Los-Angels_Riots

The 1992 Los Angeles Riots primarily took place due to racially motivated crime against African-Americans and the verdict handed down by the jury which was largely perceived to be biased by the black community. However, the riots signified something more substantial. They were not only racially motivated, but also had a few other underlying communal features embedded in them. For a start, they were not just against ethnically white, but also involved Korean-Americans and Hispanic-Americans. These riots can also be classified as a direct result of economic disparity and rising unemployment. Therefore, the 1992 riots predominantly saw three forms of collective behavior: firstly, along racial lines, secondly, on class bases and lastly, uneven economic development within communities. These forms were experienced during different stages of the riots, often overlapping each other. Though, one thing which was very distinct was the involvement of African-Americans in all forms of collective behavior experienced during these demonstrations. Racially, it divided the American community between Blacks-Whites, Blacks-Koreans and Blacks-Hispanics. This societal divide saw a black mobs killing, destroying and looting private and public properties. On the first day of riots, a mob attacked a white truck driver, Reginald Oliver Denny, at a traffic light. Shortly after this, a Hispanic man, Fidel Lopez, was nearly beaten to death by the mob. The three fundamental things about these incidents which occurred on the first day were that the people were abandoned by the government, both the victims were rescued by African-Americans and both of them were also looted. This underlines the collective behavior shown by the mob where they, as a group, felt invincible and state of anarchy which resided. While on a class basis it can be said to be between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The African community, largely poor in the areas affected by the riots, felt grieved over their economic conditions and vented their anger out on economically dominant community of Korean-Americans. This occurred on the second day of the riots as prevalent and unrestrained looting and fires were witnessed across the county. African-Americans felt that the major cause of their social and economic condition was majorly due to the exploitative Koreans who were only benefiting their communities through their businesses. This clearly outlines the collective form of behavior aroused by similar interests coming together and a strong sense of alienation by the state. In essence, the riots were a prime example a race and class composition. Although, the riots were mainly concentrated in South Central Los Angles, it has left a deep impact on the popular American culture. These demonstrations, which lasted for around three days, saw around two thousand people injured, a total material loss of around one-billion dollars and death toll of fifty-three people.