We're heading into the last month of the century, and it is time to see what this nation has done better in its second full 100 years. Although I've only participated in the final quarter, history has been generous enough to fill in many gaps. So how has the United States been since 1899? Ups and downs.

Gender and racial equality‹The KKK and neo-nazis still exist, sexual harassment and cat calls aimed at women are still prevalent, but we've still come a long way. In the 19th century, neither woman or minorities could vote, public establishments were segregated, and nigger, spic and Chinaman were accepted labels. Nowadays, racist remarks and thinking must be made in the strict confidence of other racists, the KKK must march without masks in NYC and anyone can go after any job. Fighting racism is still a work-in-progress, but as long as we keep teaching the kids racial tolerance, all the old die hard bigots will eventually die off. Grade: B+ (it takes time).

Education‹Considering most kids were illiterate slave labor in the 19th century, things have improved. It used to be the three R's of reading, riting and 'rithmatic (they couldn't spell so well), and now kids can experience art, music, science, history and more. But while there are more opportunities, there are also serious problems. Drop out rates, kids with guns, school uniforms, systematic testing and a lack of creativity in teaching (here is a worksheet to go over what we just discussed). Smart and dumb kids lumped into regular classes, arguments over whether kids should learn subjects in English (they should) and one teacher in charge of twenty-five or more students. More kids are in school, but there's still too many reasons to ditch class and hang out with Huck by the river. Grade: C- (needs rethinking).

Capitalism‹Throughout this century, there have been monarchies, dictatorships, socialists, communists (Marxists and Leninists), terrorists and anarchists. Our capitalist democracy made them all look bad. We are the richest country in the world. We promise the opportunity with absolutely no guarantees. We have all the crazy new gadgets. We are the winners. Eventually, we will have to evolve out of capitalism into something which rewards even more people, but for this century, it was the best form of government hands down. Grade: A+ (your best work yet).

Environment‹The downside to capitalism. While we blew up a bunch of mountains in the 19th Century, there's no excuse for what we continue to do to this day. Strip mines, deforestation, acid rain, smog, light pollution, noise pollution, bursting land fills, excessive water use and sprawl. Cities are all too quick to bend the laws for corporations to move in, citizens are oblivious to the destruction their hyper-consumerism causes. Even Earth Day has past its hey day of popularity. While there are many countries creating more environmental atrocities (torching rain forests, hunting rhinos and such), the United States should lead the way in keeping this place healthy for centuries to come. Right now, we're a huge chunk of the problem. Besides, the Earth can be the most beautiful picture when allowed to create what it wants. Grade: D (really pitiful).

World Unity‹Okay, let's see. The War To End All Wars, The War To End All Wars-Part II (the sequel was even better!), The Cold War, The Korean War, The Vietnam Conflict, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo. A skirmish here, an initiative there. Even with all of our messes, our conflicts have gotten smaller as we've gotten older. WWII taught us we could take on the world, and Vietnam taught us it didn't matter if we could take on the world. We have enough nuclear weapons to commit suicide, but we realized it's nice to live. We prefer peace to conquest. And we deliberate heavily before entering our troops into problems around the world. The 20th Century was a learning experience, but the groundwork has been laid out for a much less violent 100 years to come. Grade: B (extra points for effort).

Overall (combination of technical and artistic scores)‹Television, computers, microwaves, automobiles, space shuttles and Mountain Dew. Star Wars, Citizen Kane, The Gold Rush, Pulp Fiction, Dr. Strangelove and Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill! Catch-22, Naked Lunch, Invisible Man (I'm talking Ellison here), Catcher In The Rye, Slaughterhouse Five and Generation X. Superman, Wonder Woman, Betty Boop, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Mia Hamm, Nancy Lopez, Cynthia Cooper, Jim Thorpe and everyone who has chosen to stay somewhat physically healthy. Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, the Beatles, Elvis, Frank Zappa and Nirvana. From McKinley to Clinton, love them or hate them, they got us through everything. I could go on, but you get the idea. We have progressed in amazing ways and have some impressive things to show for it. Not a bad century to be a part of the United States. I can't think of a better one. Grade: B+ (there's always room for improvement).

Chris Jungle's grading system is not sanctioned by any company, university or accredited institution.