|
December 4, 2018 | Deeds Digest No. 127
|
|
Hello #Changemakers!
This past week, as World Aids Day approached on December 1, I found myself reminiscing about my first experience as a baby lawyer. Well, actually, not even a lawyer. But on my way to being one. I was in my second year of law school and had begun the first of a two year volunteer stint with a legal aid center in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
It was the early 1990's and the HIV and AIDS epidemic was in full blown escalation. Back then, a diagnosis meant getting your affairs in order. Because there simply was no treatment that could prevent the ravages of the disease, leading assuredly to the end of life.
My job was a hard and sad one. I served clients by helping them with living wills and by making sure that their wishes regarding distribution of worldly possessions would be followed. It was tough terrain because many of our clients were gay and their legal rights to transfer health care decisions and property to a partner were non-existent. Creativity was required to make sure their wishes could be carried out. And sometimes, those wishes were challenged in court with little recourse to protect them.
We've come a long way since then. We've seen rapid advancement in the legal protections available to people in the lgbtq community thanks to marriage equality. And we've seen significant medical advancements as well, including breakthroughs in the prevention, not just the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
Much of what we celebrate is due to organizations like our ally, the Afiya Center of Dallas, Texas. Their good work has helped to lead us forward in assuring the dignity and rights of HIV and AIDS patients, particularly for the racially and economically oppressed.
Want to do a good Deed today, #Changemaker? Read our Deeds News section below and learn more about The Afiya Center and how you can support their work.
Much love,
-wendy
|
|
|
The first ever global health day was started in 1988. Since its inception thirty years ago, World AIDS Day has been observed on December 1st each year. This day is thought of as an opportunity for people to collectively unite in the fight against HIV and bring awareness of the AIDS epidemic, it is a day to remember those who have died, and to show support for people living with HIV. For our friends at The Afiya Center (the only reproductive justice organization in North Texas founded by and led by black women), it is a day to do just that and so much more, while #EndingStigma.
That’s why last Saturday, The Afiya Center hosted their End with RED Gala in Dallas, Texas and members of #TeamDeeds were in attendance. End with Red is an annual fundraiser that supports their Reproductive Justice work specifically centered around HIV programming.
 “We have lost so many lives to HIV and AIDS but those we still have we intend to honor...” said Marsha Jones, Executive Director in her closing remarks of their beautiful Gala, after honoring some amazing women. This year's honorees were honored for Living Out Loud With Purpose! and they included: Michelle Anderson, Dorothy Roberson, Helen E. Turner, and Linda Freeman.
The Afiya Center gets it, and they get it right. I have no doubt that their work addressing the roots of reproductive oppression has played a vital part in reaching current monumental milestones in the decline of HIV diagnosis and HIV related death here in the U.S. I expect them to continue to lead us forward in this work, bringing us to the better world that we hope to see.
Find out more information about Living Out Loud: With Purpose!, #TXBlackWomenRiseUp, and other work of The Afiya Center here: theafiyacenter.org
Ke’Yonna Hall
Curriculum Development and Training Coordinator
|
|
|
At Deeds Not Words, one of our primary goals is to fight the Texas rape kit backlog and bring justice to survivors of sexual violence. We believe that when you treat a rape kit like trash, you treat the survivor like trash. When you leave a rape kit waiting on a shelf for decades, you leave a life waiting on that shelf for decades as well.
That's why this summer we teamed up with Texas State Representative Victoria Neave and launched a #ClearTheKits initiative to help crowdfund the clearing of our state's rape kit backlog and educate the general public on the issues associated with the current statute of limitations.
If you would like to help us fight the rape kit backlog in Texas, you can learn more and donate to a fund to ensure these kits are tested here: ClearTheKits.org.
|
|
This Week's #Changemaker:
Andrea Reyes
Deeds Not Words Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Deeds Not Words: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Andrea Reyes: I am a proud Chicana born and raised in El Paso, and recently relocated to Austin. I have a fat basset hound who I adore nicknamed, “la Gorda”. I graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a dual degree in International Politics and Microbiology. My hobbies include: traveling (I’ve been to 32 countries!), watching movies, and advocating for immigrant rights. My favorite accessory is my megaphone and some quirky earrings.
DNW: How are you currently working to make change in your community?
AR: I feel incredibly lucky to be working for a women-led organization that stands for women’s social and economic opportunity, access to reproductive health, freedom from sexual assault, and equal representation in every space and at every level. I am beyond happy to form a part of our new collaborative movement: Movement Mujeres, which, seeks to disrupt the current hierarchies and male-dominated structures in government, policy and the non-profit sector in a state that has left the voices, leadership and issues of women of color excluded and underrepresented in the institutions and policies that most impact our lives. I genuinely believe that change comes from our own backyards, and because of that, it is important to begin organizing in our own communities.
DNW: How do you keep yourself focused, motivated, and energized?
AR: Working to revolutionize the system is hard. Learning how to engage other young people about the issues that matter most to them, and training ordinary people to fight for what matters to them has left a persistent fire within me that pushes me to never give up. I love listening to people’s experiences, and gaining new perspectives, it is really energizing to me.
Pushing for change and not immediately seeing results can be very draining. It’s always super important to take a step back and appreciate how much has been accomplished every day. I like to keep a journal by my bed to let go of my thoughts from the day so that I’m able to disconnect from the job instead of internalizing any negativities; this way I am fresh-minded and focused for the next day! I am really into self care routines when I’m overwhelmed. It’s often easy to forget to take care of yourself when doing our kind of work. I’m guilty of always forgetting to drink water or go outside to breathe fresh air, so I have color coded post-it notes everywhere in my life with motivational quotes, reminders, and pictures of loved ones or issues I’m passionate about that remind me why I do the work I do. During my time off I like to completely disconnect and read poetry, go hiking, or clean my apartment while wearing a face and hair mask (I intentionally schedule spa days into my calendar.) Treat yo’ self, you deserve it!
DNW: What advice would you give to someone who's looking to become more active, but doesn't know where to start?
AR: Just do it! Start small and build! Activism can stem from anywhere, anytime; exchanging thoughtful discourse over dinner with a family member, engaging a friend to attend a day of action with you, calling your representative and if they don’t answer; writing them! Small persistent actions can make big waves of change. Search for new perspectives! The worst thing you can do to yourself is limit your self-growth. One voice doesn’t encompass every issue. So, search out other perspectives and recognize your own privilege. Seek to understand rather than to be understood. Our work is ongoing, hard, and continuously changing so be adaptable and don’t take things personally. Be active in your own community before wanting to change the world. A huge part of activism is just knowing what’s going on in the world and understanding how to apply change locally. Most importantly.. ASK! Go to everything, talk to everyone, until you find a niche where you can grow and help others grow. Change takes time. Keep in mind that there will always be something to fight for, and laying the groundwork for activism means building a community of people who can all work together on important issues rather than creating a cult of personality around one person. If you’re stuck, don’t give up. Try something new and at the end of each day; reflect on what you’ve learned.
|
|
|
|
