Holiday entitlement in America

It is a fact that America has not only one of the lowest holiday entitlements but is actually the lowest. Technically, there is no entitlement to paid holiday in America, yet they still have many public holidays. This I believe really promotes De Crevecoeur's idea of hard work and self motivation that Americans must have.

The only time Americans can have any form of holiday is when they have worked between 5 and ten years depending on different firms conditions. This particular rule of only having holiday when working a certain amount of years really utilises the determination of Americans and their morale of hard work. It seems as if they have to earn their rest, which really relates to De Crevecoeur's idea of idleness. "Idleness is the most heinous sin that can be committed in Nantucket:"  This particular quotation is interesting as it portrays idleness as a sin and gives it a religious aspect as if it is forbidden or not spoken of in American culture. This really portrays the strength of this view that De Crevecoeur portrays.

However, despite this promotion and mirroring of De Creveceour's idea of hard work and self motivation, it implies that not allowing holidays prevents idleness, which is not what De Creveceour was trying to say. I think the idea of self motivation of the American Farmer was so that they were able to work for themselves in order to feel the benefits and satisfaction of self motivation, but when will these rewards be received in todays society?

In some ways, De Crevecoeur's idea still lives on in todays society as there seem to be a high enforcement of good work ethic and motivation. However, the work ethic is debatable as it seems that Americans can appear to be over worked as they don't receive the benefits of this hard work/ labour, therefore can be seen as defeating the object of self motivation.

De Creveceour, Letters From An American Farmer


http://uk.mercer.com/press-releases/holiday-entitlements-around-the-world

http://my.telegraph.co.uk/expat/sebastiandoggart/10144418/why-cant-americans-take-holidays/

Coca-Cola representing the 'American Dream'

The drink coca-cola was invented in 1886 in Atlanta (the same year that the Statue of Liberty was being constructed in New York) and in its first year sold merely nine glasses a day. Now, the Coca-Cola brand has grown to be one of the world's most ubiquitous and sells more than 1.6 billion beverages each day. In recent years, the company has also set out aims in its 'Live Positively' campaign which encourages cutting carbon emissions and reducing and recycling their packaging. The fact that this brand has become so famous and universal and continues to expand and grow is in itself exceptional.

Coca-cola seems to embody the idea of 'rags to riches' and consequently for many Americans and non-Americans alike represents what the 'American Dream' is all about. The idea of the American Dream is often difficult to explain, but is still synonymous with the American culture and way of life. For many who drink Coca-Cola, it could be argued that through the consumption of the same product social differences end up meaning very little and in a sense, everyone is made equal. The attitude that Coca-Cola seems to convey is that anything is possible and anyone can achieve their goals.

This idea is also conveyed throughout 'Letters from an American Farmer' by De Crevecoeur in which he makes it clear that America can be a fresh start for anyone who wants it and continues to make a promise, or even a guarantee, that life will be better there. This is evident particularly in the chapter 'What is an American?' as he pushes through this concept of an improved life: 'If he is a good man, he forms schemes of future prosperity, he proposes to educate his children better than he has been educated himself'(p.59) and that hard work will mean you continue to prosper and reach your goal: 'The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow, with equal steps, the progress of his labour.' (p.44)

Sources:

De Crevecoeur, J. Hector St John, 'Letters from an American Farmer', published by Oxford University Press, 1997

 

http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_Cola

 

http://sixties.richardhwinter.de/material/Coca_Cola_and_the_American_dream.pdf

 

Apple 'Think Different' advertisement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzu6zeLSWq8

The source that I have discovered as an example of ‘new and exceptional’ ideals in America is a video advertisement for Apple, from 1997 narrated by its founder, Steve Jobs.

The video celebrates the free-thinkers and innovators of the world such as Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan and Alfred Hitchcock; with the tagline “Think Different.” The narration encourages the viewer to “push the human race forward” and to stand out from the crowd because the ones who do this will be the ones who “change the world.” Apple has become one of the biggest companies in America and their influence in, not just electronics, but day-to-day life has in fact ‘changed the world’ as Steve Jobs says. The company has successfully gained billion dollar profit margins for the last decade; therefore it is rare to go too many miles in America, without finding someone using an Apple product.

