Thursday 27 March 2014

Only two posts...
http://www.scientificamerican.com/editorial/digital-education/

This website is the homepage of a list of articles which are all to do with how primarily learning has changed as a consequence of the digital identity. Some articles explain how students are taking their lectures and learning outside the classroom, where another essay explains how students in the less poor countries are being given the opportunity to learn excelled degrees as a consequence of the ever growing speedy up to date broadband.

The article from this list of many which u am focusing on it to do with the ever growing, and possibly one if the top three most common daily sites used, being more well known as YouTube. Salmon Khan has created a repartition for himself on YouTube. He is now more commonly now as the YouTube teacher. This came about as he wanted to help his cousins completing their homework so decided to upload videos to YouTube in order to do this. After three years Khan ending quitting his job due to the amount of views he got and huge companies such as google and Bill Gates got involved with his project. Now you can see videos everywhere on YouTube with carried subjects to help students with their studies.

YouTube is a great phenomenon which is of a result if broad band and the World Wide Web. It is used as a way to make yourself noticeable, standing out from her crowd. The amazement which has been created over the past few decades is incredible. It has become an amazing achievement which only continues to expand. Helping more and more throughout their life.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Digital identity

            Digital identity has become increasingly prominent in defining Americans, particularly over the past few decades with the staggering improvements and modification of technology. The most recognizable worldwide digital companies have been the creation and development of American innovators, such as Youtube and Facebook. The article from CNN featuring this issue, raises concerns over the idea of digital immigrants being 'a relic of the past' and summarizes these two conflicting terms as the "generational switchover where people are defined by the technological culture which they're familiar with."
            Prensky, the producer of these terms and this argument between Native and Immigrant argues that any slowdown in the digital age is a "myth," as innovation will only press forward "faster... And faster and faster." This is evident over 10 years after Prensky introduced this issue as can be seen by any statistics on the subject. The Social Networking Fact Sheet by the Pew Internet Researchers reveals that as of September 2013, 73% of online adults use social networking sites. Facebook, as expected appears to come out at the top with 71% of online adults use this site. Most interestingly is the jump figures such as these have made in the past decade alone; between February 2005 and August 2006, the use of social networking sites among young adult internet users ages 18-29 jumped from 9% to 49%. Also, between the years 2005 and 2013, 90% of 18-29 years old internet users were using social networking in comparison to 46% 65+ year olds. This continues to reveal that this is something that has been embraced in particular by young people, hence the term used to describe them (digital native) and there is clearly a divide here between this group and the older generation (digital immigrants).
            However, there is a group of people outside America who have not joined the group, not just digital immigrants. That is those who are poverty stricken, as the CNN article states: "As technology filters into every corner of the globe and tech cities spring up in some unlikely places from Bangalore to Tel Aviv, a new gulf is emerging to separate the digitally savvy from the disconnected: Poverty. According to Shah, Prensky's views were formed from the "privileged" position of living in the U.S. Shah added: "[Prensky's] observations may describe a generation gap that the U.S. faced, but if you transplant the same definition to other parts of the world, natives are sometimes indistinguishable from immigrants."
            Another issue for this ever-growing digital world is that of digital identity, this is particularly due to it being mostly based on trust. Significantly, digital identity is something that can be changes at the click of a button, obviously extremely different from an individual's real-life identity.  Most recently, sites such as Youtube are attempting to encourage their users to use their real names in order to post a comment, there is still no way however to verify whether this is their true identity. Therefore, it is difficult to predict where digital identity will be in the future or indeed whether the gap between natives and immigrants will decrease; however as Prensky argued over a decade ago it seems clear that this is something that most definitely will not be slowing down any time soon.

