There have been many instances where I have been in elevators with visibly able-bodied individuals who take the elevator up or down just a floor or two. In almost every single one of those instances, I’ve witnessed other people in the elevator roll their eyes or make comments to their friends about the individual after they vacate the elevator. I’ve heard “That’s annoying,” “Just take the stairs,” “All that for one floor?”, among others. Such comments are not only unnecessary and frankly rude, but they also fail to consider personal circumstances including what are referred to as “invisible disabilities.”
If I asked you to imagine a disabled person, you would most likely envision a person in a wheelchair or using another mobility device, or someone with a physical feature that visibly signals a disability. However, some estimates find that over 90% of disabled adults have invisible disabilities, defined as conditions that cannot be quickly observed through visual evidence (Kessler et al). There are countless conditions that fall into this definition, including (but not limited to) chronic pain or fatigue, autoimmune disorders, some mental illnesses or conditions, and even severe allergies. It is critical that we broaden our collective understanding of disability to encompass such conditions and do our part to increase accessibility for these individuals.
Excluding invisible disabilities from our conceptions of disability creates additional barriers for the individuals living with them. For example, it can be particularly challenging for those with invisible disabilities to acquire the accommodations they need. When someone doesn’t “look” disabled, there is often a burden of proof placed on them that requires them to divulge personal (and potentially humiliating or traumatic) medical information to prove they really are disabled to get the accommodations they may need in the workplace or classroom (Davis, 154). This provides a significant incentive for the invisibly disabled to not “out” themselves and be seen as someone who is disabled, but to instead forgo the accommodation they are rightfully entitled to (Davis, 206).
Increasing accessibility for the invisibly disabled hinges critically on shifting our societal conception of disability to include them. To foster this on an individual level, the best thing the non-disabled can do is talk to, read about, and listen to the stories of individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities. And if you are an individual with an invisible disability, sharing your story might help mitigate damaging stereotypes and discrimination. A 2023 study found that after participants listened to narrative stories told by people with invisible disabilities about their experiences, they developed more nuanced and open-minded understandings of disability and relied less on visual cues to signal that someone might be disabled (Kessler et al).
So, next time you are in an elevator with someone who looks like they could take the stairs to their destination, I urge you to think twice before casting (and voicing) judgment. Or the next time you see someone with a person-first parking pass, priority boarding on mass transit, or classroom accommodations, remember, just because someone doesn’t “look” disabled to an outsider doesn’t mean they aren’t. I think we can all agree life is hard enough as it is, and no one should feel shamed for using the accommodations they need.
From October 7th, 2023 to the time of writing this blog post, April 19th, 2024, there have been at least 34,012 Palestinians killed in Gaza as well as 76,833 Palestinians injured, according to reports from the Ministry of Health in Gaza (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2024). Of those killed, it is estimated 70% were women or children (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, 2024). In October 2023, of the 1.1 million Palestinians who were forced to flee northern Gaza due to Israel’s evacuation order, it is estimated that there were 50,000 pregnant women (United Nations Population Fund, 2023). Due to stress and shock, many of these women were miscarrying pregnancies. There was no safe place for women to give birth either, as the availability of medical facilities and supplies was drastically decreasing.
More than 6 months later, the conditions in Gaza have only worsened. Israel’s ongoing blockade has produced an extreme lack of essential medicines, medical supplies, access to safe delivery services for pregnant women, and access to food and water. Health care workers in Gaza report a 300% increase in miscarriage rate among pregnant women as they are forced to give birth in dangerous and inhumane conditions. It is incredibly difficult for pregnant women to carry healthy pregnancies and they are at a much higher risk of infection and death, after giving birth or having c-sections. Lack of food and nutrition has resulted in poor health and poor fetal and newborn health as well (Cheung et al., 2024).
Walaa, a displaced Palestinian woman, holds her newborn in a UNRWA warehouse in Rafah, southern Gaza. [Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post]
In January, 2024, Executive director of Palestinian Family Planning & Protection Association, Ammal Awadallah, detailed the horrific conditions for Palestinian women. Due to the overcrowded facilities and extremely limited resources, pregnant women are at severe risk of giving birth in cars, tents, and shelters. Many pregnant women make the journey on foot to get to hospitals and health centers to give birth but are turned away because centers lack capacity. Only women who are fully dilated are admitted into health centers but are dismissed within a few hours after giving birth. The risk of maternal mortality is high due to c-sections and births being performed without any clean or basic medical supplies or anesthesia, increasing risk of hemorrhaging and infections. The risk for infant mortality is high as well, with many newborns “dying from a lack of sterile environment and specialized staff”, says Nour Beydoun, CARE’s regional advisor on protection and gender in emergencies (Cheung et al., 2024).
