Counterpublics in public housing: Refraining the politics of service-learning

On my way up to the third floor to meet with Susan [local advisory council president for a public housing development on the south side of Chicago], I was greeted by just about everyone I had come across, which was something that I found to be very surprising. Aside from "hellos" all the men I had come across gave me a nice firm handshake and introduced themselves. This was something that I found to be very honorable and respectable. When I was led to Susan office, she was currently on the phone. As I sat patiently awaiting to conduct my interview with her, I realized that not everyone in the South Side community is dangerous, mean, or tough. Now the question was, "How come I always perceived this area the way I did until now?"