While we have been learning about how crafts and art can be used for activism, I found it especially interesting how strongly crafts and AIDS were related. In the reading, the writer explained how intertwined the stereotypes of crafting and having AIDS are. The stereotype of people with AIDS is thought of as populations of queer people, people of color, and poor people. The stereotype of crafts is feminine, queer people, oppressed minorities, and also poor people. I think that it is super powerful how people use crafts to speak up about AIDS. In a way, it is progressive for both. I also loved the parallel of using a feminine craft such as crochet to portray a strong, masculine man such as Magic Johnson. It combines the softness of craft with the severity of AIDS as well. The AIDS Memorial Quilt also stuck out to me. It again sends a strong message while using a nonthreatening form of communication.
I can agree completely with everything you said from beginning to end. To be specific, when you mentioned the stereotypes surrounding both AIDS and crafts. I personally believe that with these stereotypes specifically surrounding AIDS, the idea of something that was unbearable, undermined, has never been seen or discovered in history could cause people to fear and stereotype based on rates and categories. With crafts, it first seen as a feminine activity has been the factor of the way individuals view certain activities as if everything has a gender or category to be placed in. The way AIDS and crafts go hand-in-hand with each other is a very powerful and beautiful thing. The overall project (in agreement) is a non-threatening and peaceful form of communication.