USA PROJECT

Introduction

The United States of America (USA) is one of the most influential nations of the world. Due to this particular factor, various other nations have started adopting the USA’s culture in one way or the other. Culture can be defined in terms of various mannerisms and behaviors that are inter-related to each other. Culture is an integrated pattern of people’s knowledge, behavior, and belief that come from their social interaction. Thus culture is a term which takes a number of factors into consideration in order to define this particular feature in a complete manner.

History

US culture is basically influenced by European culture and is thus known as Western culture. Presently the USA has its own specific cultural and social characteristics like music, social habits, dialect, arts, cuisine, and folklore. It is also one of the most highly diversified both ethnically and racially. This is due to the fact that it was formed by large scale immigration from various other countries throughout its entire history.

Demographics

As of 2012, the total resident population of the USA is 312,842,000 which make it the third most populous country of the world. Unlike various other countries, a large part of its population (82%) lives in urban areas as compared to the global average of 50.5%. This particular fact means a large part of the USA is uninhabited. The two most populous states are California and Texas and New York City is the most populous city.

Despite this fact, the USA has one of the highest population growth rates amongst industrialized countries. As of 2009, US had a higher number of females (155.6 million) as compared to the number of males (151.4 million).

The USA encountered a population growth rate of 1.3% a year during the entire 20^th century in which its population more than tripled. America’s population was 76 million in 1900, while it became 281 million in 2000. It also crossed the 300 million marks on October 17, 2006.

The most densely populated area of the USA is New Jersey with a density of 433/Km². Below is the population density of the entire USA (light to dark, i.e. yellow to blue representing an increase in density),

Below given is the distribution of US population according to race and ethnicity as per 2010 stats.

Race / Ethnicity	Number	Percentage of U.S. population
Not Hispanic or Latino	258,267,944	83.7 %
White	196,817,552	63.7 %
Black or African American	37,685,848	12.2 %
Asian	14,465,124	4.7 %
Two or more races	5,966,481	1.9 %
American Indian or Alaska Native	2,247,098	0.7 %
Some other race	604,265	0.2 %
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	481,576	0.2 %
Hispanic or Latino	50,477,594	16.3 %
White	26,735,713	8.7 %
Some other race	18,503,103	6.0 %
Two or more races	3,042,592	1.0 %
Black or African American	1,243,471	0.4 %
American Indian or Alaska Native	685,150	0.2 %
Asian	209,128	0.1 %
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	58,437	0.0 %
Total	308,745,538	100.0%

As per the Washington Post, there were about 11 million immigrants that came to the USA illegally by 2010. As per 2006 statistics, the median household income of the USA was $46,000. Factors affecting this particular parameter are race, marital status, educational attainment, and number of income earners.

Cultural Diversity

Founded upon the principle of equality and freedom for all, the USA is one country where people from any race, religion or ethnicity have found a home. It is in the making of this country which has resulted in it being a multicultural nation. People from all over the world usually come to the USA to earn a livelihood and often to settle down. The onset of globalization and multinational organizations further led to the USA being a melting-pot of various cultures.

Amidst this confluence of cultures, USA still has many important cultural aspects of its own, which can be recognized as typical to the country. Also, the westernization-effect which took the world under its spell in the late 90s is another example of the power and influence of USA culture.

Cultural Aspects

As is known famously, the USA has a ‘western culture’ having strong influences from the Roman era and Christianity. It is a modern and evolving culture, and is suitably understood as a source of ‘modernization’.

The USA is a mix of urban and sub-urban culture, where people from different economic and work backgrounds live in harmony.

A quick glance at its culture reveals the following as its key identifiable characteristics:

·         Highly patriotic people, who have a firm belief in the First Amendment and the government.

·         Education system promotes the research oriented study-pattern.

·         Work and career-growth is first priority, family being second.

·         Individualism in work and achievement oriented performance. They are thus, not considered to be very good team-players.

·         Huge emphasis on work efficiency, rather than doing it for the sake of doing.

·         A materialistic and status oriented society. The higher the status of a person, the more is the respect he earns in the society and amongst peers.

·         Meetings and conversations are pre-fixed and conducted at the appointed time and venue.

·         Focus on finding new ways of doing things in a better and effective manner.

·         Spending on loan basis.

