One of the most tragic current events of the late 20th- and early 21st century is the growing AIDS epidemic in Africa. The fact of the matter is that disease has wiped out entire civilizations in the past, and sub-Saharan Africa is poised to be the next victim of a reality with historical precedence if the world does not band together to make a cure readily available. The numbers and realities involving AIDS in Africa is absolutely shocking in every way, as you saw today in class. Even more shocking is the general ignorance and indifference on the part of Westerners on the subject. In order to not fall victim to the ignorance epidemic in the West, check out the EXCELLENT coverage of the issue of AIDS in Africa on the BBC’s website by clicking here. An even more recent article from the BBC can be read by clicking here. Additionally, the South African film Yesterday directed by Darrell Roodt in 2004 is one that I highly recommend for the honesty and care it takes with a very personal story. You can view the trailer for the film below.Tuesday, April 21, 2009
AIDS in Africa
One of the most tragic current events of the late 20th- and early 21st century is the growing AIDS epidemic in Africa. The fact of the matter is that disease has wiped out entire civilizations in the past, and sub-Saharan Africa is poised to be the next victim of a reality with historical precedence if the world does not band together to make a cure readily available. The numbers and realities involving AIDS in Africa is absolutely shocking in every way, as you saw today in class. Even more shocking is the general ignorance and indifference on the part of Westerners on the subject. In order to not fall victim to the ignorance epidemic in the West, check out the EXCELLENT coverage of the issue of AIDS in Africa on the BBC’s website by clicking here. An even more recent article from the BBC can be read by clicking here. Additionally, the South African film Yesterday directed by Darrell Roodt in 2004 is one that I highly recommend for the honesty and care it takes with a very personal story. You can view the trailer for the film below.
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so basically if no body does anything africa will be destroyed? Thats a pretty big responsibility. like theres no way the people could pay for treatment so we would have to give it away which would hurt us economically because trillions of dollars we just giving away. hate to say it but i doubt that any president would ever do that. of course then i cant imagine how you can sleep at night knowing you killed 24 million people. someone has to do something though or else Africa is screwed
AIDS is disease that attacks your immune system right? it is not the actual disease that kills you usually its little things like the common cold? how can we be so oblivious to the most dangerous and widespread disease out there? but i think we are all startin to see the effects of this and now there are even commercials askin for us to help them. i specifically remember one where there is a little boy of maybe the age of 10 and he is left to take care of his brother because his parents have both died. i think stories like his will encourage us to help fight this disease. i hope it will
I can't believe that the rest of the world is simply turing their backs on Africa and not helping them at all. They are trying to give medicines that are said to help but they want money in return for it. If the world cannot look past all the money, Africa and the rest of the world would be in trouble.
I can't believe that the disease and pandemic is a "global disaster" now! wow...ive realized how bad this couldreally affect the ENTIRE african population, like wipe them out!! Its scary, especially that we our their last hope but i think we can help.
This is just the most shocking and interesting thing I have learned in your class all year. I mean, I feel stupid now for even saying that anything we have here in the US is bad because everything in Africa is at least 10 times worse. I really want to do something about the AIDS problem so if you could tell me any organizations that you may know of that I can help out in fundraising or volunteering let me know. I also know my sister talked to you with Cameron about starting a club for it which i would like to be a part of to.
Something has to be done about this.
all i can say is that after first period, i was disillusioned. a lot. this is messed up. why does no one car about Africa? Yes, European powers (as well as us) had major Imperialist control over Africa, but seriously? People are dying. Children are left starving and orphans. The only generation that is left relatively untouched is older generation of grandparents. more likely than naught, most of the grandparents do not have the AIDS virus. however, they will be dead in the next 10 years due to widespread famine, low income, and of course, old age. A high majority of the parents are dead or dying due to harboring the AIDS virus. this leaves the children orphans, not to mention the ones that have to disease, which means they are dying and are orphans. this is horrible. i'm thinking a law suit of pharmaceutical companies. big time. or someone who isn't a selfish jackass to actually release the cure, so this can happen. If humanity does not get a hold of Africa, all hell will break loose. Africa=dying. In a couple decades, Africa=dead. Once that happens, widespread panic will arise. Who could be next? with countries with similar populations (China?), this poses a threat. If there are so many people in one area, you know there is some kind of disease going around all the time. soon, it will be deadly. What are we going to do about the AIDS crisis in Africa? not what are we going to do in the future. What are we going to do NOW?
