en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2400711 Comments by mwd5233 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment145185831 According to a study conducted at UCLA in 2009, the public school systems of the United States are presently more racially segregated than they were forty years ago. This is somewhat astounding given the fact that the United States has undergone over forty years of programs designed to end racial segregation. Despite these efforts, however, segregation in the public school systems has increased. Interestingly enough this new wave of school segregation is centered in the West rather than the traditional South. There are a number of reasons for this rise in segregation. In the first place, it is estimated that forty-four percent of the students currently enrolled in the United States public schools are minority students. In comparison, only twenty percent of the students in the public schools of the 1960s were minorities. This increase in the percentage of minority students, however, would not have as severe an impact on school segregation were it not for the fact that a majority of these new minority students and their families are forced to live in inner cities where employment and reduced apartment rates are available. This, in turn, has a tendency to pool minority students together in inner city schools. Hence, the inner city schools become pockets of segregation in what is supposedly an integrated school system. Another contributing factor to segregated public schools is housing. While there have been a variety of laws passed to prevent racial prejudice in the housing industry, subtle forms of racism still exist to prevent some minority families from buying a house in a better school district. Some authors like Nadra Nittle suggest that the reductions in busing have an increase in segregation particularly in inner city schools. Busing initially was used to end the effects of the “separate but equal” doctrine that had evolved from the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision. Accordingly, white and minority students from the same neighborhoods were bused to a single school that offered an equal educational opportunity. Many whites, however, began to move away from communities containing minorities. This became known as the “white flight” and in many cases this movement of whites into the suburbs and rural areas resulted in the further segregation of older communities. Another factor that contributes to the current segregation of schools is charter schools. Charter schools often provide a means by which the better minority students can attend a free private school. This further debases the student population in each of the inner city public schools by reducing the number of high performers. Racial segregation appears to have increased in the United States public school system despite efforts to end it. What this says about the United States is that there has been a significant increase in minorities coupled with public housing discrimination, white flight, and the debasing effect of charter schools. All of this would seem to indicate that true integration is a multifaceted problem. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:44:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/14/what-does-it-say-about-our-society-if-schools-are-more-segregated-now-than-in-the-1970s-119-blog/#IDComment145185831 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/do-you-agree-with-foreign-aids-use-of-pictures-of-children-119-blog/#IDComment143194443 The use of pictures of impoverished children has long been employed by a variety of religious organizations to gain funding for the care and education of those children. The ethics involved in this practice most probably depends on one’s perspective. For the organizations that use these photographs, there is general agreement that they have been successful in raising millions of dollars. Few people can resist the haunting appearance of an impoverished child. Some of these organizations have even embellished this practice with additional photographs and reports of the child’s health and progress. While many of these organizations are honest and forthcoming in their efforts to care and educate impoverished children, others are not as earnest in their efforts. A number of these organizations have little interest in the care and education of impoverished children and exist simply to enfranchise themselves. These organizations usually funnel off money under the guise of “administrative costs” while providing a small portion of each donated dollar for the care and education of the children. Another perspective on this practice can be taken from the adults in a society or country from which the pictures of the impoverished children were taken. Many of these people may not want pictures of their country’s poor children spread all over the internet for the purpose of obtaining money. Many of these people may feel that pictures of this type inaccurately portray their children and their country. Many people in countries like Haiti, for example, may not want to see their children treated as beggars on a worldwide network. Many of these people may, in fact, feel that the use of such pictures is a moral abuse of the depicted children. Yet another perspective on the use of photographs of impoverished children has to do with goals of the religious organizations using those photographs. The primary goal of most religious groups is to convert people to their religious beliefs. Despite these intentions, however, much of the early missionary work in the Americas resulted in tragedy. Even today many traditional religious organizations do not offer anything more than temporary handouts to the people of countries like Haiti. In contrast, some non-traditional religious groups have been trying to incorporate business partnerships with religious instruction in order to provide a better economic infrastructure. An examination of the use of pictures of impoverished children provided several interesting perspectives. In the first place, many religious organizations have found this practice most effective for procuring needed funding for the care and education of impoverished children. Some less ethical organizations, on the other hand, have used much of the funding obtained from this practice to simply perpetuate their organization. Many adults from impoverished countries may not look on these types of pictures with favor because they depict the children of their country as beggars. Finally, many of the traditional religious groups use these types of pictures to provide temporary handouts to the people instead of providing the seeds for long term economic development. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:15:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/do-you-agree-with-foreign-aids-use-of-pictures-of-children-119-blog/#IDComment143194443 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/what-reasons-make-multiculturalism-positive-for-the-us-119-blog/#IDComment141057556 Multiculturalism is clearly a positive influence on the people of the United States for various reasons. The most obvious reason is the fact that almost all Americans are derived from some ethnic or racial background that was at one time considered foreign to the early English speaking settlers of this land. Each of these various groups arrived and eventually became part of the American society. The English, Germans, and Dutch brought with them their northern European customs and languages. These were later augmented by the customs and languages of the Irish and the southern and eastern Europeans. The turn of the 20th century saw an influx of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos enter America. Following World War II, there was an increase in the number of Hispanics and Vietnamese entering the United States. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of Muslims entering this country. Each of these peoples has contributed to the American culture. These contributions have expanded the limits of the original English-American culture to include many other ethnic beliefs and practices. For instance, eating Chinese is no longer limited to the Chinese community. Similarly, spaghetti is not prepared and served just for Italian-Americans but for all Americans. Furthermore, multiculturalism has taught Americans to respect other value systems and religions. Currently, there are churches and temples for almost every religion in the world. Many Americans are aware that the Islamic Sabbath is on Friday while the Jewish and Christian Sabbaths fall on Saturday and Sunday respectively. While there has been some isolation among some ethnic groups, this isolation has been gradually disappearing. With each new generation in America, there is a tendency to move away from isolationism of one’s racial or ethnic group and to become part of the American society. This is also reflected in the larger number of interracial marriages that now take place in the United States. Formerly, interracial marriages were frowned upon and barred by law in many states. This increased number of interracial marriages represents an important step toward further understanding among various racial and ethnic groups and the growth of real multiculturalism. Multiculturalism also helps the United States in terms of diplomacy and economics. There are presently people from every country or land living in the United States. Many of these people represent diplomatic and economic ambassadors for the United States. Certainly, President Obama’s African-American heritage has helped to endear him to millions of people of color throughout the world. Accordingly, the multicultural population of the United States is a resource to promote our diplomatic and economic goals. Multiculturalism is a positive influence on American society. Through multiculturalism Americans have gained insights into other cultures and have developed respect for one another. Multiculturalism has also led to an increase in interracial marriages which, in turn, has further worked to erode racial and ethnic isolationism. Finally, multiculturalism provides a pool of individuals with racial and ethnic ties to countries with which the United States may want to have diplomatic and economic relationships. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 18:29:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/what-reasons-make-multiculturalism-positive-for-the-us-119-blog/#IDComment141057556 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment139188130 It can justifiably be said that Barak Obama’s election to the presidency has helped to remove racial barriers to the White House and improve race relations within the United States. In the first place, his election has removed racial barriers to African-Americans seeking the office of president. In a way, Obama’s election is very similar to that of John F. Kennedy. While race was an important issue in Obama’s election, religion was a similar barrier in Kennedy’s election. Prior to Kennedy, only one Catholic had run for the presidency and that individual had lost by a lopsided margin. Many Americans feared having a Catholic in the White House. Many worried that a Catholic president would be under the control of the Pope in Rome. When Kennedy was elected, however, he dispelled these fears and opened the door for other Catholics to run for president. Similarly, many Americans feared having an African-American in the White House for various reasons not the least of which was favoritism toward other African Americans. After being elected, however, President Obama has made significant efforts to have an administration that fairly represents all the people of the United States. While he has had varied success achieving his somewhat liberal political goals, his ability to clearly express himself and to provide leadership has insured the American people that having an African-American president is no different than having a white president. If President Obama will complete his term(s) in office as successfully as he has begun them, he will destroy the racial barriers barring other worthy African-Americans from the White House just as President Kennedy destroyed the religious barriers that had previously barred Catholics from the presidency. President Obama’s election has certainly given many African Americans hope for the future. It has also probably increased the popularity of the United States among the many peoples of color throughout the world. His election, however, has not ended racism and there are still significant pockets of racism within the United States. President Obama, himself, suggested that certain portions of the newly formed Tea Party contained racist elements. Similarly, there are groups of people known as birthers who continue to discredit President Obama’s Hawaiian birth certificate and claim that he was born in Kenya and, thus, ineligible to be the president. Although these people have been provided with more than adequate proof of President Obama’s birth in Hawaii, they continue to suggest that there has been a huge conspiracy to cover up the truth that he was born in Africa. President Obama’s election as president has done away with many racial barriers barring African Americans from the White House. It has also improved relations between whites and African Americans to some degree. His election has additionally increased the popularity of the United States with people of color throughout the world. His election, however, has not ended racism and it has led to the formation of new racist elements and birthers who continue to try to have President Obama removed from office. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:11:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment139188130 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment137561357 Affirmative action was a term originally used by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson in Executive Orders to describe actions taken to eliminate various forms of discrimination in the United States. Initially, this term was used to address discrimination on the basis of race, religion, and national origin. Later on, it came to include gender, color, and age. The objective of affirmative action was to provide equal opportunities for underrepresented groups in the workforce and in education. Affirmative action uses discrimination in favor of minorities and underrepresented groups to overcome the long term effects of discrimination by white males. In a sense, it is retroactive integration. Initially, legislation was passed to give preference to minorities and underrepresented groups in the workplace and in education. To support this legislation, the Supreme Court came up with the use of quotas as a means to achieve affirmative action goals. The use of quotas as a primary means of determining work and educational opportunities, however, became unpopular during the 1980s and 1990s and this led to a variety of Supreme Court decisions that lessened the impact of quotas on affirmative action decisions. As a result of these decisions, quotas became part of a formula that included a variety of achievement items used to determine selection for work and/or education. Without a doubt, affirmative action has provided employment and educational opportunities for many minorities and underrepresented groups. At the same time, it can safely be said that there still exists under representation of various groups within the workforce and college environment. Accordingly, it would seem that there is a need to maintain the program for some time to come. Although affirmative action lessens the importance of discrimination based on achievement, it works against the rather unsavory forms of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, religion, and age. While many people look upon affirmative action as just another form of unjustified discrimination, it performs a valuable service in the work place and university setting. Affirmative action provides a series of rules that serve as guidelines for making fair decisions and selections. The procedure is far from perfect, but the presence of federal guidelines coupled with the threat of court actions has helped to increase the opportunities for minorities and underrepresented groups in education and the work place. The fact that the executive, the legislative, and particularly the judicial branches of the federal government have continued to provide corrective guidance for these laws would seem to insure that they remain in accordance with the Constitution and, hopefully, American opinion. Affirmative action was initiated by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson to end discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, and age. It was supported by legislation and court decisions over the past 46 years. It has allowed underrepresented groups to make limited progress in the workplace and in education. It is important that this program be maintained to insure some concept of proper guidelines in making fair and equitable selections for employment and education. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:08:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment137561357 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment135948143 Is it selfish for people in poverty to have more children because of their low income? The answer to this question may depend on one’s perspective. The decision to have children is usually not the result of rational discussions but rather the effects of hormones and a healthy sexual drive. This is particularly true of that segment of our population that does not attend college. These people usually marry earlier and are more prone to have children at an earlier age. Many women in this category become pregnant by men who soon leave them and refuse to pay any form of child support. Consequently, there are a large number of single parent families consisting of a mother and child. These families are usually the result of a moment passion followed by many years of regret and they form the basis for child support welfare laws. There are other individuals, however, both married and single who continue to have more children than they can afford to support. These people would seem to be selfish. They are selfish not only to the welfare system created to support them but also to the children they have sired and/or borne. By increasing the number of children on welfare, these people place further strain on the welfare system. They are taking money from others to help raise their children. Children born in poverty, on the other hand, are usually of low birth weight, slower in development, and ill more often. In addition to this, these children are more prone to get in trouble and drop out-of-school than their more affluent classmates. Like the unmarried young mothers, many of these impoverished parents have a lack of education, make poor decisions and suffer from low self esteem issues. As a result of their lack of education, they are usually unemployed or working low level jobs. In many cases, they lack the knowledge and/or financial support to purchase and use appropriate birth control devices. Accordingly, these individuals and