en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2444533 Comments by jdubbs910 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment137631173 During his presidency thus far I feel that Barack Obama has not done as much as he could have to help eliminate the race movement. He has made plans to set up schools nationwide that will replicate the Harlem Children Zone, which has proven to lower the achievement gap. However, as far as dealing with foreign countries I do not feel that he has used his race to his advantage. In addition, now that he has become president the race issue know longer appears to be a factor as other matters in our nation have become prominent such as the large amount of spending he has done and the fact that we may be on the brink of another war. Barack Obama becoming president illustrates how far we have come in terms of the race movement. However, there is still more that can be accomplished. He has the potential to do more in terms of healing racial tension in our country than anyone has before him which would benefit our country and could be his presidential legacy. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:03:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment137631173 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment137629637 I think that having Barack Obama elected president of our country has given African Americans hope that they are capable of receiving a high profile position. Furthermore, I believe that his presidency has helped to eliminate some racial opinions that people had of African Americans. Listening to President Obama speak and being able to see his family’s interactions and dynamics has helped me to truly feel that I am not that different from members of another race. His presidency has shown that we are all human and desire the same things from life as well as are capable of doing high profile jobs successfully and having a high level of intelligence. Instead the only factor which makes us different is our skin color. On the contrary the fact that Barack Obama is of a mixed race and was raised by a white women deters us from going as far as we could with the race movement. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:56:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment137629637 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment137629572 During the time that Barack Obama was campaigning for the presidency of the United States I did not think much about how it affected the race movement. However, I can remember watching his inauguration in high school and my history teacher telling myself and my fellow peers that he never thought that this day would occur in his lifetime. After hearing this I began to truly think about what this meant for our country. This day showed the tremendous strides that our country has made as far as race relations and showed that any individual is capable of becoming president of our country. In addition, I thought that if Barack Obama had a successful presidency it would do a great deal to aid African Americans. Clearly other African Americans felt similarly as they voted for him. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:56:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/has-barak-obama%e2%80%99s-presidency-helped-the-race-movement-119-blog/#IDComment137629572 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/rethinking-education/#IDComment130765630 I thought the video brought up an interesting point when it discussed the issue of the education system being created for an industrialized society instead of today’s society. I agree with this statement and thought that the comment about how our education system is creating assembly workers and how schools should not be designed into departments and grade levels helped to really hit home at what is wrong with our current education system. We must prepare our students to be successful in today’s society and if restructuring our education system is what it is going to take then I am all for it. Unfortunately, this will be very difficult due to fear of change and possible failure. In addition, I think it will be difficult for people who have been through the current education system to imagine a different one and will be uncomfortable with their children having a different experience than they did. When I am a teacher I hope to fix some of the issues with the education system that were addressed in this video. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:56:16 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/rethinking-education/#IDComment130765630 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/rethinking-education/#IDComment130765531 Another huge issue with our education system is that the majority of students and I have often found this in myself as a learner are solely concerned with grades and performing well on standardized tests that they forget to find enjoyment in learning. Education is approached in the wrong way because teachers are so concerned about preparing students for exams that they forget to incorporate fun in the classroom. This in term creates students who are very bored and therefore become stimulated with other things, which is why so many students are becoming diagnosed as ADHD. I agree with what was stated in the video about how many students are diagnosed as ADHD that should not be. If teachers restructured the way in which they taught I feel that this issue could possibly be decreased, however with the constant pressure of standardized testing this is not easy. As a future educator one of my main goals is to aid my students in finding enjoyment in learning. Lastly, much like the video I agree that the best way for students for learn is through them collaborating with one another and in my classroom this will occur frequently. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:55:24 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/rethinking-education/#IDComment130765531 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/rethinking-education/#IDComment130765488 As a future educator this video clip terrifies me as it gets at the heart of the matter of what is currently wrong with our education system. In addition, the video addresses the challenges that I am going to face every day as a future teacher. I want to change the current education system because I feel that it is not producing the results that we want in students as far as them being able to think for themselves. Unfortunately, I have noticed this in my own experience with the education system. In comparison to what the video states I felt much more able to think outside of the box when I was in my young elementary school years. As a future educator I want my students to recapture their ability to think for themselves as it is the only way that they are going to be able to be successful in the future. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:54:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/rethinking-education/#IDComment130765488 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007372 Lastly, if more Americans were aware of the fact that they themselves can make a huge difference then I think that they would be more inclined to try and improve the state of poverty. Sam talked about how his former student paid for a Haitian man to receive treatment for his cancer. If Americans heard more inspiring stories such as these it would go a long way to helping to improve the conditions of poverty. There are no easy answers to improving poverty but I do know that if we took the time to care more about others our world would be a better place. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:06:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007372 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007318 Americans could take numerous steps that would help to benefit those in poverty as well as the overall state of the world. First and for most we could become less consumed with ourselves and care more about others. Other steps that we could take are limiting the material possessions that we own and lowering our ecological footprint. In addition, we could donate possessions that we would normally throw away to someone in need such as food and clothes. Similarly, we could spend time helping those in need. Americans could also become more aware of the poverty issues that are occurring around the world such as the slavery video that Sam showed. If more Americans were aware that slavery is the means that they are receiving chocolate and some of their clothes maybe they would take a second look at the materials that they are purchasing. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:06:34 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007318 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007147 In contrast to the way that Americans live individuals in poverty would be elated to have a mattress to sleep on, a roof over their head, or food to eat. Americans view these things as standards that they are entitled to have. Individuals in poverty are concerned with living through the day and having the basic necessities to survive. Americans have the necessities to survive and more however we take them for granted because we constantly desire more. A perfect example of this was during class when Sam discussed the man that he knows from Haiti who he was not allowed to purchase a mattress for because then everyone else would want one and it was not possible to accommodate everyone so Sam’s friend was forced to remain in the same impoverished state. Factors such as this make improving the conditions of poverty extremely difficult. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:05:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007147 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007102 I feel that the way in which we live in America is extremely materialistic. Our society is concerned with keeping up with what everyone else has and values material possessions and wealth over most other things in life. American society also takes advantage of the world’s resources by consuming a tremendously larger amount than the rest of the world. We seem to view that resources have no end. In addition, Americans also tend to believe that they are entitled to an equal standard of living as the rest of its fellow citizens have. Lastly, we tend to ask for handouts. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:05:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/17/how-do-you-feel-about-the-way-people-live-in-america-compared-to-other-places-around-the-world-119-blog/#IDComment129007102 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473291 A few steps that have been taken already to eliminate the inequality gap are giving more attention to students that are at a disadvantage, making sure that students receive adequate nutrition and exercise during the school day, providing scholarships to college for students who do not have as much income, and admitting more students to college of different races. In order to better fix the problems with inequality I feel that schools need to stop labeling children and prepare all students equally for life after high school whether that is college or the work force. Through treating students equally and making sure that in the school system they are afforded the same opportunities much progress would be made toward lowering the large inequalities that exist. Unfortunately, due to social circumstances I do not feel that this problem will ever be perfect; however there are numerous steps that we could take to dramatically improve the situation. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:31:25 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473291 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473261 This can most clearly be illustrated in the Oprah clip that Sam showed in class where they showed the school that children from middle class and wealthier families attended compared to the school that children from lower income families attended. In comparison to the children that attended the wealthier and middle class school we often take for granted the opportunities that we are afforded and do not realize what we have until we are forced to see what others less fortunate have. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:31:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473261 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473186 In addition, children of middle class or wealthier parents do not encounter the same day to day struggles that those of poor children face. More specifically, children of middle class family’s parents are typically very involved in the lives of their children taking them to a plethora of activities that they are involved in. To contrast this children of poorer class family’s parents are typically not home as often as they are working multiple jobs in order to pay the bills, put food on the table, and other things needed to support the family. As a result children who are born into families with less money are not given the same opportunities as those born into middle class or wealthy households from receiving adequate nourishment, exercise, proper medical care, and support from the home. As a result these children are automatically at a disadvantage. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:30:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473186 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473127 As a future teacher I feel that we do have a responsibility to fix the inequalities that exist in today’s society. Everyone should be afforded the same opportunities to succeed but the reality of the situation is that we are not. Individuals in certain racial group’s parents have a higher level of education and make more money (Asians and Whites) than others in a different racial group (African Americans and Native Americans). They say that the biggest determining factor on whether or not you graduate college is if your parents did. Individuals who parents graduated from college or attended some form of higher education typically better understand how the educational system works and are usually more capable of helping their children with homework and other school issues. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:30:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/10/do-we-have-a-responsibility-to-fix-inequality-119-blog/#IDComment127473127 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065239 We need to reevaluate our lives and we can only do this by slowing down, taking time to truly reflect on ourselves and our lives, and by caring more about others. Without the ability to think for ourselves humans loose the essence of what it means to be human so let’s recapture it. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 03:47:37 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065239 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065199 I think diversity is not fully embraced because we have lost touch with our emotions, which is hindering our ability to think for ourselves. Now most humans seem to view happiness as something that is always in grasp but never truly there. We are constantly straining for happiness and keep thinking that it will enter our lives in some distant future. However, what we should be thinking is that happiness is right now it’s all in how you view each day. Happiness will come from accepting ourselves and others for who they truly are. