23FA Class #2: Overcoming Awkwardness

[@SOC119]

Thanks for watching the second class of this semester! Questions for the comment section based on the activity: What question would you have asked to Hijabi volunteers? What do you think leads to the awkwardness felt by people? How would you have made the exercise better? Here are the highlight videos from this lecture: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqTQp2WnmrmWZq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOQdYGFodKXias kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4CmdYBnlq-AbcU

[@sunshinerainbows4627]

Curious about pants. Are pants a sign of becoming Americanized? Where I live the women wear the long flowing gowns and even went swimming in them (not sure why and yes, did not wish to offend them as wasn't sure if there was a cultural reason).

[@coachrobertson7163]

Dr. Sam Richards... Enjoy watching all of your videos.... Why don't you do a video on, "Was the 2020 Election Fair or Rigged?"... Sorry but having grad-level statistics it's hard for me to believe President Biden received 81-Million-Votes and 58% of President Biden's Votes were MAIL-IN-BALLOTS which equals 47-Million Mail-In-Ballots (That statistic of 58% IS what is being reported).... PLEASE do a segment on that subject and ask the class their opinions and show stats to prove YES the 2020-Election was RIGGED or NO the 2020-Election was not RIGGED...

[@ilovenoodles7483]

Is hijabi a noun and a verb? I always understood hijab to be only the noun, like actual heafscarf. So "to be hijabi" - I guess that is the verb of it? which means the reasoning behind the hijab?? Also, I would like to know if there's specific rules to wearing the hijab based on the specific Muslim country or is it the same rules all across the board? Like not wearing the hijab when in the house and around immediate family only, is that a specific rule of the religion or is that just cultural? Why did one woman say that no one is supposed to know the actual length of her hair, is that a cultural reason, or personal reason? The other woman hijabi didn't have a problem telling everyone the length of her hair, so I'm just wondering why? Also, are hijabs a requirement of the religion or is it a requirement of the Muslim country that the women is in? In America, some women still choose to wear the hijab, while other Muslim women don't do it all. I genuinely want to know why.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

​@@sunshinerainbows4627- where do you live?

[@aouatefrouahi8823]

Just about offending, I think nowadays people are irrationally sensitive. I don't understand how it can be offending if someone call me Jewish, Muslim or Christian if I am a Jewish, Muslim or Christian How could I be offended if someone is interested in my religion and needs to know more I think we should accept ourselves before asking people to accept us Hope we can reach peace on this planet

[@tbballa24]

This class should be taught at every college. Good for people to get over the awkwardness and start addressing the differences in eachother in a curious/compassionate way.

[@FromDaPit]

Not this class. This TEACHER should be in every college. So many Soc and collegiate teachers as a whole don’t apply this type of conversation into their courses

[@tbballa24]

@@FromDaPit Correct. Me saying this class is including either this professor or someone who is like minded and also has a good spirit about them. 👍

[@Theresistance64]

Agreed! We never had an awesome class like this with a Prof like this when I was an undergrad at Penn State! I feel cheated! 🥲

[@Haveuseenmyjetpack]

Bro, think before you type. How could THIS teacher possibly be at EVERY college? Clones?!

[@rmv4646]

It is the teacher that makes this so good. I agree with you, it should be taught, but in the way that THIS class is being taught. He is not pushing his own ideas in ways that other teachers do. He is quite good.

[@11besho11]

As a saudi muslim woman, I can assure you that these two muslim ladies would have given really informative and detailed answers if this whole conversation was in their first language. It really is very difficult and scary tbh to be an international student and be asked such questions in your second language.

[@downwithfaith]

That is, if they were asked questions of any depth, which unfortunately they weren’t.

[@imtiyazzargar1035]

I get it but Allah gives courage if our iman is firm

[@11besho11]

@@imtiyazzargar1035 courage doesn’t help you with expressing yourself, if you have no mastery of the language. Speaking from experience, you would sound like a child expressing yourself.

[@googleholyspirittv7223]

Hummn!

[@Random-rh4gv]

Thanks for helping with the truth

[@Megafan43]

I'm a 56 yr old female. You make me want to go to school again! I reside in Washington state

[@TheBreakingMuse]

this is beautiful stuff. i love it. an actual atmosphere of LEARNING, which can sometimes be awkward

[@october2670]

These types of teachers should be in high schools.

