24FA Class #2: "The Whites" | White American Culture Lecture

[@Nicole-dp5ks]

I listened to almost the full video before I decided to comment. I’m white. I grew up dirt poor. At age 9, my family lost our home and were basically homeless until my grandma took us and let us live in a tiny travel trailer in her backyard. I lived in California so I was a minority. I was surrounded by mostly Mexicans. Which was great growing up, honestly didn’t even noticed until high school. To hear that I have some unknown privilege or generational wealth has to be the most annoying thing. I worked two jobs most of my life. I got through community college. That’s where the poors go to college if you didn’t know. My parents didn’t pay for my schooling. Most of the scholarships at my community college were designated for brown or black people. Only one that everybody could apply to, including me. I can’t afford to buy a house. I’m so sick of hearing I have privilege when I’m barely surviving and I feel like it’s been that way my whole life. Edited to add that I’m a girl. The name is Nicole. Not sure why y’all are calling me a he. 😅💁‍♀️

[@mattstroker]

The ones stating such bs are dumb and ignorant. And racist. Not 1 exception. You are right.

[@Nicole-dp5ks]

@@secretbassrigs I grew up about an hour from Los Angeles. The racism really is out in the open, it’s wild. To be honest, it never bothered me until it came to college and scholarships. That’s when I was like, wait a minute?! This is a little messed up.

[@asdasdwrwe32-bh3gw]

@@tcolley The person pointed out the advantages offered to other groups, not just that she didn't receive any.

[@asdasdwrwe32-bh3gw]

you don't have to capitalize black, btw

[@Nicole-dp5ks]

@@asdasdwrwe32-bh3gw I didn’t mean to capitalize the b lol.

[@noahh.3644]

It is so fascinating how a white person should be careful, be interested and understand different non-white cultures, when the other people dont even care about white culture.

[@Blakberi73]

what is white culture?

[@Beyy3]

@@Blakberi73 what is black culture ?

[@mommadeb49]

​@@Blakberi73thats a great question. The "white" culture is hard to define, because white people are from many different cultures, irish, english, french, american, german, italian, etc and each of these has its own culture and in america we are such a melting pot.

[@thefinegameofnil7158]

​@Blakberi73 what's black culture?

[@noldarandur]

​@@thefinegameofnil7158 That's a good question. I think it's equally as difficult to define black culture. Culture and race are two very different things, but are often conflated. You're gonna get different answers from different people and your skin color may or may not affect your opinion any more than your place of birth, religion, gender, age etc. Thus, an agreed upon universal term for either is going to face challenges.

[@jimmymichaud8227]

As someone from the white state of Maine, I have witnessed more classist than racist situatuons. Growing up, the majority of black and brown people i encountered were middle class suburban type people and other than the novelty of being non-white were just that, middle class suburban people. More recently the influx of black and brown people migrating from lower income urban areas seems to be changing how many view the difference in races. To me, in my personal experiences, socioeconomic status seems to be the more prevalent difference in cultures than color

[@RyanRoberts-kw2ik]

Dr Thomas Sowell did a study and wrote about it in a few of his books. His studies are very interesting and I wish were mentioned in these discussions.

[@b.marieglasgow1228]

@@jimmymichaud8227 Yes, the through-line is money. American policy has diligently assigned poverty to non-whites. Many of those you witness as middle class today would be Barons but for systematic government sanctioned theft, exclusion and persecution , given that their families have been working in the New World since the Mayflower.

[@kimberlycorliss9616]

I'm from New Hampshire. I grew up here when it was very white. I agree. It's more classist than racist.

[@majorchutzpah7265]

@jimmymichaud8227 Yes and No. For many years, Compton was a sought-after suburb of middle-class blacks.....what happened? A lot of suburbs in Maryland have high homicide rates where the parents are working cushy govt jobs.

[@b.marieglasgow1228]

@@jimmymichaud8227 …which underscores the longstanding US Government conspiracy to strip Blacks of all wealth and thereby to trap the majority of Blacks into lower socioeconomic strata, in other words, to “Keep Them In Their Place (where we needn’t have to compete and our essential whiteness retains its value as The Golden Ticket)”. The national stats regarding health, wealth and justice disparities are undeniable. The policies are only deniable by the common Narcissistic ploys of projection, scapegoating and magical thinking. This country will continue to plummet toward rock bottom until it faces the immediacy of its addiction, which seems to necessitate exorcism. Notice how rational thinking seems to obsolesce? The pathology has been in metastasis since 1619.

[@michaelsanders6417]

Just a note, “Digga” is slang in northern Germany for “bro”. It has no historical baggage or racial connotation. Danke!

[@bluepillglitch8007]

That is impossible

[@NuNa_NuNu]

@@bluepillglitch8007 google “dicker” 🙄

[@Morlucia]

Wanted to write the same.

[@lizbaker2960]

No. It's a slur. C'mon, now.

[@enderwiggen3638]

“Digga” is a slang term commonly used in German, especially among younger people or in informal settings. It’s derived from “Dicker,” which literally means “fat” or “thick,” but in this context, it doesn’t refer to weight. Instead, it’s similar to saying “dude,” “bro,” or “mate” in English. It’s often used to address friends casually, e.g., “Was geht, Digga?” (“What’s up, dude?”).

[@PetrolJunkie]

My takeaway is that these people didn't really know anything about “white people”. Or “white culture.” It's because there has been a one-sided discussion for so long the other side has been erased from the conversation.

[@laurencezemlick1979]

I’m 45 and I don’t think even I could describe “white culture”, if there even is one. I don’t mean that white people don’t have culture - it’s that there are so many different layers and types of cultures. There is American culture in general, but also a regional culture, a local culture, generational culture (like Baby Boomers have a different culture than Gen Z). For some people “white culture” is Barbecues on Saturdays, church on Sunday, going to car races, working hard, staying married, football, respecting women, etc. To someone else it could be cappuccino’s downtown with your wife and dog, going to the opera, volunteering at a non-profit, reading books, etc. It’s impossible to answer it, because the premise is flawed. There simply isn’t a “White culture”. Same way their isn’t an “Asian culture” or “Black culture”

[@olivierpire8311]

which platform are you referring to when talking about "one-sided discussion"? I don't think there is a place where white people talk about "white people"

[@PetrolJunkie]

@@olivierpire8311 Keep going. Your on the right track. “White” people don't talk about “white people” That conversation is had by everyone else. Why is that?