To me, this shows that America, and the rest of the world for that matter, have bought into Apple’s belief that if you buy one of their products, you too are “thinking differently” and are buying into their new innovation. It is a clever slogan to have for an American product because, as shown by De Crevecoeur, the idea of owning or being part of something new and exceptional is hugely important. Although not all of the figures used in the video are American, the advertisement certainly has an American feel to it. There is narration by Steve Jobs, a man with a strong Californian accent; the tag-line is optimistic and encouraging, something we are used to with advertising in the USA and the company Apple are well known for proudly being based in the United States.

De Crevecoeur wrote of the first settlers being “melted into one race” and only then can they “change the world.” This suggests that, from the very beginning of American settlement, there was a desire to make the race new, exceptional and to think differently from their European settlements. It is interesting that this has then carried through to the 21^st Century where one of the world’s largest companies will use this same idea to sell products to the ordinary American.

Settlers in Connecticut

This account is by a woman named Sarah Kemble Knight and is about her travels to New York City, she describes the colony of Connecticut. Knight clearly shows amazement of the diversity of the people and landscape in Connecticut.

One particular quotation I found interesting was 'many of them good, Sociable people, and I hope Religious too: but a little too much Independent in their principles,'  Knight shows that she is in amazement at the diversity of the people in Connecticut compared to the people she knows. Knight appears to show concern and some fear about their different believes and principles, especially in terms of punishment. This particularly indicates the difference between the settlers and creates a sort of divide. However, Knight does not disregard them, but respects their different views and is still open minded as she says 'about which as other Crimes, the Judges were absolute in their Sentences.' This sentence suggests that Knight is almost reassured by the convictions as they aren't as alien to her nature, these punishments are familiar to her, making her judgement more secure and less apprehensive.

Knights opinions vary across different parts of Connecticut, an example;
'I lay very uncomfortably, insomuch that I was so very cold and sick I was forced to call them up to give me something to warm me.'  Knight is shocked by the poverty, also indicating the diversity between each place within Connecticut, and the poor living standards. The use of the word 'forced' emphasises Knights discomfort and shock to this very different standard of living that she is used to. I think Knight makes a point about emphasising diversity within Connecticut because of the difference in wealth and standards of living with different people.

 However another key factor within this account which indicates a difference in culture is the surroundings and land, as Knight describes her travelling extensively; 'having crept over a timber of a Broken Bridge about thirty foot long, and perhaps fifty to the water.' 'I was exceeding tired and cold when we come to our Inn,'. Knights in depth description indicates her amazement at the amount of effort needed to travel across from place to place within Connecticut, suggesting size of landscape and place in comparison to England is a key factor in difference in culture and place for Knight. 
Knight indicates that she did not make 'particular observations' because she was restricted, however only noticed the setting around her and really took note of the wealth (or lack of) depending on each town she visited. I think there is a clear indication of the difference between the British culture and the culture within Connecticut, which I think Knight indicates through her difference between fluctuation in wealth between towns in Connecticut and the size in landscape (travel).

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/connecticutknight.pdf

Settlers in Carolina

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/carolinarandolphnorris.pdf

The article I have looked at offers two corresponding views of America and the British settlement in Carolina: one from an official in 1699, the other from a father in 1712. Both share their experiences of what they have seen in this new settlement and what they believe to be the future of Carolina.

