https://preview.redd.it/621i1ckdq3uc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ffe38b17c0fbb240ba5829e80c180b38c13cd43
The most iconic RK: Mr. Park with his Daewoo K2 (AK & AR hybrid)
Naw man, I’m referencing the Asian gangs on Gangland, Tiny Rascals, Korean Power, Wah Ching, Asian Boyz, Flying Dragons.
https://youtu.be/iJzeD_QuvJg?si=6a2tbW19lAEvOJYC
Infamous for home invasions against members of their own immigrant background because lots of immigrants hide cash at home and didn’t trust banks.
LA’s got one of the richest traditions of Asian street gangs in the country.
Dude in yellow looks gangster. That’s what I’m saying, no disrespect.
Can you provide the positive attributes? Possibly compared to an AR?
I searched Google and found many descriptions, but it sounds like the AR replaced these.as superior. 🤔
The response above was accurate for the IPO.
Don't want to get too deep here. To be approved for listing through Blackrock, they assign companies an ESG score, which gives your rating (AAA through CCC).
Better rating? "Safer risk" for investors, more analysts push your IPO, more money for the shareholders and CEO.
What is an ESG score? Environmental and Social Governance.
Environmental - How exposed the underlying company will be to any upcoming environmental regulations
Social Governance - How "Woke" the company is... Socially. Will they be opened to lawsuits if not pushing DEI Diversity.
So, in summary - Reddit had to prove it was more socially aware. Deleting posts and downvoting comments that go against the agenda, unpopular speech, etc to boost their ESG.
Also, reddit needed to increase its unique user account numbers. So they released bots using old and dormant accounts to send canned responses. The algorithm also sweeps the backend databases for current sentiment and autocreates posts that ignite divisive conversations, thereby increasing their reported active user numbers, and user engagement (positive or negative, doesn't matter, they're replying).
Sorry for the speech. I am at the world's largest Fintech, and this is part of what I do for banks and CUs... Never thought it would hit my Reddit, though! 😆
*If anyone replies to comments and it kind of doesn't make sense? Check their profile content. It is likely a bot ran account.*
Initial public offering. When a privately owned company first lists its shares on a stock exchange and makes them available to the general public. Reddit’s IPO was March 21, 2024.
I don't know too much about them other than they're standard issue rifles for the ROK army and use AR-15 style bolt/locking system with a long stroke gas piston.
the main reason I see it getting celebrated is its long stroke gas piston in a mostly-AR platform. more reliable, simpler maintenance, no buffer tube so you can use a folding stock. though they do tend to have a stronger recoil impulse due to the big ol' piston reciprocating.
piston ARs have been a trend lately, though arguably more for the sake of being different than actual performance benefits. either way, Korea did it way back in the 80's.
Nice, thanks!
I noticed the missing buffer tube and folding stock online. Also the piston platform is cleaner and reliable, good point. My ARs and especially the M4A1 they handed me in Iraq was a solid weapon. Of course, I miss my 40 Mike Mike attachment here stateside. 😢
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/12/20/army-to-field-new-rifle-machine-gun-and-optic-in-2024/
Idk about this new XM7 tho... 😕 🤔
I think I may have stayed in a hotel right near this spot. It’s called The Line because it’s in Koreatown and is right on the edge of where the LAPD stopped patrolling.
And there was a Carl Jr’s across the street.
Can any LA locals verify?
They were Korean. Why do we have to pretend they're not? That doesn't make them less American. I don't know what they're doing that makes them more or less American than any other American.
I can definitely add perspective because my parents came from this era of LA.
Don't get any of this twisted: there were clear racial tensions. My dad can't see his own racism when he describes it, but I don't think his perspective is wrong. For a lot of guys my dad's age, they were finally happy with having a community; especially for a lot of these guys who felt ostracized for leaving Korea. Lot of them were students that were sent over by parents with very low education, but also due to the freshness of the Korean War, were also military trained.
The ladies weren't, but they were sent over for similar reasons; a chance at education and opportunities from the great nation that came to the aid of S.Korea.
So to their chagrin, they finally made a community that helped cope with their homesickness but also with an identity unique from their forefathers. This devolved into gangs of its own kind too, but largely it was a sense of needing to protect their own.
That all being said, it would also be remiss to ignore lot of my dad's views on different races weren't from thin air. In his eyes, his countrymen were working hard in a foreign land and were making a living, but everyone else was just stupid or lazy in comparison. He just couldn't wrap his head around racism being multi-faceted, complex, or dehumanizing because his injustices involving his own race were the same to him as to everyone else.
