Because we are Penn State, It is strange enough in itself to think that something like this could happen to such an amazing, outstanding, well accomplished, and world re-noun school. But it has, and there is nothing in our control to take back what has been done. But what about the people who were involved? They will never have the option to look back on this and say “It was out of my control.” And that is the sick part of this whole thing. I’ve been dealing with a lot of ugly conversations with my friends who attend Temple University. Frankly, they are all ignorant and it seems as if they are happy we fell as an institution because we have a rivalry with them (which isn’t even that big.) They love that we rioted because that made the student body look like immature college students to say the least. And as all of this still does piss me off, the time that has been passing throughout the past two weeks is like a healing meditation time where we can really truly process the events that have happened, and reflect on them both individually and as a university/student body. I was so defensive on the whole riot issue because in the moment, OF COURSE we are going to be upset and angry. And add in confusion to the mix and now you have a totally different story besides a bunch of angry college kids. Also the fact that no body, not even adults and political leaders, can understand this place and this community like we can. We Are Penn State for a reason, and many if not most of those people will never experience the loyalty, commitment, and pride that their school brings, like ours does. And although I may seem very angry from the previously written statement, I am realizing that, ya know, the media has such an influential role in the way news is presented and the twisting and turning that they do to make the story seem as horrific or fantastic as possible. I realize now that when something like this happens to another school, because it has and we have been self-righteous in this aspect, I can not only sympathize with them or watch the news and feel bad, but REALLY feel how they feel. To emotionally connect yourself that way is just really moving and an experience few can relate to. I have learned to think twice before believing the media and to be slower to anger. I have learned that even the best can fall, and I can honestly say that this has been one of the most humbling experiences not only here, but in my lifetime as a student, daughter, friend, and sister.

I feel like the riots here at Penn State are going to become a “tradition”, if you will, or an excuse for students to crowd the streets for anything important. It seems from that pole that was taken in class today, that a lot of the people went to the riot to see what was going to happen, not so much to go with a specific purpose. I know I did not go with any intentions of leading any group of students nor did anyone else. I feel as if the media were not a factor in this whole situation, if the student did now expect the social media to come and film, then there would be MUCH less violence and the students wouldn’t put on this “act” that we think we have to put on for other people. One of the interesting parts of this whole thing is that a majority of the students were sober, which says a lot more about the actions in which we as a student body took. However let me clarify that when I say the majority of the student body, I mean the image that we give off as a whole, however this excludes 99% of those who were involved in the destructive part of the riot. Isn’t that interesting?! I also believe that those who judge our school for what we “rally” for has become very misconsepted. They will never understand that we rally because we have school pride. We rally because we feel strongly about something, and we rally because we want to many a name for ourselves. But we are not descriptive and it is sad that some students feel the need to take it to the next level. I think that without the media it might be different, but we would still make efforts to unify as one school body.

Growing up in the community where I have, success is not an option, and neither is failure. Parents that have been successful, grandparents that have been successful, are all more pressure on a new generation to be just as successful. I believe that the twelve percent of the people that think they are going to do better than their parents are those who may come from these kinds of families. I mean, the people who come from lower income work places don’t really have much to look forwards to if thats the only thing that they have been around for their whole lives. People of color may be the opposite. I feel like determination is such a key in this topic that it could vary incredibly. I know personally, if I did not have the motivation and the support system from my family, I don’t know what my attitude would be. Black and brown people may look at the area or origin in which they were brought up and think that that is their future. I can only imagine how many people that are white think differently. Even if it is not as well as a family, the people around us shape so much of what we do and how we think. Therefore I think it is extremely difficult to judge this. By the 12 perfect, I feel as if those are the kids who are determined and might be in sucky situations and want a better life. Black and brown people I feel like often do not have this kind of motivation and support system going for them. Friends, social life, and discipline has become such an important part of culture. Me, personally, would not expect to do better than my parents because they are already successful. I would only dream to do as well as them. And I feel like many people could think and say the same thing.