The official Edward Randolph is reporting back to the English Board of Trade and Plantations, and recognizes the strength that the colony has in its plantations and the prosperous future this will hold.  Through the work of around 5000 slaves, he speaks of the growth of precious commodities such as cotton, wool and indigo, whilst also focusing on more basic possessions like rice, pitch and tar. Much to the probable delight of the readers, this will be for the benefit of the “revenue of the crown.” He even suggests that to keep this profit high back in England, that the government suspends the introduction of taxes to keep the planters from growing cheap products whilst margin is high for growing more expensive items. This is an unsurprising revelation that most of the early decisions made by the government back in England were influenced by officials in the colonies that were clearly unaffected by the harsh conditions that slaves worked in and were solely focused on the economic boom there work would stimulate in England. There is noticeable paranoia in Randolph’s letter however, as he senses incoming threat from the south as the French settle in Mississippi and have the opportunity to threaten the English settlements without much opposition. Incidents like these may have influenced the decision to send more of the English over to extend their settlement in future ways.

The second article with James Freeman, a Carolina planter, is even more unsympathetic to the slaves that work for him. His view is that the slaves are at his command for the payment of basic clothes, other necessities and a small wage. When asked if the English are slaves when they arrive in the country themselves, Freeman answers that there is no such thing as “Christian slaves” or that slavery is something that involves people from the “Queen’s Dominions.” To me this sounds like more of the same from this belief that the English are superior to their slaves, just as they had believed themselves superior to the Native people.

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/newyorkmiller.pdf

I chose the account of the English reverend John Miller, writing a report to the Bishop of London about the New York colonies in 1695. Unlike other accounts which describe the newly settled America in a positive way, often commenting on the space and abundance of resources, Miller lodges several complaints on the negative aspects of the colonies, specifically regarding moral character.

"so soon as the bounty of God has furnished them with a plentiful crop, to turn what they can as soon as may be into money, & that money into drink. at the Same time when their family at home have nothing but rags to protect their bodies from the Winter’s cold"

In this, he alludes as is common for most reports to the abundance of agricultural produce, but he also gives an insight into how this didn't extend into other things, as even though there are crops, the family is dressed in rags. This shows that things weren't as good as they seemed on the surface and that hardships were being faced. Perhaps the inclination to buy drink that he noticed points further to hardships, with men spending money on alcohol in an effort to cover up the problems they were having. It also suggests that the colonies were not a  good place for families to be at that time, perhaps more suited to single men.

"Or Secondly if there be any Ministers they are Such as only call themselves so & are but pretended Ministers. Many or them have no orders at all [i.e., have not been ordained] but set up for themselves of their own head & Authority or if they have orders are Presbyterians, Independents &c"
Although this may have seemed like a negative thing to Miller, it in fact shows the new way of living that settlers were adopting. A lot of people moved to get away from strict religion and start their own, so the fact that many people had set up as ministers for themselves shows the diversity and news ways of thinking that was emerging in the colonies.

It should, however, also be considered that in his criticisms Miller may have been making things appear much worse than they were for his own reasons. As he was writing to a bishop, he may have been wanting to impress him with his 'Godliness' by noticing all these sins and wrongs. He may even have been angling to get himself appointed as a minister in America, wanting to  be there himself.

"natural Indians who here in the very heart of a Christian country practice their barbarous & devilish customs"
I think this sums up the nature of the settler's attitudes towards the Native Americans. The settlers immediately saw America as their own land, not even considering the ownership rights of the indigenous people. Miller refers to the colonies as "the very heart of a Christian country", showing the assumption of total ownership by the settlers. In this section, he is considering that the Native Americans should be converted to Christianity. This shows a worrying desire to 'tame' and 'control' the indigenous people, rather than working with them and accepting their differences.

"this is the method which I promised to lay down as proper for the Subduing & resettlement of Canada"
I found this interesting in relation to discussions we had about how contemporary Canadians worry about their individual culture being consumed by America. This letter shows how as far back as the 1690s, America (or rather, British immigrants to America), were seeking to populate Canada and make it more a part of America. Miller is talking about subduing the French in Canada, but it still shows the beginnings of a concern that is still relevant today.

Settler in New England

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-charter-of-new-england-1620.php

This account is from the Charter of New England, written in 1620. Immigration from England to New England began with the migrations of Pilgrims who established the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts Bay in 1620.

