I think the hate sources from a lot of common misconceptions on illegal immigrant’s intent and activity here. I’ve talked to a lot of people who are apart of generation x, and most of them base their dislike on their perceptions of them. I’m not sure where these perceptions even source from; I think a lot of ignorance on the facts about the issue, and possibly media. What I have heard about this, is people have a grudge against them because they’re ‘taking our jobs’, but what I don’t think they realizes is, most of them take the jobs that America’s won’t work. I watched a video in my Geography 20 class, which explained in details the true influence Mexican immigrants and other have on our society. They do the very labor intensive field work for produce farms and other. Every single person in the video said Americans wouldn’t work this hard for minimum wage. I thought about it, and after watching the video I think there is some evidence presented that validate this statement. After the class however, it was new to me the concept that some illegal immigrants are competing for the really good quality jobs that we graduate college in hopes of getting. Under these circumstances, it feels a little uncomfortable. We are all struggling, and to have people come in from a different country completely and take the job. Some even sending the money back to their home country to help their family, meaning the money isn’t being put back into Americas Economy. It’s a really difficult situation, but a lot of people aren’t very open minded about this. Another common reasons is the thought that if they’re here illegally, then they’re wages aren’t being taxed therefore it feels like they’re stealing from our government. I don’t have a lot of information on this issue, because without legal documentation it seems as if they aren’t paying for all the same things Americans have to. Another point of view on that, however, is they’re not receiving any treatment, services, or goods that we would be paying taxes for, for the greater part. I know these are the most common issues I come across for this topic. In the world today, it’s so common for everyone to just want to shift the blame on another person. It’s so easy to blame the illegal immigrants, especially because they don’t have much of a voice in America. They can’t vote, get involved in politics, or hold very elite positions in society. Therefore, it’s hard for them to object or present their positions in the argument. When people know there’s not going to be an offended voice arguing with them, it’s easy to continue the thoughts and hate.

I think it’s completely unfortunate. It embarrasses me about America’s history. I don’t understand how people can still be patriotic to a country that has been the cause of such a terrible genocide. It’s a shame the Native American people are living in the conditions as seen in the videos and portrayed by the statistics. It’s really not fair, but that doesn’t change things. I just want to ask, what can we do? That’s the problem; no one ever really tell us what to do. I don’t have much to give, but is that suppose to be the answer; give them are possessions or wealth. Honestly though, what can we do to help, or show our support? Upon leaving class I discussed with my boyfriend what we learned, and I could only describe it as a sad lecture. It’s a sad situation. The ironic thing about these lectures is my family has always believed we have Native American ancestry. I really don’t know if I can believe it or not? As statistics show, most people who think they have ancestry of Native American blood, they actually don’t. I feel a certain way about this, as Sam would say, even if we did have Native American blood, it’s not like we take part in their culture, or understand their lifestyle on the reservation. Most of all, we don’t really feel their pain, or share their position in the social ladder or suffer their unemployment, poverty, or assault. So I don’t really feel right claiming I share ancestry with Native Americans. If I did, if my family did, wouldn’t we be an alliance with them. Instead we’re fortunate to have the life we do. I remember watching a comedian once who touched base on this whole concept. He said he hates when white people throw out into a conversation that they have native American ancestry, he hysterically went on to say why the fuck do they do this? Is it to feel better about their dominating murderous European ancestors? Do they want to get in good with the minorities, feel like they’re on their level in some way? He really touched base on an interesting concept. Why do so many white people like to claim they have Native American ancestry? I personally always have, because I wanted to take pride in some culture or history. The Native American history and domination is quite sad, but it’s something to feel a prideful allegiance and connection to fighting for. As I read in the Shadowboxing book, one account of a Latino American taking pride in his Mexican heritage. Also this man said, America doesn’t have a culture. That’s how I feel. I feel as if minorities have a pride, have a bond over their rough history. As Europeans, what is our culture? We sure don’t seem to practice it any way in my household.

