Aid and AIDS

Today is World AIDS Day.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic."

Why should we care though?  What makes AIDS so important that it needs a day where the whole world should contemplate, learn, and take action?

Well, contemplate this: over one million Americans are living with HIV. One Million.  That's a huge amount of people.  Contrary to popular belief that it's a problem from decades ago, or that you only have to worry about it if you're gay, HIV and AIDS are prevalent in this country.  It's a very significant problem in America, effecting every race, gender, age group, and social class.

I really like the suggestion made my Samhita at Feministing.  In her post she says "As someone who has friends that have suffered with and without support, through shame and a world that discriminates, and has worked to overcome my own fears, I strongly recommend reading some stories, educating yourself and breaking out of the cycle of shame by talking."  So take a look at the stories from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, or people currently living with HIV.  Read about Ryan White, and his struggle with discrimination and perception.

But don't stop there.  Learn about the global problem.  Throughout the day I've come across these facts: 

• Africa is home to ony 10% of the world's population, yet that's where 67% of all HIV cases are.
• 2 Million children under the age of 15 live with HIV.
• 2008 saw over 2 million AIDS related deaths.
  

I know that Africa is suffering from the widespread damage of HIV.  I know that globally lots of children have the disease.  I know that many people die each year from AIDS related causes.  But seeing the numbers written out like that makes my heart stop.  They are cold hard facts that many of us already know, but don't these number scare you?

So we contemplated.  We learned.  What do we do now?

There's actually a lot to do, and if you've read this far, you're already equipped to do it.  Advocacy may seem like a small thing, but it can make a huge difference.  Awareness about HIV/AIDS is very much needed.  People need to know how HIV can and cannot be contracted and what it is doing to our global community.  You don't have to become a professional AIDS educator and make those presentations that many of us snoozed through in grade school.  You can tweet a link to the World AIDS Campaign, or post a Facebook note about travel restrictions placed on people who are HIV positive.  You can wear a red ribbon to show your support for the cause.  Show it off.  Tell people about it.  Encourage people you know to wear one too.

And as cheesy as it sounds, you can by something from (Product)RED.  Sure, it might be better to send $50 directly to HIV/AIDS research, but let's be honest...are you actually going to do that?  I know that I haven't.  But I also know that I would have bought that cute Inspi(red) tee shirt from Gap even if the proceeds weren't going to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS.  At least this way 50% of my money was donated.  I get to wear a cool new shirt, feel good about shopping with a conscientious company, know where my money went, spread the word, and show people I care without even trying.

I leave you with a grammar lesson.  "HIV virus" is redundant, as HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus.

Now go off and advocate!