these articles were very shocking. i did not know so many people had AIDS or HIVS. another surprising thing to me is the increase rate of it a day. no one is doing anything about it and to me, it's the number one cause of death right now. it is a crisis that has been happening for years know but no one has cared. I feel bad that we turn on africa and care about ourselves more then others. when i see other people say they hate their life or their parents, it just makes me wonder if they know how lucky they are. i know i say stuff like that, but in the end i am very fortunate for what i have. i would like to do something about the AIDS/HIVS epidemic. & i do wonder how africa would be like in 5 years.
Africa has definatley been one of my main interests this year ...between The child soldiers as a result of the Lord's Resistance Army, Civil war in Sudan, Slave Factories (such as brick factories, and Coacoa plants), the Lack of fresh drinkable water in villages for the people, and AIDS! I was happy to see that you woke up the class today with disturbing yet REAL issues that are being extremely ignored.
It's so easy to have our own pity party and starting talking about how much our life stinks..and that the economy is HORRIBLE and we have to cut back on fast food...movie rentals...and start carpooling! My parents told my family that with the economy like it is...things are going to be different...My brother moaned and groaned because we wouldn't be eating out 5 times a day throughout the weekend any more! WAHHH Let's Call the WAMbulance!!! seriously...this is a humbling expierence for America....but nobody understands that...Everyone just wants to sit in their corner and bash the Gov't, taxes ,and McDonalds (McDonalds always gets blamed hehe)!!
Anyways...We just need to wake up and start listening to good news that deals with REAL ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD!! LIKE AIDS, OR THE SEX SLAVE, OR PoverTY! (thank you BBC) Not the bazillion murders on Piedmont Road or the hit and run at big lots! I will be happy when the day comes that when I turn the news on to Fox 5 or Cnn (these of which are the cruddier of the news stations) and watch segments on the issues in Africa and everywhere else.
Its so frustrating to look on the Tv guide channel and see that there actually will be an "enlightening" news report about AIDS in Africa or the Sex SLave in the Suburbs BUT IT DOESNT GET MUCH COVERAGE SO IT COMES ON AT LIKE 2 AM in the Morning when nobody watches TV!
Its frustrating to see people who know about the problem yet continue to ignore it. Its also frustrating to see ppl who just learned about the problem but DO N O T H I N G about it...N O T H I N G!!! !! Don't know how? Here's a start...get off your rearend and stop complaining that the dunkin donuts ppl gave you the wrong donut (sorry mr. p )..AND RAISE OR BUILD AWARENESS! Just becuase Aids isn't a crazy problem in the U.s. doesn't mean that it isn't a problem!
So thank you MR. Prill for your "Refreshing"??? It was good stuff.
By the Way...This Yesterday film looks EXCELLENT...I love how it's a personal story. Def. going to have to rent it. :)
if the pattern keeps going, will africa be like... extinct...? i cant think of any other way to say it. What can we do to save them besides send them contraseptives?
I always knew about AIDS but I never just how serious it really was. To think how there will be a population crisis because of it is scary. The thought of orphans running around alone because their parents have died from Aids is so sad. And it is typical that the Western world is too greedy to help.
Lets say that the AIDS virus does destroy Africa would they be able to rebound from it a in the end come out ahead or would it destroy it completely leaving no chance and Africa just fades away to the rest of the world(except for the its resources)
HOLY CRUD!! when u think about Africa, the first thing i think of is that they dont have enough food. people are aways saying "don't forget about the starving kids in Africa!!" but nobody ever says "don't forget about the entire population that has AIDS!!!"
and if Africa dies off like it's going to if we keep the ignorance up, who's getting Africa? the very few to live? other countries? are we going to start a whole new imperialistic age over Africa again? that's REALLY scary to think about...and it's not like it's way in the distance, it's in our life time!!! why can't we give them treatment? i still don't get y companies are holding them back. you could get tons of buisness with aids treatment because so many have it. make it cheap so people can afford it and sell 25 million! i don't get it!!
