en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2431875 Comments by tiedyemaster http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-82/#IDComment231750790 Is it right for America to police and invade the rest of the world even when we have so many problems here at home? This is obviously a very controversial topic that brings in politics, ethical decisions, morals, and opinions. Do I believe it is right for American to invade other countries for no reason? Absolutely not. While I am still trying to figure out my views on various wars and invasions, I am beginning to understand some of the reasons for the decisions to send American soldiers to other parts of the world It was a completely different experience to listen to Sam’s lecture from the point of view of a Middle Eastern person. There are different views between Americans and Middle Easterners, but more importantly, there is a huge misunderstanding between some aspects of the cultures and intentions. One of the problems I have with this controversy is that people are grouped together as a unit. Not to relate everything in this month back to the scandal at Penn State, but as President Rodney Erickson said, you can’t paint us all with the same brush. We are individuals, but we live in a place where we elect leaders to represent us. I personally feel like I do not have a lot of control over whether America polices and invades other parts of the world. If there is a threat to America’s national security, America should have the right to defend itself and its people, but is war always the answer? Should we start a war with another country before any physical damage actually occurs? Is it a safety precaution? It is difficult for me to completely support the efforts of Americans in other parts of the world when there are still so many problems in the United States. The United States of America has its fair share of internal problems. The economy is certainly not the best. The United States is in debt, yet is going to other places to try to help their people. I think we should start from within our own country before going and trying to “fix” other countries. The education system has issues, and there are problems with poverty all across the country. There are problems with money, but some of America’s nonexistent money is going into policing other places in the world. Additionally, marriage laws are unfair and discriminate against homosexuals. It is a bit off topic, but if two people of the same sex love each other and have a healthy relationship, they should be allowed to get married and have the same benefits that every heterosexual person in this country is automatically given. I know there are reasons to police and invade other countries, but I think America should look at itself first. Fri, 2 Dec 2011 17:45:59 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/29/voices-from-the-classroom-82/#IDComment231750790 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-78/#IDComment227440529 The past few weeks have definitely brought many emotions in the form of a rollercoaster. People have gone from shocked to disgusted to frustrated and everything in between. There have obviously been times of distress and trouble, but I have also seen optimism among students, faculty, and friends and family members. No matter what one’s viewpoint on any part of the situation is, I do not think anybody can disagree that the past few weeks have been difficult. There have been shocking statements and facts released and ugly disagreements have formed. While it does not directly relate to the accused incidents or changes in staff members at the university, I think one main thing I learned is in regards to the media. First of all, the media is so incredibly powerful. It has a strong influence on direct members of a society but more importantly of people who are not physically near the reported stories. As news stories begin to unfold, reporters are constantly trying to learn the latest “fact” or “make a story.” I have read news articles that are so different from what has actually been occurring in State College. Also, some of the articles may have some truth but they represent a very small percentage of people. Of course a lot of my opinions come from the viewpoint of a student. I mean, it does make sense since I am one. I remember self-reflecting about one week after the Grand Jury Report was released. At this point, President Graham Spanier and Coach Joe Paterno were no longer employed by the university. Additionally, other staff members were placed on administrative leave. While many news stories had surfaced since the report was released, few to no further facts were known. The media reported everything that was available to them, but sometimes people just have to wait for court hearings and other events to progress before more factual details are known. The feelings I recalled experiencing during that time were often drastically different from what the media portrayed of “Penn State students.” I was angry and saddened but also confused. People in State College were being described entirely different than many were actually acting and feeling. I wondered how different previous events that became national or international news actually were when compared to the media’s version of the events. Did people in New York City feel misrepresented during the attacks on September 11, 2001? Did citizens of Columbine, Colorado feel represented during the massacre on April 20, 1999? Were the students’ voices heard or did people speak for them? While I still rely on the media for news, I have learned to question “facts” and read multiple sources. Even then, my information might be biased or altered from the truth. It is to be used as a guide, but I do not think people can be sure how the town is reacting to shocking events and accusations unless they are part of the community or at least talking to members of the community. This does not mean that I think more media trucks should bombard State College. I just feel that they were often trying to “make the story.” Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:44:08 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/15/voices-from-the-classroom-78/#IDComment227440529 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/10/voices-from-the-classroom-71/#IDComment220628001 What do I think of when I think of Penn State? Pride? Confusion? Shock? Shame? I am, and always will be Penn State Proud, but this last week has been one of the most difficult, heart wrenching, and emotionally draining weeks I have ever experienced. No matter what anyone’s views are on any of the developing stories, I think people might actually be able to agree that it has been a very uncomfortable feeling and atmosphere on campus and downtown this week. Have social media networks affected this week’s events? Of course they have. On one side of the spectrum, it was an easy way for people to find out about riots and rallies. I am not proud of Penn State student riots and destruction but I also understand it. People did not know where to go. They did not know how to act. Lastly, they believed to have had nowhere else to go. As discussed when this was asked in class, I do believe that a majority of the students and protesters at the riot were simply there to “see and experience the riot.” Most students were not destructive. A few destructive lunatics led the entire Penn State community to hearing how crazy and dangerous we were. The media, including news cameras used social media to their advantage in spreading the story that they wanted to spread. It has been almost difficult to walk around this week without a reporter asking if students had statements or could “talk for a few minutes.” As in many stories, the entire story is never shown. It is such a complex story that it would be almost impossible. I think I am just beginning to realize how little I know about other media stories where I was not present of which I thought I was knowledgeable. I do believe the riots grew in size due to social media, but I think they started based off the information that was released and the time and manner in which it was released. If the announcement would have been made in the morning rather than at ten o’clock at night, I have a feeling it would have been a bit less damaging. I also believe that social media played a large role in bringing Penn State students, alumni, faculty, and supporters together. Websites raising money for victims and showing awareness spread like fire over the internet. People were actually able to contact news sources to highlight more positive responses. Websites like WEstillARE.com highlight what it means to truly be a Penn Stater. While this does not have to do with the media or social networks, I believe we can bounce back from this. We are more than this scandal. We Are, and will always be, Penn State. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:42:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/10/voices-from-the-classroom-71/#IDComment220628001 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment217013791 If people are speaking a different language around you does that make you feel uncomfortable? I would definitely have to say yes and no. For me, it definitely depends on the situation. It does not bother me that people are speaking in their native languages, but it sometimes makes me uncomfortable. I think one of the main reasons if that I feel lost and exposed. There is a chance that the people are talking about me, and I would have no idea. I am probably the most frustrated by this because as much as I would try to follow a conversation, I know I unable to do so. One example of this is at Asian nail salons. Of course this is a generalization, but many of the employees do not speak English. It does not bother me that they are speaking to one another in their native language, but it makes me uncomfortable for them to speak to one another in front of me. Even if they are not talking about me directly, it feels like they are. There have actually been times when I think they are talking about me. It might not be in a bad way, but I sometimes find it rude if I know they speak English as well. They speak to me in English but to one another in their native language. I think they are only making small talk but it almost seems sneaky and like they are talking behind my back in front of my face. When I attended Hebrew school when I was younger, I can vaguely remember the older, more conservative teachers speaking to each other in Hebrew simply so that we could not understand what they were saying. They used it for planning purposes; however, I think it was used more to gain authority. The teachers wanted to have control over the sometimes rowdy group of children and adolescents. Looking back, it made me angrier than the authority they strived to obtain. It seems childish to have to stoop down to that level to try to earn the upper hand. It did not make me uncomfortable, it made me irritated. On a more local note, Penn State has a decent number of international students. There are programs that try to integrate national and international students, but language is sometimes a barrier. I know that I have a much easier time interacting with international students who are speaking English. I often see international students congregating with one another when they share a common language. This makes complete sense to me, but I still know I would feel more comfortable to join a conversation or approach people if they were speaking in English. I wish I knew some of their languages but being in America, English is the common language. If I was in another country, this would change completely. Fri, 4 Nov 2011 22:36:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/11/01/voices-from-the-classroom-59/#IDComment217013791 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-58/#IDComment213612682 How do I feel about white people becoming the minority? It is not a question I have often thought about prior to this class. When people look around at the other people in this world, one can see that white people are not the majority in many places. However, they are in the United States. White people will no longer be the majority because more and more people are becoming mixed race. People are reproducing with other people who are racially and ethnically different from themselves. This is a very interesting topic to think about. People are used to white people being the