Panic at the Church: The Use of Frames, Social Problems, and Moral Panics in the Formation of an AIDS Social Movement Organization

Authors

Angelique Harris, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Publisher

Washington State University Press

Source Publication

Western Journal of Black Studies

Source ISSN

0197-4327

Abstract

This article examines how frames and moral panics are used to attract attention to public health issues. This research posits that once a health social movement organization frames their contested issue as a social problem, a moral panic is created to initiate a reaction on the part of the movement's target audience. A case study of the development of The Balm in Gilead, an AIDS awareness program that targets the Black Church, is used to illustrate how frames and moral panics are employed. Data consists of interviews with Black Church leaders, AIDS activists, and employees at The Balm in Gilead (BG). Findings suggest that creating a moral panic among Black Church leaders was vital to the movement's success.

Comments

Published version. Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 34, No. 3 (Fall 2010): 337-346. Publisher link.. © 2010 Washington State University Press. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Harris, Angelique, "Panic at the Church: The Use of Frames, Social Problems, and Moral Panics in the Formation of an AIDS Social Movement Organization" (2010). Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 249.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/socs_fac/249