A long time ago... more than 20 years ago, now, the world was faced with a disease that threatened to make Ebola look like childs play in this country, and the world. We dont talk as much about AIDS these days. We have conveniently forgotten just how terrifying it was back then. I know... As a life-long member of the arts community I watched friends whither and die. I saw creative people snuffed out by that terrible disease with many in this country completely deluded into thinking that it was a Gay thing and Regular people werent at risk. Those of us who got involved quickly learned that the whole premise was a lie. All kinds of people were dying of AIDS. I was living in Montana and working for the University of Montana, my first alma mater, when we became aware of the World Aids Day, December 1, and A Day Without Art was first talked about. Several of us in the School of Fine Arts went to my then boss, Bryan D. Spellman and talked about participating in that first World Aids Day. Bryan backed us 100 percent, as did Dean Jim Kriley (sp). We covered the public art on campus with black plastic and did a reading of the more than 100 Montanans that had already died of Aids, including some who had died of tainted blood transfusions. It wasnt much really but it was our way of pitching in. Each December First I remember just how scary it was, back then, to come out and talk about Aids... in Montana. It has been a long time since I said anything about this. When I moved to Southwest Virginia I just tried to fit in at first and did not say or do much. We all know how well that worked! ;-) Tonight, getting ready to watch Monday Night Football I watched as ESPN featured U2 in a celebration of World Aids Day. It inspired me to write on this subject for the first time in 20+ years. I should never have kept quiet. And I truly honor Bryan D. Spellman for his continual courage, and all those who kept up the fight for understanding. Thanks Bryan for inspiring me all those years ago. We still have a long way to go when it comes to understanding. But if Bruce Springsteen is singing about it tonight in Times Square and ESPN is televising it. I guess that start was worth it.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:18:01 +0000
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