(Untitled)

[tigersong]

News flash: A man who has never had sex is not the best person to comment on safer sex!"'You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms,' the pope told reporters aboard the Alitalia plane headed to Yaounde, Cameroon, where he will begin a seven-day pilgrimage on the continent. 'On the contrary, it increases the problem

Comments

[bdouville]

I think that the Pope was disastrously wrong, but in all his wrongness, there was a kernel of undeniable truth: the solution to the AIDS epidemic cannot rest entirely on latex. An important component of the HIV/AIDS crisis in these countries is how one understands and performs roles of gender and sexuality. Both the ideas and performances need to be transformed -- and transformed by the people themselves. In cultures where the people have been exploited by European colonizers, and intimidated by army and police violence (specifically white army and police violence), a lot of that exploitation and violence becomes internalized, and it works itself out in the exploitation and oppression of women and children.

Unfortunately, there's this ideological divide between people like the Pope (who have crazy notions that latex is sinful and counter-productive) and others who focus on safe sex. (And to what extent is "safe sex" a North American cultural export? Just a thought.) You're right that condoms reduce the frequency of death. But a total, wholistic solution is required.

Cheers,

Bruce

[tigersong]

No, it can't rely solely on latex... there has to be an empowerment of women and those who are suffering under any forms of sexual exploitation. My best thoughts on the matter? Massive education campaigns dedicated to empowering young women, plus information on making safer sexual decisions, and getting millions of condoms out there

You're right, it has to be much more holistic.

However, I'd argue that the sexual repression being taught by the church is the Western cultural export that we're trying to impose on people in a colonial fashion.