Mary Fisher and Elizabeth Glaser both utilize the National Conventions of their political parties to acknowledge the toll that AIDS has taken on people, and what was being done to find a cure. In order to spread awareness of AIDS and voice their personal experiences, both women connect with all Americans on working together against this life-threatening subject. Fisher and Glaser both open their speeches by addressing the obvious: they don’t fit in with the stereotypical AIDS victim. Fisher destroys all stereotypes by saying AIDS “does not ask”, and “does not care.” While doing this, she is emphasizing that anyone is at risk, regardless of who you are. Fisher also proves that because she has contracted this virus, she is “one with” all AIDS survivors, struggling for help and being ignored. Similarly, Glaser touches on this topic by ironically identifying as a “strange spokesperson for such a group”, and even bluntly calls herself a “well-to-do white woman.” By doing this, she is showing the nation she has …show more content…
If the people don’t support the research of a cure for AIDS, they will never find it. Fisher argues that one day, children shouldn’t be afraid or discouraged to even speak about AIDS. She draws in the audience to sympathize with her, and discusses her desires for her children in the future. This illustrates the impact that everyone has on future generations. She closes her piece by adding “God bless the children”, which further pushes the idea that they are the future of America and need to be protected. In a similar manner, Glaser implies that everyone needs to contribute in order to seek change by saying “all our lives, not just mine, depend on it.” She is convincing them to become selfless, and realize this virus affects everyone. Both women persuade America to stop ignoring the epidemic, and encourages all citizens to use their voice-- whether they’re a victim or
Even after the disease and its modes of transmission had been correctly identified, fear and ignorance remained widespread. In the mid 1980s, “AIDS hysteria” became a well known term in the media and public life. For example, a magazine published details about how extensive AIDS/HIV related discrimination became. “Anxiety over AIDS in some parts of the U.S. is verging on hysteria,” the authors wrote; they later published this disturbing example:
First, you and your audience might share common ground prior to your speech”(p.246). In my opinion, I feel Mary makes most of the audience that listens or watches this speech feel that they all have common ground towards this issue of HIV and Aids, and that we shouldn't put shame on people that have this disease but, instead support them. A good example of this is in the speech when Mary said “It does not care whether you are Democrat or Republican; it does not ask whether you are black or white, male or female, gay or straight, young or old.” Her saying this makes everyone feel united and gives a feel of common ground between the whole audience because, Mary explains that we are all potential victims of this disease regardless of race, color, and etc. She is simply saying that we need to come together on this issue and support each other. In a Science Direct news article about HIV and Aids, Bowler, Sheon, D'angelo, and Vermund (2004) said “More comprehensive prevention and treatment services are needed to prevent on-going expansion of HIV infection and AIDS in the adolescent age group”(p.345). This is an example of how Mary speech explains, that we are in this all together and gives a sense of common ground because, adolescents are next in line to run our world, and we should be doing everything possible to protect
“The Terrifying Normalcy of AIDS” is an essay written by Stephen Jay Gould, in which he talks about a dangerous disease that is spreading and becoming an issue to mankind, and that it is more of a mechanism than an irregular occurrence which I agree with. Stephen Jay Gould also shares his thoughts on our capabilities with the utilization of technology are boundless; especially when it comes to these types of ailments that threaten our kind, which is something I do not side with. Also, Stephen Jay Gould goes on to say that most people are misinformed about the disease and do not fully understand it.
On August 20th, 1992 Mary Fisher addressed the Republican National Convention in Houston, Texas in what is now one of the most famous speeches given in recent American history. Fisher, the daughter of a wealthy Republican, spoke on the importance being aware of the increasing danger of HIV/AIDS. Speaking from experience, Fisher is able talk about the danger of ignorance from the disease. She deploys metaphors and allusions pertaining to the Holocaust, as well as hypothetical experiences, to address a complacent, if not oppositional, Republican crowd. Fisher attempts to convince her political listeners of the very real danger that comes with ignoring HIV/AIDS. Fisher deploys a combination of the three appeals of logos, ethos and pathos to strengthen her speech as a persuasive argument. She expands upon her discussion by using metaphor throughout as an effective
Mary Fisher is an American author, artist, and political activist born in 1948. She opted to become an outspoken HIV/AIDS activist after contracting AIDS from her second husband. She is a daughter of the wealthy and powerful republican fundraiser Max Fisher. The speech entitled “A Whisper of AIDS”; she delivered it in Houston, TX on 19 August during the Republican National Convention Address. She delivered this speech and set up nearness and full focus of her audience. Mary Fisher uses appeals of pathos, information, and imagery to shape her ethic sound and response towards this rhetorical situation of HIV/AIDS.