[@PetrolJunkie]

@@laurencezemlick1979 That is a good point, and a big part of the problem with making generalizations. I don’t think culture can be broken down by skin color. It's way more nuanced than that.

[@jstark2388]

Hell, I'm a white American, but I couldn't describe us. I am from the south. We focus on hard work, moral backbone, family, and frying everything. Where I live, white people try to explore other cultures. We try to understand the melting pot. Not all white people are racist. Most are caring, compassionate, and truly want to help their neighbors no matter what their skin color is.

[@timwierenga2952]

Man, Dr. Richards, I wish I could travel back in time, go to Penn State, and take your class. I'll def settle for just following along as long as you keep posting these incredible topics of conversation. SOC 119 4 life

[@timwierenga2952]

You're not going to offend Leena, she spent a year in Germany after all😂

[@timwierenga2952]

Choam Nomsky from Germany😆💀

[@ericah6546]

​@@timwierenga2952 OMG 😂

[@APoliticalRabbitHole-kh3bs]

Ditto! I wish my soc classes were this awesome!

[@Rincy42]

at 22:37 when she is talking about the german word "digga" she completely misunderstood. "Digga" (pronounced quite similar to the english "digger") has nothing to do with any word beginning with N. It comes from "Dicker", german for "Big one" or even "fat one" and is meant and used like "Pal", "Mate" or "Bro". It originates with german hiphop culture. The N-Word does exist in German, it is even almost identical in the german language as it is in the english language, just for one letter. (Seeing as it derives from the latin word for the color black in both languages). And that word in germany is not in use nowadays, it is as shunned as it is in english.

[@januszfilippo5306]

Thank you! That one had to be fact checked lol

[@ḵulagaaw]

He didn't fact check her she said pretty much what he said.

[@philippthaler5843]

@@ḵulagaaw She did not. at all. Digger is not the N-word and has nothing to do with the N-word.

[@ḵulagaaw]

@@philippthaler5843 bullshit. Twice. One she didn't say it was the n word. Listen again. "The n word is the same" there's another word it's bad the same. I know you're trying to tell us this German meaning of the word. But this kid was a telling the truth about a repurposed word used as slang by hip heads and it basically means the same thing as the n word. This takes a little bit of knowledge on how black people actually use the n word and you will realize she right, even if we deny the reason the word repurposed.

[@ericah6546]

​@@ḵulagaaw He probably didn't know. He's traveled in India and Ethiopia and not Germany. An anthropologist would have known

[@matthewfocheezy8740]

I'm proud that PSU is having these conversations... this is a teacher that other teachers should look up to

[@darraghpolimeni4331]

This professor is awesome, his style and approach provokes thought and is affective. I like how he doesn't push his opinions but rather just presents facts and how to conclude from those facts.

[@konsyjes]

mostly I agree, except for the part where he goes " Oh yeah btw white priviliege is absolutely in operation, no question about it". Whether you agree with this or no, I think it is an unjection of personal judgement to cite this as established and unquestionable fact. But it is very captivating to follow his lectures because he does this thing where it is not obvious where he is going, it is like a good story, a journey without a declared destination, where its motions are worthwhile in themselves. Overwhelmingly in such cases it is obvious people are trying to build a case for their claim which is plain from the outset and the whole time you're just sitting there being worked on. This episode has saddened me though, because I can see the Marxist view of race and society come to the surface.

[@TheRedStateBlue]

he's a horrible teacher who's flat out lying to his students.

[@konsyjes]

@@TheRedStateBlue u gort any actual arguments to support that claim?

[@TheRedStateBlue]

@@konsyjes yes.

[@konsyjes]

ok,@@TheRedStateBlue so, present them. That's what rhetoric is, you know, here, in adult reality.

[@richardklanecky6098]

I like the way you make the students think for themselves! That is what education is supposed to be!

[@laurencezemlick1979]

This class has become self-aware of its own popularity. These kids are being careful not to saying something absolutely stupid like I’ve seen in some older videos.

[@99guspuppet8]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ GOD created this shish kabob …… many are aware of tropes and are puppet-like in their behaviour ….. the production values annoy me ……. let’s all go to Sugar rock Candy Mountain

[@bevs9995]

what was said that was stupid in any other video?

[@gzwerpjgbf]

It's a real shame

[@charlieinabox1164]

I think it’s fine and a sign of healthier times ahead.

[@ericah6546]

​@@99guspuppet8tell, what's there, Nirvana I hope?

[@eciesz]

This is a great class. I think adults could benefit from this type of interaction.

[@enderwiggen3638]

It’s a university class, sociology 119 is a first year class/entry level to that subject. So the students are all adults

[@GenerationNextNextNext]

@@enderwiggen3638 Thinking the same. Since when did Americans start acting like college students are legally children?

[@elminweatherbee7672]

I have traveled to many countries in the world and America is the least racist of any place I have been.

[@nigelralphmurphy2852]

Wow.

[@mattstroker]

🤣🤣🤣🤡

[@csulb75]

@elminweatherbee7672 Just curious, but what is your race or Ethnic background?

[@karagi101]

It’s definitely more racist than many countries. I live in Toronto, Canada - the most multicultural city in the world. Racism is way less than in the US and I’ve traveled all over the US.

[@Callinoutbull]

@@mattstroker drone.

[@simong8364]

I like the question ‚if you go to Africa you’ll be recognized as an American, no matter the skin color.’ Same in Europe. There are white people. There are black people. And then there are people behaving American. And those Americans not acting recognizably American are assumed to be either European, Asian, or African, or whatever. But no one thinks ‘oh, an African American or white American.’ The denominator is American. Not far gone ancestry.

[@tedtalksrock]

Exactly.

[@simon3142]

Exactly, I have personally witnessed this in Nigeria. African Americans were seen as American tourists.

[@bevs9995]

there are *european people

[@davidl.abplanalp4478]

Exactly. We are all AMERICANS.

[@mary-gael7633]

Absolutely, and actually, black and white Americans are way more similar than a black American and a black French, for exemple. Guys, you don't realize how similar you are because of your obvious americanness, haha!

