en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2449751 Comments by viking2812 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/how-has-your-opinion-changed-on-illegal-immigration-119-blog/#IDComment145266262 The other days lecture really changed by perspective about immigration a lot. For years my idea of illegal immigration has always been that they are nothing but grass cutters who should go back to where they belong. However, after Sam’s lecture my views drastically changed to how positive it really can be to America. Throughout my entire life I have been exposed to the awful and racial sides of immigration, but the lecture really did solidify that these facts are complete bull and that there is a completely different side. In America and other places around the world, families have the knowing that they will in some way, shape, or form they will have work and be successful. However, in other countries for instance Mexico, these people don’t have that luxury. They weren’t born into a profitable nation so they take it upon themselves to go somewhere else so that they can provide for their family. These people have had horrible struggles. When Sam mentioned that during the 1920’s America was known by others as the land of opportunity and everyone wanted to come here. Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:46:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/how-has-your-opinion-changed-on-illegal-immigration-119-blog/#IDComment145266262 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment141137512 Part 3..... I completely understand that terrorist are evil and should be punished, but for the safety of the next generation of Americans, we need to work on our relationship with the Middle Eastern nations. I hate terrorist and they all deserve to burn in hell, but to catch one or two or all of them we have to have the backing and full support of the Middle East so that we they no that they are screwed they will have no home to run back to and hide. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 01:40:13 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment141137512 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment141137441 Part 2..... I have heard and said on countless times that we should blow that area straight to hell and just end it. However, if we truly want to now our enemies, than killing them isnt the answer. The more we are involved in Middle Eastern buisness the more they grow to hate us and are willing to attack us. The only way that we are ever goin to live in peace is to be willing to hear the others side. If we don't want thousands of more men and women dying overseas, we have to come to some realization that we must understand them, not kill them. The main reason they hate us in the first place is because all we do is take and take there oil, while also bombing there cities to hell. How would you feel if you had foreigners rolling through your streets, and stop by just to be a pest. I would be frustrated and rebelious, and would be willing to fight back and the expense of my life. So how can we come to a conclusion that killing terrorist and Muslim is right, when it is at the expense of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 01:39:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment141137441 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment141137315 Part 1..... When class first started I was looking around at the rest of the class and saw some angry, disgusted faces when terrorism was brought up. Im not here to take the defense of terrorist, or justify what they do, but they are just a saw percentage of the world's evil. However, terrorist are in my opinion some of the most worthless, pathetic people on the face of God's green earth. I feel that the acts they do to innocent people, and in most occasions there own people is completely sick and twisted. Although, after Sam's lecture I think my perspective has changed alittle bit. To Sam, terrorist are just people who are just frustrated with the way there life is and just try to change themselves and the people around them. It is quite hard to understand who they truly are, but we must be willing to give them some the benefit of the doubt, and come to a understanding that there lives must reall suck, for them to be ok with blowing themselves up and killing there own people. Because I believe that were there is evil, there is also good, we cannot just say that all Middle Eastern people are terrorist and just blow them all to hell. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 01:39:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/05/after-this-class-do-you-still-blame-terrorism-119-blog/#IDComment141137315 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/do-you-ever-feel-uncomfortable-around-two-or-more-people-speaking-another-language-119-blog/#IDComment139196410 I have been in countless situations where people have spoke a different language in front of me. In situations like this I have felt incredibly awkward and out of place to the point were I just say what are you saying. I don’t mean to say this, but I think the reason I say this is because I never was around people of different languages when I was growing up so I have certain insecurities. Like I feel that people around me who are speaking a different language are talking about me and making jokes about me because they now I have no idea what the hell they are saying. However, this thought process changes when I around people who I am friends with here at Penn State who speak a different language, I actually trust them and now they don’t make fun of me. On the other hand, when it comes to situations were I am walking around campus I don’t really pay attention to other students who are speaking different languages. I understand that they feel more comfortable speaking there native tongue more than English, who am I to tell them to speak English. Also, I don’t believe I should feel uncomfortable around them because its not like they are talking about me (hopefully ha-ha). I believe the whole idea that we have to feel uncomfortable around other people of different languages comes from years and years of misunderstanding cultures. They feel like they are out of place and become angry at the fact they can’t understand what is being said. I definitely