Instagram/@eltonjohn
Elton John made a poignant and dramatic statement during his World AIDS Day proclamation asserting that the worldwide battle against HIV is going through the roughest year ever in a long time. The iconic singer and activist warned against complacency, stigma, and funding cuts while urging people not to ignore a major problem that is still claiming lives.
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As a matter of fact, it is such a demand that carries so much more weight when it is uttered by John. He has been doing nothing less than heavy dray of the disease report over a very long time now; he has always produced, sung, and performed on the one hand and on the other, he has been silent, waiting for it nearly to be forgotten. So when he says that it looks like people are turning a blind eye to the issue, it is a very powerful statement indeed. Still, he did not sensationalize the message in any way, his post was very straightforward. No beautiful visuals were there, just plain words on a black background. He expressed, “HIV is still present. People are still dying.” He put it in very direct and straightforward terms, “This #WorldAIDSDay, we’re asking you: don’t look away.”
The comments’ section produced a very hard to decipher mix of gratitude, mourning, and confronting the reality with a tough view. It was like being in a situation where a living memorial and a debate were going on simultaneously while scrolling through the comments.
Most of the users mourning and sharing their emotions tied their losses to the situation he described. “Living in NYC during the 80s and 90s, I had so many friends who died. I keep thinking about them and I am still feeling their loss,” was one user’s story which was supported by others talking about the death of their brothers, cousins, and best friends. A person who is currently watching his lifelong friend dying because he is afflicted with the disease after a long 40-year fight made a heart-touching appeal for just wishing to be “allowed to carry on.” The case is made that there are still people waiting for assistance behind the statistics.
At the same time, the discussion thread highlighted a disturbing generational divide and a lot of anger. One user charged, “It is unbelievable that aids are treated so lightly in this company,” and went straight to the point by stirring a very hot discussion. The discussion soon turned to the arguments about the use of condoms, sex education, and attitude. An increasing number of followers are taking sides in the argument and claiming that the fear of AIDS has diminished with the younger generation as they tend to think that one can live normally with treatment. “The girl was only 19 but she was saying AIDS is a myth!! I just couldn’t believe my ears!!” This comment highlights a very serious ignorance about the disease.
Among the approving comments, there were some focused remarks criticizing the, in many cases, lack of funding and political support. “It ought to be that these drugs are free and governments are subsidizing on through their support. It is a crime to have such a system where nothing is done about this,” one person said, thus putting the spotlight on the system’s failure. Meanwhile, some people mentioned some governments that have cut or abandoned programs related to the disease or that have become indifferent towards it altogether.
And, just like it happens so often in online discussions, the conversation momentarily veered off into other political matters, with a few users attempting to divert the conversation to Palestine. However, this was quickly met with resistance from other users who asserted that such different crises could easily be the primary focus of discussions at the same time.
Throughout it all, the recognition of Elton John’s commitment was the unifying message. “Elton, you have been the one who has done the most to bring the disease HIV/AIDS under control and to spread the word about it,” was one of the top-rated comments. “For so long, you have been an unstoppable advocate and warrior.” It was a victory of finding the global purpose through human suffering. Fans also enjoy seeing his retro Captain Fantastic ad.
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Elton John’s message this year is a significant call to attention. The struggle is not over just because there have been advances in treatment. The major concerns are stigma, lack of funding, and the gradually increasing but still strong feeling of complacency. The comment section of his post can be taken as the proof that the people who suffer from this problem and remember it and keep making the demand for attention are still there. Elton John’s message is simple but powerful: witness this, commemorate this, and for God’s sake do not turn your back now. In other news, he recently collaborated with Big Boi and Janelle Monáe. He also continues to work on creative projects, such as when he promoted a new Oz book and revealed the story behind his most ornate album cover. His enduring partnership with Bernie Taupin remains a cornerstone of his career.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
