June 5, 1981, is regarded by many as the day of the first public recognition of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). For several months physicians in Los Angeles had been treating five young men with a very rare form of pneumonia. They published their observations in the June 5 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Physicians in other places, including New York and San Francisco, read the article and recognized in their own similar cases that there was a shared problem. Something was damaging the immune systems of previously healthy persons. Eventually that “something” would be identified and called AIDS, and the virus that causes it HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
June 5, the 30th anniversary of the article, is certainly an ambiguous anniversary—a time for celebrating and a time for lamenting. It is right to celebrate the whole series of remarkable scientific achievements, including the development of the combination drug therapies that have allowed persons with HIV/AIDS to live and flourish. It is right to celebrate with gratitude the many examples of care and compassion, from families and partners, from agencies and foundations, from governments and churches.
It is also necessary to lament the tens of millions of infections and deaths, the staggering personal suffering that continues for millions of infected and affected persons, the stigmatization and prejudice and rejection, and the devastation of the social and economic structures of developing countries. Paul Farmer, M.D., who works with AIDS in Haiti and other countries, has commented that HIV/AIDS has a “preferential option for the poor.”
Along with celebration and lament, what else can we ordinary people do to observe this anniversary, not just on one day but for many days in the future? Here are three areas of possibilities: education, action, faith.
Education: a first step may be to renew one’s awareness by getting updated facts about the epidemic, including both medical/scientific information and also the systemic issues (economic, political, social) that create conditions of poverty and oppression that foster the spread of HIV. Several sources of information are:
www.unaids.org;
www.cdc.gov/hiv/;
www.avert.org.
Another urgent aspect of education is to make certain that your children have accurate information about the reality and seriousness of HIV/AIDS, what causes it, how it is transmitted, and the life-long challenges of effective treatment.
Action: we cannot do everything concerning this pandemic, but each of us can do one thing. Perhaps it is taking the lead in organizing a parish study evening on HIV and AIDS. Another option is supporting/volunteering at an agency that assists persons living with HIV/AIDS. A real if indirect contribution would be to help reduce poverty, here and around the world. This could be direct service or urging elected officials to resist the current push to cut back on services for the poor.
Faith: Jesus offers us a profound and challenging example in Mark 1:40-42, the story of the healing of the leper. This event reveals not only Jesus’ care for an individual in need but also his concern about structures of society that oppress people (lepers were alienated from others, forced to live outside the camp—see Leviticus 13:45-46).
As disciples of Jesus we can reflect whether political and economic values and convictions often outweigh our gospel values. In addressing the complex issues of HIV/AIDS, are we responding more as Democrats or Republicans rather than as Christians?
In their letter Called to Compassion and Responsibility, the U.S. bishops offer us encouragement for this examination of conscience and for our commemoration of this ambiguous anniversary: “The crisis continues, but it can be met with understanding, justice, reason and deep faith.”
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Kenneth R. Overberg, S.J. received a Ph. D. in Christian social ethics from the University of Southern California and is professor of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Among his books and articles are seven national award-winners, including
Conscience in Conflict: How To Make Moral Choices (now in third edition). Other books include
Creating a Culture of Life and
Into the Abyss of Suffering.
Fr. Overberg is a guest columnist on IHM Social Justice. His articles and reflections appear periodically.
Subtitle: Ambiguous Anniversary
Image Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/khym54/145084162/