I consider myself a Christian even though I do not go to church. I believe there is a God and I believe he is there to answer my prayers. I do not think it’s necessary to have to go to formalized institution to find or know your God. So although some may consider this unorthodox my values and morals and deeply imbedded within. From my point of view it seemed as though the soldiers were intentionally harming the Middle Eastern people. Therefore, I absolutely do not believe my God supports the actions of the soldiers from the in class video. I truly believe some of the soldiers believe they are doing something good and selfless for America. On the other hand I also believe they are either brain washed or misinformed about why there are in the war to begin with. It sickens me to know and be reaffirmed the war is about oil. This is a painful issue for me because not only are we in a current battle with our own kind I sincerely believe that the extensive use of oil and other carbon fuels are damaging the environment beyond rapid repair. We have the means to be energy dependent but the people with power aka the people with money are blocking this opportunity so that they do not “lose” money. No one should have to lose a life over someone’s greed. Furthermore, I don’t think we can clump every solider into a negative light. Only God knows why they are motivated to complete the tasks they are told to do. Thus this guides me to say we can’t really answer this question without assuming what we think God does or doesn’t do. Perhaps the most shocking factor is that most of the people being attacked are Christian. These people are no different than us and yet we are destroying their communities, their land, and their dignity. These are some factors that should be considered but are quickly overlooked. I think there are many other people behind the scenes in this war about oil. I think these people are the ones who God is frowning upon. I believe these people are only interested in extrinsic values and have thus lost their soul due to greed. Another facet of the war that is senseless is the high percent of taxes the American people have to pay to support the war. I believe this is immoral because they are using are money to put thousands of people’s (American and Middle Eastern) lives in danger. There are many sides to the war overall I think there is more bad than good and so I do not think God supports this. However, there are many good-hearted soldiers that God does support.

This is a good question. One that I haven’t even thought of and there are many different aspects I can think of that could be different. First, I think the entire criminal prosecution process would be moving much quicker. By this I mean he probably would have be sentenced and in jail by now. Plus, I think his sentence would be much greater than whatever they decide to sentence Sandusky with. Second, I think Penn State’s image from this scandal would be different but I am not sure which direction it would go in. My first thought was that we would have been hit with many more construed images from the media giving us all a much harder task to reinstate out good name. Then, I thought well I would assume most people would think Penn State is a predominantly white school or at least in a predominantly white neighborhood. Thus, it might have giving Penn State a bit of a break at least for the majority but it probably would have been focused more towards the black culture and how there race is ‘always doing something illegal’. This would not have been good. Looking from an optimistic perspective I think this has brought us closer together as a community, and if Sandusky were black it could have created controversy throughout the Penn State community. In which this is never a good thing. As Penn Staters we always need to stick together through good times and tough times no matter who is involved, unless you’re Sandusky, he can go to hell! It is also possible that Coach Joe Paterno would not have been ridiculed and unrightfully torn away from all his accomplishments for himself and Penn State. I am not really sure if Sandusky being Black or Latino would have made a difference. It could have been worse if he was Latino, especially if he was a dark Latino. Finally, although I despise Sandusky I don’t think it would have been morally correct to have a different punishment or outcome just because he had a different race. I do think that all extreme child molesters should be put to death or perhaps have a mandatory sentence for life in prison. Nevertheless, these are and would still have been hard challenges to overcome. I also think the media had made these issues much worse by misinterpreting the actual facts. However, what’s done is done and we can’t change what has happened. All we can do is look toward the future and stick together as a community and as a family. We need to support the victims as much as we can. Finally, we need to remember who we were before and how this can make us a better community and school; Because WE ARE… PENN STATE and we always will be!!

