Blacks Grapple With Sting of Acquittals : Reaction: The vast majority go to work despite their frustration. They search for explanations and worry about the future.

Gregory Moore’s 4-year-old daughter cried when he left for work Thursday morning.

“The violence they’re doing on the street, burning up everything--she saw it on TV,” the Pierce College custodian said. “She said, ‘Where’s my daddy going?’ ”

Like other blacks in the Valley, Moore was dismayed by the acquittals of the four Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney G. King. But while thousands vented their anger on city streets, he was one of the vast majority who went to work.

They spent the day struggling to attend to jobs, still feeling the sting of their initial reactions to the verdict. “A gut agony” was what William Marshall, a Pacoima actor, called it.

At S & S Beauty Connection in Sylmar, talk of the rioters--who included at least some people of all colors--dominated conversation among black attorneys and doctors who frequent the salon.

“I’m black and proud of it. But this is not the way to handle this,” Sandy Nance, the salon’s owner, said of the street violence. “I think that the anger is misdirected.”

For some, it was too early to speak of such things. They were still in shock over the jury’s verdict. James Stewart, a Van Nuys real estate agent, said he tried to go on as if nothing unusual had happened.

“I showed some properties up in Sylmar,” he said. “I saw a lot of solemn faces. It was sad.”

Across the Valley, at Cal State Northridge, Associate Personnel Director William Watkins found himself preoccupied with thoughts of his family.

“I remember how frightened I was during the Watts riots,” said Watkins, who grew up in South-Central Los Angeles. “I guess I want to make sure my children are being aided in dealing with this.”

He hadn’t yet decided what he was going to tell them.

“A black life is obviously not worth much when you turn to the court system,” he said. “It almost defies explanation.”

Karen Brannon, 24, president of the CSUN Black Student Union, compared the verdict to lynchings in the Old South. “When white people use to hang black people from trees, they would get off scot-free,” she said. “Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed.”

As reports of arson and looting multiplied through the day, Beverly Mosley said she felt more and more uneasy.

“I hope people aren’t thinking that every Afro-American is going to go out and destroy property in order to let their feelings be known,” the Panorama City nurse said. “What you have out there is a bunch of thugs who are doing what they normally do.”

But even at a time of violence, there was talk of rebuilding and of the future. Watkins was thinking of ways to work within his church and inspire the students on campus. A group of about 20 people from Greater Community Church in Pacoima spent the day visiting students at junior high schools and high schools.

“We were there to say that when you’re in school and you’re feeling frustrated and angry, go to your teachers or come to us or to your parents,” said Barbara Perkins, a member of the group, who said she was moved to get involved after hearing the verdict.

There was also much talk of rallying support for Proposition F, the police reform initiative, and of other political activity.

“I have never before been interested in seeking political office, but over the last 48 hours I have thought that maybe I will do something more than voting. Maybe I will become more politically involved, even run for office,” said Rebecca Ortiz, a Lancaster attorney. “I do believe that change does have to come through the system.”

Meanwhile, Moore, the Pierce College custodian, thought of his daughter, Sky, and of how he was going to explain the verdict and the rioting to her.

“I don’t know where to begin,” he said. “I wish I did.”

Also contributing to this story were Times staff writers David Colker, Jim Herron Zamora and Jocelyn Y. Stewart.