en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/759559 Comments by kdance0081 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69812840 I think it becomes very easy for us to forget what happened such a short time ago if it does not directly affect us, as my classmate stated and was demonstrated when so few people in class on Tuesday remembered the day the earthquake hit. I think that most definitely the people affected by the horrendous disaster that happened in January are still reeling from the effects, and that included people in the U.S. and all around the world with ties in Haiti. I hope that people have not moved on, although it appears as some have, from one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history and I hope people are still motivated to help in positive ways. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:50:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/300000-whats-it-mean-to-us__trashed/#IDComment69812840 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment69812065 I think that in some ways men are forced to conform to societal rules and social constructs but perhaps in their younger years and they may not be as vocal about the necessity to conform later. It may seem dated and overplayed but still the conception that boys don’t cry is alive and well in society today. Although there may be more men than before who do not apply to this “rule” I think it is still prevalent. Also, I think that as young men enter into the social scene where they may feel the need to conform, they do so in more subtle ways than young women so perhaps it becomes less noticeable. Also, from the boy don’t cry, or emote in general, there is the sense that it is not necessary for them to make their transformations to fit the in crowd publically known. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:45:32 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment69812065 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment69811124 I think that this post is quite important not only because of the end message that all women are beautiful, which I completely agree with and more on that note that all people are beautiful and often individuals do not realize that in their own uniqueness and through their quirks they are beautiful because no one can ever be exactly the same as you. Also, there is importance in this post because of the commentary on how women are portrayed in the media. Often times, if not always, women seem to be type cast into the same roles. Conventionally beautiful women are cast as the heroines or the star where women who are perhaps not as marketable or conventionally beautiful play the friend. I also think that it is strange how often times in movies and on television, the blonde character is the good person while a darker haired counterpart will represent the bad side. I would like to think that as a society we are intelligent enough to make judgment on who is good or bad without having to see the overplayed color schemes used to tell us. Also, my classmate said that being a woman is much more than appearance which I completely agree with. If being a woman only meant having different features than men the world may be a completely different place today. If women had been seen different merely in appearance from the beginning of time, or even for the past 300 years, civilizations would be completely different. Imagine a place with less gender discrimination, equality between women and men in the workplace and beyond. Many of the issues we still fight about today, not only in this country but around the world, could be pacified if starting long ago women and men were thought of as the same people just with some physical differences. Although this may have solved some problems, I am glad that it is not the case, in some ways. Being a woman means being able to express myself more openly than men, it means having more personal relationships and being able to show my emotions without fear of being called out as not “manly” enough. I think that even though the differences between men and women have caused innumerable problems the differences, although at times problematic, are what make us so unique and different from other species. It may seem contradictory that I am saying at the same time if we only took physical attributes into consideration when defining the sexes that the world may have fewer conflicts then saying that I would not like for gender to only have such strict, physical definitions. I think that women (and men too!) are extremely special and without the gender struggles we would not have evolved the same way and we may be an entirely different type of peoples, be it better or worse, but the uncertainty and chance that society might be WORSE from the lack of gender differences is slightly concerning. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:39:58 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/women__trashed/#IDComment69811124 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment66852471 I definitely think there is a step two, there has to be a step two or three or four, if we ever want to end slavery and unfair labor practices in the world. While I agree a good first step is recognition of the issue and hopefully feeling like slavery needs to end but step two is where it gets more difficult. I fell like there are so many possible second steps that sometimes individuals who have experienced the first step do not know which direction to go next. If a feasible second step governmentally based or personally based? I have come up with a few of my own second steps all of which are feasible but it shows just how many second options there are in order to end slavery and global inequality. And even if your second step is not what everyone else does to approves of I think it is important to remember that any step you take towards ending global slavery is in a positive direction. It is easy to say that we will only buy fair trade items but often people do not follow through. So a second step may be to actually alter shopping patterns to reflect the belief that slavery should end. Whether it is consciously avoiding slave made goods or strictly buying fair trade items or just being aware and trying your best to avoid slave made items as much as possible, it is a small step towards to common goal. Or maybe the best next step to