'New America'

De Crevecoeur describes a real American as someone who left all his beliefs and ways of doing behind, and starts a way of life. ‘(…) leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced (…)’. He tries to describe to ‘American way of life as better than others and a way to escape from life and start over.
On this website it became clear to me how nowadays they still try to have this ‘new way of life’ by improving and by trying to be better than other ways.
http://www.newamerica.net/about
It is a website about a new America foundation. It explains how this foundation is set up to make every generation in America better than the first one. The way they call it new America makes me think of how De Crevecoeur describes an American as a new man.
On this website they use the phrase ‘New America’ as a very positive term, as a tabula rasa, a clean slate. It was launched in 1999 which is as good as new. It tries to form debates and ideas about problems which have formed over the last 20 years, therefore they set up programs like college savings and economic growth. As site like this really a typical presentation of how new and optimistic the American lifestyle is compared to for example the European lifestyle, which is a much older and wiser way of thinking.
This all comes back to De Crevecoeur’s ‘escape from England’ to this ‘new world’ where the ‘new man’ comes along.

Home Owner Ideals

One main incentive for settlers from Europe in America was the availability of land, to farm and to own. De Crevecouer describes the feeling of land ownership as 'the bright idea of property, of exclusive right, of independence exalt my mind'. He suggests that every American should be a 'freeholder' that it is an integral part of what makes them American, 'on it is founded our rank, our freedom, our power as citizens, our importance as inhabitants'. These views may not be 100% shared still today but the core principles of them are and a good example of it is the website i found for the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America.

https://www.naca.com/index_main.jsp?language=null   

This corporation essentially helps financially struggling people to keep ownership of their homes. It does this by any means possible but primarily through re-negotiation of 'predatory' loan and mortgage rates, it is also a non profit organisation. It has obviously become more prevalent in recent years with the economic depression the world has been suffering helping more people than ever 'made the dream of home ownership a reality for thousands of working people'. These are both ideas critical to De Crevecouers view of Americans, land ownership and industrious hard working citizens. It also shows the contrast though between De Crevecouers America, vast, empty and with cheap land compared with modern America, cramped and expensive for homeowners.

This corporation's work does also conflict with De Crevecouers views in that it is assistance being given to struggling people and he states views such as 'each person works for himself' and 'It is not every emigrant who succeeds' so it could be argued that he may view it as unAmerican. 

I think it is also worth noting that the associations headquarters are in Boston Massachusetts, one of the places settled earliest in America and inhabited by Puritans. Landownership and hard work were integral to their beliefs and it seems that this strength of feeling may still be present today.      

De Crevecouer's idea of the new and the exceptional as typically American....

De Crevecouer in "Letters from an American Farmer" writes about how differently the over crowded, unfair class system and inability to change your individual situation of Europe compares to an America where everything is new and people are given a chance to start a fresh with no set right to land etc and how there was more equality to a degree than in Europe. "Here we have in some measure regained the ancient dignity of our species", this seems to state that he feels European society had gotten off track and America was on the right track.

America has always been a forerunner in many areas throughout modern history whether its providing the world with many of our modern day inventions such as the television, light bulb, telephone and many more to having the first human beings to walk on the moon, is this to do with a better standard of living? more money? or just having the drive because they are American?! This goes back to De Crevecouer's beliefs that America is exceptional and better than Europe "here on the contrary, everything is modern".


http://www.nasa.gov

America still continues to excel in many areas and I have chosen NASA's website to show how the Americans still strive to be at the forefront of space exploration (and appear to be doing so). As I said they were the first country to have a man on the moon and are also planning the same for Mars, for America it doesn't seem to be the case of if or maybe but when.

The American Dream

http://www.americanidol.com/

Creveceour's idea that "America has the most perfect society now existing in the world" is the view of the America dream; that everything to do with America is exceptional and in America you can do whatever you want in order to achieve your dream, and you will achieve it with a little hard work. Being exceptional is an American idea and derives from the continual immigration as a new life can be started away from the clutter and hustle-bustle that was in Europe. This dream and ideals exsist nowhere but America because it was the place settlers went in order to find better things when Europe and England didn't offer enough fulfillment. America would allow a self-sufficent family who answered to no-one, unlike the hierachy of which Europe depended on.

