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Op-Ed: The Case for Abortion – From a Pastor

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While Black church members and leaders offer many good reasons for supporting the candidacy and platform of the incoming Kamala Harris-Tim Walz administration, we actually should say more about reproductive autonomy being the most effective reasons for supporting the Democratic presidential candidacy. My intention is to reveal that, from my perspective as a pastor providing pastoral care, there are moral reasons to incorporate abortion care as a part of comprehensive health care, as Harris and Walz encouraged us to do.

One of the truly humbling points of pastoral ministry is the invitation to bear witness to the lives of the faithful of their most vulnerable moments. In joy and particularly in pain, the spiritual flock seeks its shepherd to wish, to listen, sometimes to advise, but above all simply to be present and to be a witness. Often there may be nothing we will do to make the situation right and even higher, but our members still want us to know what they’re going through.

And precisely because I’m a pastor and have witnessed to the complexities and struggles of the lives of my congregants, I stand firmly and decisively for reproductive autonomy and oppose government intrusion and interference within the reproductive decisions made by individuals and families.

From contraception to reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization to abortion, the explanations people make reproductive health care decisions are as diverse as people themselves. Politicians have shown that they’ve neither the knowledge nor the nuance to legislate for everyone on these issues. Sometimes during debates it becomes clear that they lack an understanding of basic biological functions. But even at their best, they can’t encompass the complete breadth or depth of the physiological, social, emotional, and spiritual intricacies of their constituents’ lives. If they simply left medical decisions to patients and their doctors, we might have a more just and moral nation.

In a country where the maternal mortality rate is higher than in most developed countries, a problem much more pronounced for black women, the black community and the black church have a responsibility to advocate for women’s rights to make their very own medical decisions. In the wake of this decision, researchers note that communities already affected by poverty and inadequate health care can even suffer disproportionate harm in the shape of pregnancy complications and maternal deaths. Simply put, more black women will die from…

Op-Ed: The Case for Abortion - From a Pastor
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 29: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with actress Sophia Bush throughout the Fight for Reproductive Freedoms event at Mexican Heritage Plaza on January 29, 2024 in San Jose, California. Vice President Harris travels the country to boost awareness of reproductive rights. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Pregnancy, as a biological process leading to human reproduction, all the time requires physical sacrifice and carries the potential of death. So many various things can go mistaken, greater than may be listed in a single short essay. But let me mention just a few that I actually have observed during my pastoral ministry.

Consider a 30-yr-old woman who was in good health before becoming pregnant but who developed hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Some people describe HG euphemistically as extreme morning sickness, but that description doesn’t begin to inform the story of what happens to women that suffer from it or the danger it poses. A young woman in my church couldn’t keep food or fluids down. During the primary trimester of her pregnancy, she was hospitalized five times and got here near death persistently. None of the treatments worked. Some decisions needed to be made.

Fortunately, my parishioner lives in a state where there are not any restrictions on abortion. She and her family were in a position to make a decision without the added burden of negotiations with the state. If she lived in Texas or one other state where abortion is restricted, she would have needed to cope with the physical and emotional trauma she experienced, in addition to the legal burden of convincing the state that she was close enough to death to be eligible for termination. She would must hire a lawyer if she needed a doctor.

In one other case, a young woman discovered she had a tumor when she was originally of her second trimester. Due to the sort of tumor her doctors suspected, treatment would require the injection of a chemical that will be fatal to the fetus. Although there was a possibility that her tumor was of a different type, she was encouraged to determine quickly what tests she wanted because if an abortion was mandatory, it needed to be done before the Pennsylvania deadline. In this case, state governments exerted pressure to finish the contract sooner when more information was needed.

Every pastor I do know has witnessed countless examples of human complexity in the realm of ​​reproduction. A minor who has been impregnated as a results of acts of violence and incest. An ectopic pregnancy that have to be terminated to save lots of life and fertility. An advanced pregnancy that has turned out to be infertile and requires an abortion to guard the mother from sepsis. Miscarriage requiring a D&C procedure to remove remaining fetal material. In states where abortion is restricted, the health care women and girls need is in danger. And a Trump-Vance administration would only make things worse.

