latasha harlins' death footage
Photo editor Leonor Mamanna interviews Alice Proujansky about the practical challenges of shooting and publishing a personal project. Please try again. Why is it so important, especially now, to humanize Black girls on the screen? She pulled the trigger and Harlins hit the floor. But inclusion and agency means that we as Black folks, folks of color, queer folks, trans folks, are the ones who have power, that are making decisions. When interesting scenes happened in front of them, we felt Latashas spirit with us, she says. One of the businesses targeted was Du's store, Empire Liquor, which was burned to the ground and has never re-opened. She picked the juice up from the floor, where it had fallen, placed it on the counter, and walked away. A Love Song for Latasha premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in late April, and was screened at the AFI Docs festival in June. [29] However, while tensions had exponentially increased because of the killing of Harlins, they were built on existing conflict that had been present in the community. (2017, September 14). For myself, growing up in Los Angeles as a young Black girl, I always want to really document these different stages of Black girlhood. So for me, its always about creating a secret language for other Black girls, so that they know they are seen, they know that their existence is important, they know that there are other people believing in them, supporting them, rooting for them. MaKhia Bryants murder really makes me upset. Born in Illinois, she was just six when her parents, Crystal and Sylvester, made the decision to move their family to Los Angeles. What do you think this says about the academys ability to recognize Black stories, especially those about Black girls? [41] After the Los Angeles Times endorsed one of her opponents in her re-election campaign, she wrote a letter to the newspaper, saying "[I]f judges have to look over their shoulders as they decide a case; if they have to test the political winds in order to arrive at a politically correct verdictthen the judicial system and the freedoms it guarantees will be destroyed. [31] Further, the stereotypes of the two groups were a source of contention, with black people often being labeled as economically "dependent", with Koreans and other Asians often labeled economically self-sufficient. But she didn't belong [on the bench] anyway. I remember when I watched Eves Bayou and when I watched Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. Official Trailer For Netflix Original 'a Love Song For Latasha', Tensions were already at breaking point in LA, Rodney King was arrested and beaten by police officers. Latasha cried whenever she walked past a nearby cemetery. By this time, a city-wide curfew had been enforced. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. In reality, Latasha had been carrying the money to pay for the drink in her hand. I spoke with Allison about the process of making A Love Song for Latasha, its Oscar nomination, finding parallels in MaKhia Bryants recent death, and representations of Black girlhood. And I was even thinking about just how Black girls are continuously having to deal with the adultification bias, how Black girls are not protected, wanting to hold space for this young girl who deserved so much more. Footage showed him being brutally beaten. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. WebLatasha King was just 15 when she was shot dead by a shop owner one Saturday morning - her death is widely thought to be one of the contributing factors to the 1992 LA Riots and We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The city was left with $1 billion in damages. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. The hardest part about losing Latasha was not having that older protective sister that I had. Both sought to overcome adversity", "Liquor Permit Denied at Site of 1991 Killing", The People, petitioner v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Respondent; Soon Ja Du, Real Party in Interest, "A Senseless and Tragic Killing: New tension for Korean-American and African-American communities", "Merchant Charged in Girl's Fatal Shooting", "Legal Audio Opinions and Courtroom Video LexisNexis Courtroom Cast", "Videotape Shows Teen Being Shot After Fight: Killing: Trial opens for Korean grocer who is accused in the slaying of a 15-year-old black girl at a South-Central store", "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 Historical Timeline", "Judge Who Gave Probation In a Slaying May Be Moved", "U.S. Looks Into Korean Grocer's Slaying of Black", "Grocer Given Probation in Shooting of Girl", People v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County (Du), "LOS ANGELES: Family of Latasha Harlins Wins $300,000 Settlement", "African-Americans, Koreans Try to Heal Deep Wounds", "The L.A. White Judge Joyce Karlin, however, gave Du probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine. WebLATASHA HARLINS CCTV FOOTAGE. In the prosecutions opening statement, Carvajal said the gun used by Du had been altered by someone so that the trigger could be pulled with little pressure. After speaking to his wife, who asked for the whereabouts of Harlins before fainting, he dialed 9-1-1 to report an attempted holdup. And I remember Latasha buying that little girl an ice cream. From 1986 to 1990, 83 lawsuits against the LAPD for excessive force resulted in a settlement of at least $15,000. So after that, I'm at the free-throw line, and our cousin T ran into the gym screaming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiw6Q9-lfXc&has_verified=1. Just get on with what you want to do and make the pictures you want to make. MaKhia Bryant. If they don't validate the existence of other Black women and girls then they have no right to work with me. Only two weeks before Latasha Harlins walked into Dus Empire Liquor Market, a black man named Rodney King was pulled over by four LAPD officers, three of whom were white, for speeding. . Chilling footage then shows Du grabbing Latasha by her jumper and snatching her backpack. [6], In early 2021, a mural celebrating Latasha Harlins was unveiled in front of Algin Sutton Recreation Center. In order to break free, the 15-year-old girl struck Du in the face four times, knocking her down. Sophia Nahli Allison: There were so many intersecting reasons that I wanted to pursue this story. Like Udeorji, Duncan was eager to help tell Harlins story., When Allison and Duncan toured South Central, they had ideas of what they wanted to shoot but let a lot unfold, Allison says. She was just always a motivating factor in my life. More , December 6, 2019 However, the trial judge, Joyce Karlin, sentenced Du to five years of probation, 10 years of suspended prison, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine.[18][19][20]. Latasha Harlins was born on July 14, 1975, in St. Louis, Illinois. She wanted to be a lawyer. THE AFTERMATH OF LATASHAS DEATH. Latashas mother, Crystal, who worked as a waitress in a local tavern, was found brutally shot on November 27, 1985, in a Los Angeles nightclub. Du reached under the counter, retrieved a revolver, and fired at Harlins from behind at a distance of about three feet (one meter). In August 1991, a small fire broke out just before the trial kicked off. That footage has been widely circulated. [10] In TheGrio, Cortney Wills described A Love Song as "a mesmerizing piece of work that takes an unconventional route to storytelling."[5]. I wanted to tell Latashas stories from those that knew her best. [37] Recent years have seen improved relations between the two communities, as a younger generation of Korean-American LA residents showed up in great numbersin some cases even organizing proteststo support the Black Lives Matter movement during the summer of 2020. Now that you about the tragic and senseless murder of Latasha Harlins, check out these 20 moving Civil Right protest photos. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. She created a script based on her interviews with OBard and Shinese Harlins, choosing recollections and anecdotes that touched the core of Latasha. She wanted the film to draw viewers into Latashas life and portray her girlhood dreams for the future before it revealed how she died. If you are a current subscriber and have not activated your pdnonline.com access, please provide the following information. Menu. Latasha's killer was convicted of manslaughter but served no jail time. because of the force he was using.. I wanted them to feel comfortable being themselves and not feeling that they had to perform, she says. Read our TERMS OF USE and PRIVACY POLICY, Great photography in a printed form has the power to truly captivate audiences and enhance More . The Harlins shooting is one of several confrontations between Korean grocers in South-Central and their customers. . Judge Karlin suggested that there were mitigating circumstances in the killing of Harlins. And so I think it is so important for that visibility to exist so Black girls know how worthy their lives are. Some Koreans and others contend that activists who have called for boycotts at a handful of Korean-owned stores are fanning racial tensions. The buller hit the 15-year-old in the back of the head and she was killed instantly. The area was recovering from the recent Watts Riots and Koreans began buying businesses because they were inexpensive and there wasnt much competition. As she approached the counter, Soon Ja Du, one of the storeowners, accused her of stealing after seeing Harlins place the bottle in her backpack, despite her holding the $2 payment for the $1.79 price of the juice and approaching the counter to pay. The funding allowed her to travel between North Carolina, where she had returned to graduate school, and South Central to keep filming. He suffered massive injuries, including several skull fractures, broken bones and teeth, and permanent brain damage. She will die in front of your eyes.. Work on the film became harder, she says, when she reached the point in the film when she had to reveal what happened to Latasha. Korean grocer Soon Ja Du in court, after she fatally shot Latasha Harlins in the back of the head. What do you believe that we as a society must do in order to better protect and support Black girls? The DSLR was inconspicuous when she was shooting on location in schoolyards and streets in South Central. Thirty years ago today, four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King. The only video that exists of her is the grainy surveillance footage that captured the last minutes of her life. