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Perhaps you should channel your writing by being involved in the school paper or Year Book, debate team, essay contests etc.beginning of content:The Atlantic & College Board Writing Prize2016 Writing Prize Winner AnnouncedThe College Board and The Atlantic want to thank all students who submitted entries for the 2016 Writing Prize. We’re encouraged by the positive response of students who, through this exercise, learned the importance of analytical and reflective writing, essential skills for college and career success, while thoughtfully engaging with a variety of artworks. Entries were judged by 24 college professors of art history and composition who read over 1,600 submitted essays from the U.S. and 43 other countries. They were impressed by the intelligence and passion shown by students in describing their engagement with great works of art.This year’s winner, selected by a panel of College Board and Atlantic staff, is Thanh Nguyen, a student at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in Hanoi, Vietnam. His essay — on School of Athens by Renaissance artist Raphael — stood out for his rich interpretation of the painting and his thoughtful and engaging description of its relevance to his life in contemporary Hanoi. For his accomplishment, Mr. Nguyen was recognized at [Opens in New Window]The Atlantic Education Summit in Washington, D.C., on May 17th. He received a $5,000 prize, and his essay will be published in the September 2016 issue of The Atlantic.Two finalists each received $2,500 prizes. Alejandra Canales attends John B. Alexander High School in Laredo, Texas. She was recognized for her powerful writing about culture and identity in her analysis of Frida Kahlo’s painting Autorretrato en la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos. Her fellow finalist, Rahul Malayappan, is from Danbury High School in Danbury, Connecticut. His essay was selected for its sophisticated analysis of M. C. Escher’s lithograph Waterfall and for its exploration of reality versus perception and the limits of perspective.The Importance of WritingTeacher ResourcesThe new online module [Opens in New Window]Writing About Art offers strategies to help students transform their analysis and interpretation of art to writing.Writing is one of the most important skills to master. Not only is writing essential for college and career, but learning to write clearly also helps students develop their thinking skills. To be successful at analytical writing, students must support their arguments with evidence found in the text and clearly convey information to the reader. It is this kind of writing that allows students to build knowledge, deepen understanding, and develop informed opinions.With this in mind, [Opens in New Window]The Atlantic and the College Board have collaborated to create this annual contest. The focus of this contest will change each year to align with the introduction of a newly redesigned AP course and exam.27 Free Writing Contests: Legitimate Competitions With Cash PrizesFebruary 11, 2016 By Kelly Gurnett 236 CommentsWhen I was about 12, I saw an ad in a magazine for a poetry contest that sounded fancy and impressive, something like “International Library of Poetry.” I bled poetry at that age, so I crossed my fingers and sent in a poem I’d been slaving over for weeks.And, lo and behold, the people behind the contest quickly wrote back to tell me my poem had been selected as a winner!I was speechless with honor. Of the thousands of poets who must have submitted to the contest — no doubt many of them adults much wiser and more skilled than me — my poem had been chosen to be featured in an exclusive, hardcover anthology! And honored on a something-karat-gold plaque!Of course, I had to pay $50 if I wanted to see my work in print in the anthology, and I had to pay another $100 if I wanted the plaque. Those were the only “prizes.”Even as a pre-teen, I sensed a scam.Sadly, not much has changed when it comes to companies trying to take advantage of writers who want a chance at recognition and maybe a little bit of money. Google the term “writing contests,” and you’ll come up with approximately 7.9 million results. It can be hard for a writer to know where to start looking for competitions, and how to tell if they’re legitimate or not.So I’ve done the legwork for you.Here are 29 reputable, well-reviewed, free writing contests for poets, fiction writers, essayists and more. Some legitimate contests do charge a small entry or “reading” fee, but often a fee can be a red flag for a scam, so you may want to stick to free writing contests — and there are certainly enough of them.Fiction and nonfiction writing contestsReady to share your novel or personal essay with the world? Whether you’re a newbie or more established writer, you’re likely eligible for a few of these contests.1. L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future ContestWhatever your feelings about L. Ron Hubbard’s work and philosophy, the prizes for this regular contest are nothing to sneeze at. Every three months, winners earn $1,000, $750 and $500, or an additional annual grand prize worth $5,000.Submissions must be short stories or novelettes (up to 17,000 words) in the genre of science fiction or fantasy, and new and amateur writers are welcome to apply.Deadlines: Quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.2. Graywolf Press Nonfiction PrizeAwarded to “the most promising and innovative literary nonfiction project by a writer not yet established in the genre,” this prize provides a $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf Press.If you live in the U.S. and have published at least one book (in any genre), you’re eligible to submit a current manuscript in progress for consideration. The judges look for winners who push the boundaries of traditional literary nonfiction.Deadline: Annually; the 2016 deadline was January 31.3. Drue Heinz Literature PrizeYou can win $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press with this prize, awarded for a collection of short fiction.You may submit an unpublished manuscript of short stories, two or more novellas or a combination of novellas and short stories. Your total word count should be between 150 and 300 typed pages.Deadline: Annual submission window is May 1 through June 30.4. Tony Hillerman PrizePresented by St. Martin’s Press and WORDHARVEST, this prize awards the best first mystery novel set in the Southwest with $10,000 and publication by St. Martin’s Press.It’s open to professional or non-professional writers who have not yet had a mystery published, and there are specific guidelines for the structure of your story: “Murder or another serious crime or crimes must be at the heart of the story, with emphasis on the solution rather than the details of the crime.”Deadline: Annually on June 1.5. St. Francis College Literary PrizeThis biannual prize honors mid-career writers who have recently published their third, fourth or fifth work of fiction. The winner receives $50,000 but must be able to appear at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY to deliver a talk on their work and teach a mini-workshop in fiction to St. Francis students.Deadline: Biannually; the deadline for work published between June 2015 and May 2017 has not been announced.6. Young Lions Fiction AwardThis $10,000 award recognizes “young authors,” which the rules define as any author aged 35 or younger. Submit any novel or short story published or scheduled to be published in the calendar year. Works must be written for adults; children’s or YA pieces are ineligible.Deadline: Annually in August.7. Real Simple’s Life Lessons Essay ContestHave you ever had a “eureka” moment? If you have, and you can write a compelling personal essay about it in no more than 1,500 words, you may be able to win $3,000 in Real Simple’s annual essay contest.Deadline: Annually; 2016 deadline has not yet been announced.8. New Voices AwardPresented by Lee & Low Books, an award-winning children’s book publisher, this award is given for a previously unpublished children’s picture book manuscript (of no more than 1,500 words) written by a writer of color.The winner receives $1,000 cash and a standard publication contract. You may submit up to two manuscripts.Deadline: Submissions must be postmarked by September 30 each year.9. Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary ExcellenceThis contest aims to provide visibility for emerging African American fiction writers and to enable them to focus on their writing by awarding a $10,000 cash prize. Eligible authors should submit a work of fiction, such as a novel or short story collection, published in the calendar year.Deadline: Annually; 2016 deadline has not yet been announced.10. PEN/Faulkner Award for FictionHonoring the best work of fiction published by an American author in a single calendar year, this award has been given to the likes of John Updike, Philip Roth and Ann Patchett.The winner receives $15,000 and an invitation to read at the award ceremony in Washington, DC. Four finalists also each receive a $5,000 award.Deadline: Annually on October 31 for books published that calendar year.$5,000 for Your History Paper!Enter your essay to win the Prize!ReadReadPioneer Institute is pleased to announce the third annual Frederick Douglass Prize Essay Contest for Massachusetts high school students. Pioneer Institute is a private, non-partisan public policy think tank with a longstanding reputation for innovative education reformWe believe that Massachusetts students are capable of excellence in history. We need your essays to prove us right.2015-16 ESSAY TOPICThe Frederick Douglass Prize asks students to respond to key questions in history. The 2015-16 contest encourages students to investigate the stories behind the many technological innovations born in Massachusetts. Choose from dozens of Bay State entrepreneurs and inventions, and develop a clearly organized and well-researched essay drawing on primary and secondary sources, that explains the greater historical impact and significance of your subject matter.TEACHERS, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY!The Frederick Douglass Prize is an excellent opportunity for your students to demonstrate their strong research and writing skills before college applications begin and to meet some very remarkable people.SAMPLE TOPICS AND IDEASThe innovative spirit that has animated America is particularly evident here in the Bay State. The colonists established themselves as a center of global maritime trade, and in 1795 Massachusetts businessmen built the country’s first railroad on Beacon Hill. Sample topics drawn from 20th and 21st century Massachusetts inventions include:The Sewing Machine: Elias Howe, born in 1819 in Spencer, developed, the nation’s first patented sewing machine, which still contain three key features that he designed: the needle, operational lock stitch, and automatic thread feed.New York’s Underground Subway: Alfred Beach, born in Springfield in 1826, invented the Beach Pneumatic Transit system to alleviate traffic.Campbell’s Condensed Soup: Dr. John T. Dorrance discovered how to condense soup without sacrificing its rich taste. His invention allowed Campbell’s to save large amounts of money on shipping. One of his five original flavors became the kitchen staple “Campbell’s Tomato Soup.”The Gillette Disposable Razor (1904): William E. Nickerson, a MIT-trained engineer, helped King Camp Gillette discover how to stamp a razor blade from an inexpensive steel sheet.The Computer: In 1928, MIT professor Vannevar Bush engineered the first manually mechanically operated analog computer, capable of solving differential equations with up to 18 independent variables. In 1951, other MIT researchers built the first computer that operated in real time, and it was used by the U.S. Navy during the Cold War.MORE INFORMATION:+ -FREDERICK DOUGLASSWhy is this contest named for Frederick Douglass?Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)Frederick Douglass fled to Massachusetts after he escaped from slavery. He lived in New Bedford and Nantucket. He became one of the most important Abolitionists and one of the most important figures in American history because he was an advocate and articulator of American freedom. Douglass’ 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, became a bestseller.Douglass’ oratorical skills were so impressive that some doubted that he had been a slave, so he wrote Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. During the Civil War he assisted in the recruiting of African-American men for the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Regiments and fought for the emancipation of slaves. After the war he worked to protect the rights of the freemen. He was secretary of the Santo Domingo Commission, marshall and recorder of deeds of the District of Columbia, and United States Minister to Haiti. His other autobiographical works are My Bondage And My Freedom and Life And Times Of Frederick Douglass, published in 1855 and 1881, respectively. He died in 1895.Nothing speaks to the dehumanizing impact of slavery and the accompanying deprivations than a human being not knowing their own birthday. His several autobiographies begin with this question about this basic fact of his life: “I was born in Tuckahoe, near Hillsborough, and about twelve miles from Easton, in Talbot county, Maryland. I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it.”Frederick Douglass was one of America’s great articulators of the meaning of freedom, and the importance of understanding our past. That’s why our U.S. History essay contest is named in honor of him.+ -PRIZESPRIZESWe will recognize the top essays as follows:1st place: $5,0002nd place: $2,0003rd place: $1,000Honorable Mentions: $500 eachSchool Prize: The 1st place winner’s school will receive $1,000+ -SHOULD I ENTER?Entrants must be US citizens or resident aliens who attend a Massachusetts high school during the 2015-2016 academic year. Students who attend a boarding school in Massachusetts or are home-schooled are eligible to submit an essay. If you are interested in this year’s question and have strong writing skills, we encourage you to submit your essay.+ -PRIZE SCHEDULEMarch 7, 2016: Submission Deadline. Submit your essay through the form below.+ -CRITERIAArgument/Analysis (40%)Articulates a clear thesis supported by evidence in the essay.Uses strong textual evidence.Shows detailed analysis and interpretation.Historical Research (40%)Conducts research beyond assigned texts.Provides accurate historical information.Demonstrates a strong understanding of the historical context.Writing Quality (20%)Correct GrammarClear StructureVoice and ToneProper Citations (MLA or footnotes)If you have questions on how to develop a strong thesis, to present convincing research, and to format your bibliography, we encourage you to consult A Pocket Guide to Writing in History.+ -QUESTIONS? Micaela DawsonThe Frederick Douglass Prize Essay Contest CoordinatorPioneer Institute185 Devonshire Street, Boston MA [email protected](617) 723-2277 ext. 203High School Contests - HomeworkSpot.comWritingAmericanism Essay ContestAnnual contest offered to students in grades 7-12, with a grand prize of $5,000.American Fire Sprinkler Association National Scholarship Essay ContestTen $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to select students who read a 3,000 word sprinkler essay and complete the exam that follows. For each correct answer, the student will be reentered into the competition.Ayn Rand Institute Essay ContestContest open to middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students to write an Ayn Rand-themed essay for cash prizes.Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest Students grades 5 to 12 write an essay of up to 500 words, with winning schools invited to participate in a teleconference with Cassini scientists.Carnegie Council's International Student/Teacher Essay ContestThis essay contest is open to teachers and students anywhere in the world. The essay should be written in op-ed style, length 1,000 to 1,500 words. First prize is a $250 Amazon gift card, second prize is a $150 Amazon gift card, and third prize is a $75 Amazon gift card.Civil Rights Today Essay ContestIn honor of the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson's signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The LBJ Foundation is hosting an essay contest that is open to all 12th grade students in Texas. First prize is $2,500 and a trip to the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas, in April 2014 to attend the Civil Rights Summit. There is also a second prize of $1,000, and a $1,000 cash prize and a trip to Austin to attend the Civil Rights Summit for the first place winner's sponsoring teacher.First Freedom Student CompetitionStudents grades K-12 participate in a national essay and video contest. Students compete for $2,500.The Holocaust Remembrance ProjectNational essay contest open to high school students in the United States and Mexico, designed to encourage and promote the study of the Holocaust. Contestants compete for scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.The Humanist Essay Contest for Young Women and Men of North AmericaContest is open to students residing in the United States or Canada who are enrolled in grades 9-12 to compete for $1,000 and a three-year membership to the American Humanist Association.John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay ContestAnnual competition open to high school students nationwide to write an original essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage to receive awards totaling up to $10,000.Making Democracy Work Student Essay ContestPresented by the United States Capitol Historical Society, this writing contest asks high school students to write between 800 and 1,200 words on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to compete for $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. Additionally, a classroom grant of $1,000 plus a selection of teaching materials will be presented to the school of the first place winner. Second- and third-place prizes are $500 and $250, respectively.National Peace Essay ContestAnnual essay contest sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Peace, open to high school students to write a peace-themed essay for cash prizes.Scholastic Art & Writing AwardsStudents grades 7-12 submit their best works of visual art - including sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, animation, video and animation - and writing - including poetry, play scripts, personal essay, works of journalism, satire and short fiction - to compete for scholarships.Society of Professional Journalists Essay ContestContest open to high school students nationwide to write an essay on a given media-related topic, with winners receiving scholarship awards ranging from $300-$1,000.Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay ContestEach year, a new book is chosen for students to read and write about. High school juniors or seniors or home-schooled students between the ages of 16-18 are eligible to compete to win a $1,000 scholarship.Voice of Democracy Audio Essay ContestHigh school students compose an audio-essay on a theme selected by the U.S. Veterans of Foreign Wars to compete for more than $3 million in scholarships.Math and ScienceThe American Mathematics CompetitionsVarious math competitions open to qualifying students of all grade levels.Team America Rocketry ChallengeStudents in grades 7-12 can register as a team to design and build a safe and stable one-stage model rocket. Prizes include $60,000 in cash and scholarships and participation in NASA's advanced rocketry program Student Launch Initiative.NASA Space Settlement ContestInternational contest open to 6th-12th graders (11-18 years old). Students compete in teams to develop space settlement designs and related materials for various prizes.Spirit of Innovation ChallengeAnnual competition from the Conrad Foundation that invites high school students to work in teams using science, technology, engineering and math skills to develop innovative products to help solve global and local problems while supporting global sustainability. The prize is $10,000 and a trip to the Innovation Summit at NASA Johnson Space Center to present to a panel of expert judges.Artistic ExpressionGlobal Citizen Corps Contests focused on art, photography, video games and more.Web-basedGlobal Virtual Classroom Contest Global team cooperation and Website-building activity for students from 7 to 18 years of age. Awards range from $1,500 to $375 per team.ThinkQuest Website Competition Teams create an original website on a topic of global importance for a student audience. Prizes include a trip to ThinkQuest Live in San Francisco, laptop computers, digital cameras and school monetary grants.International Schools CyberFairStudents ages 5-19 years old conduct research about their local communities, then publish their findings on the Web for various prizes and awards.Doors to DiplomacyU. S. Department of State "Doors to Diplomacy" educational challenge to encourage middle school and high school students to produce Web projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy. Students on winning team receive a $2,000 scholarship, and the winning coaches' schools each receive a $500 cash award.Other Fun ContestsGloria Barron Prize for Young HeroesStudents ages 8-18 must be nominated by a qualifying adult for their leadership and courage in developing and implementing an exceptional service project. Ten students will be chosen to win $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or service project.The Institute for Global Environmental StrategiesArt, photo and other project-based contests open to students of all ages.National History Day Contest Students in grades 6-12 engage in discovery and interpretation of historical topics related to an annual theme. Awards range from $250 to $1,000, in addition to other prizes.National High School Chef of the YearHigh school students submit an original creation recipe to compete for tuition scholarship prizes to JWU culinary school.Essay Contest Scholarships - 2016 2017 USAScholarships.com“We the Students Scholarship” Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onDecember 15, 2016in Contest, FebruaryDo you want to win one of more than $20,000 in prizes and a trip to Washington, D.C.? Don’t waste your time and apply today. You can win cash just by register yourself for “We the Students Essay Contest”. The contest is open to students who are no older than 19 and no younger than […]Continue ReadingYoung Patriots Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onDecember 13, 2016in Contest, JanuaryThe National Center for Policy Analysis and Debate Central are happy to announce the 2016-2017 Young Patriots Essay Contest. The essay contest is sponsored by Copart, the premier destination for quality vehicles. The Young Patriots Essay Contest is designed to challenge middle and high school students to creatively engage with public policy and current events through […]Continue ReadingThe National