I think the irony of the United States is absolutely ridiculous. We like to proclaim that we are a nation that embraces its diversity and welcomes people of all nationalities into our midst. Yet in reality, our actions speak so much louder than our boasts of being the world’s melting pot. White men are still the main benefactors of our society, and oppression and discrimination are rampant. (This always makes me wonder about why other nations find the United States so wonderful and free. But then again, our oppression and discrimination and prejudices are far more latent than they are in other societies, and after all, we are still the land of liberty and of the American Dream.)

The statue of liberty is almost a joke nowadays, as our society does seem to dislike illegal immigrants. We would rather deport people than embrace them and provide them with asylum. We are fine fighting wars on other people’s turfs, but shirk away the responsibility of caring for other nation’s citizens that seek refuge and a peaceful new life on our turf. Immigrants are generally portrayed by the media as being dirty, lazy “wetbacks,” despite the fact that the people who immigrate are NOT the lazy ones. They are the go-getters of their countries, they are the ones risking everything to begin their lives anew. They are the people who will try everything and do anything to improve the lives of their families and ensure a better future for their children. Meanwhile, the United States’ media and government like to create this dramatic, false image that immigrants are storming our shores and borders and are stealing away jobs that are rightfully ours. The facts are not all provided for the people of the United States, so therefore the public opinion towards immigrants tends to mimic the media’s, and we all, to a certain degree, look down on them.

I learned in my Social Problems class last semester that immigrants are NOT destroying our economy or taking jobs that should be saved for Americans. Immigrants are taking the jobs that Americans don’t actually want, and they are actually quite valuable to our economy (that’s why the business world holds such a large stake in the matter). People are also under the false impression that immigrants are dangerous and violent and will ruin our cities with their gangs and slums. Data shows, however, that immigrant enclaves in American cities are significantly less violent than other areas of the inner cities. Immigrant families, especially Hispanic ones, tend to be very close knit; these familial values instill respect and hardworking values.

Ever since 9/11, America has developed an over-the-top sense of nationalism. While national pride is generally a good thing, in this case, it is hurtful. It inspires judgments of hardworking individuals before they even have a chance to prove themselves. And, if we let it, it will destroy America’s long-standing values of inclusion and diversity.

After gaining some perspective and understanding about the terrible conditions the majority of Native Americans in this country live, I honestly felt sick to my stomach. It makes me so sad that for years, well, for basically EVER, the white man has stomped all over people of color who are “in their way.” While I wouldn’t necessarily go so far as to say I am guilty about being white, I would say that I am ashamed of the way we have developed a superiority complex over the other races and ethnicities in this country. Where did our sense of entitlement come from? Why do we trot through our nepotism-ridden lives, pleasantly ignorant to the plights of others? How can we deny the injustices we have done to these innocents, or worse still, how can we acknowledge that wrongs were done, yet still do nothing to remedy the current situation?
Seeing the Al Jazeera news report on the Indian reservation here in the United States was a very strange experience. All our news talks about is troubles and wars in the Middle East, yet mentions nothing of the extreme statistics and unfortunate lives of people right in this country. Ironically, it is the Middle Eastern news network that brings the American reservations to public light. We spend all our focus, and, as Sam pointed out in the Christian Invaders lecture, all our judgments, on peoples abroad. Why must the United States attempt to be the babysitter of the entire world, with our billions upon billions of dollars of military power, when we cannot even take care of our own citizens and indigenous people? There is something so horribly messed up about that.
We literally seem like the most hypocritical nation EVER! If the United States of America truly stood for diversity and universal acceptance and the endlessly preached “melting pot” philosophy, then we would include Native Americans in that acceptance, right? I recently looked at some old pictures from my friend’s Boy Scout experience, and in them, several of the boys are wearing Indian headdresses. The Boy Scouts kind of stand for conservative, white, middle class values. I went to a summer camp and spent each year in a different age group – each named for a different tribe – and slept in cabins – which also had Indian namesakes (my last year I was in Blackfoot cabin in the Ute village). During my summer camp tenure, I learned the YMCA values – honesty, responsibility, respect, caring – but never learned anything about the way Indians actually live NOW. It’s the same kind of syndrome the American sports teams have – we “appreciate” and glorify the Indian traditions and courage and such in our games and programs, but don’t go further than that.
It is absolutely terrible that unemployment rates on reservations are the vast majority of the population, or that the likelihood of a woman getting sexually assaulted skyrockets if she is a Native American. Alcohol accounts for TWELVE percent of deaths?! We white Europeans landed in the new world, introduced “fire water” and our diseases, and then slaughtered and slandered and essentially took over. Completely. And we dare use the term “cowboy killer” to describe these people? Such irony. And ignorance.