I feel like racism and abortion are two of the most touchy subjects to talk about when a multicultural audience is at hand. Just the other day in our discussion group we were talking about income based on the fact of what race you were. However, I feel like when everyone discusses racism (from all different races) it is often geared towards the negativity that white people have for every other race. The response I got from other people (mostly a white discussion group) was surprising. The debate I proposed was that white people get racism from other cultures as well, yet It’s never looked at because everyone is too focused on white people being the bad guys. They said it didn’t really matter that white people get talked back to, because there are so many of us and it drowns out the racism since we are the superior race. I thought this was so astounding. Like, really? It doesn’t matter? When we get such a bad rap for giving all these other cultures so much shit, shouldn’t someone look at the other side of the story and investigate a little more? I know countless people who are white and receive just as much racism. Being racist is just as much about color as it is not. In my eyes it is a race that feels and truly believes that it’s ways, culture, and skin color is better than that of another. Or a race may have resentment and hate for another culture which could cause the same situation Why would whites think they are better? Because we generally have more power and are are living in better areas of the nation? I feel like there are whites that are so stubborn to this narrow mindedness and can not see that down the road, whites will be the minority. Just as this may be true, blacks may hate whites for the power they have and the shit they have taken and had to endure from the whites. Especially in rural city areas. I have experienced racism from a distance on many levels, some extreme and some mild. However there is one in which I feel necessary to share. My best friend Jordan is a tall light black skinned male who was walking downtown State College with a white friend of his. His friend had a beer in his hand and Jordan did not. All of the sudden, a police officer drives his car aside of them and says boldly to my friend, Jordan, “get in the car, nigger. And you (the friend) get the hell out of here.” My jaw dropped when I heard this. Having Jordan as a best friend, I asked if there was any attitude he might have given off to the officer but he said no. The story is as told and very straight forward. He now has an underage and his friend who is white and the one with the beer, was let go. I am so disgusted with the amount of racism people have and I am thankful that this class as been able to open my mind to the perception of other races.

I feel like it might be easier for someone of color to imagine such a world where black was the supremacy, however I feel like I could come up with some obvious changes that would be apparent. However I am thinking about the reasons whites are “prestigious” and “sophisticated” learners and members of the community and society. Money and Education are two big factors in which shape the white race. With money we can afford nicer things, tutors and skill teachers like piano lessons, soccer camps, etc, for the next generation. Of course a lot of these benefits come from prior generations before us that have had the same tools to provide our generation with such opportunities. So, if it was black supremacy, who is to say our world would be doomed or so culturally different? They would have the tools just as we do, to become successful and their ideas and thoughts very well may just be the same as ours are. Our skin color makes such a difference because of the cultural differences, I feel like. If all blacks has a prestigious stereotype, there might be a good chance that discrimination might be much more diluted. In this world of black supremacy, whites would be less educated in many cases, living in the slums of cities, and being involved in much more crime and illegal activity. I feel like we would be the less desired, in a physical descriptive type of way as well as in the word force. Maybe the ideas of equality would be a more aggressive because there are more parts of the world with people of colored skin that have equality issues. It certainly makes you think in a much different perspective in terms of how powerful we actually are, and how much inequality people of color may be feeling as a race all together, not just as african americas, or asian americans trying to live equally here in the U.S.

I couldn’t have guessed that there would ever be race “stages” for white people. it’s something that would have never even crossed my mind, and as a sociologist I think it’s very strategic and smart to make these classifications because it really brings awareness to white people as to where they stand against the rest of society and the world. It makes me, and I'm sure other people, think about things we do and may never bring into conscious thought. For example, here at Penn State I find myself in a conflict with my own thoughts when I walk the campus streets and make eye contact with black people. This may sound so stupid because its nothing but making eye contact, and I have nothing against my black fellow penn state students. I feel as I look at them, then they are thinking “what the hell are they looking at? Is it because of my skin color?” Or something totally different and receiving vibes of friendliness. So, now that I have learned what stage one is all about, I can clearly see now that to people of color, their race and exterior appearance is always in the front of their mind, where as for me it is definitely not. I am completely aware of my race and skin color, but not in simple social situations. I feel as if my race of being white has shaped the ways in which i view the world, in perspectives I never even realized. I am a firm believer that with the right amount of determinism, anyone can make something of themselves. I was born and raised to think so strong, and to act on opportunities I have been given. But I am slightly beginning to realize differently. I still do, however, think people have such opportunities. The poorer people of the world, which over half, are not nearly as educated as we are here at Penn State and the home we come from. Also, if you look at past leaders of the United States, and the color of their skin, it has become an icon for leadership for the rest of that race. As studies revel, the white skin has been sought to have power and leadership. We shape the way things are run because it’s expected. Not that people of color cannot obtain such positions, it’s just much more difficult because it is out of character for that race. I’ve always been aware of the role whites take in society, but putting it into much smaller perspective and having these issues all around us, is so much more interesting and makes the concept so much more real to us.

