Reading Profile 2/26

The Washington Post series provided evidence to the fact that, some people’s disregard for Africa was a possible reason for the slowed response to the AIDS pandemic. However, I feel that it isn’t a disregard for the African people and their welfare, but the lack of international dependence on African countries that made it so the spreading of AIDS was not the United States, or other countries’ first priority. This is seen when the first decline in work started in 1990, “ ‘ In the '90s it became clear we were not going to have a major heterosexual epidemic in the States,’ said Michael Merson, who would succeed Mann at the WHO program. AIDS ‘was no longer a threat to the West.’” The perceived lack of threat and direct effect in the West was a deterrent to the work that could have been done to work on preventing AIDS in Africa. There are other factors as well that we cannot dismiss, such as the cultural practices in Africa that caused denial, or lack of faith in ways to stop the disease. Cultural practices that I am referring to is the lack of condom use and the disbelief in the actual protection that they can offer in dealing with the spread of diseases like AIDS. Also, other cultural practices that did not speed up the aid in Africa, was the belief that other factors were at work, not AIDS. Beliefs that AIDS was actually chira, or that it was a sign from God about the end of the world are other reasons that the spread of education in Africa was not as initially as successful as it was hoped to be.
Even though there were many opinions in the article about how the AIDS pandemic in Africa should not be necessarily a U.S problem, I feel that because we have the ability to help, there is no reason that we shouldn’t. However, I am not sure how much falls purely on the Government or if it should be more the responsibility of other organizations within the United States, which would make the American people more responsible. The United States government should plan some sort of role in Africa and other countries struggle with AIDS, mainly because they have power and resources that could be considered a real asset if used properly, such as medical personal, budgets and other useful resources. In many cases though I feel that the American people need to step up to the plate and work to help those who are suffering in the world. I feel that the reason that people in the United States need to step up to plate on the AIDS issue is not necessarily because it will effect our market, or even any part of our daily life, but it is more based on the humanitarian level of responsibility. If the United States is such a wonderful place and superior to other countries, as many citizens believe, then could we take our selves seriously if we did not use our opportunities and power to make a difference? I am not suggesting that everyone go out and join the peace corps or donate all of their possessions to help stop the spread of AIDS, but there are things that each of us can do. True, money is needed; but if you are unable to give it yourself, it is still in your power to contact your political representatives and let them know that you are interested in supporting ways to stop AIDS in Africa. If that is still too much for you, simply realizing that it is a problem and not denying the massive effects of AIDS could be enough, for now.
I do agree with Sachs and Sachs, that with a minimal effort from the West, the effect of AIDS in Africa could be greatly reduced. I am not sure if I agree that everything could be solved with just one dime out of every hundred dollars being set aside. However, I realize that if AIDS truly were a priority in the West that a huge difference could be made. Maybe not immediately, but for future generations it could mean life.