I do not think that just because of affirmative action that people are less qualified for a particular job. The fact of the matter is that people take take this issue too far, it is 2010 and people need to relax a little bit I do not get why everyone is so serious and take things like affirmative action. I feel that everyone should be treated equally. Affirmative action is simply a way of helping minorities succeed, a chance for them to be successful. I feel that affirmative action is a good thing, because of the way people are today if it was up to most people then minorities would not have these types of opportunities.

The simple fact that someone such as a minority got a job due to affirmative action does not mean that they are less qualified than someone else. In addition to that, no one except for the individuals whom are hiring know that a certain person was due to affirmative action so that again goes to show that it is very unlikely that they are less qualified. It does not reduce the quality of businesses in any way, an individual that was not hired due to affirmative action could be any body. People just like complain about things such as this, and I think that this is what it comes down to. Like myself I could care less if someone gets hired by affirmative action, maybe they are more qualified then me and maybe not. I am a firm believer that diversity is needed in the work place, in addition to that nepotism is not always a bad thing either.

I know that there was quite a bit of talk during class about weather that was fair or not, I feel that it is a networking thing and the more people you know the better. I know that I have gotten a few jobs this way, but it is not just because you know someone that you are getting the job in most cases I would think that they know your work ethic and know that you are going to be able to do the job. I do not think that someone should be frowned upon because they were hired due to nepotism. If someone that is more qualified comes around than yes they should get the job weather affirmative action has anything to do with it or not. However, I do feel that it is something that not a lot of people quite understand and that is why there is so much hate towards it, it does not surprise me that people feel this way. So I do understand where the kid asking his question came up with that from, I see where he sees why he might think that because someone is hired due to affirmative action especially as a doctor might not be qualified but then again I know that I see a lot of doctors of minority whom are very good doctors so then how do you know? Truly you will never know if someone was hired due to affirmative action or nepotism unless you know an individual personally or you are the one doing the hiring.

I am amazed by this video, I never would have thought that a black child would pick a white doll over a black doll. I would have thought that because they are young and black that they would have thought automatically to pick the black doll. When Sam mentioned that this video was going to be disturbing I was not quite sure what to expect, I have never seen anything like this before. I thought that it was just normal for a black child to pick a black doll or barbie even. Because I remember when I was younger I always wanted the brown barbie or the white one, I never remember having the black barbie because as far as I can remember they didn't really have that many black ones. The same goes for baby dolls.

I guess though in this time and age, the constant message being thrown out on TV and advertisements is generally white. In addition, now more than ever kids watch a lot of TV and after hearing what other black people in the class had to say about the video goes to show that this does have a huge influence on on black children. They grow up thinking that it is better to be white and that white people are more nice. To me this is crazy, because before this class I never really thought about these things I just say people for who they were. I was amazed while watching this video and listening to what these children had to say about white doll they would rather play with. It is like the one girl in class said about how she always just saw the white doll and liked it because it was different.

Furthermore, I noticed that the one little girl in the video was wearing a Disney princess sweatshirt and the princesses are very popular among young girls and what was pointed out during class about how non of the Disney princesses are white. It is not until recently that we even seen a black princess. I find this very unfortunate, not that a black child should not play with a white doll because that is perfectly find but they should not be picking that doll because it is better or more pretty or nice. I know that someone also mentioned that they are portrayed a certain way in society which makes them insecure in sorts. This upset me because I know more beautiful black and brown people then I do white more times than none I think they are more attractive.

This is why I was so taken back by the video of these young black children choosing the white doll over the black one. Then responding to the question in a way that made the black doll the "bad guy". I feel that this issue needs taken care of it is not fair for anyone to have to go through life thinking this way. I'm not really sure how to go about it, or what the right way to address it would be but this is 2010 and things are way different today than there were many years ago. The stereotype needs to be changed and people need to move on.

I completely think that it goes both ways, I have never been one to let another persons comments offend me not matter what color they are. For all I care they could be blue, I think that people take things too seriously or take issues way too far. I know that before this class I never once looked at a black or brown person and thought of them differently than I would a white person. Which is weird for me because now I find myself looking at someone of a different race, and I don't like it. I do not look at them in a bad way it is just more noticeable now than it was before.

The rudeness does go both ways though, I know in my discussion group we were saying that the reason when there is a comment said about a white person that we just tend to ignore it because we are "on top" so to say. Not that every white person is, I'm sure there is plenty of black and brown people who make way more and are more successful than your white person. Stereotypes obviously once started from somewhere, from some sort of an experience this is why the white people say what they say and why black and brown people say what they say. With this being said the comments that went up on the text message screen were rude in a way because this is just an individuals stereotype that they got from someone somewhere in their life time and are now left with the impression.

