Armageddon Next Time

Abstract

Abstract The story of the violence in Los Angeles, that was published in newspapers and visible on TV worldwide, was a horrifying spectacle that needs no retelling. A few facts will suffice: During the three days of disorder, 45 people died, 2,380 people were injured, and 9,500 were arrested. It was the most deadly civil disturbance in the United States in the 20th century. Rage was not limited to the poor and poverty stricken, but was felt throughout the entire African American community. Contrary to the initial television and newspaper reports, the first outbursts of anger occurred not in the poorest parts of black Los Angeles, but in some of its most stable, middle class black neighborhoods where a large percentage of homes are owned by their occupants. Also, it needs to be said that the looters and arsonists who acted out the anger and frustration of the black community were multi racial and a very small proportion of the effected population.