I think the use of images of impoverished children is very strategic. After each natural disaster in recent history, you can guarantee that every human rights organization involved in the recovery process will spam the public with heart wrenching pictures of adorable children suffering through terrible tribulations. Who can look at such a picture and NOT feel something? Watching videos that chronicle the events that come after a disaster are meant to gain the attention of the more developed world. Reading articles and trying to analyze and understand numbers and statistics does nothing for the emotional avenue. And for a relief effort to actually be successful and make an impact, people need to get involved. Why would people get involved in helping fix a situation that they have no emotional attachment to?
While it may seem like a sly tactic to essentially use these children for their adorable faces and deep eyes filled with emotion, it is probably one of most effective publicity stunts for fundraising. Yet here is my hang-up with the strategy: do the children get anything in return for having their face plastered across the global media, or do they remain unaffected and continue to live in squalor and grief? What would make the images indisputably humane (as in, they don’t exploit the plight of the children they use), would be if the pictured children got some significant compensation in return for their posing and their soulful stares. It must be especially devastating for the children to see these exotic, foreign photographers and reporters who are momentarily attentive and friendly, suddenly leave and return to their swanky, comfortable lives – leaving them behind. Perhaps something more constructive should be done to physically and effectively help the people, as opposed to simply snapping some pictures, divvying out hand-outs, and then vanishing back to comfort. It seems a bit too close to exploitation to be fully fair.
It’s like we are putting them on display. Yes, it’s a good way for us, in the first world, to attempt to understand – no, not understand, just get a distant glimpse – of what life is like in less fortunate areas. But if all the picture does is get us to make a small donation and maybe read a few articles or watch a few videos before returning to ignorance, then perhaps we need something more effective and influential. Ersno’s stories about the Haitian businessmen and women have more sway: we can learn about them as real people, not just 2D images. I am split on this question, I suppose. The faces of children never fail to grab the attention of the masses, but we have to go above and beyond sympathy if we want to make a change.

First of all, I think guys probably put effort into how they dress just like we do. I think their effort is a different form, however. In lieu of make up and skimpy clothes that show off curves/cleavage/skin, guys put effort into looking effortless. It’s also a lot tougher for guys to hide skin imperfections with a handy bit of cover up. There is so much pressure on guys to approach girls, ask girls out, face devastating rejection, and to look suave and cool (and effortless) while doing it all. That’s got to be difficult. Granted, when the girls act and look the way a lot of the Penn State ladies do (essentially laying it ALL out there…), that probably takes some risk out of the equation. When girls put on little tiny outfits and high heels that show every movement of their hips, that’s a major “come hither” signal. But, as Laurie was saying, it could very well be one of those mixed signals that frustrate guys so much. I mean, putting myself in their shoes (which are, as we discussed, a whole lot comfier than the ridiculous things we wear), if I were to see a chick all dressed up, of COURSE I would assume she wants attention, or that she wants to “get some.” My god, what a twisted, crazy social world this is, right here in State College. You can say so much by what you wear.
Now, for what I wear. Yes, I love for my hair to look good and my skin to look flawless. If I use a straightening iron once in awhile or some make up to help me along, so be it. I honestly feel more confident when I can check myself out in the mirror and be pleased with what I see. As for the clothes, that’s where I tend to let myself slide. I’ve gone out on weekends in sweats and tee shirts, and those nights are generally the most fun. If I’m hanging out with my close friends, my Morale committee, the crew team, etc., then I’m honestly not going to give a crap if I look like crap. If you’re a sorority chick headed out for a night of fratting it up, then yeah, sweats are probably out of the question for you unless you want to be judged for it. Socially, what is worse? Objectification or being ignored? No one wants to be Baby in the corner, and you don’t get put in the corner if you look hot.
But for me…it’s different. All of those people have seen me without make up, with my hair looking like a hurricane…so they know what I look like! Make up and a little more effort won’t fool them. (Although it can be enjoyable to conform to society sometimes and shock everyone with how good (the socialized good) you can look when you dress a bit snazzier than usual). But here’s the thing: when I’m in my sweats, or my jeans, and my hair’s in its natural wavy state and then I STILL have solid conversation (or more…heh) with someone who’s interested in me, then I feel more beautiful than I ever could in any too-expensive dress I bought at Metro and a pair of stilettos that give me blisters.

