Angels in America: A
Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner addresses the social and
political issues that arouse during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. As we have
learned in class the last few weeks, this was a time in which, politically,
America remained silent on a tragic crisis the country encountered because it
seemed to only appear in marginalized communities (hemophiliacs, drug users,
and gay men). The issue was only addressed after thousands of people had
already died. Socially, the LGBT community was forced to be stronger, in their
time of time of great need, and to come together to attempt to end America’s
shortcomings. Although, I already understood the basis of what was problematic
about AIDS/HIV in the 1980s, Kushner brought these issues to life in his
play. He builds a community of diverse people and creates unlikely
relationships amongst this diverse group, showing the reader/viewer the
importance of unity in the face of a crisis. Further, the play challenges
Americans to look at their country’s shortcomings and see that the promise of
freedom is not given to everyone. Overall, the play educated
readers/viewers about the political effects of HIV/AIDS on the queer community
and encourages readers/viewers to have a better social response to struggles
the LGBT community face.
I wasn’t alive in the 1980s but I have heard that the time in which Reagan served in the White House was referred to by many as some sort of “golden age.” Kushner brings this political atmosphere to life through his character’s love or disgust for the patriotism that goes with “good times.” On one hand Ray refers to the president as if he’s Superman. He says, “Americans have no use for sick. Look at Reagan: he’s so healthy he’s hardly human, he’s a hundred if he’s a day, he takes a slug in his chest and two days later he’s out west riding ponies in his PJs. I mean who does that? That’s America. It’s just no country for the infirm.” (Perestroika Act 3, Scene 2) In this quote Ray defends the country’s silence in the conversation on HIV/AIDS by saying that the country is so perfect that it shouldn’t have to deal with sickness. While Belize declares that he hates America and defends this feeling by saying that no one in America is actually given the freedom they are promised. He says, “The white cracker who wrote the National Anthem knew what he was doing. He set the word ‘free’ to a note so high nobody can reach it. That was deliberate. Nothing on earth sounds less like freedom to me.” (Perestroika Act 4, Scene 5) Although this political opinions are completely opposite they do an equally good job at describing just how little care was given to the queer community at the time. These quotes justify silence in the face of many, many people dying and describe the disgust that must’ve been felt within the LGBT community at the time. Upon further reading, I found an article about a gay man, named Michael Penn, who came forward to share his experience with HIV/AIDS during the 80s. He describes how it felt to deal with people’s discriminatory actions because of their ignorance towards HIV/AIDS. He says, “I remember after Brian died I went to local pub and the publican in my hearing said to someone 'don’t let anyone drink out of that glass'. I was furious.” (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/aids-crisis-1980-eighties-remember-gay-man-hiv-positive-funerals-partners-disease-michael-penn-a7511671.html%3fam) This quote is a real example of the feeling of anger and disgust that Kushner describes to his readers/viewers through his characters’ lives. All of these quotes, whether it be from Kushner or Mr. Penn, describe just how poor of a response the public and the government gave to the LGBT community during the age of AIDS.
Kushner describes the community support that should’ve been given to the queer community at the time. Through his diverse group of characters, the author creates unlikely friendships that seems to alleviate the depressing overtone of the play. I think by creating his unlikely community that Kushner is saying that tolerance is not enough. Louis articulates this idea, he says, “I think is that what AIDS shows us is the limits of tolerance, that it’s not enough to be tolerated, because when the shit hits the fan you find out how much tolerance is worth. Nothing. And underneath all the tolerance is intense, passionate hatred.” (Act 3, Scene 2) Louis raises an important point in this quote indifference is not enough, indifference to the issue means that more people die in this inaction and ultimately it can be argued that that’s just as hateful as being opposed to being gay. For example, Mormon Hannah sits by the hospital bedside of Prior and helps him to learn how to defeat the angel. If a Mormon, who doesn’t believe in homosexuals, can assist a gay man in his time of need without compromising her beliefs then others can get past their indifference. Belize, who is a black, ex-drag queen, gives homophobic and racist Roy much needed medical advice and respects him after death. This is an incredibly powerful message of coming together as a community in the face of tragedy, despite all core beliefs that Roy and Belize disagree on there is still a small level of respect. Overall, I think that through all of this textual evidence that Kushner is telling his audience that coming together as a community is the key to overcoming a struggle, He teaches his audience how to address the problem of HIV/AIDS and that is through support and not indifference to the most at risk community.