Randy Shilts set out to make monumental changes in the world’s perspective of AIDS. He planned to enlighten, motivate, and educate the population on this tragic disease that has already claimed so many lives. He believed that virtually all the misconceptions about AIDS would be corrected and the public would insist that more be done to stop the epidemic. "I had hoped to effect some fundamental changes. I really believed I could alter the performance of the institutions that had allowed AIDS to sweep through America unchecked" (220). Shilts’s immense expectations positioned him for his inevitable sense of failure. He did not accomplished all that he had planned. AIDS was still spreading and people were still dying. "The bitter irony is, my role as an AIDS celebrity just gives me a more elevated promontory from which to watch the world make the same mistakes in the handling of the AIDS epidemic that I hoped my work would help to change"(220).
Steven Epstein is a sociologist whose expertise lies in health care inequalities and research on human subjects. Published in 1995, Impure Science: AIDS, Activism, and the Politics of Knowledge is a study of the politicized production of knowledge in the AIDS epidemic in the United States. This work shows Epstein’s interest in how expertise is constructed, the ways in which those who are considered “outsiders” can influence medicine, and how credibility is gained and lost. Epstein focuses on the question of how knowledge is produced through complex interactions among government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, scientists, medical people, and “treatment activists” to discover how knowledge about AIDS emerges out of what he calls "credibility struggles."
...be pathway to autonomy by supporting a person’s entitlement to make decisions about their own health and health care (Feinsod & Wagner, 2008). It is a person’s right to know when they seek medical treatment it will be delivered with no bias or discrimination. This can be achieved by continuing AIDS education in health care facilities and to their staff. The education would also benefit society. The health care community has an ethical duty to do whatever is needed to ensure that all patients, including those with AIDS, gain from the most current treatments. Nurses have many roles in patient care. Expanding some of those roles, in order to determine the various aspects of a patient’s life, to help organize services to start/continue the most current treatment available to AIDS patients, may assist in minimizing the fear of discrimination in the clinical setting.
In 1960 American Journalist and Politician, Clare Boothe Luce delivered a speech to Journalists at the Women's National Press CLub, criticizing the American Press in favor of public demand for sensational stories. Luce prepares her audience for her message through the use of a critical tone.
...ar. "Hiv/Aids Managing A Pandemic." Americas 61.2 (2009): 20-27. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
Elizabeth Glaser, co-founder of the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, was infected with the AIDS virus during a blood transfusion when she was giving birth to her first child. Her daughter became quite ill in 1985 and after several tests and treatments the entire family was tested for the human immunodeficiency virus. Elizabeth, her daughter, Ariel, and her son, Jake, all tested positive. She then went to Washington, D.C. to help fight AIDS and raise awareness for the cause. She met with several influential politicians, activists, and first ladies including President Reagan, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush to discuss ways to improve HIV care and research.
"Demanding that life near AIDS is an inextricably other reality denies our ability to recreate a sustaining culture and social structures, even as we are daily required to devote such time to the details of the AIDS crisis." -Cindy Patton
Few people are fearless speakers. As students, we generally feel the rumble of butterflies in our stomachs, but the most we have to lose is a good grade.
On August 19, 1992 in Houston, Texas, Mary Fisher, the HIV-positive daughter of prominent Republican fundraiser Max Fisher, gives her keynote speech “A Whisper of Aids” to the Republican National Convention (1). Fisher’s purpose is “to lift the shroud of silence which has been draped over the issue of HIV/AIDS” epidemic (1). Fisher succeeds in her overall persuasiveness by effectively using ethos, logos, and pathos throughout her address to the conservative Republican Party to advocate for awareness, education, and the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. Across the world the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, solidarity and support, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. But the disease is also associated with stigma, repression and discrimination, as individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have been rejected by their families, their loved ones and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the north as it does in the poorer countries of the south.