First of all, I think guys probably put effort into how they dress just like we do. I think their effort is a different form, however. In lieu of make up and skimpy clothes that show off curves/cleavage/skin, guys put effort into looking effortless. It’s also a lot tougher for guys to hide skin imperfections with a handy bit of cover up. There is so much pressure on guys to approach girls, ask girls out, face devastating rejection, and to look suave and cool (and effortless) while doing it all. That’s got to be difficult. Granted, when the girls act and look the way a lot of the Penn State ladies do (essentially laying it ALL out there…), that probably takes some risk out of the equation. When girls put on little tiny outfits and high heels that show every movement of their hips, that’s a major “come hither” signal. But, as Laurie was saying, it could very well be one of those mixed signals that frustrate guys so much. I mean, putting myself in their shoes (which are, as we discussed, a whole lot comfier than the ridiculous things we wear), if I were to see a chick all dressed up, of COURSE I would assume she wants attention, or that she wants to “get some.” My god, what a twisted, crazy social world this is, right here in State College. You can say so much by what you wear.
Now, for what I wear. Yes, I love for my hair to look good and my skin to look flawless. If I use a straightening iron once in awhile or some make up to help me along, so be it. I honestly feel more confident when I can check myself out in the mirror and be pleased with what I see. As for the clothes, that’s where I tend to let myself slide. I’ve gone out on weekends in sweats and tee shirts, and those nights are generally the most fun. If I’m hanging out with my close friends, my Morale committee, the crew team, etc., then I’m honestly not going to give a crap if I look like crap. If you’re a sorority chick headed out for a night of fratting it up, then yeah, sweats are probably out of the question for you unless you want to be judged for it. Socially, what is worse? Objectification or being ignored? No one wants to be Baby in the corner, and you don’t get put in the corner if you look hot.
But for me…it’s different. All of those people have seen me without make up, with my hair looking like a hurricane…so they know what I look like! Make up and a little more effort won’t fool them. (Although it can be enjoyable to conform to society sometimes and shock everyone with how good (the socialized good) you can look when you dress a bit snazzier than usual). But here’s the thing: when I’m in my sweats, or my jeans, and my hair’s in its natural wavy state and then I STILL have solid conversation (or more…heh) with someone who’s interested in me, then I feel more beautiful than I ever could in any too-expensive dress I bought at Metro and a pair of stilettos that give me blisters.

First of all, I think guys probably put effort into how they dress just like we do. I think their effort is a different form, however. In lieu of make up and skimpy clothes that show off curves/cleavage/skin, guys put effort into looking effortless. It’s also a lot tougher for guys to hide skin imperfections with a handy bit of cover up. There is so much pressure on guys to approach girls, ask girls out, face devastating rejection, and to look suave and cool (and effortless) while doing it all. That’s got to be difficult. Granted, when the girls act and look the way a lot of the Penn State ladies do (essentially laying it ALL out there…), that probably takes some risk out of the equation. When girls put on little tiny outfits and high heels that show every movement of their hips, that’s a major “come hither” signal. But, as Laurie was saying, it could very well be one of those mixed signals that frustrate guys so much. I mean, putting myself in their shoes (which are, as we discussed, a whole lot comfier than the ridiculous things we wear), if I were to see a chick all dressed up, of COURSE I would assume she wants attention, or that she wants to “get some.” My god, what a twisted, crazy social world this is, right here in State College. You can say so much by what you wear.
Now, for what I wear. Yes, I love for my hair to look good and my skin to look flawless. If I use a straightening iron once in awhile or some make up to help me along, so be it. I honestly feel more confident when I can check myself out in the mirror and be pleased with what I see. As for the clothes, that’s where I tend to let myself slide. I’ve gone out on weekends in sweats and tee shirts, and those nights are generally the most fun. If I’m hanging out with my close friends, my Morale committee, the crew team, etc., then I’m honestly not going to give a crap if I look like crap. If you’re a sorority chick headed out for a night of fratting it up, then yeah, sweats are probably out of the question for you unless you want to be judged for it. Socially, what is worse? Objectification or being ignored? No one wants to be Baby in the corner, and you don’t get put in the corner if you look hot.
But for me…it’s different. All of those people have seen me without make up, with my hair looking like a hurricane…so they know what I look like! Make up and a little more effort won’t fool them. (Although it can be enjoyable to conform to society sometimes and shock everyone with how good (the socialized good) you can look when you dress a bit snazzier than usual). But here’s the thing: when I’m in my sweats, or my jeans, and my hair’s in its natural wavy state and then I STILL have solid conversation (or more…heh) with someone who’s interested in me, then I feel more beautiful than I ever could in any too-expensive dress I bought at Metro and a pair of stilettos that give me blisters.

