en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2438039 Comments by tjm5453 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment143800108 In a world run by knowing others and connecting to everyone possible I would indubitably take the opportunity to use nepotism when possible. To be honest I have used it in the past and will continue to use it. However, give me a few minutes of your time to justify the usage and progression of this word. Every person in this world has used and will continue to use nepotism. There is absolutely no reason why you wouldn't. How often do you hear someone denying another their offer to help and to give them the edge on any life occurrence. Whether it be for a job, to get into a certain school, or to receive any benefits no other normal person would receive in your situation. In todays day and age everything, especially jobs and internships during and after college revolves around parental connections, fraternity/sorority connections or even down to club connections within everyday acquaintances. Many of the CEO's and other workers of high notoriety had some sort of connection with a person who helped them along the way. However unfair or even frustrated it makes others everyone must understand that deep down you were in another situation where you benefitted and another person lost. We just take the losses a lot more to heart and can easily blame any opponent to these opportunities. I believe that we need keep benefiting from these connections and must force ourselves to branch out and connect with those who may better each others lives. It comes down to relying on everyone and with everyone relying on everyone no one will want to mess up for the fact that the pyramid will fail and many others will fail due to your failure. It also increases competition for certain connections as well as brings others to want to do well to help people like them. I know that there is not anything better than helping someone else due to the fact that you are in a certain position. You feel empowered and the others really respect your help no matter how corrupt it may have been. It may be more and more frowned upon by society in some cases but for the most part people will just be angry that they did not have that same connection that someone used to get ahead. I know that Sam's lesson will not change my opinion on this topic at all but truly I feel as if I am only looking for connections. At some point these connections need to be matched with personal responsibility and empowerment to be an overall successful person. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:21:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment143800108 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/do-you-agree-with-foreign-aids-use-of-pictures-of-children-119-blog/#IDComment142066969 This particular question can be answered from many different points of view and have completely different answers but I will try and respond to the best of my ability. As an American, and proud of it, I see these commercials and others that attempt to appeal to our emotions as the "richer" part of the world. We are a main supply to any charities and countless are headquartered within our nation. As the more privileged people of the world I do think that it is right for us to give back to the people who need it most. The easiest way to get someone to act on any particular topic is to get right down to our emotions that inspire all of our actions. When we see these poor, starving haitian and any other human being within the world our human nature and compassion compels us to want to help. Which, the only way we truly know its to help by donating money or other goods and not in the way Ernso describes as the best way to help. By going and mentoring this aspiring entrepreneurs. If any commercial or magazine would like to be effective they know that they have to show something so extreme that it inspires us to take action or automatically be outraged which we truly shouldn't be. We see these amazing things going on behind the scenes shown by Sam and can truly see an increase in the quality of life within communities not shown in the magazines. I personally believe that these pictures are necessary to get people to act on these issues but I think that the other side of the issue should be shown as well. Without showing the other side or the better parts of the story how may people know that in fact their nation is getting better, that we ARE helping? Sure we need to see some impoverished to want to help but it is almost unnecessary to a point when they are in fact okay or bettering themselves. I think the greatest thing I see in this whole issue is that the Haitian people are not just asking for money or holding their hand out. They are stepping up and working their asses off to get themselves to a better place and in my mind that is the most respectable thing in the world. To be dealt poverty but to have the heart and drive to turn it all around and make everything better. Those are the heroes of our world and we should be emphasizing their lives as Sam and Ernso have done for us on countless occasions. Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:06:45 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/07/do-you-agree-with-foreign-aids-use-of-pictures-of-children-119-blog/#IDComment142066969 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment140329020 This piece of writing is extremely accurate and truly hits close to home for me. Ironically I read this piece right next to my girlfriend and proceeded to let her read it after I did. Stating to her after she was done, "this is what I try to be for you and only you everyday." When it comes down to a woman I love, from my personal point of view, I can honestly say that I strive to be this and more for her. For the feelings and emotions that she brings out in me, I feel that it is only fit I attempt to achieve the minimum I can do to make her happy. In my eyes it is not a matter of being the perfect or "movie" boyfriend, as stated in the article, but to be the best I can be and more. There is not anything else in this world that brings me more joy than making my girlfriend happy through any