[@MaraJadeTX]

I hate the idea of "cultural appropriation." I grew up in Southern California in a tiny town. My Mexican neighbors treated us just like their grandkids. My parish was Mexican-Catholic. My culture as a little kid was not just Western/Roman Catholic, but Mexican Catholic. "That thing is only for that race" is super racist. I hate "white people." Or, "white people have no culture. " I'm not "white." I'm Norse, French, English and German. I'm third generation UK, Cornish of Norman descent. My family maintained a lot of British traditions, like tea. I'm not "white." I'm Catholic and especially love Mexican traditions and Mexican Catholic traditions. Piniatas at birthdays. Mariachi music. Amazing food. Family closeness.

[@lizbaker2960]

I so identify with this. My community is Mexican. My Catholic church is Hispanic. Every person I am working with is Hispanic. All my friends are Hispanic. All the people I ask for guidance are Hispanic bar two Nigerians. But somehow, by the color of my skin, I'm racist.

[@TheBluntATP]

As a small southern California town native, I agree!!

[@TheAirlock]

Culture is a force. It is both a product of and produces human behavior and identity. It can't be owned or copyrighted because it belongs to humanity. Culture can't be appropriated, but it can certainly be shared and adopted.

[@donsolo4845]

Culture can most definitely be appropriated.

[@silkyjohnson3346]

Quick clarification, at 22:40, or there abouts she mentions the German slang term "Digga". This word does not share a root with the other, offensive English word. It's based on the word "dicke(r)" which means "fat" and has been used for decades, and was picked up in the German hiphop scene.

[@zimzob]

While visiting Berlin I learned that Germans will casually drop “n*gger” in conversation without skipping a beat.

[@9bitsovertake]

Some more info on the background: dicker might mean fat one, and can be used in a friendly way among close friends, but it might also come from the meaning thick, as in “we are together in thick and thin”. It has no racial background whatsoever. This is a common misunderstanding.

[@TibGabinius]

She confused the german word "Neger" with the US "n-word". She exclaims in the end she was aware of "digga" and that this was something different. Sadly people still believe "Neger" is the same as the insult in the US, meanwhile its the same as "negro" - "black". "Mohr" would get closer to the "n-Word", but still not as insulting as it.

[@01mia18]

Santa is white because it’s based on a European character. White (European) culture does exist.

[@krissielongknife1479]

@@01mia18 okay, and...

[@asktherightquestionstoday]

@@krissielongknife1479 use your brain

[@krissielongknife1479]

​@asktherightquestionstoday every day, but I'm still going to say.. so what. There is nothing wrong with white culture.

[@ronleonard7015]

So black Santa would be cultural appropriation and I hear that’s a no-no

[@MrHatt7777]

Santa was from Turkey bro

[@lanes3908]

Professor: Explain white privilege. Students:

[@edwinamendelssohn5129]

@@tcolleyit doesn't. It's a made up to divide

[@MaraJadeTX]

​​​@@tcolley Prof. never said "white privilege doesn't exist." His opinion as a sociologist is that privilege exists but it's amorphous and difficult to pin down. He's using Socratic Method to engage students in critical thinking. - Does privilege exist? - Can we pin that down to a specific definition? - How do we test the hypothesis of "white privilege?" - How do we quantify "privilege" in solid data verses the qualitative experiences? Critical thinking is not denial. Questioning and curiosity are not denial.

[@SeraphimDragon]

Yeah, but if logical and honest data actually presents itself, and people stop throwing around double standards just to perpetuate nonsense onto others, it **absolutely** denies "privilege". Like the idea of people raised in a two parent household? That's considered a privilege, which is nonsense, because to have two parents stay together in your life DEMANDS that the parents have to constantly make compromises and sacrifices of themselves to give their children an opportunity to achieve success, but never a guarantee. "Privilege" is just a racially charged insult to belittle others that accusers simply envy and are jealous of. People just want to hate others that succeed if I'm being brutally honest. Which is detrimental to everyone.

[@boom1538]

@@MaraJadeTX Can you definite it? I am white from a poor European country. What part of "white privilege" am I benefiting from?

[@MaraJadeTX]

@boom1538 My comment is not my own opinion, but an explanation of the lesson. That's the point of the entire exercise... "Does *white* privilege exist??" The prof thinks so or is accepting the premise for the sake of continuing the conversation. The entire point is that privilege might not be quantifiable. Especially white privilege may not have any data to back it.

[@lizbaker2960]

I grew up in the '70s. Our parents lustened to JFK and MLK. As the unsupervised generation, we made friends and ran with whoever we wanted to. My same generation also enlisted in the military at high rates, and in the military, it's impossible to be racist. It's self-preservation, and when your unit is overseas? You have your buddie's back. Something changed in the 2000s. The left told us to hate each other. It was soul crushing. Truly soul crushing. I feel like race baiting stole something from us. It still brings me to tears twenty years hence.

[@NextWorldVR]

The Indian Girl was very impressive. Logical and thoughtful. One of the best in that class...

[@TheAirlock]

Yeah, but it's not a competition.

[@bod_optimus3489]

As a white American I can say we have to be more careful then other races with what we do and say because everything can be interpreted as racial. If we have a black idol or we listen to certain music or wear certain clothes it's always we are trying to steal it or make it white. Maybe we just like it. Other races have integrated our style and tastes and we just have to accept it amd move on.

[@JAMESJACKSON-sj2qm]

You said it about white, you steal from others and claim it as your own.

[@goodfellas5702]

Maybe stop giving a shit what other people think. It's extremely liberating

[@korvoth4269]

Saying racial things is fine. Being racist about it is not.

[@Nicole-dp5ks]

You are spot on. Things we say or do can be twisted into something it’s not.

[@bevs9995]

next time, Tell them to stop dying their hair brown/aubrun Its weird appropriating the entire aesthetic of another group, and then crying about cultural appropriation.

[@Makmurf]

I wish you would have a cultural discussion about why in the world we use the word “LIKE” so much.

[@AuthorPenwright]

@Makmurf It's important to remember many cultures have maintain filler words for generations. You hear, in English, "so," "like," and "um" most often. In the mid-20th century, you may have heard "why" as in "Why, I ought to..." or "Why, I'm terribly famished." I've read an entire history on filler words, but I don't remember it all. However, historically speaking, it's perfectly normal. In 25 years, it might be something different than "like," and there will be people taking issue with whatever the new filler words are then, as well. Have a good day, stranger. 👉😎👉

[@Makmurf]

@@AuthorPenwright I was an English/grammar teacher, so I guess it just hits me when a word is over used. I will tell you that I was a teenager in the 60’s. My dad would get after me for saying “ya know” all the time. He started me “ya know”…. So I would be conscious of saying it. I broke the habit…. My husband to this day says “Okay” to much when he talking a monologue. My daughter is a radio personality in Austin, TX. She was interviewed by a magazine…. And her quotes had “LIKE” in them. She was very embarrassed by that…. I get your point. I don’t disagree with you at all. I find it interesting that we do that. I wonder if other cultures do.

