DISQUS

The Jaded NYer · 1 year ago

you know, I remember kids in my class being just as stupid when it came to discussing AIDS, linking it only to gay men until Magic and that Ryan White kid came out with their stories. I remember this woman, too, who spoke out on it- she got it from heterosexual intercourse and was the first female I ever heard of with the disease... can't remember her name right now...

In fact, when people came to speak to our health class, STDs and AIDS were never really discussed, just abstinence... of course, I went to a parochial school...

but I saw/read And The Band Played On and so I knew it was no joke. looking back, though, Eddie Murphy had a skit where he chastised women for having gay best friends, kissing them goodbye and "coming home with AIDS on their lips." That could not have been good for the cause at all.

Thanks for reminding us to STAY AWARE and that just because Magic is still around doesn't mean it isn't STILL a major epidemic in the world. We still have a ways to go and education is definitely the key!

Yobachi · 1 year ago

My first knowledge of AIDS is when that kid Ryan White died in 1990 when I was 12. Then Magic contracting it in 92, and then Easy E dying from it in 95.

That Magic johnson announcement was a real stunner becaue he was my favorite player, and still probably all time favorite athletes. What was surprising about Easy is how fast he died right after announcing that he had it. But that he had wasn't much of surprise. It was almost to be expected if he lived even halfway like his lyrics; cause I don't remember no NWA lyrics about strappin up with the rubber.

Carl · 1 year ago

My father lost one of his closest friends to AIDS when I was about 4 years old. As much as one has "friends" when you're 4, he was also someone I considered a second father. They worked together at Howard Univ. Hospital, and I spent as much time with him as I did my dad.

I only found out in the past year and a half that he died from AIDS... Back then, even in the medical community, acknowledging its existence (let alone losing a medical peer to the disease!) was quite the taboo. My family were the only people to visit our friend in the ward... it sickened me when I found out that his coworkers and associates could treat him with such disdain.

As far as we've come in 20 years, we haven't come -that- far. Instead of uniting to demand the crisis is managed (let alone solved), we've become apathetic... And our losses continue to make us less for them.

Jose · 1 year ago

Ladies and gents, thank you all for your wonderful comments.

Yobachi, thanks for reminding me about Easy E. I forgot he died of it, and as quickly as he eroded, I really do think something more afflicted him as well.

Carl, we have become more apathetic because everyone's pretty much resolute on the "fact" that there is no cure for this disease. Definitely sorry to hear about your second father.

Jaded, I love that you're still passionate about this issue.