Which Way, L.A.?
Fifteen Years After the Rodney King Riots
America’s worst rioting of the 20th Century started after a white jury in Simi Valley acquitted 4 LA policemen in the videotaped beating of a black drunk-driving suspect named Rodney King. It was fifteen years ago yesterday and it went on for 5 days, with the worst of it in Koreatown and South Central LA. Are racial, ethnic and economic tensions better or worse? Whatever happened to the promise to rebuild? We’ll see if there are any new answers to some old questions.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenAmerica’s worst rioting of the 20th Century started after a white jury in Simi Valley acquitted 4 LA policemen in the videotaped beating of a black drunk-driving suspect named Rodney King. It was fifteen years ago yesterday and it went on for 5 days, with the worst of it in Koreatown and South Central LA. Are racial, ethnic and economic tensions better or worse? Whatever happened to the promise to rebuild? We’ll see if there are any new answers to some old questions.
