Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune - February 20, 2008
Lolly Bowean, lbowean@tribune.com
But after her mother found out and punished her, Evans shaped up and never missed a day of school, she said Tuesday at a Black History Month celebration at the Riverdale Senior, Youth and Family Services Center.
"That's history," she said, drawing laughter. "Your legacy is intertwined with all that came before you."
She hoped her story would inspire students, and throughout the Chicago region, various programs this month are celebrating African-Americans achieving against the odds.
The Riverdale event also focused on HIV and AIDS awareness.
While African-Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 49 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And of the estimated 18,850 people under age 25 with a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS between 2001 and 2004, 61 percent were black.
"HIV is not just an epidemic, it's a pandemic," said Dr. Yvette Hooker, a nurse educator who spoke at the program. "It's affected people all over the world."
Teenagers crowded the room, sitting beside senior citizens who normally attend the annual event. They watched part of a film about a young South African mother who learns she is HIV-positive, and afterward, they asked questions of a panel of experts.
It was the first time Thornton Township's Black History Month celebration has focused on youth and an issue affecting their generation, said Bob Storman, spokesman for the township.
Having teens at the celebration along with seniors led to some poignant moments.
At one point, a 79-year-old man stood and told the teenagers that he watched firsthand as his son struggled with illnesses related to AIDS. The man, who did not want to be identified, said his son tried to write him a letter on the day he died, but was too weak to finish it.
"I told him I'll get the rest later," he said. "I don't know what he was trying to tell me. But trust me, you don't want to die like that."
In addition to the discussion on HIV/AIDS, the three-hour program also featured a dance performance by the Najwa African Dance Group.
080220
CT080204
Copyright © 2008 - Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Chicago Tribune, Permissions Desk, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 http://www.chicagotribune.com
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .