For years, MANY have labeled HIV as the 'HomoSexual' disease. Accordingly, MANY OTHERS have illustrated a Universal View of how HIV looks, in determining who has contracted the disease, and exactly who is living with it. As 85% of my Lifelong Friends are BLACK WOMEN, I am honestly ALARMED and AFRAID for their well-being; as the most recent statistics state that Black Women represent 66% of new HIV/AIDS cases among Women globally, and 74% of Black Women contract HIV/AIDS from HeteroSexual intercourse. Part of what's staggering is that most Americans, including young women, and young Black women in particular, are unaware of these facts.
How we've reached this point here in the United States is the result of neglect in recognizing who's really at risk in this country. While 46% of Gay, Black Men are infected with HIV, the disease does not stem from or strictly effect Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender people.
Part of what's so shocking is the disproportionate increase in rates, and specifically among Black women, such that it leads to death.
Over the past few years, a wopping 53% of Black women who were surveyed claim that they believe there does exist a cure for the HIV virus. However, many of them are also convinced that the cure is being withheld from the lower-middle class and poor. As of right now, ATRIPLA; the one-pill treatment, is being used across the spectrum, and is working for nearly 85% of all HIV/AIDS patients. However, just as with many HARD DRUGS, the pill can cause both Liver and Kidney failure, and is not allowed to be used by pregnant, expecting mothers.
I feel that as a society who relies HEAVILY upon aesthetic, image and surface appeal in making prominent, lifelong decisions, too many of us have become comfortable with the notion of categorization. Whether it exists along the lines of Race, Class, Gender or Sexuality, a large sanction of society LOOKS for specific 'SIGNS' that will identify and differentiate between those who are HEALTHY and those who are Not[Infected]. Everyone who is infected with HIV/AIDS does not have sunken eyes or pronounced cheekbones, as the result of fat tissue loss. This EPIDEMIC that is wiping through the Black community, is doing so, SILENTLY. There are very FEW Public Awareness Campaigns that are geared towards Black Women, which encourage HIV Testing and Safe-Sex.
Living with HIV/AIDS can be an Isolating experience for ANYONE, despite their economic, social or cultural backgrounds. It's extremely IMPORTANT that we rally around our SISTERS, young and old, in keeping them Informed, Educated and Protected, as BEST we can. We NEED our Black Women in order to continue the Power and Legacy that exists throughout the Village.
'Creation is Representation' [Xem; August 2008]
'Knowledge and Artistry ABOVE My own VANITY' [Xem; July 2008]
'Im Drenched in Love and Showered by Support'[Xem; April 2008]
'Life Without Photographs are Moments that Never Happened'
'Knowledge and Artistry ABOVE My own VANITY' [Xem; July 2008]
'Im Drenched in Love and Showered by Support'[Xem; April 2008]
'Life Without Photographs are Moments that Never Happened'
[Xem; August, 2007]
3 comments:
I feel you Xem. You know how they had that Prop 8 commercial on YouTube with the black lesbian women, they should have a commercial for black women with HIV/AIDS. I'm wondering who would need to be contacted regarding doing a commercial?
I wish what you spoke of here were not true. Another truth is that many Black women are chronically single and often put their guard down in hopes of convincing a man that he should stay with her. Oh how I wish there was a pill to make us choose wisdom over all things. I thank God he converted lack of wisdom in my case into pregnancies and gave me two reasons to live that don't involve drugs.
I feel that part of the reason HIV/AIDS is so prevalent amongst black women could be due to some of these reasons:
1. The lack of education and the economic dependency of some women on men. This means women are not able to stand up for their rights because they are dependent on men.
2. The macho behaviour found so common amongst black communities, including the tendency of some men to look at women as (sexual) objects. Some men feel it is their right and part of being a man if they have as many sexual partners as they want. In fact, often this behaviour is not frowned upon by society.
3. Domestic Abuse. This leads to fear of confronting a man or asking that you use protection, even if you know that he's sleeping around.
And I agree with you when you say a lot of us are hung up on aesthetics and so we look for signs that'll identify who's healthy and who's not.
How many times have we heared someone who has contracted HIV saying about his/her sexual partner: 'But he/she looked so healthy. He/she didn't look sick at all'.
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