Quote:
Originally posted by delph998
How do you all feel about this new epidemic? How often does it cross your mind? Is it okay to ask potential significant others if they've been tested for HIV/AIDS? If they get offended when the question is asked, should that be a sign they're hiding something? Can't wait to hear your responses...
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Let me echo my soror Kizzie's sentiments in wishing you the most success with your presentation.
When I was in college, I was part of our Campus AIDS education program, and we did a presentation for a community service organization on campus. Even after we discussed the growing numbers of AIDS cases in our community and the need for abstinence and safe sex and honesty with partners, one of the members of the sponsoring organization asserted her view that "the AIDS thing is blown out of proportion and does not even exist on college campuses". I was horrified because I knew for a fact that it had arrived in Grambling. Northeast Louisiana, at the time, had the most rapidly growing venereal disease infection rate in the nation.
When I read about the rapid rate of infection among women of color (just about every month), it fills me with the same kind of dread that I felt about ten years ago when this young lady challenged me and my other peer counselors instead of investigating the facts for herself. I just hope she hasn't fallen prey to the statistics, or that anyone who looked up to her has not emulated her ignorance. I think about it at least two or three times a week, since I have sisters, cousins, sorors and friends who are single and dating women of color.
The only thing I can say is please wait as long as possible to get to know the person you want to be with. Then get their test results. If dude has to go to the free clinic, then so be it. If he is so offended that his woman would ask (that he would end the relationship), then later for him because he doesn't care about his partner's well-being (more than he cares about his own image) anyways.
Does anyone remember those "Choose Life" tshirts from back in the gap (the ones that folks like Wham wore when they first came out)? We, as women of color really need to "Choose Life" more often in all of the ways that we take care of ourselves.
I know that Delph didn't ask for a book, but I guess I had a lot to say.