protest or raise awareness so that more people can be knowledgeable about the issue and free to make their own, personal second step towards eliminating slavery. After all the more educated people there are, the more people who take the first step of feeling some way about slavery and acknowledging the continued existence of slavery, the more people there would be able and willing to take the second step. Or perhaps the best second step would be in involve government officials, be it locally as USAS is doing on campus trying to get the university to adopt the DSP, or on a more large scale basis of state and national attention (although I think that a step of this magnitude may be more like a fourth or fifth step as opposed to personal changes that can be made, go ahead and think and act big about seconds steps!) If an entire governing body, regardless of size, supports anti-sweatshop groups and puts some sort of legislation or ban in place, many people would be affected and be a part in eliminating sweatshop labor even if they had not taken the first step of feeling something about the topic. So just me contemplating for a few minutes came up with several second steps. I think it most important no matter what the second step, no matter how small you may think it seems, is important to take. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 18:45:06 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-might-be-the-second-step__trashed/#IDComment66852471 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65219591 I was dumbstruck about the dolls segment of the video we watched. I was also greatly saddened and overall feeling a lot of different emotions about the video and to me it was one of the most profound clips we have watched so far in class. It is shocking to think that there has been such little progress since the study was first conducted. Also saddening was the actual reactions from the children when they were asked the questions regarding the goodness or badness of the dolls. One case, the black girl who was asked which doll was good and bad, then which doll resembled her was most telling. Why are we still conditioning children to believe these untrue things? I think that the media may have a lot to do with the children’s responses as some people in class stated. But it still seems unreal to me that the findings were virtually the same in this recent study as they were in the 1950s. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 16:42:27 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment65219591 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65216288 Although your case is difficult, albeit a quite interesting one, I still think that you should classify yourself (if necessary) with whichever “team” or culture you most identify with. Although your features appear somewhat white, if you grew up embracing your Puerto Rican culture, why stop embracing that part of you now? I firmly believe that these labels we have been asked to put upon ourselves, white or black and brown, are helpful overall for making quick comparisons but in cases of multiculturalism you should respond as you would in your everyday life. If someone randomly asked your ethnicity it appears as though you would not automatically say white so why respond as a white person in class? I think that in a lot of the multiracial cases the person should simply respond with whichever category they feel most connected to. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 16:31:14 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-about-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment65216288 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65212806 I think there are a lot of good points raised here not only by the reactions of the people asked about the census on the street but also by the commentators. I think first and foremost it is critical to understand that the term negro is used on the census as a way to include as many people as possible in the pool of census respondents and as a means to accurately count all people in the United States, not as a blatantly offensive term although by inclusion some have deemed it as “upsetting” as opposed to offensive. But what precisely is upsetting? The fact that some black people identify with the term or that it is on the census? Apparently some older black people still identify as being negro as opposed to any other term the census has placed on its survey, and I am sure they would feel confusion if the term they associate their heritage with were to be removed. It is also important to understand that although the term is antiquated it is necessary for this census this year, and it has already been said that the term will not be on the next survey in 2020. Now, with all of that being said, I think that the census has some flaws, and although it has been researched extensively, I do not think that it has been explained well enough to the public. Or perhaps the educational methods are not working effectively because people do not appear to be paying attention to the explanation. Many of the respondents on the street said they felt like they were more than a box and cannot be defined in such simple terms; do they know that you may check more than one box? I have noticed lately a lot of publicity about the census and the importance of completing it but far less information about filling it out PROPERLY, and wouldn’t a properly filled out and returned census be of the most help to the government when allocating funds? People are often so quick to label the United States as a melting pot, yet every ten years the census asks us to identify ourselves by few of government selected categories. While this may seem counterproductive and some of the terms may seem hurtful it is important to know that the census does allocate billions of dollars in funding. Accurate responses are of the utmost importance to properly allocate the funds and the government is simply trying to achieve the most accurate sample it can obtain. Even if they have to use antiquated terms that are upsetting or even offensive to some people in order to achieve the most accurate sample of the population. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 16:19:36 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65212806 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/flip-the-script-for-a-moment__trashed/#IDComment64234565 Thank you for spelling out precisely how gender and race issues can relate. Upon reading posts on the other blog topic some posters were questioning how the menstruation issue was relevant in a race relations course. To me, the connection seems an easy one to make. Often gender issues are pushed to the back burner but in reality the issues of race and gender are so similarly tied. Both parties are looking for understanding and to demolish the stereotypes and inequalities that both women and minorities face. Thankfully, race issues have not taken the backseat of sorts that gender equality issues have. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:03:39 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/flip-the-script-for-a-moment__trashed/#IDComment64234565 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64233236 I agree with the general consensus that the topic remains unspoken because for some reason menstruation is never really discussed with men. And as it has never really been discussed or learned about it continues to be a silent truth that men know happens but opt to ignore. The groups were segregated by gender when we first learned about sex and once we continued to learn in health classes through middle and high school the topic of menstruation seemed to be casually given a few minutes or perhaps even skipped. Maybe our teachers thought it was more important to educate us about STI’s or the consequences of unprotected sex but in order for the stigmas associated with menstruation to end I think that the silence needs to be broken about the issue that we all know occurs. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:53:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64233236 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64232344 In the beginning of the semester, and several times since then, Sam has told us quite blatantly that he would discuss topics and issues that would make people uncomfortable so in a sense, those who were offended or confused by the terminology or topic kind of should have known that their day to feel uneasy was coming. Perhaps some of those people opted to leave, but I hope that some of the people who were feeling uncomfortable or offended stayed to hear Sam’s opinion and maybe experience some growth from pushing their comfort zone a little. There has been a lot of talk, particularly raised by my classmate in this video, about the term “bleeding” to describe menstrual cycles. Perhaps I am being overly un-sensitive to the issue or perhaps I am in the minority but, as a woman I was not offended by the term because and it almost seems an extremely direct and upfront manner of summing up menstruation than some of the other, less obvious terms we have adopted, almost like a code or secret language, to cover up what actually is occurring. I also agree completely with my classmate in the notion that being a woman and having the ability to have children is a miraculous, beautiful thing and our monthly cycles are a product of that beautiful, natural ability. Our fertility makes us women and forms us in so many ways many that we may not even be directly aware of that I can see how some would perceive bleeding as a beautiful fact of life instead of a hindrance. Additionally, I would like to question why people men and women alike seem to be so uncomfortable about the topic of bleeding. It is not like it is a new invention or something that only a select few people in the world do. Bleeding is not a phenomenon but rather a normal occurrence that may need some more light shed upon. Men know women have periods, women clearly know and experience periods monthly I am slightly interested in why this topic seems so taboo. Perhaps because men do not experience bleeding, they feel like they cannot relate and do not want to discuss something they see as primarily a woman’s concern. Perhaps because women have never taken the issue public, rarely do you hear of women proclaiming, with the exception of my classmate here perhaps, they are bleeding, or maybe it has to do with education and that men are generally shooed away from the topic from an early age. Whatever the reasoning, I think that although the topic may continue to be deemed taboo or indecent it is an issue that half of the world deals with on a monthly basis and the problems associated with menstruating should no longer be swept under a rug of social stigmas. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:45:10 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods__trashed/#IDComment64232344 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63012823 This question is quite though provoking and is similar to a question from a few weeks ago about Native American history and when to teach children about true Native American culture and history. If history books were written and children were taught not to hide from race issues but rather to explore them, we might have less instances of this white guilt issue. I think that a lot of white people do not learn about the plight that has been caused until much later in their educational careers and that leads to the guilty feelings, the acknowledgment so late is what causes some of the guilt. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:24:53 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-to-do-about-white-guilt__trashed/#IDComment63012823 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63012126 The whole texting responses idea, although I really enjoy it, has made me think of something I’m sure we have all heard from our parents or grandparents, if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all. While this could be amended for the class to say that if you don’t have anything productive and thoughtful to say, please keep your texts to yourself. This goes for the terrible things people have felt it necessary to post through their texts. Perhaps the reason the comments about white people received far less negative attention was due to the whole white guilt idea, or perhaps due to another concept we have yet to discuss. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:19:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63012126 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment63011315 This topic of multiracial people is very interesting and something that I had not thought about but not extensively until hearing this commentary. Where do multiracial individuals fit in? In a world where we try to identify people, objects, anything in seemingly the easiest of terms where do those in the middle get placed? But, back to the question at hand, how does a person of mixed race respond to those white people questions we are asked periodically in class. And the answer that I have come up with, although I am not sure is the best option, varies quite a bit from person to person. While race although important it is not a person’s sole identifier. In some circumstances, although most likely few and far between, one may have to make the call with what race they are considered. And in the case of a culturally mixed individual if given very few options, as we are in class, I think that if the person feels compelled that they must respond they should respond according to whichever race classification they feel most inclined towards, and it would not have to be a permanent fixture. Just because you responded to a question as a white person or a person of color does not automatically label you for life as a person of that demographic. As we continue to move forward I think that the issue of multiracial individuals will become ever more present. Hopefully, as these issue come to the forefront of our minds though classification of race will cease to be as important or have as many stigmas attached to certain classifications. As we have seen through our studies in this class, adversities affect every racial, social, and economic group. Just labeling yourself white, black, brown, or however you opt to define yourself does not make you exempt from struggles and downfalls we all experience. While it is easy to assume others have an easier life we have learned that race is not an indicator of success or life satisfaction. Additionally, I think that Sam breaks the class down into three main groups, white, black, and brown out of simplicity. With such a huge class and with so much important information to over, it could take an entire hour and a half class to discuss just exactly how many racial groups, and combination of those racial groups, we have represented in one room...although it would be a very interesting class! I also sincerely hope that just the simplicity of labeling does not deter anyone from answering the questions that are proposed, or at the very least that the labeling does not make multiracial individuals feel inclined to not ponder the questions and formulate their own responses, even if they opt not to text the answers. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:12:16 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment63011315 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment59937469 I think that this is appalling, and additionally perhaps more troubling that a clothing store can have a “look” policy. I am just curious also if upper level management, sitting in their corporate offices, must also adhere to this look policy. Also, the employee in question had absolutely no actual merit for being fired, other than that her religious beliefs indicated that she must wear a head scarf which is not a legitimate reason in the least. I would hope that corporations would be more accepting of others in practice instead of simply claiming their racial neutrality in carefully crafted public statements. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 20:54:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment59937469 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment59935003 I think overall there is a vast over representation of white people on all television, not only a cheesy (sorry Bachelor fans) “reality” dating show. I had not considered that the show airs on ABC which does seen to have a conservative feeling and perhaps that was implicating the race of the contestants. Perhaps the network, who I assume picks the contestants, has a very narrow idea toward the type of woman their bachelor would want to pick. And according to this very narrow idea of ideal mates for the bachelor only pretty, slender, white women fit the bill. Additionally, why has the bachelor himself always been white? Fri, 5 Mar 2010 20:32:57 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/are-whites-the-only-people-willing-to-humiliate-themselves__trashed/#IDComment59935003 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59931914 Although I have been known to enjoy a theme party or two, who doesn’t like to dress up like you favorite persona and let loose, I have never been to one that was even remotely close to being racist. Normally the theme parties I have attended relate to current events, for example I recently attended an Olympics themed event, or have to do with an upcoming event or holiday, ugly sweater parties are a staple Christmas time themed party. I suppose you could argue as well that State Patty’s Day is a university wide “theme party”, what other explanation is there for thousands of students donning green attire and shamrocks on a nondescript February day, and I know it was not only white people wearing green and having fun last weekend. Other common themes that I can think of or that I have attended have not had any racial undertones, and as others have said most of the times if you actually give some thought to it are more sexist and offensive to women than anything. To answer another question my classmate posed, why even have a theme, is kind of silly. Why not have a theme at a party? It’s fun to decorate and dress up for theme parties and it’s not like a professor is requiring anyone to have dress a particular way for class, if I opt to go to a theme party on the weekend, why not? And I do not think that theme parties are exclusive to white people either. I have seen people of many races at theme parties enjoying themselves nonetheless. Everyone has different ways of having fun and for some people theme parties are a fun alternative to regular parties in the clothes you wear every other weekend and it’s a great way to meet people, with everyone wearing outrageous things it’s a great jumping off point for conversations. Also, I have never seen anyone been barred entrance from a party because they were not dress as the theme implied. To me, theme parties have never been racist. As other have said if there is a theme that could be construed as racist it may be the high school stereotypes party where someone may opt to dress as a gangster. But once again this is a stereotype party. I think it is commonly understood that stereotypes no not indicate the behaviors or attitudes of an entire race and are simply an over simplified conception that often is based off media perceptions and not actual behaviors of real people. Additionally, as a woman I feel like my classmate who posed this question should be more appalled and concerned that there are parties going on, perhaps every weekend, where women are continually referred to as hoes. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 20:05:15 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/whats-with-the-theme-parties__trashed/#IDComment59931914 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58866096 I think that people are brushing off the issue of the Native American genocide and plight because for some reason or another, they feel removed from the situation and like it does not directly affect them when in fact it does. I think people need to understand that even if they have no Native American heritage, they still have participated in the demise of Native Americans. Do you think that all of the land we now live on was peacefully traded, or that Native Americans willingly and happily gave away their rights? Even if you feel you have no ties to this issue, indirectly you do and I think it is time to begin thinking about the things we have discussed in class instead of letting in float in one ear and out the other. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:18:00 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-three__trashed/#IDComment58866096 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58865086 I was also disheartened when I heard my classmate proclaim that they did not feel they were in a place to confront the blatant discrimination we witnessed in the video in class. Although it is hard to say what I would do in a situation like this, I would hope that I had the courage to stand up for the women who was being denied service and who the actor portraying the bakery owner was verbally abusing and belittling. As Americans we have grown perhaps too accustomed to our freedoms and take for granted that we can go anywhere, do pretty much anything, and have no worries about if will face repercussions based solely on our religious beliefs. I am additionally inspired by the thirteen people who in the video did stand up for the woman who although an actor portrays a very real struggle in America. It gave me a little bit of hope in the kindness and compassion of strangers that people who previously did not know the woman, although many had ties to the conflict and were visibly moved by their actions in the interviews, felt so strongly and took a stand against blatant discrimination. So, it is our place. It is our place to understand that discrimination does not only exist on a one level, I think commonly we are more aware of race discrimination because it is so publicized and we are almost hyperaware of how it has affected us and our nation. This type of discrimination seems newer, even though religious discrimination has existed forever, and may contribute to why some people feel less comfortable confronting the guilty party. It is also our place to understand that our words can affect someone else’s life. Had this situation been a “real” situation, not one taped with actors portraying the woman and bakery owner, the thirteen people who took a stand against unfair practices and in favor of the woman, would have impacted her life in such a wonderful way. Imagine how you would feel if you were being denied service for something as trivial as your religious practices and a stranger came to your aide, you would undoubtedly feel at the very least thankful someone came to support you. To say you have no opinion on a topic as appalling as this is kind of shocking. I am not saying that you should agree with me and stand up for people you see being discriminated against but I really find it hard to believe that anyone would have to immediate response or feeling towards the actions of the man in the bakery. Perhaps those who claim not to have an opinion are afraid that their opinion is not the acceptable one, but I find it hard to comprehend not feeling anything towards this issue when it is such a broad issue that has and does affect so many people. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:09:00 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/when-do-we-do-or-say-something__trashed/#IDComment58865086 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-one__trashed/#IDComment58860998 I think that it is imperative that the perception of Native Americans change and it is easiest to change the view people have at a young age before too many of the old perceptions are ingrained in their minds. While I am not suggesting the preschoolers know of the gritty atrocities and genocides the Native Americans experienced I think it is time that children learn more about Native Americans. They are not simply tomahawk wielding, feather adorned warriors but much more. I would like children in elementary schools to understand the many roles Native Americans played and continue to play as well as, at an appropriate age, the terrible circumstances and discrimination they have and continue to face. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:39:13 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-one__trashed/#IDComment58860998 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57478207 I had never really given much thought to the acceptance level of gay male couples versus lesbian couples, as I do not really have a problem with either sort of relationship. I suppose perhaps lesbian couples are more accepted because women more frequently engage in close friendships and are generally thought to be closer emotionally than male friends. This would make it easier for society to understand a lesbian relationship, or think that they understand that type of relationship. Additionally, there is the stereotypical alpha male characteristic that many people may have a difficult time placing in a homosexual relationship. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:43:08 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/lgbt-class-question-six__trashed/#IDComment57478207