Inside the LA Riots
Interview WIth Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson)
In 1992 in Los Angeles, California, many took part in the craziest riots in history. Many attach these riots to the anger felt by thousands over the brutal police beatings of Rodney King. However, this racial tension started way back. Today, I am joined with the infamous LA rapper Ice Cube, also knows as O'Shea Jackson, to speak on the tragic events that took place.
Interviewer Hello Mr. Jackson. How are you today?
Ice Cube: I am good thank you.
Interviewer: So I am aware that you played a part in the LA riots. Can you please tell us what sparked these riots to take place?
Ice Cube: Well you see, in the early 90's it was a hard time hear on the streets of LA. South Central had it the worse though. There was so much gang violence there. The Crack Epidemic that took place in the 80's had a long lasting effect in the streets. Crime was at a record height. Murder rates were though the roof. In Watts, the Bloods and the Crips had a truce which caused gang violence there to stop.
Interviewer: How did the two gangs come an agreement?
Ice Cube: They shared a common hatred of the police. They did not like them so they decided to come together against them.
Interviewer: Many linked death of 1992, the year of the riots, the murder rate was the highest in LA in history. At 1077 murders, it was close to three times the rate today. Many of these deaths came from gang violence in South Central. However, in Watts in the projects, gang violence came to a complete end. Right before the riots, there was a massive gang truce between the Bloods and the Crips throughout the three Watts’ projects. This came as a result of unity against the police.
Interviewer: Many link the brutal police beating to the LA riots Rodney King. What are your thoughts on that?
Ice Cube: These riots where bond to happen. The beating of Rodney King was the last straw. Rodney King did break the law however, beating him for 15 minutes straight is just unjust. The cops fractured his skull, broke his bones, and his broke his teeth. They also gave him brain damage. I believe that he was beat for being a black man. The police had it coming to them.
Interviewer: Do you believe that if the policemen were found guilty the race riots could have all been avoided?
Ice Cube: No. Rodney's case was not the first unjust verdict. The verdict of the murder of Latasha Harlins also played a major role in the riots. She was just a young black girl trying to defend herself for being wrongly accused of stealing. She should have not hit Soon Ja Du but, Du had not right to murder the young girl. Her murder was shown on TV around the same time as the Rodney King Beating. Du killed someone and all she had to do was pay a five hundred dollars and go on probation. I know people that are suffering in Jail for lesser crimes than Du. I wrote a song called "Black Korea" about this murder.
Interviewer: I can see that there was so much leading up to these riots. Can you tell me what it was like?
Ice Cube: The riots happened over a five day period. The first day, it spread like wild fire. Fast-food places and stores suffered from the violence and fire that spread through the city. The racial tensions between whites and black was high. The next three to four days, many were beaten and some killed. The 101 Freeway was closed from Century to King. There was huge power outage in South Central. There was also a lot of media coverage too. The thing I remember the most was the Rodney King telling America, "can we all get along?".
Interviewer: Yes, the riots were a very hectic time in Los Angeles. I'm sure millions across the world saw these horrid events. Thank god for the National Guard coming in a restoring order.
Ice Cube: Well, the National Guard did come in but, the violence still continued throughout the city.
Interviewer: Well thank you Mr. Jackson for coming in a speaking about this event with us.
Ice Cube: Thank you for having me.
Well, the LA Riots were a dark time in Los Angeles. These disastrous events result in the death of 53 people and over $1 billion of damage. The riots did not just occur in Los Angeles but, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, and Oakland.
Ice Cube: I am good thank you.
Interviewer: So I am aware that you played a part in the LA riots. Can you please tell us what sparked these riots to take place?
Ice Cube: Well you see, in the early 90's it was a hard time hear on the streets of LA. South Central had it the worse though. There was so much gang violence there. The Crack Epidemic that took place in the 80's had a long lasting effect in the streets. Crime was at a record height. Murder rates were though the roof. In Watts, the Bloods and the Crips had a truce which caused gang violence there to stop.
Interviewer: How did the two gangs come an agreement?
Ice Cube: They shared a common hatred of the police. They did not like them so they decided to come together against them.
Interviewer: Many linked death of 1992, the year of the riots, the murder rate was the highest in LA in history. At 1077 murders, it was close to three times the rate today. Many of these deaths came from gang violence in South Central. However, in Watts in the projects, gang violence came to a complete end. Right before the riots, there was a massive gang truce between the Bloods and the Crips throughout the three Watts’ projects. This came as a result of unity against the police.
Interviewer: Many link the brutal police beating to the LA riots Rodney King. What are your thoughts on that?
Ice Cube: These riots where bond to happen. The beating of Rodney King was the last straw. Rodney King did break the law however, beating him for 15 minutes straight is just unjust. The cops fractured his skull, broke his bones, and his broke his teeth. They also gave him brain damage. I believe that he was beat for being a black man. The police had it coming to them.
Interviewer: Do you believe that if the policemen were found guilty the race riots could have all been avoided?
Ice Cube: No. Rodney's case was not the first unjust verdict. The verdict of the murder of Latasha Harlins also played a major role in the riots. She was just a young black girl trying to defend herself for being wrongly accused of stealing. She should have not hit Soon Ja Du but, Du had not right to murder the young girl. Her murder was shown on TV around the same time as the Rodney King Beating. Du killed someone and all she had to do was pay a five hundred dollars and go on probation. I know people that are suffering in Jail for lesser crimes than Du. I wrote a song called "Black Korea" about this murder.
Interviewer: I can see that there was so much leading up to these riots. Can you tell me what it was like?
Ice Cube: The riots happened over a five day period. The first day, it spread like wild fire. Fast-food places and stores suffered from the violence and fire that spread through the city. The racial tensions between whites and black was high. The next three to four days, many were beaten and some killed. The 101 Freeway was closed from Century to King. There was huge power outage in South Central. There was also a lot of media coverage too. The thing I remember the most was the Rodney King telling America, "can we all get along?".
Interviewer: Yes, the riots were a very hectic time in Los Angeles. I'm sure millions across the world saw these horrid events. Thank god for the National Guard coming in a restoring order.
Ice Cube: Well, the National Guard did come in but, the violence still continued throughout the city.
Interviewer: Well thank you Mr. Jackson for coming in a speaking about this event with us.
Ice Cube: Thank you for having me.
Well, the LA Riots were a dark time in Los Angeles. These disastrous events result in the death of 53 people and over $1 billion of damage. The riots did not just occur in Los Angeles but, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, and Oakland.