Environmental Discrimination

Discrimination has played a huge part in the history of the United States since its discovery. Starting with the separation of Native Americans and Whites to the slavery of blacks and whites, much of what has shaped our country into what it is today has been the history of these events. One current issue of segregation in this country is called Environmental segregation. In this form of segregation, communities in the Unites States who which are usually the poorest and full of minorities have been targeted as areas in which economically hazardous facilities have been built. Up until recently this type of segregation has not been recognized a major issue. The communities that are most commonly targeted are the ones with less political power, less environmental protection, less resources, and less time and energy to organize the community members to evacuate. According to the director of the North Eastern Environmental Research Project, Daniel Fabier, situation as such are called, "selective victimization (Fabier)."Also according to Fabier, these communities are the ones with the least amount of government recognition. One example of such a community is Camden, New Jersey. Because of its various toxic facilities, Camden has been given the title of having the city with the 2nd highest cancer rate in New Jersey, and the 8th highest in the nation alone. Four out of five children in this community have been diagnosed of having problems with breathing apparatus. Camden is also the home of 103 toxic facilities. Many of the residents have complained that the city once flourishing environment now has "bad air" and "poison water." With statistics as such one cant help but wonder why these people havent left these cities years ago. Maybe many of the residents have lived in the city for many years after generation in front of them, maybe the people just dont find it easy to just pack up and leave the place they call "home." Whatever the reason, something needs to be done about this type of abuse. Government agencies need to find a rural area in America, far from any human residents, in which they can safely place these toxic death traps. With these toxic facilities causing rising sicknesses among humans, the government should even looking into a new type of facility for these toxins. Putting their death traps in areas where children and humans alone are living is an extremely cruel thought and something needs to be done about it.

Self-Assessment

Blogging has never really been a huge passion of mine. For many years now I have lived around peers who have dedicated a huge part of their lives to blogging and others who held just as little interest as me. My initial impression of blogging was that it was just a bunch of people with no lives writing their opinions about subjects that really don't even matter all too much. I never quite understood the impact that blogging can have on certain aspects of our world. Until recently, when I began to blog in Mrs. Diaz's class, my general understanding and opinion of blogging began to change. I soon, realized that blogging held a type of individuality for people to be able to express their opinions in ways that otherwise would have been criticized if said verbally. For people who are too shy or timid to display their opinions, blogging becomes somewhat of a voice for people. For me, I am not too passionate about writing so blogging might not be for me. However, since our class has been assigned to blog, I have a much higher level of respect to this internet phenomenon.
As stated before, writing is not one of my passions and probably never will be. Im more of a science and mathematic based individual so english is not one of my strong points. However, even though my writing may not be on the level of a critically acclaimed author, I sometimes feel lost in my work when I am assigned to write essays in class. When I am asked to write about a subject that I can relate well to, I feel a type of connection in my writing to where the whole world around me disappears and all my attention is on the paper in front of me. In my lifetime, i have received a few A's, many B's , and a few C's and D's when it has come to essay writing. However, even though other people may believe my writing skills aren't up to par, I am proud of everything I have ever wrote.

Convocation

This years convocation at Howard University was nothing less than a very entertaining and mind-blowing presentation. During this years speech, we had the honor of listening to world renounced surgeon Benjamin Carson. Dr. Carson has been known to perform extraordinary work with various surgery procedures and his over 60 degrees proves it all. One of his greatest accomplishments has been the successful separation of conjoined twins. Throughout the course of his speech, Dr. Carson spoke to the crowd, of over 1500 people, about the various procedures he has performed and the knowledge he gained from each experience. Hearing about how he separated two twins, conjoined at the head, was by far my favorite story that he told. It was almost like you were there with him performing the story and you couldn't help but sense a feeling of satisfaction and excitement to hear that the twins survived and are alive and kicking to this very day. I personally am not a huge fan of public specking because usually the speech becomes lengthy and boring halfway through the presentation. However, when Dr. Carson spoke, he was able to hold my complete attention the entire time. Not once did i ever have to start playing with my phone or talk to the people around me to keep be entertained. Dr. Carson, in my opinion, is a great man that can serve as the perfect role model for any African American. His accomplishments and his experiences are ones that almost anyone should strive to achieve. After being at convocation, I gained a new appreciation for a man i had never even heard of and I am most definitely going to be at the next one.


http://www.howard.edu/newsroom/releases/2010/100924convocation.htm

BMW Fallout

Because of issues with leaks that may develop in power breaking systems, the BMW company of North America has recently decided to recall nearly 200,000 of their released vehicles. Many of the vehicles that are being taken back include: 5,6, and 7 series powered by V8 and V12 engines. The German automaker of these vehicles stated that the leakage that may occur with these vehicles could possibly lead to vacuum loss and even reduction of power breaking. Lucky, no accidents or injuries have been recorded so far. In order for safety issues to be fulfilled, BMW has prepared to distribute replacement parts throughout North America and the company has also chosen to send letters through the mail to any BMW owners who may be affected by this issue. Many people have been asked to make appointments with their dealers just to be safe. With BMW's being known as some of the top of the line cars in a America, issues as such make most people wonder why this car is so highly acknowledged. When one thinks of a BMW, usually the words high-class and luxury come to mind; however, when the company has to recall a vast majority of cars it makes people worry. What other problems do these cars have that BMW has not yet discovered? Though most people may say that this is just a minor glitch and BMW is still a great car to own, one cannot help but stay aware for any future issues.