Hundreds of displaced Palestinians have erected makeshift shelters out of wooden two-by-fours and nylon tarps in Rafah city, near the border with Egypt. [Grayscale Media /CARE]
For menstruating women and girls who are already dealing with constant bombs raining from the skies, forced starvation, sickness, and fear, they are also unable to meet the basic need of managing their menstrual hygiene in a safe and sanitary way. With almost no access to functioning toilets, running water, and a severe lack of feminine hygiene products, women and girls are forced to deal with their menstrual cycle in humiliating and unsafe ways. Displaced women and girls in Rafah have resorted to cutting out scraps of tents as a substitute for menstrual pads, using them without access to a private space, and often forced to use these substitutes for much longer than is safe, posing serious health risks. Without water to wash themselves or stay clean, often weeks go by until these women and girls can shower again (ActionAid, 2024).
In overcrowded shelters, there are severe shortages of clean water, sanitation, and basic medical supplies and services. Children and infants are dying from easily preventable and treatable illnesses, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and malnourishment. According to the World Health Organization, about 30% of the roughly 346,000 cases of diarrhea that have been recorded since mid-October consist of children under 5 years of age. Based on figures by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF stresses the need to increase medical evacuations for children, warning that “every ten minutes, one child is killed or injured in Gaza,” (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2024). Since October 7th, more than 12,000 children have been injured in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. This averages about 70 children injured per day. However, the real toll is believed to be much higher since injuries are rarely disaggregated by age (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2024).
A woman holds her three-year-old son, Ekrem Salih Abu Shemale, who died after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, Gaza on October 26, 2023 [Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images]
In April of 2024, UNICEF Communication Specialist, Tess Ingram, shared her experience after spending two weeks in Gaza. Ingram describes how this war has had a disproportionate impact on children, due to how many tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and how “every second person in Gaza is a child” (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2024). She recounts the devastating stories of children being horrifically injured from bomb blasts and shootings: A 14-year-old boy being strip-searched, left naked, and questioned for hours before being shot at with his father, who was killed. He now requires major reconstructive surgery to his internal and external pelvis. A 9-year-old girl sustained serious open wounds as a result of a blast. A 16-year-old orphaned girl, recovering from a broken leg. A 13-year-old boy who is recovering three months after he suffered an arm amputation without anesthesia. And a 10-year-old boy who was shot in the head while buying herbs. He stayed in intensive care and died the next day (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2024).
Children stand amid the rubble of a building hit by an Israeli air strike in the center of the Gaza Strip. [AFP/Getty Images]
After October 7th, the mental health of both Palestinian children in Gaza deteriorated dramatically. Children have seen, heard, and experienced everything- the bombs, bullets, disease, and hunger. According to Dr. Samah Jabr, chair of the Palestinian ministry of health’s mental health unit, the horrors experienced by Palestinians does not easily translate into the clinical definition or treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Jabr explains that with PTSD, one goes home after experiencing trauma but their mind is stuck in a loop of the traumatic experience. However, “in Palestine, the loop is reality. The threat is still there … We see this more as ‘chronic’ traumatic stress disorder” (The Guardian, 2024). In her work, Jabr prioritizes Sumud, an Arabic word akin to steadfastness or resilience, important values that are shared among Palestinians. She shares how the resilience of the Palestinian people never ceases to amaze her, but “Giving people who lost their humanity, people were reduced to nothing, giving them their dignity back … Psychologists can’t do that alone. We need responses at state and international level. We need the rest of the world to stand with us” (The Guardian, 2024).
In high schools across the country, an inclusive environment is important for the development and well-being of all students. Among the diverse student population, transgender students often face unique challenges due to discrimination and a lack of understanding of transgender issues. Therefore, it is important for high schools to implement measures to protect and support transgender students. Through these measures, high schools should ensure that transgender students feel safe and respected within their school.
I believe that creating an accepting culture within high schools is fundamental for protecting transgender students. Through practices of training programs for faculty, staff, and students, high schools have the ability to create an understanding of transgender issues. Educators are crucial in establishing inclusivity by incorporating LGBTQ+ perspectives into the curriculum and in classroom discussions. By creating an environment where differences are celebrated rather than stigmatized, schools can effectively support transgender students.
