Community Organizing in Atlanta: Perspectives from the AIDS Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore and compare the experiences of community organizers in Atlanta during the early years of the AIDS epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic. Both public health crises created a pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty in communities across the United States while revealing gaps in our social support structures. The AIDS epidemic demonstrated the devastating effects of neglect and stigma, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in our healthcare, employment, and economic systems. Using the social determinants of health as a theoretical framework, this study provides insight into the growing needs of affected communities and the response of local leaders.

In order to place the community responses in conversation with each other, two sets of interviews were analyzed: ten with local leaders from the AIDS epidemic from the Atlanta AIDS Legacy Project (AALP), and nine that I conducted with local leaders from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both groups of community organizers responded with versatility and innovation to address their respective challenges, taking into account the unique history and characteristics of Atlanta. AALP interviewees created or supported new organizations, as existing organizations were hindered from action due to the stigma associated with the virus. They faced challenges with inexperienced leadership and building new organizational structures, while also exhibiting significant creative freedom and capacity for collaboration. In contrast, most COVID-19 participants were already leaders at their organizations when the pandemic began. They drove the coordination of partnerships and new programs when faced with societal shutdowns, social distancing guidelines, public health hesitancy, and staff turnover. By directing attention to the community organizer experience, this study unveils critical lessons that can be applied to future public health crises.

Table of Contents

1.    Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..1

2.    Literature Review………………………………………………………………………….3

a.    Social determinants of health: A lens for understanding disparity within HIV/AIDS and COVID-19………………………………………………………..3

b.    Leadership during Public Health Crises…………………………………………..8

c.    COVID-19 and Complexity Theory……………………………………………..13

d.    Community Organizing in Public Health………………………………………..15

e.    Setting the Scene: Atlanta and the U.S. South…………………………………...21

3.    Methods………………………………………….……………………………………….25

4.    Results from Atlanta AIDS Legacy Project interviews………………………………….29

a.    The AIDS epidemic in the context of Atlanta…………………………………...29

b.    Challenges faced by community organizers during the AIDS epidemic………...32

c.    Leadership and strategies of Atlanta’s AIDS community organizations………...38

d.    Reflections on community organizing during the AIDS crisis…………………..46

5.    Results from contemporary COVID-19 interviews……………………………………...52

a.    COVID-19 in the context of Atlanta……………………………………………..52

b.    Challenges faced by community organizers during the COVID-19 pandemic….54

c.    Leadership and strategies of Atlanta’s COVID-19 community organizers……...59

d.    Reflections on community organizing during the COVID-19 pandemic………..68

6.    Discussion………………………………………………………………………………..71

7.    Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….82

a.    Limitations……………………………………………………………………….83

b.    Future directions…………………………………………………………………84

8.    Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………86

a.    Consent Form…………………………………………………………………….86

b.    Interview Guide………………………………………………………………….89

9.    References………………………………………………………………………………..91

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Anthropology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Anthropology, Cultural
Keyword	Atlanta Community Organizing COVID-19 HIV/AIDS
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Hall-Clifford, Rachel, Emory University
Committee Members	Guest, Jodie, Emory University Hadley, Craig, Emory University

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