Here it is some twenty five years later actually more like twenty eight years past and the fight continues. I can remember the first time I heard of the disease it must have been the summer of eighty two, most of us didn't pay much attention to the threat since we were under the impression that it wasn't in the Black community, little did we know that it was there just silent and swept under the rug.
Today we all know personally of someone that is HIV+ or that has lost his/her life to AIDS. During the years I have lost friends to AIDS and related complexes, it is a hard pill to swallow being that I was right out there with the rest of them partying and having unprotected sex back in the day, but I've been spared and sometimes it doesn't seem fair. I've lost one of my very best friends to AIDS (Donald) he didn't drink, smoke or use drugs. He loved to party and lived for the party, he got his life from dressing well, shopping and traveling not to mention the clubs. Donald loved his family and friends. I truly miss my running buddy, no more shopping the racks at Saks with him or clubbing across the country together, I'm sure he is resting peacefully knowing that he left his mark and contribution.
Today is World AIDS Day and I would like to take a moment and reflect on how far medicine, education and prevention has helped to battle the disease. Let us continue to educate and support our brother man. Some remarkable accomplishments have been made in the quality of life for those living with HIV it is much better from what it was just a few short years ago, but the fight isn't over. The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS still keeps some from being tested or disclosing their status once they have been tested. Stay safe and remember knowledge is power and we must continue to arm ourselves with education and pass that knowledge on to our young folks, they seem to think that they are exempt.
In Memory of: Stephen Douglas Hall, Keith McDaniel, Alvin Ailey, Reginald Edwards, Peter D. Dunn, Michael Raye, Fletcher Davis, Donald Jones, Curtis Rucker, Gus, Quinten, Harold Longly, Tony Clayton, Tosha Thomas and Casey
To those living with HIV/AIDS continue to be strong and take good care of yourselves.
If you haven't been tested get tested and if you are sexually active by all means get tested. Know your status. http://www.cdc.gov for more information.
4 comments:
I have no comments. It's all been said here.
Good post.
When HIV/AIDS first came to the forefront in the 80s most straight people didn't care because it was the "gay disease". Now most of us do know someone who has been diagnosed with the disease or even died of it.
I used to work with an attractive young woman who had a zest for life (trying to be nice here). She was very sexy and she was a single mother. She died a couple of years ago, she wasn't even 30. It's sad to hear of people so young and full of life dying.
Hopefully one day soon there will be a cure for this.
THANK YOU POSTING THIS!
This was very moving, my brotha, especially the part where you name those who've departed. I'm sure if I were to list the names of people I knew, liked, loved & lost, it would fill several blog entries.
One.
Post a Comment