Ali's Walk at Drake University

Society.  What comes to most people’s minds when they hear this word?  Everyone’s opinion is different, but to me, the word can mean a lot of different things.  Whenever I think of society as a whole, I think of the people around me and who I react with.  The people who help shape who I am and how I feel when I am out in public.  Some feelings I can get from people of society may be good or bad.  Usually good comes with society interactions, but I decided to break a norm that most people wouldn’t even think about doing.  Proclaiming you have an STD.  Most people would never admit to having HIV/AIDS to the public, but I did even though I do not have this sexually transmitted disease.  I had quite the experience doing this I must say.

            

I decided to wear a red shirt saying “HIV+” on the front of it so I made it loud and clear to people what I was trying to show.  Instead of just walking around a few people or a small group, I decided to go to Drake University to see what kind of reactions I could get.  I chose a university because I felt the people there would have a more distinct reaction considering the fact the students there are more my age.

            

Walking around the campus for the first hour was absolutely terrifying.  I honestly thought it wasn’t going to be that bad, but right when I stepped out of my car I felt immediately uncomfortable.  Three girls who were sitting at the coffee shop right next to me looked at me like I was some kind of disgusting animal.  Soon after I walked away, I could hear them talking about my shirt and why I would ever wear such a thing out in public. My confidence was already heading downhill from there.  I walked around like I didn’t belong in the community and that everyone thought I was a freak.  It sure didn’t feel good.  A guy who looked about 30, who I’m assuming was a professor at the university, even looked at me strange for a solid minute at the Drake bookstore.  To me, I felt so unwanted.  Even a respectable and nice looking man was glaring at me like I had done something terribly wrong.  I wanted to tell him so bad that I really didn’t have HIV and that I was doing this for a school project, but I know I couldn’t.  I just had to resist the urge. 

            

After getting home and being able to take my shirt off, I felt a sense of sadness and guilt.  I felt these emotions because I now realize how hard it must be to walk around actually having HIV and not being able to do anything about it.  Society really does have an huge impact on everyone, no matter what your status is.