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“The Eye of Exclusion”By: José Ramirez Jr., LCSW• USA Coordinator for IDEA• Member, International Working

Group for Human Rights • Managing Editor, The STAR

VOICES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY LEPROSY8TH CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORKWEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Supported By: UNDESAThe Nippon Foundation The Permanent Mission of EthiopiaThe Permanent Mission of Japan

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Article I – U.N.Declaration of Human

Rights…”All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and

human rights”

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UNITED NATIONS EXHIBIT

FIGHTING SPIRIT AWARD

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Personal Losses

MYTHYS X HISTORY =

LOSSES

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Blinded By Myths

Blindness Lost Sight

Disappearing Horizon Darkness

Stars

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Law of Silence

Law of Silence – the practice of silently refusing to take a stand against stigma, and it’s accompanying pain created by inaction.

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Origins of Stigma I

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History of Stigma

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United States

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Aerial Photo of the U.S. National Leprosarium

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Guru of Stigma

Erving Goffman, 1963

Defined stigma as “the process by which the reaction of others spoils normal identity.”Goffman suggested that stigma is comprised of two major components: public (reaction of general public) and self (prejudice that people tend to turn towards themselves).

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STIGMA

AN ACT OF LABELING, REJECTION OR UNEXPLAINED

FEAR OF A PERSON

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Pyramid of Stigma

FearLa

belin

gReje

ctio

n

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Map of Home Town and U.S. National LeprosariumTEXAS LOUISIANA

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Stigma Across CulturesSTIGMA ACROSS CULTURES

Punishment from God Support Systems Use of or Lack of alternative medicine Culture of recipient of services may clash with the culture of the provider of

service.

CONSEQUENCES OF STIGMA Delay in seeking treatment for fear of rejection. Withholding information from family or others who may be able to help. Impaired quality of life.

EFFECTS OF STIGMA Forced institutionalization Loss of rights and dignity Loss of identity-burials Lifetime of labels

- “Leper”- Patient

16By: José Ramirez, Jr., LCSW

The Eye of Exclusion

17By: José Ramirez, Jr., LCSW

The Eye of Inclusion

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Summary of Presentation

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LEPORSY IS POWERFULWe are all human beings

IGNORANCE ABOUT LEPROSY IS MORE POWERFUL

Images lead to stigma

LEPROSY CAN CAUSE BLINDNESSInability to blink darkens sight

SOCIETY IS BLINDED BY MYTHS AND FEAR OF LEPROSY

Creates “Eye of Exclusion”

PERSONS AFFECTED AND IMPACTED ARE STARTING TO BOND

Creates “Eye of Inclusion”