The 1992 Los Angeles riots that followed the not-guilty verdict in the police beating of black motorist Rodney King were probably the last time the fraught relationship between African-Americans and law enforcement galvanized as much attention as it has since the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. …
In some respects, the situation of African-Americans has improved since 1992; in others, conditions are worse. But the overall picture is of disappointingly little change: The African-American community faces many of the same barriers, and jagged racial disparities, as it did when L.A. burned. CONT.
Ronald Brownstein, National Journal
Recent polls: Race relations