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.

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ZUHAIRAH SINGH / ‘We Are Out There to Set a Good Example’

Zuhairah Singh, 16, is a junior at Taft High School. She is vice president of the Young Black Scholars group on campus.

“There are so many negative images of African American people in the media. You barely ever see anyone doing anything good. The biggest issue is trying to get over the stereotype that we are all in gangs.

“I like a lot of different styles. I like to wear baggy pants and a T-shirt some days. But when I dress like that some people automatically think I’m a gangster.

“I want to be able to wear hip-hop style clothes one day and the next day look really nice and casual. But people stereotype you. Basically people need to learn to get to know people before they judge them.

“I am trying to prove that just because I dress like this doesn’t mean that I’m a delinquent or a thug.

“In our group (Young Black Scholars) we encourage minorities to keep their grades up and motivate them to go to college. We are out there to set a good example. The only thing we can really do is do our best and tell our friends to do their best, whatever that is. We can start by showing people that all African Americans aren’t thugs and gang members. A lot of us are trying to do something good.”