I was one of the “white” students who raised their hand when Sam asked if anyone came from a family of illegal immigrants. I did not respond to why because I simply did not feel like talking but Sam’s statement afterword took the thoughts out of my head. I do not like that illegal immigrants are treated poorly. It is not fair that the American people decide to treat these people in a negative manner when all they are doing is looking for a better life. Basically each and every one of our grandparent’s came to America for the same exact reason. Not only did they come here in search of a better life, but they also stole the land from the Native Americans who were here originally. I do not like that people think it is just to kick these immigrants out of the country. These people do have rights just like you and I regardless if they pay taxes or not. I have a lot of friends who are here illegally or on expired visas. One of my best friends was even deported back to Russia over the summer. I was angry when this happened because I do not understand the reason for it. Americans get insulted when people come to this country and do not speak English. I have heard many people insult Mexicans because they speak their native language Spanish. I do not understand why everyone is so afraid of a little diversity and mixed culture. I think we should embrace others differences and incorporate them into the American way of life. We are supposed to be a melting put after all. Many people view immigrants as threats for they feel they can take away their jobs. This to me is stupid because anyone can take away a job, not necessarily just an immigrant. I think that Americans need to be more accepting as a hole. Immigrants offer a lot of positivity to our society and I think it is important that we do not discriminate against them.

I am really glad that Sam decided to show the class the hardships and struggles of living as a Native American in this country. I feel that a lot of people, myself included did not really understand the extent of what Native Americans have been through. Many of us never give their lifestyles and their pasts any thought. Besides for of course at Thanksgiving dinner, but those thoughts do not even count because I doubt that many Americans even discuss the slaughtering of the people our ancestors stole land from. I am not a person who has had claims to have Native American blood, nor have I ever really been in close contact with anyone who lives on a reservation. I have only seen Native Americans who actually live on a reservation two times in my life. One time was at a gas station by Mohegan Sun on my drive up to Maine and the second time was when I was in Nevada. I remember looking at their clothes and watching them all pile out of an ancient mini-van and thinking “oh my god, real live Indians!” But now I truly feel deep sympathy and I wish I could change something after learning about their way of life. I was always sympathetic for the Native Americans because I knew that their land was stolen and that their people were killed in the past, but I never truly thought about how much that set them back. This lesson opened my eyes to the everyday struggles they have to deal with. They are the poorest people in this country and they shouldn’t be. They deal with such a large number of rapes and murders. It is absolutely frightening. I think that every American should be given the lesson that Sam taught because everyone has to see what is really going on these reservations. Everyone has to see and understand the truth. I feel that if everyone knew what was really going on that maybe Native Americans will be given more of the respect that they deserve. The people in America should no longer be given the sugarcoated version of the story; we all need to be exposed to the lives of our nations first people. I am very thankful that Sam chose to teach us this topic because I now feel more aware. I felt a great deal of sadness after watching those videos, but they also inspired me to defend these people and spread the word to inform everyone I know.

As I am getting ready to go out for my best friend’s birthday, the last thing I want to think about is terrorism. The Christian Invaders lesson did not, and nothing ever will change my mind about terrorism. Terrorists killed my cousin on the ninety-forth floor of the World Trade Center. Terrorists ended the lives of so many people close to me. Terrorists forever changed my father, a New York City firefighters life for the worst. Terrorists ultimately caused my parent’s divorce. Terrorists make me live in fear. In my opinion terrorists are the saddest excuse of human beings. They are sick minded, selfish individuals who do not care about anyone or anything besides for their own beliefs. The video in the beginning of class made me sick to my stomach. It hit way to close to home. Being from New York City, I do not exactly enjoy watching people jump from the Twin Towers. My own blood died in that attack. My father watched his friends die while trying to help others survive. The video put me in a terrible mood and I think it really shut me down to listening to the rest of the lecture. I do not agree with the war or the American presence in Iraq. I do not judge all of the Iraqi people, I just simply do not agree with terrorism. A lot of the posts above really bothered me. I do not understand how people can say, “I understand why they hate us”. A terrorist’s acts cannot be justified and they simply should not be. I do not agree with any civilian causalities. Which is why I do not agree with war. And why I certainly do not agree with the 29:1 ratio. I do not think that a innocent civilian’s life should ever be taken away, it is not fair. That is someone’s mother, father, sibling and friend. Nothing can make up for these people’s death. My opinion’s on terrorism certainly did not change, I really was not a fan of this lecture. I did not exactly like the way Sam went about everything because I do not agree with the whole religion aspect of the war, especially on the American behalf. I was really turned off and I was certainly not enlightened. I think Sam is great, but I think that was pushing it. I know a lot of people enjoyed the lesson, but a lot of people also were not directly affected by 9/11 or by this war. My cousin just got back from Afghanistan two weeks ago and I could not be happier. If only everyone else could come home.

I for one have always envied the life of a guy. They get up, hopefully brush their teeth, then they throw on whatever is clean and head out the door. It seems like being a guy is the simplest task in the world. But at the same time I absolutely LOVE being a girl. I love to shop; I find that the biggest joy in my life is buying shoes. I know it sounds pathetic, but shopping is somewhat exhilarating to me. I love to rummage through my closet and let my creativity soar. I know that Sam says that every girl gets dressed to impress a guy. I do agree with that statement, but only under certain circumstances. I do truly feel like I am somewhat of an exception to the rule. I have been told that I am a free spirit. And when I get dressed, I get dressed for myself. Sure I have made sure I looked extra cute to impress a guy on occasion, but I do not think that everything I do is to satisfy and impress someone of the opposite sex. If I want to wear sweat pants and I t-shirt… I will wear sweat pants and a t-shirt. I am most definitely guilty of wearing the same sweats multiple times in one week. I do not worry about people judging me. My only matter is that I am comfortable. I also have quite a few funky items in my wardrobe. Guys have made fun of my floral pants and headbands. Items that only another fashionista would praise me for wearing. These negative comments do not ever faze me because I love who I am and I am very comfortable with myself. However, I do see where Sam is going with this. I have plenty of girlfriends who spend hours in front of the mirror, caking on make-up and switching their shirts hundreds of times. I am from New York City and I laugh at the girls who walk around State College dressed like they’re going to a nightclub in Manhattan. Sure I wear heels and skirts, but my nighttime school attire is very different than my going out clothes at home. I guess that was kind of going off topic, but I do feel sorry for girls that dress provocative every night of the week… I think it seems pretty desperate. I also loved the comment that Sam’s wife made about girls not wearing coats while barely wearing any clothes. I thought this was hysterical because I always wear a coat, but I also always wear stockings… something that a lot of girls seem to forget. But, whatever I guess it is just the life of a college student.

I for one have always envied the life of a guy. They get up, hopefully brush their teeth, then they throw on whatever is clean and head out the door. It seems like being a guy is the simplest task in the world. But at the same time I absolutely LOVE being a girl. I love to shop; I find that the biggest joy in my life is buying shoes. I know it sounds pathetic, but shopping is somewhat exhilarating to me. I love to rummage through my closet and let my creativity soar. I know that Sam says that every girl gets dressed to impress a guy. I do agree with that statement, but only under certain circumstances. I do truly feel like I am somewhat of an exception to the rule. I have been told that I am a free spirit. And when I get dressed, I get dressed for myself. Sure I have made sure I looked extra cute to impress a guy on occasion, but I do not think that everything I do is to satisfy and impress someone of the opposite sex. If I want to wear sweat pants and I t-shirt… I will wear sweat pants and a t-shirt. I am most definitely guilty of wearing the same sweats multiple times in one week. I do not worry about people judging me. My only matter is that I am comfortable. I also have quite a few funky items in my wardrobe. Guys have made fun of my floral pants and headbands. Items that only another fashionista would praise me for wearing. These negative comments do not ever faze me because I love who I am and I am very comfortable with myself. However, I do see where Sam is going with this. I have plenty of girlfriends who spend hours in front of the mirror, caking on make-up and switching their shirts hundreds of times. I am from New York City and I laugh at the girls who walk around State College dressed like they’re going to a nightclub in Manhattan. Sure I wear heels and skirts, but my nighttime school attire is very different than my going out clothes at home. I guess that was kind of going off topic, but I do feel sorry for girls that dress provocative every night of the week… I think it seems pretty desperate. I also loved the comment that Sam’s wife made about girls not wearing coats while barely wearing any clothes. I thought this was hysterical because I always wear a coat, but I also always wear stockings… something that a lot of girls seem to forget. But, whatever I guess it is just the life of a college student.

