People Discriminate, but AIDS Does Not

This is in response to Sharon Biggers’ March 26 letter regarding Tom Hanks’ Oscar speech.

It seems she believes that the entire AIDS epidemic has contained itself within the entertainment and artistic community and that she, as part of the rest of the nation, should not be made to feel guilty or responsible for these individuals since it was their choices that led to the contraction of the disease. She went as far as equating AIDS to smoke-induced lung cancer or a drug overdose.

Let’s put aside the fact that AIDS is the No. 3 cause of death in babies, or that the fastest growing risk group seems to be young adults from 12-17 who are experimenting with drugs and sex--most while still under the care and tutelage of their parents.

Let’s forget the fact that the AIDS epidemic is spreading as quickly in women as it is in men and that every sexual partner you and your spouse-lover has had in the past 10 years can affect your life. Let’s even scoff at the idea that a large and constantly growing number of doctors are saying that homosexuality is genetically predetermined.

Let’s focus on the fact that this strong and compelling movie (“Philadelphia”) was made to help open the public’s eye to the way AIDS is dealt with in society today. Not only with the victims, their families and loved ones, but with the people they come in contact with daily. The movie shows the bigotry and ignorance they face, the pain, humiliation and fear they experience and the courage they possess when the disease wreaks havoc through the fragile thing we call a body.

I can only hope that Ms. Biggers will open her mind a bit and read about a disease she obviously knows little about. I know information is available--even in Orange County.

Or better yet, maybe she could push herself away from her table of self-righteousness and visit an AIDS ward or hospice. Maybe she can find the compassion she seems to have lost behind the face of a 5-month-old baby whose body is racked with convulsions.

She can counsel the mother of the 13-year-old with the fact that it was a predominantly behavior-related disease that killed her child. And as the man in the chair next to her mourns over pictures of his lover when he was a robust 180 pounds, instead of the 70 pounds he is now, maybe she can ask him what part of the entertainment industry he’s in.

Yes, Ms. Biggers, the entire nation should feel responsible--if for nothing else than to teach our children that bigotry and ignorance are not acceptable in any form. And guilty for the fact that by our careless words, not their actions, we make people ashamed of who and what they are.

So, if you are concerned with the fact that the heavens are crowded with “angels” who have been lost to this deadly disease--console yourself with the fact that the judgmental are rarely admitted.

JOANNE M. HIPP

Los Angeles

* MORE LETTERS: F10