Trying to answer this question will be a little difficult because there are so many different eye opening things this class has shown me. I was very glad I took this class basing it off of all of my friends suggestions. Each and every class had its own style and each class caught my attention in a different way. This class definitely made me think about a lot more things, in more detail I guess you could say, then I normally would. The topics were more or less strong topics about real life situations and problems throughout the world ranging from actions, opinions, differences and stereotypes. Sam definitely looks like he enjoys teaching this class and opening the minds of all the people who take it. I can successfully say that some things discussed i class opened my thoughts more to notice the little things someone would normally just look over and not even notice. Stereotypes being one of them. You never really notice stereotypes or better said acknowledge them unless you really pay mind to them and notice what they are really about and how they affect people and their beliefs pertaining to their stereotype they live with. Judging people and as said in class, labeling, someone is a big part that people do every day that sets back the world from moving forward and Sam did a great job opening my mind a little bit more. And a second thing that really caught my attention by far the most was about all the hate and actions people have and do concerning religious beliefs. The amount of strong and opinionated people there is out there against certain religions is absolutely unreal. I never would of imagined that so much hate and so much war could of been started and caused over what others believe. That a war this big has stretched out over such a long period of time because of what others think about another group I really didnt expect to be so vicious. These topics Sam covered all grabbed your attention one way or another and I just really enjoyed how they all opened you up to see new things, to accept more in life, and to really think about what is going on around you and help you see what we never really notice until it is presented right to us and just not notice. I really loved and enjoyed this class from all the lectures we had and experienced in class to all the study recitation groups we had once a week to more or less talk more into the subjects related to class. This class will definitely be one suggested by me to others to attend throughout the remaining semesters at Penn State and I am actually very disappointed the semester is ending just because I really am going to miss attending this class.

Putting myself into a position to where I am at a point to where I could go and take someones like by killing them would take a lot and still i do no think i would be able to. Taking someones life is not something to think about lightly on top of this many soldiers of todays world endure a lot of post dramatic stress due to it, granted they deal and see alot of things that also build to that but it still is a big part of it. Killing someone is not something I personally could just go do. In order for me to reach that kind of level of destruction I have to have a moment of life or death situation. Either someone that is dear to me or close to me such as my family or friends then I couldnt imagine the feeling I would experience. Also my own personal life would have to be in danger in order for me to do something of that nature. I would have to be in a moment to where it is either life or death and that was my only option to survive if i was to be threatened. But taking a life isnt something I would ever be able to do if it was for an outside cause from family, friends or myself. People go and fight for our country every day some know what they are getting into some do not. Yes they all go through specific training but not everyone can handle things like this. If I do not have a strong motive I do not believe I would be able to make that step for any other reason. Now noticing todays world with my point of view and perspective and hearing about other people killing through the news and media just puts me in awe because I dont believe there should be any true reason to take anyones life no matter the motive. In a soldiers perspective they are fighting for their country to defend it and have to do what they are trained to do. If I was a deployed soldier and I committed my life to what they do each and every day and holding the mind set that its either kill or be killed will alter my mindset. Not only would you be walking around fighting for your country but you are also fighting to stay alive yourself never knowing whats around the next corner you turn. If my only means of survival was to kill immediate threat or danger then yes it would still be a hard mind set to comprehend but I feel in that moment I would be able to bring myself to do such a horrible thing. But the way people kill in today's world and society whether it be for food money etc. I would never be able to do. Instead of taking a life there is so many other solutions to get what you desire that many people just take the cruel way out. Taking a life for those reasons and motives I will never be able to do because the ones life who could be taken would just be an innocent person trying to make a living as everyone else in this world. Ultimately I do not think I would be able to take a life by persuasion or any reason what so ever, the only way I would ever consider the fact of taking a life would be if it were for loved ones such as family and friends or for my own individual life where it was my only option to stay alive. Only in those situations will I ever think about of ever be able to take a life from this world.

