Someone has to speak out
The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in America was a huge crisis during the 1900s. Not knowing the true nature of AIDS, the society and policy makers simply alienated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive population. The stigma of AIDS exacerbated existing problems of prejudice and social inequity. However, Mary Fisher’s inspiring speech cleverly titled, “A Whisper of AIDS,” effectively promoted awareness of HIV and AIDS throughout the United States, and brought a change to a public policy on AIDS related issues. Her speech demonstrates the role of activist in shaping public policy in 1900s.
The human immune system disorder now known as AIDS was first identified in the United States in
Since she has exposed that it can happen to Republicans, people like her, the once hostile audience of right wing republicans began to pay closer attention to the issue she brought up. This courageous speech she gave made her become of the top the activists in the country.
The same message as Mary Fisher’s speech was delivered by Democratic National Convention speaker Elizabeth Glaser, the wife of actor-director Paul Michael Glaser. Mrs. Glaser, who contracted the deadly virus from a blood transfusion, passed the virus on to both of her children; a daughter died of AIDS four years ago. She was a friend of Mary and they both wanted the country to pay attention to AIDS crises. Although they gave speech in different political parties, since they thought AIDS crises is a human issue, not a political issue, they both avoid criticizing each other’s party. But Mrs. Glaser did express her feelings about the message she hoped Mary would deliver at the Republican convention: "It is important that [Mary Fisher] not let the Republican Party off the hook, because they have not done what they need to do." And in the republican convention, Mary Fisher didn't let her party off the hook. A lifelong Republican, Mary who was the first female "advance man" in Gerald R. Ford's White House, successfully emphasized that AIDS is “our”