don’t get uncomfortable when I now people are talking smack on me in a different language. I actually like getting insulted in a different language because then I feel I learn curses and other things in a different language. I definitely agree with those who say it is all about the situation they are in. In many circumstances like a said a little bit ago it is interesting hear others speak a different language because many of us only no one language English, so to hear a different is intriguing. Also, jealous comes out of me when I am around friends speaking another language, because it just be awesome to communicate with them in their language because that just improves a friendship. In closing, for those who do speak a different language around friends and others be careful. I don’t think it is right to make fun of friends in a different language. One, because it just is wrong, and two because your friend could surprise you and now what your saying and your friendship could be screwed up. If I were to travel to a foreign country I would not take advantage of the language barrier and embrace their culture. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:58:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/29/do-you-ever-feel-uncomfortable-around-two-or-more-people-speaking-another-language-119-blog/#IDComment139196410 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-do-you-think-about-interracial-relationships-119-blog/#IDComment137607994 I have never been in a interracial relationship.  The only girls I have ever dated were white like me.  However, in saying this I would like to make it clear that I am not at all opposed to interracial relationships.  I will say that I don't have many girls who are friends that are black here at Penn State or from were I live so that is why I have never had the opportunity to date one.  Also, I find myself more attracted to white girls then black girls on a daily basis.  Maybe me saying that sounds awful, but I think the reason I say that is because of were I grew up.  Were I grew up and went to school it is about ninety eight percent white and two percent black(if that).  So every girl I approached to go out with on a date was always white.  So growing up just being attracted to white girls followed me up here to Penn State, and I still find it hard to be attracted to anyone but white girls.  While a maybe more attracted to white girls over black girls I would just like to make it clear again that I do not oppose interracial marriages, I more applaud it and respect it because every one needs to love someone and color or race should not get in the way of love.  Just like how I feel about those who are gay, lesbian, transgender, etc... everyone deserves to spend there life with someone.  I also do not make fun of friends or family that date outside there race.  For me, its pretty respectful because I now that there are people who will look at them and give them really dirty looks and make comments behind there back saying that that is horrible and such.  I have been around rude and unnecessary behavior in my life not to long ago.  I was flipping threw channels on the TV one day and stopped to watch this movie.  My grandfather and I watched a movie with with Robert Deniro and a few other famous actors and there was this scene were Deniro son in the movie kisses this black girl he likes.  My grandfathers first reaction was turn this bugger (meaning black girl) scene off.  My reaction to this comment was come on pops that ain’t right to say.  Also, I realized that pass generations don’t understand interracial generations like we do today.  I don't think my parents hold this same mind set as my grandparents, but if I do ever get to date a black girl and introduce her to them I do hope that they will accept her with open arms.  In closing, interracial dating is perfectly ok with me.  If you like a girl of a different race, get off your ass, open your mouth and ask her on a date, because you never now what may come out of it in the end.  Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:12:45 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-do-you-think-about-interracial-relationships-119-blog/#IDComment137607994 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/15/have-you-ever-felt-guilt-from-being-of-a-certain-race-119-blog/#IDComment135955994 Although, I don’t find it to be a crime that I am white, there are certain situations were I feel I was given more opportunities than those of different races and cultures.  Growing up I never thought that the things I have been able to accomplish and do was ever due to being white.  I was always told that i you work hard and keep your head high, that I can accomplish anything that is thrown in front of me.  However, since I have taken Soc 119 and heard what Sam has had to say about white privilege my scope of the world has changed.  Sam has talked about free will and determinism and how they are involved in most situations.   Now I see that I very easily may have gotten ahead in certain things because of me being white and another kid being black, brown, or yellow.  Honestly, I don't think that anyone should feel guilty of there skin color, yet it is pretty awful the things that white people have done to those of different color to get to were we are today.  When people think of the most horrendous act of human cruelty, they think the holocaust.  What the Nazis did in the 1940's to all the Jews was one of the largest genocides this world has ever seen.  However, I said one of the largest genocides.  The biggest genocidal acts this world has ever seen is what our ancestors did four hundred  years ago to the citizens of Africa.  White men went over to Africa, and without remorse took millions and millions of Africans from there home, put them on a boat, and made them there slaves.  Even though I am of Irish decent, and have no ancestral lineage to the early America, I still feel bad for those whose ancestors were apart of it because they have to no that there early generations beat, raped, and killed hundreds of thousands of blacks for close to four hundred years.  We do not have a chose in what color skin we will be.  This statement its self should make illusion that is racism not possible.  