Response to Protests in Libya

Not knowing much about the protests in Libya, I feel that America’s only reason for going into Libya and trying to stop the rebels from attacking the government was to show how America is a super power and how America has control over certain parts of the world. While reading several articles I began to think about the relationship between Libya and other parts of the world, including the America as well. What I have learned is that citizens of Libya want Muammar el-Qaddafi thrown from power, because the last, “Four decades of freakish rule,” has only created ore problems for the country. Not knowing much about the connections between America and Libya, I do not believe that America should get involved and drop over twenty massive bombs on the country in order to try to stop the war. I feel that by America going into Libya would only create more problems because now America has to worry about offending other armed groups in Libya, or surrounding Libya, because as shown in past history violence has only led to more violence. If America did have some connections with Libya in regards to oil, because Libya is an oil rich country, then I understand why America is tying to protect it’s other alliances. Otherwise I feel that the only in order to solve the problem in Libya is to over throw Muammar el-Qaddafi, by either killing him or imprisoning him, because eventually he could become a threat to the rest of the world. I do feel that Libya needs America’s help but I do feel that there are better ways to go about it. Another way to go about this is to form a peace treaty, or divide land but either way Muammar el-Qaddafi would still in power creating more problems for the citizens around the area.

Race in America

What would America be without its diverse culture and ethnic groups? America is the home to the free and the brave and, and without all the individuals which make up our communities America would look completely different. Also I have noticed that in America ones race is more than just their skin color but rather it is their life. In the article Being Black in America, Andrew Hacker explain what it is like to be Black in America, and all the struggles it brings along with it. To be honest it is not shocking to hear that based on ones color, their life style is completely affected, along with their living environment, working environment, and how other perceive them. On the other hand it is interesting to see Tim Wise’s view on being white in America, because he almost believes that being white is a gift, because of all the advantages that being white brings with it. Time explains how, “Being white also meant that I wasn’t likely to be perceived by any truly dangerous character in the ‘hood as a rival drug dealer or gang member, for example” (White Like Me 51). It is interesting to see the stereotypes that are attached to people of color simply because they are not white. Wise believes that being white could only help one’s life situation, because there are not many stereotypes associated with whites. Each and every one of us has our own hidden biases, which differ from person to person, but they are not always expressed. When taking the bias test in class almost all of us we told that we were racist in some way based on our morals and views on different ideas or situations. I feel that the only way in order to stop racism is through education, by showing students and others how racism affects others lives, and what it does to cultures and communities. There will always the select few who are firm believers  who will never change, then there is a group of people who views can be changed through education, and then there are the people who believe that racism is completely wrong, which we all should believe. Through education we can change this racist, cruel, and uneducated world we live in which will change the future forever. We must act now in order to make a difference in the future, otherwise our world will continue running the same way it has been, allowing some people to rise, and causing others to sink. We need to move past this and move towards a society where it is possible for all of us to prosper and succeed in life.

Mock Trail Recap

When looking back to the first case that was presented, I thought that the plaintiff Elyse Roberts was a victim of sexual harassment, and I thought that  Elyse’s attorney’s did a great job on presenting the facts of the case, and getting the point across.   I agree with the verdict, because the evidence presented in the case showed that Mrs. Roberts was sexually harassed multiple times in her office, and her co-workers and supervisors did nothing to remedy the situation.  The facts that stood out to me was when Kevin Murphy took a picture of a swimsuit model from a USA swimsuit magazine, and wrote Mrs. Roberts name across the top and posted in his office, which is also Mrs. Roberts office as well. Also Kevin Murphy continued to make unnecessary comments, after Mrs. Roberts asked him to stop and touched her repeatedly. Mrs. Roberts was unable to attend work because she was getting sick over the harassment present by Kevin Murphy at work on a daily basis. Mrs. Roberts began to lose sleep as well as weight, which are known symptoms one would experience if being sexually harassed. I felt that the defended was trying to prove that Mrs. Roberts missed to many days of work, when she did not and tried to explain that Mrs. Roberts was simply over reacting to the situation because everyone else in the work place likes Kevin Murphy. If the defendants did not get of track as much, I felt that it was very possible that they could have own the case, because there was enough evidence to prove the plaintiff guilty.

When looking back to the second case, I thought that both sides did a good job explaining their sides, but the defense proved their case explaining that David Jones did not rape Susan Williams. It was a  tough decision to make because both sides evidence was very interesting and proved their case. The compelling facts that made the difference in the jury’s decisions was that even Susan said no and did not want to have sex with David, and yet David forced it upon her. Also Susan’s shirt came into play because, supposedly David ripped it off Susan and then raped her. The information that I considered to be the most important was that the there was no evidence that Mrs. Roberts was raped by David Jones, because she went how and showered. Also the plaintiff got side tracked, with the fact that both David and Susan were drinking that night, but alcohol does not excuse the events which occurred. Also it was unclear who the plaintiff’s expert was, which effected their case as well. If the plaintiff made it clear who their expert was, then their evidence would have been more clear to the jury allowing their facts and message to be sent clearly. I feel that both sides had enough evidence to win their case, but it came down to presenting their information and the defense did their job very well. The defense got on the stands and made sure their questions were answered, opposed to the plaintiff who got side tracked and tried to prove some of the defense’s facts false, which got them nowhere.

I feel that there is some sexual harassment that occurs here at Deerfield High School in the halls. It is hard to determine because one doesn’t know if the comments and touching are unwanted or is just an inside joke that occurs between friends. Do be honest I feel there is more bullying than sexual harassment, because many of the comments that are made are often made to put someone down, which is unnecessary and rood. I believe that the culture here at Deerfield High School adds to the idea of sexual harassment because here at Deerfield students are Primarily white, which allows students to think that they can make certain comments to students because there is not much diversity, which allows one to think that all the students are all the same, which is not true at all. Every students  has different beliefs, and when someone makes a smart ass remark, it can deeply offend someone’s beliefs and culture, which in unacceptable. I also feel that some comments can be taken the wrong way, and be considered sexual harassment when it was not intended to be. I feel that the students at Deerfield High School do not try to harass other students, but one does not know how certain actions and words will offend others.