In honor of World Aids Day yesterday, I got proactive on the community radio.
Before coming to the DR, I had little experience with the disease. In fact I think the closest I came to knowing someone HIV positive was a source-relationship I built with a hospice center in Austin during my days at The Texan.
Check out these stats for AIDS in the DR:
I first heard about the disease in my community after a woman who had shut herself into her house from shame… died.
And I don’t think that’s uncommon here. Very few people talk about seriously about sex openly – let alone STDs. No sex ed. Yet, it’s obvious that lots of sex is happening.
The lack of conversation, as in most everything else, created a mysterious veil between fact and gossip of how the disease operates. People will often opt out of treatment to protect themselves from the stigma of their communities. What’s worse, they continue to spread HIV to others.
I now know several people with AIDS – some who are receiving treatment in the face of scrutiny and others who are not.
For all of them and my neighbor that died, I got on the air (on a religious program, I might add) and talked about using safe sex practices. I listed the ways you can get HIV, but more importantly, the ways you CANNOT get HIV.
I cried out for love and compassion for those fighting a solitary battle here in my community. I cried out for unity, for healing.
The woman speaking with me, invited me to do a program once a month to talk about topics like this one on her show. She called me an ambassador of peace.
Understanding HIV and AIDS from a human rights perspective can be difficult.
Human rights are often misunderstood – and can sometimes be seen as abstract ideals with not much practical relevance for real people.
With “Universal Access and Human Rights” being the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, the key slogans are:
- I am accepted.
- I am safe.
- I am getting treatment.
- I am well.
- I am living my rights.
- Everyone deserves to live their rights.
- Right to Live.
- Right to Health.
- Access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is a critical part of human rights.
Embajadora, Maybe radio is your future? Sounds like fun.