1The Bob and Rob Show Study GuideLesson 48: Discriminationdate: August 24, 2006file name: bobrob08-24-06file length: 19:31

Show notesWe talked about our personal experiences of discrimination in Japan.

Phrasal Verbs

"to get ahead (of)"1) can mean to make progress e.g: we will never get ahead even though we both work.2) can mean to surpass e.g: we recorded some shows in advance to get ahead ofschedule.

"get along (with)"3) can mean to have a good relationship e.g: Do you and your brother get along? / I don'tget along with my boss.

Ancient Japanese English Study SecretMake clear language study (and life) goals. Without goals, we have no direction. When wehave goals, we provide ourselves with a road map that can guide us as we move alonglifes highway.

Read more on setting goals:http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/08/how-to-set-goals-you-will-actually-achieve/

Public Service Announcement

Same-sex marriage

Same-sex, or gay, marriage, has been a hot (controversial) political issue the last few yearsin the United States. Some people feel the current U.S. administration and RepublicanCongress are using it as an issue to rally conservative Christian voters. President Bush, forexample, wants a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in all

2states. Opponents of same-sex marriage feel that the sanctity of marriage should beprotected; proponents believe that any ban on same-sex marriage violates civil liberties.

More liberal states, such as California and Massachusetts, have started to move towardslegalizing same-sex marriages, or unions. This PSA is asking the voters of Massachusettsto not support any constitutional law that discriminates against same-sex couples.

Read more:http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/18/samesex.marriage.ruling/

Cultural notes:1. Vermont is the only state in the United States that allows same-sex couples the rights and benefits ofmarriage. Vermont calls them civil unions, rather than marriage. California's State Assembly recently passed adomestic partnership law to provide similar benefits, but it stops short of allowing gays to marry.2. Percentage of Americans who support same-sex marriage: According to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, 61percent of Americans said no when asked whether gay marriages should be recognized as valid by law.Thirty-five percent said yes. The same poll showed sharp difference on the issue based on gender. Accordingto the survey, 70 percent of men said no to legalizing gay marriage while 26 percent supported such unions.The survey showed that 53 percent of women opposed gay marriages, while 43 percent supported legalizingthem. The question posed by gender had a sampling error of plus or minus five percentage points. source:http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/18/samesex.marriage.ruling/

Both Sides of the Pond(US) white out (UK) tippex(US) scotch tape (UK) cellotape(US) poster putty (UK) blu tac(US) ballpoint pen (UK) biro(US) rubber band (UK) elastic band

SongWhy Can't We All Get Along, by Country Consciencehttp://garageband.com/

Show transcript

BobHi, it's the Bob and Rob Show. This is Bob.

RobAnd, this Rob.

BobOk. We're wacky, we're weird, but you love us anyway. It's the Bob and Rob Show.

(Laughter)

RobGood afternoon everybody, or, good morning.

BobHi, good morning, good afternoon, or, good evening wherever you are.

3RobOr, goodnight. Yeah,

BobYes, so Rob, here we are in Japan. It's kind of strange doing an English show, an Englishstudy show from Japan. Well I mean, it's just, you know, we're living in Japan and it almostseems like we should be doing a show about Japan or Japanese.

RobYou think so? Why?

BobI'm not saying that we would...we're not going to do that.

RobWell yes, I think that's a good idea. But, we're in the education profession, Bob, so Ithink...you know.

BobWell, I thinks it's good because we can talk a little bit about Japan, so our listeners not onlylearn about English, but they learn a little bit about Japanese culture. Especially, with ourAncient Japanese English study secret.

RobSure, that's true, that's true.

BobYou know, just one question for you Rob: Have you ever been discriminated against herebecause youre not Japanese? Have you encountered a lot of, well,discrimination?racism?

RobPersonally not, no, no, I don't think I have. I've been here a number of years now. But, Icould probably count the instances - which aren't really discrimination anyway- on onehand1. Just a handful. 2

BobYes, me too,

RobHowever...oh sorry..

BobContinue.

(laughter)

RobThank you. Yes, however, I'm not very happy about the fact that there is an undercurrent3

of right wing4 groups here.

Bob

4Right wing. You mean, very nationalistic...nationalism5?

RobAnd their actually extreme right wing, and they drive around in black vans...and a coupleof weeks ago didn't we talk about the loud speaker vans?

BobYea. Oh, theyre terrible...yes, theyre nationalists...

RobAnd, these guys are really loud!

BobBlaring patriotic music..

RobYeah. jingoistic6 nonsense.

BobYes, jingoistic...that's a good word. Why don't you put that in the show notes.

RobO.K.

