Before you have such a “valid” opinion on what Sam is saying, you should actually recognize what he told you NOT to do if you didn’t attend lecture. I don’t mean to sound aggressive, but it’s a pretty bold statement to announce how annoyed and fed you are when Sam speaks of Christians if you have no idea what was actually said. If I were to only have watched that video clip like you probably did, I’d most likely be right behind you with regards to that lecture alone; but what the video showed was not what lecture was about. This lecture actually really opened my eyes. I don’t think of myself as an ignorant person to begin with, but just listening to lecture and watching this video does make me recognize issues I wouldn’t necessarily consider when forming an opinion. Sam’s main point of the lecture was to view ethnocentrism and how it actually works with a world full of different religions. He used the example of Christians and Muslims and allowed each of us in class to look through a “different lens.” We are Muslims, experiencing only what we SEE and what we HEAR, because only pieces of the story are what are important for us to know. Otherwise we are spoon fed the ignorant goals of one power-driven political idiot and in turn, form opinions, and fear.
I can’t say I fully understand the whole idea of ethnocentrism based on this lecture and video alone, but I can undoubtedly say my eyes seem more adaptable when looking through the light of a different lens. And yet, it is funny to me how one would probably feel and react similar regardless of what lens they are looking through. I have however recognized how easy it can be to become offended by some of the things Sam says, but that is only because you have yet to learn that Sam does not speak his own opinions and what he believes is true and not true. This is not a debate between right and wrong beliefs. Sam speaks of what he knows, which I believe is a hell of a lot more than all of us. A class would not be taught for a teacher to throw his own opinions and ideals out to the audience and expect everyone to interpret or accept them the same way. When you expect and wait to get offended, it’s only going to happen all too often. Probably more times than not, it is us who are being ignorant and naïve about some of the things that are spoken of. Most of the time, it is just the unfamiliarity of the topics discussed. And although I love my parents, I definitely recognize that most of what I’ve learned from them is entirely one-sided.

I definitely think this question is worth examining. But one of the immediate answers that come to my mind is that we are all different when it comes to interpretation and decision. I have taken Sam’s Soc100 class last spring and thoroughly enjoyed it, simply because it was a different way of teaching, among other things. This Soc119 class is the same idea, except I am feeling more and more familiar with his way of teaching. What Sam has given me for this class is that although I may not agree with everything he says, I believe that one of his main goals for his class is to show awareness for the things happening in our world today. I think he makes many valid points when he talks about how easily people can be hypocritical with God, church, sins and what not. But, I also think to myself, that sometimes the solutions to many of these problems can seem unrealistic. As much as anyone can stress the fact that “if we all just do our jobs, eventually we can end this,” people aren’t always reliable, and I’ve been told never to put my eggs in one basket. I guess it is hard for me to believe that if I focus so much on all of the issues in the world today, I would still live the one life I have to the fullest. I know that may sound extremely selfish to some people, but it is indeed, the one life I will ever have to live.
I guess you can take what you want from a class like this. Although this wasn’t really an objective, one of the biggest things I’ve learned in this class is that to continue putting people into categories seems ineffectual unless a group deficits from their identification. Every single person in this world is completely different, with different views, different looks, different emotions, and different opinions. Even their sense of what is right and wrong is DIFFERENT. So why do we continue to group ourselves into a general category? Yes, to make it easier when it comes to college applications maybe, but it is just as easy to leave a blank letting the person describe who and what they are. This may sound too easy, but couldn’t that possibly solve part of the issue relating to racism? It is becoming more clear to me that the more you group people into generalizations, the easier it becomes to discriminate against what is not your group. But when you don’t belong to a group, and there is no majority or minority, it may become a lot more difficult to discriminate. All in all, I’ve learned a sufficient amount from this class already, but I can definitely say one of the most important things is the awareness aspect from this class.

As barbaric as I believe this game is, I can only imagine what other kind of games could be out there for disturbed people to play. This just makes me question where the line is supposed to be drawn for video game creators or anyone marketing a violent project such as this. The Japanese government has a huge job to do if games like these are being exposed to the public. I understand that everyone has their opinion on what is right and wrong, and who should be left alone with their creativity, but this is simply not acceptable. I do not say that as a woman, I say that as a person who does believe that until men start to expect to be treated this way, there will be no such thing as “equality” towards men and women. It is because of these video game creators (among other product creators) that we have yet to overcome such big issues that exist in our world today; race, gender, sexuality, etc. It is also unrealistic to say that a game such as this one could potentially slow the actual crime rates of rape and violence because this game will help internalize their emotions. To be honest, a game like this relates to porn more than anything else. And as a man, what else would a guy want after watching an hour’s worth of porn? His fix will not be from this video game but could instead potentially be the leading cause of more crime rates due to rape and violence for women.

