en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/759837 Comments by summerlove09 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69803210 I think that most if not all people in prison are looked at as bad people, or horrible people who have psychological problems that could never be helped and fixed so they can live normally in society without harming others. there is only one other group that one may say is in prison, those wrongfully accused. Luckily with the new advancements in technology with dna fingerprints less of these mistakes are happening and past mistakes can be fixed as much as they can be. Most people assume all people in prison are the first kind of people I mentioned before, and if they think they are good they think its because they are innocent. Rarely do people think that good people may have been guilty in murdering someone. I would never think someone who could take another persons life or harm them in any way would be a ‘good’ person. When I think about it though, I realize, that although I would never harm anyone, sometimes things in life happen. I have never hurt anyone but I have done things before that I regret or at one point thought I would never do. These people in prison probably had a major moment like that in which the situation they were in got carried away and someone ended up dead. This is crazy. Death is weird to think about because no one understands it, and killing someone, wow, I cannot even imagine what that would feel like, I feel bad if I call someone a bitch. These people who are in prison for murder aren’t necessarily bad people. how many people have you known to be nice and a genuinely good person but they hang out with the wrong crowd, or were in the wrong place at the same time? I know a lot. Many of these people may be one of these people and some of these men are probably just plain guilty of committing a terrible life taking crime and have no excuse. Good people can make bad choices and make mistakes. It happens every day. I won’t pretend that when I’m older with kids if I find out my neighbor was convicted of a rape or murder or kidnapping I would be happy. Of course I would be concerned for my family, its our instincts and I think that is where our feelings ome from for people in prison. We think its good they are in prison because we want to keep ourselves and our family and loved ones safe. Many of these men in prison have nothing to do but to work out and read books. Most of these men have probably read more books than I will ever read in my lifetime, that is something I respect. I do believe that many of these men are good smart people who if given a second chance could have done amazing things in life. Also, there are people who commit murders and who have mental problems, hormones and chemicals are not right in their body and they don’t feel regret and they are not like this prisoner who wrote this letter to us. How do we differentiate between them? I think you should always pay for your actions. Unfortunately these good men in prison are now stereotyped as bad horrible murders in prison, just like all black people are stereotyped like ‘gangstas’ and poor and uneducated even though we know for a fact that is not true, president obama being a perfect example. There are stereotypes no matter what you are black, muslim, blonde, jewish, Italian, irish, catholic, fat, skinny, African. Chinese, Japanese Korean, just so happens that it works with prisoners too. It is human nature to clump people into groups, whether they are right are wrong. As individuals its our job to realize that these stereotypes are not all true, this man proves most of us wrong about prisoners. I would definitely consider going into to prison and meeting a lifer now. The point of sam’s class is to make us think and realize things we didn’t before, but allowing us to still think how we want. And I think he does a good job at that. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:36:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69803210 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66123393 I do not even know where to start with this… rape is not something to joke about EVER. I do not think that rape and sexual assaults are discussed enough in this culture. It is obviously a taboo, but the reality is that it happens and being a woman in this world is a scary thing. I believe that if it was talked about more and that punishments for rape were heavier then more men and people in general would understand the sensitivity of the subject. These games are just disgusting; there are no other words for it. Groping women, touching women and raping them is not appropriate and should not be no matter what the culture is. Women are naturally ‘fragile’ and ‘inferior’ and ‘not as strong as men’ in many societies. A game like this keeps provoking this stereotype and keeps these beliefs going. As a woman when a ‘man’ approaches me in an inappropriate way I do get scared and nervous. Just because I am wearing a dress in the summer time does not mean it is an invitation to lift it up or try to take advantage of me. Many men already know they have the strength advantage over women, and the men who would do something to harm these women most likely will in one way or another. Just because this game is out does not mean that all men will become rapists, but it is extremely distasteful and again continues the stereotypes that abusing women is okay. It is not okay to physically, emotionally or mentally abuse anyone. Most men I’m sure would be offended by this game as well, it’s the ones who think it’s okay that we need to worry about anyway. Not only is the game extremely inappropriate but the fact that someone thought this up is just nauseating. Why would someone think this up as a ‘fun’ game to play and pass the time. clearly this person is sick, and most likely a man. This man clearly has no