Why are Americans so damn illiterate?
By gardengrrl
@gardengrrl (1445)
United States
July 9, 2007 10:51am CST
I have read at least 10 discussions here regarding the 4th of July holiday. Some were enquiries from folks in other nations, some were started by Americans. Not one post, NOT ONE, correctly stated what the holiday is about. NOT ONE POST!
Now, there's a bunch more discussions re: the 4th that I didn't read, which brings me to another point: SEARCH BEFORE YOU START A NEW DISCUSSION! There's no reason to have so many different discussions on such an obvious topic. Part of being a good myLotter is supporting each other's efforts, not being greedy by starting competeing discussions.
Back to the ones I didn't read: there may be one that contains the correct information, I just didn't see it. Neither did someone from the other side of the planet who was curious about the USA, searched, and read the first page of discussions that resulted. How sorry a body politic are we, when we can't even correctly identify the event a supposedly "sacred" holiday commemorates? No wonder the worst president in US history got re-elected!
For the record: July 2, 1776 was the day the Continental Congress of the United States of America voted to declare independence from the British Crown. July 4, 1776, was the day that Thomas Jefferson's remarkable piece of writing was adopted unanimously by the Congress and titled, "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America", now more commonly known as the Declaration of Independence.
John Adams wrote to Abigail Adams:
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore."
In the end, of course, they chose to commemorate the day the document was accepted, rather than the day the original vote for independence was taken.
There's an excellent article, which I consulted for this post, at http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/DECLARA.HTM
Wikipedia also has a really good annotated text of the Declaration at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence#Annotated_text_of_the_Declaration
For those of US who didn't know this because we spent high school history class under the bleachers getting stoned, work the algorithims, dude, search the web, crack a book, do something! because a lot of the c-rap they tried to teach us back then really isn't important or relevant to our lives today, but THIS STUFF IS!
Peace, love, and the American Way (whatever that is!)
5 people like this
8 responses
@ocalhoun (199)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Well, ignorance of history is not quite the same thing as illiteracy, but I do agree with you (despite the fact that I'm American).
Stupidity runs rampant in America, I can tell you that for sure. Though, come to think about it, I haven't seen too much more intelligence in the foreigners I meet either. I suspect the entire human species is doomed to stupidity, with a few exceptions that we label as 'geniuses'.
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
9 Jul 07
I agree, the standards of literacy and education across the wedtern world is descending into ignorance and stupidity across the board. This is not just an American issue, but a concern to many people in Europe too.
2 people like this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I firmly believe that the wars of the 20th century lopped off the top 20% of the gene pool, and the diminishment will become more apparent with each succeeding generation. It's going to take evolution 500 years to catch up...if the human race doesn't destroy itself first!
@ladysurvivor (4746)
• Malaysia
10 Jul 07
Not only Americans are illiterate, many people in many other countries are also illiterate. I think this depends on how people value knowledge and the importance of reading. It doesn't have connection with the government, because people should be responsible for themselves. That's what I think. have a nice day to you.
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
10 Jul 07
You are so right, people have to be responsible for themselves and being informed.
Thank you for telling me about other countries having similar problems. I don't really know enough about other countries to say one way or the other. I am glad to hear from you. Enjoy your day!
@mummymo (23706)
•
9 Jul 07
You know what honey - I love this post if for nothing else because it shows you are letting out all the stress and worry that has been building up in you for the last few weeks and that is great - it is very dangerous to keep all that stuff inside! lol I must admit that I have heard all of that before but would probably not have been able to recall it if asked, but my excuse is that I am not American!
The searching for discussions bit I really don't mind repeated discussions myself because a lot of times they go to a completely different circle of friends but that is only my opinion! Sending you love and hugs sweety! xxx
1 person likes this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
9 Jul 07
That's a good thought, about different circles of friends, I hadn't thought about that.
Thanks, I guess it is a good sign that I'm spouting off about larger concepts again!
hey, all I know about Scotland, I learned from "Braveheart" or the label on the back of a bottle of good Scotch, so we're in the same boat... or tumbler, if you prefer! I just think that my fellow Americans fail to appreciate how very important the rights they're so willing to sacrifice in the name of false security are because they don't bother to learn about how desperately hard it was to win, and then keep them.
Hugs and love right back at ya!
@totty1969 (1468)
• United States
10 Jul 07
Hello gardengrrl,
Well I do have to say I am not, what's the word "Illiterate".
I know who my daddy is. And why should we know about Inependence, and Freedom when we don't have those luxeries anymore. As for the worst President, I agree. But in all seriousness, I am joking I know what illiteracy is, and I cannot understand why we can be so. No one takes the time to read anything all the way through anymore. I'm not offended by this, because I nevercommented on any of these discussions, I just had to respond to this one.
Peace, Totty
1 person likes this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
10 Jul 07
LOL! Hi, Totty, thanks for the laugh!
You're too right, everything is so rushed, no one takes time to be fully informed. It bugs the heck out of me, too!
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Sorry, I remember being curious about what other people were doing for the 4th, and complaining about the illegal fireworks the neighborhood teenagers were sure to shot off that night; I don't remember any discussions about the actual reason that we have the holiday in the first place. If being more interested in what my friends were doing, and the loud (and potentially fire-causing) explosions next door make me illiterate--fine.
