This lecture was one of the most profound and impacting classes of my entire college career. I was blown away. It made me see this entire issue that has effected all of our lives whether we choose to believe it or not, through the eyes of the Iraqi Muslims. Sam really "Brought the fire."

I am not against Muslims at all, i am against the jihad. And to tell you the truth I was sacred watching that “jihad” video. This group of people are ruthless and give no compassion even to their own people let alone americans. They want our blood and will do everything to get it.
But looking at it from there- the iraqi peoples- perspective I can only imagine the fear Muslims face when they watch the news and internet about the US having 50% of the military spending funds or electing leaders who want to shove the "Muslims back into their caves". When they see the radical christian acting like baffoons. They do not know what it is like in America that that is not average. The same thing goes for the muslims from the american stand point. THe only exposure most of us Americans get on what iraqis are like is the radical Jihad and suicide bombers, etc. So we look at them the same way they look at us.

I never really thought about a country coming into my homeland, stripping us of our natural resources, the people doing the invading living the good life and then leaving our country in ruins. As with what Sam stated, I do not agree with the insurgencies killing and harming people with bombs and suicide attacks, but Sam had a good presentation on both sides of the controversial issue. He made comments about how Americans feel and how the Muslims feel. From Sam’s presentation, I do not agree with their actions but I have a better understanding on their unrest.

SO i brought up to my mom this weekend what we learned in class and i tried to explain to her what they see, and what sam was able to point out for me from a different perspective or stand point. My mother, who is a right wing libertarian, has said before that "if this war is not going to be fought like a war, if my men have to fight with their hands behind their back as they have been, then we need to blow that place to glass." She is not as radical as this sounds but if you think about it, i can see why she thinks this. Our soldier have no idea who they are fighting or who is the enemy. I asked her why we are in this war and i pointed out that we are there to take their oil. She flipped out on me, she could not see that that was the reason or at least one of them. Hopefully when i go home for summer we can calmly talk more about this topic and i will get her out of her box and see the world in the way sam has helped me see the world. if only a little bit.

Okay so after watching this news clip i am glad the united states of America has law prohibiting video games of this nature. However, people all of the world can order them on the internet and have them be set over and received in the mail. The Japanese government must step into to control these animated games based on violent sex. No one wants their culture to be known for something so gross and demeaning to women. No only is it harmful to those who play it, but it is completely irresponsible of the government to allow these games to be put on shelves. There is no way that they can’t see how wrong it is. They don’t even have enough courage to make a comment to CNN, which speaks louder than any apology they possibly could have made.
I am just baffled that people create games like this!! it is disgusting, sadistic, terrible, and just god awful. As technology, the internet, syber space, basically the computer word becomes better, fast, and more realistic the more people will start believe that is real life. People spend our creating these video games to be realistic and "real life" and they think people will only play it as a video game and not cross contaminate it into real life. but really how can people make there games. Do they no think aobut the women in there life and if this happened to them. It must be a sick in the head person to make these up. And with that said do they not think that people will actually go out and rape a woman, molest a girl, sexually abuse a teenage girl, or seduce a female?

People who play video games i believe are socially retarded unless it's mario race carts because i love to play that once in a while. But the games that consume hours out of your day and you would rather stay in on a summers day and miss the sun and stay in playing your game instead of enjoying the weather and going running or sailing or anything social with people. I think the status of this video game is a no-brainer. Most people would agree that whoever created Rapelay is a sick freak and whoever spends their time and money playing this game should be ashamed of themselves. Rapelay is banned even from the U.S. media, let alone from the market for video games, and this should hold true for Japan as well. Video games today promote enough violence and profanity as it is. Call of Duty, Halo, and Grand Theft Duty already consume the lives of millions and millions of teenage boys and young men. These violent images and scenarios are bad enough, but a game that includes rape takes explicit videos games to a whole new leve
Okay so after watching this news clip i am glad the united states of America has law prohibiting video games of this nature. However, people all of the world can order them on the internet and have them be set over and received in the mail. The Japanese government must step into to control these animated games based on violent sex. No one wants their culture to be known for something so gross and demeaning to women. No only is it harmful to those who play it, but it is completely irresponsible of the government to allow these games to be put on shelves. There is no way that they can’t see how wrong it is. They don’t even have enough courage to make a comment to CNN, which speaks louder than any apology they possibly could have made.
I am just baffled that people create games like this!! it is disgusting, sadistic, terrible, and just god awful. As technology, the internet, syber space, basically the computer word becomes better, fast, and more realistic the more people will start believe that is real life. People spend our creating these video games to be realistic and "real life" and they think people will only play it as a video game and not cross contaminate it into real life. but really how can people make there games. Do they no think aobut the women in there life and if this happened to them. It must be a sick in the head person to make these up. And with that said do they not think that people will actually go out and rape a woman, molest a girl, sexually abuse a teenage girl, or seduce a female?