couples often have more children than they can afford to support. The question of whether it is selfish to have more children than one can support is clearly one of perspective. To the taxpayers who pay into a welfare system that provides minimal support for poor children, it is a selfish act. It is selfish because the children of impoverished parents will usually have low birth weights, poor development, frequent illnesses, and an incomplete education. From an impoverished child’s perspective, life is difficult and unrewarding often for reasons beyond his/her control. To the person who is the father or mother of a large poverty-stricken family, the children are usually the result of trying to cope with life in the lower classes of our society without the benefits of sophisticated birth control and family planning devices. These people often make poor choices due to limited education and self esteem issues. From their perspective, there may be the hope that just one of their children might rise out of poverty. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:02:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment135948143 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/22/do-you-think-in-today%e2%80%99s-society-people-are-more-racist-toward-muslims-or-blacks-119-blog/#IDComment132450876 Certainly, there appears to be more animosity directed toward Muslims than Blacks in our present day society. However, racism toward Blacks has been and to some degree, still institutionalized in the United States. So while there is presently more enmity toward Muslims and Middle Eastern people in general, some aspects of Black racism are still firmly entrenched in America. Racism toward Blacks in the United States is presently very subtle. For instance, many local law enforcement officials use arrest and imprisonment for offenses like possession of marijuana to rob many Blacks of their rights to employment, housing, jury service, and the right to vote. There is also the subtle use of interviews for jobs and housing that is used to deprive Blacks of fair treatment. Racism toward Muslims, in contrast, is rather recent and has much to do with the terrorist attacks directed at the Twin Trade Towers and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. These attacks resulted in the deaths of over two thousand people—mostly Americans. While most countries in the world expressed condolences to the government of the United States, Middle Eastern Muslims rejoiced at the news and danced for joy in the streets of their various countries. The fact that the terrorists themselves were Muslims coupled with the overwhelming joyous reaction of the various Middle Eastern Muslims has galvanized American public opinion against Muslims in particular and Middle Eastern people in general. Following these attacks, many Muslim Americans were looked upon like the Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At that time, many Americans questioned the loyalty of Japanese Americans. After the 9/11 attacks, many Americans had similar questions regarding the loyalty of Muslim Americans. Additionally, the United States Armed Forces are presently participating in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have caused numerous casualties and deaths to American military personnel. Another factor that has contributed to our society’s distrust of Muslims is our ignorance of Muslims and the Islamic religion in general. Many Americans see Islam as a non-Christian religion that is un-American. Others see it as a religion that breeds terrorists who are willing to commit suicide to insure the death of innocent people. These behaviors by Muslim extremists are contrary to the beliefs and experiences of Judeo-Christian Americans. While various subtle, institutionalized forms of racism against Blacks still exist in the United States, racism against Muslims, particularly Middle Eastern Muslims, has risen to a much higher level following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The resulting deaths of over two thousand Americans have unified American opinion against Muslims. Americans direct more racism and anger toward Muslims than Blacks because they see them as an enemy of America. Americans also direct more racism toward Muslims because they have a very limited understanding of the Islamic religion itself. For these reasons, the intensity of racism toward Muslims exceeds that of racism directed at Blacks in the United States. In fact, Muslim terrorism may have served to unite American Blacks and Whites. Fri, 4 Mar 2011 19:41:16 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/22/do-you-think-in-today%e2%80%99s-society-people-are-more-racist-toward-muslims-or-blacks-119-blog/#IDComment132450876 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-can-we-make-people-more-aware-of-the-slavery-that-is-still-going-on-119-blog/#IDComment130692126 Although modern slavery affects 12 to 27 million people, its continued presence is something of a dirty little secret. There are, however, a number of ways to make people aware of modern slavery. Conversation is perhaps the simplest method to make people aware of modern slavery. Frank discussions about modern slavery with friends and acquaintances would help spread the word about this little known phenomenon. People can also write letters to their state and federal government representatives regarding trade treaties and laws concerning any form of slavery in the United States. Another method of making people aware of slavery would be to join and/or to provide financial support to organizations that publicize and combat slavery in the modern world. By joining and/or providing financial support to such an organization, an individual can not only help others to become more aware of slavery but can also help to save and rehabilitate enslaved people. Another way to make people aware of the slavery problem would be to compose and write research and/or editorials for the internet and published media. By using the internet and published media, an individual could provide information and awareness to a world-wide audience. Perhaps the most effective method of making people aware of slavery is through economic means. Making people aware that many of the items they purchase at reduced prices are the result of forced or slave labor might lead to a boycott of those items and, accordingly, a reduction in profits to the leaders within the slave