en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2414462 Comments by mleno92 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/29/voices-from-the-classroom-139/#IDComment337664471 I think it’s a completely flawed system. In the society we live in, black or brown teenagers are at a complete disadvantage when it comes to situations like these. Because of stereotypes they are just looked at as bad or dangerous and they have all the precautions for it. However, like you said there is a predominantly white school and there are plenty of bad kids, who are dealing drugs and simply getting away with it. It seems like black or brown people are almost set up in these circumstances. How is it fair that these people are getting caught with this stuff in this school when there is practically maximum security and these middle to high-class white children can simply get away with it. There are tons of stereotypes like these that just set them up for failure. For example in the other article posted on world in conversation, it is talking about how a vast majority of all the New Yorkers being pulled over and searched are black or brown people. It’s completely fucked up honestly what makes this happen in society? Why are these stereotypes place on people simply because of skin color? You asked what we think about how the one school that is predominantly black and brown has high security and the other one white kids are getting away with the same shit. I think it’s completely absurd and if one school is going to have metal detectors, then all of them should. It’s different if in one school there is massive amounts of violence and fighting or what have you and another is a very good group of kids. Then maybe the levels of security should be somewhat different. But if there are white kids getting away with bad shit simply because they’re white and black or brown people are getting caught because of their color that is wrong. I mean obviously it’s city schools vs. county schools so they’re going to be treated differently, but I don’t know what or how they should be. Obviously we know the system is flawed and I believe they should probably do something to increase security in county schools to prevent the drug dealing. I am also curious to know the age groups that these kids are going through drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors, if it’s anything except high school that is also wrong. I guarantee if the white kids who sell drugs out of big houses in the county schools were attending the city schools they would not last two seconds as far as getting caught with officials. If there is no security in there privileged lifestyle they would be dead meat in a disciplined environment. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:56:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/29/voices-from-the-classroom-139/#IDComment337664471 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/01/the-saggy-pants-problem/#IDComment331668091 I find this whole situation pretty hilarious. First I’d like to say that I do not support people wearing saggy pants, I think it looks stupid, is just ignorant and in the article it said “moronic.” Whenever my friends, black or white, are wearing saggy pants I’ll probably say something like you look like a bum. I never really thought of it as showing you’re not mainstream. I mean I guess that makes sense.. but I always thought of it as their own style, which I guess isn’t mainstream then. And yes you said it has gone way beyond black or brown culture and into middle class. This I would completely agree with I have friends of both races that dress that way I don’t think it really matters what race you are anymore. That being said, the fact that a bill was proposed to ban saggy pants is absolutely preposterous. There are FAR more important things and issues in this world than saggy pants, I mean come on, how the hell are you proposing a bill about this. Personally I think it makes this man seem like an idiotic candidate, they even said in the article it’s not on high unemployment or crime, but saggy pants for Christ sake. You say the man who wrote this bill is black, and that’s probably why we haven’t heard of it. I think that’s not true and almost racist to say, I think we haven’t heard of it cause its so fucking stupid that no man who is in the government or has any involvement in it should be proposing these bills. But I do agree if a white man proposed this he would have been hounded for racism. So in that sense I guess it makes sense if you say that’s why we haven’t heard of it. I would never vote to elect this man. This country has so many problems, urgent and pressing issues, and he’s trying to prevent people from wearing saggy pants in public. Why? Honestly I would like to hear his reasoning. Because you think it looks dumb and makes that person look like an idiot? Then let them look like an idiot. I don’t like saggy pants either but I cannot believe someone is attempting this. By him attempting to prevent idiotic people from looking like dumbasses he has officially made himself look like one. I don’t even know what else to say about this. I guess I pretty much just don’t like this man and his viewpoints are completely strayed from what they should be. Like honestly why is this your focus and how do you think you’re going to be elected after something like this? I wonder what the statistics are for crime and the worst problems in Alabama and how many people are struggling and how they feel about this man. Because we all sure as hell know his focus isn’t on tackling these problems, but it’s about how people dress. Wed, 4 Apr 2012 18:01:34 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/01/the-saggy-pants-problem/#IDComment331668091 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/26/voices-from-the-classroom-92/#IDComment328043931 I would say that I have learned that the world is a pretty tough place. In light of the whole scandal it’s pretty