en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/766806 Comments by thebathingape https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment70037002 Interesting comment for sure. Being a citizen of the United States it is easy to think that we are all somewhat “superior” to others. That said, I think it is inevitable that other people have more to offer. It is not racist to think that Americans are for some reason “better” than people of other countries. For some reasons, though I am sure it will be ill received, we are. I do not think it comes down to a matter of skin tone though. White Americans are not better than Black or Brown Americans. I just should not become a skin color issue. Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:47:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist__trashed/#IDComment70037002 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment70035549 This girl brings up a very interesting point. Definitely something I have thought about but have not directly responded to. I feel like tests will always be the most important thing, which is kind of messed up. A test will never be cancelled for any reason. At least as far as I know. But that is beside the point. We all react to things differently. If something huge in this country happened and 300,000 people died. I don’t know how I would react. I couldn’t tell you. If it were someone close tome… who knows. But I do not think it is that we don’t care… Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:41:56 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment70035549 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment70033973 Good question, but I don’t really know how to approach it. Personally, hard work is what it is all about. Yes, some immigrants might not have the money but they definitely have the hard work. I don’t think they need the money, at all. Come on, I feel like people always think it is about the money, but it is more than that. Especially those who are less fortunate. The people work their tail off to even enter this country and are willing to do so even further once they enter. And even if they don’t get the greatest job or cannot “afford” to become a citizen, they deserve it because of their effort. People do not need money to get a better life. Maybe I am being naïve but good for them. I respect people who work for where they are in this world. People who work hard, deserve it. That’s what it’s all about. What more can you ask. I really is not about the money. I cannot stress that enough. I can’t tell everyone enough, that I am a proponent of immigration… probably illegal immigration as well. If people care enough to leave their country to come here, I feel like we should not reject them. I am sure they have considered so many options and have finally decided to leave because it is the best viable option. I know there are some consequences but seriously… I don’t see why we aren’t accepting those who need acceptance. Everyone has to understand that people come here with the intention of starting a better life. A life better than the one that they left. I completely respect that. People who say immigrants are taking American jobs are ridiculous. First of all, it is cliché, but immigrants are sometimes willing to do the jobs that we, as Americans, are not as welling to do. I feel like many people will say that immigrants need the money to become citizens and what not, but I don’t know or can’t say if I am on the same page. It is not like everyone can afford to get into the United States legally. So what though. Money is not more important than hard work and effort. Immigrants or at least some immigrants come into this country with very little money to begin with… I don’t see how they are expected to buy their citizenship. Really… I mean come on. I understand the United States cannot accept everyone person who wants to get into this country but, there has to be some other way of evaluating potential citizens of this country. Hard work definitely plays a role in those desiring to start a new life here in the United States. Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:36:07 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-people-who-can-only-afford-hard-work__trashed/#IDComment70033973 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68408463 This class/lecture was actually very interesting. I do not think Sam was trying to convince everyone that Christians are actually trying to take over the world. Rather he was, yet again, putting us in the shoes of someone else, something we may not do very often considering we are talking about the people of the country we are invading, who are maybe mislabeled as the enemy. Anyway though, I came away from Thursday’s lecture with a better understanding of the Muslim perspective, as I am sure most people did, seeing how many people raised their hands when asked if they would join the insurgency if their country was being invaded. This is all meant to be provoking thought and discussion. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:16:16 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68408463 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68414269 This class/lecture was actually very interesting. I do not think Sam was trying to convince everyone that Christians are actually trying to take over the world. Rather he was, yet again, putting us in the shoes of someone else, something we may not do very often considering we are talking about the people of the country we are invading, who are maybe mislabeled as the enemy. Anyway though, I came away from Thursday’s lecture with a better understanding of the Muslim perspective, as I am sure most people did, seeing how many people raised their hands when asked if they would join the insurgency if their country was being invaded. This is all meant to be provoking thought and discussion. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:16:16 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68414269 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68410502 This class/lecture was actually very interesting. I do not think Sam was trying to convince everyone that Christians are actually trying to take over the world. Rather he was, yet again, putting us in the shoes of someone else, something we may not do very often considering we are talking about the people of the country we are invading, who are maybe mislabeled as the enemy. Anyway though, I came away from Thursday’s lecture with a better understanding of the Muslim perspective, as I am sure most people did, seeing how many people raised their hands when asked if they would join the insurgency if their country was being invaded. This is all meant to be provoking thought and discussion. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:46:58 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68410502 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68408567 This class/lecture was actually very interesting. I do not think Sam was trying to convince everyone that Christians are actually trying to take over the world. Rather he was, yet again, putting us in the shoes of someone else, something we may not do very often considering we are talking about the people of the country we are invading, who are maybe mislabeled as the enemy. Anyway though, I came away from Thursday’s lecture with a better understanding of the Muslim perspective, as I am sure most people did, seeing how many people raised their hands when asked if they would join the insurgency if their country was being invaded. This is all meant to be provoking thought and discussion. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68408567 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68407065 What is the end goal? Honestly, this is not really an easy question to answer. Personally, I feel as though it is simply to make us think. We have to realize and understand what is going on around us. It is important to see not only through our own lenses, but the lenses of others – more so, the big picture. I think it is unrealistic to say that the end goal is to solve every race relations related problem and for us all to get along, although that would be nice. But, then again, the end goal is different for everyone. It depends on the individual. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:20:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68407065 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68406984 Good question. It’s actually pretty funny this question was posted, because I was recently thinking that all we do is talk about womanhood, being a woman and women conforming to society. We very rarely ever talk about manhood and what not. It doesn’t really bother me personally, but I am just curious why it hasn’t been talked about. I feel as though it should be discussed as it relevant. While there are the same or similar societal pressures for men to conform, it is not as intense or obvious as it is with women. It seems as though society is much quicker to judge and to point out the flaws in women or perhaps women are simply more conscientious. Men maybe do not pay as much attention to the products and what not they see on television or wherever. I mean how often do you really hear of some dude getting plastic surgery, moisturizing their skin, or going to the lengths that women do to perfect their look? But yes, men too are concerned to some extent with the way they look and if they are found attractive. Rather than the material aspects of conforming, such as clothing brands and what not, which are more prominent with women, I feel as though men are more concerned with their physical body image. Men sometimes get carried away with lifting weights and exercising, because muscular is in most cases what is seen as attractive. Men not only want to be healthy, they want to “look good,” which correlates to high self esteem. Naturally, people do not want to the outcast. Yet, as people have mentioned, it is nothing new for men to want to fit in and to prove themselves as more “manly” than or to compete with the next dude. It has happened throughout history, among almost all creatures/animals, and in many different ways. That said, the degree to which men are affected by these pressures again depends on the individual. It varies from person to person. Yet, on some level we are all conforming, even though at times we may or may not realize it. And although it is cliché, it is “human nature” – whatever that means – to want to fit in and to be liked/loved. When it comes down to it, from a biological standpoint, men are more concerned with what women want, as they simply want to attract a suitable mate. Someone also mentioned that men do not really want to admit that they are conforming to society. It is funny, because it is true that men are much more quite about doing so. And in not admitting that they are conforming, they are conforming because it is not “manly” or whatever to admit that you base your image off of someone else. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:19:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68406984 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66828680 Let me just preface this by saying that having lived in Asia and in Japan particularly, I can relate to this topic on some level. The culture in Japan, especially the way sex is viewed, is different. Women are to act as objects, recipients of male desire. The perception of rape is not the same either. Rather than a violent and humiliating attack on a woman, rape is seen more so as a theft of a possession, as a woman’s sexuality is, usually, something to be stolen or bought. As you’ve seen in the video, pornographic magazines of all kinds, much of which depicts violence and degradation towards women, are easily available, as they are stocked among vending machines and convenient stores. I can also reiterate the fact that, it is not uncommon to stumble upon someone sifting through these magazines and what not on the subway. the availability of pornographic material makes female sexuality into a commodity. Even the use of prostitutes is less stigmatized. It is a different world. Either way, weird video. In most, perhaps all, ways this game is ridiculous and clearly sends the wrong message. I don’t see how this game even hit shelves. And who even came up with the idea to create a game about raping and touching women? It is just pretty disturbing. Not that the game looked very graphic in nature, but the concept overall and the fact that the object is to rape women is messed up. This is just a whole new level. Cannot say I am really surprised though. There should be no place for a video game of this kind. I am curious to know if this game actually sells over in Japan and is well received by the public. Would have liked to see some interviews or something. But how is this problem going to be solved. It doesn’t seem that the Japanese government is taking much initiative in getting this game off the shelves. My prediction is that there will be no ban of this game or of the genre of virtual rape gaming altogether, as there is already a niche for this kind of material. It might be hypocritical, but I feel this game is far worse than the addictive “shoot ‘em up” games most of us have probably played at some time or another. That said, neither genres of games send the right message. And personally, I don’t think I would pick up this game after having a couple beers or whatever. Just not the same as picking up a game like Madden or Call of Duty. Honestly, I don’t even see how anyone could get any kind of satisfaction from sitting around with their buddies and raping a virtual woman. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 16:34:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66828680 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65678684 I feel like I was in a similar situation. I lived overseas and experienced something along the same lines. I was constantly surrounded be people from all over the world, literally. The school was diverse and people, for the most part, befriend others of different racial and cultural backgrounds. The school was unique for that fact and we had the opportunity, that we all took advantage of, to meet others with different experiences and cultures. I was exposed to a lot of different things and many different people. There was a lot to take in and even more to question. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 01:34:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65678684 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65677204 It is important for this student to identify with the team he feels most comfortable with. If he was raised mostly by his mother’s side, why not identify with the “brown team.” I can see where he is coming from, as I am sure it can be conflicting, especially having Sam talk about it daily in class, but why not? That is not to say that he is more brown than white, he is equally white and brown, but it is all a matter of comfort. That said, it is also ok if he remains in the multi-racial category. Interesting video. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 01:22:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65677204 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65675926 I had already watched this video in psychology 100 earlier in the year, before it was shown in class last week, but my reaction was entirely the same. Actually, I did not really even know how to react, but the video altogether was definitely disturbing. The actions and responses of the children were all very shocking. You never really think about how much influence the media and society overall has on the youth. Even at such a young age, the majority of the children found the white doll to be more “nice” and likable. The decision to pick up the white doll seemed almost automatic and seamless, as the children who chose the white doll did so with very little hesitation. It just goes to show you how deeply rooted and internalized the idea of racism actually is. We are not talking about adults here. We are talking about young children. I would’ve thought or assumed that a child would choose a doll that was easiest to identify with and who looked most similar to themselves. It was shocking to see the girl (at about 4:30) identify herself with the doll she felt was the “bad” doll. I did not see that one coming. And I mean I know these are children and who knows how much they would be able to explain their decision, but all they had to say to justify picking the white doll was the fact that it was white. The fact that white is almost always automatically associated with “nice,” while black is associated with “bad” is pretty messed up. But how did these children come to the realization that the white doll was the most likeable? Who emphasized it to that extent? Does it have to do with how each child was raised or is it something else? Personally, I don’t see why the parents of these children would teach them that black is “bad” or “not nice.” Just doesn’t make any sense to me. Seems that parents would teach their children to take pride in who they are and skin color is part of that. The media and society itself is definitely shaping the children’s perception of nice or beautiful and what not. I don’t know if it would be relevant, but I might have wanted to see this experiment done with white and brown children, just to see if the action and responses are the same. I feel like white children would choose the white doll as well, but I would have wanted to watch it play out and to hear some explanations. And in all seriousness, I think it is sad to see that a children’s perception of beautiful, nice or what not is completely skewed. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 01:12:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65675926 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64227843 Interesting comment. I guess Asians and Asian Americans are not discussed much in class. The class is geared more towards black/brown people vs. white people. I don’t see why Asians are not expanded upon. In response to mrm5360, it is naïve to think that Asians do not experience outward racism. They most definitely do. Yes, most jokes are generalizations/stereotypes that mention the fact that some Asians are good at math or are intelligent, but just last week when we were talking about what it meant to be white/black, some people, while they laughed it off, were offended by what they heard/saw. The same applies. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:05:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-are-all-of-you-thinking-about-asians__trashed/#IDComment64227843 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64223234 Men are not educated extensively on a woman’s period or the menstrual cycle because it is irrelevant at that point in time. Girls and boys are separated for a reason. No elementary or middle school boy is going to be able to comprehend the fact that a woman’s period is a small part of a larger issue – the fact that the world is, in more ways than one, built for men. That said, that isn’t even the goal of health class. Health class is not supposed to be geared towards teaching men the deeper meaning behind a woman’s period and what they go through on a monthly basis, rather, it is meant to explain the basic biology behind the process itself. And boys are experiencing changes in their own body, so why would it be necessary to take on the added changes experienced by girls? But should men really be educated at a later time? I don’t feel like it is 100% necessary for men to be educated in depth or talk about the (details of) process itself. At this point, men know what they need to know, they know enough. How would it be beneficial for men to know the details? However, men should be educated on what a woman experiences while she is menstruating, the fact that menstruation is both a part of womanhood and in some ways a burden. Men should be able to understand and get a feel for how women work. I guess this, the blogging, is an opportunity for men (and women) to talk further about the menstrual cycle. Why would tampons be free if both men and women needed them? There are a countless number of items and what not needed/enjoyed by both men and women and they are not free. I understand what point is trying to be made, which is simply, would the world somehow cater towards or be made more convenient for men, if men experienced periods as well? Who knows. I mean, that is actually pretty interesting to think about. With regard, to the way Sam mentioned, what he calls “bleeding” in class, I don’t know what to think. I guess we have just never heard it talked about so freely, casually or even in that particular way. It’s just one of those things that most people feel should be talked about behind clothes doors, so it was a surprise. And I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve never heard the term bleeding. I think the fact that Sam (maybe intentionally) used the term bleeding was disturbing because it is, well, pretty direct more so than anything and people just aren’t comfortable with it, but that is what the class is all about. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:29:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64223234 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64215032 Yes, men should understand what women have to go through on a monthly basis, but I think a woman’s period or what Sam refers to as bleeding is simply getting too much attention here. Maybe I’m biased, being a male. I just don’t see the big deal. It is not something to be ashamed of, nor is it something that deserves this much emphasis. I understand the point trying to be made here – the menstrual cycle is only a small part of a larger issue - and it is definitely relevant, but I would have approached the issue an entirely different way. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:23:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64215032 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment63059265 Alright, this is unbelievable. I was in shock after reading this. I thought we were past this nonsense. It seemed as though we were making some serious progress in terms of same-sex relationships and LGBT issues, but I guess not. Canceling a high school prom because a girl requested to bring her girlfriend? Come on, it is really just ridiculous and unnecessary. It was one couple. The school has made a huge mistake. This was a really extreme action. A high school prom is arguably one of high school’s greatest times and a student’s, especially a senior’s, last high school memory, graduation aside. It is the focal point of the entire high school experience and should not have been taken away from the students. Yes, Mississippi might not be as liberal as California and its views as an overall state might be considered conservative, but still. And this is a public school, seems that of all schools (public, private, religiously affiliated) that a public school would permit a same-sex couple to attend a high school prom. And what about the girl, Ms. McMillen? She is receiving all of this unnecessary media attention and will soon feel the repercussions from her classmates, though it is really not her fault. The school’s actions, I am sure have made her feel guilty. Who wants to be the person who was responsible for the school deciding to cancel prom? I really hope the other students can find some