en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/768518 Comments by bray2442 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68279166 But for the other part about understanding insurgents, I know what Sam is talking about. If any country invaded the United States, none of us would think twice about attacking them and trying to kill as many of their soldiers as possible. In Iraq and Afghanistan, they see us as intruders and want us to leave, so they try to force us out as violently as possible. I personally think this war in Iraq is very dumb and we have no reason to be there. I completely support all of our troops, because they all have a bravery that I'll never know and I truly admire them. But I feel bad for them because they are over there risking (and many losing) their lives for a pointless war. So I don't like to sound like I'm siding with the insurgents, but just looking at it from a non-biased point of view I would be able to see why they do what they do. They are just protecting their country. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:00:21 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68279166 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68277896 I agree that a lot of the war has to do with oil. I disagree that it's because Christians want to take over the world. Christianity is the largest religion in the world. So just by sheer numbers, there's a good chance that someone in power is going to be a Christian. That doesn't mean they are all having secret meetings planning world dominance. There's so many different sects within Christianity (Catholic, Baptist, Protestant, Lutheran, etc.) that it doesn't even make sense to say that Christians are trying to take over the world. Because all of these different sects within Christianity have different beliefs, some of them so much so that some groups of Christians don't like other groups of Christians. So to say that they're all working together to rule the world is really a ridiculous statement. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:51:41 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68277896 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68275731 I definitely think that men have to conform to society just as much, if not more than women do. From a very young age, you learn what it is to be a man and how you are supposed to act. You have to be tough and not let your emotions show. Sports are a must. You have to like them and be good at them. The most popular kids growing up are almost always the best athletes. The kids who don't like sports or aren't good athletes are become the "losers" or whatever you want to call them. I'm not saying this is right, it's just how it is. And women aren't the only ones who have to worry about body image. I think men actually have more pressure when it comes to how our bodies look. Fat isn't a good look for either sex. But women are expected to just be skinny. That doesn't work for guys though. We can't be fat or skinny. Guys are expected to be muscular. I'm not saying girls don't go to the gym or don't put in work to make their bodies look better, but their work in the gym is easier than guys'. And when it comes dressing, men do not have quite the pressure or accessories to deal with that women do, but we definitely have standards to meet. We are expected to wear the "cool" styles and whatever fad is in. As we got older and girls came into the picture, the pressure is bigger than ever. Whatever guy gets the most girls or has the hottest girlfriend is the one that everybody else wants to be. And if you're not getting the girls, then you're getting made fun of. Another big pressure that men face is success in the real world. Men are expected to make a lot of money and be able to support their family. Everyone wants to live in a nice, safe neighborhood where their kids can grow up in a friendly environment. I don't want to paint women as gold diggers, but a woman is more likely to go for a man who is financially set and secure, knowing they can live comfortably. (This is where all the kids who weren't good at sports and studied instead get their revenge). Seriously though, women often complain that it is so hard to be a woman and that they have so many pressures and such hard standards. I do not disagree with that at all. But being a man is no easy task either. It's kind of sad that society has such high standards for people. Perfection is the ultimate image that everyone tries to reach. And whether you're a Hollywood star, a millionaire businessman, or whatever, no one can ever be perfect. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:34:49 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68275731 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66691144 This is really messed up. I can't imagine anyone actually playing this game. Something has to be wrong with you. But it also made me think a little. I would never play this game, but I have no problem playing GTA or any other games where you kill people. And I think most would agree that murder and rape are pretty much on the same level. So why is one accepted as a video game but not the other? I definitely do not think that the rape games should be accepted, but I don't think that people will stop playing shoot em ups any time soon. I think what makes the rape game so much worse is how personal rape is. If you're just running around shooting people in GTA most people (except for the severely disturbed) can clearly just see it as a game and have no urge to do it in real life. But the emotional and psychological aftermath that a girl has to deal with after being raped is devastating. That's why I don't see how anyone with any type of heart (or brain for that matter) could ever play this game. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 01:01:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/this-is-totally-off-the-hook__trashed/#IDComment66691144 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66677879 This is a good question that probably a lot of people would not want to ask for the fear of looking "close-minded" or "cold-hearted" or something negative like that. But it really is a question that I think a lot of people have thought about or wanted to ask. For me, I kind of agree with this kid on the level that I don't really think I am going to change my lifestyle based off of what we learned in this class. Yes, some of the stuff was eye opening and made you think, but how many people can really say that they are going to change due to this class? Are people going to stop buying name brand clothes? Are they not going to eat chocolate? Go out looking to make friends of a different color? I just don't see people making any extra effort to change the way they live just because of things said in this class. It's kind of sad to say, and almost makes you feel like a bad person, but until people are directly affected by something, they usually are going to continue with their lives as usual. As a society we are used to the comforts that we have, and are going to continue wearing the clothes we like, eating what we like, etc. Wrong doings going on overseas are not going to draw the permanent attention of too many people. With that being said, I don't want to discredit the material of this class. I did learn a lot of new facts and had some revelations. There are so many things going on in the world today still that you would never think or realize. Reading Disposable People was really shocking. People in this country think slavery is a thing of the past, but the book showed very much otherwise. It's crazy to think of the injustices that still occur in the world today, a world that is supposed to be civilized and sophisticated. So overall, I both agree and disagree with this person's comment. I disagree with him saying that nothing that Sam said has meant anything. I definitely feel more informed about race issues in our own country and around the world. But I can't honestly say that I am going to leave this class and change the way I live. It would just be a lie for me to write on this wall telling people how much I've changed and all the good things I'm going to do now. And I don't want to speak for other people, but I think that most of the people who say they are going to go out and change, are really just saying that and can't bare to say the truth for everyone to see. But for the people who are truly changed and do things to help the people we learned about, they're better people than me and more power to them. Thu, 8 Apr 2010 23:40:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66677879 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65698961 I don't think that people should have to choose "teams." I think you should just be proud of what you are and accept it. You don't have to pick sides. You said that you always identified yourself as Hispanic/Latino, and that's the culture you were raised in, so I think you should go with how you feel at heart. But I don't think there is necessarily a need for anyone to pick a team. If anything, this class has tried to teach us to look past all of that stuff, and for all of us to be on the same team. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 03:57:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65698961 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65697575 First, it's a Disney movie made for kids. And it's a classic. Looking way too much into that one. As for the rest of the comment, I grew up in the city in Philly and lived there until I was 14. I always loved playing basketball and I met and was friends with a lot of black kids through this. I don't think I ever really thought about our differences or anything like that. When I started getting older however, the neighborhood became worse and worse and I started to see and hear racism from white people in the community who felt like it was being taken over. I feel bad for the rest of black people who get a bad rap and just thrown into the stereotype of all the problems that come along in inner-cities. I had a black neighbor who was one of the nicest people I knew and proved how unfortunate it is that some people choose to behave inappropriately and give the rest of their community/culture/whatever a bad image. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 03:52:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/revisioning-the-revisioning-stage__trashed/#IDComment65697575 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-if-we-got-rid-of-welfare__trashed/#IDComment65694875 Although welfare sometimes gets a bad rap, it is a necessity in our country. It is a great program for people who do not have the means to support themselves and/or their families. The problem is that many people abuse it. People just want the east paychecks, and choose not to go out to look for a job. This is robbing much more deserving people of what they need. It is very sad that people are that selfish and lazy, but unfortunately it is just a fact of life in this country. There are always going to be people like that. But back to the main question, I do not think that it would be smart to discontinue welfare. Welfare provides much needed assistance to the poor and needy. It allows them to buy food, clothing, and all other essentials that they would normally have no other way of getting. The most affected would be children. They did nothing to get into the position of being poor. They were born into it and can do absolutely nothing about it. It would be a crime to strip these kids of the already bare minimum that they are receiving. Millions of people are starving in our country everyday because they do not have enough money to buy food. This number would only grow if welfare was to be taken away. Therefore, welfare should definitely not be removed as a program. If anything, it should be revised. I think that it should be more heavily monitored and have stricter regulations. Too many people take advantage of a great program that is set up to help the needy in our country. You should have to give proof that you are out searching and applying for jobs, and making a true effort to get yourself set up and on your feet. It is only fair to everyone else who desperately needs welfare. As far as social status goes, I think there would be some changes. While today, being on welfare is seen as having a low social status, people would be even poorer and have lower status if there was no welfare. Many people would be homeless out on the street because they would have no other options. They would have no job, no source of income, and nowhere to go. It would really put people in a bad situation and I think it would be a terrible decision by the government if they were to get rid of welfare. Not everyone is fortunate enough in life to have the means to take care of themselves, and it is the duty of a country to take care of all its people. Welfare definitely needs to stay. Sat, 3 Apr 2010 03:41:30 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-if-we-got-rid-of-welfare__trashed/#IDComment65694875 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64067006 Sam definitely made some (most likely a lot of) people uncomfortable when he brought up the topic of female menstruation. I don't know if he planned on doing this or did it spontaneously. Either way, he stirred the class up a bit. But this is just a natural reaction due to the way that almost all of us are raised and educated. Our parents certainly do not talk to us much (if at all) about menstruation and we learn a very little and basic amount of facts about it in grade/middle school. It is just an uncomfortable topic for men to speak about and if we don't want to talk about it, I don't understand why women would want to press the issue and try to make us feel uncomfortable. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:25:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64067006 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment64062329 I totally agree with my man right here. He brings up a great point that even Sam addressed when he showed us websites/videos. Because of the whole "white guilt" thing, there is a double standard. It is okay for black people to make fun of white people, but vice versa and it becomes a huge race issue. I feel like a lot white people in this country, or at least ones that I know, have ancestors that immigrated from foreign countries and have little or nothing to do with slavery or any kind of "racial dominance." Yet we are still expected to feel bad about the fact that we are white and "privileged". I think that if you want to make fun of others' race, culture, etc., then you need to be able to make fun of yourself as well. If not, then don't make jokes in the first place. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:49:22 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment64062329 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64053419 Men can only know as much about women and their menstrual cycles as we're taught. And that is not much. In 5th grade we get "the talk," watch "The Miracle of Life," and that's about it. Maybe a little later on and in high school we have sex ed classes that cover this topic a little bit, but they are vague, and we're probably not paying too much attention anyway. Personally, I believe it is a private matter for girls/women, regardless if it is natural or not. If i were a woman, I don't think I would want people to know I was on my period. I wouldn't run around telling everyone that I am "bleeding." Farting is natural but it is not acceptable to do in public and tell people that you are doing it. So I see these as similar topics. And girls will probably argue that you can't compare the two, because menstruation is "a beautiful thing that leads to the creation of life" and farting is the body ridding itself of excess gas. And yes, while one may be more noble than the other, the fact is that they are both natural body functions, and society in general chooses to make them not acceptable public behavior/conversation. It's not like when you are growing up your mom tells you every time she's on her period, how often she cycles, and all the other details that come along with it. It's most likely not until we're older and have serious girlfriends when men can truly understand how women's bodies work and what comes along with menstruation cycles. And even then, we still probably won't be comfortable talking about it. Sam is one of a kind. I don't know anyone else who would get excited about his wife's period and ask to look at the blood in the toilet. As a man get grow closer to his woman over time, I'm sure he is less and less weirded out by it, and even becomes unaffected by it, but I don't expect men to any time soon show the ease and enthusiasm that Sam shows. And as for asking if tampons would be free if men got periods, I don't even know where she is going with that. Of course not. I don't understand why she would think to ask that, but there's a lot of things that men need, and none of them are free. Condoms aren't free. If girls had penises would condoms be free? Same type of weird question that does not make any sense. And the answer is no. But anyway, overall, I just think that women and their menstrual cycles are kind of a taboo subject, and will remain that way. I don't think that it is looked negatively upon, but men feel it is not their place to talk about, and therefore it is a topic left un-talked about. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:02:45 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64053419 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58438482 I do not know Isaac personally and do not want to judge him. But I feel like a problem with a lot of black people is that they expect people to think the worst of them. They meet a white person and automatically think that this person is looking down on them or for some reason thinks less of them. This doesn't make sense to me. A lot of our discussions are about equality, and this video post focuses more on black equality. Every black person wants equality, so I think that they should act like they are equal in the first place. Don't right off the bat be thinking that everyone assumes the worst of you. White people are more likely to not like you if you act this way, because you come off as arrogant or seeming like you think you are owed something. And I'm not racist. If a white person from a different city, background, etc. came up to me and acted like I thought I was better than him for no reason, I wouldn't like him either. Of course there are racist people left in our country. But the majority of our country isn't racist. Most people judge others on character, not skin color, and I think everyone needs to realize this. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:48:24 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58438482 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58436102 I think money definitely plays a big part in the judicial system. The more money you have, the better lawyer you can hire, and the better your chances are of getting off or getting a lesser penalty. I do not think that race has much to do with judges' or juries' convictions. A lot of our discussions in class are about how far we have come as a society with racism. If everybody was still so racist that blacks are convicted more often and harsher just because of their skin color, then I would say we haven't come too far. The reason that more blacks are convicted for longer sentences is because inner city crimes really boost up these stats. Murders and other violent crimes are committed in inner cities every day, and most inner cities are made up of a highly African American population. Not to say that whites or other races don't commit bad crimes, but I think that is the reason why the stats show what they do. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:22:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58436102 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/who-could-compete-with-this-woman-on-a-level-playing-field__trashed/#IDComment58435022 I am not a business major nor am I offended by Sam's comments. However, I believe that he is not giving enough credit to CEOs, presidents of companies, or any other high office in the United States. Those jobs are no jokes, and are certainly not handed out to just anyone off the street. Those people are some of the smartest people in the country, and need to be innovative, quick thinking, and highly motivated, among other qualities. That being said, I do not disagree that Yvrose Jean Baptiste is highly talented and could be a very successful business woman in our country. She displays all of the characteristics that I listed above, and has done it with no education or means. Obviously that makes her accomplishments even more impressive, and adds to the case that she would thrive in the USA's business world. I think it is a shame that such a great talent and mind has to go to waste. And I don't mean to say that in a degrading way, as if we are so much better over here. I am just saying that a person who is so smart and works so hard deserves to have the means to make their life better. I'm sure there are people all over the world who are like this and will never get the chance to tap their full potential. This is a humbling story because it makes you wonder what you did to be put in such a fortunate position. Why do I deserve to be where I am? Could I survive in Yvrose's (or anyone like her's) shoes? It definitely makes you think. I can honestly say that I do not think that I would be nearly as competent or successful as Yvrose if I was in her position. I feel very bad for her. She was already in a tough position being in a poor country such as Haiti. But that didn't stop her from making the most of what she had and prospering. But just after she cleared one obstacle, another huge one, the earthquake, came and literally turned her world upside down. Now Yvrose's success business has caused her more troubles than even she knows how to handle. Hopefully someone helped her out before the bank's deadline. This story also made me think of one other thing. A positive can be made from all of this. As I said before, there are surely people like this all over the world. The United States should start a program that recruits business savvy people like Yvrose. They could teach them even more than they already know, showing them how to maximize their talents. This would allow these hard working people to achieve the success they deserve. Even better, it would boost the whole economy of the country they are in, or at least the city or town they are working in. I just think that with stories like these, the least people of higher privilege can do is think of a way to help and make a positive story out of a negative one. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:09:51 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/who-could-compete-with-this-woman-on-a-level-playing-field__trashed/#IDComment58435022 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-one__trashed/#IDComment57393343 I don't really see the difference between two gay men or two lesbians adopting a child. I think both are capable of providing a happy and loving home. Sam made a good point in class that if a gay couple has a child, it's because they really want it and had to go through a lot to adopt that child. This means that they thought it all the way through, have their hearts in it, and are ready to give the child everything that it needs. Honestly, gay couples probably provide better homes than a lot of straight couples who have kids by accident or are only together because they got pregnant. However, I do think having gay parents can be very hard on the child outside of home. It leaves him or her very vulnerable to bullying from other kids. Young children don't understand such matters as these, and kids are so anxious to fit in that if one kid calls the adopted child a fag or any derogatory term, other kids are likely to join in. This would be extremely hard on a child day in and day out. So while I completely agree that gay couples are capable and deserving of adopting children, I'm not sure of how I feel about the whole thing. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:52:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-one__trashed/#IDComment57393343 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57392670 I don't think it is so much that lesbians are more accepted than gays, but more of an issue of a certain type of lesbians that are accepted. Pretty much every straight guy would be turned on by two hot girls kissing or doing any sexual acts to each other. And not to sound sexist, but because it is a predominantly male-driven society, if men like this behavior, it becomes more acceptable. So on the other hand, I think that if two "butch" women were walking down the street together holding hands, they would get the same looks and whispers as two gay men. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:44:44 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57392670 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/the-xxx-bible-who-wouldve-thought__trashed/#IDComment57390871 This article does make you think, but I don't fully agree with the point that the author is trying to get across. Yes, there may be some parts of the Bible which seem inappropriate or sexually-charged, but I do not think the original writers of the Bible intended them to come off that way. It was just the culture and terminology of the day. They did not mean for it to sound "X-rated." In a thousand years, the way we talk today will probably seem weird (and possibly inappropriate) to those looking back and reading our documents. But the thing is, with language and culture, you don't think or worry about how people in the future will scrutinize what you say or do. That's why the Bible is written how it is. None of its authors would have ever imagined that what