I really enjoyed the ‘Christian invader’ topic of lecture. I really learned so much, it really opened my eyes to look at this war, the Middle East, and the United states in very different perspectives. Honestly, this was probably the most educational class yet. The Jihad video was one of the best from this lesson. I really have been confused about the whole Middle East and their leaders, the follows and what they stand for, for a very long time. I finally feel as if I understand things so much more. My favorite videos from lecture are the ones that give me goose bumps and disturb the emotions inside me. These videos make my mind go wild with thoughts and formation of new ideas and stances on issues. I love learning about these issues that are misunderstood and not commonly talked about, at least in an unbiased way. This video really taught me a lot about Jihad, and what his follower’s opinions are on religion, and the rest of the world. This stuff is very scary, but at least I understand it now. I feel like it also encourages me to understand the country Islam a lot more too. I reviewed the first comment under this video, and I can see how one would think this is entirely one sided. It probably is, I really wouldn’t know. I don’t know a lot about Muslim culture, beliefs. I do want to suggest, that after being introduced to many Muslims on campus and through the class that I definitely know not every Muslim or person from Islam is like this. Just as, people have pieced together videos of Christians or other Americans portraying us as hateful people towards one group, which definitely is not true in all cases. All of the videos really impact me; I try to look at everything openly without resisting accepting or learning about one thing. This specific video was really alarming; I think the background music really added the horrifying touch. I honestly didn’t really understand what of Jihad and other Muslims or people living in Islam, after the video I really see that there is a threat there. The video really makes me feel like the threat is a really huge one, and that I should be fearful of my life. I’m not sure how to react other than that. So unfortunately I am left confused and unsure of the extent I should be worried or uncomfortable. I do want to state that I am not any more worried about Muslims in the United States; I personally feel that if they’re here, then they must be respectful and comfortable of other’s who do not follow the Muslim religion in the respect that Jihad does.

Yes, because it annoys me constantly when I hear the ignorance of some people. I don’t feel comfortable pointing it out to other races, unless I’m close with them, because I just do not feel it’s my place. However, in not all cases is it appropriate to point it out. Obviously not a random stranger, but people you communicate with often or know pretty well. I think it is acceptable to talk to people, like friends or family about it, and ask them to explain their opinions about a particular group. I prefer subjects and conversations that I have some understanding and knowledge about, otherwise there’s not a lot of knowledge and constructive information being transferred. When you’re comfortable with a person, it’s not as detrimental to not know much about the subject, but I think it’s still very helpful to discuss opinions, it opens the world on a dark subject. I think it’s completely understandable to talk to people about their racial opinions. Sometimes, it’s a useless effort, but sometimes it’s a really proactive and helpful effort to open people’s minds. It really depends on the person, and what stage of the race identity stage system they identify with. Not to mention, many people simply not willing to see things in a different perspective, It’s a big part of being open minded or not. I’ve noticed with the elderly, they seem to be stuck in their opinions and ways the most, very stubborn. I feel this way based on personal experience with my grandfather. Like Chris Rock said during the clip we viewed in class, the most racist men are elderly black men. Since taking the class, and learning more about races, ethnicities, stereotypes, racism I feel more comfortable talking to people about the subject and making a stand. Knowing more, I feel a right to call people out on their racist remarks, I get really offended, even if it’s not about the group I identify with. I just think it’s a complete embarrassment when people say things out of ignorance about another group. I have a friend of a friend, who completely says the most disgusting things about other groups. It’s unbearable to be around him, honestly. I’ve called him out a few times, but I think he needs to be more aware of himself, and what his words are truly meaning. We were drinking, him a few friends, and my two black friend were there. He actually yelled nigger during flip cup. He didn’t flip it over and said “ughh nigger”, everyone stopped and looked at my friends to see how they reacted. It was so uncomfortable, but they didn’t do anything about it because I apologized on his behalf for his ignorance and blamed it on the alcohol and his ‘social awkwardness’. This was just inappropriate, and I think people like this should be called out and face a consequence for their rudeness.

This class has made me much more aware of my privileges. I know people feel pity for my financial situation and witness my drive so they take chances on me, scholarships and grants. However, I do not know from any proof, I feel that a person of another race, given the same financial situation, may not get as much opportunity for aid in going to school. Not only this, but I can tell people assume they can trust me based off of first impression. Whereas, if I were a different race, other than white, people take even the slightest hesitation in trusting me with the same given opportunity or action. This is an awkward thing to be self conscious and aware of. However, I it has given me a greater advantage when just doing simple things like going to the bank, meeting new people, going to a grocery store, I feel comfortable being myself without being self conscious about ridiculous stereotypes or suggested inequalities. An interesting thing that has taken place during the course of Soc 119, is this is changing a lot more. I am starting to be more aware of certain advantages minorities have over white people, and also am becoming more self conscious about how people perceive me as an individual based on the color of my white skin and what stereotypes or hatred they might be harboring towards me. It may sound ludicrous to claim that minorities have some advantage over white people. I do have evidence of this accusation though. I have witnessed many minorities having the advantage of exclusive clubs, fraternities, organizations, and scholarships that are not open to Caucasians, in my opinion this is a form of racism. I have actually talked with many of my friends about this, some feel similarly and others really have a passionate way of thinking I’m a stupid white ass hole for saying that. Maybe I am, because it is possible I just don’t understand enough about it. Or maybe I’m not, and I’m posing an interesting perception on this. This points out one thing though; whites are not the only people who experience some form of privilege. As I have pointed out a few examples, there is also a personal experience I’ve had with this, which is interesting because I’m Caucasian. When filling out my Penn State application, I selected the options of Caucasian and Native American; I wasn’t trying to be a jerk or joke around. My family really thinks we have Native American ancestry, which we do a few generations back, but we are not aware just how much and we do not embrace the culture, lifestyle, or inequalities they have faced. I have below median GPA, SAT scores, and class experience for Penn State’s criteria, getting accepted here was a leap of faith. However, I did get in and I believe that it was somewhat influenced by my selection of Native American.

