en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/776109 Comments by ggmarie123 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66447223 I definitely agree with a lot of the things we talk about are common sense. I do not know if it is because I have been cultured throughout my life or just had really great parents who have taught me a lot growing up. I did appreciate the LGBT class. As a member of that community, I was looking forward to that lecture. I had heard from a friend that Sam said he would be with a man if his wife died. After knowing that, I was excited to see how Sam was going to teach the class on LGBT issues. I knew he was very accepting of that community and may even consider himself a part of it. I thought the way he educated everyone was appropriate and he made a lot of good points that needed to be expressed to such a huge lecture room. I know the race relations class has a great greek representation and the greek community tends to not understand the LGBT community. I was satisfied with the points Sam made during that lecture. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 19:21:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66447223 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66445880 To be honest, as a woman I know I should feel offended by this game, but I was not. I am not offended because the game does not directly affect me. My life will be no different if this game exists or if it is banned. However, I do not think we should have the game on shelves. I think it gives people bad ideas. It puts terrible thoughts in their heads. Most of all, it sends the message that human violation is okay. It is establishing a precedence that we do not have to respect each other as humans. What we see in the media, music, in movies, and on television shows definitely has an impact on our daily lives. The mind is a powerful thing. We are constantly observing and absorbing information. Human beings are easily influenced by the things around us. In my own personal experience, for the longest time I thought being gay was wrong and sinful. This was when I was attending a Catholic school. When I was put into a public school, my views started to change. I no longer thought this way about the LGBT community and today I even identify as bisexual. Another example of influence is when I spend more time watching violent and vulgar television shows, such as The Sopranos, I start swearing more. I do not do it intentionally but I know it comes from hearing so much vulgar language from the characters on The Sopranos. This is because when you hear something over and over you start to think it is an appropriate way to talk. We adapt to what we are being exposed to. I think it is the same thing with this video game. The more people play it and think it is okay to rape women, the more they are going to brush off how serious of an issue it actually is. They are going to start to consider it not such a violent crime and not such an incredible violation of women. Rape is never something that should be turned into a game or sport and that is what this game is suggesting. It is saying the violation of a woman is acceptable and even a competition. As far as the suggestion that maybe this game was created as a virtual outlet to prevent urges of rapists, i disagree completely. Going along with my previous argument, I do not think exposing rape in a video game will help them. I only think it will make it worse for them. This video game will always be on their minds. They will not be able to stop thinking about rape until they can actually physically fulfill these urges. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 19:12:00 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66445880 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment63886029 This was an interesting comment. I think the reason we always focus on black versus white because that is the most controversial topic. Asians would probably get more attention if they were being mistreated. Honestly, most people do not feel bad for Asians because we generally look at them as smart. We do not feel bad for Asians. If anything, we envy Asians because they are usually the kids in class who sit in the front, correctly answer questions, ask through provoking questions, and spend weekends in the library. Obviously I am not talking about every single Asian, but I can't remember the last time I was at the library and I did not see a well represented population of Asians. But I do think that is why we never talk about Asians as being a minority. They typically are not looked at in a sympathetic manner, but in an envious manner. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:31:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment63886029 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment63884954 Men are not educated about menstrual cycles because they do not need to know about them. Men and women are different for a reason. We experience different things physically, that does not mean we need to share those feelings. Women can talk about their periods with other women. I do not know why a woman would even WANT to talk to a man about her period. Men will never experience a period so they should not have to be exposed to the details of one. As a woman, I obviously have a monthly period and I am even grossed out by it. It is a painful time of the month that men should not have to be apart of. And if men got periods, tampons would never be free. Men and women both need protection during sex and condoms are still for sale. I don't understand why tampons would ever be free just because men had periods. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:22:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment63884954 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment63884264 My reaction during class on Tuesday was not because I am ashamed of being a woman. I love being a woman, I would not want to change that for anything. Also, I am thankful every single time I get my period. And, I completely agree that the ability to give birth truly is a miracle and I am not disputing that one bit. However, I think there is a time and place to talk about such issues. The problem with the subject of a menstrual cycle is that it is gender specific. Men know nothing about periods, nor should they have to. I would never expect a guy to understand why I feel the way I do for a couple days each month. Only females are physically able to experience a period. Men should not have to sit in a classroom of 700 or more students and hear about how a woman bleeds once a month. I thought it was an inappropriate time and place to bring up such a topic. If it was a class of only women and there was a woman professor bringing up this topic I do not think there would have been any controversy what so ever. The reason people were getting upset is because