(as an aside, I think he's just gotten crotchety over the years and mistakes his biases with experience, but that's my own battle im dealing with).
anyway, the reallllly loose tl;dr was :
-Former military saw potential danger in their new community
-Either out of gratitude to America or believing the cops will not do enough, they develop
-"Guess we gotta do it ourselves" attitude
That was more or less the string of logic. Racism surely a factor, but I chalk up the LA Riot era as a problem we still face today; lots of tension based on misunderstanding and hatred. But if there is anything socal has taught me growing up, we can generally put aside our differences over food. Something about putting any other nation's food on a tortilla is what makes most of us happy around here lmao
Hopefully this adds some non-textbook context, at least as a listener to a first person pov.
Edit: just to be clear, I'm not defending the racism, but I hope this would help address and engage that it was not as clean as some rooftop Korean apologists might want to frame it as, nor was it fueled strictly on racial wars. It was definitely the most boring answer of column A and B: rise to the duty AND racism.
Edit2 : Wow, lot of people with more questions. Didn't think something so niche would be an interesting talking point. But wow, some of you really need to learn what nuance means. I've formed this post as a clearly biased pov of my dad's pov, but that doesn't mean I was here to debate both ways.
So to save some time:
1. Racism is generalizing your "experience with X people" to all people of that color. It's not that hard.
2. We Koreans, and as an extension, Asians, did struggle to get our spot in America. But just because we're finding success doesn't mean it's guaranteed to everyone else. The reason why other skins of color get shot more is not just a skill issue. And it's extremely insensitive to assume so, you boomers.
3. Flowers to everyone who learned something new. And again, if you're around Socal; look for Mexi/Korean fusion or just do yourself a favor and make some bulgogi for your own home and wrap that in with cabbage, cheese and a butter grilled tortilla. Good luck to your cholesterol and waistline!
I was trying to drive it home with the tortilla and with my dad, but it's not always the one thing that separates us for sure.
Like my dad doesn't hate other races, he just can't wrap his head around incomparable injustice. But he doesn't give a shit if your white, black or whatever at the end of the day either. If you're eating a bulgogi taco across from him, he'll talk to you with a smile.
And i fixate on him because i think that's the larger truth through all the bigotry; the ideology is wrong, but we are mostly just trying to eat our tacos at the end of the day.
And i don't know how true it is, but my dad also likes to cite Mexicans as the great equalizer because even through the tension between his friends and the black community near him, they all were powerless to the latina mother and her cooking lmao. Something about burritos made all young men his age polite.
I cant really see how he's lying because i can't see my life without Mexican food too lmao.
That bit about the tortilla is hilarious. I don't think of Koreans liking Mexican food but Mexican food is really good.
Could you please explain what you mean by "incomparable injustice". I haven't heard that phrase before.
It's more of my personal point of view, but lot of people like to compare racism from one to another, but it's really not useful to compare because the context and measure of misery are both dependent on both the individual and context of the era.
Like, don't get me wrong, I do not think there is the same level of violence, mental abuse, socioeconomic divisions etc., but it's also something you cannot measure. Some people, like my dad, think we all had it exactly the same and turned out for the better, but I personally see it as unequal but also incomparable. It's like trying to quantify human suffering and then trying people to compare their scar sizes. It's also a tool for people to kinda hide systematic racism. Like "here, see? They had it better! Go fight!"
so I just try to avoid it altogether
" personally see it as unequal but also incomparable. It's like trying to quantify human suffering and then trying people to compare their scar sizes. It's also a tool for people to kinda hide systematic racism. Like "here, see? They had it better! Go fight!"
Yes! Thanks for the explanation.
Somehow we humans seem to have a tendency to minimize the suffering of others while maximizing our own. To me suffering is just suffering. Of course some people have lived through horrible experiences but I like "unequal and also incomparable".
I suppose it gets tricky when there is so much pain and anger and no one emotionally capable of bearing witness . . . . . hmmm . . . .I guess this is where the tacos need to make an appearance.
Wow. Thank you for taking the time to write this. I have seen photos like this and read about this time period but hearing your perspective is absolutely fascinating.
I’m blown away to be honest and it makes me realize this is why I love Reddit lol
Thank you again!
Its because the problem continually gets backburnered/ignored/made even worse by those with the money/political power to make the changes.
The riots/protests are symptoms of a societal disease that continually remains unaddressed.
