“The Influence of Black Church Culture: How Black Church Leaders Frame the HIV/AIDS Discourse,” By Sandra L. Barnes

Although the Black Church has historically responded to social problems, collective action to combat HIV/AIDS has been limited. Focus group conversations from Black Church leaders are used to examine attitudes and actions on the subject. Of particular interest is whether framing of the discourse is influenced by Black Church culture. Findings suggest the tendency to associate HIV/AIDS with homosexuality and conflate it with other social challenges. Tensions arose concerning how to reconcile HIV/AIDS without violating Christian tenets as well as inactivity that violates the Christian calling to serve the Black community. Yet regardless of views about theology, humanity, morality, and sexuality, strategies for redress reflected the Black Church self-help tradition.