Conclusion

An in-depth study and understanding of this culture leads to the conclusion that the USA is one country where people from different origins and ethnicities can co-exist peacefully and hope for prosperity.

Another important aspect of American culture is promotion of research and development. The education system in America is based upon the pillars of practical approach and streamlined/ focused study of subjects. This helps in the development of a child’s brain in a manner that makes him learn by way of doing something. However, not every aspect of this culture can be accepted or adjusted to. Also the involvement of the USA in various war-like attacks and army control in various weaker countries puts the USA in a questionable position and leads to a growth of hatred towards Americans.

In conclusion, it can be said that the USA is one major hub for learning about various cultures, all at one place. Globalization, being the need of current times, makes the USA a global village and a hotspot for various economic activities.

Bibliography

Demographics. (2011). Retrieved January 13, 2012, from http://www.indexmundi.com/united_states/demographics_profile.html

USA Culture. (2011). Retrieved January 12, 2012, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/usa.html

USA History. (2011). Retrieved January 12, 2012, from http://www.usahistory.info/

USA Official Portal. (2011). Retrieved January 12, 2012, from http://www.usa.gov/

Sharjah & Dubai airports

Reflective opportunity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSjT28v9Z4E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yXy4YGOyvU&feature=share

Sharjah airport 1937 and Dubai airport today

This video clip shows the airport of Sharjah in 1937 and there were a lot of Arabs traveling by camels, donkeys and on foot at the time. At the time there was a population in Sharjah of 15,000; the majority were Arabs with some  Indian traders and Iranians. The video clip shows the oysters and pearls  and also shows clips of fishing, which was a source of livelihood. We have built this airport in the form of a fort and wit was run by British staff. The aeroplane which was arriving at the airport, a Hanno H.P.42, was built by Handley Page in England. The plane was to take at least four days to reach Sharjah passing through several cities before arrival. We also see a weather balloon released from the roof of the meteorological station at the airport to collect information on wind speed, etc...

In the second video tape, people were dancing in the Dubai Airport. The video showed the evolution of Dubai International Airport and the contrast between the two airports. At the airport in Dubai we could see people dancing and singing together. The people were all happy to participate in the dance. Also the video showed employees in the duty free and the employees of the airport. The show was very impressive and shows the heterogeneity of people with different cultures and identities.

Definitions

1. Affluence = wealth.

Abu Dhabi is an example of an affluent society.

The opposite of affluence is poverty.

2. Ethnicity is related to culture, race, language.

Malaysians consist of three main ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese and Indians.

3. Ability = skill = aptitude.

He has the ability to get good grades.

4. Diversity = difference.

The UAE nowadays is an example of a culturally diverse society.

5. Assimilation = absorption.

People emigrating to other countries will gradually assimilate into a new culture.

6. Demographics = the study of population.

You can study a country's demographics in many different ways, e.g. race, language, religion, age, gender.

7. religion = a set of beliefs.

Religious people try to live according to the teachings of their religion.

8. race = a group of people with similarities, particularly physical appearance.

People of Malay, Chinese & Indian race share Malaysian nationality.

9. multiculturalism = many different cultures.

A multicultural society is one where people of different cultural backgrounds live and work together.

10. personality = individual character.

She has a very nice personality: kind, patient, tolerant and loving.

11. prejudice = bias.

Apartheid in S. Africa was based on racial prejudice against black people.

12. Acculturation = the mixing of different cultures.

It means different cultures borrowing from each other.

13. Bias = prejudice.

Bias is a negative opinion of a person or group based on race, colour, culture or whatever.

14. Discrimination = treating people differently.

Apartheid meant discrimination in favour of whites and against blacks.

15. Fringe = edge, margin.

A fringe group is a small minority, usually expressing an extreme opinion.

16. Population = the number of people.

A census is a count of the number of people in a country.

17.Stereotyping = making assumptions or generalisations about a person or group of people.

Americans are rich, while Mexicans are poor.

18. Gender = sex.

There are two genders, male and female.

19. Resistance = opposition.

There have been many signs of political resistance to established governments in the Arab spring of this year.

20. Advantage = a favoured position.

If you are an expatriate, being able to speak the local language is a big advantage.

21. Racism = hatred of another person or group of different race, often based on colour.

The apartheid system in S. Africa was an example of racism.

