"If YOU Build IT, THEY will come..."
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A Retrospective Journey through AIDS..."
A Memoir - Michael Wallace Connett
YES! I Am…
...R U 1 2 ??
Michael W. Connett
JUNE 5, 2011
Greetings!
This October, in the 30th year of this grotesque calamity, marks the 20th year of my personal Journey through AIDS. More than 20 years and 20 million deaths since the first AIDS diagnosis in 1981, almost 38 million people (range 34.6 – 42.3 million) are living with HIV. AIDS is an extraordinary kind of crisis; it is both an emergency and a long-term development issue. Despite increased funding, political commitment and progress in expanding access to HIV treatment, the AIDS epidemic continues to outpace our response. No segment of humanity has been spared. The epidemic remains extremely dynamic, growing and changing character as the virus exploits new opportunities for transmission. This last year was our worst year ever, with 5 Million New HIV Infections (Prevention failures) and 3 Million Deaths (Treatment failures). As AIDS Quilt founder Cleve Jones said in 2001; "Our hearts may be filled, but there are only two emotions worth expressing at this perilous time: GRIEF and RAGE. Grief for the millions who have died and are dying. Rage at the indifference, greed, and stupidity that permit this grotesque calamity to continue."
Indifference, greed and stupidity are also the three major ingredients in the American recipe for what has come to be known as AIDS Complacency. A Cultural phenomena against which every major player in the fight against it has warned us continually for as long as I can remember. Indifference which is rooted in the arrogance that it can't happen to us, only "the right people"; mainly gays. Greed fueled by the profits, jobs and paychecks from the new industry and bureaucracy it spawned. Stupidity that feeds the intolerance, discrimination, stigmatization and demonization that prevents us from using every means available to prevent future infections as well as diagnose, treat and care for those who already have been.
"We need leaders everywhere to demonstrate that speaking up about HIV, which may advance to AIDS is
a point of pride, not a source of shame.
There must be no more sticking heads in the sand, no more embarrassment, no more hiding behind a veil of apathy.
Leadership means respecting and upholding the human rights of all who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS…"
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan 2004 International AIDS Conference Opening Address
"I used to be afraid of dying, I'm not anymore. I'm more afraid of what happens to the people who live..."
from "And The Band Played On"
I'm Sorry, I'm not afraid to say, I wish I could take you back, but I can't.
I'm so ashamed, you're in so much pain, I blamed you when things didn't go my way...
I could've ...just kept my big mouth closed, I could've just done what I was told, maybe I should've turned silver into gold, but in front of you I was told, I f**ked up..."
Maya Angelou said "When Folks show you who they are, Believe Them the 1st Time!" Family & Friends keep telling me to forget about 'em, you can only do so much,
I F**CKED UP! I GAVE UP MY HOPE IN YOU & CANCELLED APRIL LOVE, I'm Sorry...
Arturo Schultz>LET'S REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE CAMPAIGN...It's a start! LGBT EQUALITY: Continuing to e mail Mayors who have not signed on to endorse marriage equality. Today it was , Idaho - Boise, Couer d'Alene, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Pocatello,Caldwell, Twin Falls, Lewiston. YOU can pick any State; Google City name, State, Mayor and usually a direct link to an email pops up.. I used freedom to marry's letter. And pasted. Now that they are in my email list, I will send them info on being an Ambassador, etc. for Lets reach one Million. I hope some other members will do this. Just pick a state google it and get the 10-20 largest cities, towns then Google City, State, Mayor and Bingo.
My Birthday is Monday: There are currently NO KENTUCKY Mayors on the List so My Wish #1 is that at the very least ALL 3 Mayors in the Cities that have Human Rights Ordinances be deluged with Requests...
- WORLDWIDE MARCH LOCATIONS,
WATCH/ AFTER PARTIES, ONLINE EVENT AS WELL - JUST LAUNCHED THE OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE AT
http://www.letsreachonemillionpeop le.com/
NOTE: Final event organizational structure and financial disclosure
document can be viewed at http://thegaylyblogger.blogspot.co ights.htmlm/2011/12/ 2012-worldwide-lgbt-civil-r
Dedicated to improving tenants "Quality of Life"
by ending stigma & discrimination in Affordable
Mixed, Low-Income Scattered Sites Housing
"What would our community look like if it were a really healthy place to live?" The National Civic League (NCL) posed this question to neighbors in hundreds of communities across the country. This is how people everywhere responded:
A clean and safe environment
A diverse and vibrant economy
A place that has good housing for all
A place where people respect and support each other
A place that promotes and celebrates its cultural and historical heritage
A place where citizens and government share power
A place that has affordable health care for all
A place that has good schools
A place that has and supports strong families
But we are moving away from this ideal. In the Gannet News "Mood of America" poll, 76 percent of citizens agreed, "there is less concern for others than there once was."
We must be careful not to over generalize, since some Northern Kentucky communities may not fit these trends fully, or even at all. There will always be crosscurrents and countertrends. A few communities may have high levels of interconnectedness and public participation, with few glaring social problems and plenty of resources. But these communities are the exceptions.
Is the solution financial? Solutions often cost money, so, of course, more public funding to address local problems would be helpful. Support these efforts, but realize that in the present economic and political climate, success will not come easily and will cost each of us more than money. We need to understand there are no short-term solutions. We need CommUNITY Leaders who will engage, listen and translate the words into compelling long-term actions. Leaders who can then garner the support of government, private sector, faith community, public sector organizations and residents for the action plans.
Residents, along with the people who work, worship or have roots in a community need to be seen as an alternative resource, as someone with something important to share.
The task is to identify these alternative resources, then to coalesce and organize them, to plan, develop, implement, and sustain multiple community wide solutions. This will not happen all by itself. The structure for organizing and mobilizing community resources is generally not in place. A big plus is that people, 63 percent in one poll, believe that people are willing to pitch in and fix what is wrong in their communities, if they knew how. Mechanisms for involvement are rare, but do exist. Let us identify these processes and bring them into our communities.
America is the great democratic example, but because we lead there is no blueprint. America's greatness has been due to our ability, on the national, state and local levels, to find common ground. To large extent, it is our ability to reach consensus through civil discourse that has contributed to our greatness. Today, in our communities, neighborhoods, media and even in our legislative bodies, far too often, a difference of opinion is painted as evil, making constructive dialogue impossible.
In doing this work, the Boston Foundation developed "Seven Guiding Principles for a New Social Contract."
Incorporate those directly affected by policies at the heart of dialogue and community building.
Value racial and cultural diversity at the foundation for wholeness.
Promote active citizenship and political empowerment.
Build on community strengths and assets.
Ensure access to fundamental opportunities and remove obstacles to equal opportunities.
Support and enhance the well being of children and their families.
Foster sustained commitment, coordination, and collaboration based on a shared vision and mutual respect.
We hear congress can't get anything done, or that government can't get anything right. We are a democracy; the government is a reflection of ourselves.
The task ahead will be long and is not easy, so it is important we get started. In the words of Bobby Kennedy: "The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals of American Society."
excerpted from the "White Paper on Poverty in Northern Kentucky"
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