WWII Museum Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 26, 2016in Any Subject, Contest, December, High School Students, ScholarshipsThe National WWII Museum is pleased to announce High School Essay Contest and Middle School Essay Contest. To commemorate the life, courage and achievements of Elie Wiesel, the National WWII Museum is asking middle and high school students to respond to a quote by Wiesel about his life and legacy. Winning essays will be posted […]Continue ReadingSharps Compliance Inc. Scholarship Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 24, 2016in Any Subject, Contest, December, Scholarships by Major, Social and Health Care Programs, UndergraduateSharps Compliance Inc. is now accepting the application for its Scholarship Essay Contest. Sharps’ essay contest is open to all students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in an accredited university in healthcare related studies. Sharps Compliance strives to innovate new services that are regulatory compliant and environmentally sensitive. They will be […]Continue ReadingThe Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competitionby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 23, 2016in Contest, International Students, MayThe Royal Commonwealth Society has launched “The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2017”, focusing on the topic of “A Commonwealth for Peace”. The competition is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under. This year’s topics ask for a more active understanding of the role of the Commonwealth as a network […]Continue ReadingQuitDay.Org Scholarship Contestby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 18, 2016in Contest, Graduate, March, ScholarshipsQuitDay.org — Vaping News, Reviews, and Much More! is currently accepting scholarship applications. QuitDay.org — Vaping News, Reviews, and Much More! awards $3,000 in scholarships each year to students who share their vision for a smoke-free world. With the QuitDay.org — Vaping News, Reviews, and Much More! Scholarship, they want to challenge current and prospective college students to share their story on how we can make the world smoke-free. The winning applicants for first, second and third place receive scholarships in the amounts of […]Continue ReadingTOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Studentsby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 12, 2016in Contest, MarchThe APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) is pleased to announce the 2017 APA TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students. To be entering in scholarship contest, the candidates should submit an essay that provides information concerning physical, psychological and social factors that influence the aging process. Four winners will be selected for […]Continue ReadingThe Washington State Law Enforcement Association Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 12, 2016in Contest, FebruaryThe 23rd annual 8th grade Washington State Law Enforcement Association Essay Contest is kicking off. The basic goals of WSLEA are to improve the effectiveness and professionalism of law enforcement in Washington State and to implement or support a wide range of community related programs and services. WSLEA encourages all schools to participate and stimulate […]Continue ReadingInvensis Young Thinker Scholarship Essay Awardby Scholarship Advisor onNovember 7, 2016in Contest, NovemberInvensis Technologies Pvt Ltd is pleased to honor the launch of the ‘Invensis Young Thinker Scholarship Essay Award’. The award is a unique opportunity for students in USA, UK, and Australia to showcase their knowledge and skills in the form of an insightful essay and win laurels for their efforts. Through the award, they like […]Continue ReadingThe Center for Alcohol Policy’s National Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onOctober 19, 2016in Contest, DecemberThe Center for Alcohol Policy is sponsoring its “Ninth Annual Essay Contest” to all persons who are over the age of 18 as of December. Students, academics, practicing attorneys, policymakers and members of the general public are encouraged to submit essays. The contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation. […]Continue ReadingCustom-Writing.org Essay Writing Contestby Scholarship Advisor onOctober 15, 2016in Contest, DecemberCustom Writing Service | Sale Now On: -20% Off | FREE Quality Check! is pleased to announce Essay Writing Contest to the most vivid, versatile, and talented writers. Any student, regardless of academic level and location of studies, can participate. The Essay Writing Contest is not only about finding people who can write well. Indeed, the aim of the contest is to identify individuals who have both […]Continue ReadingThe PIABA Dubin Scholarship Contestby Scholarship Advisor onSeptember 8, 2016in Contest, Law, SeptemberThe PIABA Foundation is sponsoring Dubin Scholarship Contest for students interested in Securities Arbitration and Securities Law. The purpose of the competition is to promote greater interest in understanding of the fields of securities arbitration, securities law and to encourage excellent legal writing skills in law students. Three winners will be selected and they will […]Continue ReadingNaval Institute’s General Prize Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onSeptember 5, 2016in Contest, DecemberThe General Prize Essay Contest invites you to “dare to write in order to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to national defense.” The contest is open to all persons eligible for membership (including those already members) in the Institute. The winning candidates will obtain one-year memberships […]Continue ReadingSCEA Unity in Education Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onSeptember 3, 2016in Contest, FebruaryThe South Carolina Education Association encourages students across the state to join their historic 50 Year Anniversary & Celebration by taking part in their FIRST EVER “Unity in Education” Essay Contest. SCEA is the professional association for educators in South Carolina. The contest is open to middle school/intermediate, high school & college students. Essays will […]Continue ReadingGRHS Youth Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onAugust 19, 2016in Contest, International Students, MarchAn International GRHS Essay Contest is sponsored by the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. The contest is intended to encourage students from around the world to learn about the history and culture of the German-Russians, people who emigrated from Germany into Russia during the 18th and 19th centuries. Winning contestants will be invited to receive […]Continue ReadingBaxter Family Competition on Federalismby Scholarship Advisor onAugust 16, 2016in Contest, International Students, SeptemberMcGill University’s Faculty of Law and the Peter MacKell Chair in Federalism are proud to announce the creation of the Baxter Family Competition on Federalism. The overarching goal of this prestigious bi‐annual essay competition is to advance research and foster informed debate on federalism by law students, as well as law Ph.D. candidates, junior legal […]Continue ReadingAEL Collegiate Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onAugust 11, 2016in August, ContestHave an opinion on United States Political Affairs? Want to share your thoughts for a chance at up to $2500? Enter in Americanism Educational Leaders Collegiate Essay Contest as it is a perfect opportunity for undergraduate students to express their equally strong belief in American exceptionalism. The essay contest is sponsored by The Americanism Educational […]Continue ReadingAyn Rand Institute Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onAugust 11, 2016in Contest, International Students, MarchHave you read one of Ayn Rand’s thought-provoking novels? Now’s the time! Enter in Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest for your chance to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes. The contest is open to worldwide for 8th, 9th or 10th-grade students. ARI has held worldwide essay contests for students on Ayn Rand’s fiction for […]Continue ReadingBrian Zeiger College Scholarship Essay Contestby Scholarship Advisor onJuly 18, 2016in Contest, OctoberAt Brian Zeiger LLC, they understands the rising cost of higher education has become increasingly more difficult to manage, and student loan debt is at an all-time high that’s why in an effort to help students meet their financial needs, The Zeiger Firm is pleased to offer Essay Contest for currently enrolled students in an […]Continue ReadingGagne Scherer & Associates LLC Scholarshipby Scholarship Advisor onJuly 2, 2016in Any Subject, Contest, July, Scholarships, Scholarships by MajorThe military trial lawyers of Gagne, Scherer & Associates, LLC believe that a quality education is one of the most valuable assets for young students today. 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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), founded in 1929.The following website of the organization describes its history and purpose:https://lulac.org/about/history/Below is an abstract of the webpage worth reading:LULAC History - All for One and One for AllThe League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), founded in 1929, is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States of America. LULAC was created at a time in our country’s history when Hispanics were denied basic civil and human rights, despite contributions to American society. The founders of LULAC created an organization that empowers its members to create and develop opportunities where they are needed most.In 1945, a California LULAC Council successfully sued to integrate the Orange County School System, which had been segregated on the grounds that Mexican children were “more poorly clothed and mentally inferior to white children.” Additionally, in 1954, LULAC brought another landmark case, Hernandez vs. the State of Texas, to protest the fact that a Mexican American had never been called to jury duty in the state of Texas. The Supreme Court ruled this exclusion unconstitutional.Since then, LULAC has fought for full access to the political process and equal educational opportunity for all Hispanics. LULAC’s continues to play an active role in these efforts. LULAC councils across the United States hold voter registration drives, citizenship awareness sessions, sponsor health fairs and tutorial programs, and raise scholarship money for the LULAC National Scholarship Fund. This fund, in conjunction with LNESC (LULAC National Educational Service Centers), has assisted almost 10 percent of the 1.1 million Hispanic students who have gone to college.LULAC Councils have also responded to an alarming increase in xenophobia and anti-Hispanic sentiment. They have held seminars and public symposiums on language and immigration issues. In addition, LULAC officers have used television and radio to protest against the “English Only” movement, which seeks to limit the public (and in some cases, private) use of minority languages.Below is an account of the struggles that LULAC and its members have had to endure in order to improve the status of employment, housing, health care, and education for all Hispanics in the United States of America.Reasons That Lead To The Formation of LULACWhen the United States of North America annexed a third of Mexico’s territory following the Mexican War, nearly 77,000 Mexicans became U.S. citizens. For generations, these citizens were to be plagued by prejudice that