en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/764289 Comments by pennstategirl10 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment69991371 First of all this is a very poorly worded question. Whoever you are that said this is a moron. Immigrants and illegal aliens(immigrants) are two completely different things. Immigrants who immigrate to the United States legally and become CITIZENS should have the same rights as any other citizen. This only makes sense if you think about it logically. If I moved from Canada to the united states at the age of 2 and became a citizen, why would I not have the same legal rights as anyone else? There are three basic immigrant statuses that you fall into when living in America. The first one is an illegal immigrant. This is an illegal occupation without documentation. This is for the people who supposed run across the border and find themselves in the southern u.s. The next status is legal resident. This is not considered and American citizen. Legal residents have immigrated legally and chose to reside in the U.S. They can be anybody and hold any occupation except president of the U.S. Becoming a legal resident is part of the process that enables you to become an American citizen. So often times legal residents are either people who chose to live here and still hold their original citizen ship to their birth country, or people who are in the process of becoming American citizens. The last status is citizen. This is for all the people born in American who are citizens by nationality. This is also for people who have immigrated into the United States and gone through the process of becoming citizens. I think that any legal American citizen should receive equal treatment and healthcare. Healthcare should be a right for American citizens. The government should be one to take care of its people instead of consistently ripping off the American public with private healthcare. I don’t exactly know how I feel about saying that illegal aliens shouldn’t receive healthcare. I do agree that it is not fair for people to benefit from healthcare without having put money into it because they are illegals. It isn’t fair yet it also isn’t right to throw those people out on the street. They are not criminals and usually aren’t the ones disturbing the peace. Most of the illegal immigrants who cross into the united states are hard working people that fill up the jobs that most Americans do not want to do. They themselves are looking for a better life, they aren’t looking to come to the U.S. and rip off the Americans in their health care and emergency facilities. They are looking to better their lives, and im sure if they could come here legally they would. Not everybody has the luxury of being born into money or able to payoff every expense they need. Second, this kids soc class was working on whether immigration should receive the same healthcare benefits as citizens for a whole week? Immigrants are large contributers to this countrys economy, and don’t forget who started the united states anyways, immigrants. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:01:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment69991371 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68417604 After watching the play, I have realized that girls are still having trouble accepting themselves for what they look like. I remembered during the play that the one girl wants her breasts reduced so she can feel better for herself. Even though her friend told her the consequences, she still wanted it reduced. I feel a bit upset that girls would do anything to make their self esteem up like dressing provocative clothing or whatever. Girls should appreciate what they have and that is what makes them unique and special. I understand how the one girl in the play hated her breasts was because boys just wanted to talk to her because of that. I can relate to her as well; boys always wanted to make conversation or go out with me just because of my breast size. I always wished that I had smaller breasts so I can feel good about myself. But I realized that this is how I am and I cannot keep on complaining about it. I just have to accept it and be happy with it. I can relate to other girls that it is easier said than done. I feel that this society is so brainwashed about how girls should look like. Girls would do anything to make themselves feel good even if they have to wear sexy revealing clothing, doing plastic surgery, or even starve themselves to lose weight. I believe that girls are also brainwashed with the media. Like watching certain shows, movies or even reading magazines like cosmopolitan would make them feel so bad about themselves that they have to do something. But doing something leads to negative outcomes. If girls have a problem about how they look, they should do it the healthy way like exercising, or just taking care of themselves. Look at the girl from the play; she wanted her breasts reduced and she does not care if she has cancer later on. She just wanted to enjoy her new look as much as she can. I think every girl wants to live as much as they can come on now. Plastic surgery is not going to help, or starving themselves is not going to help. I think girls should help themselves in a positive way that could help in the long run. But like I said in the beginning, girls should accept themselves for who they are, does not matter what race, how skinny, or how big your breasts are. Every girl is beautiful in every way and they should be happy about what they have. If girls are not happy about their weight, then workout, eat healthy and start living in a good lifestyle. I know girls are going to think, “that’s easy for you to say” but I believe that everyone can help themselves in a positive way if they stop believing in what the media has to say. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:42:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68417604 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65688320 I live in a small town in North Jersey and majority of the population is White. In my high school there are a few Black, Asian, and Hispanic people. Being an Asian American, I feel left out because I am the minority in my town so it was not really diverse. Also, I hear racial comments back and forth, everyday during my high school years. It feels like I will never learn if I do not get out of this town. Ever since I came into Penn State, I have never seen so much diversity in this school. Since I am going to school in Pennsylvania, I was expecting to be predominately white people. But I have never seen so many Asians in Penn State ever and I finally feel comfortable where I am at. I am glad that I get to experience the diversity in this school because I believe that I will learn more about everyone’s background. I believe it is great to learn different backgrounds from mine because it does make everyone unique and that is who they are in general. After my experiences, I have come to the revisioning stage. I realized that I am close to reaching to humanitarian because I do not have a problem hanging out with different races. In high school, I was basically friends with Hispanic, Black, White, Asian, and etc. I am really thankful that I am from a different race because I know how it feels to be judged and I believe that other races will agree with me on that. I am saying this because it is my own opinion; people, do not get offended about what I am going to say. Since I am a color person I feel that it is easy for me to connect with other races than white people. I see white people hanging out with white people and I feel like they do not hang out with other races. But I can also see that Asians hang out with Asians, and black people hang out with black people. I just feel that people of color have an easy time connecting with colored people than white people. I am glad that this class has taught me to be open more and be proud for who I am. I am proud to be an Asian American. I am not regretting anything about it. I just hope that people that are in this class, would learn something out of it because I believe that the diversity is going to keep growing and growing. With that being said, people should just accept other races so there is no hostility in this country. Hopefully 20 years later, everyone would just get along and treat each other equally. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 02:57:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65688320 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64289326 After watching this video during class, I have to agree with Sam. It is very disturbing to me but it is true. African Americans decided to take the white doll instead of the black doll because the white doll looks prettier than the black doll. Even though black dolls were representing for African Americans, they still decide to pick the white doll instead. I am an Asian American and I remember when I was a child, I always play with white Barbie dolls only. I think that this is influenced to many children in the world that no matter what color of skin you have, you rather play with the white doll than any other colored doll that represents them. I believe that this is a self esteem issue. In the video one of the girls said that others tell her that she would be prettier if they were light skinned. I believe that it is bullshit because no one should care what color of skin you have. Everyone is beautiful in every way. I feel that these girls in the video have a self esteem issue about their color of their skin. I can understand how people of color would feel uncomfortable of their looks because the mind has already set that people with light skin looks more beautiful than any other colored skin. Really now? I think that people should get a reality check. Being an Asian American is kind of rough because I have a big self esteem issue about how I look. During middle school to my high school years, there is no white person who wanted to date me and I believe the only reason is because of the color of my skin. That really hurts my feelings a lot because I automatically think that I am ugly because I am not light skinned like white people. I think that everyone is unique. I think that people of color should be proud of their skin color because it represents who they are. Yea people have different colored skin, so what? We all should feel proud and be confident about. Do not let any media get in the way about this. It is just really upsetting to hear in the video that African American girls will bleach their skin and change their hair so they can fit in to be with white people and feel beautiful about themselves. I want people to know that blacks and whites and other ethnicities should be created equal and be proud of who they are. There should be no negative attitude about their skin color. Just because people have different colored skin does not mean that they are bad or ugly. They are beautiful in their own way and I hope that people can start realizing this because it is getting way out of hand. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 03:17:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64289326 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63077323 I think that the history books have already been written in favor of the “white” people. In the history books of the Americas, the truth about the genocide that was committed by the Europeans against the native Americans is not clearly documented and taught at all. I think that the history books have nothing to do with the guilt feeling that white people may feel. I also think that rewriting the history books to compensate for guilt is something that should never be done? Is that a wrong way to think? If you write the history for a nation in way to ease on a level of guilt, you are not teaching anybody anything right. The way for white people to not feel guilty for something that many of them have not done is to lead a life of equality. How can you expect the offspring of people who have committed racial predjudices to be responsible for their crimes? It also all depends on the situation you are raised in. If you are an American born kid who grew up here with parents who taught you that everyone is equal, and you have enforced that idea throughout your life, then what is there to be guilty about? You have lived a life of truth and in no way are a racist whether you know it or not. On the other hand, if you grew up in south Africa during the end of the apartheid and your parents are highly influential from the old ways for life, obviously the level of guilty