This is a tough question. I do believe that there needs to be some structure on how we allow immigrants to become citizens. Like Sam said every country has border control. I dont believe you should have to have money to have a better life. I wish everyone could enjoy the benefits I have in the United States but unfortunately its not possible. I believe that if you work hard enough that you will become successful. Its really hard to take a certain side on this one.

These two video’s were so inspiring and actually made me tear up a little bit. It’s so reassuring to know there are people in the world that are so willing to help other with question. As for the first movie, it’s so moving to hear that someone is willing to give up part of their own body to help another individual. The women said it the best she truly believed that this man was an angel. You know it random acts of kindness like these that make me believe that there is a God. It also makes me look at myself and realize that I am here to help others in the world. We should all realize that there is a bigger picture that we are not hear just to go to school or work but to enjoy our lives and the lives of others. Life is too short to live from point A to point B. Be thankful for everything you have your family your friends, your pets, just be thankful and appreciative. I don’t believe that we should take anything for granted in this world because we are truly blessed with what we have no matter what. We are simply blessed for being alive today.
This next video is so genuine and priceless. That little dude is awesome and shows us how innocent feelings can be at a young age. This little guy likes a girl for the simplest reasons. Not because she has a lot of money not because she wears the latest fashion but simply by the way she puts her hair in a pony tail. Its things like these that make me want to be that age again because at that age. It just goes to show you that you don’t have to live like the media wants. This kid is so happy and living life that I’m almost jealous. This video just goes to show us that when you’re young you don’t care about the superficial things the media throws at you. We should take this and realize that we used to not care about half the stupid things that we do now. Let’s get back to the basics, love for another doesn’t have to be complicated. I don’t know just thinking that I used to not care what I wore or what I looked like makes me sick. How haven’t we grown to understand that we are all different and unique in our own way? We should be more embracing towards each other. I don’t want to give into the media image I want to live freely and with an open mind. I believe that if we can try to be more open minded and not so caring about what the media want us to be then we will progress as a society.

This is a tough question to answer. Yes I understand where he is coming from but when remembering what Sam said about how where we live was all luck of the draw it helps me understand. I just believe that if you understand that you can make a difference doesnt mean you feel superior it means you were blessed with more than others.I believe it's what you do with these resources that makes you who you are. God intended people to help others, so what if you have more it just makes you able to help more people.

This just goes to show us how strong a country can be if they come together. Its amazing how they created these little cities and legitimate businesses out of tents. Still Haiti is far from an economic rehabilitation and transformation. Like this video says the only way for these people to make a living is by selling things, most if not all of them do not have legitimate jobs. Like the guest speaker said in class we cant just be giving away things thats not going to help Haiti in the long run. We need to help create jobs to secure the economic stability in this country.

She’s absolutely right. What happened in Haiti is a horrible disaster but I believe some people do care more about tragedy when it affects us directly. As people in society most of us are more caring about ourselves before others and what we have going on in our lives and how we are going to become successful. I’m not bashing this concept I just believe that “most” people in the United States have a me first approach on life. I’m not going to sit here and say I have always thought about others before myself, I would be lying. I don’t know why but sometimes I think about myself as if I was the only person in the world. I forget what I have learned by going to church and how to live through others. God has a golden rule “Do unto others as you would want done to you”. It is such a simple rule but yet very hard for us to live up too. As people, we need to self examine ourselves and ask if what we’re doing is going to help not just ourselves but others as well. Also I don’t want to get to religious but some of us believe that what we do in this life greatly affect where we are in the afterlife. So for people who believe this why aren’t we devoting our lives to helping others? I guess because we feel the need to have better things like TV’s, iPod’s, computers things that shouldn’t be the priority in our lives. So in order to get these things we have to work more and it takes more of a priority than more important things. Its one thing to work to support your family but it’s another to work to get the new iPod touch. As people we need to enjoy the life we have and the people in it before it is too late. Think about what you as a person is going to leave behind you and what you have left the world with after you pass. I have just thought about this myself and I know it’s a lot to digest at once, but I guess this is me brain dumping my feelings after hearing last lecture. The lecture really made me think about my own life and right now I feel I feel I could do better. Not just in school but in the community, with my friends my family, everything. I think appreciation and thankfulness goes a long way and after hearing that lecture on Tuesday I am truly thankful for my family and the people in my life. While also living through others and helping others can make us all better people and help society progress.

I think there are many possible step two's. But mine would be just to understand what really goes on around the world when it comes to slavery and imported goods. We need to be more aware of where and how we get our goods so cheap. Its a reality check so maybe now that we know all these horrible things that are going on in the world that we might try to make a difference and do something about it. So my step two is just realizing how we contribute to the horrible labor practices going on in the world and how we can stop them

I believe the end goal is to just get us thinking about things we never really wanted to discuss out loud. Sam said this class is all about getting the award topics of race relations out so we can find a solution together. In order to find a solution and progress towards equality we need to talk about the things we usually dont talk about with others. I think this class has helped me become more comfortable talking with different races about the controversial issues most find inappropriate. Also this class has helped me think outside the box from another perspective

This was a very good video post and something I really haven’t thought of. I would say absolutely. Men are constantly trying to fit the image that the big companies and the media portray. It’s sickening that we as society can’t feel comfortable with ourselves because the media and “other factors” make us think we need to all look alike. I think this topic especially relates students in college we all want to fit in and feel accepted by our peers. You see it everywhere the gym, downtown, in the class room, everywhere. We should be happy with what we have been given because this is truly who we are. I don’t want to be like everyone else that what makes me who I am. I believe everyone feels this deep down inside but it is really hard to stay true to who you are while commercials are throwing “images” in our face. Instead of showing us before and after pictures of some women after she took fat burning pills why doesn’t the media commercialize self love and uniqueness? That would send a better message to our youth than what we have on television today.
Another thing that I actually didn’t think but I after I read a couple post agreed with also. Alcohol consumption is a big thing for men. This is a huge thing men feel they need to conform to especially while in college. You see all the people downtown having good times, it’s only natural for you to want to be a part of that. I think this subject is more related to men because I believe it’s a more social thing for men to drink than women when it comes to making friends
Also I wouldn’t be surprised if men are more critical of their bodies than women. Seriously I don’t know it’s just how I feel. I feel like we feel we have to be tone and defined and have a nice tan in order to get ladies it’s pathetic. Women want the Abercrombie model they want the all American image because that is what they see on TV and in magazines. Thanks big corporations because of you I now need to go to the gym 5 days a week fake tan and sculpt my hair as if it was going to be on display at an art museum. When’s it going to end when is the beer belly is going to come back into style haha.
But on a serious note big corporations really need to stop plugging into our heads that we all need to look alike. Love yourself love your features your personality everything because that is who you are no matter what they tell you.

I kinda would have to agree with the people making the Census. Obviously a lot of research has gone into the categories of racial terms used on the ballot. They didn't just throw a bunch of slang terms for different races and told people what to pick. I guess it is a little confusing if you are Hispanic and African American you might not know what to put .Another topic of the word negro on the ballot, If i am correct we learned in class that some people chose the term negro. I do however think the term is outdated but if that is what people chose then we should respect it.That is the way I look at it. The Census isn't racially discriminatory its an appropriate way of understanding the population of people in the United States.

I agree with the student on the whole LLBean issue.I believe the company was simply trying to appeal to other races. To me those pictures look normal just because the models were African American doesn't mean they wouldn't go hiking or hang out by the lake. Its these common assumptions that is setting our society back and that's why were not making any progress. We need to start thinking as a "whole" in society not by races. When we separate into races that's when we start looking at things like this. We are all people and all different.