The male prisoner who writes this is well spoken in a sense. His words are filled with so much meaning and emotion. I wonder what he did to be in jail. I wonder if he’s in there for life. I can almost imagine myself in this situation where I am practically encaged, given books, television, and other hobbies to fill the endless hours I’d spend here. How often do I see the light of day? When I do, how far may I wander? What may I do to enjoy my time in my sense of the “outside world?”
Clearly this man had realized his wrongs, though we do not know to any extend of the crimes he has committed. He recognizes the good his life held and accomplished outside of his imprisonment and how much more he could have done with this freedom- and particularly the guilt of what he shouldn’t have done. When was this man sent to jail? How long has he occupied this empty space?
He refers to silence, but not in the audible sense. It’s more than moving how he cannot stand the silence within his “soul.” I can only imagine what he means by this and the sudden pain that overcomes me when I attempt to do so. Even though he is in jail and cut of from the outside world, I feel it is extreme to say that his life amounts to nothing. I consider the people in his life that he influenced before he ended up where he is along with the people he manages to stay in contact with. Everyone wants to do something extraordinary with their lives to change the world, but we all know that isn’t possible. What I feel is notable to realize is the effects we have on those around us and those we really hold in our hearts. People don’t realize how much they can change another person’s life with friendship. Cutting out his eyes may seem like it will cease the video from playing out, watching his life deteriorate, but if he couldn’t see that would be one more thing he felt he wouldn’t have to live for.
His last few paragraphs are what touched and moved me the most. Surely, most people search their entire life for love. The want to be needed by another is a feeling that can’t be replaced by any other. The physical, emotional, and social connection that holds people together for years of their lives is something this man thinks he will never feel. He more than likely lives with all men, and you can’t make a human being change their sexual orientation to fake some love. The qualities he talks about are so touching and real, yet unreal to him. His words twist and turn in my heart and stomach, almost making me feel bad for him. I want to allow him to have these things, but then again I don’t know the full story.

I agree with Ernso only to a certain extent when it comes to whether it is a positive or negative image. This, to me, falls under the statement that Sam always makes. He always says that you need to stay in the middle. Being on one side of any situation has as much negativity as being on the other. In regards to this specific situation I can see how Ernso could be upset when it comes to pictures of malnourished, poor, kids or whoever it may be. Not only do you see this in Haiti but all across the globe. The media or organization, whoever, whatever it may be are trying to play our “heart strings” like a big bow fiddle. Obviously if you slap a couple pictures of tiny seven year olds, with gazes that could stare thru a cement wall and flies buzzing around their eyeballs people are going to say, “wow that is MORE than awful.” Rightfully so... They should be saying this unless they are completely heartless and super-bastards. I suppose what he had meant to say by this, is that when pictures like this are the only media coverage a country like Haiti gets, to be frank, it sucks. Aside from of course, when they have an earthquake or some huge event that makes people say “ oh ya Haiti, how rude of me to forget.” I would like to go off on a tangent right now. When is the last time you saw all the “poor lil’ white kids” in the media in the U.S. HMMM Never, most likely so what the F is up with that. Think about it. So to the other side of the discussion Ernso most likely wants media coverage that will positively reflect upon his country. I dont think I have ever seen media coverage on the entrepreneurs in Haiti that are trying to make a living for themselves... Ever. This statement also holds true for any other nation of poverty. I love how that is always the term for these countries. Once again as Sam always says we act like there are not people that have wealth in these countries. All we see is how messed up and ridiculous the conditions are in which ALL these people live in. Its not like that by any means. Im not saying that there is not poverty but there obviously exceptions. So what I think needs to happen is less exaggerated talk and emphasis on all the negative, which seems to be one giant, black hole and more on the positive. As sad as it seems think of it in terms of multiplication. If you multiply a negative by a positive, the answer is always negative. Get rid of the negative peeps.

