This letter from an incarcerated man made me feel some different feelings. Not knowing the crime he committed or how old he was when he committed it, this letter allows me to feel several emotions. I think it is wonderful such displays of compassion are seen, even in a prison yard. It seems these acts of compassion are maybe more common in a prison yard than in the outside world. Maybe not all of the prisoners understand setting aside personal feelings to consol another, but I feel more of them understand that than those living outside of prison. It is not common to observe strangers in the outside world consoling each other. That is kept between friends and family.
Even though this man is capable of feeling such compassion, seeking reconciliation with those connected to the victim, and having an improved understanding of the world. I do not believe he should be released. I know his release is not the subject of the letter, but he did touch upon it. He said there are some men in prison who should never be allowed out. He said some of the men have really changed though. Even if this is the case, I do not believe there should ever be a chance of release for men like him. I might understand if this man was very young when he committed the act that placed him in prison. The young have intense, passionate feelings and are extremely impressionable. However, I do know that minors convicted of murder are usually only kept in prison until they are around the age of twenty five. Even though this man did not complete high school, it does not seem he was a minor when he committed the murder.

I believe the man should be allowed to have access to some aspects of life. For example, he had access to those who were connected to the victim. Maybe people who are serving out their life in prison should have the opportunity to, say, finish their high school education. I am sure there would be some exceptional high school students who are capable and willing to tutor the inmates. Especially if such an activity would count as volunteer work and could be included on their applications to colleges. More activities that could be available to the inmates are some sort of educational field trips, community service, job programs within the prison, speak at local school districts, etc. The prison would have to select inmates who have reached a mindset not unlike the man who wrote the letter to the class. The prison would have to have a lot of trust in the inmate. Regardless of any understanding an inmate achieves, I do not believe they should ever be released, but they should be given a chance at some sort of life.

According to statistics, minority births have risen and threaten to overtake white births. According to statistics, teenage pregnancy has risen. I am not stating that all cases of teenage pregnancy are minorities, but I think it is safe to say minorities account for a larger percentage of the teenage pregnancies than whites. If you were to look at the amount of pregnancies in a suburban high school versus an inner city high school, you would find more pregnancies in the inner city high school. You would also find more minorities in the inner city high school. This being said, I do not think white people will be feeling the ‘short’ end of the stick anytime soon. Minorities who give birth in their teens help to raise the overall number of minority births, but they also help keep minorities from climbing social ladders.

Do not get me wrong. I have no opposition to minorities climbing social ladders. After all, the United States is supposed to be a melting pot and a land of equal opportunity. The United States does not even have an official language. I just do not think we will see minorities climbing social ladders as a trend in our society any time soon. Even if I do see this trend in my lifetime, I do not worry about receiving the ‘short’ end of the stick. Affirmative action will be removed from the minorities and switch its focus to whites. Whites will be the ones receiving preferential treatment when it comes to job placement and applying for colleges. I honestly do not have a problem with that. Furthermore if the United States is supposed to be a land of equal opportunity, people will continue to rise and fall based upon how hard they work. I am personally a fan of the quote, “There is no such thing as luck. Only hard work.” I know the value of hard work. If I have children, they will know the value of hard work. They will achieve any aspirations they set for themselves as long as they work hard. I am not saying that whites work hard and minorities do not. Whites do tend to be more successful. White children grow up seeing such success, expect themselves to be just as successful, and will work hard to achieve that success. I have always been told that I am expected to do better than my parents did and that is going to be a hard thing to accomplish. This trend of seeing success is not exclusive to whites. My point was to show that children usually aspire to the same level of success that they see growing up. There are minorities who do just as well or even better than whites and their children will see that. Their children will aspire to be that successful.

In the end, I think you make yourself what you want to be. Everyone has obstacles, some more than others, but they can be overcome. If you want something bad enough, you will work hard to obtain it. People who claim they have the ‘short’ end of the stick are just whiners.

