th1h+@andrew.cmu.edu (Timothy J. Haggerty) (06/28/91)
I still think it is easier to feel pity for a child who is sick or for a woman who contracted the virus in the process of giving birth than for PWHIV who contracted HIV through sexual activity or intravenous drug use, regardless of the political correctness of that position. The problem here is feeling pity. As a person with HIV, I really don't have any desire to become the victim of the moment, though I can empathize with the desire to do so -- or the ability to be manipulated by the media into becoming a victim. Most of the better adjusted HIV+ people I know try to avoid being put into this position at all costs -- that of being coddled, pitied, nurtured, and handed crystals, teddy bears, and copies of Kubler-Ross. The differing levels of pity you feel for differing modes of transmission is really your problem. I'd wager that most seropositive people really couldn't care less about whether you cry for Ryan White or for Irma de la Cruz or for Michael Callen. I suspect that pity-for-the-victim is just another name for good ol' liberal guilt, which doesn't do us any good at all (you know, "the road to hell" and all that). Making you feel bad about me having HIV isn't the point. Making me feel good about living is. Your pity and empathy doesn't help me with that at all, but helps me feel sorry for myself and less then a whole person.