en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3075431 Comments by tbaur28 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170435808 I had never really even heard of the term nepotism prior to this lecture, so you're even better off than I was. Ha. I agree that outside forces and our environment truly helps to shape us, and that when "opportunities" arise due to nepotism, it's not always necessarily a "bad" thing, but has become so because it occurs so much, even when it shouldn't. You're right in the thought of needing to properly educate people, and like the one kid interviewed at the end of the video said, you have to educate those higher up and make sure "the source(s)" isn't "bullshit". Wed, 6 Jul 2011 22:14:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170435808 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170166921 Part 3 Wow did things really sink with the stairs example with the “different races” and how advantaged you are for being white, simply because of a terrible history. Not to try and protect myself, but I’ve truly never cared about affirmative action. I’ve cracked jokes about several races, but never really touched on affirmative action, simply because I think I knew deep down that I’m white, but I didn’t know all the information about how truly advantaged I am because of it. What the student said about the “pot” of tax money and paying the schools was a great idea, but when he brought up private schools, how would taxes for those people be handled? Would they still have to pay for the public school “pot” of tax money? Wed, 6 Jul 2011 04:17:11 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170166921 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170166900 Part2 I have received so many things in my life thanks to nepotism; jobs, tickets to events, etc. I have never heard this term, but apparently I have been unconsciously, well-aware of it. You know, this inspired me to really avoid getting “hand-outs”, etc. in order to avoid nepotism, because it seems like when I think about it, I realize how many things I hae had handed to me. I definitely see how it can often be bad for society as a whole, to have too many hand-outs. I received my intern thanks to nepotism (knowing the boss from a church I attended years ago and also based on my mother’s merit). Needless to say I hated it and just scraped by there while doing my internship hours. I often find myself seeking things of this nature…the “easy way out” and have never considered what’s really occurring there. Damn, this makes me feel pretty guilty  Either way, I really contributed nothing there, and hell, they most likely could have found someone more qualified. Either way, this example just helps me see how Sam talked about affirmative action and nepotism going hand-in-hand. Wed, 6 Jul 2011 04:17:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170166900 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170166870 Part 1 It’s amazing to me how often females are overlooked when discussing affirmative action. I myself, do it, and looking back, have seen it many times. Even further, I have never connected that because so many white females benefit from affirmative action, that now even more white males can benefit from it through marriage. It is always interesting watching Oprah when she does great stuff like this. It is ridiculous how many chances these children miss out on because of their location, something they cannot control. This video did seem a little old, so I am curious to see if anything has improved or worsened thanks to this “great” economy. My “ideal” solution to this would be to cut funds from the one school, add them to the rich school, and bus the all the kids to that school. Maybe they could add-on to the better school, upon mixing the two schools together? Wed, 6 Jul 2011 04:16:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/30/week-8-%e2%80%93-lesson-14-affirmative-action/#IDComment170166870 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169440869 Yeah...poor farmers. I didn't realize pears were in such a high demand. I feel that I have noticed that connection between business and undocumented, cheaper workers. It's funny how they kind-of over-look outsourcing, which is probably just as bad. Think about it, someone over in India is getting paid probably way less than anyone hear…that’s gotta be similar. I also think that drugs are a big portion of some "pocket money" somewhere along the line in the border patrol, allowing the drug flow. Those are issues I think are things that should be focused on, and loosen up on the restraings of people getting in legally. Oh and..."legalize it duuude"... Sun, 3 Jul 2011 22:50:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169440869 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169438738 The art from the early U.Su. history and how immigration was still a huge topic then was something I had never learned in school prior to this. The chinamen being portrayed as the Statue of Liberty was pretty intense, as well as the one showing Uncle Same kicking out all the different races out of bed (115 years ago). I enjoy how Sam has gone backwards to show where these topics are coming from and how far back they go. This lecture also made me realize how little I know about the KKK. I like that Sam is sort-of “arming us” for future conversations, and it’s not just another random boring school lecture you may never use again; now that I’ve taken this course, I’ve really noticed how often these topics do come up, where I probably wouldn’t have realized it before. I don’t get much exposure to immigration; it’s just