I have issues with days of observance. I attach no special significance to holidays except Christmas and Thanksgiving because I get to spend those times with people who are special to me. I even work on the King Holiday. I understand that national holidays and observances are a way of increasing awareness and honoring contributions, but it seems trite to me. I recognize their value to educate, but at the end of the day, the banners and pamphlets are put away until the next year. What is done to honor and bring awareness to those contributions over the rest of the year?
Saturday was World AIDS Day. People around the globe paused to reflect and learn, but on Sunday it was pretty much business as usual. That saddens me.
Since 1991, I’ve lost so many people to AIDS, not to mention the numerous people I know who live with it. I am touched by it in some way every day so I have no peace with those who choose not to think about it until December 1.
One thing I have learned over the years is that we must change the way we think. Our attitudes have so much to do with its transmission and spread.
The infected live with a fear they will be judged and stigmatized for their status and they are justified. It's going to happen. We do it with other health issues. If we hear of someone having lung cancer, we immediately ask if they smoked. We want to associate the behavior with the disease because most of us believe if we don’t smoke, we won’t get it. The fact is you don't have to smoke to get lung cancer. It can strike anyone.
We should all be reducing risky behaviors. If we know anyone who is infected, we should be supportive and encourage them to take better care because they can live long, healthy lives. Encourage everyone, not just your gay or promiscuous hetero friends to be tested. Knowledge is power.
We must also reserve any judgment. We live among a population of children who were born with HIV. These people did nothing to earn the judgment and stigma, except be born. That's not fair.
Someone once told me we should treat everyone we meet as if they are infected. I don't believe that's a good idea because we immediately place those people on the defensive. We don't free the space for disclosure by doing that. What we must do is treat everyone as if they are affected because we all are.
7 comments:
Most definitely take time to honor and pay tribute. Its important!
so what happens after december 4th?
I didn't even know there was such a day!
I so agree with you Rodney. My uncle is infected, so for me there is no one day that I can assign to reflecting about the disease...for me it's an every day awareness.
I have to laugh, because sometimes I feel so preachy when I talk about AIDS/HIV awareness, but you'd be surprised at how many people truly are clueless or the type to stick their head in the sand and ignore the issue altogether.
I went to a World AIDS day luncheon on Friday. I normally don't go to fuctions like that because of the simple fact that the talk of AIDS and death depresses the hell out of me. Sorry, but it is true. But the Keynote speaker, ex-surgeon general of the U.S.A was very insightful and tactful in her approach on the subject. I found myself enthralled, instead of uncomfortable with the subject matter. I do, however, understand where you are coming from. It does seem that some people just acknowledge the subject for a day and then move on with the rest of their lives, but in truth, there are people out there working diligently on the problem and World AIDS Day is everyday for them. Peace.
Well said sir...well said.
Wow, I totally agree that one day is not enough, but I am happy to know that there is more dialogue than there was 5 or 10 years ago.
Unfortunately, people are still afraid of the virus, because they don't know how to deal with it (physically, psychologically, and emotionally).
My friends know that I am going to talk about it. That is just a part of being in my life. We are all (people in general)susceptible to HIV/AIDS so we all should be educated.
Okay, I am stepping down from my soapbox now. I am getting a little light-headed all the way up here! hahaha
Post a Comment