People who play video games i believe are socially retarded unless it's mario race carts because i love to play that once in a while. But the games that consume hours out of your day and you would rather stay in on a summers day and miss the sun and stay in playing your game instead of enjoying the weather and going running or sailing or anything social with people. I think the status of this video game is a no-brainer. Most people would agree that whoever created Rapelay is a sick freak and whoever spends their time and money playing this game should be ashamed of themselves. Rapelay is banned even from the U.S. media, let alone from the market for video games, and this should hold true for Japan as well. Video games today promote enough violence and profanity as it is. Call of Duty, Halo, and Grand Theft Duty already consume the lives of millions and millions of teenage boys and young men. These violent images and scenarios are bad enough, but a game that includes rape takes explicit videos games to a whole new leve

I think Laurie is kind of awesome. Like Sam said in class, talking about your monthly cycle is taboo in this man's man world. Why do we as women have to shut up and hide our ways of being womanly and having this monthly cycle that keeps our body healthy and fertile? Isn't that what men look for in us women?... Fertility? and to reproduce their genes, speaking from a biological stand point. I know that we live in a man's world. And women fought for the same rights as men in the early 1900s but that kind of set up this world where women get no sympathy and need to suck it up and shut about our "womanly problems." It is a sad truth. We are weak if we let our cramps or the "time of the month" stops us from doing anything, work, sports, go out, even go swimming. And how many times have women been with men and can not have intercourse because they have their period, yeah men just love that!...just kidding.
At first when Sam mentioned his wife's twenty eight day cycle I was kind of caught off guard. I was not offended because I am a nursing major and I hear about this sort of stuff all of the time but i thought it was really really bizarre. He said he thought it was beautiful.. That bleeding is beautiful. I think the body is beautiful and the fact that the body is on a twenty eight day cycle and goes through a reproductive stage is beautiful. However, the way this lovely present that comes every 28 days make us as women feel is not beautiful and that is why I felt so taken back by his remark. Sam does not know how us as women feel and he obviously will never so for him to say that he "sort of understands" just kind of pissed me off. Some of us as women feel like we are having out insides ripped out.. How is that beautiful? I mean like i found it quite interesting to hear it from a man's perspective and I do not think it is such a big ordeal that people should walk out of the classroom. What they think a woman goes through. But what Laurie says is quite unique in the fact that she talks about it upfront and does not spare the detail.
But i did agree with him. I think it that it is total bull shit that women have to hide that they have their period. And i hate that men make society so that us as women must hide it. Now a days i do not care a boy sees a bunch of tampons in my purse but i wont go out and yell that I have my period. I would have raised my hand though if i actually had it.. The next day after the Tuesday class I got it

