Ronnie's Badge of Honour

In this offering I intend to make it clear why I support the comments of my fellow Spin Cycle blogger Ronnie in his entry They Need Us More Than We Need Them. Ronnie's questioning of the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the lives of HIV positive people has sparked a fierce and almost completely one sided debate in the community forums of aidsmeds.com - forums to which both Ronnie and I belong.

Essentially comrades, this is about activism and the activist is motivated by three basic concepts:

• Educate
• Agitate
• Organise

As activists we seek to apply these concepts in an attempt to bring about change. As a democratic socialist I believe that capitalism is exploitatative and inherently corrupting. It is as simple as that and I could see that idea at work in Ronnie's Spin Cycle post. Pharmaceutical companies as part of the capitalist system seek profits first and foremost, above even the interests of their consumers - those from whom they profit.

In a potent and timely challenge to those preconceived notions which serve to perpetuate the manipulation of oppressed people, such as those of us who live with HIV and AIDS, Ronnie simply asked what influence "Big Pharma" exercises over all the HIV/AIDS magazines, websites and other organisations it funds. He used the example of the development of a prophylactic vaccine for HIV to underline his point.

Ronnie's post recognised the way in which capitalism disempowers and divides us in an attempt to profit from our misery and he dared to suggest that we should take back power and take responsibility for ourselves.

In the often bitter debate at aidsmeds.com many correspondents demanded to know what alternative there is to the current system. Well I've got one and it's very straight forward - we need to bring about the democratic socialisation of industry, production, distribution and exchange if we are eliminate the exploitation of consumers and workers. This includes the socialisation of the means of development of life saving treatments for diseases such as AIDS. HIV treatments and their means of production should belong to the people, not to the select and privileged few.

Many at aidsmeds suggested that Ronnie had no right to ask such a question. I say it is his duty as an activist to ask it and Ronnie has carried that duty out. Ronnie has shown us that complacency must not be permitted. The mark of Ronnie's success in this was that among all the handwringing and carrying on, his question was indeed answered. An explanation of aidsmeds editorial policy was given and thus we have been informed.

There is no doubt that aidsmeds.com provides an excellent service and access to quality information but surely there can be no harm in questioning the role of it's pharmaceutical industry backers? Moreover there was criticism of Ronnie that he made his statements here at the Spin Cycle, well why not? That is what this blog is here to do - to question. Ronnie more than happily answered directly his detractors and critics at aidsmeds in the community forums over there and he did so in friendly and non-confrontational way.

In the process of answering, Ronnie has been vilified, abused, patronised and derided for his brave stand on this issue and this comes as no surprise to me. Those who question the status quo usually receive that sort of treatment. I know that Ronnie is more than strong enough to withstand the opprobrium that has been heaped upon him in this debate - it is in his activist nature.

Ronnie, I say to you congratulations. It is inspiring to see another HIV+ gay man standing up and following the activist path laid down by ACT-UP and other progressive and radical HIV groups and movements. I am proud to be associated with you here and at aidsmeds.com. You have undertaken the activist challenge and brought us and our cause great distinction. With regard to the slurs, insults and barbs hurled at you I say one thing:

Wear them like a badge of honour comrade.

IN SOLIDARITY,

MtD