I also favor hard work over money becasue i come from a family of hard workers, and my family is not rich. We worked hard to get where we are in society. As with my father who came from South Africa and he and his family have made a very good life for themselves. They came here without anything, but with hard work and diligence they prospered in society. My father's side of the family relied on working hard in school and attaining degrees in order to make a name for themselves. Sadly, hard work is overruled in the end because in the end my dad's family wasn't noticed until they began to make money and a name for themselves.

i agree money is everything. Since the immigrants are poor, they are more frowned upon. They are looked at as being worthless because people think they only take from the economy and don't build up the economy. If immigrants were rich white people who resided in Mexico, their presence would be more accepted in society and society would welcome them more openly. Also, the factor of race is incorporated, leaving the immigrants at the bad end of the stick and are not at liberty to travel into the Americas. Hard work overall should be enough to get someone to bulid a good life in America, but sadly it isn't and money and race overpowers this and that is where America fails.

Let’s face it. We are not safe. Not only do the people across our waters risk our lives but also the people within our own country. There are people who literally live day by day without being known. While the obvious reaction should be regulation and the enforcement of our already standing borders, we literally almost fight for this threat in response to every action against it.The term “illegal immigration” itself has been torn apart, rejected, restructured and debated despite its simple reality: Our nation has a right to enforce everyone on our land is known about. The question of why it is so hard for Americans to realize knowing who calls our nation home is a factor of safety and not restriction must in a way baffle everyone. It seems that our nation is calmly accepting of internal dangers that people among us who are not identified posses. The girl who made the comment failed to realize that these people are not well to do individuals who just simply refuse to fill out some paper work to get into the US, they are poor, desolate and desperate for a better life. These people don’t think they can achieve a better life in the country they’re in whether they are in Mexico or and for that reason they try to come to the United States. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime and therefore should not be treated as such. Further, the last ones to fall on the sword that is illegal immigration are the ones that lie on our borders. Arizona is a state that is very much in danger as it is one of the many lines between the United States and Mexico. Recently, a popular rancher named Robert Krentz was killed at a location that is known for illegal human trafficking. When their demands for assistance resulted with deaf ears they began to work within their own government. As a result of the current administration, illegal immigration becoming a state issue may be becoming a trend. Honestly, they are probably the ones who should be seen as experts in the field either way. They live with it day after day and feel the most negative results from crime rates to employment issues. Hence, instead of shunning legislation such as this we should be using it as a tool to see what is needed in order to keep our border states and in turn our nation safest. We are cutting off our own noses despite our face when we profile legislation that is obviously coming from fellow Americans crying out for help. Illegal immigrants, I believe if I they had the opportunity to come to America legally they would, but seeming as though they are often poor and down trodden, they have to do it illegally. The girl who made the comment was being insensitive, and is unaware of the actual situation.

I think that Hollywood does try to make an attempt in portraying all women. But honestly I don't think it's Hollywood that's doing the "portraying" of anything. I think the women who are in Hollywood choose to look fit and beautiful. It's not a rule that states in order to stay in Hollywood you must be beautiful, if that were the case, actresses like Monique, Nikki Blonsky, Jennifer Hudson, Queen latifah, Raven Simone, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Coolidge, and America Ferrara, would also be stick thin. I believe it's the choices of the women and gaining your acceptance, making a name for yourself and asserting yourself. We "small people" put these people on a pedestal.

I feel this exact way. I get dressed almost every day religiously. People often question my motives in getting "so dressy" as they would put it, with questions like, "who are you trying to impress" or " are you going somewhere?" I am like ummm yeah, to class. I get dressed for myself and people find that hard to believe. It honestly makes me feel good and confident. I like putting on my clothes every day. I am not trying to impress anyone in particular; it's just been something I have done since I could dress myself. But i mean, the occasional compliment doesn't hurt either.