During my discussion group this week, we had a very interesting and enlightening chat about interracial dating. Now, personally, I would date someone of any race. For me, attraction is based on things that don’t really have to do with the color of someone’s skin. While I have never actually dated someone outside of my race, as in, I have never called someone who is NOT white my “boyfriend,” I am not opposed to the idea. Interestingly enough, however, this does not seem to be the mindset across the spectrum. When the question was presented to the guys of color in my discussion group about their “preference,” none of them said outright that they would only date a girl in their racial group. After all, we all agreed, our nation is getting browner and browner, what with all the mixed race people we have – and the population of mixed couples is growing regularly. So several of the black boys in my class have dated white girls, or Puerto Rican girls, etc.
Yet what really fascinated me was the fact that a girl of color in our class mentioned that she believed black guys who date white girls are actually “selling out.” Excuse me? Hearing this statement made me outraged. Simply because particular black guys are following their hearts, not their “racist” eyes, and are dating girls of different races (ie, simply because these fellows are choosing NOT to date HER), she is up in arms against the idea of black guys with white girls. But does she follow this mentality in her own life? Apparently not. This double standard approach to interracial dating surprises me. I’ve dated mixed race guys, and they’ve all seemed fine with dating me – a white girl, as white bread as can be.
An interesting point brought up in discussion was that people tend to date people they share friends with. How else do you meet the person and realize you’re attracted to them if you never actually hang out? And, as we discussed, it is commonplace for people at Penn State to flock to people like them. Apparently there are “black parties” in the HUB? Now, I never knew that (seeing as I’ve never been invited…), but perhaps there would be more interracial dating, and people who look upon it with disdain would stop doing so, if parties, if clubs, if close knit groups of friends, all became more diversified. At a school where the vast – VAST – majority of the students are white, it may seem difficult for this diversification to occur. But as Sam says, America is “browning,” and “carmelizing.” So eventually, this, hopefully will not be an issue. I have white friends who romanticize about marrying someone from another race because of how BEAUTIFUL mixed race babies are. While that’s an interesting reason for being attracted to someone, perhaps this lovely mindset can replace the perception that minorities dating people in the majority white population are “sell outs.”

I think that our society inundates us with messages representing a “color hierarchy” on a fairly constant basis. Watching the video about the dark skinned girls who were ashamed or disappointed with their coloring was sad and frustrating. The girls clearly did not view themselves as beautiful. I know that most girls struggle with body image and self love, especially because of the mainstream ideals of beauty and perfection they consistently try and measure up to, but I cannot imagine growing up in a society that has seared the idea that you will never be beautiful enough simply because of the color of your skin. Even just the fact that products exist to bleach skin is shocking. The fact is that young women of color grow up admiring and idolizing pretty famous white celebrities and then as a result think less of themselves. This message, of white beauty, and of white dominance, is reinforced throughout our society.
I grew up with Barbies and American Girl Dolls. I never had a black Barbie, and the only white American Girl Doll that I knew about was the Addie Doll – who was once a slave girl. I’m sure that I am not going out on a limb by assuming that the several white dolls, with the glitzy dresses and outfits and accessories probably were more profitable for the company than Addie was. Barbies were white because there was no demand for black ones. And because what young children see and experience all shape their identities, perspectives, and impressions of themselves, they learn to believe that white is the way to be. They watch TV and see little white children on cartoons and they watch Disney movies and see white princesses getting the “happily ever after.” The characters of character represent the under class, the servants, etc. So what on earth are children supposed to believe? How can we ever expect children of color to grow up feeling equally special and beautiful if they are so underrepresented?
Witnessing the young, moldable kids each select the white skinned doll as the “good one” or the one they preferred to play with, was shocking at first, but it honestly makes sense. What we as a society need to do is begin to diversify our media with added vigor. Yes, we sprinkle people of color throughout TV shows, and Disney finally got itself its first black princess, but we need to make it so it is no longer just an exception, but a common trend. White dominance persists because it is what our culture is used to. If you think about it, the world may be changing rapidly, but it has only been a few decades since the Civil Rights Movement (which isn’t exactly over), and only a little over a century since slavery. I would say that people of color are making great strides, but they will forever be behind whites if the next generation continues to view themselves as less than what they are simply because society tells them to.

