By Phill Wilson, Black AIDS Institue
On Monday, Nov. 26, the Washington D.C. HIV/AIDS administration released its
first ever report assessing the status of HIV/AIDS in the District. According to the report, 80% of the new cases identified between 2001 and 2006 in Washington D.C. are Black.
The other news from DC is the AIDS epidemic in DC is primarily a heterosexual disease. 37% of the new HIV cases in the District were spread through heterosexual sex, 25% through men having sex with men.
Our nation's capital has the highest AIDS rate in the country, where 1 in every 50 people is known to be infected. Many experts believe the numbers could be even higher because many people infected with HIV don't know they have the virus because they have not been tested.
DC has the worse AIDS epidemic of any capital city in the world-worse then Dakar Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa, Phnompenh, Cambodia, or Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AIDS is worse in DC than Port-Au-Prince!
I don't know about you, but this report pisses me off.
It amplifies what many of us have known and have been saying for a while. AIDS today is a Black disease. While the problem may be more pronounced it D.C., it is not unique. Everywhere we look in the it is the same, Black people bear the brunt of this disease. And this is no new circumstance. Black communities have endured disproportionate infection rates for nearly the entire history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
So once again, I'm asking the fundamental question. What are we going to do about it? I have to be honest. I know the government has totally abandoned us. I know foundations and corporations are not doing what they should to fight AIDS in our communities. I know that some of us believe that AIDS is a conspiracy to wipe out the Black race. But having said that, again, the question what are we -- that means you and me -- going to do?
Have you bothered to truly get informed about HIV/AIDS? Do you really understand the science of HIV? Judging from the comments I've been getting on this blog the answer to that question is no -- in capital letters. So the first thing you can do is get informed. I mean really informed. The misinformation being perpetrated on our community by people who don't know HIV/AIDS from a hole in the ground is stupefying. What you don't know can kill you.
If you have a question, write me. I promise to get you the best answer modern science can provide.
Comments: (25)
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By: JC on 12/07/2007 11:58PM
I Really Wish That AIDS Was Not Such A "Hush, Hush" Disease. Such Silence Is Deadly! Far Too Many People Still View AIDS As A Punishment On A Particular Group. We Wouldn't Dare Say That About Other Diseases, Such As Cancer. Wake Up America! AIDS Is Spreading Fast. HIV/AIDS Is Coming Soon To A Household Near You. Your House Could Be Next! HIV/AIDS Doesn't Discriminate. Why Should You?
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By: Tsicar Ton M'i on 12/08/2007 12:22AM
Too many people wait for the Government to "fix" everything, or come up with a conspiracy theory instead of taking personal responsibility. I agree with Phil Wilson that it is every person's responsibility to be informed about AIDS/HIV. This virus does not descriminate. We are all targets of this virus.
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By: Just Saying on 12/08/2007 9:21AM
I think eventually we must fess up and admit to being the DISGRACEFUL PATHETIC race that we are, and admit "WE NEED YOU", "though we have the biggest mouths and BIGGEST BRAVO, we are WEAK".
We have a "hypersexed" culture that is more than "Girls gone Wild", and "white girls passing out after being drunk". We are disgusting and our culture reflects that.
We CONSTANTLY need our hands held in Society, which makes us a PAIN IN THE ASS, I would ignore us too, if I could.
Who should care if we don't care about ourselves? Black women accept anything from Black Men, as long as he's BREATHING and just to have a man, Black Men are going to prison in large numbers and CONFORMING by having PRISON SEX "it's just how we do in prison, am not gay".
We don't talk about ANYTHING, thinking that we are hiding something, but EVERYBODY knows our problems, so we just come across as PATHETIC.
Could you really name 5 Strenghts of this race outside of Sports and Entertainment? NO.
So are we closer to animals, one must begin to ask themselves, I feel such a DISCONNECTION with my race particularly this generation, we have NO MORALS, and though Society as a whole has lowered it's standards. Leave it up to us to be the GRIMEST, and DIRTIEST, and tell you so, as if it's a "badge of honor".
It's coming to a point where you will have to ask for a STD test from someone just to relax even with a condom.
I don't respect my race, so it's so clear why others don't. We take SO MUCH ENERGY, why would someone who is not us, expedite that energy? WHY? because it's the right thing to do? PLEASE, THATS FANTASY LAND THOUGHTS.
Think how many problems do we IGNORE, and Black people we are a PROBLEM, so it's only natural that we are IGNORED. DO YOU COMPREND THAT?
Where always looking for someone to focus on us, other races have thier own communities, schools, children, family to think about. But they must not only make that a focus but then come help the "poor helpless NEGRO'S".
