About AIDS
Al Sharpton and his National Action Network in New York City recently sponsored the Harlem AIDS Forum featuring opponents to traditional views on HIV/AIDS, and conspiracy theories were rampant. Of 12 speakers, only one believed that HIV causes AIDS, but even he argued that HIV is being spread to the world’s people of color through the World Health Organization’s vaccine programs.
A study at Emory University’s Institute of Minority Health Research recently found that 74% of African-Americans believe they were likely to be used as test subjects without their consent, 18% believe that HIV is a lab-engineered virus, and 10% said AIDS is a genocidal plot to kill black people. Some black community activists disapprove of the conspiracy theories, asserting that they work against prevention efforts such as testing and safe sex because these beliefs facilitate denial about personal behaviors and responsibility.
From a service provider’s perspective, we understand that people’s life-views develop from complex reasons, including negative experiences. However, we also are saddened by such conspiracy beliefs because they have been linked to people not connecting with the help which could be useful to them until the disease has already done serious damage. (For details, see The New York Times, 22 Dec 98, pg. D6)
— Sandy Bartlett, Community Information/Education Coordinator, AIDS Services of Austin
ASA Info Line: 458-AIDS
E-mail: ASA@fc.net
This article appears in January 22 • 1999 and January 22 • 1999 (Cover).