In the 1990’s there was a heightened awareness for HIV and AIDS. There were benefit concerts, commercials, tons of “wrap it up” campaigns and particularly in the African American community, there were celebrities that were impacted as well. Notable names like Arthur Ashe, Eric “Eazy E” Wright and Magic Johnson grabbed the attention of the community, giving a recognizable and relatable face to the disease. But what happened over the years? Do we still approach the topic with the same sense of urgency? Is it directly related to the fact that the scientific developments have given us hope that HIV doesn’t mean the end of the world? News Flash: HIV is still the virus that causes AIDS and people are still dying worldwide due AIDS-related complications every. single. day.
I recently read a sad, but not-so-shocking news article about a coach sentenced to 15 years in prison for knowingly infecting a player’s mother with HIV. Of course, my heart sank. Not for him, but for the mother. Unfortunately, this is just ONE story that captured the media’s attention. It’s actually quite a common phenomenon. Now, this “lovely gentleman” in the story knew that he was infecting AND affecting people’s lives forever., but, what about those don’t know they’re even carrying the virus? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2008 statistics, there are more than one million people living with HIV in the U.S. One in five of those people are unaware that they are even infected. Now, get this….We (African Americans) only make up 14% of the U.S population, but we make up almost half (46%) of the number of people living with HIV in the U.S. Why? That’s a highly debatable question. From conspiracy theorists about this being a man-made disease, serving as a type of genocide, to being called a curse and total damnation of the “wicked”, our focus should also be, now where do we go from here?
As a Black woman, I know the things that go on in some areas of our community that could stand to be changed. There are some issues of denial, feelings of invincibility, lack of education, and the disproportionate male to female ratio. Let’s not forget the ever-so coveted and popular “player” culture that is revered in our society and amplified through all mediums: songs lyrics, news stories, and simply by generational hand-off. Its real. Sad, but real.
Whatever the angle of the argument is, the truth is, we rank first when it comes to these alarming statistics. What does it take for us to realize that HIV and STDs PERIOD can potentially kill you? We know to wrap it up and ask questions before you “go there”. We get that it does dampen the mood a bit, but just the slightest possibility of that the “ten” that you met in the club, or that attractive and educated brother in your Singles’ Ministry at church, could potentially change your life as you know it. These thoughts should make you take a few more seconds to protect your assets, but the heat of the moment, can cause you to have an altered mental status – well known fact.
As far as awareness is concerned, I always say that I wish we would put at least half as much effort, time and dedication into HIV/AIDS awareness as we do causes like Susan G. Komen – Race for a Cure. I’m by no means knocking this initiative. I am a supporter. I just don’t see nearly as many red ribbons out there, amongst the sea of pink ribbons. In the world we live in today, this should no longer a taboo topic nor thought of as a “same sex disease”. As I mentioned earlier, the statistics are staggering, and we still need to shed more light on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, even in the 21st century. To shed light means we are becoming knowledgeable. Becoming knowledgeable, as we all know, means becoming powerful. To become powerful, we become unstoppable and UNINFECTED!
On a refreshingly good note, there are still some voices out there, that are sounding off on the need to get tested, ask questions and live. Check out this video directed by BMWK’s own Lamar Tyler and performed by Tray Chaney from HBO’s The Wire. The video for “LIVE – World AIDS Anthem,” was shot on location in Atlanta at the Aids Memorial Quilt.
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It’s been about three decades since the first AIDS diagnosis and it’s still the plaid and polka dotted elephant in the room that no one wants to discuss. The initial population most effected by AIDS were gay white men. They identified allies and pressured the government to provide financial support for drug and prevention research and services. Thirty years later the face of AIDS is now black and poor. There is little political pressure to provide prevention interventions and or educational initiatives from the community mostly effected. AIDS directly coorelates with poor education, healthcare, and housing and is also tied to poverty and high incarceration rates among AA men. Black women bear the brunt of this stark reality by being 25% of ALL new HIV/AIDS infections. Most are infected through an unprotected sexual encounter. I know, you’re probably thinking they should just protect themselves. I wish it were that simple. Women are infected by husbands, long term boyfriends, fiancee’s many of whom don’t know they are infected. Some women are in powerless situations where negotiating a condom could be the difference between eating or starving. By no means is it my purpose to bash my brothers because they are very much so needed in this fight. Neither do I claim to have all of the answers but as a woman who watched her mother die of AIDS at 18 only to then be herself diagnosed seven years later I have insight to the damage that this disease causes in our families, homes, churches, and communities. I only hope that AIDS doesn’t have to show up on all of our doorsteps before we are willing to do something about it.
So well put Goldlyfe, so far there’s only two comments on this subject. I feel many African-American are in denial about HIV/AIDS and we have the highest rates of the disease in this country. It saddens me that so many Black men and women are impacted by this disease but we don’t see an outcry from are churches, community leaders and so on. For the last 9 years, I have been organizing World AIDS Day Observances to bring awareness and educate the African-American community on the impact of HIV/AIDS in Detroit, Michigan. Our event includes workshops on HIV for youth, the mature etc. We also have a health fair with testing, and have community agencies displaying services and resources for individuals infected and affected by HIV . I truly feel if we don’t take on the charge who will. All of us (African Americans) have to take the lead to reduce the transmission of this disease within are community!!
Such an important issue! Adding to your comments about the pop culture, my husband often says that he in no way believes Eazy E or Magic Johnson were the last celebrities infected with HIV, but that people aren’t coming forward. The stigma that causes the silence is still a major problem!
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