en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/760689 Comments by keane https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment71575520 A great post right at the start. I agree with pretty much everything that you said in the post. I am a big fan of shows like South Park and Family Guy. I know that a lot of people find them offensive and politically incorrect and all of that, but I think they're by far the funniest shows around on television. They make fun of everyone and everything, and I mean that. And I am sure that the creators' intentions are not to cause harm to people or to get people killed (because of the death threats etc). They are extremely entertaining, and a lot of times, they make you think. They ask questions of you and the society that no other other shows dare to ask which is another reason why I really like these shows. Sure, sometimes you feel that they're taking it too far, but I'm sure that the creators know just how far to take it, and when to stop, because otherwise, they would not have survived as television's best shows for so long now. So I think that people need to understand that a lot of it is just purely for entertainment and that they shouldn't take offense in it, and actually, try to enjoy it, because they are so damn funny. Sat, 1 May 2010 00:20:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment71575520 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71573938 What up, Mullabhai? Both the videos were very interesting, to say the least. It's great to see videos and people like these, trying to convey the right kind of message to society and its people. I agree with you about how people should not get caught up in the whole racism and favorism trap, and not like or dislike people on the basis of their race or ethnicity, or for that matter, their gender, looks etc. It's great to see the little kid just follow his heart, and not base love on anything apart from how he feels about the girl. That is exactly how it should be, because once you get trapped in all the politics of racism and favorism, it is very difficult to get out of it. The other video, about the cashier and the customer was just wonderful. It's not something you would expect to happen in the modern world, but this just gives you so much hope, just to know that there are still people like that man out there, who are willing to sacrifice so much for a person. And that person is not his son, wife, or family, but just someone who he respects a lot. It's great to see the message in both the videos and it really gives you a lot of hope. Sat, 1 May 2010 00:06:17 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71573938 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment71570969 This is yet another awesome question. Personally, I'm a big fan of South Park and shows like Family Guy etc. Part of it is because they talk about everything, even the most sensitive issues, so openly. I'm sure that a lot of people find it very offensive, and the death threats further prove that. I simply admire the creativity and wit of the the creators to just put stuff like that out there. Personally, being a muslim, the Muhammad episode was definitely a shocker for me. I knew straight way that death threats were coming, because the same thing happened with the cartoon in Denmark etc. While watching the episode, I thought that they were actually going to show Muhammad, and that kind of scared me. But just like they always do, the creators took it right to the edge, but didn't let it fall off. Perfectly played. I'm sure they knew that they were going to get protests etc, but they went on with it anyway. It was amazing how they showed Buddha snorting cocaine, I think that was a little over the top, and I'm surprised that people didn't take action against that. It's amazing how they were not criticized for anything else, like how they played around with Krishna and Jesus. If you look at it all in a way where it's all for fun and entertainment, then you don't really get offended by it, and in fact, it really is very funny. But of course, a lot of people don't look at it like that, and that's when the problems start arising. Although I know that people take it very seriously, really, I'm sure that the creators' intentions are not to cause harm to people and/or themselves, and definitely not to get death threats and getting people killed. It's difficult to get that message across to those people, so we're just going to have to wait and see what happens, because I'm sure that those shows won't stop doing what they do best. I'm a Muslim and I understand that their intentions aren't to cause to harm, so I'm fine with it. I mean, they didn't show Muhammad, and that itself should be taken as a positive, because that is a sign of respect. Because if they did show him, then that would have meant trouble. I'm sure that the creators to know how far to take it and when to stop, so it'll be fine. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:41:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment71570969 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69835926 There is definitely a very thin line between thinking that you have a better chance than someone else of making a change, and affecting the world, and being a racist. Living here in the States, and then visiting the developing countries, you can easily believe that the people here are better, or more special, or more worthy, or however you want to put it. The only thing is that, no intentions of making anyone feel guilty etc, a lot of us didn't really do anything to "deserve" to be here and enjoying all the privileges while there are a lot of people in those developing countries who are a lot more deserving, whether they are smarter, whether they are more hardworking etc. So, therefore, since we do live here and enjoy a better life than a lot of people there do, it is our responsibility to make that positive change, to affect the world in a positive way. In a perfect world, who knows where all of us will be? Maybe the people there would be in our places, maybe not. But since it is not a perfect world, and things are the way they are, it's true that those countries have a lesser chance of making a positive, "green" change to the world, but that is because they really can't do much. But we can, and that is why I think that we should all be responsible and work towards that. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:21:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69835926 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/the-tyranny-of-radical-muslims__trashed/#IDComment69833285 Another interesting question/comment, you guys are doing a great job. It's great to know that you have a muslim husband because that means that you definitely understand what Sam has been trying to say better than a lot of the people in the class. The stuff about how the Muslims in the middle eastern countries feel about the whole "oil war" and the all the stuff that Sam talked about in that awesome lecture. It's really sad to see how so many people believe Islam to be everything that Osama Bin Laden and his pals portray it to be. Islam is the religion of peace and nowhere in its teaching does it tell its followers to indulge in any sort of violence. It's very sad to see that stations like BBC and CNN do not know what they are talking about when they describe Jihad as "holy war" etc, because they're supposed to be "credible" resources, but really, they have no idea what they're saying - all they're doing is provoking a lot of muslims. Islam is not what they tell you it is on television, and definitely not what the terrorists show it to be. The terrorists have no religion, and they definitely have done, and do a lot of damage to Islam's reputation. I mean, to be honest, they do not really care about who they are attacking, because in their eyes, their war is not only against the white people and christians. There are suicide bombs everyday in muslim countries and innocent, muslim civilians die because of the terrorists. They believe that the muslims in muslim countries are not real muslims and therefore qualify as enemies, and more and more innocent people die everyday because of these terrorists, which is extremely sad. I wish there was a better way to tell everyone about what Islam really is, to tell all the people who believe everything that the television stations tell them, or the ones who believe that Islam is really all that the terrorists portray it to be, but for now, to tell everyone as a group seems almost impossible. But it is very heartening to see the way that Sam is taking this topic up about muslims and the middle east and the war etc, and talking about it in lectures and trying to get people to see how things really are, trying to make them think, trying to tell them both points of views. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:03:15 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/the-tyranny-of-radical-muslims__trashed/#IDComment69833285 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/the-tyranny-of-radical-muslims__trashed/#IDComment69826934 I agree with you, as will most other muslims, about how Osama Bin Laden and people who "follow" him have given Islam such a bad reputation. And like you said, Islam is the religion of peace and nowhere does it tell its followers to indulge in any sort of violence. A lot of people are misled into believing that Islam is exactly what the "terrorists" portray it to be because of all the stuff that is shown on television. It's very sad to see that stations like BBC and CNN do not know what they are talking about when they describe Jihad as "holy war" etc, because they're supposed to be "credible" resources, but really, they have no idea what they're saying - all they're doing is provoking a lot of muslims. Islam is not what they tell you it is on television, and definitely not what the terrorists show it to be. I'm glad that Sam is doing lectures about this - they may be helping some people, they may not be, but definitely, something is better than nothing, because, really, I don't see a way that people can be taught about it as a group when credible resources like CNN and BBC are wrong themselves. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:21:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/the-tyranny-of-radical-muslims__trashed/#IDComment69826934 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68303937 Today's lecture was by far the best lecture of the semester so far. I think that Sam showed us all why he is such a reputable professor by conducting the lecture the way he did. The energy that Sam was radiating affected most of the people in the lecture, both positively and negatively. I lived in the Middle East for 10 years before coming to Penn State, and also, I'm a muslim, so I could relate to whatever Sam was saying. I know that it is difficult to put yourself into other people's shoes very easily, but if anyone can make you do it, then it has to be Sam. It was always going to be an interesting lecture because of it's topic, but I never expected it to be so exciting. I read some of the comments above, and I see that some people took offense to whatever that Sam said, but that is always the case - there are always people who do not agree with him. I think that those people need to start opening their minds up and look at the world a little differently. Because the people who thought that Sam was trying to get at Christians and Christianity by talking like that totally missed the point of the lecture, and to me, who can relate to