en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/765155 Comments by lle1632 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69982751 The story from the lifer was very interesting. I can say after come reflection that I was really not that surprised that things like that happen in such a interesting place. It is easy after reading a story like this picture it as a calm and peaceful place. Let us not forget he is not including the days that someone uses a shank to stab another inmate or try to harm a guard. Also let us not forget that he didn’t include the days that the person in the cell next to you uses his bed sheets to hang himself. I never for a second thought ALL of the people in prison were conscious-less. Many people may regret the things that they have done to put them where they are. And yet again many people may not. But just because someone has a moment in their lives where there judgment was skewed does not mean that they wouldn’t be affected by something sad that hurt some one. I have had friends and family in jail, granted none of them were lifers, from what I have experienced being in a place like that where you have little to no freedom. It almost makes you more sensitive to things that would emotionally affect a regular person because they have nothing but time to think about things. Normal people can try and reflect there sadness or grief onto other things… in jail that is undoubtedly a little more difficult because you don’t have complete control of you life. You have some freedom, but ultimately your routine is decided by someone else. Eventually you will be alone in your cell and have the time you need to think about things. Perhaps that why the man who wrote this note sounds so insightful. With life in jail what other options do you have but to thinks about things. its definitely an interesting thought... Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:33:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69982751 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68427534 I guess I have never really thought of embracing myself as a woman. It is what I am what I always have been and what I always will be. I guess I have never really had trouble embracing it. Of course I have insecurities, I think that is part of human nature. There are very few people if any at all that feel 100% comfortable in their own skin. I in fact think that if someone says they are they are not being truthful with themselves. However, being a woman is different. Women gain weight in different places then men. We have to go through different changes to our bodies that men don’t. It is scary, annoying, and yet we are all going through it together. I think it is unrealistic to compare your normal ever day women to women in Hollywood. When in the public eye women are essentially being paid to look good. Hence they have a little more motivation than the average person. In addition they factor beauty time into there “work” schedule. Not to say these women do not work. It is just a slightly a different lifestyle than the lives of a typical college student. The majority of these women have personal trainers that are fit in to their daily schedules. I am lucky if I can fit the gym into my schedule twice a week. Also despite the resources these women have to better them selves naturally, many are obviously not secure with them selves. For instance, Heidi from the hills. She had a nice body, all the time in the world to spend tanning, and obviously all the plastic surgery in the work can’t make her feel comfortable in her own skin. Or look a someone like Kate Gosslin. She was a normal everyday woman from Pennsylvania just like many of the females in out lives, since she has become a celebrity she has lost a ton of weight, wears weave in her hair when she feels like it and has had plastic surgery. Suddenly she looks like she is 25 again. I think it is seeing women with better genes and women who have more opportunities to better them selves that make us jealous or insecure of what we have. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with it when it is taken lightly. If none of us cared we would all be 300 lbs and never try to better ourselves. I think there is a difference in feeling secure with yourself and feeling insecure enough that you need to make changes permanently. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:06:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68427534 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66870537 I actually saw this on the news the other night and was just as shocked the second time I watched it as I was the first. I just can’t fathom that any one would think that a game like this could possibly be considered entertaining. It is just beyond me how a game that the main objective to rape or sexually assault someone could be fun. People never recover from events such as rape or sexual abuse. I think it is completely disgusting to down play something that so many people struggle with getting over every single day. I also have a hard time dealing with killing or war games. I don’t think there is anything fun about the situations that actual people are actually in. However, I can deal with those a little bit because it is pretty difficult for a lot of the people who play those games to actually get a hold of those weapons. I still do not agree with them though. In the case of these games it is allowing young kids or teenagers to see them selves in these situations and may just make them cross boundaries that should not be crossed. Teens that live in the city most likely ride the subway a lot, that doesn’t mean that they should stalk or grope an attractive female that they see standing alone on the train. This though is terrifying to me. I just can not imagine how a game like this could possibly be fun. Honestly it probably arouses some people to be able to play this type of game. Seriously, I can not understand how cartoons who have gags in their mouth or there hands and feet tied and bound could possibly be arousing. Not that I condone all porn, but I don’t necessarily disapprove of it… WATCH PORN if you need to be aroused, at least those people engage in those activities willingly! There are some sick people in the world who like to see other in pain or anguish; frankly I don’t think that those people can really be helped. However, I feel like these types of games are going to lead to an increase in the number of people that like putting people in these compromising situations. I think that there needs to be an end to these types of games. It is disgusting and should not be accepted any where in the world. Because, as we well know what is available in one corner of the world is available in the other corner of the world. I just find these images so disturbing, and the fact that you can just go into a regular game store and have these games at your disposable or visible to any one. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 20:44:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66870537 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment65402172 As far as the relation ship between Asians and other groups I am not exactly sure. I have Asian- American friends but I have never really thought about it being any different than having a black friends or a Puerto Rican friend. I also as a walk on campus notice that some groups of asian people defiantly have there cliques. But I don’t really see it as an difference among there cultures. I think at penn state it is a really easy thing to do. I have seen cliques of all races, asian, black, white, Spanish, Indian… you name it I am sure there is a clique at Penn State. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 02:20:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment65402172 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment65402001 As far as what grouping Asians fit in to, I have never really thought about it. Personally I have never grouped people as white, black, or brown. However, I am not obvious and I realize that not every one is the same. Until enrolling in this class I never really grouped people together. I have always looked more on an individual level not a larger picture. There are several reasons for this I imagine. First I was raised in a primarily white town. Compared to the neighboring towns however my down was fairly diverse. My school had its share of black kids and a fair amount of Spanish kids. Looking back my school had very few Asian people. Probably less than a hand full in fact. Also I was brought up to not judge people for being different. As a child one of my good friends had Down syndrome, and I never even really saw her as being different until I was older. If I had to choose I would group Asians in a different group than white people and black people. But I also find it strange to group them in a group called brown people which would also consist of Indian and Spanish individuals. I guess I just have a really difficult time grouping people in to broad categories. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 02:19:53 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment65402001 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64284973 I found this clip particularly disturbing. It breaks my heart that a little kid can identify their own race as being “bad people”. I was torn watching the clip. Some kids knew right away which doll they would identify when a question was asked. However, there were some children that really had to think about the question that the interviewer asked. Some were so conflicted. I could almost see the thought processes in some of the children. They know black people to be bad. But they are black, and they do not consider themselves as a bad person. It has to be so incredibly confusing as a young child to come to these conclusions. I can only think that maybe exposure to different races and a discussion with a parent about their own race would have lead to the children picking the black dolls for good trait questions. I think it is important for parents to have conversations with their children to let them know that they are different from white children, but different is not a bad thing. I think it is important to be proud of who you are. Starting at a young age could be beneficial. I think it is sad that this is the world that we live in, but it is obvious from the video that something needs to be done so that these young children feel significant. It is one thing to be jealous of a sibling or peers who may be a little more well off. These things are driven because of a particular reason. The thing that these kids can not comprehend is that not all black people are good. In the same exact way that not all white people are good. Kids that live in rough neighbor hoods are probably more likely to chose the white doll for positive traits because they are exposed to people of their color doing things that they would consider to make them a bad person. Also as a child living a rough area everything outside that area suddenly seems grandiose. What these children are most likely seeing is white people that compose those communities that deep down they wish they had. In a child’s mind a bad person would probably not be allowed to live in such a nice environment. So maybe that is how they come to the conclusion that white people are good and the people of their color are bad. All I can say about this video is it is terribly sad. It breaks my heart that kids can struggle with something so obvious to the majority of the rest of the world. Its obvious we aren’t as far past racial issues as many of us hope. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:25:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64284973 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63028169 I completely feel that the rudeness goes both ways. I am white and I think it is completely ridiculous some of the things that other white people were texting. I just feel like as a generation we should be so far past the stupid name calling acting like stereotypes are fitting for every person in a certain race. With that said I as a white person was very offended to some of the generalizations that black or brown people texted about what they thought it was like to be white. There were several texts that said to we white is to be spoiled, rich, privileged, etc. This personally offends me because growing up and still today my family is by no standards rich. I receive very little help from my family. I have had a job since I was 15 and sometimes more than one job. I pay my own rent and utilities every month. I buy my own food and clothing. I am not looking for praise by any means because I know that there are a ton of people here doing the same thing, both black and white. I also know a lot of people on the opposite side of the spectrum. They don’t pay for anything and have no responsibilities. These are individuals I would defiantly call being spoiled. The thing is that I have just as many black and brown friends that are spoiled as I do white friends if not more. Bottom line… I think there is no reason that any one in our class should react they way that they do to some of the questions asked. For a lot of the posts that are texted feel that it is people doing it for attention, not so much because that is the way that they feel. People think racial jokes are funny for some reason that I will never understand. I find nothing funny or amusing about hurting someone’s feelings. I am sure that some of the texts on both ends are how some people really feel. That thought terrifies me that people can sit and keep those feelings quiet until it is an anonymous and then they can speak their minds. I guess it is probably because we have been taught to not say things that might offend people. However because of the technology we have today people can say things and one has to know it was them. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:13:11 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63028169 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59975562 Theme parties have defiantly gotten a little bit out of control. I think if prepared for correctly they can occur without really offending people. However, typically people don’t take into consideration that they could possibly be offending someone. After discussing the “Compton Cook out” in my discussion group I defiantly realize that there are lines that can defiantly be crossed. For example, I think most people would consider it a little odd if a large # of white people have a party and all try to dress and act like black people do. First of all, the first thing I see wrong with this situation is that not all lack people act alike. And just because someone is from the ghetto does not mean they dress the same way as everyone else in the ghetto does. I believe that the one line in the invitation said to “come see what it is like to live in the ghetto”. This is completely absurd as far as I am concerned. Just because you put on a white tee and throw in some bad weave does not mean for a second that you could understand what it is like to live in the ghetto. I feel the fact that people would want to have a part to act “ghetto” in the first place ridiculous. Not all people that live in the ghetto are black. The majority of the people that live there would get out if they could. I also feel there is a difference to have a “jersey shore” party and a “Compton Cookout”. I know people act like they are proud to be from the ghetto but I guess that if they were given the opportunity to leave, most people would choose to do so. On the other hand, the people on the show Jersey Shore want the attention. They choose willingly to put themselves in the positions they do. Also, the idea of white trash parties. I mean not everyone who we would consider white trash has asked to be put in the situation that they live in. I feel that these parties can be fun and harmless if conducted properly. For instance, start with the guest list. If a group of black kids decided that they were going to have a white trash party, many people would consider that offensive. If a group of black kids would decide to have a party to dress and at like white frat boys many people would, rightfully, be upset. The fact that these white kids had only invited one black person to the Compton cookout tells me that they knew what they were doing was defiantly wrong and went way too far. Sat, 6 Mar 2010 02:39:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59975562 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58907619 I agree with these responses to the comment made in class. I personally feel that it is our duty as American citizens to defend other Americans. I defiantly feel that the people who did nothing are just as bad, not worse, but just as bad as the people who defended the store clerk. This video really hit me. I have friends of all races and many different religions. I personally, am a whit Christian. I however, respect what ever religious beliefs people have as long as they respect mine. I am not going to try to disprove an individual’s religion because what is that going to do besides absolutely nothing. Most Americans are bought up following a particular religion. The religion individuals are raised are more times than not the religion that they will follow into adult hood. Why should any one be discriminated upon because of the religion they choose to follow? There is no difference between myself, born in PA raised a Christian or the girl that was born and raised in Chicago other than our religion. As for not saying anything, I personally just don’t agree with it. I know that if I were in that store and didn’t say anything, I would not be able to sleep that night. It is our place to say something and let someone who is out of line know that they in fact are. If everyone would have that attitude, we would have never had a civil right movement. If every one felt that it was not there place to stand up for what they believe in the world as we know it would not exist. We wouldn’t be able to sit next to the people we sit by in class, use the restrooms we do, or many other parts of our daily lives. Without people standing up for what we believe in we will never make any progress. The “it’s not my place attitude “ I just feel like it is a cop out. If you see an elderly person drop something, the majority of people would help them to pick it up. Is there any difference between saying it wouldn’t be your place to help that person and not helping an individual who has done nothing wrong. Both individuals have done nothing to harm any one else and both need assistance, why help one and not the other. I am really curious to see what the individual’s excuses were who did nothing. Why they didn’t say anything. I am curious it is because they didn’t want to get involved or simply if it just didn’t bother them. Or if maybe they were so disturbed they didn’t know what to say. I wish that would have been included in the findings of the study. