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I like many of you were saddened to hear the allegations against Bishop Eddie Long. When I first heard the allegations on CNN I could not believe that it. After hearing some of the details I felt that if it is true that other people had to know. Remember I said "if" it is true. I know that his stand on gay marriage has caused the allegations to get more attention.

I am concerned about how the media may use this situation to unfairly scrutinize the church. I hope that we don't lose sight that Bishop Ediie Long is just a man he is not God. I pray that God reveals the truth so that the healing can begin. I feel this is an opportunity for the body of Christ to address some issues that could help us grow spiritually.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Hearing the news about the Bishop I wondered "What about accountability?" Who is he accountable to? Then I began to ask myself "Who am I accountable to?" I know that I am accountable to God. But who else. My pastor, my netcare leader, spiritual mentor and/or ministry leader? For me the answer is yes to all the above. About four or five years ago I started wondering if my current place of worship was the right place for me to be. Before I jumped to join or even visit another church I talked with some people who I felt have either fed me or guided me spiritually. All of them stated that I should examine myself to make sure I am not trying to find a new church home for the wrong reasons. They also told me to continue to tithe to my current church home until I made a decision. At first I did not want to follow the sound advice I received but once I started examining myself I know they all were right. We all need someone to give us sound counsel and the willingness to listen.

BE SPIRITUALLY GROUNDED
Those of us who are believers hopefully understand that we need to read and study the bible on a daily basis. By reading and meditating on the word of God we stay focused on God. Praying the word also helps us to keep the focus. Being rooted and ground in the word is also part of our spiritual growth.

DON'T BE A VICTIM OF PROSPERITY
I am not say that this is the case in Bishop Eddie Long's situation nor am I saying that we should not want to prosper. In Our Daily Manna(www.ourdailymanna.org,a devotional reading (dated September 27th) addresed how we need to react to prosperity and adversity. In the reading it states,"Use your season of prosperity to plan for your season of adversity and use your season of adversity to caution yourself against your prosperity season." In the prayer points for that that day it states the "Prosperity has destroyed millions." It instructs us to decree that we will not be the next victim. It also asks us to pray for the grace to stand fast and pray despite any prosperity phase of our life. In other words don't lose focus on the source of your prosperity.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX
We need to have more Christian leaders to address sex in the pulpit. Part of the reason why HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is so rampant in black community is because we have failed to address sex in a practical way. When the AIDS epidemic was declared in the US many in the black Christian community felt that since it was a “Gay White Man’s Disease”, they did nothing to address it. How wrong they were because by 1983 there was already an epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. The church has to take some responsibility for the epidemic because we failed to address the issue of sex from the biblical perspective in the church. The church has to also take some responsibility for how people living with the disease have been treated. Not just how the person with the disease was treated but their families also.
As a matter of fact just stating “don’t have sex” is not enough. Abstinence, masturbation, fidelity, incest, sexual trauma, same sex relationships are some of the topics that need to be addressed. There also need to be discussion on how to agree and disagree on issues regarding same sex relationships and gay marriage.

I really believe that the crisis that Eddie Long is dealing can be a teachable moment for the body of Christ.

