Dude... I missed him.
He came to bring attention to the rise in HIV/AIDS rates by inner city back women. It is higher than Africa. The women often are infected by heterosexual men who either don't know they have HIV/AIDS or that DO know and don't tell their partners. Oakland, and nearby Richmond, pretty rough towns. There are many streets I won't drive down in the daylight. The point was made that many residents are former inmates at the prison. In prison the rate of AIDS is five time higher than the general public.
It is so sad. Because it is Oakland, and not Africa or even LA, they don't get the funding and ARV's that they need.
Right in my back yard.
In other sad news, a second trial is starting on my husband's uncle's murder case. He was a young dad, a bishop (volunteer clergy in our church), a coin shop owner. He was robbed one morning right before Thanksgiving and then shot and killed. It was all on the security camera. If you read the
article you can see how much hard work went into breaking this case. I am thankful for the people who, although in prison them selves, gave vital information that helped put these people away.
That wasn't a very happy note to leave you on for the weekend huh? Have a good one anyway.
12 comments:
You too, Bek. I'm so sorry for your family to have experienced you uncle's murder, and now to have a trial to face - again. I sincerely hope his murderers are put behind bars swiftly.
Thanks third mom,
It has been a long time in coming. They are going away, no question. It will be good for his wife and kids (who have been amazingly forgiving and calm) and his parents, who have lost another child already to murder.
It is good to see you around here. I need to check your blog for new develpments. I was wondering if the adoption world was going crazy b/c of the new Angelina/Vietnam thing and the Toby / finding his birth father issue....
wow - why didn't I hear about this? I love Bono, would have been totally cool to see/hear him.
And I had no idea that the HIV/AIDS rates among women in Oakland were so high! That is so sad. Shocking that it's so close to home. :-(
I am so sorry to hear about your husband's uncle - what a horrible shameful loss.
Hand in there, girl.
Hey Bek- So sorry for such a sad thing... I hope your family is doing ok and the trial is quick.
Did I read that SLT article correctly- the guy pleaded out and got 5 (five!!?!) years for murder? That had to be a misprint, right?
Wow, that article was sobering (I can't believe his parents lost another child to murder as well!) So glad justice is being served. I haven't heard anything about the 'Angelina/Vietam thing' I need to go googling!
I remember this when it happened. I'm sorry it was someone close to your family.
The first guy got 5 years for the murder b/c he didn't pull the triger and he is already serving life for another crime. They agreed not to charge him w/ murder if he would flip on the other two guys. They know all along that he wasn't the gunman and they wanted to get the other two.......
THey asked Jordan's wife and kids if they were ok with that and they just felt that it was better for them all to be in prison and they made the final choice.
:-)
Bek, I've lurked in on your blog from the LDS women blog site. First, I have to say I'm sorry for your family and your uncle's family. What a terrible thing to go through and then to have to re-live in again through a second trial.
Second, I was amazed about the HIV stats in Oakland. I live in Washington state, and I guess I must be pretty sheltered, because I had no idea how bad it was. Thanks for opening my eyes.
Last but not least, you have the most BEAUTIFUL children! All three of them are gorgeous. Feel free to lurk on my blog anytime.
So sorry for your loss. I've followed that story a bit but had no idea it was your family.
You are always good to help bring about awareness. I get frustrated sometimes when womens rights group get all worked up over shallow issues when I know full well that for many women in our own country as well as other parts of the world are lacking the most very basic rights and protections.
p.s. I have a cool adoption story to share with you sometime. It didn't happen to me, but to our neighbors and it is just another proof that there are hands greater than our own helping parents find their children. It's so beautiful, especially after all the heartbreaks!
This is...wow. So glad the scum are going away. This is the second in your hubby's family?! Talk about trials... wow.
Now my excitement over Bono seems... lame.
No, I am still totally excited about Bono. It is cool.
Derek's uncle Jordan was his mom's brother. When his mom was in college, their sister was killed by a drunk driver during her first week of college. Two of the four children..... it has been really hard on the grandparents...
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