How Maps Can Lead to Racism
In class, we learned that the world map we use in school is actually very inaccurate. The map makes Africa and South America look much smaller than they actually are, and makes Europe look larger. The outdated map should probably be replaced with a Peter's Projection Map. This map is accurate in representing a 3D subject (the Earth) on a 2D surface by adjusting longitudinal lines. This more accurately shows the continents in correct proportions. We also learned that in Oceanic countries, the map is displayed upside down by American standards. This is so Australia is in the top left and therefore, the first thing that we see, rather than on the bottom right and nearly out of sight. Schick connected this to nationalism and patriotism, as we thought it was proper for America to be the first thing on the map, because in each person's eyes, their country is the best/ most important. (I'd like to add that, on a personal note, I think that the U.S. isn't really that great. ...
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