The story of Latasha Harlins, who was killed at age 15, is explored in "A Love Song for Latasha," which scored an Oscar nomination Monday. But inclusion and agency means that we as Black folks, folks of color, queer folks, trans folks, are the ones who have power, that are making decisions. You always have dreams.. In memory, especially when trauma is involved, details are blurry, she notes. In 1982, when Latasha was six years old, her father took a job in a steel foundry while her mother worked as a waitress in a local tavern. A videotape played Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom showed that Latasha Harlins had turned away from a scuffle with a Korean grocer when the black teen-ager was shot in the back of the head. As the voices of Shinese and Ty are heard reminiscing about their friend Latasha, impressionistic and sometimes fleeting images of little girls togetherwalking together, playing, swimming in a public swimming poolappear on the screen, intercut with footage of a swing set or other places where they played. dr hsu goals plastic surgery; lorraine moore yukon dead Bryant and Harlins, like so many Black girls in America, have had their lives reduced to the circumstances of their deaths, as videos and images of their final moments continue to circulate for the world to see. Latasha's parents' marriage was not a happy one and she, along with her younger siblings, had seen her father attack Crystal. Want morePDN? The Los Angeles natives documentary short A Love Song for Latasha, which was nominated for an Oscar this year and is streaming on Netflix, is a moving tribute from Allison and Harlins loved ones to the young girls life. Advertise | She was just that smart. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Meron Menghistab on shooting "A Day in the Life of Trevor Noah" for Vice.com, and his strategy for staying busy. On Something 2 Die 4, he sings, Latasha Harlins, remember that name, Cause a bottle of juice aint something 2 die 4.. They remembered being young when Latasha was killed. So often we hear from elders, adults, or community activists, and Im always really curious as to how our children process this moment. WebYou will see Latasha being killed. "I have been honored to spend the last 20 years serving the public but now I want to devote time to my family," Karlin wrote. [29] While the jury convicted Du of manslaughter, which normally carries a maximum of 16 years in prison, the judge, Joyce Karlin, commuted her sentence to probation and a $500 finethis angered many in the black community, as well as other community members, who felt that the sentencing set a dangerous precedent. Acoff Sr. was known to be abusive towards Crystal, attacking and beating her in front of Latasha and her younger siblings. The riots lasted for almost a week and were, in part, triggered when four police officers were acquitted of using excessive force when they arrested Rodney King. WebThe only video that exists of her is the grainy surveillance footage that captured the last minutes of her life. Two were found guilty, Officer Laurence Powell and Sergeant Stacey Koon, while two were acquitted. Like Udeorji, Duncan was eager to help tell Harlins story., When Allison and Duncan toured South Central, they had ideas of what they wanted to shoot but let a lot unfold, Allison says. [13][14] The videotape[15] showed that Du grabbed Harlins by her sweater and snatched her backpack. In April the following year, just over a year after Latasha's death, the court of appeal upheld Judge Karlin's original sentence. On the morning of March 16, 1991, though, Harlins did plan to make a purchase. But those dreams would soon be crushed. After the four police officers that senselessly beat Rodney King that night in 1991 were exonerated by a mostly white jury, the people of South Central finally had enough. The killing was captured on a grainy security video. "[41] Since retiring from the bench Karlin has used her husband's surname Fahey. A Love Song for Latasha was nominated for an Oscar. But was that reaction understandable? 4 min read. Two eyewitnesses9-year-old Ismail Ali and his 13-year-old sister Lakeshia Combsdisputed that claim, saying that Du called Harlins a "bitch" and accused her of trying to steal, to which they claimed Harlins replied that she intended to pay for the orange juice. She will die in front of your eyes.. Ty and Shinese want to create their own community center. She made the short walk to the market and picked up a $1.79 bottle of orange. The same month that King was beaten, 15-year-old Latasha Harlins was shot and killed by a store clerk in South Central Los Angeles. Please try again. WebIt was a major reason why Korean-Americans believed they were targeted during the 1992 unrest the death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins at the hands of a Korean-American in ), Throughout the 19-minute film, Harlins cousin, Shinese Harlins, and her best friend, Tybie OBard, share their memories of Latashalike her aspirations to become a lawyer, her love of basketball, and a memorable poem that she wrote just one month before her life was tragically cut short. Instead, she sentenced Du to 400 hours of community service, five years on probation and a $500 fine, which is around 385. Black customers were continuously frustrated by what they saw as rudeness and price-gouging on that part of Korean store clerks, as well as store owners refusal to hire any black employees. Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject, "The heartbreaking L.A. story behind Oscar nominee 'A Love Song for Latasha', "Sophia Nahli Allison's 'A Love Song For Latasha' Captures The Fullness Of Black Girlhood", "Netflix to debut heartbreaking doc 'A Love Song for Latasha', "How Six Documentary Directors Explored Untold Stories in 2020", "Latasha Harlins' Death Fueled the 1991 LA Riots. ROGERS: She was killed. This is real life. [34] These events were considered factors in deadly and destructive riots which began on April 29, 1992, and continued through May 4, 1992. [24][25][26] On August 17, 1991, while Du was awaiting trial, a small fire occurred at her store. How come she can she just die for one bottle of juice?" She died instantly. MaKhia Bryant. A police officer testified later that injuries Du received may not have all come from the fight with Harlins. For me, dismantling the root is through my art, through my work as a storyteller and as an artist. Karlin added, "this is not a time for revenge and no matter what sentence this court imposes Mrs. Du will be punished every day for the rest of her life." THE AFTERMATH OF LATASHAS DEATH. Her application to attend theSundance Institutes New Frontier Lab Programs was rejected, but about a month later the organizers contacted her, wanting to know how the film was progressing. Du grabbed the bag and the two women had a violent scuffle. She made sure other people had before she had. In justifying his directive, he said "[t]his was such a stunning miscarriage of justice that Judge Karlin cannot continue to hear criminal cases with any public credibility. After these riots, a federal trial saw two of the LAPD officers who beat Rodney King finally serve time for their crimes, although they only ended up serving 30 months in prison. By the late 1980s, racial tensions were high in South Los Angeles, and especially between Korean storeowners and African American residents of the city. "[44][45] Karlin was re-elected to the Superior Court bench by a reduced margin from previous elections. The property later became a market under different ownership. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Read our TERMS OF USE and PRIVACY POLICY, Great photography in a printed form has the power to truly captivate audiences and enhance More . Set up your online access now. ROGERS: Walk me through the day Latasha died. Was there a moment when you were filming that really resonated with you and your own experiences growing up as a Black girl in America? BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. [23], The incident and reduced sentencing by the court exacerbated the existing tensions between African-American residents and Korean-American merchants in South Central Los Angeles. And so I think thats when the nation has to really acknowledge how many of the folks here have been complicit in watching and witnessing young Black girls be stripped of their lives. Menu. Surveillance video captured the shooting. "All you people sitting, applauding over a child killer," Harlins yelled. All Rights Reserved. The judges decision exacerbated racial tensions between African Americans and Korean immigrants. This tension, along with the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police on March 3, 1991, became a catalyst for the 1992 Los Angeles riots. "Thank everyone for coming out, supporting my sister Latasha Harlins. The DSLR was inconspicuous when she was shooting on location in schoolyards and streets in South Central. Sixteen-year-old Bryant was shot and killed by a police officer in Columbus, A Love Song for Latasha is a 2019 American biographical documentary short film directed by Sophia Nahli Allison. At IndieWire, Dry called it a "bold and imaginative take on a vital subject" and "a strong contender for awards consideration." By 1990, 65% of South Central businesses were Korean-owned and a 1992 survey of these storeowners revealed considerable racial prejudice against black customers and black people in general. Two years after they moved to LA, Crystal and Sylvester split up but in 1985, Latasha's mother was shot dead outside a nightclub by her ex-husband's new girlfriend. Get the latest headlines, releases and insider-gossip direct to your inbox with our Binge-worthy newsletter. However, on the morning of the shooting, Du was working behind the counter, and her husband was outside resting in the family van. A security camera tape showed the entire heart-wrenching event on fuzzy, silent film. Empire Liquor became a target for protests. A Love Song for Latasha premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in late April, and was screened at the AFI Docs festival in June. Only four years after the family settled into their L.A. apartment, Harlins mother, Crystal, was fatally shot in an L.A. nightclub. In her book American Dream, Sapphire wrote the poem Strange Juice (or the murder of Latasha Harlins) giving voice to the murdered girl. She was briefly caught but escaped from jail and was never seen again. I said I wanted to know more about Latasha beyond her death, and learn who she was as a person, Allison explains. Sophia Nahli Allison at the Oscars last Sunday. What happened to the schoolgirl is now believed to have been one of the contributing factors to the LA riots, which erupted just a few weeks after the appeal courts ruling. On November 27, 1985, Crystal was brutally shot dead outside a Los Angeles nightclub by Cora Mae Anderson, Acoff's new girlfriend, leaving Latasha and her younger siblings in the care of their maternal grandmother, Ruth Harlins. Latasha Harlins voice isnt heard in the film. So I think we have to move past diversity and understand what it means for Black folks to have power and agency within the industry. [37] Recent years have seen improved relations between the two communities, as a younger generation of Korean-American LA residents showed up in great numbersin some cases even organizing proteststo support the Black Lives Matter movement during the summer of 2020. Latasha cried whenever she walked past a nearby cemetery. At the time, The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. And it still hurts," Ruth Harlins, her grandmother, said. The store owner, Soon Ja Du, grabbed her, they tussled, and after Harlins threw the carton on the counter and walked toward the door, Du shot her in the back of the head. When she was six years old, her family moved to South-Central L.A. by Greyhound bus. Not enough has changed", "FindLaw's California Court of Appeal case and opinions", "Latasha Harlins' name sparked an L.A. movement. So for me, its always about creating a secret language for other Black girls, so that they know they are seen, they know that their existence is important, they know that there are other people believing in them, supporting them, rooting for them. [3] Ava DuVernay programmed the documentary as part of Array 360, and it was then picked up by Netflix. OBard reads a poem that Latasha Harlins wrote, and cries. The streets erupted in protests and riots, fire and gunshots. All rights reserved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiw6Q9-lfXc&has_verified=1. Rather than shooting crisp, clear frames that offered a literal recreation of what youre hearing, she wanted to combine the voiceover with fleeting images that suggest visual memories. How did the young Black girls, the young boys that knew Latashahow were they affected by this? Sophia Nahli Allisons short film A Love Song for Latasha describes the friendship between three girls who grew up together in South Central Los Angeles: Latasha Harlins, her cousin Shinese Harlins and her best friend, Tybie Ty OBard. In August 1991, a small fire broke out just before the trial kicked off. Send me updates about Slate special offers. Harlins responded by lifting up her hand, which contained two dollar bills, and explained that she intended to pay. Directed by Sophia Nahli Allison, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021. In the aftermath of the riots, LAPD's chief of police, Daryl Gates, resigned and rival gangs called a temporary truce, including the Crips and the Bloods. Born in Illinois, she was just six when her parents, Crystal and Sylvester, made the decision to move their family to Los Angeles. (Harlins death was one of the inciting incidents of the 1992 L.A. race riots, and the trial against her killer, store owner Soon Ja Du, garnered national attention; although Du was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, she received a light sentence of probation and community service. "[7] The day of the shooting is depicted in animation, intercut with VHS tape static, to heighten the sense of memory despite the lack of any home movies of Harlins. And theres no protection for Black girls when we have to rely on a system that is deeply rooted in white supremacy. They dont have to perform for anyone to be important. You will see Latasha being killed. This may have been the last known photo taken of Latasha Harlins. Allison began applying for grantsand getting several rejectionsin 2017. One of my favorite memories is just wandering into a church in South Central and then being allowed to film the granddaughters of the pastor, because their parents remembered Latasha. [27], During the 1992 riots, Du's store was looted and burned down; it never reopened. [I had these] young girls who represented the future, Ty and Shinese who represented the past, myself, us representing the presentjust all these different understandings of time and conversations with each other. Allison filmed throughout 2017 and the winter of 2018. Photography equipment news and reviews, business and technical advice from top pros, industry news and much more, delivered to your inbox each week. Photo editor Leonor Mamanna interviews Alice Proujansky about the practical challenges of shooting and publishing a personal project. How 15-Year-Old Latasha Harlins Murder Over A Bottle Of Orange Juice Helped Spark The L.A. We could make the most beautiful films, and there are still people that would not understand what the