sad and horrible what has gone on here and just truly very unfortunate. There were some terrible, wretched acts occurring on this campus that we live, love and support. It just shows that no matter where you are, there are sick, disturbed people in this world, and it kind of steals your innocence. Even though it is the Sandusky scandal, all the attention from this horrible thing is not on the kids, not on Jerry Sandusky himself, but on Joe Paterno. I’ve also learned that the media is a terrible, fucked up thing too. They bring ALL the attention on him because he was the God of this university, and the most victorious coach in all of college football, so why not put it on him? But that’s what disgusts me. I know I’m not supposed to choose a position in this blog but it’s going to come out to an extent anyways so my apologies. But the media has to blow up this entire scandal in Penn State’s face, so it is a top news story and the entire nation knows about it. The best part is…. anyone who is not at Penn State is like man how about Paterno? And I’m just so saddened that after everything that man has done for this school, and students for decades, this is how it had to end. And it’s not about Paterno. It’s about Sandusky seeing justice, it’s about the victims who had a more traumatic experience than any child or human being should ever have to experience. Yet, it was all about Joe. Now I’m going to speak my mind a little bit. People have their opinions whether you’re a Penn Stater or not, and many times people not from this school will ask me “So what do you all think? Joe had to go right??” I have very mixed feelings on the situation. I’m not going to go into detail, however I just feel sad for him, for the kids, and for the university for having to go thru with this. I guess I’m saying I have learned the world isn’t as nice as we hope it would be. People go to work, come home, watch television, day after day. For weeks this horrific news was on every station for hours. I guess I could also say I lost tons of respect for the media. Not that I really respected it to begin with but I felt terrible how they put it all on Joe Pa. It’s all about the money in this world is what it seems, and the biggest thing this scandal has taught me is the world is not all cute and cuddly, it’s a bitch. Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:42:54 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/26/voices-from-the-classroom-92/#IDComment328043931 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/18/benefits-of-being-bilingual/#IDComment321346082 I find this article fascinating. I would never think something like being bilingual would have such a strong effect. I mean they’re saying it could delay the effects of dementia and alzheimers, or make people even smarter in ways where language isn’t even relevant. I am obviously fluent in English and I took Spanish all four years of high school and a little bit in college as well. I would not say im fluent but I am a pretty good speaker. My mother was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Spanish was her first language. However, she is one hundred percent Hungarian and that was her second language, making English her third! I think that’s pretty crazy even though she only speaks a little bit of Hungarian now. I bet trilingual people are better than bilinguals and probably kill monolinguals. But yeah she’s bilingual I wonder if she’s better at that stuff too. Also alzheimer’s disease runs in her family so if that’s true that’s definitely a blessing. Besides her my father attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico. So both of my parents are bilingual, but somehow they made the mistake of not raising us speaking both. It angers me all the time. I would love to be bilingual that is why I take language courses, however, I don’t think it compares to living in that country because when you’re immersed in the language and the society you adapt and it makes a huge difference. As far as the presidency goes if one being bilingual lessens their chances? That is straight up idiotic and ignorant. Learning two languages clearly shows your intelligence and your diversity, people are crazy. With the studies they are completing you can just see how it benefits the brain and the person as a whole, it strengthens your cognitive skills as well as improves the “executive function.” Until this class I’ve never heard anything negative about a person being bilingual. It doesn’t even make sense, why would one being bilingual hinder them in running for presidency. The studies with the kids were very interesting as well. It just shows that even at a young age the ones who do speak more than one language are faster than the monolingual kids. They complete tasks easier or better, and the mind is just that much sharper. I personally feel that an educational reform is needed in the near future, and teaching young students foreign language should definitely become a new requirement. This world is changing everyday, people are becoming smarter, and it’s a new world, In some countries already people take language courses at an early age, hell at some private schools in the country kids are doing it. Anyway that’s how I feel this was a cool article though. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:16:27 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/18/benefits-of-being-bilingual/#IDComment321346082 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/17/asian-stereotypes-and-the-world-of-sports/#IDComment304946325 I find this entire Jeremy Lin story pretty interesting. This guy who no one has ever heard of all of a sudden comes out of nowhere and shocks the NBA. That’s not all, but he’s also an ASIAN. Now personally I do not see this as a huge deal, however the attention to this story isn’t simply because he’s good at basketball but that he’s of Asian descent and a phenomenal basketball player. People are not used to seeing all-star Asian basketball players, I mean there’s Yao Ming but he is eight feet tall so.. But Lin was overlooked by all D1 schools as the article said, except for Harvard. He won a state championship, clearly has tons of talent, yet great basketball schools like Duke, North Carolina, or whatever, all overlooked him. Then in college Lin continues to do well, and he goes undrafted. Now come on, honestly. Like there’s something wrong with that, people don’t just outplay everyone and just get overlooked. Luckily the Knicks picked him up, and in light of injuries he got a chance to show the world what he’s got. But there has got to be a reason that he was just overlooked, undrafted in the NBA, and not at a major D1 basketball school. That is the big hype over Jeremy Lin being an Asian American. Like I said before no one is ever used to seeing an Asian dominate the basketball court, so when people see Jeremy play they don’t necessarily give him the attention they would to a black man or someone of another race. Personally I think it is completely BS and racist, I don’t understand why it happened. If things didn’t end up working out to Lin’s favor, the world may have not seen his abilities. In the article it said that Lin doesn’t talk too much about the race aspect or quote on quote “Lin has declined to dwell on racial issues,” but he tweeted “Every time I try to get into Madison Square Garden, the security guards ask me if I’m a trainer.” Now, one this was obviously before all of this Linsanity. Two, obviously if they do not know who he is they never think he would actually be on the Knicks, simply because he’s Asian. Now that is insanity more so than this Linsanity I think. What about this man being Asian prevents him from doing what others do. Now I’m talking genetics, body types, all that aside. I believe that does give people advantages, however, I feel that if a white man can do it, or a Spanish man can do it, why can’t an Asian man? I really don’t like also with this story how it is simply blowing up the fact that he’s Asian, and not that he is a tremendous player who was overlooked. I guess part of the reasoning is because he’s Asian but oh well. Good for you Lin, you deserve it. Also if it was someone of Spanish descent and it read “Less than Spic-tacular job” all hell would break loose. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:54:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/17/asian-stereotypes-and-the-world-of-sports/#IDComment304946325 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/31/voices-from-the-classroom-93/#IDComment295260339 I don’t think anyone should ever be forced to learn a language. This is a certain topic that you don’t take it to legal matters, it should just be understood. It should be a norm to learn that country’s language when you move there. Every country has a primary language that they speak, or at least as far as I know. Now that doesn’t mean that every single person in that country speaks that language, but the majority does. If someone immigrates to America, no matter what country they come from, no matter their age, gender, etc., they should learn English. English is the language that primarily dominates this country, and almost every single place you go you are interacting with other English speakers. I don’t understand why or how someone would not have any desire to learn the language. You now live in this country, among these people, and this is the language, yes I’m sure you can make it by without learning it but honestly that is just plain stupid. My older brother’s girlfriend is from Guatemala, she’s born here but her mom is from Guatemala. Her mother does not speak English, occasionally will be able to spit out a little Spanglish but that’s about it. Now every time I interact with her, or my brother does its extremely difficult. I speak pretty decent Spanish, however my brother barely knows any. I don’t understand the point in not learning. In my eyes it comes down to pure laziness and stupidity. If I went to another country to live there, I would absolutely no doubt in my mind learn the language. It just seems like so much trouble and just plain silly to live in a country without speaking the language. You have to go to special places, and ask for someone who speaks Spanish everywhere you go. Now for those people that say they do not want to learn because it is their culture and they do not want to lose it. Two things for you… Either don’t move out of your culture if it is valued to the point that you will not learn another language, or simply speak your first language in your home. I have plenty of friends either born in America or not, who speak their parents language at home because that is what their parents are more comfortable with. You are not losing your culture by learning our language, you are adapting to the new culture you have joined. By all means I 100% support you keeping your traditions, language, and everything alive. But at least have the common courtesy to learn the primary language. I’m sure as an adult it can be very difficult, but nowadays people can accomplish nearly anything, and when you are surrounded by the entire culture, it makes it much easier than in a classroom. Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:49:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/31/voices-from-the-classroom-93/#IDComment295260339 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment271797472 I find Sam's idea of sacrificing State Patty's very interesting. He always tells us to listen to the things he says but not necessarily believe them, though I do believe most of what he says. However, I feel sacrificing State Patty’s in the long run will not have the detrimental impact Sam believes it will. Penn State already has its “party school” reputation and I don’t believe that now we are under the media’s microscope it will be affect us negatively. The Sandusky scandal has swayed peoples opinions about our school, and in turn on us as people. But if someone looks at me differently or holds it against me in the professional world not only is it morally but ethically corrupt. I will prove myself with my grades and my determination to get where I need to be. That being said, during State Patty’s day there will be more focus on this school then in years prior. People who are not aware of our weekend habits could see this institution differently, but they could never hold it against me or any other student who is simply one of the entire student body. I don’t see what the big deal is things may escalate a little more or be rowdier than normal because everyone plans on being extremely and completely trashed, but whatever you’re going to die. Does Sam believe that people will no longer take us seriously as people or what? It seems as if you believe it is our professional lives that would be completely ruined if we continue with our most wonderful of holidays. As far as how could you get everyone on the same boat? There are over 40 fraternities and over 20 sororities at this school and that is only 25% of the student body. That is 10,000 students that would be strongly against it, what about the other 30 that I’m sure feel pretty similarly. State Patty’s to a Penn Stater is like Christmas morning to an eight year old, people love it and they will not see that their day is skipped because of this scandal. There’s no way in h-e- double hockey sticks you can convince 40,000 college students not to get incredibly wasted on this holiest of days. I feel under some employers’ eyes maybe they could see us in a worse light, however, I feel it in no way will impact my career after leaving Penn State. I love Sam’s class and believe in almost everything he says, but this idea seems a little excessive and I know you said and I quote “ I really think I got it with this one,” but I think and hope you’re wrong. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:18:20 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/12/02/voices-from-the-classroom-89/#IDComment271797472 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/b-s-response/#IDComment137362443 I completely agree when people hear the phrase “life sentence” they automatically think of murder. I mean who wouldn’t? Unless the person was a rapist or something terrible to that degree, you almost always think of murder. Most people are not aware of the laws either. I am not from Pennsylvania but I’m sure there are other states with similar laws. It’s weird to think you can be put in prison for the rest of your life, for committing a felony and another person committing the murder. Now I know not to commit a felony! I cannot remember if I was one of the students who posted something about murder, and if I am I apologize. I would never want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and you are kind and courageous enough to share with us your story. Your comments about being freer than you have ever been are extremely interesting to me. You really hear about inmates’ lives changing drastically from being put in prison and your story is a great example. The fact that you came back from a tough childhood, a drug addiction, and an overall unhappy lifestyle is amazing. Drug addictions are one of the hardest things to overcome in life, not that you really had a choice, but you did it. And who knows, maybe you never would have if you didn’t need to? That brings me to your next point. How you said you discovered so many talents you never knew you have. That is truly inspirational because those talents can really make you, as well as others very happy in life. It’s really nice to hear that you and your family have gotten close since your incarceration. It is good you have a loving family who supports you and loves you, even though you are in the unfortunate situation you’re in. Also it is great you have touched your stepfather and possibly helped make him a better person. And to be perfectly honest, I believe you have helped every student who has every read your letters. They are inspirational and teach us not to steer off the path we’re on, because it can end far worse than we have ever imagined. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:06:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/b-s-response/#IDComment137362443 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/07/freedom/#IDComment135950815 This is an amazing article about freedom. You hear different definitions of freedom all the time. People say, “The United States is the freest country in the world!” They are referring to our rights and what we are allowed to do by law. But you give freedom an entirely different perspective. It is not simply being able to live on your own, go out to a restaurant, or go to the beach, but deeper than that. As you said, you have a completely different freedom in your own 8x8 cell you reside in. You have the freedom to sleep, maybe watch television, and listen to your cellmates. Although, you do not have the same typical freedom an outsider has, you still have freedoms. I really enjoyed when you said, “Because in the blink of an eye, one wrong choice, and you will have to learn to create your own freedom.” This is a quote that will definitely stick with me because another common phrase can be used to answer this one, “a person never thinks it’s going to happen to them.” We have so much freedom on the outside that it is taken for granted, and one dumb decision can take that from us. The ending is truly significant to me as well. You discuss how you are confined, but still free. Any normal person would say you are not free; you live in a small cell and have no time to do anything. But you have shown me, and all others that read this article that that is not the case. You adapted and created your own freedom, by which you can still live and enjoy life. You underwent a major transformation, which most people never have to experience in their entire lives. You had to adapt to the fact that your body would never be free again as you stated, but your freedom can still live on in your heart, mind and soul. I hope that I never have to go anything nearly as traumatic as the experiences that have placed you where you are today. You definitely have shown me one wrong choice can be the end of the road. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:19:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/07/freedom/#IDComment135950815 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/13/the-other-side/#IDComment130763881 The article you have written is something I find very interesting. When a tragedy like this happens, people only hear the viewpoint of the victim’s family or friends. As you state in your letter, this is truly “the other side.” I think about sometimes how someone feels after they commit a murder, or any other treacherous act. I feel that unless the person is a cold-blooded killer, they feel sad and ashamed by what they have done. You say that everyday you have to live with the act you committed at only 15 years old. You were not by any means mature yet, did not necessarily know you were committing murder and were going to be imprisoned for the rest of your life. Afterwards you realize what you did simply did not just take the life of this one man, but you took something from everyone who ever knew or loved him. You hurt so many people in such horrible ways, and that is something you have to live with. That in a way is serving a sentence in itself. You show the other side to us how you live with what you did every single day, living in deep regret and sadness. I find it amazing that you met with the family of the victim, to express how you really feel. Personally I do not think I could ever forgive someone who took the life of one of my loved ones. However, someone found forgiveness in his heart. I can imagine that you waited so many lonely nights for the day in which you could say how you felt, and that you wish every single day you could take back what you did. This letter to me is incredibly significant. It shows the other side to the public in the aspect that they do not know how someone who has done something like this feels. They know how the victim’s family feels, however, they normally never hear what the guilty man feels inside. It seems you made a mistake when you were young, and you are extremely regretful for what you did. I agree, your letter was beneficial to people “in all walks of life.” Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:41:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/13/the-other-side/#IDComment130763881 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/reflections/#IDComment129048083 This article is really interesting because it is different from most of the “getting life” letters I have already read. One would not think that sexual activity could lead to the downfall of someone’s entire life. The interpretation I got from reading this article is that after this man grew into a teenager and early adult, his sex life drowned out was truly important. It seems if he had kept focused on school, work, or family, then something terrible would have never happened. I really enjoyed this article too because one thinks that they will not go to prison because they are not the type to do something wrong. This article shows that is not necessarily the case. It can come down to a matter of “wrong place, wrong time.” If one is at a bar and has had one too many drinks, and someone is talking shit about your girl, a conflict could escalate into something truly terrible. This opened my eyes to what can really happen, despite the type of person one may be. I find it interesting that he writes about his parents could tolerate anything except a liar. This is quite similar to my parents and even if I tell the dumbest, pointless lie, I feel guilty for a week. Honesty is a trait that is not given enough significance. If this man had been honest and forward with his parents, they would not have let him hang around the places he had been, and most likely the traumatic incident would never have taken place. It is also interesting to me how he talks about how he pondered what led to this downfall. Was it drugs, a bad father, the neighborhood he grew up in? He could not allow any of those to stand as an excuse. He had a good father, and though the neighborhood was bad, his friends did okay. I believe what it comes down to is your values, and what is important to you. It seems this man did not value what he had at his home, and was more concerned with sex and partying. These articles have shown me there are great people everywhere, even in prison and people simply make mistakes. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:58:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/reflections/#IDComment129048083 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/04/the-not-so-invisible-structure-that-shapes-us/#IDComment127439733 When I heard you say in class that you posted an article about only 30% of the citizens in the United States have passports, I knew I had to comment on it. Apparently people do not value being able to travel outside our country. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love living in the United States, however, that does not mean I am not curious as to what the entire rest of the world is doing. It also really broadens one’s horizons to go outside their country. It’s a new culture, a new lifestyle, a totally new experience, and one you cannot match by traveling from Maryland to Nebraska. I personally have a passport and have been to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, etc. I have not yet been to Europe because of the cost, but I definitely plan on going sometime soon. As for why the other 70% do not have passports? Personally I would say the biggest factors are cost, the worry of traveling outside the country, and simply people not having the interest to go abroad. The media obviously has a huge impact on what people decide to do as well. When people are only hearing bad things about other countries such as murder, terrible government and “less freedom” to do what you want to do, no one would want to travel there. Personally I have seen things in other countries that I have never seen in the United States. It’s really interesting to see the mountains in Canada, or the beaches of the Caribbean, not simply going to South Carolina to go the beach. It really is a different and amazing experience to go outside the country. The article mentions that in other countries most working people have six to eight weeks of vacations a year. That is a month to a month in a half longer than American full-time workers typically have. There is a major weight place on working, making money, and becoming successful in the United States. If everyone in the US had as much vacation time as other countries then that would definitely increase the amount of travel. It would not necessarily lead to foreign travel, but most likely more would take interest in traveling abroad. Finally, I found this article very interesting, but also kind of depressing. There is a lot more to the world outside America. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:37:44 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/04/the-not-so-invisible-structure-that-shapes-us/#IDComment127439733 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126028765 Although that short clip is very comical, it does bring up good points on the social issue of conformity. Human beings never want to be out of their comfort zones, and that really brings upon conformity. For example, if all teenage boys in society have buzz cuts, one teenager will not want to have long hair because the majority will think there is something wrong with the non-conformist. It is very similar to the people in the video; the subject did not want to be the only facing the opposite direction. It creates an awkward circumstance if three people are looking directly straight towards you, and you are looking back at them instead of also looking the other way. The same goes for the man in the hat; every other person was not wearing a hat so he did not want to stand out with his hat on. You are absolutely correct when you say, “I probably would not assume that you would act differently than the people in the following video.” I have been in similar situations many times, and people almost always conform. Like you said about people being at the dinner table, most will keep elbows off the table, chew with their mouth closed, and wait to be excused. This is because people have been socialized to do these things, and it would be out of their norm to not. Another example is if you have ever walked down a hallway in a high school, people tend to walk on the right side. That is because that is what is normal for society, nine times out of ten people will walk on the right and conform. Not only can you witness people conforming in society everyday, there are so many experiments, like the one in the video, that have been performed to prove this is true. Conformity is a huge part of society and people will not feel comfortable or in the case of that picture will “make a complete ass of themselves.” In conclusion, I agree that most people including myself would act just as the people in the video did. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 00:17:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126028765 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment122858647 That was a beautifully written piece that meant a lot to me. I had the opportunity to go to prison with my high school sociology class and it was a really eye-opening experience. As you stated prison has the stereotypes of having the worst, most disgusting people on the planet, but that is obviously not true. You are living proof that is not true. When I was there I met men who had committed murder, or were high end cocaine dealers, and they too were not bad people. In my eyes it comes down to a poor decision. People make poor choices all the time, from engaging in drugs, consuming alcohol underage, or sometimes more serious resulting in jail. Personally I believe there are many flaws in the legal system... as many people would agree. Many inmates I have met were entirely rehabilitated, no longer even deserving to be in prison. Although, this letter does make it more comforting knowing that people behind bars can still find compassion. Men all have emotions, no matter if you are a doctor, a lawyer, or a prison inmate. You're writing has truly made me think a lot. This piece was really interesting as you stated the two men with such hatred were walking together, with one comforting the other. You only hear about hatred and bad things in prison, but this letter shows otherwise. The one man was able to put aside his hatred, because of his emotions. He felt terrible for the other inmate as did you and your friend, it doesn't matter who you are. Unless one is completely insane, he will have emotions. You also mentioned how you find compassion even in such a dark place. This letter really made me think about many things....from the legal system, to the people they put in prison everyday, and those who, despite the wretched acts they have committed, are still good, loving people. I can believe there is a good person in everyone, despite some actions they make or thoughts they believe... and you helped show me that. I wish the best to you and thanks for this piece. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:14:21 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment122858647 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cl%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment122846930 Soc 001 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:03:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cl%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment122846930