Despite the destruction resulting from the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, many students are unfamiliar with this period of civil unrest. Connie Chung-Joe’s visit to the school brought awareness of the legacy of the riots and inter-racial tensions that contributed to its impact.
In spring of 1992, four white police officers were acquitted after beating Rodney King, an African American man, during his arrest. Several days later, a judge upheld a light sentence for Korean American grocer Soon Ja Du, who shot 15-year-old Latasha Harlins, during what Du claimed was a robbery. Du’s store, Empire Liquors, was set on fire a few days later. Riots and lootings spread quickly across the city. With little governmental aid and protection, many Korean Americans guarded their businesses with makeshift weapons. According to Britannica, the riots resulted in 63 deaths, 2,383 injured, and estimated property damage of over $1 billion.
Chung-Joe addressed tensions between the Asian American and African American communities during her speech at an all-school meeting on Tuesday, September 27, after leading a fishbowl for students of color on the 26th.
Chung-Joe, chief executive officer of the non-profit “Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California,” was invited by Lauren McLane ’23. “Since most people here may not know much about [the riots], and it’s a subject that is very similar to our theme this year, which is unity in the community, because through this event… our country was unified. I thought it was a really great opportunity,” said Mr. Pierre Yoo, associate director of Diversity & Inclusion.
The heads of the Black and Hispanic Student Association (BaHSA), the Pan-Asian Affinity Group, Triple A, Café, and the Council of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion helped plan the fishbowl discussion with Chung-Joe. Richie Mamam Nbiba ’23, co-head of BaSHA, said, “My hope…is to make it so that we have more direction and guidance [at the fishbowl, to help] us discuss these racial tensions in a safer and more effective [way].”
Annie Dong ’23, co-head of the Pan-Asian Affinity Group and member of the Council of DEI, described the LA Riots as a symbol of how ethnic minority groups can oppress one another, emphasizing the importance of racial solidarity and reconciliation. She said, “Recognition [of tension among racial and ethnic minorities] is important both in the broader American society and at Hotchkiss, because with already-marginalized identities and voices, if we are not united, we are not going to make any progress forward.”
