I'm catholic and while I wouldn't say I'm a hardcore Christian, I have my beliefs and try to stick to them. I'm also very pro-gay rights. My best friend is a lesbian, and she is one of the best people that I know. I could never say that she shouldn't be able to have the same rights that I do. I think everyone should have the same rights. Even though I am catholic and the bible says that being gay is wrong and a sin, I'm still all about gay rights. I really think that people pick and choose what they want to believe out of the bible and what they don't. People always use that the bible says it's wrong and that's why they don't like it. But the bible says a lot of things. For example, the bible says that tattoos are wrong. My biggest argument is that the bible says if your wife or kids talk back to you then you are free to stone them. Yep, you're allowed to throw stones at your kids when they disobey you! I don't see anyone walking around saying we should all stone our kids. So why do people say that they don't like gays because of the bible, yet they don't obey other rules the bible has laid out for us. I also completely disagree with anyone who says being gay is a choice. And I don't mean those girls in high school who say they are lesbians because it's “cool” and they want attention. I'm talking about those are legitimate gays. Like my best friend. If she had the choice, she wouldn't be gay. I'm not saying she doesn't love and accept who she is. But if it was up to she would be just like the rest of us who are straight. People who are gay worry about their future. They're often discriminated against and are not able to get married! As my friend always puts it “why would I want to be a second class citizen in the eyes of my own government? I didn't choose this.” I also think it's really obvious when you see little kids and immediately know they are gay. I have a distant cousin, who from the time she was five years old we all know she was a lesbian. When she came out in high school everyone was like “yeah. We know.” It was no surprise to anyone. I don't think a five year old would choose to be gay as they don't even know what it is yet! I don't know how people things it's a choice. If you're gay then you're born that way. Just like I'm straight and I was born this way.

I thought doing this exercise was really interesting, but in my opinion not a very hard choice. And from the polling of the class, considering everyone was telling the truth and not just trying to fit in with the crowd, no one else thought it was a hard choice either. When it came down to choosing to save my mother, husband, or child I didn't really think twice. My mom, while I love her to to death, has had a fulfilling life. She has her own business, raised three great kids all on her own, owns her own house, the list goes on and on. She isn't really that old, but she's lived a longer life than the rest of us. She's had her time. My husband, while I'm sure he would mean the world to me, also wouldn't be saved. I would think he would have the same mentality that I would, to save our child. I would, without a doubt, save my kid. This child was created by me, so I think it's my duty and responsibility to save and protect it. I once read something that said you'd take a bullet for your child and you'd push your husband out of the way. I think that can not be any more true. It's our natural instinct to protect the things we made, and I think this even dates back to when we were in kindergarten and took such good care of our art projects and things like that. We put our time, hard work, and effort into making something and we aren't going to let that go to waste. I have a six year old cousin and I always say that I didn't experience true love until she was born. She was the first kid in the family that was born when I was old enough to really understand what it takes to take care of a baby. At 14 years old I was with Ava every single day, babysitting her and helping take care of her. She is one of the most important people in my life and I know that I would save her over my husband or mom any day, so I don't even have to question it if she was my own child. I know we're not supposed to, but I was judging people in class during this. Someone made a point that they could get a new husband which honestly I thought was pretty funny. The “I'd trade up” comment was hilarious. But the person who said they could have a new baby? That just seemed heartless. The love you feel for a child is like nothing you'll ever experience and no child would replace another.

I personally thought it was really interesting that the Muslim girls said that they cover themselves because they respect themselves and their body's, and that Western girls who walk around “normal” are not respecting their body's. I don't think I dress to scandalously, but I also don't think I cover up unnecessarily. My boyfriend tells me that I dress modest, but I don't know if I completely agree with that. I dress normal, in jeans and shirts that come from popular teen stores. When I go out I dress normal as well, in skirts and tank tops or half shirts. I don't think I look like a slut, I think I just look like every one else. I think it's interesting that Muslim girls think we don't respect our body's because I think it's quite the opposite. I have no problem dressing the way that I do because I do indeed respect my body. I have confidence in myself, that I can dress the way I want and still look fine. I don't think the way I dress is male dominated at all. After all, when I go out I'm certainly not looking to hook up with some guy; I have a boyfriend. I dress the way I do, and the way many others do, because I want to look good! It's kind of like why girls wear pretty bras and underwear, even though people can't see it. It makes them feel good even though no one knows what is going on underneath their clothing. I really don't think I way I dress is disrespectful to myself, my body, or any one else. But I do give a lot of credit to the Muslim girls who dress in the head scarves and I have a ton of respect for those who wear the whole body garb. It really astounds me that they can do it. Especially lately, it's been incredibly hot! I would imagine sweating under the head scarf let alone the entire body garb that some girls wear. I think it's great that they are so dedicated to their religion because I don't think that if the Catholic faith called for girls to wear clothing like that that I would abide by it. I do think it's interesting that the girls in front of the class said that it's their choice to wear the head scarfs. I have to wonder if they left class tomorrow, went home and said “Daddy, I'm not going to wear this anymore.” would their parents be fine with it? Would they said that it's their choice and they can do what they want? I think they might think it's their choice, but I doubt their parents would be okay with them deciding against it.

