American Cuisines

For this blog post i have chosen write about the cultural clash of american food. When people see or hear classics like hot dog or hamburger they are instantly reminded of traditional american scenes but the truth is that there origins are mostly from the early history of immigration. Many foods that have become associated with the states are mostly from European nations e.g. pizza, Italy. America has popularised a humongous number of fast food restaurants for example, Taco Bell, Dominos, and Papa Johns.

Police Brutality: Public Opinion

The American public seem to be split on issues of Police brutality. This is not only between people of same color, in difference of views, but an ethnic divide is more than visible on these issues. It seems that white Americans feel more protected by their Police force than Black citizens. Below is a link to a youtube video that shows Police brutality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_wMTrVfv8c

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-giving-girl-ride-pulled-gun-raped-gunpoint-hood-car/

This video went absolutely viral in the states and even reached the United Kingdom. It seems to show how passionately American citizens feel about the issues surrounding Police brutality. Again support for this video seemed to come mainly from the African American community, but did gain white support. 

However it must be shown that in recent years American police have been purposely shown in bad light in the American press which may add to the negative view. People only care about issues when they are all over the news (EBOLA). So the negative headlines in the news do not help the Police forces reputation.

Breaking the Colour Barrier in Sports

In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first Black man in History to play Major League Baseball. Before the Brooklyn Dodgers signed him from the Kansas City Monarchs, of the Negro League. Breaking down the colour wall was GM of the Dodgers Branch Rickey. Branch Rickey was an innovator when it came to breaking the colour barrier and, rather predictably, faced a lot of opposition from people around the league. While he knew that Robinson would face racism in the major leagues, Rickey knew that it had to happen to win in Baseball.
However, Jackie was not the first Black athlete to play in a major American league. In 1946, Bill Willis became one of the first Black athletes to play in the NFL. Along with Willis, Marion Motley, Kenny Washington (the first to sign a contract with an NFL team) and Woody Strode also signed to the league in 1946, breaking down the colour barrier in the NFL.
In 1950, the colour barrier was broken in the NBA. Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd and Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton (the first to sign a contract with a team) were signed to teams in the NBA. Breaking the final barrier in the 'Major' American leagues.
Perhaps though, Jackie Robinson is the best known of those that broke the barrier. This is probably because he was the only true one of these players that became a success on their respective leagues. Or at least, had the most success. Nat Clifton had some success in the NBA for the New York Knicks, becoming an all-star in 1957. But Jackie Robinson was voted the rookie of the year, as well as winning the Major league championship and becoming a multi time all star. He has gone down as one of the best to ever play the game, not just known for breaking the colour barrier, but for being a great success in the league.

I feel this is an important area to study in the course because it has played such a large part in the history of the American sports they played in. Its also a major part in the civil rights movement. Although they all faced blatant and expected racism, they persevered and won through. While some of their careers were short, the impact and significance of them were major and changed the face of sports. By being on the major stage they may have helped people accept them more, creating sympathy among many that didn't have sympathy before. By playing for major teams they were likely on teams that were cheered for and may have been cheered for themselves by White people. Which was a major thing in the 1940's and 50's.

Soccer in America

              

The worlds most popular sport is Football ( Or soccer) It is followed religiously in Europe and South America. The world cup in 2014 managed to receive the most amount of tweets this year, with over 670 million people talking about it. However, our brothers over the pond still haven't completely accepted the game of 'Soccer'. Many see the game as being boring as it has a relatively low score rate compared to their sports (NFL and NBA having huge scored compared) And in America Bigger is better. Compared to American sports, Soccer is a game which is now governed by money, the caps put into place in the US isn't seen in the major leagues of Europe or even South America. So is the real reason that soccer isn't big in america because of the fact that it is 'boring'? or is it more ideology based?

American sports always have a 'winner' and a 'loser' if the game is tied, the game goes into 'over time' and there will be a winner. This could be down to ideology. The Americans like to see someone coming out on top, they are a society build around 'winners' as the American dream states. If the underdog in England for instance gains a draw against the Might Might Man United ( Maybe not so much now but back in the day) they are hailed. But in America they would want to see that team be able to go one better and win or lose trying.

Americas top leagues are comprised of teams that are constantly changing. The Super bowl is never/rarely won by the same team, it is rare that the same teams are in the semi-finals. But in Europe, there are only 2-3 teams in each major league that can realistically win the league. In England, there was the 'Big 4' that included the 4 teams (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United) that were seen to dominate every competition. This also happens in the US. LA Galaxy have won 3 of the last 5 MLS cups. This predictability leads could lead Americans to lose interest, knowing that their team may not be able to complete in the next tournament the opposite to the tradition American sports where the weaker teams can strengthen ( Only really in the NFL)


It is true that the American interest in Soccer has increased. however, it is most popular in areas of mass immigration. The teams are based mostly on the west and east coast, immigrants from Mexico and Europe are the ones who follow Soccer like the average American follow Football or Baseball. The USA's success in the 2014 FIFA World cup united Americans to support their nation, however games haven't hit the same viewing heights.

