Did you see "Out of Control, AIDS & African Am."?

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Wow! I thought it was really an eye-opener. Started by Peter Jennings before his death, it was about the impact of AIDS on African Americans, and how it has been ignored by media, politicians, religious leaders, and AA's themselves.

Some outtakes:

-Did you know condom use is not allowed in Federal prisons or most state facilities? Even though 40% of incarcerated males report having sex with other males while in prison. (self-reporting!)

-or that there are only 85 black males for every 100 black females, leading to a higher rate of multiple sexual partners than other groups.

-That 68% of all newly diagnosed, HIV + heterosexual females are black?

Hopefully this story will help start a groundswell of awareness so this epidemic can be reined in. Thank you ABC News.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I watched it. According to the program, part of the problem is how some black men go on the "down-low" instead of acknowledging that they are homosexual or bisexual. This has to change. The stigma for homosexuality among many African Americans must change or many many more will continue to suffer and die. I think alot of this stigma comes from the church. The church is part of the problem.

I was disappointed in Jessie Jackson during his interview. He refused to accept responsibility as a leader and tried to deflect blame. Shame on him for refusing to address this issue.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Most heterosexual black females who are HIV-postive have contracted the virus from males who are bisexual and hiding their real sexual orientation to avoid being stigmatized by society.

I have always known that there are fewer black men in American society than women. This can be attributed to the high homicide rates, very short life expectancies, lack of preventative healthcare, higher rates of prostate cancer, and incarceration.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I was disappointed in Jessie Jackson during his interview. He refused to accept responsibility as a leader and tried to deflect blame. Shame on him for refusing to address this issue.

He has a habit of ignoring issues that he doesn't have an answer on. I'll get flamed for saying this, but i do not view him as a leader.

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He has a habit of ignoring issues that he doesn't have an answer on. I'll get flamed for saying this, but i do not view him as a leader.

Not from me . . I agree with you. He may have started out with good intentions but he has veered far from anything except self-promotion.

steph

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