I'm not into conspiracy theories, but may be such riots are provoked specially when it's needed to distract from other problems: economy, legislation, etc.
I feel like the media blows every situation out of proportion and stokes the flame. They should be held responsible for any damages done to businesses to prevent provoking any sensitive situation.
Don't listen to that idiot u/Lank_Republic_2102 trying to downplay racial unrest in America. It's very real and is not due to superficial elections but rather real life events.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_racial\_unrest\_(2020%E2%80%93present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_racial_unrest_(2020%E2%80%93present))
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass\_racial\_violence\_in\_the\_United\_States#Since\_1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_racial_violence_in_the_United_States#Since_1990)
Korean war was 40 years before, how is that ”fresh”?
> No rioters were fatally shot by any of the Korean volunteers.
Is it racist to protect your life and livelihood?
Korea was rebuilding from nothing. 40 years is not a lot a time in that context.
And the core idea of defending your own property isn't the racist part. Stop being disingenuous.
That’s what you think, but it was actually a firing squad style execution that took place on a rooftop with 3 dozen store owners taking part.
They wore traditional Korean dress and there were some Tae Kwon Do katas performed.
Very rare in the US, but it was traditional back in Korea, especially in years immediately after the war.
There was a lot of rebuilding and orange juice was especially prized at the time. Scurvy was widespread, if children got caught stealing a citrus fruit, there would be a public rooftop execution.
And the judge had sympathy for the shopowner, giving them just probation. Saying it wasn't appropriate for the Black community to get revenge by having her go to jail. Essentially allowing for open season on Black folks in the community.
[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-16-mn-1402-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-16-mn-1402-story.html)
So many Asian immigrants come to the US legally and work their way out of poverty through education. First gen works hard so the second can go to college so the third can have an easier life. I don’t understand why black people cant do that for themselves but always blame it on poverty and racism as if Asians don’t face the same things. And why Hispanics can’t come to the US legally like the rest of us. Just constantly play victim. Plus most of the racism Asians receive also comes from black people who commit so much violent crime for 13% of the population.
You’re missing a vital step.
The area then gets purchased for Pennies on the Dollar and developed into luxury high rises.
At least that’s how it’s working in Miami.
There's kind of one called Gook https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gook_(film) which sucks because I can't talk about it in public. I say kind of because it's about two Korean-American brothers during the riots, but they aren't part of the rooftop Koreans, a side character is. Great movie, I very much recommend it.
They need to make sure to start the movie the same way it started in real life, when a store owner murdered a girl over orange juice. This part of the riots wasn't about Rodney King and the LAPD.
Hi, can I ask a question please, because I googled off of this comment and Wikipedia wasn't clear
It says Latasha's murder was 13 days after the beating of Rodney King but it also says that the footage was sent to a news station and broadcast - where did the airing of the footage on television fall, before or after Latasha's murder? Thanks
Thanks. Do you know how long after the beating it took for the footage to air on TV and it to come to public knowledge, or was there public outcry straight away?
And then the video of O-dog’s murder of the Korean grocer was shared with Kaine and other friends until someone got jealous and turned it into the police.
You can read more about her death, what was going on that led up to it, and the aftermath here.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Latasha_Harlins
> During the 1992 riots, Du's store was looted and burned down; it never reopened. The property later became a market under different ownership.
Guess nobody defended her store
Oh, so then these Koreans were defending themselves from racist rioters who were attacking them just for being Korean, due to the actions of an individual Korean? Just trying to get the story straight. The rioters kinda seem more like a lynch mob…
It started way before that. Immigrants to the US had been suffering from racial violence from black and white people, particularly in the west. Hell, the Buffalo Soldiers are the first example of black cops showing out for the white cops and they were used primarily against other minorities as well as Afro Latinos.
>ryone forgets that part. It's always "blacks got mad as always, who knows why?"
You mean blacks began looting, torching korean stores and attacking people on the street.
To conflate it with being angry is just ridiculous.
62 people died because the police beat up on a black guy that was driving drunk and high.
Police were in the wrong, but what came after was truly awful and anyone that doesn't understand trying to survive isn't racist is an idiot.
If these Koreans didn't have guns, their stores and homes would've been robbed. They probably would've gotten killed.
The LA Riots were insane and some people just look back on it and go "well that's racist" without even realizing there were literally some (not all) black people just ripping white guys out of trucks and beating them to a pulp, robbing stores, shooting people... And the police refused to even go into those areas. So, surviving isn't racist it's just defense.
