share of family illness, death, weight troubles, struggle in school, crappy summer jobs, problems with friends, and so much more but that is nothing compared to what people battle everyday. My Brooks article reminded me of a 20-20 episode on the blind side and African American’s were outraged because I rich white family took in a poor black boy. While I first thought this was ridiculous I cannot understand the opposing point of view. However Michael Oher was response is that it was people helping people and than any people helping people is great. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 04:56:23 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55440561 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388417 ( post #4) I do not understand fasting 4 a whole day, going to camp, spending the entire day in your room, or the attraction to ammine. However not sitting or sleeping for 46 hours, worrying about weight, campting out for football tickets, sports, internships, basketball games, community service clubs, j crew and so much more is strange to others. I think we should all make more of an effort to understand others cultures and the lifestyle choices them make. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:29:23 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388417 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388324 ( post #3) However she had to leave school for health problems I got a new roommate 2nd semester. I was in for a different culture shock. My new roommate is black and loves ammine she is quiet and sweet. She rarely leaves the room and is completely content sitting and doing nothing and watching TV or drawing. She does not wear makeup, or seam to put a lot of thought into her appearance or dress. My friends were shocked that I have liked her so far and they joked that she was the polar opposite of me. I joked with them that she has to think I am nuts. On my side of the room everything is pink I have it completely decorated. I am extremely involved on campus and I really never stop going. I am very motivated and enough is rarely enough. I come back late at night and I leave for class early in the morning. My Closet is stuffed and will barely shut. Last night as I left dressed ridiculously for a hillbilly themed social I was convinced that I must appear insane to her. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:28:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388324 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388269 ( this is post #2 it is all one but the computer is telling me it is too long) Camp was a regional practice that I did not understand. I only knew one girl who went to camp for the summer and while I had been to sports camp for a week I did not understand why parents sent their kids to camp at such a young age for the entire summer. She said that everyone in her town sent their kids to camp and it was weird if you did not go. The differences continued down to our family views and our dress. I did not get way American apparel was so stylish and she thought I looked ridiculous in my colorful preppy wardrobe. I was shocked at the way she back talked to her parents and she was shocked at how obedient I was. I think it was a surprise to both of us that we became very good friends despite our differences. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:27:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388269 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388109 This article made me think about how little we know about traditions in our society. I am a white female from Virginia. I was born and raised Catholic and attended Catholic grade school. I have blonde hair blue eyes. And as someone once joked with me I wear UGGS a black north face and carry a Vera Bradley bag like every other girl at Penn State. I grew up in Northern Virginia (outside DC) and my high school was fairly diverse. While I had been in class with people of different faiths and ethnicities all my friends were just like me. Last year I experienced major culture shock when my roommate was Jewish and from long island New York. She fit every long island stereotype perfectly. I quickly learned about some religious practices and regional practices that were almost barbaric to me. Yon Kippur was one of crazies to me, I did not understand not eating or drinking for an entire day.However the fact that I wore jeans to church every week (sometimes even sweat pants) was shocking to her. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:25:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54388109 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54387634 This article made me think about how little we know about traditions in our society. I am a white female from Virginia. I was born and raised Catholic and attended Catholic grade school. I have blonde hair blue eyes. And as someone once joked with me I wear UGGS a black north face and carry a Vera Bradley bag like every other girl at Penn State. I grew up in Northern Virginia (outside DC) and my high school was fairly diverse. While I had been in class with people of different faiths and ethnicities all my friends were just like me. Last year I experienced major culture shock when my roommate was Jewish and from long island New York. She fit every long island stereotype perfectly. I quickly learned about some religious practices and regional practices that were almost barbaric to me. Yon Kippur was one of crazies to me, I did not understand not eating or drinking for an entire day.However the fact that I wore jeans to church every week (sometimes even sweat pants) was shocking to her. Camp was a regional practice that I did not understand. I only knew one girl who went to camp for the summer and while I had been to sports camp for a week I did not understand why parents sent their kids to camp at such a young age for the entire summer. She said that everyone in her town sent their kids to camp and it was weird if you