Promoting Awareness
Though the traditional symbol of World AIDS Day is the remembrance quilt draped over the Mall in Washington, D.C, a portion of this symbolic quilt has become a part of World AIDS Awareness Week at the University. Beginning on Wednesday and continuing through Saturday, 10 city blocks of the quilt will be displayed on the third floor of Newcomb Hall.
"It's really important that as a community we're aware of the AIDS epidemic in both the community and the world. This community isn't untouched by HIV," said Katherine Kimbrell, Director of Promoting Negativity, a group that helps advocate awareness of HIV and AIDS on Grounds.
Often, Kimbrell said, the effect on people after viewing the 120 three by six-foot patches of the quilt is pretty profound.
"It's a very sobering experience. It makes the experience a lot more personal," she said.
But Kimbrell said the commemorative quilt is not the only activity Promoting Negativity has planned for World AIDS Awareness week. The group has organized a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Rotunda for Thursday at 8 p.m. Also, there will be an HIV/AIDS awards ceremony in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at 7 p.m. Friday. The event will honor those who have contributed to community education about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Though World AIDS Awareness week is a national event, Kimbrell believes Promoting Negativity hosts one of the largest displays in the region. The group has been coordinating the display since its inception 3 years ago, but still hopes to increase its size and scope in the next few years.
Odds Compiled by Christa Dierksheide
| World AIDS Day Themes Throughout the Years |
|
1988 -- Communication 1989 -- Youth 1990 -- Women & AIDS 1991 -- Sharing the Challenge 1992 -- Community Commitment 1993 -- Time To Act 1994 -- AIDS and the Family 1995 -- Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities 1996 -- One World, One hope 1997 -- Children Living in a World With AIDS 1998 -- Force For Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People 1999 -- Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS campaign with children and young people 2000 -- AIDS: Men Make a Difference |
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