IMD360 Non-linear Narratives: Homework: Dissect chosen article into facts, opinion & perspectives, and structure 4/08/13

HIV/AIDS Discrimination

Facts

AIDS stigma and discrimination exist worldwide, although they manifest themselves differently across countries, communities, religious groups and individuals. They occur alongside other forms of stigma and discrimination, such as racism, stigma based on physical appearance, and homophobia it can be directed towards those involved in what are considered socially unacceptable activities such as prostitution or drug use.

Stigma not only makes it more difficult for people trying to come to terms with HIV and manage their illness on a personal level, but it also interferes with attempts to fight the AIDS epidemic as a whole. On a national level, the stigma associated with HIV can detour governments from taking fast, effective action against the epidemic, when on a personal level it can make individuals reluctant to access HIV testing, treatment and care.

Opinions & Perspectives

Many people are at least somewhat concerned about the possibility that they will become infected with HIV, and in 2006, significant minorities of the public still incorrectly think HIV might be transmitted through various forms of casual contact, such as kissing, sharing a drinking glass, and touching a toilet seat. These lingering misconceptions are potentially a contributing factor to prejudice against HIV-positive individuals, since people who believe that HIV can be transmitted in these ways are much more likely to express discomfort about working with someone who has AIDS. Fear of being stigmatized by one's HIV status (or perceived HIV status) also appears to have at least some relationship to people's decisions about whether or not to get tested for HIV. About one in five say that if they were to be tested for HIV, people they know would think less of them.

Structure

I want to start off by focusing on individuals who have HIV/AIDS and how it affected their lives, Then venture off into focusing on individuals on how they feel about discrimination on the virus. This can be related to industry professionals, teachers, students, etc. Then, I’m going end with focusing on the upside of living with the virus and different actions people can take to make their lives easier.