22.Ethics = morality, i.e. what is right or wrong.

Ethical behaviour is honest behaviour.

23. Productivity = the ability to produce something.

The company's productivity rates are rising.

24. Behaviour = the manner of acting/conduct.

The students' behaviour is very good.

25. Belief = confidence, opinion..

I have great belief in her.

Tibetans believe in re-incarnation.

26. Majority = most.

The vast majority of Arabs are Muslim.

27. Income = salary.

All employees have a monthly income.

28. Adverse = bad, harmful.

We didn't go on a picnic because of the adverse weather conditions.

29. Values = beliefs.

I value honesty very highly.

30. Traditions = customs.

They are handed down from generation to generation.

31. Generation = group of people born at about the same time.

In some societies people talk about a generation gap; each generation has its own ideals & standards.

32. Sensitivity = empathy, awareness of someone else's feelings.

She's very sensitive. She cares about how other people feel.

33. Slang = slightly improper language.

Have a shufti at my blog.

34. Ethnocentrism = seeing everything from viewpoint of your own culture.

An ethnocentric viewpoint is narrow and limited.

35. Stratification = rigid division of society.

The Indian caste system is an example of social stratification.

36. Socio-cultural = relating to society & culture.

Language, race, affluence are all socio-cultural factors.

37. Resident = someone living in a particular place.

Khalid, Aziz and Hedley are all Abu Dhabi residents.

38. Poverty = being poor.

The opposite of poverty is affluence or wealth.

39. Nationality = the country you belong to.

You can have different race or ethnicity but the same nationality.

40. Minority = less than half.

Christians are a minority of the UAE's population.

41. Class = group.

You can have upper class, middle class, lower class.

42. Globalization = worldwide connectivity.

Global brands or logos today are recognised worldwide; we all know the logos of Nike, McDonald, Mercedes etc.

43. Virtual = not real, imaginary.

Computer games create a virtual world which is not real.

44. Barriers = obstacles.

To make progress you have to climb over or go round or go through barriers.

BLINDSIGHT

What types of cultural diversity are present in the movie?                                      Erik, the blind American mountaineer volunteers to guide blind children up Everest. The German woman sets up a school for the blind in Tibet. They are from western cultures, based on Christianity; further to this the traditional Tibetan culture is based on Buddhism. The traditional Tibetan view that blindness is a form of divine punishment for sins committed in a previous life or incarnation, as opposed to the western desire to overcome disability, to achieve, to get to the top. The support that Erik received from his father when learning to hike, as opposed to the Tibetan woman who said ‘without eyes a man is not complete.

What are some of the challenges in the movie encounter?

Blindness is divine punishment for sins committed in a previous life (re-incarnation). Also they were climbing the highest mountain in the world. They face the physical challenge of lack of oxygen at high altitude. The blind children have the additional challenge of performing an extreme feat blind. The blind girl with 2 blind brothers and a blind father, whose mother died of a heart attack, leaving her daughter with no effective support. Erik was losing both his sight and his mother at an early age.

What are some examples of stereotyping, prejudice, bias and /or discrimination in the movie?

Tashi hid the fact that he was Chinese, believing only Tibetan children could join the expedition. The boy was sent away to live with a Chinese couple who beat him when he failed to beg enough money, or when the money was stolen from him.

What challenges do people face as result of personality rather than culture?

The Chinese couple are beating blind beggar. The cigarette burns on Tashi’s body.

What benefits are there for the people in the movie as a result of their differing cultures?

Tashi finds his father and would almost certainly not have done so without  help.The Tibetan girl gets a place in an English language school as a result of coming into contact with western culture.

Reflection

My reflections on the demographics are :-

(a) These figures were based on the UAE population in the year 2000 . The % of UAE Arabs was 12.2 , In these day for sure the percentage  has increased due to several reasons which are improved standard of living and high income. Also the men can have more than one wife and receive marriage rewards.

(b) The percentage of white Europeans were 2.4% and I think it is much higher  nowadays because of the development and business has become better in all fields.

Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity is having people of different races, cultures, religions, nationalities, ethnic groups and backgrounds making up a community.Cultural diversity is when you have people from different countries who of course have different beliefs, speak different languages, male and female living and working together peacefully.