[@FF-ie1yy]

Very refreshing conversation between the 4 ladies. I watched the lecture and was very interested in the section on hijabi women, as I am one myself. I just wanted to say that the hijab is really like a requirement given to us from God, and the choice is to wear it or not ( to follow the order or not).

[@lnoorplaylist]

yeah i watched the video after watching youtube short about it.

[@irhamyusoff]

Great job of understanding each other 👍

[@rmv4646]

Great conversation. I was wondering if there was any chance of there being conversations, on different days, about the cultural problems and successes of each group in the US? I mean, a sincerely respectful, rip the bandaid off, get down to the bare bottom of each group owning their successes and failures within their culture. I know this would be difficult, but it is 100% necessary for each group to get better and for the country as a whole.

[@ossbst469]

I actually watched the whole lecture, it was interesting

[@UpsonPrattJr.]

Rule of thumb. The harder you try to not be offensive, the more offensive shit you end up saying. Stop worrying about offending everyone because people have figured out (manipulate a system) that being offended is a currency today and it can get you what you want.

[@Gr88tful]

1:06:24 he answered the question and it is an important discussion imo. Women being offended seems a valid concern for men.

[@saskiaruiters1656]

I'm extremely grateful to come from a country where we can openly discuss ethnicity culture etc I feel I would have had great difficulty if not as I'm a very curious person especially when it comes to how other ppl and cultures work differently especially with us as coloureds not having a definitive cultural history.🙏

[@ilovenoodles7483]

What country are you from?

[@saskiaruiters1656]

@@ilovenoodles7483 South Africa

[@zaPolymath]

Name a country where you cant discuss that

[@lizyfiggy]

Wished they did an activity with Puerto Ricans and other Latin groups

[@SOC119]

I will let Sam know there is interest! We will for sure cover Latin America this semester!

[@lnoorplaylist]

the reason why muslims aren't offended at her pronouncing wrong word for Allah is that, it was just a mistake, it wasn't her intention to offend. If she intentionally did that, a true muslim would defenitely be offended.

[@Gr88tful]

I have a question to those who practice- can I wear the scarf- in the same style tie w/o being Muslim?. Is that a sacrilege or offensive to some?. I ask because It actually occurred to me to wear one to grocery or something to see if I am treated differently. Or note myself acting differently . And if that is an offensive thing to consider please accept my apologies.

[@IbrahimKhan-pw6ue]

Muslim here, I don't think we'd be offended. Although, some people might assume you are a Muslim. 😆

[@Nevermind952]

It is not offensive. Women cover their hair for modisty, so make sure to wear modest cloth in general as well with it ❤

[@shaheerasumeen3305]

Not at all inappropriate. If tht helps you to understand a situation better then y not have a hands down approach . All the best

[@suzzanazm1959]

No, it's not offensive at all. You can wear it even though you are not Muslim.

[@extraframe6376]

Wear it like a nun, that covers muslim part as well. No it's not offensive to anyone

[@KoZeroSM]

Came from YT shorts expecting some meaningful insights about wearing hijab but meh... wasted my time...

[@sadiyahjahan3652]

I feel like these two young ladies couldn’t explain much about Islam

[@ilovenoodles7483]

Is hijabi a noun and a verb? I always understood hijab to be only the noun, like actual heafscarf. So "to be hijabi" - I guess that is the verb of it? which means the reasoning behind the hijab?? Also, I would like to know if there's specific rules to wearing the hijab based on the specific Muslim country or is it the same rules all across the board? Like not wearing the hijab when in the house and around immediate family only, is that a specific rule of the religion or is that just cultural? Why did one woman say that no one is supposed to know the actual length of her hair, is that a cultural reason, or personal reason? The other woman hijabi didn't have a problem telling everyone the length of her hair, so I'm just wondering why? Also, are hijabs a requirement of the religion or is it a requirement of the Muslim country that the women is in? In America, some women still choose to wear the hijab, while other Muslim women don't do it all. I genuinely want to know why?

[@zaPolymath]

It is a requirement of the religion and not choosing to wear it is a deliberate sin against God. Both men and women have prescription of hijab. Hijab encompasses both behaviour and clothing. Both men and women have separate prescription for clothing but same for behaviour. Most Muslim women that dont adhere to the hijab code are doing it out of pressure by the society, job, or heart desires. This is as result of brainwashing by the media and schools regarding hijab painting it as a symbol of oppression.