I believe that this is the problem, the fact that everyone is different. The rudeness of some of the comments from the previous class were in fact rude. The white people, like myself did not know what to say in how they would describe a white person which I found interesting because before this class I never really thought about it. To me though we are white because of where our ancestors originated from, us white people could have very well been black with is why I do not see why people make it such a big deal to me we are all the same. Furthermore, when the black and brown people got to text how they would describe a white person there were so many rude comments thrown out such as stuck up, rich, ignorant, and privileged. Of course the room was silent, what were we suppose to say? That is not every white person. In addition,was a different story when the question was asked from the white perspective, there was some what of an uproar and the people of color were not very happy. However, this is due to their past and white people should be respectful but so should black people in today's society I did not see race as a huge issue although racism is out there I did not know that it was happening in our class. So all in all I feel that "this rudeness thing does cut both ways".

I found this post interesting because I can see where people would get the impression that it is "white" people who are willing to humiliate themselves on shows such as the Bachelor/Bachelorette, however there are many other shows where people of color are humiliating themselves as well. I suppose that this is just an issue that I never really thought of watching the show, but after watching the posting I realized that she is right that there is on a few non-white people that ever appear on the show.

This to me is no surprising, I think that it all comes down to the producer and the channel which the show is broadcast. The fact that race relations is an issue for some people, channels such as ABC AND CBS I believe have to watch what they are putting on the air because of this. I would think that by now most people would come to realize that the color of someone's skin does not matter, unfortunately this is not the case. So I think the correct response to the post, is the mere fact that not everyone accepts marriage between different races. So to be politically correct every now and then on shows such has the Bachelor they have to throw in people of different races.

I also think that another factor may be what the preference of the individual of the show is, I'm not positive to me though this makes sense I mean the whole point of the show is to find someone to eventually marry. So if someone prefers only whites then that is their choice, I think that if this is the case then I do not have a problem with it at all and ultimately makes the most sense. In addition, factoring in the policy of the network broadcasting. Certain situations call for different types of people, for example there is Survivor that is very diverse and The Amazing Race these shows are totally different than say the Bachelor.

Furthermore, audiences react to this differently because these shows are taking place all over the world and do not have a direct focus on marriage. Eventually, I do no think that this will be an issue I see a colored person being a Bachelor/Bachelorette in an upcoming show because it is slowly but surely become more common and is only fair to other races. I feel that there is just this small group of people who have a huge problem with something like this, and this person is more than likely the one in charge of managing these shows and this is why you see mostly white people. Channels such as VH1 focus on different types of races and have no problem mixing individuals together, and I feel this is how they should all be. So all in all I feel that this is the reason that it is mostly white people that you end up seeing on shows such as the Bachelor.

I found this issue to be ridiculous, times have changed and people need to realize it. Life would just be a lot easier if people would just realize that things are not the same, times have changed dramatically. The fact that this young girl wanted to take her significant other to the prom, and was denied by her high school is absurd. I always thought that High school was suppose to be a place where you discover who you are, it is no wonder kids are so confused, the fact that they are rejected for being who they are can be part of the blame. I don't quite get what this school is all about, I can see if it were a catholic school, or something along those lines but to be a public school with students of all different backgrounds, race, personalities, and morals I feel should have to accept each student and their orientation especially now a days. I understand that they do have to draw a line, but a girl wanting to take her girlfriend to the prom and wear a tux really?

BBC News reports that the school board states that by McMillen taking her girlfriend to the prom and wearing a tuxedo that they are going to cancel the prom altogether due to "distractions to the educational process" as quoted by the school board. I do not see how this in any way is a distraction to the educational process, because it is the Prom regardless of that it should not matter it is sad that individuals cannot be accepted by others because they are gay. McMillen taking her girlfriend to the prom or even allowing same "sex" dates should not be taken to such extremes as canceling the prom all together. I know my senior year I took a good friend of mine because I knew that I would have a better time with her than I would going with a guy.

I believe that McMillen did the right thing by going to the school board to get their prior approval, to me I think that should show them that she is not doing this to disturb anyone that this is really who she is and she just wants to take her girlfriend to the prom like any girl would want to take their boyfriend. What would they do if she didn't confront them? I feel like McMillen's classmates should be supporting her, it is not her fault that they are canceling the prom they could just accept it for what it is. If someone does not like it, then maybe they should not attend. I feel that this is in no way shape of form fair. Hopefully the school board will come to their senses and realize that this young girl is just being herself, the fact that she wants to take her girlfriend and wear a tux is no big deal. I am sure that there are many other issues that should have the school boards concern instead of ruining McMillen and her fellow classmates junior/senior prom.

