World AIDS Day 2005
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Thursday, December 1 2005, 11:38AM
Another year, another World AIDS Day. There's lots to say and lots to report on, especially since this year's event falls on the 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks's arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. This year, bloggers have united to write something about AIDS today. Let's see what they said.
J. Bernard Jones says World AIDS Day "doesn't matter." As he put it: "For millions of people around the globe — including those of us who love someone who is HIV positive or has the full blown disease — every single day is World AIDS Day." Malik M.L. Williams asks "What's the point?" He says HIV is spreading, there's no vaccine and the population is shrinking. Here's what others are saying today.
A Love Letter
Chris at SpeakwithChris.com writes a love letter to the community. "I can't stop you from gambling with your own life. I can't, and that's what hurts. Because whether you want to believe it or not, I need you. We all need you. And life, my life, our life, just wouldn't be the same without you."
Who Are We Trying to Protect?
Donald Agarrat writes one of the longer pieces with his essay on "The Integrity of Existence." Donald argues the HIV discussion is not about protecting people with HIV but about "protecting someone else and about maintaining a better quality of life for someone else." And I think he's right.
Five People Die Every Minute
After noting that five people worldwide die every minute from AIDS, Brothalove calls himself "the last sucker" and reflects on five friends who have passed away from the disease.
Links and Events
Rashid Darden reprinted an article from the Georgetown Voice. Terrence at Republic of T has a server problem and can't post his blog today, but he may send a link. Ronn Taylor posted a series of links. And Lynne D. Johnson plugs a United Nations event tonight at Cathedral of St. John the Divine Church in Harlem. Roberta Flack, Bill T. Jones, Anthony Rapp and Billy Porter will be on hand.
Blogging About AIDS
Bernie at Bejata is keeping a list of who's blogging about World AIDS Day today. He also gives us the facts about AIDS and a personal perspective.
Bernie describes himself as a 45-year old, HIV negative, single man who works in the HIV/AIDS field and hasn't been in a steady relationship in years. In a poignant and candid essay, he admits "there are days when I am just plain lonely and horny," which he calls a potentially "lethal combination" that has the "power to cloud otherwise clear thinking and make one act on impulse instead of rational thought."
Be Not Afraid
Meanwhile, Absolutlee is trying to encourage blacks to get into HIV vaccine research trials. And Phillybred explains why he's not afraid of AIDS.
Be Informed and Act
Rod 2.0 creates a special look for his site just for World AIDS Day. Next Generation Online Marketing introduces a new short film about AIDS. And FlanFlan shows how "queers of color" are fighting back on AIDS issues.
Is Monogamy The Answer?
WalkYourOwnPath shares a touching and compelling essay about AIDS and gives out advice to prevent the disease. I love that part, but we split when the author encourages monogamy as a way to stop AIDS. "The more partners, the greater chance that you will contract he virus from one of them. (Isn't it an almost 50% chance now?)." Actually, HIV is not spread by promiscuity. It's spread by a virus. You can no more catch HIV from promiscuity than you can catch a cold from cold weather. It doesn't matter if you have one partner or 101. It only takes one person, and that person has to have the virus to spread it.
While we're asking questions, Steven G. Fullwood lists a series of questions about AIDS on his site and offers unconventional answers that challenges the so-called politically correct rhetoric.
Like Rosa Parks
The National Black Justice Coalition issued a statement to commemorate World AIDS Day. "Fifty years ago today, a Black woman and the community she lived in were brave enough to stand up and refuse to participate in their own oppression, to declare, Not today, this stops now. For Black women in America today, the bus is AIDS. We are not just being asked to give up our seats, we’re being told to give up our lives. The Black AIDS Institute, The National Black Justice Coalition and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women are calling on all Black women in America to, like Rosa Parks, refuse to consent. Not today, this stops now."
Noah's Arc
Noah's Arc ran a special episode dealing with HIV/AIDS last night. And afterwards, Jensen Atwood ("Wade") and director Patrik-Ian Polk showed up at a New York fundraiser for the Black AIDS Institute.
Celebrities Get Involved
In honor of World AIDS Day, Alicia Keys and Bono have released a new song about AIDS for Keep A Child Alive. The song is a remake of Peter Gabriel's hit "Don't Give Up." Click here to hear the song and see the video. Meanwhile, Will Smith, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, Nelson Mandela, Richard Gere and Elizabeth Taylor have joined with other celebrities and public figures for the We All Have AIDS campaign.
Words From The Dead
BlackLight Online runs a special audio excerpt of a Joseph Beam poem read by several poets, including Essex Hemphill and Gideon Ferebee.
A Poem for the Living
Last but not least, the Love Hater gives us a poem, excerpted below.
I wish I didn't have to worry
when I want to be close...
I wish
Dannie
William
Leslie
Tony
George
Mike
Easy
Arthur
Max
Gene
Jermaine
Willi
and Howard
were still here.