We are human beings that have rights to respect our bodies if we choose do so. I cannot say that men don’t care as much about their personal respect for their bodies as women do, but I can say there’s definitely a good chance. God forbid this game were ever to get into the hands of a young child, what would HE believe other than to expect that he could do or touch whatever he pleased towards a woman? What if this was to fall in the hands of a young girl? What would she believe other than to expect groping and inappropriate touching from whatever man is around her if she so chooses? We already know how much the media can have an effect on one’s life and to say this could not harm the cultural and expected norms is completely false. Every generation learns new things from all different types of media, and even today, media exposure is more prevalent than any other generation before. As much as I hate to say this, if you really need to create a video game like this for your own personal liking, there really can’t be anyone to stop you; but to bring out such a thing in public is burdening our growth towards overall equality in the world.

Watching this video was such a harsh reality check for me, personally. When Sam said this was going to be a disturbing video for us, I watched really confused about what was going to bother me; But by the end of the video, I found myself contemplating how I would feel if I found out that what I was, was considered to be the “wrong” one, or the “dirty” one as opposed to my opposite. It is really sometimes hard for a white person (I believe) to really try and grasp or understand where this all stemmed from to make a video like this, why little girls could feel this way. That is not meant to sound “ignorant,” but confused. Since we don’t live the everyday lifestyle of a black person, there’s only so much one can absorb from only another person’s point of view or feelings. So when something as drastic as this is actually occurring, I can only help but feel a little guilty to be honest. The video consists of a bunch of little colored girls all recognizing that they are the same color of what is considered to be “bad.” And yet, they are also picking the doll most like my own skin color that is considered to be the “good” doll.

I disagree with the parents who let their children only pick the doll that is the color of their own skin. I believe that is partially where this stems from. When you separate your own doll from another colored doll, how can you expect that this segregation from one another will end if you can’t even do that with your own toy? How can anyone expect that integration will be a success for people? We are all stubborn in our own way I suppose. But when I see and hear that only the doll of their color is the only choice, I come so close to say, “Then don’t complain.” Accept responsibility that you’re not letting your own child step outside his or her boundaries and perhaps that is the same reasoning for many other families. Perhaps if the “white doll” was not the most popular doll to be made or sold, a difference could be made. Perhaps if there were just as many colored dolls, Asian dolls, Indian dolls, any type of doll as a white doll, and there was also freedom of CHOICE for a child, this issue may become less of a reality, because the children themselves are deciding ultimately what is BEAUTIFUL to them, and not what is only accepted by their family and race. After all, children are known to have a implausible sense of creativity, and I’m sure that to a child, beauty can be found in any doll you give them.

This question is definitely a question I’ve had on my own mind as well, and apparently I am not alone considering most of those above me also agree. I wouldn’t think it’s too far-fetched to believe those of us that agree are also white. This is probably because few, if any, white people comment during class that it seems white people are being held to a double standard; One of which lets people of color speak freely, no matter how rude their comment may be, and yet if one toe is put out of line on the white team, we are being racist and ignorant . . . oh and rich. One of the first things that come to my mind is that any rude comment, white or colored, is usually part of the whole ignorance issue we are trying to overcome in the first place. Regardless, I have seen and heard that many more people of color are very quick to state how a white person’s rude comment is a big part of the race issue, but not their own. I don’t respect any white person who makes a rude comment because I believe Sam’s recent discussion about not thinking about who you AREN’T is another good way to show that we really don’t have the right to speak of how or who other people are. I would hold my words regarding a handicapped person’s attitude towards other non-handicapped people because I really wouldn’t know. An opinion would be fine, sure, but what good would ever come out of my deciding to make a rude comment about a handicapped person? The same way goes towards white people or colored people if you aren’t of that skin color.

Personally, one of the biggest issues, I think, is that there is no responsibility for anyone’s actions for something like this. To send a text without a connection to YOUR phone is way too easy to say what shouldn’t be said. Sadly enough, this sometimes may be the way people actually think, white or colored, but would never be able to say such things face to face to someone of the opposite skin color, so this is a good way to get things off their chest in their mind. However, there comes a time when people just need to grow up and realize that this is not what that texting board is for. Although it is a risky opportunity in my mind, it’s trying to get a race relations class to hopefully try to understand another point of view (from a different skin color) by being able to speak their mind APPROPRIATELY, one of the reasons that this texting board does not hold responsibility to a person’s text.