what Sam was actually saying, is very saddening. Sam explained the whole issue better than most people can to an audience of such size, such varying opinions and lifestyles. It was really heartening to see that a lot of people liked the lecture and that the lecture helped them understand the whole issue better, and that they would be better able to relate to this topic in the future. I believe that a lot of people in the States have a fair idea of what the general feeling is in the Middle East about the USA and the war etc, but a lot of the times, they fail to take notice of the details, and the smaller issues, which actually turn out to be bigger problems than the main issues. Today's lecture was definitely the most entertaining, informative and thought-invoking, as far as I am concerned, even though I know how a lot of the people in the Middle East feel. Today's lecture showed the true quality of Sam as a professor and I believe that he should definitely do more lectures like this. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:08:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68303937 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68308461 If you didn't attend the lecture today, then I might be able to understand your reaction. But if you were there and still have the same reaction, then that is really sad. I think that you need to open your mind up a bit and try to see where Sam is coming from. You definitely missed the point of the lecture if you thought that all Sam was trying to do was to get at Christians and Christianity. I lived in the Middle East for 10 years before coming to Penn State, so I can definitely relate to all that Sam said, and I'm sorry to disappoint you, but a lot of the people there feel exactly how Sam said they do. The lecture was presented really well, the videos and slides added a nice effect to it, and the energy that Sam radiated, or the amount of energy, was just wonderful. It's sad to see people react to the lecture like you did, but very heartening to see that a lot of people found it very helpful, informative and interesting, because it was definitely Sam's best performance, he showed exactly why he is such a reputable professor, and definitely the best lecture so far. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:35:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68308461 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68307166 This is definitely one of the better questions that people have asked in this class. It's one of those questions that people often think about when things aren't going very smooth. It definitely makes you think, what is the purpose of life? What is the end? What will happen when we die? Different religions have different answers to those questions, different people have different answers to those questions, I believe that is the reason why a question like this one is so interesting. For those who just believe that when they die, that'll be the end of it, it should not really bother them. But for those who believe in afterlife, for those who believe that they are going to have to answer for their actions when they die, it is definitely something that they want to think about. No matter how pure we try to be, we, in most cases, are always going to end up doing things that we shouldn't. Whether it is eating chocolates and wearing clothes that slaves make, or causing harm to people, cheating, lying and all the other "known" sins, we eventually fall into their trap a lot of the times. This question definitely makes you think, but it's one for which an answer is very difficult to find. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:22:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68307166 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68304376 Today's lecture was by far the best lecture of the semester so far. I think that Sam showed us all why he is such a reputable professor by conducting the lecture the way he did. The energy that Sam was radiating affected most of the people in the lecture, both positively and negatively. I lived in the Middle East for 10 years before coming to Penn State, and also, I'm a muslim, so I could relate to whatever Sam was saying. I know that it is difficult to put yourself into other people's shoes very easily, but if anyone can make you do it, then it has to be Sam. It was always going to be an interesting lecture because of it's topic, but I never expected it to be so exciting. I read some of the comments above, and I see that some people took offense to whatever that Sam said, but that is always the case - there are always people who do not agree with him. I think that those people need to start opening their minds up and look at the world a little differently. Because the people who thought that Sam was trying to get at Christians and Christianity by talking like that totally missed the point of the lecture, and to me, who can relate to what Sam was actually saying, is very saddening. Sam explained the whole issue better than most people can to an audience of such size, such varying opinions and lifestyles. It was really heartening to see that a lot of people liked the lecture and that the lecture helped them understand the whole issue better, and that they would be better able to relate to this topic in the future. I believe that a lot of people in the States have a fair idea of what the general feeling is in the Middle East about the USA and the war etc, but a lot of the times, they fail to take notice of the details, and the smaller issues, which actually turn out to be bigger problems than the main issues. Today's lecture was definitely the most entertaining, informative and thought-invoking, as far as I am concerned, even though I know how a lot of the people in the Middle East feel. Today's lecture showed the true quality of Sam as a professor and I believe that he should definitely do more lectures like this. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:08:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68304376 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment66866515 I agree with you Mullabhai, I believe that it is very important for people to first realize exactly what the situation is, before getting emotional and trying to "do something about it", like Sam said. People often see a video like the one that Sam showed and start thinking about what they can do to prevent things like that happening. Sure, that is the right way to think about it, because I'm sure none of us are intentionally supportive of slavery, so to speak, but like Sam said, the point is to "feel" first, just to see where you stand. It's a good idea to understand how everything works first, the economics of the whole situation, and why it is so difficult to change the situation overnight. Is that video going to make us stop buying chocolates? Is it stop going to make us stop eating chocolate? How much, and what, will change because of that video is unclear, because I'm sure that people have various opinions about the whole thing. I think that the "first step" that Sam talks about is probably the best that we can do, just to see how we strongly we feel about it, take everything into consideration, and then, if required, go on to the second step, if such a thing exists. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 20:18:20 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment66866515 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65121122 I agree with what you said. Because of all the wars, poverty, injustices to certain to people and races etc, it's almost as if it is natural for us to think in terms of race and color etc. Society just introduces to the world in such a manner where we can never start off not thinking about race and color. Important things like society and history, and day-today things like music, movies and television, all shape our thinking in a way where most of us are inclined to think about people in terms of race. It is almost impossible for people to consider everyone to be equal because they can see very clearly that that is not the case. The "white" race is portrayed to be powerful, while poverty, disease and war is shown to be taking place in Africa and the Middle Eastern countries etc. It's for the same reason that we have stereotypes, because people who have not got past all the stages that Sam talked about (and I don't blame them for not doing so) just cannot think of people in terms of just individuals, but instead, as part of a certain race. Although the situation is becoming much better, because of people like Sam, I don't see it being solved any time in the near future. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 03:47:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65121122 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65119533 This video is very interesting, because it addresses an issue that's becoming very common nowadays. As time goes by, we see more and more "interracial" marriages, where one parent is from one race, and the other from another. Very often, when both the parents are of the same "skin color" or come from races that have similar external features, we see that their children don't usually have questions or problems like the ones that are posted in the video. If your father is Irish and your mother is German, you are likely to turn out with very "white" features and therefore, you will find yourself fitting very easily into white culture. But when children are born of black and white parents or something similar like that, that's when questions are asked, because then you look like both and neither (black and white people). In this case, more people consider him to be "white" than hispanic, but very often you will see a situation like this where "mixed" children have problems identifying themselves as part of a certain race. That is why I believe that even though it's become a part of our lives to identify people into races, it's going to be a lot easier for people like him to identify themselves, because people can refer to other people as individuals, and not as part of a certain race. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 03:33:53 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65119533 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65107403 This is a very interesting question/comment. I understand why some people take offense in a lot of the things that Sam says or talks about in the class. But in the end, like Sam said, if you still take offense in anything that he says, then that means that you still haven't gone past all the stages. I believe that you "win" when you can listen to stuff, even the most extreme stuff about things, and not be offended by it - I believe that that is what Sam is trying to teach us. He is trying to get us to get past all the stages. I, personally, enjoy his class a lot and take no offense in anything that he says. Sure, his ways can be a little awkward and can catch people off guard sometimes, but I'm very sure that Sam knows exactly what he is talking about. So basically, if you still take offense in anything that he says, then you're definitely not past all the stages yet. I believe that it is absolutely wrong to stereotype people, or a certain race, because everyone is not the same. It's wrong to label people of a certain race with certain things, like their clothing or profession etc. The picture he showed of a black guy wearing a coat and jeans was very interesting, because it brought up a whole lot of different reactions from everyone. I heard a lot of people that the picture was "wrong", because black people don't dress like that - I found those comments to be the most shocking (and funny). This is one more instance where people stereotyped a certain race, or a person of that certain race, because really, anyone can wear anything they want, and I've seen people wear totally opposite type of clothing than what their stereotypes are supposed to wear. Also, as shown on the screen, when you type "beauty" in google, you get a whole lot of pictures of white women, which is again a stereotype, that beauty is associated with white people. But in truth, some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen are women of color. People just have to stop seeing other people as members of a certain race etc, and start seeing each and every person as an individual. And also, people have to start getting over things that others say that offend them, the girl in the video asked us when we win, I believe that we win when we can talk about anything and everything without having to fear the consequences or when we can learn to move on and get past all the stages that Sam talked about. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 01:48:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65107403 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment63965732 I agree with you as to how menstruation is one of those taboo things in our society. The way Sam brought up the topic definitely caught everyone off guard, and hence the "WOW"s, "EWW"s and some women leaving the classroom. I think that it's definitely an issue that we almost never hear about and that is why the class just started bursting with energy as soon as he started talking about it. Society has always presented the issue of menstruation in a way where men don't like talking about it and women are almost ashamed to talk about it, possibly because men are almost "taught" to consider it to be a turnoff and disgusting etc. Obviously, if you go into too much detail like Sam did, then that explains why people would find it disgusting, but apart from that, I think that women should be comfortable talking about it, and that men should be comfortable hearing about it because at the end of the day, it is a natural body function and it is absolutely essential for creating life. Also, I thought that the question posted was very random, I don't see why tampons would be free if men menstruated - one would have to pay for them just like most other "health-related" utilities. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:39:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment63965732 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment63962357 I partly agree with Sam about how it is a natural process and that women should not be ashamed to talk about it. As a man, I obviously cannot exactly relate to how it feels to be menstruating, or for that matter, how it feels to be a woman. But I do believe that without going into too much detail, like Sam did, women should be able to talk about it because it is not something to be ashamed of - like Sam said, if it wasn't for that, we would not be here, it is a very important factor in the creation of life and therefore, should not be discarded as something embarrassing and something that people can use against you. That said, I don't think that it's appropriate for him to talk about stuff like him telling his wife to not flush so he can see the period blood in class like that. I'm comfortable with talking about it, but that doesn't mean that everyone else is - there are people who are sickened by the thought of blood, and those people would have totally freaked when Sam started talking about that. So, although I believe that women should be able to talk about it, going into details is not appropriate. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:01:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment63962357 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment63959011 It was very interesting to see the reaction of some people when Sam started talking about menstruation. I think that the way he brought up the topic, the "suddenness" of it, caught a lot of people by surprise. There were a lot of "WO"s, "EWW"s etc, and obviously, a number of girls just got up and left as soon as they heard him talking about it. I think that it's safe to say that everyone was caught off guard by how he brought up the topic. The general opinion is of course that people are grossed out by the topic of menstruation, and that a lot of girls are very hesitant to talk about it. A lot of girls get very offended when that topic comes up, it's almost as if they're ashamed of it, which is kind of surprising. Obviously, men cannot relate to menstruating because they do not do so, but I don't believe that women should be "ashamed" of it. Obviously, it's true that without it, we would not exist. Maybe it's not that easy for women to just talk about it in front of men, possibly because I've seen a lot of men make fun of women about that, which is totally uncalled for. It's a natural body function, a function that is essential for life, so I don't see why anyone would be like that about it. Even so, I believe that women should be able to talk about it, maybe not go into detail etc, but just in general, they shouldn't be ashamed of telling people about it if they are asked or if the topic comes up. I agree with Sam about how women shouldn't be afraid to talk about it, and how it is natural and a very important factor in creating life. I don't agree with him in whole, not with the part when he asks his wife to not flush so he can see the blood, I believe that is way too much information and way too "private" a thing to be talking about in a 700-strong class. I don't believe that it's "beautiful" in the way that Sam described it, and that apart from the general acceptance of women being able to talk about it, I think that going into too much detail is wrong. Apart from that, I agree that it's a natural body function and it is essential in creating life, and that part of it is beautiful. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:25:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment63959011 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63007708 I totally agree with you. There is definitely an imbalance when it comes to how remarks and comments made by white people are treated in comparison to those made by black people, of people of color in general. It was not surprising to see the reaction of everyone in the class when the "black girls are loud and obnoxious" comment was made, where, like you said, all the colored people were like "oh no she didnt!", but then when the colored people started saying stuff about white people, people just laughed it off or something. I think that it is really unfair how the whole political correctness plays its part in this thing, and how it's almost "agreed" that it's not as bad for colored people to make rude remarks because they somehow have a better understanding, or because their ancestors were subject to injustice, so somehow, it's justified for them to say anything, but that's not the case for white people. It's true that stereotypes exist because they have ben true in the past or are even true now, but that does not apply to everyone, and that as the years have gone by, the whole "race" situation is becoming better and that more people are starting to understand it better, thanks to programs like RRP and people like Sam. I believe that the past has to be gotten over with, and that people have to simply start treating everything equally and fairly. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:42:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63007708 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63005254 I too believe that you raised some very valid points there. I do believe that stereotypes exist because they have been true in the past, or are even true now, but some of the comments that were posted up there were really rude and very sad to see. I'm not white myself, but some of the comments that were posted up there must have really offended the white people in the class. I do believe that, just like Sam said, that being white gives you a distinct advantage and all that, but I believe that many people of color take it to their hearts a little too much. I think that the question raised in the video above is a very interesting one, because I have been in many situations where what he said is true, that whites get "punished" more severely for making rude comments than people of color, even when the remark/comment is of the same intensity, or cause the same amount of "damage". It's true that the average white household earns a lot more than any other race, but I don't believe that it should be classified as a stereotype, that white people do not have to work hard to get to the top etc. True, they may get an advantage to start off with, with you still have to do a lot of work after that to get to the top, and that's why I believe that stereotypical remarks and comments like the ones posted in class are uncalled for and are not justified. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:22:43 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63005254 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment62999342 This is a question that's probably open to the most "amount" of debate. It really makes you think and that is why you see so many differing (in opinions) posts above. Like I said, it makes you think and my case was no different. From my personal perspective, I've found what he said to be mostly true. That when white people say something offensive, or rude, it gets noticed way more than when people of color do it. That you see people pointing fingers at a white person a lot more than you see them doing so at people of color, when the intensity or the damage of the remark they may have made is the same. Obviously, a lot of it has to do with history. The part of history when there were slaves etc is what brings about the whole issue of political correctness. It's the reason why people believe that it is absolutely wrong for white people to make rude remarks of any kind, because they believe that everything that had taken place in the past does not give them the "moral rights" to do so. While on the other hand, it's almost as if people believe that since black people have suffered so much anyway, if they make rude remarks etc, they know what they're talking about, and that somehow, it's almost justified for them to say so. It's just like what Sam said in his class about law, order and crime. Just like how the statistics showed that people of color are more likely to be punished for their crimes, and more likely to be punished more severely for the same crimes (compared to white people), its the same for white people: they are more likely to be "punished" for making a rude comment/remark than a person of color. That's just how it is. It has to do with people's beliefs, history of the nation and the general perspective people have about "justice". I believe that it's wrong. I believe that too many people hang on to the past and blame the modern generations for the crimes their ancestors might have committed. It was wrong, but that's about it, everyone must move on. Holding on to the past like that can only bring harm. I believe that just like how criminals should be punished irrespective of their race, things like these, rudeness, should be treated fairly and equally as well. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:31:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment62999342