School Event Seeks Racial Understanding

People who were at North Hollywood High School on Oct. 26, 1992 might use words like “horrible” and “stigma” when describing what happened.

That day, several hundred African American and Latino students clashed in a lunchtime brawl. No students were injured, but there were several arrests and plenty of raw nerves.

Now, the school has started a program that they say is a unique approach to averting such problems.

Dubbed “Big Talk,” the event held Wednesday assembled about 50 students of different ethnicities and social circles for a day of workshops, discussions and role-playing activities designed to promote understanding.

“We learned today that we can get together and not say, ‘Oh, he’s white,’ or, ‘Oh, she’s black,’ ” said 15-year-old sophomore Pamela Hammond. “Don’t stereotype people. Hear them out.”

Pamela’s comment drew hearty applause from her peers, who had been chosen for “Big Talk” based on their leadership qualities.

Organizers said leadership was measured in “positive and negative ways” and could be demonstrated in anything from membership in student council to membership in a gang.

“These kids have influence over their friends,” said Assistant Principal Dave Smith. “When you have a problem you can go to these people and say, ‘Hey, we need your help.’ ”

Casey Browne, a crisis counselor and dean at North Hollywood High, agreed.

“One of the mistakes a lot of schools make is they go after the successful kids,” Browne said. “. . . But unless you reach everybody, it’s not going to work.”

School officials hope to hold the program once each semester, with students referring friends each time.

By the end of the day, students seemed eager to lend their support to the program--and pleased with their experiences.

“Even though during the day at school you might see people who don’t talk like you or like the same music you do, you can still trust them,” said senior Brian Felton, 18. “That’s what I got out of today.”