It seems that the majority of the Charter sets out intentions for how the Council will be started and how it should continue: "that from henceforth, there shall be forever hereafter, in our Towne of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, one Body politicque and corporate, which shall have perpetuall Succession, which shall consist of the Number of fourtie Persons." It is quite noticeable throughout that in many references to the town of Plymouth it is often followed by 'County of Devon' emphasising how the English Settlers were keen to hold on to the place names of where they had immigrated from. This could also arguably be seen as the settlers being very proud of being British and therefore unwilling to completely forget about their roots.

Similarly, I noticed how it was highlighted that these settlers intended to continue discovering more of America and expanding their settlements:"by the Name aforesaid, to sue, and be sued; implead, and to be impleaded; answer, and to be answered, unto all Manner of Courts and Places that now are, or hereafter shall be, within this our Realme and elsewhere." This goes some way in revealing how powerful the British Empire was and how easily they took up the challenge of increasing this.

One aspect of this account that seemed to differ from other earlier accounts (such as Virginia) is how much emphasis was put on the importance of religion for those in this new colony: "And lastly, because the principall Effect which we can desire or expect of this Action, is the Conversion and Reduction of the People in those Parts unto the true Worship of God and Christian Religion.... that none be permitted to pass, in any Voyage from time to time to be made into the said Country, but such as shall first have taken the Oathe of Supremacy" This is clearly due to the fact that these settlers were made up of Puritans and Pilgrims and consequently did not tolerate any religious dissent and lived their lives trying to honour God.

Other sources: http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/English.html

Canada's reaction to America's surveillance and tracking internet & telephone calls.

I chose Canada in particular because it is a country that is 'close to home' for America, therefore I found their views on America to be the most interesting and controversial. Their news on America seems to be more extensive than other local newspapers in other countries, as their top headlines aren't just about the top current affairs (e.g. American shutdown by Congress) but actually about other important issues, and was much more opinionated and truthful about their opinions on America as a country, and how think America influences Canada. Despite this being maybe the opinion of the writer solely, the direct address to the reader as if it were a Canadian reader seems to give the article a feel of this whole Canadian opinion.

I didn't have to look far in the article to find a controversial comment, this particular direct address on the first line 'WASHINGTON—Think there’s a Canadian border between you and the U.S. government when it comes to online surveillance? ' was particularly interesting and powerful as a first line. The fact that the article starts with a direct address to the reader (and assuming it is a Canadian reader) immediately provokes an angry reaction and portrays the anger within the article. It seems to be expressing an anger at the lack of privacy and the clear invasion of Canada, a clear violation and lack of respect for their nation. Despite the geographical border between the two countries, America seems to still have more power and are being perceived to be using that power in a negative way.

Another particularly interesting quotation was the use of the phrase 'the watchful eyes of Big American Brother' as it indicates a power of Canada, as if they have no choice but to surrender to the command of Americans, they are powerless. This sense of lack of power really evokes the violation felt by Canadians.

However, this may just be one person opinion as the quotations are coming from an expert (Ronald Deibert, director of University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab) so could be a biased opinion rather than a collective opinion of Canada. But the article includes percentages, real figures/facts: 'At least 90 per cent of Canada’s digital activity, from Facebook to Foursquare to basic email and beyond, is routed through exchange points in the United States,' which makes the accusations against America not just angry and irrational hatred for the violation, but actual seriousness for the safety of individuals within Canada. When looking at the comments from others who have posted in response to this articles, they seem to be in agreement of the lack of safety, with one post saying 'Canadians should demand more security, privacy, clear rules, integrity, better service, and competitive pricing not an anything goes, borderless, foreign dominated industry.' Most of the post clearly indicate this word 'foreign', stating that they are different nations despite being neighbours and so similar, therefore have a right to better security, privacy and safety from powerful governments within America.

Canada's overall message within this article is anger as they believe they deserve privacy from the US as they are neighbouring nations, not one nation as a whole.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/06/07/canadians_not_safe_from_us_online_surveillance_expert_says.html

http://deibert.citizenlab.org/2006/02/usa-today-and-radio-canada-international/

North Korean website and video on America

The country whose views on America I have chosen to analyse is North Korea. Of all the countries in the world, North Korea seems to be the most strongly opposed to America and American values at this moment in time. Evidence shows that during UN meetings, North Korea has voted against the US 96.7% of the time, that is more than any other country in the UN. This is why I have chosen to look at their views on America to find what it is that they find so unsettling about America.