[@costenitasoi9705]

Hijabi the literal translation is "my hijab" thats what it means. Hijab in the broad religious spectrum is not only the head scarf is your dress and your attitude. ( the hijab is the head scarf modest clothing by modest meaning non revealing hence not to too tight no cleavage nothing transparent etc, you get the picture and your behavior should be respectful, demure. So you could say it's a verb. Let me read your other questions I can't remember what else you asked by the way I'm a westerner woman living in the middle east since 5 years ago. My 1st language isn't English so I apologize in advance for my mistakes.

[@costenitasoi9705]

About the lenght of the hair it's a personal reason or cultural I guess for there's no official instruction about it in the religion and also like everywhere some people are more open than others to speak about personal matters and maybe that's the case here one doesn't have a problem sharing this info with the one that asks yet the other is more reserved.The hijab is a religious requirement although as I mentioned earlier some just wear it because of cultural reasons I live In a Muslim country and it's not obligatory is recommended, encouraged and a requirement in the muslim faith and a way to follow all the of profet Muhammad's (pbu) teachings yet many don't wear it because it's a personal decision it's up to you and your degree of faith if you cover or not. To make it more clear every Muslim aspiration is to live a life as close as possible as prophet Muhammad's (pbu) teachings. So as a conclusion IMO I would say it's a personal decision regarding their level of faith and trust in Allah. Hope I answered all of your questions.

[@chottabeamm]

it's a noun. to be a hijabi. it's grammatically correct, I think, because, to be + a + noun

[@norahassan2372]

Hijab is noun in Arabic Hijabi is adjective hijabi girl is like the blonde girl

[@AlisonGranger-s5z]

Greetings from Japan.

[@kornelokachorino4169]

Same here, I'm 62.

[@amk210]

The Muslim women could have said so much more - real missed opportunity

[@mojo2613]

Interesting conversations, but not sure what this has to do with avoiding controversy...

[@SOC119]

This is Sam, the professor. The direction of the conversation got switched a bit at the last minute and we couldn't change the title. We just sort of went with it. It really should have been, "What is so Controversial about Talking?" (or something like that). Hmm...maybe we can change it now.

[@mojo2613]

@@SOC119 Ah, I see. I really wondered, "Geez, have we reached a point in society that asking questions and getting to know someone else's culture is now considered controversial?" Lol Whew! Glad it was just a title thing. I'm sure as a young college student, this would've been difficult for me too, especially with all the eyes on you! But as a 25-year Army veteran, I miss getting to know people from other cultures and ask all kinds of questions. I made many good friends around the world. And as a female, and eventually a senior officer, they always had questions for me about what that was like. Anyway, great stuff. Thank you for broadcasting it!

[@lizkt]

I don't think she is really trying to learn. She's trying to get through the exercise. To be fair I know she's in an awkward situation and is also young

[@crystalpearl9237]

I hope more than this but this is fit the title

[@aayush_vaishnav]

❤

[@SOC119]

❤

[@thunderstreet78]

What happens if someone wants to leave the Islam faith? Is it allowed?

[@salehali1961]

Why did Mary (mother of Jesus) wear hijab? What’s the meaning of wearing it for her?

[@PP-cm8pw]

Muslims women’s are very beautiful.👍

[@yucelfabiano866]

Gasss sir

[@Liljoozy]

11:53 Imagine you are Kevin and you have worked your entire life to arrive at your professor summing you up as "just a dude." Edit - Professor redeems himself by considering Kevin as the individual at 14:40.

[@VästerHöger]

He cannot even say which group he is afraid of offending because he is afraid that would be too offensive to them

[@friedec3622]

Indonesia is maybe also has the same climate with Florida. It's hot and humid all the year. But the difference is, the womens here, wear hijab. I'm men though, so don't ask me how it feels like.

[@sharmakejtiger2554]

The two muslim girls didnt quite explain about their religion and i dont know if their knowledge of islam is limited. Overall i would say it great

[@aliam5865]

As a muslim i think if all world is gonna be like these pakistani girls, it'll be so dull and depressing

[@maryam6138]

Exactly! I wish if I was there place.. I’d have so much to say !!!

[@andsoitgoes1142]

If these American students are any indication of the speaking and thinking ability of their generation, we are in big trouble.

[@neelkatte7313]

same statement used on two different person with same background can be offencive for one and not for other , getting offencive on anything depends on N number of thing some of those r open minded , emotional state, B/W thinking...

[@downwithfaith]

It’s hard to believe the two girls doing the “interviews” were university students.

[@himacho8771]

☕

[@jamesb5864]

Switch university student with mental patients and we would both be on the same page about the institutions.