[@vjjski]

@@Makmurf I use ‘like’ a lot more than I care to admit. I haven’t always used it but I don’t remember how I spoke before that other than ‘like’ replaces a verb for my speech habit . I am working on being more cognizant of it when I speak but it’s a hard habit to break. It’s much easier to fall back on it rather than think of the actual word that should be used. My husband stated over using ‘or whatever’ about 15 years ago. It drives me insane! lol Now I need to go look up the history of filler words!

[@edwinamendelssohn5129]

Poor education

[@TheAirlock]

That question falls under the field of linguistics.

[@JohnHolmes-n9g]

India has an actual caste system. America has the top 10%. The rest of us are all starting at the same point. The idea that generational wealth is some kind of indicator of "privilege" is asinine on its face. Some families learn to handle money and pass that knowledge on to their children. It takes ONE generation to change an entire family's capacity for wealth. That is the beauty of America and capitalism. It also takes one generation to end that wealth. This is why personal responsibility and not group responsibility is the truest concept of humanity and personal interactions. As MLK said, by the content of my character. Group think inside a nation or culture is low brow low IQ thinking, period. Like was mentioned, if you travel abroad, you are just an American.

[@tedtalksrock]

Exactly!!!👍 🏆

[@Samammie]

preaching facts over here..if only everyone followed this..

[@kwolf2145]

America is very racist and discriminates against minorities.

[@RichardChappell1]

But that doesn't support the narrative of oppression and power by identity. A large portion of America has adopted a form of Marxism with social identity in place of income based social status. Call it woke, progressive radicalism, extreme left, or whatever - it's the same philosophy. And it will have the same end. THat's why modern race activists reject MLK.

[@mrb2843]

Facts. 80 percent of millionaires and up are self made.

[@CKwoi]

Digga in German does *not* mean the same as the n-word in English.

[@lizkt]

Yes, it would have beneficial if she asked about this word. Offense is so easy among different cultures and often the offense leaves after there is understanding.

[@timweiffenbach5350]

There is a fundamental misunderstanding in what Lena said about Germans using the word „Digga“. It has absolutely nothing to do with the N-Word and is in no way meant to be racial slur. In fact it is a loanword based on „Digger“ or „I dig that“, which evolved to a mixture of German and Englisch meaning „Dude“. This is because „Dicker (=Fatso)“ is used also as a teasing monicker, mainly amongst men. She’s right about Germans not being the heartiest people, but the N-word is seldomly used even by racist people.

[@timweiffenbach5350]

Additionally this is a good example that YOUR wrong perception of words can make the other person a racist. Think about that.

[@Manu_oRei]

To Lena: you mentioned you lived in a coastal town in Germany and kinda associated Germans as racists and that only 4 black people lived there. We need to start to understand that Europe isn't America. This is our land and thus, most people are natives here. You need to stop putting American values on to us, because we aren't the same, neither do we want to. It doesn't mean, though, that we are not racist. We are. But we are the same as any other country out there. Racism exists and will always exist.

[@gillmsnfillman1691]

Can you tell your people to leave Namibia then. It’s the native peoples land and your people occupy land that belongs to the natives, or is this a “do as I say and not as I do” moment?

[@alison7707]

@@gillmsnfillman1691 Umm, did she write that the 4 Blacks need to leave? The conversation was about Germany being racist because of the few Blacks and too many Whites, which is ridiculous as Germany is in Europe, a historically White continent. Should I go to Namibia and complain about racism because there aren't enough Asians and Whites?

[@XJonAye]

@@gillmsnfillman1691 imagine the white people that live in Namibia would say. "Nambia is racist because there are so few white people, Namibia needs to change" That's the point, also I'd argue that a person of color is safer in the poorest part of Europe than European are in the poorest part of any other country. I'd say that's close to a fact aside From maybe a few exceptions.

[@XJonAye]

@TheAirlock are you saying that tribalism isn't in human nature? Tribalism extends to race because its obvious that there a difference between different races.

[@renekarfinger8341]

@@gillmsnfillman1691 You've ever been in Namibia?

[@KBella2324]

Amazing the stereotypes that still exist about peoples skin color. To paint a broad brush about a certain demographic based on skin color is absurd. I grew up in Japan and faced some discrimination as an American, my dog was poisoned, people made assumptions based on my skin color, it was strange, but unfortunately understandable because Japan is such a homogeneous country. To say that America is more “racist” than any other country is disingenuous, it’s not true. When there is a majority of certain people, the people that are members of a minority group will feel some imbalance. It’s a difficult situation to navigate and the simple solution is to call it “racism”, sometimes it truly is. In America there have been groups of people that once were considered “dark”, that are now considered “white”. It’s meant to divide and conquer, it perpetuates the “us against them” tribal mentality. Caution is key here, because that’s how political parties like to hold on to power. My personal opinion is that we really should be looking at socioeconomic issues rather than skin color, to bring more equality and fairness of opportunity to ALL people.

[@tedtalksrock]

.

[@thegoldenarm6422]

Some races are more tribal than others unfortunately. It's ingrained into their mindset. It's only a matter of time before the US turns into Rwanda.

[@zimzob]

@@thegoldenarm6422you have to take into account how much Belgian colonialism perverted Rwandan society by imposing strict racial categories on top of groups that, while having distinct ethnic origins, had come to be more of a system of wealth and social privileges, with a fair degree of mobility between them. The colonial rulers emphasized racial identity, banned intermarriage between them, and destabilized their society by favoring one group and stoking resentment in the other.

[@gillmsnfillman1691]

@@thegoldenarm6422lol. So the US before civil rights wasn’t tribal according to you?

[@asdasdwrwe32-bh3gw]

@@zimzob No one has any agency except us, obviously

[@domenicomorbidini4708]

These kids are indoctrinated in the DEI cult. This professor does an incredible job getting them to use some critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, there are not enough of this professor on staff that doesn't prescribe to the ideology.

[@e.austin]

But what is his point?

