Black and brown people exploded in LA because of a physical and psychological oppression you will never be able to relate to.
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The city recognized that black and brown people, esp in south central, didn't have access to green space. This was a result of the riots.
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What do you know about the South Central Farm? It was one of hundreds of abandoned lots by the diesel train tracks.
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The city converted the entire abandoned city block into green space where black and brown people grew their own food. Thanks, riots!
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The riots made it so that city officials started thinking about the environment as something that wasn't only about smog. This was new.
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The riots didn't just affect environmental organizing/policy, tho. They affected transportation, housing, policing, education. Everything.
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And no I'm not naive enough to think the results were all good. But this dude's over here talking about 1994 crime bill? Try Prop 187.
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Recognize that the riots happened under one of California's most oppressive, racist governors: Pete Wilson.
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You know California is supposed to be Trump's biggest enemy today? We only got it like that *because* of things like the Rodney King riots.
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We went through some of the most black- and immigrant-hating politicians and policies. We also went through vast demographic changes.
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1990s California was gripping on to some of the worst vestiges of white supremacy. A lot of it is still with us, like Prop 184.
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California is so far from perfect. But compare 2017 to 1992. We went from essentially becoming an English-only state to a sanctuary state.
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(Ok we're not a sanctuary state but look at the debate in the state's legislature. Also: look who's debating.)
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There are still unlearned lessons. Racist cops still kill black people with impunity on camera. I know that.
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But it's no coincidence that one of
#BlackLivesMatter
's founders, Patrice Cullors, is from LA. Ask them if the riots had an impact on them. -
As the 25th anniversary of the Rodney King riots approaches, lots of people will have an opinion and place a lot blame. Be careful w that.
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