But even when United States is not as safe as it
used to be, Mexicans continue to use coyotes to cross the border, Cubans still
hide in boats, and people marry strangers just to become an American citizen.
What are they not seeing? US is a lost country, full of debts and bad decisions.
But maybe, it is better than their own country, so much better they are willing
to risk their lives just to get there, just to live the "American
Dream".
Friday, December 2, 2011
R.I.P American Dream
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Coca Cola and Santa Claus
In the beginning, Santa was a saint, Saint Nicholas to
be exact, and he loose like the other saints, thin, with a bear an almost bald.
But this began to change from culture to culture. He got fatter, older and
jollier. An artist, Haddon Sundblom painted the famous Santa Claus for one of
Coca-Cola’s marketing campaign. It is not true that Santa wears red due to this
brand; in fact, he was drawn in a red suit before Sundblom drew him.
Many people became very attached to Coca-Cola Santa
and started collecting images of him. They even wrote letters to the company
when something in a picture looked weirs, like the fact that in one, he was not
wearing a wedding ring and thousands of letter were received asking what had
happened to Ms. Claus.
Big companies have an extremely important role in
American life. It nourishes a country’s economy, and customs, it creates a way
of life and a culture.
American Cuisine
What? Americans have culinary culture? Well, of
course! It’s not only hamburgers and fries. United States, like I mentioned
before in this blog, is a land of multiculturalism. People from all around the
world settle down there and of course, they bring their cooking along.
For example, burritos and tacos are from Mexico,
pizza, pasta and subway sandwiches come from Italy. Other examples are the
England chowder, a vegetable or seafood, like clam, stew thicken with milk or
cream, chili soup, made out of beef, beans and tomato juice, or apple cobbler,
a fruit dessert.
There is also the popular “fast food”, such as KFC, MC
Donald’s, Wendy’s or Taco Bell.
So, after all, United States is not only the food they
eat in movies or what is popular in OUR countries. Each part of the US has its
different culinary customs depending on what they grow in each area, like corn,
maple syrup or potatoes. Like anywhere else, food begins to change when it
arrives to another place, ingredients start being replaced with something grown
in that region, and the taste changes as well. Pizza in New York cannot be
compares with Pizza in Italy, but this, by any reason means that one is better
than the other.
WAR IN NUMBERS
Yes, we could define war like this… but really, what
does it mean?
It means 62.5 million children NOT receiving
low-income healthcare for one year, or 15.5 millions of students not going to
college for not receiving a scholarship of one year. It could also mean more
than 7,000 soldiers losing their lives in battle.
War not only means fighting for your country,
defending it from nuclear or terrorists attacks, or proving your dominance. It
is also about losses. Loss of lives of those who fought against enemies and
loss of opportunities for those who are the future of a country. United States
has a long history when it comes to wars, but maybe it could be a good idea to
consider spending the money in a better way.
VIOLENCE 101
A widely known
case is the Columbine High School Massacre. This happened in year 1999 in
Colorado and 12 people were killed by two senior students who then committed
suicide. This event opened up the discussion of gun possession laws, violence
in movies and songs, videogames, bullying and antidepressants.
It is a shame
that this catastrophe had to happen in order for the government to make the due
investigations about violence in school and how the violent culture they were
surrounded with affected young people all throughout America. This is not the
only killing that has happened to a school, here is a list of some other
attacks that have occurred in the United States: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_attacks_related_to_secondary_schools
Here is a list
of some scary facts I found:
- Thirty seven percent {37%} of American
students report the presence of gang in their schools.
- In 2000, the number of crimes at school in
which students ages 12 through 18 were the victims is 2.5 million. About
186,000 of those were serious violent crimes {including rape, sexual
assault, robbery and aggravated assault}.
- In 2000, about 29% of students in grades
9 through 12 reported that someone had offered, sold or given them an
illegal drug on school property.
- Teenagers are two times more likely than
others to be victims of violent crimes
- An average of one homicide event occurs every seven school days. School related Homicides increase at the beginning of the school year and after winter breaks.
- The number of high school age boys who took a
weapon to school 2000 is one out every five.
- The number of students in the United
States who carry a gun to school, on any given day is 200,000.
- The number separate of acts of violence
reported in schools in 2002 is 10,951.
- Violence remains the second leading cause of
death for Americans aged 15 to24.
- The number of thefts that occurred at schools in 2000 is 1.2 million. Students are more likely to be victims of theft at school than away from school.
Of course, the
education system is not the only one to blame. Violence can come from home, the
streets or other friends, but it is in school were young Americans spend most
of their time, and it is there where they learn about the basic principles of
living in society, such as tolerance, respect and responsibility. School is not
just for learning math or science, it is about creating bonds and gaining
confidence in yourself and in the one’s around you, but how can you trust in
your friends if you fear they can kill you?
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