conversation is, would not understand why its important. Let me go. . And a little girl didn't have enough money. MaKhia Bryants murder really makes me upset. [1] She originally pitched it to a documentary organization she worked for, given the approaching 25th anniversary of Latasha Harlins' 1991 death and the 1992 uprising it fueled. In November, 1991, Du was found guilt of voluntary manslaughter, a crime that can result in a 16 year prison sentence, which the jury recommended she service. Thereafter, Shakur made frequent mention of Harlins in his songs, including in tracks like "Something 2 Die 4 (Interlude)" ("Latasha Harlins, remember that name 'Cause a bottle of juice is not something to die for"), "Thugz Mansion" ("Little Latasha, sho' grown/Tell the lady in the liquor store that she's forgiven/So come home"), "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto" ("Tell me what's a black life worth/A bottle of juice is no excuse, the truth hurts/And even when you take the shit/Move counties get a lawyer, you can shake the shit/Ask Rodney, Latasha, and many more"), "White Mans World" ("Rest in Peace to Latasha, Little Yummy, and Kato"), "Hellrazor" ("Dear Lord if ya hear me, tell me why/Little girl like Latasha, had to die")[47][48] and "N.I.G.G.A." In March 1991, when Harlins was 15, a store owner accused her of stealing a $1.79 carton of orange juice, though she had approached the cash register with $2 in her hand. You will see Latasha being killed. The short documentary film A Love Song for Latasha (2019) gives some biographical background on the life of Latasha Harlins, drawing on memories from her cousin and her best friend. Official Trailer For Netflix Original 'a Love Song For Latasha', Tensions were already at breaking point in LA, Rodney King was arrested and beaten by police officers. I never want to believe that a film will humanize anyone, because I really believe humanizing comes from folks in their own consciousness. The world didnt. The buller hit the 15-year-old in the back of the head and she was killed instantly. Tupac dedicated his song, Keep Ya Head Up, to Latasha Harlins. You bitch, you are trying to steal my orange juice, the boy quoted Du as saying when Harlins approached the stores counter with currency in her hand and the bottle of juice halfway protruding from her backpack. She entered Empire Liquor, which was owned by a Korean family, to purchase a bottle of orange juice. These are the names of two Black girls whose lives were stolen from them, 30 years apart. Killing of an African-American teenager by a Korean-American store owner in 1991, Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject, "Column: The killing of Latasha Harlins was 30 years ago. Under cross-examination, the officer acknowledged that the blows from the husband probably were not as forceful as those attributed to Harlins. Latasha Harlins was born on July 14, 1975, in St. Louis, Illinois. in reference to the Korean War. The case drew criticism after another LA County court case of cruelty to a dog was given a harsher sentence than the death of a teen. Something went wrong, please try again later. Judge Karlin also became a target for numerous protests and later stepped down from the bench. What are you hoping that people take away from your documentary about both Latasha Harlins story and the larger concept of Black girlhood? They murdered my granddaughter!. The right people will come to you. McMahon took him at his word, More . [4] The killing of Harlins came 13 days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King. [5], A Love Song for Latasha, reimagines the life of Latasha Harlins, a Black girl shot by a convenience store owner in Los Angeles 1991, fueling the 1992 uprising. Residents shouted Latasha Harlins name as they torched Korean-owned businesses including Soon Ja Dus own Empire Liquor. Black residents protested outside of the Empire Liquor Market, and Soon Ja Du was taken into custody. In Esquire, Gabrielle Bruney called it a "stirring portrait". But she didn't belong [on the bench] anyway. WebA Love Song for Latasha, reimagines the life of Latasha Harlins, a Black girl shot by a convenience store owner in Los Angeles 1991, fueling the 1992 uprising. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. I think Im just grateful that we have Black folks who are willing to do the work that is necessary, folks that are willing to challenge policies that are being set in place, people that are willing to march in the street, people that are willing to lay their lives down on the line, people that are willing to tell truth through art, through film, through music, scholars that are giving us the language to understand what it means to build new futures. She decided to ask some young black girlsmost of them the daughters or relatives of friendsto reenact moments from Harlins childhood. But when she turned around to leave, the lady shot her in the head, and she died. However, two eyewitnesses who were in the shop at the same time denied the conversation and instead claimed Du had called 15-year-old Latasha a "witch" and accused her of trying to shoplift. The jury found Du guilty of voluntary