This paper examines the duality in Keith Haring’s art of a very playful visual nature with cartoon-like imagery that is contrasted by the political themes particularly to do with the 1980s AIDS crisis. It explores the bold lines, vibrant colors, and stick figure like characters that defined his visual style along with discussing the origins of it from his fascinations as a child with the cartoons or his appreciation of the New York Street Art scene at the time, and how these influences helped inspire this exciting and eye catching visual language while still maintaining an innocent feel which would make his art accessible to a wider audience to enjoy. In contrast to the overt fun of Haring’s work, this paper also explores how beneath the innocent and playful fun were messages regarding public health, sexuality, and most prominently the devasting impact that the AIDS epidemic had on the LGBTQ+ community.