           
Sources:



Wednesday 19 March 2014

Obamacare



This video is an ad created by Generation Opportunity that was made to encourage young people to vote against Obamacare. The ad features a young man going in for a check-up after signing up for Obamacare. When the Doctor is informed of the man’s insurance, he tells him to take his pants off and bend over. The words “don’t let government play doctor” then appear on the screen. The ad itself is very creepy and can be seen as disrespectful to the figure of Uncle Sam. There is a political phrase, “bend over,” that refers to the government taking control of people. Generation Opportunity attempted to give this phrase a literal meaning. The argument made is that the government is too involved in hospital visits. They feel that if you vote for Obamacare you will not receive quality care in hospitals. I am not greatly involved with politics, but I do not support this ad. I found the ad to be quite extreme and not very practical.
http://www.nrcc.org/2013/04/22/6-obamacare-frenemies-democrats-criticizing-obamas-healthcare-law/

This is a link from the NRCC website and this link is to a blog about Obamacare. They have used the word 'Frenemies' within their title for the piece. The title to the blog is one of the main things which drew me into wanting to read the article. It uses an urban slang word to duscuss politice. Freneminies is the concept of someone being your friend but at the same time working against you. Trying to get ahead competing with you. The concept of it you could compare to that of a spy, finding out all of the details of a plan, supporting it and then using this information which you have found out to your plan exposing all negative aspects of the other plan.

The blog is exposing 6 elements which are disagreeing with Obamacare. The main element being the price. Obamacare is all having a low costs. However the argument is suggesting that this wont be the case and in fact it will still cost money and the possibility of debt to go through with Obamacare. According to point number five insurance premiums have increased since being under the Obamacare. This is because of the insurance companies unsurity. Their unsurity has left them with the decision to increase costs due to the higher increase of sick people requiring insurance. People like Bruce Braley are stating that they dont agree with Obamacare as it is a huge risk which could ruin his campaign

Studying into the Health care within America as our topic for this week, it has made me view America in a different light. America is known as being a friendly polite nation. However when it comes to helath care America are very selfish and greedy nation. Obamacare has been thought through with the intention of having affordable health care. Obamacare has so many positive elements to it and i think that at the risk of there being the possiblility of higher taxes that the people whom are against it need to reconsider their views.

Obamacare

http://www.gop.com/news/research/the-case-against-obamacare/

This webpage from the website GOP.com reveals several different arguments against 'Obamacare' or ACA. GOP's (The 'Grand Old Party') more official title being the Republican Party makes it more inevitable that they will fight against this act their political rivals have passed.  From the five reasons given against Obamacare it is clear that despite its claims to improve health care across America, there will be huge costs for them to pay. In particular, the insurance they are expected to pay in order to reap the benefits of the supposedly better health care which this webpage focuses on in their second point.

The fourth point given by the Republican party is that it will produce a significant rise in taxes, something which Americans appear to be strongly opposed to. Many disagree with the idea that the money they put in will not only be used to look after yourself but also many others in the country, particularly as a considerable amount of Americans cannot afford this.

However, it seems the legitimacy of the claims made on this website can be questioned as the majority of sources and quotes used to put across their opinion come from newspapers and magazines rather than more official sources. The third point raised, that Obamacare will hurt the quality of health care, could also be questioned as much of it seems to be more guess work than actual data or statistics, particularly seen by the argument from the Associated Press that "ObamaCare May Increase Crowding At ERs".


Overall it is difficult to empathize with many of the issues raised by this webpage as it is posted by the Republican Party who would most likely oppose any act put forward from the Democratic Party. However, the last two points I believe would strike something in many Americans to feel negatively about Obamacare; many I'm sure would not agree that they potentially pay less for health care but more for their insurance and feel it unrealistic that Obamacare will lead to savings rather than further debt for America. 


