| www.MollieStone.org |
| Back to South Africa A few months ago, I was generously awarded another grant from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation to return to South Africa to study how South Africans are using choral music in the struggle against HIV. In a time when black South Africans are constantly demoralized by accusations that their cultural practices are "facilitating the spread of the virus," I am particularly interested in studying, and raising awareness about how black South Africans are, in fact, quite successfully using elements of their own culture to help stop the spread of HIV. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how this is being done so that I can help encourage people to support South Africans in their efforts. I plan to work with a number of South African choirs, AIDS orphanages, and other programs assisting people with HIV. My work will consist of learning and recording songs, conducting interviews, research, writing, and putting together an educational performance through YES IS A WORLD to raise awareness and funds to support HIV-related organizations in South Africa. Why Choral Music? In a culture where it is often taboo to speak of the disease, it is particularly powerful that people are joining their voices together to sing about it. Singing about HIV in the context of a choir enables people to address HIV as a community, providing a much-needed support network to those affected by the virus, and breaking down the deadly stigma surrounding HIV (which often hinders the spread of accurate information about prevention and treatment). Black South African choral music played a vital role in the anti-apartheid movement, and can be used in similar ways in the struggle against HIV. I believe that if black South Africans are able to draw upon their own cultural resources to stop the spread of HIV, they will feel more empowered in their efforts, and more invested in the struggle. About the Songs People are singing many different types of songs that have to do with HIV. Here are some examples of the different types of songs: People are singing educational songs about how to prevent the spread of the virus. These songs talk about everything from using condoms, to the dangers of spreading the virus through breast-feeding. Other songs deal with the importance of talking about HIV in relationships. People are coming together to sing songs of comfort and support to those affected by HIV. These songs show people with HIV that they are not alone, and that their communities are there to help them. People are singing songs of protest against the government’s policies regarding HIV-related issues. Some of these songs were originally anti-apartheid songs, which is particularly powerful because many members of the current government used to sing them, and now these songs are being sung against them. About the Performances Black South Africans are using music to fight the spread of HIV in a number of different ways: People are putting together choir concerts to raise money for HIV-related charities and organizations. In South Africa, choral competitions are very popular, and draw large numbers of people from all over the country. Some of these competitions are sponsored by HIV-related organizations, which inspires composers to write songs about HIV to be sung at the competitions. This is an effective way to get information to many people, and to break down the stigma surrounding the virus. |
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