DaBaby Met W/ 9 HIV Awareness Orgs After They Wrote Open Letter: Our Goal Was To Call Him In Instead Of Calling Him Out
DaBaby Met W/ 9 HIV Awareness Orgs After They Wrote Open Letter: Our Goal Was To Call Him In Instead Of Calling Him Out
DaBaby is making headlines for his latest controversy again.
As previously reported, DaBaby made insensitive and homophobic remarks at The Rolling Loud Music Festival back in July. Since then, he has made a string of public apologies and has had many opportunities canceled because of his statements. But a couple of HIV Awareness Organizations extended a hand to educate the 29-year-old rapper on the disease.
According to reports, the organizations called for a meeting with DaBaby to discuss HIV facts and share stories of people living with it on Aug. 4th. In a statement the organizations said,
“The open letter to DaBaby was our way to extend him the same grace each of us would hope for. Our goal was to ‘call him in instead of calling him out.’ We believed that if he connected with Black leaders living with HIV that a space for community building and healing could be created. We are encouraged he swiftly answered our call and joined us in a meaningful dialogue and a thoughtful, educational meeting.”
Reportedly, the meeting went well and DaBaby was engaged and apologetic. He agreed that his comments were hurtful to the LGBTQ+ community and the organizations appreciated his willingness to learn.
“During our meeting, DaBaby was genuinely engaged, apologized for the inaccurate and hurtful comments he made about people living with HIV, and received our personal stories and the truth about HIV and its impact on Black and LGBTQ communities with deep respect.”
The open dialogue between the HIV community and DaBaby seems to have opened the door to talk more openly about the disease. Marnina Miller, who is a Community Outreach Coordinator from the Southern AIDS Coalition, reportedly gave a statement and said,
“DaBaby’s willingness to listen, learn, and grow can open the door to an entirely new generation of people to do the same.”
There is power in conversation and seeing a high-profile rapper like DaBaby get educated on the HIV disease and how stigmatizing it can be, can be a step in the right direction.
What do you think of DaBaby’s participation in getting educated on HIV? Let us know in the comments.