Thursday 13 March 2014

Glass Castle Presentation

-Successful writer who overcame many obstacles
-Has a hidden identity "secret world"
-Embarrassed (like many others with the same past)

Challenges
-Moving homes often
               Not stable jobs
As long as her dad can keep a job
               “the skedaddle”
-Cannot manage money
               Her dad’s alcohol problem
               Her mom’s inheritance money
                              Art supplies
               No food
                              Children often hungry
-Sexual mistreatment
               (Also seen in “Push”)
               Jeannette and Billy/Uncle Stanley
               Dad and Green Lantern
               Grandma and Brian
-Sense of Hope
               “glass castle”
               Positive attitudes at difficult times
               Mom wanted to become artist
               Dad wanted to find gold
-Escapable
               Moved to NY
               Saw mom picking through garbage
Her “secret world”
               embarrassed
-Sometimes it’s a Choice
               Irresponsible decisions

               Desire to live that way

'The Glass Castle' presentation

My presentation on 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls looks at how the poverty the Walls' family grows up with becomes more and more obvious and significant for the children as they get older and have to take on responsibility for themselves. This memoir reveals how their parents actions led to their impoverished lifestyle where they went to bed hungry and have to share their home with cockroaches. Something I think is quite significant in this story is how Jeannette slowly loses her faith in her father and this seems to be symbolized when she leaves for New York and tells her father "Dad, you'll never build the Glass Castle."

Question: What do you think is the significance of 'The Glass Castle' and the significance of Jeannette telling her father she doesn't think he'll ever build it?
http://www.teenink.com/reviews/book_reviews/article/427208/The-Glass-Castle-by-Jeanette-Walls/

This review is on a website which is specifically for teenagers. The website has books which they believe teens would like. The glass castle was a text which appeared in the site being one recommended for teens to read. Although the reviewer is anonymous she or he describes the love for the book. Within the first sentence the reviewer describes how surprised she was by the novel using the saying  'don't judge a book by its cover' conveys her positive view on the book and how she believes it is a good novel for teens to read. Later on within the review the reviewer describes how the book gives a different perspective traditional family life, explaining how it allows you to have another insight into another life.
The book according to the reviewer has a lot of elements which allows the reader to relate to the novel. Like the reviewer says walls way of telling stories gives a reassurance to readers, the readers who have the hard life at home and use elements such as school to escape their life.
The overall review of the book from the reviewer is a positive one and is recommended to the teens reading the reviews.
Some of you should be posting reviews of the Glass Castle

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Gay Marriage... America doesn't care

) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eXG2bihMFk



Reporter Susie Sampson has done a string of videos asking Americans who live in Delaware their thoughts on gay rights and specifically marriage. Delaware was the 11th state to allow gay marriage and she asks Americans their views on the word 'marriage' for Homosexual people. It is clear to see that the reporter is pro Homosexuality or 'pro love' and uses the words 'come out' as a connotation for Obama admitting he is pro gay marriage, this in itself could have a connotation that he is being brave to come out with such ideas to a country which has divided views. Interestingly in this video, the younger the person she is talking to, the more they accept Gay marriage, a man even quoting, 'it is more of a personal issue,' claiming that politics should be left out personal choice. Every person she spoke to including those who were against gay marriage were for them having civil rights, a person against even claiming, 'it is a free country.' The issue lies within the word marriage itself, none of the people within the video believed that homosexuality was wrong (although one said he felt it was unnatural) they just claimed they did not want the same word to be used to describe the act of marriage itself, but would be happy even if the pronunciation of the word was slightly different. It shows that the issue does not lie within the choice of being gay itself or the right to express themselves, it comes within the marriage. However there was not a gay representative within the video, it is interesting to see the views on heterosexual American's on being gay, but without a representative it is hard to say whether they want the word marriage to be the same or they just want the same civil rights.

President Obama on Gay Marriage

)

I believe one of the most pressing and important issues within the LGBT community in America today is the issue of same sex marriage.

Throughout this video, Obama expresses his opinions and his adamant stance on same sex marriage. Relating the issues to his personal life, ie work relations and friends, then talking of the issue on a much grander scale, including military personnel and of the country as a whole.

At one point he talks of dismissing 'don't ask don't tell' within the military as a standard practice, and acts as a full advocate of equality in the military, workplace, as well as in general.

Although Obama states 'same sex couples should be able to get married', he never actually makes any mention of same sex marriage becoming an institution, or a regular, legal practice.