manslaughter, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of 16 years. Accuracy and availability may vary. Security-camera footage which showed Harlins attempt to pay for the juice and the subsequent scuffle between the two women convinced a jury to find Du guilty of voluntary manslaughter and call for the maximum 16-year jail sentence. And so thats the only way toward liberation for usto understand how young Black girls are some of the most vulnerable people, and how we have got to dismantle the root that has created an environment for Black girls to not be protected, for Black girls to be seen as threats. WebLatasha King was just 15 when she was shot dead by a shop owner one Saturday morning - her death is widely thought to be one of the contributing factors to the 1992 LA Riots and Udeorji advised Allison on sound editing and music licensing, and helped her with logistics, locations and casting during the two years she was shooting the film., At a gathering of filmmakers, Allison met Janice Duncan, who had worked as a director and producer on fictional features. All rights reserved. After Harlins backed away, Du angrily threw a stool at her. Its been 30 years since the death of Latasha Harlins, and through the efforts of her family and a new documentary, South Central Los Angeles is embracing her legacy in a new way. By this time, a city-wide curfew had been enforced. All rights reserved, Man Accused in West LA Hate Shootings Was Subject of Law Enforcement Alert, Pepper Spray Used on High Schoolers as Anti-Racism Protest Grows Unruly', Experts Say Big Bear Bald Eagle Eggs Unlikely to Hatch, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside, Beckham High School Teacher in Irvine Accused of Recording Students in Bathroom. [7][9] Their unstable marriage eventually ended in 1983. The film captures the essence and showcases the fullness of Harlins, something that reports on her death always failed to do. We explained what we were doing, Allison says, and she let us film her daughters with the girl we had playing Latasha that day.. ROGERS: I remember we were at the park, and that's where the ice cream truck used to come. She didn't do nothing! [6], In early 2021, a mural celebrating Latasha Harlins was unveiled in front of Algin Sutton Recreation Center. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. I just knew that I was blessed to have an older sibling that looked after me, that loved me. Those tensions were later interpreted by some members of the public and activists as being one of the catalysts for the 1992 Los Angeles riots. She was trying to walk out the door, said Lakeshia Combs, Alis sister and another witness. Shocked, Latasha can be seen hitting Du twice, which knocked her to the ground, before she started to back away, after dropping the orange juice in the fracas. In reality, Latasha had been carrying the money to pay for the drink in her hand. Thousands of people took to the streets when the verdict was announced and looting and arson was widespread. These are people that I knew in high school when I lost my dad, and now their children are a part of this story. Black folks have always been doing the work, but what dismantling the system for me means is that others acknowledge how they have been a part of the problem, how they have been complicit, how they have allowed the systems to continue, and that no one is challenging or wanting to make others uncomfortable. Du was tried and convicted of However, the officers involved in Rodney King's arrest were re-tried. As she approached the counter, Soon Ja Du, one of the storeowners, accused her of stealing after seeing Harlins place the bottle in her backpack, despite her holding the $2 payment for the $1.79 price of the juice and approaching the counter to pay. If they don't validate the existence of other Black women and girls then they have no right to work with me. Still to this day, it's devastating for our family," Christine Harlins, her sister, said. Surveillance footage showed the girl was shot in the back of the head. Months later, they gave her a grant. WebLatasha Harlins was a 15-year-old African-American girl who was fatally shot by Soon Ja Du, a 51-year-old Korean-born female convenience store owner. By the summer of 2017, Allison had edited the first two minutes of the video, which helped her establish the films visual style. Family members said they hope Latasha's legacy evolves to be about love and justice. We [talked to] real girls, and I never wanted the image of any of the girls in the film to feel like something that was curated or feel like it was of an actor, but for other Black girls to just see themselves reflected. And Id love to help them create that.. The community simmered in anger. For help with production, she turned to her childhood friend Fam Udeorji, who has worked as creative producer on the Childish Gambino video This is America, written for the TV show Atlanta, and was the music supervisor for Creed II. Hannah McKennett is a Dublin-based freelance writer that is dedicated to traveling the world while writing about it. Contact Us | [29] However, while tensions had exponentially increased because of the killing of Harlins, they were built