Doctor Mehret

I was recently on a panel about HIV and got asked a tough question about empowerment.  The question was: “What does empowerment mean to you? What does it look like?” I gave an answer about jobs and economic security because those were the issues coming up over and over again in my work in Philadelphia. But I left the panel very unsatisfied with my response. My dissatisfaction was less at my ability to respond than at the limited constructs we have to understand the true meaning of empowerment.

Empowerment is an expansive topic.  There is a totality about the phenomenon that is bigger than what any individual can see or say. That’s why it’s hard to explain. To understand empowerment we have to think collectively for the idea to fit in our world. I think ultimately it’s about freedom and having whatever you need to be free. In my case, my friends and family are critical.

An important aspect of staying free are supportive relationships.  I just got a video from a kindred soul that prompted this blog entry.  People can help keep you free. So part of what empowerment looks like to me is a web of nurturing relationships.  Relationships that find you at the right time and at the right place.  A lot of people don’t have this web.  I would be lost without mine.

On that note, I have attached the video that inspired the lesson. Not surprisingly it is no other than Nina Simone. Enjoy and stay free…

2008 has been quite a whirlwind year with ups and downs. But the highs are going to reach new proportions in 2009. With a new president, a National AIDS Policy Office, and a reconfigured participatory democracy, the possibilities are endless.  This all means there is a lot of work for us to do.  Roll up your sleeves!

I have spent the week meeting with community-based leaders, non-profits, advocates, and teachers. Everyone is ready to do their part in taking HIV prevention efforts to the next level. The mantra for 2009 is: “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”

Happy Holidays.

The Women: Body and Soul interview went great. I talked about All of Us, HIV prevention and more. You can listen to the show by clicking here.

Thank you Nathalie for having me on your show.

I am on live radio today for WBAI 99.5 Pacifica Radio talking about women and HIV for their “Women: Body and Soul” program 1-2pm. Please tune in live or look out for the archive I will post. The radio program is about “covering what matters to women - body and soul.”   The host and creator of the show, Nathalie Thandiwe, developed the program to foster “provocative dialogue about what mattes to women– health, realtionships, sexuality, and more, from holistic, multicultural perspectives.”

Radio is an important medium to use when educating about health. Research has shown most African American women receive their health information from the radio. Yet, there are far too few programs dedicated to this purpose. Hopefully that will change.

I had the pleasure of participating in a similar radio program in Atlanta called WomenSpeak last week.  We talked about HIV and women from a societal perspective and struggled to get to the root causes together.  I shared the space with Dazon Dixon Diallo of SisterLove Inc. and our gracious host Wiata kept the questions coming. The second segment of that interview will continue next week on December 18 from 7-8p on 89.3 WRFG Atlanta.

I like using the radio to teach. Mixing music in between conscious messaging is a great strategy to spread lessons of empowerment. Breaking silences without the distraction of visual images presents yet another strategy in creating safe spaces for women to speak.

The responses from the Showtime airing of All of Us across the country have been so awesome! I have no words to express the intensity of the email messages I have been receiving from young, old, men, and women. Thank you so much for the encouragement, support, blessings, and well wishes.

Fundamentally, the HIV epidemic is about the connection between health and human rights as well as the obligation we all have to serve. As the saying goes, “start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.” For all of you who never had a connection to HIV and are now inspired to be part of the movement, jump in. Here are some suggestions:

1) Call a local AIDS service organization in your neighborhood and get involved.
2) Register at www.truthaids.org and stay connected to us by taking our free online classes.
3) Get HIV tested and encourage a friend to do the same.
4) Try using a female condom if you never have. Practice makes perfect.
5) Hold a truth circle!

And just in case you need some more inspiration… check out MLK below: