Eleven years ago today, South Central Los Angeles was on fire. Many people were angry about the acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King, and rioting had broken out. Death and destruction engulfed South Los Angeles, a community with many wonderful people, though unfortunately known more for its gangs, poverty and crumbling schools. Many people on the sidelines of this unrest assumed that the anger was directed only at the unjust verdict. They forgot that the despair and rage that had so many of the city’s poorer residents in its grasp concerned much larger issues of social and economic neglect.
Today, some committed UCLA students are attempting to solve these problems by contributing their time and efforts to community service programs. These programs have helped, but the broader social improvement effort in Los Angeles must be strengthened. Los Angeles is a hub of financial and political power – there are many in the city with a great ability to contribute, and they must do so.
For decades, South Central has been home to some of California’s most underperforming and neglected schools. Organizations and members of the UCLA community are working to improve this situation. Tutorial groups such as Watts Tutorial Project and Project SET, as well as ethnic organizations such as the African Student Union, have been volunteering time to tutor students in core subjects. These and other groups inspire underperforming children to seek educational opportunities with the goal of college admittance.
The service these students provide is invaluable in a number of ways. First, it helps to compensate for the inadequacies of the public education system that are so pronounced in South Los Angeles schools, thus opening the doors of opportunity for the future. But even more important than the academic benefits of tutoring is the positive example set by a mentor. Having the opportunity to interact with someone who is successful and motivated can show underperforming students that they have the same potential. And of course, this may help to prevent incidents like the mayhem that occurred 11 years ago.
Tragically, the government alone has been unable to improve the state of the city. Despite the efforts of UCLA students, many students continue to suffer in horrific schools, which ultimately leaves students less able to compete in the job market. In turn, economic failure contributes to the conditions that make young males in South Los Angeles likely to engage in gang activity – one of the major sources of violence there today. However, due to budget shortages, gang prevention programs seeking to divert youth into positive activities and rebuild communities have been subjected to cuts.
Los Angeles does not lack citizens who have money or education. For this reason, private citizens with money and education must undertake a greater initiative to help solve the problems of poor education and gang violence. Los Angeles is home to some major defense companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Northrup-Grumman, as well as media powerhouses, universities and financial institutions. All of these businesses employ many bright and educated people, who certainly could contribute by tutoring children from underprivileged communities. Many companies, such as Pacific Bell, are already doing so, but more support is needed. Furthermore, Hollywood stars, who are perhaps the most noticeable of Los Angeles’ wealthy, have given millions to political campaigns. I don’t dispute their rights to contribute as they please, but if that money had been spent on gang prevention or remedial education programs, it could have done more good.
Fundamentally, problems like poor education and gang violence reinforce a sense of despair and hopelessness, which leads people to devalue their communities. Students at UCLA and other institutions have made admirable and valuable efforts to make a difference in these communities. However, in a city with so much wealth and education, there are many more people who must be driven to contribute.
The late rapper Tupac Shakur, himself a product of a poor neighborhood, articulated this need in his lyric: “If you don’t respect the town, then we’ll burn you down.” Ultimately, we must strive to respect all residents of our city, with justice as well as a commitment to helping people improve their lives.
This week, some South Central mother will mourn a son lost to gang violence, and some child will attend a dilapidated school. This is Los Angeles, 11 years after the riots, and it seems that some things never change. But if those of us who are most capable try to improve the lives of others, this city will be much better off.