respect for the woman who gave birth to him or any woman that may be in his family. If I was his wife, I would leave him if it was possible, but if he thinks like this for a game you never know if he’d abuse people in real life. Rape is not okay. Maybe for men the issue isn’t as terrible to them, which I guess is understandable. But for those of you who don’t get it, think about your mothers, sisters, girlfriends… if someone touched her and raped her I’d hope that you would be really angry about it and would realize how rape emotionally affects women. Women who are raped are never right in the head again. Many people drug addicts, exotic dancers/strippers, or just continue to be in abusive relationships because of the rape. Rape makes a girl think that she is worthless and may cause horrible repercussions. Many women and young girls (which are depicted in the video games, because as a teenager you are still a child) do come out of these situations by helping others and fighting against rapists, but many do not. Fear always plagues these girls as well as self loathing. It is not something people should joke about, it is physical and mention and emotional abuse all curled into one. Many rapists also do not go to jail or only go for a year or two before they are on the streets again to do to other women. This game is not okay, I know that japan has a male dominated society completely different from the US, but this is extreme and should be eliminated from stores and the consumers. I don’t think people would go rape because of it, but I think it de-sensitizes the fact that it is a HUGE issue and it is not something to take lightly. Mon, 5 Apr 2010 23:39:52 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66123393 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64494206 I had heard about this study last semester. A partner in a group project had mentioned it to me. I immediately got goose bumps when I heard. When Sam was showing it I really thought I might cry and I had already known what was going to happen. I think it is terrible and really disturbing on so many levels that these little children felt that they were ‘bad’ because they had darker skin. When you think of children you think of innocence and this shows that it is being taken away at younger ages. I am a white woman and it bothered me this much, I cannot even imagine what it would be like to be a black or minority woman seeing this. It must be an unreal realization of how much we still need to grow as a human race. It makes you think about what it may be to be any other race but white. As the video was being shown in class my eyes were tearing and I cannot even explain the feeling I had in my chest, I was truly choked up and disgusted. As a woman I understand the pressure to be ‘beautiful’ and to fit in the way society tells us to and I think that helped me relate to the video in a small way. These little girls also wanted to fit in to society’s idea of beautiful also. Most of us, like me, want to fit in because society’s idea of beauty is skinny, big boobs, big butts, blonde hair just to name a few. Many people can achieve this by dyeing their hair and going on diets and getting plastic surgery which has become very popular. But these little girls don’t feel good enough because of something as permanent as their skin color, and that hurts to think about. You can tell that some of the girls had a hard time saying that they were the same as the ‘bad’ doll. This can only hurt these girls in the future. If you are told since you are born that you are nothing and can’t be anything you will believe it and it will affect your future in huge ways. All children whether Kenyan, Japanese, Italian, Swedish or Indian should be taught from the time they are born that we are all beautiful in our own way and that we can do anything we want as Americans if we are determined and work hard enough. As a woman I know there are pressures to be ‘perfect’ and ‘beautiful’ the way society tells us we should be, but I never realized that having light skin was one of those issues, because for me I have always had light skin and it wasn’t an issue I had realized. Actually, my friends go tanning and during the summer I lay out at the beach because I like having a tan, I think when I am tan my skin is more olive toned and I think I look healthier and feel my skin looks prettier. I think it is strange that no one is ever happy with who they are, but it is even sadder that for many darker skinned cultures they are told that dark skin is bad. Like I said before hair color, eye color and dress size was all there was. I think darker skin is just as beautiful as light skin. If everyone looked the same I think the world would be a boring place and the fact that Hollywood and others are trying to make all these insecure girls change who they are to make them money is stupid. There is no one idea for what beauty is. For everyone it means something different based on culture and based on beliefs and that’s the way it should be. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, as i get older i realize this and am becoming more comfortable with myself i wish otehrs did the same. Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:44:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64494206 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64072390 Okay one I would love to say good for you girl saying you have your period and putting it on the blog. I am also very open about my period. To me it is a natural thing. I am also a biology major which may have something to do with why I am so comfortable with the body. But I am very open with my period. I really dislike when boys are disgusted with hearing about it. I don’t know if they realize but we, as women, need to actually have our period and deal with it so to me the least they could do is listen when I talk about it. I have actually said that to all my guy friends. I am very open about it. I am totally offended when boys call it gross or say ew they don’t want to hear it. We have to have it every month, which to me is a lot worse than talking about it. Also, as men you’d be smart to learn to talk about it and deal with it because unless you are homosexual you will most likely have a spouse who has her period and you will have to deal with it at some time. Even homosexuals have friends that are girls, sisters, cousins, mothers, etc. All men should learn to deal with it and be mature about it. Also, yes it is not a secret that men and women are different, getting periods is one minor thing. when learning or discussing the period, men should also learn that yes women think its funny too “oh that time of the month watch out for bitchy-ness” but at the same time it is a bodily reaction to hormones. Our ‘crazy’ and emotional moments are due to chemicals in our brains and bodies that we cannot control, it can be funny but be tasteful when joking about it and don’t be rude or use it against us. There are plenty of things that hormones do to guys that are annoying as well, like aggression, but we don’t throw it in your face every time you fight. I don’t see the big deal with periods, it is natural. But it is a way to repress women in a way to make us feel beneath men. I am not a feminist where me saying this should anger people but for sure there are double standards and no one, not even men, can deny that women are treated completely differently than men. As for sam discussing his wife’s period in class, I didn’t necessarily care about the topic when he brought it up, the fact that he said bleeding was odd to me. that term is not too common when discussing periods and for some that may be too descriptive and in a class the size of ours with freshman to seniors it is clear that many are not mature enough to discuss periods when the term bleeding is used. The texts sent to the screen are perfect examples of the immaturity in the class. Also the fact that sam was discussing his wifes period and clearly not his own was shocking. It is clear that sam and laurie have the type of relationship where they are very open and comfortable with themselves and others which is amazing and I totally admire and respect that. I think for myself, my reaction In class was more shock than anything else because most professors aren’t as open as sam about their personal lives, but I think that is what makes sam so special and relatable. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:07:22 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64072390 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62474025 I read an article about this when I was at home for spring break. Even after a week it still does not make sense to me. I think it is ridiculous for many reasons. One reason is that prom is a dance and it was argued that a lesbian couple would be a ‘distraction to the educational process.’ What are these students possibly learning at the prom? Realistically this argument is ridiculous. Another thing that makes me angry is that because the school cancelled prom many other students with probably be upset and will now target and notice that this girl is a lesbian. The school has basically just put a bulls eye on her and has made her a target for all the students to now reprimand and give a hard time. This is totally unfair for a girl who just wanted to take her girlfriend to prom. When I went to my prom we did not even need to have a date. Dates are usually not a necessity. Prom is a way to have the senior class come together and celebrate their time together and have fun with friends and be excited for the future after graduation. It was never about going with dates. Most people I know brought friends and didn’t have real dates. Those who had boyfriends and girlfriends went with their boyfriends or girlfriends, there actually was a few gay couples who went to my prom. No one had a problem with this. There was both girl and girl couples as well as boy and boy couples. I do not think there is anything wrong with a gay couple attending high school prom. If someone is in high school and is comfortable enough to come out in high school, one of the hardest times while finding yourself, they should be able to go to prom. I think it is so insane that this school is trying to stop this couple from going. It just does not make sense to me. I think the biggest concern of this should not be making other students uncomfortable because these students will at some point come across gay people and will have to live in a world of diversity, so sheltering these students is harmful to them. I am most concerned with the actual couple though. Prom is a huge deal for high school students for some reason. Having prom be cancelled and pointing out the student who caused this social event that all high school kids wait for is targeting them. Also, sharing that the reason is because this student is homosexual is terrible. This girl will already have a lot of discrimination throughout her life because of who she loves but the school is basically helping this process along is just wrong to me. I think it is totally harmless that she wanted to bring her girlfriend to the prom, what if she just said it was a friend, would it have been a big deal then? I think this is silly and it saddens me that people are still so discriminatory against people for things such as sexuality and race and religion. We have bigger things to worry about in the world, such as war, modern slavery, hunger, global warming, the recession, the unemployed just to name a few. I think we need to take our blinders off and put aside petty differences and worry about what really matters. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:11:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment62474025 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-five__trashed/#IDComment58274976 I would first off like to say that not suporting gay marriage because of what you are 'supposed' to believe is ignorant. As children we do not have the innate instinct to hate anyone because of skin color or sexual orientaiton. Yes, as a child even though you are not sexual yet there are still hints as to what kind of person you are and whether or not you would be homosexual or heterosexual. We are taught what to think as children. It is hard to live in any society let alone ours without having people push their beliefs down your throat and make you feel inferior if you don't agree or believe them. As for religion, I personally don't agreewith any. I do believe there is a God, a force if you will that caused this all to happen. No I do not think it is a person, no person could havethe power to cause the universe. I believe in evolution and freedoms that most religions do not agree with and frown upon. I agree with Sam when he said in class, if you are 100% religious and believe gay marriage and homosexuality is wrong then fine, good for you and your beliefs, i know i am not strong enough or disciplined enough to follow a religion. You must also agree on everything elsethat is frowned upon in the bible and what your religion tells you is a sin. How many people say they are against gay marriage and homosexuality because its wrong and 'not what they believe to be right' but go out and get drunk, have premarital sex, do drugs, or simply give in to certain tempations.Sam made a valid point, hypocracy should not be allowed in arguments. If you believe so strongly in your religion go all out, don't half ass it becausethen you are picking what you think is right and wrong and telling others to live by it. Not cool. As for following the bible, people wrote it. Humans wrote the bible, yes it is based upon stories of the Gods and what not but people wrote it. How many articles in the news have you read or seen that have not had any bias in it at all? Very few if any. What makes the bible different? What makes religious people think that the people who wrote those stories to pass on didn't add their own views, opinions and twists? People don't innately hate anyone, its through words of our parents andthose around us, community and society and the media that shape our beliefs and tell us what to think is right or wrong basically. That's fine, but just because youdon't believe in something and it's not for you doesn't mean others can't do it or have the right to do it. The world would be a boring place if we were allthe same. Gay people are just like everyone else. They deserve to get married and have famillies and share all that comes with it, including medical and all that. If anyone has seen the movie milk, you realize that gay people are people and you feel for them as they are strugling to get equal rights in the work place and in life in general. So what a guy gets aroused more easily from another man than awoman, what is the big deal? In ancient Greece, which we have taken so many things from including architecture, words, the Olympics, they used tohave homosexual acts all the time. It was extremely common. Yes a man and a women would be married or what ever it was to them, but they alsohad sex with other people, men and women alike. Older men used to mentor young teenage men and at a certain age would have sex with them to bring them into manhood. It was tradition. Do i think older adults should take advantage of teenagers, no, not my point. My point is that religion is a traditionof sorts, history is a tradition. Greece praticed homosexuality and it was acceptable so why did society at some point decide it was wrong when so manyother great things came out of Greece? Gay couples should be able to get married, they should be able to adopt and they should have the same rights as straight people. For those of us who are black or any minority and are discrimminated against for something you can't help you should understandmore than anyone that support for the gay community is essential to the human race moving forward, growing and getting along. Any one who has told their family or friends something that has resulted in the reaction of them no longer accepting you or looking at you like a disapointment should know that it's not always a choice, being different from your family is hard, but doing what makes you happy should be your main priority. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:32:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-five__trashed/#IDComment58274976 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment56288064 I fully understand the religious freedoms and rights thing. If these women want to wear burqas then more power to them. I do however see the governments point of view in saying that wearing burqas and other things that cover your face may be dangerous. Unfortunately we live in a unsafe world where things as beautiful as religious symbols like burqas can get abused and used to hide weapons to hurt people. Do I think it should be made a law to ban them? No. That’s ignorant and silly. I do not believe a law should have such power to take away freedoms, but I do understand the reason behind wanting to do this. I personally think the ideas behind burqas seem unfair to women. I am not well educated on the situation but from what I have heard and seen on tv news and in papers has made me feel that these are objects to lessen the power of women. I may totally be wrong, I know that these things are often used to hide the beauty so only a husband can see it. I personally disagree and think it is restricting and unfair, however if the women are raised to think that it is what they should do or truly want to wear it then I am all for it. I think that people, including women and minorities, should have the same rights as everyone