for how you think will have to be adjusted. That was an example of why I think that white people should not feel guilty for the forefathers unless they choose to have the mindset of them as well. We all have ancestors that surely weren’t model citizens at one point or another. But who are we to take on their sins and burden ourselves into guilt? The smartest thing to do would be to learn from their mistakes?! Obviously if we are committing the same mistakes they are then we should feel guilty. But on the other hand if we live a life of truth and stay true to ourselves and society then why is there a need to feel guilt? Back to the history books. Like Sam said a Texas company is rewriting their history books to accommodate their best beliefs. In no way should this be ok and people need to realize that there is no positive outcome of that. If people don’t learn about the mistakes of the past how can they learn to recognize the same signs for themselves and avoid those same mistakes? To me rewriting the history books with false truth is the worst way to go. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:50:17 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63077323 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58908283 I agree with most of what is posted up as to why the genocide seems so foreign. I do have a few of my own points I would like to express. Obviously everyone begins with the fact that this took place more than a few centuries ago. Because it took place so long ago, we can’t really relate since we have no direct affiliation with it meaning the genocide. Centuries of discrimination against Native Americans has become engrained into society so much that it has become a norm. It has become normal for society to accept the fact that Native Americans live less privileged lives than most other minorities. Americans accept the fact that they live on reservations that are very poor and have high unemployment rates. Most of the Native Americans live in poverty on these reservations. I think it is easy for most Americans to accept these facts because this genocide happened so long ago that it is hard for us to relate to how severe it really was. I do not wish to offend anybody with what I am about to say; I simply want to express my opinion. I do believe that Native Americans have experienced the worst discrimination than most races. They have been held down for the longest time. Although this may be true, I still feel that Native Americans themselves should still be pushing to make themselves a better race. What I mean by this is that I think the Native American should be doing more for themselves. They should be pushing to get better education, more resources, and for equality in the work place. A better education will better them in so many ways. A better education from a young age enables and if not pushes them to attend college. Higher education comes with many benefits. Overtime, these could greatly increase the reach of the Native Americans throughout the U.S. economy. Native Americans would be able to hold more white collar jobs. They would also have incentives to leave the reservation for a better life. This would greatly improve their status if this could even be achieved. Simply better education and opportunities would help their future lifestyles. Although some reservations do make money off their casinos; this only applies to a small percent of Native Americans that live in the upper class. Although I can agree that the Native Americans have been discriminated for the long time, I believe that they still should try to persevere through their current circumstances. I’m going to explain why I have this opinion. I feel like this because honestly I’ve never been properly education on the Native American genocide. Growing up in the American school system, I learned the basic fundamentals of the roles of Native Americans during the first Thanksgiving Day and the settlement of the first colony. That is basically about it. After that, we don’t get into specific detail about the rest of the roles that Native Americans played in the United States; at least to my education level. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:52:28 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58908283 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58908660 I agree with most of what is posted up as to why the genocide seems so foreign. I do have a few of my own points I would like to express. Obviously everyone begins with the fact that this took place more than a few centuries ago. Because it took place so long ago, we can’t really relate since we have no direct affiliation with it meaning the genocide. Centuries of discrimination against Native Americans has become engrained into society so much that it has become a norm. It has become normal for society to accept the fact that Native Americans live less privileged lives than most other minorities. Americans accept the fact that they live on reservations that are very poor and have high unemployment rates. Most of the Native Americans live in poverty on these reservations. I think it is easy for most Americans to accept these facts because this genocide happened so long ago that it is hard for us to relate to how severe it really was. I do not wish to offend anybody with what I am about to say; I simply want to express my opinion. I do believe that Native Americans have experienced the worst discrimination than most races. They have been held down for the longest time. Although this may be true, I still feel that Native Americans themselves should still be pushing to make themselves a better race. What I mean by this is that I think the Native American should be doing more for themselves. They should be pushing to get better education, more resources, and for equality in the work place. A better education will better them in so many ways. A better education from a young age enables and if not pushes them to attend college. Higher education comes with many benefits. Overtime, these could greatly increase the reach of the Native Americans throughout the U.S. economy. Native Americans would be able to hold more white collar jobs. They would also have incentives to leave the reservation for a better life. This would greatly improve their status if this could even be achieved. Simply better education and opportunities would help their future lifestyles. Although some reservations do make money off their casinos; this only applies to a small percent of Native Americans that live in the upper class. Although I can agree that the Native Americans have been discriminated for the long time, I believe that they still should try to persevere through their current circumstances. I’m going to explain why I have this opinion. I feel like this because honestly I’ve never been properly education on the Native American genocide. Growing up in the American school system, I learned the basic fundamentals of the roles of Native Americans during the first Thanksgiving Day and the settlement of the first colony. That is basically about it. After that, we don’t get into specific detail about the rest of the roles that Native Americans played in the United States; at least to my education level. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:52:28 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58908660 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/another-reason-why-gay-marriage-matters__trashed/#IDComment57699911 After watching this video, I feel very offended. I believed that same sex families have no right to be treated differently. I did not occur to me that this happens to same sex families. Any family in the United States has the right to live together and regardless if it is the same sex or not. Their sexual orientation should not have anything to do with their rights as a citizen. I do not understand why it is any different to treat families like Jay’s and Shirley’s; that is why this bill should be passed. It is funny how the United States would rather have single parent family than have a normal double parented family that are the same sex. I believe that same sex marriages should be allowed in all fifty states and also same sex couples should have all equal rights as any other citizen. Eventually, same sex marriages will be accepted and it would not be as dramatic as it seems. I do not understand why people have to be so judgmental. I believe that it does not matter who a specific person marries; they are all human beings who wants different things in life. Everyone should stop being so stubborn and actually accept it. I feel like just because people like the same sex does not mean that they are so different that they should be secluded or singled out. I only judge people by their personalities; if they have a good heart and have real life goals, I would give them a lot of respect and credit. I believe that judging by their personalities is really the only way to know who they really are as a person. Judging by sexual orientation alone does not give that much insight of who they are. People should not feel that they have the right to oppose others about who they should marry. They do not have the right to tell others who they should marry. What matters most is that they should be happy who they are going to spend their rest of their lives with. If people do not allow LGBT people to marry other LGBT people, it will not stop them to love together, live with each other, and live in the lifestyle that they are in right now. Eventually the United States will catch up with the rest of the world and finally accept same sex marriages. I believe that LGBT people are not going to stop fighting till they get their equal rights. It is basically accepted in many parts of the world. If LGBT people really wanted to go somewhere else to get married, they will do that. Basically to wrap this up, just because majority of the United States opposed to same sex marriages, that does not mean that the LGBT people are going to stop trying. They want to be treated the same and they are determined to have their voices heard and get their rights. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:53:52 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/another-reason-why-gay-marriage-matters__trashed/#IDComment57699911 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56590043 I have never thought in a daily basis, it comes down to a conversation between black and white people. I believe that what Laurie Mulvey said was right about the conversation is always about “black and white” people. I believe the one primary reason is that blacks were struggling to gain their freedom and equal rights. It has been going on since the beginning of slavery till now. I believe that there is still tension being built up between black and white people. Both races have been talking negatively about each other. It feels like they are living in their own different worlds and they will always think that they will be better than the other. Now, I feel like there is something wrong here. We just not have only two races living in America. Besides blacks and whites, we have Latino, Asians, Native Americans, and etc. living in this country. But it feels like there is one reason why people stereotype black and white people only. The one reason is that when some white person reads a newspaper about how there was a murder in some low class neighborhood, and then the conversation would lead to race. I also feel that when people are having a normal conversation, if they do not know the person’s name, they would say “that white skinny girl” or “that black boy that sits behind us in class.” What is big right now is that we have Obama, the first black president in the United States. Black and white people are going to bring it up in a conversation later on. When I think back when I was young, I learned about slavery, and civil rights movements. My teacher barely covers the Vietnam War, or other race related events. It feels like all we cover is about how white people treated black people badly and they would have this conversation will they day they die. I feel like Latino, Asians, Native Americans, and etc. are being left out and I cannot picture what their reactions are about it. I can definitely understand how black people have to go through so much hatred and they had to fight so hard to get their freedom and equal rights. Even though black people are still giving their all to have their voices heard, I still feel that there are people that are racist to black people. If black people did get their freedom and equal rights, then why are people still holding