[@domenicomorbidini4708]

@@e.austin His point is to have his students take a wholistic view related to race and to point out, among other things, white privilege is a myth.

[@jadeblackwell6227]

@@domenicomorbidini4708 how do you know it is a myth, when you have never walked in a black person’s or Asian person’s shoes?

[@sharpaycutie2]

@@jadeblackwell6227 I’m balck there is not “unique” experience 😂 this ain’t the antebellum south on a plantation

[@zzztek]

"Poor" is a relative term "Poor" in NYC might be "rich" in Cooperstown, NY Even when using the poverty level, being impoverished in one zip code is not the same as another

[@twistednerve74]

Last I checked, hungry and broke has no zip code.

[@zoch9797]

@twistednerve74 $10 will buy a lot less food in NYC than in middle america town. So yes, hunger and broke DO have a zip code.

[@coffeetostay7136]

Main difference between white Europeans and white Americans is that Europeans don't think of themselves as white, but French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Spanish or whatever...And wether you are black or white American, in Europe most people will just see you as an American. That doesn't mean there is no problem with racism over here, but it's a different setting. And no other western place is so obsessed with race as the US.

[@funnymanatee]

The US government forces us to choose a racial category. Federal and State and local politicians choose to use racial categories. Many individuals do not wish to be categorized in this way.

[@-Trump2024-]

Germany entered the chat

[@gloriousgloria1000]

No one is obsessed with race in America. The only reason it seems that way is because politicians use race and methods to divide us for their end game. You all are thinking about it because you buy those narratives. This is nothing new. America will never fall by any country beating us .the only way it will fall is from within by getting us to turn on each other . Groups like black lives matter exist for this purpose. Hate cops, hate firemen, label whites as privilege. Stop buying the narrative. It is meant to weaken our nation. THINK.!!

[@LauPalomas]

​@@coffeetostay7136 European here. Not only that. But we part europeans as western Europe, North, Centre ,South and Eastern Europeans. We go further as Balkans, Slavic, Spaniards, Greeks (anciant Greek) Italian mostly reminder of Roman empire. We kinda make a great reference to our history in our land. The Spanish.. (Conquistadores), the germanic, the celts, the vikings, etc. Europe is predominantly white so we don't have to finger point or have a dabate on race. Eastern Europe (slavic, Balkans) are predominantly homogeneous white. We can't have a dabate on race because 90% of us are white. And above all Christians (Orthodox /Catholics) Now.. from some years (last 7-5 years) we kinda have a huge problem in Europe (mostly western Europe) . Immigration. Muslims, Africans Pakistans, Indians etc.. Europe became .. racist. We feel invaded. And not by good people, that's the Problem. The issue is not the race but the crime and nationality. Now we have debates about immigrants, crime, religion and yeah.. race. And when we refer to Americans we kinda do refer as the white Americans. And we do the difference between black vs white American. Do not be confused by being tolerant and political correct, polite with not being racist. The majority of Western Europeans are all 4. The majority of Eastern Europeans are straight forward racist, and 90% are fine with being it.

[@momentumblack]

Thanks!

[@SOC119]

Thank you for your support of the channel!

[@Bryrye236]

These kids are incapable of critical thought.

[@RivetCityRamsey]

It's almost like it is a skill you need to learn or something. Lol. You are being too harsh, perhaps?

[@zoch9797]

@RivetCityRamsey No. As a kid, I, and every other kid I knew, had more critical thought. My parents and grand parents had discussions in elementary class that we had in high school, whoch these kids are now having on Penn State...

[@RivetCityRamsey]

@zoch9797 This is anecdotal. Plus, this doesn't counter my point. Critical thinking is a skill. If younger generations are lacking, then it is their elders' fault.

[@tedtalksrock]

What this class la seems not to “get” is that the Indian girl (and most international people) don’t just judge or have stereotypes based on skin color (which is our dumbed down generalization of culture) whahf she is saying is the “Americans” she saw as American (Indian, white, black, etc) and the British were a different group that she wouldn’t group mentally with Americans regardless of the color of their skin.

[@GenerationNextNextNext]

Then why did she say Lena would get treated differently than the white people?

[@BINX-RR]

Ngl if I could I’d sneak into campus and sit in this man’s classroom for a lesson, so glad he’s putting these online but it’s like a comedy show, you have to be there in person to take in the full experience

[@Samammie]

As a white person, I experienced being a minority race in middle school, and it was so rough, I didn't make it out. I switched to homeschool toward the end of my 7th grade year, which subsequently ruined my future for so many different reasons.

[@dyffryn330]

I had a similar experience. Unfortunately people hear stories like ours and have little to no sympathy because we are White.

[@samandarvish6856]

@@dyffryn330 I am not white, however I've also experienced what you have, I completely understand, and I know how it feels like. Everyone can experience racisim.

[@Wahhhhhhhh-hhh]

"I didn't make it out" - person commenting years later.

[@uzairakram899]

what made it so rough? was there an attitude towards you as a minority that you didn’t like?

[@bigbangb3tty365]

​@@uzairakram899 read Colin flarity book about being a minority white or Asian in a urban school. Don't make the bl@ck kids @ngry" there are a good number that are deleted every year.

[@brandischott4311]

Aside from the importance and difficulty of this conversation, it is humorous to watch the professor struggle as much as the students. I wish we could take intention in to account before being offended. The politically correct movement has really dissolved free speech and intellectual and artistic freedom.

[@jenniegem5338]

Yeah, it's painful to watch. Being a Gen x'er, we spoke our mind. Now everyone is afraid of being harassed or labeled. It's so toxic. We need to get back to a place where freedom of speech is celebrated.

[@chrislaing8444]

This is exactly how Jordan Peterson started. The media will get hold of him and he’ll be quizzed about why he is denying the existence of white privilege. Then he’ll be asked why he is right wing. Then he’ll be called right wing by the media😂 These conversations give me hope that we are moving to a place where we can talk about this stuff without instantly taking each other on bad faith. I really struggle at being taught racism by someone half my age or a white academic attempting to do good. Changing hearts and minds is a long term project. This lecture is very refreshing.

[@TheAirlock]

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian classical liberal by the way. A lot of people make assumptions about his political leanings.

[@mikeoxlong3676]

Nah. This past election killed the woke ideology. People are sick of it. We're getting back to normal.

[@Brocktoon68]

I'm Italian-American, and therefore white. White people can't season food? Is that why the ratio of Italian restaurants to Ethiopian restaurants across the world approaches a countably infinite quantity? We're not all from the British Isles and northern Europe.

