Hump Day History
April 29, 1992 Yes, Bradley sang the wrong date but the recording stuck. And what he sings about is the point. Rodney King was beaten by Los Angeles Police on March 3, 1991. The trial against the officers began March 4, 1992 and they were acquitted on this day. Thus sparked the LA Riots. It was a final straw situation, from years of police brutality and racial discrimination. In the end, 63 people were dead, 2,500 were injured, and more than 12,000 were arrested. Property damage was estimated over $1 billion, which was heaviest in Koreatown. Those tensions stemmed from the killing of Latasha Harlins. She was shot by a store owner, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. She was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, but that was reduced to 5 years probation and some restitution. The sense was that Black Lives don't mater....
