HONORING THE STRUGGLE EXHIBIT BUILT TO MARK BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

Byline: Marci Wormser Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Members of the local African-American Action Committee want residents of all ethnicities to learn about the contributions African-Americans have made to society.

To coincide with Black History Month, an African-American Cultural Exhibit is being sponsored by the committee at the Park View Middle School gymnasium through Friday. The event will culminate with a communitywide breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday in the middle school cafeteria. Community leaders as well as the Park View Middle School band will attend the event.

The cultural exhibit is made up of four displays that each emphasizes contributions made by African-Americans in different eras, ranging from slavery through the present. The displays consist of reports, pictures, artwork and crafts. All the schools in the Lancaster School District have contributed to the exhibit, said Robin Allen, assistant principal at Park View.

``We wanted the community to get involved with this school,'' Allen said. ``We are celebrating diversity. We want the students to take ownership of their school, their district, to find ways to get more involved.''

Although the committee has sponsored the exhibits in the past, this is the first year that the exhibits are on display for the community and that all district schools contributed to it, Allen said.

``It was an opportunity for us to celebrate the diversity we have in this valley and to recognize (African-Americans') outstanding achievement to American culture,'' said Mark Gross, former chairman of the committee and principal of Joshua Middle School. ``Diversity is what made this nation strong.''

The African-American Action Committee was formed three years ago to identify concerns of African-Americans in the Antelope Valley and work on forming solutions.

According to Allen, students in each Lancaster District school were given assignments as part of their social studies curriculum. Many of the exhibits were completed by students as part of their assignments.

District seventh-graders have been studying ancient civilizations throughout the year and were required to complete projects based on their studies, Allen said.

Gross said he was heartened to see students of all backgrounds at his school working on their displays together.

``We had kids of every color and race working on this together,'' he said.

For the exhibits, students chose topics ranging from well-known African-American leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks to African-American sports legends and inventors. Some students made African tribal masks as part of their displays, while others showcased slavery artifacts.

``We try to cover a large spectrum, not just cover the Civil Rights movement,'' Allen said.

Gross said he hoped the exhibits would foster a sense of pride and self-worth in African-American youths and that the individuals featured in them would serve as role models.

``We think African-American accomplishments and history should be celebrated throughout the year,'' Gross said.

As a highlight of the exhibit, Lancaster residents Tammy and Hwarowa Sitole are displaying authentic African items, including fabrics, drums, beads, bowls and ceremonial masks at the exhibit.

Hwarowa, who was born in Zimbabwe, and Tammy have been collecting African cultural items for many years.

``I just want people to be proud of the work we do,'' Tammy said. ``We have great craftsmanship.''

The exhibit is open to all residents from 5 to 7 p.m. through Thursday and 10 a.m. to noon Friday. The school is at 808 W. Ave. J. For information, call Allen at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Park View Middle School Assistant Principal Robin Allen looks at masks by New Vista Middle School students.

(2 -- 3 -- color) Gloria Whetstone, right, chairwoman of the African American Action Community, hangs artwork at Park View. Volunteers, above, work on displays.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer