- This is not a inmmigration question - Why some well educated american people is very ignorant about Mexico?

Question

I READ SOME ANSWERS OF PEOPLE WHO SAY ARE FAMILY GUYS AND WITH A MASTER DEGREE, BUT THEY SAY THINGS TOTALLY WRONG ABOUT MEXICO'S HISTORY

WHY? THEY ARE WELL EDUCATED PEOPLE, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

AN EXAMPLE: A GUY WHO SAID HAVE A MASTER IN HISTORY ANSWER THAT MEXICO DIN'T CONTRIBUTE IN NOTHING TO THE HISTORY, WHEN ACTUALLY, MEXICO IS ONE OF THE COUNTRYS IN THE AMERICAN CONTINENT WITH MORE HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL CULTURE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE MIGRATION PROBLEM, IS ABOUT HISTORY

Answer 1

Wow- you have a lot of diverse opinions/answers and I'm inclined to partially agree with all of them. I'm an American myself and I'll agree with you that many "educated" people here know very little about other countries, cultures, etc.; please don't be too upset by the stereotypes and ignorance because Americans living in various parts of our own country also have similar stereotypes, misconceptions, etc. about people living in other regions of the USA as well. Without trying to sound conceited, I would say I generally have a better grasp about foreign cultures, history, international relations, etc. than most of my countrymen because I chose to be "educated" in these areas and, furthermore, have travelled to more international places than anyone else (who is an American) I personally know. I guess there are quite a few reasons why Americans are ignorant about Mexico in particular as well as other countries and even their own country. To begin with, our schools de-emphasize the importance both of history, including that of our own country, geography, and other social studies cirriculum. For example, our schools focus strongly on science, math, English, etc. and other courses which are considered, and probably rightly so, more important for competing in the American and global job markets; in addition to the fact that many Americans find history and the other related courses boring, they simply find them irrelevant to finding a job when they finish school- be it high school or college. I guess an interesting thing to consider about American society and culture is that, for better or worse, we have always emphasized looking at the future is more important than dwelling on our past (evidenced by our independence, Manifest Destiny, industrialization, etc. to keep building and -recreating our country). Another point to consider is that the USA has been, again without trying to be ethnocentric (but I am a proud American), the dominant country/culture etc. (economically, politically, etc.) in the world since the end of World War II. Whereas people living outside the US have wanted/ needed to know a little(and I can also point to the lack of understanding and stereotypes non-Americans have about Americans and the US) about the US for economic reasons, America and Americans have built up their economy and nation so strongly that they have had little reason and/or incentive to be overly concerned with the rest of the world when they have been able to find anything they want or need in their own country and even in their own neighborhood; as a result Americans have seen no reason to be overly concerned with the rest of the world especially since the common belief here is that the rest of the world is dependent on our economy (as proven by the amount of foreign aid, food exports, military support, international businesses, etc. etc. we can point to) instead of the other way around (which sure seems flawed by our huge dependence on foreign oil and, to some extent, cheap products/labor from abroad). A further thing to consider is that the United States itself, along with Canada and Mexico, is quite a large nation as compared to most others on the map. Whereas it may not be uncommon in Europe to travel 500 or a 1000 miles and see parts of say 5 different countries (not to mention the huge differences in cultures, etc.), an American living in Michigan can travel a few hundred miles to say Iowa or Missouri and still feel pretty much "right at home" by still being in the American Midwest. When making travel plans, many Americans also see no reason to leave the country because they can find pretty much any type of diverse climate/etc. they may be seeking while remaining on US soil and, furthermore, they still are able to feel closer to home than going abroad; just consider the huge differences of recreational opportunities existing in locations from Alaska to Hawaii to the Southwest to the Midwest, etc. As to the "educated" aspect of educated Americans knowing little about Mexico, I have a few more points/possible things to consider. First, consider it is nearly impossible for a citizen of one nation to know as much about the history, culture, etc. than the people who are actually living in another country/culture. Again I feel I know a bit more about foreign places than most Americans, both from my studies and my travels, but I couldn't presume to know as much as the average, un-"educated" person living in Mexico does about their own society, history and culture; you seem quite educated but I doubt you would know as much about American history and culture as the average American (and if you are actually an American or Mexican living in the US (not sure where exactly you're from) then I'd simply point out then you wouldn't know as much about, say Australia, for the sake of arguement, as the average Australian). Another thing to consider is that just because someone may be considered "educated," that does not specifically mean they are educated and well-informed on all or a variety of issues; a doctor for example would be considered well educated having gone to school for years, achieving various degrees, etc. - but that doesn't mean this same person would know anything particularly about the legal system or how to repair an automobile. I know people who are educated in one field or specialty and know little about certain other topics/issues/fields/etc. and I'm sure you probably do as well (as evidenced by your question on at least one "well educated American" knowing little about Mexico). Heck, I consider myself educated on some issues and certain fields but completely clueless and ignorant on other things. One last point to consider also is that even though someone may even be well educated (degreed, schooling, etc), that does not mean the person is any more intelligent than anyone else; I consider some of the smartest people I know to be working in factory and/or general labor positions- often because they simply didn't have the financial resources to get "educated"- and, as many Americans who work in various "professions" can tell you there are a lot of "educated" bosses, co-workers, customers, etc. who they would consider not very bright despite of their "education."

Answer 2

I am not racist, have Mexican as well as other Hispanic friends (if you want to call it Mexican or Hispanic) and will try to help you out with this question. Different areas of the U.S. teach different things about America to their students, starting at an early age. Mostly, as students in elementary school, middle school, and high school, the only thing we are taught of Mexico is that we fought the Mexicans for control of Texas, which formed its own republic and then became a state of the U.S. later. We were taught that California was considered part of Mexico and was taken without fight at the beginning of the Gold Rush. We were taught that Mexico had Native Indians as well as the United States, and that they came from the same area of Asia, but the Spanish conquest of the Americas made the Mexicans descendants of the Indians and the Spanish.
The person who made the comment that was negative about Mexico or Mexican History obviously has some issues, which may include some underlying racism or resentment of the way our policies are being handled by the current administration in Washington, D.C., and that person may not even have a Master's Degree in History. To be honest, the person making the comment should have more knowledge of the situation of the Mexican economy, social structure, and mood of the inhabitants.
I personally believe that if a person wants to better himself or herself, if they can do it, and they do it, they have accomplished more in life than others. You are not what is given to you, you are what you become on your own. That is why the United States is a country that is separate and sovereign in its power, not the backbone of Great Brittain providing raw materials, cheap labor and taxes like before. We became who we are by doing something about our situation, and encourage others to do the same through Democracy and the freedom that goes with it.

Answer 3

In the USA they teach US history, from a US perspective, so contributions to the global society from other countries take a backseat to this view. Remember that History is written by the victors, so it has very little to do with truth.

How can everyone believe that Columbus or the Vikings discovered America when there were already thriving societies living here? That's like someone from the US driving to Mexico City and saying they discovered Mexico. Just because the europeans didn't know this land was here doesn't erase the fact that it was already settled. History is not truth.

Answer 4

This is not meant to be rude, however, if you want to ask a question of one population regarding another population when those populations are constantly in a struggle to understand each other, I would advise that you use proper grammar in composing the question.
Now, the question is: Why are some well educated American people very ignorant about Mexico?
My question to you is why did you capitalize "Mexico" and not "American"? And do you mean citizens of the U.S.A. or all of the Americas? If it is the latter then that includes Mexicans.

Answer 5

Well-educated people only like to remember what they want to. Mexico has contributed much over the course of the past 400-500 years, when it became a separate "culture". Insofar as the proto-Americans are concerned, there was more significant advancements made in central-southern America then by northern Americans, most probably because of the warmer climates prevalent in the central/southern portions of America.

Answer 6

It is a result of the isolationist policies of the US. This results in education, media and culture being skewed toward US dominated events resulting in an ignorance of others. You're right, americans are still intellgent and educated people as a rule, just often not about the rest of the world. Ask the next person you see in your office what the capital of Canada is. About one in ten will know the answer.

Answer 7

Well, I have to say it. When I grew up in Canada, we were constantly shocked at the total ignorance of Americans who we would meet on vacations or on school trips. I would be constantly forced to answer questions like, "Is everybody an Esquimo in your country?" "Does the snow start right at the border, even in summer?" "Do you still have wild indian raids?" "Do you people speak English and French or English and Spanish?" "Do Canadians celebrate the 4th of July?" "Is Canada still in Europe?" "Who is the King of Canada?"

It always astounded me how absolutely ignorant Americans could be. Then I moved here to Mexico about 15 years ago, and its 10 times worse! "Are there modern bathrooms in Mexico?" "Are Mexican burritos made out of burro?" "Isn't Tequila made out of worms?" "Are there any roads or highways in Mexico?" "Who is the King of Mexico?"

Listen to me very carefully, they are NOT a "well-educated people!" They only THINK they are...........

Answer 8

They don't even teach the whole truth about the US in schools.
I guess the 2 days we spent studying mexican history in school did not teach us everything, the problem is that alot of americans don realize that. they feel that because we live in america we are automaticlly smarter and better educated than other countries. unfortunatly when it comes to politics, we are taught nearly nothing about countries not viewed as evil.

Answer 9

to tell the truth they don't teach much about mexico in american history in schools. its the same thing with haiti they might mention independence but 85% of highschool or early college students dont know that haiti helped win america's independence you learn more about the uk and russia and the middle eastern countries and africa here and there

Answer 10

Don't feel bad, I worked with a woman with a degree, born and raised in the US and she did not know that West Virginia was a state.......

My own brother who lives in DC said I should have taken the first offer on my house because people in West Virginia are poor and I will not get much for the sale of my house....DUH?????? I was shocked that he said this.... I lost all respect for him that day...

Intelligence has nothing to do with getting through college, I see it every day.

Answer 11

Mexico hasn't done much internationally in the past 500 years. Couple of border disputes, that's about it. You sent about 300 men to fight in WWII, compared to the millions upon millions of Allied soldiers.