1. Key points from "How Churches Fight the Stigma of H.I.V" is that although many churches condemns homosexuality they are concerned about the community and want to ensure they receive testing, especially seen in the black community. In order to open the conversation of such a taboo topic, churches have held eight-hour courses with pastors teaching individuals about the facts about H.I.V and the stigma that surrounds it. Churches have realized that black, homosexual men are treated much later in their illness when the progression has become more life-threatening because they face criticism and judgement from those around them. Key points in "The Boys Learn Anti-Sexism in India" are violence against women is worldwide, India is in pursuit of creating a #MeToo movement, men who abuse alcohol are more likely to abuse their wives, children who see abuse are emotionally scarred, and that it is never too late to change. 

2. In "How Churches Fight the Stigma of H.I.V", I think it is very progressive for these churches to be hosting H.I.V testings because they realize the negative stigma that surrounds this issue. Many believers and members of these churches feel unwelcome because of their sexuality. It is disturbing and saddening to learn that homophobia is not based on God's teachings but from word of mouth and flawed traditions. Churches realizing the power and significance they have on people and helping shift mindset in their members is admirable because it is a step closer to a more accepting society. In "The Boys Learn Anti-Sexism in India" I appreciated that they shared the devastating story about the 23-year-old women who was brutally attacked because as disturbing as it is, it needs to be talked about. India's government for a long time disregarded reported cases and many abusers walked free with no form of punishment, leading others to think this behavior was acceptable. I do question how more men can be convinced to join programs like Equal Community Foundation (ECF), just like young Omkar, and return with a more respecting behavior towards women. However, while the program wants to help men learn how to treat women they don't want them going home to their wife or sister telling them what not to wear in order to avoid sexual assault. I'm curious as to how these teaching groups will address those problems. 

3. From the article "How Churches Fight the Stigma of H.I.V" I got to know Morris Singletary, a black, gay youngster who was diagnosed with H.I.V in 2006 and had his faith ripped away from him. After years of feeling shame, he concluded that no one should question your faith in God and that only you have the power to define your relationship with God. This resonated with me the most because I feel often times people have this very narrow view on religion and believe that their is only one way to live life. Morris says that in something built with such love, you will only receive love back regardless of what people say. In "The Boys Learn Anti-Sexism in India" I met eighteen-year-old Omkar who once was verbally abusive towards his sister, until he attended a program catered towards ending violence towards women, he came back a changed man. He along with 5000 other young men are aware of ways to prevent women from abuse, forced marriages, and any sort of treatment that goes against their rights. They are able to contact local authorities and mend the situation before it heightens. An important lesson to this article is that although we can encourage men to change, it is very difficult in a world that doesn't let them. This reinforces my notions that as we get closer to identifying the route of this issue, we should adjust the curriculum to reach a greater audience. 

4. I really struggled narrowing down my options to three because I wanted to focus my attention to two very powerful stories. However, one I found very interesting in terms of the advances of science was "Shifting the Focus of Breast Cancer to Prevention". A family friend of mine passed away from breast cancer in 2011, now there are many more prevention and treatment methods that put survival rate to over 85%. Knowing that there are now scientifically proven methods to prevent breast cancer in women who have family history of cancer and fall under the higher risk category based on age and ethnicity is comforting. There are now preventative drugs and biopsies that help detect cancer prior to it developing. 

5. These three articles, one being my honorable mention, all focused on very different topics yet important topics people around the world face, homophobia, illness, and inequality. These articles share a very progressive and positive outlook on these topics and shares stories about individuals who took their tough situation and made light of it.

What are three to six key points or impressions that you will take away from these stories?

Write a 200-word reflection that engages, analyzes, critiques, expands upon, and/or questions what you read or listened to.

Share your reflections on your experience reading, watching or listening to the solutions journalism stories. Did you learn new information; gain new understanding; see things with a different perspective than you had in the past? Did the stories reinforce an idea or thought you'd previously had? Did you meet new people, or learn about opportunities you were previously unaware of? 

Were there other stories this week that you’d like to give an “honorable mention” -- that you enjoyed, but were not your top choice to share?

What else would you like to share?