means. Whether it be a nice walk around campus, a night out at parties, or even the cliche dinner and a movie followed by a "cuddle session". I can be doing anything with her and be so extremely happy and also know she feels the same. The days go on, social and physical changes occur within my life but the one thing that always keeps me going is knowing that I have her by my side. Nothing that happens to me in life can be 'that bad' because I have her to fall back on. Nothing can bring me down because she is always there to pick me right back up. She is the one and only person I can tell anything without feeling as if I will be judged or condemned for, she is the ultimate listener and therapist for any and all of my problems. And while I may take this for granted and feel horrible about it after I do, I know she will be there for me at all times. I cannot even describe how truly perfect she is, maybe not in societies eyes, maybe not in other's eyes but mine, and those eyes are the only ones that matter. If I haven't explained or justified why I attempt to be "that guy" for her I truly do not know how to. All I know is that for her to do all these things for me and still balance life and her own problems I can do nothing less than to try and reciprocate everything. It is never a matter of what I need to do for her or what she expects I do for her, it boils down to what I WANT to do. I always want to make sure that each and every action I carry out for US meets and then exceeds what she is in need of for the sole fact that this is what satisfies me within our relationship and life in general. Wed, 6 Apr 2011 03:01:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment140329020 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/28/soccer-and-haiti/#IDComment138206361 First of all I think that this is a great article and is extremely demonstrative of the unity that sports provide for anyone, especially those in a difficult situation. Here we see all sports as a way to compete and prove to one another how talented we are as compared to other schools, regions, and states. It becomes more so a competition than a past time for many when in reality it gives every participant an escape from the real world. I can honestly say from experience that no matter what is going in my life or others playing that they really take a back seat while playing. It is as if nothing else matters but the joy of the game. And I can honestly see how soccer and anything of the sort is becoming much more popular within the Haitian communities and nation as a whole. With such devastation and hardship upon everyone living there they all search for that one escape that will keep them going along the long hard road of recovery. Mere pickup games become the highlight of children, teenagers and adults weeks and even months. I love to hear how the true essence and joy of the game I love here has increased in popularity from such a high level even before the earthquake. Worldwide we all share the same passions, interests and hobbies but never think of how much each truly means to someone half way across the world. Another example of this is in Africa. Countless times we see children playing after a hard days work helping there family even if they are exhausted. It just brightens spirits and no one can ever take that passion away from them. Not governments, or natural disasters. No one can ever tell me that the joy you see in someones expression while playing soccer or any sport they love is not the best sight in the world. To see someone making the best out of there life in the most simple way is miraculous. That is why I think that charities that Americans may donate sporting materials such as cleets, balls, and bags etc are extremely helpful. You give money and other financial aid to other charities but you know that old ball that made you so happy as a kid will grant the same to some other impoverished, "down in the dumps" child half way across the world. Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:05:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/28/soccer-and-haiti/#IDComment138206361 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/18/what-do-you-think-of-the-diversity-at-penn-state-119-blog/#IDComment136602997 Here at The Pennsylvania State University I believe that we have a very diverse population, yet this answer can be tied to my past one hundred percent. Where I grew up, in the suburbs of Cleveland, my school and community had about ninety nine percent of the population labeled as white. We literally had zero diversity and for that we were self-proclaimed "The Bubble" of North East Ohio. Any diversity in my childhood and just growing up came from traveling and soccer tournament that also entailed traveling. Therefore in MY mind The Pennsylvania State University is extremely diverse for the fact that it has a lower percentage of whites than ninety nine. However, I do not have any sort of racist or negative attitude towards minorities like many others who come from my hometown. Racist jokes were a plenty within my high school and I could really just play along with them, knowing that we had no one that would truly be offended in the slightest bit. This is not exactly the best way to get our jokes in or anything with no one to defend the other side but that is just how my community was. We were white suburbans that had little to no contact with minorities in our everyday lives. Now one may assume that I wanted diversity and thats why I did in fact choose Penn State, though this is not the case. I would have been fine at a place much like my high school or at a place as diverse as we are. I have absolutely no preference. I chose Penn State for their highly accredited academics as well as the notoriety that The Smeal College of Business has. By and by society seems to blame any and all choices from white students on a diversity standpoint when I would be willing to guarantee that the reasoning behind most college choices lies within academics as well as the financial abilitiies of the household. I feel like many want to blame these issues on it just to stir up drama. Our whole nation thrives on who is doing what, whether it be in a bad way or a good way, everyone