In the early stages of identifying HIV, it was first believed that only certain individuals were able to become infected. This group was known as the 4-H group: homosexuals, hemophiliacs, heroin addicts and Haitians. The stigma of HIV was that it infected people with promiscuous or unclean ways. Jerry Falwell, a televangelist, fundamentalist Southern Baptist pastor and conservative cofounder of the Moral Majority, became a known voice in the oppression of those with HIV disease.
One of his famous quotes was, "AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals, it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals. The hate he preached, along with the rest of the Moral Majority and the Religious Right, started to seep into American culture and turn otherwise normal and resonable people into hate mongers with their own prejudices against those with HIV disease. Although former President Ronald Reagan was notoriously quiet about the AIDS epidemic during his presidency, his right-wing advisors were able to make their views on HIV disease known far and wide. This ignorance would cause ordinary Americans to turn on Ryan White and the Ray brothers - innocent young victims of HIV.
Ryan White contracted HIV in 1984, when he was 13.He was a hemophiliac who had acquired the disease after surgery to remove his lung. After he recovered, his mother was told that he was not allowed to attend school anymore. Even after the state Department of Health said it was safe for Ryan to go to school, the people of his hometown fought tooth and nail to keep him out.
The school superintendent banned him from attending school, fifty teachers voted to keep him out of school, and parents of other students signed a total of 117 forms threatening to sue if he was allowed in school. Eventually the Board of Education ordered Ryan to be allowed to go to school.When he finally did go back, almost half of the students were absent and 7 transferred. Along with an auction held to raise money to keep Ryan out of school, a bullet being fired into the White's home, and harassment at church and in school, Ryan's life was made a living hell because of the stigma of HIV disease. In Florida, three hemophiliac brothers named Ray, Robert and Randy Ray also faced the extreme prejudices against those with HIV. The school board banned them from attending school, but the parents of the Ray boys sued for the right to attendance and won.
After this, the Rays recieved numerous death threats and bomb threats. A house fire soon after destroyed their house. None of the Ray's were hurt but they decided to flee their hometown. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. But how did it start infecting humans so recently? Viruses that are closely related to HIV, called SIVs, have been found in primates. Scientists believe that the source for HIV may have been cross species transmission between humans and chimpanzees.
The cause of HIV is believed to be caused by the transfer of viruses that naturally affect primates such as chimps.ACT UP, an AIDS activist group, has been very critical of the pharmacutical company Burroughs Wellcome. When the medication AZT was approved for treatment of HIV, Burroughs Wellcome priced it at an exhorbiant $8,000 a year. This is still the most expensive medication in history.
Using hardcore protests, ACT UP members demanded a reduction in the price of AZT, complaining that Burroughs Wellcome was taking advantage of people with HIV/AIDS who needed these medications. The cost of AZT was eventually reduced, but it was still very expensive.South Africa has been known for ineffectively dealing with the AIDS epidemic. Former President Thabo Mbeki was notorious for his support of AIDS Denialism (the theory that AIDS is not caused by HIV).
He used these views to block universal HIV medications for South Africans. Nelson Mandela has criticized Mbeki's actions, saying that the AIDS epidemic is basically a war and debating the cause is not imporant right now. Mandela has lost a son to AIDS, so for him, it's personal. Uganda's President Museveni is known for having one of the most successful battles against HIV disease in his tenure.
Uganda went from having one of the highest HIV infection rates to a comparatively low rate of infection. One of Museveni's famous campaigns was his ABC campaign, which urged to either abstain, be faithful to your loved one or use condoms. This campaign has been seen as very effective and has increased funding for South Africa. Former President Ronald Reagan's reaction was one of silence.
HIV infection and related deaths were increasing enormously as his term went on, yet Reagan remained quiet about the epidemic until 1987, 7 years after he became President.Many believe that the AIDS epidemic may not have been so devastating had Reagan done more. Bill Clinton has been very active in dealing with HIV/AIDS. He has founded the Clinton Foundation, which has helped reduce the cost of antiretrovirals and improve treatment and prevention efforts in the countries that need it. George W. Bush asked Congress to commit $15 billion towards AIDS in Africa and the Carribean.
During his administration, the cost of antiretrovirals went down and the number of Africans on treatment went up. Despite the criticizm, Bush has done a lot in the battle against HIV.At first, many of the HIV positive people in Brazil could not afford expensive antiretrovirals. Thanks to the Brazilian government, this has changed.
Brazil now has the ability to make non-patented, generic drugs which greatly reduces the price. Along with using negotiations with multi-national pharmacutical companies to reduce the price of antiretrovials that are patented, now medications are much more affordable for people in Brazil living with HIV and AIDS. Senator Jesse Helms was a Republican senator who was known as a traditionalist and a conservative.He has urged for cuts in AIDS funding and made disparaging comments about people with AIDS. In a 2002 interview with rock star Bono, Bono reminded Helms that the only judgement in the Bible was against people who didn't help the poor.
Later, Helms tearfully repented his remarks about AIDS. I think that many of the problems in treating the AIDS epidemic come from the attitudes of many of the important people all around the world. After seeing this movie, I see how many ignorant and negative reactions came forth.From demonizing people who have HIV, to pushing back progress by pressing incorrect theories and denying lifesaving treatment and medications, it seems like the AIDS epidemic could have and still can be dealt with better. Global funding such as Clinton and Bush have pushed for is the key to helping the weaker countries.
Even simple strategies such as the ABC policy should be implemented and suggested more since prevention is key. Distribution of condoms and HIV/AIDS awareness information is also necessary to prevent the spread of HIV.
