What do you know about Alaska?
Snow and ice probably come to mind, along with its status as part of the United States and its distinction as the largest and northernmost state. Those with broader general knowledge might also mention its purchase from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. But how many of you thought it was an island? It's likely that almost none of you did, because it isn't.
However, it seems that quite a few Americans actually believe that Alaska is an island. This revelation came to light with Sabrina Abra's viral TikTok video, where she admitted her own mistaken belief and criticized her teachers for their lack of education.
Abra, a 25-year-old who grew up in Utah but now resides in Canada, claimed that Canadians receive a better education. Her video, which has amassed nearly a million views, revealed her belief that Alaska was a separate island disconnected from the North American continent until her Canadian friend corrected her. "The list of things I didn't know about Canada, the US, and geography in general is simply shocking," she exclaimed. "I was 18 when I dated a Canadian guy and he mentioned Alaska. I asked, 'Wait, can you go to Alaska?!'"
Abra explained that American classrooms often display maps showing separate boxes for Hawaii, a group of islands, and Alaska, leading her to believe that Alaska is also an island rather than American territory close to Canada. "I have so many questions about the US education system. I graduated high school with excellent grades and was a good student," Abra lamented. "The amount of things I didn't know about Canada, the United States, and geography in general is astonishing. I know what you're thinking - 'You must be stupid,' 'You just don't know geography.' But it's an American thing, it's part of the US."
@sabriena_abrre I HAVE NO WORDS - just built in embarrassment and shame #americaneducationsystemfails #americaneducationsystem #americanlivingincanada #alaskaisnotanisland #greenscreen #useducationsystemhasfailedme ♬ original sound - Sabriena Abrre
Another TikToker, Eliza Myers, also admitted to realizing that Alaska wasn't an island only later in life. Comments on their videos were flooded with similar confessions from older adults who only recently learned the truth. "I once asked why Hawaii is so hot and Alaska so cold when they are right next to each other, in front of a 10th grader," wrote one commenter. "As a teacher, I've heard this misconception from adults numerous times, so I explicitly inform my students that Alaska is not an island," added another. One viewer embarrassingly confessed, "Oh my God. I just found out that Alaska is not an island near Canada. I'm 33 years old. I'm so embarrassed."
Surprisingly, these revelations shocked surfers from other parts of the world who were unaware that this was a common misconception in the United States. "I'm confused here.
Haven't you ever seen a world map in geography class?" one person wondered. "As a European, I have so many questions.
Do you have internet there? Google Maps? Aren't you curious? Have you ever seen a globe? So many questions," another expressed.
This lack of knowledge and ignorance seems to be prevalent among many Americans. According to a study published by NBC, a staggering 63 percent of Americans born in the 80s and 90s were unaware of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
Similarly, recent events have exposed their lack of understanding regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and even their delayed realization of the motives behind Osama bin Laden's terrorist attack on the United States on 9/11. After reading bin Laden's letter to America, filled with anti-Semitic references and calls for the destruction of Israel, some Americans claimed their worldview had changed.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that students from Generation Z have less patience for reading longer and more challenging texts such as classic literature. Only 12% of them read printed materials like books or newspapers on a daily basis.
It is evident that there is a pressing need for improvement in the American education system to bridge these knowledge gaps and combat widespread ignorance.