en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/759855 Comments by lss5052 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment70743014 I agree with this person. At the risk of sounding like I am reiterating what is already obvious. Everyone is at risk of being made fun of on South Park. That is the nature of the entire show. They have made fun of every group of people and in this country our first amendment right of free speech ensures us this privilege. Whether you can choose to be offended or not completely depends on the type of person you are and perspective you view life through. But you can choose not to watch the show. What is the radical group going to send out death threats to every person who has ever discriminated against the Islamic religion, or Mohammad? If they are so upset they surely have the right to send a letter of disapproval to the show, a letter of resentment sure--but no one has the right to say they are going to kill someone because of a joke. Again, this outrages me because it is the nature of the show. I am not even an avid watcher and I am upset that they have been come down on so hard. It would be a ridiculous situation if everyone that South Park made fun of was up in arms. Most people however can take it with stride and understand that is what it is... a joke. I know in class we talk about how when someone is in a certain stage of their race identification process that we will not find any of this stuff funny. Personally however, I feel that if we cannot make fun of ourselves, we are going to take everything way to seriously and have an even harder time getting along. Of course, along with this comes a level of respect that should be given to and from each other, but making light of our differences is important. If we are all different and we don't acknowledge that we are then will we lose sight of each others identities? However, so many people get so offended if we ask, joke, acknowledge differences. Many times we find this isn't the case, but if I ran into a radical group out there... what would I say? Would they kill me? I am not saying would walk up to them and insult them, but if I were to ask why they believe what they believe would they allow me to agree to disagree? Or would they simply not tolerate my ideals? Because a show is known for being offensive should be the first reason you don't watch it if you are so sensitive to your beliefs. People like that make me think they can be shaken to easily. Are they themselves unsure about what they believe in? Is that why they are so enraged? And if a radical group is watching South Park so much, they obviously know it is offensive and are watching other groups of people, religions, cultures, leaders, celebrities, etc. being made fun of so is this fair? Hypocrisy anyone? Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:31:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment70743014 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69033031 Agreed. It is a fine line, but just because you--by chance--have better opportunities than someone who also--by chance--was born in a developing nation doesn't mean you are better than them, nor does it mean you are racist. I mean... you might be racist given your particular views about other people or the way you act in correspondence to those ideals, but just because your opportunities are better or worse than someone else's does not mean you are racist in the slightest. Unless you have some chip on your shoulder about it. I do think however, if you choose to be ignorant to what you have seen in those nations or choose not to subject yourself to the realities of the way other people are forced to live because of their country or their society is a waste. Obviously though, that is your choice and my personal opinion. I think we have been given the chance to take a true look at the privileges we really have as we have grown up in America (Most of us anyway) and the opportunities we have been given to make change--for better or for worse. You said that you feel because we are Americans we might have a greater impact on the world and this may be true in many cases, but for the better is a relative statement. Recently in my Demography class we learned that American babies born have a 30 times worst impact on the environment throughout their life time than a person living in a developing nation. In this way, we impact the world negatively, and I can relate, even when I try not to be wasteful (which regrettably I know I am very unsuccessful) I still find myself forgetting to recycle or driving unnecessary places. I think your statement however was directed toward more of a humanitarian aspect rather than that of an environmental one, but still--there are positives and negatives in every society. Sure as an average individual, we can probably seek out to do more than most individuals in developing nations--the sheer fact that we are in college puts us among the top 2% of the elite world (last I checked), but there are definitely those who rise above adversity and make huge impacts on their nations and the world. As far as racism goes, I don't know where the line is drawn, I don't think anyone can truly say they don't have prejudices. If it isn't against people of color, it may be against whites, some people have prejudice thoughts against people who are too heavy, or too skinny, and if they aren't prejudice against these people we may be prejudice against ignorance... which I find I have a problem with. I cannot stand it when people are ignorant, but then perhaps they have not had the same opportunities that I have had to learn about what they do not know. I think one of the biggest things about this course is that we learn that there is so much we don't know... that we don't even know what we don't know. So maybe I myself am being ignorant to that fact. It is a fine line. It is everywhere. Opportunity does not make you racist, though. Discriminating against someone for their background or skin color does. Thinking you are better than someone? Because of money, looks, class, gender? I don't know if that makes anyone racist. I think that just makes you insecure. Haven't you had thoughts that you are better than your brother or your sister? Best friend? Stranger? I think that we have all had these thoughts at some point or another. I am not saying it is good, or it is right, or it is okay... but I think it is human nature and I think it has a lot more do to with self esteem rather than who the other person is. As far as opportunities go--I don't think we should waste the opportunities and privileges we have been given, use them for something--preferably something good. I might be way off mark here, but like I said before, it's your choice, and this is just my personal opinion. