1992 Los Angeles Riots - Hispanics in The Riots

Hispanics in The Riots

According to a report prepared in 1993 by the Latinos Futures Research Group for the Latino Coalition for a New Los Angeles, one third of those killed in the riots were Latino, one third of those were arrested, and almost one half of the businesses looted were owned by Latino owners. During the time of the riots, Hispanics were increasingly inhabiting the area. Based on the 1990 census, South Central Los Angeles, the area hardest hit by the riots, had a population of 45 percent Hispanic and 48 percent black. South Central Los Angeles was not seen as an incorporated or demographically connected, rather it was seen as two different communities: black and Hispanic. Due to this distinct division, the media focused on the majority, blacks, of the area. Since it was a black man that was faced with such brutality, the media forced on the victim’s race and ignored any other racial participation, for any other race did not theoretically matter, nor carry a sense of social significance. Hispanics were considered a minority despite their increasing numbers, thus lacked political support and poorly represented as a result. Their lack of knowledge, both socially and politically, within the area additionally silenced their acknowledgment of participation. Since many of the individuals of the area were new immigrants, they did not speak English and were further silenced by the language barrier and were seen as unimportant and “different” than blacks.

Hispanics did not riot out of outrage of the verdict of Rodney King, rather their participation was based primarily as opportunistic and a bridge of cultural division between Hispanics and blacks living in the area. It has been addressed that Hispanics were not part of the initial outbreak. In fact, it was not until the third or fourth day of the riots, when social unrest began to hinder their everyday duties, such as getting food or transportation, that Hispanics were seen participating in looting. Since the majority of Hispanics were living in poverty, they jumped at the chance of possessing valuables that they could not afford. The Hispanic participation was a reflection of the destruction of social norms and thus partook in such activities that would not have occurred had the circumstances not presented it. Many Hispanics were not even aware of the Rodney King case; however, they became a product of the anarchy surrounding them. Others saw looting in a way that they would be left with nothing if they did not participated as well. Some Hispanics participated in the looting in order to feel a sense of belonging and connection within the community. Since blacks made up the majority of the population in South Central Los Angeles, Hispanics felt disconnected from blacks due to the language barrier and cultural differences and values. Therefore, by participating in such acts, they felt closer to the neighboring race. Other Hispanics participated in the violence because they felt the same racial and economic conditions that blacks felt as well as the unfair treatment by the LAPD and the sheriffs throughout the years. By rioting together, these two groups felt united as one. They were no longer two distinct races; rather they shared more than they believed.

The riots did not create social distance between Hispanics and blacks, rather than dividing the two groups it united them. Although the riots were perceived in different aspects, it brought a greater sense of understanding between Hispanics and blacks. Even though Hispanics now heavily populate the area that was once black, South Central Los Angeles, such transition has improved over time. The two cultures have intertwined, through language and historical collaborations. Hispanic children who grew up in this area identify themselves as “Blacixans,” since they learned Spanish from their native culture and English and other American traditions from their African American neighbors. African American children learn about Hispanic culture such as celebration like Cinco de Mayo and that Hispanics fought alongside blacks in the Civil War. The start of a new community coming together displays the positive outcome of such dismay. The building of a stronger and more understanding community depicts the unlikely hood of social chaos arising between the two groups.