en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2401026 Comments by sbb5111 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-help-out-or-turn-away-immigrants-in-the-poor-situations-we-saw-them-in-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment147318948 It is inspiring to witness someone such as Mr. Munoz committing himself to the welfare of others on a consistent basis. I know that many people volunteer their services and have a desire to give back to those less fortunate but how many of us have committed to this on a daily basis? I’ve worked at a soup kitchen in addition to various other volunteer venues throughout my four years in high school. I also have to admit that I am not so sure how much I would have given of my time if community service weren’t a mandatory requirement for graduation. I’m certain I would have gotten involved in helping others regardless of my school requirements, but in all honesty my contribution might have been less than the 80 plus hours that were expected of us. After watching the video it is difficult to concede that I would actually help or turn away immigrants that were in such intolerable circumstances. I prefer to see myself as someone who would be as selfless as Mr. Munoz, but I have walked passed homeless people on the streets of New York and have looked the other way. People that live on the street are a common occurrence in urban areas and I think that all of us become desensitized to these images. Of course I can only speak for myself, but I’ve seen very few people actually stop to give money or speak to someone who is homeless. I live in NYC and have traveled to many other cities where there are makeshift homes on street corners and park benches. These are people that are removed from our lives, without names, “faceless” in a way. On the other hand, I do believe I would help someone who I had a personal connection with in some way. I can’t imagine turning an individual away that needed my help whether they were an illegal immigrant or a U.S. citizen. There are thousands of people from all walks of life that are struggling with little to eat and nowhere to live. The recession has contributed to thousands losing their jobs, homes and the very lives they have worked so hard to achieve. I am lucky to have a supportive family who will always be there for me, an opportunity to attend this university and worries that have nothing to do with survival. My life circumstances could be very different and I am grateful for all that I do have and definitely feel the need to give back. But this need would probably be channeled toward people I come in direct contact with and feel an emotional connection to. This class has given me a newfound sensitivity toward immigrants and the struggles they face in their quest to build a better live for themselves and their families. Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:14:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/would-you-help-out-or-turn-away-immigrants-in-the-poor-situations-we-saw-them-in-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment147318948 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144906998 This question comes at an interesting point in time for me as my sister recently broke up with her boyfriend when he admitted he had married someone so she could obtain a green card. He kept this a secret for the first five months they were together, but finally disclosed that this process would probably continue for the next two years or more. Apparently, he was going to be paid quite a bit of money and felt desperate enough to commit a crime that could land him 20 years in jail. I really knew very little about this offense, but learned that the complications that could follow in the wake of his decision could ruin his life. I could never envision myself helping an illegal immigrate live in this country and especially couldn’t imagine doing something that could land me in prison. It is difficult to try to understand the choices my sister’s ex boy friend made, but as they say, desperation makes people do desperate things. His story in brief is that he moved here at a young age with little money and without any family support. He still struggled to pay his bills even though he worked two jobs in addition to periodically selling his artwork. He eventually became friends with this young woman who successfully convinced him to help her which would ultimately help him as well. I do not know the kind of desperation that fueled this decision so perhaps I do not deserve a vote from the “cheap seats” if you will. On the other hand, it is impossible for me to imagine taking such a huge risk that could literally destroy my life. Apparently, there are a large number of both men and woman who are making these kinds of backroom type deals on a daily basis. Perhaps it is not so much about helping the illegal immigrants, but more about helping themselves. I also remember my mom hiring someone who was an illegal immigrant to babysit when I was a young child. Of course I was not aware of this at that time, but can understand why she made the choice to hire this woman. She was someone very special who became a part of our family in some ways, but eventually needed to return to her country. This is not an unusual situation when it pertains to childcare, as there have been many public figures that have been condemned for doing the same. From this perspective maybe it’s more about the circumstances surrounding the choice to help or employ an illegal immigrant that become the deciding factor. Either way I do not condone marrying someone for a green card and can confidently say that this is something I would never be tempted to do. Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:36:55 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144906998 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment143244876 My immediate response is a definite no; I would not walk away from an opportunity or reject a job proposal due to nepotism. Of course it is easy for me to have such a quick response when I am on the "wining" side of the fence so to speak. I also asked a few of my friends that were lingering around my dorm room what they thought and everyone had the same retort. They would take advantage of anything that would give them a leg up, especially in the current job market. Let's face it, the playing field has never been equal, it's been lopsided from the start. I recall my uncle who lives in NYC telling me that some of the kids who gained admission into an elite private preschool (yes preschool!) knew people on the board or were related in one way or another. My cousin did end up in a decent preschool, but this is a solid example of how competitive things can get even from the age of three. We will never know if there were other more qualified "tots" with the aroma of secrecy surrounding the NYC preschools. The playing field becomes even more slanted as these preschool kids turn into teenagers. It is not unusual in my neighborhood for kids to intern at their families or family friend's company for the summer. This increases the likelihood that they will make contacts that might help them in the future. I think it is safe to assume that there were probably other candidates that might have been more qualified for the internship, but they don't stand a chance along side someone's son or daughter. Eventually these same teenagers apply to college and there were many times I overheard some of my own friends boasting that their parent knew someone on the board. I would like to think that this wouldn't make a difference when discussing college admissions, but it certainly can't hurt to have Uncle Johnny on the committee at Yale. It is difficult to argue that the kids that went to the best schools, with the most opportunities won’t have an advantage when pursing their careers. I know a few individuals who are planning to work in their family business who couldn’t possibly be the most qualified person for the job. But in the end they are qualified because no one can compete with someone who has the same last name as their potential boss on their resume. Actually I doubt there even is a resume. Maybe I sound cynical toward all of this, but on an unequal playing field you do the best you can and to think otherwise is nothing more than being naïve. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:11:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment143244876 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment141094375 The blog is impressive; well written and expressed in a clear, articulate manner, but in my opinion it is much easier to write about the ideal man as opposed to actually embodying that person. I am not a negative person, but more a realist who contributes to my feelings surrounding what C has written. I agree that the characteristics and behaviors that he described would fit the criteria for most women; some men can come close to being that person, but I seriously doubt they can consistently exhibit those behaviors. I wondered what kind of man C was before he became enlightened and how he treated the women in his life. Had he ever thought about any of the things he had talked about and how many crippled relationships was he a part of before coming to these realizations? His mentality is also one that assumes that deciding to change will actually bring about that change, but this is obviously thinking that is not based in reality. The truth is that real change is difficult if not impossible; all of us fight against our biology, culture in addition to our environments. How we are raised does significantly impact who we become and view the world. There is no way of knowing how wide the bridge is from C’s ideals to the man he was, but it is safe to assume there is quite a bit of work to be done. I guess the first step towards his transformation is his ability to articulate who he would like to be which would help him become more aware of his behaviors. It is positive that he has taken the time to consider the type of man he would like to be and gain a deeper understanding toward the opposite sex. My mom is a psychotherapist who has worked with many couples over the years in various stages of their relationship. She has tried to help them become better partners to each other, given them specific assignments or homework as she refers to it in between sessions. Sometimes her guidance has facilitated the kind of change that everyone desires but there often are negotiations that need to take place. There is the need for each person to accept the flaws inherent within their partners and the relationship itself. It might sound corny, but I do believe that we need to accept the flaws in ourselves so we can accept the imperfections in others. Having standards and values is important, but it is also necessary to have a sense of flexibility that understands that the perfect man or woman just doesn’t exist. In addition, it is clear that there are two individuals in a relationship and essential that the need to please is shared by both the male and the female. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:35:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment141094375 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/do-you-ever-feel-uncomfortable-around-two-or-more-people-speaking-another-language-119-blog/#IDComment139187926 In the majority of circumstances I would have to answer yes to the question since it is awkward being around people that you cannot understand or respond back to. This is not necessarily the case when I am traveling to another country and hear people around me speaking in a language I’m not familiar with. Of course it can certainly be frustrating if I am trying to ask a question, but overall feel that being able to travel abroad is a privilege rather than a problem. I also anticipate that I will be around people that I probably won’t understand which makes my expectations much more realistic when traveling. There have been times that I have been in the midst of several