The Secret Is Mutual Respect

These are volatile times in Los Angeles. Anger over the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old black teen-ager in a Korean grocery store has escalated racial tensions already inflamed by the police beating of a black motorist, Rodney G. King. A sign taped across the South Los Angeles grocery store gives an indication of the tensions. “Closed for Murder & Disrespect of Black People.” Graffiti added to the sign signals greater rage: “Burn this mother down!” Given the volatile climate, the inflammatory rhetoric must not overshadow the importance of continued dialogue between black and Korean leaders--a dialogue aimed at addressing legitimate grievances.

Latasha Harlins, the 15-year-old who was suspected by the shopkeeper of trying to shoplift a bottle of orange juice, will be buried today. Her family has asked that they be allowed to grieve privately. Her minister is expected to offer a balm for their wounds. But there must be a balm as well for the wounds of a black community incensed by the teen-ager’s death.

Respect is at the crux of the problems that have led to black boycotts of Korean grocers in New York. Black customers say they are routinely insulted and scrutinized because Koreans are prejudiced against African-Americans. Korean shopkeepers say they are misunderstood and struggling to provide service in areas abandoned by other merchants.

Unfortunately--as the angry response to the shooting has indicated--the resentment is deep, and divisive.

Mayor Tom Bradley has decried the tragedy and urged black and Korean leaders to meet again to repair any damage done to joint efforts begun five years ago to nurture mutual respect, and perhaps heal the deepening rift. The Black-Korean Alliance, which includes black civil rights leaders and Korean business leaders, did meet Friday to calm the anger. But tensions remain high in the neighborhood near 91st Place and Figueroa Street.

The grocery store currently is closed. The shopkeeper accused of shooting the teen-ager in the back of the head is in jail awaiting trial.

The sadness and anger are understandable, but fierce rhetoric will only encourage more violence and more grief.