industry. Consumers should simply try to limit their purchases to Fair Trade items. Yet another means of making people aware of modern slavery is through education. Public education is particularly important because it addresses this issue with all classes of people and can, accordingly, serve to inform the most venerable portions of our society—i.e. the young, the poor, and females. Schools can also be a platform to initiate public action in the form of letter writing, poster, and/or fund raising campaigns to make people aware of modern slavery and to help end modern slavery. Modern slavery is a dirty little secret that affects 12 to 27 million people in the world. Slavery involves a variety of human rights violations and primarily affects the young, the poor and females. Suggestions for making people more aware of modern slavery include discussions with friends and acquaintances, urging people to boycott goods made by forced or slave labor, and reporting suspected cases of slavery to the proper authorities. Motivated individuals may also write letters to their state and federal representatives regarding the enforcement of slavery laws. Others may choose to write and post research and editorials regarding modern slavery on the internet and published media. Educators may use the classroom as a platform to increase student and community awareness and to sponsor fund raising campaigns. Finally, highly motivated individuals may join and provide financial support to organizations that promote awareness of this problem and help to free and rehabilitate enslaved people. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:52:41 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-can-we-make-people-more-aware-of-the-slavery-that-is-still-going-on-119-blog/#IDComment130692126 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/renting-disparities-due-to-race-119-blog/#IDComment128897309 There appear to be disparities in renting practices throughout the United States. Although there have been many laws passed to prevent discriminatory practices in the rental market, housing and apartment managers use subtle practices to get around these laws. There is also a disparity in the quality of housing provided to renters. While affluent white renters usually are able to rent housing and apartment units that are well maintained, less affluent persons, minorities, and especially immigrants are forced to rent units that are not maintained and in some cases deemed to be uninhabitable. Furthermore, the poorer housing environment has created health problems among renters and established yet another disparity between affluent white and non-affluent, non-white renters. Despite the fact that there numerous laws that forbid racial discrimination in the rental business, subtle discriminatory practices still persist. A rental manager may, for instance, post a phone number at the rental site and use the calls by applicants as a means to screen out minorities. He/she may also take a rental unit off the market for repairs until an unacceptable minority renter seeks housing elsewhere. Some managers are even less discrete and openly inform minorities of their unwillingness to rent to them. This practice, however, is usually limited to legal or illegal immigrants who have a language barrier or fear of being deported. As mentioned earlier, there are also disparities that minority renters suffer in terms of health issues. A 2006 study by Dr. Mark Smith in North Carolina indicated a high incidence of birth and congenital defects, cancer, neurobehavioral conditions, respiratory problems, accidental burns and falls, and lead poisoning among people living in substandard rental housing and apartments. The higher incidence of these health-related problems was estimated to cost the state of North Carolina over $94, 814, 102.00 to cover immediate and long-term care requirements. Minorities are usually forced to select substandard housing because they do not have the financial resources to rent in a more upscale neighborhood. Often they do not speak English and, accordingly, have difficulty communicating their wishes. Immigrant minorities also have a tendency to settle into areas where there are other immigrants with similar backgrounds. In general, poor immigrants are willing to rent and live in substandard housing without complaining because they fear the manager will have them thrown out of their dwelling. They may also face deportation if they are undocumented aliens. There are numerous disparities between affluent whites and minorities in the housing and apartment rental business. Managers of upscale apartments and housing properties routinely use subtle techniques like racial phone screening, and false repair work to discourage minorities from renting their units. The lower cost rental units, on the other hand, are usually substandard and have been shown to contribute to an increase in accidents and poor health conditions. Immigrants usually try to find rental housing near others of their racial or ethnic background for support and due to ignorance of the law and/or a fear of their rental manager, seldom file complaints. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:11:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/renting-disparities-due-to-race-119-blog/#IDComment128897309 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127439965 Despite many efforts to end racism, it continues to exist throughout the world. Racism at its core is based on the differences rather than the similarities in our appearance as human beings. These differences in characteristics such as skin color, hair, texture, and the shape of the eyes and nose are often the basis for racial differentiation. These racial differentiations often result in feelings of superiority, inferiority, and/or hatred and fear among different racial groups. The cause of racism is usually pride or fear of another group of people that are different from us. Our pride usually leads us to feel superiority toward some other peoples. In contrast, we may fear some people because we were taught to fear them or because of some personal bad experience we had with someone belonging to a certain racial group. Racism is usually perpetuated within the family. In the present day, however, many racists use the media and, in particular, the internet to communicate and spread their beliefs and biases. Another factor that has caused an increase