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:45:27 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment69033031 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66231903 I don't really see how it cannot change you opinion. I feel like sometimes many of us feel so strongly about things when we don't fully understand the entire picture. I think Sam is good at educating people to look at the larger perspective and if not change your view on something, expand how you think about it and make you realize that you should have some kind of opinion and that being passive just doesn't cut it. I can't say I always agree with Sam 100% of the time, but as someone who wants to work with modern slavery abolitionists as a future career, he has definitely helped me become more passionate about furthering my ideas on things. I have said it a hundred times before when talking about this class, but I grew up in an area where race differences don't really exist, mainly because there are literally less than 1% of people of color who live in my hometown. Even at Penn State, things are diverse and I have heard people say that Penn State is not diverse compared to so many other colleges. In the fall I will be in Washington D.C. for an internship program through PSU and I am so glad I have a class like this that is helping me to open my eyes on the mass amounts of discrimination that we many times don't even recognize--as white people at least. I definitely agree with a lot of what Sam says, I think he makes really great arguments about the things he is passionate about, but that does not mean that I have not formed my own opinions too... and I think that is what he is going for. He is not trying to shape our views to mirror his own, he simply wants us to be active and to be thinking and to not look at things from inside the normal American paradigms we often get trapped by--and I think he's great at what he does. There are too many professors and classes where we retain information only to regurgitate it for an exam then just forget about it later on... I am tired of those courses and am happy that we have a taste of something different. I can definitely relate to those who think they are more interested in the class when it has to do with there personal struggles, but I also feel like from this class, I have learned that we cannot progress until we realize that other's personal struggles are our struggles too... I mean yeah, I did not personally enslave anyone, but seeing as my ancestors came over in the 1600's there is a pretty good chance they dealt with either Indians or the slave trade or something of that nature--maybe they didn't, but I feel like I owe it to everyone who does not have the "white" privileges I have to personally speak up if I see discrimination or not do it myself... even if I don't realize I am doing it. For instance, the other day I was looking online because I am attempting to sublet my apartment and I had a list of people who are interested in my room for the summer. One of the girls had a very Indian name and my roommate who was looking over them with me was like, "NO WAY!!! Look at that name, she's out!" Honestly.... I reamed her out, and it turns out the girl is probably the best candidate for my subleasing situation, so I am leasing it to her, not in spite of my roommate, not because I feel bad, not because she is foreign, just because she is the best fit--I think before this class I would have listened to my roommate and been like, "Yeah, hell no." But that is just ignorant, and there is no room for that here, we are a country of diversity and I am not going to not rent my apartment because someone is different than I am. So yeah, Sam has changed my views, and I am happy about that. Tue, 6 Apr 2010 15:52:52 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66231903 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment64748695 Wow. I don't really know what to say. I haven't filled out my census form yet, but after watching that clip I am so confused and have so many questions. First of all, with as many classifications in America is it even accurate to fill out a form giving you one type of race? What if people have 5 different backgrounds, for instance, my nephew is Puerto Rican, Dominican, Czech, and English with a little bit of German. That is a lot to consider when filing what is supposed to be such a generalized form. Should it be so generalized? It sounds like someone from every race is offended... so how accurate is our census even going to be if everyone is confused, filling out the wrong boxes, excluding information, or not filling it out at all? As someone who put the census together... it must be so frustrating!! All of this research was put into putting together a completely political correct census for the masses to fill out and now after years of preparation, everyone is pissed off and confused. It sounds like it is tough to try to be inclusive only to figure out that everyone mad that such measures were taken-as though the effort shouldn't have been put into place at all. It sounds like it is a lose lose situation. As a white person I guess I am not offended by the terminology white is white I guess.... but why is white always just white? I mean I feel like since I am white I don't really have the right to be mad or offended that I am always grouped in with other people that are just "white." But I always feel that it almost puts me down like, "oh you are JUST white" as in... that isn't a real heritage. I don't know... the feeling is really hard to explain... I don't know if I am explaining it right... it is hard to put the feeling into words. Maybe it makes me feel bland or put down for being JUST white? I don't get it though... why are white people always put into the same categories... for instance, I am half English and half Czech... Czech isn't just white though, I mean yes, it is a European race, but it is part of the Slavik race, which is different than that of the English race. It's all very confusing to me, but I guess I just feel like many times people of color have such a vast ethnic group and white people are made to be JUST white... why is it this way? This newscast just brought a lot to think about, for example... we talk so much in class about not describing people in stories we tell as "oh this black guy was talking to me... blah blah blah" which I have to admit... I do a lot. It is not something that I realize I do... it is just habitual... but is it wrong? I am a horrible story teller and always use to many unnecessary descriptive words when talking about people... so is this me being descriptive? Or racist? I don't consider myself racist, but if I ignore race and become "colorblind" (which even the newscaster said is impossible) am I ignoring a person's heritage or a part of their identity? I think after this broadcast, I am more confused than ever... Any thoughts anyone? Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:06:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment64748695 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/is-this-just-a-few-bad-apples__trashed/#IDComment63766053 As a Libertarian, I'll be the first person to say I do not agree with the Health Care Reform in the slightest. Let me clarify for those of you who do not understand what a Libertarian is, it is not a liberal, it is very closely related to the Conservative Party and we believe in individuals rights and mainly a limited government which follows our constitution without gross interpretations. I agree that there should be a Health Care Reform and that Health Care is insanely out of hand, but socialized health care is not the answer and is not a fundamental right given by our founding fathers. Just putting it out there--health care should be like car insurance and not attached to a job. Outside of Health Care Reform, our country needs a revolution, which is precisely what the Tea-Partiers are working towards... well maybe not a revolution, but serious change toward our original governmental values and not this socialized leftist bullshit. Sorry--back to the article. My mom actually went to march on Washington for the protest and said that she did not see any of the crude behavior nor did she take part in it. She did say however it was a very non-diverse group of people (mainly white middle-class looking individuals and some medical professionals.) I would have to say from her experience and what I know from some very active individuals I personally know within the Tea-Party, that they truly are a few "bad apples" in the group. Not everyone is like this and it is not a majority of the political party. I also want to say that in every political party you will have your extremists. I don't condone what these people are saying, for threatening the well-being of elected officials is not only distasteful, but wrong and should not be tolerated. The Tea-Party members who acted this way have now given the entire party an unflattering racial edge and have made things harder for those who may want to follow the party because of its values second guess any interests and possible political growth. I for one would love to see two new political parties take hold in Washington, I really thought the Tea-Party was making some good strides, the last time we had two different parties run against each other for a Presidential campaign was the election before Lincoln and since this time it has purely been Democrat and Republicans. Other countries have sometimes ten different parties in the running for a Presidential campaign and this brings progress and new fresh ideas to their politics. I fear that now because of the immaturity of some of the members of this political party the stigma of Tea-Partiers will stick for a long time. Dumbasses. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:10:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/is-this-just-a-few-bad-apples__trashed/#IDComment63766053 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62496190 Agreed. I have several issues with this story. Firstly. I know several girls who went stag at prom and went with each other as couples. As far as I know none of them were lesbians, but if they were would anything be different? This is constitutionally wrong and if this girl does not win her case I would be incredibly surprised. This school is ridiculous. CANCELLING prom?? So many girls look forward to prom for their entire school... now not only is this girl and her girlfriend going to be alienated because prom is cancelled due to their relationship, but as she said, so many people are going to claim it is her fault. None of this should even be happening!!!!! Also, since when do girls HAVE to wear a dress to prom... sure it is the norm, but not everyone wears them. I saw guys in my school wear tuxedo t-shirts, is that inappropriate as well? Like mjd5370 said, are we not in the 21st century? I thought we were past this... apparently when it comes to the gay movement I am still in my pre-awareness stage... I knew people were prejudice, but I never would have imagined an entire school district shutting down a prom... I don't care where it is--it is wrong. Instead of alienating a student who does not fit their pre-concieved social norms, they should not treat her as a social deviant, but be proud she is staying true to who she is and the feelings she has. At least her parents are completely behind her on the situation, the family support she is getting is really going to be key to getting her through this unnecessary situation. I just feel bad because as I have discovered through my brother, who is homosexual, being gay is easy in the society we live in--sure some areas are more tolerant than others, but it is still a movement. Not only is this girl dealing with being a teenager, probably looking at colleges, dealing with a high school relationship, and being gay in an area that is obviously not tolerant of her lifestyle, but now she is dealing with an unimaginable situation. I know I said it before, but this is wrong and I feel like I can not reiterate it enough. Instead of remembering her senior prom as a fun night with friends and a date, she is going to remember a lawsuit, her peers being mad at her, and the example she had to make of herself. No one likes to be the example--and in this situation there shouldn't have to be one, but I'm glad she is sticking up for what is right, though sad that she will not have a prom to attend. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:57:52 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62496190 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment61401143 That is absolutely ridiculous. She should file a lawsuit!!!!! When I started working at Gap, which is a great company when it comes to equal employment opportunity--though not as eco-friendly as one might think--I had a friend working at Abercrombie. She said they have so many employees so you could only have one or two shifts a week. They do this because they want "fresh faces." I have heard that if you go in requesting an application and you are not "pretty" or "good looking" enough they just rip it up and then give the job to someone they consider worthy look-wise of the job. It is not based on their wit or skill as sale associates... but the way they look in the clothes on the shelves!! I can see that there is method behind this... marketing through "beautiful people" as is done through professional models and movie stars through movies, and magazines, etc. AND this is not illegal... more of a marketing technique... which seems to work as girls try to starve themselves and get plastic surgery to fix so-called flaws people are made to believe they have. HOWEVER... discrimination is no excuse for marketing behavior. If one is not white or does have the "look" the hiring manager is looking for, they are not considered for the job. It is terrible!!! Honestly, when I first found out that Abercrombie was like this I stopped purchasing their products. I know that perhaps my input in their profit is not much compared to what other people pay and contribute to their company, and I love their clothes they are very cute... but I cannot stand to knowingly help a company continue to discriminate against employees. The statement made to the press is obvious bull because the it says they are an equal opportunity employer, this is not true because the girl was doing her job! The only reason she was dismissed was because of her religion and Abercrombie and its associates should give compensation to all people they discriminate against as well as change their policies. Where is the religious tolerance? It is obviously not seen in this case and something needs to be done... I guess I can say that I have never knowingly been discriminated against.... I am white and a fairly average looking American girl who has been raised in a Christian community so growing up in Central Pennsylvania I have not met a whole lot of other diversity outside of college. Still here at school I find that the majority of those who I meet share common distinctions with me and I find that the Penn State Community is also lacking when it comes to diversity. HOWEVER... if I would go to another community outside of my comfort zone or to another country where cultures and customs are different than my own I am sure that I would meet someone who would blatantly discriminate against me.. I don't know how I would feel. I am sure it would not be something I would like and I know for a fact I would want some kind of just action to be taken. This girl did not deserve to be discriminated against and neither did any of the other people Abercrombie has done this to... it is not fair and they need to be dealt with. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:36:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment61401143 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59316607 I agree with Veggie Man (great name by the way), I've never been to a party that is racist... at least toward black people. For the Fourth of July my friends and I had a Trailer-Park-Trash party.. seeing as it was the fourth of July we were over-emphasizing our American spirit... we thought it was funny. Other than that we have had classy parties for a reason to dress up and once this summer we did a Boats and Hoes party, but it was because Step Brothers had just come out... another time we did pilgrims and indians... which was around Thanksgiving. I don't see how it gets racist at all... more emphasis is put on holidays I would say... like ugly sweater parties or even State Patties day... which someone of every race participates in here at PSU. I have never seen theme parties as racist action or something that has ever been meant to hurt or offend anyone. I think people just get tired of plain old parties and want a reason to be a little risque... who doesn't like to dress up?? Maybe I too have selective perception... but maybe you (the question-asker) are looking from a biased view point as well because I don't think only white people have these parties... who knows maybe I'm wrong. Tue, 2 Mar 2010 06:46:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59316607 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-three__trashed/#IDComment57946649 I don't know about the first question I would ask if I looked at you... but if I made an assumption about you I would say you look like a normal college student... actually in all honesty you look a middle class person who is a little preppy--which is fine--I am too. Because of the way you talk about yourself however, you spark some questions in my mind--have you been discriminated against often before because of your color? You sound like you think white people you think white people have a typically negative view about black people. Did you grow up in an area where there were an abundance of white people who made you feel this way? Or maybe the opposite? My first thoughts were not, "he's a rapper, thug, or threat to me," of course someone may assume you are an athlete because of your build, but student athlete who is here just because of a scholarship would not be the first thing to come to my mind... I would have just though you lift or spend time in the gym a lot. Perhaps I have a different mindset than others you have come in contact with, but my first thoughts were not negative ones... Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:19:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-three__trashed/#IDComment57946649 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57547930 I don't know what I think, I mean I know what I think, it is just hard to make sense of all of this. I am a Political Science major and I agree with the law. I also agree with the fact that marriage has always been a religious institution. According to the establishment and free exercise clauses we as Americans are allowed freely practice whatever religion we choose without fear of the state supporting or pushing any certain religions on us. That being said, the Christian church plain and simple does not support the marriage of two people of the same sex, just as it does not support the marriage of more than two people together. My sister-in-law's brother is gay and I want him to be able to have a legal binding to another person if that is what makes him happy, but being as the Church does not define marriage as a same sex union, I don't see how it is possible. However, I also do not think that this should have anything to do with the combination of Church and State, they need to be separate and they are not if the State is backing the church. This is why I support civil unions and not gay marriage. I think civil unions should have all of the same benefits as marriages and anyone should be allowed to get them. This is such a tricky issue and there are holes all over it. I mean who is to say everyone who has been married in a church has believed in God? There have been Atheists married in the name of Christ and of course people who do not marry for love, but for money, or tax benefits, or some other reason... so none of it is right... but I just think that if the marriage is a religious institution it does not matter how Christian you are, if the Church does not support it... it really cannot happen. I want gays to have legal unions, I want them to have all of the things married people have, but regardless of love I don't see how marriage is an option. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:22:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-four__trashed/#IDComment57547930 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56881089 I suppose it will always come back to the "Black and White" conversation when it comes to our country. Maybe that is comparable to how it will always come down to Democrats and Republicans, we very well may never have two other majority parties in our country... it is just the way it is and just the way it has always been. I am not saying this is a good thing, but it is the default backdrop on our minds. Black vs. White - Democrats vs. Republicans - both in constant change and strife. There will always be other people like Hispanics or Asians and other political movements like the Tea and Green Parties, but they just seem like ripples in the lake. I think the woman in the video clip was right in saying there has been such a long history of ever changing hardships and tribulations between Blacks and Whites that there is almost a sibling-like rivalry bond between the two?? Maybe that isn't the best way to describe it, but its the only way I know how to say what I mean. From a central Pennsylvanian small non-diverse town upbringing experience point of view, I feel like tensions between our two races have become increasingly better over the last fifty years, and they continue to get better, however this will not erase the past and what we have put each other through. When it comes to the "Black and White" conversation, I feel it is important to expand on our topics and bring new races and peoples to the table, it is time. And if it does indeed still come back to our time told conversation, we should meet each other with humility and acceptance, we should never forget the past, because we are still living through its repercussions, but we should learn and grow together to create better memories and futures for the generations who come to cooperate together when we are gone. Let's set the example. Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:33:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56881089 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56072734 I had a high school history professor at one time who spent a relatively good amount of time (for a high school course) talking about how absolutely fascinating language truly is--how we can so accurately produce sounds and have patterns of language that we all understand. It becomes that much more complex when we find text can be added to it, every letter representing a sound and certain letters combined create certain articulations of speech, then we find that all words define other words. And after we think language is THAT complex we see infants who can learn and master it, just by observing and imitating others--funny right? My sociology professor at Altoona explained about wild the concept of words are in the fact that we can look through the dictionary to define a word... but every word in the dictionary is defined by another word, and so on, and so on. His point was that not only words define themselves by other words, but people define themselves by other people, making us think... maybe we are not so original after all. Sorry I am done with my tangent, I find language absolutely enthralling, I love everything about it--the cultures behind it, the people, the sounds, the complexity. It is very sad that an entire culture seems to have died as a language dies with its last speaker... though the language is gone hopefully some of the traditions of the culture still carry on through the generations. Tue, 9 Feb 2010 22:00:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56072734 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment55126973 Wow. I really had no idea that things were this way. For some reason I naively thought racism was the worst in America and the Europeans were the accepting ones... this is absolutely insane! It's unfortunate that players--or anyone for that matter-- have to put up with such brutal discrimination and hatred, its hard to imagine what I would do in the situation. If someone threw things on a field I played on as I was trying to concentrate on my game, calling me names and threatening me I don't know that I would have the courage to continue playing. The players who do and have started anti-racism campaigns are admiringly brave for their actions. Sports are too complicated and already have too many variables to consider... this "beautiful game" does not also need to deal with people bring their hatred to the stands. As someone who has grown up in a small town... I sometimes do not know how to behave in a very diverse environment, but I would never imagine spouting hate for someone because their physical features or the colors of their skin. I guess I always thought after Germany over threw the Nazi party after WWII all of Europe was peaceful when it came to race. When we study about Europe in classes we never come across any suggestion they hate each other because of race... I suppose it is easy to consider because there are not many black Europeans and they have no experienced a Civil Rights Movement that