1 Who discriminates? - Definition and case studies

Purpose

People who are HIV-positive or who are living with AIDS are often subject to discrimination. Young people need to be aware of discrimination and how it is expressed.

What the teacher does

1. Decide how to teach this activity:

a) Provide each student with an activity sheet and have them work individually or in pairs to complete the activity.

b) Read the definition and examples of discrimination. Then read the four quotes and have the students complete the unfinished sentences verbally, on a sheet of paper or on the blackboard (only one activity sheet is needed).

c) Place the students in small groups and provide one activity sheet per group. Have the group complete the instructions.

2. Have the students complete the unfinished sentences. Suggested answers are given below:

· School discrimination

A person who has HIV infection is not allowed to attend school.

This is wrong because: A person with HIV or AIDS can pass the virus to someone else only through sexual intercourse, transfer of blood products, or from mother to baby. There is no danger of transmission by day-to-day social contact.

· The village banning

The Council will not allow people with AIDS to live in the village.

This is wrong because: It discriminates against a person’s rights with no reason as the virus cannot be transmitted through daily activities, or by living near to a person with AIDS.

· Work in the fruit stand

Mancini, the owner of the fruit stand won’t allow Harsi, who has HIV infection, to work for him.

This is wrong because: Again, this is discrimination. The owner obviously does not know how HIV is transmitted and perhaps he is afraid he won’t get business if other people know that Harsi has HIV infection.

· A government decision

The government has decided not to allow people with HIV to enter the country. This will not stop AIDS because: there are many, many people with HIV who do not know they have the virus and are already in the country. Therefore it discriminates against those who have been tested.

Remember: testing everybody is not an effective method to stop the infection, and can lead to a sense of false security because: · The test would need to be repeated very often for all the population · People would find a way to get false certificates · One can get infected immediately after obtaining a HIV-negative test result

3. Discuss the questions under “Teacher asks”. Suggested answers are found below.

a) Why do people discriminate?

· They learn from parents, adults and their peers
· Lack of accurate information
· Fear of certain kinds of people
· Dislike of anyone who is different

b) Why is it important not to discriminate?

· It hurts other people
· It isn’t fair
· We wouldn’t want to be treated that way
· Equality is a fundamental human right

c) What could you do if you heard discriminating remarks about a person with HIV infection or AIDS from someone in your community?

· Inform the person that they are wrong and tell them why. Be assertive and tell the person you do not want to hear their comments.

· Explain why it is important to be compassionate and supportive to someone with HIV infection or AIDS.

Invite a person with HIV infection or AIDS or a relative, to talk to the classroom; it will be a profound experience for you and the students.