THE |FEAR|
Surrounded by all things Disney, protesters took a moment silence. Some lying down invoking the spirits of those who fought and protested, during the start of the AIDS epidemic, for AIDS research and better social services for those living with HIVAIDS and for the simple acknowledgement that people were dying from our then president. Die-ins they called this act in protest.
Some protesters had room to only sit-up, in the cramped up store, on the floor. Out of those that sat up, a few of them raised one fist bringing us back to the Black Panther Party of the 60s and 70s. The Black Panther Party initially was formed to police the police.
ACT UP! Fight Back, Fight AIDS, Fights Stigma, Fight Racism, Fight Police Brutality
I am an American born, gay black man, employed in NYC, and living with HIV. Advances in medicine and the amazing social services available to me in NYC are probably why I am alive today. I owe that to the courageous men and women that fought long and hard for research, funding, and social services. I do not have a fear of dying of AIDS. I do not fear, all that much, of being gay-bashed.
I Fear dying because of the color of my skin.
The melanin in my largest organ will not cause my death however, as a black man, in America, I fear that it may be a deciding factor on whether I live or die.
Will I get the job and continue to progress and live happily?
Will I get proper treatment at this or that medical center if I need it?
Will I get shot by a police officer because I am reaching for my identification, as asked for by the very same police officer?
Will an EMT save my life or let me die?
Will that landlord give me the apartment?
Will I be treated as an intruder in my own home after I’ve called 911 to report an intruder in my home?
Will I get bashed because I walked through the “nice” neighborhood at night?
Will I be shot at because my camera is somehow mistaken for a gun, not because it a black object but because I’m a black man holding it?
These are some of the questions that have popped up in my mind. I do not think about these things everyday. I do know one thing, it’s time for me to think about what needs to be done so that I, and no one else, has to have those same fears and thoughts. Then follow that with ACTion.
Taking action is something I must not fear.
Christian Ledan
#still #racism