AIDS: Who Will Step Up?

In observation of World AIDS Day, the following is an excerpt from a new anthology of stories by Black celebrities and leaders on the issue of HIV and AIDS in the Black community.  Entitled, "Not in My Family: AIDS in the African American Community," author Gil Robertson invites us to read frank and inspiring essays from performers like Patti LaBelle, Mo’Nique, and Hill Harper; bestselling authors like Randall Robinson and Omar Tyree; political leaders like Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders; religious leaders like Rev. Calvin Butts, and many more.  The essays include personal accounts and concrete guides for action. They candidly address—among myriad other topics—the impact of AIDS/HIV on family life, the role of the church in combating the disease, and the devastating effect AIDS has had on black women. Available in stores nationwide beginning December 1, 2006, "Not in My Family" is published by Agate Publishing.

Today's excerpt is from actor Hill Harper and it's entitled "AIDS: Who Will Step Up?"

As a single, adult male, the key is to practice safe sex no matter who you are with - whether it is a long-standing partner or not.  Even with my girlfriend, we practice safe sex.

Condoms aren't free, so it takes a commitment to use them. If people go around and say that condoms take the fun and spontaneity out of it, they are attaching a false and negative message. I remember when it wasn't cool to wear seatbelts. Now, it's not even a thought. People get in the car and buckle up. It not only has to do with laws, but also retraining people's minds. The same thing has to happen with using condoms. It has to become a necessary part of the whole sexual experience...

Leadership in the black community could do more. There are some church and religious leaders who are also guilty of falsely identifying AIDS as the “gay disease.”

(Rev.) Jesse Jackson is widely respected as a leader but haven't him and other charismatic leaders get out in front of this issue enough. . In order to draw attention to this disease, it will take the redirection of organizations that once focused only on apartheid to now look at AIDS in Africa.

It will take the voices of Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Tavis Smiley and others to reach the public.

To reach young people, it will take the artists to get behind the message. They will pay attention to someone like Alicia Keys and those performers who clearly politically active. You've got to get someone like The Game or 50 Cent and get them to do a PSA. I think that it is assumed that these artists won't do them but a lot of them are receptive. It's about asking people and getting their voice involved.

The good news is that African Americans are survivors and we are going to make it.

Read more in the new book "Not in My Family: AIDS in the African American Community."

Links:

blackaids.org | notinmyfamily.com

Comments

[Brooklyn]

the fact of the matter is... whether you feel it is morally re pungent or not, young adults ARE having sex!! we can't keep pushing only abstinence, because it isn't helping those who are not practicing abstinence. We need more people that are in the ear of these kids to teach them about practicing safe sex!!! We are not promoting sex, we are encouraging those practicing sex to practice safely!!!

[The CAPTAIN]

I cannot agree or diagree with the approach of Hill Harper to have young adults and teens engage in care for their health by utilizing hip-hop icons to send the message.

Why can't we have our parents do their jobs in caring for their children? It seems that you perpetuate a teenager should respect 50 cent or Beyonce beyond the advice and counsel of parents...that is totally unacceptable!

Why do we put so much power in the hands of teenagers to make unrealistic decisions for themselves to endanger themselves by "growing" up so fast?

Why do we take away, disrespect, and humiliate the church and the highly positive spiritual influences they can have on teenagers and young adults to make righful decisions?

If you ask me, I think this is the exact reason why we have some many divisions within the families today.

[Pastor Michael-Vincent Crea]

Peace to ALL!

I am very grateful and glad to hear the Truth
spoken by Hill Harper of whom I have admired
greatly, both as an actor and youth educator.

In 1988, I co-chaired with the late poet-activist Craig G. Harris, R.I.P.[works in "In
the Life" and "Brothers Loving Brothers"]the first HIV/AIDS Conference to D.C. Catholics at St. Teresa of Avila Church.

Then pastor, George A. Stallings, although openly 'engaged' with a young man and supporting the AIDS ministry we founded, permitted associate pastor, Charles Stephany to fire me after the conference because of
those disclaiming the disease in our Black faith community and more pointedly for mine
speaking-up against his affairs with young men. Sadly, Stephany died of AIDS. There's no telling of his lovers or those accusing him of accosting them in a Cincinnati jail of
any justice from his denials of the Truth.

Here in NY, my friend, told he had 3-months to live in December 1994 with PML [pulmonary multifocal luekonepalopathy]lived seven years, only dying from experimentation against his own will from Kaletra "causing pancreatitis leading to death."

This was after going from 150 to 195 lbs, at
6'4" climbing stairs, halting seizures and
ebony smooth skin replacing scratchy, scaling
psoriasis from a holistic set of protocols.

Yes, "Charity begins at Home," however, the
households of God have yet to start the right
recognition, respect, relief and response to
our brothers and sisters, suffering from this most deadly weapon of mass destruction.

Our prayers must be realized in our own faith
profession in person, like Hill Harper or our
dear Patti LaBelle, with whom I've danced at
the Paramount at the Garden and the Apollo,
here in Harlem. It's time to dance and to
deliver our own steps and songs of Life, too!

With peace, prayer, perserverance & LOVE,
Steadfast in the Spirit,

Michael-Vincent Crea, Pastor and Founder
One World Life Systems

"Serving One LOVE [God] and Developing One World for the Common Good of Humanity"

[tiffany843]

I agree totally. You have to use condoms or you are playing with a loaded gun. You have to love yourself enough to care about yourself and your partner. It's just common sense.