Before the lecture I always felt illegal immigrants were shed in a very negative light, especially due to society and the media saying how they are taking our jobs and ruining our country. After the lecture I realize how some people are not here by their own personal choice, and how they are joining their families. Also they don’t really talk much about how people come here for a better life and the lives they are trying to escape back home in order to create a better future for their families. It’s crazy how people come to this country to escape poverty and work so hard and yet are still so poor because they are sacrificing everything to give to their families back home. I understand the need for stricter border control and immigration laws but I am completely against degrading illegals. I don’t like the extreme views of illegal immigrants as subhuman and having no rights. I disagree with those opinions and find them to be extremely hateful and distasteful. In the end illegals are people like everyone else. I do agree with deporting violent criminals and extremists who happen to be illegal but I don’t think mass deportations should be enforced, I also don’t think it is feasible for the United States to try to tackle something like that. I also don’t like that illegal immigrants are always portrayed as violent criminals, gang members, and just cause nothing but trouble. In reality many immigrants are very hardworking and came to the United States to help make better lives for themselves. In some ways they help our economy by providing hard work and services that people rely on. The lecture also surprised me when I learned that sometimes white people were the ones to help illegals come into the country and that most immigrants aren’t as inclined to help other immigrants into the country. People often make it seem like illegals all work together to help more get into the country when in reality they are just more worried about their own families. Also the stereotypical illegal immigrant is Hispanic, so I was surprised to see that the majority of them are the most opposed to illegal immigration and would be more inclined to close the door. I’m not saying that we should just loosen immigration laws and let whoever wants to come into the country, but do I have a better perspective on the mindset and why people are willing to risk so much to come here. People really do think of the United States as the land of opportunity and want to live the “American dream.” The thing that will definitely stick with me is how quick people are to say so many bad things about illegal immigrants, but never think about how the majority of Americans are illegal immigrants because they stole this very land from Native Americans, they came in unwelcome and took what was not theirs. I think people need to think twice before they talk so badly about fellow human beings.

Throughout the U.S. there is a lot of angry sentiment towards terrorists, so the response at the beginning of the lecture did not shock me. I’m not in any way justifying what terrorists do, or saying that I feel bad for them. But after lecture I definitely felt like I can understand where their anger comes from. By putting us in the shoes of an average person in the Middle East I started to feel resentment for what our country has done to them. This does not justify the actions of the terrorists, but it does explain why they act out, though it is definitely taken to a very extreme level. I think it is so unfair that religion is put as a label to what they do, like when people say we need to “stop those Muslims” and stuff like that. The religion has nothing to do with the terrorists actions and to label most Arabs as Muslims and terrorists is just so wrong. There are actually a lot of Christians in the Middle East and we act as if they are all just Muslims and somehow that automatically means extremists or terrorists. We are generalizing, which as we have already discussed in this class is a main reason as to why race is such a problem all around the world. People don’t realize how similar we all are they just make assumptions and are ignorant and discriminate. If people just got their basis on a base level, the fact that we are all human, then maybe these negative sentiments could be avoided. I’m not saying that I now have a soft spot in my heart for terrorists, not even close because I know that there are good and bad people in the world and in my opinion terrorists are bad people, but from the lecture I have learned where their hostility and anger comes from. We cannot label all Iraqis, or Muslims for that matter, as terrorists, that is throwing them in a group where they don’t belong. I know most of us would not want to be categorized and grouped but to be judged as individuals, because that is who we are. Just like us it seems that the average citizen there is being fed the same kind of propaganda in the media that makes us have negative feelings towards each other without fully understanding the situation. It’s easy to understand why they would resent us, we are invading their land and taking their oil, we are killing innocent people, and trying to justify it by saying well 29 civilians lives is okay to sacrifice to get one bad guy. How do you come up with that number? How is that number somehow okay? It just doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not saying terrorists are not a major problem, but we are not handling this situation as perfectly as we could either.

