Get Educated
Get Involved Get Tested was the main theme of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, sponsored by the Ohio University Office of Multicultural Programs and the Lindley Cultural Center.
The event featured free HIV and AIDS testing, as well as a speech by activist Stephen Arrington. It was the first of many programs this week designed to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS among blacks.
Testing was conducted by the Newark Country Health Department throughout the day at Lindley Cultural Center and was followed by a presentation last night.
The presentation showcased Arrington and his struggles with AIDS and included a remembrance ceremony for those who are living with the disease or have died because of it. POWER, a group that advocates safe sex though the use of condoms, also demonstrated how to put on a condom.
Arrington encouraged those who attended the presentation to educate others about HIV and AIDS.
I am here to challenge you to make a movement and hopefully plant a seed in you to show that this disease is real he said. We need to make sure people of color are at the table and our issues are heard.
Arrington also discussed HIV and AIDS research in Africa. He said Africans that have the disease are not able to receive the treatments that are available in the United States.
AIDS is not a gay disease
it's an 'equal opportunity' disease
he said. It's hiring -want a dose?
Erika Robinson, a first-year graduate student and the graduate associate of Multicultural Programs, planned the event. Though the audience for the first event was small, Robinson said she believed the day was successful.
I'm a little disappointed with the turnout. I believe the message (from the presentation) will be spread
she said. I still view this as a joyous day
because we were able to get 31 people tested for HIV and AIDS.
Linda Daniels, assistant director of Lindley Cultural Center, said this is the first time the center has attempted to commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. She also said Robinson took the idea of celebrating the day and ran with it.
Erika has done an excellent job. She has planned not just one day
but an entire week of programs
she said. The turnout may have been small
but this is only the first. Next year will be bigger and better. We will continue to do this.
The Office of Multicultural Programs will be co-sponsoring events with Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta today, Wednesday and Friday.