Taking a gender based subject, such as menstruation, and comparing it to a race based issue is completely unfair. There is such a thing as common courtesy. Certain subjects are just not discussed out of politeness and appropriateness. Avoiding conversation about such subjects in a large group of company is not the same as discussing why blacks were treated unfairly before Rosa Parks chose to sit at the front of the bus. Talking about menstruation in such large company is not going to be a ground breaking social issue. It is talking about a body function. It is not opening up a new forum of conversation. It is just rude to any of the students who are uncomfortable with the subject. If a guy walked up to me and wanted to discuss menstruation, I would not mind. I can be a very blunt person. If a man wants to know more about menstruation in an attempt to further understand the female mind and body, I have no problem with that. It is when a professor speaks about menstruation to a mixed gender class of over seven hundred students that pisses me off. All I am asking for is a bit of consideration. (For instance a professor should not bring his dog to an exam in case there are any extremely allergic students sitting in the first few rows.) I saw students get up and leave the classroom when the subject of menstruation came up during the lecture. That is one way to avoid the uncomfortable atmosphere or any aversion they had to the subject of menstruation. However I think it is up to the professor to keep his lecture under control and appropriate for the entire audience. The professor could have at least given such a large audience fair warning prior to that day’s lecture. Again, it is all about the consideration. A professor can discuss any topics he wishes, but just be considerate.
I appreciate what the professor is trying to do. He is trying to break down walls to allow conversation and ideas to flow freely. He is hoping to allow our society to break down the boundaries it has built up. It is something not only our society needs, but every society. Creating a world where there are little or no boundaries is what we should be working towards. As I said before, discussing bodily functions in an inappropriate manner is unreasonable. It is not fair to relate that discussion to a race issue. I personally felt that entire lecture was a waste of my time. It was unnecessary and served no purpose other than to gain a reaction from the students. I would have left as well if attendance was not required.

The term white guilt is a bit ridiculous. First off there is the term itself. It implies that just because a person is of white skin color they should feel guilty about past oppression to minorities. As a person of white skin, I feel this is somewhat discriminatory to my race. Just because I look white does not mean I should feel guilt about past oppressions against minorities. For all anyone who looks at me knows, I could be half Black or part Asian or a quarter Jewish. My appearance may not reflect minority blood, but I may very well have that background. The term white guilt should be changed to reflect those who should feel guilt. The term should be altered to Nazi guilt for the oppression under the Third Reich or early American guilt for the oppression of Native Americans.
Secondly there is no reason why every white person should feel guilty. I personally appear white, but have a Native American background. My ancestors had not moved to America when black slavery was at its peak. I have personally never oppressed a minority during my lifetime. Why should I feel guilty because I have white skin? Even if my ancestors had been involved in minority oppression in America, why should I feel guilt for actions I personally did not commit? I should not have to feel guilty. That is the end point. Those who were responsible or those who harbor oppressive feelings should feel guilty because they are or were involved in the oppression.
Thirdly I do understand the issues. I understand the horrible oppressions because they occurred to my ancestors. White people can feel the sorrow for oppressions without feeling directly guilty. White people can understand the horrible actions taken against minorities. I can go to Europe, view the former concentration camps, recognize the events and how horrible they were, and not feel directly guilty because I have German ancestors.
Finally people who think all white people should have guilt are undereducated idiots. If you want to blame someone for the oppressions against you or your ancestors, blame the people who were actually responsible. The Japanese government decided to attack Pearl Harbor and caused my grandfather to go to war because of it. Do I hate all Japanese people? No. If I want to hate or blame someone, I will hate or blame the Japanese government of that time. We cannot lump any group into one and blame them all. The few people in the world who actually should be blamed typically ruin the feelings towards all members of their group. It’s a shame that anyone would want white people to feel guilt because the majority of white people most likely have not done anything to deserve that guilt.

Unfortunately, the school has a legal chance at denying Constance McMillen and her girlfriend entrance to the prom together. There are currently no national laws prohibiting discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders. The most common law to look at when it comes to discrimination against minorities is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law protects people from being discriminated against based on color, race, gender, national origin, and religion. Since this law would not affect their case, the next place to look would be state and then local laws. Considering most states, especially those that are in the south and even more so the ones that are conservative, have not passed laws protecting the LGBT community, I doubt McMillen and her girlfriend would find a case there. The best bet for the lesbian couple would be to look at their local community laws. I know in my county, Westmoreland County of Pennsylvania, lesbians and gays are protected against discrimination on any grounds.
It is sad that our society has not come far enough to fully accept those different from ourselves into society. It is only a high school prom where teens should feel free to express their sexuality, wear whatever garments they wish, and not be afraid of the reaction of their peers. By the quote given by a teacher when asked about the same sex ban about remembering where she was, I would assume the community in which McMillan and her girlfriend live is very conservative. It is understandable why her peers and faculty feel this way. They most likely grew up in the same area if not an area similar to the one in which McMillan and her girlfriend currently reside. The ideas their parents instilled in their heads and their grandparents before them will continue to be passed along. These people are not willing to accept new ideas different from the ones that have been passed down. It would take a large force and education to being to allow them to see the other side. I do feel it is necessary. America was founded to allow its citizens to be free and live their lives in their own fashion. This right is slowly being extended to those who have been oppressed in American history. Women and blacks have been given such rights and hopefully the LGBT community will know them soon as well. America is known as the melting pot. Our history has been formed by people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, languages, and every aspect of human life. It eludes me how after everything our society has gone through people can still be prejudice towards others. Those who do not have open minds will soon be left behind. They need to open their eyes and see how life is outside their boundaries.

While the abundance of new jobs and wealth on the reservation benefits the Native Americans, I do not know how much the jobs and wealth will benefit them in the long run. After the oil has been extracted, the government will move out; thereby, leaving the Native Americans with no jobs and a preference for the standard of living they experienced during the oil extraction. I worry the Native Americans are taking their new found wealth and spending it frivolously on Hummers, trips to the casinos, and expensive trinkets. The Native Americans should be saving their money to last them after the jobs are gone. They should be putting it towards higher education for the young tribe members. The young tribe members will then be able to support themselves and live a life beyond the Native American poverty. They should be putting it towards fixing up the community. The community could probably use repairs regarding roads, parks, and schools. Better schools especially could mean better education. With a good education, the chances of Native Americans going to college or starting their own businesses would increase.
Another concern I have is how their current lifestyles match their tribe’s way of life. I would not be surprised if their ancient ancestors disapproved of their current way of living. The Native Americans lived off the land and had respect for Mother Nature. I hardly doubt that tearing up the land beneath a lake is respecting nature and living with the land. The new cars do not exactly contribute to a clean environment. I would have thought the Native Americans would be proud of their ancestry and would strive to preserve their culture to share with others.
Finally, if the Native Americans continue to spend their new wealth in irresponsible ways, I will feel no sympathy for them when they sink back into poverty. This tribe has an opportunity. Apparently anyone who wants to work can work. Every tribe member should be taking advantage of this opportunity. The tribe members should also be investing their wealth wisely. The money should be put towards higher education for the younger members so they can work at good jobs. The money should be saved for rainy days. The money should be put into projects that will last and serve the community: schools, roads, healthcare, parks, etc. The money should be put into reviving their ancestry and possibly creating a tourist destination. This would ensure visitors and income after the government pulls out of the area. There is so much they could be doing with their wealth apart from Hummers and casino trips that would serve them better in the long run. This tribe has been given an opportunity and it seems as though the majority of them are wasting it.