It's sickening, so Society just ignores us rightfully so. AIDS/HIV has been out since the 80's with other races the numbers have gone down, leave it to us the numbers are not only going up, but they are ridiculous.
In my mind EVERYBODY IN DC HAS AIDS/HIV, whether they know it or NOT.
If I see another Black Womans ASS, or Black Man talking about random sex, I WILL PUKE, that's why I DON'T WATCH VIDEOS. Think about this the next time you see a video demonstrating we are ANIMALS IN HEAT, and our STATISTICS PROVE THIS.
Not to mention Black Men drop LITERS all around the country JUST LIKE AN ANMIMAL. Leaving Black Woman to wonder "who da Baby Daddy".
Where NOT WORTH THE ENERGY IT TAKES TO DEAL WITH US.
It's a damn shame. This is my frustrating but truthful response.
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By: MARY TATE on 12/10/2007 9:15AM
It is heartbreaking! I think it has happened because African-American females of all ages are so desperate for love that they get involved with males and do not force them to use protection, just to have them. As far as the government agencies and majority are concerned, It hurts me to say I think they are cool with it because it will cleanse the area (geno..... what). They know they should be using protection, but it the male doesn't want to use anything they just go along - not thinking about their own health, children, or families. We need a new campaign: "If he really loved you, he would want you to strap it on!"
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By: PW on 12/08/2007 10:42AM
Wow. There are so many truths in that comment Just Saying, that it's painful to read!
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By: rscrpo on 12/08/2007 2:43PM
In the words of the late great Marvin Gaye "What's Going On"? Brother, Brother and Sister's!? Come on, how much longer do we allow for ourselves to be victims of someone elses game plan? Aids, Murder, Drugs, Poverty and above all uneducated? The system does not support us and we have failed to support ourselves in these matters of aids disease etc. The time is now the greatest time is NOW for us to do something about what ensnares us, what keeps us dying. I look around and see so-called black folks everywhere and wonder why don't they know "they are men and women of ingenious history with the God given power to accomplish what they will! Marcus Garvey said, "Up, Up you mighty nation and accomplish what you will!" I ask, "What do you want to really want to accomplish?" Creativity and thoughtfulness are YOU/US/ME, not destruction and disease and those things that harm us as a people. Come On my people help me and you become men and women of substance.
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By: Helen on 12/08/2007 3:25PM
We are not victims of someone else's game plan, we are victims of our own inability to grow up! Everything is not a conspiracy, some of this is just plain stupidity on the part of the so-called black community. I agree in so many ways with Just Sayin'....
When are we going to look the truth in the face and tell ourselves that 95% of the misery suffered in our communities we bring on ourselves?
We need JESUS....!
Not far-out-con, not jessie, not al, not oprah, not barack, not anyone else....
We need the LORD GOD MOST HIGH to help us!
But who is willing to do what it takes to get better?
Not many, even though we sit in pews on Sundays in droves!
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By: DrAlliance on 12/10/2007 2:19PM
Hello "Just Saying"! Thanks for telling it just like it is. Sad but so painfully true. I share your sentiments precisely.
1 in 50 has AIDS/HIV in DC. Well, it's probably worse than that. And from looking at the sexual behavior of black people, it is going to get worse ... much worse.
Some people here say it is going to take religion to stop AIDS/HIV. Others say it is going to take testing and education.
I say nothing the majority of black people do will stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, since they have done nothing to stop it for 25 years.
Each and every day in cities like DC, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Philly, Newark, Los Angeles, and any other big cities where there are high concentrations of blacks, as well as Latinos, hundreds possibly thousands get this infection because of their stupid and reckless sexual behavior.
And this monstrous geometric progression will just go on and on and on.
I suppose the only thing for those of us who are aware of this disease and not infected is to do one very important thing. And that is to make sure we stay that way.
My 2 cents worth: (1) Get tested, at least three times a year, even if you are not in a relationship, (2) Keep a record of your tests, at least you will have those records to show to someone you are thinking of getting involved, (3) Ask the person you are thinking of having a relationship to get tested every four months regardless. If they argue about that, then find someone else, (4) Exchange copies of your tests with copies of their tests, so you both have records of each other, (5) Don't depend on condoms. They will not always protect you, (6) Consider mutual, manual masterbation of your partner initially, if intimacy is a must, before HIV/AIDS testing, (7) Don't even kiss full-mouth initially. AIDS/HIV infection can spread through kissing also i.e., bleeding gums, saliva. (8)
Don't engage in sex period, until you marry, (9)
Stay AIDS/HIV free and accept nothing less than a totally monogamous relationship with your partner.
Better to be safe than sorry.
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