African-American churches and AIDS: SOTU wtf? moment

[uppityperson]

something about African-American churches and other faith based organizations being used to fight HIV/AIDS? Did anyone catch this? Am I the only one that took offence at this being how to fight AIDS in America?

Edited to add this from WH website
"We will also lead a nationwide effort, working closely with African American churches and faith-based groups, to deliver rapid HIV tests to millions, end the stigma of AIDS, and come closer to the day when there are no new infections in America. "

[unblock]

1. when banana republicans fight aids, that means abstinence education.

[linazelle]

2. I was offended. Very racist IMHO. WTF indeed. nt

[uppityperson]

3. Thanks, it was an off-putting comment and I hadn't heard more

African American churches are responsible for stopping HIV/AIDs? HIV/AIDs is now an African-American disease? No public funding since it should be their church's responsibility?

[linazelle]

4. I know. We should do more to focus on the racism in this "initiative." nt

[RazzleDazzle]

8. Racist? Or pandering. Or both?

[bnr65432]

5. i rememer

I was horrified when i heard it but forgot. There were many things to be horrified about.
The news media didn't mention it. They should have exposed bush as the racist he is

[uppityperson]

6. I didn't listen long, but heard several things that made me go "huh?"

This one stuck with me since it was such a racist, slick, let's say this fast and move on sort of thing.

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Interesting

I guess they think since they're African-American they know about it? I'm sure some groups don't give a damn either way but some do want to help. Don't bash all of us please. I checked out the group HOPE since they say they're apart of the same church I am (Church of Christ) and they don't seem too bad. Google Project Hope. I haven't checked out the others though so I can't say about them.

[uppityperson]

9. Nothing wrong with churches being involved, far from it, it just seemed..

that the government might be spending more and focusing more on projects by and for the people, rather than putting it on to african american churches and other faith based groups. Gvt is for things too big for individuals, communties to handle and HIV/AIDs is one of those things. And the african-american distinction seemed really odd. "That's an A-A church, they can do AIDs prevention." Yes, churches, civic groups, schools, health care places, all have a part to play, but it just seemed really odd. Not meaning to bash at all, sorry if I came over that way. Yeah for UCC!