Black History Month / Today’s Voices : Perspectives on the Past--and the Future

From the African American who owned much of what is now the San Fernando Valley in the 1790s to the high school student who has devoted himself to keeping his peers out of gangs, people of African descent in the Valley have a long, proud history.

In this special report, we look back at some of that history and--with the help of several voices from the present--turn to the future.

*

C. JESSEL STRONG / ‘Let’s View Melting Pot in Its Reality’

The Rev. C. Jessel Strong, 51, is pastor of Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pacoima. He is active in the San Fernando Valley Red Cross, the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People and the Black American Political Assn. of California. Strong came to Parks Chapel from the church he founded in Valinda, Calif., to help build the Pacoima congregation’s social and educational programs.

“We are now discovering that black Americans have made many contributions to building this country. It is important that young people know about this in order to build their self-esteem. It gives them a feeling of pride.

“In our history books we only learn about George Washington Carver and a few others. But when young people are taught that our people have been an integral part of our culture, it does so much good.

“The media distorts everything. If you watch television, you’d think all we do is steal or that we are all comedians, but some of us have doctoral degrees. We are no different than any other people.

“In a small way, Black History Month helps but we need to continue throughout the year. Not only for black Americans but other races as well. Let’s view this melting pot in its reality--that people of all races have contributed and have made it what it is today.”