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This is real life. Two years after they moved to LA, Crystal and Sylvester split up but in 1985, Latasha's mother was shot dead outside a nightclub by her ex-husband's new girlfriend. [2] (Harlin was shot to death by a convenience store owner only days after the police beating of King. WebSecurity-camera footage which showed Harlins attempt to pay for the juice and the subsequent scuffle between the two women convinced a jury to find Du guilty of voluntary I ran out the back of the gym, ran home. Allison, who had only shot documentaries and had no experience directing actors, would first tell the girls what she wanted to show, then simply follow them and observe. A New Documentary Celebrates Her Life", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Love_Song_for_Latasha&oldid=1141558250, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Janice Duncan (Creative Producer) Fam Udeorji (Producer) Sophia Nahli Allison (Producer) Aubrey Aden-Buie (Executive Producer) Elisa Gambino (Executive Producer), Shinese Harlins and Tybie O'Bard, Raigan Alex, Zoe Flint, Shinese Harlins, Brittany Hudson (as Irie Hudson), Tybie O'Bard, Londyn Sharp, English (original), Turkish, French, Italian, German, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 17:32. Harlins turned to walk away when Du took out a gun and fired. Harlins approached the counter with cash in hand. And Id love to help them create that.. ROGERS: I remember we were at the park, and that's where the ice cream truck used to come. They called her name as they set fire to hundreds of Korean-owned businesses. Latasha Harlins was killed just a few years after her mother was shot dead in a South-Central L.A. nightclub. Protesters leave a message that says LOOK WHAT YOU CREATE on day two of the L.A. The gunshot struck Harlins in the back of the head, killing her instantly. Advertise | In the L.A. courtroom during the trial months later, the Harlins family sat in the front row, praying for justice. You always have dreams.. Months later, they gave her a grant. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 93rd Academy Awards. WebLatasha Harlins was remembered Wednesday by a fervent crowd of about 50, including her grandmother, siblings and aunt, at a vigil in South Los Angeles in the place where she was "I don't have a granddaughter. Latasha Harlins was warned by her grandmother not to enter Empire Liquor unless she was planning on making a purchase. I think Im just grateful that we have Black folks who are willing to do the work that is necessary, folks that are willing to challenge policies that are being set in place, people that are willing to march in the street, people that are willing to lay their lives down on the line, people that are willing to tell truth through art, through film, through music, scholars that are giving us the language to understand what it means to build new futures. [29] In the eyes of many in the black community, it was tragic that Soon Ja Du did not receive any jail time for her crime. Wednesday night, family and community members came out to remember Latashas legacy. WebLatasha Harlins January 1 1976 March 16 1991 was an African-American girl who was fatally shot at age 15 by Soon Ja Du Korean a 49-year-old. But there was another case, not as widely known, that helped set off the unrest. ACOFF: You know, she was a caretaker. WebThe best-known fact about Harlins, whose friends and family called her Tasha, is that she was killed over a $1.79 bottle of juice. Allison also hopes to screen it in South Central and to create community engagement programs elsewhere: Id love for other black communities to reimagine their archives, Allison says. [31] Korean immigrants bought their storefronts in black neighborhoods, specifically South Los Angeles, because the real estate was significantly cheaper than other neighborhoods. [19] Karlin resigned from the bench in 1997. Last fall, she filmed the films final scenes: Ty OBard walks on the beach, her favorite place, talking about how much more she might have accomplished if her old friend had been around to push her forward. WebA brother and sister remember Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed in 1991 by a store clerk in South Central Los Angeles the same month Rodney King was [I had these] young girls who represented the future, Ty and Shinese who represented the past, myself, us representing the presentjust all these different understandings of time and conversations with each other. After six days of violence, the California National Guard, military and other law enforcement agencies were called in, while the city was placed under curfew. 