I completely agree with this point made by the gentleman in the video. He is making such a valid point. I have been bothered by this for a very long time now, I do not understand how it is ‘politically correct’ or ‘socially acceptable’ to advertise scholarships “strictly” for African Americans, Asians Americans, Native Americans, Indian Americans, every single race.. except white Americans. Poor white males (and females) do not have as many opportunities for scholarships unless they’ve made high academic achievements, or have absolutely high financial need. I am a white female who does display high financial need and am very, very lucky enough to get the financial aid I get based on my very low income group. However, I have watched friends who are not very wealthy, but your typical suburbia family, who are not able to get scholarships (because their parents have okay jobs, and they did not achieve exponentially during high school). So the standard goes, these people have to take out loans of their own, while others strictly because of their race have a greater advantage of affording school. It bothers me very much so, that we (European Americans) always have the fingered pointed at us for segregation and treating others better or worse or giving them more or less of an advantage based on the color of their skin, but what I see is that being reversed on us right now, in the case of funds to go to school. Also, as the women mentioned in the CNN video there’s a reason for this, which I do understand in history things were terrible and it was solely because of European Americans treating people unfairly, but isn’t it just the same thing for it to be reversed? This is an issue I have always felt uncomfortable to bring up, because of course I’m going to appear to be a mighty white jerk for not understanding other ethnicities deserving these scholarship opportunities. However, it truly is said well in this video, Group 1,2,3 and 4 get a scholarship. Those numbers representing races or ethnicities other than white or European American have scholarships strictly based on those factors, whereas if white, European Americans, or group 5 did… It is considered a whole new ground of racism. Group 5 should have a scholarship, if other groups do. Or just take away all the scholarships based on the color of skin and keep the criteria based strictly on merit or need based. This is a personal issue, and I realize I am lucky that I did get the scholarships I did because of my financial status. Which may be the case for these other groups, but It just seems wrong to be basing it off the color of skin and not academic or financial status.

This is an issue close to home. I am poor white society. I think like every other society it’s very misunderstood. The video we saw in class about the redneck fair, yeah that’s likely to happen where I come from. I simply feel somewhat unfair treatment from all other cultures and societies. Like Sam said, people think its okay to make fun of these people. Why! Is what I ask. I feel like everyone in the world thinks they’re the lowest of the society. Honestly, it could be true? I’m not really sure. But coming from my experiences, I think they’ve got a bad rep. They’re just trying to get through life as much as anyone else. The thing that really grinds my gears, is hearing people say they put themselves there, they could be doing more, and so on and so forth. Who are these people to pass these judgments? The people that say this are the ones who I would expect to have been more privileged growing up, and wouldn’t understand the lifestyle and struggles. As we watched the video about Tammy and her life in class; we did the activity and I overheard the kid next to me say that he has no compassion for her, and thinks she could be doing more. I thought to myself, are you serious right now? I didn’t feel like arguing, but perhaps I should have. What more can that women be doing? This is a smooth transition into another point I wanted to make, a lot of people seem to look past the fact, that these people may just be comfortable in their position. They may not literally be living comfortably, but they’re living; they work, they have fun, they love, have friends, and do community events. I disagreed with Sam stating that they’re embarrassed. I don’t think it’s always true. I truly think people just get comfortable, for a number of reasons. They’re happy living cheap and in a low economic society or they’ve worked hard for so long of their life, they just have given up the hope of getting ahead. Sometimes, getting ahead just is not possible. So for a lot of these people, they just accept and embrace their conditions. Also, a lot of people do not really have a desire to work their ass off in a socially ‘acceptable’ job, making the ‘good money’ and having ‘nice things’. Many people can have simpler pleasures; being a mom, having a typical job, enjoying their cigarettes and other ‘bad habits’, and just spending time with friends and family. I know I hardly touched on the subject of who am I likely to help, but I don’t think that is a big deal. I’m willing to help anyone who shows initiative and desire to be helped. I only base it off of their past actions towards getting help, their attitude about life and their desires in life.