I found this issue to be ridiculous, times have changed and people need to realize it. Life would just be a lot easier if people would just realize that things are not the same, times have changed dramatically. The fact that this young girl wanted to take her significant other to the prom, and was denied by her high school is absurd. I always thought that High school was suppose to be a place where you discover who you are, it is no wonder kids are so confused, the fact that they are rejected for being who they are can be part of the blame. I don't quite get what this school is all about, I can see if it were a catholic school, or something along those lines but to be a public school with students of all different backgrounds, race, personalities, and morals I feel should have to accept each student and their orientation especially now a days. I understand that they do have to draw a line, but a girl wanting to take her girlfriend to the prom and wear a tux really?

BBC News reports that the school board states that by McMillen taking her girlfriend to the prom and wearing a tuxedo that they are going to cancel the prom altogether due to "distractions to the educational process" as quoted by the school board. I do not see how this in any way is a distraction to the educational process, because it is the Prom regardless of that it should not matter it is sad that individuals cannot be accepted by others because they are gay. McMillen taking her girlfriend to the prom or even allowing same "sex" dates should not be taken to such extremes as canceling the prom all together. I know my senior year I took a good friend of mine because I knew that I would have a better time with her than I would going with a guy.

I believe that McMillen did the right thing by going to the school board to get their prior approval, to me I think that should show them that she is not doing this to disturb anyone that this is really who she is and she just wants to take her girlfriend to the prom like any girl would want to take their boyfriend. What would they do if she didn't confront them? I feel like McMillen's classmates should be supporting her, it is not her fault that they are canceling the prom they could just accept it for what it is. If someone does not like it, then maybe they should not attend. I feel that this is in no way shape of form fair. Hopefully the school board will come to their senses and realize that this young girl is just being herself, the fact that she wants to take her girlfriend and wear a tux is no big deal. I am sure that there are many other issues that should have the school boards concern instead of ruining McMillen and her fellow classmates junior/senior prom.

After reading the article on the Native Americans and the oil that that have found on their land, I found it very interesting the fact that they are finally getting something it great I think. Most people see Native Americans as poor Indians, and when they first fist came to America years ago they had nothing they were all about reserving the land and then others came in and took it all from them. So I think that it is great that they were able to find all this oil on their land and that they get all these perks for allowing the drilling of oil on their land to occur.

As he article stated many of Tribe members were moving away because they were not able to get jobs living there, I think that it is a good thing that they found this oil because finally these Natives are moving back and are able to be making money. The article stated that some of them may not use the amount of money they are receiving the right way because they are no used to having it, However, I feel as though they deserve it because they have always been pushed out. In addition to that though, I feel that the money that they are receiving should be going towards all the debt that they have racked up over the years from not being employed. The article also states that the money is going towards roads and bankroll which is great.

This article did shock me a little, because since I was little we have learned that Indians have always been about preserving their land and oil refineries cause a lot of pollution. I guess times have really changed even for the tribes, I suppose that it has to though they would not be able to follow all traditions or they would be living a rough life in today's society. The fact that poverty there a few years ago was so high is amazing they lucked up and now receiving funding from the federal government, and are providing everyone with jobs is great. Many people may argue that this is not right that these people are getting all these benefits and jobs, but its karma I think because a long time ago this is what Europeans were doing to them. I feel as though if the Tribes living on this oil rich land, are using their money wisely and living life to the fullest that it is great that they have this oil rig. They have been a the "shit end of the stick" for a long time and they deserve to have these oil rigs in their backyards and get paid for it.

I found this article very interesting, I find it amazing how realistic this Roxxy robot looks, the fact that to own her you have to pay 7,000 dollars is a little much. I had to think to myself when reading to article though what kind of men are going to be buying this doll, or how many perverted men out there are going to be taking out a loan just to own one of these dolls.
I found it crazy that there were a few women who wished they had Roxxy to take over the bedroom chores. In my opinion if you have to give your significant other a robot to satisfy his needs I think there are bigger issues at hand. The fact that Roxxy can respond, and has different types of personalities is something else too the only thing that would make her that much better is if she could walk. However, it is amazing how Douglas Hines has developed such a life like doll besides that though I think that it is weird I feel that besides single lonely men the other other people who are going to be interested in Roxxy is women because they are going to be curious what all this doll can do. To see how it compares, and I am sure that men will be equally as interested once to male is introduced.
When I think of this sex toy coming out on the market the only picture I get in my head is a lonely man falling in love with Roxxy because she can respond and take care of his needs. That is not a pretty thought, as soon as they advance this Roxxy doll in the next few years when she is able to take care of chores there is not going to be real relationships anymore. I just find it amazing that they have come this far. I feel that the only way that Roxxy will be worth the money one has to pay is if she comes with a lifetime warranty because she requires a charge and the fact that it is going to be mostly single men buying this, which means it will probably be used quite often means that this toy will get warn out, and it will need proper cleaning after each use. I guess I just don't understand, sex is suppose to occur between two people in love not with a synthetic skinned robotic doll. I just find that so strange, and the fact that there are so many strange rangers out there I feel that once Roxxy is released that we will wind up seeing her when we are out to eat have a full on conversation with her owner.

