I WAS JUST THINKING: HIV-AIDS revisited in Black community 

November was as good a month as any to revisit a health problem that continues to grip African-Americans more than others, but fewer people are paying attention. HIV-AIDS specialists and people affected by the virus gathered recently at a symposium in Dallas. The purpose was to urge the public to wake up and pay attention to how the virus has placed a grip on Black people across the nation, but the impact is going unnoticed.

“It’s still here,” said filmmaker Eddick Jerome about HIV-AIDS that has faded from public attention. Jerome showed a film he created as a clarion call to jolt the public awake.

“It will take more events like this,” Jerome said of the symposium that prompted deep discussions about the once highly-feared and once-deadly condition. Participants gathered at 9Nine Kitchen & Lounge, 2211 N. Houston St. near downtown Dallas. Various co-sponsors included media organizations and medical associations. Some people in the audience came from other states to get better informed. The revived exposure is important as the high rates of HIV-AIDS cases persist – largely in Hispanic and African-American communities, planners and medical resource people said.

So far, two symposiums have been held – first in Jackson, Mississippi, home of one of the planners, and now Dallas. Planners say more are in the works. I was just thinking…symposium organizers are very serious about jolting the public back awake since it has been lulled to sleep following the initial hysteria of HIV-AIDS in the 1980s. Also, since COVID arrived in the U.S. around 2020, that epidemic has subsided, too, and the younger generation is less cautious, less alert, and thus more vulnerable, symposium speakers said.

So, this group of caring people sprang into action and compiled the “HIV Then and Now: Sex, Lies and HIV” symposium held November 16 to educate and better protect African-American communities.

Hearing from people living with the virus
Two women who have lived with HIV for years told their personal stories on the panels. They said they wanted to speak publicly about their experiences. They thanked planners for the opportunity to help others avoid contracting the illness and educate others about ways to protect themselves; also, to draw attention to statistics that show that HIV is increasing in the African-American and Latino communities. They and other panelists said more public discussion is critical for improving public understanding.

“I commend you all for the conversation,” said HIV survivor advocate Jessica Glaspie, an author and mother of three children, who is successfully living with an HIV-positive diagnosis and whose three children are HIV-negative. She said she informed her children early and they now advocate along with her.

Vocalist and artist VirLinda Stanton, another advocate survivor, spoke of the early days when doctors directed her to take 13 pills per day. She said that directive soon overwhelmed her and she stopped following doctor’s orders. She said she pursued other medical and health routes over the years and today effectively takes only one pill per day. She said she is working on putting together a college tour so that that age group can learn from her experiences.

“God told me, ‘There is still a plan and purpose for your life.’ I’m here today to encourage you,…to open up your mind…(so that you) will encourage others,” she told the symposium. “And I want to go on out and share my journey.”

Other panelists
Other panelists were Dr. Yolanda Lawson, immediate past president of the National Medical Association; Dr. Ahmad Garrett-Price, founder/president of GP Health; Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services; Eddrick Jerome, podcaster, writer, public relations executive, and filmmaker. Jazze Radio-Chica of 87.9 The Beat FM and Majic 94.5 FM along with Keith Solis of Smooth R&B 105.7 FM moderated the two panels.

Overwhelming stigma and ostracism
Panelists discussed the suffocating stigma and public ostracism that were overpowering in the early HIV-AIDS days. Current advances have brought a new openness that the initial years of secrecy and ostracism did not afford.

“I had it (a statement saying she is HIV-positive) on my dating profile,” HIV advocate survivor Glaspie said. “That opened a window to talk.”

The filmmaker
Filmmaker Jerome showed his autobiographical four-star, award-winning short film, Blue Eye Shadow, about a beloved, deceased brother who died from HIV-AIDS. Jerome said he wants his film to help increase community awareness about the once-deadly virus and its impact on families and communities.

“Family is very important when you go through something like this,” the filmmaker said, often speaking emotionally. He told of his brother’s turmoil and enduring ostracism that Jerome said has not completely gone away.

“It’s still here,” the filmmaker said, adding that in order to continue reducing the stigma, “It will take more events like this.”

Sandra Varner, one of the symposium presenters and a producer of Jerome’s film, said her goal is that groups will unify to help reverse the grip the virus has on African-American communities. “We all can advocate on behalf of this,” Varner said.

Physicians have been eyewitnesses
Dr. Huang gave various reasons why African-Americans have higher statistics of HIV-AIDS infections. Some reasons included less access to health care, less knowledge about prevention, and that African-American women are less prepared to protect themselves against infection.

Dr. Lawson said the medical industry has learned much about effective HIV-AIDS treatments over the years. But she cautions that society and the Black population must battle the high infection rates in those African-American and Latino segments. Some participants on the panel and in the audience said a new challenge is that the state of Texas in recent years has made treating patients with certain conditions more restrictive –and added difficulty for physicians.

Dr. Garrett-Price reviewed some innovative lifestyle routines he recommends in his practice. He said being ever-vigilant has created progress.

“It’s no longer a death sentence,” the physician said of HIV.

The public can watch the film on YouTube. Blue Eye Shadow is available to watch at www.seeblueeyeshadow.com. It stars Lamont Young who portrays Eddrick Jerome’s late brother. Terrence Ivory is the director. Joseph Guidry Jr. composed the original music. To learn more about the impact of HIV-AIDS on Black people in the U.S., contact Sandra Varner: varnerpr@sbcglobal.net. Phone 510-910-5652.