A New AIDS Campaign
I've been thinking about all the press AIDS received back in its early days. There was a lot of media attention back then and a lot of awareness. Now, 27 years later, we see news reports and celebrities traveling to Africa to shed light on an epidemic that has infected millions. But these front-page stories and images we used to see here have all but vanished.
Let me be perfectly clear: HIV/AIDS is still infecting people in this country. The African American community has been disproportionately affected and infection rates continue to climb. Hispanics are seeing a rise in infections as well.
Even though we know AIDS does not discriminate, there has always been a stigma attached to the disease. The "gay" disease. Drug addicts. People who "get it" do so by "their own fault" ... the "victims" are the children and people who contract it by "no fault of their own." I've heard all of that. It's a shame there is still so much small mindedness and ignorance after all these years.
Then I thought about a new "campaign" for AIDS. New public relations of sorts. A new "image" of AIDS, if you will.
I thought about the ads for breast cancer and how the yogurt manufacturers and other companies from jeans to hardware give money and airtime to breast cancer - not that they shouldn't, and do not misunderstand what I am saying here.
The point I am trying to make is that AIDS awareness needs a makeover. I want corporate sponsorships. I want ads with people of all races in all socioeconomic categories getting together at a party talking about getting tested and about HIV in general. I want an "all-American Mom" and her teenaged girls talking about HIV the way they are talking about HPV and the Gardasil vaccine. I want to see rock-climbing and water-skiing HIV-positive people living their lives like everyone else.
I want to put a better "face" on HIV and bring it back into public awareness. Perhaps then we can get more government funding for much-needed programs and help for more people.
Anyone know a big corporate sponsor I can schmooze? Let me know!