in racism is the legal or illegal migration of people. When a new group of people enters a country, they are often seen as a threat to the work, social, and living environment. If these people come in large enough numbers, they eventually threaten to make the majority group of that country into a minority group. There is a great deal of racism throughout the world. In Africa, for instance, there is a large amount of anti-white sentiment in countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa. There also exists racism among African tribal groups that have been forced to live together because of the “artificial” borders created by Europeans in the 19th Century. There is currently a growing anti-Muslim sentiment throughout much of northern Europe. In France, there have been numerous clashes between Middle Eastern Muslims and white French authorities over the school dress of Muslin children and the blockage of public streets by Muslims during prayer times. There is even a form of racism between the wealthier white Ashkenazi Jews and the less affluent Sephardic Jews in Israel. Even in Mexico and the Central and South American countries, citizens of pure white European ancestry are considered to be superior to citizens of mestizo or mixed European and Indian ancestry. In the United States, the federal government has institutionalized racism in the form of quotas to institutionalize racism. In India, there is still a caste system that treats the “untouchables” with disdain. Although efforts have been made to end racism, it continues to thrive throughout the world. There are numerous examples of racism in the Americas, Europe, and even Asia. Racism is based on differences in appearance and is usually caused by pride, fear, or hatred. Racism is perpetuated within the family, the media/internet, and by the increased legal and illegal migration of peoples. Perhaps, the only ways to limit racism may be intermarriage, social interaction, and education. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:39:06 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127439965 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment125982554 Political correctness originally included a variety of verbal terms meant to minimize social offense in matters having to do with gender. The practice of being politically correct dates back to the feminist movement of the 1970s. At that time, many leaders in the feminist’s movement sought to purge the English language of gender bias. Accordingly, terms like stewardess, chairman, and fireman became the gender free terms flight attendant, chairperson, and fire fighter. Eventually political correctness expanded to include verbiage having to do with race, culture, sexual orientation, handicaps, religion, and ideology. There are numerous reasons why people should be politically correct. The most obvious reason is that being politically correct helps to prevent excluding or offending others during a conversation. Most people recognize themselves as part of a gender, race, and culture and take issue at being excluded or insulted with the use of certain limiting or demeaning terminology. It is of particular importance to use politically correct terms in the media because failure to do so could result in libel suits and termination notices to the individuals involved in politically incorrect practices. Political correctness is more of an art than a science and has undergone many changes over the years. For example, Americans of African ancestry were once properly referred to as “Negroes” or “Colored People.” During the civil rights era of the 1960s and 1970s, however, the terms “Negro” and “Colored Person” fell into disrepute and were replaced by “Black” or “Black American.” This in turn was replaced with the current proper term “African American.” Despite this development, however, African Americans have maintained the term “Colored People” in the title for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Similarly, the use of the term, “Native American” to refer to the American aborigines is confusing. While the term “Indian” is certainly incorrect because it wrongly associates these peoples with the Indians of India, the term is in no way an accurate description of these peoples. “Native American” as a term simply refers to someone born in America and could refer to anyone who was born in America. The term “Native American” does not give credit to the extensive history of these people in the Americas. Political correctness originated in the feminist movement of the 1970s and grew to encompass terminology and verbal communications regarding race, culture, sexual orientation, handicaps, religion, and ideology. The original goal of the movement was and continues to be the removal of terminology that excludes or insults various individuals and/or groups on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, handicaps, religion, and ideology. Because political correctness is more of an art than a science, it has undergone some change and still reflects some confusion. Perhaps the most important reason for the continued practice of political correctness is the fact that it helps all American people to be cognizant of harm of certain exclusionary and derogatory terms and in this way helps to further create a united commonality of all our country’s diverse peoples. Fri, 4 Feb 2011 20:22:41 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment125982554 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438971 In general, people of the same racial and ethnic group tend to associate with one another. Race is a set of genetic traits including skin color, facial features, hair type and color, and stature that are inherited and immediately recognizable. Ethnicity, on the other hand, is learned and includes factors such as a common language, religion, history, and culture. The mobility of people in the world today, however, has to some degree confused the issues of race and ethnicity. Simply stated, however, people of the same racial and ethnic background associate with one another because they look alike and feel a sense of security with a common background. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:15:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438971 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438955 Why then does ethnicity play such a large role with those whom we surround ourselves? People of similar race and ethnic background provide us with comfort and support. We do not appear different or stand out in the crowd and we share common history, culture, and religious beliefs with them. For example, most Chinese people celebrate the Chinese New Year just as Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and Jewish people celebrate Yom Kippur. While many Caucasian Americans may not understand the value of these holidays, they are common cultural and religious events of significant importance among these groups. They are celebrations of who these people are and their commonality within a diverse population. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:15:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438955 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438828 While racial differences are factors that we immediately sense when looking at another person, ethnic differences are more difficult to recognize. Three Asian-Americans, for example, may represent one race but three different ethnic groups—e.g. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. On the other hand, white and dark-skinned Mexicans are racially different but ethnically the same. Much of this confusion has arisen from the increased mobility of peoples in the modern world. Most people are no longer required to live out their lives within the tribal or national group into which they form. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:14:46 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438828 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438720 When discussing the attractions between people of the same race and ethnicity, it is perhaps of some importance to differentiate between race and ethnicity. Race deals almost solely with appearance. The color of a person’s skin, his/her facial features, type and color of hair and stature usually are the physical characteristics used to determine race. Race, in and of itself, is biologically determined. Ethnicity, on the other hand, is more complex and has more to do with a shared knowledge of a common language, history, religion, and /or cultural background. Ethnicity, for the most part, is taught while race is genetically inherited. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:13:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438720 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438522 There is an old saying that goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Similarly, racial and ethnic groups tend to cluster together for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is because they often have similar appearances and cultural backgrounds. People tend to associate themselves with others who are similar to them in appearance and beliefs because it makes them feel comfortable and secure. It is obvious, therefore, that people wish to be with people like themselves. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:12:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124438522 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/14/why-do-we-still-have-stereotypes-blog-1/#IDComment122790201 Stereotypes are simply an overgeneralization of the characteristics or behaviors of a group of people or a race that denotes some sort of inferiority and does not take individual differences into account. Despite the fact that a majority of stereotypes do not hold true, they continue to exist and to be passed on from generation to generation. The traditional method by which these stereotypes have been passed on is probably by word-of-mouth within familial or kinship groups. The chief reasons that stereotypes continue to be passed on appear to be a failure on the part of most people to recognize the commonality of all humans and a craving by many individuals to make another group of people or race appear to be inferior. Stereotypes are often based on differences in physical appearance. Asians, who have “slender” eyes and are quiet, for instance, might be stereotyped as being mysterious or crafty whereas persons with long angular noses might be stereotyped as being Jewish. Similarly, obese persons are often stereotyped as being lazy while buxom females have long been stereotyped as being unintelligent and promiscuous. Stereotypes might also be formed from personal experiences. If, for example, an American tourist is robbed while visiting Mexico, there is a good chance that he/she will be inclined to view most Mexicans as criminal types. Perhaps the most influential factor in perpetuating stereotypes is the radio, film media, and the Internet. Numerous films, for example, portray African Americans as hoodlums in street gangs. Even on radio and television programs, comedic routines seem to more frequently demean certain ethnic groups and to reinforce these negative perceptions of them rather than to make people laugh. Similarly, the Internet has provided people with access to information regarding various stereotypes. There is, for example, an entire file of jokes based on the supposed ignorance of blond women. If, in fact, the vast majority of Americans believe that stereotypes are false, why then are they still so prevalent in our society? Certainly each and every one of us has at some time in our life received some “stereotype” information from our families and friends. And many of us have also been ill treated by some group of individuals and, accordingly, formed a negative stereotypical opinion of them and/or their race. These sources, however, do not equal the volume of material on stereotypes that comes from the media in the forms of movies, radio and television programs, and the Internet. These media sources perpetuate many stereotypes and provide very little in the way of understanding. Perhaps the best way to prevent the perpetuation of stereotypes would be to provide diversity training at the elementary and secondary school systems instead of waiting until our youth arrive at college or the work environment. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:41:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/14/why-do-we-still-have-stereotypes-blog-1/#IDComment122790201 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cd%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment121218226 Soc 119 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:02:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cd%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment121218226