In the final round of the recent Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant, Lauren Upton –-
better known as Miss Teen
South Carolina –- was asked this question: "Recent
polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map. Why
do you think this is?"
Upton paused briefly, then proceeded to give a most revealing answer, part of which sounded like this: “I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some ... people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and, uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as and ...”
When I heard that “a fifth of Americans can’t locate the U.S. on a world map,” I was really surprised, because I didn’t realize that four-fifths CAN. I decided to conduct my own survey to see if this was true, using a map with all the names deleted. To make sure my survey was scientific, I questioned only randomly selected people, both men and women, from all over Lauren Upton’s hometown.
Me: “Excuse me, mister, can you show me where America is on this world map.”
Young man (pointing): “Yeah, of course I can. There it is.”
Me: “Uh … actually, that’s Iraq.”
Young man: “Isn’t that part of America?”
Me: “No, not yet.”
Young man: “But there are lots of Americans there, so it’s sort of like America, isn’t it?”
Me: “I suppose so. What about you, Miss? Do you know where America is?”
Young woman: “Sorry, I’m not good with directions. There’s a gas station down the road.”
Me: “I don’t want directions. I just want to see if you can find America on this map.”
Young woman: “Oh, okay then. There it is.”
Me: “Uh … actually, that’s the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Young woman: “Was I close?”
Me: “Sort of. What about you, sir? Can you tell me where America is?”
Elderly man: “You’re standing on it!”
Me: “No, I mean, can you show me where it is on this map?”
Elderly man: “I’ll try, but you have to remember that it’s been years since I studied geography in high school.”
Me: “I don’t think America has moved since then, sir.”
Elderly man: “I know it hasn’t moved, but I’m sure it has gotten bigger. Isn’t Canada part of America now?”
Me: “No, not yet.”
Elderly man: “Then why is there a team from Canada in the NATIONAL Basketball Association.”
Me: “I don’t know, sir. Can you point at America on the map please?”
Elderly man (pointing): “There it is.”
Me: “Sorry, sir, that’s Georgia.”
Elderly man: “What d’ya mean? Georgia is in America!”
Me: “That’s the country of Georgia. It’s next to Russia and was part of the former Soviet Union.”
Elderly man (shouting): “Georgia belongs to America! The Soviets don’t have it!”
Me: “Okay, sir, whatever you say. What about you, ma’am, can you tell me where America is on this map?”
Fifty-something woman: “Sure, I can. Let me see … America is a big country, so it shouldn’t be hard to find. There it is.”
Me: “Uh … sorry, that’s the Atlantic Ocean.”
Fifty-something woman: “We own part of it, don’t we?”
Me: “I suppose so. What about you, sir, can you find America on this map?”
Thirty-something man (pointing): “There it is!”
Me: “Congratulations! You found America on a world map!”
Thirty-something man: “What do I win?”
Me: “Sorry, there are no prizes. This is just a survey.”
Thirty-something man: “That's too bad. I was hoping to send the prize to my family in Mexico.”
Me: "You're from Mexico?"
Thirty-something man: "Yes, but I hope to become an American one day."
Me: “Do you mind if I consider you an American for the purposes of my survey?”
Thirty-something man: “No problem.”
There you have it then. Four out of five Americans can find America on a world map. Sort of.
Quite funny - an apt illustration of ground reality. Humorous but sad. If only the Americans (and world citizens) know a little more about their "neighbors" there will be less confrontation in this world.
Posted by: Uppili | September 03, 2007 at 01:27 PM
We in Zambia learn a lot about the outside world, we know the wonders of the world and locations, all the seasons in each continent and can cite Canada, and all its climate, U.S.A and all its lakes.
Why are we made to learn all these things while most of outside world will never locate my country on world map, least of all their own country, which is a superpower. I have never been to America but I know it like the back of hand. Let the people in this country grow up and know more about their neighbours.
Posted by: Lameck Mazyopa | September 04, 2007 at 01:45 AM
Let me think on this a moment. We are only talking about 1/5th of the American's can point out the USA on a map. Hum, how about math to go along with that. the "last" line says "There you have it then. Four out of five Americans can find America on a world map. Sort of." that would be 4/5ths DO NOT know where it is.. Maybe we need to update our math studies as well.
Most American's under the age of 40 can't even tell you who the VP of America is. Some think Hillary Clinton is still President. Oh wait, that was Bill that was actually elected wasn't it.
If the American People do NOT stand up "AGAINST" this "no child left behind" law, we are going to have the dumbest nation in the world by the year 2040. We don’t have to worry about terrorist taking over with violence, all they have to do is wait until we are so stupid we just give our nation to them.
Right now, have a kid just graduating write you a simple sentence.
Watch the show, “are you as smart as a 5th grader”. Need I say more? I watched one the other night and this college graduate couldn’t count how many proper nouns were in a simple sentence.
How about we Vote ALL of the current politicians OUT of office and put NEW in and let them know, they don’t perform then THEY are out because they are suppose to be for the people NOT for THEIR pocketbooks and bank accounts. Right?
Posted by: Jerry Parrish | September 04, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Incidentally, I wrote a similar column on my blog page
http://bravisha.blogspot.com/.
I think it is really sad to say that one fifth of Americans don't know where America is on the map. I liked your punch "does it mean the other 4/5th of Americans know where the map is?".
I like reading your columns and they are really funny. Keep up your work.
Regards
Ravi B
//
Posted by: Ravi Balakrishnan | September 07, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Lameck, I'd be very surprised if more than a fifth of Americans could find Zambia on a map. As for naming the president or capital city, you might as well ask them a question in Bemba.
Jerry, I knew the last line would be confusing. I'm giving three of them credit for coming "close."
Ravi, as your column notes, it wasn't too long ago that President Bush knew as much about the rest of the world as Paris Hilton does.
Posted by: Melvin Durai | September 07, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Sadly Funny, but True. I don't know when the "dumbing-down of America" started, but it seems that the teaching of Geography, History, Civics and Physical Education are being sacrificed to make sure the children can pass government mandated tests. What a shame!! Jeffrey (Florida, USA)
Posted by: Jeffrey | May 19, 2008 at 09:09 AM