American television shows suggest the dream is still alive and indeed, American. There are many reality and fictional shows that show in America you can reach your desired dream. For example, the MTV show MADE, Extreme Makeover, The City, and American Idol. Also fictional shows such as Ugly Betty. A Mexican woman, trying to achieve her dream, most significantly she is trying to achieve this in America, because it is excpetional and still appears holds vast oppurtunities like Creveceous suggets "When in England he was a mere Englishman...Here the avenues of trade are infinite" Creveceour belived "instead of being idle will have employment." And this makes America the best place to be in the world; and this drama presents that as the family have immigrated in order to find work hard to achieve. It shows the immigration of a family to the excpetional America to achieve higher things. Crevecour believes "Here individuals of all races are melted into a new race of men", you must first leave "behind all prejudices and manners" in order to become this new 'American' and therfore be able to reach that all important American dream. Crevecoeur does not talk of the same America dream that we think of today in the 21st century. His dream is hard work and self-sufficence in order to produce happiness. However the 'dream' has evolved to mean wealth and richess and beauty in order to produce happiness. He later states that the Indians cannot be Americanised because they will "secretly long for his native woods." The images show the Americanisation of Betty in order to achieve this fictional dream, she is not like the Native Indians, she has changed to fit into this America.

The same is shown with the American Idol programme which aims to let one person achieve their dream of singing professionally which derives from that typically American idea of the 'dream'. The website i looked at for American Idol is full of quotes that imply winning the show will change your life forever "It only takes on day to change the rest of your life", "Live the dream" along with stories of people coming from rags to riches- showing the dream does still exist and Crevecoeur idea's of the American Dream "Go thou, and work, till thou shall prosper" still applies.

Muslims and America (post 3)

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brmiddleeastnafricara/663.php?nid=&id=&pnt=663

I found this link on the world public opinion site. It’s a blog post by Steven Kull in June of this year. He has been studying the world public opinion in the Muslim world. The article/blog talks about the Muslim view of America and in particular since the election of Obama.

During the elections there was obvious sign of hope in the Muslim world, especially in Egypt, that Obama respected the Islam

Basically America is viewed by the Muslim as a country that is trying to take over the world, to have every part of the world under some sort of power.

‘Majorities in most Muslim countries continue to have a negative view of the US and to perceive the US as seeking to dominate the Muslim world, to undermine Islam and to impose Western culture.’

Because of all the conflicts and accusations that have happened and the negative view towards Muslims that has been created in America, it is still hard to trust that one president has changed that much. Steven Kull is trying to point out that it will never be able for America and the Muslim world to get along because beliefs between the two civilisations clash too much. The Muslim world will never understand the liberal and democratic idea that Western culture and America have.

‘For example while large majorities support the principle that will of the people should be the basis of authority for government; majorities also support the notion that shari'a should be the basis for government and that a group of Islamic scholars should be able to vet laws.’

William Wood "Woods New-England Prospect"

“These are a cruell bloody people, which were wont to come downe upon their poore neighbours with more than bruitish favagenesse, spoyling of their Corne, burning their houses, slaying men, ravishing women, yea very Caniballs they were, sometimes eating on a man one part aster another before his face, and while yet living; in so much that the very name of a Mowhack would strike the heart of a poore Abergenian dead, were there not hopes at hand of releefe from English to succour them: For these inhumane homicides confesse that they dare not meddle with a white faced man, accompanyed with his hot mouth'd weapon.”
This extract is from a book written by William Wood called “Woods New-England’s Prospect” Wood wrote this book as an account of what he experienced when he travelled to New-England. I chose this extract because of Wood’s description of the Indians, how they savagely murder other Indian’s destroying their homes and eating men that they have attacked. Wood also emphasises that the Indian’s wouldn’t cross the English men when they are armed with weapon’s, here in the text he refers to a gun as a “hot mouth’d weapon” referring to the barrel of the gun as the “hot mouth”. I think this is interesting because there are many different views of who the Indians were and what they were like, I think that this shows a different insight to the Indians way of life and its completely different to the perceptions which others may have had as they thought the Indians could civilised and turned into civilised human beings. However Wood’s description of the Indians could have been to keep the fear of outsiders attacking people within the village hence why they felt they had to fortify their village.

