Panel on HIV/AIDS encourages awareness
RBR senior organized forum to promote debate and unity
BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer

LAYLI WHYTE Jacquelin Bingham (l) speaks to an attendee of the discussion panel at the Bates Lodge Monday night. This was one of three discussions planned by the high school senior for Black History Month.

RED BANK — A panel discussion brought about feelings of community togetherness and empowerment.

The panel discussion was the second organized by Red Bank Regional High School senior Jacquelin Bingham in honor of Black History Month. The event was held on Monday at the Bates Lodge, Shrewsbury Avenue.

The topic of discussion for this panel was HIV/AIDS and the impact on the African American community, focusing on youth.

The panel included: Mary Lou Jennings, of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, who also works at The Source, a school-based youth services program at RBR; Stacy Liss, a counselor at The Source; Ashley Marinaccio, a student at Pace University, New York; Helen Ferlazzo of the Community Health Center of Asbury Park; and Elise Millen, manager of HIV services at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

Also sitting on the panel were Will and Harvey, two HIV positive men, who shared their stories and advice with the audience.

Sheila Highsmith, assistant social work supervisor and community resource specialist with the state Division of Mental Health Services, moderated the event.

The discussion began with an overview of how HIV and AIDS work in the body, damaging the immune system.

“A lot of people are still confused,” said Millen. Ferlazzo explained that it can take five to 10 years before HIV progresses to AIDS, but that the street terminology of “full-blown AIDS” is inaccurate.

“We don’t use that terminology anymore,” agreed Millen. “Harvey is a perfect example of how someone can live with AIDS indefinitely.”

Harvey said he has been living with AIDS for 30 years, and wants to help people avoid the same mistakes in life that he made.

“There are a lot of young kids out there shooting dope and having sex,” he said. “That’s not where it’s at. You only have one life to live and I’ve put a big dent in that life. I’ll never make that right, but maybe I can help someone else.”

Liss said that the young people she works with at The Source are more concerned with not getting pregnant than with contracting a disease.

“They don’t think they are affected by it,” Liss said.

Will, who has been living with AIDS for five years, said it’s important to understand that it’s impossible to tell if someone is infected just by looking at them.

“Look at me,” he said. “I’m 280 pounds. If I didn’t tell you I had it, you wouldn’t know.”

Jennings said that the rate of AIDS among heterosexual women is climbing, and they represent the fastest growing group of AIDS patients.

She said empowerment among young people may help keep them feel in charge of their bodies, and, in turn, make them want to take care of themselves.

The panelists all agreed that the message to young people cannot just be abstinence.

“You have to be realistic,” said Liss.

Robert Gray, a student at RBR, said that he hears the locker room talk and he knows that many students are not practicing abstinence.

“Kids are having sex,” he said. “That’s just what’s going on.”

Other members of the audience spoke up, calling for a coming together of ideas.

The Rev. Terrence Porter, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank, said that he has seen many people die from AIDS during his ministry and asked the assembled group how the community can get together and make a change.

In a spirit of community, Porter, William Poku of the Red Bank chapter of the NAACP and Sgt. John Riley of the Red Bank Police Department offered their phone numbers and their help to members of the audience.

The next panel discussion, which will cover the penal system, has not yet been scheduled.

“I loved this discussion,”said Bingham. “I would definitely love to keep this going.”