Calling All Activists!!!

By Olivia Acquadro

Linked below are resources and clubs offered at James Madison University that pertain to social justice, and gender and racial equity for any students who may be interested in activism.

Local opportunities to get involved include:

Student Government Association: the student government association advocates for student opinion while fostering a proactive and inclusive environment. “The Fall and Spring Minor elections allow JMU students to run for Class Council or Senator positions, whether for a college or for a residential area. The Spring Major elections elect the Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, Executive Treasurer and the Student Representative to the Board of Visitors” (JMU Website: Join SGA).There is also an annual surveying event called Madison speaks, as well as a podcast that discusses inclusion.

Office: Madison Union 331. Hours: 10AM-5PM. Monday-Thursday.

Virtual Senate: Streamed on Facebook Live Tuesdays at 6:15 PM.

Leadership Team Meeting: Meetings held via Zoom Thursdays at 6:15PM. Open to the public.

Email: sga@jmu.edu

Campus Climate Survey: This survey was to gain perspective about the environment at JMU as to whether it nurtures open, fair, and equal access for all students- the climate assessment constructed a safe outlet for students to use their voices to give honest feedback so that JMU can make positive and lasting changes that promote inclusivity. As a student this is a vital opportunity to exercise activism that benefits the greater good, to speak up about experiences and perspectives that are important to you because your feelings, and your experiences matter!

Accessibility to an array of courses: Looking through the course catalog you'll find that JMU offers several courses majors and minors that specialize in gender, social justice, and racial equity - for example minors offered at JMU include Women’s gender and Sexuality studies, AAAD, Disability studies minor, Justice studies, criminal justice minor, ethics, global religion and global issues, family studies, Humanitarian affairs, Non-profit studies, sociology, youth justice and psychology which all encompass similar material, they each hold a niche focus or place in the discourse of social justice.

Classes offer several ways to get involved, by promoting events to attend for extra credit, additionally raising consciousness about moving screenings and marches. The importance of talking to peers cannot be stressed enough, meeting people through these kinds of social justice courses means your peers are interested and passionate about the same things you are! This will give you a buddy to go to events, and marches with or they may be apart of a super cool club that you didn't even know existed at JMU.

Courses that may be interesting to Activists: reproductive studies, Motherhood studies, gender and violence, queer theory, feminist theory, Feminist blogging, women and welfare, social movements, women in politics, African African American Diaspora, justice and crime, global crime, women crime and criminal justice, Media and Justice, sociology of gender, violence in families, Human sexuality, youth empowerment strategies, women culture and power in Africa, Race and Hollywood, global migrations, disability and justice, religion and disability, Social justice theories etc. All of which can be found through the JMU's course catalog.

JMU ShoutOut! : Blogs are posted weekly to raise a feminist consciousness by constructing an informed and interactive dialogue that promotes inclusivity of diverse perspectives. Link to the blog is here.

Furious Flower Poetry Center : "The nation's first academic center for Black Poetry" along with several programs that specialize in creative writing, as well as opportunity for fellowships and prizes, they also have a blog: Carmen R. Gillespie Fellow Blog this is so readers can stay tuned and connected almost like an online book club!

Clubs to look for:

Sister speak : a journal/ publication dedicated to discussing any misinformation, stigmas and stereotypes surrounding feminism. There is also a big emphasis on the exploration and explanation of gender oppression being interconnected with other forms of oppression including sexual, ethnic/racial, environmental and economic.

you can send submissions here: sisterspeak@gmail.com.

Students Against Sexual Violence: There is facebook page that offers information on relationships, how to receive help, survivor support, groups, hosts on virtual events, and creates awareness about local fundraisers and events in Harrisonburg.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sasvjmu/

Email: sasvjmu@gmail.com

Women of Color: The purpose of Women of Color is to initiate conversation, inspire activism, cultivate attitudes of inclusion, and motivate persons to create and maintain an open mind. We will establish the foundation to strengthen our community to promote the success of minority women in a higher education.

Planned Parenthood generation action at JMU: Uses social media as a tool to educate followers debunk myths of sex and sexually transmitted diseases as well as debunking narratives and false information about abortion. Recently their posts have been talking about National Abortion bans and how Covid has effected abortion.

James Madison Center for Civic Engagement: Their mission is to educate and inspire people to address public issues and cultivate a just and inclusive democracy by providing resources for students to learn and discuss public issues un an academic environment, we work alongside community, state, and National partners on Civic learning initiatives and events.

Link to their website is here: https://www.jmu.edu/civic/index.shtml

Blog is here: Educating4Democracy

Disciplines and programs regarding: Racial and Social Equality

Staying up to date with events: Google Calendar or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for up-to-date information on events.

Other clubs for Advocacy:

College Democrats

College Republicans

Environmental Management Club

Humanitarian Student Association

James Madison University Student Defenders

Liberty in North Korea

Love Your Melon Campus Crew

Madison Disability Inclusion Group (D.I.G.)

Nextgen JMU

To Write Love On Her Arms

Young Americans for Liberty

Other clubs for Diversity:

African Student Organization

Asian Student Union

Association for Women Geoscientists

Black Student Alliance

Bridges International

Delta Sigma Theta

Esteem Models

Filipino Americans at Madison

Fostering Abyssinia

Future Teachers of Color

Grupo Candela

Indian Student Organization

Italian Americans of Madison

Japanese Language and Culture Club

Latinx Student Alliance

Madison Equality

Minority Programmers Association

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

National Organization of Minority Architecture Students

Native American Student Union

Portuguese Speaking Cultural Society

Shades of Pride

Students For Minority Outreach

Vietnamese Student Association

Women of Color