AIDS/HIV :: essays research papers

Different multitude define achievement in many different ways. What is considered success by one person may be viewed as failure by another person. Randy Shilts, a homosexual newspaper reporter / author, attempts to make fundamental changes in the Statess opinion on acquired immune deficiency syndrome. In Randy Shiltss essay, " public lecture assist to Death," he speaks of his experiences as an "AIDS renown." At the core of Shiltss essay is the statement, "Never before have I succeeded so healthful never before have I failed so miserably"(221). Shilts idler see his accomplishments from two points of view- as a success and as a failure. Despite instant fame, Shilts is not satisfied with the effects his writings has on the general public. Shiltss "success" and reasons for failure can both be considered when one decides whether or not his efforts were performed in vain.     From a superficial nominate point Randy Shilts, with unwrap a doubt, has become a great success with the release of his book And the Band Played On. Almost over night, Shilts is emerged in all the luxuries of stardom. "I quickly acquired all the trappings of bestsellerdom 60 proceedings coverage of my "startling" revelations, a Book-of-the-Month Club contract, a miniseries deal with NBC, displacement reaction into six languages, book tours on three continents, featured roles in movie-star-studded AIDS fund raisers, regular appearances on network news shows, and hefty fees on the college lecture circuit" (220). These benefits, along with numerous others, mark that of a " prosperous" person.                                                    Hopes 2However, a deeper look into the expectations Shilts has for his boo k can offer an write up to why Shilts was not a complete success.      Randy Shilts set out to make monumental changes in the universe of discourses perspective of AIDS. He planned to enlighten, motivate, and educate the population on this tragic disease that has already claimed so many lives. He believed that virtually all the misconceptions about AIDS would be corrected and the public would insist that more be make to stop the epidemic. "I had hoped to effect some fundamental changes. I actually believed I could alter the performance of the institutions that had allowed AIDS to sweep through the States unchecked" (220). Shiltss immense expectations positioned him for his inevitable sense of failure. He did not accomplished all that he had planned. AIDS was still spreading and people were still dying. "The bitter irony is, my role as an AIDS celebrity just gives me a more elevated promontory from which to watch the world make the same mistakes in the handling of the AIDS epidemic that I hoped my work would help to change"(220).