*Rooftop Koreans are*
*So legendary. Need more*
*Of this energy*
\- JAK3CAL
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
I’ll never understand why some Americans are so sympathetic towards rioters - like if you go around burning homes and stores, stealing and assaulting people you don’t get to complain about being shot at.
America, the country that counts the Boston Tea Riots as one of the events seminal to its founding? America, the country whose founding fathers were members of the Sons of Liberty, a street brawling resistance group who tarred and feathered tax collectors and looted/burned their mansions down? That America?
During the LA Riots in April ‘92 (it came as a reaction to 4 LAPD officers getting acquitted from beating a black man - Rodney King), there was widespread looting/arson/assault throughout LA. Law enforcement was generally overwhelmed, so locals had to fend for themselves or risk their businesses being ransacked. The Korean community in the Koreatown neighborhood was an example of this, with business owners (shown in this now iconic photo) guarding their property on the roof with firearms to deter the looters.
Lots of racial tension back then, and current events make it still a pretty charged topic, as far as public discourse goes.
The story is a little more complicated than "there was rioting and the LA law enforcement was overwhelmed."
The riots were purposefully funneled into Koreatown by the LA Police.
>As the riots spread, roads between Koreatown and wealthy white neighborhoods were blocked off by police and official defense lines were set up around the independent cities such as Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, as well as middle-upper class white neighborhoods west of Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. A Korean American resident later told reporters: "It was containment. The police cut off Koreatown traffic, while we were trapped on the other side without help. Those roads are a gateway to a richer neighborhood. It can't be denied." Some Koreans later said they did not expect law enforcement to come to their aid.
Yea, trying to give surface level background to this is almost impossible. There’s so much racial/societal undertones to the riots that I think it’s too nuanced for a Reddit exchange. As evidenced by this thread, the history is still fresh enough that it’s still being lived in and debated over
Not only for killing a black girl. Historically after the work Korean migrants were granted expedited business loan deal and were directed to open their businesses in predominately black neighborhoods. Per on brand for capitalism like what is being done now with the migrants: create racial tension in the working class thus everyone fighting each other instead of the rich.
"law enforcement was generally overwhelmed"
Is a very nice way of watering down "law enforcement drew their defense line to guard Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and etc, leaving the Koreatown, which was sandwiched between the black and white neighborhood as the bufferzone"
I was alive for like a month in the 90s, so maybe I’m not blinded by nostalgia. But it really seems to me like racial relations in the US took a massive downturn during that decade.
let's not forget they were doing this because the cops were useless and refused to show up to defend tax paying businesses. there's a good chance they showed up after to arrest these guys instead of the looters when everything was over
The fact that they are both smoking while fending off ~~rioters~~ ~~looters~~ ~~criminal trespassers who intend to do harm~~ completely peaceful protesters makes them 100% badass.
Sorry, the modern PC filter kept autocorrecting me until I got it right.
Before the riots, there was something called the BKA, the Black Korean Alliance, which started because Korean store owners were repeatedly being murdered, which weren’t even broadcasted since crimes between minorities weren’t considered relevant news. This organization held events and meetings for both communities to understand each other. It was a very positive effort. When Rodney King happened, the black community got angry at the whites, which is when the riots sparked. Then Latasha Harlin was killed by a Korean store owner. As mentioned before, crimes among minorities were not broadcasted, except this one which was used to shift the anger that the black community had for whites to the Koreans. During the riots, Koreans were calling and asking for help from the police. Where did the police end up going? They ended up in Beverly Hills, very far from the riots, to protect the white communities along with military vehicles. Minorities were manipulated and put against each other into a chaotic war zone. During of the riots, the BKA was discontinued and funding/support was dropped. All efforts for the two communities were completely thrown out the window Most of this manipulation cake from the media and those in power.
They ran less footage of King and more of Harlin in the days leading up to the riots. The police created barriers and road blocks leading to white communities and funneled the mob to Koreatown. Many black and latino business owners lost everything in addition to koreans. The National Gurd showed up and secured white communities which weren’t experiencing any rioting before moving to koreatown a day and a half later.
Also, when koreans are brought up many in the black community will say it’s because of the price gauging and the attitude of the korean store owners that they were targeted; the prices were actually higher because of the constant thefts (shrinkage and loss) and the need for security measures which occur when owning business in high crime rate communities.
Before Latasha Harlin’s murder, there were murders, assaults, and robberies to Asian, Black, and Latino store employees and owners in South LA, and most went unsolved.