If white people where a minority within the United States of America what would change? Everything would be as unsatisfactory as it has been for ever. In this sense, I mean there are always those who feel they must hold themselves superior to another. I really enjoyed that public service announcement with the guy who talked about “you were born out of a vagina” or whatever; why do you think so highly of yourself? If white people are a minority soon, someone else is going to take position at “the top.” Everyone has been bred to believe that their need to be this sense of superiority. Though white would be a minority, you would think that by this point, we’d start to even out the numbers and forget about the supposed differences. When I hear that in a little over thirty years, white people will be a minority, I honestly have to ask myself how it’s still possible that there are segregated “races.” The other day, we were also told that it is becoming less and less as the years pass by. By 2042, “we” are supposed to be the minority. One day, I’d like everyone to see very little difference between others; by this, I mean I want to see people learn how to live together happily, love each other, and, mix to a point where we can’t discriminate.
We’ve talked about how small of a percentage our genes hold in determining skin color; being a country of countless descendants from endless differing places, we should be accepting of all immigrants. I mean, the white man barged in to ruin the Native American way of life. Why did white think they had the right to do such a thing? What gives us the right to hold the majority position today? Why do we think we’re so superior that we don’t have to share our jobs, the wealth, the land, and the freedom? These are all very challenging questions to answer, but we have the power to change from our past and wrongdoings that still continue today. The future will hopefully be a place where we don’t judge a person based on where they’re from, what the color of their skin is, what their religion is, where they work, or how much money they make.
I can imagine a lot of people would react negatively to knowing that in the future that white will be the minority, especially a lot of our parents or grandparents. It honestly disgusts me when people in my generation were taught to hate and discriminate by their parents. We are better than to continue the prejudices and misjudgments. Like I said before, the future is our chance to even things out and to live our lives as equals.

Interracial relationships are as legitimate as any other relationship to me. It has and never will be anything but a relationship. That almost sounds like I’m belittling relationships, but I hope that it is understood what I meant. I don’t really even like to make a point out of it, so, I don’t. Looking back now, I have been in relationships with Filipinos, African Americans, Native Americans and that’s only the ones that I remember off hand. I never really saw the color of their skin, just a person with a great personality of whom I was attracted to. I suppose if it were to put in to a ratio, the number of white women that I have dated would most certainly exceed the number of people from a different race, which, to me, is just reflective of where I grew up which is Pennsylvania. As we should know at this point the number of white people is far greater than all others in PA, let alone our campus. As for my friends, the close ones are always understanding of any relationship that I’m in. Hence, why they are my close friends and I don’t have close friends that are racist. The other “friends” understandably are usually a little bit racist in some way and don’t always feel comfortable about it. That is usually when those friendships taper off for which I’m not too concerned about. On to my family, they have always been behind me no matter what the race is of who I’m dating. They only really have a negative opinion of my relationships if it is affecting me in a negative way. Not to generalize all white women that I have dated, but a decent majority of them are usually the ones who find it necessary to make my life as “miserable” as their own. Generally caused by a divorce, or something along those lines of which I know is a serious matter but not one in which you take out on your boyfriend, that boyfriend being me. Nor is this a situation in which she should act like it is her own fault and feel like she has little to no worth anymore. Anyways, the point is my family digs it. I don’t want to sound like some sort of interracial wanna-be matchmaker, but I feel that it is a great way to broaden one’s views or opinions. People all over the world are awesome. Specifically for white people who are hesitant, stop worrying about your parents’ views and opinions are. Take life into your own hands and make your own decisions; we are all big kids now, and its time to start making your own choices. Let’s get it together people.

White privilege is something I have known of for as long as I can remember. One particular reason is the following that I will explain about my sister. The other day I was talking to a friend after class about how I, for the longest time, never really thought of my half white (from my biological mom), half black (from my sisters biological father) sister, as any thing different than a regular sister. She is and always has been one of my three sisters. It wasn’t until my early high school years that I almost felt awkward to bring it up. Not in the sense that she was black and I was ashamed or anything stupid like that, but for a while I was made to feel like I was using it to my advantage. As if that gave me the “pass” or whatever to my predominately white school and friends that thought I knew what it was like to be black. Maybe even how to “talk” to them; I don’t know, but it was ridiculous. Trust me, the majority of that school, teachers included, were pre-awakening stage. Anyways, I don’t know exactly what it’s like, and I’m sure my sister doesn’t know all about being white. The point of that story is it’s far more obvious when you have a black sister, and can blatantly see or remember times when white privilege was at work. Without a doubt, I would let you know that I do not agree with it in any way, shape, or form. I would also tell you that I haven’t the slightest clue as to how to change it. It is unintelligent and racist. This is not to say that I have never been in this type of situation, because I have. One time, while I was in a high school history class with one goofy ass, racist teacher, white privilege slapped my friend Anubhav right in the face. It was the end of the year, and classes had slowed down to the point that we were watching movies and what not. My buddy and I thought it would be funny to take my teachers computer mouse and it was at the time. The bad part about it was that when he finally realized that it was gone, and didn’t know that I was the actual culprit, he sent my middle eastern friend to the principals’ office and didn’t let him back in the class room for the rest of the year. Mind you that he was the only person of color in that class. Now if that isn’t white privilege I don’t know what is. I feel that the worst part about it was, at that point in my life, I was too much of a coward to not fess up and take the blame. Anubhav and I are still friends. It really wasn’t that big of a deal, but it was unfortunate to see it so openly.

