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What's Going On? That HumpReflections on the Rising Rates of STIs in African-American Teenage Girls
May/June 2008
The data is from a study that was released at the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference. It was held here in Chicago this year, so I was able to ride the train to and from the sessions listening to Erykah Badu's politically charged new CD, New Amerykah, on my iPod. There's a song on the CD called The Hump. It's sung from the perspective of a drug-addicted single mother of two who is certain that if she could just "get over that hump," things would be better. But you can tell from her words that she knows that even if she is able to miraculously get over the hump that she's faced with today, another one awaits at tomorrow's sunrise. View Full Article Visit TPAN's website to find out more about their activities, publications and services.
Comment by: Tarvis Mack - DC
Wed., Jul. 2, 2008 at 3:03 pm EDT Kevin, I totally agree with your article in its complete entirety. Apparently, Mr. Romney does not understand the African-American struggles and experience in this country. I'm sure his fore-fathers were not held into captivity, sold into slavery for generations, prevented to be educated or seen by a physician of any sort for centuries. Because of this type of conditioning we have developed taboos, stigmas and dogmas against going to see a physician for even basic health issues reasons. We have to educate ourselves to the importance of seeing a physician, getting tested not only for HIV/AID, but for all life-threatening illnesses that plague our communities. Until the leaders of this country recognize the misdeeds of the African-American race they will never come to understand our struggles with HIV/AIDs in our communities. Yes, the resources are there, but how do you get those resources to people that needs them the most? It's a fighting battle, and we all must stay in it to win. Great article!
Comment by: Frank
Mon., Jun. 30, 2008 at 12:53 pm EDT Dear Keith - I read your article with great interest. I am sorry to say, I am not sure what else can be done "to correct the psychological effects" you speak of. Just like my bad decisions put me in this place, the same is true for the Black Community. I have heard this song for so long - same message just prettier words. We all need to accept our own responsibility. My mistakes are not because of someone else. I believe you have done a disservice to your own community with this article. I grew up in the south, hate racism, love my black, brown and other friends but I am positive because of my own choice and no one else. The same is true for the Black Community today. You can not blame anyone for bad decisions except the decision maker. Yes, I am white and only found out I am positive at 43 years old. That is no one's fault but my own. Thank You
Comment by: Delphine
Sat., Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:19 am EDT Hey Keith,I feel you on so much of what you wrote in this article.Like you I work In the field and I do outreach and advocacy, oh and lets not forget to mention that I'm also black and infected with aids, so for those reason alone I too take the NSTDPs stasitics personally. I was so glad to hear you speak to the fact that we as people need to step up and be more responsible in not only addressing the growing rates of STIs in our communities, but we need to stand on the front lines of prevention.I feel that when we become more accountable to the realities of what our drug addictions do to our children in our communities we will fair a much better chance of getting over the hump.Being a recovering crack addict myself I identify all to well with that song.But being a black women living with Aids looking out at the devastation my crack addiction has added to my communities struggle, I believe as Bill Crosby does, we have not kept up our part of the bargain,and I will take it even further to say that we perpetuate most of our own destruction.Working in the field and pounding the pavement on the front lines of prevention I am faced with a reality that makes me cry daily. That being the true facts that I live with every day,1. I watch people that are infected and addicted, continuously ignore all the safe sex talks and workshops provided to help keep themselves and others safe,all in the need to get more drugs by any means necessary.2 As you wrote there is enough available prevention wise, but is there enough available,in morals in our communities. I believe we the cracked generation especialy those of us that are clean, need to take a good look at what's become of our children and families. We need to take a serious look at the connection of drugs and the rising rate of STI infections and start trying to come together and build some strategies to get us over this hump.
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Because I am genuinely passionate about my work, it is sometimes really difficult for me to not take it personally. Hearing that one in two African American teenage girls may be infected with at least one sexually transmissible infection (STI) was one of those times.
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