For me it depends on the situation. If two or more people are speaking another language around me that I don’t understand I might feel uncomfortable if they look at me or something because then I would assume they are talking about me. Other times if it’s friends or people I’ve met I don’t feel uncomfortable, but more frustrated and left out because I don’t know what they are saying and I can’t join in on the conversation. Also it might feel uncomfortable because if it’s appropriate to say out loud for everyone to understand then why can’t they just say it in English, but that just applies to like English speakers. Or when people switch between English and another language for certain things sometimes I wonder why they couldn’t just say it in English if I know they can speak it fluently. Most of the time it doesn’t really bother me or make me uncomfortable because people speak different languages everywhere and especially in a “diverse” campus like Penn State, there are going to be many instances when you come across people speaking different languages. The only time I really notice it is if I’m alone because I have no one to talk to, but I don’t know if I would describe the feeling as uncomfortable. Also sometimes I’m intrigued and just like to listen because I think being bilingual or multilingual is really cool. Language is very interesting with its different accents and dialects. I don’t think I would be comfortable enough to just go up to the people and ask what language they were speaking and how to say phrases randomly, unless I knew them. I actually wish I was bilingual so it doesn’t really make me uncomfortable. Being that we live in America I don’t feel like why doesn’t everyone speak English and I don’t think it needs to be implemented. I think it would be helpful if people living in America had basic understanding of English and could read some of it mostly just so it would be easier for them getting around because most of our signs and literature is in English. Being a multicultural country we need to get used to people speaking different languages around us and maybe embrace them as well. The only time I might feel awkward is if they make it seem like they are talking about me, which I would be equally uncomfortable if people were whispering in English. Overall I wouldn’t really describe it as uncomfortable, but it just depends on the manner in which they are speaking, the relationship I have with them and what the situation is. Otherwise I mostly think it’s cool that people speak multiple languages.

I don’t think I would use the word selfish to describe it, more careless to the issues. I think it’s definitely a result of poor-decision making, because to be in a state of poverty and barely be able to support yourself, it doesn’t make sense to have multiple children, with a larger family, that just makes it harder to support all the mouths to feed and clothing, etc. Also, if they are not able to feed their children properly, they may have their children taken away from them. The children, after all, have the right to live and have good opportunities and chances to prosper. If their biological parents have serious difficulties in preserving that right for their own children, then other people might have to secure that right for those children. These multiple children could be why the rate of children in poverty is so high and why the foster care system is overflowing. Children through no fault of their own or even a good number of parents are suffering hunger and the growing phenomena of homelessness with either unemployed or underemployed parents. The only thing that would make sense as to why people choose to have multiple children in poverty is irresponsibility and maybe lack of education and resources. The number of children in poverty is increasing, and without the financial support and environment to stimulate them, they are more likely to die and have health problems. In that aspect I think it is almost negligent to have multiple children in poverty. If someone can’t bring themselves out of their current state of poverty, why would they have more children do bring into that lifestyle as well. If it is due to loneliness, then I would definitely say that is selfish, but if it is just due to being irresponsible, maybe they need to be more educated about contraceptives and have them more readily available to them. It is unfair to children to grow up that way, and with more siblings, it is just harder. Many people dream of having a family of their own one day, but I think it is their responsibility to make sure that they are stable and can support that family before trying to attain one. Also as a parent you usually want better for you child then you had, and by bringing them into a state of poverty they have less resources, support, and opportunities to better themselves. The older children also usually have the responsibility of being another caregiver, so pretty much taking on a role as a parent. Putting this extra burden and responsibility on children definitely lowers their chances of prospering even more than the younger children. Children should never have to act as parents, and they should have an equal opportunity at better lives. The irresponsibility of having larger families in poverty is not smart, and hurts children way more than it helps their parents.

I think that today, especially in the United States, people are definitely more racist toward Muslims than Blacks. I think this is because of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. People associate Muslims with those people who did that, and assume that all of them are that way. Instead of getting to know a Muslim, and seeing how similar they are to us, they fear and discriminate against them because they think they are all extremists, which is not the case. At airports they are more thoroughly searched, and receive dirty looks and fearful looks on airplanes, buses, trains, and other transportation. I have seen how some people are more cautious around Muslim people because of how the media portrays them. The media is a really big factor as to why people are more racist towards Muslims. They show them as being anti-American extremists, who hate America and want to destroy it and its people, which is not the case. The video showed on Tuesday where the actors showed racism towards the Muslim girl, I was shocked at how some people gave the cashier the thumbs up for denying her service. Though some people did stand up for her, it was even worse that 22 people did nothing about it. Seeing that brought me back to the one question asking what we thought about the lyric “I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence,” which I think this case proves that it is. No one deserves to be harassed and discriminated against, and people need to speak up against that discrimination and support their fellow Americans. It is sad that Muslim-Americans are considered not to be really American by people because of the way they dress and the religion they practice. Even Muslims born in this country are discriminated against and it’s just wrong. Muslims really are not that different at all from your average American citizen. It is sad that even though we have come so far we are talking about, out of these races who are usually discriminated against, who is discriminated against more. In reality, no one should be, factors such as skin color or religious practice does not change the fact that we are all Americans, and should be treated as such, with equal rights, opportunities, and respect. The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” needs to be applied to people as well. If we are supposed to be an advanced nation, we need to stop categorizing. Usually categorizing means you’re making an assumption about someone, and judging them before getting to know them. What happened on 9/11 was extremely devastating, but those people who committed that act are to blame, not all Muslims, and it is unfair to assume and group them as such.

