Remembrances of the LA Riots

by Jason Allen-Forrest

I remember watching the video of Rodney King being beaten – it played continuously on the news.

I remember my stomach knotting in anger and disgust.

I remember the palpable feeling of unease that over took the city.

I remember the trial.

I remember my stomach knotting in anger and disgust.

I remember the verdict.

I remember my stomach knotting in rage and disbelief.

I remember the tears.

I remember the night before my finals when the riots broke out.

I remember the hysterical phone calls from my parents wanting to make sure I was safe.

I remember the fires.

I remember looking out of my dorm window and seeing nothing but black smoke.

I remember eating breakfast in the dining hall next to a National Guardsman and his assault rifle.

I remember the looting.

I remember my stomach knotting in disgust.

I remember walking through my neighborhood and not recognizing it.

I remember my stomach knotting in disgust.

I look through my college yearbook and am confronted with photos of the Riots.

I remember.

*****

Jason Allen-Forest was a student at University of Southern California during the Los Angeles Riots of 1992, the subject of Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992. Currently, Jason is the Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at Emerson College.