languages that were spoken simultaneously when sightseeing, but it was a situation that I happily anticipated. The question is especially relevant because this past spring my close friend had family members visiting from France; my friend spoke fluent French so the Spanish I had taken since sixth grade was of little use when we got together. One evening I was invited to my friend’s house for dinner and was surprised to discover that everyone was speaking in French which prevented me from engaging in conversation. I found this situation uncomfortable and awkward since I basically had to remain mute as my feeble attempts to contribute to the discussion were hardly acknowledged. It is difficult to imagine how I would feel if there were two foreign languages spoken at the table that night as just one was difficult enough. When reflecting on the reasons why it was uncomfortable I would have to say that it was mainly around my inability to get to know the people that were in my company that evening. My friend had spoken about this family for many years and I was looking forward to learning more about them. They did not travel to New York often and I had heard such wonderful things about them over the past ten years. In addition, it was a challenge to remain present when I was more a spectator than a participant that particular evening. In general I have not found myself in similar situations but I am sure there will be other encounters in the future. My Spanish is somewhat limited, but I do understand what is being spoken rather than actually speaking the language. I have noticed in other countries that people tend to know multiple languages and English seems to be spoken almost everywhere. I’ve heard many times that language acquisition is easier when introduced at an early age rather than as an adult. Perhaps learning a new language as early as kindergarten would allow students to obtain several languages before even entering high school. I think this might be a topic worth considering and implementing, as we become more of a multi-cultural country. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:09:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/do-you-ever-feel-uncomfortable-around-two-or-more-people-speaking-another-language-119-blog/#IDComment139187926 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/would-you-point-out-the-people-of-your-own-race-who-make-racial-slurs-or-prejudice-comments-119-blog/#IDComment137337337 This is a question that has a high level of difficulty because I feel that the circumstances would play a huge part in whether I would call someone out on a prejudice comment. I have to first start by saying that this is something I have struggled with as I have been in numerous situations where people have made anti-Semitic comments without knowing that I was the recipient of this hurtful kind of ignorance. These comments always take me by surprise and leave me speechless since I never seem to see them coming. There are times I have chosen to stay silent and say something at a later time as well as times I have said nothing. I am more apt to communicate my displeasure if it is with someone I feel comfortable with rather than a stranger. It also depends on the environment I am in and the other people I am with. I’m sure there are some that would confront anyone who made a slur about their religion/culture, but I would be lying if I professed to be one of them. I might be more inclined to confront someone of my own race who made a prejudice remark toward a person of another race. Again the circumstances would play a large part, but I do not think I could easily stay mute if I felt it was a comment that was particularly hurtful. There are times when people say things in jest without any real malice intended. Someone’s tone is usually a good indicator of their intent and yes I have been in situations where I have pointed out a racial slur. It is difficult to do when it is someone a lot older than me who has made this kind of remark or a person in an authoritative role i.e. a teacher or a coach. This is not a predicament I find myself in often, but it has happened a few times and in those cases I did not feel comfortable expressing how I felt. I do feel that racial slurs are not at all equal and could be rated on a scale of one to ten. There are some remarks that are a definite ten, but others that are more in the one to five range. Of course this is subjective for the most part, but the slurs that hit close to nine or ten would most likely be offensive to a wider group of people. Again, this is a question that is not easily answered, but it’s an important discussion that is worthwhile considering. It is too easy to look the other way and pretend that the racial slur never happened or laugh along and remain silent. Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:47:32 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/would-you-point-out-the-people-of-your-own-race-who-make-racial-slurs-or-prejudice-comments-119-blog/#IDComment137337337 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/15/what-is-your-view-and-experience-with-white-privilege-119-blog/#IDComment135851326 This question forces me to evaluate something I honestly never thought about because it's part of being white: you don't need to think about the color of your skin when you are a part of the predominant race. It's a privilege that most people do not even know they have and frankly it is a privilege that lends itself to hundreds of other "perks" that make this situation completely unjust and in some ways immoral. I was reading an article written by Peggy McIntosh who made some interesting points that I thought might be worth sharing in this blog. She made a of list of 50 assets that white people are afforded referring to it as the "invisible package of unearned assets." Just a few of the items that caught my attention were that white people could turn on the television and see that their race is widely represented. It was also noted that white people can