Like Sam mentioned in class, I think people dislike immigrants because of business. Business and money control people and because the “Americans” here do not want to lose their job for immigrant who just arrived but has a job because they are willing to do it for less than the usual amount. I can understand where the dislike starts developing. I as an immigrant, I would not want to be disliked but I can also try to be in the “Americans’” shoes and try to see where they are coming from. Not everyone in America is rich and their job maybe crappy with a paycheck of nine dollars per hour and it could be the only income he/she has and when an immigrant comes and takes the job for seven or eight dollars and they are fired instead, I can see why they would be mad. What they do not understand is that they or their families were immigrant at some point in time. I do not know if there is a solution for this issue. As long as money exists, I believe these kinds of conflicts will keep occurring. But I think the focus of the lecture on Tuesday was on illegal immigrants not just any immigrants. Two of my uncles were deported back to Ethiopia because they were illegal immigrants. A little while ago I heard an Ethiopian sneaked into the airplane and hid somewhere until they arrived here, which then he asked for asylum. I know many people that came here by marriage and most of them are married to their cousins or brothers or close family. There are thousands and thousands of stories I know about immigrants and illegal immigrants and I cannot agree that what they are doing is right but I cannot blame them either. Like I said, it’s really hard to make a decision or a draw a line on to how many immigrants are allowed to come to the United States and how many are denied. America is like the country with milk and honey flowing as some would describe it so, it is like the Promised Land. Majority of the people in the world especially from Africa and South America and other poor countries around the world would kill just to come here and make something out of themselves and help their families back in their countries. Sometimes it’s not even about the money, but some political issue. Two of my uncles cannot go back to Ethiopia because if ever the government finds them, they will be killed because they were a “rebel” against a dictator leader. But on the other hand, if the American government would allow immigrants to come in without any requirements, the United States would be over populated. But you cannot also blame the people that are trying to be better economically. Like I said, as long as money is involved with people and it will be until the end of the earth, these issues will keep occurring and there will not be a definite solution which makes everyone happy or which everyone would agree on it being fair.

I thought the telephone game was very interesting and how he presented it in a new way. Like someone said, I’ve played it or saw someone playing it before with a phrase or just a word or a sentence but never a whole entire story. Obviously, I knew that the sixth person would tell the story completely different than the ones earlier, but it kind of makes you think twice about the information you hear from the media and from other people as well. It was really an eye opening, especially now because when I use to play this game I was young and all I could think about was how funny it is to go from one word to another that quickly, but now it got me thinking about news and the things other people tell us, and how easy it is to misinterpret something when it is being passed down and what is dangerous about it is that it is not like they are doing it intentionally. Someone on the other video mentioned how the information was being told differently because of the different race students that were participating. Maybe it is because I didn’t notice it but, I don’t really think this has anything to do with race and which race tells what story. The point of the game was to make us realize that when information is being passed down from one to another, it is not as accurate as it was in the beginning. It was actually funny to watch the third, fourth, fifth and sixth person telling the story because for the most part all they could remember was the kid’s name which was Bill and that he went to a big university and that someone threw a book at the TV. This was funny because, that was not the point of the story at all. But they picked those parts which appealed to them most. And when we think of the news and how they feed us information, I feel like we are not getting the whole story. I feel like they only tell us the information they think is appealing or important for them, which could be really dangerous because like this story and these students and how they ended up with a story that had nothing with the point of the story, the media will also do the same and we might get an information with a different purpose than how it started. But when you think about it, how can you really avoid that? This issue occurs because our brain is in control and it tells us what is important to tell and what is not. Like I mentioned before, this is not done intentionally so I feel like it would really be hard to avoid this issue when it comes to the real world and the media.

The statistics was defiantly higher than I thought it would be. It seems or is inhumane to kill 29 innocent people just to kill or arrest one person. It is so hard to judge on if it is the right thing to do but if we look at it in the long run this terrorist might shed more than twenty nine innocent blood later on. So it’s probably for the best that they kill him and other 29 people. But at the same time it is so hard because why those 29? They are someone’s brother or mother or sister or father. It is not an object we are dealing with, it’s a real human being and it’s hard to say. But to make an overall comment on the class, I thought Sam was a little dramatic on the whole topic. I feel like Sam just picked out a few situations where the “Americans” or the “Christians” were the bad guys where they run over someone’s taxi for stealing wood. I feel like the majority of the time that’s not the case, but I could also be oblivious about it because the majority of the time the media is showing us what Sam also showed us in class; the American soldiers playing with the middle eastern kids and giving them candy and protecting them. It’s really hard to have a stand on this issue because we or I don’t have the whole story. I defiantly believe Sam when he was saying that the only or the main reason we are there is because of their oil. But at the same time we should be able to compromise with them because we do need their resource and I’m sure we have something they may need so I feel like there is no need to go into war for this, but that just seems to simple and I’m sure it’s a lot harder than it seems and I don’t really have any idea about politics so this is me stating the obvious. But I will say that I have a lot more compassion and understanding about the middle east, specifically Iraq than I did before this class. I thought Sam did a good job trying to put us in the shoes these people and try to understand them. One thing that surprised me was to see the bible verse in one of the machines and the people that were going to church with guns. I’m not very religious but I don’t think that’s what Christianity is about. And the pastor that said it’s better to kill them now rather than letting them burn in hell forever was crazy I must say, because if he knows anything about Christianity it’s not because you force them to believe one thing or another, they have to chose to have their own faith and if they chose not to be a Christian it’s their choice. I’m sure God is not applauding this guy/guys for what they are doing. They are just called murderers. Also my other concern or question was, when he was telling us about the videos “our cousins” show us or send to us; the videos where it shows the American soldiers shooting at the car...Well if they have access to those videos and to that technology couldn’t they also see that not all Americans or Solders are not bad?

The answer for that question straight and forward is YES. It is just human nature I believe to feel uncomfortable when we are in a situation where we don’t know what is going on or what is being said; and not just language wise. In many cases, we hate being the outcast. We do not like it when we are the “other one.” Plus, when other people speak in a different language in front of us, we feel like they are talking about us, I mean why else would they talk in a different language? Right? Well, not really…A couple months ago my roommate and my other friend were just waiting for someone near the white building where we spotted a group of Asians talking in a different language. One of my friends was bothered by the idea even though she did not even know these kids. She made a comment about how they all know English and if so that they should speak it. She said how it bothers her when other ethnic students speak in a different language when they know how to speak English. At the time, I do not think she knew that I speak a different language as well but I wanted to make a comment but I did not. First, these students may be international students and they may not know how to speak English well so they prefer a language they are most familiar with and second I just think it’s a little rude to enforce the “American” language on other ethnics. The point is I understand that not understanding what is being said around us makes us very uncomfortable or even feel like that they are talking about us. But I also understand the need or the want to speak in the “other” language even if we know English. For me, when I see my Ethiopian friends here on campus or anywhere out in public, I like speaking in Amharic with them because it gives me the feeling like I’m home. It makes me feel like I belong with “this” group of people because this is the language I grew up with, not English. I have also been in other situations where I was the outcast and when my friends are laughing and making jokes I would just sit there and smile because I didn’t know what they were saying, and it really does suck. Although, being an outcast or the “other” is not a good feeling we should respect others as well when they speak in their language. We should understand that they want to keep their language and their heritage. If we/they are to speak in English all the time, we would forget our own language eventually and I don’t think anyone would want to lose their culture.

It was heart breaking to see that one little girl describe the white doll as the good one and the black doll as the bad one, but what made me really sad was when the lady asked her which doll she was she pointed at the “bad” doll. It was sad to see that a young black girl considered herself “bad” just because her skin was dark. I actually want to make a comment about some students that were saying that the media is to blame for this. Well, I grew up in Ethiopia which is half dark skinned people and half-light skinned people. But I never grew up watching cartoons that had light skinned people predominantly. The TV shows I would see had both, but regardless I knew I wanted to have a lighter skin. So how do you explain that? It’s not just in America or just for the African Americans that light skin is “better” but it’s around the world. I grew up with my cousin who was really light skinned and we went to the same schools we lived in the same house, we went to places together and for some reason when we go to different places I’ve always felt “less pretty” just because I have a darker skin tone. I really wish I could understand how this whole thing got started. I’m sure it’s not the media so I don’t know where everyone gets the idea that light skin is better. Maybe the media is to blame to an extent, but there’s more to it