This is an intense question. Depending on the subject I can think about many major issues that just await our generation. As a result I have many emotions, especially at the same time. I can go from being enraged, to being sad, or to just having to deal with it (for now). On my stronger days I am motivated hopefully doing something about it. Contrary to the majority of people my age I have lived an adult life for most of my life. You could say my mother was a bit ‘unorthodox’ and due to her illness I had to have a heavier “burden” at a very young age. However, looking back I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe that because my mother treated me as an adult at a very young age it helped give me a better perspective on how to deal with the situations in life. I have always been a very liberal person interested in society and the decisions that people in power or everyday people can make because they can affect everyone near or far depending on the matter. As we move forward in Soc 119 I feel that I am beginning to see a bigger picture for the things I have already had an idea about as well as many new issues I never contemplated. These ramifications are much deeper than I once thought and there are so many bigger issues in the U.S. and throughout the world that it can sometimes be overwhelming. Before entering this class I thought I could change the world, do at least one remarkable thing that would make people’s lives better. I sometimes struggled to find which issues would have the biggest impact to make people lives better but now I have learned that even with the best decisions it’s extremely hard to persuade people. Although I never want to give up on my dream with the insight from my mom, the journey of getting older, living life as a Penn State student, taking Soc 119, and successfully dealing with the everyday battles. I feel that I am prepared to deal with lies ahead. The hard part is watching the majority of people around me make dumb decisions or be oblivious or simply not care about the underlying issues of our future. This makes me sick to my stomach at times but in all reality I can’t fix these problems overnight or all by myself. So for now I can only focus on myself and hope that I make the right choices in my life to remain stable. However, as I said I hope to help others with this process of overcoming the brainwashed ideologies we are spoon fed everyday through media sources and the like. Such as money equals happiness, people are innocent until proven guilty; everyone has an equal opportunity, the justice system is fair, that no matter who you are you can get ahead with hard work, or that people of power (or in general) are not racist, judge mental/quick to judge, and the like. Even I am guilty of these things but the point is that we learn from our mistakes and join together before something so big happens that it will destroy the life we know. We must join together and fix this mess!!

I have mixed feelings about this concept. From one aspect it could be a good thing, especially when farmers are in high demand and other businesses of the like need them to pick up the slack. On the other hand this enables these businesses to control the fluctuation of immigrants which is not always a good thing. These businesses more than likely don’t care about the likelihood of these people and so they create rules that benefit them and only them. In my eyes this is a form of racism, which I do not agree with. So although when we need immigrants to work in the U.S. it can be beneficial for everyone, but when they are not needed it outs the immigrants life into a hardship, which is immoral in my eyes. Therefore, I do not think we should allow the businesses to control the immigration policies. I do however feel that they should have some input. Perhaps they could provide the government with the quota of people they feel they need each year and let the government decide what is fair. But again, the government is not very fair either. I feel that the best candidates that I know of to form these policies would be the census bureau. I think the biggest issues with immigration is that it could result in overpopulation and then the demand for goods would outweigh the ability for us to successfully supply the country with the necessary goods. Since the population is always changing its hard to form these policies with no intention of change. Thus, we need to have flexible policies that allow for several things. First, we need to have an open policy that doesn’t contribute to racism. Second, we need to only allow people to come to the U.S. if they can be economically supported by the job market. For example, we should only allow them to come if they are able to get a stable job, or if they can financially support themselves without having a job in the U.S. Finally, we need to make sure we are not overpopulating the U.S. and especially certain areas. I say this because we if people are coming here to have a better life or witness the American lifestyle we do not want them to have to endure a hardship because we let to many people migrate to the U.S. Also, I feel that if the immigrants have families that have already migrated here they should be allowed to migrate as well or at least have an extended visa. I am sure there are many other factors I am overlooking, but I think I have covered the biggest problems.

