In the ongoing discussion of the AIDS pandemic in Africa, the role of culture is almost always, without fail, mentioned.
With the AIDS pandemic ravishing many parts of Africa, the narrative inadvertently turns to culture. Superstitions, beliefs, and stereotyped racial behaviors have been presented as causal factors in the spread of AIDS in Africa. Such discourse runs the gamut from the supposed promiscuous behavior of Africans to the stories of South African men who are HIV positive having intercourse with virgins in the mistaken belief that this would rid them of the HIV virus.
Such discussions not only perpetuate racist stereotypes, but also hinder the fight against AIDS. Using culture as a causal factor places the burden and responsibility of AIDS on its victims. It implies that the victims have the power to prevent the spread of AIDS. That is, if the victims changed their behaviors, beliefs, or cultures, the AIDS pandemic could be curtailed.
Such thinking takes the focus off the real issues of poverty, gender inequality, and a lack of resources. By pointing to culture, the rest of the world is not held accountable for its role in the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Whereas when the focus is on the real issues of the debt burden, poverty, and access to medicines, a more global view can be taken as far as causative factors and, therefore, more global solutions can be offered.
As well, culture as a cause, offers a false sense of security to the Western world. Since people in the West may not share the same beliefs or cultures as people in Africa, there is the false thinking that AIDS could not ravage Western countries to the same extent that it has Africa. However, when the real issues are addressed, one realizes that no one is immune from the AIDS pandemic taking a foothold.
Instead of focusing on culture and beliefs, perhaps our energies are best directed towards creating economic stability in Africa. Access to resources and the fight against poverty and inequality may be our greatest weapons against the AIDS scourge.
