What does stigma mean? It is an imputation attaching to character, moral spot or stand or brand. Stigmatize is to cast an imputation. In simple term, it is a label usually negative given to a person.
The word "stigma" is often associated with discrimination, negative feelings and attitudes. Stigma is something negative in your mind but when acted on that something either verbally or physically then that is discrimination.
For instance, when you learned that a person is HIV positive more often than not if you're not educated with the right information on HIV & AIDS and it's mode of transmission probably you would think that this person is promiscuous or a prostitute; that is stigma. When you said something bad towards the person fueled by that thought or you simply avoid him or isolated him then that is discrimination.
There are two types of stigma, the self stigma and societal stigma or stigma by association. I will discuss it on my next post.
Source: "Channels of Hope" workshop manual.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Stigma & Discrimination 1
What really kills people living with HIV and AIDS all over the world is not the opportunistic infections that attack the body when the immune system is already depleted, it's the stigma and discrimination feels and experience by HIV positive people. But before I talked about what is stigma and discrimination in the context of HIV & AIDS, let me tell you my own experience of stigma and discrimination.
I applied for a position related to HIV & AIDS in this Christian non-government organization. The result was negative, though it was not final yet according to my friends there, due to my HIV status! At first I was really hurt because for the very first time, I was discriminated against because of my health condition. I cried for a couple of minutes but I asked the Lord why, then I began to understand that perhaps these people are just concerned about my health coz they are afraid I might not able to do all the responsibilities of the position. Apparently, it is still plain and simple discrimination and it's against the RA8504.
I was amazed by the support and trust given to me by my friends there and sooner than I thought, I felt better and trust the Lord that He has something far better for me. So after a few minutes of that negative feeling, I was truly alright and it did not bother me at all.
The Lord only showed me that not all Christians exude true Christianity or Christ-likeness to themselves. It's like a warning to me that I must be really careful to whom I will reveal and entrust my status at the same time. Honestly, I have nothing against with that organization or to any people from that group. In fact, I will be still willing to help them in their HIV & AIDS project and I will treat them the same way I treated them before that incident happened.
Anyway, it is not a closed book yet I guess and only God knows what will happen next. It really feels good to trust God with all my heart. It feels great to know that the Lord will take care of every aspect of my life especially on the areas like this.
Stigma and discrimination will not kill me and should not kill other people living with HIV. The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. That is Psalm 28:7. So if you are living with HIV like me and feel stigma and discrimination, I would encourage you and suggest surrendering yourself to Lord Jesus Christ and everything will be alright coz He will take charge.
Next post, what is really stigma and discrimination?
I applied for a position related to HIV & AIDS in this Christian non-government organization. The result was negative, though it was not final yet according to my friends there, due to my HIV status! At first I was really hurt because for the very first time, I was discriminated against because of my health condition. I cried for a couple of minutes but I asked the Lord why, then I began to understand that perhaps these people are just concerned about my health coz they are afraid I might not able to do all the responsibilities of the position. Apparently, it is still plain and simple discrimination and it's against the RA8504.
I was amazed by the support and trust given to me by my friends there and sooner than I thought, I felt better and trust the Lord that He has something far better for me. So after a few minutes of that negative feeling, I was truly alright and it did not bother me at all.
The Lord only showed me that not all Christians exude true Christianity or Christ-likeness to themselves. It's like a warning to me that I must be really careful to whom I will reveal and entrust my status at the same time. Honestly, I have nothing against with that organization or to any people from that group. In fact, I will be still willing to help them in their HIV & AIDS project and I will treat them the same way I treated them before that incident happened.
Anyway, it is not a closed book yet I guess and only God knows what will happen next. It really feels good to trust God with all my heart. It feels great to know that the Lord will take care of every aspect of my life especially on the areas like this.
Stigma and discrimination will not kill me and should not kill other people living with HIV. The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. That is Psalm 28:7. So if you are living with HIV like me and feel stigma and discrimination, I would encourage you and suggest surrendering yourself to Lord Jesus Christ and everything will be alright coz He will take charge.
Next post, what is really stigma and discrimination?
Saturday, November 1, 2008
All Saints Day
Hello readers! Happy Halloween!
Please allow me to thank you today, "All Saints Day" for taking time to visit and read my blogs. I want you to know that I really appreciate it. Thank you for writing some comments. I just hope and pray that this website of mine will be known to people who are struggling with homosexuality and people living with HIV. Also I pray that it will be known to people who did not know anything about HIV and AIDS and to those people who are sick and tired of living the homosexual lifestyle. All these I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! Amen.
Next time I will be talking about the most dreadful thing that gradually kills the HIV positive people around the globe, stigma and discrimination.
God Bless you people!
Please allow me to thank you today, "All Saints Day" for taking time to visit and read my blogs. I want you to know that I really appreciate it. Thank you for writing some comments. I just hope and pray that this website of mine will be known to people who are struggling with homosexuality and people living with HIV. Also I pray that it will be known to people who did not know anything about HIV and AIDS and to those people who are sick and tired of living the homosexual lifestyle. All these I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! Amen.
Next time I will be talking about the most dreadful thing that gradually kills the HIV positive people around the globe, stigma and discrimination.
God Bless you people!
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