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Hello everyone,

I am Samiaya (Sa-me-uh) and I am 19 years old. I was born in Bangladesh, but I moved to Miami when I was 8 years old. The neighborhood I live in right now is very beautiful and serene. I have a really cool job as a nanny to my next-door neighbor's child.

I graduated in 2021 from Medical Academy for Science & Technology. I am currently enrolled at the Homestead campus, attempting to get my associate's in psychology. By Spring 2023, I will transfer to FIU to continue my educational program further. I want to be a research psychologist, hence I will need to earn a Ph.D. My goals and ambitions include obtaining a ph.D, being able to conduct my own research, traveling to different countries, giving back to the community, and being wealthy and successful. Success to me means being happy and proud of the position I have in life; no matter how much I make or what I do, as long as I am doing what I love and am surrounded by the people I love, I consider that success.

I am passionate about activism and change. I hate the state of the world we are in and I would like for all of us to collectively come together and change the world for the better. There are so many issues regarding poverty, race, equality, climate change, etc. and I would like to aid in improving these problems by donating. protesting, volunteering, and whatever else it takes. Other things that are important to me are my family, my beloved cat, and my beautiful friends.

My favorite food is birria tacos and traditional food from back home. I love being outdoors whether it be in a park or the beach. I am most proud of how compassionate, strong, and understanding I am; I admire that about myself. My hobbies include embroidery, meditation, dancing, and making art. I got interested in these things because these are what I found help me the most to relax and enjoy life at the moment. I see myself living literally anywhere, but America. I will probably move to a country in Europe or Asia like Spain or Turkey.

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When I was completing the SP2 assignment, I was very interested to discover all the resources we were being presented with. I initially thought that the information would be outdated and fruitless, but it is actually an incredible resource center. I also learned how to navigate through the website as I thought that would be difficult to access. Also, I had the assumption that the MDC Library learning resources would only have articles, but you can access movies, magazines, and different databases which is super helpful. I also believed that I would not use this tool outside of this class, but it provides so much information that I have used it for a variety of projects and classes. The amount of information and accessible research makes college immensely easier as everything is in one place. I also was surprised by how diverse the results are since they contain different perspectives and media to exhibit an idea or topic.

I really enjoyed the CAS1 assignment specifically because of the Story of Stuff project website. I watched many videos outside of the assignment because it was so informational and entertaining to watch and learn about. It does an amazing job at raising awareness on a plethora of issues such as waste, health, and human rights. The first video I watched was about the "Story of Stuff" which talks about the negative effects of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff reveals the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues and brings awareness to create a more sustainable world. The second video I viewed was "The Story of Cosmetics" which explores the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from shampoo to lipstick. The video demonstrates the effects it has on the environment and the health of consumers and workers. I also had no idea that the FDA does not even regulate the cosmetic industry so companies decide what goes on the shelves. I felt compelled to take action and do better on my part as a consumer. I was inspired to make changes that are both sustainable and ethical to the environment and people. I did not expect to genuinely learn something new, but it was an eye-opener to see how far I contribute to the problem as a consumer whether I realize it or not.

Another assignment I would like to discuss is CAS2. I took this assignment very personally as I got to write about my own home country Bangladesh. Reading the article, I learned that the country has revamped its emergency disaster preparedness through a multipronged process, reducing its cyclone-related deaths by 100-fold! I was so amazed and proud of this system because it is a third-world country and the people suffer in a multitude of ways; hence, it is nice to know there is being action taken that assists them immensely. Although, the problem does not end there as Bangladesh still struggles with internal displacement, economic damage, and loss of livelihood. Nevertheless, I am glad to know at least something is being done in order to reduce deaths and increase the well-being of my people.

Additionally, I learned about the cutest and cleverest way to fight climate change. Kelp is a great way to eliminate carbon. A kelp forest that grows efficiently can cancel the emissions equal to 5 million automobiles. In California, the amount of kelp in the ocean decreased due to a boom in the sea urchin population. That's because otters, which prey on sea urchins, were decimated by hunters. The number of otters in California went from 20,000 to 50. Thanks to a zoo program that releases otters back into the wild after they were fostered at the aquarium, the otter population increased to 3,000. Healthy ecosystems also support sustainable fisheries, providing livelihoods for community members. And the sea otters in Monterey have the added benefit of being very cute, which brings in tourists and their money. Everyone wins—the locals, the climate, the ecosystem. I learned so much from this article, I was both stunned and happy to know about the benefits otters bring to combat climate change. I definitely had no idea that kelp can decrease carbon and that otters can contribute as well!

