This month as many of you know, New York City will host its annual AIDS Walk.
I reached out to a huge pool of email contacts regarding my fundraising endeavors and not all of the responses that I received were on a positive or apologetic I-can’t-give-this-year note.
This was one of the worst and angriest of replies I received:
F**king deplorable, is it not? One must truly dig deep within to find the quiet tolerant and compassionate self willing to forgive the trespasses of one as ignorant, angry, or self hating as the person capable of concocting, adopting and spreading such stigmatic views.
I have dedicated thirteen years to research, empowering/educating, advocating and providing services to those affected regardless of gender, identity, creed, background or orientation. I would provide this idiot with the same level of care if he walked into my office tomorrow. Unfortunately for him salvation is not my department; fortunately by the same token I also do not wield the power to cast lightning.
Zap!
AIDS Walk is this Sunday! I look forward to seeing my 45,000+ fellow New Yorkers out there supporting the cause.
I personally rose over $1,600 this year. Next year I plan to do better.
A personal thanks to all of you who donated and/or will be walking or volunteering at the event.
Hey Yusef, I moved to NY hope 2 c u around.
Ross
Its ignorance that will prevent AIDS epidemic to squashed. Ignorant people who believe they can BB andf still not get HIV, Ignorant people who are + and STILL go unprotected.
Y- the work youve done is appreciated by those who care.
As a PLWA, I THANK YOU
As a PWLA I appreciate your work and your giving us a voice to those who didnt rec that email. When you return, email me, i want to speak about your org. Thnaks from this PLWA
Hey what's going on? I know im wayyyy behind in reading these posts you have up, but now that I did read it I felt that I had to respond. I have to agree with one of the other comments where someone said that ignorance is the cause of the spread of the HIV/Aids virus. Ignorance does not just entail those who are uneducated or illiterate, but those who haven't had the opportunity to see the affects of AIDS, or the face of HIV. Ignorance includes those who have not lost someone to a fatal disease or struggled with devistation. In this case, ignorance is the lack of experience, and for those people I hope they embark on trying to learn by interacting with people who are positive with HIV to learn that no matter how the disease was contracted, no one deserves to live that way, no one. If you don't mind Yusef please let me know about your organization as well. I am researching right now about HIV/Aids related outreach groups. I'm certain I could get some headway through your organization, and as for those who suffer from a more common disease known as ignorance, I pray they see the light.
Thanks for the comment. I hear what you are saying. There’s definitely a greater need for education out there and a metaphoric light bulb for those who choose to stay in the dark.