Today all of us should take some time out to acknowledge World AIDS Day. With more then 34 million people either infected with the dreaded HIV virus or suffering from full blown AIDS, the deadly impact of this disease should be sobering. Currently AIDS is one of the leading causes of death among those who are part of the Hip Hop generation. Within the African American community it is the number one cause of death for those under 30. The fastest growing population contracting the disease are women, making up a whooping 63%. In Oakland and surrounding Alameda county the rate of infection has gotten so bad that last year a state of emergency was declared. We haven't even spoken about the devastation it has been causing on the continent of Africa.
World AIDS Day is an annual health campaign aimed at raising global awareness of HIV and AIDS.
As well as tackling the stigma and ignorance that continues to surround HIV and AIDS, organisations such as the National AIDS Trust aim to highlight the fact that no one has been cured - despite recent advances in HIV drug treatments.
Statistics
* 42 million people around the world are living with HIV or AIDS
* Just under 14,000 new cases of HIV infections occur every single day
* 95 per cent of all AIDS cases occur in the world's poorest countries
* 5 million people were infected with HIV in 2002
* 3 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2002 - that's more than 8,000 deaths a day
The hip-hop community is also touched by HIV, and there is one infamous fatality that we all recall. Eazy E passed and it shocked everyone when they discovered that it was a result of AIDS. His death sent shockwaves within the Hip Hop community and helped open people's eyes. His death helped shatter the myth of that HIV and AIDS was a gay white man's disease. Thanks to Eazy a number of projects started that were designed to target the Hip Hop community and bring vital information about HIV and AIDS and steps on how to prevent the spread. There were two incredible AIDS awareness Hip Hop compilation albums that were produced including 'Stolen Moments' and 'America Is Dying Slowly'. Everyone from Wu-Tang to Organized Konfusion to The Pharcyde to Common, De La Soul and Mobb Deep to name a few, all did insightful heartfelt songs addressing the issues surrounding AIDS.
However it seems that we have forgotten recently and that the effort isn't as concentrated as back then, this news report is designed to coincide with World AIDS Day and remind us to learn from Eric Wright's mistakes.
World AIDS Day is an annual health campaign aimed at raising global awareness of HIV and AIDS.
As well as tackling the stigma and ignorance that continues to surround HIV and AIDS, organisations such as the National AIDS Trust aim to highlight the fact that no one has been cured - despite recent advances in HIV drug treatments.
Statistics
* 42 million people around the world are living with HIV or AIDS
* Just under 14,000 new cases of HIV infections occur every single day
* 95 per cent of all AIDS cases occur in the world's poorest countries
* 5 million people were infected with HIV in 2002
* 3 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2002 - that's more than 8,000 deaths a day
The hip-hop community is also touched by HIV, and there is one infamous fatality that we all recall. Eazy E passed and it shocked everyone when they discovered that it was a result of AIDS. His death sent shockwaves within the Hip Hop community and helped open people's eyes. His death helped shatter the myth of that HIV and AIDS was a gay white man's disease. Thanks to Eazy a number of projects started that were designed to target the Hip Hop community and bring vital information about HIV and AIDS and steps on how to prevent the spread. There were two incredible AIDS awareness Hip Hop compilation albums that were produced including 'Stolen Moments' and 'America Is Dying Slowly'. Everyone from Wu-Tang to Organized Konfusion to The Pharcyde to Common, De La Soul and Mobb Deep to name a few, all did insightful heartfelt songs addressing the issues surrounding AIDS.
However it seems that we have forgotten recently and that the effort isn't as concentrated as back then, this news report is designed to coincide with World AIDS Day and remind us to learn from Eric Wright's mistakes.
