Mary Fisher- a Whisper of Aids Essay - 1775 Words

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, â€Å"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†¦show more content†¦The government response to HIV/AIDS was a silence. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush rarely mentioned the epidemic. Many federal programs still actively discriminated against persons with AIDS by 1990. However during the 1992 Republican National Convention, the HIV-positive woman name Mary Fisher spoke out for the AIDS crises. As a daughter of Max Fisher, the wealthy and powerful Republican fund raiser and the honorary chairman of the Bush-Quayle National Finance Committee, she knew she could bring home the reality of AIDS to people in positions of power and influence in a way that few others could. She stood in front of the Republicans to tell the audience: â€Å"If you believe you are safe, you are in danger. Previous speeches that night were given by Pat Buchanan and Dan Quayle, and their speeches attacked homosexuals, single moms, the inner city poor, people that are not typically Republican. This set a negative tone before Mary Fisher gave her speech on AIDS. However, when she began speaking of AIDS and even used herself as a living example, a 44 year old white woman from a wealthy background, and a mother of two was HIV positive, the RNC audience became more receptive, becau se she was part of the audiences herd. As Mary Fisher stated, she was notShow MoreRelatedA Whisper Of Aids, By Mary Fisher1774 Words   |  8 Pages Introduction Mary Fisher, an American political activist, author, and artist, has survived a fatal disease, and who lives to support those who suffer the mutual virus known as H.I.V. or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. She spreads awareness of the outbreak through the use of speeches, campaigns, and volunteer opportunities. Her most famous speech, which defined her as a political icon, was titled â€Å"A Whisper of AIDS†. The speech was delivered at the Republican National Convention, on August 19, 1992Read MoreA Whisper Of Aids, By Mary Fisher1866 Words   |  8 PagesLET MY STORY GROW LOUDER UNTIL AIDS ARE NO MORE: The relevance of A Whisper of AIDS to all generations Mary Fisher tested positive for HIV in 1991. The daughter of Max Fisher, a powerful and wealthy republican, she wasn t what most people pictured when they thought about HIV/AIDS. As such, when Fisher took the stage in 1992 and spoke out against the treatment of her disease at the Republican National Convention. She accepted the task of introducing HIV/AIDS to an audience who had previously beenRead MoreA Whisper Of Aids By Mary Fisher Essay1182 Words   |  5 PagesMary Fisher, the HIV-positive daughter of the well off and effective Republican reserve raiser Max Fisher, remained before the group to tell the gathering of people: In the event that you trust you are sheltered, you are in risk (McGee). She communicated this message in the scandalous discourse astutely titled, A Whisper of AIDS, that she persuasively conveyed amid the 1992 Republican National Tradition Address on August nineteenth in Houston, TX. Fisher talked in a way that built up herRead MoreA Whisper Of Aids, By M ary Fisher1369 Words   |  6 PagesLET MY STORY GROW LOUDER UNTIL AIDS ARE NO MORE: In this paper, I will dispute that in Mary Fisher s A Whisper of AIDS speech, the use of pathos and ethos assists in her demand to end the ignorance, prejudice and silence surrounding HIV/AIDS. I will discuss how she replaces the face of AIDS with her own, allowing the conservative crowd to connect with HIV/AIDS. Fisher approaches the speech as an epidemic speech; heavily relying on ethos and pathos she created compassion and connection to anRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Fisher A Whisper Of Aids1190 Words   |  5 PagesCarriers of the viruses of HIV and AIDS have been silenced for far too long. It is time to speak out. In Mary Fisher’s speech â€Å"A Whisper of AIDS† she helps her audience to understand that the topic of HIV and AIDS should no longer be silenced. Fisher stood before an audience of her peers and used many forms of persuasion available to her in order to evoke a positive significant response from her audience. Mary Fisher was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 6, 1948. She spent her early years inRead MoreAnalysis Of A Whisper Of Aids By Mary Fisher1083 Words   |  5 Pagesvirus. Mary Fisher was one of a few individuals that accepted the cruelty of the virus, only by accepting what HIV is, she was then able to challenge the virus. In order to awaken the society about the reality of AIDS, Mary Fisher’s speech, â€Å"A Whisper of AIDS† would send a message of challenge towards the virus and a sense of unity for humans. By balancing three different persuasive appeals: ethos, logos and pathos, Fisher would be able to connect to a variety of audience. The message that Fisher wantedRead MoreSummary Of A Whisper Of Aids By Mary Fisher1077 Words   |  5 Pagesoutcast yourself if you had AIDS/HIV? In â€Å"A Whisper of AIDS† by Activist Mary Fisher, she speaks out against people who discriminate against others diagnosed with AIDS. She presents this speech to educate othe rs about how to prevent AIDS. In 1992, AIDS was a worldwide epidemic that affect millions of people. Over 202,520 people were affected between 1988-1992. Most people believed AIDS/HIV was a disease for prostitutes and intravenous drug abusers due to misconceptions. Mary uses repetition, dictionRead MoreAnalysis Of A Whisper Of Aids By Mary Fisher1099 Words   |  5 Pagesno one was safe from the HIV virus. Mary Fisher was one of few individuals that accepted the cruelty of the virus, but only by accepting what HIV is, she was able to challenge the virus. In order to awaken the society about the reality of AIDS, Mary Fisher’s speech, â€Å"A Whisper of AIDS† would send a message of challenge towards the virus and unite the humans to fight against AIDS. By balancing three different persuasive appeals; ethos, logos, and pathos, Fisher would be able to connect with her audienceRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Fisher Speech Whisper Of Aids 1018 Words   |  5 Pagestoday I woul d like to write on Mary Fisher speech titled â€Å"Whisper of AIDS†. First I would like to give brief background information on Mary Fisher. Known as an artist, author, advocate, and founder of family AIDS network. As an AIDS patient herself while working for the Republican Party, she delivered her speech in 1992 in front of the whole nation. During that same year, she funded the family AIDS network. Throughout the years, she was committed to work with AIDS patience in Africa and continuedRead MoreMary Fisher s Speech : A Whisper Of Aids886 Words   |  4 PagesMary Fisher’s speech entitled â€Å"A Whisper of Aids,† is an appeal to the emotional and political moods of the Republican National Conference on August 19, 1992. In this speech she talks about her disease, but unlike most people, who become depressed when they learn about contracting the disease, Mary Fisher stands up and fights for everyone who has AIDS as well as bringing the statics of HIV and AI DS to light. Mary Fisher’s speech can be analyzed from three different standpoints: structure, delivery