I also think it's really interesting that when the Asian guy was like “Yeah, that was funny.” no one said a word. But the second that the white boy said it was funny because that's how American culture is, there was a ton of people, most specifically a black girl who was jumping down his throat. Now, I know a lot of people are going to say that it's okay for the Asian kid to say that it was funny because he's Asian and it was Asian's who were being made fun of, so it's okay because it was his race. Personally, though, I don't think that's the reason the white kid got yelled at so many times. I think it's because of racism. I think that the second he opened his mouth a bunch of the black girls in the class who are racist against white's had that “oh no he didn't” mentality and felt like it was their place to shut him up. Even when he had a response the girl was like “Oh don't be cocky with me!” I was like, who does this chick think she is? I could see if it was an Asian girl who got all up in arms about it because she felt the white kid was bashing her race or culture, but this girl was black. She was simply racist against whites and felt like this boy had no right to open up his mouth and express her opinion, even though she feels that she has the right to do so. That's really was drives me crazy about this class. Certain people feel like they can express their opinion because they feel their opinion is right, but they don't want to hear other people's opinions when they're just that. They're just opinions. They are not right and they are not wrong. If I'm able to speak up and say what I think then everyone else should be able to as well, regardless of what they have to say. It doesn't mean I'm going to agree with what they say or take it was any more than a grain of salt, but I don't care if others want to speak their minds. If I'm saying that I can, then I have to say that others can as well. I'm not sure why people feel their opinion holds more prestige or is better, but I think it's because they are racist and feel they have the right to say something but other people of other races do not have that same right. So I guess that's why everyone thought it was fine for the Asian boy to say it was funny but not for the white boy. Because they feel the white kid doesn't know anything about being Asian so he isn't entitled to an opinion. I don't feel that way at all, he can say what he wants.

I grew up in a white town. And when I say white town, I mean that I probably did not meet anyone who was black until I was over twelve years old. I went to a private, Catholic school from Kindergarten to 8th grade. There was no black kids in my school, none that I remember anyway. And I think I probably would have remembered considering there would have been none other. I graduated 8th grade with a class of sixteen kids, and we were all white, catholic, and privileged. It was sheltered, but I wouldn't have it any other way. After I graduated from Pope John Paul II, I had two options. I could continue a Catholic education and attend Holy Redeemer High School which was about twenty minutes from my house and cost just as much as college, or I could go to the local high school in my town. I decided that I was smart enough to handle public school, and it wasn't a bad decision. I turned out just fine but I strongly feel my sheltered elementary school upbringing molded me into the person I am today. When I went to high school, there were a few black kids. I graduated in a class of about 170, and there were maybe 8 black kids. I never really thought of them as any different from myself, though. Just like there were white kids that I didn't like, there were black kids that I didn't like. And just like I had white friends, I had black friends. I didn't see it as that big of a deal. So when I came to Penn State, I never really took time to notice just how diverse it is, because I pretty much see everyone as the same. Regardless of your race, if you're going to work hard and try to be successful then I'll respect you. And if you don't, then I won't respect you. It's really as easy as that. I don't know if I ever really went through the stages, because during elementary school we had a golden rule : treat others as you want to be treated. And I knew that I wouldn't want to be treated poorly or discriminated against for something out of my control, so I didn't do it to others. I think my upbringing just let me have an open mind, even though I haven't had any direct experiences to contribute to my thoughts of the matter. I think it's important to see everyone as equal. Skin color is something we can't control and it's something we didn't chose. So I don't think it should be the basis of anyone decision making or opinions.

