I watched Philadelphia with my mom two nights ago. We both really enjoyed the movie. It was very moving and intense. I enjoyed this film because the story felt so real to me - it was like I was in the courtroom while the trial was happening. Both Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington's performances were amazing. In the final scenes when Tom Hanks is dying, his portrayal is so realistic and thought provoking. Both my mother and I were moved to tears. It was so disgusting to watch the discrimination against Tom Hank's character. I felt that his sexual preference was one of the main reasons he was on trial.
I will never understand our country's fear of what we don't understand. Just because a person is different does not mean that they are wrong or beneath the majority. You would think that we might have learned from our past mistakes with racial prejudices. We have simply moved our prejudices to a different group of people. Are we really so insecure and ignorant that we must always have a target group for hatred? All human beings are equal no matter what the circumstances and I wonder if our country will ever collectively realize this. Philadelphia is a beautiful movie that touches on so many important issues and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys meaningful film.
The Question of the Week for this week made me feel really lucky to have my family. I have not always been the best daughter. In fact, I have put them through absolute hell. But they have always been there for me and put my needs over their needs at the drop of a hat. I know that they would be there for me and work through their own emotions in order to help me with anything I need. However, I really do not know if I could tell the majority of my friends. When I really think about it, I do not think a lot of people my age would be very supportive. They would probably never make an effort to hang out with me again and tell anybody that knows me. Its sad to think about how artificial some of my friendships are, but the stigma of HIV is very powerful. Whenever I tell some of my friends that I have to do HIV homework, they get this disgusted look on their face like ew why would you take an HIV class. I cannot imagine how they would react if they thought I had HIV.
***Did You Know?***
Here are some statistics that I think you should know about HIV and pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, about 120,000 to 160,000 women are infected with HIV in America. About 6,000 to 7,000 women with HIV will give birth every year. Approximately 15,000 children have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic, with about 3,000 deaths. 90% of child deaths from HIV are a result of HIV transmission during pregnancy or birth. Perinatal transmission is the term used when HIV is transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. Perinatal transmission is the most common form of HIV infection in children.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/hivaids.html
I saw that movie a long time ago and I enjoyed it too. I don't think that our prejudices have shifted at all, but there is no doubt discrimination against HIV positive people. If I was to relate it to racial issues I would only say that just like racial prejudices might have declined, or are better covered up, discrimination against HIV infected people might one day not be so evident. I don't think racism will end (at least not anytime soon) and unfortunately prejudices of all kinds might not either. I feel the same way with people our age and how they would perceive one of their peers telling them they were HIV positive. What’s funny is, we are in this class answering these questions, but do you think we would react any differently to someone’s diagnosis without taking this class?
ReplyDeleteCourtney, let me give you a piece of advice. If you truly think your friends would dump you if you had HIV, you really need to rethink your friendships. Life is too short. As far as giving you the "ew" look when you talk about your homework, that shows the level of maturity that they are at. It sounds like you are shaping up to be a fine and open-minded woman...I hope that you develop more enriching and genuine friendships at FSU. xo
ReplyDeletePhiladelphia...one of my favorite movies. No matter how many times I watch that, the part where Tom Hanks' brother says goodbye and breaks down in the hospital always makes me weep like a baby. Powerful stuff.
Perinatal transmission is a serious problem with HIV infection, but the rates are going down thanks to places like HUG-Me. I'm surprised to hear only 15,000 children have been infected...it would seem like it would be more. Thanks for your informative Did You Know.
Hello Courtney,
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think FSU is the worst place you could possibly be. You should try moving to Gainsville so that you can be a Florida Gator :). I heard that is where all the winners go... im just kidding. I think it is great that you are moving in with your sister. Sometimes we just need to get away for a little while so that we can live a different life. I am so sick of Orlando and I think it would do me good to get out for a little while. I am taking the semester off to go on vacations and have fun. Hopefully that will help me get it out of my system so I can come back strong in the fall.
Your statistics blew me out of the water. Those numbers are way too high for our country not to be focusing on them.