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Platform : After the King Verdict: What Can Parents Do for Peace? : CAROLYN HABERSHAM / Substance abuse coordinator, Walker Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles

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Compiled for The Times by Danielle Masterson

My son and I were sitting at home watching television when the Rodney King trial verdict was announced. I quickly got him into the car and drove to the rally at First AME Church. Having been a child of the 1960s, I knew that would be an event that would stick in his mind forever. I wanted him to understand what the rally meant.

After the rally, we got in the car and drove down Adams Boulevard. We had no idea what had happened, being inside. It was like driving in a twilight zone. He and his friends were with me. It was utter chaos. I knew that if we could get home safely, they were going to be afraid and it would be necessary to talk about it.

When we got home, the electricity was out. So he, a few of his friends and I sat in the dark and talked about what happened. I’m in school (training to be a counselor) and I think it helped my son and his friends to talk about their feelings and get their fears out. It was OK to be angry.

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Most of my friends and I come from the ‘60s. We remember (those) riots and some of us even participated. We understood that it was real important to talk to our kids. Having seen the violence of the 1960s, we teach our kids that violence isn’t productive.

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