https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1dPKfxRhk0
The song April 29th 1992 by Sublime talks about the looting that went on during the LA riots as a result of the social disparity. It was created in 1996 which was four years after the riots occurred, but the song specifically talks about the LA riots. In the line
"They said it was for the black man,They said it was for the Mexican
And not for the white man
But if you look at the street, it wasn't about Rodney King
It's this fucked-up situation and these fucked-up police", the band explains how the riots are not only about the Rodney King beating, but also a result of the long term discrimination and social inequality of the social dynamics of the time. They also talk about a mother looting a store to get Pampers for her children, which depicts how the people were so poor that they were looting to get necessities, not just for fun.
They also say, "There was a riot on the streets, tell me where were you? You were sitting at home watching your TV", implying that the white people were all just watching everything happen and that they don't fully understand the reason for the uprising and therefore showing how there is a real social divide between the people, especially during this time.
I like how the song is a redefinition and explanation for the "looting"' that took place. To some extent, it is a reclamation of the injustice that has been forced upon the people. This still make me wonder if this was planned or if this was something that happened at the heat of the moment and they decided to make it mean more. I do not doubt their words, it just makes me question the situation much more because they define it as a more conscious action.
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