A Grand Experience in the Heart of the City

Your recent article, “Black Church Life in Southern California” (Feb. 9), reminded me of a recent “Grand Canyon” experience I had in Los Angeles. (The movie “Grand Canyon” shows us the majesty of this natural wonder and the wonder of connections made by a power greater than ourselves.)

A friend and I recently attended a concert sponsored by Mount St. Mary’s College’s Da Camera Society. It was a gospel concert held at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.

We were told by one of the group’s leaders that they were not here to entertain us, but to minister to us. My friend and I were rather uncomfortable with this statement; after all, we did not pay concert-ticket prices to be ministered. Yet, we were entertained and, to some degree, healed or “ministered.”

We drove to the concert in a state of fear; we were afraid of driving in “that neighborhood,” but we did so knowing that we would be out of there before the sun set.

We left the concert in a state of grace; we were not so afraid of the streets we were traveling upon. We thought of going back to that side of town again.

That day I was given my city, my place of residence: Los Angeles. I don’t live in the Grand Canyon with all its beauty. I live in Los Angeles with all its beauty and wonders.

I would like to think this experience can be multiplied many times over in many lives citywide so that we all can have our city.

I would like to think that I can travel throughout our city without fear and others can travel throughout this city--their city--without fear or aggression. I would like to think that maybe we can all experience the Grand Canyon here in Los Angeles.

SABRINA JOHNSON

Sherman Oaks