LA 92

Yes. That video was played so many times across the country. I used to think why didn't he lock the doors and run them over but. Of course if he did that then it would be murder or vehicular assault charges against him.

I'm an east coast guy so I was on the outside looking in like most people. I'm watching this documentary and it's brutal. There's footage I've never seen before...people being assaulted and stuff. I saw a headline in the LA Times prior to this documentary airing and residents feel things haven't changed. Someone from LA would probably be better suited to answer that question. I'm inclined to believe that things may have improved in certain areas just based off the concept of lessons learned but it happened in 1965 and then again in 1992.
Several things contributed to the riots. The biggest factor is the LAPD and police chief Darrlyl Gates' interaction with the Black community. Sending in APCs to a neighborhood and treating everybody like criminals doesn't endear you to the residents. The Rodney King beating and subsequent acquittal of what should've been a slam dunk conviction sparked it. And of course there was the light sentence that idiot judge gave the Korean store owner for shooting Latasha Harlins in the back of the head.

@SSG Ben Woart Oh, I surmised you were from CA. Many things need to be fixed, like school children not being aware of the Gettysburg Address. Sure would be nice if there were a magic pill to cure society's ill. I always thought the military draft was a great leavener, putting men together for a common cause. Some escaped, sorry. I certainly recall regional attitudes from the fellows I served with.