DISTRICT HOLDS RACE MEETING STAFF, PARENTS, STUDENTS AIR FEELINGS.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

SAUGUS - The NAACP and Nation of Islam joined an emotional debate Wednesday in Santa Clarita as parents and students addressed complaints of racism in the community, particularly on high school campuses.

The crowd in the board room of the William S. Hart Union High School District was sharply divided between those who said the region is a hotbed for racism and others - blacks and whites alike - who said they had never witnessed discrimination in the community.

``I don't want to say I'm disappointed, but I would like things to stop immediately. We've had a truckload of promises,'' said Philip Jordan, the father of an African-American teenager who said he was involved in a racially motivated fight. ``I'm not a violent man, but I will protect my family.''

Moderating the exchange was Sandra E. Thomas, state director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, who was escorted to the meeting by 50 members of the Nation of Islam. In the audience was Brother Tony Mohammed, deputy for Louis Farrakhan.

The meeting, called by advocacy group People Supporting Diversity, was a forum for victims of alleged racial incidents to have an audience with Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and other city, county, state and federal officials.

Several students and parents related their experiences. Complaints ranged from lack of follow-up by Sheriff's Department officials and the District Attorney's Office to school officials turning a deaf ear to students' concerns.

School officials countered that they have addressed problems that have come to their attention and are expanding efforts to promote unity. Some took the podium to say the situation is being mischaracterized.

``I don't believe the actions you speak of are reflective of this community,'' said Russell Green, an African-American man and resident of Stevenson Ranch, who said that neither he nor any members of his family had experienced racism.

The meeting came about after claims surfaced of racially motivated incidents at Valencia High School, attracting national media. A dozen students from Valencia spoke to the overflow crowd, asking them not to color the entire school by the actions of a handful of bad students.

``I'll walk any street in Canyon Country,'' said African-American senior Jo Jo Robinson, referring to another area plagued by racial incidents. ``I go to Valencia, my dad's a coach there and I have two sisters who went to Valencia and never once have any one of us had racial issues on campus. It's a community issue.''

``This issue is bullying. You didn't call it racial when we were little; don't say Valencia is racist because of a few bad seeds,'' said a Valencia student who told the group that he grew up as the only white child in an African-American neighborhood in Cleveland.

Antonovich listened to the two-hour presentation and promised that the dialogue would be ongoing.

``We can't be a strong unity if we don't get along with one another. Even if it's only one or two incidents, that's one or two too many,'' he said. ``To get out of hating and into respecting one another is a goal for both the county and the country.''

Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami said that young people in his temple had experienced name-calling and the synagogue in Newhall had been defaced several times.

``We have a long way to go,'' he said. ``A synagogue can be repaired, but I'm concerned about the souls of these young people.''

Robin Nohara, president of People Supporting Diversity, agree that a few, not the majority, are behind the conflicts.

``The good people far outweigh the bad,'' said Nohara, who is African- American. ``I'm not leaving. I have good friends here and there are good people here.''

A follow-up evening meeting is being scheduled by Antonovich's staff to be held within two weeks at Valencia High. The date will be announced.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Hart High School District board room is packed Wednesday during a community meeting on racism on school campuses.

(2 -- color) Dedra Alabi talks about her experiences with racial discrimination in the Santa Clarita Valley during Wednesday's meeting.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer