We are distressed that the Calendar article about red ribbons turned out the way it did ("The AIDS Ribbons' Tangled Message: Why Some See Red," Calendar, March 24). The headline and early portions of the story stressed controversy, particularly the suggestion that some people use AIDS ribbons as a "cop-out" to avoid doing more in the fight against the disease. In fact, as the balance of the story clearly indicates, hardly any controversy exists concerning the red ribbons.
We want to make sure that the point of wearing a red ribbon is clearly understood. When a celebrity wears a ribbon on an awards show--as many surely will tonight at the Academy Awards--it sends a clear message to anyone watching that we must constantly be aware of the AIDS epidemic. It sends a message to people with AIDS that they are not alone. It will hopefully inspire a fan of that celebrity to make a contribution to an AIDS organization. It will hopefully remind someone to use a condom when having sex later that night. It stands as a symbol that this is not a disease that affects only one type of person. It reminds us that we are all living with AIDS.