way to forgive Ms. McMillen and understand that the school is completely out of line. This girl is not to blame. Who even has the authority to cancel prom on the terms of a single same-sex couple? Someone can actually make that call? Something here has to change and I really hope it will, especially with all of this media coverage. I really am curious to hear from the staff. Do most teachers and faculty members feel that this was ok or what? How can the school systematically discriminate against one homosexual girl? Personally, I feel as though the school should more than accommodative to this student’s request. Another aspect of this entire thing I am having troupe understanding is the fact that the school would also not allow her to wear a tuxedo. What is that? Was it really making students that uncomfortable? It is really just a tuxedo. It is not like it violates a dress code or something. What did the teacher mean, when telling Ms. McMillen to remember where she was? I really just want to hear more from the teachers altogether. Hopefully, the school will have the opportunity, as implied, to somehow resurrect the event. Overall though, this is just wrong and really pathetic. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:42:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment63059265 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63046228 Allowing students to text the message board during class is definitely pretty interesting. Yes, from time to time there is an “inappropriate” post, but for the most part students offer their opinion on topics that they would usually stray away from. Anyway, great concept here. I think Laurie Mulvey mentioned in Making Peace Between Our Colors that it is a common belief that only people playing for the white team can be racist. Not that I was directly “offended” or surprised when somewhat stereotypical misconceptions about white people were posted, but it was not exactly great to see such comments. And it is interesting that someone mentioned that the majority of the time a white person’s natural reaction, when faced with certain comments, is to laugh. What is with that? Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:00:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63046228 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63041000 Interesting concept and question. Students should definitely learn the truth about the history of the United States, but as some have mentioned, many current history books are biased. They tend to be skewed towards people playing for the white team. Big surprise, right? The founding of our nation and the discovery of America are mentioned, but the genocide that came hand in hand with it is conveniently left out or not expanded upon. Discussions of race relations are simply avoided. Though bias is understandable in some sense, as it is difficult to discuss anything without favoring one perspective or party over another, history should somehow be explain from an unbiased point of view. It would be convenient if history books could just be rewritten as proposed. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:36:53 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63041000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment59872458 I don’t know. I really didn’t know what to think about the video. I see where that racism cannot be tolerated, but does this deserve to be treated so severely? I don’t think the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (I think it was) threw the party with the intention of causing such controversy and personally attacking or subjugating the black community on campus. Does a fraternity having a “ghetto” themed party require such attention? There have been “ghetto” themed parties in the past. This kind of thing has happened and will continue to happen. I don’t think it is done maliciously. As someone mentioned, at what point does a party become offensive? Where can you really draw the line? I can see how it can potentially be offensive, but come on. The entirety of that event was blown way out of proportion. What, is the media going to cover every fraternity that holds a “ghetto” party? The hanging of the noose is different. It deserves more attention. I was actually surprised that it was not a white person who hung the noose in the library. I was almost positive it was going to be a white student, not a minority student. Why would it make sense for a minority student to have hung the noose? However, the fact that it was a minority student does not justify the action. I don’t even see why they would do such a thing. That said, as David Ritcherson mentioned, I don’t think it necessarily matters who hung the noose, simply that it was hung. Action does need to be taken against the student, so as to assure that something like this does not happen again. It is unacceptable and if the line needs to be drawn somewhere, in terms of being offensive, it is here. A joke is a joke, but to hang a noose in public is a little ridiculous. Also, I agree with sjw5189. I would have liked to see some more depth to the interview. I understand that the media kind of wants to formulate some kind of educated response to what happened, but I would have liked to have seen something put more in perspective. I think everything was a little too vague. I really want to know more of what happened. I know CNN probably doesn’t want to televise the student who hung the noose or the fraternity brothers behind the “ghetto” party, but something else would have been more appealing. I think the protesting behind the incidents would have been something interesting to explore. From the brief video clips shown at the beginning of the video, it seems as though a lot of students are protesting or rallying. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 11:37:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment59872458