St. Norbert Times

Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Kelsey Fenton

Humanity in the 21st century is faced with many issues which threaten our very existence - be it nuclear war, environmental disaster or increasing social inequalities. However, since its recognition by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 1981, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has posed an unmanageable challenge, affecting millions of people across the globe.

AIDS, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is among the most controversial diseases which, according to Allison Tull '09, "is surrounded by an overwhelming amount of na'veté."

In order to raise awareness and educate St. Norbert peers, Tull - current Peace and Justice Center intern - organized an event which exposed the issues of prejudice and social exclusion to which many who are infected with AIDS have to deal with on a daily basis.

After consulting with Sr. Sally Ann Brickner, Tull decided that the annual Poverty Awareness Week would be the perfect time for the event. With the help of the Emerging Leaders volunteers, for the second year in a row SNC students were given a chance to learn more about the disease, which is taking its toll across the world. It is especially prevalent among the younger population, which tends to be more sexually active.

The crowd at the event had a chance to listen to the poetry readings from the New York service trip, part of the T.R.I.P.S. program, with focus on HIV/AIDS and to learn the definitions and facts about the protection and prevention methods. In addition, a movie was shown, which specifically dealt with social stigmas through the eyes of a Zulu couple infected with AIDS who were excluded from the village society. The movie illustrated the ignorance and narrow-mindedness when it comes to this pandemic disease.

In order to make students recognize the severity of the HIV/AIDS problem, people were also able to find condoms with attached multicolored facts about HIV and the ways it can be transmitted.

Tull stated: "I believe in the need to confront the myths and misconceptions regarding human sexuality that translate into hazardous sexual practices."

The great turnout of students at the event proved that many college students are willing to learn about the controversial social issue. The message of the event was that in the future college students will be among those who will advocate the stoppage of advancing false information, intolerance and discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected community.

Tull concluded that: "People are going to be sexually active no matter what, and it is crucial that they recognize risks and take appropriate measures for protection."

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