en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2438470 Comments by gwb5100 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/03/23/if-men-could-menstruate/#IDComment145286238 I feel that men do not have an equal amount of education about the women's menstrual cycle because men don't menstruate. This is an obvious reason, but it still makes sense. Women are responsible to know about this subject in depth because it is a part of their daily lives. Of course one could argue that a women's menstrual cycle has a great effect to men as well, if a man was engaging in sexual activity with that woman. However, if that is not the case, men don't really need to have a reason to know everything about a woman's menstrual cycle. And, most men I have encountered knew well enough about the subject anyway. Although they didn't know when it exactly happened and such, is it really their job to know? The only way they would be very educated in the subject is to do further research or ask any women around them; is it really necessary for them to do so? Women don't go around researching things about wet dreams or various parts of men and their puberty cycle so why should men? As a woman, I do not feel that men have the obligations to learn about the female menstrual cycle. The only time when this seems necessary at the most, is if a man was in a sexual relationship with a woman, and could get her pregnant without planning to do so. Even if this is true. if the woman was responsible enough the guy does not need to take part in counting the days and worrying whether having sex was safe or not. It happens to the woman's body, so more or less, it is mostly the woman's responsibility. And the question about tampons being free, I disagree that they would be free if men had periods too. There are many things in our lives that come with a price whether it is used by men, women, or all sexes. If tampons were free, why aren't clothes free? And shoes, food, cars, houses? These are all items that both genders use but they are not free; tampons are the same way. I feel that it is smart for a guy to know the basics of a woman's menstrual cycle, just to be knowledgeable and careful in that field, but it is not enough for women to be enraged about. Sat, 23 Apr 2011 03:49:13 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/03/23/if-men-could-menstruate/#IDComment145286238 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/why-did-the-white-students-tell-the-story-differently-than-the-mixed-or-black-students-119-blog/#IDComment143285676 If there has to be a reason behind the difference in responses of white, black and or mixed race people, the only reason I could think of is that their perspectives are different based on the history and cultures of each race. When I attended a World In Conversation meeting about racism, I felt that all of the minority groups were speaking out about how they were discriminated against and such, not specifically blaming the white population of students who discriminate, but in everyone in general. I felt that the white people in the group felt slightly ashamed and uncomfortable to hear of these stories of racism. In that case, I feel that white people were never really the target of discrimination or stereotypes, which causes them to be careful around those who were angered by such things. For example, when we spoke of how much racism was going on on our campus, the black and Asian students spoke up immediately about everything they've seen and heard whereas the white students disliked the idea of telling about their own friends being the suspects of racist jokes and such. When the video talks about white people "sugar coating" certain things, I feel that this is what they mean. Other minority groups are more familiar with expressing feelings of rage, anger, blame and other emotional problems because of the history of their countries and cultures. I don't think that white people necessarily sugar coat things but are at times cautious to tread on certain topics that might offend others. Another thing to consider is that many white people come from very white neighborhoods. Black, asian, and mixed race people usually live in neighborhoods of diversity and mixed cultures; however many of my white friends went to all white high schools and did not have much experience with fraternizing with people of other races. Therefore it is understandable that they may be more uncomfortable. This is not only for white people as well. As an asian american, who attended an all white school, I am also at times less talkative in front of students of other races other than white or asian people. Once I get to know these students of other races, I could definitely feel more open and comfortable but at first I might feel more timid and might even tend to "sugar coat" my words in order to fit-in or to not offend these people that I am unfamiliar with. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 02:55:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/why-did-the-white-students-tell-the-story-differently-than-the-mixed-or-black-students-119-blog/#IDComment143285676 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/war-vets-and-ptsd/#IDComment141154441 They brainwash the soldiers to feel indestructible and brave, and just send them home that way. While fitting in in the military surroundings, these individual soldiers don’t fit in in their regular society. Many pick up on excessive drinking and become belligerent and violent. There should be changes made- laws that prevent the denial of treatment to those who ask for it, and the education that putting down an individual for asking for counseling is wrong. They should make it easier for soldiers with PTSD and any other problems to have their rights and needs taken care of before anything. They work hard for us and we should return the favor by at least giving all the help we can to ease their pain. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 03:17:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/war-vets-and-ptsd/#IDComment141154441 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/war-vets-and-ptsd/#IDComment141154353 Family members are the ones who try the hardest to talk to and console these returning sons, brothers and fathers, but most of the time they fail, unable to relate in any way. These soldiers are neglected to figure out how to fit back into society carrying all these horrific images of mutilated people and dying civilians. We can barely offer them rehabilitation facilities but only to expose them to even more emotional turmoil, for they would be teased and fingered at for being “weak.” The fellow colleagues of the unit are trained to be cold blooded and brave in all circumstances, and fear is against the military law. When soldiers suffer from PTSD, they cannot openly ask for treatment or counseling without being frowned upon. That is why many PTSD patients suffer through it alone and quietly in the premises of their homes, and during that time, many take their own lives. It strikes me as add that when the military gives so many benefits to those who serve time in the army, they don’t put much effort in trying to keep them alive and happy afterwards. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 03:17:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/war-vets-and-ptsd/#IDComment141154353 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/war-vets-and-ptsd/#IDComment141154194 War is such a detached subject from the everyday lives we are living. Although we are currently at war, and despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of soldiers are risking their lives for our safety, in this immediate area, we do not feel the extent of the whole thing. My friends and I still go out on the weekends without thinking of the men and women who are the same age as us, holding their breath waiting to fire a trigger. We eat, sleep, study, and hang out as though war is in a distant world and it does not affect us. Not only do we completely live oblivious to and often times ignoring this subject entirely, but we also turn a blind eye to all of the problems arousing from war, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The soldiers who come back from combat have no one to share this horrific memory with; no one can relate and no one will understand the deeply rooted emotionally and mental impact certain aspects of combat had brought onto them. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 03:17:21 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/war-vets-and-ptsd/#IDComment141154194 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook/#IDComment138473542 The contents of this video truly worries me about how our society has come to accept these types of games and doesn't put regulated restrictions on such offensive and repulsive things. It actually was not the first time for me, hearing about these games. I have heard some kids joking during one of my psychology classes where a classmate had friends who played this type of game. I honestly can't seem to find a way to understand these game users other than considering them as psychologically unwell people. I always thought that violent games were played for users to relieve their stress by doing rash and crazy things that were banned in reality. By shooting an innocent civilian, to murdering a villain, the action in itself is rebellious to our quiet society where violence is banned and illegal. These actions that happen within the game have no dire consequences and even give points and credit to those who are more professionally violent. I tried to think of these "raping games" in a similar way. I am guessing that the players of this game relieve their stress or anger against women by degrading and violating their rights. Maybe a person has been hurt by women and tries to get back at them in a virtual world where no one else would find out and where there are no consequences. The psychology of the game can be understood on a certain level, but it doesn't serve as an excuse for those who choose to play it. As a woman, I actually am not so offended by this video or these games, as one of the interviewees stated during the video. Although this game is horrific at the least, is it so different from the way media and society portrays women? Since when was the degrading and molesting of women a new idea? Doesn't the media display endless music video's where the theme is having naked women dancing around a single dominant male figure who can violate the women's rights any time he wants? Our generation has been so exposed to this female-victim ideology through music, movies, shows and so many other aspects of the media. Therefore, although these games are an extreme, it was to be expected from the way things have been in our media and society. Who can blame them? We have been so quiet, blind and submissive under these attacks against females since a long time ago; and this has caused these types of extremist games to be acceptable amongst some members of our society today. Therefore, before we attack the Japanese for creating such games and blaming the players for being sick and repulsive, we should turn to ourselves, our neighbors and our society because we're the ones who allowed this type of offense in the first place Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:55:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook/#IDComment138473542 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/would-you-date-someone-like-me-119-blog/#IDComment137408650 I feel that the choice to date a person of a different race comes from many different things, from influences from an individual's own race, culture, family, religion, environment, all acting as invisible strings. From