I have learned many things in this class throughout the semester. Before this class, I have never taken a sociology class, and I do not really keep up with current events around the world or any of the race related issues that we have discussed in class. This class has opened my eyes to many issues that I would not have otherwise thought about, and it has given me a more open perspective on other races and the world. Many of the studies and statistics Sam showed in class were very surprising and enlightening. Before taking this class, I never really realized how other racial groups are still so severely discriminated against in our country. I had an idea that whites were probably still treated the best, but I didn't know exactly how large of a gap there is in income and general household value. I did not know that the average income for blacks was still so much lower than whites.
I also found the discrimination when applying for jobs to be appalling too. Especially when Sam brought up the situation where a boss would rather higher a white man with a bad record than a black man with a spotless record. It just goes to show just how much of an issue discrimination against race is today.
Taking this class also taught me how to speak politically correctly so that I don't offend people of other races unknowingly. The "people of color" vs. "colored people" issue was very interesting because I never knew that some people could be possibly offended when they are referred to as "colored people." It never really occurred to me to make the connection that their ancestors might have been called "colored people" in a negative way. I have never had a real life experience where I have been called an offensive name because of my race so it was interesting to hear about other people's stories. I feel that it made me more compassionate and understanding towards people of other races.
Skyping the man from Iran was also a very fascinating experience, because the only impressions I have about Iranians were from the news stories about the wars. I was surprised when he said that he as well as other Iranian civilians actually like Americans because the impressions you get from watching the news do not tell you the same.
It was very interesting to learn about racial issues in our own country and in different countries around the world. Our discussion groups were also a fun part of this class because we got to express thoughts and opinions in a small group that we may not otherwise say in front of 700 other people in lecture. It was nice to hear everyone else's thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences in discussion group.

I think that interracial dating is so difficult for some people because many families value traditions and some, including mine, are not very fond or accepting of changes such as dating/marrying someone of a different race. My grandparents especially are still pretty racist since they were raised during a time were slavery was still practiced openly in the United States. They still believe that people of color should not be regarded on the same level as whites because that was the way they were raised to think. So, for me personally it would be very awkward for me to date someone of another race because I know my family probably wouldn't approve of them.
Another reason is that I feel like most people are most commonly attracted physically to those who look similar to them. I know that this is not the case for everyone, but from experiences with my family and friends this is what I have observed. It is all in personal preference, but I know even judging by my family that none of them have chosen significant others that are too different from themselves. I think this can both stem from a natural inclination to be attracted to those similar to us and a fear of family not accepting someone of a different race. I have a friend who is one hundred percent Lebanese, and ideally, she would like a guy who is also one hundred percent Lebanese because she wishes to keep the tradition in her family.
On the other hand, I know of a few people who actually prefer interracial dating over dating someone of their own race. I have two Asian friends who are not attracted to other Asians at all. They prefer to date white people. I think that it is all in personal preference and which qualities in others that a certain individual is attracted to. It is more common to see people of the same ethnicity dating, but here at school I've seen plenty of interracial couples walking down the sidewalk.
I think that the media also has an impact on people's opinions of interracial dating. More often than not families on television shows are all of the same race. I think that this has a large impact on what many people view as socially acceptable or preferable because there are a lot of people who model their lives and behaviors after what they see on television or in movies or read in magazines. I'm not personally attracted to people of other races, but I don't know if that's because I was born that way or it is the way I have been taught. I know my parents would be a little uneasy if I brought home someone of a different race, so it's probably a little bit of both.

In class when Sam listed the sins that the bible supposedly told us will keep us from getting into heaven, everyone laughed at the majority of them because they were all acts that many college students take part in without a second thought of whether or not they will keep us from getting into heaven, regardless if you are Christian or not. On the weekends, many of us choose to go out and get drunk. We have all bribed someone to do something for us at one time or another, and I'm sure, as Sam pointed out, that we have all kept some extra change when the cashier miscounted. These are little things that don't even occur to us as they happen to us so often.
When the "sin" of homosexuality came up, the laughter faded because it is a very difficult topic to explore and to compare to those other "sins." As a Christian, I never thought of homosexuality as a sin. I just figured it was just as natural for someone to be gay as it is for me to be straight. All of the other sins that Sam listed in class were things people choose to do out of their own free will, but I believe that homosexuality isn't exactly a choice of free will. I don't think that people just choose to be gay. Therefore, I think that homosexuality is different from the rest of these sins.
I agree with Sam when he says that our generation is getting more and more comfortable with the concept of homosexuality and that following generations will grow to be even more accepting than us. I don't think that there are any more homosexual people now than there were in past generations before us. In previous generations, homosexuality was greatly frowned upon, so people just didn't openly admit it and tried their best to hide it for fear of being judged or punished. But now, since it is more accepted in our culture, more and more people are becoming open about it.
I don't see how homosexuality can be a sin if it is not a free will choice for people. I believe in the theory that it is a biological factor that homosexuals are born with. As for the issue of gay marriage, I'm not really sure where I stand on that. As a Catholic, I was brought up to believe that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman, and I do truly believe that. On the other hand, since I don't believe that homosexuality is a choice, I think that a person should have the choice to be with whoever he/she wants to be with. So, I don't think that homosexual relationships are wrong, I just don't know if they should be allowed to get married.

