From the Watts Riots to the LA Riots

     The gigantic issues of police brutality and violence that the 1992 riots date back to what would eventually lead up to the major LA riots of 1992. Problems that occurred can be rooted back to the past of the LA riots which ultimately began with the Watts Riots in 1965. These riots have a drastic impact on what would eventually build up into the tension that was released through the LA riots of 1992.

     The Watts Riots that occurred in Watts, LA on August 11, 1965, would eventually be known to be the largest and costliest urban uprisings of that time at 40 million dollars in total damages. This would eventually be surpassed by the LA riots which caused a destruction of over 1 billion dollars in damages. The events that led to the Watts Riots began with a woman by the name of Marquette Frye who was violently arrested by Lee Minikus. It is important to notice that Marquette Frye was on parole for a robbery that was previously committed. Marquette Frye was under suspicion of drunk motorcycle driving. Nearby civilians soon came to the case to check out what the scene was about. Angry mobs and protests quickly abrupted the streets for the next 6 days under the impression that this was another racial stunt coming from abused authority.

Rioters made their move along South Central LA where they proceeded to torch buildings, loot stores, burn cars, and fire their firearms at the police. The damage that was caused was simply mind-blowing and would eventually become the foundation for what rioters would be able to accomplish if they joined forces with one another. The racial profiling of Marquette Frye would be all it would take for the community to bond together to focus on the larger issues at hand. These riots would become the foundation for the continued mistreatment and brutality that would lead to the LA riots of 1992.

     A common story that is swept under the rug is the story of Latasha Harlins who was shot by a Korean store owner after a brief disagreement. This would eventually cause a “war” against Koreans for the damage that the Korean store owner caused to Latasha and her family. The endless cycle of racism and violence continues to destroy the city of LA. Everyone is set out to get each other because of the color of their skin. The racial profiling was stirred up from event to event and caused people to become racists because of special events that occurred. The case of Latasha Harlins caused a tension and hatred between African-Americans and Asian-Americans. Despite the actual ethnicity, the sheer similarities in skin tone would be enough to racially profile someone and lead to that same tension that African-Americans and Asian-Americans would share.

     Despite the progress that has been made because of these riots that have occurred in history, people’s outrage at the police and idea of white-supremacy, outbreaks such as Watts and the 1992 riots still occur to this day. In the present, how much has really changed? Los Angeles’ recovery from these historical riots has been slow and uneasy. Racial tension and brutality will always occur, but it is how people handle the situations thrown at them. With the tangible gains set in place, Los Angeles’ has made improvements on how they coordinate the people working for the police department. The once predominantly white driven force has become a diverse set of individuals that closely reflect the city’s demographics. The driving force of racism will always continue; the form of brutality and unfair treatment will as well. Rather than drenching over the negativity, it is best to focus on what is positively happening.

-Christopher Herrera