Whisper of Aids
Samantha Blum
Comp 1
Mrs. L-P
20 January 2012
“The Whisper of AIDS” is a very powerful speech. Mary Fisher wrote a very effective speech; one that would change a lot of American’s views on AIDS. This speech triggered emotions and brought forth an issue rarely talked about in that time of the world.
Mary Fisher’s main point was to rid the stereotypes of people who contracted the sexually transmitted disease, AIDS. Fisher was a Caucasian female. She was not poor, not African American, and not homosexual. She did not contract AIDS from being with multiple partners; she got it from her husband. Fisher wanted people to know that AIDS can happen to anyone.
In her speech she said, “It [AIDS] 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.” In this speech, she was talking to the Republican National Convention. By comparing the two completely opposite political parties (Republicans and Democrats), it shows that truly anyone can be victims of this disease.
Fisher really made people think when she stated, “Though I am white and a mother, I am one with a black infant struggling with tubes in a Philadelphia hospital. Though I am female and contracted this disease in marriage and enjoy the warm support of my family, I am one with the lonely gay man sheltering a flickering candle from the cold wind of his family’s rejection.” She used a method known as “pathos”, which is using emotions to convince an audience in what you are saying. By a normal woman comparing herself to the typical stereotypes of AIDS, Fisher opened eyes about this disease. Many people thought only African American’s could contract AIDS because the disease is said to be originated from Africa and the disease was well-known there.
Fisher was known to be very wealthy. This also helped people realize it’s not just the poor it can happen to. Fisher also talked about President Bush Sr.’s family supporting
Comp 1
Mrs. L-P
20 January 2012
“The Whisper of AIDS” is a very powerful speech. Mary Fisher wrote a very effective speech; one that would change a lot of American’s views on AIDS. This speech triggered emotions and brought forth an issue rarely talked about in that time of the world.
Mary Fisher’s main point was to rid the stereotypes of people who contracted the sexually transmitted disease, AIDS. Fisher was a Caucasian female. She was not poor, not African American, and not homosexual. She did not contract AIDS from being with multiple partners; she got it from her husband. Fisher wanted people to know that AIDS can happen to anyone.
In her speech she said, “It [AIDS] 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.” In this speech, she was talking to the Republican National Convention. By comparing the two completely opposite political parties (Republicans and Democrats), it shows that truly anyone can be victims of this disease.
Fisher really made people think when she stated, “Though I am white and a mother, I am one with a black infant struggling with tubes in a Philadelphia hospital. Though I am female and contracted this disease in marriage and enjoy the warm support of my family, I am one with the lonely gay man sheltering a flickering candle from the cold wind of his family’s rejection.” She used a method known as “pathos”, which is using emotions to convince an audience in what you are saying. By a normal woman comparing herself to the typical stereotypes of AIDS, Fisher opened eyes about this disease. Many people thought only African American’s could contract AIDS because the disease is said to be originated from Africa and the disease was well-known there.
Fisher was known to be very wealthy. This also helped people realize it’s not just the poor it can happen to. Fisher also talked about President Bush Sr.’s family supporting