Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 12-15-15 Edition

Editorials
Expect And Prepare
Sounding The Alarm: HIV’s Hold In Communities Of Color
Earth Alert: The Human Side Of Climate Change
T he year is 2050. A cup of coffee costs $10; a loaf of bread costs $9; the local fish market charges $12 per pound for mullet (when they can get them), and a box of
Jiffy costs $4. Sounds ridiculous?
A walk on the beach will only be a memory. Well, that
scenario is not as farfetched as you might think. Consider the fact that climate change is about more than the in- crease in global temperatures, melting snow caps, and gla- ciers, carbon emissions, rising sea levels, hotter summers and colder winters. Climate change is about the health and survival of the poor, weak, elderly, and ethnic groups, es- pecially Blacks, Africans, and Third World countries.
Today, air pollution is so bad in Beijing, China until on many days residents’ visibility is reduced to a few yards; they are advised to stay indoors or wear surgical masks; their factories are shut down; and / or they are prevented from driving their cars. Smog in California is following close behind.
All over the globe our food supply is being affected. Al- ready, the crop yield for wheat and corn is falling and fish and lobster catches are decreasing. Coffee farmers in Uganda, Africa are dramatically suffering the loss of their coffee plants to a fungal disease encouraged by climate change. Moreover, tropical and subtropical disease carry- ing insects are spreading farther north and west carrying diseases with names previously unknown (Chagas, Dengue, Malaria, Babesiosis etc.). Yes, climate change can and will be at your front door soon if we continue not to take it seriously.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Won- derful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlast- ing Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6, KJV
We have embarked upon one of the greatest seasons of the year. This is the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. This season is marked by a time of commemorating the first coming of Christ, while waiting with expectation and prepara- tion for the second coming of Christ. For it is because of God’s love toward us that He stepped out of heaven’s eternity and
Marc H. Morial President and CEO National Urban League
“Three decades into this cri- sis, let us set our sights on achieving the “three zeros” - zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS- related deaths. On this World AIDS Day, let us pledge to work together to realize this vision for all of the world’s people.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations, World AIDS Day 2010
Over thirty years ago, Amer- ica, and nations around the world, came face to face with HIV/AIDS—a devastating global, public health concern that decimated cities, communi- ties and countries alike. In the three decades since its discov- ery, much has changed—and thankfully— much has im- proved. Today, advancements in prevention and treatment have led to a significant reduction in HIV transmission; the expan- sion of HIV screening and test- ing has resulted in far more people knowing there HIV sta- tus and getting help early; and new and better drugs are allow- ing those infected with HIV/AIDS to lead longer and better quality lives. That’s the good news.
But the news that should give us pause is that while we stand undisputedly victorious on a variety of battlefronts against this devastating epi- demic, we are losing a costly war—one that primarily claims young, male and female African- Americans and Latinos as its
down into the chronological world of man’s time to redeem us back to Himself.
As the name Jesus implies, He is our Savior. He is also Christ, the anointed one. The book of Isaiah Chapter 9 verse 6 describes Him as Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace.
Whenever you go through a difficult situation that somehow seems to work out in your favor, I want you to know that - that is the wonder working power of God that moved on your behalf. He is Wonderful!
When you are faced with difficult decisions to make and you don’t know which way to turn, seek God for His guidance. He is a Counselor!
victims.
HIV/AIDS does not discrim-
inate. Sexual orientation, race or gender cannot protect you from HIV infection, but unfortu- nately, in far too many cases, those factors could increase your risk of infection. An esti- mated 1.2 million people are liv- ing with HIV infection in the United States today. Compared to other races and ethnic groups, Blacks and Hispanics are the groups most affected by HIV— accounting for a higher propor- tion of new HIV infections, of those living with HIV and of those ever diagnosed with AIDS.
In 2010, African Americans accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections. While African Americans are 12% of the U.S. population, in 2011, they ac- counted for 41% of people living with HIV. Hispanics represent 16% of the population, but ac- counted for 20% of those living with HIV.