Additionally, I believe that implementing clear anti-discrimination policies is essential when protecting transgender students from harassment, bullying, and mistreatment. These policies should prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression. There should be thorough and descriptive procedures for addressing incidents of discrimination effectively.
Additionally, schools should have support systems, such as LGBTQ+ student clubs or support groups, where other LGBTQ+ students would have the ability to share similar perspectives.
Safety is also an alarming concern for transgender students, particularly in spaces such as restrooms and locker rooms. When addressing this, schools should install gender-neutral bathrooms as an option, ensuring all students have access to safe and private spaces. By prioritizing safety, schools can create an environment where transgender students can focus on their education without fear. Furthermore, providing access to support services is necessary for addressing the challenges faced by transgender students. This includes mental health counseling and resources for navigating social transition processes.
In conclusion, protecting transgender students in high schools requires addressing issues within high schools as well as individual needs. By creating a culture of acceptance, I believe that schools can create an environment where transgender students feel valued and are able to thrive.
A major hub for human trafficking has emerged on Long Island. New York City, which is a 40-minute drive from Hofstra University’s campus, ranks in the top 20 American cities with the highest rate of human trafficking, according to the US Department of Justice, demonstrating the seriousness of the issue there. This is due to its vast population, high percentage of poverty, and sizable immigrant community. An estimated 14,500–17,500 people are transported into the United States illegally annually, according to estimates from the Department of State in 2004. 20 years have passed and the Department of State hasn’t given an updated annual number, but researchers anticipate these numbers have drastically increased. On top of that, the enormous number of persons who are trafficked into US borders is not taken into consideration by these estimates. Traffickers can more easily take advantage of their victims because of New York State’s extensive public transportation network.
The issue of sex trafficking has always been an area of study I wanted to research before I even became a university student. Being a Long Island resident, I’ve always believed that because we live in the suburbs, there wouldn’t be any sex trafficking here. However, I was able to delve more into the problem of sex trafficking and its presence on Long Island when I partnered with a community organization after being named a CCE fellow in my last year of college. Many individuals mistakenly believe that prostitution and sex work are synonymous with each other, yet they are not. Sex workers, however, may become the targets of sex trafficking. Some prostitutes on Long Island are voluntarily selling themselves to support their opiate addictions or for financial freedom. However, some women are coerced into working in the sex industry by employers, partners, husbands, relatives, or total strangers. Typically, women who are viewed as vulnerable are the targets of human trafficking.
The story below was told by the victim themselves to a local news station.
Jasmine Krokowsky was 17 years old when she was trafficked by a mutual friend of hers who lured her to his house with the prospect of “hanging out & doing cocaine” with them. This occurred in Westbury, NY, where many of us attend neighboring schools or visit its vast shopping centers. When Jasmine arrived at her trafficker’s house, she was met with 6 men who forced her to have sexual intercourse with them and if she didn’t comply, she would be killed. He trapped her inside his Westbury residence and was repeatedly raped by the resident’s step-father and sold to low-income workers and relatives in New York City. She was constantly drugged so she wouldn’t be able to stop any of the assaults from occurring or run away. It would take Jasmine months to even be freed from the world of sex trafficking. Jasmine, like many women, was forced into the world of sex trafficking by being bribed with false promises. She was able to escape her tormentor after he was arrested on unrelated charges. She is one of the few women who have been able to escape the cycle of sex trafficking and be alive to tell the story today. The majority of victims are never identified or even labeled as missing, which makes it easier for traffickers to sell their victims all across the United States.
It is important to be aware of the human trafficking happening in your own backyard. The issue of sex trafficking on Long Island is continuing to grow with fewer arrests of traffickers each year and fewer victims getting the help they need. Just this past week, Newsday organized a live panel discussion of this issue on their website after one of Newsday’s reporters did an inside investigation on sex trafficking on Long Island. To help these victims, the first thing the general public can do is watch videos and read documents that can educate them on this worldwide and local issue and what they can do to help.
Most people are familiar with the concept of climate change and its implications for our planet’s future. However, the issue of environmental racism often remains overlooked or misunderstood. Coined by the civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin F. Chavie, the phrase environmental racism is defined as the deliberate placing of polluting and waste facilities in communities that are primarily inhabited by African Americans, Latines, Indigenous People, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, migrant farmworkers, and individuals with low-incomes. The reason why environmental racism exists is because of historical and ongoing policies and practices that prioritize the health, prosperity, and consumer options of white communities while neglecting those of non-white and low-income communities.