[@BlondeMafia89]

@@Brocktoon68 Exactly!! It's a stereotype, just like "all blacks love fried chicken and watermelon" is a stereotype!

[@zoch9797]

Technically, White used to mean Germanic Northern Europe. That excluced the Celts, Slaves, Iberia, etc. (like Irish). Definitely excludes the Italians. It's only the more modern connotation that White invludes all Europeans.

[@TheAirlock]

Actually, Italian Americans weren't considered white by American Society until fairly recently in American history. "White people can't season food" doesn't refer to Italian food because Italian food obviously isn't traditional American food. The comment is also comparative Italian food isn't usually spicy compared to Ethiopian food.

[@williamarthurfenton1496]

Yea we ain't lucky enough to be raised in a climate that has easy access to all those fragrant herbs and ripe vegetables.

[@HeidiHahe]

These poor kids grew up on TV and socia media and this seemes to be the first man to teach them how to research and how to have well-backed ideas/opinions.

[@TheAirlock]

Definitely, and whose fault is that? 60 years ago it was considered bad parenting to sit your toddler in front of a TV . Now parents having themselves been raised on media allow media to raise their children. When it comes to parenting these days the blind are raising the blind.

[@4850937]

I celebrate Straight White Male pride to balance out the other pride.

[@danielajemba8459]

Ok bot

[@ecxstasy347]

Why do you have to balance it out? Lmao

[@4850937]

SWM are oppressed. "Progress pride" dudes are spoiled.

[@4850937]

My reply was censored.

[@ecxstasy347]

@@4850937 Oh damn those goddamn jews back at it! But lemme guess what you were gonna say, something about the erasure of your people? 🤣

[@erikowren7894]

I went to College/University in the 90’s. I wish there was a class like this back then. Thank you for sharing so we can all learn and enjoy its benefits.

[@TheAirlock]

We were still figuring it out back then.

[@milworker]

48:42 I think ethnicity is a multilayered concept that can include ancestry, current national identity, affiliations, regional, local and familial norms.

[@bp-ob8ic]

Dr. Sam does an outstanding job of drawing out critical thinking. I would love to be in any class he leads.

[@OhMyPearls]

This is from slang dictionary: it’s Hamburg slang that has spread among youth and rappers, completely unrelated to N word “(Very, very, in at the moment among young people, even though it's already over 20 years old. The origin is a mix between "Dicker" (fatty) and "digger" (someone digging for records) and comes from the rap szene.)”

[@freesandy]

He is asking thought provoking questions in order to find our SIMILARITIES and embrace our.differences. hes asking you to see.each other from a different perspective

[@peachdog1193]

We should just see each other as people

[@Stryphe]

From what I've seen in the rural areas of the Midwest where I live is that as a white man in my 40s...I view white culture as just American culture. Some just seem to get offended either by this country or the concept of America.

[@lg4360]

Yet, there is no immigration problem in China, India nor Ethiopia.......why do the majority of immigrants seek to go to America?

[@richardavery4692]

As a man of similar age from the south, I assure you my culture is not the same as yours. The both of us likely have even less in common with another white man from New England. There is no white culture. Our skin color is meaningless. Our geography is everything.

[@rickr530]

@@richardavery4692 I dislike the label "white" and don't personally think of myself as "white" in any meaningful way, pretty much because of what you said. It describes nothing about me as a person, or my culture, or my beliefs. If all you know about me is my skin tone then you don't know anything at all about me. Also treatment in America has a lot more to do with wealth and class than it does with skin color. People sometimes think there is a universal tribe of whites but there isn't. There are some white communities where I would not be welcome, and many more black communities where I would.

[@Samammie]

@@rickr530 FACTS. Almost always the skin color conversations only push the victim narrative.

[@asdasdwrwe32-bh3gw]

@@rickr530 This will certainly stop various diversity initiatives!

[@noordic]

The teacher is not without bias “ travel to 4 countries in Europe in 1 day “ wow how incredible American to say really

[@fetB]

15:44 erm no... digga or digger, is a 90's hiphop born slang (i believe in Hamburg), which comes from dicker (thicker), or more accurately dicker freund (thick friend) means something like best buddies. It has absolutely no correlation to the n-word!

[@angelagrater4193]

This is a good teacher and it’s hard to do this now in 2024. Stop spreading hate and dissent within our youth

[@PaulWilliams-sv6ml]

I'd really love to see a class that takes a view at the different privledge between north/south white Americans as well as different professions among white professionals such as Veterans / Military - Professional class.

[@dge1967]

As an Australian I have to say the prof in this video drove the discussion in a lot of places and even led the answers, and I found it more an insight into American culture (not white or even white American, just American) and how it is perceived internally and by the three volunteers.

[@TheAirlock]

If you'd like more insight into American culture, just read these comments. It's embarrassing for me as an American, but definitely educational for you.

[@NeverLuckyE7]

I love this class! Thank you for having good conversations.

[@AtomkeySinclair]

What's the difference between racist humans and non-racist humans? None. The diversity of various races is distributed into both groups. Racism has nothing to do with skin color or religion or culture. That's academic to the reasoning, which is abstraction. The abstraction is the human predilection toward classification, grouping, and delimiting. In essence, it is old tribal survival behavior. If all humans were one skin color and the only distinguishing aspect was eye color... pink, purple and magenta... one sector of society would rank out among the other two eye colors. Racism as described in modern terms, is an illusion of political rhetoric when compared to the reality of the abstraction that insinuates it in the first place... grouping for a falsely perceived need for survival.

[@Samammie]

damn that was good!

[@Kpatton825]

Thank you for making this available to us for free!!

[@jonnyb6700]

"I'm a politics major" = I'm being trained as a Marxist

[@yvettelatham1318]

Do you agree with the Marxist ideology?

[@jonnyb6700]

@@yvettelatham1318 No

[@yvettelatham1318]

@@jonnyb6700It must be tough on you attending those classes. Stay strong.

[@Morspeedcomposites]

You can add quite a few other majors to bring Marxist trained.

[@TheAirlock]

"I'm a politics major" = I'm studying in depth the whole of the political spectrum not just being trained to be a good little capitalist.

[@jasonpratt3650]

This gentleman makes sense. I served in the USMC. This was never a problem. These humans have never dealt with reality.

