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From: cycy@isl1.ri.cmu.edu (Cowboy)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Re: 1992 AIDS Conf. - help sought
Message-ID: <1991Apr18.102356.22164@cs.ucla.edu>
Date: 18 Apr 91 06:37:43 GMT
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In article <1991Apr17.195435.19739@cs.ucla.edu>, liz@ai.mit.edu (Liz A. Highleyman) writes:
> Several of us in ACT UP/Boston are currently working with the planners
> of the VIII International AIDS Conference, to be held at Harvard Univ.
> in June 1992.  As usual, the planners seem to be leaving out some of 
> the people most affected by HIV/AIDS, and we are trying to push for more
> inclusivity and access.
> 
> Currently, the planners are proposing people for the abstract review
> committees.  There will be 4 tracks: A - Basic Science, B - Clinical,
> C - Epidemiology, and D - Social Issues.  We would like to see PWAs,
> people of color, women, and community activists on all track committees
> (not shunted solely into Social Issues).

I have a question. While I think it is great you are helping with the planning
committee and all, I don't quite understand why specifically these groups you
pointed out need to be represented in the first 3 tracks. I suppose the Clinical
track might make sense if you considered contextual issues in clinical work
on AIDS. However, I don't follow it for Basic Science and Epidemiology.

Perhaps these tracks aren't quite what I think they are. I perceive these to
be highly technical discussions in the scientific vein. Unless one is involved
in the actual scientific work as a researcher, I don't know why one should
participate such tracks (though clearly a non-technical summary would be a good
thing).

Could you (or somebody) please explain?

(Also, as a so-called "person of colour", I would really prefer if you used the
term ethnic minority or racial minority or something like that. I really
dislike the term "people of colour". If you want to discuss it, send mail. I
just wanted to make an aside since if noone says it, noone ever knows.)

				Thanks,

-- 

                                       -- Chris. (cycy@isl1.ri.cmu.edu)
"People make me pro-nuclear." -- Margarette Smith