people belonging to hate groups do not understand the huge negative impact they are making. It sounds like things are far from changing in Europe among the racial hatred lines, and that is scary considering how long it too us do follow through with our Civil Rights Movement... and things still aren't perfect here. Hopefully the FIFA administration can take bigger strides against such slanderous acts before the World Cup this summer... maybe it being held elsewhere will help tip the scales... Wed, 3 Feb 2010 03:30:58 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment55126973 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54301028 I definitely do not think that he French government should be able to place a ban on these women. I feel they are simply trying to express their rights to freedom of religion. If the French think that these women are being told what to do by the men around them... they should look to women all over the world... or even men for that matter. There are all types of relationships in which people abide by what they are told to do: parent - child, boyfriend - girlfriend, wife - husband, peer - peer group; regardless of whether the relationship is a cultural influence or not, ultimately it is the person choosing to obey who is the person who can or cannot create a necessary change. Moving away from oppressive relationships - the women interviewed in the news cast were not upset with the clothing they wear... they claimed it was their choice. It is their religion; why should they have to abide by a law discriminating against their beliefs when nuns are allowed to wear habits and other religious figures are allowed to continue following their beliefs as well? I understand that everyone is scared of terrorism and and the clothes worn by these women could be intimidating, but claiming they are closing in on the radical side of Islam is ridiculous. Should we perhaps look at people like Neo Nazis? They are extreme. Even the Duggars on 18 kids and counting are extremist, they believe they are chosen by God and reproduce as many children as they can... if they lived in France would their be laws inflicted on them? This sounds to me like a case of discrimination and nothing else. Religion is religion and if a country says they promote freedom of religion, they should follow through with the rights they owe to their citizens. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:42:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54301028 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-s__trashed/#IDComment53888006 anything Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:34:13 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-s__trashed/#IDComment53888006 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53732849 In reply to religious thoughts through harsh times like the calamity in Haiti, I absolutely believe it is a time needed too look outside the box. I am someone who considers them self agnostic, even though I find myself wanting to believe in something larger than life. In my search for a higher power I have come to the conclusion that even if you want to believe... you have to have the ability to do so in the first place. It's been a tough journey for my spirituality through my father's diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease among other issues I have encountered over the last several years of my life. As a devout Lutheran growing up I was often taught of a caring, understanding, and merciful God... but I have seen that watching your father slowly die over the next 20 years of his life does not seem to fit the frame work of what I have been told. It does not seem merciful, just, or caring to me at all... this can also be seen through the devastation in Haiti. Sure all of these hardships we endure in our lives can bring us away from materialistic thoughts and the simple tribulations we put up with everyday... but it seems like a harsh way to lay in a reality check. I don't mean to offend anyone by my cynical thinking, and surely don't intend to make others feel they need to think like I do, I have just found it is hard for others to truly understand the emotional and true physical pain that lies within a terminal disease or a devastating earthquake--its hard. Like I said before, I have looked for some type of spirituality through these last couple of challenging years in my life and among my ever growing thoughts on life... one particular story has stayed with me through everything. Recently I was reading a book by Donald Miller called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Donald, a Christian author, writes about his discovery on how to edit our lives so we may become better characters in our own stories. He often talks about making our lives harder so we can overcome more thus appreciating more. In particular, he shares a story about when he climbed a mountain in Peru leading the group he was with to the city of Matchu Pitchu. He said it was the absolute hardest and most challenging thing he had done up until that time in his life and just as he thought he could not go any farther, the guide in the group gave him his inspiration. He said that the King of Matchu Pitchu always made his people take the hardest route to the city. In Donald's modern day case there were certainly much easier ways to go, bus, airplane, boat... but what made the people appreciate their city and their homeland was the effort it took them to get there. Miller relates this to God by saying that the harder lives we have and the more challenges we have to overcome on our journey will make us appreciate heaven that much more when we get there. Again, I don't know if I have the ability to believe in heaven or some kind of God who could put me there, but its a nice thought. Something that personally gets me through my hardships and having to watch my father's degenerative disease day after day... I think we need to look at Haiti for exactly what is going on there and not for how we should appreciate the material things we have, but help Haitians in every way we can. If we make our lives better by becoming better characters in our and story of life, maybe we could affect them positively and bring some light to their world. I know this post may be slightly off... but this course is about fresh thinking and its a fresh idea to wrap the mind around Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:22:11 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53732849