When did it start? When does it end?

It is evident that race relations were never really exceptional in Los Angeles, outsiders would not be able to see it explicitly, but if they took a close look, they would be able to look at that tensions between different social groups made it hard for people to live harmoniously. Before the LA riots of 1992 people were already struggling in with the justice system and its enforcers. With the crack epidemic that fell upon the community many people of color were already being targeted, and the police were being brutal. The riots allowed people to come together against the oppressive system, before the video of Rodney King many people outside of the community were oblivious to what was happening. As an outsider myself this history was not mentioned in my academic institution, growing up my community was not the best, however, police brutality was never talked about. Now it is talked about more on many platforms, and it has been brought to light by more people who have experienced it.

The media is a plays a vital role in this situation. Because of the media people all over were able to witness the injustices made by the system. Today we still see the same injustices being done. Officers who’ve harassed and killed people of color have been let off with little to no consequences. People are still being prosecuted by the law for drug crimes and incarcerated unjustly. Jim crow is alive in an implicit form. These riots have not ended, they have transformed into bigger and different movements, such as the Black Lives Matter movement. People are fighting for their rights through distinct forms of activism and in different places of the world. Oppression is also in different forms now, and it targets different social groups as well. Now you don’t need to be an insider to understand or see this because it is shown through the media and corporations as well. The fight for justice does not have a clear beginning, and it is nowhere near done.

-Azucena Nava


Source:
History of South Central, Los Angeles, www.southcentralhistory.com/la-riots.php.