I agree with the statement that we are eating his flesh. He has worked so hard and has nothing to show for it, he has been beaten and literally given his flesh for this cocoa that he has never even eaten. The lack of knowledge about issues like these is really sad. All the hard work they had to do every day, and they had nothing to show for it. They are separated from their families, they are paid nothing, they are beaten, and mistreated, so that people like us can just sit and enjoy that chocolate without a care in the world. It makes me sick that people have to go through that in the world today and that people have no idea about it. It’s awful to know that slavery still exists in modern day, and to that extent. This issue and so many more need to be made more well know so that people can start to try to make a difference. Simple things like buying free trade chocolate, is a start, and there is so much more we can do if we were just made aware. Watching that video really opened my eyes to how ignorant we are as Americans. I’m sure a lot of people do not know that slavery still exists because the U.S. abolished it, and yet American businesses still support it by buying their products and receiving supplies from people in slavery. It’s really sad that they don’t try hard enough to find out where they are getting these products from, and if they do know, then that just means they don’t care which is just morally wrong. Also to know that the poorest people here in America are better off than the majority of the poor people all around the world, that it’s almost incomparable, is really eye-opening. I really hope that people can be made more aware of the fact that modern day slavery does exist, and that we can do something about it. The man was right to say that we are “eating his flesh” and I in no way blame him if his words to people who eat chocolate were not kind, I don’t think mine would be either. People are working themselves to death, and are not being paid for it, just so we can eat chocolate. I feel guilty mostly because I didn’t know about this issue, though I knew that slavery exists, I didn’t realize to what extent. I know feeling guilty won’t make a difference though, so I encourage and challenge people to make a change, so we can make a difference, instead of feeling depressed and guilty. The guilty thoughts and tears will not save these people or help them in anyway, but there are ways that we can.

I was actually surprised because we don’t get many questions like this, but it definitely peaked my interest. Music has a lot of meaning and messages that are relevant to what we talk about in class so I’m glad this was a question. “I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence,” I think is a true statement. People know that violence is such a bad thing, but not many people say or do anything to prevent it. Instead of speaking up for what they believe in they say nothing, and that in no way makes a difference. People need to learn to speak up for the things they believe in, or else nothing will be done about it. People always think that they don’t make a difference or that someone else will make the change, but that’s what everyone is thinking. That’s why we need to take the initiative and stop being silent. Most cultures relate speech to being alive, some sort of language that proves you are living, and as the saying goes “I’d rather die for something, than live for nothing.” By not being silenced, by fear, hatred, or whatever it is, we can make a difference in the world. I think the overall meaning of the phrase, “I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence,” is that when it comes to acts of violence, the people who sit back and allow them to occur are just as guilty as those who commit the acts. If people don’t speak out and speak up about what is going on, then they are just allowing the violence to continue to occur, and are not attempting to stop it. The silence is just supporting the violence. The rest of the line goes “fear is such a weak emotion that’s why I despise it.” I think that this is true in the case of the silence. Being fearful of speaking up against something that is wrong is stupid. People feel that if they speak up they will cause more problems or be blamed, or are just too fearful and selfish to try and help anyone else out. So what if people don’t like you? Like Winston Churchill once said, “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." Standing up for something is better than doing nothing. I definitely agree that silence is worse than violence, because that is how it continues to occur. People get away with violent acts because no one ever speaks up about it, no one confesses or tells because of fear. It’s cowardly to not speak up when it comes to things such as violence, by protecting yourself, in the end your hurting everybody else.

