Speaker spreads message of hope

On February 3, SAB held a program titled “Does HIV Look Like Me?” The program featured Christina Rock’s personal account of growing up and living with the virus. Rock, 25, was born in Massachusetts but after losing her mother to AIDS spent her adolescence in Florida with her father.

Rock, who hid her secret for most of her life, believes it is important to speak on such a difficult, personal issue because people “are still getting infected with HIV. A lot of it is people just don’t know; they don’t understand what HIV looks like in the United States. Or, they’re apathetic - they think ‘Oh, it doesn’t really affect me… it could never happen to me.’ I feel like unless we start talking about it, it’s never going to get any better.”

With an “HIV ends with me” outlook expressed throughout her testimonial, Rock would rather infect knowledge. She currently lives in Indiana, where she works for a non-profit LGBT organization called Indiana Youth Group; the rest of her time is dedicated to speaking for the program. About 90% of her engagements take place on college campuses, however, she has also presented in front of a board. For instance, her most memorable experience came when she spoke to the board of Trojan Condoms. “I love Trojan condoms,” laughed Rock, “they are really helpful in my life.”

Rock’s message was useful for those in attendance, and some may consider her as a legend. Rock was the first infant to test positive for HIV.

Rock astonished those in attendance with a vivid and moving memoir that explored the stigmas she faced, the secrecy of her status and the medical advancement seen over the years that has, in essence, saved her life. She opened with a brief HIV/AIDS 101. The 101 empowered the audience to be aware and use protection.

“I think the most important thing about HIV is to know your own status,” said Rock. “Then it’s important to know who your sleeping with, the other person’s status as well. And, to approach everything with compassion and an open mind.”

This was SAB’s first HIV event since the club’s president, Jackie Guglietta, joined. “I think [the event} was worth attending,” said Guglietta. “The goal of bringing exposure to a topic such as HIV is to create a more educated and well-rounded community on campus. Topics like these should not be kept in the dark. HIV is out there and cannot be ignored.”

Guglietta fervently considered one of Rock’s poignant moments in life: “I personally took away from the part where her friend responded ‘so’ to Christina telling her she had HIV. Christina began to realize that this (HIV) was just something she had to deal with and everyone has stuff they have to deal with. It was a point of acceptance. That was a big step in her life that people can relate to.”

Empathy can be such an effective tool when used properly. Needless to say, Rock has a strong handle on that concept. Many share Rock’s condition but not her character. Although there is no cure for the virus there is hope - and it starts with us.