Mary Fisher’s “A Whisper of AIDS” speech is arguably one of the most important speeches ever given in American history. When discussing the epidemic of AIDS, Fisher gives a voice to the victims who do not have the power to be heard, she makes the audience realize that change needs to be made because not addressing the problem just because it is not your problem, only makes it worse. She changes the mindset of many people as she gets her point across the audience that people with AIDS are human to. The relative ignorance about the topic is the primary reason that made this speech necessary, her flawless execution of informing the Republican Party about AIDS is what made it so monumental in the first place. This speech opened up many opportunities
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The speech would not have been as monumental if she hadn’t contracted the disease herself, which allowed her to use the rhetorical device of pathos quite persuasively. She relates to herself saying how having a family and having AIDS has shaped her life, but enjoys it to the full extent. Fisher also makes it a point to bring up the fact that although she can afford the medical help she needs to survive, not everyone can. Aside from the fact of admitting she had contracted AIDS, Fisher’s greatest obstacle was to convince her audience to understand the subject. As the pretty blonde haired girl with sparkly blue eyes, and a powerful father in the political world, the Republican princess Mary Fisher was the complete opposite of the stereotypical AIDS victim. So you can imagine the amount of courage it took her to stand on that podium at the Republican National Convention and tell the world about her disease. By giving this speech, Fisher changed the prejudice views that exist around the topic. When delivering this speech, Fisher needed to be extremely careful about what she said, considering the fact that she was walking on thin ice, as in the subject that comes along with very opinionated criticism. “She had to be careful in her diction and her presentation …show more content…
“Beseeching ‘family values’ conservatives to demonstrate compassion” (Shaw 2). She speaks on behalf of the AIDS community members of every race, not just whites. “Though I am white and a mother, I am one with a black infant struggling with tubes in a Philadelphia hospital” (Fisher 2). This shows that she is just as equal to a colored woman with the disease, because they both struggle with the same problems. Fisher still continues her work till this day, 20 years later after delivering her most famous speech. “Since her initial speech, Ms. Fisher has traveled often to give lectures at places from inner-city churches to the halls of congress” (Shaw 2). After addressing the issues of AIDS and what needs to be done, she begins to act upon them and start a revolution to fight this deadly disease. “Ms. Fisher spent the last 20 years, combining advocacy and art making. She has written six books and served as an ambassador for UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS” (Shaw 2). Her work shaped the way society views AIDS and its victims forever, after all, if she never delivered his speech, technological advancements to find a cure to this disease may not have been as prioritized as it was once the world knew how serious this disease really
The speech would not have been as monumental if she hadn’t contracted the disease herself, which allowed her to use the rhetorical device of pathos quite persuasively. She relates to herself saying how having a family and having AIDS has shaped her life, but enjoys it to the full extent. Fisher also makes it a point to bring up the fact that although she can afford the medical help she needs to survive, not everyone can. Aside from the fact of admitting she had contracted AIDS, Fisher’s greatest obstacle was to convince her audience to understand the subject. As the pretty blonde haired girl with sparkly blue eyes, and a powerful father in the political world, the Republican princess Mary Fisher was the complete opposite of the stereotypical AIDS victim. So you can imagine the amount of courage it took her to stand on that podium at the Republican National Convention and tell the world about her disease. By giving this speech, Fisher changed the prejudice views that exist around the topic. When delivering this speech, Fisher needed to be extremely careful about what she said, considering the fact that she was walking on thin ice, as in the subject that comes along with very opinionated criticism. “She had to be careful in her diction and her presentation …show more content…
“Beseeching ‘family values’ conservatives to demonstrate compassion” (Shaw 2). She speaks on behalf of the AIDS community members of every race, not just whites. “Though I am white and a mother, I am one with a black infant struggling with tubes in a Philadelphia hospital” (Fisher 2). This shows that she is just as equal to a colored woman with the disease, because they both struggle with the same problems. Fisher still continues her work till this day, 20 years later after delivering her most famous speech. “Since her initial speech, Ms. Fisher has traveled often to give lectures at places from inner-city churches to the halls of congress” (Shaw 2). After addressing the issues of AIDS and what needs to be done, she begins to act upon them and start a revolution to fight this deadly disease. “Ms. Fisher spent the last 20 years, combining advocacy and art making. She has written six books and served as an ambassador for UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS” (Shaw 2). Her work shaped the way society views AIDS and its victims forever, after all, if she never delivered his speech, technological advancements to find a cure to this disease may not have been as prioritized as it was once the world knew how serious this disease really