However, racism and stereotyping are at a all time high in the United States and it may take decades for people to realize that we all are just people, and we just need to get along.  I was raised to treat everyone with the respect.  To give respect is to get respect is what my dad always says.  I understand that white people have done some pretty awful things in the past, however they past is the past and we have to move on and have the heart and state of mind to unite under one world.  As the saying goes cant we all just get along.  Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:53:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/15/have-you-ever-felt-guilt-from-being-of-a-certain-race-119-blog/#IDComment135955994 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134364109 Allowing those who are in the middle to have a chance at achieving what their superiors have achieved. We must also remember that affirmative action is not limited to only those in the minority groups. Finally, I think that it is a must for us to carry on, and to help those who are trying to climb the ladder that is success and hopefully one day we can all reach the top as equals. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:53:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134364109 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134364074 While affirmative action is a necessity in the world we live in today, I am beginning to believe that it is being used as a cop out to much. If we are going to have to keep giving more and more to those with less, eventually they may and will rise above. Then, we will have to use affirmative action to bring the newly washed-out crowds back to equality. As I am sure everyone in our class today can attest to, success and fortune are not just handed to us, you have to take it upon yourself to take it. However for those who are handed everything they want, they will not learn good skills that they will need for when the time comes to go out and fend for themselves. What we as a people must do is find the spot between were we get whipped and crack the whip (not at all meant to sound racist). I believe that is what affirmative action in America is today. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:53:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134364074 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134363998 I think that affirmative action contains not only positive characteristics, but also negative characteristics in today's world. In making this point, I feel that we need to realize that if it weren't for affirmative action, the ability to get ahead in this world would be difficult to accomplish for all people. In the King of the Mountain skit Sam did a few weeks ago, once a person got to the top of the mountain, he or she would make it damn near impossible for the other people to get even close to the mountain. By having affirmative action in today's world, those who are left at the mountain base can now have the chance to move up the mountain and become the new king. If we didn't have affirmative action, I think that we would have a lot more rioting and violence, not just in America but around the world. Throughout history and even in today's world people will do whatever it takes to get ahead of the person in their way even if that means lying, cheating, or stealing. From this idea, "White Privilege”, has surfaced, and people of other races have come to believe that all white people have a step ahead of everyone else. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:53:15 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment134363998 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130734194 First of all, I think that the video was really sad.  I mean seeing how the family lives is a real shame.  Who wants to have a huge pile of shit basically outside there home, and on top of that having to walk ten miles to work at Burger King.    But to your question.  Honestly, it is selfish of those of lower income, whether they are black, brown, or white to have more children than their income can handle.  Having more children is just going to drive them further into poverty then they were in the first place.  Although it is now one's place to tell a husband and wife not to be fruitful and prosper, there has to be a line for low income families.  For instance, in the video we watched Thursday about Tammy, Tammy said she is one of twenty two kids.  What if she was one of one.  Even though she said that her mother and father were poor, who is to say that if her parents had only her as a child that she may have had a better chance at a better life then she has in the video.  Also, lets take Tammy's kid as a another example.  Do you think any of her kids are happy.  She said in the video that she wasn't happy with he present situation so do you think her kids are.  The one son talks throughout the video that all he wants to do is get out of his home and get more out of life.  How can her son accomplish his goals and aspirations if his mom is trying to have a whole lot of kids.    The only argument you can make for having more than say three kids, is that you are going to do your best to provide and love that child as much as you love your other child.  Yet, if you want to make sure your child has a promising future you will stop at one child and support them throughout there life.  For instance, a family that is in the lower middle class with one child, is going to be able to rise to middle class faster than a family with six children.  A factor in this fact is that a lower middle class family with kids in college can only handle so many tuitions for there child.  So what is going to happen is that some of the kids will get more opputunities than others.  Putting children in situations were they are never going to succeed isn't fair for them.  Giving them now hope to get out of the gutter will just continue the cycle to when they have kids.  Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:56:52 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/is-it-selfish-for-people-in-poverty-to-have-more-kids-because-of-their-lower-income-119-blog/#IDComment130734194 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128961092 With respect to sentencing, research indicates that African Americans and Hispanic men are less likely than white men to receive the benefit of prosecutors' discretionary recommendations for lesser sentences in federal cocaine prosecutions. A similar finding of racial disparities emerged in a study of who benefits from Florida judges’ discretionary authority to withhold adjudication for people sentenced to probation so that they can avoid having a felony record if they successfully complete the terms of their probation. African Americans and Hispanics were less likely than whites to benefit from discretionary decisions. In the end I believe that many of our current law enforcement grew up in an environment that taught them that they are to be considered superior to all other races, and today they take those teaches and use them in the streets and enforce them wrongly to those of a different race. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:16:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128961092 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128961052 White Americans are less likely than African Americans to attribute the overrepresentation of minorities to biased decision making. According to a report filed in 2008, found that seventy percent of African Americans believe that police bias is a large reason why minorities are disproportionately convicted of crimes and imprisoned, but only about thirty five percent of whites share this viewpoint. Yet, the arrest rate of minority citizens is greater than their offense rates justify. Victims of aggravated assaults identified their assailants as African Americans in twenty five percent, yet close to forty percent were suspects arrested for aggravated assault. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:16:41 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128961052 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128960919 Obviously, racial profiling activities or lack thereof can vary from officer to officer and police department to police department. A study out of Texas law enforcement agencies reported that the Houston searched fifteen percent of African Americans drivers and ten percent of Hispanic drivers, but only searched about four percent of white drivers. A national study of traffic stops found that the odds of being searched were fifty percent higher for African American drivers and forty percent higher for Hispanic drivers than for white drivers. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:16:24 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128960919 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128960858 Racial disparities may result if people who commit similar offenses are treated differently by decision makers in the justice system because of their race or ethnicity. Fact is, just because people of color are arrested more often than whites does not mean that they are more crime prone. In many reports even though only about ten percent of monthly drug users are African American, forty percent of these people are arrested, sixty percent are convicted, and seventy five percent are sentenced to jail. Another study shows that police make unfounded arrests of African America four times more than white people. Despite efforts to monitor and prevent such activities, evidence that some police officers use race as the basis for stopping, searching, and arresting individuals persists. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:16:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/16/do-arrests-of-different-races-occur-more-due-to-racism-or-more-police-in-urban-areas-119-blog/#IDComment128960858 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127377036 Finally, the media needs to do the entire world a huge favor and start breaking the barriers our stereotyping and show that we are all created equal and can help each other out. Racism can become a small issue if we ca all band together and stop the stereotyping races other than our own. The color of ones skin shouldn’t define who that person is, or if they qualify for work. How we perceive someone will define whether we are racist. Once we start to open up to new ethnicities and races, and stop judging others, racism will no longer be a problem in our world. Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:17:32 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127377036 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127376996 Also, the media has also made it seem as though one race dominates all others, and the ones who are lagging behind are stupid and not worth anything. Why does the media (especially movie makers) have to make it out to be the black man robbed the grocery store, or it was a black man who did the drive by in the mini mart. Why does those who make movies have to feed the fire that is racism? The reason is the stereotypical views we have pay a large role. We often don’t consider that there is one person out there who may not fit the views that we are taught they should have, and try to find little flaws that they may not have so that we can call them what we are taught. For instance, in a movie, a nicely dressed young black man who gets straight A’s at a top university is targeted by white folks who don’t think he should be doing this well. So they ask him were he is from and he may same, “O I’m from Compton”. Right there the white folks will start calling him a thug and a hood rat, when he really isn’t either of those. That is the media shaping our world and our beliefs. Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:17:20 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127376996 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127376965 I believe that racism continues to be a problem throughout our world because the media continuously feeds the fire, and it has become second nature in many cultures that those of a different race are to be different from your race. As the gentleman stated in his question about, how Bruce Lee is always kicking the hell out of the Japanese master, even though both Bruce Lee and the Japanese master are both of Asian decent they were each raced to hate one another for all time. What this is telling those who maybe chinese or japanese watch this fighting is that you should hate the other race because Bruce Lee (who is like a huge hero to all chinese), that you must hate and fight the japanese. This example would show how closed minded people are in the fact that a movie that isn’t real, can dictate whether our race is superior to another or not. Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:17:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/08/why-do-you-think-racism-continues-to-be-a-problem-throughout-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment127376965 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-like-positive-news-119-blog/#IDComment126031374 The reason why we as Americans don’t like positive news is because, when you turn on the television to watch the news, all you see is chaos throughout the world. All that today’s news comprises of is murder, greed, corruption, rioting, and war. I think if it wasn’t for bad news, news medias’ like MSNBC, Dateline, CNN, and etc..., would be out of business. To put it simply Americans feed and live off of bad news. When we turn on the news and see the rioting and killing in Egypt for example, we see that there are hundreds of news outlets there reporting every hour on the hour. On the other hand, when news comes out that a 6 year old child who lost her life gave away her organs for others to live; you may get one or two media outlets out there to interview the parents. It is just plain science that humans are more drawn to the violence than the good. People pray each and every day that the violence will stop, and the world can just be one peaceful place. However, I think that it is a good thing that we have violence because if everyone was nice and respected one another, nobody would be able to stand up for what they believe in. There is no way that all six billion people on the earth will think the same way unless we all get brain washed. So unless you’re the riddler from the second batman movie, I don’t see world peace happening at all in the near future. As I have said many a time in this blog, all people are drawn to is violence and bad news, bad choices like smoking pot, and not liking other people. An example would have been when a parent runs out on you and the rest of your family. You remember all the fun times you and your mom (dad) had before he or she left. But once you realize that the person you love is never coming back, the negative feelings start to sink in the hatred that you know have for that person is far greater than any love you may have had for them earlier. Also, even after a few years go by and you think that you are finally over it, a person may come up to you, you haven’t seen in a long time and ask you how is your mother or father. Your response ninety nine percent of the time is that piece of s**t has been gone for a while. But why does it have to be this way. Why cant you just respond like, “unfortunately she or he left, but I still speak to them and love them”. The reason is because pain and suffering remains in our hearts and minds longer than love and respect. It is human nature and it may change in the distant future, but not anytime soon. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 00:27:20 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-like-positive-news-119-blog/#IDComment126031374 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124456041 The answer to the question being asked is, being around people of our own race and ethnicity is what makes us feel safe and acceptable. I mean take Penn State. Is it not common to see people of the same race and ethnicity walking around with each other on campus? Every day since I started going to school year, I see at least 10 groups of Asians walking around passing me on to their next class. I see it in our own Soc 119 class. I usually sit in the front seat so when I turn around to watch Sam give his lectures I see all the groups of black, asian, Hispanic, and white everywhere. People just feel more comfortable being around people of their own color and culture, especially in a class that discusses race and ethnicity. One thing that these students are going to have to learn is after college is the “real world”, as they call it. And in the real world you have to be able to branch out and be able to work with those who are of another race and ethnicity. And these people are going to have to be prepared for these people to possibly speak a different language or just not speak English that well. So to get a head start these people should interact with those of different race and ethnicity. It could be in an elevator in the dorms, waiting in line for lunch at the commons, or five minutes before class. By doing this you could maybe spark a new friendship and even hangout with each other as friends. Growing up, I lived in a mainly white upper middle class neighborhood in Bucks County, Pa. It consisted of many ethnicities though. There were Jewish, Polish, Arab, Russian, Irish, and etc… you name it we had it. However, I didn’t associate with any of these people mainly because I wasn’t willing to step outside my box and introduce myself. I think the reason was because my parents never really associated with them so I figured that if my parents didn’t talk to them why should I then. So when I first came to Penn State during the summer I honestly don’t think I was prepared for all the different races and ethnicity that are here. My roommate was an Asian kid from Maryland. My first impressions were that this kid is probably going to be a book worm that never wants to go out, and wants to be left alone. However, after about two weeks we were already the best of friends. We helped each other out with homework, we ate together, went to parties together, we were buds. By having this experience we both grew as people, since we were far from home. What I am most thankful for is the eye opening I got at the end of the term when I realized that people of different races are fun and can be my friends. In the end the answer to the question on why we hang with people of our own race and ethnicity is because that is who we associate best with, and will have the most common interest with. However, it is still important to go out there and meet new people. Currently, I have friends of all different backgrounds, and have all their backs in times of trouble. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 02:19:27 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/why-do-we-associate-with-people-of-the-same-race-and-ethnicity-as-ourselves-119-blog/#IDComment124456041