A Day Late & A Dollar Short
World AIDS Day was last week.
Nadine Gordimer has edited a collection of short stories for the express purpose of donating all profits to charities that support those living with the disease. Many famous and highly-esteemed writers contributed stories, and it sounds like an excellent holiday gift for a smart, engaged love one. Nonetheless, I can't help but think that this book would have been so much more interesting if it were a anthology of essays and stories by HIV+ writers and activists under 30. In other words, something new. If such a book exists, let me know!
"Shu Lea Cheang's online art project mixes random porn images grabbed from the web while displaying the number of Africans who died of AIDS since you started connecting." [via the sex site, fleshbot]
Considering any charitable contributions this season? Housing Works makes a big difference locally in the lives of New Yorkers with HIV and AIDS. In addition to financial contributions, Housing Works accepts donations for its thrift shops and bookstore, and actively solicits volunteers. Also, you can shop there. I often do, and good finds abound on nearly every visit.
"My stop in Harare was anchored by attendance at a conference of the Pan-African Treatment Access Movement (PATAM). As a person who works both individually and professionally to support PATAM and other organizations attempting to secure treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS, I can best describe the experience as ‘eye-opening’. To see in one space talented individuals fighting AIDS with little to no resources next to the confused, oft ineffectual, bickering international organizations (World Health Organization, Global Fund to Fight AIDS) has very much changed my perspective." From the Lux Lotus archive, An Interview with Andre Banks.