This blog only makes the name Abercrombie and Fitch leave me with more disgust than ever. I'll admit, there was once a time when this clothing store was where I wanted to shop. And then I grew into my own skin and was not overly persuaded with the idea of looking what everyone else looked like. It is problems like these that continue to keep our country from taking another step forward from ending racial and/or religious discrimination towards one another. It is funny to me that workers such as these believe that it is appropriate for them to decide who does or does not have the "look" that is required for their line of business. And yet, at the same time, the blog video also comments on Abercrombie's efforts to diversify the ethnicities shown throughout not only the customers but also the employees as well. I feel bad for this girl, this former employee that has done nothing but supposedly cooperate with the demands of this popular clothing store. Not only do I feel bad for the racial and religious discrimination they inflicted upon her, but also for the self-esteem issue this can bring upon a vulnerable teenager such as herself.

Although I am aware of the main concern for this blog, I also think it is wise to think of the other repercussions that can conclude to an action such as this one. This is still a teenage girl attempting to work for an extremely popular store who is probably also trying to fit in when it comes to a different culture other than her own; a culture that she I'm sure she is definitely not used to. As a store that is supposed to support the difficult stages of a teenager, it is a harsh reality to have been hit with a discriminatory card from a place that is supposed to be welcoming and supportive of your differences from one another. However, it is not shocking to me that a store such as Abercrombie and Fitch wasn't as supportive as they said they would be. To be fair, they probably were too concerned with their attempts to unionize their customers towards a type of custom clothing that many adults are known to despise. Point being, it is unfortunate that a girl would ever be fired from a place for wearing something that was of religious origin. This was clearly not an attempt to reject the requested attire; this was simply an effort to obtain a job, receive pay, have a bit more socialization in her life, all while continuing to maintain her religious base and family culture. Once again, it is situations such as these that put us back in our attempts to push forward in life.

I also agree that before even watching this question blog I, as a white person, have NEVER even heard of a theme party that was geared towards making fun of black people? However, if you in fact consider a Halloween or costume party where someone were to dress up like a black character, then I guess that would be one example? Despite the fact that I have never even heard of a theme party geared against black people, I have been to and heard of a lot of theme parties that have ridiculous themes all the time. To name a few would be school girls and school nerds, Gym Class Heroes, CEO’s and Corporate Hoes, Toga, “Would you be my friend if I wore this?,” golf pros and tennis hoes, and “anything but clothes goes.” Sadly, I am fully aware of how degrading some of these themes are; But I name them only to prove my point more so that I still haven’t been able to come up with a party theme that was not only degrading towards black people, but a theme that even represented them at all. Perhaps I would understand a bit more if I had in fact heard of a party that was themed in such a way.

Regardless, I am sure you would have not asked this question if you hadn’t heard of black theme parties that are clearly an upsetting circumstance. However I think that there was not enough opinions asked for because I truly believe that most would have responded just as I am now. As I recently finished the first half of the second book we were supposed to read for Exam 1, I keep thinking to myself that this is the type of situation that we must overcome in order to push this racial discrimination behind us.

Although I did not name this type of theme party before, “Jersey Shore” themed parties just came to mind. This is especially important for this argument because this theme party alone is making a joke about white people, and white people are usually the ones who are in fact willing to join in on this party. Some times theme parties are just an excuse to be something different for a night than what you are every day of your life. It is not be taken offensively (in most situations) by a person who can relate to a character being portrayed, but almost sometimes a compliment that a person or character like yourself stands out in a crowd compared to many other objects or people. Another aspect of which, there are also costume parties where people are known to dress up as objects, not even people themselves, but perhaps a pencil, or an oven. Life’s a joke, laugh at it.

I have to say, I completely agree with the person who made this comment, which is why I chose this one specifically to comment on. I have always questioned the idea of “gay marriage.” I say this because it is not the title or rights being given that I have an issue with; it is knowing what exactly that label means and what type of “union” falls under it. In this case, I have known for a long time that “marriage” means it is the relationship between a man and a woman creating the long-term commitment to one another (this being defined very simply). It is said religiously through the Bible that God created man and woman to complement each other.

I am definitely not going to lie and say that I am extremely religious, I believe in God and I go to church, but like Sam has stated, I’ve also committed my fair share of harmless sins. Regardless, I understand what is said in the Bible about marriage and to me, two people of the same sex who want to obtain this union is not representing what marriage has always been known to be. I do NOT say that to insult anyone who is LGBT, but I do think that it isn’t realistic to pretend it is the same. The type of union or marriage one has with another could be exactly the same! I understand that people can live together and have the same type of healthy or unhealthy relationship. But I agree the with asker of this question when he states that because something was broken once, does not mean that this becomes a free-for-all for those who want to continue to do so. It is only an opinionated response to say that because every single person has surely committed some type of sin, no one has a fair say in what they believe to be right. Let’s look at the bigger picture here, and recognize that to have one too many beers and fall asleep too early one night is not an issue the public is going to debate over for many years.