Numerous studies indicate that non-Hispanic white individuals experience the lowest levels of air pollution exposure in comparison to Hispanic and Black Americans. Additionally, data reveals that more than half of the residents living in proximity to toxic waste facilities are communities of color. Research also demonstrates that these communities are disproportionately subjected to emissions, hazardous dust, ash, soot, and other pollutants emanating from such perilous facilities situated within their neighborhoods. Consequently, they encounter heightened health risks, including cancer and respiratory ailments.
In the Harrisburg/Manchester neighborhood of Houston, a staggering 98% of the population is Hispanic. This area is densely populated with oil refineries, chemical plants, sewage treatment facilities, and hazardous waste sites. Collectively, these sites emit a staggering amount of up to 484,000 pounds of toxic chemicals each year. The situation has become so dire that even the local elementary school had to close its doors and relocate due to alarmingly high levels of lead detected in children.
Dakota Access Pipeline
In 2016, construction began on a 1,200-mile crude oil pipeline project. Originally, Energy Transfer Partners proposed routing the pipeline north of Bismarck, North Dakota, a predominantly white community. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rejected this path due to concerns about potential threats to the water supply of the state capital. Instead, the Army Corps approved the pipeline to cross under the primary water source of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, disregarding their objections regarding the desecration of tribal sites and the risk of water contamination in case of an oil spill. The tribe’s protests and legal battles against the pipeline lasted for a year, garnering widespread international attention.
These are just a few examples illustrating the pervasive nature of environmental racism. In Louisiana, an area known as Cancer Alley is home to numerous petrochemical plants and refineries, disproportionately impacting the health of predominantly African American communities living nearby. The crisis in Flint and Benton Harbor, Michigan, highlight how marginalized communities, particularly people of color, have been subjected to unsafe drinking water due to government neglect and indifference. Similarly, in Centreville, Illinois, residents face significant pollution from nearby industrial facilities, leading to adverse health effects and diminished quality of life. These instances show the urgent need to address environmental injustice and ensure equitable access to clean air, water, and land for all communities, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.
When I took US history in high school, the phrase “child labor” often generated discussions about factories in the 20th century, where young children worked in dangerous conditions for little pay, trying to support their families. It was a phrase that was associated with lessons from the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and his sweeping reforms during the New Deal that established a minimum wage, created job opportunities for millions, and banned child labor. But this was a simplified version of the reality of child labor restrictions that were passed, and unfortunately, child labor in the US still exists today.
In 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) reported 955 cases of child labor violations affecting 5,792 minors, 502 of whom were employed in violation of hazardous occupation (U.S Department of Labor). These numbers only reflect the instances that were found and reported by the wage and hour division of the Department of Labor, but the true number of violations could be significantly higher given the near-record low number of federal investigators tasked with enforcing child labor laws. Violations are abundant in fast-food franchises such as McDonalds, Sonic, and Chick-fil-A. Minors in the industry are tasked with filling the gaps left by adults such as working illegal schedules that run late and are long hours, and operating dangerous kitchen equipment (The Washington Post). In slaughterhouses and meat-packing plants, young teens have been brutally injured and even killed while cleaning meat processing machines, despite federal law prohibiting companies from assigning minors to clean them because of the danger.
Particularly vulnerable to exploitation are unaccompanied migrant youth, many of whom are eligible for asylum protection but are stuck in the limbo of the legal system. The broken U.S. immigration system leaves many of them ineligible for work permits and with no access to social safety net programs, leaving them especially vulnerable to employers (Economic Policy Institute). In Alabama, numerous Hyundai-Kia factories were under investigation by the Department of Labor in 2022 for hiring minors as young at 14, many from Guatemalan migrant families. In February 2023, the DOL investigated a food sanitation contractor called Packers Sanitation Services and found that they illegally employed more than 100 children aged 13 to 17 in hazardous jobs at meatpacking facilities across 8 states.
Despite federal law prohibiting anyone under 18 from roofing due to the danger involved, there has been a rise in child roofers because of the availability of under-the-table pay. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “children working on construction sites are six times as likely to be killed as minors doing other work” (New York Times). A 16-year-old in Arkansas fell off a roof, shattering his back. A 15-year-old slipped from a roof in Florida onto a vat of tar, and another in South Carolina fell nearly 30 feet from a roof and went into a coma.