In 2010, Hispanics ac- counted for 21% of new HIV in- fections. The numbers are graver still for African-American women. CDC statistics point to AIDS as the fourth leading cause of death among African-Ameri- can women ages 35-44.
According to the latest sta- tistics, African-American women accounted for 64% of new HIV infections. Hispanic women accounted for 15% of all new infections and white women accounted for 18%.
To win the war on HIV/AIDS; to achieve the three zeroes; we cannot approach the epidemic as a standalone public health crisis. Our nation must develop a multi-pronged ap-
When your adversaries try to overtake you and scandalize your name, fear not because he can defeat every enemy that rises up against you. He is The mighty God!
When your earthly father has passed away or is nowhere to be found, be encouraged that God will never leave you nor forsake you. He is the Everlast- ing Father!
When you can’t sleep at night because of all the havoc and turmoil in your life just call on the name of Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace!
This holiday season will you allow Him to be Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace in your life? He came to be all this and more. Expect it, as you wait in prepa- ration for His return.
Invite Selphenia to speak or present a workshop at your next event. To request call 813- 956-0185. Stay connected with Selphenia on social media Facebook: Selphenia Nichols Success Coach To Women, Instagram: Selphenia or Twitter: @queenofsuccess1.
proach to HIV/AIDS that also addresses equal access to health care and civil rights.
The lack of access to health- care must be addressed in com- munities of color if we are going to effectively address the preva- lence of this disease. While the Affordable Care Act has ex- panded the coverage of HIV pre- vention services and medical care, it can only work where it exists. It comes as no surprise that in states that rejected ACA, which also tend to be poorer states, HIV/AIDS remains at crisis levels. One in every eight people diagnosed with HIV is unaware of their status. That lack of awareness, the lack of ac- cess to prevention and educa- tion are needlessly decimating communities of color.
According to the CDC, African Americans also have the worse outcomes for continued care after diagnosis. While there can be no true statistical meas- ure of the effect of stigma, fear and discrimination around HIV, the oftentimes real fear of rejec- tion and stigmatization plays are large role in people choosing to not get tested or to keep their status to themselves.
We must all do our part to stop the spread of this disease. The National Urban League has joined the Act Against AIDS Leadership Alliance. The organ- ization is one of only 20 agencies taking part in the federal gov- ernment’s first HIV prevention media campaign in 20 years. As a part of AAALI, more than 500 HIV related events and trainings have taken place.
The leadership of commu- nity based organizations, corpo- rations, and local and the federal government is impor- tant, but there is work out there for every one of us. Know your status; get tested; and encour- age the people you love to do the same. And when you meet someone with HIV/AIDS don’t perpetuate the problem of stigma and discrimination, be a part of the solution and help us get to zero.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward: You Go, Boo!
T o talk the talk is one thing. But to walk the talk is some- thing else. It gives us great pleasure, therefore, to cite Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward as a community leader who not only states his willingness to serve the City of Tampa, but who demonstrates his resolve in ways that more than meet the understanding of his fellow citizens regardless of their
age or generation.
We’re referring to Chief Ward’s pioneering initiative as
the first Tampa Police Chief to use social media in an all-day effort to develop a new avenue to communicate with the pub- lic he serves.
According to Instagram experts, “you can take pictures within the app or use photos that already exist in your cam- era roll; photos can be instantly shared, not only in Insta- gram, but also by Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Posterous, and Tumbir.
But the coolest thing about this gizmo is the fact it has 11 different filters that can be deployed to up a user’s interests.” “On Instagram, you can follow people.” And that’s exactly what Chief Ward intends to do, 24-7. Ward will start in the morning and continue throughout the day. Anyone with on- line access can follow the Chief via #ChiefOnIG. In his words, “This is the age range that we’re working to build and strengthen relationships with hopes they will get involved in the safety of their neighborhoods.” Who is “they?” Ward an- swers, “They are the younger generation . . . (many of whom)
may decide to become Tampa Police Officers.”
To say we are proud of Chief Ward and the department he leads is an understatement. Indeed, his visionary leadership is a breath of fresh air in a society that seems sometimes to have forgotten the real meaning of the Law Enforcement
motto “To Protect and Serve.”