The AIDS Epidemic and It's Hysteria
Continued prejudice against those infected with this disease
The Recognition of AIDS in the 1980's
"AIDS Causes Blindness." (AIDS Action Committee)
San Francisco Castro District Protests
Propaganda used to Educate the Country on AIDS
Ryan White
The Crucible
Hysteria in the 1980's
Throughout the witch trials we see that all those accused of witchcraft and put on trial, forget their morals and would rather save themselves than others. Mary Warren promised John Proctor that she would defend his wife, Elizabeth Proctor in court. But, Mary Warren would rather save herself from Abigail than tell the truth about Elizabeth. We see this in Ryan White's case. He needed his communities support when he was diagnosed with AIDS but, instead of support he was tormented. They did not protect him like they should have but instead, isolated him even further, in order to protect themselves. The people in his community feared they would "catch AIDS" if they came in contact with Ryan.
We see in The Crucible that many ditch their morals and sacrifice others to make sure they are safe in their own community. When Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS his own teachers turned on him, not wanting him to return to school. They do this in order to protect themselves from the disease but, they are doing more harm than good.
Work Cited
Johnson, Dirk. "Ryan White Dies of AIDS at 18; His Struggle Helped Pierce Myths." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 9 Apr. 1990. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/09/obituaries/ryan-white-dies-of-aids-at-18-his-struggle-helped-pierce-myths.html>.
"Thirty Years of HIV/AIDS: Snapshots of an Epidemic." AmfAR. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.amfar.org/thirty-years-of-hiv/aids-snapshots-of-an-epidemic/>.
Boynton, Andrew. "Remembering St. Vincent’s - The New Yorker." The New Yorker. 16 May 2013. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/remembering-st-vincents>.
"History of HIV & AIDS in the U.S.A." HIV and AIDS Information and Resources. AVERT. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.avert.org/history-hiv-aids-usa.htm#footnote1_09m2r8l>.
Frank, Priscilla. "12 Stunning Photos Reveal How San Francisco's Castro District Changed History." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/10/thomas-alleman_n_4915182.html>.