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| 'Death Phase' |
| 05.30.04 (5:39 pm) [edit] |
 I haven't really devoted much of this blog to the African AIDS crisis, as neither 512 documentary really focuses on the issue, but I want to give you an idea of the subtle impression that it has on everyday life here.
South Africa, along with a few other countries in this region, has infection rates that exceed 30% of the total population - the highest in the world. Without an extremely rapid response to this crisis, one third of the 135 million people that currently live in Southern Africa will die. Of course, with US pharmaceutical companies jerking around and refusing to discount the prices of their drugs in poor countries, it is unlikely that response will take place. Because corporations are worried about their profit margins, the population of Southern Africa will decrease by nearly a quarter in the next 50 years. We're talking holocausts stacked on top of each other.
South Africa is currently entering what is called a 'Death Phase', a period when AIDS- related deaths exceed new infections. While it's true that this means the infection rate will be significantly decreased over time, that's one bright point of light among millions of dead bodies...
I've found the country to be very different from how you would expect a place in which a third of the population carries a death sentence. When I think of Europe during the plague, I imagine guys in the street with carts calling, "Bring out yer dead!". None of that here - individual cases are generally kept covered up, and the only things to openly remind you of the situation are the advocacy campaigns. Nevertheless, the epidemic casts its shadow across the entire continent, and it definitely has a significant effect on the atmosphere. When people talk about AIDS, it is almost casually referred to as something that is there - as if it always will be. When they speak of sick or dying relatives, it is simply implied that they have the disease. Although it seems as if there has been a lot of effort to do so, no one can ignore the fact that 12 million South Africans will be dead in ten years time.
Wow, this post is even more depressing than my 'How to Fix the World' one...
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posted by: misskendy (reply)
post date: 05.31.04 (12:20 am)
It's frightening the way no one is thinking of the consequence of ignoring the impact of this epidemic...an entire generation of orphaned children who are angry at the world will be left in that country.
posted by: youyoumomma (reply)
post date: 06.01.04 (3:49 pm)
This is such a sad commentary! I don't believe anyone who lives in the comfortable USA can really grasp the enormity of this situation!!
Will blogging continue when you two leave S.A.?
Gina
posted by: dlfitch (reply)
post date: 06.05.04 (2:47 am)
Reply to: youyoumomma
I think Justice and Rahula will start up a new blog to document the US tour, but this one will stay pretty dormant (save for screening updates regarding the documentaries).
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