Blog 13

Sheikh Khalid Yase’s video lecture talks about how the media is making an issue about Muslim women covering up their head and wearing loose clothing. He argues that Muslim women have every right to do it because the law permits it the same as naturalist, and that they do not need to apologize or explain to anyone why they wear such outfits.

I FEEL…You know what I could care less if Muslim women wear head scarves or wear conservative clothing. In my opinion it shows that Muslim women are proud of their culture and are not afraid to show it.

I THINK that the issue of Muslim women wearing conservative clothing is a by product of Western stereotypes and paranoia.

I BELIEVE that the media is using the clothing issue to highlight the problems in the Middle East, but I believe that this thinking is similar to imperialism in the 18th and 19th Century where the West was trying to “modernize” the less “fortunate” and teach them Western culture.

I KNOW that people should respect other people’s cultures and traditions since it is in the constitution.

 

Blog 12

White Privilege: “The Big Lie” talks briefly about how white Americans in the US are conditioned to think that they are better than other people with color.

I FEEL a bit surprised that the “white privilege” in the US is still prevalent even in the upper levels of government even though the current president is a person of color.

I THINK that America’s “white privilege” is already an institution and removing it will greatly affect the American psyche.

I BELIEVE that “white privilege” is slowly corrupting American society because it conditions white Americans to subconsciously discriminate their fellow colored countrymen.

I KNOW that “white privilege” in America is supported by the government. So it is difficult for American society to change its views on subtle discrimination.

Blog 11

Tim Wise-Institutional Racism talks about the high the number of colored people (AfroAmericans, Hispanics) in American prisons compared to non-colored people. He talks about how most violent crimes and drug use are mostly done by the white Americans, but most people who go to prison are colored people.

I FEEL shocked by Tim Wise’s arguments that most crimes committed in the US are done by whites, but they only compose a small number compared to other ethnic groups in America’s prison population.

I THINK that the US Justice system is flawed but at the same time the US media also contributes to the stereotyping of people with color.

I BELIEVE that white Americans are more privileged than Americans with color even though discrimination is outlawed in the US

I KNOW Tim Wise’s arguments can be useful to educate the public 

Blog 10

Who Will Liberate Liberia by Charles Quist-Adade talks about how the United States is wasting billions of dollars trying to eliminate Saddam Hussein and “liberate” Iraq. But, United States never even thought of liberating of Liberia which has a deeper connection to United States than Iraq because of oil.

 

I FEEL that the author’s belief that United States is trying to liberate Iraq because of oil is a myth because there is no evidence that the United States is after Iraqi oil.

 

I THINK that the Iraq war was a mistake from a military point of view because it forced America into a two front war which placed a strain on its resources.

 

I BELIEVE that author’s argumentthat the United States is not doing enough for Liberia does warrant support because it is true the United States did not help Liberia, but I also believe that there is a reason why the United States did not play an active role in Liberia.

 

I KNOW that everyone has a right to their own opinion and I respect the author’s arguments.

 

 

Blog 9

Race as a Modern Idea by Charles Quist-Adade talks about how Race and Racism did not exist in the past but was created by during the Enlightenment era by Francois Bernier. The author also talks about how European “naturalists” made the Caucasian race the superior race and made ways to prove this superiority through Craniomentry and Phrenology.

 

I FEEL that race as a modern concept is probably the worst concept man has ever created because it breaks down humans according to their physical attributes not their capabilities.

 

I THINK the concept of race and racism is a joke plain and simple.

 

I BELIEVE that European superiority is a fallacy because there is no such thing as racial superiority.

 

I KNOW that as long there are still ignorant people who believe in race and racism then this issue will never be resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog 8

The Phantom of the Race: The Myth of Race and the Reality of Racism by Charles Quist-Adade talks about how Race and Racism are socially constructed concepts, but have a major effect on society. He talks about how race and racism are interconnected with each other, and how physical attributes like skin color are superficial and genetically humans are similar very similar to each other.

 

I FEEL that race and racism is an issue that is still prevalent in the world today even though there have been many social changes that promoted racial equality in society, but behind closed doors I feel there is still a prevalence of racial prejudice in the minds of people, but we just can’t see them.

 

I THINK the concept of race and racism is a joke plain and simple.

 

I BELIEVE the author’s argumentthat educating young kids about the errors of race and racism is one way of combating racism because it educates children at the same time conditions them to look past beyond the physical attributes of other people.

 

I KNOW that as long there are still ignorant people who believe in race and racism then this issue will never be resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog 7

Negotiation, Not Retribution by Charles Quist-Adade argues that America should negotiate with the terrorist instead of using violence because the United States and the West in general are also responsible for the economic inequality between developing nations and Western nations.

 

I FEEL offended by the article because the author blatantly condemns the United States for all the ills in the world today and does not look at the other side of the coin. The author only sees America’s atrocities, but not her achievements. Also, people forget the reasons why America is what it is today. They forget that during WWII America saved the world. Was it not American blood that liberated Europe from the Nazi menace? Was it not American money that made the German and Japanese economic miracle possible? If not, then who?

 

I THINK people who will read this blog will say I am pro-American. Well yes I support America and have always been pro-American because if not for America I wouldn’t be alive today. Why I wouldn’t be alive if not for America? The reason is simple my grandmother was targeted for death by the Japanese because her brothers were part of the Filipino guerilla and they were forced into hiding. What if America decided not to go to war and instead let Japan had its way with Asia? Well I want the class of SOCI 1125 S13 answer that for me.

 

I BELIEVE that America’s war on terrorism is just repeat of history because it is the same as situation as Pearl Harbor 71 years ago.

 

I KNOW that people have the right to their own opinion. I am merely expressing mine that America does not deserve to be condemned for all the problems in the world because the United States has also contributed much to the world.