It's World AIDs Day
Do You Remember Eazy E?
by - Davey D
12/2/02 3:34:06 AM
Today all of us should take some time out to acknowledge what is now the 15th annual World AIDS Day. With more then 34 million people either infected with the dreaded HIV virus or suffering from full blown AIDS, the deadly impact of this disease should be sobering. Currently AIDS is one of the leading causes of death among those who are part of the Hip Hop generation. Within the African American community it is the number one cause of death for those under 30. The fastest growing population contracting the disease are women..with sistas making up a whooping 63%. here in Oakland and surrounding Alameda county the rate of infection has gotten so bad that last year a state of emergency was declared. We haven't even spoken about the devastation it has been causing on the continent of Africa.

I mention all this because I recall when Eazy E passed and how shocked everyone was when they discovered that it was a result of AIDS. His death sent shockwaves within the Hip Hop community and helped open people's eyes. His death help shatter the myth of that HIV and AIDS was gay white man's disease. I recall a number of projects jumping off that were designed to target the Hip Hop community and bring vital information about HIV and AIDS and steps on how to prevent the spread. There were two incredible AIDS awareness Hip Hop compilation albums that were produced including 'Stolen Moments' and 'America Is Dying Slowly'. Everyone from Wu-Tang to Organized Konfusion to The Pharcyde to Common, De La Soul and Mobb Deep to name a few, all did insightful heartfelt songs addressing the issues surrounding AIDS. This year groups like Outkast are performing in a World AIDS Day concert called 'Life Beat'.

Here in the Bay Area, Michael Franti of Spearhead recorded a song a few years back called 'Positive' which was adapted by radio stations around the country to bring attention to World AIDS Day. Dwayne Wiggins of Toni Tone Tony help found a project started by some ambitious poets called the Punany Project Hip Hop Psalms. It was a book of safe sex poems and it featured words of wisdom from all sorts of Bay Area Hip Hop artists. The Punany Poets dedicated and continue to dedicate a lot of time and energy into doing shows to help spread the word about AIDS and HIV prevention.. All in all with all the activities and projects, it seemed like the Hip Hop community would be among the most informed about this disease..

The unfortunate reality is AIDS and HIV has spread so rapidly in our community because of ignorance, irresponsibility and recklessness. Like Eazy E who tragically passed because of his desire to live the fast life, many have forgotten his last haunting words which warned us. Folks may recall this sobering statement read by Eazy E's lawyers days before he passed...

"I may not seem like a guy you would pick to preach a sermon. But I feel it is now time to testify because I do have folks who care about me hearing all kinds of stuff about what's up."

"Yeah, I was a brother on the streets of Compton doing a lot of things most people look down on -- but it did pay off. Then we started rapping about real stuff that shook up the LAPD and the FBI. But we got our message across big time, and everyone in America started paying attention to the boys in the 'hood."

"Soon our anger and hope got everyone riled up. There were great rewards for me personally, like fancy cars, gorgeous women and good living. Like real non-stop excitement. I'm not religious, but wrong or right, that's me."

"I'm not saying this because I'm looking for a soft cushion wherever I'm heading, I just feel that I've got thousands and thousands of young fans that have to learn about what's real when it comes to AIDS. Like the others before me, I would like to turn my own problem into something good that will reach out to all my homeboys and their kin. Because I want to save their asses before it's too late."

"I'm not looking to blame anyone except myself. I have learned in the last week that this thing is real, and it doesn't discriminate. It affects everyone. My girl Tomika and I have been together for four years and we recently got married. She's good, she's kind and a wonderful mother. We have a little boy who's a year old. Before Tomika I had other women. I have seven children by six different mothers. Maybe success was too good to me. I love all my kids and always took care of them."

"Now I'm in the biggest fight of my life, and it ain't easy. But I want to say much love to those who have been down to me. And thanks for your support."

Just remember: it's YOUR real time and YOUR real life.

Eazy E

Many of us have forgotten these words. Many of us have reverted back to irresponsible behavior. Many of us have allowed ourselves to remain ignorant to the facts and the results have been devastating.. Every year there is a theme associated with World AIDS Day. One year the theme was 'Force For Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People', Another year the theme was 'Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children and Young People'. This year the theme is 'AIDS : Men Make A Difference'. If you ask me five years after Eazy E's death its an appropriate that should strike a nerve within the ranks of Hip Hop. At a date and time when so many of us are attempting to be pimps playas and macks, we have to take one giant step back and take a long hard look. At a date and time where so many of us have videos oozing with scantily clad women oozing with sex, we have to be cognizant of the type of message we convey to younger cats as well as ourselves. Many of us portray the air about us that suggests its ok for us to creep around and keep one, two or three females on the side while we have our 'main honey at the crib.. We mess around and slip up just once and boom-HIV and then AIDS.. The sad secret we never want to talk about is what happens to so many us behind the walls inside prison. There's some ill things taking place and when cats get out they inadvertently spread the disease not realizing they have been infected. Many of us act like there is no longer a risk in having sex. Many of us have been so into getting our mack on and our sex groove down that we have all but forgotten Eazy E's final words. At the time of his death he was the ultimate mack.. How soon we forget our history.

In anycase its up to us brothas to do the right thing. lets keep ourselves informed.. Lets help with the fight to find a cure. Lets get tested and be honest with ourselves. Finally lets set an example for our seeds as well as ourselves and behave responsibly. The rapid spread of this disease in our community is inexcusable and well within our reach and preventing. Hopefully brothas will take this to heart and step up their game. and hold it down.. Keep HIV and AIDS at bay and don't let Eazy E's death be something that happen in vain..