Three Hundred Thousand is a number. You hear numbers every day. Be it twelve soldiers dying in a suicide bombing or the three thousand that lost their lives on nine eleven. The number that should be looked at more closely is the number one. Each one of those three hundred thousand were individuals each had a family, a mother, a father, co workers, and friends. Each one of their lives was valuable to many other people. However, it is hard to care unless it directly impacts us. How were we affected by one of the greatest natural disasters that has ever taken place. I feel a lot more attention was given to the tsunami that happened in south east Asia. The earth quake there that created the huge waves killed two hundred thirty thousand individuals. However, we saw many images of the damage actually happen and the buildings being destroyed. We heard the many stories of Americans on vacation and about the huge wave that they saw coming. We heard of the scuba divers that had the waves go directly over them and still somehow survived. We heard of Petra Nemcova the swimsuit model that had to hang onto a tree for hours in order to survive, while her husband was not able to do so and passed away. I have yet to hear many of these types of stories from Haiti. I have not even seen many of the pictures of destruction. If Pittsburgh my hometown was devastated from a huge earthquake and three hundred thousand people died it would change my whole life. I would have to start over and rely on my friends and family for help. However, if many of them passed away I do not know what I would do. I do believe the United States and all of our citizens would be there for us though. I think there would be much more support than what has been done for Haiti. This is only natural, the United States is our home and we help those who are In need more than those of other countries. Also, in response to the video message left by the girl. You cannot live life in sorrow you have to live in happiness. You cannot mourn over people you do not even know that never had affected you in good ways. Live life to the fullest and enjoy what you have.

For once I actually have to agree with what Professor Richards has to say with his lecture this past Thursday. I can definitely understand his point of view with what he is saying with his whole lecture. I feel I already knew or thought of what he said in his lecture. However, I do somewhat know about Muslims and Arabs. Last semester I took a history class on history up to 1500. In this class we looked at many things. However, most of history is also interconnected with religion. It was very interesting to find out all about religion in a historic sense. In Sunday catholic school I really never learned about the actual history of Christianity and other religions. Thus, it was very interesting to learn how Christianity formed and even more interesting to learn how the religion of Muslim formed. It was also very interesting to learn about the differences in the Muslim religion.
However, there are a few things I disagree with Sam in regards to. I believe Sam really exaggerates many of his posts. I believe many sections of Iraq are still developed and not like the pictures he showed in class. Many sections of Iraq are now independent and living better than they were before. I think many positives have happened with the Iraqi war. However, I can see that some negatives have also happened. Under Sadam Hussein many people were hurt. He persecuted many of his own people who did not believe with what he believed in. I like to believe that that is why we went to war and also to stop terrorist who were using bases inside of Iraq. I do not believe that Iraq was a direct threat to the United States however.
It was interesting to look at the United States and the Christian Invaders from the shoes of an Iraqi Muslim. However, I believe depending on how my life has changed since Saddam has been overthrown would be how I feel for the United States. Many individuals lives have improved and many have not improved. I personally am worried about Iran because that regime can use the media to turn their people against us. They can show the few negative things are military has done and make it look like that’s how we always act. However, Iran also had many uprisings in the previous year that shows that their people are not for their current regime. I hope we can all just live in peace one day. I do believe however, that as the years move on and the world keeps on using its natural resources, the competition for these resources will intensify and will lead to war. I believe it is now smart for the United States to use as few of our own resources as possible in the current day.

For once I actually have to agree with what Professor Richards has to say with his lecture this past Thursday. I can definitely understand his point of view with what he is saying with his whole lecture. I feel I already knew or thought of what he said in his lecture. However, I do somewhat know about Muslims and Arabs. Last semester I took a history class on history up to 1500. In this class we looked at many things. However, most of history is also interconnected with religion. It was very interesting to find out all about religion in a historic sense. In Sunday catholic school I really never learned about the actual history of Christianity and other religions. Thus, it was very interesting to learn how Christianity formed and even more interesting to learn how the religion of Muslim formed. It was also very interesting to learn about the differences in the Muslim religion.
However, there are a few things I disagree with Sam in regards to. I believe Sam really exaggerates many of his posts. I believe many sections of Iraq are still developed and not like the pictures he showed in class. Many sections of Iraq are now independent and living better than they were before. I think many positives have happened with the Iraqi war. However, I can see that some negatives have also happened. Under Sadam Hussein many people were hurt. He persecuted many of his own people who did not believe with what he believed in. I like to believe that that is why we went to war and also to stop terrorist who were using bases inside of Iraq. I do not believe that Iraq was a direct threat to the United States however.
It was interesting to look at the United States and the Christian Invaders from the shoes of an Iraqi Muslim. However, I believe depending on how my life has changed since Saddam has been overthrown would be how I feel for the United States. Many individuals lives have improved and many have not improved. I personally am worried about Iran because that regime can use the media to turn their people against us. They can show the few negative things are military has done and make it look like that’s how we always act. However, Iran also had many uprisings in the previous year that shows that their people are not for their current regime. I hope we can all just live in peace one day. I do believe however, that as the years move on and the world keeps on using its natural resources, the competition for these resources will intensify and will lead to war. I believe it is now smart for the United States to use as few of our own resources as possible in the current day.

