en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3546255 Comments by shr5036 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-69/#IDComment220618429 Our generation look at the world in a different perspective and there are a lot more “grey” areas now than before and because of this the key to problem solving is now more complex than before. I can see why people may think our generation is f****d but I thin they need to realize all that is being put on us and the problems we are going have to face because of the generation before us. In conclusion looking at the “struggles” ahead I think we will be okay, we may hit a few bumps here and there form inexperience but overall I am confident that we will come together and overcome any challenges that face us as a generation from America to Israel and the rest of the world. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:16:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-69/#IDComment220618429 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-69/#IDComment220618345 I think we are capable of pulling it together when times get hard and can make it through hardships that we will endure in our lifetimes. It may seem that our generation is more concerned with American idol and facebook rather than world events but that’s just how the time has changed out society as a whole and everyone is at fault for that. Let not forget problems like Global Warming and the economy failure were not the fault of our generation, but got put on us because of the generation before us if anything it is the generation before us who should be blamed because us as young adult had little to do with the economy downfall and Global Warming. These huge problems are now being put on our generation and it is unfair to say that we are not ready to handle this; as true as this may be we will rise to the challenge. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:16:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-69/#IDComment220618345 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-69/#IDComment220618252 When Sam asked “What do you think about the struggles ahead” it really made me think and put in perspective our generation as a whole. The idea that we’re “f****d I think is ignorant to say and it just sounds plain stupid. Our generation is still young but we are still growing and learning with the times. Media and internet has shaped our generation making us take a look a t the world in a different perspective than the generation before us did because the world as a whole is so much more connected now. To think that we are not psychologically ready to take on the new challenges that face us is an absurd thing to say and anyone who thinks that really needs to think about their statement. With so much in our everyday lives and social media every where from Occupy Wall Street to the latest craze on the Kardashain Wedding the amount of media we hear as a generation is way more than generations past. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:15:55 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/09/voices-from-the-classroom-69/#IDComment220618252 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216387989 You can see it in our job forces, immigrant who have a well-developed understanding of our language tend to do better and have a higher degree of education and these are the kinds of immigrants we want in our country; the ones who will be useful in our economy. Let the immigrants who are uneducated spend hours in the heat picking crops not learning our language because in all honesty without education and knowledge of the English language that is all they are useful for in our country. In conclusion, I think immigrants should have to learn English not only for job reasons but for respect of our nation as a whole. It all goes back to the old saying “If you’re going to come to our country, learn out language.” Frankly, it is as simple as that. Thu, 3 Nov 2011 17:51:34 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216387989 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216387936 For the illegals who do not know English they will keep doing day labor for 3 dollars and hour and be fine with that because they don’t know any better so let them have those jobs. Jobs that come with a title of respect and a descent amount of money. English needs to be part of that workers life to be successful. I don’t see what the big deal would be if we made all immigrants learn English, it is the unofficial language of our country and should be spoken in this country when it is needed. It is disrespectful for immigrants to come to the United States of America and know no English besides yes and no. Thu, 3 Nov 2011 17:51:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216387936 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216387867 Whether immigrants have to speak English or not has been a hot topic for a while. America does not technically have an official language so really there is no need for immigrants to speak English. However Americans did try to pass English being out official language but it did not go through. I think that America should have an official langue of English and that anyone who wants a job n our country needs to speak it a level where can function efficiently in the work force. We talked about signs in class how Lowe’s, Home Depot, and other hardware stores and stores around the country have isle sing ins in English and Spanish, granted the immigrants did not ask for these signs to be put up if they were taken down they would be lost without them. Tests that all immigrants have to take should force them to know the language granted they are coming in legally and going through all the correct channels. I think it is only out of respect for Americans that immigrants should learn to speak the language, if you want to come into our country learn the language so you can be a beneficiary in our workforce. Thu, 3 Nov 2011 17:51:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-20/#IDComment216387867 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210642382 As stated earlier I choose friends based on personalities, things we have in common, etc. I’m not friends with anyone because I want to prove to people that I’m down with black and brown I’m friends with them based on who they are. I think it’s fair to assume most of us choose friends in a similar manner and the majority of us don’t see race as a factor when it comes to developing a relationship. At the same time I’m sure there are people who feel the need to prove to people that they are accepting of other races but they represent the minority of the population. In conclusion, I think assuming someone is a poser because they have friends of different ethnicities and races is extremely close minded and naive. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:47:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210642382 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210642341 Maybe this is a naive or optimistic view to take but friendships are very complex and based off multiple things. Just because someone grows up in a white community and was exposed to very little diversity doesn’t mean the first colored person they see they’re going to become friends with to “fit in” the person will take time to develop a relationship with different people and choose who he wants to be friends with. Even if you are more comfortable with your own race expanding your horizons and being curious about diversity doesn't make you a poser, if it makes you anything it makes you a person who is curious about the world and wants to break race divisions. I, myself, have friends of different colors and I have multiple levels of relationships with each one and some more than others. I can assure you however, that by no means am I a “poser”trying to make myself look cool by having friends who are different with me. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:47:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210642341 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210642264 I think this blog is very stimulating, I personally never thought about this and am curios to explore how I feel. Personally I feel that who you chose to hang out with is more based on attitudes towards the person’s personality rather their skin tone; because of this I would not call those people posers. I think the example of the Black kid who joined a “white” fraternity highlights this perfectly. The kid chose that fraternity obviously not on race but how he felt toward the other bothers of this house. I don’t think it’s possible to hang out with people of different race and be called a poser, you hang out with these kids and enjoy their company; the relationship is more than skin deep. Since this would be the case I feel that to be friends with someone of a different race who you don’t like would be hard to do because you don’t appreciate their company. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:47:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/20/voices-from-the-classroom-51/#IDComment210642264 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025590 I would love for a girl to explain why she and all her friends can’t grasp this simple idea of dressing like a slut will get you treated like a slut. In conclusion, girls, next time you go out looking all sexxified don’t get mad at us for trying to get in your pants (that is, if you’re even wearing any) Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:59:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025590 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025530 Girls aren’t dumb, they know that when they dress like this guys get all kind of thoughts in their head and they know how guys are going to react and yet they still get mad when guys look at them or try to talk to them. If you’re going to be that much of a bitch than you really need to go back home and change your outfit. If you can’t handle the attention then don’t dress like that its common sense yet girls don’t seem to get it. In serious cases when girls get taken advantage of because of their looks it’s their own fault. They know how guys are, if you’re going to go to a party get drunk and be that girl chances are your night will not end well and yet they constantly blame the males for “taking advantage of them” when they’re the ones who come to the party with their asses hanging out and boobs popping out of their shirt. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:58:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025530 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025484 How you dress can say a lot about your personality which can determine how you are treated by others. I see girls with skirts barely below their asses and shirts that leave little to the imagination and I’m not saying I don’t enjoy that because I do but if you are going to dress like that then you have to be ready for the kind of attention you are going to get at a [party or a bar. If a girl goes out on a weekend dressed with more skin showing than she has covered she has to expect to be hit on and mildly harassed. You can’t dress like a slut but then act like Miss Prim and Proper that’s called being a tease and no guy likes a girl like that. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:58:49 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025484 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025427 This question really got my attention because I have seen this happen so many times to my guy friend where they would go up to a girl whose dressed like she should be working on a corner and hit on her and she then has the nerve to play it off as it we did something wrong. I think that most of the guys who respond to this blog will all have the same general idea and because of this it is common knowledge that what you wear will determine how people see you. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:58:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-36/#IDComment207025427 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201435905 Everyone is biased in some way shape or form and everyone has stereotypes about any number of cultures. If you say that you done believe in any stereotypes your lying to yourself I don’t care how good of a human being you think you are EVERYONE has stereotypes but most people lie to themselves and say they don’t. Grow up we all do it no one’s perfect it doesn’t mean it’s right but it’s the way things are in our society and chances are it’s not changing anytime soon, if ever. In conclusion, stereotypes are here to stay good or bad you can make your own opinion it but stop lying and realize that it’s a way of life and everyone is part of it. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:16:51 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201435905 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201435777 Stereotypes are part of our everyday life and are part of every race religion and culture. I think some stereotypes can be true I also know that everyone has stereotypes about people no matter who they are. A few I have are most Asians are bad drives and I believe this because I have had experience after experience with Asians and driving and few times has it not aggravated me. I think that the reason people have stereotypes is because they have had encounters that go along with that race, culture, religion etc. I big one I have is that women are bad with directions whenever I drive with my mom, girlfriend or sister we end up getting lost more times than not. When I drive with my dad or friends who are male we rarely get lost and I personally have excellent sense of direction. Stereotypes get a bad rep I think stereotypes can have a useful part in today’s society. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:16:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201435777 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201435649 Stereotypes are part of our everyday life and are part of every race religion and culture. I think some stereotypes can be true I also know that everyone has stereotypes about people no matter who they are. A few I have are most Asians are bad drives and I believe this because I have had experience after experience with Asians and driving and few times has it not aggravated me. I think that the reason people have stereotypes is because they have had encounters that go along with that race, culture, religion etc. I big one I have is that women are bad with directions whenever I drive with my mom, girlfriend or sister we end up getting lost more times than not. When I drive with my dad or friends who are male we rarely get lost and I personally have excellent sense of direction. Stereotypes get a bad rep I think stereotypes can have a useful part in today’s society. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:16:21 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201435649 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/15/voices-from-the-classroom-15/#IDComment197037990 When it comes to free will versus determinism it is hard to figure out what count for more, in class it seemed that the only real answer is a comfortable medium right in the middle of the two driving forces of humanity. We talked about this matter further in discussion group and one of my group mates brought up a good point and said that free will and determinism play a larger role depending on your socio economic status. If you grow up in a poor neighborhood with more distractions such as gangs and drugs your free will be more in play because of the amount of decisions you have to make, also you may not have someone to keep you on the “right track” thus causing you to fend for yourself and the decisions made are more up to you and your beliefs than someone else’s. Because of this independence free will is at play more than determinism. Even with this, determinism is still a big factor. If one does beat out the other it is a very close call and varies depending on the situation. According to merriam-webster, determinism is defined as a theory or doctrine that acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws (merriam-webster). Personally I believe that free choice is more prevalent in lives of people because in the end someone always has a decision to make even based on the circumstances. Like the example give in class if someone has a gun to a persons head and tells them to rob a bank or get shot the person doesn’t have to rob the bank like this scenario there are always choices to be made because of this I believe that free will is more prevalent. Right down the middle is where you need to be and that is where I am but as stated above the decisions and scenarios you are given throughout life free will or determinism may be more relevant. I think the way Sam explained the two in class was very good and for me showed the significant difference between the two. Overall this was a very interesting class. In closing the only wrong answer I believe you can have in a question like this is believing in one side completely and ignoring the other because both are continuously at play. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:08:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/15/voices-from-the-classroom-15/#IDComment197037990 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/08/26/what-do-you-want-to-know-before-its-all-over/#IDComment187517225 I am very excited to be posting my first blog entry ever really. My question has to do with more media centered attention. How come when an African American comedian makes jokes about white people it is acceptable but if a white comedian were to make jokes about an African American person the joke and the comedian would be labeled as racist. Comedians like Chris Rock, whom I am a fan of tend to tie jokes in about white people that seem stereotypical to their culture. What makes it culturally acceptable for Chris Rock or any other African American comedians like him to make stereotypical jokes about white people and not be questioned for it? Is it because of all the hardships African Americans had to go through that we as a society feel it is ok for them to poke jokes at the people who enslaved them for hundreds of years? Comedians such as Larry the Cable Guy or Jeff Foxworthy, two “rednecks” were to do a joke about an African American or use a stereotype pertaining to their culture they would definitely be seen as racist. However even if the joke was told with the most pure intentions the media would jump to racism. When African Americans do jokes about stereotypes of white people the media and fans see no problem with it. Because of this double standard who really has the right to say what words are wrong. All throughout our culture there are norms that are acceptable and others that are. It is within these racial differences that my questions arise. This isn’t relevant only in comedy another place we see the uses of words and phrases commonly used by one group is seen racist if used by another. If you haven’t guessed already I’m talking about the “N” word. Commonly used in modern hip-hop songs and conversation. If said by an African American it seen as OK however, if a white person or any other race uses the word they could potentially be seen a racist. If you look at rappers such as Lil Wayne or Kanye West or any other African American hip-hop singers/ rappers the N word pops up multiple times. However if you were to look at the lyrics of Eminem a white rapper who is accepted by the African American dominated Hip- Hop genre, the N word is rarely if not ever used in his lyrics. I feel that if he were to use the N word in one of his songs his reputation would be gone and the media and most of his fans would turn him on. Not because his music lacked talent but because Eminem a white rapper used the N word. To tie all of this together my question stems from the different social norms of common language and why is the same word acceptable in only a few “circles.” Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:51:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/08/26/what-do-you-want-to-know-before-its-all-over/#IDComment187517225