Have you been tested?

Today is World AIDS Day and I was reading the USA Today and of course they had a couple special articles about the AIDS virus and how it is affecting people's lives. Well in case you haven't heard African-Americans make up 50% of the new AIDS cases that are reported. If you are black this should scare you!!! Our people are being infected at an alarming rate. No other ethnic group has a higher rate. Why is this? While I was sitting at my desk today I began to think. Why is this disease running rapid in the black community and what can we do to stop it?
Well I think I know why it's running rapid. I have a couple of reasons why.
1. If you talk to most black people you will find out they are ignorant to the disease and what all it can do to you.
2. Most black people don't talk about the disease!
3. Many of us still think it is a gay disease.
4. Most think it couldn't possibly happen to them.

(PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT) BLACK PEOPLE WE HAVE TO GET TESTED AND START TALKING ABOUT THIS DISEASE. IT IS KILLING OUR COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO TRY AND GET IT UNDER CONTROL.

Most of you are probably wondering well how do we get this under control. The first step is getting tested. Don't be afraid. Once, I was talking with a friend and they stated that they were afraid to take a test. They didn't want to know if they possibly could have any disease. I said to them that you want to possibly kill yourself and anyone else that you potentially have sex with. They kind of looked at me weird. I told them that yes you could possibly be killing yourself and other people by not knowing if you have any STD. After that conversation I thought, man that is really scary. I am sure there are many people that think the same thing. We need to stop being afriad. You should want to know.