Native Americans/European Settlers also Pocahontos

http://www.oppapers.com/subjects/native-americans-conflict-with-european-settlers-page1.html

Although there were cultural misunderstandings, competition for land was the main cause of conflict between the English and the Indians. The American Indians needed the land to maintain their political and cultural independence. The English needed it to achieve the goal of economic independence that had drawn them to America. When the English discovered that tobacco was as good as gold, they brought enslaved Africans to Virginia to work the fields seized from the Indians. Some of the reasons not only included physical mistreatment but also an ethical mistreatment of the Native Americans. European Colonists not only brought with them many different diseases that would later aid in the genocide of many Native American tribes, but also a mindset in which they felt superior to there Native neighbors.

A popular story of Native American and European settlers engaging for the first time is that of "Pocahontos". The story shows how Pocahontos's father is at first wary of the white men for reasons such as, they carried fire sticks. It then goes onto show how the tribe took in Captain Smith mainly thanks to Pocahontos and adopted him into their culture. This is obviously a rarity in the history of European settlers as can be seen by the amounts of Native Americans who were killed and displaced because they wouldn't make way.

I thought the map below was interesting becuase it shows the vast number of Native American tribes placed over modern America's state borders.

Culture Co-operation

http://metis.galib.uga.edu/ssp/cgi-bin/tei-natamer-idx.pl?sessionid=31fd9b48-7d046c5909-3044&type=doc&tei2id=TCC262

I've chosen a letter from the Governor of Georgia in 1760 to the Creek Native American people asking for their allegiance in a conflict with the Cherokee people. I thought this a valuable insight into Anglo-American and Native American relations during early settlement because it shows the manipulative stance that the British adopted towards indigenous peoples. The language that Henry Ellis uses is extremely persuasive while remaining domineering throughout, all the time suggesting that the settlers have been so kind to the Creeks in allowing them to be neighbors. That they should be thankful that they brought them 'The Great King's Talk' and 'took care' of them becomes condescending and reveals how lowly a view the Anglo-Americans have of the natives. You wonder  if he would be so friendly and nice if there was no help required?

On the other hand this letter shows that beyond trade and war the two cultures were able to live side-by-side in certain situations in amicable peace for sustained periods of time.    

"When you Met me last we mutually renewed our old Treaties, settled all differences then [unclear: depending]; strengthened and Brightened our Chain of Friendship; and made the path straight between us. -- You then declared we should be one people for ever; you engaged -- that our Friends should be your Friends, and our Enemies, you would treat as your Enemies. -- I have not sent you one bad or Bloody Talk since I have resided here."

This shows that their agreements and peace treaties have been established for years and that there is clearly a lot of amicable feeling between them. It also displays the assimilation of cultures through the use by the white Governor of Native American interpretations of the western language. Ellis knows that thoughts, feelings and meanings will be conveyed in a clearer manner this way and understanding of what he wants will be greater. 

Accounts from Early Settlers

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browse?id=J1008

I have chosen an account from John Smith; the Captain of the ship which first sailed to Jamestown, Virginnia in 1607. I found this particular extract interesting because it touches on the language barrier between the Savages and the Europeans along with some of the cultural aspects that the savages indulge in.

