Charisma, determination, RESILIENCE. These three words were reoccurring themes as I watched this video. When times get tough, the tough gets going. That phrase could not be any more accurate because life is survival of the fittest and if we do not learn to adapt and transform to situations we will always be stagnant. The people of Haiti know this and avoid this state of nothingness. They find life and culture in disaster. They find a way to smile love and live in what many of us would consider Hell. They learn to live as close to their own lifestyle as possible and it is a very noteworthy gesture. It seems to be a cultural thing, many people of color throughout history has demonstrated this ability. I guess it is a learned tactic, a very useful one at that.
When slaves were forced to the Americas from Africa they were forced to live life the ways the European slave masters set for them to live, or so the Europeans thought. They were mandated to eat, sleep, and work on the command of others. They were placed in groups with other Africans who lived a different lifestyle from what they were used to back in their particular country in Africa. They were forced to work and live with people who they could not even communicate with but low and behold they found a way. These American slaves were fed the remains of animals. They turned these discarded parts into delicacies. Who would ever imagine the foot or intestines of pig could be a food many seek to eat. The groups were forced together, the work was mandatory, and the food was given but the way in which they used these things became a way the slaves were able to outthink the much more educated Europeans. They found ways to communicate, they worked, and they made delicious meals from scraps. They found a way to unite and not only endure slavery but contribute largely to this new society.

This behavior is also evident in the blacks in New Orleans. They were citizens of this great nation however they were not given the best support. We showed more vigor to go to war than to go help them, but nothing stopped them. They stood on roofs, waved flags, and helped each other. They resorted to stealing from stores. Many people saw it as barbaric but it was a makeshift tactic to stay alive, to strive until the necessary help arrived.
This is also the case with the Haitians. Pity, sorrow, and regret will get you know where. Help may come but probably too late if you just sit still and wait. Your destiny, your life, your future, your well-being is all in your hands. These Haitians are aware of this and decided to renew their community within this tent city. They are determined to be the strong resilient people they are known to be. No earthquake, war, or poverty will ever be able to change that because those traits are written on their hearts.

“The inmates are ghosts whose dreams have been murdered,”- Jill John. Somehow this quotes sums up how I thought of inmates. I viewed them as dead bodies simply sitting in a jail cell awaiting their death. I never saw them living lives as we live them. I imagined them lifting weights, doing pushups, showering, maybe reading a holy book, and sleeping. Showing compassion? Sympathy? I didn’t expect. This blog shed a whole new light on the way I view the inmates, it allowed me to take a half-mile walk in their shoes. I visually saw every word he spoke, every scenario he played out and realized that they are able to sympathize with others.

This seems to be a very hard question initially asked however when you think about it, it really is not. Yes, all people should be given equal and comprehensive care in hospitals and medical centers. It will be a difficult task but it is possible, many countries have this established. When we visit their countries and become ill we receive medical attention with little to no cost. When they come to visit us, they better hope to never become ill because unfortunately we are not nearly as welcoming and friendly. Our hospitals are a lot more chaotic but what do you expect when our medical system is driven more by money than by the goal to help the people.

Society sees no color or sees no gender. Society creates limits for us all, yes including us males. Men tend to be less open about trying to live up to society’s standard. Women have this belief that men do not face these challenges or these struggles. I believe men have been better at swinging right back at society. For letting society know that they have to accept the variety and men have learned to embrace their true self. Women, have this same potential but the majority of them allow their bodies and lives to be shaped by society. One year society wants skinny girls with small chest and the next year thick girls.

I completely agree, I believe that the outcome will be different for each person. Moreover, I believe that there is not an end goal however an on going process. We walk each day of our lives in an attempt to improve race relation. Some may advance faster than others. We can always learn something new even those in the humanitarian stage. Each encounter with another person gives us the opportunity to become that more educated on the race relations topic. Arriving at the humanitarian stage does not mark the end of your journey, just the start of your journey through a new understanding.

