'Read-in' promotes AIDS awareness

Red ribbons decorated the paneled walls and columns of Houston Hall's Hall of Flags yesterday as lunchtime crowds became the audience for "Words of Solidarity," a read-in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. Sponsored by Facilitating Learning about Sexual Health, the Lesbian Bisexual Gay Association, and Student Health Service, the read-in was just one of many activities scheduled to observe HIV/AIDS Awareness Month at the University. The groups read poetry, letters and excerpts from speeches about AIDS. Health Educator Kurt Conklin explained that the educational session was "impromptu." He added that all those who felt inspired were encouraged to use the open microphone. Every 13 minutes, the peaceful setting was interrupted by the intense ringing of a gong. According to College junior and FLASH member Beth Sobol, the gong symbolized the fact that every 13 minutes, one person in the United States contracts the AIDS virus. In addition to pamphlets and flyers, books including selections about AIDS were displayed for browsing. Conklin stressed that the most important goal of the event was to educate students about HIV and AIDS, and to replace fear and ignorance with understanding. "I want people to understand these three things," Conklin said. "Everyone is at risk for AIDS. Everyone can do something to reduce that risk. And people with HIV can live full lives." Many students read books and talked amongst themselves during the readings. But College sophomore Angine Harriott said she thinks much of the apparent disinterest may have been caused by problems with scheduling. "I knew that [the read-in] was going to happen, but I forgot which day," she said. "It should have been on any other day besides Monday." Harriott also mentioned that people are usually not receptive to pertinent issues such as AIDS awareness. "When it comes to topics like AIDS awareness you need to make people listen even if they don't want to," she said.