Arthur Ashe and Magic Johnson: The Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Two American superstars who helped change the perception of a deadly disease.
Thirty years ago the words AIDS and HIV meant that soon your friends and family would be saying goodbye to you forever. The burden of changing this perception fell on the shoulders of two American stars who are polar opposites of each other.
Arthur Ashe, an American tennis player and activist, was one of the first African American tennis players to achieve success on the international stage. Ashe won three Grand Slam singles titles, and two Davis Cup titles.
Arthur Ashe contracted AIDS as a result of a blood transfusion he received during a heart bypass surgery in 1983. At the time, the AIDS epidemic was still in its early stages, and many people were unaware of the risks associated with blood transfusions.
Ashe initially kept his diagnosis private, but in 1992 he publicly disclosed his illness in an effort to raise awareness about the disease and challenge the stigma and discrimination that surrounded it. In doing so, he became one of the first high-profile individuals to publicly announce that he was living with the virus. He used his platform as a public figure to educate people about the disease and to advocate for increased funding for AIDS research and education. Arthur Ashe died in 1993 from pneumonia as a complication of AIDS.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."
-Arthur Ashe
During his lifetime, Ashe became involved in several organizations that were working to address the AIDS epidemic, including the Magic Johnson Foundation.
The Magic Johnson Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by former NBA player Earvin "Magic" Johnson in 1991. The organization is dedicated to educating communities about HIV and AIDS, and to providing resources and support to people living with the disease.
Magic Johnson is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and is best known for his remarkable talent, leadership, and success on the court. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named the league's Most Valuable Player three times. He also helped lead the Lakers to five championships during his career.
Magic contracted the virus through unprotected sexual contact. He announced his diagnosis in 1991. At the time of his announcement, AIDS was considered a "gay disease" because it was first identified among gay men in the 1980s. This was due to a combination of factors, including the way the disease was transmitted and the demographics of those affected in its early stages.
The association of AIDS with gay men led to a significant amount of prejudice and stigma surrounding the disease. Many people viewed those with AIDS as being promiscuous, immoral, and even deserving of the disease.
"I wanted to educate not only the black community, but America and the world about this disease. It's not just a gay disease, it's not just a black disease, it's a disease that is affecting everyone."
-Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson was one of the first public figures to openly speak about his HIV diagnosis, which helped to combat the prejudice surrounding the disease. Like Ashe, he also used his public platform to raise awareness about the disease. He spoke openly about his diagnosis and the impact it had on his life, and used his influence to fight the stigma associated with the disease.
"I will not die of AIDS. I will die of old age, just like everyone else."
-Magic Johnson
While Arthur succumbed to the disease, Magic was able to survive AIDS thanks to a combination of early detection, access to cutting-edge medical treatments, and a strong support system.
Both Ashe and Johnson's efforts helped raise awareness about AIDS and broke down the barriers of stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease. They used their fame and platform to educate people about the disease and encourage them to get tested. They also challenged the stereotypes and misconceptions about AIDS, and helped change the way people thought about the disease.
The impact of Ashe and Johnson's efforts can still be felt today. The stigma surrounding AIDS has been greatly reduced, and people are now much more willing to talk about the disease and seek help. Their efforts led to increased testing and safety measures, and helped to prevent the spread of the disease. The work of Ashe and Johnson has also inspired many others to become advocates for the cause and work to raise awareness about the disease.
Rohith’s Corner:
In 2019 I visited the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. The emotions I felt during the visit are unexplainable. I felt shock, sadness, and horror. My perception of the world changed completely after the visit.
I was confronted with the reality of the atrocities that were committed there and was reminded of the importance of standing up against hatred and prejudice in all its forms. It is a powerful reminder of the lessons of the past and a call to action for a better future.
The "Never Again" wall at Dachau concentration camp is a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed there and serves as a call to action to ensure that such horrors are never repeated.
“Dachau reminds us that hatred, prejudice, and intolerance can lead to the darkest of places”
-Ruth Klüger (Author and Holocaust survivor)
Screw religion, screw race, screw everything! Make love, not war.