The HIV lecture was held in the chemistry building auditorium, I believe. There were 2 women in the front telling us warning us all about the risks and dangers of getting HIV. They told us some stats (yeah, yeah, we know. 1 in 20 in dc blah blah even smaller ratio at Howard). For the most part, they told us things we should have already known. They told us a little about the history of HIV and the history of diagnosis. They told us how it was first believed that HIV came from gay men. Back in the day people believed you could only get HIV from a gay man. I think one of HIV’s original names had gay men in the meaning. I think it was called the gay men’s disease or something like that. Well, as we all know, HIV can be spread amongst anyone. Regardless of your sexual orientation. However, I think it is most common among gay black males.
Monday was HIV awareness day or something like that. (Yes I got tested.) I attended a performance in Blackburn on HIV. They told us some statistics also. They said that HIV was one of the leading causes of young women of color. It’s so sad. I hear there’ s a cure for AIDS. South Park had a episode on AIDS (btw South Park is my fave show of all time). South Park said the cure for AIDS is money. big lol. because we all know that MAgic Johnson is just about cured, which is irrelevant to the rest of the world. SInce many are dying from AIDS/ HIV everyday in this country and in others as well. We hear about AIDS in Africa all the time and it’s heartbreaking. Our people are dying!!
So, I think that the lecture in the chem building was more than necessary. Many of us are tired of hearing about HIV/AIDS, but then again, many of us still have unprotected sex and put ourselves at risk. I am so glad that people are finally waking up. There is a “know your status” movement. Blacks are begining to take notice. Hopefully all these programs, lectures, events, performances, etc. are helping us to wake up to the unfortunate truth. We are dying because of stupid mistakes. Please be careful!!
–Victoria Draper
Tags: aids, awareness, chemistry building, hiv