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:40:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58907619 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment57687489 I don’t think in this case it is identifying or crossing a line if you love someone. There are so many different kinds of love that I don’t think that the love you have for your roommate is the same as the love you feel with a significant other. I am a female and am only sexually attracted to men. I have a bunch of girl friends that I love dearly but it is a different type of love than I feel for my boyfriend. I also have guy friends that I have been friends with since elementary school. And the thought of being sexually attractive to them repulses me. I think there are people who you love intimately and there are people who you love for different reasons. I feel like these lines are for all people, gay, straight, lesbian, or transgender. Just because some one is a lesbian doesn’t mean they are attracted to someone just because that person is female. It is all in the bond that you have with someone. Now, the situation may be different if you didn’t have feelings for your roommate in a sexual way but your room mate had these types of feelings for you. People can be convincing and maybe even if at first you do not have feelings with persistence from her maybe someday they would develop and then again maybe not. Lines are crossed when people make advances toward their feelings. If there are no feelings on either end then lines don’t have to be crossed at all. I have had the same best friend since I have be five. I would do anything for her and she would do anything for me. We have had too many sleepovers I cant even count… sleep in the same bed… change in the same room… the list goes on. For us there is no line. She is attracted to guys and I am attracted to guys so the question has never even crosses my mind. However, I do have a close friend that I met when I came to college and her best friends from home came out to her as a lesbian. Now they don have a relationship. Not because one is a lesbian but because feelings were hurt in the coming out process. Personally, I will be the first person to admit if I think a female is attractive but for me it is different than if I find a male attractive. If I think a female is pretty it is probably because I see feature in her that I wish I saw in myself. If I find a male attractive it is because they possess qualities that I am sexually attracted to. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:05:15 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment57687489 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56585854 I really like this post. I think it is something that every single person can either relate or at the very least understand the different perspectives. The second discussion group my class discussed an interesting topic that this reminds me of. This is the point that in today’s society (or at least in this general area) that when people tell stories about other people we almost always include the persons race. Like today I was on the bus and this black guy was staring at me or today I was sitting next to this Asian guy in class and he smelled. It really is like second nature, I am completely aware that I am one hundred guilty. Personally I am not prejudice of any race, so it’s not like I mean it in a discriminatory manor. It is really extremely ridiculous, but it’s like we do it as if it makes our stories better or something. I feel that the section of the video that addressed the relationship between white and black people is because of slavery is kind of out dated. I would never try and undermine the fact that slavery is and always will be a terrible thing. However, I don’t feel that in our society that is the first thing that comes to mind with the issues white and black people have. Obviously we were alive a little over of a century ago I think this would be a completely valid argument. I mean I am sure that there are still individuals that still really hold grudges, but I would say not the majority. I feel that the explanation she gave about the fact a civil rights movement took place here in the United States makes a lot more sense for the generations that make up our country. It is much more relevant because in perspective it really was not that long ago. It is something that our relatives experiences or possibly even took part in. it was something that our parents or grandparents witnessed first hand. We see disturbing pictures of the many events or even just everyday life for individuals living then and it effects us emotionally. Actually being there, the images may be a little more difficult to push aside feelings. I can not say I blame any one for this, but I really think it is time to move on for the better of our country and future generations. I also agree to what she said about white people being a firsthand witness to the plight that black people when though. The fact that we haven’t seen other races go though theses same trials could be a reason for the lack of issues. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:38:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56585854 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55565081 While I do feel that the term “negro” is extremely outdated, I understand why it has not been removed from the census. Some people are perfectly content using the word to describe their race, so why remove it from the form. The way I look at it is that the race that you choose on the census is up to you. If you are not content with any of the choices given, write in whatever makes you feel content. I don’t think it is necessary for people to read into it too much. I do understand that for some the term has a very negative connotation. However, being referred to as black is offensive to others. It is simply not possible to please everyone who touches the census. The article also makes the point that the majority of people who still refer to themselves as “Negros” re older individual. This makes sense because during their lifetime being called black was offensive. The image of public bathrooms with the words “whites only” or blacks only” pained on the wall comes to mind. Maybe for reasons like this some of those older individuals may prefer being called a negro over being identified as black. Also, many of theses people have made it through the civil rights movement and have seen the changes that have occurred because of strong people of their skin color. So maybe it is a pride thing that some individuals prefer this term as opposed to others. Either way, I feel the article is correct in saying that eventually the word phase out with that generation of individuals or shortly after. I think the idea of having “white” and black” options and allowing individuals to further explain their background is a great option. It allows individuals who would like to further explain the chance to. I feel it is a good thing for people to be proud of their background. Many people jump at the chance to explain their heritage. This option allows for a general count as having a more in depth perspective of the people that make up the United States. In addition to allowing explanation for the white or black option, other races should have the option as well. I think it would be beneficial for people of Hispanic or Asian backgrounds. I do feel that the census is an important document. I also feel that it is a document whose success is in the hands of the people who decide to fill it out. Not everyone fills the census out with truthful information. With that being said the results need to be taken with a grain of salt. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 03:11:01 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/negros-of-the-world-unite__trashed/#IDComment55565081 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54427210 This is a really difficult position that the flight attendant was in. I can really see both sides of the issue. One side is that it seems incredibly ignorant on behalf of all of the staff on board to not realize that it was a religious practice. On the other side, there is no physical description of a terrorist. Terrorists,as we all know, can be male, female, young, old, and an race imaginable. I feel that while the flight crew may have over reacted by not looking into the situation a little bit further before landing, in the end they did the right thing. I think when dealing with the risk of others lives it is better to take every precaution possible, rather than to regret not doing anything once something goes wrong. I feel bad for the kid who was put through the ordeal. It is unfortunate that it had to happen, but i do have to commend the crew for being able to react so fast. If it really were a harmful situation, they obviously did a good job landing the plane with out making a scene or causing panic through out the other passengers. I feel to prevent further occurrences of similar situations the airline employees should take a course on different tpes of religions practices. It is very common, despite the religion someone is to say a prayer while preparing to take off. Obviously this would be difficult seeing the overwhelming number of religious practices that occur in the united states alone. I feel it would be beneficial to get a better knowledge for some of the more common practices. This could prevent further situations and inconveniences for every individual involved. I sure this simple mistake delayed all passengers travel. The air line probably lost a great deal of money, having to land. Not to mention that this delay most likely made other passengers miss connecting flights, which would have to be compensated for by the airline. Despite all the inconvenience, if i were personally on the plane, I would have to put things into the perspective that at least no one was harmed. If something would have been wrong and the didn't land to check out the situation, myself an others could have lost their lives. I think, despite the ignorance of crew, it is better to see a news story like this, in comparison with a tragic story of a plane that was involved in a terrorist attack. Regardless of security before passengers board a plane, if someone really was really determined to sneak something onto a plane, they will. Despite what religion someone is, we can all agree what is important is that no one was injured due to the ordeal. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:31:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54427210 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-e__trashed/#IDComment54151295 ernst Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:18:35 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-e__trashed/#IDComment54151295 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53122592 I can really relate to your post on some levels. Just over three years ago I found out that my father had an affair. My parents were married for 25 years and it was something I never could have imagined could have been possible. I have lived in the same house my entire life, my life was the definition of stable. I had what I would consider great relationships with both of my parents, and suddenly that was destroyed. My dad left my family for a "better life". Devastated doesn’t even describe my feelings. Suddenly, it was if my father no longer existed. But for me the hard part was watching my mom, unable to cope. I knew things could be worse, but at times it was really hard to see it that way. Three years later and the divorce is still in the process. I have grown up Christian, but at times even my faith was unstable. One year ago this Monday, a close friend of mine was killed in a car accident. Two of my other close friends were in the car and walked away unharrmed. This is truly one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with. Why would god take such a good person? A 22 year old, dedicated Christian, son, brother, uncle, friend? I couldn't understand. Until speaking with his parents at his viewing. They were the strongest family I have ever laid eyes on. Not once did they wonder why. Simply they said, "It was God's will" or if it wasn’t meant to be it wouldn't have happened. Not to say that they weren't devastated, it was beyond that. In order to make peace they put complete trust in god. This single family made me realize how foolish I had been to doubt my faith. I still struggle at times to make peace with things that are going on with my family, and truthfully I don’t know if I ever will. But one thing is certain, my faith is strong. I know I WILL SURVIVE. Whenever I feel like things are too difficult that I might as well quit trying, I take a second to tell myself that I am being selfish because at least I still have the opportunity to struggle and overcome whatever obstacle I may be dealing with. The news about Haiti is flooded with terrible images of individuals who are looking for family members, injured people, and even dead bodies. Not to take anything away from what has happened, it is beyond horrible and I feel it is important for those images to be shown. However it is also equally important to fill the news with positive occurrences in times of tragedy. It is these positive moments that will help to inspire people to start rebuilding the lives that they once had or even inspire them to strive for greater. It brings meaning into the saying "with tragedy, comes triumph." Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:59:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53122592