Killing Me Loudly

I didn't want to watch the ABC Primetime special on the AIDS epidemic in Black America. In fact, I kept the television turned to another channel and then turned it off altogether. It took a couple of people calling to rouse me and make me turn to the program. You see, I AM Black America -- stubborn, afraid, embarrassed, ignorant, confused ... and silent. Black America has essentially tried to mute a problem that is screaming at us from the neighborhoods, the schools and even the church pews. I was disappointed -- to say the least -- at how our "leaders" and by leaders I mean easily recognizable figures (the leaders have left the building) skirted the issue when asked why this killer has been allowed to roam among us for so long. And that's what it is -- a murderer (like the cops who killed Amadou Diallo or the boys in Texas who dragged James Byrd to his death). Where are the marches Rev. Al? Where are the riots? There are none --because in this case --there is no white man to blame. Just us. Selfish and insecure Black men who, let's face it, just want the best of both worlds. Booty and the bride. And clueless insecure Black women who would rather "chance it" than live the single life. And church leaders, teachers, parents and community "activists" who don't seem to have anything to say. But it's not ALL our fault. The mainstream media has been just as silent. They don't seem to pay attention to what's happening in their backyard until it show up on the front porch. So the question de jour is -- what are we gonna do about it now?