wfn.org | Race may be factor in HIV/AIDS spread

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Nov. 16, 1998        Contact: Tim Tanton*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
{673}

NOTE:  This story is a sidebar to UMNS #672.

By Shanta M. Bryant*

ATLANTA (UMNS) -- Race and culture may be directly related to the global
pandemic of AIDS and could even explain the spread of new infections
among African Americans, according to panelists at a national
convocation on the disease.

There is an intimate relationship between AIDS and racism, stated the
Rev. Joseph R. Barndt, a
Lutheran pastor. Barndt was a panelist in the "Race, Gender, Culture and
AIDS" roundtable discussion at the recent "AIDS & Religion in America"
convocation.  

"Racism is at the heart of the relationship to HIV/AIDS," said Barndt,
who is co-founder and director of Crossroads Ministry in Chicago, which
focuses on education and training to combat racism. "People of color are
treated differently and more seriously prevented from having connection
and exposure to treatment and education."

Public health professionals maintain that communities of color often do
not have access to health
care and are less likely to be tested and detected for the HIV
infection. In addition, minorities are
less likely to know about treatment and therapy options for HIV/AIDS.

"All systems are built to tilt to whites, built to favor whites,
designed to serve whites," said Brandt, who is white.

Homophobia in the African-American community may be another reason why
AIDS is not freely
and adequately addressed, said the Rev. Randall Bailey of the
Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. Homophobia may
prevent churches from speaking out and raising awareness of the dangers
of HIV/AIDS.

Bailey, a Baptist minister and an African American, pointed out that
blacks must  come to terms with homophobia and not buy into "the sexual
myth that heterosexuality is the best way we can be normal."

"Religious institutions have to break the conspiracy of silence, so part
of the shame (related to
AIDS) gets broken," he said.

Sandra Thurman, director of the White House Policy Office on AIDS
acknowledged that there are disparities in race, class, and gender in
the treatment and detection of HIV/AIDS. She noted that the White House
has focused its efforts on prevention, and she announced the funding of
$156 million for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in minority communities.  

# # # 

*Bryant is the program director of communications for the United
Methodist Board of Church
and Society and associate editor of the agency's Christian Social Action
magazine.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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http://www.umc.org/umns/