<p>Interesting to read about educational status African immigrants. Would be interested to see what that implies for average household income, as well as to break out sub-groups by country of origin/religion.</p>
<p>
[quote]
As for the hordes of Africans you see in college they are there because they worked hard. Not because the college lowered their standards to let them in for diversity purposes
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Even though I tend to agree with the idea of lowering standards for certain groups for diversity purposes, there is no way that the objective statistics (class rank, SAT, GPA) for the average African or African-American at Harvard or Cornell are not lower than your average white or Asian kid. Want proof? Just look at graduation rates.</p>
<p>Sure, it's probably largely a reflection of family background or class, but the proof is still in the pudding. If Cornell wasn't lowering its standards, there would be no difference in the graduation rates.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that we're talking averages, not individuals.</p>
<p>well graduation statistics or not, I know that for me and most other African children, if we did not graduate from college our parents will beat us, even at our old age. Graduating is not a choice for us.</p>
<p>there is a difference in work ethic between african-born students and african-american students...</p>
<p>same thing for hispanics and asian...</p>
<p>it all comes down to how one feels psychologically IMHO...the smartest or at least the most capable child could very well be uncomfortable at cornell...</p>
<p>Well then. Make certain you don't drop out.</p>
<p>Personally I feel anybody who is a recipient of grant money from Cornell and doesn't graduate for reasons that are not due to mitigating factors (mainly, illness) should have those grants turned into loans.</p>
<p>in a way cayuga...that is already done...i had to take an academic leave and ended up owing quite a bit of money (see my loans thread)...</p>
<p>cornell is giving me another chance (after proving i can get a decent grade at my comm. college) if i dont make the grade this time around i'll be expelled for good :-</p>
<p>I suggest you start learning a decent work ethic. It is hard to drop out of Cornell -- and especially hard to drop out of ILR -- if you have a good work ethic.</p>
<p>One idea would be to not use your tv or the Internet for a full month.</p>
<p>although this contributes nothing to the debate, I think we can all agree that either candidate will be an improvement from our current president. </p>
<p>"Explaining the current economic downturn to a closed-door fundraiser last week, President Bush said, 'Wall Street got drunk.'</p>
<p>'There's no question about it,' Bush said. 'Wall Street got drunk, that's one of the reasons I asked you to turn off the TV cameras. It got drunk and now it's got a hangover. The question is how long will it sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments.'"</p>
<p>
[quote]
Obama did not run for Presidency as a Black man, he ran as a Man who happens to be Black. And when America [we know you mean white people] is able to see then maybe it would have moved on from its racist past. But even, I can say that do see Obama is a Black man running for President,
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I love this string of statements. So basically here's the translation: If America sees "Obama as a Black man running for President" and not simply as a "man running for President", then they haven't "moved on from their racist past." (basically calling America racists) But then in the next breath, you state that you fully see "Obama as a Black man running for President." Thank you for being so transparent regarding your racial paranoia and race-mongering. </p>
<p>
[quote]
because to me as a Black woman in America, race is a big deal because I have to deal with the burdens of my race every day.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Says someone at an Ivy League college and one of the 15 best institutions of learning in the world. I especially enjoyed the "every day" part as if every day your professors assume your stupid b/c you're black or bus drivers demand you sit in the back of the bus before starting the bus or you have to use the "black" water fountain and bathroom, etc. No wonder you support Barry (his name until he started his political career and needed to galvanize blacks for votes), you're his WIFE!</p>
<p>If you think I'm somewhat too vocal criticizing "blackness" and black attitudes, I assure I by no means hate blacks (or any other minority). I am just frustrated how it seems the only people qualified to speak about race in this country are minorities.</p>
<p>Not exactly, but donto needs to tread lightly with his vehement protest (or whatever you want to call it). Fact of the matter is the "white" view of the state of minority affairs around the world is disproportionately the prevailing view, with the exception being the black conservative who gets a big applause from his white counterparts for echoing his/her sentiments. You cannot be black and speak the truth about the state of racial affairs in America without getting the Sharpton, Jesse Jackson label.</p>
<p>So Obama isn't speaking the "truth" about the state of racial affairs? How about Bill Cosby. Does he speak the "truth"? Or what about Chris Rock? Can he speak the "truth"?</p>
<p>And what is this "truth" you speak of? Wouldn't you agree that racial experiences and affairs in this country vary a lot by geography and by socioeconomic class? I'm not denying that racism doesn't exist in this country and that we need to work to overcome it, but that it might be a bit more nuanced phenomenon than what Sharpton/Jackson espouse.</p>
<p>The arguments about fanatical Obamaniacs are fading... his policies are standing on their own and proving to be right. </p>
<p>The arguments about race are fading... he is standing on his own as a representative of a country, not a race (which race would he be, anyway?).</p>
<p>The overseas trip was a really good idea. I think the image of 200,000 Germans waving American flags and actually being proud of America again leaves an indelible mark that could be a strong asset as we recover from the Dark Ages. We even have many more diplomatic avenues in the Middle East opening to us since we are willing to consider a man with the name Hussein for our president. </p>
<p>I, personally, take solice in the fact that Obama took a few years to simply immerse himself in philosophy and ask the deeper questions about human existence. That, to me, is worth far more in a president than 5 years in prison or 25 years in the drunk tank on daddy's bankroll. Imagine, having an introspective president again!</p>
<p>I haven't read most of this post(so don't be too hard on me!) but I am neither a Mccain nor an Obama fan. </p>
<p>I am really frustrated when people start to claim that Obama is a new-age, self-righteous politician of some sorts. I just don't see this at all! He is like any other politician and I felt his rejection of public funding showed his true colors- a year ago he claimed he would accept public funding if his opponent did- now he comes up with some nonsense that he's rejecting public funding in the name of change. This is not change or self-righteous; it's lying and breaking the rules- something any other politician would do. </p>
<p>That being said, I give Obama a lot of credit for being the first black Democratic nominee. This is not something easy to do, and my hats off to him for accomplishing this. It is a truly great accomplishment.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I did like Mccain's policies before he became the nominee, but after all of his flip flops, he looks like the third Bush that would be in the White House.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Imagine, having an introspective president again!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, I feel Carter was a very good President and the victim of historical currents well beyond the scope of his control.</p>
<p>Unfortunately a lot of people think differently. </p>
<p>Keep in mind it was Reagan who ripped the solar cells off the White House after Carter had them installed. Just imagine how much better off we would be as a country if Carter's energy plan was implemented. Not only would our fuel efficiency and quality of life be a lot higher and our debts lower, but we wouldn't be sending so much money to these rogue states over to the Middle East every time we fill up the tank.</p>
<p>The idiocy of the last thirty years is beyond belief.</p>