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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 26, 1993                   TAG: 9303260554
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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`GOOD' AND `BAD' VICTIMS DESERVE COMPASSION

IN RESPONSE to Mrs. Wally Geiger's Feb. 26 letter concerning the death of Arthur Ashe:

It's upsetting that people continue to segregate HIV/AIDS-infected persons based on how they became infected, or the good infected vs. the bad infected.

Yes, there are people who have contracted the disease through no fault of their own, but regardless of the mode of infection, they are all people and all children of God.

Do we segregate people with cancer or heart conditions based on their lifestyles? Do we decide that those people who become ill because of smoking, lack of exercise or poor dietary habits deserve any less compassion than those who practiced better health habits?

I feel that both men - Ashe and Magic Johnson - are role models for "blacks." Both have contributed to the knowledge base of Americans, not just black Americans.

I have not seen any evidence that Magic was trying to "fool" anyone. He is truthful as to the way he feels he contracted the disease.

The message should be for everyone to protect themselves from HIV infections by not engaging in activities, which include using drugs, sharing needles and anal, vaginal or oral sex, with an infected person that would put them at risk. CAROLYN J. GREEN ROANOKE

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