Chelsea FC stadium Stamford bridge.

                                                                                      Seattle Sounders CenturyLink field stadium
The Chelsea vs Sounders game in the US attracted over 60,000 fans, 17,000 more than the capacity at Stamford bridge.

I believe it would have been interesting/beneficial to look at American sports in this topic as it give us a look at how the original American values have made their way into american society.

Ideology In Sport

For this weeks blog post for things we haven't covered I have chosen to talk and write about how one of America favorite past times is completely based on a system which is seen as anti-American. This video high lights the almost comical irony of the NFL showing how Communism can actually be a force for good whilst mostly depicting American football as the "will of the American people".  Where as baseball is based on capitalism, shown by the weak get weaker and the winning teams get the best picks which keeps them on the winning streak. Also Merry Christmas :)

Ferguson Riots and America

                                                Mike Brown and His effect on the rest of America

Since the shooting of Mike Brown by officer Darren Wilson massive riots and calls for justice have sprung from the largely African American populated Ferguson, Missouri. Many believe this is just another account of white supremacy in the police force of America victimizing black people for being black, even more see Mike Brown now as a martyr as he has died for their cause of diminishing the divide of race some say that is still very present in modern times. Unfortunately all this has caused has been massive riots we see on T.V. burning houses, destroying squad cars and ruining small business owned by either white or black business men who have been guilty of nothing but their location.

This has now proved that it is almost impossible for police officers to do their job, with rioters and the media targeting the police force by damaging their reputation for shooting someone that posed a serious threat to the people around him. They have been forced to use strict force to break up the looters damaging their position even more, it has meant that Ferguson police force is damned if they damned if they don't. There is nothing they can do which fill restore faith in the justice system as this time.

It also seems strange that protesters/looters have taken Mike Brown for the face of their campaign as unlike other shootings which have been proved to based on race e.g.  this man is guilty for the crimes he committed, it is clearly seen on surveillance footage, by autopsy reports and eye witnesses. It seems they have chosen a violent man to represent a very violent protest.        

Mike Brown Surveillance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHxXGvXQrno 

Media Handling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=761sl8f1zwg

Interview with Officer Darren Wilson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9GTU1glZAc

How Hard It's Become For Officers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7MAO7McNKE&feature=youtu.be

Current Global Struggles. USA

I chose to analyse an article critical of Americas involvement and bombing of Iraq and Syria. This group of people are talking directly to the president, telling him what they think he is doing wrong.

The group say that there is no solution that American leadership can offer.
They think that America are taking the wrong actions in dealing with the issues in Syria. They think that it is no business of Americans to get involved in middle eastern affairs. They completely shut down other peoples ideas by saying that anyone who says otherwise is simply wrong. they stand up against the common American belief and question whether what the government is doing is right.

They criticise the American government saying that they are only making a bad situation worse and are sticking their noses in business that does not concern them. They stand against the idea of bombing Syria and speak out to Obama to STOP. CREDO would urge a no vote on military intervention in Iraq and Syria as currently understood. 
This shows that even though the majority of America (and myself) are on the side of the government in the war on terror, there are people, Americans, that believe the USA are sticking their nose into a door that doesn't need to be open.

They also criticise the military leadership in America. Saying that the military establishment and key members of the Obama administration including John Kerry and Joe Biden who are beating the drums for war. They say that America is asking for war, but don't blame the president alone. They question not only the political leadership of America but its Military as well. They believe that Global issues are only being made worse by western intervention, making America look very bad. 

They don't argue against protecting the civilians but against the unnecessary bombing of Syria. Don’t bomb Syria.This group criticise America for the unnecessary bombings that followed. This is a very negative outlook on a situation that most Americans would back in the current day. CREDO are very critical of American decisions, saying they are the wrong ones to make.

They also criticise American decisions to Arm the rebels, saying it will only make the situation worse. Again this is a very critical view of America and global issues, suggesting that they are trying to cause war rather than prevent it. 

They see it as their duty to say this to the president. To show him what he is doing wrong, they even finish the article by saying We have to speak out now to prevent the United States from being dragged down the slippery slope to another unwinnable war in the Middle East. They are very negative about American approach to this conflict, saying that America are not only dragging Syria down but themselves down as well.  

