HIV and The Magic Johnson Foundation Research Essay

“I am going to beat it... Life is going to go on for me and I’m going to be a happy man” (Gutman 42). On November 7, 1991 Magic Johnson announced he had human immunodeficiency virus or HIV (Healthline). This disease has cost people their lives and people's lives are changed from it.

In 1991 magic johnson stuns the world by announcing his retirement from the L.A. Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that cause AIDS. At the time , many americans viewed AIDS as a gay white man's disease. Magic Johnson who is an african american was one of the first sports stars to to go public about his status. As one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Magic Johnson spent his entire nba career with the LA Lakers, helping them win five championships in the 1980’s. Today Johnson is a spokesman for aids awareness and has transformed aids from a death sentence to a manageable condition for many

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized as a new disease in 1981 when increasing numbers of young homosexual men succumbed to unusual opportunistic infections and rare

Many heroes exists in todays world. Some are just fictional but the real ones are the ones worth mentioning. A true hero is a person who is willing to sacrifice everything for the well being of others. they're giving personalities cause them to give everything they can to help others. They are constantly in a race to fight for something beneficial to all.

The term Human Immunodeficiency Virus is commonly known as (HIV), which is a virus that attacks the immune system of humans by destroying the amount of CD4 cells in their bodies. Without CD4 the human body is unable to fight against diseases, which can lead to Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome known as AIDS for short. The first case of the HIV/AIDS virus in the U.S. occurred in the early 1980’s. The first spark of the virus was found in San Francisco with couple of homosexual Caucasian American males. Today African Americans account for the largest proportion of HIV and AIDS in this country, represent approximately 13% of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44% of new HIV infections in 2010(the last year a study was

As soon as Magic Johnson announced he had HIV, he immediately was a role model for others to get tested and have hope of living a long and fulfilling life. In 2011, Magic Johnson talked about living with AIDS/HIV for 20 years, and how this disease is not a death sentence. He encourages others to get educated and get tested. However, when Johnson first found out he had the AIDS/HIV virus, his concern was not how did he get the disease or what is going to happen or how will he afford the medical expenses, but rather, “How am I going to live a long time?” (Moughty).

This history of HIV/AIDS as a blurry timeline before the 1980’s since that was around the time reports came in which eventually become an HIV report. The origin of HIV can be traced back to the early part of the century. Some believe that in the 1920’s chimpanzees from the Congo came into contact with humans (Avert, 2016). Though reports were not identified as HIV until the 1980’s, the belief that HIV was already scattered throughout four other continents may have been incident (Avert, 2016). Even though for the past 30 years the world has been diligently working to find a cure and pushing prevention, we are still struggling each year with increasing diagnosis. The beginning of HIV did end with lots of death, but now with our improved antiviral medication there is hope for many.

Panic struck the people of New York City. Black, billowing smoke began to rise. The beloved Twin Towers had been destroyed. During the chaos and madness that occurred on the day of 9-11-01, some people acted and did all they could to help those around them, even though they knew obstacles stood in the way. Those people are true heros. Heroism is acting in times of need when obstacles may stand in the way, being willing to sacrifice everything, and not letting setbacks keep from achieving goals and being an inspiration to others.

Heroes are the individuals who come to exemplify an organization’s values. These heroes become known through the stories and myths of an organization.

During the 1980s and 1990s the new HIV disease began to emerge in society and with it came harsh stereotypes and discrimination against those who contracted it. Simultaneously, one of the most talented and influential point guards in basketball was dominating the sport: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Throughout his career Johnson gained three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and was admitted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (“Magic Johnson”). However, on November 7, 1991, Johnson announced his diagnosis of HIV and his retirement from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Following this abrupt and unexpected event, Johnson became one of the leading figures in the fight against AIDS. The Magic Johnson Foundation was founded and is still dedicated to educating communities about AIDS. The charitable and influential work Johnson contributed to the research of AIDS revealed him as not just an extraordinary basketball player but also as an extraordinary human being (“Magic Johnson”). A few years after Johnson’s diagnosis, he released his autobiography, My Life. My Life describes the childhood and competitive basketball years of Johnson as well as his announcement of contracting HIV. In the article, “New and Noteworthy Paperbacks”, by Laurel Graeber, reviewer Harvey Araton describes Magic Johnson’s autobiography, My Life, as “best when he shares his insights about his coaches and fellow players” (Graeber). The article has positive things to say about Johnson’s autobiography such

According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.2 million individuals in the United States have HIV (about 14 percent of which are unaware of their infection and another 1.1 million have progressed to AIDS. Over the past decade, the number of HIV cases in the US has increased, however, the annual number of cases remains stable at about 50, 000 new cases per year. Within these estimates, certain groups tend to carry the burden of these disease, particularly the gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM) and among race/ethnic groups, Blacks/African American males remain disproportionately affected. (CDC)

What is heroism? What is a hero? Does a hero have to have rippling muscles and superpowers? Is a nurse as much of a hero as a firefighter? Merriam-Webster defines a hero as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities”.

In the 1980s, a mysterious disease began to take the lives of Americans. With the cause unknown, a fear grew among Americans. An unusually high rate of people was becoming sick with strange and rare diseases. When experimental treatments failed to work, people died. This mysterious disease is what we now know as HIV–Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In the past thirty-five years, the HIV has taken many turns in history. Although we do not hear about HIV and AIDS now, it is still a prevalent issue in the United States and in the world.

Heroism can be defined a courageous act or great bravery. It can come from any individual, one does not have to be special or have a heroic moment. He/she may consider an individual like a parent, family member or friend a hero. Others may see policeman, firefighters, paramedics and our military to be our heroes. Altruism can be a synonym for heroism, as the reaction of risking your life to save another. The one, to help another without expecting anything in return, displays heroism.

What is heroism? Things preformed Superman, Batman, or The Flash? This is what most people think about when they hear the word hero or heroism. Although these characters show heroism, the definition of heroism does not have to be narrowed to the stereotypical hero. Many people have different concepts on heroism. A hero can be a ordinary person like a firefighter or cop. Heroism is a attribute that a person can obtain but they have to choose actions that help others like a fearless firefighter or cop helping others. Heroism also does not call for a reward for being heroic. Heroism is a quality or an act in all of us that a person uses to benefit for the good of other people even if there is a risk.