This kid, my peer brought up a very good and interesting point. WHy is it that when white and black people say racist comment, only white people are told that they have done something wrong and society looks down on the white people that said the comment.
This question raises an interesting topic. During class on Thursday, Sam Richards asked the question, “What is the difference between black people and white people?” When white people were told to respond through text, most of the answers were respectable and nonjudgmental. The only exception was the following response: “I’m tired of loud ass black girls in the computer lab.” It is obvious that this is a terrible thing to say, especially in a room with a large population of black students. This is highly offensive and shows that some people are inherently ignorant and just plain rude. It definitely deserved the response that Sam gave. But when the colored people in the class were told to text their answer to the board about what they thought white people thought about being white they were very offensive, rude, and totally inappropriate. Specifically in response to the fact that everyone seems to laugh when someone makes fun of a white person, vs. someone making fun of a black person and people getting really offended, I think it has to do with history.
Honestly, the ‘N’ word has really strong negative connotations for a lot of people and i understand why people would get offended. If white people had similar words that were used against them, I feel that the reactions would be just the same. It was used in an extremely derogatory way towards many black people during a really tough time in their lives when they were race was strongly oppressed. but that brings up the point why are black people allowed to call each other "Niggers" (sorry for using the word) and white people can not call black people it even if it being using in a non judgment or derogatory way. If they think it is so offensive when white people say it then they need to stop using it too!!!
When people make fun of Penn state girls wearing “uggs” or a white “bench warmer”, the words are used in more of a light-hearted way and are just simply poking playful fun. But it is still rude.
I hate when people of color just assume people that are white have everything handed to them! they do not know what me or my family have been through. They are probably more privileged than most of my family. People of color get college scholarships and financial aid over white people. My friend who will remain anonymous did not get anything for school even though her mom did not work and her father had been laid of his job for a year and could not find another job. She was working a full time job and going to to school. Their family could hardly pay their mortgage. Still she did not get any financial aid. I think it i complete bull shit!

I think this story is crazy. Like really, what century are we in? It is completely ridiculous that this is happening and I feel awful for McMillen because I know a lot of her classmates would be so angry with her for being the cause of cancelling the prom. This is completely unacceptable, any person no matter what their preference should be allowed to go to prom. It is one of the highlights of any student’s high school years. This should not be any different because someone is gay and I feel like she can wear whatever she wants, including a tuxedo. The school should be ashamed for their decision.
I am interested to see what will happen to this school. The reaction of the student body is going to be huge. The parents may take their stand, but ultimately what matters is the reaction of the students. If anything, I would not expect less of a complete riot out of this outrageous response to the request for a same-sex date. Constance was not wrong in her position for looking into her own interest. She is interested in her life choice and her own high school memory. Her school mates may or may not say something or react negatively towards her. However, anyone who chooses to retaliate against her is inconsiderate and selfish. People have the right to love and date whomever they choose. Love has no boundaries. The only reason why the school and state of Mississippi denied McMillan of her request is because they are afraid that others will stray away from the norm. They were afraid that kids would now begin to accept something that those who disapprove no nothing about. It is time for people to stop worrying about what others will think and appreciate those for their character. Try to understand why people are the way they are before we judge them.
I hope that these girls continue their fight against this injustice. The issue does not violate the educational atmosphere of the prom in the sense that the board is worried about. It is just a way that the board, of older adults, do not want to have their kids exposed to LGBT people. That is completely absurd that the board could even think that they would not get in trouble for their actions because it is clearly biased and focuses on excluding individuals from a memorable event. There was a court case that dealt with the the first amendments establishment of religion clause in which case the courts upheld that religious sentiments could not be said at high school graduations because it violates other individuals religious feelings. The school could not tell students to not go to their graduation because it was one of these memorable events in your high school, the prom should fall under this same scope when dealing with LGBT issues.

watching this video I see and sort of understand how she feels but as a white person I kind of do not. How can someone say she wants equality when she herself will not let up on the feelings of animosity and a history of not being equal? Gaining equality for one racial group will help another’s gain the confidence, footing, and the push for equality as well. We should all be equal and it is nice to think that we are but we need to quit the bullshit because if we were then this class would not be taught at a university and the world would not be dealing with this issue.

Also, I understand not wanting to forget and no one is asking her too but you have to be willing to except what has happened and move on so a generation can become one. If everyone lives in the mistakes or the history of our ancestors then we cannot move on. It is that simple. I understand that because I am Jewish and both of my grandparent were in and survived the holocaust. MY grandmother 7 brothers and sister were murdered, her parents, her relatives, her husband- all murdered she was the only survivor of her family. She made it through Auschwitz, which in it self is remarkable but she was alone in the world. As a Jew I feel as though I am a minority- no one sees it like that but I do. I feel as though my people have been persecuted, murdered, enslaved, marched to their death. They were persecuted for being Jewish, if that is not similar then I do not know what is. I can never forget what has happened to my grandparents and their families the pain and suffering they went through because if I did their memory would be inferior and be forgotten but I must except that I need to move past the mistakes of Nazi Germany and the people that would not help "my people." and I have some of my best friends are German and their great grandparent and grandparents may have been tied to Nazi Germany but if I did not then I would not know some of the greatest people in my life. And I would be closed minded to the world and not see the big picture. If I did not there would still be "me" and "you", "them" and "us." I think the girl in the video not forgetting but choosing to take a step towards "us" "our" "we" etc.