I didn't realize things were so serious in Africa. I don't understand how we could let it get this bad I mean I can understand why we wouldn't want to give away the drugs for free when they're making people so much money, but it's seriously horrible that people from those big companies know what's going on in Africa and still decide the money's worth it. I really wish more people would stop caring about what's going on just around them and start realizing that people have it way worse than we do here.
mhmm is there is there a cure for AIDS?to answer my own question I truley think there is,but west is so selfish and money hungry that they rather not share it with Africa or the rest of the low budget world for that matter!its pathetic that the human race would sink that low for a buck-it makes me sick.I'm ashamed.
we always learned about HIV and AIDS but no one ever really told us just how bad it is. Not only does it affect the people who contract it, adults and children who didn't do anything to deserve it, but the kids whose parents have it and don't pass it on to them are orphanned. All three generations in Africa are dying and people aren't doing anything about it because they are afraid of what it would do to our economy, they are being selfish and letting people suffer when they don't have to. I think if people were more aware of what is going on they would be more compassionate about the entire situation but that's the thing, not many people know what's happening. but the worst part is the people who don't care that this is happening. They know it and they don't think its relavent to them. I also think that people in Africa need to be educated better to understand what's going on because my guess is that they know that there is a disease but they don't know the long term effects of it on their country or how to prevent the disease from being passed on and things like that. Education is key here i think.
come to think of it, we really do have a very big problem in our hands. also we are very selfish, because we cant even give treatment to africa when they are the ones who need it most. we are the ones who have to do something yet, we only think of ourselves....
I remember how ABCFamily used to show I guess you would call them infomercials about the AIDS situation in Africa and how it really has taken a toll on its people. They showed you real life stories of 8 year old boys and girls who had to take care of their 5 younger siblings along with their mother and maybe an aunt. Their mother would usually be lying in bed, incapable of doing anything active at all. These 8 year old children in charge lived in slums and rooms maybe half the size of your classroom. These infomercials may seem like our way of getting the public aware, but not so much. It was shown at around 12 AM or really early in the morning. Nobody watches TV that late or early, especially on ABCFamily. So yes, news is being spread, but is is reaching the mass media and are people really caring? I think they've stopped showing those infomercials for donations...
"Aids kills some 6,000 people each day in Africa - more than wars, famines and floods." If numbers this staggering are being recorded, why don't we do something? We're letting people die because we're getting greedy with our money and not caring for Africa's people, the continent the West completely screwed up. This could be the LEAST we could do for Africa. The second article said that the AIDS epidemic can be classified as a global disaster. So as a very strong global power, shouldn't the U.S. be a top leader in helping Africa work out this disaster? Yeah, we can't keep on giving out money because money isn't going to cure AIDS, but I'm sure consideration and knowledge of this could definitely change things around for the better.
today i feel i have learn so much about the hiv/aids epidemic in africa. how can people live without helping 26 million people dieing. why?? do western socities not want to help find a cure for this people the furture of tomorrow. i know what it feels like to lose a loveone to hiv in know that their is no cure or way to help them live longer.
In the documents, it says that with natural disasters and all that they forget the people who have AIDS. HOW CAN YOU FORGET THEM!? ITS LIKE EVERYONE IN AFRICA! And why would people allow for the money to go to places who are in less need? It just seems that if the basically whole continent is jeopardy, they'd be a little bit more concerned and pay more attention to where what little money they have goes. Infuriating... I might do something about it. I wanted to be a phycologist but idk... hmph.
Sapp.
MR. PRILL, THIS IS TOTALLY UNRELATED TO ANY OF THIS BUT YOU KNOW THAT ONE TIME WHEN YOU WERE TELLING US ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND HOW PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT IT!? MY TEACHER SAID HER GRANDMA- IN- LAW (that sounds weird) WAS A SURVIVOR OF THAT AND SHE TOLD ME HER STORY!... It was cool =]
Just thought I'd share.
Sapp.
the AIDS epidemic in Africa is horrible. young children are left to find little food and try to stay together with the little family they have left. and it causes all of the children to be orphans. yeah same here i new what AIDS was but i never knew so many people had it or how serious it is. but we have to find a cure.