Many know North Korea as a “hermit kingdom” due to the fact that it has purposefully isolated itself from the rest of the world; in 2012 it was even ranked the lowest country in the Democracy Index. As a dictatorship, the government has full control of the Internet and the news, with global websites blocked from the sight of North Koreans; therefore it is very difficult to find many web pages when living outside the country. However there are some blog posts written by North Koreans that give an impression of what life is like growing up in the country and what the country’s impression of America is.

http://www.nknews.org/2013/03/i-used-to-have-nightmares-about-americans/

The website above is an article written by a North Korean who grew with anti-American propaganda being forced on them by the government. Constantly referred to as “sworn enemies” and “Yankee pigs”, America is seen as the most hated and feared nation in North Korea: so much so, that the author of the article says how they, and many others, grew up having nightmares about America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eem8FO4uP-c

The video above is a piece of propaganda released by the North Korean government warning their people of the dangerous lifestyle Americans lead. Advertising the country as full of poverty and homelessness, as well as having gun-toting maniacs around every corner. The video is clearly a lame attempt by the government to brainwash their people as it even contains footage of homelessness at the Gare de Nord, a train station in Paris.

These views on America are completely nonsensical in my opinion; based around fear of a bigger country and an attempt provoke some reaction from America. They are biased stereotypes that have been force-fed to the people of North Korea who, due to restrictions of researching the country themselves, are left to simply believe the words that their government tell them. They are views that I find shocking in the 21^st Century as they remind me of the propaganda that was created in Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia, the type I had previously thought to be extinct. It is interesting, however to see the desperate attempts a country will go to to stop themselves from becoming ‘Americanized’.

British view of America

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20857972

This article from the BBC looks at Britons view of America, particularly considering its influence from 'across the pond', both  positive and negative. Personally, I agree with some of the views portrayed throughout the article and believe that many British people most likely feel the same; however, there are some aspects in the article I struggle with.

The article looks at what many see as the positive influence of America; such as Apple, Hollywood and Rock n' Roll. However, it is also made clear that Britons seem to be 'hopelessly confused' in how to perceive America, particularly American politics. It cannot be denied that American politics has a profound effect on both Britain and the rest of the world, as the article identifies, what they 'do in the privacy of the voting booth genuinely matters, both to them and us.' Whenever a significant election occurs, many in Britain feel the need to voice their opinion and state how they would vote if they had the opportunity. Similarly, over the past few years for example, with the inauguration of President Obama the world seems to be very aware that we have witnessed history and consequently seems to have put an added pressure on this man who represented 'hope' for so many to make some momentous change. The relationship between American politicians and British politicians always seems to me to reveal the power America has over our country, and what is often described as a 'special relationship' is merely Britain following their lead.

The article concludes that America is actually a 'mirror' of Britain, which I find difficult to comprehend. Whenever I think of Americans I rarely understand them to be like the British, even if they supposedly speak the same language. I think both countries seem to be fascinated with each other and each other's cultures and this most likely would not occur if we saw 'our own features staring back at us' when we looked at America and vice versa. One of the most interesting aspects of this article is the comments from readers underneath, which consist of Americans, Canadians, and Britons; particularly as they voice their own opinions on the relationship between Britain and America.

China's reaction to the US government shutdown

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2013-10/02/c_132768966.htm

This is a link to the Chinese Xinhua news network reporting on the US government shut down. The language used in it is critical, and the article was picked up on by other news websites, including the BBC and Australian Sky News.

In the Xinhua article, they describe the shutdown as America's "latest political failure". I think that this is a valid criticism. If a government gets to a point where internal disagreements cannot be solved and the government is shut down, it is a failure. By the government being shut down, it is not doing its job and so can be seen to have 'failed'. That the shut down could happen highlights that there are problems with the system.