Interview of Michael Brown's parents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po8kwWS_nLU


I chose to analyse the reaction of Michael Brown's parents to the Darren Wilson interview. This is the video reaction by The Young Turks. They are angry at Darren Wilson for what he did and they insist that they only want change. They are angry that he claimed to have a clear conscience and the reaction of Ferguson, not having anyone give their condolences. They claim that they had been disrespected by the people. When he said that he had a clear conscience they make the point that how could anyone have a clear conscience after killing someone, even after an accidental death. And the reaction to the body, leaving it there for 4 hours, to a point where the organs couldn't be donated.

They make the point that for everyone else this will fade out of the news cycle, for her and and his father this will haunt them for the rest of their lives. TYT state that they are very critical of the jury in the trial and refer to previous examples of white policeman being allowed to walk after killing a black person. Such as the Trayvon Martin shooting. the video shows that TYT are very critical of the justice system, showing that there are obvious injustices that take place and they happen far too regularly. This is very typical of this news organisation, who are typically very honest and upfront about their opinions on these kind of matters.

Many people have shown support for Michael Brown after the no charge verdict, including the St Louis Rams, who had 5 Black players walk out of the tunnel with their arms in the 'hands up dont shoot' position. There has been calls for an apology and a punishment for those players, but, the NFL will take no action against them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC6tSO9Ry3I

99 to 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2KjVppvs9s

Here I am going to be analysing the Green Day song "99 Revolutions" from their 2013 album "Tre".

The song is an anthem referring to the recent 'Occupy Movement' and hits many of the issues that face americans today. It is an anti-American song in a way as it points out the flaws in the American system. 

"Theres a trouble in the air a rumble in the street"

The occupy moment saw a mass amount of people protest about the inequality due to the distribution of wealth in the USA. One of the major stages for the Occupy Movement was in Oakland California, where the band originates from. They gave mass support to the cause as they had grown up in poverty however they did feel that they would receive criticism because they belong to the 1% rather than the 99%. 

"A going out of business sale And a race to bankruptcy"

The way in which the system for new businesses to set up works means that many businesses suffer from bad insurance, mortgages and unfair tax. It is unclear how many small business fail in their first year of start up, the number is between 7-9 out of ten. Businesses are expensive to set up and often leads in bankruptcy. The regulations and tax cuts only support the big corporations. The writer is calling the start up of small businesses as a race to bankruptcy stating that it is the goal to get there quickest. 

Its not one to 99, its 99 to one

A common cause and a call to arms
For the health of our daughters and our sons
The realisation of the situation. The Odds aren't in the majorities favour, and it should be something that unites everyone in the 99% and if it doesn't change soon, the next generation will be living in poverty. They are the only ones that can help change, the majority of the government support the 1% and they have to get their attention by any means. 

Its 99 revolutions tonight

99 revolutions tonight
99 revolutions tonight
99 revolutions tonight
The chorus just states that 99 revolutions need to happen, and they have to start now. They can't wait for tomorrow. it has to happen now otherwise it will never change. 

Theres a rat in the company
A bail out on easy street
How the fuck did the working stiff
Become so obsolete?

The big corporations, The banks, the car manufactures are being bailed out because of their capitalistic tendencies. The 'Rats' are those that are at the top, taking big bonuses while the company is going under, that is until they are bailed out. It's said that the government lost $11.6 Billion in the Gm bailout while AIG received a near $200Billion (and are seeking more) While this is happening, people are working to survive. The writer is arguing that the big cooperation are losing tax payers money, money that those who pay the tax need to survive and are seeing no benefit of it being spent. The country was built on the hard work of individuals but now they are no longer seen as important. It was often said that the workers were the back bone of the American economy, yet they clearly aren't.

Hit the lights and bang the drum
And let your flag unfold

They need to take action.

Cause history will prove itself

In the hall of justice and lost souls

This inequality is just another in a long list of ones that have troubled the united state. From Slavery to woman rights to the civil rights movement. America has always had an issue with equality (although it promises it) how long until this issue will be heard, do people need to die?

We live in troubled times
From the ghettos to an empty suburban home
We live in troubled times
And Im 99 percent sure that somethings wrong
it''s all wrong
Everyone who is apart of the 99% should feel wronged it connects those who live in absolute poverty ( the ghettos) to those who live in suburban American. It also hits on the realisation that the number of those who live in suburbia are declining and that many new suburban homes are empty because no one can afford them.

Really this song does criticise the distribution of wealth in the USA. it hits the issues that effect those who are in the 99% such as the difficulties in starting a business, or that the workers can't get a break in the system. It tries to bring everyone together to protest against the 1%.