Dr. Rangi Whitfield is using unconventional methods to teach people about HIV/AIDS. Whitfield, a board-certified family physician also known as “Tha Hip-Hop Doc,” uses rap to help spread awareness about health issues like the HIV/AIDS problem in the United States. Whitfield’s lecture Tuesday in the Vieux Carré room of the Student Union, titled “HIV/AIDS and the African American Community: A State of Emergency,” aimed to help further students’ understanding of HIV/AIDS. Whitfield said there have been more than 500,000 deaths in America attributed to AIDS since the first reported case in 1981. He said while black people represent only 13 percent of the American population, they make up 50 percent of those affected by AIDS. In Louisiana alone, 10,431 black people are living with HIV/AIDS, Whitfield said. Of these cases, 64 percent are men and 36 percent are women. “It’s an epidemic that is wiping us off the face of the earth,” Whitfield said. By using hip-hop and rap, Whitfield reaches out to young audiences across America to promote health awareness on issues ranging from obesity to AIDS. “We need to do whatever it takes to get these positive messages out to kids,” Whitfield said. Whitfield spent the first part of his lecture discussing the importance of music as an influence on young people. He spoke out against hip-hop and rap artists who promote negative values and reminisced about the early years of urban music as a means of positive self-expression. Raquel Henry, Black Culture Chair for the Union Program Council, said that the use of hip-hop in Whitfield’s lecture was important to spreading awareness. “It’s going to take a unique way of saying things to get through to young people,” Henry said. During his presentation, Whitfield referenced at least a dozen musicians who have been pro-active members of the black community. A young New Orleans teacher and rapper, Dee 1, spoke to the audience about the need for positive role models in the music industry. Following a question-and-answer round at the end of the lecture, Whitfield concluded the session with a short rap. With a beat from Dee 1, Whitfield rapped his light-hearted song “Oh No!,” which stressed the importance of knowing the real danger of HIV/AIDS and practicing safe sex. Keava Soil, University business student and member of Black Culture, said education is the first line of defense against HIV/AIDS. “It’s important because it’s an epidemic, especially in the African-American community,” Soil said. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Whitfield has become something of a celebrity in the health education world after appearing on several BET programs. He also has an interactive Web site and a faithful YouTube.com following. Whitfield is currently working on a comic book series designed to spread health awareness to an even younger audience. “The Legion of Health” comic series is projected to have issues concerning drug abuse and HIV/AIDS
—-Contact Adam Duvernay at [email protected]