News 2011
Cleo Manago Challenges NBAAD
February 7 has been deemed National Black AIDS Awareness Day (NBAAD). NBAAD is a well-meaning, culturally extraneous attempt at bringing Black attention to HIV/AIDS. However, garnering the attention of Black people requires a campaign that is a culturally restorative, educational and affirming, Black critical thought enhancing and holistic process.
New State of AIDS in Black America report recommends full implementation and scale up of health care reform and National HIV/AIDS Strategy
Report highlights major HIV related developments in 2010.
LOS ANGELES, February 7, 2011- The Black AIDS Institute ("the Institute"), the only national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on the Black community in the US, today released its 2011 State of AIDS in Black America report, Deciding Moment. 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic in America and presents unique opportunities to curtail the HIV/AIDS pandemic, but key challenges remain to moving forward in the AIDS response in Black America.
The report opens with an analysis of HIV/AIDS-related events in 2010, citing major developments including the passage of landmark healthcare reform legislation, the launch of America's first-ever National AIDS Strategy, and major scientific breakthroughs in treatment and prevention.
EDITORIAL
Commemorating Reggie Williams
Monday February 7th, marks the 11th anniversary of Black AIDS Awareness Day, an annual commemoration that calls upon Black people to take action against HIV and AIDS.
Nobel prize winner Andre Gide once said, "Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again." The fact that 30 years into America's AIDS epidemic, HIV/AIDS continues to rage in Black communities and families, suggests that this thought could apply here. According to a 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation study (pdf), 58 percent of Black Americans know someone with HIV/AIDS, and for 38 percent of us, that "someone" is a close personal friend or family member.
NEWS
National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition’s New Focus: New Media
From AIDS.gov
According to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, MSM (men who have sex with men) and racial and ethnic minorities are both disproportionately affected by HIV. We spoke with Venton Jones from The National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC)* about his efforts to use new media to extend the reach of their programs. NBGMAC will be launching a new website later this month and Venton is working with their members to develop a social media plan and build the organization's social media presence. In this post, he tells us about his organization and why new media is important.
NEWS
Philadelphia Clergy Preach, Teach and Test to End AIDS
With African Americans accounting for 64 percent of Philadelphia's HIV infections, clergy there have rallied in a citywide campaign to encourage people to get tested. In November, faith leaders from about 100 churches and mosques preached and disseminated information about HIV; 10 houses of worship offered on-site HIV testing.
Read more: Philadelphia Clergy Preach, Teach and Test to End AIDS