I completely agree with what Laurie had to say, although in America we have gone though the Civil Rights Movement and banned slavery today people still talk in "black and white". Most of the time I feel that this is even intentional and is something that most people do not even think of. It is a topic brought up among individuals probably everyday. I know that where I am from there are not a lot of black people, and people there will speak about them in "black and white". I know that Laurie said that in the many discussion groups she has been in that it always comes back to this. I feel that this happens because there is a portion of whites that still till this day do not accept blacks, or others just stereotype them. The same thing goes for black and the stereotype that they have towards white people. Although I don't feel that this situation comes up in normal conversation unless someone says something about a black person or the other way around. Of course as Laurie said, if you are sitting in a discussion group talking about race of course this subject is always going to come up.
I feel that this subject is popular because it is something which many are familiar with, and feel that they can have serious conversation about it because it is a very opinionated subject. In my opinion I feel that much progress has been made between black and white people, although slavery still exists today it is no where near how it was many years ago. Now they have the same opportunities that white people do, there are black and white couples, and also groups of friends. I feel that it is true about talking about it, but to actually apply it to a normal conversation is much different.
There are many other races such as brown people, whom get just as many if not more stereotypes than blacks. We hear in discussion and conversation about "Mexicans" and how everyone hates them and they aren't allowed to cross the boarder. To me I feel that that is a bigger problem then conversations always ending up about black and white people. I think that they are treated much worse than black people today. It all comes down to your own opinion in the end and it is up to you to choose. Underneath each person regardless of the skin color or where you are from we are all the same, so I don't even judge someone by their skin color. Nor do I ever bring up "black and white" conversations unless someone else is discussing it.
All in all, I agree with what Laurie has to say and I see where she is coming from but I also feel that there is more to it then just ending up at a "black and white". There has to be discussion leading up to that I feel like. Because what if there is brown people in your group, they are most likely the ones who are going to say something about it because they are different obviously then that of a black or a white person. I find it interesting that people still think this way after all these years and the civil right movement, in my own personal opinion I think people should just keep that kind of information to themselves unless they are in a place such as a race discussion or what not.

At first I did not really care to see Avatar, I had seen previews for it but I am never really a fan of these types of movies. Then I started hearing how good it was and that I had to go see it, so while I was in Pittsburgh my boyfriend and I decided to go and see it. I heard that the movie was best to see in 3D and that it was not as good if I did not. Never did I think that this movie had anything to do with the so called "white Messiah" although this was never really brought to my attention until this class.
After reading Brooks article, I feel that the "White Messiah" that he speaks of is true for a lot of movies, although having seen Avatar I do not feel that this was Cameron's intention when he wrote the script. It took him 16 years since his idea was first created, he decided that he was going to wait for the proper technology to come out. I feel that the idea of Avatar was to use state of the art technology to "awe" the audience so to say. Brooks makes the movie seem like the whole point of the movie is that the white ex marine is this "white messiah".

I do see how he could get this idea from the movie, ultimately though I feel that he is looking to far into it. Movies are made to entertain peoples and to make money, I do not think that there would have been a difference in outcome had the ex marine that goes to the native place and discovers the ways of the natives and how amazing their way of life is would have been a different race. I feel that the movie itself was just to entertain and show a fantasy world where natives lived without all the extras that we have today.

Just because the marine is white and falls in love with one of the natives and becomes accepted by them and can do many things that they do maybe even better which Brooks says in the article is the "white messiah" and yes this may be true for some movies, but I have seen the movie and now that I read his article I do see where is is coming from ultimately though the way that this movie is wrote and produced the marine could be of any race and I again do not think that it would make that big of a difference. Yes the movie is about the Marines and a corporation trying to take over the Natives land to mine it, and they need someone to go in and make peace with the Avatars.
This does make it seem like the white man is there to save the day, as Brooks portrays the movie, all in all though I really do not think that it is that big of a deal and that he looks too far into it.