Thursday, 25 May 2006 02:50 pm
(no subject)
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deckardcanineCongratulations to Bonny Jain, latest winner of the National Geography Bee.
This is actually the first time I can remember seeing an announcement of the NGB results. Maybe the upcoming documentary will increase its popularity, but I don't expect the same mini-flurry that Spellbound produced. Not even Alex Trebek can help it draw more viewers than the National Spelling Bee, for at least two reasons: (1) studies keep showing how appallingly ignorant Americans are of geography; and (2) with spelling, you always have a fighting chance of guessing right.
I saw a picture of the final ten contestants, complete with name plaques. Now, when you think of Asian-American overachievers, what part of Asia comes to mind first? For me, it's the East and near Southeast: China, Japan, the Koreas, Vietnam.... But among these ten contestants, six, including the winner, had names and appearances reflecting a heritage in India or a nearby country. The other four appeared to be purely Caucasian.
Do I suck for caring?
This is actually the first time I can remember seeing an announcement of the NGB results. Maybe the upcoming documentary will increase its popularity, but I don't expect the same mini-flurry that Spellbound produced. Not even Alex Trebek can help it draw more viewers than the National Spelling Bee, for at least two reasons: (1) studies keep showing how appallingly ignorant Americans are of geography; and (2) with spelling, you always have a fighting chance of guessing right.
I saw a picture of the final ten contestants, complete with name plaques. Now, when you think of Asian-American overachievers, what part of Asia comes to mind first? For me, it's the East and near Southeast: China, Japan, the Koreas, Vietnam.... But among these ten contestants, six, including the winner, had names and appearances reflecting a heritage in India or a nearby country. The other four appeared to be purely Caucasian.
Do I suck for caring?