Another Awareness Day...

 

Today is, National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2021.  This piece is about that matter.  If I seem underwhelmed,  I am.  

I understand in the US, HIV has struck hardest in the Gay communities & among those actively MSM.  I get it & in this country that's accurate.  But, it isn't globally.  Around the world, HIV seems most prevalent in those parts of society with less standing and power.  Whether that be Gays, Women, POC, etc...

For decades our society has divided into smaller & smaller groups.  So some people can feel better  represented.   If some groups do have specific issues,  those should be addressed.   If not we should all be treated the same.

I'm male, of Native American descent, Gay, rural,  poor & a host  of  other descriptors.  But, in this matter, a single point should be the focus.  I am HIV+. The virus in my body is what's being treated, not any of those other things.  I'm not saying those other things can't impact my health or treatment.  But those are social, cultural or psychological matters, not medical.

Division in these matters will only do harm.  Unless a biological matter needs to be addressed during  treatment, then it shouldn't matter who we are.    We're all people  living with HIV.

Cya...

Division...

 

As a researcher, I realize the importance of  demographics & the need to examine a diverse  population for  any study.  However, the core of any study should be the inherent focus.   For this blog, the area is direct, HIV. 

IMO, for years now, too much of HIV research has been divided.  Again population diversity is vastly important, but not at the expense of the totality of the study.  While there is still some research at the wholeness of  the issue of HIV/AIDS.  Much of it, if not most, has been divided.  It's now a matter  of ethnicity, nationality, economics, sex, gender, etc...  Again, these are factors in any study.  But a study over HIV in poor, Black, transgender  women living in mid continent Africa shouldn't prevail over other studies.  Yet, often I see articles that specifically divided overwhelming other research.  

HIV research isn't  the only thing we've fractured.  Almost every area  of research is now like this.  News reports  are filled such pieces.  We've left the macro for  an almost  entirely micro viewpoint.   Both are necessary.

My blog is about HIV.  Yes, I am more interested in articles that  affect rural areas like where I live.  But, I don't expect every article to  be like that.  It's nice  to  see a non-metro  perspective every once & a while.  But of all these divisions, I'd say being poor & rural probably  trumps most of  them  when it  comes to HIV.  So, write about your specifics, but don't lose sight of the big picture.

Cya...

Division...

Many articles detail stigma & the inability of certain populations to deal with HIV due to their cultural issues with the virus or being gay.  I saw a title today that read the fight against HIV can only be won if Black America leads.   This isn't a racist thing, nor am I arguing with the points made in the piece.  

My issue is that division has become too prevalent in this society.  There are very few who just identify themselves as a Americans.  They're hyphenated people, with divided loyalties & agendas.  Most typically the word, American, is in the rear & treated accordingly.  Being American is treated more like a geographic indicator than a point of culture. 

I'm a gay man over 50 with HIV.  I vote moderate & democrat.  My bloodlines are Cherokee, French & Greek (probably others).  I'm of lower income living in rural Oklahoma.  I'm a disabled Gen X'er.  I recognize I'm all of those, but they're just part of me, not my definition.

I could use any or all of these to define me & isolate myself.  This would only lead to division.  You can call it diversity, but often it's just a justification.  If we don't all get on the same page about somethings, then this nation is screwed.  If we can't do it about HIV, then when can we.  HIV doesn't care who or what you are.  Why should you, when you're fighting it?

Cya...