Most of the criticism in the article seems to be for the disagreements between Republicans and Democrats. It states that "dysfunctional Washington" has "no political unity to redress its policy mistake". Although I agree with democracy, when there are only two opposing parties there is a danger of them coming to a standstill disagreement over things in which they are ideologically opposed. On the other hand, a one-party state runs the risk of becoming a dictatorship. I think that the criticism comes from political differences, but is again a valid one, as systems should be put in place in America to avoid stalemates such as the one they are facing at the moment.

Another criticism that the Xinhua article levels at the US is that it "has engaged in irresponsible spending for years". This is also something of a valid criticism. Even people in the US think that Obama has overspent and it is part of the reason for the shutdown. It is true that each successive president has spent more than the last, Obama having spent the most, although he increased the amount of government spending by a lower percentage than any previous president. The US does spend more than it has, but this is true of most governments. As to whether or not the spending was irresponsible is down to individual ideology.

Sources:

http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=911858
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24377617
http://www.policymic.com/articles/9069/has-obama-spent-more-than-any-other-u-s-president-in-history-yes-and-no
http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/federal_deficit_chart.html

Racial Population in America

When looking at this map of racial population within America, it shows that it is divided by each race rather than spread across America. Each race seems to be quite concentrated to specific areas. For example, black (non-hispanic) is concentrated to the south east part of America spreading from florida up to New York and Washington, DC. This high level of concentration could suggest that despite America speaking out against racial issues and claiming that there aren't such racial issues like there used to be 50-60 years ago, the demographic map says otherwise as there seems to be a clear divide between the black (non-hispanic) population and the rest of America. However, another interesting factor of this map is the population of Native Americans, it is one of the highest populations surprisingly. It is also quite a wide spread across America, however it would be more likely that you would see the spread across the west coast, but it seems to spreading across the north and in the middle of America in those 'forgotten states'. This could suggest the Native Americans may have moved north and north east because of the move west by the large population of multiethnic, they moved north in search for 'empty spaces'. 

Here is a simplified version:

   German

   American

   Mexican

   Irish

   African

   Italian

   English

   Japanese

   Puerto Rican

These two demographic maps display the ancestry of people living in the USA, according to a census taken in 2000.

The thing that struck me about this map is the high number of people who consider themselves to have German ancestry. According to the census, German Americans account for 17.1% of the population, which was the highest percentage, followed by Irish American at 12%. I think my surprise is due to not knowing very much about how America was originally populated and the groups of people that went there. When I think of Americans today, what comes to mind is Latinos, African Americans, Irish Americans and Italian Americans. I think they are groups that are given more focus in media and the news. Although, in trying to think about why the preponderance of German ancestry was so unusual to me, I realized that once I thought more deeply about it, it made sense.

Most Germans were originally drawn to America because of the promise of rich land for farming and religious freedom. If a lot of people with agricultural knowledge were emigrating to America, it must have been helpful in the pioneering push across the Appalachians into the grass plains of central America. In reference to religious freedom, a lot of people who followed the Amish Mennonite movement emigrated to Pennsylvania in the 18th century to escape religious persecution, later spreading out across the rest of America. Most of the Amish communities became Americanised, although some still exist, practicing their way of life - Ohio containing the largest population of Amish.

Another thing I found interesting about these maps was the racial segregation it suggested. Not an enforced segregation, but a natural one. In another demographic map showing race in America, the divide between white and black Americans be seen clearly. The Hispanic and African Americans seem to be largely grouped along the east west coast, excluding Florida, from New York to Louisiana. This distribution could be connected to the abolition of slavery in 1865 and the American Civil War - people of African ancestry would be more inclined to move out of the confederate states in the south and into the north, who fought against slavery.

The Mexican ancestry along the south can be explained by those states bordering on Mexico, so anyone emigrating from there would not have moved far. A lot of the states and cities in that area have Spanish names.

