en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/762756 Comments by taylor22 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment70019249 On the most complex level even prisoners still feel some type of human emotion, and have the ability to express it to others. They may be in a different environment that is controlled in every aspect, and they are told when to eat, drink, sleep, and every thing in between. I could only imagine that the life of a prisoner is a interesting experience living amongst many different criminals that of course were put into the prison for certain reasons. The way he wrote his story made it sound as if they were not prisoners, but when he explained that they were prisoners themselves. His story gave a different perspective on an old story, and made someone see it through another perspective. I can see where he is coming from and how he is saying that prisoners are people too. I still feel that he they did the crime still so they are capable of doing it again. i believe in forgiveness but only that can go so far to be honest. i know that everyone has the ability to feel emotions and the ability to express them. I just think that maybe it will be a different situation when in prison and i can see that it can be a society within the prison. Prison to me is a society within a society that has rules to abide by and a sense of hierarchy. People can change and all but then again people will always have a doubt that people will revert back to their old self. Everyone does a good deed here and there and has their thoughtful moments. Like the prisoners in the yard that were comforting the other prisoner because he lost a loved one. Simply i believe that everyone can express their emotions and everyone can experience emotions it just the fact does everyone express those emotions that they may feel. when it comes down to it people are still people no matter if they are a criminal or not. i find it to be interesting when it comes to a prisoner because murders have emotions but why did they murder that person that eventually sent them to jail. The person who wrote the letter is very enlightened and self aware of his surroundings and emotions. his letter is a very interesting point of view and a look into the eye's of another, and see their world from the inside. i still think that yeah people can change but once a criminal always a criminal. I mean people learn from their past mistakes but will other people see them the same and forgive them for their past mistakes.his letter was a different point of view but i still feel the same way that once someone commits a serious offense that they are capable of doing it once more. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:23:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment70019249 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68472207 I agree with what she had said in the video, because a lot of movies portray the thin women who look like models. Movies portray women who seem perfect in every way, and do not often portray the average women. the average girls are all different shapes and sizes that are not shown in the movies. If they do portray a real life women for example "Precious" the actress who played the lead role was criticized for her weight and was told she should lose weight. I think society has come to a point where they want the idle body that does not exist and put pressure on everyone to give them that idle body. The reality of it is that it is not possible to have that "it" body everyone is different and no one is perfect. The pressure that is put on girls is hard to bare and that is how many girls and boys become self conscious and have negative impacts that come from it.Worrying about how much they weigh or how thick they are for black girls. Are you wearing the right clothes and have the style? Does my hair look nice? The emotional problems that come from society wanting women to be as perfect as a picture is very harmful. The emotional problems can be eating disorders, depression, and many more. it is sad that society affects many young ladies mental state of being. Is it really in to be really thin? Why are women in the black community portrayed as video vixens? I personally think that my opinion on that is they want that image and who is to tell them that they can not do as they please. I rather not have that type of image associated with my name by any means. I respect my body and love in every way shape and form. But i do not put someone else down because they want to do that. Same thing goes for playboy they want to pose naked go ahead it is there body. I just do not like all of the pressure that society puts on women day after day. I am proud that society has not taken its tool on me as much as i have seen in other women these days. I have met people that have eating disorders and the disorder has distorted their body to an unhealthy look. To thin is not in for me i want a healthy look and not a dead look. I hope that society will come to realize that is has a big negative impact on girls and has taken a big negative toll on the bodies of women today. I want society to calm down with the perfect bodies in the media today. Sat, 17 Apr 2010 03:56:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68472207 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66921026 Wow that is crazy that video games have gone that far to have games that the goal is to rape i do not know how to feel about these games. there are so many games out there that have to do with violence prostitution and so many other issues. The game phenomena is so outrageous and makes so much money that if a game makes its fair share of profit will they stop producing that type of game, or series of games. I seriously do not know what to say about these video games that keep coming