According to the Center for Disease Control, at the end of 2007 there were an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States, of which almost half (46%) were Black/African American. In 2007, the latest rates of AIDS diagnoses decreased among Blacks; however, Blacks still represent the highest rates of infection of any other American race/ethnicity demographic.
Unbutton the Silence is an awareness campaign designed to help Black women break the silence surrounding HIV/AIDS in the Black community. This campaign is not designed to blame or accuse anyone. Our desire is to dispel the myths about HIV/AIDS and promote status awareness. Black women are 23 times more likely than White women to be infected, and for Black American women ages 25 – 34 the number one cause of death are complications due to HIV /AIDS infections.
It is our hope that by collecting buttons from clothing, we can raise awareness about this epidemic that is threatening to tear apart the fabric of our community. The last thing that we want is to stigmatize anyone with HIV/ AIDS. We are simply asking for everyone to donate buttons, and by asking others to donate buttons, a dialogue can begin. We would love to have collection jars in places where they will be seen. Desks in offices, churches, schools and kitchen tables will offer the collaboration we need to make this a successful campaign.
We want buttons but we NEED conversations. We believe that conversations about HIV/AIDS can stop new infections in the Black community. We can no longer pretend that we don’t see and hear what is happening.
The aim of Unbutton the Silence is to turn clothing buttons into artwork that will be sold at a silent auction, and the proceeds will be donated to local area programs that are involved in AIDS testing, awareness, and community outreach. Our target start date for button collection is February 7, 2010 which coincides with National Black AIDS day.
We would like to collect 2,010 buttons by December 1, 2010 for World AIDS Day.
Posts