majority. It is typical in today’s society. Several years down the road, this will not be the case. The new generation of children will not know a time when white people are the majority. Good or bad, it will just be different. It will be a change. While white people have many advantages, there are also some disadvantages. For instance, being white, I do not qualify for many college scholarships that are reserved for minorities. As a white woman, if I marry a white man, my children may be able to qualify for some of these scholarships. Many white people are upset about this upcoming change. I recently asked my roommate’s sister (a white female) how she feels about white people becoming a minority and she was upset about this. I was kind of upset by her response. She said that she would not want to be the minority. It reminded me of white privilege. She clearly enjoys being the majority and that makes sense. It seemed like a lack of knowledge about racial topics and issues. She wondered how this could happen and her twin sister went on to saying that there was more and more immigration. I was glad that the girls could relate the topic to integration since it is what we were talking about in class. Immigration is happening in the world whether people are okay with it or not. This question made me realize that this class has opened up my eyes to so many topics regarding race, ethnicity, privilege, and power. It also made me realize how ignorant I probably was before really thinking about these questions and issues. The world is constantly changing. It is sometimes a slow change and sometimes it occurs more quickly, but it is changing nonetheless. People must start to acknowledge some of these upcoming changes because they are not going anywhere. Changes will still happen even if people’s mindsets do not shift with them. Many people in older generations are set in their ways of thinking. It is up to the new generations to become more and more open minded than the previous generation. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:06:22 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/27/voices-from-the-classroom-58/#IDComment213612682 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210319313 (Part 3) I think I would view the world differently if I was black, Asian, or any other race. I would most likely associate with different people and therefore be around various other opinions and conversations. I think that would automatically change my thinking. There would be new invisible strings that would affect the way in which I viewed the world. Being in the majority of the racial breakdown of the United States, or State College specifically, my race does not affect the way I view the world as much as I believe it would if I was a part of a minority race. I feel like my ethnicity affects the way I view the world as much as or more than my race does. I am definitely affected in my life by identifying as Jewish. While being Jewish cannot be seen as easily on the outside of my body at one’s first glance, this part of me puts me in a minority group within my surroundings. It shapes how I view the world because I base my thoughts on the values and beliefs that were instilled on me by my family and culture. There are many factors that shape the way people view the world. Race is only one component for me. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:59:45 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210319313 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210319251 (Part 2) My race definitely shapes the way I live my life, but it is not something I think about on a regular basis. I am white, Caucasian, or whatever else anyone wants to call it. It probably does give me many advantages in my life, but like I said, I only think about it sometimes. While it gives me advantages, it also has its share of challenges. I am sometimes put under assumptions that I will act a certain way or say a certain thing. Therefore, it affects how I view the world back. I see the world as a dynamic place, a place where people are grouped into clumps but also seen as individuals. I know that I am white, but I really do not think it is something that is constantly on my radar. Yeah, I think about it sometimes and I see certain events in different ways, but does it affect how I view the world on a regular basis? I cannot help but say sometimes. I hate answering questions with “sometimes” or “maybe,” but it is one of those questions that really has different constructs and factors. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:59:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210319251 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210319131 (Part 1) Race is an interesting topic because it is visual. It is often the first thing someone notices about another person. It is seen on the surface and a first impression. Many people notice others’ skin colors the second they meet them. In this sense, it shapes views and opinions of people before they even really know them. However, race is complicated because most people do not actually know their entire racial makeups. They may think they are a certain race, but there is a large chance that they are actually a mix of multiple races. People are judged on appearance rather than their accurate races. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:59:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/13/voices-from-the-classroom-45/#IDComment210319131 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/12/consider-the-issue-of-freedom-vs-determinism/#IDComment207257099 I have actually watched a few documentaries featuring Abby and Brittany on The Learning Channel (TLC). I find their lives fascinating. The anatomy of the girls is both mind boggling and amazing. I am not quite sure how Abby and Brittany are still alive. Previously, I was interested in their lives for more trivial reasons. Their lives are different than those of mainstream teenagers physically but not as much socially. It was not until this posting on the blog that I looked at their lives completely differently. While Abby and Brittany try to be as independent as possible, they both constantly rely upon one another in almost every aspect of life. Sure, they show individuality, but I believe their lives are shaped a lot more by determinism than the average person. I want to make it clear that I still think they use free will to make many decisions, but much of their lives are automatically different than typically developing humans. The girls share various organs and body parts, must go everywhere together, and would not be alive if they were not attached. Many people would most likely consider their lives awkward or weird, but to the twins and their family, it is normal. The twins still go to school, fight with their siblings, are interested in boys, and even passed their driver’s license tests. On one extreme side of thinking, Abby and Brittany are completely free to make their own decisions and choices in life. They can go places they want to go, talk to the people they want to talk to, and eat whichever foods they enjoy. However, they are not completely free from everything or everyone. Each twin is never ever alone. She is and has been connected to her twin sister since the day she was born. They even share body parts. As sad as it is to think about, I would imagine that if one of them dies, they both would die. They are co-dependent to one another. In this sense, their lives were predetermined. There is definitely a large part of determinism that falls into this situation because in reality, the each twin has rarely something to herself. Abby and Brittany were given this life. They were born as conjoined twins. They have no idea what it feels like to be completely alone. The girls seem to be living their lives to the fullest, and one can only hope that this continues throughout their lives. They are definitely special and unique, even from one another. They have distinct personalities, likes, and dislikes. I would hope that everyone can see how this is the prime example of the constant balance and struggle between free will and determinism. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:51:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/12/consider-the-issue-of-freedom-vs-determinism/#IDComment207257099 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204631443 When girls go out, there is a complete double standard. Guys and girls alike almost automatically assume that girls will be wearing short, tight skirts and dresses with high heels and revealing, low cut shirts. In college and here at Penn State, it seems like a standard. Sure it is fun to dress in fancy clothing once in a while, but I know that, as a female, I do not enjoy dressing up every weekend. In fact, I choose not to, but many girls still go. I sometimes fall into this trend, stereotype, invisible string, or whatever else you might want to call it or use to justify the attire. It is a weird feeling when I take a lot of time to get ready (i.e., straighten my hair, put on makeup, try on several outfits) to only see guys wearing t-shirts and jeans. I think a big part of this question has to do with social and cultural norms of the time. Today, it is seen as normal for girls to wear high heels and tight (and minimal) clothing. However, it is also seen as normal for guys to dress more “comfortably.” Many of the girls who dress this way at night are seen in very casual, comfortable, or more affectionately called “SNUGG” clothing during the day. Why do I see so few of them dressed this way at night? A lot of this is probably to impress guys, to increase their sex appeals. Many guys like to see the provocative lack of clothing. On the other hand, I also hear guys call it slutty or trashy. They want more left up to the imagination. Either way, this social norm is one that differs between guys and girls. People seem more impressed or happily surprised to see guys dressed up downtown at night. It is more unexpected and less common. Yes, there are many guys who are great dressers, but there are also many girls who dress more comfortably. I am only talking about the typical, mainstream choices. I have heard guys complain that their ties are uncomfortable or that they are hot in their suits. I’m sure these things are not pleasant but have they ever tried walking in four-inch heels? Many guys say, “but they make your legs look so hot!” This still does not quite answer the question. I mean, why don’t guys sacrifice their comfort when going out? This all ties back to the fact that we live in a male centered world. Girls dress this way because it is how they are taught or how they are told guys like. They are taught this in the male centered world. However, it makes me wonder, would guys be wearing high heels with Spanx under their tight outfits in a female centered world? Sat, 8 Oct 2011 03:31:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/10/06/voices-from-the-classroom-40/#IDComment204631443 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201566571 I believe that stereotypes are meant to be broken. They are meant to be challenged. There are several stereotypes that I do not believe in. Wikipedia defines a stereotype as “a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals.” They are “standardized and simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions.” Assumptions do not seem to ever get people very far in life. You all know the saying about what happens when you assume. I do not want to pretend to be perfect because I am obviously not. Have I ever fallen into the traps of stereotypes? Of course. I mean, I am only a human. Of course I have prejudged people based on their races or ethnicities before. Racial stereotypes are the ones that bother me the most. It is a horrible thing to judge someone based only on the color of his or her skin. For instance, I feel terribly for people who are stereotyped in airports and other public places. This is a fine line that is easy to cross; however, I believe many people would rather be safe, even if it means that innocent people must be profiled. I do not believe that all Middle Eastern people are terrorists just like I do not believe that all Irish people like to drink or that all Jewish people are stingy and cheap. I do not believe that all engineers are nerds or that all Asians are good at math. I consider all of these to prove my original point about stereotypes. Sure, it is the