[@kidskorner6216]

Is that Tasbeeh in Prof’s hand? Is he a Muslim?

[@DerKiesch]

He mentioned in the first lecture that he "is a muslim by accident" and I don't remember the name of what's in his hand, but it's something from Egypt and has to do with prayer (if that helps answer your question).

[@jomangeee9180]

twirling the mike is distracting! Word!!

[@joodalkhatib8664]

Bro that is my sister there , her name is mira She is not wearing glasses

[@esosun7893]

what is an ignorant question?

[@tianamarie989]

Definition of ignorant: lacking knowledge or awareness in general. He's not using that word in the negative way most people use it, which is why so many take issue with being called ignorant/asking ignorant questions.

[@cvzdez]

His whole style was not American maybe because i am blk and i was a foreigner but assimilated watched people assimilated his shirt and jellans so not American but foreign blk. Jist from the cut. If you are blk identified and American the barber cut is percise.

[@lnoorplaylist]

what is blk

[@jenniferbond5771]

Hmm

[@pep590]

Jesus has not been portrayed as a white guy nationally , since who knows when. Maybe the 1980's. Not sure where you got the rumor was Jesus had a low voice part. That's a new one. Soft spoken to be sure.

[@andsoitgoes1142]

Kevin needs to lose the word “ like”.

[@downwithfaith]

“He’s JUST an average dude, he’s not expected to know anything”, said repeatedly, emphatically…then later same teacher says “he’s not just an average guy, he’s Kevin, with a complex history…”? Does this teacher not realize how insulting he was before reversing his statement (with no clarification on why he contradicted himself in the first place)? He embarrassed the poor kid for no good reason and it made me cringe. Plus, this teacher doesn’t seem to be able to complete a sentence, beginning one thought before veering off in a completely different direction without ever finishing the first idea. To make matters worse, he peppers his phrases with “like”, “dude” and “bro”. Is he trying to appeal to his students by sounding like The Big Lebowski? That’s not even their vernacular. He may have some good concepts to teach but he needs to be more clear and concise. He really shouldn’t be surprised when his students don’t remember anything about his classes just minutes after they end. That should be a lesson for him.

[@andsoitgoes1142]

I can only judge from what I am seeing in this video, but he seems to be ineffectual and he sets a low bar for his students. I would not want him to teach my child.

[@jamesking6636]

He was speaking on society's look on him. He wasn't actually saying that he's just an average dude and isn't expected to know anything. That's why he said later that he IS complex and you can't just take someone based on their external experiences.

[@viva0las0vegas]

Nuance and flow-state are the things that I find useful to reference the gentleman's style of guidance. It might very well be he intended it as an ironic, experiential education... technique...if you will. More like freestyle jazz as opposed to orchestral scores. Different methods of imparting knowledge as well as and perhaps more importantly, really taking advantage of the plasticity of the brain and the necessity to mix in knowledge with confusion and emotions... I see what you mean though.

[@striateddragon]

I don’t think he’s trying to relate to the students with “dude” and “bro”. I think that’s just HIS vernacular. He was a teenager in the 70’s. He seems pretty scatter-brained, like he’ll start 5 sentences sometimes before finishing one. If you’re not paying close attention, his train of thought can be difficult to follow. I wish he was a more effective communicator because I love the content of these classes.

[@downwithfaith]

@@striateddragon I was a teenager in the 70s. No one talked that way. It came much later.

[@nicolacurly]

The level of the conversation , as well as the professor's puntuations, are frankly embarassing! Not even for the total lack of knowledge about religions and cultures, as for the total absense of critical thinking and curiosity showed.

[@FluffyMonkey-kl9ht]

What happened? How did you take that away from this video?

[@tianamarie989]

​@@FluffyMonkey-kl9htI'm wondering the same!

[@nickoleross6199]

You realize he lived in arabic countries for years right. 😂 the whole point of this class is to understand human behavior its supposed to be awkward it's supposed to make the students think.

[@nicolacurly]

@@nickoleross6199 this is a University not an elementary school! But if you are happy than everybody is happy.

[@fitterhappiermoreproductiv2172]

I agree that the questions were really poor. The only factor that might make it less painful is to take into consideration the pressure Angel was feeling. It's hard to understand being so alienated from a topic that should be (as I see it) general knowledge.

[@horatiobeaker]

This class is all you need to know about why electing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as President of the United States is a danger to society. Student: be thankful you are not going to college in Florida right now.