"Boss Man" McGee
His story was the darkest side of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and whispered urban legends that often turn out to be nothing but myths. But in 1996, these events became a harsh and disturbing reality.
He was called "Boss Man," and he roamed through the battle-scarred streets of East St. Louis, where boarded-up storefronts and burned-out cars are a common sight. Frequently at the wheel of expensive, flashy cars, the "Boss Man," whose real name was Darnell McGee, was known as a ladies' man, and rumors of his many conquests, including some very young girls, swept through the riverside slum in 1996. Though his source of income was unknown, McGee always seemed to have a lot of cash and would often take his girlfriends on shopping trips and lavish them with gifts.
To a young girl from East St. Louis, the attention may have been irresistible. But that happiness was short-lived and quickly turned to horror when it was revealed that Darnell "Boss Man" McGee was not only infected with the AIDS virus, but was spreading it to all his sex partners. According to a report in the Times, at least 62 women had been exposed to the deadly virus as a result of McGee's conduct (April 19, 1997).
His story was the darkest side of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and whispered urban legends that often turn out to be nothing but myths. But in 1996, these events became a harsh and disturbing reality.
He was called "Boss Man," and he roamed through the battle-scarred streets of East St. Louis, where boarded-up storefronts and burned-out cars are a common sight. Frequently at the wheel of expensive, flashy cars, the "Boss Man," whose real name was Darnell McGee, was known as a ladies' man, and rumors of his many conquests, including some very young girls, swept through the riverside slum in 1996. Though his source of income was unknown, McGee always seemed to have a lot of cash and would often take his girlfriends on shopping trips and lavish them with gifts.
To a young girl from East St. Louis, the attention may have been irresistible. But that happiness was short-lived and quickly turned to horror when it was revealed that Darnell "Boss Man" McGee was not only infected with the AIDS virus, but was spreading it to all his sex partners. According to a report in the Times, at least 62 women had been exposed to the deadly virus as a result of McGee's conduct (April 19, 1997).
How many Darnell McGees has there been since and how many are out there today?
At this point in the pandemic and with all of the information that is out there, can people who become infected (barring rape or some other situation outside of our personal control) place blame anywhere except on themselves?
1 comment:
I remember Bossman, he played in the midnight basketball league in my neighborhood. Bossman was like a god back then, everyone knew him or atleast knew of him. He had sex with over 100 women in our area and infected over 70.
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