This link is to an interview that took place during the LA riots of 1992. The two men being interviewed are recognized as members of rival local gangs the Crips and the Bloods on account of their attire and admitted association to the gangs. Upon watching the interview, this dynamic especially stood out because it depicted these notoriously rival groups united because of their shared outrage. This resulting alliance elucidates how the black citizens of LA felt at the time. The newfound relationship showcases of how at the time, the black gang members of Los Angeles chose to identify firstly as a black individuals and secondly as a members of gangs.
This interview sheds light on an aspect of the riots that I feel doesn't get as much discussion, and that is the school system's role in the riots. The two men being interviewed claim that the Los Angeles youth played a significant role in the rioting. They explain how the initial rioting caused all of the schools in the surrounding area to close and argue that this closure only increased the severity of the ongoing riots. The men reason that these children that would have otherwise been in class were instead on the streets taking part in the riots. They claim that these children actually made up a large portion of the individuals that were looting stores. They reason that these younger individuals lack the moral compass required to steer them away from partaking in such acts. I found this claim very interesting because I had never given much thought to the youth's involvement in the riots.
Michael Montoya
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