would result in overt acts of discrimination and segregation. This prejudice led to the curtailment of many civil rights. The sign, “No Mexicans Allowed” was found everywhere.In Texas, prejudice and acts of discrimination had reached such extreme proportions that Mexican Americans began organizing to defend themselves. There were three main organizations: The Order of the Sons of America with councils in Somerset, Pearsall, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio; The Knights of America in San Antonio; and The League of Latin American Citizens with councils in Harlingen, Brownsville, Laredo, Penitas, La Grulla, McAllen, and Gulf.The Unification EffortFirst LULAC Convention - Corpus Christi, TX - 5/17/1929Ben Garza, leader of Council #4 of the Order of the Sons of America in Corpus Christi, united all Mexican American organizations under one title, one set of objectives, and one constitution. The first of a series of attempts occurred on August 14th, 1927, when delegates from The Order of the Sons of America, The Knights of America, and other allied organizations traveled to Harlingen, to officially form The League of Latin American Citizens. The President General of The Order of the Sons of America invited the League of Latin American Citizens--then under the leadership of Attorney Alonso S. Perales of Harlingen--to unite with them in order to unify Mexican American organizations. The League of Latin American Citizens approved the idea and a resolution to bring about the merger was adopted.There were serious doubts regarding the merger due to differences between the leaders of The League of Latin American Citizens and the President General of The Order of the Sons of America. Thus, The Order of the Sons of America and The Knights of America decided to join together regardless of The League of Latin American Citizens’ actions. Council #4 of The Order of the Sons of America and The Knights of America considered the proposed merger for a year.During this time, Alonso S. Perales and Ben Garza were constantly discussing how to bring about the merger. However, the President General of The Order of the Sons of America never called a unification convention. This lead Council #4 of The Order of the Sons of America to withdraw on February 7, 1929. They voted to have a uniting convention on February 17, 1929, at the Obreros Hall, on the corner of Lipan and Carrizo streets in Corpus Christi.Delegates from Alice, Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Encino, Harlingen, La Grulla, McAllen, Robstown, and San Antonio opened the unification convention. They elected Ben Garza as chairmen protem and M.C. Gonzalez as secretary.LULAC Outing - 4/21/1929The delicate task of uniting these groups was assigned to Juan Solis and Mauro Machado, members of The Knights of America, Alonso S. Perales and J.T. Canales, members of The League of Latin American Citizens, E.N. Marin, A. DeLuna and Fortunio Trevino, member of The Order of the Sons of America. Alonso S. Perales initially proposed the name “Latin American Citizens’ League.” In response, Mauro Machado suggested they use the word “United” as apropos for the merger and as a way of differentiating the title from “The League of Latin American Citizens”. Thus, Juan Solis motioned that the union be “United Latin American Citizens.” J.T. Canales friendly amended the motion so that the name read “League of United Latin American Citizens”. The amended motion was unanimously passed.The committee proceeded to adopt the motto proposed by J.T. Canales, “All for One and One for All”, to serve as a reminder of the difficulties of unification and as the basis for all future activities of LULAC.Temporary rules were drawn up until a constitutional convention could be held. A constitutional convention was to be held on 18, and 19 May 1929, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and an executive committee was established to administer LULAC until the convention. The executive committee included Ben Garza as chairman, M.C. Gonzalez as Secretary, J.T. Canales and J. Luz Saenz as committee members. On May 18, 1929, at the Allende Hall in Corpus Christi, Texas, Ben Garza called the first LULAC General Convention to order. The assembly promptly adopted a constitution proposed by J.T. Canales and based upon the one used by The Knights of America. Ben Garza was elected President General, M.C. Gonzalez was elected Vice President General, A. DeLuna was elected Secretary General, and Louis C. Wilmot of Corpus Christi, Texas, was elected Treasurer General. These officers guided a new organization that faced prejudice and skepticism.First LULAC Convention Invitation - May 1929Mexican Americans were not allowed to learn English. Thus, they were disenfranchised and unable to vote. Many were unable to pay voting taxes. Thus, their Anglo bosses paid this charge and told them who to vote for.Many Mexican American families worked in fields, farms, and ranches and their children never went to school. Many were denied jobs because they were perceived as lazy, poorly dressed, dirty, ill educated, and thought to be thieves.American children had to attend segregated schools known as “Mexican Schools.” In those days “Mexican Schools” were legal in the Southwest. These schools were staffed with the worst teachers and the buildings were in deplorable conditions.DiscriminationDiscrimination against Mexican Americans was rampant. During those years there were more Mexican Americans hung than the total number of blacks hung during the Civil War. A famous Anglo gunfighter was once asked how many men he had killed. He responded that each notch on the handles of his guns represented one kill and that he had twenty-seven notches, not counting Mexicans. Discrimination knew no age limits. In one incident a young Mexican American girl was eating a dry tortilla and choked to death because her peers were not allowed to get her a drink of water from a “whites only” water fountain. In another incident, LULAC members on a weekend recruitment journey stopped at a hamburger place. One of the men went to the takeout window and placed an order. When the food was ready, he was told that he had to go to the black section to eat his food. He refused, telling the food handler that he was Mexican and not black, and the food was taken away. In another instance, a LULAC member (who later became a LULAC President General) had to dress as a woman in order to get pass a sheriff with rifle in arm who had vowed to prevent LULAC from organizing in his town.This was the discrimination that led many Mexican Americans to build strong traditions of self-determination. In 1921, courageous men and women in Texas began organizing to ensure that juries reflected the composition of the population and filed suits to have Mexican Americans placed on jury rosters. In 1929, a number of Mexican rights organizations met in Corpus Christi, Texas, and merged into a single group.February 27, 1929This was not a day for a meeting. It was Sunday and a day of rest. The rain was filling the dirt streets. But there was an urgent task to be done; the muddy streets were of little concern to those men about to make history. It was a meeting that would merge three largest Mexican American organizations into one.The merger has been discussed in 1927 during an installation of officers of a newly formed Mexican American organization, “The League of Latin American Citizens”, founded in Harlingen, Texas, by Alonso S. Perales. Now on February 17, 1929 the merger was now about to take place in Corpus Christi, Texas.First LULAC Convention Preparations Article - 1929Delegates from three prestigious Mexican American organizations: The Knights of America, The Sons of America, and The League of Latin American Citizens, gathered on this rainy day to attempt to unify. Although many members were hesitant, the leaders of the organizations convinced the delegates of the necessity of a merger. A committee, with two delegates from each organization, was formed. This committee had the responsibility of coming up with rules and a name for the new organization.This was a delicate task, because each organization had a proud history, its own constitution, its own structure, and a strong leader. The Knights of America of San Antonio, the oldest of the three had done much for its community under the leadership of M.C. Gonzalez. The same held true for The Sons of America of Corpus Christi, the second oldest and under the leadership of Ben Garza. Nevertheless, The League of Latin America Citizens of the Texas Valley, although the youngest of the three, had been effective under the leadership of Alonso S. Perales and was growing at a much faster pace than the other two combined.After a four hour meeting, the committee decided to combine of the constitutions of the three merging organizations. The name of the new organization would be taken from the youngest of the three with the word “United” added to the name. Thus, “The League of United Latin American Citizens” was formed.The delegates were pleased with the calm leadership efforts of Ben Garza and elected him the first President General of LULAC. The delegates agreed to hold the first LULAC Convention on May 19, 1929 in Corpus Christi, Texas.First LULAC Convention ArticleOf course, the three merged organizations, which became LULAC were not the only Mexican American organization of that era. Many wanted to revolt and regain the territories that Mexico ceded to the United States of America after the Mexico-Texas War. Others wanted to engage in widespread civil disobedience against local authorities. There were many Mexican Americans that considered LULAC members as a bunch of “vendidos.” They could not understand why LULAC members would embrace an Anglo society that had been so cruel to Mexican Americans. However, the founders of LULAC had seen many Mexican American organizations flourish and disappear within a couple of years, without accomplishments. LULAC founders were determined not to let this occur to LULAC. Therefore, the founders of LULAC forewant many of their convictions in order to avoid suspicions of un-American activities and serve as a safe haven for its members. Many of the official rites that LULAC adopted had never be adopted by any other Mexican American organization. LULAC adopted the American Flag as its official flag, America the Beautiful as its official song, and The George Washington Prayer as its official prayer. Also, LULAC adopted the Robert Rules of Order as its governing rules during meetings and conventions.These founders envisioned LULAC as an organization that would be strongly accepted by Mexican Americans throughout Texas. In this regard they were correct. However, they were not prepared for the rapid growth of Mexican Americans in the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and California, all within the first three years of LULAC’s founding. LULAC’s founders could never have imagined that LULAC would later serve 48 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South America, and the armed service base in Heidelburg, West Germany. Nevertheless, the guiding philosophies of the League of United Latin American Citizens supported the inclusion of all those of Hispanic origin and not just Mexican Americans.The Women of LULACLULAC was one of the first national organizations to place emphasis on the role of women. Its first Council #9 was created on February 22, 1934, in El Paso, Texas. By 1938, the league had created the first women’s national office in Mrs. Ester Machuca as Ladies Organizer General.Women continued to serve fundamental roles within LULAC. In 