[Soft*Silver]

it was suppose to read, the first housing complex in our area...

Originally Posted by softness

I was part of the team that was establishing the first housing complex for people living with AIDS. We sent out fact sheets to the neighborhood and held press conferences and public meetings and had Drs and health commissioners present and yet, the more we gave them, the more hysterical their response became.

The problem was US, not them. We were handing them facts and telling them there was no reason to be afraid and they were screaming at us they were afraid and we simply were NOT listening.

I have learned that listening to the other side as they emote, without getting stuck on if they are right or wrong, is the only compassionate thing to do. I sat with people who were terrified that their children were going to have to witness body bags be taken out while their kids were getting on or off the school bus. This of course, wasnt rational thinking nor was it likely ever to happen...but...I sat with them and listened....

These were just caring parents who didnt want their children harmed or traumatized.

By the time the house was up and running I had some of the neighbors as volunteers...

sometimes being right isnt as effective as doing the right thing.