Sistahs (and their partners) Really Should “Get Real” About HIV/AIDS

photo courtesy of ncbcp.org

Originally posted September 17-23, 2008, The Globe Newspaper (Revised June 2011)

Before writing this article I’d received an email from a Globe reader employed with the US. Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically, her work focuses on health promotion within the area of women’s health and HIV/AIDS, and at that time she was working with the National HIV Testing Mobilization Campaign, which “encourages all communities across the country to know their HIV status and get tested for HIV.” I was provided with statistics involving Black women and HIV/AIDS. These statistics were not good, not good at all. I am hoping that by resharing this information with you that you take more seriously this epidemic; understand its impact on our community, and do what it takes to turn this around. The following data was compiled by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), whose research found that “Women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. They also concluded that HIV infection was:
• The leading cause of death for African American women aged 25-34 years;
• 3rd leading cause of death for African American women aged 35-44 years and;
• 4th leading cause of death for African American women aged 45-54 years.
Cancer and heart disease were the only other diseases that cause more deaths among women. And, guess what? We’re disproportionately ahead of other races/ethnic groups when it comes to dying from these diseases too.

Libraries Are Our Community Treasures

photo courtesy of shelleysdavies.com

Note: The following article was written for Women's Day Magazine, who was looking for stories about why libraries are important to our communities. It seems fitting that I now post this given that our Oakland libraries are at risk of closing, leaving our communities at a loss.

One day, while hunting for treasure, I discovered an old journal neatly tucked away on a bookshelf. I honestly enjoy treasure hunting; I’m constantly finding little jewels, nuggets of sweet memories. I began flipping through the pages of this recent discovery, and found that on March 11, 1982, I’d written an entry about a trip to the Main Library in downtown Oakland, CA. It was on that day that I rediscovered the library. I was 24-years old; it was like I’d found lost fortune, something misplaced or forgotten, but  brings a happy surprise once unearthed. I’d written about a day in my life, while in the throes of cleansing and purging my thoughts, I stumble into the free, public library, a place to rest my mind and anxieties. Go figure.

On March 11, 1982, I was having a bad day and needed a spirit boost. It was on a Thursday afternoon; I’d made a note about the weather—“A dreary day with lots of rain and clouds.” I had attended a mid-afternoon appointment, and with some time to spare before picking up my son from school, I considered stopping by the library to “sit there and collect my thoughts.” Once I arrive, I head to the Music and Literature section of the main branch. As if for the first time, I observe the neatly stacked bins of albums and cassettes, music from the U.S. and abroad, and am fascinated by such a large and diverse collection. To the left of the bins were headphones and four combination cassette-turntables. At the information desk, I discovered my library card gave me access to the music and equipment for two-hours; I could listen to any of the music available.