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Reflection paper

The video "WAVE, We Care (1990)" sparked one of the significant changes in how I

comprehend the disease HIV/AIDS and its connected activism, education and representation.

Before engaging with this piece, my understanding of HIV/AIDS was embedded in the context

of advances in the healthcare system and the recent campaigns. However, the message of the

video, focusing on the early 1990s when the epidemic was at its peak, fear was real, and the

information to control it was scarce, perhaps offered a contrasting background in today's world.

The most profound aspect I encountered from the video was that people living with HIV/AIDS

received insulting treatment, and everyone discriminated against them forcibly. There was also a

segment with a young man who was displaced from his community and was given hope that he

would never be able to do things that ordinary people can, like get a job or get a girlfriend; this

portrayed the social aspect of it beyond the medical aspect of it.

It is also clear that the spirit of activist organizations such as "WAVE, We Care" persists

throughout the whole movie. It is used to make a statement that speaks and calls on people to

listen and act with kindness and empathy. This was the early 1990s when there was lots of fear

and lots of rumours about HIV/AIDS, so it has a face for HIV/AIDS. This is why the activism in

the movie is far from gentle; the film works to educate and motivate the audience to fight for

their rights and respect those whose rights were violated. Perspectives from activists, as well as
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the scenes of demonstrations and meetings, equally add to the social-political aspect of the story

and the demands for change and more acceptance and care for those who have developed

HIV/AIDS.

Culturally, the video is indispensable in times when myths about HIV/AIDS have to be

debunked, and factual information has to be disseminated. This way, it provides the audience

with knowledge regarding the medical aspect linked to the disease and its effect on the emotions

and mental health of the patients and their families. I hope these potentially embarrassing talks

regarding the signs, the method of dealing with them, and the necessity of early diagnosis are

helpful and enlightening. For example, the segment where doctors give details about how

HIV/AIDS spreads and how to prevent it is beneficial since people learned incorrect information

and rumours about this disease.

On the symbolic aspect, "WAVE, We Care" stands out for featuring how it is to live with

HIV/AIDS through the actors' narratives. First, atmosphere choices work similarly: personal

interviews, archived footage, and focus on individual stories make the picture very empathetic in

depicting the epidemic. These aesthetic choices stem from a genuine passion for giving the

underrepresented a voice and platform. A variety of people that are shown in the hall, people of

different ages, colours and origins, indicates that HIV/AIDS affects everyone and everyone

should be more tolerant.

In conclusion, this 'WAVE, We Care (1990)' has changed my approach and knowledge

about HIV/AIDS in more significant ways. Through activism, education and representation, the

video also effectively presents a call and a reminder of the fight for dignity and rights for

individuals afflicted with the disease. It has engendered a keener understanding of HIV/AIDS

history as the epidemic unfolded and the importance of media propagation. This shows that
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cinematic creation is relevant for advocacy due to its prowess in transforming an epidemic into

human figures that deserve change in today's society.

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References

WAVE, We Care (1990) 32 MIN: https://vimeo.com/265270073