Ebola v AIDs

In the 80's the HIV/AIDs hysteria swept the world, many people struggled with the illness which seemed like a death sentence and became a social stigma. AIDs turned many individuals into pariahs, a myriad of myths surrounding the disease began popping up and suddenly the disease, which could only be caught through sexual contact or blood transfusion, was as contagious as the common cold. A combination of ignorance and fear helped to circulate these rumors and created the social stigmas which impacted the lives of millions of people living with the illness. The stigma from the disease specifically targeted the LGBT community and particularly gay men. "The attitude was, these (diseases) are only in gays and IV drug users, underdogs, people who didn't deserve any special attention," said HIV expert and doctor Friedman-Kien. Famous author Edmund White said "Mothers didn't want me picking up their babies. People didn't want to kiss you on the cheek. People certainly didn't want to have sex with you, especially other gay people. It was very isolating and demeaning."  The issue was not only with the health of the person with AIDs but how that person contracted it. HIV/AIDs became a symbol of shame and a very askew stereotype for the LGBT community. 

It seems as though the great contagion hysteria of our generation is the Ebola virus. The disease is similar to the AIDs in its mass hysteria and myths surrounding it. Hysteria has caused people to believe, like AIDs,  that Ebola can be contracted like and is contagious as the chicken pox. Ebola can only be contracted through physical contact with patient who has the virus. Even more so contact must be made with that patients bodily fluids. However there have been many conspiracy theories, rumors and myths about how Ebola can be contracted.The stigma of having ebola, however, does not just effect one group of people as AIDs did but it still creates many stereotypes and rumors. 

In order to combat ignorance, fear, and ultimately hysteria, people should research and fully understand the illnesses which impact our world. 

We've Been in the Era of the Big Booty

The article, “We’re Officially in the Era of the Big Booty,” in a recent issue of Vogue Magazine describes how curvaceous and voluptuous figures are now “in-style.” I believe the article was well written and accurate from one perspective but missed that mark from a global perspective.  For certain cultures whose ideas of beauty have dominated the media the idea of a curvaceous woman as beautiful is something brand new. For most cultures a full figured woman has been considered beautiful for centuries.

Patricia Garcia the author of the Vogue article, undoubtedly comes from a single story perspective.  The article is severely culturally inept, for those not immersed in latin and/or african culture it would seem that voluptuous figures have recently become trending when in our (black/latino) culture a curvaceous figure has always been idolized, in fact skinny women have almost been ridiculed in black/latino cultures. So for Patricia Garcia to write an article announcing the arrival of the big butt is almost redundant to many people, its old news.

The article however can have a very damaging effect on a young girls psyche.  For young women in the modern world media and fashion dictate the standards girls set for themselves. For a long time when only very thin women appeared in the media, so women who were naturally curvaceous were considered taboo. Now that this social stigma has changed so will beauty standards. Any young girls who see these full figured women on television will try to imitate what they now think is attractive, causing them to try and copy a style that is far beyond their years.  My little cousin is a victim of this misogynistic assault, all her clothes fit too tight and are too revealing. Unfortunately the media and its misogynistic productions whether they idolized thin or full figured women distorts what beauty truly is.

You can find the full article below:


http://www.vogue.com/1342927/booty-in-pop-culture-jennifer-lopez-iggy-azalea/

The Great Digital Divide

A smartphone (not a cell phone) has become as commonplace as a pair of pants in our modern era. Everyone is surfing the web, checking, tweets, making calls, sending texts, and posting pictures all from the luxury of their handheld mobile. However these devices go beyond just mobile phones; with the gadgets tantalizing features and status symbol, tablets, laptops, and e-readers have become quite desirable by billions of people globally. The Pew Research Internet Project reports that "The number of Americans ages 16 and older who own tablet computers has grown to 35%, and the share who have e-reading devices like Kindles and Nooks has grown to 24%. Overall, the number of people who have a tablet or an e-book reader among those 16 and older now stands at 43%.” Technology has not only gained popularity because of its efficiency and practicality but it has gained popularity because of the social status acquainted with it.

This desire to have the newest and most efficient technology is no different than the desire to have a new car, the reasoning for both these desires are the same as well, to divide oneself from a majority: to be praised for a social distinction. This distinction between those with the latest technology and those without is known as the Digital Divide.  The Digital Divide is a social issue which refers to the amount of information that people can access based on their access to the internet. The concern is primarily with an individuals ability to have information, communications, and technologies equivalent to their peers. This digital divide has an immensely negative effect on millions of people.

In the modern job market and economy the majority of all business, from job applications to scheduling meetings, is handled online. Those from a financially disadvantaged setting will usually not have the same access to information, technology and, communication capabilities as someone who is financially stable. Therefore the ability for someone from a lower class to ever break that class distinction is very unlikely.  My understanding of this great digital divide is that it causes inequitable plight for many individuals and creates disillusioned minds among our peers, as far as social statuses and new technology is concerned.