Hello JMU Feminists! This week our newsroom was run by XoXoQueenie, princessssssssssssss, and Xoxobloggergirl! We covered a wide variety of topics including one local, one national, and two global stories.
LOCAL: JMU Shield app
James Madison University has replaced its LiveSafe app with the JMU Shield app! This app now allows students, faculty, and community members to access a variety of new safety tools from the convenience of their mobile devices. The new features include sharing locations, allowing users to send and share their locations via the app; mobile blue lights, which send your location to the police within seconds when activated; and reporting a tip, enabling people to contact non-emergency services and the police directly through the app, among other features.
One particularly amazing feature is the social escape function, which allows users to receive a fake emergency to help them leave an uncomfortable interaction. This new app is incredible and definitely worth investigating!
By: WHSV 3 and James Madison University
National: Trump and Harris supporters differ widely in their beliefs, but there are three areas where both group more or less agree
With a little over two months before the election, I decided to pick a more bipartisan piece to discuss from USnews.com by Alan Kronenberg. There are many things Democrats and Republicans disagree on, but this article highlights three areas where supporters from either side more or less agree. The following percentages are from a Pew Research Center survey of about 5,000 people.
First is military dominance. 76% of Trump supporters and 55% of Harris supporters agree that U.S. policies should keep America as a military superpower. Trump took an “America First” approach to his foreign policy during his presidency, while Harris is quoted saying America should be “steadfast in advancing our security and values abroad.”
Second is Social Security. 77% of Trump supporters and 83% of Harris supporters believe that social security should not be reduced in any way. Both Trump and Harris have spoken out about protecting and strengthening Social Security. The issue of Social Security is important for feminism considering the gender pay gap and its impact on retirement savings. Women, particularly women of color, are more likely to depend on Social Security due to lower lifetime earnings and savings. The bipartisan support for maintaining Social Security aligns with feminist goals of economic security for all, especially for vulnerable populations. Both parties supporting the protection of Social Security can be seen as a recognition of its importance to women, who are disproportionately affected by cuts to social safety nets.
Third is the separation of church and state. 55% of Trump supporters and 87% of Harris supporters believe religion should be kept separate from government policies. This separation can be linked to reproductive rights, a core issue in feminist advocacy. Feminists often argue that women’s rights, particularly the right to make decisions about one’s body, should not be restricted by religious beliefs or laws that stem from religious doctrines.
While Democrats and Republicans often disagree, the Pew Research Center survey shows they share some common ground. Both sides support keeping America strong militarily, protecting Social Security, and separating religion from government. These shared views offer a chance for more cooperation and policies that better serve all Americans.
Global: New morality Law In Afghanistan
The Taliban in Afghanistan recently passed a new morality law on August 21st. This law specifically targets women in Afghanistan stating “Women can be punished for singing or speaking outside their homes.” Women are also prohibited from interacting with non-Muslims, looking at men who they are not related to by marriage or blood, and even using public transportation alone. There are also rigid rules on men and boys about their appearance. The morality law also specifically targets the LGBTQ+ community, making it a crime subject to persecution. The law strictly forbids “non Islamic ceremonies” labeling anyone who isn’t practicing Islamic traditions “non believers”.
By: United Nations Aug 30th 2024, UN Women Aug 28th 2024
Global: 102 year old woman becomes Britain’s oldest skydiver
Just last month 102 year old Manette Baillie from Britain completed her first ever parachute jump in Suffolk, England. Manette is adventurous and fun, for her 100th birthday she went Silverstone Circuit race track and drove a Ferrari, going 130 miles per hour. Manette even still drives her own car, at 102 years old. The daredevil said “I just want other people who are getting towards 80 and 90 not to give up on anything” inspiring the older generation of today.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 