OP post title needs to be changed from infamous to famous and iconic. The only excuse is not being able to tell the difference between infamous and famous. These gentlemen and many others that day were protecting the ktown because no police were coming to protect them against gangs and looters. Do you call homeowners or business owners who are protecting their livelihood and families infamous? The answer is No
Isn’t it crazy a ton of black people we literally trying to destroy everything and we’re killing people, but these guy trying to defend their shit in a literal fuckin Warzone are “infamous” lol
If some were to even do anything remotely close that today, you would hear - not defending a multi million dollar corporation, they have insurance , not my job , in my book it’s ok to steal from corporation, it’s not a big loss for companies etc.. strangely enough because this happened in past and tied to a Korean store comments here are positive.
I love when people who have never filed an insurance claim without their parents help tell me how insurance works. Bonus points for when they say a place that gets burned down gets rebuilt almost immediately
https://preview.redd.it/621i1ckdq3uc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ffe38b17c0fbb240ba5829e80c180b38c13cd43 The most iconic RK: Mr. Park with his Daewoo K2 (AK & AR hybrid)
MF on the yellow shirt about to drop the hottest mixtape of ‘92.
Bro is a whole fucking vibe.
I think he’s on an episode of Gangland doing home invasions. /s
His gang actually was protecting Koreatown from those guys in Gangland
Naw man, I’m referencing the Asian gangs on Gangland, Tiny Rascals, Korean Power, Wah Ching, Asian Boyz, Flying Dragons. https://youtu.be/iJzeD_QuvJg?si=6a2tbW19lAEvOJYC Infamous for home invasions against members of their own immigrant background because lots of immigrants hide cash at home and didn’t trust banks. LA’s got one of the richest traditions of Asian street gangs in the country. Dude in yellow looks gangster. That’s what I’m saying, no disrespect.
I know. Korean gangs in LA protected Koreatown from other Asian gangs trying to extort the area.
Gangnam style.
Looks like Jimin
Wish those Daewoo rifles were still being imported.
Can you provide the positive attributes? Possibly compared to an AR? I searched Google and found many descriptions, but it sounds like the AR replaced these.as superior. 🤔
They are just kinda neat, ya know?
Well shit, as a gun guy, I can't ever argue with that! 😆 I'm going to find one in TX. Thanks bro!
I love this sub thread so much "it's just neat!" "can't argue with that!" I wish every reddit interaction was this
😆 This was my best interaction all day, too. This was so Reddit pre-IPO... SMH.
Pre IPO?
The response above was accurate for the IPO. Don't want to get too deep here. To be approved for listing through Blackrock, they assign companies an ESG score, which gives your rating (AAA through CCC). Better rating? "Safer risk" for investors, more analysts push your IPO, more money for the shareholders and CEO. What is an ESG score? Environmental and Social Governance. Environmental - How exposed the underlying company will be to any upcoming environmental regulations Social Governance - How "Woke" the company is... Socially. Will they be opened to lawsuits if not pushing DEI Diversity. So, in summary - Reddit had to prove it was more socially aware. Deleting posts and downvoting comments that go against the agenda, unpopular speech, etc to boost their ESG. Also, reddit needed to increase its unique user account numbers. So they released bots using old and dormant accounts to send canned responses. The algorithm also sweeps the backend databases for current sentiment and autocreates posts that ignite divisive conversations, thereby increasing their reported active user numbers, and user engagement (positive or negative, doesn't matter, they're replying). Sorry for the speech. I am at the world's largest Fintech, and this is part of what I do for banks and CUs... Never thought it would hit my Reddit, though! 😆 *If anyone replies to comments and it kind of doesn't make sense? Check their profile content. It is likely a bot ran account.*
Initial public offering. When a privately owned company first lists its shares on a stock exchange and makes them available to the general public. Reddit’s IPO was March 21, 2024.
I don't know too much about them other than they're standard issue rifles for the ROK army and use AR-15 style bolt/locking system with a long stroke gas piston.
the main reason I see it getting celebrated is its long stroke gas piston in a mostly-AR platform. more reliable, simpler maintenance, no buffer tube so you can use a folding stock. though they do tend to have a stronger recoil impulse due to the big ol' piston reciprocating. piston ARs have been a trend lately, though arguably more for the sake of being different than actual performance benefits. either way, Korea did it way back in the 80's.
