en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/4278242 Comments by monique_id27 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/20/voices-from-the-classroom-157/#IDComment343999235 Tom, dont grade these just yet... So upset soc 119 is coming to an end :( bummer much!!!!! But like really, when you feel like you have no one else, you just have to be there for yourslef. there's not much more to it. so much goes on in this world that sometimes we cant see past what is directly in front of us. We dont see the bigger picture, and even when we do begin to see the bigger picture, it is highly unlikely that other people will so we may have to deal with the fact that the things we do to cause positive change may not positively affect us. We live for what is safe fun exciting and fulfilling TODAY, not the beautiful world that may or may not be here tomorrow. So i need thirty more words. this is what i am going to type.... aggggoooo haiti. we got lots of $$$ for you.... seven more words now three two one done :) Sat, 21 Apr 2012 06:28:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/20/voices-from-the-classroom-157/#IDComment343999235 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/20/voices-from-the-classroom-157/#IDComment343996174 People dont feel like they should be for others when others are not for them. And often times, minorities(its even in the name minor or less than) are looked down upon and treated unfairly.... So they feel like the only way to survive is to stick together. if you're not for yourself, who will be??? It's hard out here for a pimp... Have you ever heard of larimer pennsylvania? do you ever get nervous? well, i do. I'm black and i feel like if i don't try to help my fellow black/ african american people, no one will. Race is a very complex deep rooted issue in the US. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 06:21:51 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/20/voices-from-the-classroom-157/#IDComment343996174 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/20/voices-from-the-classroom-157/#IDComment343992864 ECON 102... I dont quite remember the name but theres a game. A game we played in econ 102 with professor dirk mateer. its the very first thing that came to mind when i heard the question. First off, everyone has to work to protect themselves and their interests. Life on earth is about survival of the fittest and sometimes assisting others can cause harm to yourself. Okay, back to the game. Just so you guys know, ECON was AWESOME...but anyways ... there was a game where.. goodness i forget how it worked but uh.. If anyone knows what im talking about, PLEASE respond... helping the group could benefit you, but if everyone in the group wasnt for the group, you'd be left in a very bad position. So, the comparison is that it isnt always in a minorities best interest to reach out. It may be in the best interest of the world as a whole but when minorities cannot reap the benefits of the world improvement, it takes away a great deal of incentive. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 06:14:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/20/voices-from-the-classroom-157/#IDComment343992864 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/10/voices-from-the-classroom-144/#IDComment339102511 People become so accepting of the idiotic actions of others that hey sometimes forget what is right and wrong. They become so caught up in our cultural norms that they begin making false associations. They have a very skewed and limited perspective on what it means to be American and very little knowledge regarding the value and meaning of human life. Regardless of whether someone is an American citizen or not, it does not make them worth any less than us. Also, just because there are some extreme cases in any given culture doesn’t mean that every single person is the same. It was an assumption that she’s even Middle Eastern. There are plenty of Muslims in the US who are not from the Middle East so to judge her based off of religious attire when America is supposed to be a country of religious freedom is ridiculous. I personally would have said something, but I don’t believe my words would have been heard. I am an African American woman, and as we all know race and gender play a role in nearly every single aspect of our culture. Speaking up for a Muslim woman, I believe my words would be disregarded and I too would be looked at as either not American or less than American. Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:16:46 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/10/voices-from-the-classroom-144/#IDComment339102511 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/10/voices-from-the-classroom-144/#IDComment339102415 Some people may not have stood up for the woman for several reasons. They may fear being judged or not know exactly what to say, but at the end of the day; it all comes down to ignorance and fear. Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:16:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/10/voices-from-the-classroom-144/#IDComment339102415 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/03/voices-from-the-classroom-140/#IDComment336562725 Well, I think part of it is because we can never be on the same level as god, so we use people such as priests and pastors simply as pathways to them. Often times they are more knowledgeable and dedicated to God. They are closer to him/her because they spend more time praying and learning and indulging themselves in religion. Kind of like how for Christians, Jesus is seen as the way to God... because we could never be on the same level as God, we seek to be closer to God through people who are closer to God than we are. We look to religious leaders for guidance not because we need them to have a relationship with God but because we admire their closeness to God and it’s something we want for ourselves. Sometimes it can also be because of the control associated with the social system of religion. People try to make it seem as if we need religious leaders to be close to God so that believers can be kept in line. If we feel dependent on other human beings to be close to God, we won’t go against them and an order can be kept. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 06:17:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/03/voices-from-the-classroom-140/#IDComment336562725 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/03/voices-from-the-classroom-141/#IDComment333186570 . It is seen as disrespecting ourselves because of the intent behind wearing such clothing. Most women are not showing off their bodies because they just love them so much but rather because it pleases men. I feel like this is the same in the Muslim culture. Although some women wear their covers because they want to respect themselves, others do it because they feel forced to. They don’t really have a say. They do it because they feel like they have to. I feel like this debate is about women having options and doing what they want. Regardless of whether women are covering up or letting it all hang out… the disrespect stems from the reasoning behind their actions. Some women may genuinely just enjoy the way they dress and there isn’t anything wrong with that in my opinion. As long as a woman is comfortable with the way she dresses and proud of it, then she is respecting herself by making herself happy and not living to please society. I just really feel like you cannot determine whether or not a woman respects herself based on the way she dresses. You can tell by the way she may act. Fri, 6 Apr 2012 16:54:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/03/voices-from-the-classroom-141/#IDComment333186570 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/03/voices-from-the-classroom-141/#IDComment333186481 i feel like it is seen as disrespecting ourselves because sometimes women dress in certain ways to impress men or because they're submitting to the stereotypes of society or trying to fit a certain image. It is seen as disrespecting ourselves because of the intent behind wearing such clothing. Most women are not showing off their bodies because they just love them so much but rather because it pleases men. I feel like this is the same in the Muslim culture. Although some women wear their covers because they want to respect themselves, others do it because they feel forced to. They don’t really have a say. They do it because they feel like they have to. I feel like this debate is an about woman having options and doing what they want. Women need to have options and do what they want to do. i feel like it is seen as disrespecting ourselves because sometimes women dress in certain ways to impress men or because they're submitting to the stereotypes of society or trying to fit a certain image. When you let others put you down and make you feel forced to submit to dressing one way, then youre disrespecting yourself. Fri, 6 Apr 2012 16:54:04 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/04/03/voices-from-the-classroom-141/#IDComment333186481 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/15/voices-from-the-classroom-122/#IDComment318414475 Did you guys like class. I left early on Thursday, what happened?? So, now I have 325 words, but when I typed 325, it turned into 326 words… lal la lalal uh yea…. Who’s goin out his weekend? WAR. Killing… America is awful… war is awqful… we all killed 29 people… we murder civilians… I am sam… sam I am…. Every life should be as valued as the next. Changed my profile pic. But really though, we need to engage in conversation with people with first-hand experience and opinions need to be shared. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:06:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/15/voices-from-the-classroom-122/#IDComment318414475 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/15/voices-from-the-classroom-122/#IDComment318414435 But whatever… uhm….. ….. ….. in our discussion group, we have someone from the middle east and someone who served in the army… it was cool to hear both sides of the story and I think this is what we must do to get closer to the truth. We must have dialogue with different types of people, interact, question, challenge, and open up to others so that we can come to some sort of appropriate understanding. Wow, still two hundred words to go. Omg, becky…. War is bad!!!!! Really bad, like Michael Jackson. We kill people and try to justify it. Nobody from another country could ever justify the killing of an American. Like really, we need to get over ourselves….. huh, still one hundred fifty words, like goodness I thought I typed a lot. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:06:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/15/voices-from-the-classroom-122/#IDComment318414435 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/15/voices-from-the-classroom-122/#IDComment318414264 everything we hear is basically lies. we are hardly ever exposed to the truth. we can never really know what goes on in war or overseas unless we're there to experience it ourselves. the media twists stories to make everything seem fine. terrible things happen that we will never know. a lot of positive things happen as well. we cannot rely on the news to keep us informed about topics like this. however, it is important to know the news stories and to be aware of what is being said. if you find that there are fallacies within news reports, it is important to bring them to the light and expose as many people to the truth as possible. we cannot know exactly what goes on but i think we should try to get as close to the truth as possible. We need to understand and be informed on issues before we speak on and argue about them. I don’t want to do this blog, like really why do we have to do this? Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:06:19 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/03/15/voices-from-the-classroom-122/#IDComment318414264 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/22/voices-from-the-classroom-110/#IDComment299358446 As stated in class, the differences that continue to be present after controlling for all factors are a result of psychological determining factors. We don’t realize the power of our minds and often times we don’t have control over what goes on within our minds. Our entire society is affected by stereotypes. Generally speaking, we allow these stereotypes to affect us. We filter everything we do, feel, think, and see through race in some way. It seems quite absurd (and I even found it disturbing) but stereotypes are deeply engrained within our being. Although we may not want to, somewhere, deep down, we have some sort of belief in these things. We’ve become so attached to, and comfortable with the system and society we live in today. We are so comfortable that we accept nonsense. We are so afraid of change that we’d rather continue perpetuating stereotypes. These things affect us more deeply than we could ever imagine. The power of the mind is not always a god thing. It is a good thing when we can harness that power and use it to create a better life for ourselves. However, when you are unable to control your thoughts and beliefs, your mind has power over you. And because society has so big of an influence on our minds, it’s like all the negativity in society is controlling you. The stereotype threat is pretty real. As ridiculous as it may seem, we filter everything through something. I think we can all agree that the mind is very powerful and I think that we can agree that confidence and nervousness do affect performance. It make s perfect sense that any group who is less confident will do worse than a confident group with the same capability. So to finally answer the question, we must stop perpetuating stereotypes to change this issue. We must promote equality across the board regardless of race, gender, sexuality, income, intelligence or any other factor. This is an extremely hard thing to accomplish because we are all full of hate and greed. We all enjoy whatever privilege we may have. And we aren’t willing to give it up so that blacks can have better test scores. Also, we may want races to be equal, but many don’t even recognize gender inequality as an issue. WE NEED EQUALITY FOR EVERYONE if we ever wan true change. I personally don’t feel as if anyone cares enough to make this change. In order to eliminate the affect of the stereotypes, we must eliminate the stereotypes themselves. To do this, we must address and correct certain ways and customs that we’ve held on to all our lives. We must realize the wrongs we’ve been taught and then unlearn them. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:45:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/22/voices-from-the-classroom-110/#IDComment299358446 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/16/voices-from-the-classroom-108/#IDComment294991091 I don’t think we are really different. In fact, we couldn’t be when the only thing in our DNA that separates us is our physical characteristics. We have used our physical characteristics to separate us further and create false differences. We say things that we know aren’t true to further perpetuate the separation within our society. It is encouraged that whites be good thinkers and good at using their hands to make, create and do. Blacks are thought of to be strong and instinctive. Oh, and a quick thought…it would be interesting to see how women fit into this conversation on sports. As a group, we’re just as discriminated against as racial minorities. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:40:12 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/16/voices-from-the-classroom-108/#IDComment294991091 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/16/voices-from-the-classroom-108/#IDComment294990955 And I couldn’t even begin to explain where Mexicans come in. Maybe they’re good at baseball cuz there arms are strong from all that climbing. Anyway, at least with blacks and whites, it seems pretty obvious that the type of sports we excel in is directly linked to all the stereotypes present within our society. And to quickly respond to the question about why we jump higher and run faster…training and conditioning. Runnin from the cops, slave owners, white people (like the KKK and policemen). It stuck with us! But really, all jokes aside, the perpetuated idea that these things are true have really taken a toll on all of us psychologically. We begin to believe these things. They are so deeply engrained in every aspect of our lives. We don’t realize the severity of the psychological destruction caused by racism. Everything we think, feel, know, and are is filtered through the notion of race. We claim so often that the mind is such a powerful thing but words and stereotypes so easily control it. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:40:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/16/voices-from-the-classroom-108/#IDComment294990955 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/16/voices-from-the-classroom-108/#IDComment294990807 It’s all about training and conditioning. As we know, there are differences between groups. What we must understand is that a lot of these differences are socially constructed. The mind is a powerful thing and when we constantly place emphasis on certain traits and characteristics that certain groups either have or should have, the characteristics become more popular within that group. It’s kinda like the example with test scores. When someone is reminded of their race or gender, or anything else about them, they act and think through filters. It is very interesting to see that blacks excel at contact sports, very physical, aggressive sports. On the other hand, Bob’s, Jim’s and Tom’s excel in sports like golf and baseball. These sports don’t require contact. They require strength and precision, but a different kind of strength. Black men need full body strength while it seems as though white men only need strength in their arms. (I don’t know why white men want such strong arms) Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:39:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/16/voices-from-the-classroom-108/#IDComment294990807 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/08/voices-from-the-classroom-99/#IDComment289318145 Any time white people say anything about a certain race even if it’s true or good, there’s this negative connotation that comes along with the persons whiteness. Although it is not everyone, many people from different ethnicity judge unfairly and don’t really give whites a chance to speak. We even find white people judging each other for their comments regarding race. There’s a fear of being considered racist or misinformed. As we are trying to overcome the issues of race and racism within our society, it is difficult for whites to take risks which may make it seem as though they are supporting or perpetuating the issue. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:09:37 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/08/voices-from-the-classroom-99/#IDComment289318145 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/08/voices-from-the-classroom-99/#IDComment289314352 Of course not ALL white people shy away from race and/or the discussion of race. However there are a large number who do. I think the reasoning behind this is pretty simple. First off, as mentioned in class, we all know something about white people. For example, we know the beauty standards. So, when people of different races speak on white people or white culture, they have some knowledge or understanding of the topic. Our culture is not centered around any other race and therefore, whites can get through life without knowing too much about any other group. Because of this, many do not know about other races. And when you really don’t know much about a certain topic, it is understandable that you be more hesitant to discuss it. When people begin discussing controversial issues, it isn’t such a practical idea to blurt out your opinions because the first thing people do is attack, ask for reasons, and refute your statements. If you have limited knowledge on the subject, it is highly likely that people will pay no real attention to what you have to say anyway so it isn’t worth the hassle to speak about something that isn’t negatively affecting you. Also, in addition to the limited knowledge of many, there is a constant criticism that can be hard to overcome. Almost everything white people say about race is judged, and taken the wrong way. We claim that we want for them to speak up regarding the issue, but as soon as they do, we attack them. We become very easily offended by their comments, sometimes unjustly. And in the discussion of race, the minority is always right. On top of the “white guilt” that is probably present, there is a fear that they are further perpetuating the problem when they speak. Because people criticize and attack without even listening, I can understand why a white person would feel as though they were in the wrong through their speech. People twist their words and make it seem like everything they say regarding race is racist. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:02:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/02/08/voices-from-the-classroom-99/#IDComment289314352 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/24/voices-from-the-classroom-91/#IDComment275570414 We also need to become accepting of the "paradox of life". Joe Paterno was an amazing man who shaped and guided young men and also perpetuated their suffering. Sandusky (I don’t even know his first name) provided many programs and opportunities for young boys and he took advantage of that. Anybody is capable of anything. Anything can happen. "Good people" do awful, disgusting, hurtful things. "Bad people" do amazing, impactful, life-changing things. We have to realize that when "good people" such as our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters spouses, friends, coaches, pastors, bosses...etc, they too must be held accountable, for their actions hurt far worse than those of strangers. The issue will never be seen if we choose not to face it. It will never be answered if we choose not to question it. And it will never be resolved if we choose not to confront it. It is imperative that we rise up against the system that continues to perpetuate such things. Every day we stand by allowing things to happen, we're contributing just as much as any other participant in the system. "Evil requires only that good people do nothing". Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:17:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/24/voices-from-the-classroom-91/#IDComment275570414 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/24/voices-from-the-classroom-91/#IDComment275569737 I never got the chance to meet him. I didn't even know much about him before the scandal, but from what I hear, he was a very good man and as Sam said, he made a mistake. Joe Paterno shed light on this issue that we NEVER discuss. He connected a famous name to an infamous problem within our society. I can understand the anger and animosity that victims may feel. However, him not doing more, his choice not to stop the problem years ago, has allowed it to grow into something that’s not just going to fade away after a few weeks or so. It’s something that will be with the Penn State community for years to come. And what we must do now (as victims and supporters) is to make the best of the cards we're dealt. It can be very hard to address these issues and when they're shoved in our faces, we have the opportunity express our feelings on them, to share our stories, to raise awareness, and to recognize the consequences of NOT TAKING ACTION. We have to keep talking. WE have to keep spreading the word and keep the issue of child sexual abuse out of the dark. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:16:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/24/voices-from-the-classroom-91/#IDComment275569737 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/20/do-i-really-need-to-learn-spanish/#IDComment271814046 The story about the firefighters reminds me of my AP Stats class. You have significant data, but the meaning of the data (as portrayed to the public) can be skewed, manipulated and organized to express a million different things. And the only reason I can see the need for a supervisor of firefighters to be bilingual is to communicate with those being rescued. In the midst of heat, chaos, and danger, is he supposed to yell a specific command in English and have the Spanish speakers wait for him to get to them!?!? The entire situation was completely ridiculous and the incorrect portrayal only made it worse. But I do agree that if we want other people to learn English, we have to be fair. We can't expect them to use English, but if they do, great! America is not always fair, but if other countries don’t do anything about it, not our fault. Firefighting is important, but if you're fighting fires in America, you need to speak English. And in response to the claim “that girls want pink toys and domestic sets”, we need to think about why they want them. I completely agree that the “pinkified” legos serve to intensify the stereotypes. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:48:11 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2012/01/20/do-i-really-need-to-learn-spanish/#IDComment271814046