People living with HIV/AIDS are stigmatized. Although personal and social consequences of this stigmatization have been documented, research regarding its impact on social interactions is scarce. Latinos, and Puerto Ricans in particular, have voiced concern regarding AIDS stigma. The authors investigated the key role of social interaction in the process of stigmatization through in-depth, semistructured interviews in a sample of 30 Puerto Ricans living with HIV/AIDS. Participants reported instances in which AIDS stigma negatively influenced social interactions with family, friends, sexual partners, coworkers, and health professionals. Some of the consequences they described were loss of social support, persecution, isolation, job loss, and problems accessing health services. Findings support the need for interventions to address AIDS stigma and its consequences.

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It is the participatory spirit of the research enterprise that cames it forward toward significant discovery, useful theory, and approximate application. (D. Klein, 1985) 171

Power is a word used frequently in our society in general, and within Community Psychology in particular. We use phrases such as "those who have and those who do not have power," "she knows how to use her power," "he does not have power over his life," "she can do that because she is powerful." We also say that "power corrupts"; "that the powerful control," that "the poor do not have equal access to power," and that "they are in the seat of power." Within Community Psychology we speak of "unequal distribution of power," "how to empower others," and of "empowerment" as a core concept of our discipline.Beneath these expressions there are various underlying conceptualizations of power. In some it is conceived as an object that can be possessed, and which we transfer from one person or group to another. In others, it is thought of as an ability or capacity, the exercise of which fosters our development and the lack of which limits even our control over the most personal aspects of our life. Yet in others we speak of power as being housed in particular sites where many of us are unwelcome.Ethics is another popular term. We generally speak of "behaving ethically or unethically," of the "ethics of a profession," and of "ethical conflicts or dilemmas." It is usually used to refer to the good, appropriate, or desirable ways in which a person should act, and to the norms or rules that require human beings to act in valued ways. It is generally recognized that behaving ethically is full of philosophical and value-laden issues.

ConclusionIn conclusion, with this Special Issue we have tried to point out the complexities of diversity and the challenges it poses for community psychology. The groups we present are only an example of the many that suffer similar plights and enjoy similar strengths. The richness of their cultural backgrounds, the learnings that stem from their struggles, their sameness and uniqueness should challenge us to collaborate with them and to unearth other groups which did not have an opportunity to present their histories in this issue.Silence, as previously stated, can be a clear “voice” of resistance. However, it is our contention that in the long run, it is not the best strategy to achieve change in oppressive power relationships. Our reading of the articles in this issue, strengthens this belief. Thus, this publication provides a vehicle so that the distant humming of some groups starts resonating in our halls, while the voice of others that has already been heard is amplified. Eventually we hope that the thunderous and deafening sound of all these previously unheard voices, can move community psychology, and those of us within it, into a harmonious world of sound.