Despite the increasing rates of child labor, especially migrant child labor, some states have unveiled efforts to rollback restrictions on youth employment. Between 2021 and 2023, ten states introduced or passed laws lessening the restrictions on child labor. Iowa’s proposed bill included “lifting restrictions on hazardous work to allow children as young as 14 to work in meat coolers and industrial laundries, teens as young as 15 to work on assembly lines, and 16- and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol” (Economic Policy Institute). Some states have extended the hours that 14 and 15-year-olds can work while others removed requirements to provide proof of age or work permissions, facilitating the exploitation of migrant youth.
Both the US immigration system’s flaws and the limited capacity of the Department of Labor to investigate violations exacerbate the issue of child labor in the US. Funding towards reforming the immigration process and boosting the capacity of the Department of Labor would do much to help alleviate the issue and save youth from terrible injuries, and even death, on the job in addition to other benefits related to asylum seekers and the workforce. While child labor is not just a thing of the past, there are clearly steps that can be taken to dramatically reduce it if given the attention it deserves.
In today’s world, inclusivity and accessibility are key pillars of a thriving educational environment. Hofstra University, located in Hempstead, New York, stands at the forefront of providing comprehensive disability services to ensure that all students have equal access to education and campus life. With a commitment to diversity and equity, Hofstra’s Disability Services office plays a crucial role in supporting students with disabilities throughout their academic journey. The accessibility at Hofstra is one of the key reasons why I chose to start my college journey at Hofstra! I am a senior double majoring in Writing Studies and Criminology. I have been a wheelchair user since the age of five and looking for colleges was a scary concept. Luckily the services provided by Hofstra eased all my nerves.
Hofstra University’s Disability Services office provides a variety of support services aimed to the different requirements of students with disabilities. From academic accommodations to assistive technology and advocacy, the office works to establish an inclusive environment in which all students may succeed. The team collaborates closely with students, instructors, and staff to ensure that adjustments are made in a timely and effective manner.
Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations are one of the primary services provided by Disability Services. These accommodations are intended to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to course materials, tests, and other academic activities. Academic accommodations include extra exam time, note-taking assistance, and access to alternate textbook formats. During my time at Hofstra, I have benefited from a lot of the academic accommodations in order to focus solely on turning in my best work for my classes.
Another valuable resource offered by Disability Services is assistive technology. This includes software, devices, and tools that can help students with disabilities overcome barriers in their academic work. From screen readers to speech-to-text software, assistive technology can greatly enhance the learning experience for students with disabilities.
Accessibility Advocacy
In addition to providing direct support services, Disability Services at Hofstra University also advocates for accessibility and inclusivity across campus. The office works closely with university administrators and faculty to ensure that campus facilities, programs, and services are accessible to all students. By raising awareness and promoting best practices, Disability Services helps create a more inclusive campus community for everyone. I am happy that I got to participate in every event I’ve wanted to be a part of. From being in a sorority to enjoying fall fest with my friends, Hofstra has ensured that my accessibility needs are met. One thing I will note is that Hofstra does need to actively check all of the automatic push buttons are working for the buildings on campus. There are some that never work.
Beyond academic support, Disability Services at Hofstra University also focuses on building a strong support network for students with disabilities. The office organizes various events, workshops, and support groups to help students connect with each other and share their experiences. This sense of community is invaluable in helping students navigate the challenges of college life. Growing up, I felt frustrated at the fact that I couldn’t really talk to anyone who understands exactly what I go through. It is beyond helpful that Hofstra provides me with a safe space to connect with other students with disabilities.
Looking Towards the Future
As we move towards a more inclusive society, the role of disability services in higher education becomes increasingly important. Hofstra University’s commitment to providing comprehensive support services to students with disabilities sets a positive example for other institutions to follow. By embracing inclusivity and accessibility, we can create a more equitable educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
In 2014, a civil war broke out in Yemen between the Houthi Insurgents (Shiite rebels with links to Iran) and the Sunni government. This insurgent group took control of Yemen’s capital and its largest city, Sanaa, demanding a new government and lower fuel prices. The government and the Houthi insurgents held negotiations to stop the conflict, however, the negotiations fell through and the Houthis seized the presidential palace in January 2015. A couple of months later, “a coalition of Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia launched a campaign of economic isolation and air strikes against the Houthi insurgents, with U.S. logistical and intelligence support” (Center for Preventative Action, 2024). Eventually, a regional proxy issue arose from this conflict reinforcing the divide between the Sunni and Shia. In June 2015, a naval blockade was implemented by Saudi Arabia to hinder the Houthis ability to receive supplies from Iran. In response to Saudi Arabia, Iran implemented its own naval convoy, escalating the tension between the two countries.
