Opening with a prayer, a distinguished group of panelists at ‘Striking to Zero,’ one of the many FAMU World AIDS week events, welcomed the somewhat apprehensive attendees into room 450 in the Alfred Lawson building Wednesday night to educate people about HIV/AIDS.
The panelists did not thrust statistics to the attendees, instead they took rather a parental and compassionate approach to entice the younger of the crowd.
With an audience filled of students, adults, and community members, the panelists captivated each person by being interactive and asking direct questions — Males: Have you had a significant male figure in your life? Has this male figure taught you how to put on a condom? Females: Should it be the male’s responsibility to supply birth control to you? How many of you have spoken with your partner about prevention methods?
Less than one quarter of this audience, of about 100, raised their hand for each question.
But, Dr. Marie Okeke, a professor in the Health Science dept., was not going to allow ignorance of HIV/AIDS to continue to roam among university community. Her mission is to strike HIV/AIDS cases on FAMU’s campus to zero, pun intended.
Dr. Okeke has been advocating for HIV/AIDS prevention at FAMU for years, but she said this annual event has brought more passion out of her than years before.
“Do not be afraid!” she said while addressing the audience, “…a part of learning is using the message you are receiving today…even the longest journey begins with a single step and you can start right here at FAMU!”
World AIDS Day at FAMU began 24 years ago, in 1988 to be exact. Dr. Okeke believes that students are not receiving or comprehending the advice from herself and her colleagues in FAMU’s Health Department.
“You can get the results of your HIV test in 15 minutes, just stop by the student health services office. Services are free to the students.” Dr. Okeke said.
Environmental health students performed a short skit, in attempt reach students in a creative way, although some members of the audience did not receive the message.
One student raised her hand and explained what her sexual health professor said in class. Her professor told her that condoms cannot protect people from infections all the time because the infections can slip through the tiny pores of the condom.
Dr. Melvena Wilson, director at Center for Advocacy & Research on Health Equity located in Tallahassee, Fla., immediately stepped in and cleared up the confusion as chatter in the audience increased.
Her remark, “Purchase thicker condoms! If you like rough sex, you need thicker condoms!”
A wave of laughter from the audience soon descended into a void of silence as Dr. Emmanuel Inwang, founder of WCRX, a local pharmacy, approached the microphone.
“Folks come in our office, who look just like you all, near death…there’s no time for me to sugar coat!” he said, “It’s time to become serious and start talking about sex and prevention!”
He adds, “Men have been told to put on condoms, but not taught,” as Dr. Wilson, steps in again to address the audience.
“Many of you all think tests will protect you, but there’s no test alive that has prevented anything!”
She also warns the students of the crowd, “We will continue to have jobs as long as you continue have unprotected sex.”
Dr. Wilson also goes onto explain how there are multiple strains of HIV/AIDS and that recurring infections can cause sterility, which is another reason to use protection and get tested every three months.
“It’s [referencing AIDS] called acquired immunity deficiency syndrome – which means you had to do something to get it. If you cannot trust them with your life, you should not trust someone with your body” Dr. Wilson said.
Dr. Wilson dismisses the crowd, “We give this info year after year in hopes that it will not only change your lives, but the people around you.”
In an attempt to follow up with FAMU’s Health Department and Student Health Services, HBCU Buzz was told that records on the amount of students who come to receive services are not kept. Staff could not provide an estimate on how many students at FAMU request services each year.
Some other events FAMU has hosted this week included a visit from actress and HIV/AIDS advocate, Sheryl Lee Ralph for her book signing tour, and a candlelight vigil.
For more information about World AIDS Day, visit www.worldaidsday.org