Today’s society is truly a men centered world. Weather we want to admit it or not, we (women) center a lot of our unconscious decisions around pleasing men. For example, the sex industry in the western culture is just one in many ways that we unknowingly make decisions to please them even though we may seem like we are making them for ourselves. Having said this, the media changes time and time again what is sexy and what is attractive. But complete the thought... sexy and attractive to who? for what? FOR MEN! And when this is posted all of the world for women of every race and nationality to see, it is very difficult to not become a part of that culture. Because more skin and less clothes has become the new sexy norm, it is only attractive in presenting yourself this way if you are very thin or fit. Now, you have women who are not only pressured to wear a certain style/type of clothes to present themselves well and appealing to men, but they have to mold and reconstruct their bodies to do so. So let’s say we are using the Penn State college drinking crowd as the example for this response; it is a full blown competition. We know what men want, what they fantasize about and what is appealing to them. And if every girl is going to dress with short skirts and high heels, while being thin as a stick (not all but many,) it is a competition to keep up. Who can wear the most sexy yet unique clothing with the newest jewelry. It shows status and wealth to an extent. Men are ultimately in the power chair because they get to decide who they want. Not saying that women don’t have a choice at all, it just makes it easier for the women to get who they want if they are dressed a specific way. This does not of course pertain to all men, but the average male finds a curvy, yet thin, female body more attractive. However, just because men aren’t wearing heels and dresses doesn’t mean they don’t care about what they are wearing or what they look like. Many men will try to wear colors that compliment their skin or eyes (as strange as this may sound, I know many guys who do this.) Also, on a separate note aside from the clothing, a big factor to men is what they physically look like. Are they athletic? built? Do they go to the gym? Because all of these factors will make men look more appealing in what they are wearing, regardless of the type of shirt (tight, baggy, light, dark, etc.) Both men and women are under social pressure, just in different ways.

From the moment we are born, we are all treated differently from the first minute, depending on gender. We may not even notice this, but we say and act totally differently to a newborn female than a newborn male. “What a delicate nose she has! And such rosy cheeks!” Now look at what someone might say if it is a newborn male, “What a strong kick and loud voice!” This is such a perfect example of how culture submerges it in it’s rules from a very young age at birth. Having said this, we are brought up with these subconscious practices as to how to view and treat the opposite sex. Women are delicate, soft, fragile; while men are tough, husky, and strong. So, i think that as a result of these innocent features, it can help explain why women are seen as more innocent. If they are on average more petite, less strong (muscle mass,) “nicer” and less conflictive, then how could they be anything but innocent? The video we watched with the bicycle proved this perfectly.
As to the innocence of races, it is incredibly difficult to bring justice to every “guilty,” per se race. What I mean is that there are economic and sociological reasons behind why blacks are viewed as a problem causing race. It could easily be the amount of crime we hear about them, the extent of drug usage, or the pure color of their skin in what brings first impressions. On the opposing side, Asians are viewed at as more innocent race because they are a quiet culture (especially here in the United States,) and keep to themselves. They are also known for being a very intelligent race. Comparing the two, do we see a lot of crime in Asians? No. Do we hear a lot about the amount of narcotic drugs they use? No. Is skin color a major factor as to why they have innocence running through their cultural veins? Yes. Many cultures, although they might not be “white” per se, are always and will always be considered more innocent than those of color (i.e blacks, mexicans, indians, middle easterns, etc.) But have we ever noticed that guilt and innocence is always judged on a scale of sociological scale and not political or economic? Interesting...