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 03:47:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065199 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065172 Humans have more fun than any other species because of our ability to think for ourselves as a result I do not feel that thinking for ourselves is a bad thing it is just that society has allowed it to become one. Through advancements in society specifically in terms of technology we have forgotten how to communicate with one another. We do not take the time to truly to get to know one another or ourselves. Humans are not taking advantage of each of our own unique personalities and unlimited potential. We feel uncomfortable talking to someone who appears different than us but at the end of the day we are all humans and for that matter monkeys. Let’s start taking advantage of the life that we have and learn from each of our unique talents and experiences. We can only do this through truly embracing diversity and seeing that at the core of everything we are all human. We feel the same emotions and experience the same difficulties. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 03:47:02 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065172 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065127 My world would be a better place if I lived for the sake of living and never learned to think for myself. If I was not thinking for myself I would not care about what other people thought or feel pressure to live up to my own expectations as well as societies. Nor would I worry about the past and future instead I would enjoy each moment and be fully active in the present. Society’s obsessions with money, competition, social acceptance, and judgments would be eliminated. I would no longer take life for granted or forget about enjoying the simple things. As a monkey the simple things in life would again become the most important. Food, family, friends, love, and survival would again be at the top of my list instead of things that should be appreciated more. Life would be less chaotic and much simpler as a monkey, however I do not know if I would necessarily enjoy life more. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 03:46:35 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/03/why-dont-we-live-like-the-monkeys-119-blog/#IDComment126065127 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/how-do-you-classify-yourself-119-blog/#IDComment124461181 I classify myself in many different categories. For instance, as far as race is concerned I am white and I categorize myself as an American. Similarly, I group myself with Christians as that is my religious affiliation and females because that is my gender. Lastly, I group myself with individuals from my home town as well as from Penn State. How you classify yourself can change at different points in your life. For instance in high school I would classify myself with honors students and tennis and track athletes. This differs from how I group myself at Penn State as I classify myself with other Elementary Education majors and with individuals who participate in THON. I categorize myself in this manner because these are the groups that I feel most comfortable in and have established myself. However, society and other people’s perceptions have definitely influenced the way that I categorize myself. I feel that the manner I group myself in is traditional to the approach that most individuals take when categorizing themselves. Grouping by jobs, race, gender, and religion makes the human race feel more comfortable because this constantly surrounds the human race by individuals who are similar to themselves and who most likely have common interests. However, sorting individuals in this manner is detrimental to society as it limits our perceptions of ourselves and others. Categorizing people allows individuals to stay in society’s constrained views of what they feel that they should be and makes stepping outside of these categorizes much more challenging. Similarly, the way that I group people determines the type of people that I hang out with. For instance, I could become best friends with someone who is of a different religion or race but because I do not know how I would be perceived in this person’s group the chance of this happening is very unlikely. Knowing this makes me feel like I am missing out on a huge part of life by not truly being able to experience diversity. I am going to challenge myself to take advantage of the diverse campus offered here at Penn State and learn more about a group that I do not categorize myself with as well as try to attempt to make friends with someone in that group. Through doing this I could learn more about myself and gain a new perception of the world that we live in. In addition, I may learn that how I categorized individuals in this group was incorrect or that my judgments of the group were invalid and not a reflection of who people in this group truly are. Let’s attempt to eliminate our perceived categorizations of others because only then will we get to the heart of who they are as an individual. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 02:56:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/26/how-do-you-classify-yourself-119-blog/#IDComment124461181 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/18/what-do-you-think-blog-2/#IDComment122915242 Sam performed an exercise in class in which he selected certain individuals and divided them into racial groups. The majority of the students that Sam chose were racially unique or had interesting features whereas I am a typical white person. I immediately felt like the inferior race for the first time in my life. This realization made me extremely uncomfortable and put me in a position that the chosen students probably have experienced multiple times. Prior to class that day I had felt that being a white American had its advantages however in class it was the reason that I was not selected to come to the front of the classroom. This fact made me feel as if I was being segregated against because I was white and apparently uninteresting. This was extremely strange because I had never viewed myself or Caucasian individuals in this manner. Sam did select a few white students and they were the easiest to place. I found myself desiring to be a member of a different race because they seemed much more fascinating. Those were the students that Sam asked what their background was because then as a class we were able to see the diversity between people of different cultures. Similarly, it was interesting that a Native American student was placed in the same category as the Asian students and Sam said that this is a common misinterpretation because they all possess Asian blood. In addition, we were unsure how to divide the students who were of mixed races. I felt sympathetic for these students because it seemed as if they did not belong to any particular category. I wonder if these students feel that they do not belong to a particular racial group or if they see themselves as part of a particular racial group. For the most part we did well placing students into the correct categories and I was surprised to see that people of different races are able to categorize people of other races into the correct racial group. Through watching this exercise I was able to see that people of the same race are not all the same and each individual has various unique characteristics that are noticeable if you simply take the time to truly look at them. In addition, the dangers of categorizing people into racial groups was clearly illustrated as miscategorizing occurred. This allowed me to think about how different our world would be if categorization was nonexistent and people were simply looked at as human beings. Throughout campus I notice that most individuals are in groups with students who are of the same race as them probably due to the comfort of being around someone who is similar to themself. However, if racial categorization was nonexistent I bet people who would never dream of speaking to each other would now become best friends. Now that my understanding of the similarities between myself and those of a different race are enhanced I will be more willing to communicate with individuals who are different than me on a deeper level because I will no longer just see a label. Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:17:28 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/18/what-do-you-think-blog-2/#IDComment122915242