Before coming to college, I have always attended schools that were predominantly white and have never really had that much exposure to different races. Coming to Penn State has opened my eyes to whole new world of diversity. I have always assumed that the stereotype that Asians hold some intellectual superiority over the rest was true, and in many ways, my observations have supported this assumption. For instance, I am currently an engineering major, and there have been a many Asians in my classes. When our test results come back, more often than not they ace them. So, judging from these observations, it seems that Asians are a bit intellectually superior.
However, many times we fail to take into account that the Asians that attend Penn State had to be in the top ranks of their previous classes at home before they could even think about pursuing higher education in America. Their families also have to be pretty well off to even afford to send them here. From articles that I have read and people that I have spoken to, it seems to me that it is a lot tougher for Asians to make it here than it is for Americans just because of the rigorous demanding process they have to undergo to get here. Also, in one article I read the writer made a good point when he said that the Asians that come to America to pursue higher education generally go into more difficult career paths such as engineering and medicine. I believe this makes sense because since attending college in America is so costly, it would be wise to choose careers with high paying salaries in order to make their education count.
Since most of the Asians that we are exposed to here are those that were in the top ranks of their classes back home, I’m sure that they have extremely disciplined study habits. This plays a significant role in their intellectual success. Speaking from experience, whenever I go to the library to study, there are always a lot of Asians studying. I feel like this is a result of their culture and upbringing. Personally, I have never been pushed to develop those extreme study habits so I feel as though mine are a bit more relaxed than theirs, and my grades reflect that.
I never really thought that being stereotyped as intellectually superior negatively affected Asians, but I guess it can put a lot of added pressure on them. Maybe a lot of them feel alienated because many Americans perceive them as being different. I can see how Asians could be vulnerable to being bullied by Americans because they so often outperform us on tests. I have observed that on our campus the Asians tend to stick together in their own cliques rather than intermingling with Americans. I don’t know if this is because that’s what they prefer or if they feel that they can’t fit in with Americans.

While I am aware that many of our beliefs probably stem from assumptions and rumors rather than facts, I was still a little surprised when Sam showed the statistics about child abduction, drug use, etc. Personally, I was always one of those people that bought into the belief that "times have changed" and that it is not as safe for children to walk the streets as it used to be when my parents were kids. Honestly, the only reason that I believed this was because it is what I've been told by my parents and others that I look up to in my life. I have never actually researched the facts to see if these assumptions hold true.
I found it interesting that a child has a higher chance of getting injured in a car accident on the way to school than being abducted by a stranger on the way to school. It was also fascinating to find out that the majority of child abductions are committed by family members, not strangers. The statistics that that person tweeted are a good example of how people misinterpret data to form false assumptions. Many people, including myself, do not take the time to research data to support their assumptions. Personally, the majority of my beliefs stem from things my parents have taught me because I figure they know more than I do. I believe that many people become the products of their parents' beliefs because for many, their parents are the most significant influences in their lives.
People also buy into stereotypes much too often. I find myself judging many people based on the stereotypes that the media has implanted in my mind. I feel like most people's first impulse is to judge people based on their appearance before they even get to know them. As for the statistics about the drugs, I was surprised to see the number of white men with drug addictions because most times the media portrays drug abuse to be something that people of color and other minority groups get involved in. I believe this happens because whites can have a big influence on the media and are able to manipulate it so that the statistics and stories appear in their favor rather than against them. They are very much a part of drug abuse also, it just isn't publicized like it is for other racial groups.
I feel that many people's belief systems would change if they took the time to actually research the facts behind their assumptions, I know mine probably would. Ignorance about these issues stems from laziness or just lack of concern, at least, it is for me. I know I should research more facts behind my assumptions.

