HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in Pasco. It is time to give it serious attention | Opinion
Pasco must take AIDS seriously
Pasco native “Gabriela” faces many challenges as an HIV positive teen. A weakened muscular system leaves her wheelchair dependent and she must follow a strict medication treatment. Yet, with her father recently passing away from AIDS, Gabriela knows that HIV must not be taken lightly.
Within Franklin County, where more than 50% of the population is Latinx, additional support services are needed to reduce the transmission rates of HIV within at-risk Latinx youth. Free and accessible HIV testing is needed for youth to be aware of their disease status.
Catholic and Christian beliefs are common within these Latinx communities, and as they cast sexual intercourse and sexually transmitted diseases as taboo topics, many are unaware of transmission risks and how they can protect themselves.
Implementing additional sexual health education services within school districts is necessary for these young adults to be better equipped to handle HIV-related issues and concerns. Open HIV-related conversations within the general Tri-Cities community are needed to reduce the stigma that surrounds HIV.
As Latinx youth have greater access to knowledge and HIV-related resources, a greater sense of belonging and acceptance will be created for all at-risk youth and especially for HIV-positive youth.
Wendy Sanchez Garcia, Kennewick
War and strife steal Christmas
War is the Grinch who stole all joy from this Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanza, etc. The dead and dying of innocent people, most visibly in the Middle East and Africa, are heart-wrenching to worldwide observers — most of whom call for an immediate end to the violence.
Unlike the human suffering resulting from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and tornadoes, wars are man-made. As such, they can be prevented where there is the will to do so. Any effort to inflict unjustified suffering upon the innocent in most civilized societies is considered criminal.
America, as a “one nation,” is at serious risk of becoming the next Middle East because of its racial and ethnic makeup. And legally, there is no national language to unify and hold the population and the American culture together.
This mosaic of diverse cultures and values without a strong unifying bond, such as a common language, promotes ethnocentrism and racism, characteristic of those found in war-torn countries.
When coupled with America’s current border crisis, and the entry of illegal and unvetted immigration bringing in more problematic divisions, “peace on Earth and goodwill to all …” can only be prayed for.
Dallas Barnes, Pasco
U.S. must rethink Israeli relations
When is the U.S. going to end its special relationship with Israel? Israel is known as a corrupt, repressive government by most other nations. It uses torture, arbitrary punishment, apartheid and occupies West Bank territories seized by its military
The idea of Israel as the beleaguered little democracy has not been true for quite awhile. Yet over one-third of our foreign aid budget or $3 billion of American taxpayer money goes to Israel every year in spite of the fact that it has a booming economy and an average income level similar to Western Europe. In addition, the U.S. blocks any United Nations resolution that Israel objects to, damaging its own interests and making it complicit in a growing list of Israel’s war crimes.
What is the quid pro quo in the foreign aid provided by the U.S.? To date, Israel is ignoring suggestions by the U.S. regarding its current excursion into Gaza. No wonder there is a worldwide perception of the U.S. as being in Israel’s pocket.
Israel needs to be treated based on actual American national interests and the $3 billion of taxpayer money should be terminated.
Bill Petrie, Richland
The Tri-City Herald welcomes letters up to 200 words and the best way to submit them is through our website. The Herald reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length, and letter writers are limited to one letter published every 30 days. Letters that defame individuals, ethnic or religious groups, contain significant factual errors or that are in poor taste will not be printed.
