Together We Stand!

Today is a big day for my social media campaign around HIV/AIDS. I am proud to announce my partnership with BlackDoctor.org. Unbelievable! The Diva Living With AIDS Blog is going mainstream in record time of four weeks flat.

This partnership is important for many reasons, in particular but for one that is really close to my heart. I often get asked by the media and some well-meaning people, “What are African-Americans going to do about HIV /AIDS in the Black Community?” Over the years, I have graciously answered the question to the best of my knowledge and ability. But recently, the radical in me has begun to resent the question and the irony of it all. Ok, hear me out. They are asking a black woman, a member of the race in question, who has dedicated a good portion of her life to dealing with the “AIDS issue” what are “we" doing? As if to put in question, not only my work, but every other African-American that has in some way addressed HIV/AIDS in our community since the beginning of the pandemic.

 When this light went on in my head, I flipped the script and asked these questions, point blank, “What is the AIDS community going to do about HIV/AIDS in the Black community? What is America going to do about HIV/AIDS in the Black community?” How dare you drop the entire HIV/AIDS problem in our laps. Don't we deserve the same help that the Gay community received in the first half of the epidemic?

 I bet I I know what you are thinking and probably mumbling to yourself, “OMG! She is soooo politically incorrect.” But like I used to tell my ex-husband, don't make me lie because you can't handle the truth. The fact is, a free-standing Black America would rank 16th in the world in the number of people living with HIV. That seems to me, to be an “us” issue rather than a “them” issue. Ok, I've said it. I feel better now. I’m moving on. I’m not gonna press the issue, at least not today. Just wanted to give you something to think about.

As an African-American woman living with HIV/AIDS I am proud of my commitment and the commitment of those I have worked with along the way. I have used every avenue available and now, despite  the critics, I am using modern social media avenues such as Facebook, Twitter and now my Diva Living With AIDS Blog. The World Wide Web is where the people are and BlackDoctor.org is proof of that fact. They have over 1.8 million readers.

 BlackDoctor.org is a credible and trusted resource for African-Americans to get healthy lifestyle information. They are a "WebMD" for Black consumers with a comprehensive database of accurate, relevant information. They have become the first point of call whenever African-Americans need medical/dental information or a referral to a qualified Black doctor.

 Beginning today, BlackDoctor.org will feature weekly one of my Diva Living With AIDS Blog posts in their HIV Learning Center. While they have had a long standing commitment to educate on HIV/AIDS, I am especially proud that this trusted medical resource is partnering with me to educate their readers on the issue of HIV/AIDS. They understand that I am not a doctor or a journalist, just simply a woman living with AIDS and having her say, her way. We are both hopeful that their readers will be enlightened about HIV/AIDS through my lens. And likewise, my readers will utilize BlackDoctor.org as a resource on HIV/AIDS and other medical issues.

 Today, I am especially proud that BlackDoctor.org believes my voice should be heard and are giving me a new avenue to do work around HIV/AIDS. For sure, the next time I get asked the question, “What is the Black Community doing about HIV/AIDS?” I can proudly point to this partnership as one more way we are working hard to educate our community about this disease.