Taking the time to in-vision yourself in someone elses shoes is a strong interpretation to make. Every person on this earth is dealing with their own dilemmas, problem and hardships. Trying to imagine that you can erase the memory of your life and imagine life in someone elses shoes all the way from their childhood to where they are now. Trying to live the same life as others, for example of those in need will never be an easy thing to imagine. Going through the thought of starvation I dont think anyone we are surrounded by today could ever imagine or compare to those over seas or in the poor countries of today. Putting yourself, one who is in a comfortable life and good living style, into the shoes of someone who is of another ethnicity and experiences a lot of hate and racism is unbearable. The one way to experience or possible try to put yourself in the shoes of a person like that is to go about your days with an open mind and notice things you normally wouldnt. The quick judging of others is the easiest thing to notice in todays world. Alot of people do have their own opinions and beliefs and that is what hurts the most. Looking down upon someone or actually be looked down upon like your worthless is by far the worst feeling one could endure. After noticing the different things people go through imagining yourself in someones shoes as examples and Arab Muslim I wouldnt be able to picture. Some are just wrongly affected because of their similar religion and beliefs that no matter if they mean harm or not they will always be compared because of the racism in todays world. You would have to account for the hateful words people throw at them, the living class they are in, the different things they are able to do along with the different places they may be not allowed to enter. Myself, personally imagining myself in those shoes would truly be unbearable. The strength some show each and every day dealing with things like this crazy to see but that they keep their heads up and live their life just like each and every one of us do. It pains me to see the things people go through because of their religion or what they believe in but stereotypes are the biggest reason for the hate shown by people in todays world. Until people start to see each other as equal this will never change but imagining myself in someones shoes with this type of life after seeing the different things they could experience a day that imagining this would be a difficult thing to do because you will never know exactly how they really feel and thoughts can only do so much.

Contact like Sam talked about is the one thing that distinguishes people from judging others. Whether it be a group of people or simply a single person that is being judged whether it be by their looks, the stereotype they fit, to the interpretation they have on this person or group based off of society. This is the one big step that most of the people miss and just simply skip and proceed to build opinions and continue to judge. Not having contact with people hurt many of those around us those especially racially. Judgement of skin color is a big thing we deal with today and the unfair actions that occur because of them. Taking those few seconds to hold a conversation with one person or even go and have some interaction with a group to atleast make an attempt to reach out and give some people in this world a chance will definitely go a long way. Sam couldnt of said it any better, Contact is the key to moving forward and overcoming the problems we deal with today. I havent met with a group of people but I did meet one person who I will openly admit i assumed the stereotype because most of the people I observed were just that. A simple conversation with one person opened up another view in my mind. Being that this was some time ago and just one person but it was a chance of "contact" I took and since then I thought about so many things differently. All it took for me was that to change up my entire perception up in to my life today. This world is full of a lot of judge and hate filled people who dont take that approach to get a personal view of other people and groups so to say. Everyone on this world is human, whether they are treated equal or not is another story and without others taking that extra step to work into creating that view of equality and taking that step in making this world a better place. From a personal standpoint, taking the time to sit down have a small talk conversation about simple things and getting to know people thats all it takes to change your view on alot of things and realize the people you thought were "bad" or whatever your perceptions may be, are really just like you trying to make a living and skin color, beliefs etc. dont make anyone any better or worse. Stereotypes will be a huge part between contact and treating others as equal for a very long time but as long as others try to make that step to work towards what will do the most damage in their views and perceptions, contact and conversation, then slowly but surely with some affirmative action I believe that some people will drop their stereotypes and have more of an open mind to who they judge.