The results of this decision was Trump’s first presidency. While Trump obfuscates and lies about his intentions in his second presidency, his collection of J.D. Vance tells the true story. Vance has pledged to make abortion illegal without exception, even to save lots of the mother’s life, whilst he cruelly mocks and ridicules women who do not need children. In turn, the Harris-Walz administration guarantees to revive medical decisions to their proper place, between patient and doctor.

As pastors and non secular leaders, we cannot fix what ails our congregations physically, but we will advocate for them politically in order that the load of the selections they make in complex and specific circumstances is just not increased by laws that limit their freedom of motion or that tie the hands of their doctors .

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Nike joins forces with Naomi Osaka to transform girls’ sports in Japan – Essence

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In a world where just one in five children receives the physical activity they need to thrive, girls in Japan face an excellent harder battle.

The country ranks a surprising 118th out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity and ranks last amongst advanced economies. But Nike is decided to change that narrative with a daring recent initiative that puts the ability of transformation directly in the hands of coaches.

The sports giant has entered into cooperation Laureus Sport for good create a breakthrough research-backed coaching guide designed specifically for coaches in Japan. The aim of this comprehensive resource is to overcome the deep-rooted social and cultural barriers which have historically kept girls from participating in sports.

Nike joins forces with Naomi Osaka to transform girls' sports in Japan

The program has already received significant support from major Japanese sports organizations, including the Yomiuri Giants skilled baseball team and the Japan Basketball Association. “We feel the need to change the environment around girls in sports, starting with baseball,” says Toru Kunimatsu, representative director and president of Yomiuri Giants. “This toolkit will help raise awareness of the gender-related barriers girls face and ensure a safe environment for all girls participating in sport.”

Nike’s commitment to this initiative is deep, as evidenced by the recent Coach the Dream summit in Tokyo – the biggest event of its kind ever held in Japan. From October 16-20, the summit brought together 50 local sports leaders for intensive training in the brand new coaching guide and trauma-informed coaching practices.

“Japan holds a special place in Nike’s history, with a collaboration spanning over 50 years,” explains Vanessa Garcia-Brito, vp, chief impact officer at NIKE, Inc. “During this time, we have seen great progress for women in sport, but we know that girls still face barriers to participation.”

The initiative can also be based on success Play Academy with Naomi Osakawhich began in Tokyo five years ago. Tennis icon Osaka herself emphasizes the crucial role of high-quality coaching: “Play Academy aims to change girls’ lives through play and sport, and we cannot achieve this without great coaches,” she says. “It has been a pleasure to work with Nike to inspire the next generation to realize their potential through the power of movement.”

This latest initiative in Japan is a component of Nike’s broader global commitment to removing barriers for women in sports, which incorporates partnerships with greater than 100 organizations around the globe. Through initiatives akin to these, Nike continues to show its commitment to ensuring that every one young people, especially girls, have access to an inclusive and supportive sports environment that may help them achieve their full potential.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

anatomical features that accused women of witchcraft in the 17th century

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In all accounts of 17th-century witchcraft trials in Europe and North America, physical features alone were considered undeniable evidence of witchcraft. It was believed that the devil marked the bodies of witches with symbolic, material signs – comparable to unusual growths or blemishes. This led to a routine body inspection in witch trials. The discovery of such marks was considered strong medical and scientific evidence of witchcraft and sometimes sealed the victim’s fate.

Here are just a few of the anatomical features that have historically been used to discover someone as a witch:

Are you a lady?

While men were sometimes accused of witchcraft, historical witch hunts overwhelmingly targeted at women – especially women who led an independent lifestyle (e.g. widows and spinsters) or who were open and didn’t conform to social norms. Historians estimate so over 75% of the accused witchcraft in the sixteenth and 17th centuries were women.

Religious teachings at the time reinforced the idea that women were morally weaker and that is why more prone to temptation and sin.

By this standard, if you happen to discover as a lady today, you might be one of roughly 3.95 billion potential “witches.”

How old are you?

Age was one other factor in the witch trials. Older womenespecially those past childbearing age often suspected of witchcraft – especially if she was a widow, owned property or lived alone.

Records suggest that over half of those accused of witchcraft in Scotland between 1563 and 1736 were so over 40 years. At that time, the average life expectancy was approx 32 years old.

