Get Well Soon
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Wednesday, November 2 2005, 2:08AM
My friend Phill likes to say that we should take care of ourselves and our blessings. The events of the past week remind me to follow that advice. Last Tuesday, actor, author and poet Emanuel Xavier was brutally beaten by a street gang in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn, according to blogger Andrés Duque. Emanuel was surrounded by 15 to 20 young Latino men and punched several times in the face, Andrés reports.
Meanwhile, word came that the blogger known as no4real4real was recently hospitalized. When last we spoke of him on the site, he was lounging around Fire Island at my birthday party. But recently, after noticing that his legs had become swollen, he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with kidney failure. As he wrote on his blog, "Yes a young brother like me who works out regularly, eats a great diet, and has never have done drugs has come down with Acute Renal Failure."
I will be praying for both of them.
Last week was also the same time when the memorial service was held for Edgar Richards at Riverside Church in Harlem. Edgar and I corresponded by email a few times and he was part of a group that invited me to speak at Riverside.
Finally, gay bashing victim Dwan Prince was released from the hospital last week after being beaten by anti-gay attackers on June 9 in Brooklyn. He will be undergoing rehabilitation for at least a year, according to Gay City News. Police have made at least one arrest in the case and are still seeking two other men allegedly involved in the assault.
Comments conceal
Kola Boof
November 2 2005, 2:22AM
This is so terrifying
....and I am so sorry to hear this.
I will be praying that his spirit is not broken.
Kola
taylor Siluwé
November 2 2005, 8:51AM
Very sad ... best wishes for a speedy recovery.
for no4real4real, it reminds us that sudden health problems can blind-side us all.
Stay well.
Troy
November 2 2005, 9:35AM
My prayers go out to all you mentioned and here's hoping fellow blogger and brother screen name no4real4real gets well soon and comes through on his way back to complete recovery.
Our health as black gay men should be more focused on and talked about more but we just don't do it and I wonder why. Think of it; if we were to network, tell of the programs and Medical professionals that are true and in our corner how better off we would be. Any of the people Keith wrote about above need anything please don't hesitate to email me or ask, I will help.
Cody
November 2 2005, 10:36AM
Question everything.
A lot of the medications we take for a variety of reasons are effecting us in negative ways. The big pharmaceutical companies have a profit incentive, not a care incentive.
Self Preservation has to be our first law. If you are not healthy and fully functioning there is no way you can help others.
Life is an airplane in distress. Put on your oxygen mask first, then assist those around you.
Regan DuCasse
November 2 2005, 11:04AM
My love and prayers go out to our brothers.
Take good care of yourselves...
We want you back, and soon!
troy
November 2 2005, 11:10AM
Someone we all knew once said; If I can help somebody then my living would not be in vain!
prodigalsun
November 2 2005, 12:20PM
It has been cool being around you at various events this summer. I have dug being able to kick it with someone as prominent as yourself in the community. And it is wonderful to know that you are more than just a persona on tv. You are 3 dimensional, cool in person, and genuinely concerned about our young brothers. This post hit especially close to home as you know how close I am to no4real.
Thanks for this post. It means a great deal.
kevin
November 2 2005, 12:33PM
May both these brothas be restored to divine wellness.
Kevin C
ATL
No4realreal
November 2 2005, 2:24PM
Keith thanks for the support. I feel well. I am just waiting for the results to see what kind of long-term effects I may have, if any. The prayers and support of others has been a blessing and great reassurance that I will be okay. I am just remaining strong. Thanks again for the acknowledgement!
A good friend of Emanuel made me aware of his condition. I met him and the cast of Ski Trip this summer. He has been in my prayers as well. Well wishes to him.
Thanks again!
Malcolm
November 6 2005, 8:34AM
I wish you well and a speedy recovery. You have been an inspiration to me and I take this opportunity to acknowledge you for it.
Malcolm
Barbados