On Thursday October 16, author and professor Paul Renfro hosted a lecture in the IUK
library. Open to the public, he spent this time discussing issues that are at the forefront in his new
book, “The Life and Death of Ryan White: AIDS and Inequality in America”.

Renfro is currently an Associate Professor of history at Florida State University, and his
first book, “Stranger Danger: Family Values, Childhood, and the American Carceral State”, was
published in 2020. When writing his newest book, he visited Indiana to do research in locations
specific to Ryan White’s life. It only made sense that he would hold this lecture in Kokomo, the
town that faced national scrutiny when Ryan White was alive.

Before attending IUK, accounting major Jensen Heuser graduated from Hamilton
Heights, the school Ryan White attended after leaving Western School Corporation. Even though
she was familiar with the topics discussed, she was still able to learn a lot through Renfro’s
lecture.

“Today I learned more about the specific laws and acts that Ryan White’s story impacted,
and how his story was used for both bad and good. Like for example, to discriminate against gay
people. I also learned more about how politicians reacted to the HIV/AIDS crisis at the time.”

Nadia Irvin is majoring in nonprofit management at IU Bloomington, and is a part of the
IU Dance Marathon group, which was started in memory of Ryan White. When she heard about
this event being hosted at IUK, she decided to make the trip from one IU campus to another.

“IUDM has taught me the importance of not only his story, but many people who are
blameless victims of diseases. The chance to come back home to learn more about him and the
effects the HIV/AIDS epidemic had on the world was not an opportunity I could pass up.”, said
Irvin.

Although it’s been over 30 years since White’s passing, both of these IU students believe
that there is still a lot to learn from his story, and how America reacted to the HIV/AIDS
epidemic in the 1980s.

“I think it’s all still relevant today. Even though the number of people with HIV/AIDS
has decreased, Ryan White’s legacy still affects the way they are treated. I also think the stigma

is still high, for some groups of people more than others. Overall, we still have a lot of work in
educating the public, and reducing the stigma.” said Heuser.

Irvin added, “I think Ryan’s story is a reminder to treat everyone with respect regardless
of sickness. I didn’t live through the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but I could relate a lot to how the
spread of misinformation causes chaos and evokes terrible behavior.”

Renfro informed IUK Correspondent that the best way to access his new book would be
through the UNC Press website. It is also available to borrow for free on Libby, if a patron’s library offers the service.