Tuesdays lecture completely changed my beliefs and support for war in the Middle East. I thought the war in the Middle East was to bring down a tyrant and introduce them with democracy. So the Middle East can have freedom and rights like in America. When Sam specifically said the conflicts and wars we been having in the middle east was because we are running out of oil in America and Middle East has an abundance of oil, I was shocked because it all makes sense. Our economy runs on oil, without oil the United States cant be the powerful and riches country in the world. Also, didnt completely understand that I was bad taking it away from Middle East until he said china was coming to Pennsylvania to take our coal. Then I realized that maybe we shouldnt be killing people and putting our military in harms way for no reason. Why cant we do what we are doing with México pay their government money so we have the rights to drill and export their oil. We also tend to consider everybody in the Middle East a terrorist, which is bias because they is different countries in the Middle East that have no connection to terrorism. The video showing American soldiers being dirt bags to innocent civilians in the Middle East. This shows why we are greatly hated in the Middle East and why the people support terrorism and death to all infidels (Americans). The media doesnt show our military being bad guys they show the Talibans with rocket launchers and blowing up our tanks and Humvees. No wonder we couldnt find Osama Bin Laden for 10years the people see him as a robin hood, they protected him and hid him and gave him food and shelter. If for one second we put ourselves in their shows and think for a second how it would be if we were getting bombed and invaded and our valuable resources were being taken away without reparations, how would we feel and act as a nation? Especially, when you hear about the 12 innocent lives that were lost in Middle East by a bombing of a un manned predator. It was a big mistake because our military accidentally got wrong information about high profile being in the house. I didnt agree about Christianity and our military, they are just religious doesnt mean they connect their religion with war. Just because our scopes have bible verses doesnt mean that we believe that our religion is ok with it. We have that so we ask god for forgiveness because killing a person is a sin. The war is not a Christian crusade it is just about oil, oil and oil.

Since the whole scandal started at Penn State and the lessons few good men have learned from this experience, I have learned a couple of lessons also. Many people involved learned a lesson by not alerting police officials when the scandal first broke out back in 1999. As a student we all learned that channeling all of our anger to cause chaos and riots was not a good idea. We were described by the media as animals and savages. We were digging ourselves in a deeper hole then we already were in do to Sandusky. Instead of re building our image and helping out our community we were destroying it and making our image worse throughout the world. We were destroying our own futures by making a fool out of ourselves. Also, another lesson I have learned is that we can all come together as Penn State family and make a difference like Friday night. We all came together and cried, laughed, prayed, listened, and supported each other. We looked like human beings sharing the same feelings and emotions. Saturday we all came together and made a difference supporters knew how we felt and understood what we were going through, they increased their donations. Throughout the world we were seen as a big fat family coming together to repair generations of families to build up this great institution that was destroyed by one man. We are more than just one person, we are Penn State. Another important lesson I have learned is it’s better to confront something small while you still can instead of pushing the problem to the side and forgetting about it. It’s like a snowball, you can stop it when its small but if you leave it alone eventually it will be too late to stop it from causing chaos. From now on I’m going to confront problems up front then forgetting about it and eventually coming back to haunt me. It’s like lying with a lie to cover up for the first lie but you keep lying so you won’t get caught lying but eventually its one big fat lie that now has come back to haunt you and everybody evolved. Penn State learned a big lesson from this scandal, if they would have dealt with it from the beginning it would have never involved 5 more kids and Joe Pa’s job and our presidents. From this scandal we have all learned lesson’s good ones and bad ones. It will make us stronger and value the lessons learned and be better people. I’m glad this finally erupted because we didn’t know what was happening behind closed doors, and I’m hoping that Penn State administration has learned valuable lessons from this horrific tragedy.