1981, the League elected its first National Vice-President for Women. State coordinators for women carry out local programs for women. A national conference “Adelante Mujer Hispana” and two-day conferences on education and employment have been some of the League’s most successful programs.Women of LULAC: A History of AccomplishmentsWomen of LULAC: A History of AccomplishmentsLULAC was one of the first national organizations to place emphasis on the role of women. Its first council #9 was created on February 22, 1934, in El Paso, Texas. By 1938, the league had created the first women's national office in Mrs. Ester Machuca as Ladies Organizer General.National Past PresidentsThe founding of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) marked an important moment in the history of Hispanic people in the United States. It signaled the end of one era and the beginning of another. It embodied the will of a people to overcome inequality, discrimination and injustice, to claim their rights as U. S. citizens, and to access the American dream.LULAC's MilestonesWhat follows are some of the milestones accomplished by LULAC in its history. These milestones offered many difficult struggles, at times - life threatening, that LULAC and its members endured to get equality in justice, employment, housing, health care, and education for all Hispanics.LULAC History BookAll For One, One For All -- A Celebration of 75 Years of the League of United Latin American Citizens. (PDF format)50th anniversary of John Kennedy’s visit with LULAC in 1963On November 21, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Texas Governor John B. Connally, Jr. made an appearance at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 60's Gala held at the Rice Hotel in Houston Texas....LULAC Archives at The University of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is the designated repository for the records of the League of United Latin American Citizens. LULAC was formed in 1929 by the merger of three Mexican American civic organizations in Texas: Order Sons of America, Order Knights of America and the League of United Latin American Citizens.As the oldest active organization of Hispanic Americans, LULAC is committed to the advancement of the Latino community in the United States. The LULAC Archives record the organization's profound achievements in many areas, especially social and educational advancement.

What Does America Look Like?I am 82 years old and been around the block a few times. I was raised in 1940s - 50s Milwaukee, then a very liberal city that was diverse and on the top of civilized accoutrements e.g.: ethnic - religious diversity, top education, good jobs, lots recreation - cultural, Music - Milwaukee Fest, infrastructure - parks, museums, libraries, health care, etc. That progressive environment existentially formed my life to this day. In between I lived in the 1950s - 1960s Jim Crow segregated conservative South and saw a very primitive, poverty stricken, violent poor man's existence exemplifying man's inhumanity to man all set up by local/state governments implementing legal and institutionalized racial - social restrictions all supported by the evangelical church who said the Bible justified a segregated society with no diversity of ideas and life styles, For some of those years, I was in the Navy and traveled the western world and saw countries struggling to recover from the destruction of WW II and appreciated the USA. But I needed social, economic and intellectual freedoms and moved to New York City where I found a completely different universe, even better than my Milwaukee growing up altruistic experiences.As a Corporate salesman for the Fortune 500 headquarter and Banking accounts, I traveled to more than 40 states in America for customer meetings, training, setting up district and regional computer installations. I think every state is different and the USA is a really large country, the third biggest in the world. New York is totally different from Laredo, Texas. The South is different from the North, West from the East. So I basically experienced culture shocks in different states. Rout 66 does exist all over the USA. It's easy to have a road trip in America. I often traveled America by car, and I don't remember how many nights we just parked in front of Wal-Mart and slept in the car. I felt safe and it saved me a lot of money. You can take showers in service stations and everything was simple and comfortable. There is not much traffic on highways too, so you can just enjoy the view! An 8-hour road trip is really not that long; it's fairly common since living in such a large country twists your perception of distance. I used to think any drive taking more than an hour is basically a road trip, now I've realized there's people that commute for over an hour… every single day. I've also gotten the opportunity to drive from NC to Montana (~40 hours) twice. The US have every landscape imaginable. Anywhere you go there is 24 x 7 shopping. You want to buy cheese, bread, jeans, rifle and a TV at 3am? You can do that. Then you can visit a fast food place on your way home. Everything is just open … all the time. Try that in Europe!From what I've observed, big cities tend to have lots of Universities, high tech, industry and immigrants. States that have big immigrant populations include: Hawaii, California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, and New York, Florida. So where are good places to live in the United Stares if you don't want the hustle of places like New York but not want to live in the middle of nowhere? Places with good schools, decent job prospects, low crime rate and not stupidly expensive? I would suggest the middle south, like Tennessee, Kentucky or Georgia.America is made up from great towns with lots of diversity, low cost of living, good jobs, not too crazy at all, plenty of outlying neighborhoods and small towns to live in that are low crime, traffic isn't horrible except on maybe 3 roads but there are ways around it, everyone gets along for the most part, we don't have all the craziness of the big cities, nobody gets too worked up about anything. The downside is the weather; hot and humid for about 6 months out of the year, chilly and rainy for 4 months. The birth of the Rust Belt was created by the loss of industries to automation and the flight of low-skill high-pay manufacturing abroad; the flight of the middle class to the suburbs; and government neglect. Many Black communities were stuck on the sinking urban ship, and (to keep the metaphor going) were already in the bottom holds of the ship to begin with.Each state has pretty and ugly parts. For example, I went on an 1100 mile road trip from Wisconsin to Florida, passing through Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Each state is pretty and ugly. As the song says, West Virginia has pretty mountains, but a lot of the state is run down and in poor repair. There's not much zoning with the housing, so anything goes from property to property. Lots of tin roofs, rusted. There is a good deal of poverty. It's not quite South enough to be warm in the winter.Unlike other states, there really isn't a major city there (with what can be described as attractive buildings, pro sports stadiums, etc.); though maybe the college town is better.Easily one of the most depressing places on Earth, I drove through Iowa and I thought it was so boring, farmland all around. Nevada is a desert wasteland. When you drive deeper into it, especially the northern area, everything is roped off. Yes, everything. Nothing lives, no plants, animals, or anything; only miles of salt off the highway. It's all roped off, which makes me believe the government does some weird stuff there; miles of nothingness, just beige rolling hills. I felt claustrophobic; absolutely nothing redeeming out there. Las Vegas has its vague charms, but it really is a mess. Northern Nevada is an entirely different world. The Lake Tahoe area is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. New Jersey has both the ugliest sights and some of the prettier sights. The ugly side includes vast refineries. They also smell terrible but it does have the best part, the Jersey Shore.Pretty much the worst drive one might take in the US would be like starting out from San Angelo (a dreadful town) and going north, up to Amarillo and into the panhandle of Oklahoma and across the border into southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado. It's this sort of flat and dry scrub land. It looks like shit, basically. And it sucks to find yourself anywhere within this red zone. It's Satan's Vacation Land! In terms of being unappealing to the eye and sheer uninspiring views, Kansas takes top place for me. It's a boring rectangle in shape, its highways are arrow-straight and it's under populated. Oh, and it's anvil-flat. If your wife leaves you, you can spend three days watching her walk away. Ohio usually has an overcast sky. When the sun comes out people get excited. It's part of the rust belt. Industry has left and so have the young people. What are left are retired union workers who are getting their pensions cut and people who don't work. The infrastructure is crumbling. All of the roads need to be repaved but the cities don't have money because no one pays income tax because no one has income. You have a few places like Columbus and Dayton that are booming, but much of Ohio isn't a place you'd want to visit, unless you're a historical photographer. Some of the country areas are beautiful though.Culture WarSomething is broken in the American political system despite America is the envy of the world. The country is wallowing in pessimism and cultural conflict; Congress has an approval rate somewhere around 7 - 9 per cent and is useless as a governing body. The GOP is on a rampage, they say everything wrong with the world is President Obama's fault albeit the US recovery from the great recession and economy is the envy of the world. The GOP refuses to participate in democracy which requires compromise and negative thinking and 'it’s my way or the highway' is their new normal. I ask myself why all this trouble when the USA has always rose above internal - external discontents and been the world leader in getting things done. I think it is a physiological divide based on long standing cultural differences coming to the forefront; Glass half full compared to glass half empty - Optimism verses pessimism, people verses business interests, we verses they type of stuff. It's conflict over the very essence of the American Dream and truths of our basic foundation as a country.The cultural War has deep roots in the USA going back to the Founding, with slave states verses free states and all that entails, and snippets of those cultural remnants continue on to this day; as slavery was inextricably tied to the southern region's economy and [separate] culture. In fact, there were almost as many slaves in the South as there were whites (4 million blacks and 5.5 million whites) at the time of the Civil War that raged across the nation from 1861 to 1865 and was the violent conclusion to decades of vast cultural differences and extreme - for and against - attitudes about slavery. Gradually, throughout the beginning of the nineteenth century, the North and South followed different paths, developing into two distinct and very different regions cumulating in deep cultural ideological divide that now defines the USA in the 21st century. It's the battle of ideas and destiny verses tradition and fear, a sad and terrible thing for our country. It has frozen us inexplicitly in