The male gaze is definitely something that may have been in the back of my head but I never really gave much thought to it from the sex perspective. I always new that women do everything they do, from the clothes they wear to the things they say in order to please men. We go through so much pain, from waxing to wearing heels, for what other purpose than to attract men? Looking from the sex perspective, I had no idea that so few women actually orgasm during sex. If women aren’t enjoying themselves during sex, then why are they having it? To please men? This really confirms the belief that it’s a man’s world.
Although the male gaze is way more prominent, I think that somewhere a female’s gaze is also prevalent. Women fantasize men to be tall, impeccably built and handsome. When you look at ads like Calvin Klein or even Abercrombie and Fitch ads, you can easily see the type of man that women want. It’s the same way that many ads use tall, skinny women with long hair in order to attract men. In a female centered world, more men would try to look like those chiseled models much like how girls act now.
In addition, girls dream about men like those in movies like The Notebook or from A Walk to Remember. I think that is the extent of the female gaze. But all in all it always comes back to the male gaze because girls feel that in order to get an ideal man, they must dress and act a certain way. This is so much more prevalent on a college campus. Girls wear short dresses and really high heels even in the dead of winter just to impress boys.
I also think it is this reason why women feel like they can’t tell men if sex is not what they expected. They do not want to offend their man in the fear that they may be dumped. Men may say that they would not mind if women told them the truth but I’m pretty sure that if after sex a girl was to tell her guy that he did not satisfy her, then he would be upset and even a little hurt. Sure next time he might try to up his game but women mostly do not want to take that chance.
In a female gaze, sex would probably have to be slowed down a lot more. They would take it slow because women have a longer sex drive than males. Also, it would not be all about the male orgasm, females would make sure to have their partners pleasure them as well.

It’s not a secret that American education is way below that of counties around the world. Although we do have a decent higher level educational system (as can be seen by the high numbers of foreigners who come to America for college), our primary and secondary educational levels are worsening. At the same time, immigration is causing a major uproar in American society. I think that the reason why people are more inclined to wanting to reform immigration over education is because immigration is directly impacting people’s lives right now. When immigrants come over and take blue collar jobs that the American public feels they deserve, they will be angry. With education, the public may not see the impacts of its decline right away but in a few years they will see. If America does not start competing on a higher level in terms of education then there may be a day when the United States of America is no longer the superpower of the world. Personally, I do not understand why Americans are so close minded on the topic of immigration. This nation was built on the fundamental idea of immigration so how can there be so much hatred towards immigrants. Honestly, this country would be no where if it were not for immigrants. They do many jobs that white Americans would never do, especially not for the low pay that immigrants do it for. Also, in schools, it’s a majority of immigrant children or children whose family have recently immigrated that get better educations. It’s not a coincidence that Asian children get higher degrees; obviously there is something in their culture that promotes this. So if American can benefit so much from immigration, why are they so against it? Immigrants pay just as many taxes as anyone else in this country so there should be no opposition.
The reason why immigration reform is higher on the list is due to politics. Politicians can appeal to more people when they make promises to change the immigration system. However, this might not be the most productive four our country. It’s so obvious that we are falling behind and it’s not easy to catch up. It will take billions of dollars and I don’t know how many other resources to change the entire schooling system. Since we already have so much debt, I’m sure people would be hesitant to sponsor anything that will cost them more money. The government tells the public that the country has standardized testing in order to make sure students are on track but those tests could not even compare to what students in countries like China and India are taking. I hope the American people can realize this soon before we fall so far behind that we simply won’t be able to catch up.

There is a big difference in helping people from other countries and helping people in your own country. We, we as in the government of the United States, give aid to countries like Haiti and places in the Middle East in order to increase our influence around the world. We are a major superpower and to stay that way, we have no choice but to give generous amounts of aid to countries when they need it.
Native Americans are a sore subject for Americans. The saddest part about the controversy about helping Native Americans is that most American citizens don’t even know how poorly the Native Americans live. I guarantee you that majority of the class did not know that tribes have an annual income of only $15000. That is unacceptable but it’s also not our fault. Sure early Native American history is covered in every history class in high school but after learning how we took their land and put them on reservations, we never revisit the subject. There’s no follow up lesson on how they fared on these reservations, we never hear about the brutality against Native American women. It’s disgusting to think that we are part of a society that condemns other nations for discriminating while we do nothing to help our own citizens.
In our discussion last week, a classmate made the comment that if Native Americans want to move up in society, then they need to assimilate into our culture and not wait for the government to help them. I was appalled slightly by that. How can you tell someone that the only way they can overcome an unjust poverty is by giving up everything they believe in and starting over. America is a melting pot of nationalities. Obviously everyone had to adjust a little to succeed but people who have been shut down every time they try to rise probably need a little extra help.
We spend so much money on helping foreign nations whenever there is a natural disaster. During the earthquake in Japan and even the tsunami in south East Asia, America was always on the forefront with aid. I think the reason we don’t do more to help Native Americans is because we don’t want the world to see our weakness. We try to portray ourselves as an all accepting culture but in reality, the government is still partial to certain groups.
It’s not even that we only give aid to other countries. We spend so much money reforming aspects of our own society such as education and rebuilding after Katrina. Why isn’t helping the Native Americans a priority on that list? I’m not saying to go and give handouts of money to tribes but helping them assimilate and giving them help with whatever they need to get them out of the despair they are in now shouldn’t be too difficult. All in all, I think it’s a real tragedy that the people whose land this originally was are still suffering, hundreds of years later when we have made huge strides in race relations.