Not only do I feel a bit guilty about the possibility that simply being white has gotten me to the position I am in now, but I also feel frustrated. I hate the idea that my success has occurred not because I am smart, intelligent, or personable, but because I am white. To me, this is ridiculous. I want to “win” or succeed because I am deserving. “Winning” or getting ahead because of the way I look feels like cheating. “Losing” because of one’s race is disgusting and totally uncalled for. When I was watching the Racism video in preparation for the exam, I could not keep from feeling absolutely heartbroken about the way whites have treated other races for the past several hundred years. There is no excuse for such torture and racism. I answered a blog post earlier in the year in which I raved about the advances humans have made. I talked about how amazing our cognitive abilities are and how incredible our achievements have been throughout history. We have to realize, however, that in conjunction with our brilliance is our undeniable treachery. We are the only species that impedes our own survival. We mistreat one another and enslave, murder, and spread hatred. Of our own kind! I’ve never seen elephants turn on one another with such hatred in their hearts.
Someone – it may have been Sam – said that guilt is an alright emotion to feel, but it does not inspire action. Guilt breeds ineffective wallowing. So it’s okay for me to initially feel guilty about the perks of white skin, perhaps, but if I cannot apply that guilt into a more productive feeling, then my empathy is wasted. During our discussion section the other week, we talked about benefits of being white, and the black students in my class spoke about the frustration they feel. Sure, I may feel discontented that I have white privilege, but let’s be real. It’s not like any negative effects come from my whiteness! At least none that I have yet perceived. From the statistics we have seen in class, given the choice, who WOULDN’T want to be white? That’s just the facts – less chance of being impoverished, greater life expectancy, higher socio economic status, higher this, wealthier that, better educations, etc. etc. So maybe I feel guilty, but based on the feelings my black peers shared, feeling guilt about the situation means my life is easier than the anger and hopelessness that plague people of color. Does our society imply that blacks need to work twice as hard to lead as effective and successful a life as a white person of equal ability? When we begin our lives, we whites are automatically ten steps ahead. And it seems that no matter what blacks attempt to do, they keep getting pushed more steps back. Now personally, I don’t feel guilty about my own actions, but I think that the way we currently live is shameful.

The way we live in the United States is materialistic, individualistic, and very unique from the rest of the world. I think that we Americans put ourselves on a pedestal when we think about our relationship with the less developed countries. After all, we are the wealthiest nation, aren’t we?
But that’s only because we Americans consider wealth to be solely based on economic status. If you are uneducated, if you don’t have a chance – at least that’s the way American culture sees it. We like to turn a blind eye to the poverty in our nation because we like to project an image of the American Dream – an idealized image – where everyone who works hard enough finds success and fulfillment. This to me, after looking at our country’s sociological issues, is a total farce. Forty percent of children are born to unwed mothers, twenty percent of the total population is from a low income family, racism and discrimination persist….the stats go on and on. So I think the way we live in America is a bit of an act, really. We like to put on a strong show for the rest of the world, but it is only partially true: we like to hide the whole truth.
I’ve been to other countries that aren’t like the United States. They don’t live like we live. I went to Ghana after I graduated high school to work at a school for three weeks. the children – many of whom were orphans – occupied themselves with songs, dances, and games. The boys loved “football,” and when we took them to market, they wanted the basics: they were excited to be given the chance to buy new shoes, new backpacks – and to simply try on various pairs of sunglasses. Their world is so much smaller than ours – that’s what I initially thought, anyway. But they find so much joy in the simple things – the things that we Americans take for granted, and actually forget about because we are so caught up with our iPhones and iPads and the Internet and who has the cooler car and who has the best tan and who wears designer brands and on and on and on. The Ghanaians have a zest for life that seems to be missing from the United States and the way we live here. They care about family and togetherness. We care about ourselves and getting ahead. And boy, is it lonely at the top.
I feel like at some point, somehow, someone in the United States misread the definition of success, and our new, warped version is the one that stuck. I think this is unfortunate, because living life for the wrong reasons is hardly a life at all. We may pride ourselves on being ridiculously wealthy and having awesome stuff, and we may even find ourselves pitying the people in less developed countries because they’re the have nots. But from what I’ve seen, they too have a lot of have, and we sure have a lot of have nots.