wants to know what is going on with everyone for they love the drama. My high school is literally a small scale representation of this fact for everyone knew everything all the time, it was almost a shame at how crazy it got at times. BUT, I would say that this made us stronger and more close knit. No one had to essentially hide much so we could all be out in the open about any life or social issue. All in all I did not and do not believe many people choose their school based on diversity. Mon, 21 Mar 2011 23:59:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/18/what-do-you-think-of-the-diversity-at-penn-state-119-blog/#IDComment136602997 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/scholarships-for-white-men/#IDComment131990271 First off I am extremely happy that Sam posted this article. I actually saw this video online the other day and it really made me think of how our society attempts to please every minority but completely neglects a very powerful majority, white men. I can see why many of these scholarships for minorities were started, to even the playing field. But when does this advantage become a neglect to others? I believe that it is perfectly okay to have scholarships for white men if they do not impede on the advancement of other scholarships or other people. Scholarships naturally give advancements to the people who receive them that is why it is conceived that white men do not deserve these things for they are already the most privileged race on earth. This however is not wholly true. White men can be just as poor if not poorer than other minority members similar to him. Though it is possible for men of normal economic stature to take advantage of these scholarships. One way that this could be prevented would be that the scholarship requires economic background to ensure only men of certain economic ability would receive the benefits. This may be an extra step than most of the other scholarships yet it is a must due to the criticism of others, minorities and of worse off white men. Now to look at the other side of this argument. Sure we see a greater need for minorities and other groups to receive financial benefits for college experiences but why punish someone born into a different family than you were? If the others were in the same position they would have no problem with letting the benefits flow in their life. I guess in my opinion everyone seems to be mad about it unless they are on the receiving end of the spectrum. No one will ever be pleased unless they are the one's on top. This vicious circle forces people to never be satisfied which may be a good and bad thing. Everyone needs to strive to be the best that they can be and be 'on top' of their game at all times. Differences need to be set aside when we are all struggling to pay everyday bills let alone college tuition. All in all it is completely fine for white men to receive financial aid. College is a difficult tab to pick up but we all need to and all need some help regardless of our race. Thu, 3 Mar 2011 01:29:05 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/scholarships-for-white-men/#IDComment131990271 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/why-are-black-and-brown-people-more-expressive-of-their-problems-than-white-people-119-blog/#IDComment130717511 To be honest this question is very specific whereas the answer may be very broad. I think that Sam answered this question in class in the right manner. White people tend to feel more shame and are more affected by other's views upon them as poor whites. When you look into the demographics of poor white people we see them in more rural spots, very spaced out and in turn having restricted contact with each other. Due to this restriction they do not get a large sense of where the others are coming from and cannot make full judgements. The judging comes more so off of appearance. As we saw in "Tammy's Video" her one son strives to look good when he goes to school and even refuses to walk with his own brother when his brother isn't dressed to his 'standards'. This being the case, and the fact that poor whites are spread apart more they cannot grasp how others are living. On the other side we see black families and other minority families who are poor clustered together. May that be to stick together or merely just randomly it seems they have a true sense of belonging and do not have very big cliques when it comes down to it. They see one another struggling to survive and can therefore relate to each other. This sense of unity definitely instills a certain pride of where they are coming from and a more of 'all for one' attitude. While the whites attempt to mask their poverty black and other races embrace it and all attempt to get better. When we take a step back and look at that it truly says something about the white race, that pride at every level is the true root of masking who people really are and in turn reserving them, making them less expressive. I do not think that this way of living is the correct way but it is what we see all over and like I said Sam said it very well in class and this is one of the first times I have completely agreed with him on any subject! By and by if we could only see where each one of us is coming from then we would be able to have a stronger sense of unity as Americans. There is an old example of a mother taking almost all of her weekly pay to give her daughter name brand clothes so she will 'fit in' with the popular kids. One of the dumbest things I have ever heard. People should live to their abilities, not try to be anyone but themselves and finally just keep in mind where you come from. No matter how bad anyone has it there is always going to be someone worse off, health wise, financial wise, and family wise. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:42:35 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/why-are-black-and-brown-people-more-expressive-of-their-problems-than-white-people-119-blog/#IDComment130717511 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-much-can-a-person-use-the-ignorance-card-119-blog/#IDComment128908768 This question was actually very controversial to me during class when he asked it. I disagreed with it and still do. I believe his direct quote was "Twenty Four percent of the nation has a college degree and we are the most well informed on these types of issues...". This fact may be true but whats to say each person in that percentage gets the same exposure to the facts like we did in sociology. It is not mandatory by any means to take a sociology class, which, is where the most knowledge would come from other than similar classes. I personally did not know about the large quantity of slaves in the Ivory Coast and I'd be willing to bet that less than twenty percent of the class was semi-informed on the issue as well. Due to this fact, and the fact that we are apart of one of the premier Universities in the nation smaller schools have even less of a chance of knowing. Therefore the ignorance card may be played a fair amount. I will grant that we all have the suspicion of slavery still being apart of the world but that is when turning a blind eye on the subject comes in. Why wouldn't people want to spend less on products that "may" or "may may not" have been produced by slaves? Our economy is in absolute shambles that we, for the time being, should truly focus on getting the best deals and back to attempting to make America the best place to live and have a higher margin between now close rivals. To be brutally honest I believe that the card may be used as much as people want. It will obviously get old and not worth anything after the first of couple times. But hey, it's a free country, right? People have the God given rights to do what they want and to act as they please as long as it does not impede upon others' rights within this country. We choose to go out and attempt to stop these harsh circumstances but when it boils down to it, we want the low prices! We want to import those goods that other smaller countries are using cruel methods to achieve. It pains me to say this but we need this type of labor in the world. In an ideal world it would be possible to pay them while no payments keep some countries running. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:09:22 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-much-can-a-person-use-the-ignorance-card-119-blog/#IDComment128908768 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/interpret-the-lupe-fiasco-lyrics-119-blog/#IDComment127414341 First of all this song is absolutely amazing, I was actually the one who asked the question because I truly wanted the opportunity to answer the question. This line, "I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence", is extremely powerful for the fact that it is the truth. Many see what is going on in the world and think to themselves "how horrible" or "I can't believe that is happening", but what if all of that pain could have been nonexistent if a few words would have been said or an apology made? People have become to worried about the perception that society or the world will have on them and often second guess themselves when it comes to speaking their mind. Ultimately the horrific results we see including wars etc are a product of the lack of statements made by world leaders or the public in general. What if Martin Luther King Jr. hadn't stood up for the african american race and minorities in general? Our world and nation was built upon founders speaking their mind and from the very beginning letter to King George telling him off speaking our mind has been vital to our success. I will admit that I am also a victim to this silence we impose amongst ourselves for I don't want to be "that kid" whose always stirring up problems, even if I'm just putting in a new perspective or am being the devil's advocate. Ultimately our society truly needs to lighten up and stand up for each and every little thing it believes in because without it we would be nothing and we could turn into nothing if we don't start doing this. I respect Lupe Fiasco so much more for taking a stand and rapping about what he believes in. I believe that the true movement of our society to do this will start with the figureheads. Whether it be sports, music, or any other icon it comes down to a few brave souls who will stand up and be unique, right or wrong, and that's what our society needs to continue to grow for the better. Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:53:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/interpret-the-lupe-fiasco-lyrics-119-blog/#IDComment127414341 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/01/what-is-the-difference-between-a-colored-and-white-comedian-119-blog/#IDComment125825178 I agree with this statement/question one hundred percent. To be honest I question that all of the time not even in regards to comedians, in everyday life no matter where you are it is always perfectly okay for any racial group other than white to do anything or make semi-crude remarks but the instant a white person does all hell breaks loose. For instance why is it okay for two black individuals to call each other the n-word whereas if anyone else says the same they might as well run for their lives. What makes a very nasty word okay just because a person of that color is making the remark? I get that they may be friends or may be comfortable enough to say these things to each other but it's just wrong. Like in the other question why can't the playing field just be equal for all races? Truly I feel that the sensitivity level and even general quickness to defend ourselves has become such a huge part and problem within our society. Every time someone uses the word black or asian or latino does not mean they are trying to offend anyone. To be honest I have absolutely no idea what to call other races to make sure they are not offended just because everything offends at least someone. Should we boil it down and I can just refer to a male as boy and a female as girl? To get rid off all possible harm let's just refer to everyone by their gender but guess what that would offend some people as well (transgenders etc). Nowadays it is physically impossible to please everyone and we must face that to move on in this world. Not to deviate from the topic but it turns back into political correctness as well. The fact we are trying not to offend