The St. Fleur family is well respected in the Haitian community because they are religious with great moral values. They moved to the United States because of political issues in Haiti. Ronald, the youngest son of this family, is 27 years old and lives at home with his mother and father. Recently, he began having fevers and subsequently developed pneumonia. He was admitted to the hospital, where laboratory tests were HIV positive. Ronald was in shock when the doctor informed him that he was HIV positive. He confessed to the doctor that he was gay but he could not tell his family. He said that he did not want to bring shame to the family. Because he couldn’t be in a formal relationship owing to his family and the Haitian community’s view of homosexuality, he has been very promiscuous over the years.

What are Haitians’ dominant cultural views of homosexuality?
If Ronald’s parents were to learn of his positive HIV status, how might they react if they are religious and traditional?
Identify three specific culturally congruent strategies to address in designing HIV-prevention practices in the Haitian community.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Let’s address the complex issues presented in this case, keeping in mind that generalizations about any cultural group can be misleading, and individual experiences within a culture vary widely.

Haitian Cultural Views of Homosexuality:

While there is increasing dialogue and acceptance in some urban areas and among younger generations, dominant cultural views in Haiti, particularly within more traditional and religious communities, tend to be conservative regarding homosexuality. These views are often influenced by:

  • Religion: Catholicism and Protestantism are dominant religions in Haiti, and many interpretations of these faiths view homosexuality as a sin.
  • Family and Community Honor: Family honor and reputation are highly valued in Haitian culture. Homosexuality can be seen as bringing shame or dishonor to the family.

Let’s address the complex issues presented in this case, keeping in mind that generalizations about any cultural group can be misleading, and individual experiences within a culture vary widely.

Haitian Cultural Views of Homosexuality:

While there is increasing dialogue and acceptance in some urban areas and among younger generations, dominant cultural views in Haiti, particularly within more traditional and religious communities, tend to be conservative regarding homosexuality. These views are often influenced by:

  • Religion: Catholicism and Protestantism are dominant religions in Haiti, and many interpretations of these faiths view homosexuality as a sin.
  • Family and Community Honor: Family honor and reputation are highly valued in Haitian culture. Homosexuality can be seen as bringing shame or dishonor to the family.
  • Traditional Gender Roles: Strongly defined gender roles often exist, and homosexuality can be perceived as a deviation from these traditional roles.
  • Lack of Open Dialogue: Open discussion about sexuality, including homosexuality, may be limited, contributing to a lack of understanding and perpetuating stigma.

It’s crucial to remember that these are broad trends, and individual Haitians may hold more accepting or nuanced views.

Potential Parental Reaction:

If Ronald’s parents, being religious and traditional, were to learn of his HIV-positive status and his homosexuality, their reaction could be complex and potentially difficult for Ronald. Possible reactions include:

  • Disappointment and Shame: They might feel deep disappointment and shame, believing that Ronald’s homosexuality reflects negatively on the family’s reputation and their moral values.
  • Concern for Ronald’s Soul: They might express concern for his spiritual well-being, viewing his homosexuality as a sin that needs repentance.
  • Rejection or Ostracization: In some cases, particularly if they are very traditional, they might reject or ostracize Ronald, seeing his homosexuality as unacceptable within their family and community.
  • Concern for his Health: Alongside their potential negative reactions to his sexual orientation, they might also express genuine concern for his health and well-being, especially given his HIV diagnosis.
  • A Mix of Emotions: It’s likely they would experience a complex mix of emotions, including love for their son, disappointment, confusion, and perhaps a struggle to reconcile their religious beliefs with their love for Ronald.

Culturally Congruent HIV Prevention Strategies:

Designing effective HIV prevention practices within the Haitian community requires cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the specific context. Here are three culturally congruent strategies:

  1. Partnering with Trusted Community Leaders: Collaborating with religious leaders, community elders, and other respected figures is essential. These individuals can act as cultural brokers, helping to tailor HIV prevention messages and programs to the specific needs and values of the community. Their involvement can also help reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue about sexual health.

  2. Integrating HIV Prevention into Existing Health Initiatives: Rather than creating separate programs that might be stigmatizing, integrating HIV prevention messages and services into existing health initiatives (e.g., maternal health programs, general health clinics) can be more effective. This approach normalizes discussions about sexual health and reduces the focus on HIV as a “gay disease.”

  3. Addressing Stigma and Discrimination: Stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and homosexuality are significant barriers to prevention and care. Culturally sensitive education campaigns can help dispel myths, promote understanding, and reduce prejudice. These campaigns should emphasize compassion, respect, and the importance of testing and treatment for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. They should also address the link between stigma and risky behaviors.

It’s vital to approach these issues with cultural humility, recognizing the diversity of experiences within the Haitian community and avoiding generalizations. Building trust, respecting cultural values, and working in partnership with community members are crucial for developing effective and sustainable HIV prevention strategies.

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