I am responding to the post if any of our opinions have been changed by class or not. I am unsure how I feel about this post. Sam tries so hard to open our eyes up to many different things in soc 119. It is his job to try and change how we feel about different subjects and open our eyes to new things. Many of the things he discusses in class have already been said, but for each person in class what matters is if you have heard it already. I myself am from a very non diverse area back home. My graduating class had no Asians, no African Americans, and no Indians or Arabs. Thus, coming to Penn State was a eye opening experience for me. Today, I can say that I have Asian, African American, African, Indian, and Arabian friends. I am very glad that I have came to Penn State and have met the people I have met. I have definitely changed since three years ago. I no longer have the same stereotypes as I used to have. That being said, I think I have learned some things from Sam’s class.
I have learned about the slavery that exists in the world. However, I am still unsure about the whole situation because the book is very dated. Being ten plus years old, I believe that many changes have happened in those ten years and that things are different now. I myself am a Supply Chain Major which means in the future I will be determining where to buy different things from. If I work for Hershey for example I will be in charge of locating the best suppliers and having good relationships with them. It will be interesting to learn the inside information from these countries. I do feel very sad for the people who are living as slaves, but I do not believe it is because of us. I believe the governments of those countries are at fault. In a perfect world everyone would be happy and would be on equal ground. But the world is not perfect, never has been, and never will be. There will always be slaves, if not slaves there will be people making a tiny percentage of what the people in charge are making. I did no like Sam’s classes about people not determining their fate themselves. My parents make combined around $45,000 a year. However, my sister who is now 27 already makes over $75,000 a year. She got to where she is now through hard work. I believe that I will do the same. Everyone has the opportunity to step up and do multiple things in life. While, you may not have as much free time to watch television for example you can still better yourself.
In the end, I agree with some of Sam’s ideas, but I disagree with most and they have not changed my opinion. I still view races the same as I did before and I still believe that people are responsible for what they do in life and it does not matter if you are asian, black, white, or Hispanic.

I found this video and the research that was taken very interesting. I myself am a twenty year old white male so I do not completely understand everything about the situation. It is hard for me to understand all of this. However, I was pretty speechless like the rest of class when I first saw the video. It is hard to describe your emotions upon watching it. I did not think that so many more African American children would choose the white doll than the black doll. At that young of an age I would have thought it to be even as to who would choose the black doll and who would choose the white doll. I am curious to what the ratio would be of white children if the same experiment was done. I was also very surprised of the comments in class. I was surprised by all the comments made by the African American women in our class. I never knew that African American women with lighter skin were viewed more attractively than those who were of darker skin. I think that skin color is looked at too much in society today. I hope one day people will look at all people the same. While this is easy to say, there are obviously problems with our society today. I do believe that we escalate these problems to greatly and make more of a problem than there actually is. I do not even believe the research in that video was necessary. To ask which doll is more beautiful, and which doll is nicer, and which doll is meaner. That is not even a real thing. One doll cannot be nice r than the other. Why does this scenario even need to take place? Also, asking the girl who said the black doll was mean, and then asking which doll was she. I do not think this is necessary at all, why does this young girl need to be put through that. Until African Americans and White Americans stop making excuses for their races then we will never reach the next level we have to make. People need to be responsible for what they do as individuals and not what their races do as a group. Until this happens race will still play a part in everyday life. I am unsure to what could have been done to make these girls choose the white doll over the black doll. However, something had to of happened. Maybe their teachers were white, or maybe the people they watch on television are white. I am also curious to see what would happen if these tests were done at different places. Also, I am curious of what time this had happened and if this research was done in present day what would happen.

