Be compassionate

It is disappointing to hear and read comments stereotyping the “poor behavior” of the unhoused. Most can agree that public property should not be used as a restroom. Porta potties are made available at Buckley Park, in which I walk my dog at least daily, and I often see unhoused folks use them. So perhaps more porta potties downtown would be beneficial.

More importantly, claiming without any basis, that “most Durango residents would now say Purple Cliffs should go away” is simply hateful speech. Failure to seek solutions or humanize these individuals amounts to “othering.” There are multiple efforts in our community dedicated to improving housing solutions. The Durango Herald and Durango Telegraph have covered the Neighbors in Need Alliance/Project Moxie efforts for a managed camp with La Plata County’s commitment to allocate funding; Housing Solutions’ Espero Apartments; the Local First Impact Fund providing funds for West Mobile Home Park tenants to buy their park; and Durango’s plan to add housing units at former motels. 

Why are some behaviors of some homeless folks unsettling? A primary reason is trauma. In “My Grandmother’s Hand,” author/therapist Resmaa Menakem cites a well-known study published in 2014 of 17,000 people over three decades conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente titled “Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.” It links childhood trauma and other adverse childhood events involving abuse or neglect to long-term health and social consequences, which get passed down through generations. The study identified 10 “adverse childhood events:” divorced or separated parents; physical abuse; physical neglect; emotional abuse; emotional neglect; sexual abuse; domestic violence the child witnessed; substance abuse in the household; mental illness in the household; and a family member in prison. The more of these ACE’s, the more likely the person will suffer from physical health issues, but also alcoholism, depression, liver disease, sexually transmitted diseases, illicit drug use, financial stress and attempted suicide. Someone with even four of these ACE’s are 4.5 times as likely to be depressed, 10 times as likely to be intravenous drug users and 12 times likely to be suicidal.

Rather than jumping to harsh conclusions, one might benefit from research instead. Also, reading the book or watching the movie, “Same Kind of Different Me,” based on a true story of a wealthy couple who befriend and help a homeless man, may inspire understanding and empathy. 

– Lynne Sholler, Durango