MY FRIENDS DANTE AND DANIEL.

I have just hanged the phone. My client DANTE has just called me. He said: “Dra. me quedé solito”. He told me that his husband had died one week ago, from Cancer. It was quite shocking for me.

All kind of images came to my mind. Beautiful, funny, joyful memories, related to their marriage and the subsequent party, two years ago.

Dante had been my client for more than 11 years: I had fought for him against discrimination. I had made him cash compensation damages for an unfair dismissal, due to the fact that he had been discriminated for being sick of HIV and for being a Homosexual.

Later on, he settled down with his boyfriend and begun a period of happiness. They worked a lot in a KIOSK of their own, and they begun to be recognized by many people due to their commitment, hard work and enormous kindness.

In 2010 the Government passed a law, allowing them to marry.  They decided to marry in order to bless their union, and at the same time, in order to ensure their rights and celebrate their profound love. They invited us. My husband and I went to their wedding celebration and really enjoyed it. We got to know all their family.

It was clear that this couple had had a real struggle in life in order to live in peace.  A video was shown during the party:  Dante and Daniel had been obliged to face all sorts of difficulties. But they were married by then. They were happy as husband and husband.

Later on, they both came to my office:  the VIH was stealthily invading the body of Daniel (this time) and he was subject to all kind of subsequent illnesses.  Pneumonia, and after that, one type of Cancer, were trying to conquer Daniel and his weak strengths.  Along with that, their social insurance did not want to provide for the medicines... it was terrible.  We had to work hard (legally), to fight again, in order to enforce the rights of Daniel. (This time, Daniel, not Dante).

But at present, Daniel has died.

 Dante feels quite lonely. “Solito”. I feel so sorry for him. He is more than a client, he is my friend. I have to help him again.

My reflection coincides with what I felt at the time of their celebration:  The Act the Government passed on 2010 was SO right! It allowed for the needs of so many people who were treated so far as pariahs!   My friends had at least the opportunity to be respected as a formal couple for three years. Along with that, a new Paradigm has leached into the people’s mind:   All of us are equals and have the same rights, regardless of our sexual orientation.  

MY TIME IS A CELL-PHONE´S SLAVE!!

MY TIME IS A CELL-PHONE´S SLAVE!!

My time is a cell phone´s slave!!

Today I would like to reflect upon the role cell phones have come to get into the life of people and how that fact has consequences on their working relationships.

Nowadays, cell phones seem to be part of the identity of most people (I was going to write “our identity”. But, in fact, I do not agree with that...   A cell phone is NOT part of my identity, fortunately. Not yet).

First Act:  The acquisition.

THE "WHITES" AND THE "LATINO". Am I truly equalitarian?

THE "WHITES" AND THE "LATINO". Am I truly equalitarian?

I´ve been watching some of the episodes of a new series today. It is called "DEVIOUS MAIDS".  The series talks about some "latino" maids who work for "white" families in Beverly Hills.  It is amazing how far American people go as regards the differentiation of "races":  The maids are "latin", and they are not considered to be "white". (!)

So, that has sprung two thoughts on me:

First of all, it seems that all of us are not "white" for the standards of Americans.  The whole series tries to tackle one possible nightmare those people may have: that all of their silenced, hidden maids and employees, would eventually be playing "AGAINST THEM" and their interests. I mean, the hidden theory states that these women would be acting against the poor, exploited and helpless white people who are true Americans.

Secondly, I try to apply the lesson to me, my country, my family: to which extent am I truly equalitarian? Have I or Have I not, prejudices in my heart, as regards colour, religion, culture? I made some sort of conscious exam, and I cannot say I am fully innocent of being prejudicial.  

As regards my country: Is it really true that in Argentina we have no differences or classes or "race divisions"?  I think that is not true:  people involuntarily disguise their way of thinking. In fact, -for instance- we tend to mistreat those people who come from our Northern borders, while we die for shaking hands with whoever comes from America or Europe. 

I will have my eyes opened as regards ME and my attitudes

, since at least I am responsible for myself.

STREET DRIVING RULES.

Street Driving Rules.

This week, I will reflect upon this topic:  Schools do not teach street driving rules. At least, it seems so.