Guns, HIV, and Teens Tuesday, February 3, 2015

In our multifaceted, multidimensional world, complicated issues arise every day. With these problems often growing and intertwining with others, it’s important to probe all the linkages to develop effective solutions. In Health with Henna, Henna Hundal provides a brief synopsis and history of HIV/AIDS and dispels common myths. Social Responsibility reporter, Asya Gonzalez offers a balanced insight on guns and violence. Both Henna and Asya interview filmmaker, author, and producer, Yasmin Shiraz who gives us a perspective on teens, guns, violence, and HIV/AIDS. Yasmin masterfully explores those societal issues that are eyesores-uncomfortable and inconvenient for us to address. But, instead of turning our heads away from the matter, Yasmin powerfully reminds us that we need to face these problems with courage and conviction. According to the CDC, almost 10,000 young people ages 13 to 24 in the United States had been diagnosed with HIV by the end of 2010. At the end of 2010, an estimated 1,144,500 persons aged 13 and older were living with HIV infection in the United States, including 180,900 (15.8%) persons whose infections had not been diagnosed. Gun violence is ubiquitous in teen gangs. Asya reminds us that guns are a tool not a toy and must be used responsibly and according to the law. More people are killed by cars than by guns. According to the FBI crime report 32,788 people died from automobile crashes in 2010. In that same year 8,775 people died from gun deaths. We don’t need to ban guns, we need to ban violence against humanity. Responsibility and respect are key. For an enlightening conversation around tough topics, tune into this episode of Express Yourself!