While the abundance of new jobs and wealth on the reservation benefits the Native Americans, I do not know how much the jobs and wealth will benefit them in the long run. After the oil has been extracted, the government will move out; thereby, leaving the Native Americans with no jobs and a preference for the standard of living they experienced during the oil extraction. I worry the Native Americans are taking their new found wealth and spending it frivolously on Hummers, trips to the casinos, and expensive trinkets. The Native Americans should be saving their money to last them after the jobs are gone. They should be putting it towards higher education for the young tribe members. The young tribe members will then be able to support themselves and live a life beyond the Native American poverty. They should be putting it towards fixing up the community. The community could probably use repairs regarding roads, parks, and schools. Better schools especially could mean better education. With a good education, the chances of Native Americans going to college or starting their own businesses would increase.
Another concern I have is how their current lifestyles match their tribe’s way of life. I would not be surprised if their ancient ancestors disapproved of their current way of living. The Native Americans lived off the land and had respect for Mother Nature. I hardly doubt that tearing up the land beneath a lake is respecting nature and living with the land. The new cars do not exactly contribute to a clean environment. I would have thought the Native Americans would be proud of their ancestry and would strive to preserve their culture to share with others.
Finally, if the Native Americans continue to spend their new wealth in irresponsible ways, I will feel no sympathy for them when they sink back into poverty. This tribe has an opportunity. Apparently anyone who wants to work can work. Every tribe member should be taking advantage of this opportunity. The tribe members should also be investing their wealth wisely. The money should be put towards higher education for the younger members so they can work at good jobs. The money should be saved for rainy days. The money should be put into projects that will last and serve the community: schools, roads, health care, parks, etc. The money should be put into reviving their ancestry and possibly creating a tourist destination. This would ensure visitors and income after the government pulls out of the area. There is so much they could be doing with their wealth apart from Hummers and casino trips that would serve them better in the long run. This tribe has been given an opportunity and it seems as though the majority of them are wasting it.

I personally find this product distasteful and somewhat insulting to both sexes. This is one of those instances where technology has gone too far. If the inventor is intelligent enough to have his own artificial intelligence, could he not have thought of a more productive way to implement his technology into our society? Nearly any idea would have been of better use than a seven thousand dollar sex toy. First of all, any socially inept man who has “trouble meeting women” will only regress further after purchasing one of these toys. If a man were to enter the social world after gaining confidence with this sex toy, he would strike out. He would come to expect enthusiastic responses from women to what would most likely be a perverted or awkward pickup line. He would come to expect women to go to bed with him after one date. He would come to expect women to be mindless vessels only to be used for sex with the push of a nonexistent button. He would come to expect women to respond positively to what would most likely be poor sexual skills. All in all, the man would become even more of a vegetable in the social realm. Second of all, this technology will cause people to drift even further apart. Human relationships have already become dependent of technology such as chat rooms and e-mails. If this technology becomes a trend, human connection will diminish even further than its current state. People used to write letters and now they write e-mails. People used to call each other and now they text message. Now people will be able to substitute human companionship altogether. Third of all, the potential for the sex toy to be used only as such is insulting. The inventor tried to give the sex toy a human persona with silicon skin, a triple x name, a capacity to form an emotional relationship, and realistic sounds. The insulting part is the factors that make the product more than a sex toy may be turned off whenever the man desires. If the reader cared to scroll down to read the comments made by users, they would find the following remarks: if she could cook and clean I might buy one, you can turn off her comments the way you should be able to with a woman, and more sexist comments made by male pigs who believe a female’s only existence is to cook, clean, and pleasure. All around the world countries exist where woman are treated as such. We should embrace the fact that we live in a country where women and minorities have a say in their surroundings. Before any readers can peg me as a feminist who should come with an off button, think of yourself in this position. Male models will be released within the coming days; thereby, enabling women to pleasure themselves without men. Women will also have the ability to disable the sex toy’s thoughts. No human, regardless of gender, wants to become a mindless vessel for sex. My overall point, this technology insults social progress and seeks to further distance the human population from each other.