So growing up, I had never given affirmative action much thought. Sure I’m a minority and I’m a woman, I just never assumed that these two factors could potentially be the reason why I get a job or into a certain school. I’d glad we discussed affirmative action in class and in my discussion group because it gave me a lot of time to think and form my own opinions. I’m not totally against affirmative action only because minorities and women have been oppressed for so long that now without these special programs, it would have been difficult for so many women and people of color get to where they are. Some people just need that extra push that comes with affirmative action due to the circumstances of their life. It’s a luxury to be born into a wealthy family and most people are not born into wealth. How are they supposed to do better for themselves if all the odds are stacked against them? In this sense, affirmative action is very beneficial. I definitely believe that affirmative action should look at more than gender and race, it should also take into consideration socioeconomic status. There are many brilliant white people who are born into poverty and they need just as much help as poor black people. The only reason why I am hesitant about affirmative action is when people start talking about quotas and taking under qualified people just for the sake of increasing diversity. Affirmative action, is used properly can really be productive in allowing disadvantaged people gaining opportunities but this can only work if those people are qualified.

As far as taking a handout, I don’t think I would mind taking one. If I knew someone who worked in a company and they were in a position to offer me a position, I wouldn’t feel guilty about taking it. I would hope that they person who gave me the job had enough faith in my abilities. I obviously wouldn’t be interested in it if I was incompetent in the skills needed for the job. The reason we build relationships with people is so they can help us and we can help them. In this sense, if I could help someone out by getting them a job I wouldn’t oppose to that either. I know people will always counter argue the nepotism takes jobs away from deserving, well qualified people but if they truly are deserving, then they should be able to find another job. Networking and making connections is something that colleges teach us is essential to being successful. It’s just they way the world works, the more people you know the easier it may be for you. I’m not saying that that is completely fair but it’s the way it works, and so if I was offered a handout, I be sure to take it.

When Sam openly asked the class if any girl was on her period, I was very surprised. It’s a question that most people don’t usually ask girls. However, I disagree when he claimed that women are not truly free because they could not answer his question. Being able to talk about our periods is not a good measure if we are free. There are so many topics in modern society that are considered taboo so does that mean that we are all not free? I do not think so. Out of the group, about 10 girls were honest about it so obviously they were free to answer. There is no way of knowing how many girls were actually on their period, maybe those girls who raised their hands were the only ones. I understand in the class of over seven hundred kids that is not likely but it is always a possibility.
I feel like Sam made his question awkward from the beginning. By using the word “bleeding” he probably unintentionally (or even intentionally) made the situation uncomfortable maybe to prove his point. I think that women have come a long way in terms of their freedom and just because they don’t want to share something personal about their body should not be taken as they are not free.
To further prove his point, Sam asked the boys how many of them masturbated over break. He wanted to show that males were more free to talk about their bodies than women but I do not think that is the case. Males are more inclined to talk about things like masturbating and even other taboo topics like pooping in general. Girls are always more reserved about these topics. I think it’s a gender personality issue, not one of freedom.
Periods are a touchy subject for girls. When you learn about them for the first time in elementary school, you dread the day when you will begin the horrid cycle of bleeding once a month. In the beginning it is an extremely private ordeal, usually just between the girl and her mother and some close friends. Over the years, after getting it for a while it becomes a part of you and therefore makes it easier to talk about. Now, I can talk to my parents and my friends about my period like it is no big deal but even after all these years, I do not feel comfortable discussing it with strangers. Girls are expected to clean, poised and pretty so knowing that they are “bleeding” is definitely an uncomfortable topic. I feel that periods are a very private matter in certain cultures and there is a lot associated with getting your period and so that makes it something that not everyone is willing to discuss. All in all, I don’t think this topic should have any bearing on whether women are free or not.