My beliefs on each of the people shown in the clip will obviously vary as will everyone elses. Each individual will have their own hobbys, thoughts, actions and styles of clothing and apparel. Being that each may look different they are all the same in a number of ways. Coming off of appearance is the first thing noticeable by me and I believe any one who watches the clip. The guys give off a vibe of them trying to look intimidating besides one but that is just what i see as a natural thing because no guy wants to be looked upon as weak. But the women in the clip very much look themselves and represent themselves naturally no fake emotion and not trying to give a visual image of someone there not. Little actions and characteristics like these are what can base a lot of good but in my opinion more of a bad opinions about people in todays world. For some people appearance is key. Presenting yourself will go a long way and thats what many people will judge you off of. If you look to intimidating to approach, and you might be the nicest person in the world, people wont approach you because even though you might be the nicest person out there your look shows and make them think otherwise therefore they turn the other way and or attach you right at a stereotype. A stereotype you might not have any close relation to what so ever. The one white guy stands out the most. He appears to be a typical student, middle class, just being himself not trying to impose any images or anything of that sort besides himself and who he really is. People will not look at him or relate him to the other men because he has an approachable posture and look to him. The women again I dont believe will get one negative vibe from anyone because again about presentation and who they show themselves to be. That they are happy individuals who look like they enjoy and cherish life. Apart from all this as I am starting to write what I see and how I feel I am starting to notice that things really focus on a persons image. Image definitely goes a long way in todays world based off of all the hate and stereotypes people out there have and hold and along with the beliefs people are surrounded by and or have that they follow. Anyone who may be somewhat close they just throw him or her into it and sit there and just simply judge. Granted some people are clearly obvious who are good and bad to approach or what not but I still feel that even though from someone giving off their appearance based off of what they like mostly music will affect their styles ultimately making people judge them unfairly. Color of skin is definitely one of the biggest judging and belief basing factors we all deal with every day. I feel that topic will never be able to put to rest being that that is one of the biggest things people deal with each and every day. Being that just the color of your skin again peple will put you in a certain stereotype unfairly just by what they believe good or bad it doesnt matter because 9 times out of 10 they wont take the time to meet you but instead build a new belief and move on.

The first thing that came to my mind when we finished watching the video is that things like that are happening almost every day. People are discriminating based on their assumptions of todays world. When you see white guy hammering away at a lock or trying to break a chain people simply walked right by payed little to no mind and the guy was simply able to steal the bike with no problems. But now on the other hand when we switch the situation and a black guy is trying to do the exact same thing and try to break the chain to get the bike only one person was considerate and did not judge but actually helped him lift the bike over the pole so he could go. Normally that would not happen, what would happen is what we seen next, that everyone walking by was attacking the black guy with words and threats of calling the police saying all these harsh words leading up to one man actually taking his tools from him. Why do we as a society continue to discriminate in todays world? What is the difference between black and white? Todays society and actions that take place in it have developed a stereotype for black people both men and women that if they look like their doing something wrong then their doing something wrong. For example in the video, it looked like he was stealing the video and everyone jumped right on it from crowding around him, taking pictures and one actually did call the police but the white man get nothing and he was being more noticeable about it. People believe more or less what they hear on the news about what happens, who does what and they build views and beliefs on what they see and assume everyone is going to be the same which builds the overall stereotype I mentioned above. What if the black guy was not stealing the bike would their beliefs and views from society still think he was stealing the bike even if he said it was his? I do believe so, i don;t think anyone would believe him all because of skin color. Discrimination based off of the beliefs people have is wrong but people still are entitled to them if what they see or hear about continues, their beliefs are only going to get stronger and they will simply continue to discriminate as they do. My real question was that they then did a study of a white girl trying to break the chain and a man with his wife, both elderly, helped the white girl steal the bike little to no questions asked and she got on the bike and went on her way. What if it was a black girl cutting into that chain would people discriminate on a black women just as much as they did on the black guy? Do or would peoples beliefs and views on discrimination carry along that far? Basing and building stereotypes no one can really prevent them, discriminating and feeling it is ok too just based off of your own personal views and beliefs is still going to continue to happen in this world. Is it right? No but it will happen and this will carry on for some time too I believe no matter what race or color your skin is someone feels some sort of dislike towards you and maybe asking the reason why would really make them think. Or what if you would ask someone why and then they wouldnt really have a reason and they are just believing in the stereotype and what they hear instead of having their own beliefs.