Comments conceal
Absolutelee
December 1 2005, 12:12PM
This is the first year that I've participated in the Blogging of World AIDS Day, and I'm glad that i'm able to contribute something. I don't think we can ever give up on trying to save the lives of our Black gay brother's and sister's who are living with this disease and those who have the potential to be infected by it. Indeed we need to continue our efforts to find a safe and effective preventive HIV Vaccine, so that we can help to keep future generations from contracting HIV.
We also need to work on the larger societal issues that contribute to HIV risk behaviors like addressing mental health issues amongst us; dealing with issues of poverty, so that those who sell their bodies for money, food and lodging won't need to because they will have the economic resources to support themselves in healthier ways; Addressing drug and alcohol abuse in our community, which often leads to high risk behavior; Creating venues where we can feel supported and build up our self esteem when this racist and homophobic society beats us down for being both Black and gay (SGL).
Our issues are much larger than HIV and in part HIV is a symptom of larger social ills that we deal with on a daily basis as Black GLBT people. Just my thoughts on why we need to keep a renewed focus on HIV/AIDS and if it takes a World AIDS day to keep the world focused on our continued challenges then so be it.
Absolutelee
http://lees-space.blogspot.com/
Forever Barri
December 1 2005, 4:55PM
We acknowledge World AIDS Day with so many inconsistencies still present. It is amazing with twenty plus years into the wake of AIDS we still have no direct means of stopping it. Our society can create, manipulate and desecrate life as we know it, but it cannot stop the killer called AIDS. Why is that? Is it because AIDS was developed as a biochemical warfare weapon? Was AIDS tested on the homeless people on the streets of America? And, did these homeless people have sex with the lonely, unpopular gay men of society because of the “no strings attach” philosophy that so many gay men take when having casual sex? Was an anecdote created but never distributed in order to promote the pharmaceutical sales industry? Was Africa another variable in the biochemical warfare tests kept under wraps by the government? Was it the intent of our government to use AIDS as a means of a way to control population, certain minority groups as well as being the answer to Stone Wall? Like I said in the beginning, so many inconsistencies have surfaced, and the major concern of today’s society is disclosure! It’s not about prevention anymore. It’s about segregation and discrimination. Why does it take entertainment artists to speak publicly about AIDS to get the message of severity across? Why don’t people care about themselves enough to take heed and responsibility for their own lives? Why must we attract the attention of the world once a year when complications of AIDS kills everyday. It seems to me that December 1should be the day that shows just how rapidly society is losing against the war on AIDS. It is not a celebration! It is pestilent entity that is ravishing the world ass we speak.
Bklynbro
December 2 2005, 8:04PM
As always, when Keith posts about HIV/AIDS there's little to no response. Sad.
jazzi
December 5 2005, 6:35PM
We can have all the "World AIDS Day" observances, HIV prevention programs, marches, & speeches we want. Until we change our attitudes about sex & reverse irresponsible behavior, AIDS/HIV ain't going anywhere!
Blacklatina
December 5 2005, 10:36PM
Jazzi, I couldn't agree with you more! It's really sad that there's only ONE day dedicated to HIV/AIDS Awareness when this is a GLOBAL issue. I've lost far too many friends, GAY and STRAIGHT to recognize ONE day. Everyday is painful when I think of what this virus is doing to us. Not everyone is irresponsible though....what about the babies being born who didn't even ask to be here? What about those people who received blood transfusions b/c it was a life or death situation and now they're having to take meds just to stay alive.....Everytime I think about what this virus has done to our community, my heart breaks over and over again. I thank God everyday that I'm not infected but that doesn't mean that the hurt isn't there. I don't think that my heart can take another funeral or another phone call from a friend. When will SOME of us wake up and realize that it's not a GAY disease? WHEN WHEN WHEN??????
jazzi
December 6 2005, 10:57AM
You're right, Blacklatina. AIDS/HIV has claimed many innocent victims. By innocent I mean children & hemophiliacs. I know some would be loathed to even call these innocent. It's not politically correct but hey.....Everyone north of 18 years of age are victims of their own poor choices.
AIDS/HIV is spread basically through having unsafe sex & sharing needles with someone who's infected. Those were the two catergories I was refering to, those who have unprotected sex & those who share dirty needles. Really don't want to open a can of worms but add to that list those who know they are positve & don't disclose.
blacklatina
December 6 2005, 3:31PM
...this comment isn't for anyone in particular...just airing out some pain for a minute.
My heart goes out to EVERYONE infected. I used to get so angry at the ones running around infecting people and equally upset with the ones who don't ask those important questions....now I'm just confused and hurt. I just wish that there was a cure and that people were more responsible. I just pray everyday for a cure....
Randy Boyd
December 10 2005, 12:05PM
"For millions of people around the globe ... every single day is World AIDS Day"
Right on, J. Bernard Jones!
For me, it's been World AIDS Decades.