" In some part of the Country, they have yearely a sacrifice of children. Such a one was at Quiyoughcohanock, some 10 miles from James Towne, and thus performed.Fifteene of the properest young boyes, between 10 and 15 yeares of age, they painted white. Having brought them forth, the people spent the forenoone in dancing and singing about them with rattles...
This sacrifice they held to bee so necessarie, that if they should omit it, their Oke or Divel and all their other Quiyoughcosughes (which are their other Gods) would let them have no Deare, Turkies, Corne, nor fish: and yet besides, hee would make great slaughter amongst them...And in this lamentable ignorance doe these poore souls sacrifice themselves to the Divell, not knowing their Creator. "


This part of the cutlure really shocked me and the way John Smith narrates the events is fairly blunt. The word 'properest' shows how John Smith is shocked at the choice of boys; suggesting they are not 'Savages' at this point like the previous men they encountered but simply boys that deserve a life and not to be sacrificed for, as the Europeans would see it no reason. It shows the religious side to the Savages and although not the same religion to the Europeans, it is a similairty between the two cultures. In the George Percy article it did mention that these Savages were Canniballs, however this article had used no animalistic language towards the men and appeared much calmer towards the Native Americans; instead choosing to call them 'men.'

But the part of the extract that drew me in was right at the beginning, learning about the language of the Savages and how they communicated with each other. The words that John Smith has translated show a lot about the relationship the Europeans had with the Savages. The words are simple at first, but as the list moves down the words become those that show tension between the two groups, for example

Copotone. Sturgion.
Weghshaughes. Flesh.
Sawwehone. Bloud.
Netoppew. Friends.
Marrapough. Enimies.
Maskapow. The worst of the enimies.

And to me this shows the apparent relationship between the groups as violence and weapons seem to be the most common and or important words to report back. Although numbers and other phrases ar mentioned, i felt this was an important fact to pick up on.

Criticisms on the US

I found this article on of the views of Some countries within the United Nation. The criticisms that were made were based on the 'crumbling of US capitalism'. The President of Iran criticised America by saying 'The American empire is reaching the end of its road', the proof of this belongs with the economic crisis.
The president of Brazil criticised America by saying to the UN that all countries should not share the debts which stem from the greed hungry countries whom cannot afford to repay what they owe. This is aimed at the US borrowing and spending more than it repays, this statement criticises America by stating that they need to pay their own debts rather than rely on others to pay for them.
Argentina’s Pernonist president said that the world should no longer talk about the 'Tequila Effect' (the name given to the impact of the 1994 Mexican economy crisis on the south American Economy) that the world should talk about the 'Jazz Effect' coming from the centre of the worlds leading economy. This refers to the economic crisis America an the rest of the world are facing because of money being spent on “weapons, war, luxuries and totally superfluous and unnecessary things”.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article4827872.ece

Criticism of US foreign policy

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/views_on_countriesregions_bt/623.php

The website which I came across focuses on the subject of American foreign policy and how it continues to receive heavy criticism on various fronts. There are three polls on this site including "America's treatment of countries", "America's role in the world" and "America's cooperation with other countries".  I will focus on the first poll.

For the first poll it shows that on average two thirds of the countries feel as though America abuses its power and uses its threat of military power to gain advantages, there are varying degrees of this view with Mexico, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, South Korea and Turkey at the top end of the scale with over 80% of people believing that America abuses its power. Even in countries such as Great Britain and France nearly 70% of people feel this way. The US is criticised for failing to abide by international laws, this can be seen in the Iraq conflict whereby the US was seen to somewhat ignore the UN and fabricate information about Weapons of mass destruction, also using its power to convince other countires such as the Britain and Spain along with 48 other countries to back them in this conflict. Eventhough the majority of the public in these countries were against the war it may have been seen as a sensible move to cooperate with America incase of future conflicts.

The majority of people believe that Obama is positive for America but only if he can implement his own policies and do the right thing in international affairs. This hope in Obama still doesn't make people look favorably at America as a whole though.

Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org comments, "Most people around the world seem to have a positive view of the young new captain at the helm of the American ship of state, though many people see this huge ship as still carrying forward domineering policies."

Iranian Oil

This link is to a Fars News agency website article about Iranian governmental criticism of trade sanctions imposed by the US and the EU. 

