RED.

Forum Date: Monday, October 15, 2012

RED.

- adjective
the primary color at one extreme end of the visible spectrum; commonly associated with danger, sacrifice, passion, fire, beauty, and love.

Red is the color of the ruby, freshly picked strawberries, the H&M clothing store sign (my new obsession), and santa claus's hat, among many other wonderful things. I know it sounds silly to spend so long talking about a color; however, that particular three letter word means so much more to me than just its appearance. Before I explain myself, I first have to make the connection to our last speaker. In the meantime, try not to die from suspense. 

Last forum our speaker was Jackie Hendrix of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. He is a part of the Commerce's board of directors, the Northwest Shoals Scholarship Foundation board, and the board of directors with local home builders. For the majority of the class period, Jackie explained what he does on a daily basis in his workplace to make the Shoals a better place. He then reiterated what a lot of our other speakers have already told us by telling us some benefits of volunteering like networking and building our resume.

When I see the color red, I immediately think of the organization (RED). (RED) harnesses the power of companies and people to help fight AIDS. When you purchase something from a company that sponsors (RED), a portion of the profits directly benefits the cause. Since I am currently unemployed (I don't have enough money to donate) and my platform involves helping children (both indirectly and directly), I plan on spending my spring break with the other members of UNA's Alternative Break Board.

My top site choice is the domestic one in New York involving HIV/AIDS education in the LGBT community. Because HIV/AIDS is a topic that many people in today’s society tend to either avoid talking about or simply overlook, I want to help change that. From participating in behind the scenes work with the GMHC walk to preparing health kits, every small effort will help bring about a bigger awareness to such a critical topic. As I researched some statistics, I was shocked that I was not as educated about this topic as I thought I was and that this disease is not a bigger concern outside of the LGBT community.
In 2010, 1,000 babies were born every day with HIV.
In 2011, that number was down to 900.
Seeing those physical numbers reinforced a fact that I already knew: no one (of any age, race, or gender) is immune to HIV or AIDS. In addition to interacting with the residents of New York and becoming a part of a healthy lifestyle revolution, I feel like helping with prevention is the first step to a cure. Traveling to New York has also always been a dream of mine. The fact that the issue that interests me the most is paired with a site choice I would love to visit seems almost too good to be true.

Coming up, December 1 is world AIDS day! Help me spread awareness by wearing something red! :)

The color red is also... drumroll please... the title of Taylor Swift's new album set to release on October 22! Ladies of Lafayette: be prepared to hear that CD on repeat while I shower, haha. Anyway, her whole album is about love derived from passion. The world needs more love and less hate, don't you agree? Since the only things you can control are your own actions, help spread love by helping others through volunteering. 

Jackie brought up the point that 80% of people don't volunteer. If you do the simple math: only 10% of people DO volunteer. Our goal as a class should be to change that statistic by going above and beyond what is required of us. Sure, we all have to complete 10 hours a semester of civic engagement in order to renew our scholarships and remain members of the HP, but fulfilling our duties as active citizens and good people requires so much more. We have to realize that we each have duties outside of our selfish needs and wants. That is why, although our schedules as college students are hectic, we should try our best to volunteer in an area(s) we are passionate about. There are so many things in this world that need positive improvements aside from the issues that get the most attention like poverty, teen pregnancy, and childhood hunger.
In the words of Jackie Hendrix, "See a need, fill a need."