Filled with vibrant colors and life-appealing facts, the informational AIDS index card was clearly passing a message across the University community Monday afternoon. On Monday, members of the Black Student Union, African-American Culture Center and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity spread the word of the dangers of the sexually transmitted disease AIDS. “[This week is meant] to increase awareness,” said Erika Wyatt, finance junior. “Our motto is to ‘Spread the Word, Not the Virus.'” The informational discussion represents one of the activities planned for the upcoming AIDS Awareness Week. The week will include various ways of getting the message and facts of AIDS to students. Headed by the Black Student Union and run by Mariana Sheppard, theater junior, the project seeks to revolutionize the “college student” persona of AIDS. Each day of the week will include a different way for students to understand the importance of being well informed on the subject of AIDS. “[Know AIDS Week] is very beneficial in terms of dealing with the college crowd,” said Gerald Taylor, international trade and finance senior. “Baton Rouge [AIDS/HIV infection] stats mainly pull from LSU and Southern [University]. [The Black Student Union] is coming right to the source.” Tuesday evening the Nu Psi chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will continue the event-filled week by conducting a women’s appreciation program in the Magnolia Room from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday will feature a HIV/AIDS demonstration in Free Speech Plaza and speakers at the Journalism Building from 7 to 9 p.m. At the demonstration students will be dressed in black and read statistics while people fall to the ground to simulate death. Real life stories will be shared Thursday at a movie viewing in the African American Culture Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. On Friday speakers will be present to discuss the 25 years the HIV virus has been circulating the country, and an AIDS walk will take place Saturday. “Friday night some gay speakers from Tulane and student bodies from other schools [will speak],” Wyatt said. “[We are] hoping Friday is one of the greatest turnouts.” Despite being headed by a majority of black organizations, Know AIDS week is strictly an LSU event. “[AIDS week] is not for the black community,” Wyatt said. “It’s for the LSU community.” Some students said the goal behind the project is necessary. “I think [Know AIDS Week] is necessary to open people’s eyes. It’s a dangerous disease,” said Abdul Mannan, biological sciences senior. “It’s needed especially in this community. [Baton Rouge] does have one of the highest rates.”
—–Contact Chris Ballay at [email protected]