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8907191527 

The Iranian oil minister makes a very good point that the reliance by the west on oil and gas from countries such as Iran will render the sanctions void as western businesses will not be able to trade without them. His statement ratified by French and Italian petrol giants who 'obeyed' these sanctions only until businesses from other regions started taking advantage of the gap in the market. This shows that the US cannot just dictate how things are going to be and expect the rest of the world to just jump and follow suit. They have vast stores and supplies of fossil fuels at their disposal and so can afford to alienate nations who's political agenda they don't agree with unfortunately the rest of the world doesn't have it as easy and must be cautious. It also suggests an almost mockery of the States authority by these European companies as they pretend to appease them but at the first hurdle break the sanctions imposed.  That is not to say i don't agree fully with sanctions such as these placed on countries who's aggressive fundamentalism creates a threat to the western world, just it seems that if the nations placing the sanctions cannot adhere to them then another method of obtaining the same outcome needs to be found. 

Map of USA

I found this map on google. This map is obviously made by an amateur on paint. I chose this map because its very strange how I looked all over the internet and couldn’t find an answer to why midwifery is illegal in 11 states in America. A lot of people asked the question on all kinds of blogs and forums and no one understands why. I think this is something typical in America, rules are made up and no one understands why. The police then say ‘its just the law’. My answer to the question why it might be illegal is because midwifes don’t have the have a nursery education, but 50% of them are allowed to give out medicines when needed. Still there doesn’t seem any harm and women often feel more safe with a midwife taking care of them.

'Chinese people want to see America truly as a beautiful country but not as a beautiful perialist'

http://bg.chineseembassy.org/eng/dtxw/t131518.htm

For this weeks blog i have found a translated speech from the Chinese Embassy on how the Chinese view America and their policies. Although it is somewhat dated having been given in 2000, it shows an insight into what the Chinese had hoped for in the coming years and how the American policies have impacted upon their relationship.One particular part of the speech which i wanted to point out was this part:

'They wonder why the U.S. government wants to put out a report every year criticizing a series of developing countries, including China about human rights. They ask why the U.S. offers an anti-China resolution every year at a U.S. -- at a UN human rights conference. They wonder why the U.S. likes to tell China how to run its own affairs. They wonder why the U.S. expands arms sales to Taiwan every year. And they wonder if this goes on, can the U.S. and China ever really become friends? '

This to me expresses the point of the speech. I feel that Zhao, although chronologically going through the historical timeline and referencing the encouraging parts of the Sino-American relations, discusses the Chinese doubts and opposition to some American policies. He is stating the America is invasive by telling China how to run its 'own affairs'. The feel the US is aggressive towards China with its defence budget and the military expansion and the want to express how the US criticise China every year for their home policies in human rights. To me, this shows that China although for the public media wants to have a partnership with America, in secret there will always be some arguments and distrust which will mean that they cannot 'ever really become friends' in this new competitive age. The quote below shows how materialsitic the friendship is and how he has played upon a strong part of American culture to make this more realistic. A later reference to how amazing the introduction of McDonalds was to China is made; which shows how the Chinese appreciate the culture opposed to the foreign policies.

'The Chinese side, both the government and the people, are committed to promoting friendship between us. Right now, there are several Chinese film and TV studios that are producing movies and TV series on this theme'

For China the view of America policies will continue to be negative i imagine for a while yet which is what this speech implies. This opinion in this speech can be seen as valid as it is what a large number of Chinese people will believe, since they know no different. However, from and American point of view the arguments made about being invasive and aggressive will be wrong- as it is seen as protecting the great America along with promoting human freedom. There is still a long way to go with Sino-American relations as the Chinese still have many reservations about America. But China are not alone, many other countries are not as favourable to America as you may think.

Weeks 2 & 3.....

First of all, thanks to everyone for the variety of informative blogs. It was a most promising tutorial and an  enjoyable range of observations with good points of discussion. You have set a high quality standard for the rest.
For next week as you consider your postings on views on America, here's an image to ponder; what does a washing line have to say about American values?



Is this a positive or a negative image? Why are washing lines a point of debate currently in America? And how does this debate reveal American values?
See you on Wednesday... with your answers!
Good wishes,
John.