Since 2015, the war has caused immense civilian casualties. According to the UN, “60 percent of the estimated 377,000 deaths in Yemen between 2015 and the beginning of 2022 were the result of indirect causes like food insecurity and lack of accessible health services” (Center for Preventative Action, 2024). In the middle of this conflict are children, a significant portion of Yemen’s population. Child malnutrition in Yemen is one of the highest in the world. Food supply chains and agricultural activities have been heavily interfered with due to the conflict and civilians, including children, lack basic necessities to survive (such as medical and food supplies) (WHO-Yemen). According to UNICEF, 13 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance while another report from the UN estimates that “there are currently 2.2 million acutely malnourished Yemeni children under 5 years old that require medical attention” (The Borgen Project).
In Yemen, there is a lack of clean water, which makes children more susceptible to water-borne diseases such as cholera. According to a 2021 report conducted by the World Health Organization, there have been more than 2.5 million cases of cholera in Yemen from 2016 to 2021. This resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths. Furthermore, children in Yemen are missing their routine vaccinations due to the conflict, making children susceptible to preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and cholera. Another big disadvantage that children in Yemen face is a lack of education. The war has deprived children of education necessary for them to live in society and receive employment in the future. During the pandemic, the education of Yemeni children further plummeted, making it difficult for children to attain vital education. There are also some children who are simply growing up without any level of education at all (The Borgen Project).
In July 2023, there were peace talks conducted between state actors and other stakeholders in this conflict. It was somewhat effective as this caused the violence to subside momentarily. However, as a direct result of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East, the Houthis began pursuing strikes until the Gaza Strip was provided aid, reigniting the violence (Center for Preventative Action, 2024).
Overall, the road to recovery for Yemen will be a long and complicated process in the future. It will take a lot of money and assistance to provide civilians, including children, the resources they need such as clean water, food, health services, and education. Additionally, Yemen will need a strong government that can deal with the current crisis at hand. From this synopsis of this conflict, what would you suggest to help civilians be civically engaged in a new government after years of tumultuous violence and poverty?
What does your relationship with your garbage look like? Do you put your trash out on the sidewalk or toss it in a dumpster twice a week and wait for it to disappear, seemingly by magic? This is the kind of relationship most people have with their waste, one that ends when it gets picked up. But have you ever wondered about what happens after that and what kind of consequences come from the inordinate amount of waste we produce?
At the end of 2024, the Brookhaven Landfill, one of the few remaining local landfills on Long Island, is expected to close. This landfill currently accepts 1.2 million tons of waste materials per year, including construction and demolition waste, waste from scrap yards, and ash from municipal solid waste incinerated by combustion facilities located in Hempstead and Huntington. When this landfill closes, “tens of millions of pounds of construction and demolition debris generated by Long Islanders will have virtually nowhere to go” locally, yet the current state of trucks, rail, transfer stations, and waste plants do not have the capacity to transfer the waste off the island (“Winters Bros. The State of Waste”).
Transporting the 1.2 million tons of waste off of the island to other landfills would require the capacity of 60,000 trucks traveling via congested and aging roads. This would not only result in more vehicles on the roads but also cause an increase in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and stress on the infrastructure. Proposed solutions to tackle the waste issue on Long Island have included upgrading the rail transportation system to carry waste off of the island, reducing consumption, developing Long Island’s waste infrastructure, enhancing recycling, and creating markets for recycled materials (“Winters Bros. The State of Waste”).
One alternative that has been in the works is establishing new waste transfer facilities in areas including Medford, Yaphank, Brentwood and Kings Park by which to transport waste off of Long Island via rail. These projects, however, have faced pushback from disadvantaged communities who live near these sites, many of whom have been historically impacted by inequitable waste management practices. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, “more than half of New York state’s waste stream is managed in facilities located in disadvantaged communities”, and many have claimed that upticks in health issues have been caused by these waste facilities (Allen, J.D.).
