Elton John Research Paper

A Humanizing Condition: Elton John AIDS Foundation

AIDS is the one of the most devastating diseases known to man as of today. “At the EJAF (Elton John AIDS Foundation) we believe that AIDS can be beaten” (Elton). Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the most well-known charities in it’s field and is well respected throughout the world. Elton John decided to start this organization after losing two of his close friends, Freddie Mercury and Ryan White, to the disease. The foundation was initially set up in the United States (New York) in 1992, and then the United Kingdom (London) in 1993 (Elton). The principal advocacy of the foundation is to improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS.

My personal

definition of literacy would be having a voice and/or being a voice that is heard. This advocacy I have chosen (EJAF) fits my definition extremely well for a couple of different reasons. It does so because the EJAF gives not only those with the disease a voice, but also the LGBT community. Injustice and discrimination towards these LGBT communities provokes HIV. I wish to learn about this new literacy since being a voice/having a voice is a major component of success in the modern world. Learning this new literacy will help me get a better perspective on the LGBT community/HIV patients from a different standpoint. I do not understand the daily struggles of these strong people but through this project I am determined to learn more.
The main sponsor for this type of advocacy is self-explanatory, Elton John.

Elton John is listed as the top supporter on www.looktothestars.org (a celebrity charity database). The famous singer has donated countless money in previous years to organizations around the world. John has retained the title of the most generous person in music for many years since 2004 (Look). A great example of the fantastic things he does was shown in 2008, when he donated over 100 motorcycles to a small African nation, for use of doctors and nurses visiting patients (Look).

I value this literacy because I believe in equality and everyone having a fair say in the community. This literacy (in perspective of HIV/AIDS and the LGBT community) really does not mean anything to my life right now due to the fact that I am not involved or can not relate to any part of that. However, I do feel that it is a large-scale epidemic and should be taken extremely seriously.

It was brought to my attention by previous researching and debating in the classroom. Before doing research, I did not know much (or anything) about Elton John nor what his organization did for various communities throughout the world. I had only heard a couple of Elton John’s songs and seen him on TV a handful of times prior to beginning this project. I feel as if we have recently heard a lot about the LGBT movement in the classroom and it is becoming a bigger thing outside the classroom

also.
I would promote this literacy by being kind to everyone around me and helping anyone in need, no matter who they are or their sexual preference. I am already a very non-judgmental person and think that all individuals deserve the same rights to life and should be treated accordingly. It always goes back to the saying “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” for me, and religious or not, I hold that all people should follow this. In the end, no one wants to be treated unfairly or made fun of, and everyone wants to have their own voice that is heard.