grudges against them? I understand that black and white people have gone through so much but it has been way too long and they should at least find a way to make peace. I am not saying they never will ; I guess it takes more time than I thought… Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:23:55 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56590043 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54429476 After reading this blog from Sam and watching the clip from CNN, I do not agree with the French government banning the use of abeyya or hijab. It is not like them wearing the hijab is showing a threat to the French for god sakes. Islamic women wears a hijab is because of their religion and it was also by choice. These women even wear them against their husband’s wishes. I think that is absolutely ridiculous that there are rules of what women are allowed to cover; really now? I would think that women would get in trouble if they were wearing very little clothing. But what I believe is that there should be no rule of what a woman should wear. It is going against women’s rights. Comparing to America, women can wear make-up, nylon stocking and high heels to impress their men, or even to impress other women for competition. In the end a women should wear what suits them, not to impress anybody else but themselves. But in France, there is a law where women are banned to wear their abeyya or hijab. Women in France especially Islamic women should be allowed to wear whatever they want. I believe that women have the freedom to wear whatever they please. France has now limited what used to be a human right in their country. If they seriously think that this isn’t an oppression of Islamic woman they are utterly insane. For them to say that it just does not work with their society is basically telling the world that if you cannot be French, then don’t bother trying to live in France. Their disgusting attitude that is too common in France truly upholds the French way of life over any other path. They are obviously not really accepting of other cultures. Choosing to pass this law not only tarnishes the image of the French government and people, it simply puts them in the same position as the people who first insisted that the women wear the veils. Either making women wear the shrouds or banning the use of it is theoretically the same power. No one should not being treating women this way especially the government. I believe that the French government cannot stop the Islamic women from practicing their religion and wearing their abeyyas or hijabs. Every woman is different; they believe in certain religions and they follow their culture. Come on, just because the French does not agree about women wearing their veils does not mean they are banned from wearing them. It basically shows that the French does not give a crap about others and they believe what they think what is right or not. Like the two Islamic women said on CNN, they are not giving up and they will do anything to stop this. Hopefully after everyone watches this, we can start having a world that is nothing but accepting. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:00:20 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54429476 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-l__trashed/#IDComment53868459 one word response Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:50:17 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-l__trashed/#IDComment53868459 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/clubbing-the-bejesus-out-of-rationality__trashed/#IDComment53479211 I have to agree with you. After reading this blog, I feel that Pat Robinson is nothing but being absolutely absurd. Why does everyone care what he has to say? Does everybody realize that what Robinson said is kind of far-fetched? I believe that this is all for entertainment so everyone can get his attention. I just cannot believe that everyone would give him a time of day. Why is everybody wasting their time listening to people’s crazy believes in television? It feels like in this society, all everyone cares about is listening to what others have to say instead of looking out the REAL issues about what is really going on in this society. Haiti is the perfect example right now. They had gone through such a tragic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 then an aftershock on Tuesday I believe with a magnitude of 6.1. Everyone in Haiti have no food, clothing, water, shelter, NOTHING! What are we doing America?! It just surprises me instead of thinking ways of how we can help Haiti, everyone pays attention to what crazy people like Pat Robinson believes. I did not acknowledge that Robinson said how Katrina happened because of the abortion policy. Does everyone really believe that entire BS is true? The thing that really got me a little aggravated was that he is mentally ill and he did not even take his medication. I think it is very unprofessional and it is even more difficult to believe his beliefs and theories. Or maybe he is not mentally ill; he is just plain crazy! But like I said before about people giving Pat Robinson a time of day, I do not want even want to waste time listening to people’s stupid comments. Seriously everyone needs to wake up and taste the coffee; they should spend their time wisely on looking out the real issues that actually matters for once. Right now, I just want to research and find out how I can help Haiti to make sure that they have everything they need to survive right now. I should not be getting frustrated over what Robinson has said. Everyone is entitled to the freedom of speech but it is up to everyone to believe what that person says. People like Robinson are ignorant so I would just brush it off. It is just depressing how majority of the people in the United States would actually look up to Robinson. Everything is all gibberish and let’s focus on the real issues right now. It would be awesome if everyone can actually take a few minutes of their time to donate money, or donate clothes, canned food, or other supplies that the survivors of Haiti needs this instant. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:05:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/clubbing-the-bejesus-out-of-rationality__trashed/#IDComment53479211