A Newsday investigation in October of 2023 found that officials at the Covanta Hempstead incinerator disposed of ash at the Brookhaven landfill that they “couldn’t be certain was nonhazardous” for an entire decade, causing many residents to call for the landfill’s immediate closure (LaRocco, Paul). Now, there are at least three lawsuits with more than two dozen plaintiffs alleging that they, or members of their family, have been exposed to toxic odors or chemicals from the landfill.
A proposal to develop a Brookhaven Rail Terminal site (which did not undergo a full environmental review) has also been met with opposition by both the Brookhaven and state NAACP. The NAACP challenged legislation in Spring of 2023 related to the development on the grounds that it would “disproportionately impact the health and environment of nearby communities of color in North Bellport” (Allen, J.D.). Both groups were also worried that the town would proceed through the planning process with no public hearings or opportunities for community input.
Of course there is a need to establish alternative methods of waste disposal ahead of the closure of the Brookhaven landfill. But there is also a need to address environmental justice as well and allow community members to participate in public decisions that could impact their environment and community. Many residents do not have the ability to forget about garbage when they place it on their sidewalk or toss it into a dumpster, but must live near potentially hazardous landfills and bear the brunt of New York State’s waste management processes.
Historically disadvantaged communities have long been negatively impacted by waste management practices in New York state and deserve to be involved in conversations around new practices especially in light of proposed waste transfer facilities and alternate waste management solutions. Focusing on additional ways to limit the crisis including creating legislation that provides a market for recyclables, educating communities on how to be more sustainable and consume less, and promoting the importance of recycling and composting can also help to alleviate issues caused by the huge amount of waste that will need to be transported off of Long Island in the near future. There must be a holistic approach taken to address Long Island’s waste management crisis and it must be developed taking into account voices in the community.
Within the healthcare industry, robust laws protect transgender people from discrimination. However, there is an urgency for the implementation of greater legal tools that would be able to affirm the proper care transgender individuals want and need.
Transgender individuals are at a high risk of experiencing mental and physical health problems. Transgender individuals who experience these problems are unfortunately marginalized within the American healthcare industry. The intersectionality of individual barriers, cultural incompetency from healthcare providers, and structural disparities limit transgender individuals from receiving proper health care.
I believe that it is important to continue the conversation surrounding the disparities transgender individuals experience within the healthcare industry. This conversation is necessary in order to highlight the potential modifications within the healthcare industry that would enable transgender individuals to receive proper health care. Furthermore, it is extremely important to continue this conversation in order to promote critical thinking about this topic among individuals.
What are some issues? How can they be changed?
Firstly, transgender individuals often face difficulties in finding healthcare providers that are knowledgeable and sensitive to transgender-specific health issues. It is necessary for healthcare providers of transgender individuals to be knowledgeable about specific health issues such as trauma, concerns related to hormone replacement therapy, and gender-confirming surgeries. When transgender individuals do not have access to knowledgeable healthcare providers, they are less likely to utilize healthcare services in general. This causes an even greater risk to transgender individuals in experiencing further health-related implications.
Transgender individuals have expressed the belief that improving relationships with health care providers would allow them to receive the proper healthcare that they need. It is crucial for educational institutions to incorporate this topic into their curriculums in order to promote knowledge among healthcare providers. As knowledge among healthcare providers increases, the accessibility and comprehensiveness of healthcare services for transgender individuals will increase.
Furthermore, it is important that healthcare providers are aware that transgender individuals, as well as individuals with diverse gender identities, are participating in services that have been “gendered” for many years. Transgender individuals have experienced instances within the healthcare industry where gendered terms and practices were incorrectly mentioned or used.
Moreover, transgender patients have expressed that they have faced difficulties when undergoing physical examinations. There are numerous suggestions for changes within the industry that would aid transgender patients in feeling more comfortable during these physical examinations.
I have listed some of the suggestions below.
1. Healthcare providers should express in detail an explanation of the importance and occurrence of the given physical examination.
2. Patients should be provided with adequate gowns and drapes throughout physical examinations.
3. Patients should have the option to sit in private rooms instead of sitting in the common waiting room.
It is important that all of these modifications are offered to patients in a considerate way in order to protect individuals from potentially having their identity exposed in a way that was unwarranted.
Overall, I believe that using these tools would enable transgender individuals in receiving and seeking the proper health care that they deserve. Each and every individual is deserving of the proper healthcare and should not have limitations, especially based on their gender identity, while receiving it.
Hofstra's Center For Civic Engagement 