AIDS AND ACCUSATION

Paul Farmer is quite the inspiration. Reading his book has put countless ideas concerning Haiti's relationship with the US in perspective for me. I have read up on the history of Haiti before, but never in the context of the issue with HIV/AIDS. His background information and history on the oppression of a whole country since its creation explains many questions frequently asked when Americans think of Haiti. Our discussion on Thursday about the importance of including history of a culture and the importance that culture plays in an epidemic made me even more appreciative of Farmers writing style for this piece. When you only look at a demographic, you see numbers. Every number is a person. Farmer, with his focus on medical anthropolgy, does well not to forget this. When we forget that each number is a life and that each life had a history, our problem changes from just an epidemic to an epidemic of blame and ignorance.

NOTORIOUS

Today's discussion on Shevory's Notorious HIV was extremely interesting to me. I love to hear the class get excited about a topic, and especially argue with how an author does things. I feel when this happens we get more out of the assignment. Nushawn Williams was a sticky situation and reminded me of the case I have been reporting on Twitter about lately. Phillipe Padieu, 54, has been sent to prison after transmitting HIV and infecting at least 11 past girlfriends. After it was proven that he knew he was infected and continued to have unprotected sex, Padieu was convicted in a TX courtroom of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and later sentenced to 45 years in prison. Like Dr. Orvis said, it is hard to come to a definite answer when dealing with the issue of transmission, denial, and knowledge of infection. There are so many "what if"s, so many "but..."s it is hard to decide how to go about this within the means of the law--or if it should be brought into this spectrum at all.

href="http://abcnews.go.com/2020/women-contracted-hiv-speak/story?id=8594640"

The Education of Shelby Knox.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but this documentary brought an immense sadness to my heart. How do we combat ignorance and those desperate to turning a blind eye in hopes of keeping up mindless "appearances"? Though I agree with some of my classmates about the reliability of Shelby Knox as a narrator and leader for such daunting topics--especially for such a young girl--I also agree with Dr. Orvis in saying that these huge events can be jarring for one who has been taught certain things her whole life. I have never had to go through the let down of religion vs. personal convictions, but I absolutely have an appreciation for those who have and had to choose the path that may disagree with those of the people they love and respect. I found updates on Shelby Knox on the Lubbock, TX town website, www.lubbockonline.com. These days she is dealing with addressing the issues of the LGBT community and the process of "coming out". I found it interesting that she is still so passionate and continuing to push forward. http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/100209/fea_500173584.shtml

reflecting on the midterm

Our discussion in class for the oral portion of the exam was interesting and beneficial for me. Getting feedback in class discussions/debates always helps me keep my opinions and real views in perspective and in check. I appreciate arguing and admitting when I've spoken too broadly or unfairly. I learn the easiest when it comes to relating to others, especially those whose opinions I value, such as my classmates. Maddi especially touched me with her story of her mother and the horrors she deals with while living on medicare. I said, "It's weird because I completely agree with what Maddi says." I've always believed that everything is relative and there is no such thing as a black and white subject. The midterm class proved this true with every turn around the table and, though I might not have agreed with everything said, I enjoyed every minute.

come together

I like to think that we have come so far, but in reality, there is so much to still be done. Though there are stigmas out there against different groups at high risk for HIV, we must still remember that we are trying to address everyone, not just the LGBT community. That is the whole point of our class, is it not? I know I am feeling a little left out of the loop in class when we discuss the struggles of the people that aren't "average" as some in class have put it. We have to realize our own stigmas. We can't assume everyone is out to judge and shun and turn a blind eye. Like we discussed during our image presentations, it is all in how you present your arguement. It depends on how you word things and the point you are trying to get across. We have to think in terms of "maybe this person is accepting and wants to help this cause if they just get the right information", as opposed to combating problems by out-ing others who may be LGBT or HIV positive. This doesn't help the cause for the individual, who is the real concern. Every group is made up of different "one"'s.

Treichler talk.

Paula Treichler's article, AIDs, Homophobia, and Biomedical Discourse: An Epidemic of Signification", was extremely eye-opening and in some cases humorous. However sad, I love the part on pg. 17 describing how doctors in the early years of the epidemic thought that missionary position was a safe bet. They continue to delve deeper into the real issues like, "[AIDs]is a gay disease: how can a virus carry a disease from one man's body to another man's? Where would it get in?" Genius. I especially loved the part about my rugged vagina being more capable of handling trauma. Illustrations included? No thank you.

a common thought

There are many ideas and beliefs that trascend culture and situation. It was mentioned in class the a couple of weeks ago that it is common for many people (whether they are gay, straight, monogamous, or a seller of sex) to equate using a condom, or not using one, to an issue of love. Prostitutes are famous for charging extra for kissing or hugging, something one would expect to be related to a romantic feeling..but using a not using a condom? I guess it can make sense. Maybe it is just an excuse for clients who are trying to convince them to do otherwise. It is so important to count every group, every individual, in the "war on HIV", but the list is so extensive. I just feel like it is such a daunting task that sometimes it feels like a losing battle. I am still completely up to talking with the school board, or whoever is in charge, and getting more condoms in the residence halls on campus, and hopefully in the student union. If a group could make light of an issue like sex and give prizes (like the sex festival last year that only lasted two days) every other week, imagine what we could do in spreading the word and helping the fight!