place and stagnated the US which has lost much of its pre eminence as a dynamic world leader. It has gotten so bad across our north - south regions and in Washington that people can't communicate or cooperate much anymore.Unfortunately, extremist religion and politics tends to be based on culture driven weirdly irrepressible and often backward thinking ideologies, it can make a person feel they are right and then become ugly with fear, hate, racism and prejudice. For example, northern Christians tend to be open minded, liberal and more tolerant than southern Christians who tend to be more conservative and judgmental, Westerners being libertarian, Californians being just weird and Floridians absolutely crazy. The base root of the Cultural War is over diversity, the love or fear of it, the ephemeral destiny of the differences based on conservative verses liberal. e.g.: Educated and people from big cities tend to be more liberal, while rural and small town people are more conservative either in the north or south. Culture drives the 'what you are' paradigm which then drives religion and politics. Even Muslims from some countries (USA, India and Indonesia) are quite modern and sophisticated, while from other countries (Saudi Arabia / Pakistan) are brutal and primitive.When I turn on Fox News or conservative talk radio, there they are, the horribly racially opinionated that live on fears and exhibit ultra right demigod view points far outside American mainstream believes. I can't get MSBC where I live, but I hear they have the same problem but they are on the left. - isn't that charlatan Al Sharpton on that station as an anchor? It would seem our society lives for absurd and outrageous demigodry rather than sane and reasonable. dialogue. Do they do it for fun or do they actually believe the trash talk? Or am I an ancient American that belonged to the 'Greatest Generation' and am out of place today here in this great land I still believe in? Well, at 78 years old, I might just be an old fool!My dad used to say that arguing religion will get you nowhere because the argument has a tendency to escalate and you won't win anyone over. The real irony I see in these issues is that politics by definition is the art of winning people to your point of view. However, the history of mankind is filled with warfare and intolerance in these matters. Maybe it's because these matters are so ingrained into our fiber and being that civil debates on politics and religion are practically next too impossible without escalation. Maybe some people see it as an attack on their personal integrity or heritage. If we've been fighting since the beginning with no end in sight, then I'm not optimistic that we ever will stop.Religion is the chief Cultural War prognosticator: It's easy to think that ISIS is some sort of Medieval cancer that is infecting the world with murder, torture and untold mayhem all based on Islamic extremism. Well, we have Christian religious extremism too but it has not gotten violent (yet) as it did in our own past with [sic] Ku Klux Klan extremism. Religion is where people often hide when they are frustrated and angry at the status quo. It's an easy escape into justifying your deleterious reactions to change, uncertainty, fear and hate using scriptures from the Bible, Koran, Tora or what ever holy book you use.We have our dumbed down unconscious crowd: We are living in a social media generation, which exhibits a maximum of choices and minimums of meaning to morality and the essence of exceptionalism in real life. We should be in discovery mode, learning and needing altruistic ideas to solve our real life circumstances, but their are [sic] conservative forces that are afraid of change and fight new ideas, feeling more comfortable in prophesizing old myths and legends that defy common sense and especially science.How can the South be so religious and yet so hateful and judgmental? They justified Jim Crow segregation with the Bible and today their dislike of Jews, Catholics, Yankees and anyone not like them. Science and history can go home in the south - they don't want these modern explanations of mankind and cosmology. It doesn’t seem plausible in what they call a Christian-based society. I think it is all about culture being the dominant force in a civilization, which in turn drives religion and politics. And here in the South, it is all ultra conservative and anti [non white] immigrant based.So who are the crazy ones ruining our country? They are mostly religious or political extremists -e.g.: the ultra conservatives - who seem to be the basic trouble makers and pervaders of hate groups, the basic 'we are right' no compromise group saying it's my way or the highway; the NRA guns for everyone crowd; Confederate flag flyers - yes, the Civil War was based on slavery; hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan, ISIS and some 'Can Do No Wrong' Black organizations; anti everything thinkers against science, immigration, personal rights, education; fanatics who hate more than they love, use the Bible as a weapon against modernity, if you don't belief like them you are going to Hell, like those who condemn & hate unconventional life styles, free thinkers, Yankees, progressives;e.g.: The ultra liberals - snooty, snobby know-it-alls, another 'we are right group'; the free lunch crowd who think they deserve government handouts (by the way - people get the least and corporations get the most dollars); the political correctness crowd who say 'thugs' is the new "N" word, elevating to star status extremely violent racist elements of Black Lives Matter, forgiveness for criminals and rioters because they are black, where 'Black on Black' crime is code for racism; incompetent - can't be fired - government employees with platinum benefits; the celebrity / sport worshipping crowd where decency is not respected;e.g.: Christian Right fanatics - the God is on my side ultimate 'we are right group,' who tell you how to vote and what to believe politically from the pulpit; those desiring theocracy - put God back in my government - over constitutional democracy; radicals wishing 'their' very judgmental religious beliefs protected a.k.a. the Religious Liberty crowd; those who think we are (only) a Christian nation and want 'their' absolutist beliefs inserted into US schools, politics and the work place; hating free thinkers and open mindedness, the religious disbelievers and modernity deniers - evolution, global warming, science, historical discoveries; the afraid and hateful anti everything bunch who (want) live in the 19th century; mega Christian churches collecting dollars and not saving souls; Christians who say God gave the West Bank (Sumeria) to the Jews and we should help the Jews fight for it; Christians who say all history and science is expressed in the Bible;e.g.: The extreme foreign religious crowd - Jewish Zionists who won't go for a Two State Solution and work for Middle East Peace with the Palestinians; Oh, and of course, Islamic extremists and ISIS Islamic terrorists who murder and destroy based on their religion. It seems that religion is the great evil in the world, the thing wars and destruction is based on, all in the name of 'your' God.e.g.: the 'get away with it crowd' - Corporate and Wall Street shysters woes greed caused our worst recession and were never jailed and politicians who let them get away with it; drug addicts and criminals playing the system; free loaders with underserved disability / welfare / government subsidies; Healthcare gougers - ambulance chasing Tort Lawyers, corrupt pharmaceuticals & insurance organizations, obese and addicted abusers who suck up 80 per cent cost of the healthcare system; Politicians who advocate their - often hateful and greedy - stuff over what is good for the country; gangsta rappers;I could go on and one . . . it's always the greedy and hateful ones who cause trouble; bottom line, trouble comes from selfish - self centered people who think their religion, politics, morality are better than everyone's else's. To everyone I say it is not a persons race, skin color, gender, sexual orientation that should define a person but their actions and how they treat others.I am afraid the cultural war is going to go on for many years to come too.The AmericansSo, who are the Americans? There has been debate about this in recent times, but it still holds true. Anybody that lives in America is considered an American. Asians are Americans, Blacks are Americans, Indians are Americans, Whites are Americans, Arabs are Americans, Italians are Americans. People can retain their home culture, but they dissolve into the large American society and are considered a part of it, not strangers or outsiders.If you would believe the media, you’d think there’s a race war going on and there’s an open season on black people. This is grade-A bullshit. I’ve traveled coast to coast, right through the Deep South, and people in general get along just fine pretty much everywhere. Sure, racism is a real thing, but it is not nearly as bad as they’d like you to believe. They just like to put the cameras on the scumbags of society like the KKK, Neo-Nazi’s, BLM, and Antifa. These assholes don’t represent the population, thankfully. Remember: news media is a for-profit business. All they give a shit about is ratings, and they’ve been caught by video-bloggers plenty of times fabricating and twisting stories. They are the main reason for the bullshit that’s been going on lately.Friendships seem to be one dimensional. Most people live in bubbles. In my experience, your school friends remain your school friends. You may occasionally grab a bite to eat, but the topics of a conversation focus on school. Your sport friends remain your sport friends. Your work friends are simply your work friends and so on. Friends from one circle of life don’t automatically enter other circles or groups. Everything seems very isolated from each other. Friendships also don’t have such strong bonds. You may have some good childhood friends that you keep in touch with, but for the most part, people simply do not have a strong nucleus of friends that lasts forever. People veer to the extreme sides of things on almost everything. A good example is the way people look. There’s a lot of fat people and super-fit people in the USA, and not much in-between. Most of all, it’s an awesome place with a wide variety of people. Some of them are assholes, but most of them are great. Americans have a kind of happy excitement about them that I find very fun and pleasant. Europeans are generally a little more stoic compared to them.Beneath the glorious and over fantasized “American Dream” is the harsh reality that Americans slog their back off to survive. On an average 35% Americans are doing more than one job, either to pay bills or to reach a level of a lifestyle that they aspire for. American Dream is not a fallacy. But Americans are really wanting to work hard to achieve it. There is a charm to America, beautiful landscapes, friendly people. But for all the stuff they talk about how great they are, seeing reality is actually really shocking! The people I met were genuine, friendly warm hearted individuals. There are a lot of hugs and kisses. In my entire life I have seen people of different sex, even the married ones hugging or kissing all across the USA.I have an International friend who traveled around the USA too with the following observations.I was raised in England, lived in India for years and now call New York City home. The diversity of people in NY is unbelievable. The whole world lives there. The first day I was here I walked