I would respectfully disagree with the previous statement. When we first were asked on the clicker question about the slave made product that is half the price at Walmart, I answered that I would still buy it. This is only because I did not realize the extent of slavery and their conditions. Honestly, I had thought the slavery was a reference of low wage working conditions. After watching the video, it really opened my heart and mind. I really do not think most people realize that there is serious slavery happening as we speak for the food and materials we use every day.
However, I do agree with the theory of how our capitalistic society has a great involvement in the influences and actions of many people. It’s a very difficult reality; it’s hard to change everybody’s thoughts.
One of the best methods to make people more aware of this is to just communicate with others about it. Tell your friends what you learn, tell your family. If you show true passion and relay factual information, I imagine that will affect a lot of people. Another method could be through doing research, reading articles and posting about it on Facebook. However, I notice I have posted a lot of the issues we talk about in class, mainly the videos, on my page, and usually no one even comments or asks about it. So sometimes, people really just don’t want to care. This is a very sad reality, but this doesn’t have to represent everyone’s standards. Of course, one of the most important aspects of both of these is to show people alternatives, describe what can be done to help. I imagine a lot of people have an idea about issues, but they don’t know the details or alternatives, so choose to look away. We saw this in class today, everyone got heated about the arguments, and one person clearly asked, what can be done!? That’s probably the most important matter to know, besides the matter itself.
As we learned that fair trade products can help, not completely boycott items that are slave made. Before that class period, I did not even know what fair trade meant. I imagine I am not the only one, either. So quickly I learned this information, was told alternative’s, and can move towards living up to these alternatives. If people could just spread the information, I think it truly could impact the world.
This impact, may not be as great as discontinuing slavery, it’s hard for us people who do not have positions in agencies, governments or large societies that move towards world efforts. But as Sam mentioned in class, he just wants us to know and think about this stuff. Let’s help others know and think about this stuff too.

Actually determinism has improved my life. People would categorize me as poor white trailer trash; my mother had me at 16, so according to statistics I had high chances of being another teenager mother. Guess what, determinism pinned me correctly, I had a baby at 19. But rather than just letting irresponsible behavior determine the rest of my life, I made some rough choices that many teenage mothers rarely look towards. I gave my daughter up in an open adoption. Other girls, who become a part of the teenage mom statistics, have a choice and can make it, or let determinism make it. If they’re not in the economic or mental position to become a mother or dependency for someone, then don’t. Look at all your options and resources and make your own decision, instead of possibly putting your child at risk to be in the poor low advantage position. I made that choice on my own, I must say, I could’ve let things be determined that I was going to struggle and live in the poor socioeconomic position for the rest of my life. I was expected to probably not go to college because we did not have the money, no one else in my family went to college, and everyone got jobs early on. However, I have always had a drive, like Sam mentioned in class. He said each of these students have developed a driven attitude, were born with this attitude, are lazy, or will have things fall into place. For me, I had that drive; I used my adversities to my advantage. I won a few scholarships, was accepted into Penn State, and receive federal financial aid because I worked towards this goal. I understand now, that these resources would not have been as available to me if I had fallen into an even more difficult determined position, such as people who don’t have opportunity to attend a great school, or have great guidance counselors. My school really did put me at an advantage, I had a great education, and my guidance counselor informed me of resources to receive federal financial aid. However, if I had completely been consumed by determinism, then I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. I did work hard, and with the help of other people, who made resources available, was able to succeed. I do want to point out though, I think I’m an exception, and actually do realize the help others have contributed, if a person never seeks out help or resources, they most likely will not just fall into their lap.

Honestly, it would be nice if we could. I don't think that we can, however. Mostly because individuals are encouraged to know their 'heritage', their history, and their culture. As long as people hold on to this, which they very well should, there will always be the comparison/competition of races. Such as in sports, some people as we discussed in class, are just associated with certain sports. As long as we're 'in tune' with our culture and our surroundings, we're going to play the sports we have access to.
As for the unequal in jobs, I definitely think that can't be determined. My view is that some people have more available resources to take advantage of. Which put them in the position for education/health care/post secondary education/careers, it's socio-economical, unfortunately. I think it's sad that just because some people do not have the resources available, that the opportunity doesn't exist for them as great as it does for others.
To the thought on positive news, I must say, when I watch my local news back home, Pittsburgh, I do hear positive news. Maybe not much of it, but I do hear it. Also, I strongly agree and enjoyed Sam's wife's perspective (I believe that's who she was), on why we get the biased news we do. It is a very plausible reason to why we mostly hear negative news. The news is very well a mechanism we have as to know whats going on around us near and far. As humans, we do have the need to protect ourselves and to be in tune with our instincts of danger and our surroundings. The news is just a method of doing so.
I think we do like positive news, it really does suck that mostly what we hear is about the negative and scary things occurring in our world. This creates a very pessimistic view of society! I know I get scared and disgusted when viewing the news, it's terrible. I love when there are the rare 'good' stories, it actually makes me smile and remember how wonderful people can be. I think there should be a lot more coverage on positive events happening in our society.