And I am sorry that I started a new topic, and that it didnt address the real meaning of the holiday. Yes, I am illiterate. It is my right as an American to be illiterate.
As a freelance writer, I do object to the term illiterate. Personally, I would have used the term ignorant. The fact that people attempt to write and post here is encouraging, though I do see your point.
Yeah, you are right. I don't search before I start a new discussion. That is laziness. Yes, I am a bad mylot user. I am the slum of the earth, and a typical American. So yes, I am probably illiterate. Heavens knows half the time I do not know what the author is trying to say in my Literature classes.
On the behalf of the illiterate, lazy, ignorant, and generally don't care Americans, I apologize to you and anyone else that was upset that we cared more about what other people were doing than the sacred meaning of the holiday.
Blessed be!
1 person likes this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Hi, morgandrake!
I was really objecting to the more factually oriented discussions, not so much the social ones.
Cultural illiteracy is a big concern to me, which is why I used that word in particular. You are right, ignorant would have worked equally well, though it probably wouldn't have been less offensive.
I generally only search when I want to discuss a potentially popular topic, like holidays or a particular big event, that others may have written about already. I don't do it because I'm a myLot queeen, or anything, but because similar posts on the same subject get deleted regularly. I just want to minimize my chances of getting hit with earnings debits when they do.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!
@GINAGINA (12)
• United States
9 Jul 07
LOL. Funny, true and like you say sad. I am pretty much a newbie here and have seen similar boards with similar issues (not searching for posts/same topic, etc).
I agree with the above poster about "ignorant" being more fitting. Now, as far as not knowing about history, etc. and the shows you were referring to, I totally agree! Alot of Americans DO look bad in the eyes of others in other countries particulary. Will not knowing our history REALLY doom us though? Maybe. This can be a whole other debate. I mean, what good is it if "I" don't know a historical fact but "YOU" do? Either way, alot of information is regurgitated and there for those who want to take it in.
Another "American" critique is not knowing anything BUT English- again, another topic for discussion.
I am honest to say I just skimmed over your post on the dates and such as History is good to know, but memorizing dates/events does not appeal to me. I have my MBA, working on a PhD and History dates/events will NEVER appeal to me. Granted, a basic knowledge of history events will suffice, but I don't see how not knowing the exact event will doom me. Please elaborate, I'm always up for different perspectives.
Another thing I'd like to point out, is that we all have different interests. For example, my father can recite historical events like the back of his hand. I know very little- he laughs at me. Later, I get a call from him on how to create a database- I laugh at him. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
1 person likes this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I guess the difference is, we celebrate this as a sacred holiday every year. Just as it is relevant to understand the "Christ" part of Christmas, so it is to understand what the "Independence" part of Independence Day is about.
Cultural illiteracy is the biggest threat to America's future facing us today. How can all the different groups in our Nation band together to protect and defend it if we fail to know (and teach) about those critical, core concepts that unite us? How can we govern it and keep it free for all citizens to enjoy if we don't glorify the knowledge of how hard our forebears fought to create it? How much danger they endured to give birth to the home of the free and the brave?
I'm not expecting people to remember who's buried in Grant's Tomb, or be able to recite "Beowulf" from memory. I'm talking about knowing the basics that make us different from every other nation on Earth.
Why do you think immigrants who want to become citizens have to pass a written test about American history? Because these are the ties that bind us all together, black, white, brown or yellow, natural born or naturalized, these are the facts that define us as American citizens. How will we protect our freedoms from the extremist idiots who attack them from all sides every day, if we don't understand where they came from in the first place?
@Azita888 (315)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I think you are over reacting just a little. Just because people have a discussion that says 4th of July holiday that doesn't mean they are required to share the history of that holiday and if they don't share the history that doesn't mean they don't know it. I am not from the US but I live here and I started a discussion about 4th of July but all I did is asked how people have spent it and shared what I did that day. I don't believe I needed to share the history of the holiday or searched other posts.
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
10 Jul 07
First of all, when someone from the other side of the planet posts a discussion asking what the 4th of July is all about, wouldn't you expect at least one American member to be able to relate the historical facts? I am mortified and disgusted than no one did. What, precisely, are you celebrating if you don't know the most basic facts of the holiday's origins?
Second, your 4th of July discussion got 2 responses. If you are only here for fun and friendship, that's perfectly OK. If you'd like to hit payout once in a while, however, you will have to post discussions that people respond to, and the 456th discussion about "what I did on the 4th of July" might not be it. We're here to support each other, not compete. This means I don't do discussions very similar to yours, and you don't do discussions similar to mine. We respond to each other, instead. That way, everybody gets closer to payout, and you make great friends, too.
I hit payout for the first time at 260 posts. Any questions?
@yashchoraria (46)
• India
10 Jul 07
this ia a correct matter of fact ! all american say that there country is ahead of all but they dont remember that all those scientist and doctors talking there country forward
are from
1. india
2. russian
3. japanese
and they act like anything
its a fact if we say a child of class 10 in usa to calculate
square of 5 which is 25
we uses the calculator bcz he never uses his mind
he is always depened on others