I think giving back the land we brutally took from the American Indians and helping them reestablish themselves is more or less the same thing. Since we took the land in such a brutal manner a huge population of American Indians died. Plus, we took their land over two-hundred years ago and much has changed. Therefore, the land that was theirs at that time is probably overran with polluted city-structures by now. Either way I think we should give them they respect they deserve; they are after all the true founding fathers of the ‘American’ land. Because the land has changed dramatically since the American Indians have thrived here, I feel that we should ask them what they think the best way to repay this is. They know what they need more than anyone else does. Although, I was always told my great grandfather was a pure American Indian, I don’t think it has ever influenced my decision to admire their way of life. They were peaceful passionate humans who used the land as it was intended and they never wasted nor polluted anything. I think if things were closer to their way of life, then we wouldn’t have half the problems that we do now, and I truly believe everyone would be much happier and healthier. However, this is not the case, instead the Europeans came here and took everything the American Indians had and completely destroyed their way of life. This was very barbaric and ironically this is what they classified the American Indians as. I believe the American Indian lifestyle was the life God had intended for all us. He provided for us, he gave us everything we needed. All we had to do was just complete simple tasks, which some people enjoy doing as a hobby in today’s world! Now I realize some people might read this and think I am crazy, but if this was how our life had always been then you would probably think today’s society was mental. You can’t miss what you never had. Look at this through the eyes of the American Indians. These peaceful passionate humans were uprooted in a very ruthless way and they had to reunite and restructure their entire way of life. They only reason being is just because some white man thought his ways were better, because he had ‘evolved’, and because he had a gun. At times, I feel that I can be very cynical towards certain kinds of people. I don’t understand how we as humans, thought to be the most intelligent species in existence can be so dumb, so ruthless, and so self-centered towards one another. It’s ridiculous. Anyway this is why I think we should repay the American Indians whatever they desire. I do not think they are not the kind of people that would take advantage just because they feel they deserve it.

Currently I would say I am in stage 3 of the racial identity process. To think about this is quite significant for me and I say this because Sam talks about this as if we are suppose go through these stages for all the races at one time. However, this is not the case. To understand what I mean I will explain a quick summary of my childhood, the geographical areas I lived in and how that has helped to continue to move in and out of different sages. I’ll start at about age 2, I was living in Florida and because of the very diverse population I was exposed to many different groups of races that derived from several regions even if they were considered to be the same race. Thus, I was exposed to many types of Greeks, Spaniards, Cubans, Native Americans, and some very dark skinned people. My whole life I have always been a very curious person so I don’t think I was in stage 1 for long. I would say by the end of pre-k I had left stage 1 and entered part of stage 2. Due to the influence of my mom and because I was so young I think I just jumped to stage 6. I lived in Florida until I was 7 and during this time I had a friend in every race listed above as well as a few white friends. Then, we moved to Tennessee where my whole family was born and raised, this is the culture I was brought up on, and this is the culture I fully embrace and feel the most comfortable with. At this time I was still in stage 6 the only difference was the race populations changed to about 50% white and 50% black. Some of my mom’s best friends were black and I can remember frequently going to their house and playing with their kids. I think these are some of my best childhood memories. However, then my mom decided to move to Pennsylvania, I was about 13 years old. Although I was in stage 6 when I moved here coming to Pennsylvania changed the way I looked at people for a long time. I can remember the first few years here I was in middle school, so I was still very much influenced by peer pressure and wanting to fit in. However, I had never received so much ridicule and humiliation because I was a white girl who came from the south in which they thought was a predominantly black area with nothing but about of dumb white people. This was tough to go through because those people of different races were my friends and now people of my own race are ridiculing me for it. It just didn’t make sense. I dealt with it the best I good making friends with anyone who treated me with respect. Then, I came to Penn State. Wow, this was a bit of a culture shock because I had never seen so many Asians in my life! I immediately entered stage 2 and took the racism path for some reason. I think it was because I felt like there were stealing opportunities from American kids along with federal finding for school. As I continued to pursue my degree, Crime, Law and Justice I realized how bad racism really is. So I lightened up and realized that Asian racism is really no different than African-American racism and since I have a close connection with African-Americans I really tried to focus on not forming racist thoughts based on some random statement I heard from someone who probably had no idea what they were talking about anyway. And that’s how I ended up in stage 3, I am very intrigued about racial inequality and I don’t understand the hatred white people provoke onto others that just merely have a different skin color.