not in my area, yet. I’m curious to see what it’s like once I move. Sun, 3 Jul 2011 22:38:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169438738 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169438706 I believe the controversy of the illegal immigrant getting bit by the dog, Congo, was only because he was undocumented. Had it been a white guy, it would be a completely different story. For example, my father, a white male, was unhooking a woman’s cable (escorted by a police officer) because she had not paid her bill, so she sicked her dog on him; the police officer shot the dog on site and killed it. There was never a story about it or anything, that was the end of it. Had he been an undocumented immigrant, it may have been different? When Sam was talking about assimilating into another culture, although most people wouldn’t make a conscious decision to “learn the language” or “customer”, they may unconsciously learn these things from shear survival instincts, and as what was discussed later, their offspring learning English, etc. Sun, 3 Jul 2011 22:38:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169438706 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169438677 It seems that because workers and minimum wage are so expe3nsieve that it would be a no-brainer to hire and outsource cheap labor and hiring immigrants is often “smarter” and “better for the business”.; which ties back to Sam’s lecture that business drives immigrations lawns and rates. Also, I would want a rich person as a roommate, as I’ve experience living with someone you would consider a “poor person”; it sucks. It was n interesting comparison to relate immigration to a real-world example. It didn’tsurprise me to see many immigrants obtained college degrees. When I think immigrants, I often think of smarter people who go to school and become doctors and people of power in the business world. The example about the pear pickers losing out on all their harvest because they could not hire the cheaper labor due to strict immigration laws got me thinking, not only did they lose $10 million, but I wonder how much was spent on the other side of that, i.e, the cost of clamping down on the borders. Sun, 3 Jul 2011 22:38:20 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-13-immigration/#IDComment169438677 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168186864 I agree. Being gay is as much as a choice as being straight...it just is not a choice. I talked about my interest in this subject in my comment, as well. I always find it interesting to see how women feel about lesbians and bisexual activities, and if they consider themselves "gay" after being with a woman. It always amazed me at how males are so accepting of females being gay or bisexual, and often a turn-on, but it's often much more unaccepted for men to be gay. People need to understand the world needs to continue to grow into this more accepting and open type of world, and focus less on pointless things that don't affect them...like that their neighbor or friend is gay. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:37:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168186864 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168185539 At the beginning of the second half of this lesson (part 2 lecture), you could really see Sam’s excitement about discussing LGBT and how interested he was in this topic. It’s nice to see a teacher really accepting and discussing this issue. I have been, again, noticing a lot of what Sam discussed in this lecture, as far as movement and the “way of the future” for race and LGBT-related issues. I have noticed a more accepting, or least the façade of a “more accepting” society when it comes to issues of this nature. I have no problems with gay marriage, partly because I’m not very “religious”, and mostly because it does not affect me in anyway what gay people do with their life; therefore, gay marriage is something I support, but do not go “out of my way” to support issues related to LGBT and gay marriages. I know, personally, my parents and most of my relatives believed heavily in the strict Christian values of homosexuality and gay marriage being wrong, constantly quoting those famous anti-gay lines from the Bible. But to me, the Bible and Christian values seem so contradicting, as they say God accepts everyone and forgives them etc. Then you have extremists who seem to push their extreme views in angrier, more hateful ways. For example, the “God Hates Fags” famous Baptist church that preaches/focuses heavily on anti-gay issues. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:32:47 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168185539 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168185493 I was not surprised by the location of Hispanics and the U.S., and how that their numbers are increasing as they spread further north and west. I do not see a probably with this, and as Sam said, basically, we can learn from this diversity and make this country even greater through that diversity. I also found it entertaining that Sam brought up smoking the “metaphorical joint”, and that it would “relax” some people in order to truly accept diversity and globalization. We do see it every day, in our products and all the imports we bring in from China and other countries. Globalization is truly an unstoppable business force. It was also cool to see the constant flights and travel being depicted over the world on the map with the light-up plane routes. This depiction really helped me grasp and realize the true nature and magnitude of globalization. Another entertaining point in this lecture was the video with all the rappers from different nations. It seemed that, for the most part, they all had similar fashion styles. Then Sam brought up the point about how they all hand very similar mannerisms, gestures, hand motions, and things of that nature. It was interesting to see how even in the music industry, globalization influences the styles and interests of other nations; and in the case of rap music, popular artists in one nation helped to mold and influence artists of other nations to create that globalization of an industry. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:32:37 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/26/week-7-%e2%80%93-lesson-12-multiculturalism-lgbt/#IDComment168185493 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165664455 I see the point that there aren't many commercially "pushed" black dolls for children; however, I seem to have been noticing this upward trend in a lot of TV shows and commercials of having multi-racial families, or having many races together, etc. Let me state, I think this is fine and it does not really bother me in anyway, but it does seem like more of an attempt to be blatantly politically correct, and less like an attempt at improving race relations. Regardless if this increase is improving race relations or not, I do feel race is becoming more of a public, commercial industry. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:13:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165664455 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165663642 The fair housing act is a good idea, but I think programs such as these are often abused or used for personal gain, rather than actual racism in the housing industry occurring, although I’m sure things like this do happen quite often. Sometimes it does seem as thought people could just as easily move elsewhere and not care about some racist landlord not allowing them to rent from them. The statistic about University Park was interesting to me, and got me thinking: “Is Penn State racist, or is it just because of the area and their student’s decisions and upbringing?” I could really relate when Sam said how you would feel as though Penn State was really diverse if you were coming from an area with little to no diversity, and how might even be a “shock” to some, even though it was mostly a white community there, as well. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of racial statistics for other Penn State campuses, as well. Throughout this lecture, I realized people of color need “racial comforts”, just as I sometimes feel I need when I’m not in my own “territory”, so-to-speak. This was a cool lecture, but a little lengthy and another one of those things where I felt, I knew this, but never thought about it or really looked into it. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:09:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165663642 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165663612 The “Asian take-over” example was something I could really understand, but I wasn’t sure if it was because the way he stated everything was based on Asian stereotypes I’m familiar with, or if that makes me racist? Then, when Sam showed the statistics about popularity among races in relaitos to their grades (blacks, whites, and Hispanics), I thought it was intense to see this shown graphically. It was another one of those topics from this course that I felt like I knew subconsciously, but kind-of put it off and paid no attention to it. In the “girl like me” example, I could really see how this is a true stereotype, but at the same time I do know several white males who genuinely are attracted to black women even more than white women, and I grew up in a town of mostly whites, which seems interesting to me that I know so many guys interested in black women more than white, which also seems to conflict the theory shown in the video that white women are considered “prettier” than black women. However, I do feel as though these past stereotypes and events between whites and those of color do create this view. Also, it was interesting to see in a real-life example how young children perceive color, and how people of color are entered into the awakening stage that must quicker because of it. I would like to know if the children in the dolls survey were all from similar, close areas from one another and a little more history on their upbringing, in order to get a very clear picture of why they are choosing the dolls. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:09:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/22/week-6-%e2%80%93-lesson-10-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-people-of-color-stages-1-4/#IDComment165663612 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164486300 Watch the anatomy of hate if you really want some more crazy examples of adults passing wild and strange beliefs onto their children. This film was shown at the PSU Beaver campus this past semester. It was really interesting and brought up some great topics of race. Some people really do not let their children experience anything but what they believe, which I think is wrong. I think it's important to expose kids to many different things and educate them, then allow them to make their own decisions. Any time I have ever told someone I was inviting along a friend, that person's race is never discussed really, before-hand. Now if it were a black or mexican, etc., someone would probably bring it up. This is probably because I'm from a mostly-white town. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:53:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164486300 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164477924 I do feel somewhat guilty when I hear things like the lecture or things on the net that really get me thinking about race and my guilt about certain things going on, and how my whiteness affects me, but at the end of the day my sort-of “what can I do about it attidude” wins the battle and I just kind of “forget” about it. Really, I don’t care in the end white color you are or any of that, it’s the type of person you are around myself and others. I feel as though nobody of a certain race can help or harm or help me any more or less than any other race, it simply depends on the person and their personality…all their “strings”. If there’s one great thing I have heard my mother say a few times it’s: “Son…there’s terrible white people, black people, brown people…anybody.” Although she often seems to be a closet racist, she brings up a good point in my opionion, and something I think definitely relates to this lecture. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:26:27 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164477924 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164477888 I have often said some things that came out racist or was mis-read by myself and others, I can sometimes feel extreme guilt, but I also struggle to wonder was it me being racist and feeling guilty, or is my guilt due to an unconscious desire to be at a certain political correctness. I have felt really bad about slipping the n word out when singing a song around a black friend of mine. This lecture brought it back up in my mind and got my thinking about guilt and how often I feel guilty. I would say that I do genuinely feel “really bad” sometimes about things, and have always felt that it was pretty “normal” for me to feel that way, depending on the situation. I am also well-aware of guilt’s great power as a parenting tool. I see it every day, whether it be with my brother his son, or other young kids in my family. It is simply one of the easiest ways to get kids to act a certain way. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:26:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164477888 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164477677 When Sam discussed his example of the Asian woman driving and him slamming into her car, I thought it seemed as thought examples like that really depend on whether or not the person who was retelling the story was a “racist”, and to them it may or may not affect the story’s details. I would also like to say what the hell was the deal with the “Red House” commercial? When Sam began discussing the revisioning stage, it made me reconsider where I thought I was as far as stages of life, to think I could possibly be in the beginnings of the revisioning stage. I have been well aware for quite some time that there is a definite inequality and that there is the era of being PC. Taking this course has really had me thinking much more about race and I have recently used topics from this course in conversations (not necessarily arguments). Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:25:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-9-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-3-4/#IDComment164477677 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163068198 I agree that those of lower income who are considered minorities often feel entitled and fight for me assistance, and receive it. But middle class can't be the majority for nothing. I also feel like although many people attempt to remain PC by not making certain remarks, there are still plenty of people who can and do. I have always thought of society as need labels, mainly because I think people feel the need to reflect what they are, or are not, by placing a label or idea on another person so they can say, "Hey, I don't like this" or "I don't like doing this or acting a certain way...". Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:44:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163068198 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163067144 I’ll leave it at that, but this lecture really got me thinking so I figured I’d just broadcast my thinking here. I also want to say I am really glad Sam is comfortable enough to tell a story such as helping the muscular dystrophy dude take a whiz, as well as partaking and the other funny stories. This made me think of my interactions with a deaf woman that lived across the street from me at one point. I was attempting to extremely articulate my words clearly, in an attempt to borrow some gas for my lawn morrow. My very much ignorant friend Justin comes up and basically does the classic scream my words to a deaf person as if they’ll hear it voice. Eventually we got it worked out. Would this be considered a pre-awakening experience? As a white person, I believe that I have personally been aware of being white and my “status” in this world, and I think my somewhat blasé` attitude throughout most of my life just kept me from feeling one way or the other, and not until college and being somewhat “on my own”, outside of Ellwood City, etc., and I said goodbye to life-long friends. I also feel like I am familiar with most stereotypes and do not take offense, and in-fact enjoy when people, for example the Dave Chappelle skit, can make humor of it. Maybe that’s just me trying to be PC or something? Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:38:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/06/07/week-5-%e2%80%93-lesson-8-stages-of-racial-identity-%e2%80%93-white-people-stages-1-2/#IDComment163067144