I am a white male and am twenty years old. I am from a small town outside Pittsburgh. My graduating class had 170 white Christians in it. Thus it was very non diverse and I never really thought about race at all. I never thought about having “white guilt” because I never really saw racism take place. When you have 170 white individuals there is no direct racism that takes place. Thus, I believe I never really thought about the “white guilt.” I can see what the speaker is saying with the history books though.
While slave trade is looked at in history books, Native Americans are really not looked at in general. I believe African American history is looked at fairly in the school system. However, I do not feel there is white guilt with my generation. I believe I have done nothing wrong with regards to racism. I do not even know if my ancestors ever had slaves or if they did not. I am not very familiar with my ancestry lines and I feel that is how most of Americans are. Would I feel differently if I actually new my ancestors had slaves or if they did not? I have no idea what I think of that. Sometimes I believe African Americans expect too much from white people in America. We cannot do anything now to make up for what has happened in the past. What was done was truly horrible, but we have moved on! America is no longer a racist country. We have moved on from the past and we are a mature and not as ignorant as we were in the past. However, with situations like mine we do still not know how to act when talking with people of different races. Once I came to Penn State and was exposed to different races I realized that everything I had heard about different races was not true. I feel lucky to have finally experienced different cultures and I am pleased with the strides I have made when it comes to trace.
I do believe that the curriculum you learn in school can effect what you think of races in general. I would have liked to known of the history of America better. The history books portray America to have been empty and isolated, without human life. They make the native Americans to be negative and the ones who attacked and killed the Europeans when they were just trying to find a safe place to live. I would like the school systems to change the curriculum and open the youth to more of the real history of American. I hope one day race will not have a factor in every day life at all.

I am White and have friend who are Black. When I am invited to a theme party they are usually also invited. I believe the speaker of this post needs to leap out of her box and maybe become friends with more white individuals. I believe there are many blacks that are too entrenched in the black community. While having roots in your racial community is a good thing, too much of it can be a bad thing. One has to learn how to act and work with people of other colors. I really think this was an ignorant post, but however I do not take offense to it. I would be curious to hear of what actual theme parties took offense of black individuals. Personally, the only themed party I have been to which a black person was involved was Tiger’s Hoes and Golf Pros. However, many black people do not consider Tiger to be on their “team” so I am unsure if this even counts.
A themed party in my mind has never even thought about race. I believe society is truly to the next level when it comes to race. Many of our generation currently in college now do not see color. They see the individual person. Especially at Penn State, I believe most students do not think about racism much at all. The poster of that comment may change my opinion on that subject though. I now wonder if the deeply entrenched black sections of the Penn State community still think about race every day. I have many black friends that I do not consider entrenched in the black community, because they are involved in many other things on campus. Be it business organizations, THON, or Greek Life. I believe these students have truly wanted to become part of Penn State. I am unsure about the group of students who do not get involved and simply stay with people they are comfortable with. There are so many opportunities at Penn State to get involved with people you are not comfortable with. I think soc 119 has actually made me more aware of these groups of individuals who still think a lot about the “race table.” I do believe that these students are the minority and that Penn State as a whole is a very open place.
Finally, I would be curious to know what some of my non white friends would think about the individuals post. I believe I will ask them and see what they say. Themed parties are for fun! They are a way to do things different and a conversation builder. The only themed party that I can think of that makes fun of people is Jersey Shore. However, they deserve it.

I am unsure how I feel about the subject of when is it the time to say something or when is it not. Personally I think I may have been one of the 22 people not to say something. I would have probably been in a hurry and would have just wanted to be served or pay the money for my gasoline. I have been in many scenarios where if I have just left instead of waiting in line. This may be selfish of myself for leaving, but I just honestly think that is what I would have done. However, if this was my friend I would have definitely took a stance and stood up for them. I am friends with others who dress differently and I know I would stand up for them if they were at my side. However, again with the situation in the store I would probably not say anything. I consider myself a very outgoing person but I still am unsure if I would speak up for the person. Why is this? I do not know. I remember hearing of one story on the news, where a woman was being raped by a fifteen year old black male on the side of the road in broad daylight. Many people drove right past without stopping or doing anything. Some beeped their horn but still it continued. Finally, one individual called 911 and the police finally showed up. People more often will lend a helping hand when they are the only one able to. However, when there are many people that can lend a hand for some reason nobody ends up doing so. I feel this is very interesting. I think it all comes back to people just worrying about themselves. However, not everyone had this same viewpoint. For example, with Penn State and with THON fifteen thousand students are involved for the cause of helping families that most have never met.
I also can see what the person who spoke in class is talking about when he says it is not their place to say. The owner of the store is allowed to offer his services or not offer them to anyone he chooses to. In a perfect world everyone would be able to get along with each other. However, there have always been conflicts and there will always be. Some things will also be closer to home then other things. As Professor Richards talked about in class many people help many different causes. Most of these causes they help because they are somehow affected by them. Thus, it worked the same way with the man whose son fought in Iraq. He stood up for the woman, because of his son. I sometimes believe that are people are made similarly. However, many have different experiences that change them in one way or another. These experiences can shape a person’s viewpoint on life in general.