Before Sam's lecture on "who's land is it" a few days ago, I have honestly never really thought about the topic. I have always known that many Native Americans live on reservations in the west, but I was ultimately unaware of the state of poverty that we have reduced them too. Frankly, we should be ashamed of the pain and suffering that we have caused for them. As a pretty privileged white American girl, I have had a sheltered life and have never really been exposed to the poverty that those who are much less fortunate than me are forced to live in.
Senior year of high school, we had to participate in senior service projects. A few of my classmates were lucky enough to be picked to go an Native American reservation in South Dakota to help them build and repair structures among other jobs. When they returned they said it was a life changing experience. I attended a Jesuit prep school for high school, so basically most of my classmates and I live very comfortably. I could not even begin to imagine living in the conditions they described. My classmates were completely stunned, and I'm sure that the experience opened their eyes to the brutality that we are so blissfully unaware of. It makes me feel guilty for everything that I do have.
I'm still not completely clear on how we have completely reduced the Native Americans to such terrible poverty when it was, in fact, their land long before the white people immigrated to the United States. In an ideal world, I wish that everyone in our country could just live together in equality free of oppression, but I know that's a bit impossible. What I don't understand is why whites feel the need to take away Native Americans' rights causing them to live among some of the poorest conditions in the United States. Instead of forcefully and violently overtaking the Native Americans' land, I don't see why we can't find a way to make peace among everyone so that everyone can have a suitable place to live free of poverty.
It's very difficult for me to imagine what the Native Americans have gone through because I have never been subjected to a situation like that in my life. The Native Americans and the government should come to a compromise about their land and rights because the oppression is unjust. The story of how some businesses on the reservations refuse to hire Native Americans is absolutely ridiculous. In current times, many people like to say that discrimination against race is not as harsh as it used to be, but in this case that is not true. Discrimination and oppression still greatly effects many lives and cultures in the U.S., and we need to find a way to eliminate it.

The biggest personal decision I have made in my life is to attend Penn State main campus. Up until my senior year of high school, I have never really been faced with significant decisions in my life. My parents chose to send me to a private catholic elementary school because that was how they were brought up. While they let me chose my own high school, I basically just chose the one that the majority of my friends were going to so, I really did not give that decision much thought. However, when it came to deciding which college to attend, I was on my own for the first time.
I applied to a bunch of the same colleges as my friends, but we also applied to different colleges that we particularly liked. To be honest, the reason I applied to Penn State is because I had already applied to a bunch of expensive private schools and my dad told me to pick a cheaper state school. At the time, my cousin was attending Penn State so I figured it was a good pick. Once I started getting acceptance letters and scholarships from schools back, I had to start narrowing down to the ones I really wanted. While staying home would have been the cheapest option, I wanted to go away to school. So, when it came down to it, my two final choices were Villanova and Penn State.
Both personal preference and outside circumstances played a role in my decision. While Villanova had a beautiful campus, they weren't a very big engineering school, which is the major I wanted to go into. It was also rather expensive even with financial aid and scholarships. On the other hand, Penn State also had a beautiful campus, and their college of engineering is very prominent. When it came down to it, the biggest reason I chose Penn State is because it was the cheaper option. Since my parents aren't very wealthy, I must pay for the majority of my college education, and I felt that the wise decision would be to go with the school that was going to be at least $10,000 a year cheaper.
While the decision of which college to attend was my own decision, there were outside factors that significantly impacted my decision, namely cost. If my parents had been paying for my college education, I may very well have picked a different university. On the other hand, my own personal decision to major in civil engineering also had an impact. Not every college has engineering, so I personally chose to narrow my search down to the ones that had it. In the end, I believe it worked out for the best that I was limited in cost because I cannot imagine myself attending any other school, and I am very happy that I happen to choose Penn State.

The biggest personal decision I have made in my life is to attend Penn State main campus. Up until my senior year of high school, I have never really been faced with significant decisions in my life. My parents chose to send me to a private catholic elementary school because that was how they were brought up. While they let me chose my own high school, I basically just chose the one that the majority of my friends were going to so, I really did not give that decision much thought. However, when it came to deciding which college to attend, I was on my own for the first time.
I applied to a bunch of the same colleges as my friends, but we also applied to different colleges that we particularly liked. To be honest, the reason I applied to Penn State is because I had already applied to a bunch of expensive private schools and my dad told me to pick a cheaper state school. At the time, my cousin was attending Penn State so I figured it was a good pick. Once I started getting acceptance letters and scholarships from schools back, I had to start narrowing down to the ones I really wanted. While staying home would have been the cheapest option, I wanted to go away to school. So, when it came down to it, my two final choices were Villanova and Penn State.
Both personal preference and outside circumstances played a role in my decision. While Villanova had a beautiful campus, they weren't a very big engineering school, which is the major I wanted to go into. It was also rather expensive even with financial aid and scholarships. On the other hand, Penn State also had a beautiful campus, and their college of engineering is very prominent. When it came down to it, the biggest reason I chose Penn State is because it was the cheaper option. Since my parents aren't very wealthy, I must pay for the majority of my college education, and I felt that the wise decision would be to go with the school that was going to be at least $10,000 a year cheaper.
While the decision of which college to attend was my own decision, there were outside factors that significantly impacted my decision, namely cost. If my parents had been paying for my college education, I may very well have picked a different university. On the other hand, my own personal decision to major in civil engineering also had an impact. Not every college has engineering, so I personally chose to narrow my search down to the ones that had it. In the end, I believe it worked out for the best that I was limited in cost because I cannot imagine myself attending any other school, and I am very happy that I happen to choose Penn State.

I did not find the results of the incomes of whites, Asians, Hispanics, or blacks very surprising. Although, the huge gap between white and Hispanic incomes is a bit scary. I believe that these numbers are strongly connected to history and to how certain races have been treated in the past in this country. From the beginning of our country, whites have always been on top. They forced native Americans off of their land, and they enslaved blacks. I believe that their dominant role in history has give whites an advantage, especially over blacks. Most Hispanics in this country are poor families who have crossed the border from Mexico hoping to make a better life for themselves. Since they are basically starting out with little money and very basic education, I believe that is why they are close to the bottom of the spectrum. Little education hinders their opportunities at well paying jobs, and most of them are forces to take minimum wage jobs to keep their families afloat.
I think that educational opportunities have almost a direct correlation to income. Those with advanced degrees are able to apply for jobs with much higher wages than those without degrees. A college graduate most often has a significantly higher income than that of a high school grad or below. Family background plays a large role in educational opportunities most times. In order for one to attend college, he or she must be able to pay for it or at least be eligible to take out the loans necessary. Many people that come from lower income families are denied the opportunity to attend college because their families cannot afford it. Therefore, they are forced into jobs that require little to no skill with low paychecks. Unless they are able to work their way up, they are stuck in that position for a very long time. Most jobs these days require a college degree because the job market has become much more competitive than it has been in the past.
Asians are on the top of the spectrum because, as the girl in class mentioned, most of the Asians in the United States are those affluent enough to afford the high expenses of attending college in the U.S. In China and other countries in Asia, their education system is more advanced and intense than the United States, allowing Asians to score high enough on qualifying tests and providing them with the discipline to pursue difficult majors such as engineering and medicine. These difficult majors more often than not result in jobs with top salaries.
There are the few that are able to work hard enough to be the first college graduate in their families and therefore raise their family's monetary status, but I feel that this is not a frequently occurring event. Although it is possible to advance, I think that for the most part people remain within the economic status that they have been born into.

I did not find the results of the incomes of whites, Asians, Hispanics, or blacks very surprising. Although, the huge gap between white and Hispanic incomes is a bit scary. I believe that these numbers are strongly connected to history and to how certain races have been treated in the past in this country. From the beginning of our country, whites have always been on top. They forced native Americans off of their land, and they enslaved blacks. I believe that their dominant role in history has give whites an advantage, especially over blacks. Most Hispanics in this country are poor families who have crossed the border from Mexico hoping to make a better life for themselves. Since they are basically starting out with little money and very basic education, I believe that is why they are close to the bottom of the spectrum. Little education hinders their opportunities at well paying jobs, and most of them are forces to take minimum wage jobs to keep their families afloat.
I think that educational opportunities have almost a direct correlation to income. Those with advanced degrees are able to apply for jobs with much higher wages than those without degrees. A college graduate most often has a significantly higher income than that of a high school grad or below. Family background plays a large role in educational opportunities most times. In order for one to attend college, he or she must be able to pay for it or at least be eligible to take out the loans necessary. Many people that come from lower income families are denied the opportunity to attend college because their families cannot afford it. Therefore, they are forced into jobs that require little to no skill with low paychecks. Unless they are able to work their way up, they are stuck in that position for a very long time. Most jobs these days require a college degree because the job market has become much more competitive than it has been in the past.
Asians are on the top of the spectrum because, as the girl in class mentioned, most of the Asians in the United States are those affluent enough to afford the high expenses of attending college in the U.S. In China and other countries in Asia, their education system is more advanced and intense than the United States, allowing Asians to score high enough on qualifying tests and providing them with the discipline to pursue difficult majors such as engineering and medicine. These difficult majors more often than not result in jobs with top salaries.
There are the few that are able to work hard enough to be the first college graduate in their families and therefore raise their family's monetary status, but I feel that this is not a frequently occurring event. Although it is possible to advance, I think that for the most part people remain within the economic status that they have been born into.