Currently, there are roughly 1.4 billion women throughout the world over 40by historical standards, many more could have come under similar suspicion.

Do you may have an additional nipple?

The “witch’s pacifier” was a typical feature that witch hunters used to discover someone as a witch. This extra nipple was believed to be utilized by witches to feed their so-called demonic familiars – it was often imagined to be small animals or pixies. Witch hunters would examine the chest or torso for any abnormalities and classify it as a witch’s nipple.

In fact extra nipples (or polythelia) are mild. They form during early embryonic development and in some people don’t disappear completely.

Another feature sometimes confused with an additional nipple was the clitoris. Historical records suggest that women were sometimes convicted based on the size of this body part. Often mentioned in pamphlets of the time, describing the process of identifying the “witch’s nipple”. little performance situated near a lady’s “foundation” or “private place” – euphemisms for female genitalia.

It is estimated that about 5% of the world’s population has no less than one extra nipple. They appear more often on the left side of the chest and are more common in men. Harry Styles, who spoke openly about ownership 4 nipplesperhaps in the 17th century he would have been much less inclined to share these details about himself.

Do you may have a birthmark?

In the 17th century, any type of mole or skin discoloration might be called a “devil’s mark”. Matthew Hopkins, the infamous “Witchfinder General,” wondered some unusual placea freckle or birthmark is an indication of a pact with the devil. Witch hunters often pricked these marks with pins, believing that the mark of a real devil wouldn’t bleed or cause pain.

Port wine stain birthmarks are more common in girls.
Khosro/Shutterstock

About 80% of people today they’re born with some form of birthmark – making it a surprisingly common trait of so-called witches.

Pigmented moles, comparable to moles or cafe au lait spots (flat, light moles), are brought on by clusters of pigment cells that are created during development. Vascular types, comparable to port wine stains (that are flat and red or purple in color), result from deformation of tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin. Port wine spots appear in only about 0.3% of children – but they do exist it occurs twice as often in girls.

Do you may have moles or moles in your skin?

Where possible, moles and skin tags were also observed traces of the devil. Witch hunters also tested moles by attempting to cut or puncture them. As with moles, in the event that they didn’t bleed, it meant the person was bleeding considered a witch.

Today we all know that moles are only there clusters of pigment cellswhile skin tags are small, harmless growths that form when the skin rubs against itself. However, in the 17th century, these innocent signs spelled disaster.

Do you may have an additional digit?

Polydactyly, or an additional toe or finger, is one other rare but suspicious condition. The extra digit was seen as a supernatural aberration – supposedly increasing the witch’s power “gift” from the devil.

In fact, polydactyly is a harmless genetic mutation – affecting approx one in 500-1000 births. But in the past, this rare trait made those that had it take notice of it witch-hunting associations.

Do you may have red hair?

Red hair, an unusual feature, was considered ominous in some regions – especially Europe. Some theories suggest that red hair is rare and related to a fiery temperament or pagan origins contributed to its stigmatization. The famous Malleus Maleficarum (“The Hammer of Witches”), a treatise on witchcraft from 1468, people warned against redheads as potential witcheslinking them to “tempting powers” and “wild spirits”.

Today, lower than 2% of the world’s population has red hair – although about 6% of people have the genetics of red hair. However, in the 17th century, this unusual feature could have increased suspicions that someone was a witch.

So you might be a witch?

If you did not have any of these traits, you’ll probably be protected from the witch hunters of early modern times. However, if you happen to had a number of of these anatomical features, you could have been suspected.

Fortunately, all the British witchcraft laws were in place repealed in 1951 – which suggests that these common features are actually just anatomical quirks and nothing more.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

What’s new and hot in November on Netflix – Essence

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What's new and hot on Netflix in November

This month, Netflix presents a formidable lineup of movies, documentaries and series featuring a few of Hollywood’s best filmmakers. From franchise hits to heartwarming holiday rom-coms, this month’s releases cater to a big selection of interests.

Highlights include Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington adapting August Wilson’s novel, a better take a look at the vivacious Whitney Houston, and a sports series featuring elite athletes competing for gold. Each title presents a novel perspective, shining a light-weight on the skills of Black actors and the stories of BIPOC communities all over the world.

Find out which must-see movies and series coming to Netflix in November.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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