Hello, I am "Carefree soul," residing in Maharashtra in a city called Nagpur. I am a girl working in the medical fraternity, living and loving a simple life, aiming high.
I educate about HIV everyday and in every way, and still it’s some who say, “It doesn’t take all of that and people are going to do what they want to do. You can’t save the world!" Yep, you are right, people are going to be people and no one can change them, but we can educate them and provoke change in them. It’s dangerous when a person thinks they know everything and especially when they say, “I can do what I want to do because I am not bothering nobody. It’s my Life, my body, and my future”. Wrong!
It's been a while since I heard anyone mention HIV or say the words, "I got tested today." What is happening to us as a people? Better yet, what is happening to us as a community? Are we losing our voice and just succumbing to the craziness of the world? Throwing our hands up to the stigma? Listening to the noise about HIV just being a chronic dis-ease now?
Does anyone even care that Latinos represented 17% of the U.S. population but account for 24% of all new HIV diagnoses? That Blacks make up only 12% of the U.S. population, and they account for 44% of all new HIV infections among adults and adolescents, and Blacks comprise 61% of all HIV/AIDS cases among women? If we are aware of the stats that are looming in our communities then tell me why we are not getting tested more? Talking about it more? Yes, it is in the White communities also even if no one is talking about it.
Why do we have to keep having these conversations week after week?
Is it too much for one to wear a condom, use protection, or sleep with just one person?
HIV Testing is not like a pregnancy test, nor does it protect you from STIs. It's your job to care about your health just plain and simple. Stop acting like you never heard about the disease or know anyone who has it. Every time you play Russian roulette and may have had a one-night encounter you can't keep running back and getting tested because it is called the "Window Period".
Everyone is ignoring the fact that HIV has consumed the bodies of so many of our friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, church members, and even some of our enemies.
"He tried to erase me in one fell swoop. Make my existence not even worthy of a footnote or postscript." These are the words I wanted to scream as I searched the White House page on Friday, January 20, 2017