(PS Here's the answer... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11417677 )

Positive and Negative images

Apart from all the problems surrounding the healthcare in America, I think this is a positive image on other grounds. This image is a sort of propaganda trying to get the people of America to do something about the healthcare issue. In America everyone depends on what the president says, what the president thinks and what the president decides. The president of America has, over the years, always been one of the most famous people, a person on whom ‘the whole world depends on’. Fact is that one person is unable to make decisions for a large country like America and this image turns to the people to get their opinion out in the open and make life better for themselves. I think that in a way this image tells America to not always depend on what the authorities decide for them. This might be due to the fact that so many people already failed in finding one clear solution for this problem.

This is a picture of a ‘drive thru’. I have chosen this picture as a negative picture of America. This picture shows laziness in its most extreme form. Not only is cooking a proper meal for your family getting more and more rare in America. People don’t even have the time to sit at a table with their family. Another problem in this picture is the sizes of the meals and the price you pay for it. Companies are literally forcing their costumers to obesity, they don’t have to cook or get out of their car, they always assure a never-ending meal with never-ending sodas, and all that for such a low price. The negativity coming from this picture is that people wouldn’t mind waiting for half an hour in their running cars, but they would mind parking their car and getting the food themselves.

Map of Leading Church Bodies in the USA

I think that this map captures an interesting aspect of America because it shows a variety of different churches across the United Sates outlining the different religions followed by some individuals within all the regions of America. The Catholics are the firsts largest denominational group in the USA and the Baptist church are second. The first Baptist church was set up in Charleston in 1682, some baptist preachers spread the religion across the states and settled in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and so on. The Europeans brought Catholicism and Christianity to the States following the arrival of Christopher Columbus. I think this map is interesting as it shows the growth and strength of religions such as Mormons, they were founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in Missouri but was forced out an later moved to Utah where today it is still a predominantly Mormon state and the religion has grown and spread across into large parts of Idaho and Arizona as well as small parts of other states such as Nevada, Colorado and Oregon. I think that this map represents that America has many diverse identities which can be expressed in many ways, but this map shows some identities shown by religion.

US States Renamed For Countries With Similar GDP's

I found this map interesting because it shows all the US states renamed as countries with similar GDP's, this not only shows how huge America's economy is but also the individual states as well. As you can see California has a similar GDP to France and would be the eighth largest economy if it was a separate country. This map also shows the huge variety of economic output state by state and that America as a whole has an equal GDP to 50 different countries all ranked within the top 100 of the worlds economy.
This also brings up an interesting question as to where all this wealth is going with still many problems in America surrounding health care, housing, homeless people etc, so California is the same as France and Texas the same as Canada but both of those countries health systems can be seen to be vastly superior and more accomodating than America as a whole.
It also shows how separate states can be and really show that America is one country but also that it is made up of seperate and individual "united states".

Map of the USA

This map of America is called the New Yorker. At the heart of the image is New York City. This is interesting as it shows the self love of the New Yorkers with their state. However, the map does raise a valid point. If you think of America, or were asked to name the states, New York would be one of the first on the list. It is famous, memorable and a fascinating place. Although this does not represent America fairly, to some degree the map holds a point. It shows the famous USA opposed to the whole of the USA. There is a strark contrast with New York and the states beyond the Hudson river. These places lack and great detail and are simply shown with a name, suggesting again that although important to the growth and importance of America, they have no 'celebrity' status compared to the great New York.
It must also be pointed out that europe does not even register on this map, which shows who and what America deems important to their economic growth. The other countries shown are Canada, Russia, Japan and China. Bearing this in mind, it can be inferred that the New Yorker Map shows the industrial countries that the USA relies upon. I found this map interesting because i think it represents how different states view America. I think it represents that we cannot continuosly class America as one, but instead of individual states as each has a different view of their importance and relevance to todays America.

New York Cruise Island

These four maps are not real. I was led to the website http://www.radicalcartography.net from the original website we were tasked with and found it very interesting. The maps on it are attempting to look at cartography in a very modern manner. I choose these four maps from it because the cartographer Bill Rankin has taken a novel idea of what if Manhattan island could sail off like a cruise ship and visit other cities around the country and i think it provides a rather accurate comparison. There are vast differences between the manner of construction of the cities from east to west coast. The older more industrial east coast cities are extremely tight knit and compact whereas the west coast cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles are much larger and sprawling in nature. Not only does this reflect the type of industry traditionally driving the cities but also seems to run parallel with peoples perceptions of the nature of its residents i.e. that Californian people are very easy going and laid back whereas people from New York are seen as up tight demanding and pushy. The sprawling metropolis's of the west are indicative of the surrounding land and how readily available it was for expansion. New York has had to build up rather than out due to the constraints of the topography and the greater population in the surrounding region with many other cities competing for space and resources. Overall though these maps are fictional i think they provide a good basis of comparison between East and West coast cities.   