else. Freedom is a big thing and living in a free country should allow for things such a burqas. Like I said I do not personally agree with them, but I am also not fully educated in the ways of them so I have no right to judge others for wearing them. I would never tell someone not to wear one because from what I can tell they are holding women back. Again, I am not educated enough in the area to really discuss and perhaps neither are these politicians. If they were maybe they’d agree with the muslim culture and think it’s okay women wear them. The politicians are probably trying to keep people safe. Which is their job and is understandable but discrimination should never be a way to go about doing it. Life is not about putting others down to make yourself feel better or about making people more like you. Making people more like you is going to make everyone boring. No one wants to all have the same culture. Different cultures and beliefs is what makes the world beautiful. The mix of cultures is beautiful too. Everyone is different for a reason. There is not one way or one person better than the rest. To think that some group is better than others is ignorant. Growing up ‘on the other side of the track’ or in this case the world would help everyone realize this. All cultures are beautiful. Yes there is good and bad in all but it is in all. We see what we want to see and maybe we shouldn’t be worrying so much about the burqas and start worrying about the hungry and the homeless. There are always bigger issues to be dealt with... the recession also comes to mind. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:26:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment56288064 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54247206 One thing I don’t understand is how people can be so racist toward people on their sports team but support their team anyway. Obviously the players, black or white or whatever, are talented enough to be on the team and help their team win, why would you want to discourage them? I actually physically cannot believe that people are still like this in the world today. To say that racism doesn’t exist and that there are people who aren’t racist is a lie. Everyone is a little racist, it is human nature and we can’t help it. Being racist to the extreme where you dislike someone for their skin and features, or cause chaos like these fans is unacceptable and ignorant. All people are different and we have no right to judge others, just like we don’t want to be judged ourselves. The commercial nike campaign that was shown in the video is amazing but sad. Good for those people putting that together but it is so sad that it has come to that. For example we have ‘made great strides’ in America by voting for a black president. Yeah, amazing progress, the thing is, the fact that we need to make this progress is distrusting. We find it amazing that we have a black president and that we are making steps to being equal. Why couldn’t we be equal and get along before? We are just fixing the mistakes we made in the past but congratulating ourselves for it. Sports here in the united states have many black and Spanish players. Practically the whole NY Mets baseball team is from the Dominican republic and hardly speak English. This shouldn’t make anyone less of a fan of the team, the players or the sport. If you are a great player, you are a great player regardless of color. I had always heard Europe was a very diverse place because of how close all the different countries were. I guess this rumor did not include African people. It actually sickens me that people are like this. I think that people find any excuse to fight with others, put themselves on top and keep others down. I heard of a study here in the United States that dealt with little black girls and barbies. These girls were all around the age of 4 or 5 years old. These girls were put in front of a black Barbie doll and a white blonde Barbie doll. They were asked a series of questions like, “who is prettier?” “which one is nice?” “which one is smart?”. The young girls all pointed to the white, blonde Barbie doll. When asked questions like “which one is bad?” “which one is not smart?” “which one is ugly?” the girls all pointed to the Black Barbie. This shows that everyone’s actions affect our youth. This shows that the way we talk to people and portray people in the media affects the self esteem and confidence of these people. There is no reason at all to make people feel this way. As Sam pointed out in class, there has been racism for all of time. Again, this is human nature, which is not an excuse. Being able to live in peace and harmony and doing what is best for the planet as a whole, including all people and all of nature should be how we live. We have made great advances in human history, and have made great progress, without the support of each other this means nothing because it will inevitably be the end of us as well. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:58:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54247206 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54246668 One thing I don’t understand is how people can be so racist toward people on their sports team but support their team anyway. Obviously the players, black or white or whatever, are talented enough to be on the team and help their team win, why would you want to discourage them? I actually physically cannot believe that people are still like this in the world today. To say that racism doesn’t exist and that there are people who aren’t racist is a lie. Everyone is a little racist, it is human nature and we can’t help it. Being racist to the extreme where you dislike someone for their skin and features, or cause chaos like these fans is unacceptable and ignorant. All people are different and we have no right to judge others, just like we don’t want to be