Oracle Online

For years, HIV and AIDS have been issues that people have pinned on a group like a sad game of “pin the tail on the donkey.” However, these people are only taking away responsibility from themselves. HIV/AIDS is not a gay issue or an African issue, regardless of what we would like to believe. Statistics from the AIDS Action Network report that one in every 250 Americans is infected with the AIDS. College students make up every one in 500 infected, but the disease is seventh in causes of death for people between the ages of 13 and 24.

In recent years, the affected have shifted from men to women.There are now close to 150,000 women infected with HIV or AIDS in the United States. Of that statistic, women of color comprise 77 percent.
Demographically, women of color make up 25 percent of women in the United States.

The latest trend in HIV infection has been through heterosexual contact and is rampant among youth. 27 percent of infections occur through sharing needles.

The college party scene may leave many of us prone to situations that put us at risk, for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases. It is true that our campus is small, but it is important that all student take extra precautionary measures when in situations like parties, casual drinking, or sexual contact, because the consequences are far worse to deal with.

Unfortunately, areas of greater risk for contracting AIDS are in communities with dominant populations of people of color.

We have to realize the resources available within our campus and not be afraid to utilize them.
Counseling and Health Services, located in the basement of Manor House, has information for HIV/AIDS testing facilities and resources for prevention. Pride BSA is having an AIDS awareness week to help raise money for the Red Door Clinic in Minneapolis, and we encourage everyone to support them, since they are a facility that deals with a large population of college students and people of color.