WORLD AIDS DAY: Still Relevant

No need to mention the startling worldwide statistics of this deadly disease.  But AIDS has claimed the lives of many people, both rich and poor, straight and gay, men and women, children, Americans and non-Americans.  I have personally witnessed its human devastation over the years as I watched and prayed for many friends and acquaintances whose lives were abruptly terminated or dramatically altered.

My personal response came in the entity known as 'Grateful, Inc.' a nonprofit organization I started back in 1988 with a mission to help combat the spread of AIDS and to help those living in Baltimore's inner city communities, mostly black, who had been disproportionately hit by HIV, the precursor of AIDS.  Even though the doors of Grateful was closed in 2007, AIDS still remains a relevant terminal disease.  Yet as time as passed, I am thankful for the progress that has evolved.  Today  day are closer to a vaccine than ever before when only a few years ago this accomplishment would have been unimaginable.

However, as I reflect on the last decade on the ravages of AIDS, I would like to share with you some poignant discoveries during that time that help to open my eyes to a whole new reality.  In no particular order, I recognized:

• The black church (and the general black community) mostly followed whether than lead the attack against the epidemic.  Even today this is true.  They only came forward when a sponsor or the government would give them money to offer lip service.  And while surely black organizations, mostly faith based sprung-up, they could never reconcile the fact that many of their members were not only being killed, but many of their members were living alternative lifestyles that helped to raise their predisposition for contracting or being exposed.
• Many who died of AIDS-related illnesses in the black community was either too ashamed or simply ignorant to this fact.  Causes of death were listed as everything from meningitis to pneumonia, but never the dreaded word AIDS.
• To this day people still don't know the true origin(s) of the virus.
• Drug companies have made a killing.
• There were many who (and to this day) made sacrifices, day in and day out to the 'fight against AIDS'.  On this December 1, I would like to give a shout out to them!
• Last, but not least, I'm asking that people who care throughout the world continue to pray and never forget.

One of the last public World's Day that Grateful produced was themed 'Remembering faces In the Crowd'.  If you feel that you have been affected by this disease you must become vigilant and never forget the dying faces of friends, family, love ones and all of God's children.  AMEN.