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Magic
Says Blacks Should Team Up to Conquer AIDS |
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As part of his "I Stand
with Magic" campaign to raise
HIV/AIDS awareness in the black community,
NBA great Magic Johnson urged young audiences in Newark and Paterson on
Tuesday to do more to fight the epidemic that has gripped their communities.
Since starting the drive in December 2006, Johnson has brought a similar
message to nearly 20 cities with large minority populations, including
Atlanta, Baltimore, and Charlotte.
Johnson knows he cannot rely on the shock factor of his 1991 diagnosis to
motivate today's generation, which has always known him as HIV-positive.
Wherever he goes, he enlists HIV-positive high school and college students
to join him on stage. His message is consistent: Get smart before it is too
late.
"The more that you're honest with young people, the more the message will
sink in," said Johnson.
In New Jersey, blacks comprised 14 percent of the population but accounted
for 56 percent of those with HIV/AIDS in 2005, state health department data
show. Newark has the third-highest rate of blacks living with HIV/AIDS in
the country.
"One thing about the black community is once we put our mind to something,
it'll get done," said Johnson. "We've got to take that same attitude and
same approach for HIV and AIDS."
Although many of the teens have received the same message from parents and
teachers, said Jerome Walker, 19, Johnson's discussion of HIV/AIDS
prevention and awareness does not come off as another lecture. "It feels
more understanding coming from him," said Walker.
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Star-Ledger (Newark)
(07.18.07):: Claire Heininger |
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We are providing the above information as a public
service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay
media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases
does not constitute endorsement. The above summaries were prepared
without conducting any additional research or investigation into the
facts and statements made in the articles being summarized, and
therefore readers are expressly cautioned against relying on the
validity or invalidity of any statements made in these summaries. This
CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News
Update also includes information from CDC and
other government agencies, such as background on MMWR articles, fact
sheets and announcements. |
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