AIDS is terrible disease that plagues Africa and if something isn't done by more developed nations and stingy pharmecutical companies much of Africa will be wiped out. I could understand where it would be hard to find a cure for AIDS since it is a retrovirus and keeps changing its structure genetic code very rapidly, but with the technology and brilliant minds in modern society there must be a cure somewhere.
I knew AIDS was really serious in Africa but I didnt really know it was this bad. I dont really understand how it is safe to try to stop the AIDS if there is so much overpopulation and malnutrition I'm not saying it is right or hummane but isn't it in some ways acting as the little form of population control they have. Although this does have a conflict as well because it is usually the parents that are dying leaving the kids behind with AIDS and nothing to support them... controversial issue,
When I read the story of Pepile it touched me, because here is someone how might make a difference in the world, a bright young mind, that will unfortunity not shine. All I can say after that is we have a LOT of work to do in fixing this NATIONAL DISASTER! Now what are the American people doing (all we ever do)? Protest taxes. What? We the American public are more concerned with taxes than the lives of millions.
its so unfair that kids that did absolutely nothing are born with it. it truly is a shame. it truly is our generations responsibility to fix it.
wow, it really kills me to see that 71% of the world's AIDS cases are found in africa, but what shocks me more, is that other countries (the more developed & more prosperous countries of the world) refuse to help, or even give the time of day to them.
but, in a way, this doesnt shock me. in america, it is definitely obvious that people consider themselves first.. and africa needs to be considered above all. children are dying from this disease as well as from starvation, and yet here we are in atlanta, pissed cause the people working drive thru didnt give us our 4th big mac!
After yesterdays class, i felt like a complete idiot as an american. this lecture & the BBC article really inspired me, and i want to do all i can to recognize the issue in africa.
with 7,000 newly infected people being affected by HIV/AIDS everyday, this cries out in urgency. You know, cancer gets all this hype about funding and research and finding a cure; tell me how often you hear the same about HIV. Abut a third of the time, its sad. Adding hurt to injury in africa is not helping. The people are already suffering from poor living conditions, low income, and economic imperialism. Let's get on this and do somthing.
i was thinking that i remember watching a program about this and no one there wants to fall victim to this disease but in order for women to make money they become prostitutes knowing the consequences in order to make money for there family which is how they get these diseases
"The report says much of the money spent on Aids is not reaching those in need" (red cross article). This statement shows the kind of people that have the power to help those who need it. I think to much of the attention is fucosed on their own country and neglects Africa.
this is such a sad subject. In Kenya there is a choir of orphans (whose parents died of AIDS i believe) that comes to the US and tours. At my church there is a retreat in the summer that they are going to come perform at, so my church is helping sponser them. It really scary how little these kids need. My small group is sponsoring a little girl and all she needs is two pairs of capris and one pair of shoes for a two month tour. They showed a video of some of the members of the choir talking about their favorite part of their last trip. I was almost in tears because of all we as Americans take for grantid like soft beds. That was a BIG favorite. The AIDS issue is so hard for me to wrap my mind around. Not the issue but why no one is willing to help end it. DOESN'T ANYBODY REALIZE AFRICA IS GOING TO BE GONE IF NO ONE STANDDS UP AND MAKES A CHANGE? AIDS is such a big issue in the US and we have like what 1/3 of people living with Aids that Africa does? Everything goes back to colonialism. I've always been proud of my spanish heritage but now I'm really looking into it, asking myself why? Spain sending Colombus out to find a western route to india started the path of colonialism. So is Europe as a whole really to blame for Africa or is the Spanish for having to have the fastest route to India?
This is definitely not something to be put off any more. It's horrible that excuses were made instead of what could have been going on, research and development of a cure. It's no surprise though as no one in Africa would be able to pay for such a cure and that wouldn't help to motivate people to look for one. Obviously someone or many people, maybe our generation as a whole, must step up to this problem of AIDS in Africa and in the rest of the world.
your lecture on aids really changed my outlook on the whole situation... i've decided to look into supporting a child in africa that has aids and to send clothing and other things needed that we usually take for granted.
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