The goal should be to eliminate tension between people of different race and ethnicities. We should be able to sit comfortably and interact with anybody, regardless of race. While a lot of people are comfortable with this, many people “feel some sort of way” about being in the company of other races. I think the tension comes from stereotypes we’ve learned that lead us to believe we should separate from each other. White people still have stereotyped images of black people that lead them to believe that they cannot come together, that their cultures are too different. A lot of people accept and explore different cultures, and I think those people will get along with different races much better. If a white-american only explores white-american culture, they will “feel some sort of way” around differently cultured people, because they are completely ignorant to that culture. Learning popular culture is a good way to start to bridge the gap. I feel like music brings people together, it sounds corny but I feel like I have learned more about different cultures through music than other ways. Rhythm is universal and it speaks to everybody. Check out International films, documentaries, you can get at least take a look into different cultures. I think a lot of people steer away from embracing different cultures because they think they’re restricted to their own culture. Or if they have to read the subtitles on a movie they won't watch it. I know plenty of “rednecks” who simply do not embrace cultures other than their own, and unfortunately they are very stereotypical human beings. There are also many people who embrace different cultures, and from my experience these people feel less tension when around people of different race and ethnicity. Why do some people feel so comfortable in embracing different cultures? I think some people just take more interest in different walks of life. Some people are just stuck in the culture they grew up with, and are inherently blind until they open their eyes to the diversity. As a white boy, for quite some time I felt ackward in embracing cultures not inherent to me, but after a while it just felt that it was my own, and know I don’t feel that culture should be restricted to any group of people. Just because you create it, doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be enjoyed by anyone else.

Well, I wouldn't call trying to adopt some of your father's style as "conforming to society". Your not getting your ideas from a popular image, rather your family. I feel like most people look to an image that is unattainable, or try to emulate someone who they have no connection with. Societal trends change so quickly that what was hot 5 years ago isn't hot now. In the realm of personal style, I feel like your not conforming to society unless you've changed your image because of the people in you're generation. I feel like it's the younger generations that feel the need to emulate eachother and conform to certain looks. Some people really think they need to conform to what's hot, and it's silly because people are losing their individuality in the process.

There's a huge tendency to conform for both males and females. As far as media and the magazines go, I think it's safe to say they target both genders. Many people think that what sells is what they should conform to, that the image is to be emulated. It's been apparent that sex sells for a while now, and it's not about promoting good health as much as it's about selling sexuality, by exposing the human body. I think woman face more scrutiny when it comes to their bodies, because popular images do not represent what all woman look like. So long as people look to popular images to conform to their standards, and as long as people feel the need to conform to their peers, this mass conformation will continue to exist, for both males and females.

Hahah, there's gotta be a white dude out there who could get down with the Wu ! But totally agree about the LL "beaners", as Sam put it. I don't know whether I'm in the wrong to thing that the models looked awkward as hell, but I think they did. . A lot of people, black people included will chuckle at some thugged out white boys posing like their hard in baggy jeans and no shirt, it doesn't mean they shouldn't or can't dress like that. I mean, the term "wigger" came about because people think style of dress can be owned. Its the same thing here, I think its been established that cashmere sweaters and olive-green khakis are mostly worn by white people, I'm not used to seeing black people in that getup. This clothing barrier is less prevalent than it was like 10 or 15 years ago, when I saw a lot of young people of color wearing baggy ass clothes, huge FUBU shirts and big basketball jerseys, which became a distinguishing look for people into urban culture, something largely embraced by minorites.
It's just that times are changing and some of those clothing styles aren't worn anymore, I've noticed American Eagle and Hollister aren't just for white people anymore either.

I kind of wish more people where like the comedians we watch. I laughed at Sam's selection of L L bean images, the fact that they all have fake ass smiles does not make them look very natural in the first place, regardless of race. I think L L bean clothing is pretty corny dapper in general, and the L L bean sweater/dress shirt combo makes anybody look like Gregory Peck.
I don't ever remember being told that white people dress a certain way, or black people dress a certain way, but over the years it's became apparent that certain styles have been claimed and exploited by particular groups of people, and naturally I laugh when I see the black family dressed head to toe in the corny-dapper L L bean gear. Because, for many years, I've regarded L L bean clothing as garments for adventurous, canteen toting, walking-stick-having white people in Maine.

