We’ve all heard and seen the commercials and the billboards telling us to check the HIV status of our partners. But, I have found, too often, that this is where we stop. It is as if our other loved ones are not in danger of contracting HIV. Don’t they matter, too? (This is a rhetorical question. If they don’t, please suspend your disbelief for all practical purposes of this conversation. Thank you.)
We should have a little talk with everyone about whom we care.
“But, Mic,” you say, “how do I talk to those other than my partner/boo/boyfriend/girlfriend/booty-call/bedfellow/STD perpetuator/[INSERT YOUR LABEL HERE] about HIV and protection or worse…ABSTINENCE till commitment?”
Wherein, I will politely reply, “I dunno. But thanks for asking.”
However, since I am here. I suppose we can delve into this a bit more.
It always catches me by surprise that even in our arguably sexually liberated 21st century society, parents are still uncomfortable speaking with their children about sex and protection. But, what is more puzzling to me is the fact that many children are uncomfortable speaking to their parents about this issue. Yet, we all know how to Supaman dat’ ho. Things that make you say, “Hmmm.” It’s as if this little ditty is really about superheroes and our bootylicious music videos and magazines only give us that funny feeling below our tummies because they’re so wholesome and remind of us of grandmamma’s biscuits and our favorite Saturday morning cartoons (Smurf’s and The Snorkels were mine…but, I digress.)
So, in whose lap does the responsibility fall in regards to sex education and STD prevention? I am going to upset many of you when I say this, however, you’ll love me in the end (If not, this, too, is another one of those places where you suspend your disbelief. Thank you.).
The responsibility lies with the children--us. Why? Well, a wise prophet once said that “the children are our future.” That same wise prophet said that “crack is wack.” The jury is still out on said prophet. But, nonetheless, the responsibility is ours because these are our bodies, our lives, our futures that are being shaped right before our eyes and at the rate that our world is changing, our parents may not be equipped to navigate the slippery slopes of sex in the 21st century. Seriously, some of us aren’t even equipped and we’ve been riding the rides in this amusement park called post-9/11 America for almost a decade.
Now, there aren’t many tools available kosher enough for us to interrupt Sunday dinner with an impromptu slideshow or hand puppet production (my personal favorite!) that discusses the humps and bumps of sex education. Pun intended. But, if your family is like mine, and it probably isn’t (Again, my friend, keep suspending that disbelief. Good job. Thank you.), you can all appreciate hearing stories about real people living real lives.
Billboards have models. Commercials and public service announcements have actors. Both are important; but, the visualization of people who share your experience is always more gripping and lasting. Think about it: when was the last time you appreciated a man telling you how to be a woman?
Dear Bush Administration, this is my mother/sister/homegirl’s uterus. It’s hers. Not yours. So, beat it…and not like that, silly.
"So, Mic," you say, "what the hell is your point?"
To which I will politely reply, "Watch your tone."
But, I do have a little tidbit to share with you:the website A Positive Life.com is a great example of how multi-faceted the face of HIV/AIDS is. Each testimonial expresses the great need to self-educate and to share that education with your loved ones…even your drunk, stank-faced, wig-wearing, too loud, nosey auntie who gives you the same oversized red sweater every year at Christmas (I apologize. I may be personalizing.).
These are our stories told by a new generation of story-tellers. There is someone with whom everyone can identify. Parents, children, friends, and lovers share their stories of living with HIV/AIDS. They share their stories of empowering their loved ones who are HIV positive. They share their stories of supporting those who have full blown AIDS. You cannot deny the amount of courage, faith, strength, and, ultimately, love conveyed in each video or voice recording. I encourage you to take some time and check out this great website. It’s easy to navigate and one of my favorite parts of the whole site is that people look like me. Of course, they’re nowhere near as fabulous; but, they are brown-skinned and black-skinned and red-boned and yellow and well, not melatonin-less.
Good day, ladies. See you next week! Enjoy life. Enjoy you. Enjoy just being authentic.
Ciao,
mic
P.S. She supports HIV/AIDS awareness, too.
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