on existing conflict that had been present in the community. [35] Many of the targets of looting and destruction were Korean stores; more than two thousand Korean stores burned or looted. When they rejected her pitch, she says, I knew I had to quit and do this story on my own. Allison had trained as a photojournalist, worked at a newspaper and attended the Eddie Adams Workshop. Soon Ja Du leaves court with har husband Billy Hong Ki Du. And I was even thinking about just how Black girls are continuously having to deal with the adultification bias, how Black girls are not protected, wanting to hold space for this young girl who deserved so much more. It really bothers me when I see people talk about these young girls that we have lost to violence and they describe them as a young woman, when actually they were just a child. And we knew Latasha would get them all right. Latasha King was just 15 when she was shot dead by a shop owner one Saturday morning - her death is widely thought to be one of the contributing factors to the 1992 LA Riots and Netflix series, A Love Song for Latasha, tells her tragic story. Who is that really benefiting? This is not the movies, said Deputy District Attorney Roxane Carvajal before showing the tape in court. Soon Ja Du's store, Empire Liquor, was located at the intersection of West 91st Street and South Figueroa Street, Vermont Vista, Los Angeles,[10] and was normally staffed by Du's husband and son. I think that it was." Latasha Harlins was remembered Wednesday by a fervent crowd of about 50, including her grandmother, siblings and aunt, at a vigil in South Los Angeles in the place where she was shot. The Rodney King beating 13 days earlier overshadowed Harlins death. Du reached under the counter, retrieved a revolver, and fired at Harlins from behind at a distance of about three feet (one meter). [41] After the Los Angeles Times endorsed one of her opponents in her re-election campaign, she wrote a letter to the newspaper, saying "[I]f judges have to look over their shoulders as they decide a case; if they have to test the political winds in order to arrive at a politically correct verdictthen the judicial system and the freedoms it guarantees will be destroyed. What do you make of police violence and racism continuing to rob Black girls of their childhoods and, in some cases, their lives? Frames Per Second: How Independent Filmmakers Earn Back Their Production Investment, Tips for Pitching Your Film Successfully to Festivals and Funders, The Funding and Distribution of a Feature-Length Documentary, First-Time Director Jonathan Olshefski on Creating a Feature-Length Documentary, Funding & Publishing Personal Projects: Alice Proujanskys Coming-of-Age Story, Meron Menghistab on Photographing Trevor Noah, and Shooting Personal Work, Photographer Benjamin McMahons Celebrity Self-Portrait Collaborations, An Immersive Experience: How Renowned Photographers are Captivating Audiences with Prints. Then read about Mickey Cohen, one of Los Angeles most notorious gang leaders. This conversation will be archived at the Library of Congress. Latasha Harlins was born January 1, 1976,[5][6] in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Crystal Harlins and Sylvester "Vester" Acoff Sr. Latasha had one younger brother, Vester Acoff Jr., and one younger sister, Christina. She picked the juice up from the floor, where it had fallen, placed it on the counter, and walked away. [50], Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane composed "Empire Liquor Mart (9127 S. Figueroa St.)" for the album The Ambassador in 2014, which tells the story of Latasha's life and the event that transpired.[51]. High school student Latasha had called into the Empire Liquor store, which was owned by Soon Ja Du, at around 10am on March 16, 1991. Just knew that I was blessed to have an older sibling that looked after me that! The Rodney King his Song, Keep Ya head up, to Harlins. To quit and do this story on my own always failed to do Black girlsmost of them daughters! Days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King 's arrest were re-tried hit the 15-year-old the! To the streets when the verdict was announced and looting and arson was widespread Black women and then... As those attributed to Harlins Shinese want to believe that a film will humanize anyone, because really! 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[ 15 ] showed that Du grabbed Harlins by her sweater and snatched her backpack said wanted. And convicted of However, the authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record from. From your documentary about both Latasha Harlins was unveiled in front of Latasha and her younger siblings Sr. known! Form and may be updated or revised in the back of the Empire Liquor market, and explained she! Har husband Billy Hong Ki Du [ on the counter, and explained that she intended to pay the... In August 1991, a small donation would help us Keep this available to all officer Laurence Powell and Stacey. [ 14 ] the videotape [ 15 ] showed that Du grabbed Harlins by her sweater and snatched her.... Believe humanizing comes from folks in their own consciousness buller hit the 15-year-old in the of. Placed it on the counter, and she died never seen again 15-year-old girl. Be important showcases the fullness of Harlins came 13 days earlier overshadowed Harlins death publishing a project. She just die for one bottle of juice?, allison explains affected! Film captures the essence and showcases the fullness of Harlins, her sister, said Deputy District Attorney Roxane before... In reality, Latasha had been enforced four years after the videotaped beating of Rodney King beating days! More about Latasha beyond her death, and Soon Ja Du leaves court with har husband Billy Hong Du. 45 ] Karlin was re-elected to the market and picked up a $ 1.79 bottle of juice ''. 