Gospel Music & HIV: Message of Hope and Healing
I just finished watching a short documentary entitled A Message of Hope created by In The Life Media. I was so moved by the powerful truth telling and authenticity about how HIV is impacting the Black community all over, but particularly in Oakland, CA. The series follows an Oakland, CA choir as they visit different churches ministering about HIV and the short documentary also gives us an opportunity to hear the testimony of their musical director, Ernest Larkins, who is HIV positive. We hear not only about his challenges, but also about how he is THRIVING as a man of God who is living with the virus.
I was so moved by this documentary because I know what it is like to be made to feel ashamed of who you are by some church folk. I know what it feels like to be silenced, or ignored, and made invisible because “the church” deems you unclean. The most poignant moment for me watching this was when Ernest Larkins said,”People who find out that they are positive and don’t go to get treatment and a lot of that is because of what we are taught in church”. I was blown away because people rarely talk about the impact of shame, guilt, and marginalization within the context of church and the emotional, mental, and spiritual consequences it has on the folks in that space. There is so much silence, shame, and stigma that is attached to HIV so much so that when someone does test positive that they become the living embodiment of silence and shame.
We need to talk more about HIV. We need to talk more about teen pregnancy. We need to talk more about sexuality in general and specifically. If we truly care for our brothers and sisters and truly embody the philosophy that I am my brothers (and sisters) keeper, than we would unite to end their suffering. It is as Ernest Larkins says: this is what HIV looks like; strong people, people of faith, black people.” HIV is US. HIV is OUR problem and we must work together collectively to provide the solutions that will end this epidemic.
Please be a messenger of hope in your community and in your church.
To see the documentary, please click HERE. or visit http://www.inthelifetv.org/html/episodes/150.html.
For more information about HIV, please click HERE.
Peace, Love, Joy, and Happiness
