P
rince
of
A
sturias
A
wards
1981-2014. S
peeches
5
Elizabeth Taylor,
on behalf of Amf
ar
—
Prince of Asturias Award
for Concord
1992
Since the long shadow of AIDS darkened the medical history books I have seen the best of times
and the worst of times. The best of people and the worst of people. I have seen nothing more
beautiful or brave than the undying spirit and courage of those fighting for their lives. I have never
seen the cruel or ugly in those sick or grieving; it was prejudice and violent discrimination that
offended me the most. It is time for the world to learn that people with AIDS are not our enemy;
it is solely the virus that we fight.
Nation by nation —in every country— it is time to stop the “us” and “them”. For we are all us;
those sick are all our children; those families are all our friends; and those lost are all our failures
because we have not done enough.
The world is looking to the United States and the affluent nations of the world to find the
medical solutions. They are looking to us for the compassionate and friendly policies that will
protect our people. We must not let them down. Scientists from Barcelona to Boston must work
together now. Educators from Ohio must share experience with those in Oviedo. And policy
makers in Washington must set the humane example and truly lead the world. So far we have not
done well enough. If we don’t change this soon, there is a dark future for the world and we will all
have blood on our hands.
Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) was
cofounding president of Amf
ar
.
—
Excerpt from the speech given on
the occasion of receiving the Prince
of Asturias Award for Concord on
31/10/1992.