53% of my tax money is going to the war, W.T.F.? Already I do not agree on half of the decisions the government makes with our tax money anyway, but now I am even more upset. I have been advocating for over a year now that the government takes our money without second thought and spends it just as quick. I like to call it mindless spending because they spend it on dumb sh*t all the time. I think if they managed our tax dollars more efficiently we wouldn’t be growing through such a big recession. Even the guy spouting all this information says they “blow” it. I am not totally against war, but I know for a fact it is usually unnecessary to get the point across. I feel as though fighting is just another failed attempt of mankind to feel like they’re getting ahead. My interpretation of the war in Iraq is mainly over oil. It’s partly between the boundary lines in the Middle East, and partly the U.S. sticking their big fat noses in the mess so they ‘don’t lose out’ by not participating. Plus, they tell our soldiers that we are helping out a community that is very much helpless against the cruel government that rules the territory in which they reside. I believe this is partly true, but again the issue could be resolved without such IEDs, other extreme weapons and the like. However, I am sure someone is going to read this and disagree completely but why? Is it because you truly understand the factors and forces involved in the war or is it because the government has brained washed you so much that you can’t even think for yourself? Only you can answer that, but on the other hand I don’t see why more people have strikes against the oil tycoons. Their just big fat pigs, with our money in their wallet. Oil is dangerous and it creates many types of pollution. For example, oil tycoons are poisoned with greed, the battle for oil has created a virus of terror throughout the world, and every time we use it (burn it) it is literally polluting the planet. I don’t think oil was created to be uprooted from the earth. It’s underground for a reason, if it wasn’t why is it so hard to get to? And just getting to it causes destruction, not to mention the rigorous process it goes through jus to be able to be used. However, I do realize 50+ years ago we didn’t know the severe implications it had on the environment, and it did create a big boom for the economy during the industrial revolution. However, technology changes very rapidly these days so why hasn’t the energy companies had a makeover? (It’s because of the oil tycoon’s greed, that’s why!) We have the technology to be independent from oil and other natural resources, it called using the sun! It’s not hard, it’s just expensive, but we could have already made the switch if we weren’t spending all this money on the war. Plus, the people in power and I mean the rich people, the oil tycoons wouldn’t be as powerful anymore. Hence, since they are in control there making it even harder to become energy independent. I could write lots more, but hopefully I got my point across, just think about it!

I would still love my child with all my heart if their sexual orientation was gay, lesbian, or even transgender. Though, I would never hope for this to happen. Instead, I hope the attitudes toward being attracted to the same sex will have evolved. So, there would be no ridicule towards these “different” people by the time I had kids. (That is if I even do, but that’s a separate issue). However, realistically I would have to assume this might never happen. Therefore, I would never want my child to be attracted to the same sex because the pressures of “ordinary” everyday life that surround us constantly can be overwhelming, unruly, and even downright rude. Furthermore, it would impudently become even more overbearing, at times if you were attracted to the same sex. This would be my only concern for my child. For example, not wearing the right clothes (i.e. having a clothing label, such as a moose) can encourage a hostile environment, which is absolutely ridiculous. I can only imagine the ridicule a person attracted to the same sex would endure. I would still encourage my child to do what makes them happy. As a parent, I would allow them to express themselves as they wish. I think denying your child something that is seen as gender specific as complying with your needs and not your child’s needs. Becoming a parent is the biggest responsibility anyone in this entire world could have, because you have another life in your hands. Therefore, “if you are not willing to put in a whole lot of effort (into raising a child) then you shouldn’t be a parent”. That’s the bottom line! In addition, I think you should have to pass a test to even be allowed to have kids, but I am not sure if that would hold up against the US Constitution. Anyway, I personally do not think there is anything wrong with being sexually attracted to the same sex. I am a woman and I am defiantly attracted to the male gender, and I identify as straight. However, I think woman are beautiful creatures. From an artistic view woman are more bold and curvaceous adding an attractive element to the eye. So how could I be judge mental to someone attracted to either sex? I would hope my kid becomes the person that makes them the happiest, no matter the outcome of their sexual orientation. Thus, if they would happen to be gay, lesbian, or a transgender individual I would hope I would be able to teach them how to have tough skin. That way they would have the tools necessary to live an equal, happy, successful lifestyle.

I try not to believe in any racial stereotypes at all, but this can prove to be very difficult at times. Growing up, outside my home my father was a Christian preacher, but inside the home he was an abusive alcoholic. At the age of two my mother filed for divorce, but it took over five years to become final. This was because he refused to sign the divorce papers with the intent for him to pay a reasonable amount of child support. He argued with my mom until she completely withdrew the clause. The day he was no longer obligated to pay for his own flesh and blood was the day he signed for the divorce. Knowing your father fought his heart out not to provide for his own children is heartbreaking, but I would not change a thing. His demeanor caused my mom to make changes in our lives so that we did not have to endure his abuse. In doing so my mother traveled the east coast to avoid his psychopathic tendencies. Meaning he would track us down and then try to take us away from my mom. One time he took us to Belize on a missionary expedition and my mom didn’t know where we were for almost a week. I was too little to remember, but I can only image what she went through. I know my mom and if it’s one thing she loves the most in this world it’s my sister and I. So how does this relate to racial stereotypes? Well, in my path from child to teen, to now an adult I often look back and reflect the days of my earlier childhood to see what effect they have on me today. My mother has had a rough life up until recently and the last thing she wanted for me or my sister was to struggle, so she treated us like young adults for most of my childhood, she wanted us to be able to think and express the things we wanted to express. In doing so she taught us that seeing someone on the outside is much different than knowing what’s on the inside. For most if my childhood I grew up in the south so I was exposed to many black and Hispanic cultures. If it’s one thing I have learned it’s that we are all the same. We all work hard to get by and we all endure similar difficulties. I try not to let the media influence my morals or values about the people in this world, but sometimes it so adamant it almost seems like a social norm to ridicule people who look different. I truly believe everyone is equal and I try really hard to prove that I don’t believe in racial stereotypes.

My first thought is wow I didn’t know these people could do these types of things. There are creative and innovative and they have very limited resources. My second thought was, what do the Haitian people think about all these Americans with their cameras in their face. How do they feel about this? Are the happy there lifestyle is exposed to hopefully improve their lives, do they really believe this is possible. I hope so I would like to see the framework of restorative justice be applied on a global scale. Thus, we need people to take the time to take in their surroundings, form group discussions about how they feel and what they think about certain situations and make plans to better those things. I think the American people as well as the Haitians can learn from each other. First, I think we (the Americans) can learn how to accomplish things without all the luxury items around us. As a whole America takes things for granted and the things we have are still not enough. America needs a makeover; we need to reevaluate our way of life, we need to respect the people around us, and we need to truly overcome the inequalities in the everyday world. Now I know that’s defiantly easier said than easier done. However, if we could all come together and agree to fix the problems I think it could be done. Secondly, in doing so we would be able to better help the Haitians way of life. We could provide them with resources at an affordable and fair price. Furthermore, by doing this their economy would slowly begin to stabilize. Concurrently, once their economy is stronger together would could help the next country and so and so on. Consequently, creating a better lifestyle overall for people everywhere around the world. Now, I realize there are going to be some people who don’t agree or my even go out of their way to stop this, but I believe good always trumps evil. From another perspective, if we could achieve better lifestyles for those in needs we would inadvertently make a better life for ourselves. For example, a materialistic idea is if the Haitians would have better cheaper supplies then they would be able to produce better quality supplies faster as well as easier for them. So, we could have better products that were made by real people that inevitably would help them to have a better easier lifestyle. If people would step outside their busy lives for just a few minutes to explore the lives of others I feel that we would better appreciate our lives thus reducing stress and anger. Again, this would create a chain of effects to expand world- wide to enhance the lives of everyone.