out and making huge profits off of consumers. Consumers should really pay attention to the message of the game before they buy it. Would you buy a game that its underlining message was to find someone and rape them? If you do i do not know what is going through your head when you bought the game in the first place. Hopefully people have better sense than that, but most people think it is just a game so what is the problem. If the whole world had that attitude then nothing would be done about anything in the world, and it would be a justice less place. Games that promote violence are disturbing because there are people out there who have to go to war and face the killings daily. War is not a thing to play with by no means and making games about it to earn a profit is i don't know wrong. For example call of duty made a huge profit last year in the game industry, and it is about modern warfare. i personally do not like war games because my sister has been over seas in the war, and it is very close to home to think that people play these games for fun. This is not fun if it is you on the end shooting and killing someone because they will shoot you. I am not much of a gamer; i like the older games like pac man, or wii bowling. The market place for these types of games is enormous which is not hard to believe because many people like these types of games. Now as for the games about rape are i think worse than the games about war, because to put women at a low demeaning level like the video games has placed women at is a bit much. Women are thought of in many countries as being lower than men which as a woman is crazy to think that we are put to such a low level. It is crazy that girls are thought of like and that they would come out with a game about raping women. I want game producers to come out with a game were the men get raped and then maybe they will do some thing about it then. Will men react to a game about men being raped, and actually take action? Sat, 10 Apr 2010 02:26:48 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66921026 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/the-white-minorities__trashed/#IDComment65381797 You can never say if things will change in the future for any one because the future is never a sure thing. You can only predict what may happen in the future. If minorities become the majority then I do not think that anything will change that much if majority of the country is run by the minority that is "white" will anything change in the country. Change is a long process so i think that it is a good possibility that as America becomes more diversified that it will be an advantage for the minorities of today that will spawn the next generations of tomorrow. America will truly be the country that is made up of many kinds of people that come from all over the place. It is crazy to think that one day minorities will be reversing roles with the majority race that makes up the United States. The country could change in many ways in the near future because of the new shift or switch in status. The article brought up a good question how will the elderly feel about minorities becoming the majority in the near future? I think a lot of people who are in a position of power do not like to give up that power. Maybe it is just a feeling of change that is scary for most people. Everyone is scared of change in some way or another. Change can bring good or can even bring bad thing into people's lives. Everyone deals with change differently when they come across it. I think it will be something new in American society having the majority become the minority. Maybe it will bring a little more equality to the American government, but equality is only a figment of the imagination and an ideal thought. Equality will never be reached in my opinion because there will always be someone better than you are. Always someone who has more than you do and equality is hard to reach for any society. Maybe this will bring more of an understanding on both ends of the party with minority and majority. The change could bring a better understanding and common ground for change that will be positive for the United States. Again no one knows what the future will hold for anyone, but God. Only thing you can do is have faith that tomorrow will be a better day for everyone. So hopefully the role reverse will be a positive change for both sides to experience, and lead to a better day. The idea is different in a good way that it is changing after so long the same group of people have been the majority of the united states. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 01:07:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/the-white-minorities__trashed/#IDComment65381797 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64289406 I understand what these girls are going through even though i may be light skinned young lady, but i am the darkest of my siblings. I was called out for being the darkest of my sisters. This is a crazy thing that so much emphasize is put into skin complexion. People of color go to extremes such as bleaching. i can think of a BIG example Micheal Jackson changing his whole appearance to become what was believed to be better than who he is naturally. He went to the extreme of changing his skin color to something unrecognizable from his original appearance. Then changed his nose to be more white i guess. People go to many lengths to be a certain way, and in the end it is only a shallow fix because in the end you will find something new to pick on about yourself. Society puts so much pressure on young children to be a certain way and look a certain way just to conform to societal needs. Society is an outrageous organized mess of expectations. The experiment dealing with the children and the dolls is again crazy that the impress