Obama

) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shOW1eHessA

In this YouTube video Obama promotes the LGBT community. He is seen to place a massive emphasis on support and encouragement and his rhetoric can truly be considered as holistic of the society as a whole. This idea is justified due to the vast amount and wide rage of legislation that he passed through government. Obama is could be seen as congratulating all on the homosexuals who were able to go against the activist groups against gays. He is commending the stand in which they have took and coveys an understanding point of view. Understanding in the concept of him understanding the courage that going against views of others would be, no matter how big. He says how it is difficult to do small things in life from coming out to friends and family having the risk of loosing them in your life because they don't support you to getting married, in the few states where it is legal.
 In the middle of Obama's speech he explains how they adapted, suppressed their lives to compromise with those who are against LGBT and by doing so they have been patient in waiting for the world to change their point of view and opinion on LGBT.
Obama doesn't say a negative word against the people who in the past may have been homophobic. Instead Obama is encouraging them that each day is different and encouraging the fact that you can change in the now. No matter what you may have said or done in the last you can learn to change and understand.

Monday 10 March 2014

President Obama and the Fight for LGBT Rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb60nFeJsNc
This video is from a documentary charting the LGBT's (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) fight for gay and lesbian rights in the USA. It includes an interview with President Barack Obama who has rather candidly spoken out concerning this issue and made it clear that he supports what organisations such as the LGBT are campaigning for. He makes several powerful statements throughout this video, such as "No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding hands with the person they love...." The most influential aspect of this video however, and what could be seen as promoting gay and lesbian rights most significantly is the appearance of many Americans supporting this cause, not just President Obama. Many of these people who are known to be gay or lesbian talk about their own experiences and clearly feel hopeful that future generations will not have to feel ashamed or hide away their identity because of the work Obama and others are doing. Something which this video also makes clear is a hope for even further successful change for this highly debated issue but also a sense of pride at how far America has already come. 

Gay/Lesbian Identity

) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibVlVzGI9y0

"I Want To Know What It's Like"

This video is a combination of statements made by homosexuals expressing how they feel about their sexual identity. Everyone in the video is wearing white and most of them are rhyming their words. The title of the video expresses the unity that the individuals feel about homosexuality. They are metaphorically standing beside each other during their struggles. The video is very personal in that the people are expressing how they feel from their own side. The audience is people who are homophobic or just against homosexuality. The video speaks to the idea of American identity through the eyes of the gay and lesbian people. They feel that America is not accepting of them and that they cannot live a comfortable life. They are constantly being harassed and are not allowed to be open about their feelings. They claim this goes against their constitutional rights as an American citizen. America is supposed to be the land of the free and homosexuality is still not accepted in society. Some of the topics brought up in the video are equal opportunity, full equality and how America is supposed to be "one." This nonacceptance from the American people poses as a big threat to the homosexuals who want to be open about their sexual identity. They feel that America is not following through with its idea of unity and equality. 

Thursday 27 February 2014

NAPW

http://www.napw.com/National-Association-of-Professional-Women.cfm

This is the website for the National Association of Professional Women. The group is a network for women to connect and share ideas. They hold conferences for women to educate women on how to be successful in the work field. The group uses powerful and well-known women to inspire women. These women teach other women about how to be successful in the business world as well as in their personal life. Using famous women can be effective in teaching women in that they have personally accomplished many great things and that other women can too. They emphasize on the power that women hold. The website make the group experience very personal. This website makes learning about the NAPW very easy and accessible to women.

Wednesday 26 February 2014

NOW

National Organization for Women.

http://now.org/

Since its foundation in 1966 amidst the civil rights movements, the National Organization for Women has been at the forefront of feminist activism, using both traditional and non traditional means of protest throughout the US.

The main policies and ideals NOW fight for are; fighting for economic equality and employment rights (by way of securing a change to the US constitution), reproductive freedom, and abortion choice rights. Both of which are heated topics in the US today.

As well as fighting for employment and reproductive rights, NOW are also heavily involved in equal rights within the LGBT community. NOW also run campaigns against violence against women, another serious social issue today.

