U.S. Generosity In the Prevention of AIDS Criticized
According to a World magazine article from this past week, U.S. aid to Africa has risen 67 percent which includes a $15 billion commitment over the next five years to fight AIDS. While that should be a feather in the President’s cap, where AIDS activists are concerned, it is just another failure.
The initiative of the administration is called the ABC approach to the deadly disease which stands for Abstain from sex; Be faithful to one partner; and use Condoms. In Uganda, where the program has been in full force for several years, there has been a rather remarkable decrease in the spread of HIV. But now that U.S. dollars—big dollars—enter the picture, from under the sheets creeps all manner of wretched contenders vying for those dollars and there is one consistent theme.
We demand you must help us in this crisis but “DON’T TELL US WE SHOULDN’T HAVE SEX.” Telling is the comment from locals of a Kenyan fishing village where AIDS is rampant. “Traditionally, among us Luo people most of our customs end with sex…whether it is planting season or when you want to harvest, everything ends with sex.”
Well, that’s wonderful—I say sarcastically but here’s the bottom line. If you want U.S. help for the problem, help which goes to the core of the problem, then you do it the U.S.’s way. Otherwise, you are making the choice—in freedom—to make your decisions, but do not expect the U.S. to fund your lethal habits.
For my liberal critics who will be incensed with such a remark as being a typical example of western imperialism, (or as one critic called it in the article—Neo-Colonialism) get a grip. No one is demanding they change their precious—and deadly—habits of worshiping their genitals. They are free to continue to do so. But IF they want our “neo-colonial” aid for the problem, they will have to adopt the medically sound concepts of
A-B-C.
Compassion, humane consideration, and cultural freedom do not necessitate funding pernicious behaviors. That is not disrespecting cultures or shunning multi-culturalism, that is practicing good science and embracing responsible use of what is ours, not theirs.
Our generosity is available but enabling medically risky behavior is like funding the alcoholic’s addiction. Do it with your money, not mine.
No country is as benevolent as America—but that doesn’t mean we can be irresponsible with all we have been blessed.
The initiative of the administration is called the ABC approach to the deadly disease which stands for Abstain from sex; Be faithful to one partner; and use Condoms. In Uganda, where the program has been in full force for several years, there has been a rather remarkable decrease in the spread of HIV. But now that U.S. dollars—big dollars—enter the picture, from under the sheets creeps all manner of wretched contenders vying for those dollars and there is one consistent theme.
We demand you must help us in this crisis but “DON’T TELL US WE SHOULDN’T HAVE SEX.” Telling is the comment from locals of a Kenyan fishing village where AIDS is rampant. “Traditionally, among us Luo people most of our customs end with sex…whether it is planting season or when you want to harvest, everything ends with sex.”
Well, that’s wonderful—I say sarcastically but here’s the bottom line. If you want U.S. help for the problem, help which goes to the core of the problem, then you do it the U.S.’s way. Otherwise, you are making the choice—in freedom—to make your decisions, but do not expect the U.S. to fund your lethal habits.
For my liberal critics who will be incensed with such a remark as being a typical example of western imperialism, (or as one critic called it in the article—Neo-Colonialism) get a grip. No one is demanding they change their precious—and deadly—habits of worshiping their genitals. They are free to continue to do so. But IF they want our “neo-colonial” aid for the problem, they will have to adopt the medically sound concepts of
A-B-C.
Compassion, humane consideration, and cultural freedom do not necessitate funding pernicious behaviors. That is not disrespecting cultures or shunning multi-culturalism, that is practicing good science and embracing responsible use of what is ours, not theirs.
Our generosity is available but enabling medically risky behavior is like funding the alcoholic’s addiction. Do it with your money, not mine.
No country is as benevolent as America—but that doesn’t mean we can be irresponsible with all we have been blessed.
posted by PB at 12:32 PM
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