I was surprised when Sam showed how many percent of white people were poor. I knew they existed but I didn’t know that it would be so high. I really don’t know what to feel about it because it’s not like they’re white how could they be poor with all the opportunity for them. A lot of poor people (not just white people) out there aren’t poor because they made bad decisions but because of determinism. So I really don’t see the difference between the white poor people and the black poor people. Even Tammy, she was poor not because she made bad choices but because she was a one of the 22 children her dad had and I can imagine how little support she got with everything where for us even if we came from a poor family, if we were not a big family our parents gave us support (verbal, encouragement) but I doubt Tammy’s father did that. But I guess we’re not aware of white poor people because the media or the poor white people are not willing to say I’m poor and I need help whereas people of color are and do say that. And someone brought up a question on why black/colored people are willing to say that but not white people and Sam answered by saying that it’s shameful. It’s easy for black/colored people to say I’m poor because of the corrupt system and the racism because that gives them an “excuse,” but for the white people I guess it’s shameful to have that privileged white skin and still be called poor. But I admire Tammy for not seeking help from the government and thinking that she can make it on her own; I think it just shows a strong character on her side. And to answer your question about whom would we rather help out; it’s easy to say everyone but I don’t think that’s true. I ‘m from Ethiopia and when since I was a kid I would be asked what I wanted to do or be when I grow up, I would say that I want to become a doctor and help the poor people in Ethiopia. If we look at it in general, whether the kids or the people are in Ethiopia or South America, they’re still human beings that need help but without being conscious of my thoughts at a very young age I already started being prejudice. And as Sam said it’s wired into us. It’s not something we can get rid of, although we might be conscious of our action and TRY to not be prejudice but even for at a young age when I didn’t even know what the word prejudice meant I thought of helping MY people rather than people in general and that just shows how much wired we are to this.

Obviously most people in America are richer than other parts of the country. I heard Sam say that the poorest 10% people in America are better than most people in other countries (don’t quote me on that.) But, we should consider ourselves lucky to live in such a great country where for the most part our needs our met, especially us, who are getting a great education here at Penn State. Although most of you guys are in debt over your heads like I am, we are still getting this great opportunity to make something great out of ourselves. And to answer your question about how I feel about the way I live in America, I of course think I’m very lucky especially because since I use to live in one of the poorest country in the world. Although I wasn’t poor and I did get a good education growing up in Ethiopia, I still saw a lot of homeless kids and I have went past many houses that looked like they are about to collapse any minute. Not many kids from Ethiopia get the chance to come to this great country. But as any human being, we can’t just live for ourselves. We have to have some kind of morals to give back to the community that has helped us get so far in life. Sam also mentioned in one of the classes that we usually think that we are in college or that we are good because of our effort alone, but in reality there are many factors that had helped us along the way to get us where we are. Going back to building morals and giving back or helping others; I think it’s really important that we do that. One, for me as a Christian as Sam said what does God think with the fact that he gave me this great opportunity to eat regularly, have clothing, have education but only use it for myself? Two, leaving out religion, as human beings we should feel sympathy for other human beings that are being oppressed. We should try to put ourselves in their shoes. For example, what if it was our brothers that are being slaved to the cocoa plantation to work 15, 16 hours a day and not get paid and if they try to escape they are whipped? What if they were our brothers? For me, I would defiantly make it my life’s mission to get them out of there. I know that all seems nice and dandy but obviously it’s easier said than done. And I don’t really think I have an answer to how we can get rich people like us to feel so much sympathy that we actually do something about it. But I guess media plays a big role informing these situations. Instead of advertising, the next hot car or clothing or other material goods, if they would inform us daily about the oppression that is going on around the world I’m sure they would make a difference.

Obviously most people in America are richer than other parts of the country. I heard Sam say that the poorest 10% people in America are better than most people in other countries (don’t quote me on that.) But, we should consider ourselves lucky to live in such a great country where for the most part our needs our met, especially us, who are getting a great education here at Penn State. Although most of you guys are in debt over your heads like I am, we are still getting this great opportunity to make something great out of ourselves. And to answer your question about how I feel about the way I live in America, I of course think I’m very lucky especially because since I use to live in one of the poorest country in the world. Although I wasn’t poor and I did get a good education growing up in Ethiopia, I still saw a lot of homeless kids and I have went past many houses that looked like they are about to collapse any minute. Not many kids from Ethiopia get the chance to come to this great country. But as any human being, we can’t just live for ourselves. We have to have some kind of morals to give back to the community that has helped us get so far in life. Sam also mentioned in one of the classes that we usually think that we are in college or that we are good because of our effort alone, but in reality there are many factors that had helped us along the way to get us where we are. Going back to building morals and giving back or helping others; I think it’s really important that we do that. One, for me as a Christian as Sam said what does God think with the fact that he gave me this great opportunity to eat regularly, have clothing, have education but only use it for myself? Two, leaving out religion, as human beings we should feel sympathy for other human beings that are being oppressed. We should try to put ourselves in their shoes. For example, what if it was our brothers that are being slaved to the cocoa plantation to work 15, 16 hours a day and not get paid and if they try to escape they are whipped? What if they were our brothers? For me, I would defiantly make it my life’s mission to get them out of there. I know that all seems nice and dandy but obviously it’s easier said than done. And I don’t really think I have an answer to how we can get rich people like us to feel so much sympathy that we actually do something about it. But I guess media plays a big role informing these situations. Instead of advertising, the next hot car or clothing or other material goods, if they would inform us daily about the oppression that is going on around the world I’m sure they would make a difference.