I have chosen this picture of a NFL game as a positive image for America because to me it symbolises team work and effort put in by all the people involved including the fans. For many people across the US football is not just a game but it is a major event for friends and family to come together to celebrate a sport which is played an honoured by hundreds of people nation wide, this boosts team spirits and morale. The NFL also grants some students scholarship programmes for colleges and they also have a grant programme whereby they give schools and colleges sufficient funds for them to buy sports equipment. Many NFL players give back to their communities which acts as a incentive to get children off the streets and interested in something more productive such as sports. Sports promotes team work, teaches responsibility and discipline.

I have chosen this image to represent America in a negative way because of the affect of gang violence on day to day life of some communities. There are approximately 30,000 gangs in the US with approximately 800,000 members which have an impact on over 2,500 communities. A 2006 survey showed that 40% of gang members were children an 10% of gang members were female. Many people are forced to join gangs and violence will be used to make individuals to become members by telling them they must “kill or be killed”. Most gangs also live by “blood in, blood out” meaning that you are a member for life. Gang violence is a growing threat to society, which is getting harder for the law to control. Gang violence has struck fear into hundreds of people and their communities. This is negative for America as it is giving some area's within the US a bad reputation.

Positives and Negatives

This is a map of the states within the USA that still allow the death penalty. I think this is something negative about America, considering that religion has so much emphasis in so many states. Not only does it go against chrisitianity the main religion but it is also wrong in my eyes. Killing someone is not a true punishment; it is a way out.




To me this image signifies the positivity of Amreica being a land of dreams and ambition. The road does not show an end and this is positive as it suggests anyobody can go anywhere they want, reliant upon a little bit of hard work and determination. It allows anyone to take the chances they can find for themselves. America has so much more to offer than other countries; due to it's physical size (you can go and start afresh in such a number of new and exciting places) but also because of its prominence in the world market today and the fact the USA is such a major contributor. The idea of the American dream was what brought many over to the USA in the first place and i like the idea that this 'dream' can still exsist today. That idea America can bring a fresh start to anyone, whatever the circumstances is positive.

Positive/Negative Images

This photo shows one of the largest islamic mosques in America situated in Dearborn,MI. I chose this as my positive image of America because many people believe America to be a "christian" nation but miss out on the fact that the country was set up to be free to all faiths and race, unlike many other countires such as England where we still have the Church of England as our official state religion. Eventhough there has been alot of stigma attached to islam since 9/11, muslims have as much right to be in America as Jews, Buddhists, Rastafarians etc.

My negative image of America is a child in a KKK robe, this represents the still ever present racial tension and hatred in many areas of the country, although America has come along way from the 1950's and even now with a mixed race president there are still people who obviously feel America should be a "white" country and with images like the above bringing up children in these groups and brainwashing them with these ideas it looks asthough there is still  long way to go before this is erradicated (maybe it never will be).

Images of America

This image promotes a positive picture of America in my mind as it instills a feeling of unity. A multi-cultural and racial choir and orchestra are seen to be working in harmony to produce a shared goal. This speaks volumes of the diversity of population in America and reflects a healthy and good approach to cultural integration. Even though throughout the country it is that rich

diversity that is causing many tensions and problems.

I think this image depicts a negative aspect of America culture and displays a mainstream practice that is immoral. Parading young children (not really old enough to be discerned as female) around in adult themed outfits to be judged on superficial qualities does not seem to be instilling the correct life values. Not to mention the provocative and what can only be described as sexually charged atmosphere that surrounds such events with mixed gender audiences.

Welcome! See you tomorrow....

Which is America?
Best wishes,
John.

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