anyone means that we are trying to be politically correct but the thing is you cannot be politically correct because it will always offend someone. I guess what I am truly trying to say is chill the hell out everyone, if a person is blatently or even slightly trying to attack you YOU'LL KNOW, otherwise swallow what crazy sensitivity you have and accept it as just any other comment. I know I will do my best to keep everyone pleased but accept that it won't happen, or instead of getting very angry right away why not politely say I would prefer you call me this name. If they are genuinely friendly they will, if not LEAVE. I just get sick and tired of trying to please everyone and I know others do too. So let's all just stop being sensitive and settle down, no need to overreact. LIFE'S TOO SHORT! Fri, 4 Feb 2011 03:57:12 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/01/what-is-the-difference-between-a-colored-and-white-comedian-119-blog/#IDComment125825178 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment124410657 In class when we discussed being politically correct with students around us I was amazed to hear what everyone had to say. One anonymous student said "It's conforming to what society wants people to say, and how to act when diversity is at hand." Another merely stated "Speaking and acting so you don't offend anyone". And finally the last person I spoke to on the matter said "I really don't know anymore, it has become way too over criticized." To be honest I would agree and say that I have a stance that represents all three of these answers. Although to be honest I think that it has truly been blown way out of proportion and that everyone has become way to sensitive on the topic. People are now so afraid to even speak about other races in fear that they will be offended by a slight mix up, like saying african american, or black, or hispanic instead of latino. I think it's bullshit to be honest, excuse my French (sorry if that offended any French people). It just has gotten way too out of control. I do in fact believe that we should keep others in mind when speaking, acting etcetera but when it takes over and people do not speak out in fear they will offend someone thats just not right. This country was founded by many men who were not afraid to speak their minds, why shouldn't we still be following in their footsteps? Now in no way am I suggesting that everyone go out and throw racial slurs around I'm just saying that each and every race needs to lighten up and be open to what others say. Not everything people say is always out to offend anyone. When it comes to those slightly heated discussions because of a little word mix up I think that it just becomes way too awkward for all parties involved. During the first week or so of class I was definitely shocked at what Sam was saying and what others said in front of the whole class in regards to race. I personally come from a school that was 99 percent white and it may have been that very reason why I was uncomfortable but all in all I look forward to what Sam has to say that will challenge my views, for I already know that he has multiple times only two weeks into the class. Whether it be through the exercises or discussions I will start having to open up to what I will soon face out in the "real" world in short years to come. Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:08:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/why-do-we-need-to-be-politically-correct-119-blog/#IDComment124410657 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/18/what-do-you-think-blog-2/#IDComment122843375 To be honest when I came into this class I expected a very tame and lack luster program. After the first two weeks I realized that this was a very large misconception. Personally I grew up in a town with little to no diversity. We were even called "The Bubble" for that very reason. As I came to Penn State I knew that there would be a lot more diversity which I had no problem with, I just knew I would have to accept it. This class has really opened my eyes to common problems facing our world in regards to race and stereotypes almost everyone believes in. The activity in which we did when the two girls were asked to divide the volunteers racially was very powerful. Its amazing what differences can come of such close ancestors. I know I was stumped by many of the volunteers on which category I would put them in which really goes to show that the world truly has one race, the "human" race. In todays day and age and with the economy in the state it is there is truly no need to have stereotypes, racism, or even subtle clashes between races due to color or any other trait. We should all be working together for if we do not we could easily see China or other world powers take us over as the dominant power. I understand that most of these racist thoughts are by the older generations and baby boomers for many children today are going up in highly multicultural areas. Yet, back to the activity you could tell how uncomfortable many of the people in front were feeling if they were being put next to someone with clearly no relation to them. I guarantee at least some volunteers were offended based on personal stereotypes that they may have against the group they were put into. To be honest if I had been chosen to segregate the volunteers I would have put them all in different categories for all of us come from different ancestors and for that to be EXACTLY the same is very unlikely. You may get a couple people wrong but not as many as the girls actually did. All in all I look forward to many more activities that will open my eyes up to the world for I know and willingly admit that I grew up in a very sheltered and not diverse community. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:41:04 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/18/what-do-you-think-blog-2/#IDComment122843375 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cm%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment122188176 soc119 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:32:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cm%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment122188176