Analyze the 1992 L.A. Riots from a multi-racial perspective. Include Essay

Analyze the 1992 L.A. Riots from a multi-racial perspective. Include in your discussion sources of racial conflict and unity - Essay Example The melee of huge destruction had left the state and the country at the cross road of bewilderment. The root cause of such massive violence needs to be rationalized. The paper would be making efforts to analyze the riots. The riots had erupted after the court verdict had acquitted the four policemen who were accused of killing a black motorist, Rodney King. The peaceful demonstration in front of the Los Angeles Police Headquarter turned violent with rock throwing that later transformed into bloodied trail and widespread damage to civilian infrastructure and killing of innocent citizen. After three full days of carnage and bruised public emotions, National Guards were called in to control the violence, when the local machinery failed to curb the rising unrest. The rationalization of 92 riots is difficult for a myriad reason primarily because there was no single reason but comprised of multipronged issues that had finally catapulted into mass destruction of lives and property. The demographic geography of the region becomes one of the most compelling facets of the issue. The 70s onwards had seen rapid transformation in demographic segmentation of blacks, Latinos and other ethnic minorities. The region had become more heterogeneous with Whites population coming down to 41% in 1990. The Hispanic population increased to 37% from 15% and Asian population going from 2.5% to 10.5% (Simon, 1992). The central LA which was worst affected had seen decreasing Afro-American population and corresponding increase in Hispanic population. It is observed that upwardly mobile black population migrated to other parts of the country and made no contribution to improve the status of the community in any manner. While the Asian population was educated and relatively well placed in the society, the Blacks and Hispanics remained low educated with huge unemployment. The