The question of why lesbians are more acceptable in society than gay men is an interesting one. I do think the person asking the question is right when she says this statement. I think most people and almost all straight guys are more accepting of lesbians than gay men. I believe there are numerous reasons why this is true. In the following paragraphs I will address how I feel on the subject and why I think that lesbians are more accepted.
Personally, I find myself more accepting to lesbians than gay men. However, I have come a long way in my acceptance to gay men. I believe just like with races there is ignorance involved when talking about becoming acceptable. Personally I came from a very non diverse school and was not around anyone with a different race or sexuality. Thus, I was never able to see how people are who do not look the same as I do. Coming to Penn State it took time for me to finally become comfortable. Today many of my close friends are Asian or black. I now realize that there are no differences between people of skin color; it is the inside of the person that counts not appearance. The fact is that I never knew that was true until I met people that were different than me. This is the same as trying a new food, at first you may not want to try it but until you do you do not know if you like it or not. However, with gay people and lesbians the appearances are the same, but what is different is the makeup of the individual. I am still unsure if people are born gay or if it is their choice. In a way I believe it is both their choice and how they are genetically made up.
I think lesbians are more accepted in society because society is still male dominated. Men enjoy women thus they do not have a problem with two women showing affection. However, men feel disgusted when they see two men kissing. The other day the collegian had two men kissing on the front page, I was shocked and disgusted and looked away. Maybe I am disgusted because I am not used to seeing that happen. Or maybe I am disgusted because it should not be happening. I do not believe the public is ready to see those kind of actions in public. Even with straight men and women those actions are not appreciated in public. Some things are meant to stay in the bedroom. In closing, I believe that lesbians will always be more accepted than gay men. Lesbians are viewed as sexy by the public, and gay men are not.

Avatar was one of the best movies I have ever seen. In my opinion it may be the best movie I have ever seen. It was revolutionary. The story line, the special effects, and the creativity all deserve an A+. The movie being in 3d put it over the top even more. After leaving the movie, I wished that Pandora truly existed. I also thought about how there still people are living in the Amazon and in the South Pacific islands still living how life exists on Pandora. In a way I was jealous of their life. They were so happy and peaceful and in tune with nature. I have only felt this way a few times in my life. When I go hunting once a year it is peaceful to just sit in the woods by yourself and look around. I believe God meant for the world to be like this. However, then I go back to Penn State and find myself doing interviews every week and working on my resume. I also find myself noticing all the trash all around as I walk to class. Most Americans have no respect for nature. In time I believe we will all end up losing the battle and destroy the great world we have today. Day after day we waste our valuable resources and I worry about the day when we have nothing left.
About David Brooks, I disagree and agree with his thinking. I do not believe in the principle of white people rushing to save the others and portraying it in that way. The humans on Pandora were not just white. Michelle Rodriguez also fought for the natives and she is not white. I believe the real battle is rather David vs. Goliath. Most people enjoy seeing the underdog win in most situations. In college basketball fans always root for the underdog. The same is true for movies. The underdog in Avatar was the natives. Seeing the hardships of the natives when their home was destroyed was truly sorrowful. I guarantee every person watching the movie was cheering for the natives when they fought the intruders. The natives also went and gathered the other tribes on their planet and joined together against a common cause. I wonder if this will ever happen in the world today. I believe the movie relates to the colonization of the Americas. Europeans came to the Americas and treated the land as their own and killed the people who were here. Personally, I did not look at the natives as black or brown people. I just looked at them as completely different people. White, black, and brown we are all humans and have all had a part in destroying our environment.
Finally, I am very curious and excited to see what James Cameron does with the sequels to Avatar. He says there will be two sequels. I wonder what will eventually happen and if the natives will be able to keep their planet. I believe Cameron is a different kind of director and in the end will have the natives losing.