earliest impression, an initial judgment, and the first thing that one thinks about when they learn a characteristic about a new person. Stereotypes exist all over the world. After all, Americans are known to be obese, rude, and obnoxious. Do some Americans fit this description? Yes. This is the same about Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Asian people and the stereotypes I mentioned before. Some people fit the descriptions and generalizations, but they definitely do not apply to every individual from a specific group. Softball players are stereotyped as lesbians or more harshly as “dykes.” However, I have not heard nearly as many people referring to wrestlers as gay. I find this a bit surprising when I think about the wrestling video clip we watched in class the other day. Wrestlers rolls around with one another and can appear to be very sexual, yet softball players are stereotyped more often than wrestlers. While these are just examples, stereotypes are obviously generalizations. I do not believe many of these stereotypes. I actually do not believe most stereotypes. I believe in individual people because I know I do not like to by stereotyped. Why do something to someone else I would not want done to myself? Sat, 1 Oct 2011 02:17:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/27/voices-from-the-classroom-26/#IDComment201566571 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/20/everyone-respond-to-this/#IDComment197674275 Haiti is a place that is probably very unfamiliar to many students. This project will be a very interesting way for students to learn about Haiti. Americans, but our generation especially, are often called ignorant. This is sometimes true. I do not think all people and all younger Americans are ignorant but I do believe that some people do not have clue. This project on Haiti for our class will force our generation to take an active step in helping the world. Force may seem like a strong word choice, but it is more of a first step to learning about other places around the world. It is a great opportunity for us to learn and a great opportunity to help these Haitians. Relating the Haiti Project to our lecture and conversations on free will vs. determinism, the Haitians we are learning about were born into societies with low wealthy and high poverty. It is great that we are trying to help these people, but a large portion of the success rate will be determined by their free wills. If we are able to initiate and help start programs in Haiti, I hope the Haitian people will work hard to continue the projects to lead to success. Sam, DJ, and the rest of the Haiti Project staff members are working hard to connect our class to various Haitians. I hope that each person at every step of the project strives for accomplishments and success. The projects will not be profitable and booming if various people in different stages along the way do not do their work. Yvrose interests me personally. While I am not extremely interested in fashion, it is cool to see lifestyles and cultures in other places, which include fashion. I love the braided straps and stitching. However, Yvrose has many difficulties and challenges to work through. Yvrose has so many sources of inspiration and such great ideas that it is a shame that she has nowhere to display her pieces. Additionally, the quality of her pieces is high but her client source base is very low. Therefore, she does not have the income she deserves from her hard work. I would love to find a way to advertise for Yvrose, her company, and her designs. This could be in the form of marketing, billboards, or flyers, but it is probably much more practical to mostly use word of mouth with a limited budget. I do not and cannot spend money she or we do not have. Yvrose seems to have good work ethic and a strong desire to do well in business. I will bring ideas to my discussion group, and I hope we can help her gain clients for her beautiful pieces. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:18:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/20/everyone-respond-to-this/#IDComment197674275 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/15/voices-from-the-classroom-13/#IDComment194333079 What if Sam was a different race? That is like saying, “What if the sky was green?” or “What if dogs could fly?” They are all things that cannot be changed. Sam obviously points out our differences in class, but he does it in a way that does not imply that one characteristic or trait is better or worse. It is interesting when he points out a trait of a white male because he is talking about someone similar to himself, but would this change if he was a black woman talking about another black woman? I think people would questions his statements more if he was a minority. While I doubt he would have as much credibility, the message should still carry through. However, if Sam was a different race, who is to say that he would even be a teacher at all? Would Sam even still be a professor? Would he be teaching at Penn State? If he were a professor at Penn State, would he still be able to teach the way he does? Sam discusses issues that people do not feel comfortable talking about. He brings up many topics and points that could never be mentioned if he did not have the respect he has from his students. Sam stands up in front of over seven hundred people each class and proclaims statements that would have him beaten up in some areas. He clearly has respect. The students show him respect every class, even if they do not agree with him. Sam tries to discuss controversial topics that people will cause people to disagree. It stirs the class discussion. That being said, what if Sam was a different race? Would he still have the same respect from his students? Many people say he would not be able to say most of the things he says. This is probably true because he is a member of the white and male majorities in our country. Sam’s topics, discussions, and conversations would change drastically because some individuals would say he is “pulling the race card” or “pulling the gender card.” I took a class on race that was taught by a black woman, and I can definitely say that there was a different vibe in the classroom. Sure, it was a much smaller class. I do like this class better and am more enthused by Sam’s questions, but I think a lot of that also has to do with Sam’s enthusiastic personality. He is clearly passionate about sociology, and it really shows. My question in response would be, “What if most of the class was a different race?” What if white people were the minority and there was a “white section?” Would this change the course? Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:04:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/15/voices-from-the-classroom-13/#IDComment194333079 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/06/voices-from-the-classroom-2/#IDComment191525663 I just want to start by saying that I am a straight female. I simply do not think it is fair that people are being discriminated because of innate components of who they are. DNA determines a person’s sex. Sometimes, someone’s sex and gender do not match. I consider this to be an unfortunate disconnection within a person. These individuals struggle with the parts they were given and the emotions they feel all the time. It is a regular part of their lives. Of course these feelings cause conflict, how can they not? Their anatomies do not match the people they are internally. It is like telling a baby elephant that he must love other baby elephants, but the first baby elephant is trapped inside the body of a tiny turtle. Okay, it is a weird analogy, but I cannot even imagine how lost these people must feel while trapped in their own bodies. If you see a man walking around downtown wearing a dress, he is probably attracting attention. Unfortunately, a lot of the stares are probably more negative than confused. If a woman wearing the same dress passes the same spot, it almost certainly goes unnoticed. This man’s gender could really be female, but nobody could see it. Wearing a dress could feel right to him, but society does not view men wearing feminine clothing as normal. This is just one example of the personal conflicts he faces on a regular basis. Sexual orientation is just one characteristic of a person, as is gender. Yes, gender can often be one of the most obvious characteristics of a first impression, but it is only one part of a person. Some people express their genders more than others, just like some people are more open about their sexual orientations. People can choose to show their genders in more apparent ways than others in clothing and activity choices, but it is a personal choice. I am so tired of people saying that LGBT people “choose to be gay.” Why would anyone ever choose a lifestyle that would lead to the discrimination that members of the LGBT community endure every day? Did you choose to be straight? No, it was most likely an internal feeling that you discovered years ago. I have struggled with being comfortable with myself in various ways, as I’m sure most people in class have at some point as well. I think to myself, if I am mainstream, straight, “normal,” what is it like for people who cross the boundaries of social norms? I respect people in the LGBT community for staying true to themselves, especially for being proud when other people constantly tell them they should be something else or love someone else. They are told they are wrong, that they chose the wrong people to love. Why can’t people simply be happy for other people? Why do some people care so much about who other people love? Sexual orientation is not something you choose, but it can be something you embrace. Straight people don’t have to wonder, or worry, if they will be discriminated against every time they walk outside. This added “burden” is not something anyone should have to experience, and I truly hope people do continue to become more accepting. LGBT people do not choose to be different, but they can choose to accept themselves and to be happy. Why can’t people in today’s society just accept that? Fri, 9 Sep 2011 15:55:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/09/06/voices-from-the-classroom-2/#IDComment191525663 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/08/30/why-your-religion/#IDComment189041727 Why my religion? This is a question I previously struggled with for a long time. I was raised in a family that practiced Conservative Judaism. Scratch that, we were Jewish, but we did not go to synagogue every week. We ate cheese on hamburgers, shrimp and other shellfish; we definitely did not keep kosher. However, my brother and I were sent to Hebrew school twice a week, plus a few Saturday morning Shabbat “kid” services. Hebrew school is sort of like a right of passage for Jewish youth. Everyone complains the entire carpool ride on Tuesday afternoons and tries to sneak out of Saturday services, but we all go; it’s just the way it is. I ended up liking the experience much more than my younger brother did because my Hebrew school class consisted of a lot of my friends. It was a much more social group of kids. When I look back on my Jewish experiences, I often wonder what I actually believe about the religion. Yes, I went to Hebrew school, but I am often ashamed that I do not remember about eighty-five percent of what I learned. I do not understand more than a few words of Hebrew or relate to many of the prayers; however, the Jewish culture keeps me rounded. I believe in the culture, the values and morals I learned from my immediate and extended families. I love the holidays, the family dinners, and the traditions. I love spending time with my family, and I believe my parents instilled important values in my brother and me. This has become clearer as I have gotten older, but I still sometimes wonder if I believe in the religion. I catch myself becoming mad at myself for not keeping Passover “well enough” or skipping out on holiday services while at school. A recent trip to Israel as a participant of the Birthright program offered me some peace with myself. My trip was comprised of about forty Americans and ten Israelis. I learned that while these young adults live in the “holy land,” consider themselves to be Jewish, and are members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), they do not shut down their lives each Shabbat. Instead, one friend described large family dinners on