This was really well done Charlotte. Being born in 1991 (and on the other side of the world) I had only the vaguest knowledge of the 1992 LA riots, and so, for me, this piece was very informative and eye-opening. I didn’t realise how large of an incident this was. And the way you conveyed its gravity was measured and sincere. A great read :)
Thank you, Michael! I’m old enough to be your mom! Lol! You really don’t consider age when chatting on Substack! What a remarkable time that was in LA history. It makes me wonder—if the protests against Trump here in America escalate and become more chaotic and violent, could martial law be enacted?
Hahaha yes, that is strange: age does seem to become irrelevant on here. Which I think is actually pretty cool.
It certainly sounds like a remarkable time in LA’s history. And yes, the protests in America now are concerning. I hope for all my American friends things settle down.
This what LA was like the last time the National Guard was deployed there in 1992. The city is not even remotely close to out of control right now. A few large protests do not justify sending in the military to use violence against the people.
I really appreciate your perspective on this, the contrast between the dark and light and the lively OC vs the dead LA. What a strange and terrifying night that must have been. And I love how you related it to your impalement magic. ✨❤️
I’m old enough to remember this, yet being in the Midwest not appreciating how violent it really was. I remember the Denny beating front and center on the news at 5,6 and 10. The closest I came to being near anything like that were the King riots in ‘68. I lived far enough away from the epicenter, but being 8 years old was still scared shitless. The one thing I remembered about that was the idea that seeing someone of color was to be a scary thing. The idea of anything along Madison Street brought a degree of fear for years. It wasn’t until I worked trains on the south side of Chicago that those fears I had shouldn’t have been steered towards Blacks, but just people in general. Most people of color are just that, people - real good people. Nothing is absolute but some of the stereotypes are unfair.
One question I have for you while reading this. Since you essentially lived the event by driving through from the airport, do you have any PTSD from that ride ? Did the George Floyd riots all over the place rekindle and open up old wounds of dealing with that night?
I was there through it all. I had moved there in January 1990 from small town Massachusetts. I drove home from work in the Valley terrified. My live-in nanny stayed with me and my 2 year old daughter for a few days until the unrest quieted down. Between the Rodney King Riots and the Northridge Earthquake in 94, my first few years in L.A. were rough!
Pamela, what a time to be in LA, right? I’m sorry your first experiences were during some of the city’s most turbulent years. Adding to the chaos was the O.J. Simpson police chase and arrest, followed by that lengthy trial that captivated the entire city. Although I spent a lot of time in LA during those years, I was fortunate to live in Las Vegas, which was still a small town back then but was growing by leaps and bounds.
Thank you for reading, commenting! Have a beautiful weekend! 🥰🥰😘
This was really well done Charlotte. Being born in 1991 (and on the other side of the world) I had only the vaguest knowledge of the 1992 LA riots, and so, for me, this piece was very informative and eye-opening. I didn’t realise how large of an incident this was. And the way you conveyed its gravity was measured and sincere. A great read :)
Thank you, Michael! I’m old enough to be your mom! Lol! You really don’t consider age when chatting on Substack! What a remarkable time that was in LA history. It makes me wonder—if the protests against Trump here in America escalate and become more chaotic and violent, could martial law be enacted?
Hahaha yes, that is strange: age does seem to become irrelevant on here. Which I think is actually pretty cool.
It certainly sounds like a remarkable time in LA’s history. And yes, the protests in America now are concerning. I hope for all my American friends things settle down.
Thanks Charlotte :)
Nice work. 😎
His history remains a contemporary event. King says, “Why can’t we all just get along”? A message likely more vivid now than ever before.
Yes, B art King’s message about brotherly love continues to resonate today!
This what LA was like the last time the National Guard was deployed there in 1992. The city is not even remotely close to out of control right now. A few large protests do not justify sending in the military to use violence against the people.
How so?
I really appreciate your perspective on this, the contrast between the dark and light and the lively OC vs the dead LA. What a strange and terrifying night that must have been. And I love how you related it to your impalement magic. ✨❤️
I’m old enough to remember this, yet being in the Midwest not appreciating how violent it really was. I remember the Denny beating front and center on the news at 5,6 and 10. The closest I came to being near anything like that were the King riots in ‘68. I lived far enough away from the epicenter, but being 8 years old was still scared shitless. The one thing I remembered about that was the idea that seeing someone of color was to be a scary thing. The idea of anything along Madison Street brought a degree of fear for years. It wasn’t until I worked trains on the south side of Chicago that those fears I had shouldn’t have been steered towards Blacks, but just people in general. Most people of color are just that, people - real good people. Nothing is absolute but some of the stereotypes are unfair.
One question I have for you while reading this. Since you essentially lived the event by driving through from the airport, do you have any PTSD from that ride ? Did the George Floyd riots all over the place rekindle and open up old wounds of dealing with that night?
I remember. I was in various LA shooting locations—beaches—during that time and it was super weird and tragic. You brought back some memories. 😢
I was there through it all. I had moved there in January 1990 from small town Massachusetts. I drove home from work in the Valley terrified. My live-in nanny stayed with me and my 2 year old daughter for a few days until the unrest quieted down. Between the Rodney King Riots and the Northridge Earthquake in 94, my first few years in L.A. were rough!
We still need to all get along!
Pamela, what a time to be in LA, right? I’m sorry your first experiences were during some of the city’s most turbulent years. Adding to the chaos was the O.J. Simpson police chase and arrest, followed by that lengthy trial that captivated the entire city. Although I spent a lot of time in LA during those years, I was fortunate to live in Las Vegas, which was still a small town back then but was growing by leaps and bounds.
Thank you for reading, commenting! Have a beautiful weekend! 🥰🥰😘