The Vigil

Posted Aug 18, 2006 by Julie Pace

Updated Aug 18, 2006 at 09:47 AM

After days of sitting in sessions, it can become very easy to get wrapped up in the political debates, the scientific discoveries, and the statistics that are so overwhelming, that it’s hard to imagine the impact of HIV/AIDS in real terms.

I think that’s one reason the conference always ends with an AIDS vigil, a very non-political gathering of people with the sole purpose of remembering those who have died of AIDS, and the ones living with the virus. After all, there would be no need for this conference if there weren’t 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS.

On the walk over to Dundas Square in downtown Toronto, my friend Lauren and I wondered how many journalists would be there, not to cover the event, but to take part. There weren’t many. As journalists, we’re so trained to not become part of the story. But when it comes to something like HIV, or any other catastrophe or disaster, I just don’t think it’s possible to report on the topic without understanding the human toll, and the loss people feel. Not understanding that part of the story, or being cold and callous about death, is part of what gives journalists a bad reputation. We’re just people, and we’re allowed to be sad and upset. Pretending otherwise doesn’t make much sense.