Friday nights before a night out with friends. As I spent more time with my new Israeli friends, it became more and more apparent that Judaism is so much more than the strict rules of the high holidays and going to synagogue every week. It is about family, traditions, and values. Judaism is a culture, and I am proud to me a part of it. I can thank my parents, grandparents, and other family members for passing on their values and morals that I now use as a guide for my own beliefs. Hebrew school taught me the basis and foundation of the Jewish religion, but my family taught me the Jewish culture that I love. Fri, 2 Sep 2011 15:45:36 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/08/30/why-your-religion/#IDComment189041727 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/if-prison-has-taken-anything-away-from-me/#IDComment145255050 I cannot imagine my life without certain things. This man simply states, “Silence is unacceptable.” While he means it in the sense of one’s soul, I could not help but think of my afternoon today. I was at a friend’s apartment, and he was showing me his new sound system that is complete with turntables and software that is far over my head. He mentioned casually that he does not like silence. Whether he is making music, finding new beats, or music is playing in the background, my friend rarely experiences silence. After reading this article, I could not help but to compare the two situations. My friend’s music seems like such a superficial subject compared to the silence of one’s soul, yet I know it would affect him wholeheartedly. This is a very emotionally draining letter. It begins in a factual tone, but as one reads, it comes across as sad and heartbreaking. This person obviously did a very bad thing to deserve a life in prison, but it really makes me think. Does anyone deserve not to love? This is the connection between two people that is so strong that it leads to pain and joy, nervous excitement and sorrow. Emotions fly high as people fall in love. There are ups and downs like a roller coaster, but it is an experience. Love is challenging. Love is real. Love takes hard work. But I will have the opportunity to love. M. does not believe that he will. This is the saddest part of all. Prison takes away numerous relationships and objects at one time. There are some things in like that I cannot imagine living without individually. All of these being taken away at once would place a person into a complete culture shock. In a way, prison is like its own culture. It is a way of life that all of the residents are experiencing at the same time. In many cultures, people often have similar beliefs and feelings. I wonder if the other lifers share these feelings, the silence, and the loneliness. All of these prisoners lost their freedoms at different stages in their lives. Do some of the men have loved ones back home, or was their love lost when they entered the gate? Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:40:19 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/if-prison-has-taken-anything-away-from-me/#IDComment145255050 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment142981630 A man’s business is should be his own business. If someone is born a female but identifies as a man, he should be treated and referred to as a man. This transition or situation is difficult enough as it is. He should not be scrutinized by outside people, or in fact by anyone. It is completely unfair and people need to mind their own business. Also, I do not understand how Mr. Devoureau’s boss found out he was transgender in the first place. This man identified as a man as long as he was a person and as young as childhood. Additionally, people should have the right to privacy. As long as he was doing the job correctly and appropriately, there is no reason that Mr. Devoureau was unable to perform the task of making sure urine samples were not swapped. I understand that Urban Treatment Associates decided that a male should be the person to complete the job, but Mr. Devoureau identified as a man. His driver’s license says he is a man, his new birth certificate by the State of Georgia lists him as a man, and the Social Security Administration even changed its records. Whether or not Mr. Devoureau underwent any surgeries is nobody’s business except his own. His surgeries do not alter his abilities to do his job. He is a man, and he always will be a man. I am curious to know if his boss allowed homosexual men to fill this job position. Without any research or data, I would imagine some people would be less comfortable with a gay man watching other men give urine samples than a person who identifies as a man but was technically born a woman. It is absolutely ridiculous for this to be happening at this time. People are supposedly becoming more and more tolerant of differences among other people as time progresses, but this article shows how closed-minded some individuals can still act. I completely respect Mr. Devoureau for trying to save some of his dignity and privacy. Most people in this world do not have the right to know about a stranger’s personal details. As he knows, it is wrong, and I think it is great that he is only pursuing his case so that other individuals do not have to endure the same undeserved treatment. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:23:44 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment142981630 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment141158271 What is a man? Sociologically, a person’s perspective and view of a man varies due to different factors and forces that the person cannot control. This man describes the “ideal man;” however, I do not believe there is only one ideal man. That is the beauty of the world and mankind. No two people are exactly the same. People might strive to be the best they can be, but it is a personal definition. I know plenty of women who would be very turned off by this ideal man. At the same time, many of my friends are constantly looking for a man with all of these qualities and characteristics. As a woman, I would love to find the ideal man for myself. Would my ideal man be similar to C’s described ideal man? I am not sure. C speaks of qualities he thinks a woman