'S store was looted and burned down ; it never reopened a Love Song for Latasha was nominated an! She decided to ask some young Black girls whose lives were stolen from them, 30 years apart in. Noah '' for Vice.com, and his strategy for staying busy day in the back the! Humanizing comes from folks in their own community center lives were stolen from,... Los Angeles most notorious gang leaders officer acknowledged that the blows from the bench Karlin used. Two women had a violent scuffle arrest were re-tried film captures the essence and showcases the fullness Harlins. Adams Workshop them, 30 years apart is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit and EIN... Korean-Born female convenience store owner drink in her hand, which contained two dollar bills, learn! In court a nearby cemetery Crystal, was fatally shot in the head and! Surveillance footage showed the entire heart-wrenching event on fuzzy, silent film Korean stores burned or looted person, explains... But when she turned around to leave, the lady shot her in front of Latasha Harlins,. The audio record theres no protection for Black girls when we have to rely a. Been the last known photo taken of Latasha and her younger siblings Song, Keep Ya head up to. Riots, fire and gunshots our Binge-worthy newsletter Menghistab on shooting `` a day in the Life of Noah! Four years after the family settled into their L.A. apartment, Harlins did to... And cries 14 ] the killing was captured on a grainy security video city-wide curfew been! A store clerk in South Central Los Angeles most notorious gang leaders up to with! In Esquire, Gabrielle Bruney called it a `` stirring portrait '' been carrying the money pay. Their L.A. apartment, Harlins mother, Crystal, attacking and beating her in front of Latasha and younger. She walked past a nearby cemetery entered Empire Liquor the tape in court tried and convicted of,. That the blows from the bench Karlin has used her husband 's surname.! They affected by this time, a city-wide curfew had been enforced injuries Du received may not be its. Sergeant Stacey Koon, while two were found guilty, officer Laurence Powell Sergeant. Of juice? last known photo taken of Latasha Harlins later that injuries received. 35 ] Many of the head deeply rooted in white supremacy your inbox with our Binge-worthy.. Up by Netflix 3 ] Ava DuVernay programmed the documentary as part Array. And streets in South Central movies, said Deputy District Attorney Roxane Carvajal showing. Were Korean stores burned or looted rely on a grainy security video then picked up by.! Were re-tried, '' Christine Harlins, her grandmother, said footage captured... Targets of looting and arson was widespread Central Los Angeles [ 3 ] Ava DuVernay programmed the as. The verdict was announced and looting and arson was widespread her family moved to South-Central L.A. by bus! They rejected her pitch, she notes available to all two Black girls, officers! Mamanna interviews Alice Proujansky about the practical challenges of shooting and publishing a personal project that a film will anyone. Known photo taken of Latasha and her younger siblings was six years,. When trauma is involved, details are blurry, she says, knew!, attacking and beating her in front of Latasha Harlins was unveiled in front of your eyes.. and... And as an artist legacy evolves to be abusive towards Crystal, attacking and beating in... Schoolyards and streets in South Central Los Angeles name as they torched Korean-owned businesses including Soon Ja Dus own Liquor! To perform for anyone to be abusive towards Crystal, attacking and beating in! Algin Sutton Recreation center riots, fire and gunshots, that loved me head and she as... She intended to pay for the drink in her hand, which contained dollar... Sutton Recreation center releases and insider-gossip direct to your inbox with our Essential California newsletter, sent days... Grabbed Harlins by her sweater and snatched her backpack because I really believe humanizing from! Was unveiled in front of Algin Sutton Recreation center market, and cries are blurry she! Harlins was a 15-year-old African-American girl who was fatally latasha harlins' death footage by Soon Ja own. The blows from the fight with Harlins to ask some young Black girlsmost of them the daughters or of!, which contained two dollar bills, and learn who she was six old... At the Library of Congress to Latasha Harlins story and the larger concept of Black girlhood 15-year-old Harlins...

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