The issue of having lighter skin versus darker skin is an integral part of not only black cultures but also of cultures around the world. In the black community the notion that lighter skin is more attractive originated during the era of slavery. Slaves that worked inside the house, obviously, had lighter skin as they did not have to work in the fields. The fact they were allowed to working in their master’s house made them of more value than a field slave. I think it was during this time that Blacks began to crave lighter skin and in order to achieve that, they use skin lightening products.
In more modern times, it no longer has to do with being an indoor worker versus an outdoor worker. Now, it has to do with competing against white Americans. Everywhere you look, on TV, in movies on advertisements; there are models, most of them who are fair if not white. In a world where light skin is the only kind considered beautiful, it’s no wonder that little girls will grow up and use skin lightening cream. Everyone wants to feel beautiful and for many people the only think hindering this dream is the color of their skin.
In other cultures, such as mine, Indian, light skin is also considered more valued. I first started hearing about this idea when my parents would talk about marriages about relatives or people they know in India. When talking about the bride, they would often always associate beautiful with light skin. Or, is a boy rejected a girl sometimes the reason would be because she was too dark for him. I never understood this and I still remember all the times I asked my parents why people thought this way. They could never give me a straight answer. In the Indian culture, it’s made painfully obvious that lighter skin is valued more than dark skin by looking at the entertainment industry. Well over three quarters of all Indian actors, actresses and models have light skin. There are even movies in which a mother would be jealous of another woman’s fair daughter. There are tv shows about how a dark skinned girl has to cope with the world. What kinds of examples are these? Girls growing up in a country where light skin is glorified will obviously want the same.
People say they don’t understand why girls use skin lightening creams but the answer is obvious. The world is telling them that unless they are fair, they are not beautiful. The real question people should be asking is that why do we still emphasize light skin? We are decades more civilized than the days of slavery, we have no excuse to still be judging based on how fair someone’s skin is. I personally cannot stand when people say that light skin is more beautiful. Skin color should have no influence on a person’s beauty.

I don’t think that one of the causalities is superior to the others. I believe that I rely on all three pretty much equally. First, I will discuss biology. I definitely feel that your genes are a big part of how your life plays out. It has been proven that IQ is related significantly to genetics. If a person’s parents are intelligent, then it would not be surprising if their child was also smart. Another area where genetics and biology plays a role is in athletics. As Sam pointed out in class, people of African descent have longer legs that make them more apt for running track. Compared to Africans, Asians have shorter legs but longer torsos, this obviously does not allow them to succeed. Also, looking at pure statistics, Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to commit crimes over whites and Asians. I am not being judgmental or stereotypical when I say this, it is a fact. Obviously there has to be some correlation among this.
Tying in with this is also determinism. If a person is born into a family that suffers from poverty or has parents who themselves had committed crimes, they are more likely to do the same. A person who grows up in a poor neighborhood will have a tougher time leaving their situation. It will take more efforts and resources (mainly money) that they don’t have to escape their poverty. I do not think that it is impossible for people to escape their predetermined fate but it must be very hard. In a “spiritual” way of thinking, I do believe that everything is predetermined. I believe that everything that happens has a purpose whether we understand it at the time or not.
Also, society has created many restrictions on various groups. For example, I am Indian and in out society, if a child does not graduate from some type of professional school (law, medicine, business) then not only they but their whole family is looked down upon. This also brings in free will. So in theory, every Indian child has the ability to do whatever they want to do with their life. But, growing up with other Indians, they know what is expected of them. So, chances society will, in some way, influence what career they choose. I know that this must have to happen to other cultural groups as well. For example, Asians are constantly being reminded that they are good at math. So, even if an Asian is not exceptionally gifted at doing math problems, maybe they will work harder just to keep up with their stereotype. So while free will does exist, it is not completely there. Like the suicide example that Sam gave in class, sociological factors will always be present in every decision made.