In culmination, these assignments changed me to be more aware, responsible, and take action on modern issues such as fast fashion, harmful waste, and also to properly recycle. Consumption relates to me as a global citizen because like everyone else, I need and desire materialistic objects. I am always voluntarily or in most cases involuntarily feeding into the big corporations and gimmicks of marketing to buy objects and things. It is hard to avoid not falling into the exploitation of production when it is the only system that exists for consumers. That is why I, as a consumer, have to actively make smart buying choices that not only benefit me, but the workers, animals, and environment as a collective. Overall, I will be more conscious of the things I choose to buy and support and join organizations that are working to fix these issues.

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Florida's history of crime and drug culture. Recovery First Treatment Center. (2021, September 3). Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://recoveryfirst.org/florida-history-drugs-crime/

This article goes in-depth to the origin of drugs in Florida and how it came to be such a successful operation throughout the years. It also talks about the actions of law enforcement, designer drugs, and their effects of it around the community. This can help me get an understanding of how it all began and grasp the history of it in order to fully comprehend the issue at stake currently in Miami.

Grosse, R. (1990). The Economic Impact of Andean Cocaine Traffic on Florida. Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, 32(4), 137–159. https://doi.org/10.2307/166118

This study analyzes the economic impact of narcotraffic between Colombia, where most of the world's cocaine is refined, and the State of Florida, which is the primary area of entry for Andean cocaine into the United States. The purpose of the study is to analyze the economic costs and benefits of this activity to Florida, as an example that could be extended in both directions to Colombia and to the entire United States. Only the trade in cocaine is examined, though additional traffic in marijuana does take place and, in some cases, the data are not disaggregated for each drug. Only the economic impact is studied, though the trade obviously impacts the social and political realms as well.

NDIC. (2011). South Florida high-intensity drug trafficking area. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/dmas/South_Florida_DMA-2011(U).pdf

This analysis provides me with an ample amount of research, facts, and statistics on South Florida's drug trafficking issue. I can use this to gather information from different areas and sources under one study. It highlights key issues and outlooks such as widespread CPD diversion and abuse and opioid pain relievers. It also contains graphs and tables to back up its data making it reliable and credible. Additionally, it mentions the practice of money laundering which is a topic I would like to include as an effect of drug trafficking.

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A research tool that I found to be useful is the MDC Library's learning resources. It contains a plethora of resources and services from journals to databases. I am able to search for any topic of my choice and it can yield over a million results! I also really like how it has the option for advanced search results which can help me obtain specific information within seconds. Not only does it save me a ton of time, but it also narrows down all the results to only what I need. Additionally, the different types of citation provided for all articles, movies, and journals is extremely helpful. It can give me a citation in a variety of formats without me having to write it, making it super convenient. All these research tools will help me find the most useful and updated information in a short amount of time which will make it more efficient for me to work and gather all my research.

The topic I selected to research is drug trafficking in Miami. This ethnic diversity in Miami, coupled with a high population density, allows members of Colombian, Dominican, Mexican, Jamaican, and other foreign drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and criminal groups to blend easily with ordinary members of the community. Further, large portions of the state are rural and agricultural in nature which are ideal sites for the production of methamphetamine and the cultivation of cannabis. Not to mention, Miami is closely located to the borders and manages many cruise ships, which makes it much easier to transport drugs coming in and out. I chose this topic because this issue is not only about the drugs themselves; but, these crimes create gateways for other illegal activities such as sex trafficking and money laundering. The location and available connections put these crime organizations at an advantage to cause more havoc and issues that go beyond just drugs. Hence, I would like to raise awareness and research in-depth of exactly how much of the community is being affected.

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Planet A Video:

"If you think fast fashion is bad, check out SHEIN"

Reflection:

They took a dive into this fast fashion phenomenon and what it bodes for the environment. In an era of growing climate consciousness, how is this even happening? SHEIN targets mostly young women. It adds thousands of new things to its inventory every day. At any one time, it has as many as 600 000 products. With a typical price tag between $8 and $30, its stuff can be half as cheap as other fast fashion giants. "And what is different is that the explosion of young people with phones, it helped with product discovery." It reportedly made 10 billion in revenue last year, which means it's catching up fast to giants like H&M and Zara. Usually, fast fashion companies take a month to get an item from design to store. But analysts say SHEIN cuts that time to as little as a week. The only way that you get a very cheap product is by not paying workers and flouting any environmental standards. Watching this video made me realize how scary this issue is since the garment industry is not even regulated, so we have no idea how much it actually contributes to climate change. I shop at SHEIN but was not aware of the harmful impacts it could be causing to not only the workers but the environment as well. I want to make a better effort to shop more ethically and sustainably where I can enjoy a product without causing harm.