the streets of New York, where 47% are foreign born from every country in the world, but everyone spoke English, not just the upper classes, academics, musicians and actors. I would go to a café, or to a bookstore, and stay there, pretending I was reading a book while listening to people talk. What a pleasure to see that English was a real language! All these racial, ethnic and religious differences between people and everyone gets along. Pakistanis and Indians in the US are friends. Palestinians and Israelis are friends. We see that common man is no different and has more problems in his life than border wars. How exuberantly friendly people are. Unfailingly upbeat and polite, Americans are really friendly . . . to almost everyone on first contact. It’s probably the “oil” needed to lubricate the tremendous social and economic dynamism in this 30 million metro city area in this continental-sized nation.I moved to Brooklyn seven months ago. What amaze me here were the people! They are smiling when we cross eyes, willing to help and have a sense of civism. I don’t want to generalize for the rest of the country but I felt the same in the south (Louisiana, Virginia, Carolina) when I was traveling there, in small towns. This is definitely refreshing, especially if you lived in Paris. My first restaurant experience in the US was a Vietnamese restaurant, where I ordered a bowl of noodle soup. When the soup arrived, I thought I was supposed to use that bowl to wash my face before eating the soup. Then the Mexican restaurant. I sat down, the waitress very quickly came over, placed a HUGE basket of tortilla chips and a bucket of salsa in front of me, and a menu. When the tacos came, I was already full. I didn’t see many averagely fit person in the US. Rather, I saw very athletic or very obese people.There were tons of fun cultural shocks I got used to and actually adopted a few, I would like to share some of the shocks I encountered. People ask you how are you even though they don’t know you at all, neither did they care how your responses are. Waiters will come to your table, asking you “how is everything” while you were eating and can barely talk with food in your mouth. No security checks entering the subway, and no mobile signals in the subway. God knows where the subway will go and when it will come during weekend and holidays. You can always find someone or the other performing in the NYC subway. It is a big stage for them to showcase their talents. Many subway performers are front runners now in American music industry. People stop their busy life and watch them perform, they show respect. It’s not for money they perform always, sometimes. It’s just for respect.It was my first day at a job and like most places we had a custom that a new employee would send an email introducing themselves. I did the same. Three hours later I was washing hands in the restroom and the janitor comes from behind and says “Hey Man, Welcome. It's your first day.” I still don't know how he knew it was my first day. I doubt he might have been in that email distribution list, but anyway he made me feel welcome. We talked for about a good 10 minutes. He told me about his kids, what they want to be when they grow up. What he wants them to be when they grow up etc. The shocking part was, while having that conversation I started wondering is he really the Janitor? I worked in India as well for a short period of time. The support staffs such as Janitors were treated so differently there - there was a class system, servants called everyone "Sir" and wore uniforms. This man had the confidence to come and talk to me so effortlessly, maybe because he had never been made to feel different. People around him never behaved as if the job he does as a janitor is in any way less than the others, who would typically be converting coffee to code. Later, I found the guy was surely popular amongst my techie colleagues. They would call him by his first name and so would he. No “Sir“ involved. Dignity of Labor, it matters here and rightfully should.Contrary to popular belief, there are almost no guns on NYC streets, neither are uniformed soldiers. The only guns I saw were in police officers’ holsters, and they were invariably small arms. European cops sometimes carry assault rifles; railway security has submachine guns. No such thing in NYC, except for, possibly, in airports. I took a road trip from NYC to my old university in Connecticut. Wow! The USA is too BIG.The day I landed in JFK Airport and my first road journey from JFK to Hartford was on I-95. The highways were so huge and the roads were filled with cars, SUVs and trucks. The way everyone behaved while driving and the way others followed rules while driving in the interstates showed an excellent example of discipline. People seem to be respecting law and order. If tourists want to cover a lot of landmarks in USA, then Northeast is the best option, as we can cover most areas with road trips. We can pretty much cover Boston, Rhode Island, NYC, Philly, Washington, D.C. I have heard my friends say that in Texas we can drive all day and still be in Texas. USA simply is too BIG and people love their cars and driving. Road trips are so common here thanks to the extensive Interstate system that made this possible.I traveled straight away to Atlanta, Georgia and points south into Alabama and Mississippi. It's a very poor White and Black region, with lots of poverty, lousy healthcare, crime and social dysfunction. It seems most people live in trailers, drop out of school, have lots of babies and have few skills. There is an over-presence of religion. Religious billboards everywhere, churches on every corner, with signs admonishing to believe or else. I can’t figure the South out! It seems they are still living their Civil War over and over again . . . always fighting what is good for them because of their animosities toward outsiders and especially what they call Yankees. IT almost seems that the Age of Enlightenment had never occurred, stuck in pre-18th Century mind sets regarding science, logic and humanism. Logical discussion seems beyond the range, almost an alien concept, of many who just tout set slogans and opinions, with no basis in observation or research for themselves. It’s mind boggling to find in a “Developed Nation.” It shows all the signs of Brainwashing. For example, in Europe many of the “uneducated poor from the sticks” (who would be called rednecks, trailer trash etc. in the U.S.) vote for left-wing parties which are known for complex social compensations of the lack of responsibility for one’s life, whereas many right-wing parties (unless they are far too nationalist) are associated with white-collar jobs, business etc. Ironically, had the U.S. poorest (but still with shelter over their heads, warm beds, running water and possibly jobs) lived in Europe, they would probably be communists. So my biggest cultural shock visiting the U.S., for a long time, was that the Southern rednecks, trailer park residents etc. are nearly uniformly right wing conservative Republicans who politically have absolutely no interest in their well being.I experienced colorism in my world travels, but never racism. But America! Wahoo … that was a different kettle of fish. I have friends of every hue, I know the lighter hued you are, the better you get treated in society, but with me and my people, your character is what really sells you. I never understood why someone’s color or the country they came from determined who they were in America. I mean people are just people . . . Aren’t they? My worst experiences were in several small Southern towns like Mobile, Biloxi and Gatlinburg. Especially Gatlinburg, where I was heavily discriminated until I opened my mouth to speak, and then they heard my accent and all was right in their but by then the damage was already done. The south is so white, and religious and pure, and perfect! The only things that will make this perfect American image even more perfect is Jesus Christ in the background with an American flag and gun on his hip! The most annoying ones with the patriotic stuff are the middle-aged white Americans who have never been outside of the US. In my country, for the most part, if we believe you’re a good person we like you, if we think you’re not, we won’t go near you … regardless of your skin tone, or financial status. Actually, except for the south, I didn't see so much racism across the country, there are a lot of open-minded Americans.From what I noticed, you can probably encounter racism to some extent in small cities in the southern states, but in big cities like New York, Washington, Dallas, people are generally quite open. I find most Americans I met in my trip are very friendly and open-minded. Almost everyone I encountered at stores and restaurants were really nice. They were very warm, always asked about my day and were helpful in every way possible. Some of the best conversations I had when I was in America have been with people I randomly met on the street.But the biggest weirdness for me was the religiousness of southern people. In the UK, religion is a private thing. In the US people will talk about God, or J.C., pray in public etc. (I’ve seen it in Heathrow airport - a big group of Texans praying together before their return flight, and often wondered what would happen in Houston airport if a group of Muslims started unrolling prayer mats and reading from the Koran.) And meeting really lovely people who then casually espouse the most right-wing / racist / homophobic / sexist views.As a dark-skinned African with a very Indian-looking face, I was prepared to face racism when I was about to go to America. I traveled to more than 20 cities in the US and have never experienced any forms of discrimination at all. People are so friendly and welcoming to me. Even in places like Boston and New York where the people are known to be pressed and rude, people still say “thank you” and “sorry” a lot. Another thing that I find shocking most is the cultural diversity of the country. Foreigners like to think that the whole America is not much different from one another, but it’s actually much more diverse. The contrast between the Western and the Eastern parts of the country is very strong. They almost feel like two different countries. Though overall my biggest culture shock (or reality) of America is that it’s a very highly contrasting society and country, with huge geographic differences and that even people’s opinions varied hugely, people are not people but a black woman, white man, Asian guy, Mexican dude, white girl, black kid! And each subsection of Americans has their own stereotype assigned to them and they meet it more or less.A few days into my trip, I noticed a trend. Every time I made a cash payment with a large bill, the person at the cash register would have to stop in order to thoroughly inspect the note to ensure that it was not fake, usually using a detection pen or some other contraption. I was in Chick-fil-A buying lunch one afternoon and I handed over a 100-dollar note. There was no one behind me so I struck a conversation with the girl taking my order. I’m really sorry, I don’t have a smaller one, and you will have to run this through your detection machine. Oh don’t worry honey; I can hold it up to check the watermark and the security thread. She was really kind too; giving me all the extra sauces I wanted for my chicken nuggets. Also, Chick-fil-A is the BOMB! There are a lot of fat people in the south. It was shocking to see how many people suffered with obesity compared to the numbers you see in New York. The fast food, and