The way we live in “North America” is disgusting. It is more than sad how we take for granted all our aspects of life. WE take so may things for granted. For example living spaces, cable t.v., food that we consume, clothing that we buy, jewelry, automobiles, anything that you can think of we, as consumers, consume entirely too much. I would like to bring up the point, as it was brought up in class, how certain individuals have to live in mud houses, with nothing but a mud floor to sleep on. Do not be the douche bag who says “well that situation does not apply to me, I'm not the person who has been subjected to that certain situation.” Go F*** yourselves. How can any person in any aspect of any life be so narrow minded? Do you honestly believe you are the only person that “deserves” some credit or appreciation for what each of you have “done”. Exactly, when you look at it from an “outsider” perspective you most certainly seem like one if not the most, unintelligent, conceded, unappreciative, for lack of a better word prick. There is a website where you can enter basic information on different things you have, eat, and even what your house is made out of (i.e. brick etc.) the output is the best part. The website, after you have filled in all the fields, tells you how many “Earth’s” you would need to support your lifestyle. My girl friend entered her information, and keep in mind that in my opinion she is fairly “green”, it would take seven Earth’s to support her lifestyle. Seven, and that is only one person! Now multiply that by close to seven billion people on the planet, many of which are not green at all, let alone know what the actual term is in reference to, and it is far too easy to see where we are head if we don’t make changes. I do not suggest a “ten year plan” or something that will be gradual. I certainly do not suggest that buying a Prius and having the idea that you did your part. All aspects of our lavish lifestyle must change. This needs to happen now, today, in this very hour. If not we will, in some aspects, unfortunately, in others fortunately cease to exist. I feel the worse part about that is we as humans rarely plan ahead. We only react to stimuli that are in the present. Understandable, but in this specific case, it will be too late. Like Sam says in reference to purchasing chocolate, he doesn’t go out of his way to buy “fair trade” chocolate, but does like to. In that situation it is different, but as for how we are killing the Earth, we need to act NOW.

The expression of what cards I was dealt got me thinking. I was born in Allentown, but mainly was raised in Meadville, PA, a very small town atmosphere. Being raised in a small town made me down to earth and personable to those close to me. I have four siblings that are all very diverse but great people. My parents never spoiled us, but I was very loved. It was important to them that I understood my responsibilities in the family unit. I’ve been in trouble a good number of times, but I was always forgiven. If it weren’t for their gracious souls, I would be in jail right now, or worse. All of the bad decisions that I’ve made and recovered from have shaped me into a better person. However cheesy that sounds, my mistakes have probably taught me more than anything. I’m stubborn, so sometimes I need a good slap in the face by reality. Fortunately, I know I could never ask for or think of a better hand.
Both of my parents have continued their educations in college at some point in their lives. My mom’s always telling me that it doesn’t matter if I have trouble finding a job in my field, I just need to get a degree that will help me in getting any job position. My father works for a Penn State Agricultural Extension, so I get three fourths off of tuition. Trust me, I know how fortunate I am. I can receive a college education for a fraction of what others do, and an even smaller fraction for those who come to Penn State from out of state or even out of the country. This was the main determining factor of me choosing to attend Penn State, not to mention is a institution thats known for its academics world wide. For my first two years at a Penn State branch campus, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. Even now, I’m still not quite positive on becoming an anthropologist. I mean, how can I be expected to choose what I want to do the rest of my life when I’m less that a quarter of the way through it? It’s impossible to answer, so I will just trust my gut. I’ve always been more concerned with experiencing and really living my life to the fullest rather than spending too much of my time on school. I’ve just recently started to find a more realistic balance.
A combination of determinism and the choices I’ve made have gotten me to where I am today, but the choices are what will steer me the rest of the way through my education and into the real world.

Without any doubt in my mind, I feel that “one day” the concept of “race” will be completely non-existent. With that being said, it is extremely bothersome to hear different individuals say that they do not believe or even hint that it cannot be done. I suppose that maybe I have more confidence in people than others, but all things considered, why shouldn't I? Life has and always will be progressing forward. It’s fairly easy for anyone to comprehend. Considering the very small portion of time that we have had to make progress, and comparing that to how small of a fraction it is, of the larger picture, it can leave many speechless. We aren’t just taking “bounds and leaps;” we are still up in the clouds, and there is no sign that we have begun to lose altitude. Point being, it is obviously easy to be us and we are ridiculously good at it. Now with that confidence level, it is even easier to realize that we can rid ourselves of the negative aspects we, yes WE, created. Thinking back to when people were beginning to get ahold of themselves, and I mean WAY back, I bet that every single person and their mother went around dropping racial slurs like it was no big deal. This includes any racial slur that you can think of, towards any and everyone. I mean for lack of a better word, all I can say is DUH. Where else would this type of negative thing been created? Oh, wait, you mean to say that it wasn’t those “peeps?” So leading us into all the wonderful/ amazing things that we have done as a people are the same people who caused us to believe that we aren’t all the same people! To put it that simply is obtuse and hauntingly true at the same time. Granted, people have and will always have (like usual) different strengths and weaknesses in many areas, but thats getting way off topic. The point being is that we are all human, peeps, homies, earthlings, or whatever you find necessary to call us. The fact that our physical features are different should have never guided people to believe that there is more than one “race”. I don’t know about you, but if physically observable change(s) occurred, either quickly or gradually, and it was beneficial to me considering whatever circumstance(s), I would not only want but need it as well. So getting back to the people who created this concept and added negative attachments, they/we will and have to be the same people who remove this negativity and possibly the concept as a whole. At the end of the day, we are all just faces, in different places, and nobody should be a “racist.”