NOW blog

http://now.org/blog/president-obama-wants-us-to-talk-about-income-inequality-so-lets-talk/

This is a website dedicated to women being able to be heard. It is alloowing women to express views on subjects which are considered to be significant. This web link is of a blog off of the website and is about women not recieving equal pay. The blog is backed up with a lot of data to support their view on how men are paid more than women. And this is not at all alright!

On the blog it states that women are significantly under paid and they are more likely than men to out live their life savings as a consequence of this. 2058 is meant to be the time when this wage cap between male and female will be closed. I will be Accoding to my maths I am now 18 and i will be 62 when this gap has been closed. Women represent two thirds of the minimum wage payments. This means that for single mums out there they will not earn enough money to be able to live off for their child and themselves. And many may say well work more hours, but this may not be possible as those longer hours which you are working. The money which you are earning is not going into the womens savings it is going into the childcare. To look after their children.
In 2012 for every $1 paid to a male worker a female worker only recieved 77 cents. This is not acceptable. As women often are capeable of doing the same type of work or job to the same standard and a male. It is wrong that men get compencated more for being male.

In a poll taken over 50% of republicans agreed on their being a salary rise. So why has it not been raised?

Trust Women organisation


This website is from the organisation 'Trust Women' which takes a pro-choice stance on abortion. This organisation not only campaigns for women's rights to choose if they want an abortion, but also for improved abortion care and  maternal health in America. Their main focus appears to be in the Midwest and the South as they say this is where "women’s reproductive rights have been limited more than in any other region of the country....We will measure our success by the number of women in this region who can easily access abortion and who have healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries." This is also emphasised by the 'Target States' page of the website in which Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri are named as the areas which require the most attention: "These states are also home to some of the most restrictive and punitive laws curtailing women’s access to reproductive health care, and claim some of the highest teen pregnancy and child poverty rates in the country.  Anti-abortion and anti-government activism is heated, high-profile, and often violent.  And the women of these regions suffer."

This organisation was set up in response to the work of physician Dr. George Tiller, who is credited as their inspiration, as he worked toward reproductive rights for women and, rather controversially, was the medical director of Women's Health Care Services which provided late-term abortions for women. Trust Women make it clear they wish to continue with his vision, despite high numbers of anti-abortionists, one of whom assassinated Tiller in 2009.

Overall, I agree with what 'Trust Women' are aiming to do in America, in my opinion they are providing a safe option for those women who want to keep control of their own bodies. This is particularly relevant in cases of rape or domestic violence when many women are given no option when it comes to their pregnancy. Similarly, the fact that this organisation provide help and care for women both during and after pregnancy they seem to be providing many women with a safe and supportive place to go where there most likely would not have been before.

Thursday 20 February 2014

ABC USA

http://www.abc-usa.org/

This website was set up by the America Baptist Church. Their mission is to spread the word of Jesus and open their arms to all people. They say, "As a people of prayer, purpose, and passion, we are in the forefront of creating a community of faith where people of every race, nationality and culture gather as one in worship, service and work." They try to focus their worships on the gospel and rid of any unnecessary aspects that may accompany religious teachings.

The group works hard to unite the members of its group. This relates to the identity that America is united and although there are many different religious groups, they are all related in that they are trying to spread the word of God.

There is a section on the website called "America For Christ" which relates particularly to the identity of America in terms of faith. This section strengthens the idea that the country can be united through religion.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Mormons)

http://mormon.org/

The reason i have chosen to write my post on the Mormon faith is because it is a relatively new religion, in that it was founded and became popular AFTER America itself became a country, (officially founded by Joseph Smith in 1830).

Interestingly, although the main influence of the Mormon Church resides in Utah, North America, the majority of Mormon faith followers live outside of the USA.

The map below shows the percentage of Mormon faith followers in the United States;



Contritely, this map (below) shows the overall estimated population of Mormon faith followers across the globe;
File:LDS Global Distribution.svg

By looking at the two maps, it is easy to see how the Mormon faith is more spread out, and not just centres in one dense place like it is easy to imagine.

