en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2398604 Comments by rmw5119 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment145136027 Part Three: I know Basum did not say this and I don't want to suggest that he was implying it either, but this shed a light on Americans as more cold and calculating than we like to see ourselves. If I could ask him more questions it would be if now, because of this ratio, he would view us in the same light as I have come to see us. I would express to him that I am an American and I don't view my life as any more valuable than his, or his son's, or anyone in his family. I think that there is a lack of understanding of other cultures and other peoples within Americans. I would ask him if Iraqis have the same problem. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:14:12 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment145136027 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144999483 Part Three: I know Basum did not say this and I don't want to suggest that he was implying it either, but this shed a light on Americans as more cold and calculating than we like to see ourselves. If I could ask him more questions it would be if now, because of this ratio, he would view us in the same light as I have come to see us. I would express to him that I am an American and I don't view my life as any more valuable than his, or his son's, or anyone in his family. I would share with him my belief that because of our age and our culture (and possibly other factors) we are unable to put ourselves easily in other shoes. I would ask him if Iraqis have the same problem. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:00:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144999483 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144998579 Part Two: Another response of his that shocked me was when he acted so casually toward the ratio. To me, I would be shocked, outraged even, that 29 innocent civilian lives were justifiable to kill one person. I could have possibly misunderstood him, but when he said 'I guess American lives are worth more,' it made my heart break. For me, whether someone is Asian, European, South American, rich, poor, young, old: it does not matter. They are still alive and they are still innocent. I am sure many people may disagree with me but to me setting such a limit and a price on other human beings lives makes us just as in the wrong as the person we are trying to stop. If looked at it the other way, we would not see it as so justifiable. If some terrorist organization took out one man who they saw as radical, and assuming that we saw the same man as extreme as well, yet they killed 29 others around him, we would still have a hard time calling it a 'victory.' Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:56:33 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144998579 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144998492 Part One: I enjoyed the video chat with Basum today. I was surprised by some of his responses. Although they seemed brief and filtered through an 'engineer' mind, they gave us more than enough insight into the Iraqi culture as well as providing more credibility to what Sam had been saying during the Christian Invaders lecture. I have to admit, although I felt more empathy and understanding toward Middle Easterners, specifically Iraqis, when Sam said the war was about oil I still walked out of that lecture thinking, 'No-couldn't be. Our government wouldn't do that; there had to have been a more legitimate reason.' For some reason, having Basum affirm that idea made it more real, especially when he talked about how the Iraqi people had not seen one road built even after their country received billions of dollars for their oil. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:56:06 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-respond-similarly-to-basum-when-learning-about-the-ratio-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144998492 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/does-your-typical-idea-of-nepotism-lower-standards-more-than-affirmative-action-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment142513716 Part Three: The struggle that I see is due to the fact that affirmative action is a more institutionalized action where nepotism is a more de facto practice. It is my belief that because one seems to be more enforced by powers outside of peoples’ own desires, more are inclined to disagree, complain, and continue to perpetuate and make an example of these stereotypes while a system that seems less ridged and more in accordance with a natural desire to help a friend or relative makes it seem more benevolent and ‘okay.’ Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:36:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/does-your-typical-idea-of-nepotism-lower-standards-more-than-affirmative-action-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment142513716 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/does-your-typical-idea-of-nepotism-lower-standards-more-than-affirmative-action-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment142513690 Part Two: As I reflect on it, I had a similar negative/positive reaction with my own personal experiences. I always knew as a woman I would have a better chance of getting into college, but hearing that was due to affirmative action? I felt differently when it was connected that way because I didn’t want to hear that I was being helped by a program that can be systematically enforced and meant to aid people of a much lower economic and social status than my own. However, when Sam presented nepotism, I was almost proud, not necessarily because of the opportunities I have received but the ones I have been able to give. Out of the 6 jobs and internships I have had in my working life, only one was given to me due to who I knew. But what about the four or five people I had gotten jobs for? Were all of them qualified? Sure, they all worked hard. But was there another candidate just as qualified who may have needed the opportunity more? In four out of the five cases I would probably have to say yes. Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:36:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/does-your-typical-idea-of-nepotism-lower-standards-more-than-affirmative-action-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment142513690 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/does-your-typical-idea-of-nepotism-lower-standards-more-than-affirmative-action-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment142513614 Part One: Even after hearing Sam speak and having discussions on other classes, I still feel like I don’t know much about affirmative action as it truly is. The stereotypes surrounding the issue have always been quite clear: black and brown males are who the program is targeted towards, native American males and females are guaranteed an automatic ‘in’ wherever they go, and white males are negatively impacted and have their ‘spots’ taken in the job and education sectors. I’ve heard it described as a quota system while in the same breath emphasizing that such things are illegal. Any way you look at it, there is a common factor in all of these stereotypes: negativity. Nepotism, in my experience, has not only been justified more easily but almost encouraged. Sam had the great example of Spanier, and as a junior looking for a career in the next year, I have heard even my father emphasizes making connections and keeping in touch with the people I know in and outside of Penn State. Politicians and their habit of including their family members seem to be the only negative example I have heard of, and even this seems to be few and far between. Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:36:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/does-your-typical-idea-of-nepotism-lower-standards-more-than-affirmative-action-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment142513614 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment140507966 Part 3: It was hard to hear the theoretical example Sam gave about China and not get upset; if that were to ever occur of course I would want something done! But actually doing something about it myself? I still disagreed with civilians taking forceful action against them. War is necessary in some cases, true. As cliché as it may sound war is also paid in human lives and that is the consequence I cannot look past. Let me say this: I am not extremely informed when it comes to politics or history and this is solely my opinion. I still think the War Against Terror in Afghanistan was justified because a large number of innocent people were killed. But going after the people in Iraq since we were in the area and that area happened to be sitting on large oil reserves? Not so justifiable in my eyes. All things aside, no one, whether they be Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, or anything else for that matter, has a right to kill other people for the sake of an idea. The one thing that I think most people, including some Christians I know and love, look past is that behind all of these differing ideas are actual people with actual lives. Wed, 6 Apr 2011 16:08:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment140507966 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment140507890 Part 2: We all have memories about this topic that were at the forefront of our minds before Sam started the lecture. I have a cousin in the Air Force who strongly supports the war yet she was almost killed protecting the base during one of her deployments. My roommate as well as my boyfriend have both been to the Middle East and have made friends and learned their views, which they in turned talked about with me. I have heard that the start of the War in Iraq was not about oil; I’ve heard it was. Before the lecture, with all of this going on in my head, I knew two things: one, that the Iraqi people had hopes and dreams just like us Americans and two, that the Muslim religion was not to blame or the source of evil for what happened to anyone. Wed, 6 Apr 2011 16:08:06 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment140507890 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment140507827 Part 1: To be honest, I was shocked at the responses to the question before class. I know that although we were younger most of us still remember September 11th and can see the aftermath of not only that event but on the decisions our government made after the fact. But the serious hatred that was behind some of those comments? Maybe this is because I am not a violent person but I don’t think, if faced with any of the people responsible for any of the attacks leading up to and after that date, I could kill anyone. Someone once asked me if I met Hitler when he was a baby and knew all the awful things he was going to do to the human race if I could kill him right then and there; I couldn’t give an honest answer to that either. Wed, 6 Apr 2011 16:07:50 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment140507827 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/do-you-ever-feel-uncomfortable-around-two-or-more-people-speaking-another-language-119-blog/#IDComment138726073 Even though I grew up in a relatively rural, mostly white town, I have had some experience with people speaking languages other than English around me. At home I work at a premium outlet mall that sells high end, name brand clothing and accessories. Most of the people who live around the area can't even afford these items, even though they are discounted; most of our customers are foreign tourists that come, literally, by the bus full to take advantage of the summer time sales. Just walking to and from stores you can hear languages from India, various Asian nations, and European dialects. At first this didn't bother me. I spent three weeks traveling Italy in high school and loved the feeling of being out of my element. At the outlets, I enjoyed walking to work and seeing the interactions of people, even the ways they dressed (Europeans, especially, seem to dress up when they go shopping). But