booksmusiclife

Good Evening Everyone!

I have been addicted to/obsessed with the musical “Rent” since it came to Broadway at the Nederlander Theater in April of 1996. I have also been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic since it “began” in the early 1980’s. Both of these-”Rent” and the HIV/AIDS epidemic have been an enormous part of my life. Here is the story.

RENT

Jonathan Larson composed and wrote “Rent”. He was one of the most brilliant composer/lyricist to ever grace this earth. This musical was a huge comment on multiculturalism, addiction, homophobia and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This is a raw, out there musical that makes no apologies for anything, yet you cannot help but be moved by the characters, issues and depth of the music/lyrics/themes. Some of the most beautiful and meaningful lines ever written for the musical theatre were written by Jonathan Larson.

Jonathan Larson died on January 26, 1996 of an aortic aneurysm the night before the Off-Broadway opening of “Rent”. The cast went on with the performance and it was received so well it was eventually moved to the Nederlander Theater on Broadway, opening April 29, 1996. He was posthumously awarded  the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. He also was awarded the Drama Desks for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Lyrics;^[9] the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; the Outer Critics Circle Awardfor Best Musical in the Off-Broadway category; and three Obie Awards for Outstanding Book, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music.  “Rent” has played continuously on Broadway at the Nederlander and will close September 7, 2008.

I listen to the music in “Rent” and cannot help but be moved by every line and every lyric.

“Without you, the ground thaws, the rain falls, the grass grows.
Without you, the seeds root, the flowers bloom, the children play.
The stars gleam, the poets dream, the eagles fly, without you.
The earth turns, the sun burns, but I die, without you.”

“…In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?…”

“…live in my house i’ll be your shelter just pay be back with one thousand kisses be my lover and i’ll cover you…”

“…There’s Only Now…There’s Only Here…Give In To Love
Or Live In Fear…No Other Path…No Other Way…No Day But Today”

Just a sample of Jonathan Larson’s genius. Get the CD. Rent/Buy the movie. However, if you can afford it, see it performed live on stage. No matter where or how you see it, the message and meaning will touch you and continue to touch you for a very long time.

I guarantee it.

HIV/AIDS

Unfortunately, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has probably touched everyone reading this in one way, shape or form. Below are a few current statistics/facts of where we(You? Me? The USA? The World?) are at with the epidemic.

(a) HIV is a fragile virus. It cannot live for very long outside the body. As a result, the virus is not transmitted through day-to-day activities such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking fountain, doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. You also cannot get HIV from mosquitoes.

HIV is primarily found in the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an infected person. HIV is transmitted in 3 main ways:

• Having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) with someone infected with HIV
• Sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV
• Being exposed (fetus or infant) to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding

(b) Black People account for about half of all people living with HIV/AIDS within each sex category. According to information from 33 states, during 2005, among men, 41% of men living with HIV/AIDS were black and among women, 64% of  women living with HIV/AIDS were black.

(c) In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35 to 44.

(d) At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS.

(e) In 2006, the estimated number of persons living with AIDS in the United States and dependent areas was 448,871.

(f) HIV and AIDS affect women in almost the same way they affect men. For example,

• Women of color (especially African American women) are the hardest hit.
• Younger women are more likely than older women to get HIV.
• AIDS is a common killer, second only to cancer and heart disease for women.

 Those were just a few. For more in depth statistics go to www.cdc.com

My Life

So many friends and people I know have been struck down by this virus. We are into the third decade of knowing about this and we have not yet found a cure. What does this mean? By all accounts NO ONE in the United States should be getting this virus. However, I believe when we look back on the past 8 years we will see a significant rise in HIV/AIDS numbers. Do you know why? (Now, those of you who are tired of hearing me go on about politics/our government may want to stop right here.) I believe our “Faith Based” politics will be the downfall of this country. The absolute failure of the “No Child Left Behind” Act is proof that this administration was not serious about taking care of its citizens. I have personally seen what is a “allowed” to be taught to kids because of this Act. “Abstinence Only” programs…horrifying! Most do not even touch on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, much less educate our youth on how to protect yourself properly. This is very dangerous, and between that and our unnecessary “wars” we are in grave danger of losing a whole generation.

We must stop the destruction of the younger generation by educating them properly. Not “Faith Based” education, but “FACT BASED” education.

We cannot afford to lose our children. Agreed?

Have a great night! Thanks for reading!!

“Will sex education reduce or end AIDS, adolescent pregnancy, prostitution, sexual exploitation? Frankly, we do not know. But silence on sexual matters does not appear to be an option either ideologically or practically. Ideologically, ignorance is no advantage when others have knowledge, especially knowledge misused, and people who know nothing of sex can take risks unknowingly and be taken advantage of.”

MARTHA CORNOG, For Sex Education, See Librarian

Trackback URI | Comments RSS