2/7 Inter-Ethnic Conflict and '92 LA Riots

Racial Context of 1992

Downtown LA is mostly filled with poverty and racial isolation, conservative politicians use racially inflammatory attacks and Black LA mayor panders to White people, and LAPD has history of racism

Rodney King Case

case of police brutality in which Rodney King was beaten by LAPD officers, contributing to the ‘92 LA Riots after the officers were acquitted of excessive use of force

Watts Riots (1965) vs. LA Riots (1992)

Watts Riots are localized to the city with many Black rioters and are seen as Black vs. White protests, as most ethnic groups were for riots and White people were for police. LA Riots occur throughout LA and have both Black and Latino rioters, with Non-Black people seeing the riots as an excuse for crime, causing an increase in condemnation by police from all races and increased Black vs. Asian tensions

Black Animosity Against Koreans

• jealousy of relative prosperity (took advantage of Black people without living in the community)

• 1991 shooting of Latasha Harlins in Philly

• racism and lack of understanding of each other’s culture

Riots from Korean POV

• portrayed as interracial conflicts

• LAPD prioritized protecting White neighborhoods and businesses over Korean ones

• destroyed the American dream for Korean immigrants

Social Contagion

theory suggesting that riots are caused by young men without options influencing others to join in through groupthink, desire for “fun and profit”

Black Protest

riots have been used by oppressed people to rebel, this time targeting Asians instead of White people

Rainbow Coalition

unification of disadvantaged communities aiming to address inequality and police brutality

Bladerunner Scenario

wholesale breakdown of modern society; marginalized groups standing up to incompetent White people

Multiethnic Conflict

ethnic enclaves balkanized LA; Black people are displaced by Latinos and alienated by Koreans

Post-Riot Organizing

Korean-Americans rally in support and protest for help from govt to rebuild Koreatown (gained donations from Koreans and KAs)

Post-Riot Intra-Ethnic (Within Ethnic) Conflict

differences between distributing donations to individual victims or setting some aside to build long-term community organizational support

Generational Differences

first-gen Koreans blame rioters and take identity for granted, KAs blame media and police for directing violence to their community and rediscover ethnic identity

KA Political Consciousness

KAs learn to organize along ethnic lines to promote and protect shared interests, and more Koreans become active citizens and vote

Koreatown Today

split into 2 districts, originally was supposed to be 4 districts and was allegedly done in interest of Council Pres. Herb Wesson wanting to protect the historically Black District 10 seat