During my discussion group on Thursday, we came to the conclusion that once our grandparent’s generation has gone racial issues will no longer be as prominent in the American society. I think that Obama’s presidential election exemplifies our conclusion to the upmost degree. Obama had a larger youth following than any other person running for president in American history. This goes to show that our generation cares more about the issues at hand rather than what is on outside. The older generations would never have approved of this during the time of their youths. I think our generation is all about moving forward and making dreams possible for anyone regardless of race or ethnicity. I think this is a beautiful thing and I think that Obama as President is just the beginning. I do believe that we will one day have a full African American President, an Asian or even a Woman President. I believe that the options are limitless if we allow them to be. I am so glad that we are all moving forward together. I am so glad that minority children do not have to believe that their dreams have restrictions. For it is now a reality that ANYONE could be elected President. Of course not everyone will agree with me or even be on the same page, but I am a strong believer that there are tons of people on my wavelength and I believe that over time, almost everyone will be! I think that the only place to go from here is up, and I am so passionate about this. Obama made history and one day racist thoughts could be history as well! I do understand that every President has attended an ivy league school and that they all come from wealthy families, but I think that with more racial equality more people of color will be able to climb up the social ladder and ivy leagues will no longer be just a white thing. I do not think that I am just wishful thinking. I really believe that what I am saying will one day be true. I know for a fact that 50 years ago no one ever expected a mixed race man would ever hold the highest office in our country. But, in the last presidential election we proved all of them wrong. We, being the youth. And there are so many things that we have left to prove.

Do I personally feel guilty that I was born as a white female? No, I do not. I do not think that any person, no matter from which race should ever feel guilty about the color of his or her skin. Do I feel ashamed that I happen to be part of a race that took part in one of the most disgusting eras of human life? Yes, I do. I look down upon the white people of the past. And even upon those in the present who still take part in modern day slavery. The thought of it sends chills down my spine that human beings; can treat other human begins with such hatred, with such unfairness. I hate the thought of hate. I hate the holocaust, I hate genocide, I hate inequality. But, do I feel guilty for the reality that even today inequality still exists in our society? No. I feel angry. I feel angry that people can still let this happen. I feel hungry. I feel hungry to help make a change. I do not care about the color of my skin, or your skin, or you neighbors skin. I will do my best to create and maintain a colorblind world, because I do believe that it is possible. I have said this before and I will say this again, that we as the future of our nation must uphold the responsibility to make a change. We must stop the greedy people of this country from taking advantage of the people in the ivory coast, and in India, in the Nike factories, in the rose gardens, and making Hershey’s chocolate. We must not make anyone feel guilty about being born into a certain race. We all came into this planet the same exact way, and we are all going to exit this planet the same way. We have to make our time here the same, I do not mean doing the same exact things, but being offered equal chances. As for the slavery that goes today, I have the recurring feeling of disgust. Sam’s lessons and videos have made me much more conscious about the decisions I will make when buying certain products. I do not want to buy products made in other nations because, I don’t even want to imagine the age of the poor person who made the product, and under what conditions, making how little pay. I do not want to support the major corporations that take in billions of dollars a year and pay their “employees” close to nothing. This idea of buying from America and not supporting the slavery has been in my head for a while, but after all we have learned, I am planning to abide by it. I feel guilty that I have contributed to those corporations, and I feel that is a major reason to feel guilty.