There could be a couple reasons why people are afraid to say or admit they were rich. I believe that certain people have different views on being rich a main one for me being that they are shy to be judged of maybe being called spoiled or thought differently of because of that. I really dont think anyone would admit to it to either keep themselves from being looked at differently possibly or just to be announced like that in a crowd of people he or she does not really know. In todays world money means everything and if your parents are rich your called to be spoiled whether you are or not because its the typical stereotype people see. Many people dont want that because your pretty much getting distinguished from everyone because not a lot of people have what they do, and have their opinions about the type of person they could possibly be because of it And then theres some who actually like to show it off. They have their parents get them everything and anything and flaunt about it. Usually the most popular would be the most exotic car they can get their hands on and then have the best phone, clothes etc. And then there are the ones that dont do that or arent spoiled like that but get labeled as it. They still have to work for what they want and have instead of being just given to them. So keeping their wealth they shy away and rather not say.This keeps peoples opinions away from them whether good or bad. If I were rich and had to put my hand up in a crowd of 700 plus people i do not know i would not admit to it. I would claim to be an average middle class family simply because being rich could be putting yourself out there to people and their opinions. Privacy is definitely a big one too because if we think about it you dont know whose in the crowd and you just attract un wanted attention to yourself. No one wants to be looked at differently because no one likes to be judged off the bat and some are afraid they will be so play it safe and more secretive they dont say a word or bring attention on them. But everyone also has this same stereotype of ones who are more likely to be rich than others so already thats sending a message because is it a good thing or a bad thing about the order they happen to believe in. I would just keep it to myself of what I have and prevent people from judging me of anything or put a label on me so to speak. Honestly there could be hundred of thousands of reasons why but in my opinion they did not want to admit to it because of what other might think and or to keep their privacy and business to themselves and not release it to a random crowd of students taking the same class. So I dont blame any of them for not admitting to it because I would of done the same thing and kept it to myself.

After watching this video I cant say that I am surprised about what he has said and or described. After all the instances in the news about soldiers abusing Afgan's and mistreat them I guess I seen this coming and translating into the confinement compounds. I do see this as unjust and not right but then again I only understand one part and thats of him being detained and put in US custody. Being that the soldiers went into his home and "seen" what he had whether it was truly there or not I would of arrested him so to speak myself but then again thats only if what they have seen was truly there or if he was trying to make the US soldiers look bad. Many people in my opinion will have mixed feelings about torture to innocent Afgan's so to speak because many might have the view in which, who would of cared about the innocent people who died in the twin tower incident a couple years ago? Many lost their lives and many feel that this isnt really looked upon as a bad thing and they might deserve it as others may look at it and see it as unjust and not right. I myself have a neutral feeling about it because I still dont know how I feel about the whole 9/11 incident now that Saddam and Osama are not worried upon. But yet I do feel that the length of time we should keep our soldiers in Afghanistan is a touchy subject because yes some say leave them alone let them live in their country in peace but then what happens when we leave? Are they just planning another attack and just need us gone to follow through with it before they get caught and shut down? I would be nervous still because there could be many groups hidden out there and so I guess my view the more I write about it is that I feel leaving that country would make me feel a little unsafe because then we leave them with so much freedom to do as they please. Also a question I would of asked him is why he would have such weaponry in his home to begin with? What was his plan to do with that or where he got his hands on it? The US might of tortured them so to speak, whether it was true or not, because of the reason they were there. Maybe to get answers to where they got such weapons, what their intentions were for having them. Obviously they can get their hands on very destructive weapons and the US did put a big toll on their country and leaving them alone who knows what anger is just waiting to come out and strike again. I do feel some discomfort about us pulling out but then again I do feel its unfair to them because the entire country was not 100% for the attack but yet enough were to make it happen. I have a lot of mixed feelings about torturing, handling and dealing with out entire situation over seas. It all depends on the perspective you look at it from I mean yes I do believe there are alot of innocent people over there that are treated unfairly but then again those who clearly retaliate either do it because of the hate for the US or for defending their town/country to drive us out. The war we deal with today for me in my opinion is i want to be able to reach a happy and safe median and one day feel safe again to let them live alone in peace again and not worry about a thing. Stop the cruel punishments and torture of the innocent and just do what we can to make this place a better and safer place for us all as do the rest of the people in the world.

