Knowledge. Awareness. Action. Start NOW.
Here's some sobering statistics:
- AIDS is the NUMBER ONE killer of 25-44 year old Black people.
- 49 percent of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients are Black.
- African-American women are disproportionately affected, with an infection rate 20 times that of white females.
- 1 in every 58 Black Americans are living with HIV/AIDS.
Before you decide who you're going to vote for in the near future, marinate on this quote from the president of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Debra Fraser-Howze:
"Black people are going to have to take responsibility for themselves in this epidemic. We have to make some serious decisions, a decision to first talk about the epidemic and a decision to own it. It is ours.
We are in a quandary because we as African-Americans have to be concerned about what is going on in Africa. But at the same time we are concerned about Africa, we have to be concerned about South Central Los Angeles. Both have to be addressed. Funds are dwindling, and everybody is taking money to Africa when African-Americans are dying in this country."
posted by vik on Wednesday, February 07, 2007
4 Comments:
I love your blog! Thank you for the information you post.
I wanted to address the quote at the end.
I agree, there are domestic issues that need our attention. But with all due respect, African Americans have resources all around them. There are free clinics, support groups. medicaid, etc.
Africans have none of that. They can not help themselves. African Americans just CHOOSE not to help themselves. We have so many resources open to us. Education, etc.
We are just afraid of judgment from the church and our peers. But don't get me started on the church and how it is supposed to be strengthening our community and it does not.
Thank you,
Camille Peace.
also...
I agree, we have to own the our ACTIONS are what has caused this disease to permeate Our people...
but it is by no means OUR epidemic.
sheesh.
camille - i see where you're comin from, but the quote, to me, meant that the epidemic of hiv in the black community will not cease UNTIL the community recognizes it and OWNS it. You can't solve a problem that is denied existence.
also, the free clinics, etc are there. however, look at what's offered at the clinics. couple that with lack of education and it's a recipe for disaster.
as a related aside, peep this article:
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-na-doctors8feb08,1,2194053.story?coll=la-health-medicine
PEACE, thanks for reading,
Vik
Peace Vik.
You are right. You can't combat something that you do not acknowledge exists.
...and free clinics can be hell holes, but they should not be forgotten. you can still get tested, and be in the know.
lack of education? i fear that will always be there. it's almost like we are afraid to speak it into existence.. when it already exists.
sigh.. i dunno... i could talk forever on this subject.
thank you for the link, going now.
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