did not go. The differences continued down to our family views and our dress. I did not get way American apparel was so stylish and she thought I looked ridiculous in my colorful preppy wardrobe. I was shocked at the way she back talked to her parents and she was shocked at how obedient I was. I think it was a surprise to both of us that we became very good friends despite our differences. However she had to leave school for health problems I got a new roommate 2nd semester. I was in for a different culture shock. My new roommate is black and loves ammine she is quiet and sweet. She rarely leaves the room and is completely content sitting and doing nothing and watching TV or drawing. She does not wear makeup, or seam to put a lot of thought into her appearance or dress. My friends were shocked that I have liked her so far and they joked that she was the polar opposite of me. I joked with them that she has to think I am nuts. On my side of the room everything is pink I have it completely decorated. I am extremely involved on campus and I really never stop going. I am very motivated and enough is rarely enough. I come back late at night and I leave for class early in the morning. My Closet is stuffed and will barely shut. Last night as I left dressed ridiculously for a hillbilly themed social I was convinced that I must appear insane to her. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:20:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54387634 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-b__trashed/#IDComment53877727 Erin Barsanti Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:27:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-b__trashed/#IDComment53877727 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53404845 I was raised in a Catholic home and consider myself a devout Catholic. (I could count on my fingers how many times I missed mass in my life.) Like many young college students I have recently found myself questioning aspects of my faith. Many people (myself included) regard faith, as one of the most important aspects in their life but it is funny when you step back and think what if I am wrong? My Uncle used to joke every time that we passed the Amish country and say “What if they are right”.. “ I guess we will find out when we die.” His point could not be more correct. What if Jewish people are right… or Muslim Or Buddhist… What if Joseph Smith was real? What will happen to me when I die if I was wrong? I find myself different from most Catholics because I see that I may not be right. And I know that someone else could have it all right and I could have it all wrong. Recently at a party I got into an intense discussion about faith with a Jewish friend. He had recently decided that he was not going to believe in anything anymore and I urged him to go back to temple. He started laughing and said your Catholic. I told him that I did not really care what people believed in I just think that they should believe in something. 99% of all faiths teach good things. Honor your father and mother don’t kill treat all living things with respect ect. There is rarely anything bad that comes out of religious teachings. I told him that if I found out that tomorrow that everything I believe was false I would not regret being catholic for a minute. Nothing Bad has ever come out of my catholic faith. I believe in Jesus Christ, The saints, the pope and the Mary was a virgin when she was conceived. But I recognize that it sounds crazy. It is simply what I believe. I do believe Jesus died on the cross for me but I found Laurie’s point very interesting that Jesus died to recognize real suffering. In class on Tuesday Sam lecture really made me think about how fortunate I am. I sat there and thought about just the possessions with me. My Mac lab top, Ugg boots, $3 coffee, Vera Bradley id case Kate Spade bad, $30 planner, $100 jeans, $50 sweatshirt, $ 100 highlight’s in my hair, my expensive cell phone. I looked like every other girl in the class and I was dressed normal… to me grubby but for the world I was one of the most fortunate people. I thought of my Kate spade bad as last season and on crazy clearance my jeans as thank you god for J crew’s amazing employee discount, my uggs as a Christmas present, my cell phone as a free upgrade and the list goes on. But as I sat there I found myself asking why was I so fortunate who am I to deserve all this? We are surrounded by such greatness that Uggs a north face and a mac are normal. That a touch screen phone is crappy because it is not a blackberry or an i phone. On Tuesday the earthquake really brought me back and made me realize how fortunate I truly am . . Later that day I found out that I was not accepted into a very prestigious student organization. I came home from my usual wed night an (internship meeting, pillar (thon org meeting) and then an R and R thon committee meeting) 6 hours of straight meetings and cried on the phone to my mom. Just laid on my bed and sobbed and told my mom how I wanted to be in it since high school and why did they not pick me. Then suddenly I stopped and remember soc class. Who am I to even thing that I deserved to be among such amazing student is this org. I am among amazing fortunate people I go to an awesome school filled with smart involved people, and I hang out with some of the most involved people on campus. Penn state student are not normal for the world and my friends are not normal for Penn State students. At that point I stepped back and realized whom I was up against and I was so thankful that I even got to round 2. I realized that I am still at a school that I absolutist love and I am still involved in a lot of campus and I will continue to be. Laurie’s Bolg made me realize that sometimes we need to step back and look at the bigger picture and sometimes it may take an earthquake for us to do it. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:35:20 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53404845