Tonight after attending a Femi Kuti concert at the Theater of the Living Arts (TLA) on South Street I witnessed something that I really don’t understand. There were mobs of young African- Americans everywhere. But so were the police. You could barely walk down the street. Now I don’t understand what the deal is about flooding South Street at a time when most of the stores are closed and restaurants are starting to shut down. I walked from 4th & South to 11th & South to wait for the 23 bus. As I was walking I saw a lot of young people who clearly were too young to be out on the street after 12 midnight. When I got to 11th & South I heard the police telling the crowds that were coming from Broad Street that they had to turn around because they would not be allowed to go any further.
After waiting at 11th & South for about 5 minutes a police told me and 3 other people that we could not stand on the corner to wait for the bus. He told us that we had to go either one block south or north to catch the bus. I decided I would walk one block south. Now there was a young lady and two guys on the corner with me and they started walking south also. I thought that they all were going to catch the bus. Apparently the young lady was going to catch the bus and one of the guys was trying to talk to her. I thought they were a couple because when I first got to the corner they were in a tight embrace (I mean so tight air could not get between them) against the wall. As they were walking the one guy was trying to get the young lady’s telephone number and was saying some things that I thought were very inappropriate. But the young lady was also saying things that were inappropriate, like making references to the size of the guy’s penis and how she did not feel anything when he hugged her. That made him angry and his friend encouraged his to stop talking to the young lady and walk to Broad Street. S o the young lady and I were standing on the corner waiting for the bus. She did not look anymore that 13 or 14 but her body was very developed and let just say that her clothes were very tight. As we stood on the corner waiting for the bus men driving by were either whistling or making very sexual comments to the young lady. I decided to take a cab to 11th & Market Streets. I could not see leaving the young lady standing on corner by herself. So I asked how far she was going. She stated that she will take the 23 bus to Germantown. I suggested that she get in the cab with me and she did. I had to ask her why she was on South Street by herself and what is so great about coming down to this area. She stated that she was with some friends and she got bored just walking up and down the street so she left them. I asked her if she had a curfew she said “No that’s really old fashioned”. I her why she was calling her friends to see if they got home when I did not see her call any of her family. She said that since they all came to South Street together she knows that some of her friends’ parents would be worried. I asked her about her parents she stated, “I guess my mom would be concerned”. I went on to give her some advice about her behavior and dress. She seemed to listen. Once we got to 11th & Market Street we both got out of the cab and walked across the street to the bus stop. I encouraged her to call her mother which she did and to make sure she goes straight home.
Now call me old fashioned but when did having a curfew go out of style. I wonder how many parents knew that their children were on South Street after midnight. Even though I am not a parent I feel like I have some responsibility to these children too. Each of us has a responsibility to talk to the young people in our families and neighborhoods. Even if the young lady would have gotten upset with me I still felt that I needed to address her behavior and dress. I know that society says that children should have the freedom to express themselves but I believe that we have let go too far. When I was walking on South Street I saw young girls wearing next nothing while wearing six inch heels (I call them killer heels because it you trip or fall you definitely could kill yourself). Some of the young ladies were using language that would make you cringe. They were discussing who they had been with; if it was good while calling each other b’s, slouts and hoes. Their language was worse than the guys.
I wish I would be younger than 18 and out after 12midnite wearing nothing. I know that my parents especially my father would come looking for me. Okay some people would say that some of the parents are out on the street themselves but not all of them. Since I have witnessed this mob thing first hand I am more likely to be more proactive when talking to the young people I come in contact with. I pray that they were not major incidents on South Street tonight. I also hope that people will take a more active role in breaking the “mob mentality”.

