Civil Unrest in the U.S.
Root Causes of Civil Unrest in the U.S. After the 1992 riots
in the United States has incurred a series of civil unrest within its borders after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles. The riots get triggered whenever citizens identify the development of unjust activities within the country. Among the fundamental causes of the civil unrest, include brutal killing and harassment of African-American citizens more so by police officers.
In relation, America is a multicultural country that hosts people with different decently. In this regard, American society accommodates several races of humanity within its population. The most common ethnicities include Native American, Asian-Americans, Latino Americans and African-Americans. The presence of the various communities got attributed to multiple factors.
Regarding the development of the African-American population, Africans got incorporated in the society as slaves in the 17th and 18th century to offer labour in European farms. In return, the African population within the country increased and formed part of the American society (Takati 20). Similarly, Asian citizens got incorporated as service providers in infrastructure development such as railways and roads and as refugees from Asian countries such as Afghanistan. Lastly, the Latino population consists of the Mexican-Americans who migrated into the country from Mexico in search of jobs. The existence of the various communities in the United States oversaw the development of a multicultural society that called for adjustments to enhance harmonious living. However, Native American often sought to oppress other communities owing to their minority nature. The move facilitates the development of demonstrations condemning injustice activities developed against other non-native citizens. The protests further push for regulations that will enhance equality of the various races consisting the America society. The demand for justice following the killing of non-native citizens serves as the primary source of unrest overseeing the development of several protests. Among the critical protests include the Fergusson riots developed in 2014 following the killing of Michael Brown and the ongoing George Floyd protests that began on 26th May to condemn the brutal murder of George Floyd by the police.
Also, the country has witnessed several civil unrest cases related to business activities within the country more so Business conventions that seek collaboration with other countries that developed threat to American residents through increasing unemployment rates and undermining American markets. Among the vital riot cases attribute to economic activities include, the Pittsburg Summit riots developed in September 24th and 25th 2009 in the course of the G20 Pittsburg Summit held in the United States. The protest sought to outline some of the challenges faced by various organizations upon which they would get addressed in the course of the summit.
Comparison of the Los Angeles 1992 Civil Unrest and the 2020 Protest
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots oversaw the development of a series of riots within Los Angeles that began in 29th April 1992 and continued until 4th May 1992. The protests got developed following a court ruling that acquitted four police officers who served at the Los Angeles Police Department following a case related to use of excessive force while arresting Rodney King (Wallenfeldt 1). In this regard, the police were alleged to have intentionally assaulted King at the scene of the arrest since they failed to cuff his hands until he lay still following the brutal beating by the LAPD officers. The evidence got presented from a videotape recorded by a civilian who witnessed the scene. Despite, the existence of evidence, the Jury acquitted the police officers sparking the anger of residents based on the brutality of police officers in handling culprits more so African-American citizens. The demonstrations further sought the restriction of white police officers from developing racist activities against the minority communities that is African-Americans and the Hispanic community. In this regard, Los Angeles citizens sought to create a diverse ethnic society that would embrace people from different cultures and ensure their wellbeing through equal treatment.
Similarly, the country has witnessed the development of Goerge Floyd protests that began in 26th May 2020 and are ongoing. The demonstrations relate to the ruthless harassment subjected to George Floyd by the police officers from the Minneapolis Police Department that resulted in his death. In this regard, the protests have a similar basis to those of Los Angeles in 1992. In particular, a videotape recorded by observers indicates that officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on the victim’s neck while pinning him on the ground for eight minutes which restrained his breathing which led to his death (Almasy et al. 1). The act got developed following Floyd refusal to enter into the police car claiming that he had health problems.
Furthermore, the police proceeded to mistreat Floyd despite being cuffed and unarmed. Following Floyd, death protest began in Metropolis on 26th May and later preceded to the rest of the country. Also, the Floyd family ordered a private autopsy that disclosed Floyd death from asphyxiation generated following the sustained pressure. The demonstrations sought justice for Floyd and sparked the significance of the “Black Lives Matter” movement that condemns the racist’s nature of white police based on Floyd’s ethnicity. Similarly, the protests have developed in other countries, including France, Spain, Britain, Canada and Brazil. Regarding the development of the protests, the demonstrations involve mass protests, civil disobedience upon which citizens break curfew regulation, looting, assault, physical damage and arson.
Based on the similarity of the two scenarios, it is evident that things haven’t changed over the years despite the presence of several demonstrations seeking for equality development. The lack of a change may get attributed to the American History development that fails to develop a challenging concept that is essential for change development within society. In particular, the book only highlights the positive aspects of American history overshadowing the negative aspect of the American culture that would help evoke a difference in society. The review of Columbus in American history serves as a critical example upon which most books praise him for his bravely but fails to outline his role in slavery development and the suffering related to his activities (Loewen 55). In this regard, students fail to identify the challenges existing within their environment and develop the existing culture since no flaws get identified.
The Rise of “Black Lives Matter” Movement and its Significance
“Black Lives Matter” movement got founded in 2013 following the shooting of an African-American teenager Trayvon Martin by Goerge Zimmerman (Barrera, 2020). In the particular case, George shot Martin in the chest following an argument. The move oversaw a second-degree murder charge of upon George who was later acquitted by the Jury. The move sparked an online campaign that oversaw the development of the “Black Lives Matter” Movement. The movement sought to seek justice for the brutal killing of African-American citizens by whites in the U.S. based on racial identity.
Regarding the role of the movement in gender, Back Lives Matter Movement seeks to outline the torture subjected to women at the hands of police based on their racial identity. In particular, the movement identifies that society focus on male deaths has overshadowed the plight of women who suffer similar brutality at the hands of white police. Furthermore, the movement outlines the need to create a position for women for justice development since the movement got founded by black ladies that is Alicia Gara, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi. Based on their campaign, they have effectively demanded justice for the Black who suffer following the development of racism activities.
Concerning the role of “Black Lives Matter” movement in political affairs, the organization seek to develop equality for all citizens residing in the United States by destabilizing the existing inequality within the country. In this regard, the movement has expanded its activities a platform upon which they can seek justice for immigrants. Furthermore, the campaign aims to develop economic equality through seeking justice for domestic’s worker. Also, the organization undermines the economic injustice developed under capitalism advocating for the development of alternative systems that uphold democracy (Ransby 1). Lastly, the movement seeks the development of regulations that will establish respect and dignity for marginalized groups within the society more so black people, women and the LGBTQ members. To help realize its mission, the BLM movement has incorporated other groups that have similar motives. The move has overseen the inclusion of more than 60 justice-seeking organizations within the movement.
Work Cited
Almasy et al. “Protestors feel joy after four former officers hit with new charges in George Floyd’s death. Retrieved on 4th June 2020 from https://www.google.com/amap/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/06/03/us/us-protestors- Wednesday-George-floyd/index.html
Barrera, D. “What is the Black Lives Matter Movement, and when did it start?” Retrieved on 4th June 2020 from https://www.google.com/amp/s/en.as.com/2020/other_sports/
Loewen, J. Lies my teacher told me. United States: The New Press. 1995.
Ransby, B. “The class politics of Black Lives Matter.” Retrieved on 4th June 2020 from https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/class-politics-black-lives-matter
Takaki, R. A different mirror: A history of multicultural America. United States: Little, Brown and Company. 2008.
Wallenfeldt, J. “Los Angeles riots of 1992.” Retrieved on 4th June 2020 from https://www.britannica.com/event/los-angeles-riots-of-1992