The talent lost to AIDS Remembering the black personalities that have died due to the HIV virus

[AlphaCentauri]

When basketball superstar Magic Johnson hit the headlines in 1991 with reports that he was HIV positive, many in the black community woke up to the fact that anyone one could get the virus.


It’s now 28 years since the official discovery of HIV/AIDS in 1981 and the virus has hit the black community hard including many celebrities.

To commemorate the devastating impact of AIDS we pay tribute to some of the black personalities whose lives have been sadly cut short due to the virus.

more... http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=16743

[MinneapolisMatt]

1. Thanks for that link.

What a loss.

[LynneSin]

2. The thing that makes me sad about the whole Magic Johnson/AIDs thing is this....

First and foremost, this isn't me against Magic Johnson. I know he's trying his best to help fight against AIDs. But it's just the overall concept that if you are rich enough you can live your life HIV+ but if you're poor, your chances increase dramatically with your chance of survival.

[EFerrari]

3. Arthur Ashe.

[Solly Mack]

4. I think about Willi Smith often

I enjoyed his talent

[Bluenorthwest]

5. I am grateful to you for posting this and to Janelle Oswald

who complied this heart rending list. This is a personal thanks as that list holds the names of dear friends and peers whom I think of and miss daily. What the world is missing by the loss of those talents is immeasurable, what has been lost by the gay and African American communities unspeakable. Our bridges. Our links. I am who and how I am in part because of my great good fortune in knowing and working with and around some of these very men, and others who were not yet well known, when they were too soon taken.
Clicking this link really changed my day. Thanks. Peace to us all.

[AlphaCentauri]

6. it's good to be of service n/t