When Violence Is Wrong : Social injustice is one thing, crime is another

In the sincere and appropriate effort to seize the moment and begin attacking this city’s neglected social and economic problems, Los Angeles should not entertain even a shadow of doubt about the criminality of violence. Such violations of accepted standards of conduct are absolutely wrong and they are absolutely to be condemned.

Consider that in the rioting that raged across much of Los Angeles, more than 50 people were left dead and more than 600 buildings were burned out. That’s a horrific price to pay for attracting Washington’s attention, isn’t it?

But wasn’t it the only way to deliver the necessary wake-up call? Let’s hope not--and let’s also note that rather few of the many who participated in the riots viewed themselves as social reformers. Some of the looters had criminal records--nearly 30% of arrested suspects were on active probation or parole--and what they committed was not social reform but crime.

So let’s put to rest the semantic debate over whether what happened ought to be called a riot or a rebellion. Whatever happened was wrong. People were killed and senseless violence and destruction occurred. A true rebellion can be relatively peaceful, with respect for the lives of others and for the value of property. This was more like a riot.

That’s not to say that these ugly events didn’t put the spotlight on the nation’s shameful neglect of its cities--on the wrenching poverty, the malnutrition, the high unemployment and, most of all, the sense of hopelessness. All the while in Washington sits an Administration with a propensity for great and noble plans for the reconstruction of broken-down foreign economies--worthwhile endeavors, to be sure--but with scarcely a thought for the rebuilding of urban America.

It’s not to say that these riots didn’t put necessary light on the corrosive immorality of racial bigotry. Or on society’s tendency to do little for young black males except build expensive prisons for them. Or on the truly frightening and morally reprehensible slide of our inner-city public education system into dark depths of despair.

Yes, these are true wrongs--social, economic and political wrongs.

But nothing justifies the taking of life, the razing of businesses built up through years of sweat, the terrorizing of children or the disheartening of an entire city.

No, crimes are crimes and criminals are criminals, and no amount of sophisticated claptrap should be allowed to blur basic definitions.

People who break the law--whether they are civilians or happen to wear a uniform--ought to be fully prosecuted, and when they go to jail, not a tear should be shed for them.