I went to a special screening tonight for the movie “Just Wright” starring Queen Latifah, Common and Paula Patton. I thought the movie was excellent and will go see it again this weekend. Before I expound on the movie I want to talk about the screening. I received an email from www.wheredastaintsat.com announcing the screening. I receive emails from them regularly and they often send me information that if I can’t use I pass on to my friends. I clicked on the link to register. I registered myself and a guest. I had asked my friend Valerie who just graduated from nursing school and passed the licensure test to attend the screening with me. I knew that nursing school was stressful so I knew that she would enjoy going to a movie. When I received the confirmation email it stated that I was registered for the screening in Atlanta. I knew that was a mistake and I quickly sent an email to the promotional marketing company that was overseeing the screenings. A very short time later I received a response from Felicia at Liquid Soul Media, www.liquidsoulmedia.com. The email informed me that there was a glitch and that they were working to correct it and that I have indeed registered for the screening in Philadelphia. I appreciated the very prompt response from Felicia.
The screening was being held at the “Bridge” Cinema Duplex at 40th & Walnut Streets on the University of Pennsylvania Campus. I got there a little after 6pm. I walked into the theatre and did not see any signs that the screening was going to take place. I got in line to ask an attendant but noticed people just walking down the hallway and going to the left. I followed behind them and stopped to ask another theatre attendant and she pointed down another long hallway pass the concession stand where there were people standing in a line. I went to a table at the end of the hallway where they had what looked like posters sitting on it. I asked someone at the table where I sign in. I received blank stares but no response. I decided to go get in the line and wait for Valerie to come. I called Valerie on her cell to let her know that I was standing in line inside the theatre. According to the confirmation email registration for the screening would start at 7pm and it was just 6:15pm. While in line I talked with different people discussing the different events that we had been to recently. The conversation helped the time to pass. While in line they gave out posters, pocket mirrors and key chains. By 6:45pm event staff was going to each person in line to check them in. Valerie still had not gotten there yet. We were allowed to go inside to find seats. Let me say this, the seats aren’t made for “big girls” like me. I asked one of the event staff to let Valerie in when she comes. Valerie finally arrived a little after 7pm. We were seated in what some would call the “nose bleed section” but because the theatre was kinda of small it did not matter. A man got up and introduced himself as Christopher I believe. I don’t remember where he said he was from and/or who he represented. He introduced someone who goes by the name “Sexy C” who has a radio and tv program. It was hard to hear everything that she was saying because of problems with the microphone. I thought I would get her card after the screening so I could check out her radio program. The movie was shown. I must say I have always liked Queen Latifah and Common but I see that they are both very talent actors who have great screen presence. I am one of those people who believe that most rappers should not act. Queen Latifah and Common certainly blow that belief out of the water. I don’t know too much about Paula Patton’s work but she was great in the movie also.
After the screening while people were leaving the theatre there were some many different conversations going on. Yes, there were the usual ones regarding getting out of the theatre and going to the bathroom. What impressed me about this movie is that it caused some intense and passionate discussions about relationships. I saw couples talking about the movie but what I really enjoyed was seeing groups of people who were young adults to senior citizens talking about what they felt was appropriate behavior in regards to dating. Even Valerie and I found ourselves joining in on the conversations of strangers. I don’t go to movies often so this was a very unique experience for me. This movie made me think about my past dating experiences. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing but I believe it is necessary to examine one’s own behavior. This movie was great for not only having conversations with others about relationships but having the conversation with one’s own self.

In January, I started receiving initiations to join AARP. At first I was a little upset because no one wants to think of themselves as old. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that there was a part of me that did not want to accept that I was turning 50 in a few months. Yes, the big 5-0! Once I confronted the fact that time was marching on (no pun intended) I started to realize how much I have to be thankful for. There are so many friends and family that did not make it to the year 2010 let alone 50. Because I have made a conscious decision not to dye my hair there are some who think that I am already 50. I prefer to think of my decision not to dye my hair is to let my wisdom show. I can tell you in the last few years I have gained so much wisdom and knowledge about myself and what I want out of life. One of the things that has helped me grow spiritually is reading Our Daily Manna (ODM), www.ourdailymanna.org. I read the Morning Prayer, Daily Devotionals and Daily Prophetic Declarations every morning. It sets the tone for my day. ODM also has another book entitled “Prayer Bullets for Winners”, which I use for specific issues. I called their main office in Lagos, Nigeria to let them know that they are greatly appreciated.
I have grown so much and have been giving so many unique opportunities. I have had the opportunity to work with people with HIV for 30 years. Because of that experience I have been able to travel around the world. I also started not only writing about my experiences with HIV but also my personal experiences. Writing about some of my personal experiences has been painful but healing at the same time. I never thought that other people would be interested in what I was thinking or what I had to say. I just happen to be searching the internet and found this station called "talk gospel.com". The station which was based in UK was a part of Premier Media . Premier is the largest Christian media outlet in Europe. Talk Gospel primary featured African and Caribbean pastors and played all urban gospel. Through one of the DJ's I learned about str8up.com.uk. I went to the website which was mainly geared to 15 to 35 year olds. On that website there are opportunities to voice your opinion on a variety of topics. I decided to write about my experiences working with the HIV community. I never thought that I would see my experiences on a screen. I was very grateful for the opportunity. During this time I also decided that I wanted to use the public/community relations experience to serve the faith-based community so I founded my own company, Faith & Knowledge in Action, LLC. I have been able to assist community and faith-based organizations with getting the word out about their events and services. Fast forward to last year when I met Eric Nzeribe the publisher of Funtimes Magazine at one of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs' meetings. At first Eric asked me to assist him with preparing for the grand opening of his new offices. As time went on I found myself using a lot of the skills that I acquired in the last 30 years. Now I am officially the Media & Community Relations Consultant for the Magazine. I have had the good luck to interview some of the most exciting African and Caribbean musicians. I also have had gained professional experience promoting the magazine while attending great events.
Well today, March 22nd is my birthday. I did not plan a big party or grand vacation. I am just basking in the fact that I am still alive and that there is so much that I have to look forward to. I so appreciate all of my friends and family that has helped me through some very difficult periods of my life. I now have the chance to talk about my experiences so that others can be helped and find some peace. I could start thanking people who have blessed me but that would almost be a page by itself. While others who are turning 50 this year want to turn back I instead want to march forward. Most of all I am thankful to God that he loved me so much that he has allowed me to see 50. Remember that each day is a blessing!