While I do not agree with the terminology Andre Bauer used, I do think there is a ring of truth to what he said about those on welfare. As Sam stated, many people receive welfare. It is the attitude of some of those who depend on welfare to which I could apply Bauer’s thoughts. My family, neighbors, and I have had first hand experiences that sour our thoughts on welfare. I saw one man who held a sign that stated he was hungry. I went to Subway and purchased a “footlong” sub for the man. When I tried to give the sub to the man he looked at me and said, “What the hell is that?” I told him I had bought him a sub because his sign stated he was hungry. The man replied, “I don’t want that. I want cash.” With those words I can only assume he wanted the money for drugs, alcohol, or something equally useless to his apparent situation. My brother was leaving his college campus at night when he spotted an elderly woman trying to lift a heavy box into her stolen shopping cart. He offered to help the woman with her box. As he was bending over he felt her hand slip into his back pocket for his wallet. Having taken self defense classes, he flipped the woman on her back and placed his foot on her throat. He told her not try it again, got back into his car, and drove away. My neighbor is a teacher at a school district in a poor area. She has heard young women say numerous times that they cannot wait to get pregnant so they can receive more welfare. These are the people who appear to be on welfare with which I have problems. Welfare needs to have stricter guidelines. First it should only be extended to a person or family for an extended period of time. This will provide those on welfare with an incentive to get their act together. With the poverty level around twenty-one grand, some people see no motivation to obtain a job. Welfare can pay out as much as within a grand within the poverty level. Naturally the thought process of someone receiving such an amount would be, “Why should I look into employment when the government will pay me nearly as much to sit on the couch?” The government is providing people with an incentive not to work. Secondly, passing routine drug tests should be required to obtain welfare and to stay on welfare. I have nothing against helping out those who are less fortunate, disabled, or going through a rough time. I would just like to make sure they deserve aid and intend to work as hard as they can to get off of welfare. Drug addicts, alcoholics, breeding machines, etc do not deserve welfare. They only seek to take advantage of a program meant to help deserving, American citizens.

Unbelievable is the thought that comes to mind after viewing the video. I personally would not have guessed that soccer, the truly universal sport, would possess such a high amount of racism. While Sam made the point of Europe not having the Civil Rights Movement the United States has had, I would not have expected this of them. I would have thought the Holocaust of all things would have shown Europeans the evils of racism. Granted this video is geared more towards dark skinned soccer players, but the Holocaust destroyed any and all people who did not fit into Adolf Hitler’s idea of a perfect human being: blond hair and blue eyes. Europe was a front row witness to the horrors of Adolf Hitler, but Europe has not seemed to have learned anything.

Racism today should be unacceptable. I understand people are brought up learning certain values, morals, and ideas, but educated people should be able to form their own ideas. Then again the racist fans, coaches, and players portrayed in the video may have been uneducated. Some might say the racist behavior is only displayed with team spirit in mind. They might say that it is the same thing as trying to rattle batters during a baseball game. The behavior displayed surpasses any acceptable form of team spirit or unity. I do not understand how racist people can judge someone purely on the color of their skin, facial features, or any aspect of a person apart from their character. It just does not make sense to me.

Furthermore, I cannot understand how the soccer leagues have gone on ignoring this behavior for so long. If the fans, players, and coaches do not have anyone setting an example or guidelines of what behavior is acceptable, they will not stop. While the soccer leagues have imposed guidelines upon coaches and players, there is still nothing to stop the fans. For the sake of a good match and the integrity of the game, I would have thought something would have been done with the upcoming World Cup being held in a South African country. South Africa has gone through so much turmoil between the races and I do not believe they need any factor fueling more hatred. The racism displayed during the soccer matches is surly displayed outside of the matches.

Soccer leagues across the globe should make proactive attempts at reducing racism. Team unity and spirit is important, but racist behavior should be discouraged. Any racist paraphernalia should be confiscated at the gates of the stadiums or during the game. Those who make racist comments or gestures should be thrown out of the stadium or fined. These guidelines and more should put into place universally. Racism in all forms needs to be stopped if not discouraged.