having a period is a very personal thing for a woman. It is our right of passage into womanhood. For some women, that experience in their life was extremely embarrassing. It happens to all women at different times and depending on the other women in their lives, going through having your first period could be really scary. I thought it was really insensitive of Sam to bring that topic up in front of an entire lecture hall. I also thought it was completely ridiculous that there were actually girls raising their hand when he asked who was "bleeding." Maybe I am uptight or something, but I could not believe some girls were so open about that part of their personal hygiene. For me personally, I could never admit to an entire 100 Thomas lecture hall that it was "that time of the month." Another thing that really confused me about this Tuesday's class was why we were even on that subject. We are in a Race Relations class and I am having a hard time relating a menstrual cycle to racial issues. The only way I can almost kind of make a connection is political correctness. In this blog post she said "bleeding" probably was not the best word choice Sam could have picked. I guess that can relate to race when trying to be politically correct when talking about different types of ethnic groups. Even that is a stretch though. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:16:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment63884264 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment63037855 I think the labels "white" and "black" are very ambiguous. I feel like it is a self identity and the only person who can reach a decision on that identity is the person in question. If you are half black and half white, you probably would not answer a question from Sam that is directed to white people. I think when he asks those questions he is referring to the people who are not from multiracial families. I think race and ethnicity is very important to people and they are the only ones who can address these internal issues. I believe it is easier to come to conclusions and learn about yourself as a person through discussions with people of different races and ethnicities. But ultimately it is up to the individual person to determine their identity. It is not fair for other people to identify someone who comes from a multiracial background because they do not know their internal thoughts and emotions towards their family history. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:24:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment63037855 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63037274 I do think it goes both ways. I think a person is a person. It does not matter if you are a white person or if you are black person. We all have the ability to offend each other. We all need to be more aware of each other's feelings and the way we say things. Sam says in class how "nothing is offensive." He said something about we all have different levels of tolerance with what offends us. I do agree with that but I do not agree that "nothing is offensive." There are appropriate ways to say things to each other. We do have to be careful in our culturally diverse world as to not hurt each other's feelings. Certain cultures have specific customs that we need to try to learn about and be aware of when in the presence of these specific cultures. It is very easy to say the wrong thing and when that happens, I feel it is necessary to apologize and try to understand why it was offensive. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:19:43 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63037274 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63036708 I do not think a white person should feel guilty unless that individual person has done something they should feel sorry for. I do not think it is appropriate for me, as an individual, to feel responsible about the Native American current state. Granted it was my grandparents' grandparents' grandparents' grandparents, or maybe even more than that, but I did not have control over what they chose to do when they immigrated to the United States. If it was me personally who stole something from a Native American, yes, I should feel guilty. But I did not do anything wrong. My parents pay for the home that they live in. I currently pay for the apartment I live in. I did not get any of these things for free and I should feel proud, if anything for the things I have. I have earned every single thing in my life and I think it is ridiculous that people try to say we should feel guilty for what has happened in the past. Yes, it is a sad thing. But to be honest, you have to think about it in the way of survival of the fittest. I do not know if this sounds arrogant or rude, but the white people came over with more technology and they were able to conquer the new world. They had the resources and power to achieve the things they set out to. I am not saying I think it was right of them to intrude on another culture and country. I do not applaud their achievements in any way. It was a terrible thing to steal and kill for material possessions. But at the same time, I was not the person who did any of this, therefore I do no believe I should be blamed or tried to feel guilt. In my life I have always had a job to pay for the things I need and want. It is not fair to try and put the responsibility on those of us who have worked hard to make a life for ourselves. The only things I feel bad about are when I offend someone, which I try not to do. I do believe everyone was created equal and I do not discriminate by any means. If I happen to offend someone, it is simply because I did not understand what was going on. In these situations I try to gain knowledge so my ignorance does not offend another person or group. If everyone operated and treated each other in this way I think we would all get along a lot easier and there would not be so much discussion about racism. However, until we live in a world that people treat each other fairly, we do need to keep exploring these issues. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:15:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63036708 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-comment__trashed/#IDComment58456761 I understand that people only know what they grow up around. I also understand how you can get into a cycle of bad habits and not know when or how to stop it. It's hard when a life of crime and violence is all you know. After you get out of jail, it is almost impossible to have a good job. It just becomes so much easier to start stealing again, or start selling drugs again. To come out on top after being in jail for a certain amount of time is a difficult task to overcome. However, there are some people who are capable of doing that. Some people who get out of jail and start an honest life. In the HBO original series, Entourage, the main character, Vince, had a cousin, Dom, who got out of jail and started a new life. Vince gave him a job and Dom got serious with his life. He maintained a decent job, got married, and had a baby. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:36:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-comment__trashed/#IDComment58456761 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58447662 I think it is an interesting comment about the correlation between financial status and quality of a lawyer. The statistic probably does stem from this fact. If you can afford an experienced, persuasive lawyer to represent you, most likely your chances of getting off in the court system are incredibly high. When you have decent representation, you will be much more successful in getting an easier punishment. You will probably show up to court in a nice suit and say all the proper things. Your lawyer will have trained you to say what the judge and jury want to hear. People who do not have much money will not have had this type of preparation and probably will not get the same treatment. So it is interesting to think about if everyone had an equally experienced lawyer how much those statistics would change? Would the black convicts still get harsher punishments? Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:56:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58447662 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/who-could-compete-with-this-woman-on-a-level-playing-field__trashed/#IDComment58445714 It is amazing how someone so underprivileged can make so much out of their life. This woman was given the short end of the stick and has made a success story out of her life. It is even more unfortunate that the earthquake had to destroy her entire business. It was not enough that she had to start from the bottom of the economic ladder, but she worked hard and supplied a life for her and her children. As Sam mentioned, she truly is one of the more intelligent people among us. Not only did she put forth extra amounts of physical effort, but she maximized her intelligence beyond what many citizens of Haiti ever dream of accomplishing. It is true that some of the skills she applied to her business are the same exact ideas and concepts students pay thousands and thousands of dollars at prestigious universities and colleges to obtain. Without an education past fifth grade, this woman, Yvrose, has applied business strategies that surpass what most of us will do in a lifetime. It is incredibly heart breaking that someone with so much potential is never going to be given the chance to make real money and success in the world. There are plenty of trust fund bound, juvenile, immature kids who have every single opportunity in the world given to them who will never come close to the potential Yvrose has. These are the same kids that will have millions of dollars for the rest of their life. They will buy yaughts they do not need, guest houses they will never step foot in, and airplanes they do not know how to fly. Granted, there is the occasional trust fund child who appreciates what he has been given and works hard. But as a general statement, many do not feel this way. Many bank on the fact that their parents will donate a large sum of money to get them into the appropriate ivy league school so they can "earn" their degree and make their own millions of dollars. They will then set up a trust fund for their children and the cycle repeats. Meanwhile, we have honest, hard working people like Yvrose who put their blood, sweat, and tears into making $100 United States dollars. This is one thing I know I will never be able to understand. I will never understand why some people have everything handed to them on a silver platter and others have to walk through dirt roads with their bare feet. I completely agree with Sam that if she had been born somewhere in the United States, she would quickly climb to the top. Who knows, she could have been our first African American president. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:44:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/who-could-compete-with-this-woman-on-a-level-playing-field__trashed/#IDComment58445714 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-one__trashed/#IDComment57714513 First of all, I completely support gay and lesbian couples having children. I think the love and adoration they would have towards their children would be infinite and unconditional. I think gay men and lesbians would be amazing parents. Generally speaking, gay men are considerate, caring, and do have certain “mother instincts.” Most women are also the same way. I do not think there would be much of a difference between gay men raising a child versus a lesbian couple raising a child. To be honest, I think gay parents would be better than some straight parents. With a man and woman, there can be an accidental pregnancy. Having a child may not be exactly what they are ready to deal with at that point in their life. With gay or lesbian couples, they plan and look forward to raising a child together. Their intentions are to start a family and make a wonderful life together, where with the straight couple it is a problem they are learning to deal with. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:19:28 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-one__trashed/#IDComment57714513 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57713808 The question was why are gay men not as accepted as lesbians and I do not know how much I agree with that generalization. I know a lot of straight guys think lesbians are hot or whatever, but when it comes down to it, they will still make comments about girls in a negative way. When I am walking down the street holding a girl’s hand, I will hear comments about having a threesome with whatever drunk guy is yelling at us. If we respond in a negative way, the said drunk man will yell some kind of rude slur back at us. Guys only accept lesbians if they think they can get something out of it to benefit them. It is hard for gay men because guys are usually the ones spitting out nasty comments. Women usually see the gay or lesbian couple and keep their opinions to themselves. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:11:21 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57713808 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-three__trashed/#IDComment57712200 I completely agree that bisexual exists. I do not think bisexuals are confused, I think they are the most level headed people in the world. I think they are the ones who have it figured it all out. They realize that sexuality is fluid. There is no straight or gay. Every single straight person has some kind of bisexual or gay tendencies. Just like all gay people have some kind of bisexual or straight tendencies. The common factor in “straight” people and “gay” people is the bisexual tendency. I have met people who claim to be “straight” and I know for a fact that they have participated in same-sex sex. The first girl I ever dated still says to this day that she is “straight.” I find that incredibly interesting because she has done some very not straight things when alone with me. It is insulting to me because I am out as a bisexual and I would not deny my sexuality. It is hard for me to hear her say she is straight because it is almost like she is denying her history with me. By saying she is straight she is saying she never had feelings for me when I know we shared something special together. That is a great example of someone who is pretending to be straight when they are really bisexual, if not a lesbian. I have a friend who claims he is one hundred percent gay. He only likes guys, according to him. However, there have been plenty of times where he will make comments about me or our other girl friends. Also, the way he acts towards us sometimes makes us think he is interested in us as more than just a friend. I know this is all very subjective, but if you knew him and the situations, you would not disagree with me. I gave two examples of one person who is “straight” and one person who is “gay” and in both examples they have shown bisexual tendencies. I definitely think every single person is bisexual. Some people are just more towards the “straight” side of the spectrum and other people are closer to the “gay” side of the spectrum. One of the sayings I have always been obsessed with is “hearts, not parts.” I think the ability to see a person and fall in love with a person is irregardless of their sex. You fall in love with who the person is. You fall in love with their laughter and their values, not what is underneath their clothes. This is why I think sexuality is fluid. There is no label of definitely “straight” or definitely “gay.” For me personally, I could fall in love with a girl just as easily as I could fall in love with a guy. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:02:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-three__trashed/#IDComment57712200 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537765 To be honest, I do not think people should invade other cultures and force their ways upon them. I think every single person is different and cultures are incredibly creative. If a culture is not harming anyone else, they should not be bothered. I think it is great to learn as much as possible about everything in the world. But it is not fair to try to change other people’s way of life because it is simply different from the way you live yours. In my opinion, to each their own. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 22:41:46 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537765 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537759 As far as the comments about the white people trying to save the Avatars, I do not agree with that. The white people in the movie did not care about the well being of the Avatar culture and people. Their only concern was making their money. They wanted to drill into the ground that the Avatar people appreciate and depend on. If they were trying to save them, they would have gotten to know them and learn their ways. This is what Jake Sully did. He emerged himself in their culture and learned everything about being a genuine Avatar. After realizing how much they depend on the land, trees, wind, and nature in general, Jake Sully wanted to save them from the white men and their power hungry actions. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 22:41:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537759 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537716 In the case of Jack Sully, he was sent to observe the Avatar culture and befriend them. His officer in command urged him to gain their trust so he could relay a message to them. The Avatar culture has a great dependence on Ewya, their God-like figure. However, a very expensive jewel is found under the tree they worship at. Naturally, the corporate leaders from Earth are very interested in gaining access to this precious jewel. Driven by greed and power, the people from Earth end up destroying the land that the Avatar people so greatly adore. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 22:41:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537716 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537674 I have seen the film, Avatar. Actually, I saw it twice because I liked it so much the first time. In my opinion, the movie was very similar to the older Disney movie, Pocahontas. In the cartoon, the Native Americans were forced into urbanization from the men from Europe. John Smith, one of the main characters in the movie, ended up falling in love with the Native American princess, Pocahontas. This is very similar to Avatar. One of the soldiers from Earth, Jake Sully, fell in love with a native Avatar princess. When emotions are involved in each movie, the men start to see the other way of life. They start to regret forcing their urbanization upon the culture the women that they love live in. It becomes harder for them to be loyal to their home country. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 22:40:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55537674 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54431876 It is really sad to witness how ignorant people can be. I hate how certain people think of themselves as above others because of a specific race or social standing. We are all people. We all have feelings. We all have gone through life changing experiences. It is so hard to accept the fact that there are human beings out there that can treat people with such hatred. It reminds me of when we started having black baseball players in the Major Leagues. I read about stories where fans would throw things at the black players and would even stop going to games all together. It is sad that this type of thing is still happening today. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:30:14 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54431876 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54431084 I completely agree that a government that does not put high restrictions on the way people live their life has a success. Most people do not like to be told what to do. Having authority irritates people. When you are constantly being told what to do, it makes you not want to do whatever it is. If your friend keeps telling you to do your homework before you go out at night, you are going to keep putting off your homework. The more someone tries to control you, the more you are going to want to break free from that resistance. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:20:31 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54431084