A Different World AIDS Episode Lessons

In the ’80s and ’90s, Thursday night “must-see TV!” was entertaining and educational, especially A Different World. For a generation growing up, this show was an introduction to college life, political awareness and social responsibility. In the show’s fourth season, Debbie Allen directed a special episode, “If I Should Die Before I Wake,” that tackled AIDS head on.

Twenty-three years later, the episode is still relevant to today’s conversations about this disease. Take a quick look back at some of the powerful lessons about HIV/AIDS this show put its spotlight on:

1. Friends don’t let friends have unprotected sex.

Girlfriends get all up in your business and real friends aren’t afraid to have real conversations. It’s cool to joke and laugh about the fun side of romance, but Jaleesa and Kim also let Whitley know that having sex and protecting her body is serious business.

2. Women carrying condoms isn’t taboo, it’s smart.

Back in the ’90s, a woman showing up with her own condoms still sent a certain ‘message’ and unfortunately, it wasn’t a good one. But what’s sexier than a woman who values herself and her health? Jaleesa was always on her grown woman and showed carrying protection is a woman’s responsibility, too.

3. The real mood killer is getting (or giving) an STD. 

When is the right time to bring up putting on the condom, or as Whitley called it, “that contraption”? It’s not the most sexiest moment, but leave it to Kim Reese to school us on the reality of STDs.

4. You can’t tell a person’s status just by looking at them.

Young, beautiful, college-educated Josie – does she “look” like the face of AIDS? People infected with HIV/AIDS may not look sick or whatever we imagine being infected is supposed to look like.

5. “AIDS is NOT a moral judgment.”

AIDS is not “a gay man’s disease” nor only for those living “perverted” lifestyles and doing drugs (infection according to Whitley Gilbert). HIV can be “a woman’s disease” and currently, 16 million women are living with it.

6. People with HIV/AIDS are often turned against and treated unfairly. 

Before telling folks to have a seat became popular, there was Kim Reese’s infamous read about how HIV is actually spread. You can’t catch it just from walking past an infected person, holding their hand or even looking at them, but Josie’s classmates acted real funny style after her announcement. Sadly, people are still quick to panic and slow to understand the facts.

7. One time is all it takes.

The List. We all have one. Whether you’re a man or a woman, it’s equally scary to think about how many times you may have put yourself or someone else at risk for a life-changing disease.

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8. People can be really, really ignorant when it comes to AIDS.

Did Terrence “Little Brother No Play” really come up in The Pit with a scarf on his face?! Not only can people be ignorant to the facts, but their actions can be even more ignorant (and hurtful).

9. People with HIV/AIDS need allies and support. 

Thank goodness for people like Mr. Gaines and Kim Reese. With the stress of managing a disease, work (and the fear of losing a job) and life overall, having allies in their corner is critical to the health of someone living with HIV or AIDS.

10. Couples in healthy relationships talk openly about sex, including the risk of HIV/AIDS. 

Talking about sex needs to happen before having sex. Know your partner’s health history, their concerns and talk about the elephant in the room that is HIV. AIDS isn’t just something that happens “to them”; it can happen to you in your perfect relationship, too.

Thank you, A Different World, and thank God for syndication.  We need more shows like this. Check out the full episode below.