they were writing would be seen as offensive or cause any type of controversy. Even the way things are said in different cultures and society today can seem weird or inappropriate to some from the outside, so obviously texts from such a long time ago are going to seem unnatural to us. Now, on the other hand, I also understand where the author of the article is coming from. The Bible can seem very hypocritical at times. And I say that as a Catholic. Good points are brought up about the incest, and prostituting your wife and/or daughter. This is unquestionably inexcusable behavior in today's civilized society. Which makes one wonder, even if it was acceptable back then, why wouldn't Church officials change or omit such texts in order to avoid sending and mixed or confusing messages? It is obvious that words and verses from the Bible, often written indirectly with a hidden message, can be twisted and given meanings different from what they appear to say, or from what the authors wanted them to say. Overall, I don't think it is too big of an issue. Any young kid reading the Bible is not going to pick up on these sexual innuendos or hidden messages, so there is no need to worry in that aspect. Bible literalists are going to read what they read and believe that with all of their heart, so there is no changing their opinion. And for any Christians who read the Bible, they should be educated enough -- either through regular school, or Sunday school, or whatever -- to know that the Bible should not be taken literally in many aspects. Even the Church and Pope acknowledge that every word of the Bible should not be read as absolute fact. The important thing is to just read, think about it, and get the message. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:25:04 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/the-xxx-bible-who-wouldve-thought__trashed/#IDComment57390871 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/animals-vs-humans-vs-welfare-cheats__trashed/#IDComment56095469 This guy is an idiot. I don't care if he "meant to say something else" or "didn't mean for it to come out like that"...the typical excuses. You are a lieutenant governor. Your words and actions are CONSTANTLY scrutinized under the public microscope. You are an educated man, and you know what political correctness is. So, please explain to me how these words could possibly come out of your mouth. I'm sure he really feels that way about what he said, (which isn't ok) but he should at least be smart enough to not express it publicly. Inexcusable. He should actually lose his job for sheer stupidity. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:19:37 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/animals-vs-humans-vs-welfare-cheats__trashed/#IDComment56095469 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56094347 I agree with the irony of language. Infants learn it and are able to sufficiently communicate in a matter of a few years, but adults can try to study a language and never be able to properly communicate in it. It is also true that if you sit down and just think about languages -- how they were started, how everyone came to be able to understand each other, how words are defined and created -- it is truly amazing and fascinating. The world would be a pretty terrifying place if no one could communicate with each other. You could never tell if someone was trying to hurt you or help you, or anything. It is sad to see a language, no matter how minuscule or unfamiliar, die out. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:08:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56094347 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56093525 The fact that half of today's known languages will be extinct by the time we die is both shocking and not shocking at the same time. It is obviously shocking that such a large number of languages (roughly 3,500) will be gone in the next 60 years or so. However, it is at the same time understandable due to today's technological world. Small tribes such as the Bo can no longer thrive in the fast-paced, technologically crazed world that we live in today. Technology has also caused the world to become much more globalized. People from different countries and opposite ends of the earth can communicate like never before. Satellites and webcams and all different types of technology that are becoming more and more common make the world as connected as ever. This globalization causes the smaller tribes to be more assimilated with modern day culture and technology. As they assimilate, their own culture slowly dies until it is completely gone; just a memory noted in texts. It may not seem like a big deal to people because it is so far away from them. But I'm sure if you were to tell someone that their family name is about to die out, they would be upset. I know I would. Well that is just one family, compared to an entire culture/language. I think a similar example to compare this to would be how American settlers took over the Native Americans' land back in colonial USA. Native Americans had their own way and were happily living amongst themselves. Americans had greater technology and came in and turned the Native Americans' lives upside down. Native Americans obviously are not completely wiped out, but their true and original culture is almost completely lost. And although this unfortunately is a more violent example then what is going on today, it shows how more advanced civilizations can cause lesser ones to lose their true identity or become extinct. This topic was interesting to me because in high school, I studied Latin. Therefore I understand what it is like to study a dead language and appreciate what those people and their culture had to offer. If something as powerful as the Roman Empire can fall and become extinct, it makes you wonder, could it happen to us too? Or will people and cultures from all over the world just continue to get increasingly similar until there is no diversity left in the world, and we are just one big, same-language speaking civilization? I realize these scenarios are very unlikely (at least in the foreseeable future) but it's just interesting to stop sometimes and think about things like this. We live in such a blistering fast paced world that people don't often stop to think about the little things in life. It never hurts to stop and take a breather. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:01:32 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56093525