en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/759976 Comments by MissFancyFeet https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71515947 Both of these videos were really touching, I'd elaborate more, but I think I would just be repeating the words of previous posts in slightly different language. So instead I'll leave the forum with a poem that speaks to me just as deeply as these two videos just did. I was introduced to this my Dr. Christopher Uhl. I was a TA last semester for his Bi Sci 003 course, which is a type of Environmental Science course that teaches far more than "textbook science." As I understand, Sam and Chris are good friends, and I have to say that I see a lot of similarities between the two -- yet a world of differences. I want to leave you all with this, and sincerely encourage you to take Dr. Uhl's class in the Fall. If you appreciate this class at all, I'm confident that you can find something beautiful about Oriah's words: The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive. It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human. It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!” It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:02:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/stories-for-uplift__trashed/#IDComment71515947 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69941897 I’m usually wary if this money issue, as well. You know why? Because of our government and the way that our society works. Ponzi schemes and stuff like that: how do we know what’s REALLY going on? And I agree that the best way to help is by physically lending your body, ambition, time and heart to worthwhile causes. While I do believe that donating money is helping in various important ways, I’m a selfish person and would much rather have the first-hand experience of helping people and making a difference than conveniently tossing money into a bag and assuming that it’s going to help a suffering person. That’s placing a little too much value on money, if you ask me. Money can’t buy everything – there are some things that can only be paid for with actions. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:29:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69941897 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment69940656 I agree that South Park is bound to provoke feelings of disgust with society, the media, etc. How can it not? With all of the people in the world and the diversity that they bring to the human race, it’s almost impossible to air something on television without it offending somebody – that’s just the way our society is today. Sad? Maybe, but nonetheless true. And I remember Sam saying something in a much earlier class that there is nothing that you can say that offends him. I completely respect this about him – it’s the whole “sticks and stones” thing. Things that other people say or do shouldn’t get to you because they clearly don’t understand your point of view. That being said, I’m not saying that I support the political or religious provocation in South Park and similar shows, but there are some things in life that you just have to laugh about. I’m a full believer in the philosophy “You can’t take life too seriously.” However, some people may disagree…and that’s fine because that’s part of the mental capacity of human beings. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:19:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/south-park-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment69940656 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69934287 This is the kind of stuff that I find absolutely fascinating and intriguing about the human race – our sense of compassion and solidarity. The only thing unfortunate about it is that it takes a disaster or life-altering even to realize how to properly use it and discover its true power. Take Haiti, for instance. It seemed like the entire world was at war with one race/country/class or another, but when disaster struck in a country that has been of little value to anyone before, the entire world came together to help them. While the entire thing has been inspiring and empowering, you have to consider that it took a catastrophe to bring about this camaraderie in the first place. Why is this? I mean, there are a THOUSAND reasons why this is the case today, but when we step back and think about it – does it really have to be that way? Reading this man’s letter brought back some memories that I have from my senior year of high school: some inmates from Rockview came to speak at an English class of mine about their experiences in prison – especially the emotional and mental transformations that they had gone through. These prisoners spoke about their maturity since their sentencing and how it has skyrocketed since committing their crimes (I vaguely remember armed robbery being mentioned). While their stories are undoubtedly different than this lifer’s experiences, I saw the same thing happening back in high school as I did reading this today. And I have to say that it has changed my perspective about inmates – and I guess you could say the entire human race in general. Now, I’m not saying that I would completely forgive these criminals for their actions or that they will all go through these same transformative experiences. But it’s unbelievably comforting to know that even these “scum of the Earth” citizens (not my opinion personally, just addressing a general stereotype) have the potential for compassion and generosity. And we're all human, aren't we? We make mistakes and have regrets. And just because some of us get caught and some don't, that doesn't negate our abilities to grow from them. After hearing about these lifers from Laurie and Sam in a previous class, and reading this monologue today, I have to say that I would be honored to meet some of these intellectuals. I would feel accurate in saying that, in many ways, this formally uneducated man is smarter than I in many ways – many significant ways. This man has learned secrets to life that I could probably only hope to uncover in my lifetime. I can understand why Laurie and Sam would be so dedicated to exposing the citizens of the “outside world” to these men behind societal bars – they clearly have a lot to offer the world. I’m not sure if this is out of guilt for their less-than-respectful pasts, or if it is out of sheer desire to contribute positively to society…but they have undoubtedly touched my life in merely a few words and stories over a period of several weeks. And this thought just boggles my mind, because I never expected it. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:39:10 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment69934287 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68246853 I had to read over SEVERAL times the part where you said that you've met far too many girls who say that want someone who is "kind of a jerk". I was like -- what?? That's the reason that I've never dated anyone at Penn State before (in all of my 7 semester here)....all of the guys I've ever been attracted to turn out to be "kind of a jerk". I would NEVER want that. My boyfriend will show ME respect, have respect for my FAMILY, and be respectful towards all of the important people in my life. He should never expect anything less from me. However, I do agree that this lack of sensitivity is very much a social standard that men feel the need to live up to. I think it's a problem. Men can get away with acting like jerks because, you know, "he's a guy, don't take anything too personally" kinds of excuses. But when women do the same thing, they're bitches. Just not fair. I think that for every female standard, there seems to be an equal and opposite male standard. It's sick... Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:25:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68246853 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68241925 I was actually REALLY shocked when people started commenting about the play saying things like "It was really interesting to see what the world would be like if the physical ideal was to be flat-chested." I was like...umm, the world IS like that. My reality has always been that being smaller-chested is better, mainly because the world of dance has always been such a big part of my life. As a well-endowed woman who has always wanted to be a dancer, I can't even IMAGINE why someone with a flat chest would go get implants or want bigger boobs. With every single magazine telling you that you need exercise and throwing around workout moves that make everything smaller, why would want to go and intentionally make something bigger? It’s just very counterintuitive to me. I've been holding a bit of a grudge against my chest since I started developing in 8th or 9th grade: I've loved to dance since I was 6 years old...dance was my life growing up -- you couldn't stop me from dancing around the living room when I was little! But when I got older, it became more of a pain in the butt (or chest, rather) for me to dance because I always had to wear a really supportive bra underneath my leotard. And when my chest kept getting larger and I kept dancing, I noticed that I was the only one still taking ballet that actually had a chest. YOU try finding a professional ballerina larger than a small B cup! Seriously, try! It just doesn't happen. And to this day, I still truly believe that my dancing career never got off the ground because I had to quit under the pressure of the dance industry's strict body image standards. And I regret quitting every single day of my life now that I’m older, because I SHOULD have just said “screw the cultural norms” and continued to dance anyway. But when there’s so much working against you, it’s really hard not to throw up your hands and say “Okay, America. You win.” That being said, I’ve gone through some really transforming experiences my last 3 years at Penn State, and I’m starting to become more comfortable with myself and my own skin. I can’t change it. My body is the way it is and it’s beautiful (at least, I feel like that MOST days.) And I’m accepting others as the way they are, too. I’ve been under a lot less stress since I’ve stopped obsessing over the fact that the tops of my thighs brush together sometimes when I walk, and that I can’t wear the cute pink polka-dotted bras because their straps are made out of dental floss. QUESTION FOR ALL OF THE GUYS POSTING: I've read some posts that I assume to be written by males, and they seem very understanding and heartfelt -- like they agree that all women are beautiful and they don't think it's fair that females are subject to so much ridicule. This seems to go against the attitudes I see at Penn State. PLEASE TELL ME: what is the TRUTH about what you think about girls and their bodies? Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:13:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68241925 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68240360 I definitely understand where you're coming from -- it's really easy to go get something tailored to fit your body and have no problems. Getting the next size up in a prom dress to fit your chest and having it taken in everywhere else IS a great solution. But it's the whole idea that girls even have to DO that. I understand that there are SO many women in the world that it's impossible to create a line of jeans or dresses or tops that come in a handful of sizes that will fit EVERY single one of them. But when girls go shopping and the stuff on the racks don't fit them, it's a HUGE downer (I speak from experience...my chest is larger than average). It's like everything's getting smaller. The average cup size in America is now a 36C (compared to a 34B just 20 years ago) , and the fashion industry doesn't seem to get that -- sizes are still too small! So while I commend you for being comfortable with your body and doing what you need to do to dress it properly, the fact is that this problem still exists, and it's really sad. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:21 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment68240360 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment66861143 A lot of people are saying that the next step is to do something about it – to help stop slavery, to support fair-trade business, etc. But I don’t think that this is feasible for a second step. EVENTUALLY, yes. It is absolutely a vital, and probably the most important step. But I think that the true second step is to gain knowledge. Many people just went through the first step yesterday – FEELING something. But before you can go out and conquer slavery, you need to know more about it. It doesn't end with chocolate -- you can't just assume that you know everything about slavery that goes on in the world just by watching this one video. Research everything. Where it happens, what causes it, what its goals are, what has the potential to end it, what it produces, and on and on. Only then, when you know the root of it, can you really and truly put a STOP to it. Knowledge without action may be dangerous, but action without knowledge is just plain stupid. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 19:42:13 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment66861143 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65688693 Now that I think about it, I kind of feel the need to clarify. I'm not trying to say that it's not important for you to identify your race or ethnicity -- of course it is: it's a part of what makes you YOU. But I think that no matter how you choose to define yourself, whichever race you "pick" (I don't like that term too much. It's so definitive) should be the one that makes you feel most at-home and complete. But personally, I don't see anything wrong with identifying with both teams. You've had experiences that relate to both of them and different aspects of you are more characteristic of different groups. so if you want to correct people when they call you white and tell them you're Hispanic, I don't see any reason for them to argue. And if you want to call yourself white, that doesn't mean you have to ignore the fact that you were brought up surrounded by Hispanic culture. Like you said, you'll always have some Puerto Rican in you because it's your ethnicity. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 03:00:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65688693 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65561425 I agree, as well. The only people who should care about whether or not the term "negro" is on the census are the negroes. Black people who are offended by it, in my opinion, don't know enough about their heritage and haven't looked into this fact that there are people who still identify with it. White people who are offended by it....WHO CARES? You're not negro, and you're not going to check the box, so let it go. I also agree with the commenter below about people not being happy if things run smoothly -- I certainly can see that happening in society today! People just like to give other people a hard time. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 14:55:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65561425 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65558401 Call me crazy, but…do you really NEED to identify with a team? I understand that you might be confused as to which race you most identify with, but really…call yourself whatever you want! Don’t feel bad about being confused because of your mixed racial backgrounds. What would happen if you had been raised more around your white father’s family and culture? You might identify more with the White Team, but you’d still be biologically the same as you are now! So I guess I’m just like…what’s the difference? You know? Maybe this is because I’m white and I KNOW I’m white. So please forgive me if I’m not sounding sympathetic to your situation. Besides, this need to identify only really matters on the census surveys and stuff like that. But you know what? You’re gorgeous, so I’m thankful for your mixed racial background :-) Fri, 2 Apr 2010 14:30:03 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65558401 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65555960 I completely agree with what you're saying about the media having a big effect on this. In fact, I would say it’s MOSTLY the media’s fault. But I don’t think the term “subconscious” is quite the best word to describe the situation. On the contrary, I think they’re VERY conscious of it. I’m 21 years old and I’m STILL seeing commercials for Barbie and other similar dolls for girls, and they ALWAYS feature the white/Caucasian doll. Can you recall a commercial where you saw a young colored girl playing with a colored doll? I certainly can’t, save for the Bratz line of dolls that seem to have more Latino or exotic features. So, props to them for at least trying to put that idea out on the market (although I do consider many other things wrong with the line, like their perpetuation of commodity feminism). But you know what? I think the PARENTS are to blame, as well. They do, in fact, make dolls with darker skin nowadays. So why aren’t the parents buying them? Maybe they are now – I’m not sure how old this video is. If you ask me, it’s also their fault in a big way. Now, I’m not saying that black/Asian/Hispanic/etc. families should ONLY buy their children dolls that look like them. That would have the extreme opposite effect. But why not mix it up? Let them play with ALL of them and learn to love ALL of the dolls. Maybe these feelings will have a profound effect later in their lives. At the same time, I don’t think that the kids are really conscious yet of how serious this is. When they’re asked which one is the good doll and point to the white one, I think that they’re more conscious about