There is always more to the story. Ironically, we rarely get the full story; we are provided with the portions of the story that supports the story teller. For example, when your friend has a discrepancy with someone else. It is not common for your friend to shed light on the whole situation. They allow you to know the side of the story that they hope will create in you a negative view towards the other party. You, completely oblivious, began to do just that.
This is the case with the media. In America, we hear about terrorist and how invasive and wrong they are. We hear about their suicide bombings. We are informed of their ominous threats. We are given the privilege of seeing their mobs and their chants of jihad. This causes negative feelings to surface within us and they become the enemy.
We never wonder what they see? Or thought how they viewed us. We selfishly assumed that they knew that they were wrong and we were right and that they were immoral and inhumane for keeping this going. Sam shed light on this topic and did so very intriguely, if I may add. I knew that he was passionate about the topic it was evident-his attitude, facial expression, and complete demeanor conveyed the sincerity of the topic.
When he informed us to take the role of an Arab or Muslim in the middle east I thought it was going to be another useless mechanism used to try to make a big lecture class feel interactive. To my surprise it was not, it was a very useful tactic that allowed us to take a couple of steps in the shoes of middle easterners- the other side to the story.
While in the role of an Arabic/ Muslim, I viewed the U.S. as the terrorist and the big bullies. I saw the media shape America into the big bad monster. Resentment, scorn, anger, and retaliation all furnished in my small frame. I was appalled at the U.S for their abuse of their power. I felt the pain as I was informed to imagine my friend, my family, or even me being killed.
In peroration, I was truly enlightened. As Sam said, I too understand through the sociological perspective although I do not support this war, the insurgency war, or even hatred against the U.S. I can see why they feel this way. We are both masked from the entire story. As in the example earlier we are both fed parts of the story to make our government, army, and country seem like the “good guys.” Neither group of civilians can be blamed; we are merely acting on what we are fed. We should however begin to become enlightened on the other side of the story and once we are enlightened we can remove our hatred and begin to understand.

Some things he says are absurd, I must admit but overall he is a pretty intelligent guy. I may not have the same view as him but a lot of times the things discussed I his class allows me to think about where I sand on the issue. A lot of times I come to my opinion by disagreement to his statements. I think we have to do exactly what he reiterates time and time again,” to think”. That is all he aims to do. Yes, sometimes he seems a little pushy but as long as you stand firm in what you believe in you will be fine. It is not until one is willing to have an open ear to listen to other views that they will get the true essence of Sam’s lectures.

Sometimes I believe people lose sight of the ways these terms were used. It is especially hard for people of another race to understand. As Sam always say, “people of the white team will never understand what it means to be black because they aren’t black.” This words has roots in the mistreatment of our people and the fact that elders may only think of themselves as Negroes makes it that much worst. It makes it worse because it seems as if they are brainwashed into believing that the word “Negro” is who they are. I think the census people should prove their study about some people only identifying with the term negro and then show them trying to make a effort in to telling them that the terms black and African American are the same thing but less offensive. In the end, who cares about the census? Why is it that important, it is not accurate anyway?

When do you win? Do you ever win? Lets observe and see if one could ever “win”. In society you will always have those who oppose what you do. You will either be too black or not black enough. You are either for the “people” or against the “people”. Working for the “man or “against the man”. It is an inevitable journey that people of color experience.
If Jackie Jackson never went to the Appalachians he would have been considered a candidate strictly for the black people. However, he did go and probably received scorn from blacks in the country who believed he was conforming. Whites watched as he came to appeal back to blacks and considered him just going back to his people. I was shocked when Sam used this example. Why couldn’t he just be appealing to the poor, they were his target audience.
Actions are not defined by color or ethnicity. I do not think Sam was hinting at that, I thought he was just making a joke so no I was not offended by that but the young lady in the video has every right to be offended by whatever she sees offensive. No one can bash her views simply because you think different. Yes, Sam is very intelligent and passionate but that does not mean that everything that comes out of his mouth is golden. He says it himself; he sets out to make us thinkers. That is exactly what this young lady is doing. She uses information brought forth in class and creating an argument and standpoint. When she saw this picture feelings sparked in her that caused her to react, who can tell her she should not be offended.
I do not agree that if you become offended that you are not able to move forward. I believe if you are willing to move pass the offense and the anger then you are ready to move forward. You are ready to conquer racism, discrimination, segregation, and rivalry amongst the American people- all people. I believe passing judgment hinders our forward strides. So we should try to look pass judging people, try to avoid our chastising ways. For the most part, our judgment comes across as condescending and discourages the opposing person from trying to make a change.
Why do you think he won? Because people of different races agree with him? There are also people who disagree with him and people who believe what he says is absurd. It just goes back to the saying you can’t pleased everybody. I believe he “won” because he accepts himself, his beliefs, ad moves toward uniting people. He wins because he is using his talents to better others. In essence Jesse Jackson was doing the same thing. If you are accomplishing your goals and 1you are happy with yourself and put an effort to make others around you better, I believe you won but who am I? It is up to the person to believe they “WON”!

I do not believe that men are uneducated about menstrual cycles. I could be wrong though because of course I do not talk about it with other men. However, it is like an unspoken rule to just not speak of the menstrual not really in fear but just out of tradition. It is a social norm and we know in America social norms are considered laws amongst the people. I am in no way saying it is right though. The ideology or question that if men had menstrual cycles tampons would be free is absurd! In that case any common necessity needed by both genders would be free.