Since last Sunday, the happiest valley in Pennsylvania has been a dark empty valley. The events that occurred in the past and we were pushed under the rug by Penn States administration is coming back to haunt us. It has caused worldwide shock that such a respected and prestigious school like Penn State has been involved in a huge scandal that was kept from the public and hidden until now. Its karma for not taking full charge and protecting the kids that were victimized. This is an opportunity to show the world that we still have high standards and academics and we stronger than before. Throughout the world people are disappointed and ashamed of the Penn State community for covering up a big scandal. Alumni were shown burning their diplomas and dis associating from this institution we all came to love and be part of. When Joe Pa was fired by the Board of Trustees Wednesday night, the Penn State community didn’t know how to re act so automatically took to the streets peacefully rioting. The second the media presented the audience with the scandal people were showing their outrage and disappointment towards the Penn State community. We are in a valley for a reason, all we have is each other and let’s not let others influence us or make us embarrassed to show our true colors. The media made us look like an angry mob that was destroying everything and disrespecting the streets and the police officers. The media ruined our image throughout the world by portraying us as destructive rioters. We were all emotionally destroyed we all came to Penn State because of Joe Pa and now we feel like we lost everything. We didn’t think about our actions until we saw ourselves on TV and realized that instead of making our recovery process easy we were burying ourselves even deeper then we already are. I am still proud to be part of this institution, and don’t care how others view me or my Penn State family. Nobody should be embarrassed, we shouldn’t let a selfish disgusting man destroy our reputation we should prove the world that we are even better than the media portrays as. We shouldn’t lose faith and be embarrassed to show our blue and white and our Nittany lion, we should do this for Joe Pa. We shouldn’t destroy ourselves because that’s what other people around the nation are thinking about. We are better than causing chaos lets prove the media and the world wrong. We are still the same Penn State but stronger and ready to prove ourselves again. We are Penn State, we have the most alumni’s and biggest philanthropy that’s raises millions for kids with cancer.

This subject has always been sensitive to many racial groups. It’s been around for years and will never go away due to racial boundaries we have created. Racism was around us when Columbus first landed in the states and saw Native Americans. They suffered due to racism and now have many consequences in their reservations. Racism is when you pick or bully a minority due to their skin color or their background. Racism is when the majority of one group choses on the minority for their appearances even though we are all human beings. Racism is when you use slur terms to hurt someone mentally so they can feel weird in their own skin. Blacks experienced a lot of racism and went through a period of segregation. Also, the racism towards them led many people to think it was ok to make them slaves because they weren’t white. Racism has been a big part of my life because I’m 100% Mexican and now these days we are the minority and the immigrants. In the past years there have been states like Arizona and Alabama have passed laws that make racism ok. In Arizona, cops can assume someone is Mexican and pull them over and question their identity, even without a reason . In Alabama, schools can check their student’s immigration status and not allow them in school and report them. Racism is still a big part of our societies today; see the news and you can see it everywhere. Last summer I was at a store with my mom and a couple behind us were talking about how the government should put all the illegal immigrants in camps like what the United States did after Pearl Harbor. Racism got out of control toward all Asians during Pearl Harbor that it was ok to put American Born Asians in camps and segregate them. It made me mad to think racism still exists and people are ok with it. Also, another time after the Mexican March in Los Angeles a group of Americans were protesting and screaming leave our country which was disappointing because I was born here so that makes me an American. People need to stop living in old fashioned way and open their eyes and see that diversity is good and makes us stronger. Racism just cause’s more problems, like wars and hate crimes, if we could see through color and see that we are all the same besides that .1% difference we would talk about racism in our textbooks. Racism will always be part of every bodies lives doesn’t matter if you are black or white or brown or purple, all racial groups at one point experience racism.

The question “Are people that hangout out with mixed races posers” I disagree because being friendly doesn’t mean you’re a poser. My group is real diverse; it consists of a Mexican, Arab, American, Asian, and an African American. We are all comfortable around each other and don’t feel like we have to impress each other and try and fit in. We are all really good friends and are the first people I met here. I wasn’t going to hang out with Hispanics especially when back home that was my community and school. Also, other nights I play poker with 15 Indians, they are so kind and fun to be around with. I don’t try and fit in or acts like a poser because there’s no way I will fit in their cultural like they wouldn’t with my cultural. My best friend here at Penn State is an Indian from Mumbia, India, we get along perfectly fine and don’t try to show off or impress each other. We are all different and we all have our own stories that at one point overlap. There are other situations where someone is called a racist and that certain person wants to prove that’s he’s not so he’ll hangout with people outside he’s comfort zone and make a fool out of himself just to show he’s not racist. Not necessarily, if you hang out with a group and you can be yourself then you’re ok but when you start changing and acting, talking, dressing like that group then you’re trying to be a poser and make them feel like you fit in their group. There are groups on campus that do not mix with others, you can see them around campus and wonder what would happen if I just start talking to them and try in fit in? But that makes you a poser because you’re doing it to fit in with them and impress them and show them that you can be one of them instead of them accepting you for who you are. In every group there is that one awkward person who makes everything awkward because he’s a poser and not himself. Mixed groups don’t expect other people outside of their norms to be just like them because we all have our own stories that have made us who we are. It’s hard to call someone a poser without clear understanding of his attitudes before and during his relationship with the mixed group. Like the famous quote says “Never judge a book by its cover” can’t judge someone by their appearances without knowing them and hanging out. Mixed groups do have a poser but eventually he will leave because he feels like he doesn’t fit in.