After looking through the official Mormon webpage, a number of things are immediately apparent. Firstly, the Mormon Church, and it's followers a keen humanitarians, placing much pride in their community, missionary, and aid work both at home and abroad, stressing that 'we are all God's children, and that we should all help each other', secondly, the Church of Latter Day Saints is adamant that it is a rigorous and stringent CHRISTIAN group. Although arguments have been made in the past that this is not the case, the Church as earned recognition in the United States, and indeed world wide as to it's Christian background and affiliation.

Furthermore, although the Church operates as a 'strict' and stringent denomination of Christianity, it's doors are open to anybody, no matter of race, colour, creed, or background (including homosexuals), making the Church of Latter Day Saints arguably the most Christian of all the Christian faiths.

The webpage offers a FAQ's section, endeavouring to answer any important question one might have about the faith, including its politics, its stance on marriage, its history, and so on. All throughout the page maintaining that they are tradition Christians committed to helping those in need, and doing whatever they can to help out, no matter who is in need.

Amish in the USA



            This website dedicated to the Amish across the United States reminded and emphasised for me how diverse the faiths of this country are. However, dissimilarly from the majority of other religions in America, the Amish seem to make it clear they want very little contact with anyone from the outside world and "do not solicit nor encourage tourism to their quiet countryside farms." This is accentuated throughout the website by their references to the "Englishers, Yankees or High People (names given by the Amish for anyone who is not Amish) and their insistence that they do not care to be educated about the modern world.  
           The website also appears to focus on the skills and traditions of the Amish people, with very little reference to their religious background. However, any reference to the Bible within the website is clearly taken very seriously; for example: "The Amish people do not pose for pictures because they believe that photographs violate the biblical teaching against making graven images (Exodus 20:4)." Also, in the section of the website entitled 'Amish Life FAQ', questions are asked about their religious beliefs, but even here their answers are quite blunt and to the point without much, if any, explanation or elaboration.


Mormon
Mormons believe very strongly that they are all children of God. They are very pro helping one another and working as a community together. Weather this be helping out in the local library or working to help reduce crime. Mormons always try and see the best within people and are constantly hoping to improve Gods land as their service to God as his children.
They have a book called the Book of Mormon, which they believe it is the word of God it is similar to the Bible. Within it contains information of the Americans everlasting Gospel. The book was composed by many accent prophets and a man called Mormon put all of these writings together. Within the book it outlines the plans of life and it instructs what men and women must do in order to have peace within this life and gain eternal salvation in the life which is to follow after death. It is believed that Joseph Smith was able to find the findings of the Book of Mormon and with the power of God was able to translate these holy readings into many languages for all to read. The book real literates that if you believe in God and Jesus Christ is the son of God and follows his rules of life you will be rewarded in life and in after life.
Mormons are very welcoming in inviting all to join the faith underneath a video clip about the Book of Mormon there is a link where you can request and order your free Mormon book today to start and read and become part of the faith.
At the age of 19 men in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Days saints are told or allowed to choose to go on a two year mission which is a volunteer mission going round teaching people about Jesus Christ and doing community service. On one of the video’s William Hopate has to undergo this and he is a millionaire at the age of 19 who is leaving his rugby career to pursuit his two year mission. He is more than willing to give this all up as he believes that he needs to thank God for all of the blessings he has been given by God in his life.
They are very positive in meeting new people as all over their site they have ways in which they can meet up with Mormons or even chat to other Mormons about their faith. They are very well known for having big families this allows them to spread their faith and teach their children as they have been taught. On the site there are many people who have many children. As they believe that God is a creator of earth on the profiles I have found how many are very respective of the outdoors and nature and many Mormons make it a part of their life and hobby being outside and being a part of nature and appreciating it to its full potential.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=map+of+the+mormons+in+America&client=firefox-a&hs=t4R&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wJsEU5DyOLOI7Abys4BI&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=474&bih=472#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=MKzEuhKTDWfq4M%253A%3Bix5dEr_mpPvMEM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252F3%252F35%252FLDS_Percentage_of_Population_2000.PNG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FThe_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_statistics_%28United_States%29%3B886%3B643

