Since the 80's, the word of HIV and AIDS have been in the media, from celebrity announcing their openness about AIDS to MTV reality Star Pedro Zamora being open about his AIDS on TV. For most, the latest news on the travel band brings a bit of hope and equality.
On Oct. 31, we not only got to celebrate an eventful Holiday in the United States, we also heard of President Obama's lift on the HIV/AIDS travel ban.
In America, we have the chance to improve equal rights; we all are allowed to attend the same school and have the same education. African American and Caucasians can be in the same restaurants together.
These equal rights were fought for the propose of equality, but there are yet some people who have the same right as others: gays, lesbians and people with HIV/AIDS.
Lifting the ban will give people with HIV/AIDS the ability to visit or enter the U.S. The lifting of the ban will take effect 60 days after the New year's day.
The lift is due to the Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Bill. The bill was named after Ryan White, a nationally-known poster child for HIV/AIDS.
At age 18, White's life was taken away by AIDS, which he acquired through blood
transfusion. It has taken the U.S. over two decades to lift the ban. Such delay has caused a bad image for America, which could not have been said better by President Obama.
"If we want to be a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it," Said Obama on Monday night's press conferences.
As Americans and global leaders, we should not discriminate against people with AIDS. Instead, we should embrace their presence and learn from the circumstances that made them victims.
The rights that our forefathers fought for must not only apply to color of skin.
Discrimination isn't just about the color of our skin.
It is everything that unfairly separates one group of people from the other.
In the early 90's people would escape to come to America because they were told that they would have a chance for freedom. Maybe that message was lost somewhere down the road.
The lift of this ban will give yet another group of people the chance to live their dream of being in the land of the free. It will also allow their lives to be told through the perspectives of others.
Some people didn't get to pick the life that they had, and some of us can relate to that.
But don't they at least get to choose the path they want for their life?
It's something that truly should be in our will.
This gives people equal opportunity and a chance for a better tomorrow; isn't that what living in United States stands for?
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