The topic “Why do we use racial labels in society and is it necessary”, it such a norm in today’s society to describe someone by their color of their skin and their ethnicity. This topic was interesting because we have all done it and never actually took the time to think about it. Until Sam brought it to our attentions nobody had a clue about the power behind racially labeling people from their color of their skin or there external features. We don’t intentionally racially label people, we just do it. It’s funny how when white people use racial labels they are automatically considered racist. As a minority racial labels are accepted like when describing someone black, white or purple. Racial labels are used in society to describe people and explain who we are talking about. Racial labels shouldn’t be a norm but like the example in class where the white male described Aubrey as a black female with a scarf around her head or Brain when asked to pick out the whitest girl. Everybody has used racial labels at least one or more times when asked about other races. I never thought about how many times we use racial labels until Thursday’s class and Sam brought it up. Made me think how many times I use racial labels or my friends do. The other day we went to Wal-Mart and we were cut off by a car and I automatically said “I bet it’s an Asian” not thinking that I was using a racial label. We have all joked about bad driving and Asians, we hear it from our parents, friends, colleagues, and society. It’s a racial label because we assume all bad drivers are Asians. Also, you see racial labels in States like Arizona where they have passed a law where you can profile a person and stop them to ask for their proof of citizenry. The cops are going to racially label any “brown” person and just assume they are Mexican. We see it everywhere in society, laziness is black, racist is white, dirty is brown. Racial labels have become such a norm, we don’t think about who they hurt or offend. I sometimes get confused for being white, which bothers me because 100% Mexican and somebody that doesn’t know should racially label me. Racial labels lead to white people to feel guilty for the past and present mistakes they have done. Like Slavery and the bombing of Pearl Harbor which lead to Asians or anybody who looked Asian even Asians born here to be taken to camps. This was an interesting topic and would like to continue to talk about it and can’t wait what else does Sam has to say.

This week’s topic was about the group LGBTA (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Allies) and was accompanied with videos questioning certain ideologies and lifestyles of people within that group. Out of the five videos that were presented, one in particular stood out to me. The topic was “How would I feel if my child was gay”. Not only is imagining me having kids hard and mind blowing in itself, but now have a gay child? It’s such an irrational question to be asking people my age because we have other things on our mind and other worries that we find more important than having children at this point in time. Nonetheless, I do have an answer to this impossible question. Although I don’t know anybody involved in LGBTA or have any family or friends that would fall into any of the categories, I still have a clear understanding of LGBTA people. They are normal people that have other emotions and views pertaining to sexuality and self-expression. Who are we as a society to judge them and say what they can or can’t do? As a man, I do have to admit that lesbians are hot, sexy, and all men love the idea of two girls together and see it as a norm, but when we see two men together, it all of a sudden is weird and awkward. If I had a gay child, there would be nothing I could do besides love him and care for him. A parent’s love for their child is infinite and indescribable, no matter what the circumstance. My child would go through life being picked on, judged, and bullied by his peers and the ignorant of our society, but as I parent, I would help and protect my child. Eventually, LGBTA will be a big movement and will be accepted as a norm in our society, with our ever changing moods and attitudes about gays. LGBTA has more rights in certain states like California and New York. In 10 years when I have a child that is potentially gay, it will be easier for him to go through life and not standout. It would undoubtedly be a difficult journey, and we would struggle, but nothing would, or could, separate my love for my child. If it was meant to be then I will do my part and be an amazing parent and support him. It’s his lifestyle and his future, but my responsibility until he is 18. I have nothing against gays but the hatred they get is the same hatred my family gets from Americans because of the fact that we are 100% Mexican and have family members that are illegal. It’s hard and don’t think anybody should go through that.

This week we were told briefly about Haiti, and we are supposed to look at a couple videos. Ever since the earthquake in 2010, I always thought about helping but never really knew where to start. I can’t donate money since I don’t have a job and donating money never ends up where it supposed to. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, this is how the world works. I wouldn’t mind going to Haiti to help these people. So thanks to these videos I have a couple of useful ideas that could contribute to the entrepreneur’s business that risk closing. The video I saw was about Clorene, the clothing manufacturer; I personally liked the job she did on the shirts. I think if she makes the shirts eco-friendly like recycled materials and made V-necks she would get noticed faster because the whole world is going green and V-necks are hot right now. She could sell her own shirts with her own logo. The logo part is probably the easiest and cheapest part of a shirt. She could try and sell her shirts to companies like Urban Outfitters that would love to help, to popularize their merchandise. I was thinking about starting an importing and deporting based in Haiti, I noticed most of the entrepreneur’s needed textiles to make purses, bags, lunchbox’s, pants, shirts. We would import from Los Angeles, CA, and distribute throughout Haiti, you could get textiles for cheaper in Los Angeles, CA. It not only helps make things for cheaper in Haiti but they could actually employ more people and make more of a profit. What about a mutual fund where entrepreneurs put in 100$ each, and at the end of the month one of them collects it and uses it to help her business out. So everybody at the end would be able to collect equal amount of money. Also, Anaes, the original designer of totes, has a brilliant product I could actually see that among college and high school students. I personally liked the art on the bags by the local artist. I agree with Sam, they do need some changes like adding more pockets and strengthening the handles of some of the purses and bags. The yarn would eventually give out with so much weight we carry like books, folders, and laptops. I love how Anaes was ready to change and modify her purses for our targeted consumers. You have to take risks in life to become successful. There are so many skilled people in Haiti, with ideas but don’t have the support or money that one needs to be successful. Poor people have such creativity because they don’t have the technology we have now.

Out of all the questions this week, one of them just stood out. The question “How much do you think the US was involved in 9/11” is very saddening. I have heard this question from peers, families, teachers and it saddens to think Americans actually think that our president of the United States would actually turn his back on us and cause such a drastic terrorism attack. I don’t think an American would actually plan to kill more then 3,000 lives and hurt those families that were affected by 9/11. It’s incredible how somehow could just put random pieces together and turn it into a conspiracy and have so many followers believe their bullshit. I was astonished by the outcome of the vote in class of how many think the US government had something to do with 9/11 and only 25% of us said the government had nothing to do with this terrorism attack.. It sad to see that this day and age, there is no American Pride. I am greatly sadden, I come from a family that prides ourselves as being Americans even though I am a minority from Mexico. My dad gave e the American Dream and I know I appreciate every little thing this government does for me. Minorities don’t believe the government orchestrated 9/11 supposedly so our former president George W. Bush can start war and go get the oil fields. It doesn’t make rational sense to believe such things. This was the worst day for any American living in this country, we lost a lot of good and innocent people, now theirs widows, bastard children wondering whom their daddy or mommy was, families torn by such hate toward American. This is a controversy that has stirred up some debate across the nation. I want to know what makes you turn back on such an amazing place where you have freedom and security? Were these kids deprived of their childhood and now considered themselves anarchist? I’m proud to be an American and love the red, white and blue and would do anything for this country. You have to be an ignorant person to even doubt yourself that 9/11 wasn’t a terrorist attack but a plan by the president. People should start realizing how easy we have it here land of the free, even if your making twenty thousand dollars a year and are considered poor, you still have a far better lifestyle then a family in Mexico or Family in Africa. You don’t have to worry about anything besides your lifestyles; in other countries you live in constant fear and don’t know when your last day of life is. You don’t have to worry about starving or not getting help or jobs.

When the question “How do you classify yourself” first arose in class, I started thinking about all the different classifications I fit into.This question had me all confused so I asked my friends to classify me and they all had different classifications about me. They all had one thing in common and that was that I classify as a Hispanic because I’m Mexican. In social groups inside and outside of school. At home I classify myself as a Mexican because of the environment I am in, In school I am a Hispanic because the social group got a lot bigger. This question is difficult because you can’t specifically classify yourself with one group. Their is so many attributes that classify you, like long hair, color of your hair, color of skin, clothing, sports, etc. that you can’t pick and chose which ones you are and are not. Most people classify me as a spaniard because of my light skin and height but in reality I am 100% Mexican. In Mexico, I am classified by Mexicans as a Guero(White), because I stand out and don't fit the Mexican description. So many words I am classified differently when I cross into another country because they have their own classifications they use for their society. Classifying someone is like judging a book by its cover, just because someone is black, white, brown , or purple doesn't mean they fit a specific ethnicity or race.I feel like most people classify themselves by their hobbies or beliefs or culture but society as a whole classifies people by their names or where they live or their economic status. All my life my parents were giving letters from school in spanish and a translator every time they would call my parents because of my last name. Not knowing my parents were proficient in english. For a question like this one, its gets quite confusing knowing that their are so many classifications that one certain person can fit into. Their is an infinite amount of classifications that no two people are alike. In Democratic countries you can classify yourselves, but in third world countries the government from birth classifies you. In india, if you were born poor for the rest of your life your going to be poor. If you were born an outsider, rest of your life you are going to be classified as an outsider. So in other sense, we can choose our classifications in our social groups and communities. We all have our own opinion of our classifications but that doesn’t mean society needs to agree with us. We are all unique and we all chose whats best for ourselves and people around us.