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.