I really do not understand how she would be stepping on the memory of the Native Americans if she tries achieving the goal of equality between whites and blacks because it is all a step in the direction where society needs to go. If we start by getting blacks and whites equal then we can work on getting Native Americans and other races equal. I never really understood the struggle of inequalities before this class. I mean I did but not fully.

I actually really liked this question. Because i think the same thing. Why is female homosexuality excepted while male homosexuality is not? I am really not sure. I think lesbian woman couples are more excepting than gay man couples because woman and mainly men seem to be more comfortable talking about and seeing lesbians than gays. Maybe because females are more nurturing and are not as match o and are not expected to be so there fore they can be gay together. Males are "suppose" to have intercourse with a woman for procreation but the same goes for women with men. In my opinion when I see lesbian couples it does not bother me because I think it is great that two people have found someone that they are comfortable with and want to be with, even though it is two people of the same sex. But when i see two males together homosexually on the street or in a commercial or film i kind of have to do a double take. not that I am against it because i am totally not, i have plenty of friends who are gay and have partners. It is just something that seems strange to see. Also, women seem to be more comfortable and accepting about sexuality. I think women tend to be more accepting of an individuals choice to have a same sex relationship. When it comes to men and lesbians, I think many men think it is cool too see lesbian couples and become turned on by it. When men see gay couples, generally, they get very uncomfortable with it because it is not very “manly”. My guy friends have even said, they are okay with gay couples, but they still get uncomfortable around it and the only problem they would have is if a gay male tried hitting on them, but after talking to some gay males some have said that they can tell when a guy is gay or not so straight man are more than likely not going to get hit on by a gay male.

I just thought about this.. most homophobic men freak out when they see men hold hands, kiss, show affection to another man. But when they see two girls kissing, holding hands, making out, having sex in a pornographic film they get aroused. Almost every mans' dream is to have a three some with two girls- even the most homophobic men in the world think that way. These men think there would be nothing more manly than to have two girls in bed with them. But two girls making out or two girls having sex is homosexual!! It kind of boggles my mind. I guess it is the heterosexual mindset but i think its bull shit.

THIS IS INSANELY UNBELIEVABLE!! Seven- thousand dollars for a sex toy (and you wonder why our country is in a recession.) First of all why would someone pay that much for a robotic sex toy and secondly why would anyone in their right mind create a one of these sex toys! Why would someone create Roxxxy - the world's most sophisticated talking female sex robot. That is disgusting! Has intimacy and relationships gone so far out of our culture that people have results and gone to this? Are people so totally emotionless and physically inept that they can not pursue or be in a relationship!? I guess so. The men who buy these sex toys must be utterly lonely or just socially retarded. They are probably scared of rejection more than anything! And instead of manning up to their fears they would rather spend $7000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To what have a robot in bed rather than a person! To have a cold heartless, bloodless, and pulse less thing?! I can not imagine what Roxxxy would say after the guy climaxes - I know that is kind of vulgar but it is true.

When you say that a "few straight women who wished that they had a Roxxxy to take over the bedroom chores when the begging got ugly," i am just shocked! Women want intimacy just as much as men do! Sex is not something that is robotic. It is an animalistic act that takes passion - not always love- but lust. And when you make love, sex is that much better. In no way is it or should it be a chore and when it becomes one that will be a sad day. And what are these men who buy Roxxxy going to grow old when her? IS she going to be his life long companion? The partner in life that sits on the wrap around porch and sips iced tea on a hot summer day. NO! If men think they can solve their relationship and sex problems with a SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLAR sex toy. OH but these women have five personalities from Frigid Farrah to Wild Wendy.. Oh wow! What about when you want someone to rub your back or cuddle with you at night? Can Roxxy do that? I think that is very doubtful. These buyers are in for a rude awakening. And sorry to say to these men- that toys break, they get old, they get dirty (and this toy definitely would) and they have to be thrown out. They wont last for decades like a real person can. This toy just shows how far society has not come and how technology is ruining love, relationships, and sex.