which one is more popular. Personally, I would really think they’re too young to know about the societal ideologies surrounding race. Maybe I’m completely missing the point here. Don’t get me wrong, I understand how serious and disturbing this is – THIS is how kids learn to hate themselves and each other. And it’s horrifying to see it develop at such an early age. I just think that little kids’ definitions of “good and bad” may not be on target with what adults think they are. I don’t think that they associate “good” with whiteness and money and power just yet, or “bad” with blackness with poverty and struggle and discrimination. It’s more of a popularity thing (which, yes, is an issue in itself). So in reality, I guess I have to say that I really can’t blame the kids for thinking this way. They see the white dolls in the commercials, they get to the store and they point to the white dolls and say “I want that one”…because THAT’S the doll in the commercial, not the black or brown one. It’s about spectacular consumption and wanting the most popular thing on the market – at least for kids. It’s not about skin color yet. But I think that, like you said, it needs to be addressed. The advertising industry and their doll-manufacturing clients need to take this into consideration and maybe consider throwing in a mixed cast of dolls in their next set of commercials. Fri, 2 Apr 2010 14:09:21 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65555960 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64143137 I don’t understand what the big deal is. It’s just blood. BLOOD! We all have it. We’ve all seen it come out of our bodies in some way or another. People act like it’s some sort of diseased liquid or puss that’s coming out. Well…it’s not! So stop acting so grossed out. I’ll admit that I think it’s a little strange for Sam to find it fascinating to see in the toilet, but you know what? It’s better than having a husband who wants to ignore your discomfort and your biological functions. And you know what? If guys are so uncomfortable with it, it kind of gives us permission to use it against them. If you’re having a fight with our boyfriend, leave the blood in the toilet. Tell him that you don’t want to have sex because you’re on your period. It’s his fault that he can’t handle it. Maybe then guys will start to become more comfortable around the topic. And hopefully if they’re more educated, they’ll stop blaming our bad moods on our periods. A few words of advice for guys: never say to a girl “Oh, you must be PMSing if you’re getting angry because of this.” Not cool. I can be in a bad mood if I want. It doesn’t mean that I’m bleeding. I remember when I got my first period. I was terrified. I thought “Oh my God, I can’t believe this is going to happen every month for the rest of my life!” But it wasn’t supposed to be that way. My mother was celebrating because I was becoming a woman, but I didn’t understand at the time. Some cultures even throw entire parties dedicated to girls getting their first period. And it’s because they’re now capable of giving birth. And the thought of tampons creeps me out so much that I don’t even use them – I use pads instead. Think about it: you’re shoving cotton up there to try and keep it from coming out! If you leave it in for too long without changing it, you can get an infection! It’s like you’re trying to plug up a drain, stop it from happening altogether. Not natural. IT HAPPENS! Deal with it. The same goes for birth control pills. They’re supposed to regulate your menstrual cycle and balance out the excess hormones that make you feel irritable and get all crampy. But your body is literally a SLAVE to “The Pill”. It determines when you bleed, for how long, how much, etc. Some of the commercials for these newer forms of birth control boast that you can have only 3 periods a year or so. But your body NEEDS to bleed! It gets rid of bacteria and iron that way. It regulates your hormones and releases tension. It’s a type of cleansing. I’d be worried if my period didn’t show up, because that means that something is terribly off balance with my body. And that means that I shouldn’t be carrying a child if I’m not 100% healthy. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:23:20 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64143137 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64141335 There ARE actually some benefits to your menstrual cycle. Getting rid of iron through blood helps prolong your lifespan, believe it or not…because iron feeds free radicals. And a day of two after your period is over, you lose a lot of water weight and can metabolize carbs better (bring on the pasta!) It also releases bacteria from the reproductive organs and kind of cleanses them so that they’re healthy when you’re ready to give birth. And some cultures even believe that the actually bleeding out during the menstrual cycle is like a release of negative energy and frustration that builds up beforehand (which is why you get so irritable and tired beforehand). It all depends o how you look at it. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:03:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64141335 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64140417 I agree with your statement about Sam having almost a "duty" to know about his wife's cycle -- because it affects him, too! And you know what? If I can't complain to my husband about the terrible cramps or tell him without him getting all squeamish, then I certainly don't want to live with him and be around him every single day of my life. It's about being sensitive and loving. What if a woman told her husband/boyfriend that her period was late, and the guy didn't understand?? She's pregnant! And he doesn't get it because he never took the time to understand the female menstrual cycle. That's a sad situation, if you ask me. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:52:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64140417 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63012136 If some of these history books are biased, the authors and researchers aren't doing their jobs. These things need to be objective. Statements need to be made about the TRUTH behind the Native American history in the United States, and then let other people form their own opinions about then (which will likely be those of regret and shame). Personally, I’m finding it hard to feel directly guilty about this because it wasn’t something that I vividly remember or experienced. I WANT to feel guilty, but mostly I just feel sorry for all of them (the Native American peoples still living in this country). But I know that that’s not enough to change anything about their situation. But I’m just learning and being AWAKENED. Maybe something will hit me later on in my life. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:19:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63012136 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63011132 I completely agree, so much so that I don’t really know what to say in response because you said it all for me. I’m also very glad that someone brought this up. I’m sure that I was thinking it in class, but it never occurred to me to post it. Yes, I’m white. And I want both types of comments (those from black/colored people and those from white) to have equal weight. If someone says something that has the potential to be offensive to someone else, then they should have to take responsibilities for their actions. It’s just an equality thing – you know, like how everyone wants to be treated equally?? Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:10:40 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63011132 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment63008828 As an employee of a male sports team, I say MORE POWER TO HER! Athletics is such an exciting and high-profile field, and I think this is a great thing. There are undoubtedly many other women who aspire to the same thing. There are hundreds of thousands of high schools in the United States, and the majority of them have football teams. How is it fair that they ALL have to be male? That’s just insane. I’m wondering how differently this situation would be if she were WHITE. I have a feeling that there would be a lot more uproar about this if that were the case. I think that her students/athletes would have a little bit more of a problem with it and not feel as comfortable around her. Why? I have no idea. I don’t know why this sport has turned out to be like that. But I have worked in athletics for three years now (always around men’s teams) and I feel pretty confident in saying this. Maybe some of the guys who have actually played this sport can say differently – I’d be really interested to hear those honest opinions. That’s just what I’ve taken away from the sports industry. I think it’s really great that she said that she works hard for HERSELF and not just because she feels like she has to prove herself. That really showed me that this woman is in it because she loves it. And I completely understand her love for the sport. I’m a HUGE football fan, and I personally think it would be exhilarating to play football – not just FLAG football, but full-on tackle football with all the fancy equipment. Maybe I’m just weird? But I think it’s really cool that she followed that interest all the way to a coach’s position. I also have a lot of respect for the players who work with her – especially since they’re in high school. I image it would take a lot of guts as a male athlete to play for a female coach, especially with all of your peers watching. That kind of stuff can turn into a surprisingly big deal to kids that age. But she obviously has the skills if she played for a pro league, which means that she has a lot that she can teach to these young guys. I’m wondering what she might try to do as far as establishing a girl’s football team at the school. I think that if she really put the effort into it (while still concentrating on her first job as that coach of her own team) that she can take this girls’ football thing far and make a lot of teenage female athletes happy. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:51:24 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment63008828 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment59916260 Who would ever want to go to UCSD now? Only crazy people, if you ask me. No matter what your race, this is not cool. I would be absolutely horrified, as a white female, to go there. And the noose in the library? Seriously, why? I guess I could understand the black-themed ghetto/gangster style party. A little far-fetched and twisted if you ask me, but I wouldn’t put it past college students at Penn State, either. Especially judging by the lame incidents with the text-messaging thing yesterday in class. People just don’t know when to stop, and have no regard for others or their feelings. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 17:48:55 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment59916260 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59914400 I have never noticed this. The thought would never have crossed my mind, but maybe that’s because I’m white. But I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party that has made fun of or been centered around black people or their customs. I’ve been to holiday-themed parties (which has more to do with religion, which is a whole other issue), and I’ve been to television show-themed parties (like Family Guy, Jersey Shore, etc), but never anything that had to do with being black or Asian or Indian. And if I did come across one of them and happen to get invited, I probably wouldn’t even attend because let’s face it: I’m white…and I can’t pretend to be black. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 17:35:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59914400