Typically I follow the Twitter feed during class, and Tuesday's really astonished me. I usually really take to heart what is said and I take the comments with a grain of salt. There has only been two times this whole semester I was really riled up about a comment enough to take the time to respond, once being when some girl said black people can't be racist and once this past Tuesday. A girl on the twitter feed, who from what I could tell was on Arab descent was straight up bashing America. At first I sympathized with her comments – she was talking about how Arab American's often get told their terrorists or things like that. And I can't imagine living a life where people often look at me and think I'm about to set off a bomb – it truly must be horrible. But then her comments went straight to bashing America, and our soldiers. I'm certainly not pro-war, but I'm not going to bash those who are willing to risk their lives so that I can continue to do as I please. I really felt it was necessary to defend my country at the point she said American's label their troops as heroes but don't deserve that title at all. She's entitled to her opinion and I'm fine with that, but this girl seems extremely anti-American. War is messy and when you're there you do as you're told. It's really as simple as that. You don't always have perfect facts but if your commander tells you to kill someone, you're going to do it and not question it. I had to say to this girl, if you're so completely unhappy with the way this country is run and our soldiers, why are you still here? If you live your life in fear that everyone is going to think you're a terrorist and hate you, then again...why stay here? There's plenty of other countries in the world, and while I personally don't think any are quite as wonderful as the good ole red, white, and blue then straight up why don't you leave? It's like when people say they aren't proud to be a Penn Stater. How many other schools are in this country, or in Pennsylvania alone?! If you really don't like it here then go somewhere else. That's truly what I want to say to people who say they are not proud to be Americans. Go somewhere else. We won't miss you. I guess I feel the need to defend my country, my troops, and my school because I really and honestly adore it here. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. It's perfect for ME, and if it's not perfect for you then I suggest you pack up and find somewhere that is.

While there has been a lot of things that have made me think this semester so far, there is one thing in particular that has really struck out at me. While Sam was discussing white supremacy and racism there was quite a bit of a Twitter war going on. A girl on Twitter who happens to be black said that people who are black can't be racist because they're black. I was immediately shocked. I couldn't believe that people still though this way. It would be like me saying that people who are white can't be racist because we're white. A friend of mine responded to her saying that everyone can be racist, and this girl immediately jumped down her throat saying that my friend, who is white, doesn't know anything about being black and has no right to say anything to her. I told my friend to let it go because talking to people who are close-minded is the same as talking to the wall. Even though we did let it go, this bothered me so much. I brought it up in my discussion group and everyone said she was wrong, that everyone can be racist. There are black students in my class and they also said that yes, people who are black can indeed be racist. This still bothers me though. I really can't believe that people still think that because they are a certain race they can't be racist. I understand that some people think it's because of a power thing, but I don't buy it at all. I don't care what race you are – you can be and probably are racist! This was addressed a bit in class but I don't think Sam ever really made it clear that regardless of your race you can be racist. Something I'd really like to be discussed in class would be the fact that everyone is racist. Yes, I really think that's true. There is a song called “Everyone's a Little Bit Racist” and I don't think that could be more true. I'm sure so many people would say they aren't racist, and I know most people really believe that to be true. But everyone has either said a racist comment or simply thought of one. I can admit that sometimes I have thought or said racist things, and sometimes they are even about my own race. I think this should be addressed in class. Sam should just say it. Everyone is racist. As the song says “Everyone's a little bit racist sometimes, it doesn't mean we go around committing hate crimes. Look around & you will find that no one's really color blind, maybe it's a fact we all should face. Everyone makes judgments based on race. If we all could just admit that we are racist a little bit, even though we all know that it's wrong, maybe it would help us get along.”

I don't think there are many things we can do to change or overcome the things that are based solely on race. I think it's kind of hard to believe that some things are true solely because of genetic and biological makeup. But it seems like there have been plenty of tests and ways to control the other factors to prove that this is indeed true. I think the best way to try to change it would be to educate those races and all races for that matter about it. For example, if it's shown that Hispanic's are least likely to graduate from high school, tell them that. I'm not saying to do it to be mean or anything like that, but make them aware. Tell than the because of some reason that might not be able to be fully explained yet, they are least likely to graduate and if they want to change that then it's up to them. That might just be all the encouragement they need. I know a lot of times when someone tells me that I can't do something or maybe that the odds are stacked against me I'm much more likely to try harder and accomplish it. I think awareness is the best key to unlock most things. I know if someone told me that just because I’m white I probably won't graduate college I would definitely try a lot harder to make that happen just because someone said I couldn't. I really think education and awareness are the only things we can do to perhaps put it in those race's minds that they want to defy the odds. I'm not sure if there is much more that we can do. We can't really go in and change genetic makeup. We can't make them do it. We just have to educate and leave it up to them. If someone who is educated about the matter still decides that they have no interest in graduating high school and pursing higher education then that it completely up to them. But perhaps just them knowing how they are less likely to might change their mind or push them a little harder. I do wonder what specific things about other races make them more or less likely to do something, though. After all, we all share 99.9% of our biological makeup. A majority of us is exactly the same. But there is that one little bit that makes a difference, and it's enough to make often times a very large difference. I'm not super familiar with what those things are exactly, but I have to wonder why they exist at all. I also think that while it definitely has something to do with genetics, that's not all of it. There has to be other things (and I know there are) that factor into a person's success or failure.