Most of the Americans with English ancestry are in Maine and Vermont, but there is an isolated pocket of them in Utah. The English heritage in Maine and Vermont is easy to explain, as it was this area in which the original immigrants landed. The land there was easy to live on and bordered by the Appalachian, or 'Endless' Mountains, so it would have been more practical to stay where they started. The high percentage of English ancestry in Utah could be because a lot of British Mormons moved there in order to practice their religion.

I also noted that a few states noted their ancestry as American, which in the census was the option if the person wasn't sure of their ancestry. This could be because family histories have been lost, or that their ancestors became so Americanised that they discarded their ancestry and fully embraced being an American.

Demographic map on obesity levels and McDonalds chains

I have chosen two maps to look at here, for the reason that one has a huge bearing on the other. The first map looks at the obesity rates across Americans over the age of 20 from 2009, with obvious results. The rates of obesity tend to swell in the regions of ‘Dixie’, the east coast and in patches along the west coast. It is thought that a staggering 34.4% of adults in the state of Mississippi are obese, with nearly double that overweight; clearly this is the reason why heart disease and diabetes are the major chronic disease killers in the state. This is not just the burden of Mississippi; it is predicted that obesity will soon overtake smoking as the No.1 type of preventable death in the whole of the USA.

The second map gives some explanation to this. It shows the placement of every McDonalds restaurant in the whole of the USA. When comparing the density of restaurants to showings of obesity, the findings are almost identical. Once again, the greatest showings come from the eastern side of the US, especially in the south stretching to Florida and along the northeastern coastlines. Then, just like the map above it, there is a much more sparse region in ‘The Empty Quarter’ where obesity rates are far lower, therefore the amount of McDonalds significantly decreases.

These similarities cannot just be coincidence. A few facts from the 2004 documentary ‘Supersize Me’ provide some frightening evidence for the correlation. On average, a quarter of Americans visit a McDonalds or similar fast food chain every day. Since the 1980s the rate of childhood obesity has doubled, in that time the amount McDonalds chains have gone from around 6000 to roughly 14000. Figures such as these show a direct link between the increasing levels of obesity in America and the huge amount of fast food chains.

Sources:

http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/page/14/  - for McDonalds map

http://blogs.plos.org/obesitypanacea/2013/04/10/obesity-and-altitude/  - map of obesity levels

http://www.vivavegie.org/101book/text/nolink/social/supersizeme.htm - ‘Supersize Me’ facts

http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/43,0,289.html - Records for obesity levels in Mississippi

Demographic map

This demographic map shows the percentage of American Indian population in America from the 2000 Census, with the darker red representing a higher percentage.

 Initially, I was surprised by how concentrated the American Indian population (or Native Alaskan population) was in the state of Alaska, particularly as I had never before realised or considered that Indians had migrated to this place. This is most likely due to my studies of American Indians at school, where I learnt that the tribes were situated mainly in the south eastern areas of America and later (often by force) moved westward.

Native Alaskans, it seems, never migrated south and for this reason are not genetically related to the Native Americans in southern America. Due to the more extreme weather conditions, these Native Alaskans had to develop ways of dealing with the challenges they faced and developed their own languages and tribes. Overall, the state of Alaska has the highest American Indian and Native Alaskan percentage at around 19.5%. My surprise at these statistics comes from my lack of knowledge about these Native Alaskans; particularly as when the Native American culture is ever discussed, the focus is always on the conflict between those tribes that established themselves in America and that of the immigrant Europeans.  

Another aspect of this demographic map that surprised me was the overall percentage of American Indians in America. According to the 2000 Census, American Indians (and Native Alaskans) made up  less than one per cent of the total American population. Personally, I felt this was a much lower percentage than I would have predicted. Even more surprising  however, (as I would have thought this percentage would decrease over time rather than increase) was that a projected U.S. population for American Indians for the year 2050 is estimated to reach 8.6 million, approximately 2% of the American population overall.

 

Sources:

http://www.censusscope.org/us/map_nhindian.html

http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-cultures

http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=Native_Alaskans

http://www.alaskatrekker.com/natives.htm