BobJingoistic, mean to be just very imperialistic7aggressively imperialistic. Like the U.S.No, just joking!

RobVery, veryyes, nationalistic.

RobThat's, that's one thing that I'm not very happy about here in Japan. But, generallyspeaking, on a personal level, discrimination for us anyway...I think we have to distinguishbetween say...

BobI shouldn't say that.

BobEuropean, white Anglo-Saxon.

RobYeah, Anglo-Saxon people...

BobIt's true...it's true. As much as I hate to admit it, I think that in some ways we are actuallydiscriminated against in a positive way. We receive positive discrimination, preferentialtreatment8 sometimes...because we're English speakers, and, in some ways that's kind offashionable here...to speak English. And a Western look. A lot of the models on TV areWesterners. In some ways I think we get special treatment.

Rob

5Yes, I think that's true. And conversely, I think it's true that a lot of the work force9 whocome from third world countries...living in Japan, they probably suffer a fair amount ofdiscrimination.

BobYes, yes I think so. It's unfortunate. Some discrimination though, that I have actuallyencountered, is when I've tried to rent an apartment.

RobOh yes...right, right.

BobWhich is kind of upsetting, even when I, you know, have a job, I have a Japanese personthat can guarantee can....

RobCan vouch10 for you.

BobVouch for me, V-O-U-C-H...they'll actually sign the contract with me. They'll say, "no, noforeigners", which is pretty upsetting.

RobThat's terrible. And, that's happened to you once, twice?

BobYes, it's happened twice.

RobWow.

BobIt's obviously - now that I'm married - not an issue. But I think it should be against thelaw...at least to say it. I mean, you can still not rent to a foreigner, but, you shouldn't be ableto say, "Youre a foreigner, I'm not going to rent to you". It should be against the law.

RobSure, I agree. Some of the laws are a bit, a bit archaic11.

BobArchaic, what does that mean? Old...outdated?

RobOld and outdated. Old fashioned, they need to be updated.

BobBut, for the most part, anywhere you go you've got people who aren't verytolerant...bigots12. And, you've got people who are wonderful.

RobSure.

Bob

6And, I think in Japan, obviously it's a high percentage ofor a very low percentage ofminorities here, so, it can be a bit insular13. But, it's changing I think. It's becoming moreprogressive14.

RobYes, slightly more internationalized.

BobAnd, we're helping that cause. We have Japanese wives, our children will be bi-racial14...bi-cultural. So, we're doing our part for internationalization15.I-N-T-E-R-N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N

(Laughter)

RobThat's true. We're ambassadors.

BobWe are ambassadors, yes.

BobOk, let's see what do we have for phrasal verbs today?

RobO. K. Fine. I thought we could look at... get, plus a couple of prepositions.

BobOkay, that's get, we use get a lot. Like get ahead. That means to make progress.

RobYou can get ahead.

BobI can't get ahead in life. Or, youre trying to make money so you can pay your bills. "I can'tget ahead even though I work two jobs."

RobYes, so making progress, trying to make progress to get ahead. To get ahead ofsomething or someone.

BobSo, your using the extra preposition of?

RobRight. This means to surpass, or to, to go beyond. So, for an example, what we're doingactually at the moment.

BobOh.

RobBob, we're doing a lot of extra work in order to get ahead of our schedule.

7BobExactly, like with the Bob and Rob Show. As we've mentioned before, we're doing these allahead of time. Within one week, we're doing about ten shows so that we can continue togive you a show each week.

RobWhich is why...maybe we should remind the listeners that, we can't actually reply to any ofthe emails at the moment - on the shows - because we're trying to get ahead of ourschedule.

BobHey. Good, good use of the phrasal verb there..

RobOh, thanks Bob.

BobWhat would I do without you? Also, get along, which is a very popular phrasal verb,means to have a good relationship. And for example, "Do you get along with your co-workers?"

RobRight.

BobDo you have a good relationship with them. It was really made famous in the earlynineties after the Los Angeles riots. Police officers beat a black man and it caused a lot ofriots. His name was, Rodney King, I think.

RobRight. Yes, yes.

BobHe ended up going on camera...on the news. Making a statement to please stop the riots.And, he said, "can't we all get along, can't we all get along"? And I think it made thatphrasal verb more popular. "Can't we all have a good relationship?" Now in the world, withall the tension and wars, it's like, Can't we get along? So, it was very simple what he said.It wasn't necessarily complexor, what would you say?

RobSimple, but profound.

BobProfound, yeah, simple but profound. Can't we all get along?

RobYes, that's good. Yes. We can also say, I think you already mentioned, but, get along withsomeone as well. There were two prepositions there.