As a Christian, I often run into people who don't believe what I do or challenge my beliefs. When people do so, I listen to their side but I stand firmly in my own beliefs. Do I follow everything the bible says? No, I don't. Do I abide and believe every rule the Catholic church sets up? Again, no, I don't. But I believe that when I do pass, because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal lord & savior, regardless of what I have done in my life, I will go to Heaven with those I love who believed as well. To be perfectly honestly, I feel sorry for those who believe in nothing. It must be so sad to believe in NOTHING. I couldn't imagine. For those who have had some kind of tragedy in their life and say that because this happened there is no God, I feel sorry for them. It's a proven fact that those who live in faith – any kind of faith, as long as you believe in SOMETHING, you do live longer than those who don't. I have had horrible things happen to me. But I get my strength to carry on through and from Jesus Christ. I don't blame him, because I know there is a reason for his doing so. Things don't make sense to me, I know this. But all things make sense through God. Philippians 4:13 : “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I really believe this to be true. And to those who don't believe, that's totally fine. Say what you want about the bible not being true, or it all being a bunch of BS. And sure, science may have “proven” that evolution has made up what we are today. & I'm sure that's true, but I believe my lord guided that entire process through. So I don't believe that it was solely evolution, regardless of it being proven. But that's the thing about faith, isn't it? You believe regardless of “facts” or “evidence.” That's why it's called faith, after all. I don't need proof. The only proof I need is that after all the hardships I have faced, I'm still here, still going strong. And I think that's because of the strength that Jesus Christ gives me. So to those who don't believe, or challenge what I do believe in, I respect you and your thoughts. But more importantly, I feel sorry for you. Because believing in something – again, I don't care who or what it is, but believing in something gives you something to hold on for. It gives me something to look forward to after myself and my loved ones leave this earth. Instead of just knowing I'll be rotting in a hole in the ground, I believe I will be reunited with my loved ones and live eternally in paradise.

While I don't always agree with what we talk about in this class, I have to agree that white people shy away from race. At least if I'm going off what I do personally, and I'm white, then yes it's true. I'm not trying to speak for the entire population of white people, but I think this is generally true. And I think the reason for it isn't too much of a surprise. All of our life we were taught to be color blind. “It doesn't matter that Susie has dark skin – she's the same as you.” is what we were all told in Kindergarten. So from then on out, we were taught to ignore the fact that we all don't look the same. After all, it's the inside that counts. It seems like if you don't, you're either being called racist or someone gets mad about it. I'm in a club that's very white, and someone made a comment about people who are black. The comment was not in any way derogatory or racist, but the president was immediately apologizing and explaining how she meant no offense toward our two black members. I was sitting there thinking what is she apologizing for? Her comment wasn't racist – she was just saying something in conversation. If she had made a comment about white people that was of the same sort, would she have been apologizing then? I highly doubt it. I think we're all just so afraid to offend others. I always feel like if I say something about someone of a different race then they're going to get mad at me. And quite honestly, a lot of the times that I do, someone DOES get mad! Look at the twitter feed for example – a white girl makes a comment and immediately three black girls are jumping down the white girl's throat with comments like “Don't you dare say that!” & “You have no idea what it's like to be black little white girl!” Yeah, that's true – she might not know what it's like to be black, but what's the big deal if she said something. It wasn't negative or derogatory, but immediately people took it that way simply because it was about a race different than her own. So I think that's why white people are so quick to avoid the topic of race. Because we're white, and we can't change that. It's something we were born into, this so called “white privilege” that we have wasn't our choice. I didn't ask to be white. But I am. So because of this, should I not be able to talk about race? A lot of people make it seem that way.