Youths Call for End to Black-on-Black Violence at King Day Event : Pacoima: The celebration is held at the Boys & Girls Club, site of the recent slaying of a 12-year-old girl. The program features readings, speeches, poems and music.

Some things in life are timeless, like the words of wise men and the music of a generation full of hope and seeking change.

The Boys & Girls Club of the San Fernando Valley in Pacoima was filled with both Monday, as community residents celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

More than 100 children and adults braved the rain and wind to attend the 15th annual program, which showcased the talents of area youth.

“We look at you youngsters in the audience as the future,” said Jose De Sosa, outgoing president of the NAACP’s San Fernando Valley chapter. “We hope you take the time to dream as Dr. King did. Unless we dream, we will never accomplish anything.”

Those who attended the program heard the words and ideas of the slain civil rights leader through the voices of youngsters who weren’t even alive when he lived. Nonetheless, they demonstrated they have embraced his ideas about social change and civic responsibility, and they have applied them to the challenges of growing up in the ‘90s.

Throughout the day there were inspirational readings, speeches, poems and music, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song recognized by many as the black national anthem. The walls of the gym were covered with essays and drawings commemorating King’s life.

Roxanne Rucker, a 15-year-old student at First Lutheran High School in Sylmar, called on young people to continue King’s struggles for equality in education. The battle now, she said, is not only for equality but for diversity in school curriculum.

“It’s not equal because we’re learning their education and neglecting our own” heritage, Roxanne told the audience.

“I know about George Washington and the pilgrims. . . . I should be able to learn about Frederick Douglass.”

Throughout the day, young speakers issued impassioned pleas to end the violence and gang warfare that have become all too familiar to some.

On Jan. 9, 12-year-old Tiffany Dozier was shot to death at the Boys & Girls Club while waiting for her parents to pick her up after a dance. Her death stunned many who viewed the club as a safe haven for area youngsters. Two teen-agers have been arrested and charged with her killing.

“As an African-American youth I am asking that the black-on-black violence end,” said Akilah Murphy, a 15-year-old student at San Fernando High School.

“Can’t we all understand that a man died for a lot of the things we take for granted now?” Akilah asked the audience.

The event was one of only two large King Day celebrations in the San Fernando Valley Monday. The other gathering, also in Pacoima, was sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council at the Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ.

Because many schools are closed for winter break--taking away the opportunity for students to observe the day with school activities--the absence of King Day events in the Valley was even more glaring, participants said.

“I think it’s real sad,” Akilah said. “Maybe the schools should be open just to honor King, to have a program like this for everyone, not just black people.”

Nicole Chase, field representative for state Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys), said the responsibility rests with school administrators and parents to ensure that King’s message still reaches young people.

“It’s about people understanding people,” Chase said. “What some people fail to understand was that King’s message was for equal rights for all people. It’s important for all children. White, yellow, pink. They all need to be here.”

Students at the observance Monday said many of their peers and classmates have only a superficial knowledge of King. His impact on this nation as a whole, and his importance to African-Americans in particular, is not well-known.

“They just know there’s a street named after him, there’s a holiday, and we get a day off from work and school,” said Malaika Abdullah, a 17-year-old at Cleveland High who performed a dramatic reading Monday.

Deidre Dunlap, a preschool teacher and a longtime Pacoima resident, sat watching the program with her 4-year-old granddaughter Regge Prince perched on her lap.

Dunlap decided to attend the program because her granddaughter, Malinda Malone, 10, was performing and to “let my community know that I care about it.

“It makes me feel good to come out and hear the young people,” she said. “. . . we have hope.”

RAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN PARADE: B1