I have never seen avatar. I saw it in the previews and i am normally not one to see animated films. Plus i never had time to watch the movie. But what i heard from people who have seen the movie is that it is a beautiful magical cinema. Some said they really enjoyed it and thought the message behind it was about nature and being green to conserve and save our planet. the other side of that was that people said that by the end of the movie they were rooting against the white man. These people agreed with brooks in that the message behind the movie or the message the movie is suppose to convey is one that stands up for the native American Indians and or the black cultures or just minorities in general. This is not the first movie to portray the "white man's burden." Well, I think it is true that the white man’s burden is a recurring theme that we see in movies. Pocahontas was the ultimate movie that actually showed the white man as the root or the problem and the solution to the problem. But there would be no problem if the white man was not there. The white man is usually the one who saves a group of non-white people and somewhat “fixes” their society. So I can defiantly see where Brooks is coming from when he talks about these kinds of movies being offensive to non-white people. It could portray a sense of less importance or weakness towards the non-white people. The message from these movies could express incompetence for the non-white people until helped out by the white race. This is a very clever assumption to make about a movie such as “Avatar”, but everybody thinks differently.
As much as i see the message of the "white man's burden" in the movie Avatar as Brooks is expressing. However, i do believe that people can find any type or secrete message in anything. If they want to find something in every movie ever made that there is something that is racist then you will find it. it is movie for God's sake. It was made for it's special effects. it even got an oscar nomination for the special effect that where portrayed in the movie. So if people want to find a message they will. And every person who sees this movie will see or find or have different feelings about the movie. That is what makes a great movie. One that when people walk out of movie theater they want to talk about it, they want to figure out and look into what they saw - speak their feelings.

As I read this article and watch this video I was utterly disgusted, shocked, appalled, and in a loss for words because I can not understand how people in the world are still so bigoted and small minded and not excepting of other races. The world is very large place, people need to realize that not one race owns, controls, or dictates it. How can people around the world be so openly racist? I suppose I do not understand it because I am an American. My culture is so extremely politically correct because it has gone through the civil rights movement. I suppose I should be thankfully we have had to overcome this juvenile behavior. However, Europe has gone through some form of civil rights initiative/ movement with the holocaust. Not only Jews were persecuted but anyone who did not look like the Arian Race. And the fact that a soccer player returned the fascist gesture back into the stands just shows how far Europe has not come, and how much they have not learned from their mistakes and such a horrible genocide.

Learning about Carlos Semeti who is a goalie to one of the strongest soccer or football team in the world. People in his own stadium scream racist chants at him and throw bananas in signify that he is an animal. I find this actually appalling. This man is the keeper of the team the reason why the other team does not win and you are not praising him but degrading and disgracing him.

Marc Zoro from the Sicilian team has been negatively and racistly chanted at, at every game. People have taunted him and at one of him games he had enough. I am glad he had that he stood up for himself. I just wonder if it had an effect. Like when a bully in school is taunting someone, people tell the kid who is being bullied to just ignore it and the bully will not be fueled and will lose interest. I wonder if this is the same because the people in the stands are getting motivation from the other fans around them. I don’t understand how people cannot see that their actions are wrong! For Pete’s sake, the opposing team was pleading with him to stay on the field. If I was Marc I do not think I would have been able to control my rage if I walked into my stadium and saw a banned directed at me with the words “peanuts and bananas are the pay for you infamy.”

The leaders of Europe, the ones who are suppose to be role models for our children are breading this racist culture. It is hard to believe that the coach of the Spanish national team Luis Aragones said, “Give it to the black! Show that black piece of shit that you are better than he is.” He should have been fined way more than $5,000. He should have had his coaching contract pulled and discontinued.

As I watched the video and could not believe that these incredible athletes, probably the best in the league, have gone through this sort of ordeal. How do they expect these players to just keep playing through these chants? They cannot change themselves nor should they change themselves for these people, these animal in the stands. I cannot fathom how many other black or “not white” people have gone through the same sort of situation as these men have. I am so glad to hear that someone has stepped forth and has done something. Sepp Blatter decided to act and I hope that this will be the first step among hundred/ millions more towards an equal and non-racist world in Europe.