It would be nice to think that one day in the future, race will no longer be an issue, but I feel that there will always be people who cannot look past it. I think that one day it will not be as big of a deal, because people are progressing. I think the growing rate of interracial relationships is also starting to force people to become more accepting of other races within their families and in turn that acceptance is passed down to their children and friends. People get most of their opinions and stereotyping from family and friends, so once that decreases, race will become less of an issue. Unless we all end up looking the same one day, I don’t think race will ever be non-existent as an issue. People will always find a way to discriminate others from themselves. Even if we all had the same skin color, they would still pick on facial features, and body types. People like to feel good about themselves and feel superior so by nitpicking, judging, and putting down others they feel better about themselves. Race will continue to be an issue as long as people make it one. People have come a very long way in the past century alone, and I’m sure that we will continue to progress. As far as race no longer being an issue in sports, people need to start being more open-minded when it comes to what sports they choose to play. I think the intermingling of races in sports is slowly coming to be, so maybe one day sports won’t be dominantly a single race. If people start to open their minds and try new sports, they might come to find they like them and are good at them, regardless of their race. Someone’s race does not make them good at a sport because people share 99.99% of their DNA. In the workforce, employers need to be more color blind when hiring, people should be hired based on their credentials and how qualified they are for the job, not based on their race or gender. I feel like the only way to make race no longer an issue, is for people to be color blind and open-minded. People need to start to not judge someone by their looks, but to communicate with them, and get to know them. I also feel like classes like SOC 119 are helping us get closer to achieving this. I feel that classes like these should be required by all students and people everywhere. It will teach people to open their minds and be accepting and understanding of people. Communication is a big key to achieving this goal one day. Communication is the foundation of friendships and without it people will continue to make race an issue.

I think people tend to hang out with their same race because they find them easier to relate to, feel more comfortable with, or think they have more things in common with them. The more similarities a person has with a group of people, the more they feel like they belong. However being a pretty light-skinned black female I’ve noticed that I actually tend to hang out with people who are closer to my skin tone, so I have a lot of Hispanic friends in addition to White and Black friends. I also think it depends on where and how you were brought up. If you grow up in a high school where the races seemed to separate themselves then that can carry on. As well if you went to a school that had a more dominant race so most of your friends were that race, which can also continue throughout your life. Another factor is language, if English is your second language you might be more comfortable speaking your native language so you hang out with people who speak it as well. Hanging out with people of your own race is kind of the easy route and often people who are of similar race share the same culture and beliefs. Language and cultural barriers are causes for separation. Another explanation would be human nature; it is natural to gravitate toward people similar to you. It could also come back to people being judgmental and stereotyping. If people think that certain groups all act a certain way, then they might feel they have nothing in common with them, or dislike things about them , so they rule them out as potential friends without getting to know them. People mostly learn social interaction from whoever raised them, so if most of their parents friends are of the same race, they could be hanging out with their children, and then continue the pattern of hanging out with people of the same race. Also not being knowledgeable and taking the time to find out other people’s interests can lead to ignorance or fear of other races and it comes back to the comfort factor of hanging out with people of the same race. When it comes down to it shared commonality, similarities in religion, culture, traditions, even holidays, and if they don’t find those things in common they still feel comfortable because there are other people out there that look like them. Sharing the same skin tone means they share something, and that could lead to finding other shared interests. Not many people like to stick out, most people just want to fit in, and finding a group of people like you makes you feel more comfortable.

I think stereotypes still exist today for a number of reasons. One reason would be that we are constantly exposed to them even if they are wrong, this exposure can be from our families, friends or media. People often believe what they are raised to believe, so if someone was brought up believing certain stereotypes, that becomes a part of their mentality. Even when stereotypes are proven wrong, people still think that there is someone out there who fits that stereotype. Movies, TV shows, and magazines are filled with stereotypes all the time and are a big reason as to why they still exist. Media likes to attach certain groups with certain stereotypes and they do this to create connections between characters and audiences. Media also stereotypes to simplify different characters, this way they can create a personality without showing what is complex about them. Stereotypes also still exist because people fear what is different from them, what they don’t know or understand, and want to feel superior to it. By observing characteristics and labeling them they get a vague and general sense of a person and apply it to a group as a whole. People are constantly judging others whether they are conscious of it or not, and stereotyping is just another part of judging. People make assumptions through their judging and if they have had a negative experience or have seen someone fit a stereotype, they tend to think that all individuals of that “group” are the same way. Another major factor would be ignorance; people are ignorant to what is really going on and get wrapped up in their own worlds and never truly open their minds to new things. Another reason is the fact that it is easier to let others think for you rather than learning what is true. Some people find stereotypes to be a way to identify and categorize people. People like to be able to sort people into categories so they can have a general sense of a group or type of person. Unfortunately it seems that people will always find a way to group and discriminate against each other. Some stereotypes, at some point, were actually true, while others are based on assumptions. Stereotypes have become a generalization of the truth and have also become outdated. People need to become more aware of the unique and individual qualities people in these groups possess so generalization will no longer be a problem. The only way stereotypes will cease to exist is if people decide to take the time to educate ourselves, learn where stereotypes originated, learn their history, and get to know someone for who they are, not what “group” they belong to, then we can rise above the stereotypes and move forward as a society.