Just going to throw this on out there, who cares? Gov. Bentley said something that pissed some other people off, and shortly after that, the world ended. Once again for good measure, who cares! Freedom of speech ringing any bells, or illuminating any light bulbs to persons that were offended? He and every other human being in the entire world, yes the same one that was “square” at one point in time, can say whatever weasels its way out their mouth. (myself included) The opposition has every right to make it seem like they have just been violated beyond belief and will never recover. The old “woe is me” trick huh? I struggle to remember a time when nonsensical arguments such as this were not in and exploited by some form of media or what have you. Notice how people involved are so very efficient in the language of complaining. Lets all scream incomprehensible blasphemies! I need to know if people such as this have anything else to do. Perhaps the answer is they are unsatisfied with their own life therefore making it a point to make others life as miserable as their own. Never taking the time to find some other outcome not as pessimistic. When will there ever be a time when bettering ourselves and others will be the language of the people in any and all aspects of life? What a change it would be. I feel as valiant my effort is, I become suckered into complaining about all these people complaining! Bastards! Not really. I love that we are all entitled to our opinion; I suppose I just have hopes of there not being persistent tension, that always arises. We are all competent, intelligent beings, so why waste it? By that, I mean use the tools we have to produce a sound and meaningful conclusion to our disputes. In the case of Gov. Bentley try reasoning with him before accusing him of doing all non-christians an injustice. We may not know, he probably is not a hard-headed, traditional, for lack of a better word prick that he has been portrayed as. If the previous statement is a falsity, then lets all just hate him until we’re all dead. Wow, so much good will come from that, right? Be logical people; nothing, and I mean nothing good has ever come from being stubborn. Let go of the “pride” some of you hold on to so dearly, and show some optimism. I could only hope that you would be thoroughly surprised and highly doubt the opposite. A meaningful yet simple quote that some of you may know well, is, “all we are saying is give peace a chance”. With that would come endless possibilities.

Putting two 4.0 gpa students on spot like that was hilarious. It was even more humorous when they had to shuffle the students around into what they thought were racial “groups”. I feel that, with the small amount of time they had and the typical features on which they based their judgements, they did decently well. 4.0 or not, the majority of the students in our class would have produced something very similar to those results. Being raised in the U.S. and generally not near any major city, my mind was being warped in many different (generally negative) ways when it came to this very topic. What was I supposed to think at such an influential age? Mass media and other sources like it were and still are shaping the minds of many people, whether it be a young child, or the people who are actually teaching that child many biases arise. So like I had previously stated, it was hard to balance the situation. My parents raised me to believe that racism, prejudices and anything of that nature was completely “off limits,” and they enforced it passionately. Then as soon as I went to school, most of the people, if not all, were that and more. Trying to come back to the topic at hand, my point is, being educated on the subject and not falling in to the negative stereotypes/ popular opinion is crucial. As Dr. Richards continued the lecture he brought about many great points. A couple of examples would be how you don’t even have to be the color black, to be “black” and the so called asian eyes are all just adaptations to certain climates and environments around the world. This should without a doubt be the first thing that comes to any individuals mind, not the previously stated prejudices and racist thoughts that many morons believe. I really enjoyed that demonstration because of the different points it was showing. We are all humans, and if it were up to me that would be our “category” or placement in the scheme of things. But it’s obviously not (thank goodness), so the next best thing is just accept any and everyone, not by what they look like on the outside. If it’s different from your own appearance, so what? We should be thought of as who we are collectively. If these statements are all too familiar with any who read this, good, you obviously aren’t the person(s) that need to hear this stuff. I just see stupid, racist, people everyday around here, or hear racist remarks and I cannot fathom how such ignorance continues. Face it, whether we are the super friendly type or not, we will all inhabit this earth together, and we should try to make it as pleasant as possible.