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Alonzo, Renz Aimeriza Alonzo

JD4301
Labor Law 1

Reflection Paper: Philadelphia

“Philadelphia” is a movie that focuses on the illegal dismissal of Andrew “Andy”

Beckett due to a serious illness. Andy was lawyer working for a one of the prestigious

law firms in Philadelphia and he was promoted as a senior partner. He hid to the other

partners that he was gay and has contracted “AIDS” in which during that time was a

crucial crisis for being homosexual. When the partners knew that he had AIDS, they

sabotaged him on misplacing a complaint to be filed in court from one of their biggest

clients and due to that incident, Andy was illegal terminated from his job. Andy was

determined to file a case against his former employers but no one would accept his

case due to his illness but one brave lawyer in the name of Joe Miller accepted his case

eventually even fihe was afraid of Andy that he might be contracted from the disease.

“AIDS” has been around for a while and until now no cure has been found.

During the timeline of the movie, “AIDS” has been an epidemic at that time and the

people who contracted such disease has been discriminated. Discrimination has been

and always will be a major problem in society.  There are many different types of

discrimination; some examples are racial, sexuality, gender, religion, health, and social

status.  An individual cannot get through difficult times without family support, and being

able to openly talk about things.

This happened to Andy when he was looking for a lawyer to represent him for his

case and also a scene in the movie where he was in the law library were the librarian

asked him to go a private room instead. Until now, there is still discrimination due to the

fact that people contracted such disease. It saddens me that some people are still not

open about it even if the LGBTQ+ community has been accepted already.
Alonzo, Renz Aimeriza Alonzo
JD4301
Labor Law 1

During the trial, Joe had emphasized how competent Andy was as lawyer even if

he was sick; it did not affect his work. Due to his illness was the reason he was

terminated at work and such cause was not valid for dismissal. I was happy on how Joe

Miller overcomes his fear from Andy. At first, may be the reason why Joe accepted

Andy’s case was out of sympathy but as time goes by he learned that Andy was a good

person and saw how strong he was despite what was happening to him. The scene in

the movie when Joe finally touched Andy’s face when he was hospitalized symbolizes

the acceptance of such person despite his fear before.

I was also happy on the family of Andy in which he was supported physically and

emotionally. Despite all the things happened to Andy especially when his trial was

known to the whole State of Philadelphia, his family never doubted him despite being

gay and to his boyfriend who was very supportive until his death. Having a support

system is important when dealing with serious illness or disease. This builds the

patients self-esteem and allows them to talk about their illness.   It allows them to

express their emotions and lets them know you are aware that they are dealing with

something.  There are several ways to support an individual with a disease, talking to

them, allowing them to vent, support them in treatments, and talk about the bigger

picture with them.

Being discriminated against for diseases and other things is very emotionally

draining for most people.  One cannot get through a difficult situation without emotional

support.  Being able to understand your own situation and understand how to tell others

is difficult.  Talking to other people with a similar disease or illness might be the only

way to fully understand their own situation. 


Alonzo, Renz Aimeriza Alonzo
JD4301
Labor Law 1

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