Obviously most people in America are richer than other parts of the country. I heard Sam say that the poorest 10% people in America are better than most people in other countries (don’t quote me on that.) But, we should consider ourselves lucky to live in such a great country where for the most part our needs our met, especially us, who are getting a great education here at Penn State. Although most of you guys are in debt over your heads like I am, we are still getting this great opportunity to make something great out of ourselves. And to answer your question about how I feel about the way I live in America, I of course think I’m very lucky especially because since I use to live in one of the poorest country in the world. Although I wasn’t poor and I did get a good education growing up in Ethiopia, I still saw a lot of homeless kids and I have went past many houses that looked like they are about to collapse any minute. Not many kids from Ethiopia get the chance to come to this great country. But as any human being, we can’t just live for ourselves. We have to have some kind of morals to give back to the community that has helped us get so far in life. Sam also mentioned in one of the classes that we usually think that we are in college or that we are good because of our effort alone, but in reality there are many factors that had helped us along the way to get us where we are. Going back to building morals and giving back or helping others; I think it’s really important that we do that. One, for me as a Christian as Sam said what does God think with the fact that he gave me this great opportunity to eat regularly, have clothing, have education but only use it for myself? Two, leaving out religion, as human beings we should feel sympathy for other human beings that are being oppressed. We should try to put ourselves in their shoes. For example, what if it was our brothers that are being slaved to the cocoa plantation to work 15, 16 hours a day and not get paid and if they try to escape they are whipped? What if they were our brothers? For me, I would defiantly make it my life’s mission to get them out of there. I know that all seems nice and dandy but obviously it’s easier said than done. And I don’t really think I have an answer to how we can get rich people like us to feel so much sympathy that we actually do something about it. But I guess media plays a big role informing these situations. Instead of advertising, the next hot car or clothing or other material goods, if they would inform us daily about the oppression that is going on around the world I’m sure they would make a difference.

Obviously most people in America are richer than other parts of the country. I heard Sam say that the poorest 10% people in America are better than most people in other countries (don’t quote me on that.) But, we should consider ourselves lucky to live in such a great country where for the most part our needs our met, especially us, who are getting a great education here at Penn State. Although most of you guys are in debt over your heads like I am, we are still getting this great opportunity to make something great out of ourselves. And to answer your question about how I feel about the way I live in America, I of course think I’m very lucky especially because since I use to live in one of the poorest country in the world. Although I wasn’t poor and I did get a good education growing up in Ethiopia, I still saw a lot of homeless kids and I have went past many houses that looked like they are about to collapse any minute. Not many kids from Ethiopia get the chance to come to this great country. But as any human being, we can’t just live for ourselves. We have to have some kind of morals to give back to the community that has helped us get so far in life. Sam also mentioned in one of the classes that we usually think that we are in college or that we are good because of our effort alone, but in reality there are many factors that had helped us along the way to get us where we are. Going back to building morals and giving back or helping others; I think it’s really important that we do that. One, for me as a Christian as Sam said what does God think with the fact that he gave me this great opportunity to eat regularly, have clothing, have education but only use it for myself? Two, leaving out religion, as human beings we should feel sympathy for other human beings that are being oppressed. We should try to put ourselves in their shoes. For example, what if it was our brothers that are being slaved to the cocoa plantation to work 15, 16 hours a day and not get paid and if they try to escape they are whipped? What if they were our brothers? For me, I would defiantly make it my life’s mission to get them out of there. I know that all seems nice and dandy but obviously it’s easier said than done. And I don’t really think I have an answer to how we can get rich people like us to feel so much sympathy that we actually do something about it. But I guess media plays a big role informing these situations. Instead of advertising, the next hot car or clothing or other material goods, if they would inform us daily about the oppression that is going on around the world I’m sure they would make a difference.