in general food, culture is much more apparent with food portions being of a much bigger size, and in some cases quite cheap. Going to the cinema and seeing the portion sizes of popcorn and Coke was definitely a shock.I have said it before "Americans are very friendly." “How are you doing?” is a common generic question you are going to be asked when you go up to a counter to get your coffee or place order at McDonald or Burger King. Strangers smile at you. Even girls. And the worse thing about an introvert like me is that I am expected to smile too. Imagine a very average looking guy smiling at an attractive young lady in the streets of Delhi and Kolkata? Yeah, you end up being in Police station making promises that you won’t repeat your ill-behavior in public again. Here, you are smiled at. Such is life.In the USA, everything is huge, the space between the stores, the roads, the cars, the people. I found when driving in the Midwest the sense of endlessness to the land around me gave me vertigo. It was a really strange and discomforting feeling. It is no wonder Americans find the UK so quaint and cramped.In most American cities, you don’t see people walking on streets, all you see are cars, cars, cars! When I was in Dallas, I noticed that except in downtown area and tourist spots, you basically don’t see people walking on streets! A small city of 200k people ends up being the size of London because it’s all massively spread out, and of course there is no public transportation so you need a fucking car to get around whether you like it or not. As a result no one walks, no one is on the street, you don’t see anyone anywhere, all you see is cars and cars and people in them. How insular American culture is, they are generally oblivious to anything outside of the US. But they were intrigued and very keen to learn. I felt like the people were deliberately kept in the dark. Everything here is Real BIG! The cars, food portions, grocery quantities, supermarket like Wal-Mart, Target, CostCo etc. is massive. And people here buy stuff in bulk. How big the divide between rich and poor really is. I was shocked how many ordinary people were struggling to get by. Historic items 200 years old is considered old in the US.In England it is usual to see a church or castle nearly 1000 year’s old. The way people in America abide road rules and regulations is amazing to watch. I had very rarely seen a person skip a red signal when he is waiting to cross a road or when he is driving. The respect pedestrians get in this country is tremendous, I had seen big trucks coming to full stop just to let pedestrians cross to road even if he has a green signal to go. People here are very independent and they rely on themselves by setting strict schedules for every task at hand. When they give their time for you, it is 100% dedicated for you by clearing out rest of their tasks. This discipline is astonishing. people can be anything they want to be and work whatever they may please. Example, in India, if I see a carpenter guy working on a door, I would assume he is a carpenter all the time and he doesn't do anything else. He would be sorted into a certain social class and be given a certain level of respect and not more. In the US, the same carpenter guy could be a programming genius on a hefty scholarship plus a high paying job waiting when he graduates and yet chose to be a carpenter for one day to earn money for a concert ticket. Or the Mayor of the town could do bartending work on weekends just for fun. The janitor could be your classmate. (All true stories)Here, a job is a job and there is no such thing as low level job which is unheard of for Indians. You never know who you are talking to and all that they are capable of. Hence giving equal respect for a fellow human is established deep in their values. I have heard story of Indians treating a waiter boy bad by demanding everything in assertive tone(and not saying thank you, please, etc. which are considered polite requests). Later they came to know that the kid was the son of two professors in the university and wished had they known he was from an elite family, they might have treated him better. The point they are missing is no job is elite or degrading in the US. A job is a job. Waiter, professor, janitor, student, Mayor deserve the same respect.There aren't any class distinctions in the USA. I have seen a man wearing a suit and moving trash bags. I have witnessed high profile executives addressing the taxi driver, the Barista at coffee shop as Sir and Mam. And I know for sure that in large corporation, referring your seniors/superiors as Sir is offending. And this is shockingly divergent from a culture that I come from. This comes naturally to all Americans - they can wait in traffic lanes depending on which direction they are turning, they can wait at coffee shops till the server has finished serving the previous customer, at ticket counters, at football games . . . you name it. Despite their aggressive stances, Americans can wait like no other culture.There are two United States. There are the US of A we all know, the USA that we see in the news and the imprint the country leaves in the world’s history. That’s the West and East coast. The cities there are insane. People are techie and advanced. Cars are either European or Teslas. Society is very forward on most issues. You’ll see gay couples, people in the middle of gender transition, and so many cultures in one place your mind will get boggled. Then you go inland and detract about 200 years from the current date. Now, I am quite certain there are big cities and advanced bubbles of society inland, but most of it simply isn’t.My average day of traveling through the inland was a four-hour drive through nothing (that alone is crazy to Europeans. Four hours gets you to another country over here), then by random finding a tiny “town” in the middle of a bloody desert, or bloody mountains, or bloody wilderness. There is nothing there, nothing. Tiny, ragged, sometimes even torn down houses, three massive “Pick Ups” in front of each of them. No people in sight. No shops, no businesses, no internet. This is followed by two to three more hours of drive through nothing. What exactly do those people do? Where do they go every day, how do they make money, where do they buy food?I drove through northern states where there was snow stacked up everywhere on the sides of roads. It was really cold for me. I couldn't remove my jacket for first 2 weeks at least. On the other hand, starting from the very airport, people were roaming around in T-shirts like it was middle of summer! I could not get used to it since every day I go out, covering myself and still shivering while people all around me are half naked! It's spring for them and pretty usual, rather nice weather for them. I kept having this shock throughout my whole trip of three weeks. Even though it was very cold for me, everyone everywhere greeted me with a very warm smile and tone. This of course melted my heart every time and felt very good with this method of greetingsIn summary, here are some of my Observations:Americans are nothing like Europeans. They are not as educated or knowledgeable about the world, history and politics in general. Obesity is rampant. They can be very generous and kind hearted. Believe it or not, they're not nearly as racist as some of the other western cultures. Americans tend to dress for comfort not style. Other than a few older areas, America is not built based on a human scale. Everything is grand, distances are great, food portions are extra large and the roads are super wide. America is a multi cultural society. You will have a culture shock going from the North to South or East to West. Americans are trained to be outstanding consumers. For most Americans, America can be a harsh place to live. They live by the strap of their own boots. As long as they are healthy and have a job, they can live somewhat comfortably. But all that can be destroyed with one serious illness or a job loss. The odd thing is that this idea seems normal to them. America is truly the land of plenty. Plenty in beauty, and resources. Almost all believe in the notion of “American exceptionalism.” While the politicians feed this narrative, behind the scenes they are doing all they can to undermine it. Corruption is rampant. Corporations are now people. They have deeper pockets and are more powerful. They run the show!So far I had great experience here, US is vast with awesome free highway system. I can also feel the breeze of freedom. Friendly people. People greeting me in the street, in bars, in cafes, in airports - everywhere! The confidence and self-assuredness of people generally are wonderful! Nobody seems to doubt themselves or think twice about expressing themselves. It can be a little too much sometimes but I’m envious of it for the most part. Multiple religious places and spiritual centers everywhere including small cities. Surprised to see Indian cashiers at Wal-Mart and CostCo talking in Hindi with Indian customers. Americans don't walk. It is so strange. They drive for even short distances. Number of cars are more than number pedestrians. Even in grocery stores. Some people use some kind of electrical shopping cars. And drive-thru. Drive-thru pharmacy, drive-thru ATM! So weird! The style. ANYTHING goes. Absolutely anything at all. People, for the most part, dress casually but nobody bats an eyelid if you wear bright pink shorts and a bright yellow T-shirt with green sneakers/trainers. In larger cities, eccentricity is accepted and nobody will look at you twice - you can be whom you want to be without judgment - I loved that.Food is cheap and comes in huge portions. I once ordered a chili and tortilla dish at a simple Mexican restaurant for $6.5. It was huge - I couldn’t even finish half of it, and I am a person with a big appetite. In Israel you would pay more than this for half the amount of food at the same quality. The same goes to all restaurants I went to. Food is cheap, and comes in huge portions. Fast food restaurants are all over the place. Political satire: The late night show hosts mock, question the residents of highest offices on national television and make money. I can't imagine the same happening in India.Flags, flags, flags. Everywhere. It’s like no one in US would know which country they are living in if they didn’t put US flags on every square foot of their porch, front lawn, a cemetery, shopping malls . . . Exception to confederate flags - those folks are proving they don’t know which country they are living in. Or maybe they do. There was this one huge flag, probably almost the size of a house, in Interstate-5, with a sign, "GOD BLESS AMERICA. Support our troops!" In the South, religion is in your face and mixed up with everything. Everywhere. Only in US have I seen “Jesus is Lord” sign under “Mike’s furniture” or bible verses on store flyers. In your face and everywhere, just like the flag.Homeless people. They are everywhere. They stay in public spaces and use toilets at fast food restaurants. Too weird to me. The poverty in cities, so many homeless people with absolutely nothing and suffering from severe addiction and mental health issues. And at least in the cities I visited most of them were black. I didn’t expect that from a wealthy country and it was quite upsetting. You don’t get that scale of poverty in most of Europe.Many of these thoughts are contextual to the background that I come from and may not be shocking to a large number of people. But my background is inherent part of my being and hence the world is how I see it. Cheers.