[@_Tonus_]

@SOC 119 a lot of Germans clarrified the wrong statement regarding the word "digga" here in the comments. Yet you uploaded a youtube short of that very moment one day ago. Please take it down

[@jinayaoneal1885]

I love that he brings all the stereotypes into the open and challenges them. Makes people think about it instead of just listening to the MSM narrative. We are all more alike than different. We should embrace the differences as a way to bring us together rather than thinking it holds us apart.

[@Darling_wanders]

It’s always I feel like and never I think.

[@willyjohnsons_member6019]

As a German don't feel safe anymore due to the comments around 22:37 and I want this channel to be cancelled. Just because we are cold, walled-off, racist cyclists living in "fish-towns" does not mean, that a rich, ocean crossing, exchange year taking, privileged American student should be allowed to slur us publicly. That is not okay, Digga!

[@coffeetostay7136]

yeah, i also liked the "fish town" part. Not okay 😂

[@apoteque]

@@willyjohnsons_member6019 Of course she has the right to share her experience. And you have the right to feel offended. Neither one of you have the right to prevent eachother to speak freely.

[@californiadreamer2580]

No offense intended, but I think that often excessive/strong seasonings are mainly used to hide the taste of rotten foods like rotten meat or spoiled vegetables that were otherwise unpalatable. I grew up in San Francisco, eating in many different ethnic restaurants. Spicy food never prevented food poisoning for me.

[@Joshua-v7q4c]

It’s is. But that just shows your privilege…

[@californiadreamer2580]

@@Joshua-v7q4c It is what?

[@iss8504]

@@californiadreamer2580 spicy as in chili peppers, is used to attempt to avoid food poisoning

[@fetB]

@@Joshua-v7q4c you mean being better at food preserving?

[@BasedHoliday]

It’s possible, because most of those spiced foods tend to originate from low income households.

[@terricherry2123]

Philip is understanding the questions, love that he is not just answering on the fly he is thoughtfully approaching his answers with genuine reflection.

[@zavierhajdukovich6621]

I would be so excited to go to this class every week

[@geraldwilkerson5703]

One observation I would make is this: The one kid said that it is silly to have pride in being white. But what I have seen is a relentless attack on white people in this country, and this white pride stance is the result of it in many cases. It seems that being proud, is very nuanced, ie: by culture etc... is okay, but being condemned or stereotyped, etc... is just against white people. That is unjust, and there is a resulting backlash and push back against that narrative. Of course I am not ignorant of the white supremacist element, there certainly is that. But that is not the case in most cases in my perception.

[@twistednerve74]

White pride in a sense of advancement....Yes, many ethnic backgrounds come into play when reducing it to white-however even in America white people have created so much. It's time to stop bitching about the negative past and keep it balanced by praising the good.

[@TheAirlock]

Well, if the kid says that's his opinion, then he has a right to it. There is no "attack on white people" in America. There are no roving gangs of Asian throwing bricks through your windows or burning crosses on your lawn. Your perception is definitely clouded by feeling. In America, white people are in charge. Positions of power are mostly held by white people. Coincidence?

[@jenniegem5338]

Back in the early 90s I worked at a factory. One of my coworkers was Nigerian. An African American coworker says to the Nigerian...whats up brother? . The Nigerian responded...I aint your brother. It kinda floored me at the time. I was young and naive. I asked the Nigerian why he said that...his answer was, "the guy is American, not African ". Personally i dont agree because i think we are all "brothers and sisters" but i get where he was coming from. Us Americans need to see how much we are alike and start treating each other better. ☮️

[@donaldf.switlick3690]

It's not and never has been about skin color; it's always and is about differences in culture.

[@majorchutzpah7265]

Racism is fake

[@TheAirlock]

Sorry that's not true. People are treated differently based upon their skin color and perceived racial appearance at face value (pun intended). You can't know someone's culture unless you get to know them.

[@PG-qt7ez]

It amazes me how we are still differentiating between levels of melatonin when it has nothing to do with skin color but cultural differences. I’m freckled white but my dominant cultural background is Italian. Italian American. It shows that we are still judging based on skin color and not character.

[@gordonlumbert9861]

In all fairness HRs historically have a history of prefering to hire minority women at some points. This was according to my HR class.

[@C4Snipes]

Because she was hot probably

[@Joshua-v7q4c]

And president

[@darrensquier4079]

Did something similar to this when I was in the US Army. ALL people judge based on thier life experience. ALL humans, Period. Everyone needs to lighten up.

[@JAMESJACKSON-sj2qm]

Indigenous to the Americas is totally different, i love this class ❤

[@PamWILKINSON-t8u]

I think there should be more discussions like this. It shows the labels put on people, such as white, black, brown etc are so generic. Understanding the many different cultures, lives, and thinking. Even in a community. Personalities should come into play. Eventually you realize that you cant assume anything based on race.

[@olivierpire8311]

I struggle finding common grounds to white people. White muslims have very different habits to white christians - working class white has nothing comparable to aristocratic white, etc.

[@rickr530]

It's just a racist label :)

[@olivierpire8311]

@@rickr530 Indeed, and we can see it in the eyes of many students.

[@olivierpire8311]

@@rickr530 the whole topic of racism is so misused, misunderstood, distorted, never properly explained...

[@lizkt]

Exactly, there is such a diversity among people with white skin. You can't just generalize them in a simple question like "describe white people". There are Muslim whites, Christian whites, Italian whites, Irish whites, rich/poor/middle class whites, etc.

[@Callinoutbull]

It is almost like race doesn't really matter, but the person' and their experiences do.

[@ursulalbator3158]

Great class and teacher I love it

[@gR22401]

Missed opportunity to talk about the Indian caste system.

[@readslotsofbooks]

@@gR22401 He said he’s holding the caste system for a separate class. I look forward to that one too.

[@co7013]

What I like about "white culture" is that because of our privilege, we sort of feel we get to ask anybody any question, because we don't have to feel insecure or being judged. Because traditionally, we do the judging. OK, there is a bit of sarcasm in these lines. But not having to many taboos, walking straight up to people without too many taboos and just be curious without too many second thoughts is nice. Actually, that is precisely what is being pointed out at 56:50 as white privilege.

[@TheAirlock]

That is very insightful.

[@henrylar8958]

affirmative action dismantled the white privilege argument, you shoulda talked about that

[@gillmsnfillman1691]

Nonsense. Affirmative action benefits whites more than anyone else. If you actually read the policy you’d know this. Stop being a victim and a dishonest at that.