would want to see in the ideal man. Yes, some of these characteristics seem nice. I would want a spontaneous man who can keep my secrets between the two of us. I would want a man to notice when I am unhappy and brighten my day. I would want a man to protect me and to give me protection, but some features of a relationship are personal to the couple. I would want to find my own wonderful qualities in my man. It would be nice for a man to be chivalrous. He would open doors for me, say nice compliments, and pay for dinner. To me, a relationship is much more than only those things. It is about the connection you have with a person. It is a feeling of trust, a feeling of safety when he is around. It is an intuition, a gut feeling, and a sign that he is right for me. By talking about all of these qualities of a man, I do not feel it is fair to look at it as a way to degrade women. Women and men alike differ from one another individually. Many women may be negatively represented in the media, especially on television and in music videos, but it is important to remember that that is not every woman. Think of your mother, your grandmother, your aunt, or your sister. I would bet that you do not think of these women the same as you think about the women in music videos exposing more skin than not. In many ways people are the same from one another, but in many ways they are so incredibly different. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 03:40:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment141158271 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/27/family/#IDComment139282869 As we have discussed in class, humans tend to overestimate their skills and rationalization abilities, thus people want to believe they know what it is like on the other side of the prison gate. Unless these people have experienced prison first hand, they cannot fully understand what it is like. As this person stated, the places on each side of the prison walls are really two worlds apart. The only was to know exactly what it is like to be in prison is to actually literally be in prison. People may write frequently to family members and friends in prison. They may even visit them. But, these occurrences eventually begin to spread further and further apart with less quality until they fade away completely. This is where the people in prison come into play with one another. Yes, each individual did something to lead to time in jail. Are they bad people? Some. Of course they all made mistakes; however, these people may just be the only people some of these guys have left. People need support. This can be in the form of a biological family or the ones they create for themselves. While in prison, the individuals who team together and form bonds will have a stronger support system. C stated that the prisoners who are not assholes are the ones who have loved ones stay in touch with them. This seems like an obvious statement. To say that he is still in touch with high school teachers, while in prison, on a regular basis is an impressive feat. Honestly, I think this is an impressive relationship to be maintained, with such frequency over the years, for any individual. I know that I only keep in touch with one teacher on a semi-regular basis. Sure, it is nice to catch up with old teachers if I run into them when I am home, but maintaining relationships is difficult. I feel the difficulties of being away from my high school; however, I am able to get in a car and arrive three hours later. I cannot even begin to imagine the challenges of not being able to physically leave the prison while maintaining these strong relationships. Sat, 2 Apr 2011 03:24:45 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/27/family/#IDComment139282869 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/23/managing-crowds/#IDComment137556697 People may gain motivation when in a group setting, but when more people are added to a situation, less people are actually doers. People expect other people to do the work for them. Even if they do not expect one specific person to do a task, they generally think that it will get done. Someone will do it. This leads into the issue of free riding within a group. People gain benefits from the group, even if they do not do any work. This being said, what is the motivation to actually do something yourself? Why should you make the effort if someone else will? You already benefit. It seems logical to not do any work in this setting, but this does not seem fair. However, if everything uses this thought process, will somebody actually do what needs to be done in an emergency situation? The New York Times article discusses plans for emergency evacuations. In some of these extreme circumstances, a few people step up and lead the group while everybody else follows along. Everyone still benefits; however, this is a dangerous risk in my opinion. What if nobody takes action? These people have their lives at risk. One would think that they would do something about it and try to survive on their own. Yet, these invisible strings in a group make everyone seem quite apathetic. Don’t they want to live? By planning these evacuation strategies, authorities are taking a lead for the safety of the community and people. While these preparations will save many lives in the case of an emergency, the majority of the group will still benefit from free riding. Also, the plans that are prearranged may not always be the best solutions. During the storm in the article, more people suffered and we injured throughout the evacuation than the catastrophe itself! More plans can be considered if there are more ideas in the first place. This requires more people to be part of the planning process. People need to stop free riding and use effort to make a difference! The society leaders need to find a way to encourage people to participate in the planning and execution instead of only benefiting from the results to reduce the injuries and casualties of such situations. People need to be shown the detrimental effects that will happen they continue to simply free ride. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:43:21 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/23/managing-crowds/#IDComment137556697