Forum Fosters Understanding Among Cultures

Actor Edward James Olmos failed to appear Saturday in his role as keynote speaker for a series of city-sponsored meetings to bridge the differences between ethnic groups.

But even without him, about 50 Glendale residents met at City Hall to launch the six-week forum, “Understanding Who We Are,” the fifth such series held since 1989.

They will continue to meet weekly in small groups in different participants’ homes to discuss youth issues, homelessness, family life and community involvement.

But as in previous sessions, instead of coming up with possible solutions to such problems, Glendale officials say, participants are expected to discuss the issues and get to know one another’s cultures.

“Understanding each other is the key,” City Councilman Larry Zarian told participants during an orientation meeting. “If we don’t, we’ll always be divided, we’ll always generalize and we won’t know who our neighbors are.”

The forum grew out of recommendations to improve race relations in Glendale suggested by Herman Sillas, a consultant and attorney hired by the city in 1987, as one of the remedies ordered by a federal judge who found a Latino police officer had been improperly refused promotions within the Glendale Police Department.

The forums are also sponsored by Glendale Community College, KVEA-TV, a Glendale-based Spanish-language television channel, and Sammons Communications. This year, the forum is being held twice a year, in the spring and fall.

“You find a compassion and tolerance for people that you didn’t know you had before,” Glendale Mayor Carl Raggio said of the meetings. “The sad part is it doesn’t go on all year, but what we’re hoping is that the friendships and acquaintances we make here become the fabric of the community on a sustained basis.”

During Saturday’s morning meeting at City Council chambers, participants seemed only momentarily discouraged by the news that Olmos, who has been active in many post-L.A. riot programs, was prevented by last-minute scheduling problems from giving a pep talk.

They seemed eager to begin the meetings, which will coincide with October’s Cultural Diversity Month celebrations in Glendale and culminate with closing ceremonies Nov. 18.

Kimboli St. James, a clothing designer, writer and the only black participant, has lived in Glendale 10 years. She said she hopes to bring the group, “my feelings about people being people,” no matter what their heritage may be.

“It’s a good idea. People need communication,” said the Ed Croft, a network news field producer who is white. “If people talk, they don’t have to agree, but at least they’re talking.”

“It’s important to get involved,” agreed Linda Wang, a Chinese-American participant who was raised in Glendale. “A key idea that came from the riots is that people don’t understand each other and when we do get together we can do something positive.”