BobOh get along with...so she doesn't get along with her two brothers.

8RobFor example....yes.

BobIt's almost the same meaning.

RobIt is almost the same, but if you use get along by itself, then it obviously stands alone. Forexample, Do you and your wife get along?. You wouldn't use with in that quotation.

BobYou could say, do you get along with your wife?.

RobSure, you have to change the word order.

BobOkay. Syntax16...God, I love to use that word...syntax. S-Y-N-T-A-X....see, I spelled thatcorrectly.

RobYou did...good job, Bob. But you are an English professor, after all.

(Laughter)

BobYes, that true. Am I a professor? Assistant professor.

RobYes, Associate professor.

BobSpecially-assigned lecturer. Yes.

RobO.K. so...

BobWhere are we? I'm lost. No, I'm sorry. We're going to do another public...no, no, we'regoing to do ancient Japanese English study secret. Say it Rob.

RobAncient Japanese English study secret.

(theme music)

BobO.K. and make clear goals with your language studies. What do you want to accomplish?What time frame? F-R-A-M-E...do you want to accomplish it in. Now this doesn't apply tojust learning a language, but in your life. Goals are important. You need to know whereyou're going. Where do you want to go? Then you can figure out how to get there. So,make clear goals about what you want to do with your language learning.

9RobThat's great advice, Bob.

BobAnd, that will help you achieve them. Without clear goals youre just lost.

RobDefinitely. And, I like the idea that, as you say, you can apply this to any aspect of yourlife.

BobYes. Where are you now in your life? Where do you want to go? How are you going to getthere? Every day think about it. Make clear goals about your language learning study. Itcould be to past a test, to be able to communicate effectively at work

RobIt could be for an upcoming trip abroad, or for an upcoming business appointment.

BobSet goals. Ancient Japanese English study secret.(theme music)

BobO.K. Today is a political...well today we're going to do another political...a public serviceannouncement.

RobA political public service announcement.(laughter)

BobShut-up. We're going to do a political service announcement. And, since we've been talkingabout discrimination...in England is there controversy regarding gay marriage?

RobWell, not really, not that I am really aware of.

BobIf youre a homosexual, can you legally get married in the United Kingdom?

RobI think you can actually...because awhile back, maybe several months ago, Elton John, gotmarried in Britain to his long time partner17. And so, I think it's legal. We don't havefederalized18 states, so it's all or nothing.

BobYes, I think it's been interesting in the U.S. I'm surprised it's an issue right nowin the U.S.

RobWell, that's probably got something to do with the power of the Christian Right19 in theStates.

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BobYes. I think also, the party20 in power is using it as, we would say, a wedge issue21. Awedge issue is something you use to divide people. It gets them very excited. It gets themupset, because there are people in the U.S. that have very strong feelings about these kindof things. Not the majority22, but the minority. But, they want to appeal to this minority forvotes. But, this is a political service announcement.

RobYou mean a public service announcement.

BobA public service announcement. I guess what theyre trying to say is that you shouldn'tdiscriminate against people, regardless of the color of your skin, your religious beliefs, oryour sexual orientation23. So, whether youre gay or not, you shouldn't be discriminatedagainst. Of course, the church can do it, because that's religious. But the governmentshouldn't be able to do that. So, I just think it's interesting, so I thought I'd play it on theshow. Let's listen to it.

Maybe you support marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. Maybe you don't.But we can all agree that it's wrong to use our Constitution to deny rights to anyone.And thats why we need to oppose any efforts to change the Massachusetts Constitution todeny marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. They pay taxes and take on the sameresponsibilities as other devoted couples. Denying them the rights and protections ofmarriage is discrimination. Its wrong. And discrimination does not belong in ourConstitution. Our constitution is supposed to protect everyones rights, not deny rights. Andeven many conservatives oppose amending our state Constitution. We should beconservative with our constitution - keep discrimination out of it, and dont amend it.Call your legislators at (617) 722-1455. Tell them, Discrimination doesnt belong in ourConstitution. For more information, go to massequality.org. Paid for by the Human RightsCampaign.

BobO.k. so anyway. Again, I think there are a lot of important problems that the governmentshould be looking at. I think states...communities can decide this on their own. Anyway, let'smove on. Let's do some Both Sides of the Pond.

RobBoth Sides of the Pond, all right. Yes, I thought this week we could look at some vocabularywhich deals with stationary. Things that you use in your office, or at home. So, in Britainwe have something called tippex.

BobTippex? That sounds so British.

RobDo you know what tippex? is?

BobIt's the white out. If you make a mistake...it's like a little brush with white paint, it correctsmistakes. We would say, Wite Out.