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Buddhists in the US

An interesting religious denomination within the United States is Buddhism. It is a religion which much like Christianity has different sub sections of religions which has split over the years into their own denominations of Buddhism, the most popular being Zen, Lotus, Mahayan, Theravada and Ico-Buddhism but the most popular within the states are usually Zen and Lotus Buddhism as they are very easy to follow and can feel a lot less stressful than the monotony, constant prayer, early Sunday mornings and chunk out of the pay check that Christianity can incur. It is a religion which can be fit around other important parts of your life and can be a very easy way to worship and feel connected to a religion without putting as much time into it as the denominations of Christianity. Therefore it is unsurprising that Buddhism is becoming more common in the US, especially in the seemingly more liberal areas of the West coast, East coast, Hawaii and Florida.
The website I have chosen is a Nichiren sect of Buddhism following the same sort of principles as Lotus Buddhism. They are concerned with inner peace and the idea that if something as beautiful as a Lotus flower can grow and thrive in a swamp then so can a person within the earth. The website I have chosen is based on the teachings of a Japanese monk. http://www.sgi-usa.org/buddhism/.
What struck my eye after the bright Lotus flowers on the website was the subsection, 'what is Buddhism?' Throughout the site there is a sense of explanation, a sense of allowing people the knowledge of what their religion is, what it means and even has a section where you can start it out try it out yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW-liLGL8i0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLY61xqKoCKarJRkV19AGVvziNYNs3mHZ. This videos gives a sense of self, it tells you to 'be yourself' and repeats 'you,' it shows that the religion specifies on self responsibility, you can't by yourself and read yourself, you take control of your own faith and rely on yourself. This main seem alien to most Americans as Christianity is about the community, family and unity where you are helped to worship, things are explained to you and although you have responsibility on your faith the faith itself is about others, God and not self. Therefore this sect of Buddhism goes against the American identity, there would be no grace around the table or going to see all of your friends at church however this sense of freedom would allow those who are Buddhist to have time to be with family, see friends. It could be argued that this faith could be equally as fulfilling as Christianity as it may allow people some 'me' time and allows those who are chanted to have a few minutes to themselves and relying on the strength of self rather than relying on others and potentially blaming their issues on others as they are not taught to rely on self. This religion if it spread could allow Americans to rely on their selves sometimes and take responsibility for their own faith rather than always receiving help.

Thursday 13 February 2014



The Mandan tribe
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/6/6b/Arikara_Indian_Mandan_1874.jpg






The Mandan tribe are the stereotypical looking Native American tribe. You can see this from the picture through their clothing. Having the face paint on them and the feathers in their head gear and also down their clothing. Women use to wear deerskin dresses and men wore leather clothing and bucksking shirts and also buffalo robes.
The Mandan tribe are/ were located in North Dakota, in the North of America next to the state of Montana by the Missouri River. There are some Natives who still live there today on a reservation of which is under their control along with two other tribes the Hidatsa and the Arikara tribe. On this reservation they have their own government, services and laws. However they are still American citizens and therefore they still must obey the American law. Since the three tribes have merged their native language has been dying out, but the Mandan tribe are trying to keep their language alive.
In the early 18th century the population was 3600 but then by 1836 due to marriages from outside the tribe there were just over 1600 full blood Mandan’s. However by 1838 there was a huge drop in numbers to just 125 being full blood. However in the 1990s with combining the two other tribes, Hidatsa and Arikara the number on the reservation rose to around 6000.
The tribes a few years ago were in great debt but now with a new government they have managed to contain the debt and manage to significantly reduce it to almost none existent. They take great care of their elder citizens as they are an honoured citizen in the village. They have gotten enough money to be able to build a new health centre to look after any emergency cases which may come.
Within their government they are very well formed as in they have many plans to go ahead and have a grasp on all matters. And despite being different tribe the relationship and work ethic which they all have when they come together really is a strong and positive one.