I wasn’t alive in the 1980s but I have heard that the time in which Reagan served in the White House was referred to by many as some sort of “golden age.” Kushner brings this political atmosphere to life through his character’s love or disgust for the patriotism that goes with “good times.” On one hand Ray refers to the president as if he’s Superman. He says, “Americans have no use for sick. Look at Reagan: he’s so healthy he’s hardly human, he’s a hundred if he’s a day, he takes a slug in his chest and two days later he’s out west riding ponies in his PJs. I mean who does that? That’s America. It’s just no country for the infirm.” (Perestroika Act 3, Scene 2) In this quote Ray defends the country’s silence in the conversation on HIV/AIDS by saying that the country is so perfect that it shouldn’t have to deal with sickness. While Belize declares that he hates America and defends this feeling by saying that no one in America is actually given the freedom they are promised. He says, “The white cracker who wrote the National Anthem knew what he was doing. He set the word ‘free’ to a note so high nobody can reach it. That was deliberate. Nothing on earth sounds less like freedom to me.” (Perestroika Act 4, Scene 5) Although this political opinions are completely opposite they do an equally good job at describing just how little care was given to the queer community at the time. These quotes justify silence in the face of many, many people dying and describe the disgust that must’ve been felt within the LGBT community at the time. Upon further reading, I found an article about a gay man, named Michael Penn, who came forward to share his experience with HIV/AIDS during the 80s. He describes how it felt to deal with people’s discriminatory actions because of their ignorance towards HIV/AIDS. He says, “I remember after Brian died I went to local pub and the publican in my hearing said to someone 'don’t let anyone drink out of that glass'. I was furious.” (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/aids-crisis-1980-eighties-remember-gay-man-hiv-positive-funerals-partners-disease-michael-penn-a7511671.html%3fam) This quote is a real example of the feeling of anger and disgust that Kushner describes to his readers/viewers through his characters’ lives. All of these quotes, whether it be from Kushner or Mr. Penn, describe just how poor of a response the public and the government gave to the LGBT community during the age of AIDS.
Kushner describes the community support that should’ve been given to the queer community at the time. Through his diverse group of characters, the author creates unlikely friendships that seems to alleviate the depressing overtone of the play. I think by creating his unlikely community that Kushner is saying that tolerance is not enough. Louis articulates this idea, he says, “I think is that what AIDS shows us is the limits of tolerance, that it’s not enough to be tolerated, because when the shit hits the fan you find out how much tolerance is worth. Nothing. And underneath all the tolerance is intense, passionate hatred.” (Act 3, Scene 2) Louis raises an important point in this quote indifference is not enough, indifference to the issue means that more people die in this inaction and ultimately it can be argued that that’s just as hateful as being opposed to being gay. For example, Mormon Hannah sits by the hospital bedside of Prior and helps him to learn how to defeat the angel. If a Mormon, who doesn’t believe in homosexuals, can assist a gay man in his time of need without compromising her beliefs then others can get past their indifference. Belize, who is a black, ex-drag queen, gives homophobic and racist Roy much needed medical advice and respects him after death. This is an incredibly powerful message of coming together as a community in the face of tragedy, despite all core beliefs that Roy and Belize disagree on there is still a small level of respect. Overall, I think that through all of this textual evidence that Kushner is telling his audience that coming together as a community is the key to overcoming a struggle, He teaches his audience how to address the problem of HIV/AIDS and that is through support and not indifference to the most at risk community.
Thank you for your post!
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