Of all of the smiling faces at the Senior Center, Bilson Davis, the master of ceremonies, and Culver Citys new state senator, Mark Ridley-Thomas, moderator for the hour-long panel discussion, probably had the most fun. At the outset, Mr. Davis established a casual, friendly, conversational we are all neighbors kind of tone, shifting the program into the gear of congenial. Strongly affable, seemingly without effort, Mr. Ridley-Thomas was at his showmanship best, especially when swapping quick-thinking quips with the most celebrated of the panelists, Rick Tuttle, former Controller of the city of Los Angeles.
Peace Is Paramount
Schools are the guiltiest institutions in America of failing to fulfill Dr. Kings dream, according to longtime Culver City High School teacher Jose Ramon Montero. Spanish-born Sr. Montero, the well-known and much-liked coach of the schools Peace Club, repeated one of his favorite injunctions. The most important value is love, he told the crowd. But we talk little about it in school. Instead, starting in the first grade, we talk about standards rather than love. In closing, Sr. Montero, committed to a theme of egalitarianism. He found a way to link contemporary bigotry with the bias in Dr. Kings day. Years ago, he said, African Americans were considered less than human. To update that circumstance, he said, just change African American to immigrants.
What Has Changed?
Shakeel Syed, one of two Muslims on the panel, may have been the most pessimistic, though it would have been a close call. All the problems of the 60s are alive today, said the executive director of the Shura Council of Southern California. Buttressed by what he regarded as damning data, he said that in the richest state in the wealthiest nation in the world, 20 percent of people 1 out of 5 live without medical insurance. One percent (of Californians) are without a roof over their head. Ten percent go hungry every day. Friends, we have work to do.
Crying at the Grave
The single black panelist, Jasmine LeBlanc, a student at Culver High, lightly disagreed with those who said social and cultural advance since Dr. Kings day was virtually indiscernible. She said her grandfather recalled a time when he could not go through Culver City. Scanning the partially filled room, she said, Now my whole family is sitting here. In the days only statement of black pride, Ms. LeBlanc testified that she is president of the Black Students Union on campus because I love my culture. She wanted the audience to know that the light of Dr. Kings inspiration has not flickered out. As I sit here, she said, the dream is alive. Ms. LeBlanc hoped that would be all the encouragement needed for her audience to realize it was the responsibility of each person to perpetuate the King vision. Switching themes and aligning herself with the majority sentiment, the Culver High studentspoke of Dr. King as a non-violent seeker of peace. When Ms. LeBlanc visited Dr. Kings grave in Atlanta, she admitted she cried. She has become convinced that Dr. King was willing to die for his country. But, she proffered a distinction. Not in a war, but fighting for peace and justice.
By the Numbers
To emphasize the diversity of Los Angeles which all acknowledged was a positive attribute Kara Carlisle of the Los Angeles Human Relations was selected as a key presenter on the panel. Asserting that persons should not be judged (at least only) by their externals, Ms. Carlisle, who is Asian, told the audience, presumably as a surprise factor, that, unlikely as it appeared, she was raised in a bucolic community in Indiana. Born in Korea, she soon found herself without parents. She grew up in a private home with fellow foster children of various shades. Her message: You never know. She delivered a portfolio that was bulging with data. Los Angeles, she said, is home to 600 religious traditions, 100 versions of Christianity, 200 languages, and immigrants from 140 countries. Ms. Carlisle did not venture a guess on the proportion of legitimate non-natives.
A Busy Student
Amir Malik, like Ms. LeBlanc a student at Culver High, is perhaps best described by his campus affiliations. A native of Culver City, he is a former president of the Muslim Student Assn. He is on the Student Intercultural Advisory Committee, the Interfaith Club, and he participates in a Culver High class called Conflict Resolution by Peaceful Means.
Mr. Tuttle was asked how he thought Dr. King would respond to the diminishing number of African American students throughout the University of California system. He would be on the phone to good pastors, Mr. Tuttle said, to get out a picket line.
Postscript
Sr. Montero may have applied the most precise coda to the program. We have to create a culture of peace, he said, because we are living in a culture of war and evil.