of what is good and what is bad. The kids picked the better doll was the white doll and the unwanted doll was of a darker color. The bad doll was of color, and it is a shame that those impressions are so instilled into young minds. They are being set up at a very young age to be possibly be insecure in the future. Society and the pressure it continues to put on generations and generations to be something they are not. I was taught to be myself, and if i do not think i am good enough who will. only you can be good enough and you have to be comfortable at the end of the day with the person in the mirror. A Micheal Jackson quote that fit nicely. It is very hard to put up with society standards of beauty, but you have to do what you have to do. Sometimes i feel the societal standards are impossible to reach. I hate to see people of color affected because natural is beautiful. Beauty has to be seen in your own eyes, and be comfortable with who you are and what you look like first. Nothing in life is easy and never will be easy when it comes to down to the simplest level of understanding. Life is full of personal ups and downs faced through out life and will never stop until life itself does not exist. Personally i think a lot of colored children face the problems the come with complexion because of what society calls good and bad. Black is bad and White is good. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 03:18:10 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64289406 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58898860 I agree that the general population will not care until it happens to them. It is hard to be aware or care for a situation that directly does not involve you, but does indirectly involve you. When you stand by and do nothing the situation involves you because you are a witness to what has or will happen. People may feel as if it is not there place to speak about a problem that does not effect them, but eventually someone has to stand up and say something. Personally I do not know how I will approach a situation like the video that was shown in class where the young lady who was Muslim was discriminated against to that extreme. I have been in situations were someone was not being treated with the respect they should be treated with and I stepped in to defend the person who was being wronged because it was unfair treatment. Everyday millions of people ignore the problems in the modern day world, I admit that I too sometimes am wrapped up in my own problems and world to not necessarily notice the bigger picture. This class is opening my eyes more and more about paying attention to someone else besides yourself. As an American I do see problems here, but not like problems that are found around the world and it is our place to take action to at least attempt to make an effort to assist someone else besides ourselves. Everyone has their individual problems but I want to try to look outside of myself to see the bigger picture that is the world. It is my place to help others, and stand for something bigger or at least try to find out more information about what events happen in the world. Everyone has a place to know what is going on in other countries. There are major problems in the world that many people such as myself have been blind too or tried to ignore. When these problems reach home it may be to late to deal with. Do you want to be a sex slave, or fear for your life everyday because their is a tyrant in the neighborhood? I do not want to face these problems daily like a lot of people do on a daily basis in many countries. I want to be that person who tries to help or become aware of the outside world. I want to inform myself of the slave made products that I own, even though i never knew that i did until Sam brought it up. I want to inform myself to be able to become aware of ways that i too can help out someone else. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:07:53 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58898860 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57482510 The topic is why is it accepted for lesbians but not for gay males. I think it is a society type of solution females that choose to have relations with another female is accepted more because they used as a public interest. Movies have many scenes were two females are having a "make out session" for almost five minutes of the movie. So society is exposed to this particular side more than two guys kissing. People have made it more or less taboo for two men to kiss and made it less of a taboo but common to see two females making out, and "being gay together". Television and movies have been opening the public's eye to different types of sexuality or gender preference over a number of years. Television show such as " The Real World" has cast men that are gay, bisexual, and I do not know about trans-gender. M.T.V. has been bringing this to the table for many years, and one of the first few seasons that cast a member who had aids and that was openly gay. Another television show that has open the public up to being gay, is "Degrassi". This television show has aired for many years and has brought up many issues about being gay and how it is sometimes more accepted for women to be lesbian than males to be gay. My favorite show "Will and Grace" two best friends working through life together. Will is gay and is open about it. Grace on the other hand is straight, and they live together as best friends trying to get through life. Movies also bring issues to the table like "Broke Back Mountain" a movie about two cowboys living in the wilderness together and end up in love, I think. The one has a family and wants to keep his secret affair away from his family. Another movie that tried to portray being gay is "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry" this movie brought the reality that gay marriage was not accepted. The character lost his wife and could not receive their benefits or the money from his wife's death. Then he decides to become a life partner to his friend in order to receive the money. This movie made me think more about same sex couples not been accepted as being a couple or having the right to become married. In the end i think that acceptance of same sex couples is becoming more acceptable in today's society. Slowly but surely gay men are becoming accepted more into the public eye. Everything takes time when it deals with the acceptance of society; nothing is ever quickly changed when dealing with public views. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:13:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57482510 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56525257 The conversation about "Blacks Vs White" I do agree that it mostly comes up from the struggle between the two cultures: slavery, civil rights, and so many more. It is a hot topic for people these days, and is hard to avoid the topic of blacks and whites. I think of it as a battle of the races, and I am confused as to way does it always come up in conversations. In my opinion to the conversation, I am biracial child that has a biracial mother who is black and white and my father is black. I did not know where my stand in the situation was I could see both sides of the spectrum. Blacks being upset about being oppressed for years upon years, and the unfair treatment even after being free. Then on the other hand whites caused the problem, but now a days they think of it as a past mistake. For some people who did not cause it, I can see why it would be bothersome to hear about a problem that they did not cause but past generations caused. I think of the Germans when Hitler came to power and killed massive amounts of people who did no wrong just because of a hatred towards a particular group of people. Hate and power are strong entities that can cause many problems, just because someone wants to be the top dog. The fact that other racial problems are not talked about or at the top issues of conversations as the "Blacks Vs White" topic is strange because all races had there problems and continue to have problems to this day, for example Native Americans being up rooted from there homes because " The White Man" wanted something they had. I think of as the white man as the king of the hill, because the difference between suburban schools that consist of mostly whites, have better resources than those of public inner city schools. The gap between races may never be closed, because the beginning was unfair advantage. A race when a runner has a head is not a fair race. Being that I come from a mixed background I feel as though the topic of "Black Vs Whites" is a confusing situation for me, and I do not want to have to choose a side. When blacks listen to the way I speak they say I am not black enough, or that I am labeled as the "white girl". The whites label me as being "too black" so maybe the whole topic has taken a different turn. Why do people have to label a person by the physical appearance, but label them by there personality? Then I think of the old saying "do not judge a book by its cover" comes to mind when not the "Blacks Vs Whites". Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:19:34 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-the-conversation-always-about-black-and-white-people__trashed/#IDComment56525257 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55572032 I saw the movie Avatar, but I did not think that much into the plot being the typical "white man on top story". Now that I think about it, it does remind me of "Pocahontas", because the plot has the lead role trying to "get in good with the natives" like John Smith. The hero per say of the story saved the natives from the evil general that wanted to destroy their "home tree". The lead male becomes a native and saves the day. It is funny that the typical movie has a white hero that saves the people. Why could the hero be of another color, but hey that is society these days, whatever sells tickets. I bought a ticket and did not think anything into the situation. Brooks was thinking too much into the movie, but the movies he named have a common theme and I have noticed. I do not find it to be a big problem though it is a movie with a typical theme. The movie was well thought out and planned with many years in the making. They created a culture with a language all there own, and it made it different from the other typical "white savior" movies. Like i said before I like this movie and I also liked the movie "Pocahontas" as a child. Movies these days are made to make money and entertain people. Some movies are made to inspire and make people think. However the Avatar is not that type of movie in my opinion, because I was in no way inspired. I only thought the movie was very creative and interesting. The movie grossed more than The Titanic so that means it is a lot of money. The typical movie theme did nothing for me because I certainly did not take it in anyway like Brooks. He only made me think about the similarities between other movies such as " The Last Samurai." I guess I am one of the ones who likes a predictable story line. I still like the typical love story between a boy and a girl. The typical movies were the odd couple will falls into a deep love against all odds. I guess, I could say that I am a typical movie watcher who likes the classic story line. The good guy sees the wrong in how the military is trying to take something that is not theirs to take, just to make a dollar. He defies his general's orders to help destroy the native people to take the natural resources. The good guy falls in love with the chief's daughter, and they together fight the bad guys. Then the good guy helps to save the day, and happens to be white. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 04:50:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment55572032 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54237761 I find it funny that governments say that their people are "free", but they contradict that principle by making them conform to what they want them to be. The French government banning something that people choose to do. The women, who wear these made a choice to wear it, just like for example western women choosing to wear heels, or even make-up. It is a personal choice that an individual made, and the government is trying to take away that individual freedom. Freedom by definition states that one has the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The French government going beyond that and fining citizens for the way they choose to dress is appalling. A thousand dollar fine is a bit to much, and overboard. The Islamic Vail is a part of their religious beliefs, and to "take away fundamental right" is unethical. I would be very upset if someone told me I could not wear certain attire such as jeans, or a shirt. That would be the same situation as someone telling a Penn State student you can not support your school, and you have to take off that jacket. If you do not you will be fined a thousand dollars. That would also be like telling a Christian they can not wear a cross around there neck. Next thing that governments will try to do is limit your freedom all together, and force conformity through fines or other means. The government is taking away the individual freedom to practice one's own religion, customs, and beliefs. I know that people can make stupid decisions, or can be just plain ignorant but this tops the cake on ignorance to someone's customary way of dress. It is sad that people have become so skeptical about little things, that they would want to change generations' worth of history to make the government officials feel more comfortable. The world has become a place where there is very little freedom left to the people. The people have become caged creatures full of fear that has been instilled by the government. I feel as if being an individual is not allowed in this day and age. A law that forbids a personal choice is a new low. Now that I think of it, the situation seems to be that there is some prejudice going on. They mentioned no reasons as to why they do not want these women to wear a burqas. I am just shocked that our freedom to express is being taken away slowly. I completely disagree with the French government making it against the law to wear a burqas. I hope that they do not make this a law or even fine these women for wearing what they want to wear. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:25:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54237761 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-h__trashed/#IDComment53874403 Hey Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:47:24 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-h__trashed/#IDComment53874403 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53311701 I agree with Lulu1212004 that suffering and pain is an emotion that can not be understood. Everyone experiences pain, but I disagree about how you view the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Suffering is a topic that is hard for anyone to understand, but the earth quake in Haiti brought people together; even I generously donated to the relief effort. I think God will answer any prayer, maybe not in the way we would like but in a way that will help eventually. I feel as if I was helpless as I heard the news of the damage and lost lives of innocent people. I have never experienced the situation of helplessness of watching your home crumble around you. All of the natural disasters that happen effect many people all over the world. Some of those people could be family, loved ones, or even dear friends. Even though I had no relation to the people of Haiti I wanted to help someone who are in a bad situation and needs assistance in any way. God provides in mysterious ways, he will help to see the brighter day. I can only pray for the children who had parents lost to the quake. Mothers without their children, children without a parent to tell them it will be okay. It breaks my heart to see the pictures with the children just searching through the rubble. I would never know how to comfort a child who has lost a parent or even their family to natural disasters. Throughout history lives have been lost to the destruction of these unthinkable events. I can only pray and ask God to comfort them. I strongly believe that prayer can comfort, and eventually ease a troubled mind. Also I strongly believe in my Christian faith, and God. My faith will lead to serenity, and life beyond the one I have now. My faith has guided me through many hard times, such as deaths of my loved ones. Those who were lost I have faith that God has taken them to a place of peace. I hope that the people and all those who were affected keep their faith in God in a time of need. I do not want to preach about God this and God that, but I personally trust my faith. My faith has helped me through so much. I hate seeing tragedy, but I know god will protect in the end. Only time will heal the pain and sorrow of the Haitian people. Suffering is always hard to deal with, but I hope all of the effort to help, and donated money will help somehow or someone. I feel blessed and appreciative of my life, because one day my world may be effected by a disaster. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:26:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/haitis-calamity__trashed/#IDComment53311701