Works Cited:

Xu, Beina. "If you think fast fashion is bad, check out SHEIN". Youtube Video, 8:57. December 10, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4km0Cslcpg

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How we Could Better Predict and Stop Floods

Flooding is a natural global risk with the highest incidence of economic losses at global level. This is how the hydraulic resources engineer Virginia Smith refers to this enormous problem. This TED TALK goes tell us about the increase in flooding in small villages or urbanized cities and how this issue impacts our communities. Through the video Smith states the necessity for a dynamic change to stymie the flow of future storm waters and ensure a sustainable future despite rising tides. Since ancient civilizations, human beings have tried to solve floods, however today it is considered a global issue. Unfortunately, due to increasing urban development of coastal areas and large metropolises more and more people want to live near the ocean or rivers. This critical style of life is severely impacting landscapes and water quality. Families with low income and communities without the ability to prevent and combat the economic upheaval associated with flooding are those hurt the worst, and are hurt repetitively. Smith also explains how each one of us can shift the power of flooding, with our voices, actions and our innovations.

​​To eliminate waste, we need to rediscover thrift – Andre Dent

There's no such thing as throwing something away, says Andrew Dent -- when you toss a used food container, broken toy or old pair of socks into the trash, those things inevitably end up in ever-growing landfills. But we can get smarter about the way we make, and remake, our products. Dent shares exciting examples of thrift -- the idea of using and reusing what you need so you don't have to purchase anything new -- as well as advances in material science, like electronics made of nano-cellulose and enzymes that can help make plastic infinitely recyclable.

Reflection

These articles are innovative because they bring new creative solutions to problems that have existed for ages. It adds another way to combat issues such as flooding and eliminating waste. I learned that the way we construct buildings affects not only the land, but the people involved. Natural disasters are inevitable, but the damages can be reduced if we acted accordingly. The same can be said for eliminating waste, if we all did our part and recycled materials there wouldn’t be such a huge problem in the first place. Living in a city like Miami will really open your eyes to these issues as we constantly experience natural disasters and have a huge waste problem. A lot of the things we recycle do not even get recycled properly and end up in the landfill regardless. We need to get to the root of the issue and fix it from there because that would eradicate the problem overall. We also need to take into account for natural disasters like floods and build our homes and buildings in a way that will cause the least amount of damaged. We need to stop thinking about money and start thinking about the people. Reading these articles inspires me to raise awareness of these flood solutions and start thrifting any possible materials. It starts with one person to make a change so imagine what we can accomplish together as a community. If we all participated in being more sustainable and raising awareness, the outcome would more advantageous than we can imagine.

Works Cited:

Smith, Virginia. “How We Could Better Predict and Stop Floods.” Virginia Smith: How We Could Better Predict and Stop Floods | TED Talk, https://www.ted.com/talks/virginia_smith_how_we_could_better_predict_and_stop_floods.

Dent, Andrew. “To Eliminate Waste, We Need to Rediscover Thrift.” Andrew Dent: To Eliminate Waste, We Need to Rediscover Thrift | TED Talk, https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_dent_to_eliminate_waste_we_need_to_rediscover_thrift?referrer=playlist-reduce_reuse_recycle&autoplay=true.

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The Furriest, Cleverest, and Hands-Down Cutest Way to Fight Climate Change

Kelp is a great way to eliminate carbon. A kelp forest that grows efficiently can cancel the emissions equal to 5 million automobiles. In California, the amount of kelp in the ocean decreased due to a boom in the sea urchin population. That's because otters, which prey on sea urchins, were decimated by hunters. The number of otters in California went from 20,000 to 50. Thanks to a zoo program that releases otters back into the wild after they were fostered at the aquarium, the otter population increased to 3,000. Healthy ecosystems also support sustainable fisheries, providing livelihoods for community members. And the sea otters in Monterey have the added benefit of being very cute, which brings in tourists and their money. These kinds of knock-on benefits are why conservationists are increasingly campaigning for blue carbon-related nature-based solutions: restoring ecosystems to fight climate change. Everyone wins—the locals, the climate, the ecosystem.