I myself and I am sure that many of you can admit to making fun of a red neck at one time or another. I have already seen the video that Sam showed us during class and I have to say that it has opened my eyes even wider to the poor white rural culture. It greatly upsets me that these people are ridiculed by absolutely everyone. As Sam said, the poor white people are the bottom of the bottom. Living in a more urban culture the only poor white people I know live in projects and not trailers. My cousin who looks just like me, white skinned and all; was born and raised in the projects in the ghetto. She has been in rehab and in jail and currently lives in a half way house with her two year old child. That is the poor white culture I know. Besides for traveling to Florida and other states I have never been exposed to any other poor white people outside of the ghetto. I have used the words “white trash” “redneck” and “hick” and I have said these cruel words without any remorse. When I think of poor America I think about my friend Pat (who is not white) who lives in the projects without running water and legit shits out his own window. It is him and my cousin that I have always felt remorse for, not the poor white people in the rural areas. I feel that is because I have never been exposed to them and I have never seen it first hand. But, yes I now feel great remorse for those people and yes I would love to help. I feel that everyone needs more exposure to the great amount of poverty in the US. I don’t think that people really understand the poverty in our country. We are always seeing commercials about donating to third world countries, but I think we need to see about more about the poverty in our own country. America isn’t truly the world of dreams that everyone thinks it is. I cannot walk past a salvation army or a person collecting money for Katrina without donating. I would love to live in a world without poverty and I think if everyone was a little more conscious about the poverty people will be more willing to donate and will place us a little closer to a poverty free world. I for one will stop using derogatory words towards the poor white culture.

Ok, so this might be a little bit of a crappy entry since I’m about to leave for THON 2011!! But Ill try to make my point to the best of my abilities. America is kind of a funny place. We talk about freedom, meanwhile there are millions who still aren’t free. I mean sure we are more free than some other nations, but since we were all created equal, I feel that freedom should be guareenteed. I have somewhat of a love hate relationship with the red white and blue. I do not appreciate the whole “keeping up with the Jones’” mentality that we have going on here. Everything always has to be bigger and better. I truly believe that we are the most materialistic country on this planet. Money is power. Money is status. Money is ultimately everything! I feel that there are plenty of other nations that do not value material things to the greatest extent. Another thing about this country that kind of ticks me off is the pace. Everything has to be done by a deadline on a certain day and at a certain time. Its almost comical when you think about all of us Americans trying to juggle a million things at one time, not even taking a second to breath. I am from a big city and I have conquered the fast pace lifestyle, but I’d much rather be moving in slow motion and taking my time. I think it is much more important to enjoy life by soaking it, rather than letting the world pass you by. For after all we are all going to die so it is important that we enjoy every second on this planet. I love being on vacation and living by island time, I think there is no greater feeling in the world! I do love America and I think we are given so many opportunities here but I wish we truly had more say in the government. I wish we were actually run by a true democracy, which I understand would be impossible do to our huge population! But it would be nice and in my mind a little more fair. I wish we weren’t always in a fight to be the worlds best superpower and that we would just focus on living. I also wish we would follow the lead of other nations who have lower drinking ages and marijuana is legal… but I guess that would only be in a perfect world! FTK!

Part Three: It makes me sick to think that a mother can get thrown in jail for trying to ensure her children a better education. Maybe if the school systems weren’t so unequal, there would not even need to be a law restricting people from going to schools outside of their stated zones. For if every school was equal, no one would even try to break the stupid law. It is our job to ensure that problems like this do not occur in the future. It is our job as the future of this nation to stop being ignorant and to start being proactive. It is our job to make sure that our own children do not need to live in a world with such inequality.