i completely agree with you. I believe all women are the same, i mean come on, the only thing that differentiates most of us from each other are our races and our ethnicity. I think women need to learn to come to love themselves and stop comparing themselves to other women in a society. If women continue to focus on their outward appearances and need to learn to be grateful and thankful for their own unique qualities. I think the main reason women today aren't happy and content with their appearances because they try to live up to and try to attain the "ideal image' of the perfect woman according to America's standards. America has this cookie cutter image of what a woman is "supposed" to look like. Blonde hair, blue eyes, a small frame, and big boobs. Unfortunately, every woman America does not look like that. Which turns out to be fortunate for us. Think of how boring life and society would be if every woman looked alike. I mean that's what makes a society beautiful and unique: the myriad of different skin tones, figures, the different women in general. Moreover, different societies have started to try and find ttheir own perceptions of beauty. For example,in mainstream America, whih tends to be white Americans, the cookie cutter white woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a small figure is desired. This contrasts with the desired image in African American communities. In African American communities, a full-figured woman is desired. A woman who is desired most has curves in all of the right places, ie. the buttock, the breasts, and the hip area. Don't get me wrong, a fit women isn't frowned upon and cast away, but a woman with 'a little meat on her bones' is more preferred.
The play was typical and told a typical tale of how women desire to fit a certain image in order to satisfy the men in a male dominated society. I wasn't impressed or taught a lesson. The play only instilled what i already summed about society. Especially since the ending was such a cliff hanger. The ending only left me questioning what happened to the other girl's aunt. I wasn't left questioning my womanhood and where i stand in society. Maybe that's because I'm so comfortable with myself, and I am not phased by what i see in magazines or on television.When i buy magazines, i only look at them for entertainment purposes only and to see what's the latest fashion, and to read the different editorials, which is what i thought you were supposed to do. But it seems that people are fixated on the images they see, and the ways they can conform to them.

Personally, a lot of the things Sam has said has not changed my outlook on life, or my opinion on the different issues HE has discussed. I for one am very opinionated and i can not be swayed easily, especially when the person comes off a little bit irrational, or rash, and very biased, leaving him to be unable to see different spectrums. I feel as if Sam's lecture are soley opinion based and lack a lot of factual and sound founding. The class overall is entertaining at times, but that's really it. From the beginning of the class compared to now, my perception of Sam has altered. At first, he seemed like a normal guy who just wanted to educate his students on how society views and deals with the different aspects and issues of race, but as the the class has progressed, Sam's lectures have turned into rants and raves on how HE feels different races view eachother and how they deal with race issues and why they are still stuck in their ways. I think another reason why Sam's points can come off a litle wayward is because of his terminology. he uses words and phrases like, "the white team" and 'black and brown people". Like what?? What does that mean? I think those words he use only force people into different groups that have stifled us as a society that is bent on racial inequality and race related issues. Sam claims that he is comfortable with race and other ethnicities, but it seems that he is a little to comfortable with other races. He says things that can be deemed insensitive to African Americans. For example, when HE talked about the LL.Bean ad, and he said that the black people in the ad were "acting white" . "Acting white"? what was he trying to say? I mean are black not allowed to be seen or partaking in any events near the lake? are they not allowed to wear Dockers? Are they being fake? Are they not living up to their stereotype? I mean really. I wanted Sam to explain that more, but he didn't . He never really delved more into that subject, he just shyly laughed, the kind of laugh that wanted to invite his 'black and brown" people onto his side. He wanted them to "get where he was coming from", and laugh at the stereotype that has plagued "black and brown" people for years. I just found it questionable and awkward. Sam also left me puzzled when he discussed "our God" I felt disrespected when he kept referring God to "Your" God. I mean really? He made God out to be this manifested being who only exists. To answer your question, Sam's OPINIONS have made no difference to me, they have only made me think about his true motives and character.

I agree with you that sam shares a lot of stories with us. But the facts part leaves me uneasy. Sam's facts to me should be taken with a grain of salt. His facts are all opinions to me. I also strongly agree with you when you say that Sam's lectures have only helped you to develop a stronger opinion on different issues. i listen to Sam's "Facts" and they only make me want to run with my own beliefs and opinions and lock them up. I listen to Sam's lectures and i am unphased, because i have heard alot of what he has said before in my life as not only a student, but also as a young African American female born in Haiti and growing up in the inner city in America. I mean , who knows more about you and your people than you?

I can agree that it has opened my eyes. But that's where it stops. He has not changed my opinion in any way shape or form, but rather helped to instill my own beliefs and views. Sam is a colorful character who says he's not here to change our opinions, but I highly doubt that. That's just my opinion. I mean why do we talk, why do teachers teach? Sam's opions leave me uneasy and make me only hold onto my beliefs. He claims to be all for racial equality and how he is comfortable with ALL races, but his stories and different terminology makes me think otherwise.

Jesse Jackson does not "hate" all other people, that notion is bogus. Although he is dedicated to uplifting "black and brown" people who have been oppressed for years, he does not hate other races. If he did have animosity it would be greatly justified, due to the horrible treatment he faced from white people while fighting for civil rights. He is for all people who voices can't be heard , overall he is for the underdog. He "loves his black brothers and sisters" because they have been unloved and unwelcome in American society for so long, and still somewhat today. He is looking out for the cause, give him a break.