Why I risk HIV? How I can STOP it.

2010-12-28T22:05:00.000-08:00

YAHAnet’s international art contest in summer 2008 challenged youth worldwide to create artistic works that expressed their thoughts and feelings on the role RISK plays in daily life. Contestants were asked to submit an original work of art to one of three categories (visual, performance, or text) that was a reflection on the question: “If you know a practice or behaviour could put you at RISK of contracting HIV, why would you do it anyway?” This story which was my submission to YAHAnet's art contest was adjudged a “Notable Entry”.

WHEN THE TODDLER LEADS THE MAN

Description:

My write-up is an autobiographical account, which, I believe, many ordinary individuals of my age group can relate to. This contest question led me to do a lot of soul-searching and critical thinking. My write-up thus seeks to provide its readers with the answer to what makes me or any individual for that matter engage in unsafe and risky behavior, in spite of the knowledge of HIV prevention methods. I have attributed this risky behavior to a 'mental picture', wherein "THE TODDLER LEADS THE MAN" (symbolic of the 'follower's syndrome') and appealed to the readers to contain this 'follower's syndrome', by evolving one's primordial infantile emotions into reasonable and responsible consciousness within oneself. This can then enable one not to engage oneself in unsafe practices in spite of the knowledge of the bitter consequences.

Story:

At fifteen, when I went to the college, motor-bike races on the highways with my friends became a passion. I understood the threats to my life but messages such as "Speed thrills, it also kills" never deterred me. Neither did messages such as "Smoking and drinking is injurious to health" or "Doing drugs with intravenous needles and having unprotected sex leads to AIDS". Today, this contest question has interestingly led me to introspect as to what, in spite of my knowledge of the risks involved, still leads me to perform foolish and deadly feats? Or for that matter why would anyone with a knowledge of HIV prevention risk contracting it by behaving irresponsibly and unsafely?

The answer lies in my father's words, "Sonny...grow up!!!"

We might have evolved as human beings but the "Ape" or the "follower's" syndrome still remains with us. Jealousy, approval and acceptance within our peer circle, the need to prove, "I'm better" and the famous three words: "Everyone does it" make us follow or ape other persons. Jealousy made me buy a new motorbike like my friend's; it made me 'romance' more women than my friends; approval and acceptance amongst my peers led me to try their unsafe practices; the need to prove 'I'm better' made me race motor-bikes like my friends and the 'Everyone does it' led me to do many things that no one should do. I realized that even though I graduated from my school and college and soon will from the university, the 'toddler' within me still remains and carries the genes of the 'follower's syndrome'. Hence, it is time we grew up this toddler into a reasonable and responsible consciousness and make ourselves leaders of exemplary HIV prevention practices that others can follow.

(434 words)

AIDS needs AID, Not Hatred

Why I risk HIV? How I can STOP it.