February 7, 2008
Albany -- AIDS kills more black people
worldwide than any other disease, but the
virus affects all races, genders, and age
groups.
As
part of national black HIV-AIDS Awareness
Day, students at Albany State University got
a straight shooting lesson on the deadly
disease.
At
times, her message about safe sex seems like
a comedy routine, complete with laughs from
the audience.
"If this does not fit, he does not need a
condom." But Cathy Robinson-Pickett didn't
come to Albany State University to
entertain, she's here to educate.
"AIDS doesn't discriminate," she said. "It
doesn't care what color you are and there's
the perception that it's got to be an
African American man out of prison or an IV
drug user or those kind of things and those
stereotypes are really what cause the
disease to spread."
And she should know. As a wife and mother
with another child on the way, Robinson
certainly never thought that both she and
her husband could be HIV positive. "My hope
is that when people meet me, I break all
those stereotypes."
In
1984, when little was known about the
disease, Robinson was raped by a man who was
infected. She unknowingly passed it along to
her husband. But doesn't want others to go
through the same hell she's been through.
"These are the kids who are making those
life changing decisions right now and that
message of self-esteem and respecting
themselves is so important and that's what I
hope they get," she said.
And apparently that message is taking root.
Peer Educator Jamilah Carter said, "It's
something that's universal no matter what
color you are, no matter what race you are,
no matter your age group. It's something
everybody needs to be aware of and take
seriously."
"It's very important that we take the
initiative to protect ourselves," said ASU
Senior Marlon Taylor. "Respect ourselves and
if we chose to have sex, to use protection,
take every measure that's possible."
Because it's not who you are that determines
if AIDS will affect you, it's what you do to
make sure you're protected.
Both of Cathy Robinson's children are free
of HIV.
Learn more at these websites
recommended by Robinson-
Feedback:
news@walb.com?subject=FaceOfAIDS-KC