My perspective of Obama before this class was that it was pain and simple. He was half “black” (African American,) and half “white” (caucasian.) But I should have known that even THAT would be too simple. Everyone has these roots that we may not even know about or consider ourselves. And everyday, it’s awesome to hear Sam talk about how he can point out the white in the black people and the black people in the white. I have been trying to practice outside of class, and see if I can do the same... but it’s not as easy as it looks (for me anyways.) I was actually shocked to see how much less of white caucasian blood is in Obama, than not. To see that he has oriental blood in him should have been totally obvious to be before! Now that I know how mixed he is, it’s so much easier to identify those features! I don’t think, however, that people are informed or even exposed to these kind of facts. Now I look at Obama as a mixed racial president and not all “black.” However he will always be labeled at the first black president in this nation’s history. I don’t want to make it sound as if i “praise” him more for being racially mixed rather than just black, however I definitely think it put’s a whole new twist on him as the president as The United States of America and makes him more of an interesting person. I say this because most of every other president we’ve had has come from very similar backgrounds and all look the same (to be completely honest.) But now we have someone in office that has all these different ethnicities that show through his skin color, eye shape, facial structure, etc. It’s as if he is representing America in more than one race, as a mix of people that make up this nation. Isn’t that awesome to think about? All of the other presidents mainly represent white people. Now, we are being represented as a nation by someone who’s ancestors have come from all of the world!! Because of this thought we must be careful that these interesting angles of himself do not get in the way of the political views in which he holds. I feel as if black people just like him because he is black, and half of them don’t even know what his intentions are, his plans, his actions that he’s taken. Would that change their views if he was white? Would he not have as many black “fans” or supports if he was white? Absolutely. Just because he is of a more unusual ethnicity and has a different skin color has really seemed to catch the eye of the nation almost more than what kind of service he can do for this country.

Coming from someone like myself who has really come to find comfort and clarity in my faith, christianity has been my rock throughout the difficulties throughout life. I was raised in a fairly strict catholic household where I attended catholic school up and until high school, attend church every sunday, took CCD classes when younger, encouraged to pray, and the best of all, I believe, was having my parents as role models for me through out early life to look up to them for their decisions and actions. However, I was so challenged by this discussion of the helix in class because as a young catholic member with a good amount of understanding of my faith, it occurred to me how little we ever talk about the image of God. Actually just before the summer ended, a homily was given at my church on the image of God. Rather, the priest ventured into proposing the question of what he sounds like instead. So I left church with a better grasp that perhaps God sounds different to each individual person. It may come through ways in which we may not even realize. His image on the other hand was something that has neither any proof, or any hypothesis. Until this lecture. We as christians, muslims, jews, atheists, you name it, think we have it all figured out- for the most part. We are constantly persuaded by the thoughts and actions of others to think a certain way is either right or wrong. If society solely believed that clouds were nothing but huge puffs of cotton candy in the sky, chances are, until proven wrong, we would believe it. Or how about something more abstract? For example, plants could talk to us. How would anyone be able to prove this right or wrong and based on what? Belief? Why is it that this society (human species) is so incredibly stubborn to thinking that we are the only ones in control throughout this whole universe. We boast and brag about the latest technology and the incredible accomplishments weve made as a race. Dont get me wrong, I mean, It takes very smart people to do the things that have been done. The farthest we have gone into space is nothing but a stupid stones throw into the universe. Quite pathetic actually. But, God, man, hes everywhere. And I think that its so incredibly interesting that people, tribes, medicine men from all over the world, with the simplest of the simple necessities in life, are the ones that have brought about this quite controversial debate. And were not even talking the same religion, the same race. Were talking about groups of people who couldnt have anything more DIFFERENT about eachother. Wouldnt it be more plausible to recognize things like the helix as a sign? A more interesting way of looking at what we believe in? And lets make it clear we are looking specifically at the existence and image of God. Not Jesus, Judas, Allah, the koran, the bible, or any of that. Is it not fascinating and simply mind blowing that these people have NO knowledge in technology, or any scientific experience with the DNA to make any kind of connection or hypothesis that proves the bible right or wrong? They in any sense most like a child because of their honesty truthfulness. And as someone who is religious and a devout catholic, I think this is just amazing and harmless to any religion to say the very least. I think if you are religious or not, thinking of the helix should be mind altering and borderline a revelation! Just as it has been for me.