I was completely blown away about this quote that was shown to us in class, that one could honestly have it in them to think of something like that let alone say it, there needs to be a change. How can we, as people of the Unites States, allow someone with these thoughts have any kind of influence on our president? Not only is this wrong but thoughts like that are what cause problems in today's worlds. Yet a spiritual advisor, Muslim at that I still cant get myself to comprehend that we have people like that so close, in my eyes too close, to too many people of power such as our president. What is the point of a spiritual advisor though? This was the first time I heard of one of these so called advisors and all I see is a lot of controversy and no positives. I couldn't image the feelings this could of stirred up for all Muslim people in the US and around the world because I know if we were shown this in class this was definitely broadcasted once it got out. I couldn't imagine what this could lead people to think that just those words can put so much against us and lead to the possibility of hurting innocent people if retaliation arose. War is so touchy with our country today being over seas and here at home and just sitting here and writing about this really angers me. That one could think like this and then be close enough to our president to where he could put ideas like this into his head and lead him in the wrong direction blows my mind. What also gets me thinking is what was done after he said that, was it just brushed off, was it considered or what because that definitely affected a lot of people. This man should of been instantly removed because his words were absolutely up hauling. When Sam switched the words up originally so everyone in class would be able to feel something from this is when I really sat up and froze for a bit that words like that could of been said so high up by our leader and when he switched the words back just made you feel blank in feeling. I didn't know how to originally take it either way it was presented to us, I feel everyone who read it was just caught completely off guard and then once Sam started to speak more about it feelings started to arise and I don't believe any of them were good. Things like this spark controversy and problems between people, religion and beliefs but yet this man was still our presidents Spiritual Advisor. Was he trying to put an idea into the presidents head to try and persuade him because that's how he feels? At that moment and time of our country, he seen a window of our president in a huge situation and still thought it was something good to tell him as his advisor or because that's what he wanted? Regardless this man should have been instantly removed because he could have easily sparked more violence and war against the United States.

I absolutely agree with what Sam is saying on first acknowledging these things that stand out to to speak and then accepting and working them into our reality in a number of ways. I completely agree with the view of people in wheelchairs and I do see each and every person in a wheelchair as a normal everyday person because there is honestly no difference between us but my personal experience between accepting differences is with my little sister. My little sister was born with down syndrome and I grew up along side of her all 16 years of her life now and I grew up not even noticing a difference or understanding. I just looked at her as a normal every day person and just mainly just as my little sister. The older I became the more I began to realize what down syndrome really meant but at that point and time yes i did notice it more because i know understood but honestly I didn't look at her any different. I still treated her the same, looked at her the same and viewed her the same began I grew to accept her for who she is and that yes she does have down's to where I don't even notice anymore or even pay mind to it. No matter how big or how small the disability in my opinion since i grew up with one in my life I truly don't think different of people because that's who they are and they accepted it and so should we. If the tables were turned and you were judgmental about those who had disabilities how would one feel if you were in their shoes and someone didn't accept you or treat you normally. They are just as much of a person as you are and from a perspective of someone who doesn't look at others differently and sees others state their opinions bothers me a lot but yes people are entitled to their own opinions and I keep my comments to myself but I do mention it to my friends if I notice them talking about it or making comments. I wont yell at them but I'll mention it to them to keep stuff like that to themselves and try to change their mind set whether it works or not it still gives them something to think about the next time they want to make a comment or maybe they'll mention it to someone they see talking about it. Learning to accept others is a big thing for people in todays world because of everyone being so opinionated and just simply refuse to give people a shot of benefit of the doubt that it isnt their fault to have what they do in life but hope others wont look at them differently and just accept them for who they are and treat them as you would anyone else. Once people in this world learn to do so this place will really turn into a much better place.