1992 Riots: Still Trying to Understand

Re “A Glaring Omission From Legacy of the Riots--Apologies,” May 1: May I be the first to agree that Steve Lopez is naive. I am even more so, in that I would expect two guys to be charged with responsibility [for the 1992 riots]: Tom Bradley and Daryl Gates. It’s called accountability. There is no doubt that the event and actions were insane, self-defeating and directed at innocent parties; nonetheless, they were understandable.

The glaring omission is not apologies; it is the lack of civic awareness of root causes and of changes to the system that brought forth the chaos. Does anyone remember the French Revolution? If we don’t awaken soon, it can only become worse.

John Kertisz

Venice

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Thank you, Steve Lopez, for your column questioning the Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray’s statement that criminal acts committed during the 1992 riots were “understandable.” As Lopez suggests, it is never understandable or acceptable to commit theft and arson. The Rev. Murray is providing a miserable moral compass for his flock by tacitly condoning the destruction of other people’s property.

Dana Parks

Culver City