working with so many different languages being spoken around you can prove to be more difficult than uncomfortable. Often times it becomes distracting and hard to hear customers or coworkers as one person from the group attempts to translate for the rest. This isn't necessarily an issue; it was obvious to me that these people were just visiting the country and I am thankful to have someone who is willing and able to translate for them. Recently, however, I was working in State College, which seems even less diverse than the suburbs of Philadelphia, and was approached by two customers who were foreign exchange students. One ordered for the both of them, and when I asked the girl who was ordering the other student's name for her order, the second girl became offended and rudely told me her name before turning back to her friend and continuing their conversation in another language. I didn't ask her directly because her friend was ordering for her and I figured she didn't know, or wasn’t comfortable, speaking English. Although these girls were not the only ones who exhibited this behavior, it finally struck me that what made me uncomfortable, or what bothered me about this, was that both girls knew how to speak English, and quite well at that, yet the second girl chose not to interact with me. Throughout this class, I have been trying to keep an open mind, and find a cultural explanation for the differences I see. In most cases, I've been learning, asking questions and trying to really listen to the answers. But language seems to be one of my final barriers; I do still feel uncomfortable and upset at work when someone around me is speaking a language different than English. Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:27:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/do-you-ever-feel-uncomfortable-around-two-or-more-people-speaking-another-language-119-blog/#IDComment138726073 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137058900 I am so glad this question was asked in class; for me, the answer is absolutely! Although we are in a sociology class and are supposed to look at the big picture of things, i.e. the 'invisible strings that shape our lives' as Sam would say, I honestly think that who we love (and actually love, not necessarily who we choose to be with) has a lot to do with instinct. When I was little, I wasn't initially aware of race. I thought Will Smith was not only an amazing actor but completely cute and couldn't get enough of the show 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.' My first elementary school crush was on a boy who was black; to me, he was funny, nice, and taller than me (major points on the tall part) and that is what mattered. It wasn't until I pointed him out to my grandmother, who was originally raised in southern Maryland, that I noticed he might be a little different than me. She dismissed my feelings and excitement by saying that 'we didn't mix with those types of people.' Shocked, I went to my mother who told me to like 'whoever the hell I wanted and to not listen to (my) grandmother.' I wanted to respond to this post because I was once approached by a black guy and asked out on a date. He and I could talk for hours about anything and, although I was excited for the offer, I was already seeing someone else and had to say no. He became a little too intoxicated one night and proceeded to leave a seven minute long (no exaggeration) message on my phone. His explanation? He was 'not white enough' for me and he didn't wear 'flannel shirts and stripped shorts' (like I said-a little TOO intoxicated). He was extremely embarrassed the next day when I told him exactly what he said, with my favorite quotes and all, but what bothered me the most was that even though he knew me he still blamed our racial difference for my answer. My point in all this is, guys: do not get discouraged if a girl says no. I know this might seem like basic advise for any person in the dating scene, but I think it is especially important to keep in mind when there is a racial factor involved. Some girls may just not be attracted to black guys like some girls aren't attracted to super skinny guys, heavier guys, tall guys, or short guys. I also think that their families might deter some girls. I know that we should strive to be individuals, but some people may not be willing to cut ties with people in their family who may have harsh views. Some girls might already be dating someone! You never know. All you can do is keep in mind that not all white girls (and their circumstances) are the same and that the best you can do is put yourself out there. You might be surprised at what you find. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:37:22 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/for-the-white-females-would-you-ever-date-a-black-guy-119-blog/#IDComment137058900 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349219 Part 4: After reading this article and going through the discussions in class, I’m not quite sure how to feel about the actions people are taking against the changes happening in our country. I think equality programs are put into place for a reason and I am not sure making white equality programs are the best counter action. But what do we do to soften the blow of equality, of experiencing broken dreams and unpaid promises that the minorities have been experiencing for years? Or should we do anything? Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:12:17 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349219 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349166 Part 3: This is where I differ with Mr. Wise. In the article, he said, "The idea that we're losing our country is something that's not going to have a lot of resonance for someone under 30. These are white folks who don't remember the country that their parents are talking about." We might not remember, but we know what we were originally promised by the American dream. Our parents and grandparents, even our media and advertising keep alive the guarantee of an education and carefree youth, a great, well-paying job, a family with a white picket fence, and the same for our children. I think the ‘white men only’ scholarships are a great example of the perpetuation of this dream. When these things are jeopardized, of course it is going to heighten racial issues. We were never told to question whether these things would be an option for us, not a guarantee. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:12:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349166 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349112 Part 2: My dad always said that I seem to focus on each individual tree instead of looking at the entire forest. Sure, that might be a personal problem, but it also could be a generational problem (or even a factor of age). We seem to take individual cases or cite one or two things as the problem to race, the reason we are being put down or why these things are happening to us. But I think we need to quit pointing fingers, broaden our perspective, and start looking at our economy as an aggravator to an ever evolving, broad racial issue. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:11:46 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349112 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349048 Part 1: The changes that the article discusses seem, to me, to be inevitable. Gallagher was right, we as a society have already worked toward more equality in previous years; and I am sure those changes to those people seemed just as radical and scary. However, what seems to be rapidly progressing and heightening our situation is the economy. Change is never easily accepted, but when coupled with financial instability which directly affects the well-being and future of Americans, things are going to get really nasty rather quickly. I don’t think that our generation, or even our parents’ generation, can really grasp the magnitude of the Great Depression; if we could we might be able to compare it to our future and learn from our ancestors mistakes. Even further, I think that we have to look beyond the media. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:11:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/06/are-whites-racially-oppressed/#IDComment135349048 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195677 Part Four: I do not promote tanning in light of all the research showing its severe connections to cancer, but freshman year in preparation for spring break I bought two months’ worth of tanning. Although it was only eight minutes at a time, laying in that warm bed, feeling like the sun was out in full force, brightened my day (no pun intended). I think the steps the city of Helsinki is taking to fight seasonal depression are beneficial to not only their citizens, but to others who, like me (originally) and some doctors, originally discredit the notion that darkness can drastically change a person’s disposition. It is not only a step to help those people, but to other cities and populations who suffer the same, along with those who close their mind to ‘silly’ sounding things. Thu, 3 Mar 2011 21:00:36 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195677 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195608 Part Three: Recently, in college, I’ve begun to realize that things that may sound silly and trivial can actually be serious issues that affect many people. One of my closest friends and roommate recently told me that he has an extremely hard time sleeping in the winter, and that he must go into a living room to ease his anxiety. I, too, could sympathize with him; all throughout high school my mother would become offended that I wouldn’t sleep in my own bed, choosing the couch downstairs as a preferable place to sleep. Dad exhibited similar behaviors, but I never had the mind to make the connection, let alone point it out to my mother. My friend/roommate said that he had been diagnosed with the same disorder as my father, and that although it is a significant form of depression his doctor didn’t feel the need to send him to talk therapy or prescribe medication. Not that these are the ultimate solutions to any depressive disorder, but did his doctor subconsciously discredit the severity of such a problem, or choose to credit other factors? Thu, 3 Mar 2011 21:00:19 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195608 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195556 Part Two: But what my dad didn’t account for was how much we needed the sun, too. We have always had a history of depression, on both sides of the family, but our stubbornness and lack of insight into the problem just lead me to conclude that we a) didn’t like the holidays, b) must have had some relationship to bears who liked to eat and hibernate, and c) were just generally cranky people. I was fine with my conclusions. When my father came home from the doctors and said that, among other factors, like my grandmother’s death on New Years Day, he suffered from seasonal depression. I didn’t want to discredit my dad, after all he had received this diagnosis from a certified professional, but really? Who in their right mind loves waking up in complete darkness and freezing cold? Thu, 3 Mar 2011 21:00:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195556 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195489 Part One: I really liked this clip on the effects light can have on the human body. Most of the time, especially in the summer, we are being told how harmful UV rays can be for us. My father, who should have bought stock in sunscreen when I was born, was a big proponent of floppy hats and umbrellas at the beach. He always made sure to buy the highest SPF, no matter how many studies came out proving anything above 30 or 40 added no further protection. He would pronounce that our heritage, mostly English and Irish, was not designed for such exposure to the sun, lamenting the fact that my grandfather did not pass on the olive complexion of the Mediterranean side of the family. Thu, 3 Mar 2011 20:59:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/01/lighting-our-way/#IDComment132195489