Sam’s argument could be very easily true when it relates to wanting something good for a large group of people. But if the situation were switched, and the rule being one shall not kill was broken, would the majority of those followers decide to re-evaluate and decide killing was acceptable because that rule was already broken by someone? I have no issue against LGBT people to want a union, be able to live together and support their relationship out in the open if that is what they so choose, I just don’t believe that “marriage” is what it should be called. Another name could mean EXACTLY the same thing with the same rights and every other desire incorporated into that name; but marriage is defined under a man and a woman, and I don’t believe that something that’s been sacred and followed for so long should be changed.

The reality of this article came extremely shocking to me and friends who read along with myself. However not only was this shocking, but also a bit embarrassing in my opinion for our species to have sunk so low, low enough that we create a robot to fix our dating or intimate issues. I am definitely one of the first people to say, “whatever makes you happy,” but I guess one of my first assumptions would always be that the solution to a problem like this would involve a human being rather than a sex robot. “Roxxxy” is probably one of the biggest issues with our society today, and I say that with generalization.

Roxxxy’s inventor did a fantastic job in making this girl sound real, feel real, but she definitely does not look realistic when it comes to features or characteristics of the face. She resembles more of a blow up doll truthfully. What I don’t think I can relate to is being comfortable with having an intimate relationship with what is known to be a “sex robot.” This would scream nothing but “FAKE” in my head, or in other words, that I wasn’t forming any type of real or healthy relationship during that period of my life. Sure, part of the intention for this doll was in good thoughts, but whether you are choosing to have a sexual relationship or an emotional relationship with this doll doesn’t make much of a difference. The relationship is still not a real one and this doll is not really feeling any emotions inside her robotic body for her “owner.”

Another issue this could create is giving men the idea that they are able to have any way they want with women. A man could verbally or physically abuse (in a sense) this doll and it would have no repercussions because no doll is going to feel anything enough to complain to a police department about a man’s actions. However, a man may forget to recognize the difference between this doll Roxxxy and a real woman with feelings and emotions of her own. He could get himself into a lot of trouble because verbally or physically abusing a real woman is definitely going to have consequences. However, I don’t even know if I could consider that the fault of the man. The inventor has created a tie-free, consequence-free between this doll and its owner by making this doll seem so realistic as about 4,000 men like to think so far.

Truth be told, this is not a better way to act than to create real relationships between people and having the people make the REAL effort to make friends and relationships whether they are intimate or not. I would probably agree more with this product if it was not meant for personal discussions along with sexual interests because I can understand the difficulty one might have with obtaining sexual intimacies with another person, but when you add on personality traits to a doll like this I think that what is known as socializing will soon come to an end.

There aren’t a lot of people in the world who will willingly take the time out of their days to think about the true meaning or importance something can have on another person or a group of people. An example such as this one is strange to think about. Every day, tons of people turn on the television, pick up their cell phones, make business calls, and greet their spouses in the morning asking what they’d like for breakfast. The idea that every word spoken is all in the same language probably doesn’t roll through their head every now and then, and there is no point to blame because I can be the first to admit to that as well.

It is a realization that one may not come to terms with that an entire language, just like our English language, will never be spoken again; because it’s last speaking native recently passed away. Although this is a striking and interesting blog to post for our class, I feel that one of the obvious questions going through my mind is that if this entire language was going to disappear after this one woman’s passing, then why did we not ask for her to teach it in some way? I’m more than aware of how difficult that may have been, but we’ve discovered some of the greatest advances in human history over the course of many years and I believe that this was a task that could have been accomplished. The great importance of a language should just be forgotten about in a few years and I feel bad because that’s probably the path this language is going to take.

I question what the reasons were with regards to why this language became less and less important to many people. How did so many just pass away without relaying the language to their son or grandson to pass it on to their own children? Could this eventually happen to the English language in a few hundred years or thousand years from now? The new civilizations in this world, along with the ever-so emerging technologies have probably made it more than difficult for old civilizations to maintain their culture and dialect.

I believe the issue is that there aren’t as many people who are concerned with learning all of these different and obscure languages to save all of these ancient cultures because it seems further than impossible. There may even be languages or cultures we have yet to discover! It seems as though most people are completely comfortable and satisfied with simply knowing only what they are used to, which a majority of the time in America is the English language and perhaps another one or two popular languages to accompany it.