I think stereotypes are kind of cool. In the realm of comedy, I think it's safe to say that most stereotype jokes are funny because they actually do apply to a lot of people . I've always laughed at Eddie Murphy ripping on nerdy white people's voices, not to say that they all talk like that, but some do! and that shit is funny for him to point out, I don't get all offended about it because, what can I say? I've seen these nerdy folks before.

How could you have not known it was set in Africa?! And kids love animals that talk, its fantasy, not a documentary about Africa. As I recall, James Earl Jones, a man of color, does the voice for Musafa, Whoopie Goldberg was a voice, Cheech Marin was also voice among others. The whole cast is actually quite diverse if you check it out. I don't think Disney was in the wrong at all by making it all about animals. The animals in Africa are exotic and new to young children, especially in the U.S. I think this Lion King argument is kinda weak in terms of exposing racial inequality.

Initially looking at this student, I wouldn't call him white. I think his skin tone and hair are pretty good evidence that he's mixed. I think he should identify himself with which group he feels most connected with, even though he's both white and brown. I think a lot of people who are mixed choose to identify with the darker side of the family because the culture appeals to them more. I think there is a certain pride people feel by being connected to a different culture, identification depends on how much you immerse yourself in that culture. Personally, I think his physical features suggest he's a mixed race, whether he identifies himself as hispanic would depend on how educated and comfortable he is about his Puerto Rican heritage. Race is the tough part, but I think if he understands his ethnicity and has learned the culture, he would probably identify as a mixed race. He's on the brown team because he's got it in his blood, and he should certainly embrace being mixed if he's immersed in both cultures.

Please don't let them listen to Lil Wayne! he really shouldn't be admired!

I dont think these kids are old enough to comprehend self-worth, those dolls aren't representations of themselves, they are just two different colors. THEY didn't say "bad" or "nice", the people behind the camera did anyways.

what if they all chose black dolls? would that be disturbing for white people? Maybe a little

How are kids this young able to associate a certain skin color with being better. I mean, I think this test would have been better if they just left them in the room with the dolls, without all those words being tossed around. Its hard for me not to consider that their parents aren't talking about racial issues from an unbiased standpoint. Maybe they are picking the white doll because their parents talk about white people in a way that would influence a child not to associate themselves with the darker color. Isn't it the parents who are tossing around ideas of negativity associated with having dark skin? These kids aren't old enough to have learned this on their own. If it is indeed a totally honest experiment, these children have been brainwashed by someone. Maybe its the majority of fantastical white characters in the movies that make them want to play with the white doll, but that doesn't explain why the dark skinned doll is bad. I generally don't like this experiment. Maybe its because its only 1 minute long and its edited together to make it look like these children are responding before they can even think about it, they seem straight brainwashed!
I noticed they only showed 10 different kids, I think they should have shown them all, especially if this experiment is supposed to suggest that this is such an overwhelming issue. I don't like that I can't see the interviewer (how easy would it be to influence these kids by looking at the white doll after you asked the question?) I mean, I really would love to prove this video was totally staged, because I hate this feeling that everyone wants racism to exist. I think the only way to forget about race is to cut your eyeballs out so that you cant see the color, it will always be there. But, I think its shit like this that keeps reminding of us where we once were as a country, It appears that they want to suggest that we havn't changed. Holy shit i thought we made it somewhere since then! I guess we need to keep doing these tests to remind ourselves that we will be perpetually conscious of race. Is there some mysterious force out there that is telling these children that being dark skinned means you're bad? I can't grasp it.
Either Sam has it nailed that white people struggle to see racism or we are the only ones who truly want to stop it. The girls in this video should wear their hair however they like and if they are truly proud of being black, they wouldn't give a shit if someone talked about their light skin, they're still black. Theres stipulations that create racism between people of color too- Good hair, light skin, which parent(s) are black, white people didn't create that and I only hear those things discussed by people of color. I don't see these forms of discrimination going away so long as people want to define themselves by only one particular race.