Posted on 07/14/2002 6:52:32 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
Who cares that the scourge of AIDS is decimating black America?
When is the last time you heard Al Sharpton call a press conference to denounce black apathy to the AIDS crisis or Julian Bond challenge black churches to reach out to gays?
Yet AIDS is wreaking more havoc on black America than racial profiling, assaults on affirmative action or Republicans in the White House --- all of which remain popular targets for the outrage of so-called black leaders. African-Americans continue to contract the deadly infection at an alarming rate; in 2000, blacks, only 12 percent of the American population, accounted for 43 percent of the new AIDS cases.
The stigma AIDS carries in black America has only increased since researchers became aware of the prominent role played by bisexual black men in transmitting the virus. (Previously, researchers had focused largely on IV drug use, especially among women victims.) The discovery has highlighted the shadowy world of gay and bisexual black men who refuse to openly acknowledge their sexual orientation and live dual lives of risky behavior.
That risky behavior was the subject of a study presented at the 14th International AIDS Conference, which opened in Barcelona this week. Among the study's revelations was this: Many young gay men practicing risky sex nevertheless believe they are unlikely to contract HIV. Among those with the virus, 90 percent of black men, 70 percent of Latinos and 60 percent of whites did not know they were HIV-positive.
In black America, that sort of denial is fueled by a rampant homophobia. With black preachers denouncing homosexuality from the pulpits and black families shunning gay sons, few gay black men are out of the closet. They have developed few networks or counseling groups. Instead, many of them take on dangerous dual lives, which include high-risk same-sex liaisons described as "on the down low."
Meanwhile, they also marry or carry on long-term relationships with women, to whom they may transmit the virus. Of the AIDS victims who acquired the virus through heterosexual sex, black women accounted for nearly half from 1994 to 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
You'd think that a deadly plague ravaging black communities across the nation would have provoked prayer vigils, community crusades and countless community-based counseling programs. Indeed, there have been a few such efforts.
Last year, the Atlanta-based Interdenominational Theological Center unveiled a curriculum, designed with five other historically black seminaries, to help black churches spread the message of AIDS prevention. Two years ago, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a 2.5 million-member organization, called on its churches to increase ministries to those suffering with AIDS and to declare a "state of emergency" stemming from the epidemic.
Still, such programs are few and far between. By and large, black churches either ignore AIDS or denounce gays, increasing their alienation and making it more likely that they will live dual lives of risky behavior.
Meanwhile, the latest issue of Ebony magazine, the widely read black-oriented monthly, features a special section on health that barely gives AIDS a passing mention. The magazine highlights heart disease, cancer and diabetes and offers advice on diet and exercise. But it hardly declares a "state of emergency" over AIDS.
As long as black homosexuality lives in the shadows and denial hovers in the air, HIV will continue to stalk black America, guaranteeing countless black men and women early graves. The killer lives among us, nurtured by bigotry, ignorance and apathy.
But who cares?
Cynthia Tucker is the editorial page editor. Her column appears Wednesdays and Sundays.
cynthia@ajc.com
However, when she states: "Among those with the virus, 90 percent of black men, 70 percent of Latinos and 60 percent of whites did not know they were HIV-positive." Sounds like we have this problem profiled by Race. I guess it's OK for her to profile, I mean she's not a cop or anything like that.
And to her 1st question: Who cares that the scourge of AIDS is decimating black America?". There are lots of people that care, but feel bad caring doesn't fix the problem. It takes action. Some morality (not infecting your partner), and self-control might also help.
But who cares?
Gee, Cynthia, is it possible that the spread of AIDS is nurtured by people who simply don't give a damn? This epidemic would virtually end if the people involved did just one thing, namely exercise self control in their sex lives.
" ... that sort of denial is fueled by a rampant homophobia ... "
Denial of personal responsibility is denial of personal responsibility.
What fuels denial of personal responsibility is unwillingness to face personal responsibility because willingness bears the pain and weight of accepting responsibility.
"I am responsible."
"I did it."
"I made the mistake."
Takes courage to face; especially in a mirror.
What we should be forgiving, is mistakes made by people who make such admissions as they learn.
The matter above is not one to fault a "closet."
Instead, the matter is about evading personal responsibility, which spending too much time "in the corner" permits.
I don't think that was her point. She was critizing Black leaders who obess on Republicans, Racial Profiling &c, when the enormously greater threat to Blacks is their own reckless behavoir. She seems to be "on point" IMHO.
I missed that part.
What I hear is all kinds of blacks (NAALCP, Cynthia Tucker, IrReverends Sharpton and Jackson, etc) talk about wreaking havoc on black Americans but I fail to see or hear specifics.
I guess since I'm a white male conservative, it's not obvious to me what this havoc is. Can someone enlighten me?
That’s it, I had it with the Libs. Equating Republicans with a disease which is killing Black American is not acceptable.
No more nice guy. Time to Freep the paper, the owner and the advertisers.
The flagship of Cox Newspapers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the largest newspaper south of Washington, D.C., and east of Houston. Telephone: 800-846-6672
Cox Enterprises is one of the nation’s leading media companies and operators of automobile auctions. Major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications, Inc. ([NYSE: COX] cable television distribution, telephone, high-speed Internet access and other advanced broadband services); Cox Newspapers, Inc. (newspapers, local and national direct mail advertising and customized newsletters); Cox Television. (television, television sales rep firms and research); Cox Radio, Inc. ([NYSE: CXR] broadcast radio stations and interactive web sites); Manheim Auctions, Inc., (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); and Cox Interactive Media, Inc., (a network of Internet city sites). Cox Enterprises also owns an equity stake in a range of Internet businesses, including AutoTrader.com, the world’s largest and most visited source of used vehicle listings for dealers and consumers.
JAMES C. KENNEDY
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
The company is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Kennedy, James C. Kennedy, 54, is chairman and chief executive officer of privately-held Cox Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation’s leading media companies and operators of automobile auctions. He is the grandson of former Ohio Governor and presidential candidate James M. Cox, who founded the company in 1898. He also serves as chairman of the board for Cox Radio, Inc. and Cox Communications, Inc.
Call Cox Enterprises at: (404) 843-5000 Call us on the Cox Media Hotline: (1-877-426-9639) Media Contacts: Colleen Brannan, Jami Buck
JAY SMITH
President
Cox Newspapers, Inc.
Jay Smith, 52, is president of Cox Newspapers, Inc., a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation’s leading media companies and operators of automobile auctions. He is responsible for overseeing 17 daily newspapers, 30 non-daily newspapers and shoppers, as well as the company's interest in Val-Pak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc. (the nation’s leader in cooperative direct mail advertising) and the Trader Publishing Company (producers of a national network of auto, truck, boating, employment and real estate advertising magazines).
I believe you mean that he was convicted of something like "reckless endangerment". Being convicted of sex with many white girls sounds like a stereotyped southern trait.
They apparently don't give a damn in Africa either.
I wasn't bashing you, Lonesome in Massachussets made the point.
I was just taking what you noticed and asked what Havoc out of context from Aids.
She clearly states she thinks Republicans are wrecking havoc on Blacks. I'm just too ignorant to figure out how. I can't point to a single Bush/Ashcroft action that wrecked havoc.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.