March 10th marked the annual National Women’s and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It seemed to be appropriate to commemorate this day during Women’s History Month. Women are making history, especially women of color, sadly in regards to the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS.
According to the CDC in 2007, more than 25 percent of diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States were among women and girls aged 13 years and older. The numbers are unsettling: More than 278,000 women and adolescent girls in this country are living with HIV; and almost 94,000 American women and girls with AIDS have died since the epidemic began. Women and girls of color—especially black women and girls—bear a disproportionately heavy burden of HIV/AIDS. In 2007, for female adults and adolescents, the rate of HIV/AIDS diagnoses for black females was nearly 20 times as high as the rate for white females and nearly 4 times as high as the rate for Hispanic/Latino females. Relatively few cases were diagnosed among Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander females, although the rates for these groups were higher than the rate for white females.
HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death among African American women ages 25-34 and the third leading cause for ages 35-44 in 2002. Heterosexual contact or injection drug use is the primary modes of transmission of HIV for women across racial/ethnic groups.

These statistics are downright depressing. I am often asked why the number of African American women living with HIV/AIDS is so high. If you look at the history of HIV we may find the answers. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was defined for the first time in 1982 according to the UNAIDS’ fact sheet “Twenty years of HIV/AIDS.” In that year three modes of transmission were identified: blood transfusion, mother–to-daughter and sexual intercourse. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus was identified as the cause of AIDS in 1983 and in that same year an epidemic of AIDS was reported in Africa. In Africa most of those infected were heterosexual. In most parts of the world the disease was portrayed as a disease that was only affecting “gay white men.” AIDS is not now nor ever has been just a “gay white man’s disease.” Since the focus was on a certain type of lifestyle, the thought of women being infected was often overlooked.

What really amazes me is the fact that there was a time in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s that African-American women who worked in the home health field were the main ones taking care of those persons living with AIDS. If you think about the history of this country and the role African American women played from slavery to the civil rights era they were always caring for other people while being forced to neglect their our families. But somehow many of them managed to keep their families together as much as possible.

AIDS works along with domestic violence, substance abuse, lack of education and access to health care, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration and yes, low self-esteem to wreak havoc on the African American community. Since African American women are the heads of the household in many families, whatever affects them will affect the family. African American women have often been trailblazers in education, science and politics. What will happen if we don’t address the HIV in the African American community? We are in danger of losing generations of women who will never have a chance to make history.

Thankfully there is some good news. Women of color are now more involved with the research treatment and prevention of HIV. We need more women in clinical trials because medications work differently in women. I am glad to know that African American women of all age groups are speaking out about HIV. Now I realize that everyone may not agree with how and why women are speaking out but at least they are doing something.

My hope and prayer is that women will take time to talk about the treatment and prevention of the disease. Everyone should get tested regardless of your martial status. Make getting tested for HIV apart of your annual check up. If you know someone living with HIV encourage him or her to seek treatment. This is our chance to improve the lives of future generations of women. Remember knowledge equals life, ignorance equals death.