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I am a Junior in Highschool, am on the school debate team, and am in advanced Global Studies and American history classes. I'll also warn you, I am Republican. -My background.
Apperently this election in my school has sparked alot of interest in the country and the events that are current. I'm suprised about how little the students and teachers(execpt my social studies teachers) even know about most major topic's in the world such as the problems in the middle-east and why it's America's problem, or so I believe. Why we are there and what is happening in the region in general. Most Americans don't realize that the United States is hated by the rest of the world. And and why our economy is in its condition. I believe it to be true that we still do have an advancing economy just not the one we have had in the past decade.
I look at it as a stereotype, however, sometimes this can be true. A lot of Americans are also naive when it comes to global issues, and haven't done much research on the controversy.
I went to school in the USA when I was about 12 (3 years ago). Someone had brought up the issue of same-sex marriage. I had heard some of the most ignorant statements ever. Students were like, "The population will decline if gay marriage is legalized" and "Jesus said being gay is wrong". First off, everyone knows that heterosexuals outnumber homosexuals BIG TIME, so that can't be the reason.
Junior in high school too. I think high school aged Americans are a bit less intelligent than Americans on the whole. But that isn't saying much. Not a single one of my teachers knows more than me or even what I would consider an acceptable level of knowledge about the rest of the world and how it works.
Don't even try to talk to people about the environment and the result of their gorging consumerism or human rights. They just don't know. It's why I can't wait until I get to a part of the country that's (hopefully) full of much more intelligent people.
I am a Junior in Highschool, am on the school debate team, and am in advanced Global Studies and American history classes. I'll also warn you, I am Republican. -My background.
Apperently this election in my school has sparked alot of interest in the country and the events that are current. I'm suprised about how little the students and teachers(execpt my social studies teachers) even know about most major topic's in the world such as the problems in the middle-east and why it's America's problem, or so I believe. Why we are there and what is happening in the region in general. Most Americans don't realize that the United States is hated by the rest of the world. And and why our economy is in its condition. I believe it to be true that we still do have an advancing economy just not the one we have had in the past decade.
Frankly it's Republican voters that are most ignorant of Global Issues.
A good portion of them think Obama is a Muslim.....A good portion of them still believe Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11.
The biggest laugher of all.....Most Republicans thought invading Iraq was a good idea......Now after 4000+ dead soldiers and 1 Trillion Dollars up in smoke, public opinion polls show most Americans know better.
Last edited by padcrasher; 02-23-2009 at 06:25 PM..
Not a single one of my teachers knows more than me or even what I would consider an acceptable level of knowledge about the rest of the world and how it works.
I think that for a high school student you need to learn a little humility. Then you might begin to learn a thing of two.
I think that for a high school student you need to learn a little humility. Then you might begin to learn a thing of two.
From people lacking in basic civics and geography knowledge, I wouldn't think so. If anything I would say it's better. Many people would be a lot better off if they had standards for who and what they would or would not consider credible.
I'm suprised about how little the students and teachers(execpt my social studies teachers) even know about most major topic's in the world such as the problems in the middle-east and why it's America's problem, or so I believe.
I lived 1/2 of my life in South America and 1/2 of my life in the US, so I've thought a lot about this.
Here's your answer:The United States is a closed society
When I lived in Southamerica, 80-90% of the news were national and 10-20% of the news were international, covering a lot of countries around the World.
In the US, the only news from around the World are from the countries that the US is attacking or getting ready to attack (i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.)
Besides that... it's all about the US, you barely hear anything about the World Cup, Formula 1, the Dhakar rally or any HUGE international soccer event.
Without internet or satellite TV, you wouldn't know anything at all about the World in the US.
You don't believe me,
Do a survey... ask only americans to name the capital of only 2 countries: Canada & Mexico.
I'll give you $1 for each person that get's both correct.
Frankly it's Republican voters that are most ignorant of Global Issues.
A good portion of them think Obama is a Muslim.....A good portion of them still believe Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11.
The biggest laugher of all.....Most Republicans thought invading Iraq was a good idea......Now after 4000+ dead soldiers and 1 Trillion Dollars up in smoke public opinion polls show most Americans know better.
I feel that Democratic voters can be ignorant aswell, after all 98% of African American's voted for Obama. Or maybe that is racism? Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11, but he did aid the chaotic actions of the middle eastern Region. Losing lives is appart of gaining freedom, maybe not our own but it's our duty to allow countries like Iraq to aquire it for themselves.
I lived 1/2 of my life in South America and 1/2 of my life in the US, so I've thought a lot about this.
Here's your answer:The United States is a closed society
When I lived in Southamerica, 80-90% of the news were national and 10-20% of the news were international, covering a lot of countries around the World.
In the US, the only news from around the World are from the countries that the US is attacking or getting ready to attack (i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.)
Besides that... it's all about the US, you barely hear anything about the World Cup, Formula 1, the Dhakar rally or any HUGE international soccer event.
Without internet or satellite TV, you wouldn't know anything at all about the World in the US.
You don't believe me,
Do a survey... ask only americans to name the capital of only 2 countries: Canada & Mexico.
I'll give you $1 for each person that get's both correct.
I belive this to be very true, but we are not to blame, if America were a smaller country or lacking many resources, or bordering more countries, or even have a longer history, things might be different. America's dealings with other countries would be crucial to its existance. We are self reliant and are perfectly fine to be independant. It has negatives and positives, I just wish they could be balanced out, perhaps making the first channel when you turn on the TV be CNN rather then the local news.
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