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And we are the ones that are understanding how important it is that art is a representation of our current times, that we are forced to confront and be uncomfortable. [31] Since then, they had been a target of anger from both black shop-owners and black customers, with incompatible claims from either group that say Korean shop-owners "undercut prices" by the shop-owners and that they overcharged customers. Surveillance video captured the shooting. She edited the footage herself every night after she shot, to make sure the puzzle pieces she was gathering fit together. Family members said they hope Latasha's legacy evolves to be about love and justice. Judge Karlin claimed there were mitigating circumstances surround Latasha's death and that Du had only fired the gun under "extreme provocation and duress", highlighting that she had been the victim of several robberies at her store. Tasha died. When we look at Latasha Harlins, even Judge Joyce Karlin [who presided over the trial following her death] understands why Soon Ja Du reacted the way she did. Black customers were continuously frustrated by what they saw as rudeness and price-gouging on that part of Korean store clerks, as well as store owners refusal to hire any black employees. Hannah McKennett is a Dublin-based freelance writer that is dedicated to traveling the world while writing about it. Karlin added, "this is not a time for revenge and no matter what sentence this court imposes Mrs. Du will be punished every day for the rest of her life." The court also stated that Du shot Harlins under extreme provocation and duress and deemed it unlikely that Du would ever commit a serious crime again. She added: "This is not a time for revenge and no matter what sentence this court imposes Mrs Du will be punished every day for the rest of her life.". Latasha Harlins became a victim of these racial tensions on the morning of Saturday, March 16, 1991. Copyright 2022 NPR. We did our best to pay just about everyone who was a part of the crew, and some people did it out of love, Allison says. She didn't do nothing! Your donation is fully tax-deductible. It really bothers me when I see people talk about these young girls that we have lost to violence and they describe them as a young woman, when actually they were just a child. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. I hate the word reform. It was 25 years ago that a 15-year-old girl lost her life over a bottle of orange juice. [1] She originally pitched it to a documentary organization she worked for, given the approaching 25th anniversary of Latasha Harlins' 1991 death and the 1992 uprising it fueled. We explained what we were doing, Allison says, and she let us film her daughters with the girl we had playing Latasha that day.. Almost none of the girls had acted before. The Oriental lady started pulling on her sweater saying: Thats my orange juice, the boy testified under cross-examination by Dus lawyer. Then read about Mickey Cohen, one of Los Angeles most notorious gang leaders. [34] These events were considered factors in deadly and destructive riots which began on April 29, 1992, and continued through May 4, 1992. "[41][43] After Denise Harlins was removed from the ballroom, Karlin gave a speech, stating "There are those in the community who demand that we define justice by what is politically correct. The sister firmly denied Lloyds repeated suggestion that Harlins had threatened to kill Du. Residents shouted Latasha Harlins name as they torched Korean-owned businesses including Soon Ja Dus own Empire Liquor. Judge Joyce Karlin, however, rejected the jurys recommendation and instead sentenced Du to five years probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine. The girl was saying: Let me go. In memory, especially when trauma is involved, details are blurry, she notes. And she had the money in her hand to pay the lady. What do you make of police violence and racism continuing to rob Black girls of their childhoods and, in some cases, their lives? Du insisted she asked the schoolgirl if she planned to pay for the orange juice and claims Latasha replied 'what orange juice'. I just knew that I was blessed to have an older sibling that looked after me, that loved me. Have an older sibling that looked after me, that helped set off the.. Ja Du in the back of the head record of NPRs programming is grainy! Not as widely known, that loved me, a mural celebrating Latasha Harlins was born on 14... Her mother was shot dead in a South-Central L.A. nightclub her instantly the LAPD for excessive force resulted a... 1990, 83 lawsuits against the LAPD for excessive force resulted in a settlement of at $... Mother was shot to death by a convenience store owner only days after police! Today, four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King 2021, a mural Latasha... Planned to pay for the orange juice ' funding allowed her to travel between North,... Of Rodney King are a current subscriber and have not activated your pdnonline.com access, provide. For best Documentary Short Subject at the free-throw line, and walked away the I.R.T film! The floor her hand Sutton Recreation Center especially now, to humanize Black girls girls then they have right... Nominated for an Academy Award for best Documentary Short Subject at the Academy! Before it revealed how she died Korean grocer Soon Ja Dus own Empire Liquor members came out to remember legacy! Order to better protect and support Black girls know how worthy their lives are to feel comfortable themselves. Remember when I watched just Another girl on the I.R.T school, and walked.. Not activated your pdnonline.com access, please provide the following information were inexpensive and wasnt. 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latasha harlins' death footage