RobOkay. You don't use tippex?

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BobWe don't use that term. No, we would say Wite Out.

RobRight, Okay, Tippex is actually a brand name. It's so popular that we...

BobIt's like saying Xerox, or something. How about...do you say Scotch tape?

RobNo, we don't use scotch tape, You mean cello tape?

BobO.K. You say cello tape, like cellophane tape....cello tape.

RobCello tape.

BobThat's what they use in Japanese. So, that's where cello tape comes from - the British.

RobRight. Okay.

BobWhat else?

RobBlue tac. Blue tac is the little puffy gum

BobGum for what?

RobSticks to the walls, you can stick Post-its to the walls, and what not.

BobOh I don't know. We might just say poster putty or maybe...poster putty or putty tacks.

RobO.K. So, we say Blue tac in Britain.

BobHow about ball point pen?

RobBall point pen? Got a feeling we call that a biro.

BobBiro? With a little ball in the end of the pen...a biro. Interesting, you don't usethe feathers in the U.K.? I see your court systemthey wear the white

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wigs.

RobOh, yes they do.

BobThey don't wear the quill or the feather?

RobThey don't use those anymore. They still have those wigs, though. And, the gowns and therobes24.

BobThat seems kind of gay.

(laughter)

RobWell, maybe that's why they let gay marriages be legal.

BobO.K. How about rubber bands?

RobRubber bands? We can say rubber bands, but we also say elastic bands. Do you useelastic bands in America?

BobNo, we say rubber bands. O.K. Anyway, we're gonna finish here and again we'd like tothank everyone for their donations. If you enjoy the show and are a regular listener, pleaseconsider donating something. Your support is greatly appreciated. And, the song we'regoing to end with today is "Why Can't We All Get Along?", by a group called, CountryConscience. You can find the link in the show notes, and we'll also have the lyrics as well.And, it ties in with what we've been talking about today, so let's wrap the show up.

RobYes.

BobSee you later.

RobBye, bye.

(song)What does it matter, the house a man prays inWhat does it matter, the color of his skinHow can ethnic pride, turn to homicide?Why do you try to, do each other wrongAnd why can't we all, just get along?

Why can't you see, the pain we all go throughYou-don't do unto me, as you'd have me do to you

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Why specify that, the different don't belongWhy do you try to, do each other wrongAnd why can't we all, just get along?

Until there are no wars, no prejudice or greedUntil there are no poor, no hungry mouths to feedNo evil, hate or crime or fear, 'till25 killings disappearYou'll see me sadly standing here, singing the same old songWhy can't we all, just get along.

Oh, why can't we all just get along?

Transcript glossary

can count on one hand1 = a small numberJust a handful. 2 = a small amount or numberundercurrent3 = a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendencyright wing4 = the far right of a political party; extremely conservative (U.S.); radicalnationalism5 = loyalty and devotion to a nation.jingoistic6 = extreme nationalism; a belligerent foreign policy.imperialistic7 = extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence on another country.preferential treatment 8 = positive discriminationwork force9 = the mass of workersvouch10 = to guarantee that someone has a good characterarchaic11 = old / ancientbigots12 = one who regards a racial or ethnic group with hatred and intoleranceinsular13 = characteristic of an isolated, inward looking peopleprogressive14 = making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunitiesinternationalization15 = respecting and understanding other nationssyntax 16 = sentence word orderpartner17 = a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship (in this context)federalized18 = to bring under the jurisdiction of a federal governmentChristian Right 19 = extremely conservative right-wing Christiansparty20 = political partywedge issue21 = a political issue that divides the votersmajority22 = in this case, the majority of voterssexual orientation23 = a persons sexual preference; e.i., hetrosexual, homosexual, etc.gowns and the robes24 = traditional wear worn by justices in England.'till 25 = contraction of until

CorrectionsBob mentioned that the word for correction fluid is Wite-Out. However, correction fluidwould be the generic term, whereas Wite-Out and Liquid Paper are brand names.

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Extension and Review Study*note: we encourage you to respond to the questions and readings by sending us a voice or text message.

1/ What is your opinion about same-sex marriage? Do you feel your government has a rightto prevent homosexual couples from getting married?

2/ Do you think people choose their sexuality, or is it pre-determined by genetics?

3/ Bob mentioned that the phrasal verb get along was used by Rodney King during theL.A. riots in 1991. Read more about his incident here:http://archives.cnn.com/2001/LAW/03/02/beating.anniversity.king.02/. Do you think the riotswere justified?

4/ In your countrys political system, how would you define right-wing? Left-wing?