How Bangladesh is beating the odds on climate disaster deaths

In 1970 Cyclone Bhola hit Bangladesh. It killed up to 500,000 people. Since then, the country has revamped its emergency disaster preparedness through a multipronged process, reducing its cyclone-related deaths by 100-fold. Now, the country collects weather data from more than 50 weather stations. The data is sent to mitigation committees which dispense the info to people through various methods: radio, text messages, and even doorknocking. The country also has a volunteer program with 76,000 volunteers and increased the number of multi-purpose shelters from 44 in 1970 to 512 in 1991. Also, while the country is managing to reduce deaths, it continues to struggle with internal displacement, economic damage, and loss of livelihood.

Reflection:

Climate change is a growing concern and it is becoming more crucial than ever to take action immediately as we cannot continue to keep destroying the only home we have. I was born in Bangladesh and am aware of how strong cyclone disasters can be. Back then, we did not have nearly as many resources as we do today. It was difficult to communicate, get help, and share news during these storms; hence, I am glad they have advanced and taken actions that help the people navigate easier during these difficult times. It is also impressive that even though Bangladesh is a third-world country, they have a multitude of resources compared to other parts of the world. The second article is beneficial to everyone involved from the otters to the environment. It is refreshing to hear about actions like this taken that helps animal populations increase and tackle climate change simultaneously. Reading these articles, I have learned that even though there is a lot wrong with the world, there is even a greater amount of people who care to change the state of it. It is uniquely portrayed through Solutions journalism by having a collection of categories that focuses on each individual issue. It is organized, thorough, and much easier to access and find information. They highlight the different subjects such as climate change and the environment and provide them with a platform to raise awareness on.

​​Works Cited:

Salzenstein, Léopold, and Rafiqul Islam Montu. “How Bangladesh Is Beating the Odds on Climate Disaster Deaths.” The New Humanitarian, 2 Dec. 2021, https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigation/2021/12/2/how-Bangladesh-is-beating-the-odds-on-climate-disaster-deaths?utm_source=Solutions%2BStory%2BTracker.

Simon, Matt. “The Furriest, Cleverest, and Hands-down Cutest Way to Fight Climate Change.” Mother Jones, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2021/11/furry-clever-cute-adorable-way-fight-climate-change-sea-otters-purple-urchins-kelp-mangrove-monterey-bay-aquarium/?utm_source=Solutions%2BStory%2BTracker.

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"The Story of Stuff" https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/

This video was about the negative effects of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff reveals the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues and brings awareness to create a more sustainable world. It explains how this system of exploitation was created and who is directly affected. Not only are these harmful actions impacting the environment, but also the people and animals that live in them. Not to mention, the employers who have to work under these toxic conditions and the consumers who blindly fall for the false advertisements. The video also stated ways we can do to help like recycling and also shared resources and communities that have started around the world in order to create an efficient and healthier system.

"The Story of Cosmetics" https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-cosmetics/

The Story of Cosmetics explores the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from shampoo to lipstick. The video demonstrates the effects it has on the environment and the health of consumers and workers. It also states ways we can shift the industry away from hazardous chemicals and towards safer alternatives. We have endless options to choose from at stores, but none of which are genuinely safe and regulated. Any company can just label the words "natural" or "organic" to simply sell a product without taking into consideration the safety of a consumer. There are no FDA regulations and we get no say either because the government and companies decide what really goes on the shelves. Since this issue, resources like websites and organizations have come out, but these will not eradicate the issue permanently. The entire system is broken and we need to stop putting harmful toxins in our products in the first place to truly get to the root of the issue.

Reflection:

Consumption relates to me as a global citizen because like everyone else, I need and desire materialistic objects. I am always voluntarily or in most cases involuntarily feeding into the big corporations and gimmicks of marketing to buy objects and things. It is hard to avoid not falling into the exploitation of production when it is the only system that exists for consumers. That is why I, as a consumer, have to actively make smart buying choices that not only benefit me, but the workers, animals, and environment as a collective. I have to be more aware of the negative impacts I am leaving just by simply feeding into a trend or impulse. The people controlling it all cannot keep getting away with these harmful patterns and as consumers, we cannot let it continue either. We make the economy what it is, so it is in our power to demand change that benefits us all, not just companies and the government.

Changes that I am inspired to make are shopping more ethically and responsibly. I already recycle, but that will not solve the issue altogether. We can do so much more before the recycling part that is sustainable and healthy for all of us collectively. I want to start supporting more businesses that use safe ingredients, pay their workers well, and actively work to manage and reduce their carbon footprint. I will also frequently shop for second-hand apparel instead of buying new items that are unnecessary and harmful to the environment. Overall, I will be more conscious of the things I choose to buy and support and join organizations that are working to fix these issues.