There’s a quote used multiple times throughout this doc from a bystander during the 1965 Watt Riots that really stuck out to me. He’s asked something along the lines of what it would take for the riots to end and can only respond that he’s “not sure they ever will end.” Less than 30 years later and the Rodney King riots happen and less than 30 years after that the Black Lives Matter riots occur. Are we just doomed to repeat the cycle?

There’s a quote used multiple times throughout this doc from a bystander during the 1965 Watt Riots that really stuck out to me. He’s asked something along the lines of what it would take for the riots to end and can only respond that he’s “not sure they ever will end.” Less than 30 years later and the Rodney King riots happen and less than 30 years after that the Black Lives Matter riots occur. Are we just doomed to repeat the cycle?

When the United States has disregarded basic human rights and the foundations of the constitution to subject our people to treatment that even cattle aren’t allowed to experience, it’s only natural one of the consequences of that is lawless hellfire. I’m not saying all of the LA citizens did the right thing, but i will say the lack of accountability from the LAPD, the planned acquittal of the four officers, and expectation of obedience from white america are definitely not right.

When the United States has disregarded basic human rights and the foundations of the constitution to subject our people to treatment that even cattle aren’t allowed to experience, it’s only natural one of the consequences of that is lawless hellfire. I’m not saying all of the LA citizens did the right thing, but i will say the lack of accountability from the LAPD, the planned acquittal of the four officers, and expectation of obedience from white america are definitely not right.

“Can we all just get along?” “It’s not right.”

These were the words of devastation from Rodney King in response of the April Los Angeles riots.

Rodney King was a taxi driver that became victim of police brutality in 1991. The video of King’s beating by 4 police served as the main catalyst for the riot. The 4 police officers were all found non-guilty. The verdict sparked the outbreak of riots throughout Los Angeles and to this day remains the most important legal case in the history of California law and most likely the entire country. These are one of his first words spoken to the media since the verdict of the trial.

I have an internal frustration in my heart over the case but also a feeling of shame to see the aftermath of the riots. Why did we hurt our own when we are frustrated with “the man”? Why do we loot black owned businesses in “protest”? We are only proving them right. 

At the same time sympathy creeps in. They’d grown tired of their treatment. The system had protected all but our brother and sisters, allowed for our humiliation on live tv, and condemned our concerns as irrational. If progress won’t be handed to you, you  must take it. After 400 years of this “why shouldn’t they get restless”?

America is the land of the free for all but blacks. It’s the land of justice but not for blacks.

Malcom X once claimed he was not free but rather in peace. Black people weren’t  freed through emancipation or the civil rights act. It just provided peace in the streets

These protests will never end. Rodney King’s case wasn’t an isolated incident. Rather it’s one with proof.

“Can we all just get along?” “It’s not right.”

These were the words of devastation from Rodney King in response of the April Los Angeles riots.

Rodney King was a taxi driver that became victim of police brutality in 1991. The video of King’s beating by 4 police served as the main catalyst for the riot. The 4 police officers were all found non-guilty. The verdict sparked the outbreak of riots throughout Los Angeles and to this day remains the most important legal case in the history of California law and most likely the entire country. These are one of his first words spoken to the media since the verdict of the trial.

I have an internal frustration in my heart over the case but also a feeling of shame to see the aftermath of the riots. Why did we hurt our own when we are frustrated with “the man”? Why do we loot black owned businesses in “protest”? We are only proving them right. 

At the same time sympathy creeps in. They’d grown tired of their treatment. The system had protected all but our brother and sisters, allowed for our humiliation on live tv, and condemned our concerns as irrational. If progress won’t be handed to you, you  must take it. After 400 years of this “why shouldn’t they get restless”?

America is the land of the free for all but blacks. It’s the land of justice but not for blacks.

Malcom X once claimed he was not free but rather in peace. Black people weren’t  freed through emancipation or the civil rights act. It just provided peace in the streets

These protests will never end. Rodney King’s case wasn’t an isolated incident. Rather it’s one with proof.

"What shall it avail our nation if we can send a man to the moon, but cannot cure the sickness of our cities"

"What shall it avail our nation if we can send a man to the moon, but cannot cure the sickness of our cities"

hands down the best documentary i have ever seen

hands down the best documentary i have ever seen