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Times and Democrat
Orangeburg, SC
10/26/2001
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Call to arms: AIDS like Sept. 11 for blacks (cont. page2)
Likening the scourge of HIV/AIDS to the tragic terror attack of Sept. 11, she
pointed out that, like American leaders, minority communities ignored a previous
warning about the proliferation of HIV/AIDS among members of their communities.
"In 1985, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) said we would be exactly
where we are today," Seele said. "But we ignored the signs. Ten thousand
people lose their lives to AIDS every day. Where is the outrage for that? We can't
wait 20 more years for our leaders to lead. The world is in crisis."
Addressing some of the possible reasons for the lethargic action against HIV/AIDS
in minority communities, Seele plowed passionately into the problem as she has
seen it in her experience with many of the churches with which her organization
has worked.
"The issue is not a condom," she said. "The issue is not homosexuality
or bisexuality. The issue is our students are sexually active and HIV/AIDS is
transmitted through sex. The issue is our students are not well educated about
HIV/AIDS and that lack of knowledge is a death sentence for them."
"HIV/AIDS is not about your theological position on homosexuality, "
Seele said."HIV affects both straight and gay people. We must teach, and
not preach, abstinence, beginning in the home at an early age. If you think your
10 year-old child does not know about sex, you are sitting on the banks of denial."
She requested that the audience literally stand with her against HIV/AIDS.
Once they were brought to their feet, she extracted a promise that they would
"declare AIDS a state of emergency in our lives, our neighborhoods, our households,
our schools and our churches. And we will demand immediate attention and resources
from our politicians and representatives."
A stirring delivery, Seele continually received nods of agreement during her
talk and a spirited standing ovation at the end of it.
Dr. Robert Jones, director of the Denmark Medical Center, was among those in
agreement with Seele. In his practice he sees patients infected with HIV every
day.
"I'm in the middle of the epidemic in Denmark," Jones said. "Prevention
is the key. I also volunteer at the Changes Clinic at the Orangeburg Health Department,
and the Ediston Health District, which consists of Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun
counties. And this district has the highest number of cases per capita in the
state."
Jones explained further that there are probably more cases in larger metropolitan
areas, but percentage-wise, the Ediston Health District leads the state.
"Save Yourself, Save Your Community" culminated with a town-hall-meeting
format in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center attended by more than 1,000
students who were given information on living with HIV/AIDS and prevention.
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