For some time I have been bothering my colleagues and others in the HIV/AIDS industry with a call for a new and more effective way in preventing the transmission of this disease to African-American Women, I have wondered aloud if all that can be done is being done. Could there be a scope of work that is needed that has not been addressed. The concern is an open question about whether we have an all hands on deck approach to prevent the spread of this virus. In this the 25th year since the first case was reported we find this disease too lose of a neighbor in the Black Community.

The Center for Decease and Control (CDC) reports that over 70% of all new cases are African -American Women. Also for every white male that is positive there are four Black men that are reported as HIV Positive. As these numbers impacted lives regularly they are only a part of the full picture of this disease in the African-American community when it is realized that the majority of people don't know their HIV status.

It is too quite here.
Safety is desired but freedom can’t be lost
It can't be alright since 1995 we were the same
Black and white dying -hurt, ill- strong.
Now, 4 -2- 1

It is too quite here.
We are proper and recognized but we keep a suit clean just in case.
Sister number 1 cause of dearth between 25-34

It is too quite here.
If I scream you won't here
so every day I raise I'm gonna fight in this time.
I declare war for freedom 'cause it is too quite here.

Power - power - p-o-w-e-r.
Power in my strut, power in my stand
power when I sleep. Power in my hand.
Power when I lay in my deep throbbing love.
Power when I speak. Power when I'm in need.
My silence has power - My tears have power.
My joy has power - my praise has power.
What don't you understand.

I know what I'm going 2 ask is way too much, but I'm going to ask ' cause it’s more then I got now and it’s not everything I want.

I want an end to war, a cure for AIDS, End racism, stop misogyny, end to poverty, I want a clean environment, safe communities, schools that educate for life, I want you that wonder why to get out of my way. I want you that agree to stand with me. I want you to tell me what you want.
If you tell me what you want we can stand together, we can want, work, teach, take, pray, shout till something happens.

What do you want....

And then they said nothing that I had said 2 them.
And then they said nothing that made sense to me.
And then they said what the meant for me.
And then they said what they said.
And then we just stopped.

How long do we wait 4 passion if it doesn’t come right away.
If you connect right away bodies in bodies – mind to mind –curiosity satisfied anticipation relived how long will we wait for passion.

If you look for passion will you find it.
Well familiarities breed passion. Does passion pass in and on.
Is passion in a moment
Does passion demand presence.
P-A-S-S-I-O-N

Does desire mean passion
If we wait - do we wait
Is waiting passion.


How or who is not as important as what we do now.

My faith guides my understanding.
My hope focuses my thoughts
My love fuels my energy.
My sincerity forges my direction.
May my action show (clearly) these qualities

New spaces old places, new spaces- old places.
And I’m ready to go, and I’m ready to go.

This has gone on beyond its strength.
Can’t lift no more - silence is too still to breath.
What time in time – the secret of knowing is more then it seems

New spaces –old places
If I don’t feel the fire then what has its value.

I saw you as you appeared with every presence of the prince you are. As our eyes see only each other your arm drops in step as your strength grabs and holds my firmness in your strong hand.

You say who you are, our words exchange and in a crowded space the only thing real is your full lips on mine in and as we fall into an embrace that pauses only for time.

I melt in your bed with my head filled with you as my body prepares to receive and accept you and as your body enters me you fill a space of passion and love in my life. I am complete my desire fulfilled and errors is alive even for me.

I understand you need me to stay in my place. You don’t want me in your neighborhood. I won’t move on you street. I won’t crowd your holy places. I won’t make you see me. I will not bother none but my own family, lovers, loved ones and friends.

So rest assure I won’t be your trouble. I won’t expand I’ll just stay where I am and so don’t look for outside my space so you’ll only see me in Engle wood, Woodlawn, Austin, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Lake View, the loop, Hyde Park, Grand Crossing, I’m only going to be where I’ve always been. 79th and Woodlawn, 35th and Cottage, Madison and Pulaski, 47th and King Drive, 63rd and State, …..

And the only thing I ask of you is to stay the fuck out of my way because you may see me fucking and if you see me you shouldn’t be looking in my windows any way,

This is my faith.
That there is still grace.
When I am afraid and worry there is still grace.
When the challenge of living my mission is present there is still grace.
When I have seen conflict concoured there is still grace.
My faith reminds me that that grace is in every victory.
In every joy in every delight.
These pleasures of life can be deceiving.
Kind of satisfaction is amplified by the ever presence of grace.

 

I keeping reading Langston Cause I’m still awaking to the sound I keeping reading Langston Cause I’m trying to reclaim Our Blues I keeping reading Langston Cause he was wisdom, call, and joy for me

Continue to Full Story for remainder of this poem

The remaining members of Black Health Alert are mourning the loss of our leader, friend and colleague
Earnest Edward Hite, Jr.

Ernie made his transition on Monday evening and as the day set on his final hours here on earth the heavens opened to greet its newest deserving soul. We are in such sorrow and pain today we know that to fulfill his purpose we must move forward on the issues that his leadership has brought us.

He was a radical for change with purpose of community empowerment and education. He is missed so much today, that we will never let him to be forgotten. He would be the claim in the storm. He would save us as he provided clarity to confusion.

He was a gentleman our protector and navigator through various forms of wilderness. It's going to take us a minute to map our next steps and we will do so deliberately and appropriately. Until that time if you pray, pray for us all as you pray for yourself during this time. The Lord is leading on and victory is assured.