I learned the lesson that we are actually rich compared to the world before coming to this class. I learned it during my trip to India in my freshman year of high school. I don’t think my parents meant for that trip to teach me any valuable lesson; they had simply planned for me to meet my family who still lives there. I’m glad that my trip turned into so much more. When we arrived, I was in awe of how people lived. My mother’s home, which is considered to be middle class, did not live up to American middle class standards. That wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. I saw firsthand what true poverty is like. These people live under tarps that the put up using a side of a building for support. It was devastating to see kids lying under these makeshift homes during the day, a time when they should be at school.
I learned in those 3 weeks that I wasn’t poor, not even close Comparing myself to those unfortunate people, I don’t feel poor but in America I certainly don’t feel rich. I know I’m constantly asking my parents for new gadgets and clothes, I know I should be thankful for what I have. But, living in America, I feel that one’s wealth is relative to the people immediately around them. Obviously most Americans are better off compared to others around the globe but within the country, there are many levels of wealth. There will always be people who can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on new shoes and even more on new phones or computers. People will always know someone who has nicer clothes, a fancier car or a bigger home. American’s (or anyone really) will always strive to acquire more money in order to live a better life. So, when asked I if I was rich, my immediate reaction would be to say no, but when I think about what I have seen, I reconsider my answer.
I feel that when Americans are asked if they think they are rich and they answer “NO” it is not because they are ignorant of conditions around the world. As I mentioned above, Americans know what they see in America and here they are constantly seeing others who have more money than they do (granted, that are plenty of people who also have less). Every kid in college is walking around in their North Face jackets and UGG boots and so if someone was not able to afford these kinds of items, then the will definitely feel poor. All this being said, I am very glad to have grow up in a country that doesn’t have to face destitution to the same degree that many other places around the world have to face.

I absolutely comment the Iranian girl for doing something I know I wouldn’t have been able to do. The fact that she was able to voice her opinion about a topic so obviously sensitive for her, in front of not only seven hundred people but also NATO officers and a Navy Seal is very commendable. As for what she said, it was a real eye opener for me. When the girl said that she had lied to other about her heritage, I felt truly bad for her. Having to lie about where you are from is like lying about who you are. Persian and Iranian are not the same thing. If I couldn’t tell people that I was Indian, I don’t know what other nationality I would even associate with. It’s who I am, I can’t change it. It is sad that Americans are so quick judge others by where they are from. The girl made a great point when she said that America has a problem with the Iranian government, so why do we judge Iranian civilians? There are many nations around the world that dislike the American government and America’s foreign policies but they don’t go around judging ALL Americans. The girl was right in saying that they don’t judge all Americans. She obviously CHOSE to come and study in America, which should be proof enough of her statements.
Another point that really stood out to me was when she addressed the claim that the American military makes and effort to get to know the enemy. Getting to know the enemy is not enough. Get to know the everyday, ordinary people of the country you are invading. Isn’t that a little more important? These are the people who will be feeling the full brunt of your attack so why have tea with the Taliban and not the citizens? These are the people who will be losing their loved ones, who have to deal with their homes being destroyed. I feel that this point was so brilliantly made that even the NATO officers did not know how to respond.
Americans are truly ignorant when it comes to stereo typing especially when it comes to middle easterners. Not everyone who wears a hijab or a turban is a terrorist. We all know this fact but when we see someone different, we can’t help but judge. The group of terrorists in the Middle East makes up a very SMALL part of the population. There are more civilians (just like you and me) out there than radicals. We need to stop associating everyone in Iranian, Iraqi or Afghani with terrorists. This is true of every country. There are plenty of people in American who don’t agree with Obama and are willing to take radical measures but this doesn’t describe everyone.

Interracial dating has been a taboo topic for ages. I don’t know if “afraid” would be the right word to use for when white boys/girls approach black boys/girls. I think that a major reason why people are hesitant to date interracially is because they are nervous about what other people will think. Another reason would also have to be the stereotypes that are associated with other races. No matter how far society has progressed, it is still difficult for people accept people who are different. Also, I feel that if you grew up surrounded by people of your own race then it may be difficult for you to be attracted to people of another race. But this can also go the other way. If you grew up with people of a similar race then you may be attracted to someone different.
I know that my family, coming from a fairly liberal Indian background, would not jump for joy if someone brought home their non-Indian significant other. But, at the same time we accept it because there is nothing truly wrong with interracial dating. Personally, I have cousins and aunts and uncles who have married outside of our race. Even though our family has extended to other than Indian people, everyone who is not a Hindu Indian is white. No one is Hispanic, black or Muslim. Our family is open but not that liberal. They still have their opinions and it is going to take a lot more time for them to broaden their views. My parents may be a little more liberal but I know that my grandfather would never accept it. I am actually surprised that he is as open as he is, I know that other people in his generations would be strongly opposed.
I do not think any of their relationships were frowned upon but they definitely took some getting used to. I think that it becomes difficult for the couple when they start living together and have kids. How do you raise your kids? Every person has their own beliefs, traditions, religion that each person may want to pass on to their kids and even to future generations. People from different were raised differently. I’m sure they values my parents instilled in me (and how they instilled them in me) would be different compared to someone in from a white or African American family. You do not want to make your children choose between their parents but at the same time you want them to have a mix of two cultures. However I think that if two people are sincere about their relationship, they can make it work, millions of people have had successful interracial relationships.