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Time to ask why we feel such fear of homeless women

I always put up an imaginary stop sign when I feel fear
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Time to ask why we feel such fear of homeless women

Re: “Shelter is vital”, (Citizen, Sept. 19)

I say hurray for that viewpoint. Sadly, our culture has become one of fear, which can colour our reactions to many situations. I always put up an imaginary stop sign when I feel fear, to ask myself why I feel it. Try to remember how much better we feel when we experience compassion instead.

Imagine how it would feel if your own daughter had married a man who turned out to be violent. Imagine such a thing should take place after our own death, would we not long for her to be cared for? And remember, not all such women use drugs.

I have had a great deal of experience working with women in those situations, including volunteering in the drop-in place for women of the street in the downtown east side in Vancouver. These women need care, to be listened to and to be accepted.

I have friends who make friends with women is these situations, and it really helps my friends and their families as well as the women. Those who really see the need for shelters for women do not ask the neighbours to do this, but to understand how vital their need is to feel safe. I have seen so much of this automatic reaction in the Victoria newspapers. This is the Cowichan Valley. Let us harbour compassion.

Mari Brown

Duncan