the perspective of an Asian-American woman, I also feel that most the white guys I meet are more reluctant to strike up a conversation with me or my Asian friends then my white friends. I mean, that could all just be because they're attracted to them more, but then again, doesn't society shape the ideal's that we're attracted to in the first place? Although America is known to be the greatest melting pot of all diverse races, that still has its limitations as well. For instance, there are still many places within our country where diverse races have not set in yet. Major cities have definitely filled in more with people studying, working, and just moving from overseas, but we won't find as much integration in suburban areas. When I lived in a major city, my school was filled with all different people of different colors, but when I moved to a more suburban area, my school was about 93% all white. These limitations, although they seem insignificant, are very influential. A white male who attended school's that were filled with 90% white females would probably be used to dating and being attracted to them. Even when they leave their usual environment they would already be so accustomed to this that they would be more hesitant to approach a Black, or any other woman of a different race. I would say the biggest reason why white men and all people alike are more hesitant to have interracial dating is because of the fear of the unknown. Without having much experience of going to school with, talking to, or even being near a woman of a different race could be reason enough to be uncomfortable or afraid to become closer. Not only is this for white men or for dating, but for all things in general. I also feel more comfortable speaking to an Asian stranger than others just because of the fact that we already have a huge thing in common- being Asian! I am sure that white men also feel the same way. Some of them might see us and feel that there aren't many things in common; however just by having the same color of skin, he might feel more related to white women. I feel that overall this is a pretty minor problem though. Although there are premature judgments that might be made just by the color of the skin, if one was really determined to get what they wanted, they could easily break through the stereotypes or social barriers even by initiating a small conversation. So next time you see a cute white dude in class, be the first one to strike up a conversation and show him that you're really not all that different instead of wondering why he didn't make the first move! Fri, 25 Mar 2011 05:08:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/would-you-date-someone-like-me-119-blog/#IDComment137408650 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/14/what-about-the-men/#IDComment135904897 Most of society think that women, especially young adults and teens, are very effected by the norms that are presented by the media and conform to these. As this is true, this type of conformity accounts for the men as well, in my opinion. The norms of men have been set from a very long time ago and are less likely to change than the norms of women. For example, women have many trends, so to speak, of what's feminine and what's not; wearing corsets, riding in carriages, avoiding exposure to the sun were all aspects to what created the ideal type of a woman back in the days. However today, the trends have drastically changed and now everyone wants to have the body of Beyonce, or whoever the new model for Cover Magazine is, wants to dress the way Cosmo tips you to dress, etc... The acceptable personalities of women have changed as well. Back in the day women were supposed to be timid and reserved but today the trend is for women to be bold and as confident as men were always. For men, their gap of different type of norms are not that obvious and spontaneous. Men are always supposed to be masculine and hard-working, respectable and responsible whether it be back in the old days or even today. One big trend that the media pushes today is the physical appearances of men. They advertise well built, masculine and tan actors, models and such. We definitely see many more guys who aren't in the entertainment industry who tan and lift weights at gyms then we did a few decades ago. In those cases men have also conformed to satisfy this new ideal that society has. Another good example comes from the trends of homosexuality. In general, women are more open to admitting and expressing their homosexuality then men. Society even pushes this by supporting lesbian PDA. When we see movie's like American Pie, the crowd of men enjoy girls making out with each other whereas men making out with each other would not be acceptable. Men and women conform to society in equal levels, but women are more open to expressing the changes whereas for men, it happens slowly and at most times quietly. Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:36:49 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/14/what-about-the-men/#IDComment135904897 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment132208809 This blog entry says that although society may shape our "me's" our "I's" still stay the same; although some may argue, I believe that an individual's "I" and "Me" are strongly related and often dependent on each other. For example, for people who are usually successful and rich, society in general as well as other people will treat you with respect and reverence as well as with envy. They will see you as a lucky and successful person, with efficient means and a healthy lifestyle. This view of others not only influences the "me" and how you view yourself, but that view also may change the person you are inside. Living a long time as a wealthy person may cause your "I" to become more confident and proud and can alter ones personality completely. If this wealthy