It's My Life

It’s My Life was an interesting and at sometimes confusing documentary to watch. Zackie Achmat was HIV positive and refused to take medication until it was available for everyone, especially the poor people in South Africa. First, I think that act showed volumes of Achmat’s character. Most people would not be as selfless if they had contracted the disease. Secondly, I like that Achmat believed that he could make a difference. He was only one person who refused to take medicine and yet he still felt that he would be able to make an impact to better the lives of those less fortunate. Sometimes, one person really can make a difference if they put their heart, mind, and soul into it.

            Personally, I was confused about the court case. I was under the impression that Achmat and his campaign wanted to get the HIV medication to those who couldn’t afford it, so I was confused when the Treatment Action Campaign filed an Amicus Curiae brief on the side of the court. Achmat spoke about the government not doing all that they could in the area of HIV prevention and treatment, so I assumed the campaign would go against the government and the court, not take the same side. The pharmaceutical companies wanted to make medication more affordable for those who needed it, but the campaign argued that the companies would rather make profits than save lives. I can understand this argument, but the pharmaceutical companies were doing more than the government was. It seemed to me as if the campaign and court case were thwarting any opportunity for people to get the medication. When the companies withdrew the case, I was surprised- not that they withdrew but at the reaction of the campaign supporters. They were so happy…and ended up back where they started: without the medication.

            I’ve known about AIDS in Africa, so the film was not as shocking as other films we’ve viewed this semester. However, Welcome to Our Hillbrow was enlightening in the way people living in Africa viewed AIDS. In the beginning of the book, the narrator states that AIDS came from the green monkey and when Africans ate them, they contracted the disease. Others believed the disease came from “bizarre sexual behavior” and was just passed along the population (Mpe 4). It is apparent that people did not know what AIDS were, how the disease was contracted, or how it could be prevented. By the end of the book, the narrator states that “no one in particular can be blamed for the spread of AIDS” which conveys a sense of unity amongst the country (Mpe 123). It’s upsetting to think that the number of people infected by AIDS could have been diminished with proper education and prevention tips. If the Treatment Action Campaign, the government, and the pharmaceutical companies could have put profits and pride aside, they could have worked together to come up with a plan to help the people of their country.