This podcast explores the origins and stigma of HIV during the late 1970s and 80s in New York City, where drugs and poverty allowed for its spread. It also reflects on the rising number of children with HIV/AIDS and advocacy for marginalized groups.
Neglect from authorities in 1970s and 80s New York City allowed for the spread of HIV amidst violent drugs and poverty.
Despite fear and stigma, doctors and activists in New York City worked to address the HIV and AIDS epidemic, inclusive of all affected populations.
Deep dives
The Neglect and Manufactured Problems in 1970s and 80s New York City
In the late 1970s and 80s, New York City faced dangerous conditions characterized by violent drugs and poverty. Neglect from authorities resulted in a high number of disappearances, leaving people wondering what happened to them. Additionally, this neglect provided a fertile ground for the spread of a new deadly virus, HIV. Misinformation and disinformation surrounding HIV and AIDS, including the belief that it only affected gay men, added to the challenges. This environment led to fear, stigma, and ignorance about the virus.
The Resilience and Activism in the Face of the AIDS Epidemic in New York City
Despite the fear and stigma surrounding AIDS in the early 80s, many individuals and groups in New York City stepped up to address the epidemic. Doctors at Harlem Hospital's pediatric ward worked tirelessly to care for and treat children with AIDS. The number of affected children grew rapidly, and the medical professionals faced the daunting task of responding to this crisis. Additionally, activists fought to ensure that all affected populations, including women, minorities, HIV-positive individuals, and prisoners, were not overlooked or excluded from the narrative. Their efforts led to a shift in societal understanding, increased awareness, and crucial advocacy for those impacted by HIV and AIDS.
1.
The Plague in the Shadows: Exploring the Origins and Stigma of HIV
In this season of Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows, we travel back to a pivotal moment in the history of this country, and we trace how, decades before Covid-19, a virus tore through some of our most vulnerable communities while the wider world looked away. We go to a pediatric ward in Harlem, a women’s prison in upstate New York, a drug market in the South Bronx, and the inner sanctum of the National Institutes of Health. And we meet people who demanded that they, and their illness, be seen: mothers and children, doctors and nurses, nuns and sex workers, and a woman who literally helped change the definition of AIDS.
The first episode comes out on Jan. 18.
Blindspot is a co-production of The History Channel and WNYC Studios, in collaboration with The Nation Magazine. Cover photo by Donna Binder.
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