person suddenly goes bankrupt and becomes very poor within a day, this person's "me" as well as "I" will be influenced. People around and society will treat this person with less awe and respect and the "I" will lose self-esteem and confidence. The pride and security this person had upon himself will decrease and will change the way he views the world and lives as part of the changed world. I do not think that the lottery is an efficient way to become wealthy. Although, in reality the person does gain tangible wealth in cash money, he does not gain the knowledge of making or spending that amount of money. If a rich successful CEO of some company would have won a five million dollar lottery, he would have no problem using that money efficiently, most likely investing in probable stocks or buying land or real estate. However, if a poor part time worker of Walmart won the same amount of money, he would have no knowledge of how money is usually spent (because he would have no personal experience to guide him) and therefore would not use the money efficiently but would perhaps use it to buy materialistic and instantaneous gratification instead. The only problem with this is that rich folks rarely and probably never try to win lotteries, because they don't need to. The people who win lotteries are poor and uneducated people who do not know how to spend their money efficiently. Therefore, overall, lotteries are wasteful and can be often dangerous to win without knowing how to deal with the winnings. Thu, 3 Mar 2011 21:59:24 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment132208809 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/04/the-not-so-invisible-structure-that-shapes-us/#IDComment130813601 (continued)These people who travel to America are pretty much required to “fit in” to society in order to survive in America, however in many cases, Americans can survive in other countries without trying as hard. For example, for the Americans that travel to Korea or other Asian countries, there are very well known English villages and major cities that speak English; this allows Americans to survive in Korea without having to learn a new language or accept a whole new culture. There are the same old restaurants, shopping stores and whatever else you could imagine within the cities. Since America is so dominating in its culture, I feel that not many Americans feel the necessity to or even the incentive to travel so far to an unfamiliar land with unfamiliar people. Another large factor is that English is a widely spoken language all around the world and therefore those people feel more comfortable visiting America; whereas Americans rarely learn any other language in school than Spanish, German or French, therefore are less prone to travel to other countries. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:36:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/04/the-not-so-invisible-structure-that-shapes-us/#IDComment130813601 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/04/the-not-so-invisible-structure-that-shapes-us/#IDComment130813515 Living in America as a semi-international student, I often feel that it is strange how people in American like to stay in America and don’t travel as much as others around the world. Since I was young, my family traveled around the world, moving from place to place for a few years at a time. I have experienced living in almost every continent and have experienced the most fascinating people and cultures every new place I had been to. One thing that was similar in those places was that everyone else seemed to be as keen in traveling as my family had been; most people in Europe and in Asia travel to many parts of the world for vacation, studying abroad and just to seek a new place to live in; therefore, the culture was very diverse and every aspect of life was very integrated and influenced by neighboring lands. However in America, there is this unregulated atmosphere that is purely American- despite America being a melting pot of diverse races and cultures, I feel that the American culture is so very dominating that all of these people and cultures just blend in the background and become unnoticed after a period of time. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:35:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/04/the-not-so-invisible-structure-that-shapes-us/#IDComment130813515 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130811533 Therefore, even in a small scale of everyday life, the role of fear plays a large part and can not be easily ignored. Fear is one of the emotions we have that dominates at times and that brings us to the deepest parts of our conscious mind. Fear makes us think, worry, imagine, panic, hope, and ultimately to act. The writer knows how fear plays a crucial part in his everyday life and even in the very small decisions he makes every single moment. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:15:54 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130811533 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130811513 For example, the fear of being grounded or getting in trouble will force a teen to clean his/her room when ordered by the parent. Without this fear, the teen would have no reason to listen to their parents and therefore would be very disorganized. Although fear can be used in mulitple ways, one large flaw of it is that it is entirely and utterly controlling and powerful against human will. No matter how one tries to fight it, fear is always demanding and manipulating. For example, terrorists and terroism in general entirely feeds on the power of fear and the effects it brings upon people. With just a mere threat, fear could bring panic and terror to a nation and could bring war upon some. The manipulation of fear is dangerous and powerful, and based on how it is used one could start a war or end one. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:15:46 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130811513 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130811487 The writer of this blog states that fear could either be something good or bad depending on how you use it and see it; I also agree with his opinion, and to push it even further I believe that fear is necessary to some levels in order for people to live efficiently. For example, without fear, the fear of consequences of certain actions would not exist; criminals would not fear being caught or held in jail, murderers would not fear the weight of their crimes, and so on... Without fear, the obvious and invisible regulations mankind has created will all fall to heaps and our lives would be filled with chaos instead. Fear stands for a good reason to avoid doing certain things, sich as comitting a crime, but fear can also be an incentive to do a certain action. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:15:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130811487 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-much-government-do-we-need/#IDComment129030147 (...continued) They could put a ceiling on certain goods that are proven to build cholesterol or harmful fats within the body. The government could boost the FDA levels in investigations and getting the word out as well. A few of my friends took a certain birth control pill which was FDA proven to be harmful, but did not stop using them because they were not warned enough. I feel that it was the governments responsibility to prevent people from buying this product if it was provent to be harmful. They should have invested more in advertizng the harmful effects rather then let the company of the birth control pills continue to advertise. As for Obama's comment and the comments after her, I believe that Obama was correct in everytrhing she said. Breast feeding is in fact a healthier choice for infants and is natural as well as priceless. The rebuttals made against Obama's statement were so ignorant in the fact that they only considered the views of people who did not want to breast feed in the first place and could also afford to do so. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:09:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-much-government-do-we-need/#IDComment129030147 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-much-government-do-we-need/#IDComment129030056 The argument about whether the government is too involved or not involved enough in our lives is not something with only one correct solution. In many ways the government has been a big help to our soceity, and civilization in general, and in some ways it has stopped us from making certain individual decisions and rights. In the end, however, the government has been correct in many ways- although it may seem wrong and unfair to us at times. For example, we individually feel as though the government makes bad decisions with war techniques and such things but from the large picture we can see that without a strong government and even the well-organized army, America would not seize this power that we have today. Without these choices made by our government, which may seem inhumane at times, we would not be as safe and as prosperous as we are today. In the same light, I feel that the government should definitely make certain rules to prevent our country and our people from harming ourselves. For example, maybe they shouldnt make regulations about who eats what and such, but definitely make changes to what amount of trans fat or nutritiously harmful ingredients are used in general. (continued....) Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:09:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-much-government-do-we-need/#IDComment129030056 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/09/4092/#IDComment127183804 While reading this blog entry, I felt numerous emotions and had a mixed opinion throughout reading. At first, I began to read as in the perspective of the inmate, him as a victim of the long twenty six years in prison, and the unfair and unjust way a young life could be confined in such a lonely place for so long. I felt terribly bad for the man and wished there was a different way in which things could have turned out for him. But as soon as that thought came, it also brought another perspective. What about Kevin, the young man who was murdered at the age of merely 19? What about his family and the pain they had to go through because of a mistake another stranger made while intoxicated? I knew I felt bad for the inmate, but I felt that maybe by reading from his side of the view, I was losing focus on the whole picture. The inmate did make a decision to murder someone and deserved some of the punishment he was receiving. Although I am not entirely sure how severe the punishment should be, taking the life of someone definitely has dire consequences that cannot be and should not be overlooked out of pity and sympathy. This blog truly made me think; I was confused on what side I took more, that the inmate should not have to receive such severe punishments, or that based on the crime he committed he deserved this punishment. I was caught in between two opinions and couldn't decide which was more just. Before reading this blog, I was always on the side of the victims, thinking that all inmates deserved the consequences of their actions. However this man was different; he felt remorse for what he did, wanted so badly to be able to change the past if he could. He was different from the other inmates who would have committed the crime over and over again if they had the chance. He was not cruel and heartless, and he did learn his lesson. This is why I felt myself understand his point of view and feel truly sorry for the lost life he could have had. I just wish there might have been someone in his past to have showed him a story like this, something who could have let him know the consequences of his actions before it was too late. Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:32:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/09/4092/#IDComment127183804 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/the-other-side-of-life/#IDComment126054059 This man's testimony and confession truly gave me a new perspective on life and on crime and justice. It was great to hear his side of the story because we all need to hear both sides of justice. We always hear about the stories of victims and their families and only from their perspective; the ones who commit the crimes always sound like mere cruel monsters. It truly opened my eyes to see how one little choice in life could alter someone's entire life so drastically, and how second chances are very rarely given. People never realize the weight of a single action or choice until they see the outcome of it. I once had a friend who shoplifted frequently, never caring about the consequences. She always laughed when her friends worried after her and was always so confident, until she got caught by the police. She had to pay a hefty fine, confess her wrongdoings to her parents and had her fingerprints and mug shot left in federal records forever. After all of that she finally realized the weight of her actions. I feel that it was like this for this 15 year old teen as well. He didn't realize what the rest of his life would be like if he committed the crimes until he took action and it was too late. By reading this man's story, I realized that even murderers had feelings and shame, and were human just like us. I felt very bad that this man made a big mistake at a very immature age and had to live with that shame for the rest of his life. I wondered what it was that triggered such feelings of anger that made him murder someone, and what could have been done to help this 15 year old teenager, to prevent such horrible actions. Maybe if he had adults to confide in and rely on he would have been able to cope with his problems. Maybe if he had the proper education and he was taught the consequences of committing such crimes, he would have thought twice before taking action. A fifteen year old teen is definitely not an adult yet, and is too young and immature to realize how heavy the weight of such actions are. The boy should have gotten help, counseling, someone to understand, rather than a lifetime in prison. The teens life was probably already like hell; because of his crime he had to live his entire life in shame, always sorry to the victim's family and even to his own friends and family for having to bear with the weight of his own crimes. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 02:18:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/the-other-side-of-life/#IDComment126054059 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/15/what-does-it-mean-to-be-free/#IDComment122869177 I have always heard people saying the clichéd statement "you'll never know what you have until you've lost it" and have never truly understood the reality of that statement. Of course I could understand the general meaning it held, but I never knew of the in depth and life changing circumstances defined until I experienced it myself. The Inmate who wrote this letter had also not realized the power of freedom until he lost it altogether. I agree entirely with many things he says, especially with the part about how we're so truly and entirely disillusioned and blind to the freedoms we have just because we never had them taken from us. We live each day doing things that many inmates, such as the one who wrote this letter, could never experience. We could wake each day and decide what to do and what to wear when these inmates have to go through a routine life behind iron bars. Many may say that the inmates deserved this hard life because of the crimes they committed but perhaps if these inmates knew about how hard it was to live imprisoned with no freedom they would have thought twice about committing such crimes. For many of us, it's too late to have this realization; too late to miss a loved one who had already passed on, too late to take a job or education opportunity, too late to make amends for the wrongs we have done, and so on.. After reading this letter from someone who had missed their chance of truly taking advantage of their freedom, I thought of the many things in my life that I take for granted daily. I never stop to appreciate the small things I have and the relationships that keep me going. I realized that I was never able to see the importance of these only because I never took the time to take a "step back," as we learned in class today, to look at the way the strings were laid out; to see how intricate and complicated the smallest things in my life were and how one single thing could alter my entire future. Many of us are the fish in the water that never realizes how important the water is until we're captured; we never know to be grateful for the air we breathe and the foundations that support us until we take a step back to admire and to realize their presence. I am very glad to have read this inmates letter because it has given me a different perspective on life. Hopefully many of us will be able to use his testimony to see things in a different light as well. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:23:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/15/what-does-it-mean-to-be-free/#IDComment122869177 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cb%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment122676464 SOC 001 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:15:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cb%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment122676464