[@RivetCityRamsey]

I disagree.

[@henrylar8958]

@ well keep researching till u agree then you’ll be correct 👍🏼

[@TheAirlock]

The two are mutually exclusive.

[@CranialRatInfestation]

Ah man, I got right at the end of the class/video and realized I probably would never see any of the volunteers again and know what’s up in their lives. Then weirdly realized I would miss them.

[@nancyjanzen5676]

Black people coming from Africa have a strong family centric culture. And many of them look down on urban American culture.

[@b.marieglasgow1228]

Silly, isn’t it? Come into a hostage situation, cozy up to the Hostage takers, and compare yourself to the hostages.

[@cherryhughes2141]

Not being served at a restaurant after waiting for 45mins just to be asked and handed a menu! My Son and I experienced this when he was 12yrs old in Westchester County NY he’s 46 years old now and very successful

[@JMDotson]

Did anyone else catch the Choam Nomskey quote? I was halfway expecting a joke when I read that.

[@CranialRatInfestation]

The Resident Evil shirt!! I’m so jazzed about that

[@johnr7456]

Lena was scared to actually speak how ignorant she is. She made excuses after excuses and blamed how she thinks on everyone but herself. The asian guy was kinda afraid. The woman from India was most honest

[@cindyroche2616]

I've watched most of this discussion... At the spot where you're talking about awareness - white culture, how we know ourselves, Army girl explaining her awareness - ignorance as a concept vs ignorance of whiteness.... Being where we have to think about self and culture of others. Anyway, wanted to share that MY sense of self/culture was around language rather than race, English, not French... but I also lived in Indiana for 2 years and was "canadian," and then when I moved to Ontario, I was "not French, not American"... When I moved west, to Alberta, I was from the east, born in Quebec but not Quebecois, I "grew up in" rather than, "I am from".

[@cindyroche2616]

Adding - I've experienced prejudice - as an Anglo, as the White woman (teaching on a reservation), as a white woman - my struggle, always, has been if I fit in, can I fit in, will "the other" let me fit in.

[@GiT5UM]

it would be interesting if he had put a white american up there with them to answer the same questions.

[@midmissourigranite2930]

First off I am a big fan of your open discussion format videos. That being said I would like to see you conduct closed room video monitored events separating students into cultural/racial groups having them watch media stories involving racially motivated stories and record their comments as compared to open room discussions. I would like to see the effects of the media, by way of comments, on the opinions voiced in closed room peer groups vs general overall public. FYI I would label myself as an equal opportunity hater(not a racist and definitely not a fascists). Please keep up the great educational content

[@JAMESJACKSON-sj2qm]

The people with the access to the resource management have the privileges

[@JohnHolmes-n9g]

Well, if you are the smartest or strongest in ANY region of the world you control the resources. Regardless of skin tone.

[@JAMESJACKSON-sj2qm]

​@JohnHolmes-n9g or sign a treaty then not stand by it come on dude the 13 colonies didn't have the force to beat the Pacific Northwest Tribes 😂

[@JohnHolmes-n9g]

@@JAMESJACKSON-sj2qm Backing up from the point that was made and reinforcing my point entirely. By your last statement the tribes controlled the resources by sheer numbers. Native tribes also frequently went to war with each other over said resources and several tribes in the Americas enslaved the losers. The British explored that area around the time of the revolutionary war, as did Russia and Spain. The Americans didn't make it up there till Lois and Clark at the end of 1805. There were 17 states at that point, not colonies.

[@robertbaltha3371]

Like a famous satirist from Germany once said. As a German, I'm way to busy just being German, I don't have time to be white

[@deebee8363]

The one girl said white people choose not to look into another culture, that may be true, but how many people of different races look into different cultures? Do Asian people look into black culture? Do black people look into Indian culture?

[@JamesScar-eo1ch]

Actually, the most slaves were Irish...in the last 200 years. Killed beaten and ridiculous for a almost a thousand years. We're RIGHT HERE...RIGHT HERE.

[@lizbaker2960]

Back in the day, we could meet people and engage without thinking about race. Now? We can't meet people without distrust.

[@Iredell-f5p]

This had the potential to be ground breaking.

[@blava9081]

I think it's more accurately described as american privilege now. Race is becoming a no-factor as cultures merge, but the country in which you were born is a major influence on your chance of success.

[@FiremarshalM1]

“Am I Racist?” Documentary, Mockumentary, comedy would be an interesting class discussion

[@sherbear8286]

What is the point of this exercise? This class?

[@rickr530]

To get people to think critically about their prejudice, consider different perspectives, and understand each other better.

[@asdasdwrwe32-bh3gw]

@@rickr530 Critical thinking lends itself to landing with the same ideology BLM has. This is science.

[@juventinocasillas3023]

@@rickr530Apparently, you people think only white people have inherent prejudice.

[@derektitch]

If you couldnt figure that out, try watching the Kardashians instead

[@RivetCityRamsey]

Learning.

[@stanb990]

What is "White" culture I was raused in Alabama and Florida. I visted the Boston area in my 20s and it was like going to another country. Same with Texas, California and Virginia.

[@marciamoore765]

USA definitely has a regional culture. Southeast culture,southwestern culture, Midwestern, city culture versus country/farm culture, southern California versus northern culture all have their own expected behaviors. Florida is a mixture with so many people moving or retiring there that it has become jumbled up. Even there people of similar backgrounds group together, like Canadian trailer courts for people retiring from Canada. State pride is widespread. Born in Texas, always a Texan. Forming a "tribe" of people with like minded interests is just something humans do. The tricky part is to not exclude other people not in our group or think that others are in some way inferior. We should celebrate the diversity that surrounds us. One person can be part of a variety of "tribes" at the same time depending on our different interests. Just be kind and respectful to everyone.

[@pamphletier]

"Digga" means something completely different - horrible misunderstanding.

[@ericah6546]

I continue to be astonished by Penn State.

[@sarahprosecco]

The chewing gum into the mic is infuriating

[@bucii01]

Thought it was only Me

[@comrade7324]

I remember going to Utah and that was the first time I've been somewhere where whites were a Majority in the state (or at least where were) and even though I'm white I thought it was kinda freaky.

[@CM0211]

How is Phil from Allentown, PA and not know about the white poor and poverty levels.