ENDGAME: AIDS In Black America
The documentary, ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America, focused on the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic amongst the black community in the United States. Historically, AIDS was first stereotyped as a disease of gay white men. Many blacks ignored it and felt they were omitted to contracting the virus based off what was portrayed in the press as a white epidemic. In the late 80s and early 90s, the widespread of poverty in black communities exacerbated everything about the AIDS crisis. Approximately, 40 percent of the cases of AIDS were identified among individuals who participated in intravenous drug use, unprotected sex, and needle sharing which was done mostly if not all in rural area in the U.S also known as poor black communities. The film discuss
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HIV/AIDS remains ignored in churches and the black community because of ignorance, homophobia, and humiliation. They are still buried in the notion that homosexuality causes HIV. African American communities and churches do not accept homosexuality. It is looked upon as a sin for both parties. Both churches and the black community do not believe in you sharing your personal life either. You were taught to keep it to yourself so your business is not used against you. Which made those who were gay or infected with the virus stay silent. Which is also why the rates of infections are higher for Black Women. These black women date these black men or women who do not disclose the fact that they are infected with the virus. Some may know and choose not to share and some do not know but choose to not get tested knowing they have multiple sex partners. In the documentary, it was stated the mass incarceration of African Americans men and women may explain the higher prevalence of HIV/AIDs in black women. Black women tend to have unprotected sex with these individuals coming from prison who were more susceptible at obtaining HIV/AIDS. Not to mention the black women who are getting infected by their mates who are on the “down low,” sleeping with other men. This has to change.
HIV/AIDS remains ignored in churches and the black community because of ignorance, homophobia, and humiliation. They are still buried in the notion that homosexuality causes HIV. African American communities and churches do not accept homosexuality. It is looked upon as a sin for both parties. Both churches and the black community do not believe in you sharing your personal life either. You were taught to keep it to yourself so your business is not used against you. Which made those who were gay or infected with the virus stay silent. Which is also why the rates of infections are higher for Black Women. These black women date these black men or women who do not disclose the fact that they are infected with the virus. Some may know and choose not to share and some do not know but choose to not get tested knowing they have multiple sex partners. In the documentary, it was stated the mass incarceration of African Americans men and women may explain the higher prevalence of HIV/AIDs in black women. Black women tend to have unprotected sex with these individuals coming from prison who were more susceptible at obtaining HIV/AIDS. Not to mention the black women who are getting infected by their mates who are on the “down low,” sleeping with other men. This has to change.