// Note: some spoilers.
The entire story that I've read so far is darkening. Chanda was about to be raped, her newborn sister died at 3 months, and she herself has AIDS. This brings us to the theme of death.
AIDS, known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is the after-phase of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and occurs when your immune system contains less than two-hundred T-cells. This virus is commonly received from unsafe sex, or infected blood transfers. In this book, those with AIDS would be discriminated for having it. You would be shunned, and those connected with you can be shunned, or even kicked out of their house. To me, I think, would be completely rude.
I remember the day it was AIDS day - thousands of people lined up in their seats in a hospital, looking down, as if they were ashamed, or embarrassed, or simply sick. I always wonder how they feel deep down. I feel the same with Chanda's mother as well.
To be honest, I would think that those with AIDS love sexual intercourse (or something in-between) - but I can't help it, my mother constantly tells me not to be one of them. Reading this in the book reminds me of many stereotypical thoughts - that African-Americans love to have sexual intercourse, or that they usually get married at the age of 16, known to be raped, so and so and so and so. However, looking back at all the experiences of past books I've read, I'm assuming that Chanda's mother (whom received the AIDS and passed it on, genetic hereditary diseases) has a reason for it. But, I cannot comprehend why or how at the moment.
What do you think about this?
Are you sure that all AIDS people are ashamed? I have a friend how has the very last stage of AIDS and she is proud, you know why? She told me that she can live through everyday knowing that she has lived another day meaningfully. It's very sad to know she has AIDS and tries to act alright about it on front of you. (sadly I don't know whether she left for the after life already because I haven't seen or heard from her for 8 years already TT~TT)
ReplyDeleteAbout the stereotypes, I think you are right about it. I have friends of all races and I think- no, I know for certain they aren't all like that.
NOTE: coco, i just needed to respond and yours was the first one that popped up ^_^
I can't be sure about it, but I'm meaning that most of them are ashamed. But just to clarify, what if she were lying? Like you said, she's trying to act alright about it. Maybe she's hiding something - but I'm happy she still keeps her pride and keeps moving forward; and, she's probably not lying about that.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the first paragraph, you menton that chanda has aids. i think you meen that her sister had aids but its hard to follow. i have read the whole book and i think its a very good read.
ReplyDelete