do well in challenging situations without being called a credit to their race, or that we can go shopping assured that we wouldn’t be followed or harassed. Another interesting point was that white privilege included not having difficulty finding a neighborhood where people approve of your household. All of this really caught my attention and helped me understand the impact of this "invisible package of assets." It was somewhat embarrassing to read privileges that were obviously true, yet so invisible. I take all of them for granted never thinking twice about the images portrayed on television or the ability to shop without any menacing eyes. It is a well known fact that black men are pulled over by cops more frequently for suspicious activities which I'm assuming would fit into the racial profiling category. So the question that was asked was my experience and views towards this form of inequality that still exists regardless of all the advances and courses of diversity that are so popular. First, I will admit that my experiences are limited at best. I grew up in a predominately white community and attended a school where diversity was something you discussed in class. but didn't really experience outside the classroom door. I was not aware that anything called white privilege existed but obviously anyone who was considered a minority race was well aware of this concept. Second, is that I do believe that this is unjust and am concerned that this inequity can be eradicated. Yes, maybe things have and will improve overtime, but I am not so sure that this issue will ever be rectified. I'm guessing that there are some that feel that all of this is nonsense or that white people are entitled to the advantages they are afforded. In the end I feel that we need to keep this discussion alive since we cannot fight something that is invisible and consequently remains unspoken about. Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:47:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/15/what-is-your-view-and-experience-with-white-privilege-119-blog/#IDComment135851326 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134030497 I decided to do a little research before writing this blog in order to review why affirmative action was instituted in the first place. It is easy to forget that this appeared after the civil rights movement of the 1960's as a way to counter a long history of racial and sexual discrimination. Affirmative action came out of a desire to bring minority groups into institutions and professions that had traditionally been dominated by white males. Apparently companies wouldn't hire minorities unless they were forced to, but I wonder if this is still relevant today? There are solid arguments on both sides of this debate, but I do think it's appropriate to question if affirmative action has been taken too far. This topic was one that came up quite frequently when I was going through the process of applying to college. There was a general consensus that anyone who was of international decent or considered part of a minority group would be given preferential treatment. I have to admit that the evidence seemed to support this claim as many of our friends from Brazil, India and Japan were admitted into schools where other more qualified candidates were denied. I feel that this might be an example of a process that has gone too far and one could also argue for a case of reverse discrimination. Schools should choose applicants based on their credentials and their ability to thrive in that particular environment. It is not fair to give preference to under qualified candidates regardless of their backgrounds. Yes, it is important to allow for a diverse population, but denying students with stellar resumes because of affirmative action policies is worthy of investigation. Things have come a long way since the civil rights movement. There have been enormous strides that have been taken place in regards to gender, racial, socioeconomic and sexual orientation. Of course racial and gender discrimination still exist, but I am not quite sure that the playing field is as uneven as it was back in the 1960’s. The practice of giving preference to racial minorities when hiring employees could easily backfire if this is the most important criteria for employment. There is no reason to assume that the most qualified candidate wouldn’t also be someone who is from a minority population. Affirmative action was clearly needed at a time when people were not afraid to openly display acts of prejudice that were reflected in workplaces devoid of any kind of diversity. The same could probably be said for the college admission process especially in many of the most prestigious schools. Overall it’s a complicated debate with pros and cons on each side; it apparently won’t be resolved anytime soon, but it is one of great importance and relevant to our generation. Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:16:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134030497 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130707410 The first thought that comes to mind is that it is irresponsible and selfish for people to have children when they cannot adequately provide for them. I am aware that it is not uncommon for families that are poor to have many children; more mouths than they can feed so to speak. I do believe that this is what facilitates the cycle of poverty through out the generations. Why would anyone choose to have more than one or even two children if they know there are scarce resources available for proper health care and education? Of course it is easy to assume that they are selfish, only thinking of their own needs or perhaps' not thinking at all. Yes, the tendency to make sweeping generalizations is tempting, but this might not always be the case when one takes a closer look. I'm not sure if this is an accurate statement, but it does appear as though families that are poor tend to have strong religious beliefs that can become an anchor in their