Hi everyone! Yesterday, on February 26th, 2024, candycane2013, blondedrat, and whataboutit21 facilitated a newsroom. We discussed 4 different topics that sparked very good conversation. Starting off with our local news topic, we discussed how the Rockingham County school board met with librarians to discuss book review policy. For our national news, we discussed the murder of the University of Georgia nursing student, Laken Riley, that occurred last week. For our first topic on global news, we talked about how Czech lawmakers rejected an international women’s rights treaty. For our final topic, we discussed another global issue which was the two-year mark of the War in Ukraine and its effect on Ukranian girls and women. Our topics created a lot of good discussion that we will summarize below!
Local News Discussion: Rockingham County school board meets with librarians to discuss book review policy
The Rockingham County School Board met with librarians to discuss book review policy. The board got rid of about 60 books from the high school library that showcased any sexual/explicit content. But where do you draw the line of what or what isn’t sexual/explicit?
“What we all desire is an opportunity to have a personal conversation with a parent when there is a concern. Most of us have never had a book challenged”, said librarian Tim Mumbauer.
The librarians were unaware of the raid on their library. Students were already barely checking out books, and since the removal, there has been nearly no one. The books that the board considers sexual or explicit were books that also just did not align with what they agree with. One book that was removed talked down on police and they removed it because they were smoking. Another was because it showcased same-sex relationships.
This library is not for elementary or middle schoolers, but for teenagers that are between 15-18 years of age. This is around the age where they read to learn about new things or to entertain themselves and now they are unable to do so freely because of the board’s decision.
National News Discussion: Remembering Laken Riley
A 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia, Laken Hope Riley, was found dead in a wooded area on the University of Georgia’s campus. She had disappeared after going for a jog. Her friend called the police on Thursday when she did not return. Police arrested a suspect, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra. She and Ibarra did not know each other. Laken was doing something that she did every day. She had no reason to suspect that her daily routine would go any differently. Sadly, she was targeted by what police called “a crime of opportunity”. Laken was loved by so many and taken too soon. We discussed ways which we could foster safety in and around school campuses. We listed things that one could carry on them to try and fight off potential threats or attackers, such as pepper spray or a taser. We also stressed the importance of checking in with your friends and loved ones, and even sharing your locations so someone knows where you are. While these are all things that could help young women stay safe in public, we also discussed how the conversation could be shifted to teaching perpetrators to not attack in the first place, instead of teaching victims how to not be the target of assault or how to defend themselves if they are in that situation. It is so important to stay aware of your surroundings and do what you can to stay safe. We will always remember Laken and hopefully be able to use this tragedy as a reminder to look out for each other and practice safety precautions ourselves.
Police do not believe Ibarra knew the victim and did not have a motive, according to the chief. University officials recommended that students travel in groups when possible and download the school’s safety app.
Global News Discussion 1: Czech Lawmakers Reject International Women’s Rights Treaty
Czech lawmakers reject international women’s rights treaty. As of two weeks ago, the Czech Republic senators voted 34/71 against ratifying an international treaty on women’s rights. This treaty is called the Istanbul Convention which the Council of Europe designed to protect women from violence. The Czech lawmakers and several churches argued that it goes against the traditional roles of men and women, and how women should adhere to their stereotypical gender roles. They also argued against the treaty because other countries within the Council of Europe that have ratified the convention haven’t seen a decrease in violence against women. Their House of Parliament signed the treaty. However, they haven’t ratified it, which is frustrating to many Czech women because this treaty can reduce the violence against them.
Global News Discussion 2: Two Years Since the Beginning of the War in Ukraine
For our second global story, UN Women released an article about Ukrainian women and girls and how they have been enduring two years of war in Ukraine. This past Saturday, February 24, 2024, marked the second anniversary of the start of the Russian and Ukrainian wars. Since then, Ukrainian women and girls have been one of the most vulnerable populations. 14 million people are predicted to need humanitarian assistance in 2024, 56% of which are women and girls. UN women thinks it’s extremely important for people to keep reminding each other about their safety.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 