judged ourselves. The commercial nike campaign that was shown in the video is amazing but sad. Good for those people putting that together but it is so sad that it has come to that. For example we have ‘made great strides’ in America by voting for a black president. Yeah, amazing progress, the thing is, the fact that we need to make this progress is distrusting. We find it amazing that we have a black president and that we are making steps to being equal. Why couldn’t we be equal and get along before? We are just fixing the mistakes we made in the past but congratulating ourselves for it. Sports here in the united states have many black and Spanish players. Practically the whole NY Mets baseball team is from the Dominican republic and hardly speak English. This shouldn’t make anyone less of a fan of the team, the players or the sport. If you are a great player, you are a great player regardless of color. I had always heard Europe was a very diverse place because of how close all the different countries were. I guess this rumor did not include African people. It actually sickens me that people are like this. I think that people find any excuse to fight with others, put themselves on top and keep others down. I heard of a study here in the United States that dealt with little black girls and barbies. These girls were all around the age of 4 or 5 years old. These girls were put in front of a black Barbie doll and a white blonde Barbie doll. They were asked a series of questions like, “who is prettier?” “which one is nice?” “which one is smart?”. The young girls all pointed to the white, blonde Barbie doll. When asked questions like “which one is bad?” “which one is not smart?” “which one is ugly?” the girls all pointed to the Black Barbie. This shows that everyone’s actions affect our youth. This shows that the way we talk to people and portray people in the media affects the self esteem and confidence of these people. There is no reason at all to make people feel this way. As Sam pointed out in class, there has been racism for all of time. Again, this is human nature, which is not an excuse. Being able to live in peace and harmony and doing what is best for the planet as a whole, including all people and all of nature should be how we live. We have made great advances in human history, and have made great progress, without the support of each other this means nothing because it will inevitably be the end of us as well. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:52:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54246668 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-c__trashed/#IDComment54243299 Hola! Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:15:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-c__trashed/#IDComment54243299 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/clubbing-the-bejesus-out-of-rationality__trashed/#IDComment52877656 Before this post by Sam I had never heard of Pat Robinson. I watch the news and read newspapers enough to know about what is happening in the world but because of the way the media is I do not depend on it. I understand that many people have opinions and it is hard to not share it while reporting the news but because of these biases people receive wrong and inaccurate information. Unfortunately many people are too ignorant to actually think for themselves so bias news works for many people. Meaning that when people hear about an issue they do not normally question the facts or issues but just take what they hear as fact and accept it for how it is. Obviously some news casters and journalists are more open about their opinions than others. We need to get our news from somewhere and from someone so unfortunately these biases need to be dealt with, it is only human. However, those people like Pat Robinson who are extremists ruin it for the rest. Saying that the earthquake in Haiti happened in part because of the devil proves that this man is ignorant. I agree that the world is not black and white and that people have their own opinions. Although I am more of a science believer than a religious one I respect the fact that people are religious and have their beliefs. I hate however when people use these beliefs to act superior to others. If you truly are religious you are aware that god would never punish people for being different based on color, sexual preference, beliefs, where you are from, and the list goes on and on. Hearing a statement like this on the news seems wrong on so many levels. Because of our rights and freedoms anyone can be on television however having someone who is this extreme on a mainstream network or in mainstream news is dangerous. Since so many people are ignorant to happenings in the world and ignorant to their own opinions these people hear something they think should be correct and run with it. Claiming to be religious and saying that these people made a deal with the devil and have been punished because of it is just stupid. Perhaps this is really what he heard as history of Haiti, I’ll try to give him the benefit of the doubt, but as a religious person you should realize that all of us are equally loved in god’s eyes. Yes those who make mistakes are punished, but I believe an earthquake destroying homes and lives is not something god would do out of spite. I do not know much about this Pat Robinson but he seems like someone who can influence ignorant people in a dangerous way. All people are allowed to have an opinion but trying to force these beliefs on others is wrong, especially when you are not open to other people’s views, beliefs and way of life. The only way to truly have an opinion is to understand all sides. Pat Robinson clearly does not. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:22:50 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/clubbing-the-bejesus-out-of-rationality__trashed/#IDComment52877656