lives. This religious conviction might contribute towards a lack of contraception leading to unplanned pregnancies. If this were the case then a larger family may not stem from a place of selfishness, but more from a place of worship. I can't say that I condone the abandonment of contraceptives, but I've met many religious people over the years that are actually selfless in their acts of generosity. I have also read articles that debate whether having more children would make poorer families feel a sense of importance or the feeling that there is power in numbers. This particular mentality that assumes "the more children I have the better" may also have originated from a belief system that has been passed down throughout the family tree. In this scenario, I would argue that there is an element of selfishness, but perhaps' an aspect of ignorance as well. I'm not so sure this is a belief that's commonly shared by well-educated people. Families that are well educated certainly have more than two children but they also have an eye on their career, which could impact how many children they want to have. What about families that have 10, 15 even 20 children that they are not able to afford. I honestly don't know if this is selfishness or a form of mental illness. What rational human being would choose to have their own basketball team when they are scraping money together for the ball? Maybe this has an element of judgment attached to it, but it would take a lot to convince me that someone who is sane would make such ludicrous decisions. Overall I still have to admit that I believe the majority of people that have large numbers of children they can't afford are selfish. The desire to have a family is understandable, but the decision to continue to reproduce when living in poverty is just unfathomable to me. I am not assuming that the kids that come from this background can't lead productive lives, but more often than not their lives have insurmountable struggles and a vicious cycle of poverty that is almost impossible to overcome. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:04:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130707410 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/how-can-we-make-major-decisions-so-quickly-119-blog/#IDComment128699779 I feel as though people tend to formulate snap decisions on a daily basis. We come to conclusions within seconds based on someone's race or class in addition to their appearance. The way one speaks, where they live and work are just a few of the ways we make decisions: all based on a single snap-shot of that person. This doesn't mean that the decision that one makes isn't reevaluated after additional information is revealed. On the other hand someone would have to get to know the person in order for this to occur, but sadly it is not always the case as snap decisions can influence whether we stick around long enough to gather additional data. The events in the world both on a micro and macro level surround us in ways that have never happened before. Technology provides a multitude of ways to continuously update us on the latest happenings. There is so much coming our way so quickly that there doesn't seem to be enough time to contemplate and reflect on how we feel about what's just occurred. I think that the speed in which the info is delivered influences how quickly decisions are made, as there is another crisis that is often tailgating the first one. This process is evident when observing the newscasters deliver the latest news; it is no wonder that kids are diagnosed with ADD in record numbers. There are decisions that are made on a daily basis, but the question is more about "major decisions,” big-ticket items as I refer to them that make a significant impact on someone's life. What comes to mind is a trial where members of a jury are asked to make decisions that could affect a great number of people. It is clear that this decision isn't made based on a snapshot, but rather on careful deliberation of the evidence that is presented. Even throughout the trial, assumptions are altered based on new information that is provided but the opinion in the "public court" is made with only a fraction of that same data. Who has time to deliberate when our lives are often moving in so many directions. Finally, there are decisions around marriage, having a baby, choosing a college or picking a major that some people can make quicker than others. Perhaps' what looks like a quick decision from the outside is really one that has been thought through longer on the inside. We assume that someone is making a quick or impulsive decision, but maybe they've been thinking and gathering information on the college they want to go to for a long time. Someone who has very strong values on a particular issue might also be capable of making a snap like decision. As people get older, they seem to be capable of making quicker decisions since they have often had more experience than someone who is younger. It is not unusual for a teenager to have a role model or a mentor to guide them toward making a well thought out decision, which could lead one to conclude that age effects this process as well. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:56:33 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/how-can-we-make-major-decisions-so-quickly-119-blog/#IDComment128699779 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/how-have-the-choices-youve-made-and-determinism-affected-your-life-119-blog/#IDComment127457561 I do believe that someone's past history does influence the way we might think and feel in addition to the choices they make. All of us are dealt a set of cards in the form of our biology as well as the environment we life in. When I look at my own "deck" I can see how the parent's I have, the area I grew up in and the school I went to impacted my life today. My genetic make-up predisposes me to certain behaviors and personality traits. As I look back the first thing that comes to mind are the factors that contributed toward my decision to attend Penn State. I live in a small community that actually has it's own school system. Only people who live in that particular area go to this school so basically I've been with the same kids from preschool (in some cases) until graduation. Occasionally a new student that moved into the area came to our school, but overall I literally grew up with everyone in my grade that was only made up of 90 kids. When I started looking at colleges, I knew that I desperately needed a different experience. I wanted to attend a school that was so big I got lost trying to find a class. It was important for me to meet kids from different areas and to have an opportunity to attend huge spirited football games. Some of my friends wanted a similar experience and opted for smaller schools, but in my case Penn State was the perfect fit since I felt so limited in the town I grew up in. My parents also had a major impact on my life and have contributed towards the person I am today. I can honestly say that I was dealt a winning deck when it comes to my family. There is no doubt that my determination to set goals and do whatever is necessary to achieve them stems from a mother who has always believed in me. I am basically a happy person and enjoy helping people, which again is from my mom who is a psychotherapist. Unfortunately, friends can take advantage of my willingness to be there for them and it is not always reciprocated. Changing or modifying this trait isn't so easy and it has determined many of the choices I have made. I think overtime you can learn from the decisions that have not turned out well, but it is difficult to fight against wiring that is out of a person's control. Growing up with a sister five years older than me has also influenced who I am and some of the choices I have made. My sister has always been a positive role model for me; it's impossible to imagine life without her or growing up without any siblings. I find it interesting that I am comfortable with people that are in their twenties as I find many people my own age immature in some ways. Because there is a significant gap in our ages I did not experience a competitiveness that is typical for siblings close in age. I do not feel that I am a competitive person, which might have been an outcome from my relationship with my older sister. However, I am competitive with myself and tend to set high standards that I am not willing to lower. This again is probably from the family I grew up in as well as my biological make-up. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:29:16 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/how-have-the-choices-youve-made-and-determinism-affected-your-life-119-blog/#IDComment127457561 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126044599 I think it is quite obvious that the ability to think is both a blessing and a curse. It is difficult to imagine life without hearing how someone feels or learning about a friends experiences or their unique perspective on the world at large. On the other hand, the "curse" inherent in thinking is the inability to manage thoughts that prevent us from living a full and joyous life. I've often heard friends say, "I wish I could turn my mind off," or "I just need to stay occupied to stop me from thinking." These same thoughts are the ones that drive people to insanity or even criminal activity. Our thoughts have a way of taking over and often dictating what we "should" and "shouldn't" do. This would naturally create barriers towards living spontaneously; letting our instincts guide us through life. In our culture there are many ways that people attempt to get out of their heads and yes live more like the monkeys. Meditation has been a popular way to learn how to become unhinged to our thoughts. This practice helps people become aware of their thoughts without becoming attached to them, and giving them special meaning. People that have meditated for years admit how difficult this is to do; it takes a lifetime of practice to learn how to simply observe thoughts coming and going in a calm and relaxed manner. The alternate ways in which we try to "not think" is through the use of alcohol, drugs, gambling, and shopping activities that overtime can become addictions. When you’re an addict you usually only think about the next fix limiting our ability to really think or care about anything else. It doesn't turn someone's thinking off, but it sure does a good job of limiting it. Living in the moment, being fully present is impossible to accomplish with constant chatter going on in our heads. Yes, in addition to this nonsensical chatter we have learned to think in constructive ways; whether it is a cure for cancer or a new medication to help one live a better life. Through our thinking we produce works of art and great pieces of literature, but the question worth looking at is whether or not we are really living. I can't even imagine what my life would look like without the burden of thought. Would I be a better person without any kind of judgment toward others and myself? Perhaps I would, but monkey's still fight and have monkeys they prefer hanging out with. I believe they have feelings, but where do these feelings really come from? So often our emotions stem from the thoughts that are swirling in our heads, but I guess the emotions that monkeys would feel are more primal, maybe their reactions are more about hunger, body temperature, or survival. I think in the end this particular question produces even more questions for me than answers, but it has definitely given me something more to "think" about. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 01:17:12 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126044599 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment124443181 Over the years, we as a society have been conditioned to become "politically correct", so we do not offend any particular group or individual. This is especially relevant in the public setting such as political forums and universities. It is expected that "blacks" for example are referred to as African Americans, or that someone who is disabled is thought of as "physically challenged." There is an endless array of terms that are now woven into our speech and failure to comply could result in negative consequences. However, I believe that we must be careful because political correctness does imply a particular kind of censorship, which could thwart an individual’s ability to express themselves freely. Of course there are very strict rules that must be followed in the political arena since a politician is typically addressing a wide audience that might be broadcast around the world. Even the slightest indication that they are making a racially charged comment could ignite controversy that could ruin a politician’s career. There are different rules though for individuals who are speaking with friends in a private setting. I feel that friends should feel the freedom to speak openly without having to censor themselves. It is often difficult enough to communicate how we feel and to set up additional roadblocks seems counterproductive. In our discussion group, we spoke about whether we felt it was necessary to be politically correct during our class time. We came to the consensus that in this particular environment we should be able to speak our mind and have a public discourse without worrying about saying the "wrong thing." There is no doubt that the inability to communicate openly would hamper our discussion and prevent people from opening up new topics or expressing their opinions. If there were no "acceptable" place to speak freely we wouldn't be able to learn from each other and consider others point of views. The ability to do this is an important part of our intellectual growth that needs to be a priority in our universities. I do think that there is a time and place for "pc,” as it is often referred to, but the truth is that prejudice and judgment are alive and well regardless of the words that we speak aloud. The language one chooses does not necessarily reflect how they really feel on a deeper level. Prejudice that an individual is exposed to in their families of origin is often spread though out the generations as easily as one can catch a viral infection. It is important that the negative messages that are transmitted to children are then challenged, as they become adults. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many people can continue to hide their true feelings behind the wall of politically correct language without exposing the prejudice that lies deep within. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:47:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment124443181 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cb%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment123361993 Soc 119 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:45:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cb%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment123361993 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/14/why-do-we-still-have-stereotypes-blog-1/#IDComment122870120 I believe that one reason stereotypes persist overtime is because they enable us to place people into categories and in some ways create a sense of order. We like to know what to expect from others and stereotyping gives us a sense of control even though it might very well be an illusion. The thing about stereotypes is that people really believe that they are accurate as they are often reinforced in the home and media. We grow up watching television shows and an endless stream of movies that leave imprints that are difficult to erase. Of course there are traits that groups of people do share, but that could be said for humans in general. We all share similar traits, but there are many aspects of our personalities that make us different. As children mature into adults they have the opportunity to develop different views of the world, but unfortunately there are those who don't bother to challenge long held beliefs. There is a certain ignorance that follows beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. There's still a tendency to hold onto those beliefs even after they are proven wrong time and time again. I believe that during an individuals lifetime some beliefs are changed or modified, but others remain inflexible regardless of one's experience. Maybe we want to believe that something is true because there is some kind of pay off involved. The pay off can be that a belief makes us feel better or helps us rationalize our behaviors. If we choose to accept that everyone in the "cool" group is a snob then we can tell ourselves that we didn't want to be part of a group that was so undesirable. Another factor why people hold onto stereotypes that they know are questionable is because of a sense of superiority, which obviously can contribute toward prejudice. Grouping people together allows us to make comparisons, which can lead to feeling as though "my group is superior to yours." It is also important to note that there are individuals who aren't even aware that they've been stereotyping various populations. Beliefs that have become ingrained into our psyche often remain unnoticed. Certainly it is impossible to challenge a thought that someone isn't even aware they are having! Once someone becomes aware they are stereotyping they can choose to alter their perceptions, but I don't think this will occur without motivation. There needs to be a reason that would inspire someone to make a shift in his or her thinking. This shift could occur when someone becomes cognizant that they have been unfairly grouped into an undesirable stereotype. Sometimes this triggers an empathic response toward others, but for the most part our beliefs are not easily altered regardless of our experiences. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:29:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/14/why-do-we-still-have-stereotypes-blog-1/#IDComment122870120