Blindspot

Respectability Politics and the AIDS Crisis

Feb 8, 2024
The podcast discusses the challenges faced by the Black community during the AIDS crisis, including the lack of support from important institutions and rejection within their own community. It highlights the activism of individuals and organizations, such as Pernessa Seal and her efforts to mobilize the black clergy. The podcast also explores the impact of the AIDS crisis on the Black community, the challenges faced by black leadership, and the controversy surrounding needle exchanges in New York.
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ANECDOTE

Poem: Cut Off From Among Their People

  • Craig Harris's poem "Cut Off From Among Their People" describes a family rejecting their gay son's lover at his funeral.
  • This reflects the rejection many Black gay men faced from their families during the AIDS crisis.
ANECDOTE

Craig Harris's APHA Disruption

  • At a 1986 American Public Health Association conference, Craig Harris interrupted a panel to address the lack of attention given to AIDS' impact on people of color.
  • He highlighted that nearly 40% of AIDS diagnoses were among Black or Latino individuals.
INSIGHT

The Black Community's Initial Response to AIDS

  • The Black community, known for its resilience against injustices, reacted to the AIDS crisis with silence and rejection.
  • This response stemmed from a combination of factors, including stigma, respectability politics, and existing social tensions.
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