Jakarta –
World AIDS Day, which falls every December 1, often reminds us how this disease is not something trivial. One of the characteristics of that day is a circular red ribbon. Even though it seems like just a “ribbon”, there is meaning contained in it.
Love for the Patients
Quoted from World Aids Day, the red ribbon is a universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world. Wearing a ribbon is a good way to raise awareness among people around the world that this is a disease that is difficult to eradicate and we still have to fight to fight it.
The use of this symbol began in 1991, a decade after the emergence of the world’s first case, where 12 artists gathered in a gallery in the East Village, New York. They met to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS, an HIV awareness arts organization in New York.
It was there that they discovered what would become one of the most well-known symbols over the years—the red ribbon worn to signify awareness and support for people living with the disease. In contrast to today, at that time HIV was still highly stigmatized and the suffering of HIV patients was largely hidden.
Therefore, these artists create visual expressions of compassion for people living with HIV/AIDS. They took inspiration from the yellow ribbons tied to trees to show support for the United States military fighting in the Gulf War.
Additionally, they decided that loops were an elegant ribbon shape, easy to create and imitate. They avoid traditional colors associated with the LGBTQ community. Because the artists want to convey that HIV is relevant to everyone. They chose the color red because of its boldness, and because of its symbolic association with passion, heart, and love.
A Powerful Symbol That Never Dies
In the beginning, artists made the tapes and distributed them to art galleries and theaters in New York. They included some text to explain the importance of the ribbon, but as the ribbon became more famous, this was no longer necessary.
Within weeks of its introduction, red ribbons could be seen at famous places such as red carpet Oscar. The media took notice and within a short time, the symbol was universally known. When the Concert for Freddie Mercury was held at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1992, more than 100,000 red ribbons were distributed to the audience and participating artists.
This ribbon has also become a strong symbol that seems to never die and becomes a powerful force in an effort to increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS. Through simple gestures of care and empathy, this symbol becomes a source of strength for patients.
Happy World AIDS Day!
(DIR/alm)
2023-12-01 12:31:25
#Red #Ribbon #Symbol #Support #HIVAIDS #Sufferers
