This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff
The first case of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was discovered in the United States in 1981, and since then, the deadly disease has killed around 25 million people, according to greaterthanone.org.
The disease has been around for more than 30 years, but that doesn’t mean scientists are any closer to finding a cure. In 2010, more than 33,000 people were diagnosed with the disease, according to avert.org.
Thankfully, the people at St. Bonaventure’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts realize this problem, and they are trying to bring this issue back into the news. And students should take advantage of the opportunity to get informed
Because AIDS has been prevalent for so long, it may not be on everybody’s mind as much as it was in 1981. This should not be the case, considering how deadly it is.
The Quick Center will be involved in an event which has been around since 1981, A Day With[out] Art, according to the Nov. 27 St. Bonaventure Notice Board email. This important day of remembrance began on Dec. 1, 1981.
It is important that students utilize these events because information will lead to a better understanding of the disease. The Quick Center offers a number of interactive activities to raise awareness for AIDS and the struggles of those suffering from it.
On Dec. 1, the Quick Center will be participating in the observance by unveiling an exhibition to promote AIDS awareness. However, it doesn’t stop there.
In addition to the exhibition, the Quick Center will give away AIDS awareness materials including buttons, red ribbons and reflection cards, according to the same Notice Board. These served as helpful reminders for people to understand the devastation brought upon by the disease.
There was a whole host of other events organized by the Quick Centers’s Assistant curator, Sean Conklin, during the week leading up to the Day With[out] Art.
The Quick Center joined with the Visual Arts’ Introductory Painting Class this past Tuesday to make a mural for AIDS awareness which will be unveiled on the Quick Center’s Day With[out] Art.
This past Wednesday, the groups met up for a class of “Respect Your Body Figure Drawing.” During this class people were taught techniques to draw the human body and discussed the effects that HIV and AIDS could have on it. This is a creative activity enabled people to get some information about a serious issue while learning a new skill.
Thursday’s main event was a small slam poetry competition. The contestants performed material that revolved around AIDS and its effects. This was a good way to get the message across.
The week wraps up this Saturday on World AIDS Day where the Quick Center will be darkened to offer a reflective space for those who come to see the names of individuals from artistic backgrounds in New York state who were afflicted with the disease.
These AIDS-related events were great opportunities to gain some much-needed knowledge or to help and educate others on this very important subject. The more we educate ourselves, the closer we are to finding a cure.
