Post-Riot Los Angeles
Los Angeles had been a metaphor for all that ails American cities long before the riots erupted last spring. Was it any surprise that one of the nation’s worst urban riots happened here in our “fine” city? The harsh reality of Los Angeles is that it is smothered by false ideals, inefficiency and numerous factions.
In the editorial “L.A. One Year Ago Today: City’s Future, or Its Past?” (April 29), it is argued that Angelenos are not “powerless and hostage to events.” However, the truth is that the majority of the people in Los Angeles react like impulsive ants to the sensational TV news media circus. We have become alienated from our neighbors by a mediated reality. Humanity has evaporated. Everyone has forgotten how to be a decent human being. Everyone has forgotten that we are all Americans, regardless of race or ethnic heritage. We have to live together.
The future of L.A. hinges on the ability of its citizens to embrace humanity and find a common identity as Angelenos as well as Americans. Government and corporate assistance is useless unless we all try to be rational and decent human beings.
THOMAS A. GOLLER
Van Nuys
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