UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1996 Unbroken chain: Modern social banditry in South La Kenneth M Harlan University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Harlan, Kenneth M, "Unbroken chain: Modern social banditry in South La" (1996). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 3161. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/112i-cnoz This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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Harlan A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History Department of History University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1996 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1381024 U M I Microfonn 1381024 Copyright 1997, by U M I Company. All rights reserved. This microfonn edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, M I 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The Thesis of Kenneth Harlan for the degree of Master of Arts in History is approved. Chairperson, Hal Iv RotKman, Ph.D. E mmittee MemberT^y A. Ci^ughtry, Ph.D. Examining Committee Member, Thomas C. Wright, Ph.D. Graduate Raculty Represeritative, Jane Hafen, Ph.D. Dean of the Graduate College, Ronald W. Smith, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1996 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT During the 1960s, America’s cities experienced more than 200 cases of civil unrest. The purpose of these communal protests was to reverse oppression and create an order based on egalitarian principals. The first of these major urban rebellions occurred in Los Angeles, California in August 1965. The violence found in the South LA uprising represents the evolution of Eric Hobsbawm’s social banditry paradigm. Modem social banditry is a combination of communal protest against oppressive forces and extralegal activity commonly associated with the vigilance movements of nineteenth-century America. This type of collective violence with its socioeconomic agenda seeks to emulate the philosophy of the legendary English bandit Robin Hood. Attacking the ruling hierarchy that has historically exploited the lower classes of society is a form of self-defense that supposedly creates more opportunities for economically depressed communities. The main targets for this attack on the dominant hierarchy are usually law enforcement and merchants that have no respect for the community’s values. In South LA, these symptoms are present, and the community’s reaction to social oppression reflects the illusionary quality of such protests. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT..............................................................................................iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......................................................................... vi PREFACE.................................................................................................X CHAPTER 1 THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL BANDITRY: FROM HOBSBAWM TO SOUTH LA ............................ 1 CHAPTER 2 BUILDING A BRIDGE FOR SOCIAL BANDITRY: THE EVOLUTION OF NEGLECT IN SOUTH LA .......... 21 CHAPTER 3 SOCIAL BANDITRY IN SOUTH LA AND THE DUTY NOT TO RETREAT......................................35 CHAPTER 4 BROKEN ARROW: THE SHATTERED LEGACY OF COLLECTIVE BANDITRY IN SOUTH LA ...................... 59 CHAPTER 5 PARALLEL LINES: MARQUETTE FRYE TO RODNEY KING .................................................................81 BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................................................... 90 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS BPP Black Panther Party CHP California Highway Patrol CRA Community Redevelopment Agency FHA Federal Housing Administration KKK Ku Klux Klan LACHRC Los Angeles Human Rights Commission LAPD Los Angeles Police Department LASO Los Angeles SherifTs Office NOI Nation of Islam South LA South Los Angeles US United Slaves Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study originated as a seminar paper during my second year at UNLV, and like its author, it has gone through a process of evolution. This finished product could not have been possible without the help of numerous individuals who provided guidance and encouragement. I would like to offer a huge thanks to every one of them. I would like to thank my family for their unfailing support. Words can express the thanks I owe to my mother. Anne Harlan has encouraged me never to quit, and I hope my success has made her proud. My brother Greg, and his wife Kathy, have put my nonsense for quite sometime. I appreciate the financial and moral support that they have given me every step of way. My brother Jeff, has been a faithful supporter of my efforts, and has given me keen insight about life in the other world. My roommate Llonda Espinosa has been like a second mother to me during my stay in Las Vegas. I thank her for being able to live with such a unruly person. I would like to thank my mentor Hal Rothman. His dedication to the success of his students is the most valuable asset to our department. Hal has encouraged me to have faith in my ability to become a good historian. Without his guidance, the success I have enjoyed at UNLV, would not have been vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. possible. He deserves credit for opening my eyes to the possibilities of studying the American West. In a field that is rapidly shrinking, I thank him for providing the light necessary to keep striving. Tom Wright, another solid mentor and good friend, has given me solid advice and teaching during my stay at UNLV. His willingness to hear my ideas has been a source of inspiration in the development of my intellect. Tom’s down to earth style has taught me a great deal about the interaction between mentor and student. Jay Coughtry has taught me a great deal about the craft of being a historian. He has given me excellent training in teaching and methods, of which will benefit my development in the years to come. Jay has encouraged me to develop my own ideas, and has prepared me to defend the principles for which they stand for. I am grateful to Jane Hafen, for allowing me to defend a rough draft of my thesis and offering positive suggestions for my future success. I would also like to acknowledge two mentors of mine whose help during the early stage of this degree program cannot be overlooked. Willard Rollings was extremely helpful in helping me overcome the jitters of entering a graduate program. Eugene Moehring helped me pick out this topic, and his training in urban history has provided another