Geography King: Why isn't New Mexico growing as fast as Colorado & Arizona?

 

[VIDEO] Very interesting video which actually dropped on Memorial Day - which I hope was a joyous one for you all. It address the issue of why some places don't grow while others do.

Arizona and Colorado have enjoyed an influx of people moving in. Arizona is known for having an influx of Californians and retirees. Indeed Arizona may well have a lower standard of living vs what one may expect in California. When anyone chooses to move they may consider among other things taxes, say income taxes, sales taxes, etc.

However, one reason Kyle of Geography King discusses is the culture of New Mexico. New Mexico is said to be a minority-majority state. I could read this as white people are a minority to minority groups. Perhaps those of Latin & Indigenous American descent outnumber those of white or European descent. This is considered controversial though I do wonder what Kyle's comments look like as far as this possibility.

New Mexico I learned is of a higher elevation compared to Arizona it's western neighbor. Both are generally dry or desert terrain as a result both states have vastly different climates. Industry are both different in Arizona and New Mexico, perhaps in New Mexico you don't necessarily need a degree to get into a lucrative field and thus you can make good money in a more agricultural or industrial economy.

This is very interesting video to watch. I suppose anyone out there who made their move, what brought you to Colorado or Arizona? Also what brought you to New Mexico if you move there recently?

French 24: Louisiana Cajuns are keen to preserve their identity

 

[VIDEO] I found this video about the French heritage of Louisiana. Most of us know from history about the Louisana Purchase when the United States under POTUS Thomas Jefferson purchased what is now Lousiana and other territory west of the Mississippi River from the French Empire under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

The French Empire in America was said to have extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes. Also just think the French Canadian Province of Quebec was also at one point part of the French Empire. However as happens in history territory gets ceded due to military conflict or other considerations.

The Cajuns - perhaps you heard the term before say as far as cuisine/food - are a group of people who are originally from Canada actually. They migrated to the territory we know as Louisiana and there are Cajuns who still speak French today. A lot of places in Louisiana owe their names to the French.

Of course as happens, America is an English nation. We take for granted that English is our language and there are proposals that exist to make English our official language. Louisiana it seemed wanted to encourage their citizens to speak English and be more Americanized. One could say Cajun cultural heritage is endangered though as you see in the above video from France 24 network there are those who are trying to keep it alive.

What is whiteness and what is the opposite of it?

 This graphic I understand was originally seen on the Smithsonian Institution's website last year after the race riots that occurred around the nation after the death of George Floyd as he was being arrested by Minneapolis Police officers. This graphic attacked this rather vague concept called whiteness and there is an exhibit about this at the Smithsonian via the Nat'l Museum of African American History & Culture.

Allow me to share the tweet, someone had to have created this graphic for the Smithsonian. It turns out the source of this graphic is a former professor at Oklahoma University a woman named Judith Katz.

https://t.co/Uoow2Ygqfc

— UnWokable (@AcsAgainstCRT) October 11, 2021

Now here is the graphic in question to be shared here for posterity because who knows how long that tweet will remain up. It was posted to the Smithsonian site last year however was taken down due to outcry though many have saved this to their hard drives and it continues to circulate for various audiences online.

Click for larger version

A few things that I see here that raises my eyebrows - nuclear family, hard work, based on Christianity, scientific method, self-reliance, etc. A lot of those are seen as negative, does anything you see from the above graphic seem negative to you?

Are what you see on the above graphic just a means to attack European culture or philosophy? Is that what this odd graphic is all about?

My Block My Hood My City explorers...

[VIDEO] On this blog we posted video from Jahmal Cole's trip to Altgeld Garden. This was something he recorded in the fall last year. Today he shows us another facet of his My Block My Hood My City.

He takes teens on explorations around the city. Cole likes to say you can travel the world in Chicago as there are many different cultures who live in this city. So he takes teens to Chinatown, Greektown, Pilsen and other destinations. Basically he seeks to take teens from their neighborhoods and have them see the rest of the world.

As an aside I did show a video where the red line ventures to once it leaves the south side starting from 95th Street. Beyond this part of town there is a much larger world.

Is this something you could support?

I went to the New Regal Theater once on a field trip...

One memory I have attending elementary school was my one and only field trip to the "New" Regal Theater to catch a production of The Queen of Sheba when I was in the 7th Grade. I don't know how I missed this story of this theater from FOX Chicago back in November.

What opened as the Avalon in the late 1920s became a mainstay for years, but business waned.
The old place closed down, reopened, closed again and now is back with a new vibe with an appreciation of history.

It is today, looking toward tomorrow, with a nod toward yesteryear.

"Historically the Regal Theater represents quality and in the heart of their community. We want to offer entertainment you could find downtown Chicago, but here on the South Side as well," McCoy said.

Today you can find all sorts of acts and entertainment there.

While the competition is tough, the New Regal Theater offers something to please almost everyone, including a jazz on Wednesday series that is unbeatable.

"This place is great, and we really appreciate what they have done with it," Florence Honey said. She has returned to the New Regal Theater, a place she often came to as a little girl. Now, older, she loves it even more and plans to come back again and again.

The old Avalon Theater was renamed for the Regal Theater in the late 1980s. The original Regal Theater was located in the Bronzeville neighborhood where the Harold Washington Cultural Center now stands.