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Stigma, a Virus that Can Be Cured

Published

11 years ago

April 2, 2014

Stigma is a virus that we all can cure. After 33 years, we now know more about HIV than ever. We have miraculous treatments, which can double as prevention. Today, science can help stop the disease with treatment, but it alone cannot end AIDS. We can’t get those living with HIV on treatments if they’re afraid to disclose their status because of stigma or homophobia.

Since the beginning of the epidemic for many HIV positive people, the reality of being ostracized, devalued, rejected, scorned and even murdered is real. Those who are HIV positive may experience psychological distress, and many viewing themselves contemptuously.

By making life difficult for those living with HIV, stigma can prevent open discussion about behaviors that can result in infection and some actions that one can take to prevent being infected. The fear of stigma has stopped many people from testing, and thus will not seek treatment until they’re sick or dying, while not taking precautions to prevent infecting others.

Most stigmatized groups come with symbols, such as skin color, hearing aids, canes, shaved heads or wheelchairs, you can’t tell someone is HIV positive based on looks. Most HIV stigma comes from testing and disclosure which looks and may feel different on a individual level. Increases in a chance of being stigmatized can depend on your geographic location in the U.S. For example, disclosing at a clinic in a metropolitan area such as Oakland, CA is much different from disclosing in a small town in North Carolina, where your pharmacist might attend your church. One of the biggest stigma fears for a lot of HIV positive heterosexual black men is the fear of being perceived as homosexual, when disclosing.

Studies show the impact of HIV related stigma on care is significant. A self reported study to evaluate the effects of concerns attributed to stigma, sampled 204 people living with HIV. Participants with high HIV concerns proved to be 3.3 times more likely to be non-adherent to their medication regimen than those with low concerns. This study shows that the threat of social stigma can prevent people living with HIV from revealing their status to others, which causes obvious health concerns to society. Clinical care directed to individuals living with HIV should include consideration of a patient’s sensitivity to social stigma.

Social stigmas come in many different forms. There is internal stigma, where the person stigmatized believes the negative things about themselves and there is external stigma, where others make the stigmatized person feel different, devalued and tainted. This happens in the workplace, educational settings, healthcare, criminal justice systems, and even in their own families. Members of stigmatized social groups often face prejudice or just the fear of prejudices can cause depression threatening a person’s social identity like low self esteem.

The experience of being stigmatized may also take a toll on self esteem, academic achievement, and other outcomes, but many people get through it, maintaining high self esteem, are happy and quite resilient to the negative experience. Today stigma endures, remaining a powerful barrier to African Americans that need HIV care, but it is not inevitable and can be fixed. We must first challenge the blemish that is part of being diagnosed with HIV and challenge the internalized disgrace of the stigmatized.

African Americans must educate themselves to the facts on why we shouldn’t stigmatize. We should create and support legislation against any form of discrimination. Let our community mobilize and participate in anti-stigma efforts. The power of a single action or person can influence others to move from inaction to action. It’s time to say “Stigma stops here”.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

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‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org