The following interviews are the opinions of individuals in the San Francisco AIDSLifeCycle Community. No harm of any kind is intended. . . . And each individual’s statements are truly their own ….
Nane: Tony Eason
Education: San Diego State University- Music
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 165
Age: 42
Birth Place/Origin: San Francisco, CA.
Occupation: Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Present Location/Where do you live? San Francisco, CA. 94110
Favorite Book: Candide by Voltaire
1.) What do you think is the world’s greatest asset?
Answer: Humility (amanitva)
2.) If you could make one wish for humanity what would it be?
Answer: Humility (amanitva) is the beginning of knowledge ..without it one does not have the opportunity to learn ..therefore, I would wish that the world would practice humility.
3.) How has the AIDS/HIV Panademic affected you?
Answer: In 1984, at the age of 22, I moved to San Francisco. During this time period, I could often be found in “The Trocadero,” “The End Up,” “Buzzby’s, “DV8,” and various other night clubs. San Francisco’s night club scene was “off the hook.” Everyone was having a good time. Yet, as the years past, I noticed that my Disco friends were slowly missing. And when I asked others about them, …the common response was …”they’re dead.” And now, at the age of 42, most of my friends are no longer here. Most have died of HIV/AIDS, or complications of the AIDS pandemic.
So, I had the choice of either
1.) To sit and watch
2.) Do something about it
At first, I sat and watched. And then, I put down the bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay. And, decided to do my part for humanity. I registered, participated, and completed a 585 mile bike ride from San Francisco to West Hollywood titled: California AIDS Ride #2 sponsored by Tanqueray.
4.) How many years have you participated in the San Francisco AIDS Walk?
Answer: I have yet to participated in the San Francisco AIDS Walk. However, I support anyone who is contributing to relieving the suffering of others
5.) Have you participated in any other AIDS related charity events? (If so, what? And, how many?)
Answer: I have participated in 9 AIDS Charity Cycling Events
The San Francisco AIDS Ride -1994
California AIDS Ride #2 – 1995
California AIDS Ride #6 – 1999
California AIDS Ride #7 – 2000
California AIDS Ride #8 – 2001
California AIDs Ride #9 – 2002
AIDS/LifeCycle #2 – 2003
AIDS/LifeCycle #3 – 2004
AIDS/LifeCycle #4 – 2005
And, I will participate in AIDS/LifeCycle #5
6.) If you had one thing to say to the world, what would it be?
Answer: World History is a reflection of the actions, thoughts, and words, of human beings.
7.) If you had one thing to say to Oprah Winfrey Network, what would it be?
Answer: Like you, I had a very strict upbringing. At the age of 10, I was convinced, I would never amount to anything significant. At 16, I moved out of my parents house. At the age of 20, I realized my sexuality and therefore, I was abandonned by my long term, childhood friends. At 22, I moved to San Francisco, CA. to begin a new life. And for the next 10 years, I used drugs to relieve my suffering.
And then, . . . …… .. . a light bulb went ON!
On 01 January 1994, I realized that there was more to life than: guzzling an expensive bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay, being the belle of the ball, speaking of what others need to work on, and/or sitting daily on the same coach (in self pity). So, I bought a 10 year old, Bianchi Road Bike. And, I began a 6-month intense cycling training for a cycling event called the California AIDS Ride #2.
In May of 1994, I left San Francisco with $3.00 in my pocket, no idea of how I was going to return, a questionable bike, the fear of failure, and began to cycle (along with 1500 other cyclist) toward West Hollywood.
Seven days, 575 miles later, I arrived in West Hollywood. At which point, I realized it is possible to step outside of your normal routine. I realized it is possible to empower yourself while assisting others. I realized that I wasn’t alone in my ideas of creating a better world. And, I realized that miracles could occur . . (after all, I made it back home with $3.00 in my pocket) .
Each person will have a different starting point. Each person will learn according to his or her individual capacity at any given time. Each individual progresses in different ways, at different rhythms. Each step will bring new experiences. And each person has the opportunity to discover and fulfill their individual destiny.
In June 2006, for my 9th Year, I will participate in an event to benefit the S.F. AIDS Foundation called Each year, I cycle 575 miles (from San Francisco to Los Angeles). And each year, I complete the ride knowing I did the right thing.
Why do I continue to participate:
Answer: 1. Supportting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and it’s beneficiaries is a great cause.
2. “African Americans account for more than one-third of the cases reported since the beginning of the epidemic and half of all diagnoses in 2003. African American women between the ages of 25 and 44 are 13 times more likely to die of the disease than their counterparts. According to CDC data reported through December of 2001, African Americans were the largest group of young people affected by HIV, and accounted for 56 percent of all HIV infections ever reported among those aged 13-24.”
3. Participating in the California AIDS Ride & AIDS/LifeCycle changed my life. .. (I went from a bottle of Chardonnay a day to Iyengar Yoga at 7:00am.).
4. It gives me the opportunity to empower others (by my example).
5. At the age of 42, I stare out the window and smile.
“Through the power of media, Oprah Winfrey has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world. As supervising producer and host of the top-rated, award-winning The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah Winfrey has entertained, enlightened and uplifted millions of viewers for the past two decades. Oprah Winfrey’s accomplishments as a television pioneer, producer, publisher, educator and philanthropist have established Oprah Winfrey as one of the most respected and admired public figures today. “
Similar to Tracy Chapman’s involvement with AIDS/Life Cycle #3 – 2004, and MTV’s involvement with AIDS/LifeCycle #4, the acknowledgement and presence of Oprah Winfrey in AIDS/LifeCycle #5 – 2006 would provide indescribable benefits for the success of the AIDS/LifeCycle Event, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, AIDS Awareness, AIDS Education, AIDS Services, and AIDS Research, throughout the world.
Wishing Oprah Winfrey & Harpo Productions the best of all possible worlds,
tony eason
