Tweet
What does the
red AIDS ribbon
symbolize to you? Hope?
Awareness? Vigilance? History? In a sea of ribbons for all sorts of
diseases and conditions, does it still
retain its impact?
After the red ribbon was worn at the 1991 Tony
Awards it took off as an international symbol for AIDS awareness. It was a
different time them. It seemed like a bold act of resistance to proudly display
a symbol of AIDS for all the world to see. There is no question that the symbol
helped create awareness and fight stigma and was much needed at the height of
the crisis.
But does the
red ribbon still resonate today? It’s become so overused that people tend to slap
it on any sort of thing associated with HIV
as their default symbol. Now that its 20 years since the ribbon came on to the
scene and so much has changed in regards to HIV, should our symbol change
too?
Many young people today see the red ribbon as a
marker of a distant generation while others feel over saturated with ribbon
after ribbon for every cause under the sun. Maybe it’s time for creative artist
types to think big and bold and come up with something new to symbolize the
modern HIV experience.
Does the red
ribbon still have meaning for you or do you think it should have an expiration
date?
I agree that we are inundated with all sorts of awareness ribbons utilizing every color of the rainbow, and then some. However, I think that recognition is important and at this time, to change the emblem of awareness of the scourage of HIV/AIDS is counterproductive. I do concur with your observation, my blogger brother and friend, that the red ribbon is overused for all sorts of causes concerning HIV issues.
ReplyDeleteROGER: GLAD THAT YOU CAN BE OBJECTIVE IN THIS ENTRY.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with Roger! Recognition is important. Perhaps we just need a re-imaging of the ribbon symbol. I love the one above with the man and the red feather boa rapped around him, but that is too specific for some.
ReplyDeleteTHOMAS: MAYBE WE CAN HAVE DIFFERENT ONES THAT REPRESENT DIFFERENT LIVES THIS DISEASE AFFECTED.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the RED symbolizes the bloodshed, the tens of thousands of lives lost & the heart it takes to struggle with this disease, whether personally or by close association.
ReplyDeleteRed also stands for the fire of determination to see an end to this disease.
Just my thoughts.
One.
Moanerplucity: what stunning and beautiful thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteMOAN: VERY WELL SAID GUY, VERY WELL SAID.
ReplyDeleteTHOMAS: LOVE YOU GUYS!
ReplyDelete