When asked "Recent Polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map - why do you think this is?", Timothy Ames Leong of Hampden, ME submitted the following winning essay:
When I was a preteen I was conscious of the world around me. There were times I was confronted with people who were not aware of the outside world. As time progressed, I became dismayed at this unfortunate truth and felt the urge to lead my generation in a positive direction. Many recent studies have made startling discoveries revealing that a fifth if Americans can’t locate the U.S. on a world map. This problem is developing and only appears to be getting worse. Although it lends for great concern, this problem is rooted in shifts in society.
To make matters worse, in a recent survey only one in seven Americans could identify Iraq on a map of the world. Even worse, 49 % could not identify New York, and 11 % could not locate the United States. (Source National Geographic by RoperASW). Shocked at these astounding figures, I feel compelled to help my generation become more aware of news and world events. I believe that I may have an impact on the lives of people throughout my community my generation, and the future as a whole. Before any improvements can be made the cause of the issue must be addressed.
As the United States has emerged from many global conflicts, its citizens have focused less on the outside world and more on immediate interests. Currently, high school and college age students are labeled as the “me” generation. Concerned with consumption and material wealth, the American perception has become clouded. People are considering the events and problems of the world as a secondary concern. With a decrease of foreign awareness, people lose sight of its importance. Additionally the increase of technology has drastically lessened the dependence on personal knowledge. Today one can simply pull up a map of the world in seconds because of the internet. People no longer need to memorize where the United States is located on a map in order to understand geography.
For all of the reasons above I feel moved to study political science. I feel inspired knowing that there are people dedicated to helping people achieve their future endeavors. One person can make a difference and because of this I am seeking to be this difference.
