Mary Fisher A Whisper of AIDS 1992 (Youtube)

How does Mary Fisher’s audience shape the choices she makes in this speech? Consider the make-up of the audience in terms of their demographic characteristics, as well as their likely attitudes, values, and beliefs. If Fisher was giving this speech before a different audience, would her choices have been different?

Respond to two or more posts explaining the reason for your agreement or disagreement or why you think the post is important, and/or provide examples of the point(s) made.

Throughout the video you can see the camera focus on some people that were (at least from my perspective) sympathetic, others were completely focused on Mary, intently listening and allowing her express her perspective on what it was like having AIDS. Some people were whispering to each other and it looked as though a very small few were judging her, an ignorance that Mary called out herself on stage while giving the speech. The point of her giving the speech wasn’t to be judged or criticized for having aids or how she got it, it was about the concern she had for her children, her future, their future and the people that were in the same situation or were at possible risk. She was almost begging for the audience to push their own ignorance aside and see the disease for what it was; something life threatening that affects every age group; families, friends, and all humans alike. The audience does shape the choices she made because she’s talking to a more Conservative party in a more conservative time than we live in now, therefore I feel as though she was sincerely trying to get them to understand her worries/concerns and how urgent the matter was. If she gave the speech to a different group, I feel as though she might’ve articulated her words in a different way. Perhaps a group of doctors or professionals in the medical field with the knowledge to conduct proper research on aids would’ve gotten a completely different speech. There’s also the chance that they might not becuse she wants the audiance to symptathize with her and understand the principle of what she was saying- as she did in the video. She mentioned the Republican Party so that lead me to assume that her audience was more on the conservative side. Majority of Conservatives go by their religious beliefs and the majority of those beliefs don’t support communities such as the LGBT community (whom are at a higher risk of contracting AIDS). It would be sad to think that some of the people in the audience weren’t in agreement with Mary’s plea.

Mary Fisher’s audience shapes the choices she makes as informative and understanding. As she gives her speech about AIDS and how it should be prioritized for treatment in America and spread more awareness of the disease. Fisher discusses how those infected with the disease shouldn’t be discriminated against due to the disease and are just like everyone else. She emphasizes how Americans should prioritize the issue AIDS was bringing to society rather than discriminate against those affected by it. Her speech was constructed the way it was to persuade the audience that attended her speech to care, help, and find a solution to this issue society was facing. If Fisher was giving this speech to a different audience her choice might’ve been different but her overall motive would stay the same. Fisher’s motive was to bring awareness and seek help from society to contribute to the issue AIDS brought. If she were in front of another audience her choices would change slightly depending on the type of audience, for example, If her audience was primarily victims of AIDS she might’ve centered more on the importance of treating the disease well or seeking better help treating the disease. Overall, her speech would’ve stayed with the same message of spreading awareness of AIDS and how society should take it seriously.