0

•  Email
•  Comments
•  (2)
•  Print-Friendly
•  Glossary
•  Subscribe

How sad that this story continues and the school has not reversed course. Each night for the past three nights CNN's Anderson Cooper AC360 news show has made this a top story and has been giving it a lot of attention. Thank you Anderson for keeping this in the public domain. To view a clip of the story that appeared on AC360 the other night, click here.

The communications director of the school has made numerous on-air appearances continuing to support statements coming from the school. Does Connie McNamara, vice president of communications at Milton Hershey School really stand behind these statements each night, does she really believe in the words in these statements, and is she THAT uneducated about HIV/AIDS?!? Or, is she trying to keep a job? If I were her, I would do the right thing and resign my position immediately. I feel this fear goes deeper into the administration at Milton Hershey and those NOT in support of this decision have a moral duty to walk away, bring down the veil and reveal who the real fear mongers are at this school. It is time for Milton Hershey Trust Company to intervene in this matter!

I cannot believe the ignorance surrounding this story, and why the parents of these children of the school are not in support of this boy?!? Have we really fallen back 20+ years on AIDS education and awareness? I am mad and saddened. If I had the organizing power I would organize busloads of protestors to descend on the school and we would hold out for days, or weeks. If not to force the school to accept this student, but to stand in solidarity with this student as reminder that HIV/AIDS is still around 30 years later, and that this kind of discrimination today, especially in America cannot be tolerated.

I am further outraged that a school founded by The Hershey Co. in 1909 and financed by the Milton Hershey School Trust, which also holds the controlling interest in The Hershey Co. has yet to issue a statement or intervene in this matter. Below is part of the mission statement for The Hershey Co.:

At The Hershey Company, we make the chocolate brands that people love. Hershey's Mission Statement, Bringing sweet moments of Hershey happiness to the world every day, summarizes our company, our people, our past and our future. Our history of producing the world's best treats goes back more than 100 years. We take great pride in our brands and in the fun and enjoyment our products add to the lives of our consumers.

Hershey has a distinguished record of supporting the well-being of children through our relationship with Milton Hershey School. The School was established by the company's founder in 1909 and provides a nurturing environment, quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. The School is administered by The Hershey Trust Company, Hershey's largest shareholder, making the students of Milton Hershey School direct beneficiaries of Hershey's success.

By denying this child access to the Milton Hershey School, Hershey Co. has gone 100 years back on its strong values, and distinguished record of supporting the well-being of children. Milton Hershey School and Hershey Co. have put the well-being of this child at risk, and the school and Hershey Co. should be held liable to the highest extent of the law. No longer will I think of Hershey as bringing sweet moments and happiness to the world every day. When I see a Hershey product it will bring me disgust and sadness. I will forever connect The Hershey Co. brand with this horrific display of ignorance.

I have started a petition on change.org asking people to sign and leave a comment, regarding boycotting the Hershey brand and supporting a statement directly from The Hershey Trust Company. Again, if I had the organizing power I would position protestors outside grocery stores throughout the country, asking shoppers to boycott Hershey products; especially during this holiday season.

I can only hope the community of Hershey, Pa., surrounding communities, the students and the parents of the school take a stand, by rising up to HIV, dismantle the ignorance that lies deep within this school's administration. As a PLWH and in solidarity with those around the world; we must and will continue to educate the public on the very minimal risks of contracting HIV/AIDS. I would immediately call on and ask The Hershey Trust Company to intervene and issue a statement on this matter.

In the interim I have compiled a list below of all Hershey products you may consider boycotting, and remember to sign the petition!

With sadness in my heart and with hope for a positive outcome,

Sign the petition.

Send Kevin an e-mail.

Get e-mail notifications every time Kevin's blog is updated.

Tips and Resources to Help You Maintain Your Sobriety Over the Holidays

Video: This Is My Story, What's Yours?

  

0

•  Email
•  Comments
•  (2)
•  Print-Friendly
•  Glossary
•  Subscribe

HIV-Positive 13-Year-Old Honor Student DENIED Education by Milton Hershey School Remembering Ryan White and Thoughts on Milton Hershey School More on HIV/AIDS-Related Discrimination Cases

• 

  Viva Mi Gente!: 12 Latino Celebrities and Characters Who Thrust …
• 

  Tips on Telling Others You're Positive
• 

  Damn, Ladies, You Have All the Control
• 

  Neuropathy: Facts and Fiction
• 

  Botswana, Mississippi? The Magnolia State's HIV Crisis
• 

  HIV Meds Protect Against Doubled Cancer Risk in Positive Men
• 

  This PrEP-ed Life: Damon Jacobs on Sex and Dating in a New Era of HIV …
• 

  CROI 2013: Research on Aging and HIV (Video)
• 

  Reaching Undetectable While Pregnant
• 

  Day One With HIV: "Coming Out of the Second Closet"
• 

  AIDS Is a Bitch
• 

  Danish Study Targets HIV Reservoir, in Latest Search for HIV Cure
• 

  Six Reasons Why People Skip Their HIV Meds
• 

  My Shifting Seat on the HIV Merry-Go-Round
• 

  Treatment as Prevention: What You Need to Know
• 

  No, HIV Is NOT About to Be Cured in Three Months
• 

  HIV Among Pregnant Women, Infants and Children in the United States
• 

  North Carolina: Teen Medical Ban Could Threaten Gay Youth, Say …
• 

  A Timeline of Women Living With HIV: Turning Up the Volume on Women's …
• 

  Day One With HIV: "I Had Never Actually Met Anyone Who Was …
• 

  This Positive Life: Now Over 50, Ed Viera Reflects on HIV's …
• 

  Changing My Mind on Treatment as Prevention

Kevin Maloney

Random things about me: I am kind, caring, respectful and wanting to make a difference/impact in the World. I've been to Australia, New Zealand and 13 countries in Europe, and have traveled and lived all over the United States. I have a Bachelor's degree in Health Services Management and will be working towards my Master's In Public Health. I am an uncle of two of the MOST adorable girls in the World, and have one brother. I am a Momma's boy, and it is hard to see my mother's health in such a deteriorated state -- she has severe COPD (from 40 years of smoking). In March 2010 I was told that I have HIV and a month later, with follow-up labs, was then told I also acquired hepatitis C (not through IV drug use). I aspire to great things. Stay tuned.

Check out Kevin's YouTube channel!

Recent Posts:

View All Posts

The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself.

The Body: About The Body | Contact The Body | Content Policy | Content Providers | Advertise With Us | Site Map

Remedy Health Media: About Remedy Health Media | Contact Remedy Health Media | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 500 5th Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10110. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.