|
"SEEING RED"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(01/12/05)
WHAT is the Red Ribbon? The Red Ribbon Foundation describes it as “the
global symbol for solidarity with HIV positive people and people living with
AIDS and it unites the people in the common fight against this disease.”
It was conceptualised back in 2001, when musician Paul Jabara conceptualised
the idea and distributed the first ribbon. Soon, he tried to get celebrities
to wear the ribbon at the Tony Awards (the Oscars of theatre) in the United
States, but only a handful did and TV viewers who tuned in did not know the
significance.
The significance only became clear almost a year later, when more than
100,000 people wore the ribbon to the Freddie Mercury (who died of AIDS)
AIDS Awareness Tribute Concert at London’s Wembley stadium. More than one
billion people worldwide tuned in to that show, and on the very same day,
Red Ribbon International was formed in London.
Today, even in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, you can occasionally see the odd
person or two wearing the ribbon. It has now become the global symbol in the
fight against AIDS. Wear it not just in solidarity, but also with hopes that
you can make more people aware that the HIV/AIDS issue is still present, and
in need of attention.
 Back to
News Page
|
