A Musical take On LA Riots: Ice-T

A Musical take On LA Riots: Ice-T

Music has served as a documentation of the social conditions at different times. It freezes emotions in time. The multi ethnic relations that are at play during the LA riots, particularly that of African Americans and Korean Americans is touched up on by Ice T’s two songs, “Race War” (1993) and “Black Korea” (1991). There is a notable evolution of perspective towards Korean Americans from “Black Korea” to “ Race War.”

The aggressive and defensive tone in the “Black Korea” is an indication of the tension in the relationship between the two communities prior to the LA riots in 1992.  The first part of the 46 second long song is taken from the film Do The Right Thing. It sets the song’ stereotypical portrayal of Korean Americans as invading foreigners that are out to economically exploit the black community down to every penny. Ice T optimizes on reaffirming this narrative of Korean Americans by opening the song with the dialogue between the Korean store owner and Radio Raheem from the Do The Right Thing which enhances the listener’s comprehension as the film provides visual aid.  Ice T also voices his frustration with the profiling of black men in Korean stores as violent unemployed thieves. This frustration turns in to a threat in the line “we’ll burn your store right down to a crisp.” A chilling line, as it precisely foreshadowed what would happen less than a year later.

Post LA riots in 1993, Ice T’s song “Race War” showcased a very different take on Korean Americans, as Ice T states “ Korean people live down in the hood A little mis-fuckin’-understood.” Ice T takes a step back from the hostile relations between the different communities to bring a structural critic to the system that “wanna keep us at each other’s throats.” This song brings into the conversation the white man that was absent from the burning scene of LA riots, as it was not simply a Korean vs Black issue. This song calls for unity not just between blacks and Korean Americans but amongst all non-whites. It brings into light one of America’s favorite tools, divide and conquer. He addresses, Mexicans, Jamaicans, Iranians, Indians, Hawaiians, Puerto-Ricans… as Black, not to erase heritage but to emphasize that under this system they all get the same treatment as that of non whites.

        -Hanna Abuhay