"Positive" QuickTime Video 2.8mb

Positive - World AIDS Day, December 1, 2003

In December 2001 I had the privilege of spending my first World AIDS Day in a developing country. It was in Uganda on a trip to make the TEAR video, "Awaken The Dawn". Everywhere we filmed, Winston Churchill Ongole, the leader of TEAR's partner, Vision Terudo, proudly wore his World AIDS Day t-shirt. Pastor Martin Odi, the head of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Churches in Kumi, also wore a T-shirt - his was emblazoned with the message that 'he was the pastor and he had educated his children about condom use!' They, and the organisations they head, have been at the front line of fighting the spread of HIV in Africa: a fight at the grassroots...

A year later I found myself in New Delhi, India and was invited one night to a World AIDS Day conference dinner that was being held at a big plush international hotel. I was there with the members of Sahara House and Sharan, two organisations that have a long history with TEAR Australia. They had been invited because of their proud record in drawing attention to the plight of the poor communities and the harsh reality of HIV/AIDS's impact upon them. After the polite speeches and some traditional dance, the Sahara House Band took the stage. Young guys, workers and recovering addicts, let loose with a rousing version of "La Bamba". They lifted peoples heads - and lifted their spirits! It was inspiring to see this group demonstrating that HIV could be fought, and that life could be celebrated regardless of deep struggle.

Then, John Francis, one of the staff at Sahara House, got up with his lone guitar and sang a song he had composed about living with HIV. It is called "Stay Forever Young". At one point in the song John sings, "And one single dance with me will do you no harm...". It was a phrase of loneliness, loss and discrimination. But it was also a phrase that spoke of hope that one day people will dance. And the hope was in the fact that John was up there in front of a large crowd, performing this song. "I wanna be a part of the scene, and I have so many dreams," he sang. Reminding us that people living with HIV/AIDS are still people.

Coming home to Australia I was inspired to write a song. The song is "Positive". And it seeks to catch up some of the hope, resilience and joy I saw in Delhi that day.

Sometimes circumstances work out, and I found myself in Delhi again in April this year. I had brought my recording gear with me and managed to arrange for John, Cindy and Douggie from Sahara House to sing and play on a version of the song. It was a great day. We also recorded a version of John's song which I hope to share with you in the near future. Later that week I attended Sahara House's weekly dance party. It is held on the roof in the balmy night air. Grabbing the video camera, I shot the footage that makes up the video you can see here. It is proof positive of a community of people celebrating each other, and the fact that even in the midst of disease and addiction there is still a future to which all are invited. It seems appropriate to mention that this party was their Easter celebration.

Depending on how we respond on December 1, World AIDS Day does not only have to be a reminder of the cross many have to bear. It may also be a sign of the resurrection. And of the unquenchable hope it sets in place. May the spirit of the people we see here spur us all into action.
Steve

"Positive" Words & Music by Steve Bevis

This will not stop me from dancing
This will not stop me from singing my song
This will not stop me from laughing
The whole day long...

New ideas are born upon a pile of books so tall
New drugs are discovered from a 1000 steps so small
Companies are built upon the profits of us all
Goodwill should be shared along with rights for all under the law
And we can't afford to let the teachers die
We can't afford to see the nurses cry
We can't afford to leave the children asking why
It's a small price, a small price...

And with a positive, a positive reaction
Things will change.
And with a red ribbon the day will be won
We will overcome!

This will not stop me from dancing...