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Posted on 12/01/05 @ 7:54 pm
I wear the red ribbon for my uncle James. Thirteen years ago, on this date, he died due to AIDS. He was neglected by his family and put up in a house to live his final days on this planet alone, withering away until he lost his life. Alone. Thinking about it makes me furious. Whether or not he could have lived to see this day is unknown, but I would like to think at least adequate knowledge about the disease and treatment might have helped him see a few more sunsets. For my dear dead uncle's memory, I wore the red ribbon to work today. I fussed with it several times during the day, making sure the loop was perfect and the ends straight. I went about my day normally, attending meetings and the like, then leaving early for my semi-annual HIV test, and then coming home. I admit that I put up with a lot of shit at work. A lot of it. But today was the straw that broke this camel's back, because of the callous, ignorant, uninformed and prejudiced comments I received just because of the red ribbon I wear to remember my uncle James. Micro-Manager: "World AIDS Day…I don't know about that. Does AIDS deserve a holiday?" D.A.W.G.: "Why are you getting an HIV test? Do you have AIDS or something?" Goofball: "So do gay people wear red ribbons on just World AIDS Day or every day?" It took every ounce of patience in me to not lose it today folks…really. One chick even had the audacity to try and pull the character assassination card because I wear the ribbon. Was I on my soapbox? No. Was I passing out ribbons or asking people why they weren't wearing one? No. I could easily raise a stink about how a ton of organizations are quick to "think pink" but don't up the hue when it comes to a global epidemic. I could wear myself out with tirades. Or I can wear the ribbon — for family, for friends, and for the fight. Once again, the blogger community is joining together to raise awareness about the world wide AIDS epidemic. Please click here to view a list that will be updated throughout the day of individuals raising their united voices. Check out past World AIDS Day entries on BlackGayBlogger.com. World AIDS Day 2004 Link and Think. And Re-Think. Link and Think. Think This Will Happen? Link and Think. And Think Of A Better Excuse, Chump. World AIDS Day 2003 Link and Think. But think first. Link and Think. And Think Again. Link and Think. The Links Edition. Filed under: Personal Comments:
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Name's Karsh. 27. Country-born, city-raised, 
I'll have to admit you are very quick tempered. But I am floored by the extreme ignorance of your coworkers. What idiots!
I applaud you for keeping your cool because really, I might've lost it.
On a different note, I am touched by why you wear the ribbon.
Said by j. brotherlove — 12/01/2005 @ 8:16 pm
I am beginning to see your role there…you are a teacher. They are an ignorant lot aren't they? At least they are asking questions and maybe it will sink in. DAWG seems like she needs to be the going to take a test. I hope you told her that anyone who is sexual active should do it just the same as they do any other bi-annual test.
Said by Ms. B. — 12/01/2005 @ 9:17 pm
Glad people are still caring about HIV/AIDS enough to post awareness on their weblogs. I have AIDS from open heart surgery in the 80s, my wife has AIDS too, she contracted HIV from her nursing job.
http://www.13km.com is a chat server for HIV/AIDS support chats only (rooms for POZ or NEG) , join us for the AIDS Day discussions
Said by DaveyBoy — 12/01/2005 @ 9:29 pm
Ignorance is also an awful epidemic. May your uncle rest in peace.
Said by Hopluv — 12/01/2005 @ 10:06 pm
Well put. This is perhaps the best WAD blogs I've read in years.
Said by macboyx — 12/01/2005 @ 11:13 pm
Yeah, sadly ignorance is bliss for a lot of people. Keep on educating them Karsh…:-)
Said by E — 12/02/2005 @ 9:53 pm
And I used to think THE GAYS were stoopud!!!
Said by The LoveHater — 12/02/2005 @ 11:42 pm
i give you credit for remaining calm, cool, and collected while in the presence of so much ignorance…
Said by P. Alonzo Harris Jr. — 12/03/2005 @ 10:42 am
Hey there, Karsh. I'm a quiet reader, but had to comment on your staying cool in the face of not only stupidity, but also malicious disingenuousness.
Good job on honoring your uncle's memory and keeping level.
Said by Starmaiden — 12/04/2005 @ 9:52 pm