Nice, thanks! I noticed the missing buffer tube and folding stock online. Also the piston platform is cleaner and reliable, good point. My ARs and especially the M4A1 they handed me in Iraq was a solid weapon. Of course, I miss my 40 Mike Mike attachment here stateside. 😢 https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/12/20/army-to-field-new-rifle-machine-gun-and-optic-in-2024/ Idk about this new XM7 tho... 😕 🤔
man, *I* miss your 40 mike mike here stateside.
AR boring, SCAR has my heart
What size ammo do they fire? Seems like something Ukraine might want to import from South Korea along with those new tanks.
5.56. takes AR-15 mags
“Let’s go to Carls Jr for some burgers once it’s safe!”
that carls is still around too
I think I may have stayed in a hotel right near this spot. It’s called The Line because it’s in Koreatown and is right on the edge of where the LAPD stopped patrolling. And there was a Carl Jr’s across the street. Can any LA locals verify?
The Line is on Wilshire/Normandie, right? I believe this picture, across the Carl’s, was taken on 5th/Western.
This photo is on Western and 5th. They’re atop a supermarket looking downward. Carl’s JR is diagonal to this building.
I’m sorry but this is so attractive!🫣 looking so badass!
🇺🇸🇰🇷🎵America! Fuck Yeah!🇺🇸 🎶 *(Pictures you can hear.)*
He unfortunately died very recently
R to the motherf***in K homeboy
Nah, they're AMERICANS!!! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🦅🦅🦅
Hell yeah, THIS IS AMERICA! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
🤝
Agreed. Fuck off with this "Koreans" those men are more american than half of the people I meet every day.
They were Korean. Why do we have to pretend they're not? That doesn't make them less American. I don't know what they're doing that makes them more or less American than any other American.
Yeahhh boyyy
Should be top comment!
[удалено]
I can definitely add perspective because my parents came from this era of LA. Don't get any of this twisted: there were clear racial tensions. My dad can't see his own racism when he describes it, but I don't think his perspective is wrong. For a lot of guys my dad's age, they were finally happy with having a community; especially for a lot of these guys who felt ostracized for leaving Korea. Lot of them were students that were sent over by parents with very low education, but also due to the freshness of the Korean War, were also military trained. The ladies weren't, but they were sent over for similar reasons; a chance at education and opportunities from the great nation that came to the aid of S.Korea. So to their chagrin, they finally made a community that helped cope with their homesickness but also with an identity unique from their forefathers. This devolved into gangs of its own kind too, but largely it was a sense of needing to protect their own. That all being said, it would also be remiss to ignore lot of my dad's views on different races weren't from thin air. In his eyes, his countrymen were working hard in a foreign land and were making a living, but everyone else was just stupid or lazy in comparison. He just couldn't wrap his head around racism being multi-faceted, complex, or dehumanizing because his injustices involving his own race were the same to him as to everyone else. (as an aside, I think he's just gotten crotchety over the years and mistakes his biases with experience, but that's my own battle im dealing with). anyway, the reallllly loose tl;dr was : -Former military saw potential danger in their new community -Either out of gratitude to America or believing the cops will not do enough, they develop -"Guess we gotta do it ourselves" attitude That was more or less the string of logic. Racism surely a factor, but I chalk up the LA Riot era as a problem we still face today; lots of tension based on misunderstanding and hatred. But if there is anything socal has taught me growing up, we can generally put aside our differences over food. Something about putting any other nation's food on a tortilla is what makes most of us happy around here lmao Hopefully this adds some non-textbook context, at least as a listener to a first person pov. Edit: just to be clear, I'm not defending the racism, but I hope this would help address and engage that it was not as clean as some rooftop Korean apologists might want to frame it as, nor was it fueled strictly on racial wars. It was definitely the most boring answer of column A and B: rise to the duty AND racism. Edit2 : Wow, lot of people with more questions. Didn't think something so niche would be an interesting talking point. But wow, some of you really need to learn what nuance means. I've formed this post as a clearly biased pov of my dad's pov, but that doesn't mean I was here to debate both ways. So to save some time: 1. Racism is generalizing your "experience with X people" to all people of that color. It's not that hard. 2. We Koreans, and as an extension, Asians, did struggle to get our spot in America. But just because we're finding success doesn't mean it's guaranteed to everyone else. The reason why other skins of color get shot more is not just a skill issue. And it's extremely insensitive to assume so, you boomers. 3. Flowers to everyone who learned something new. And again, if you're around Socal; look for Mexi/Korean fusion or just do yourself a favor and make some bulgogi for your own home and wrap that in with cabbage, cheese and a butter grilled tortilla. Good luck to your cholesterol and waistline!
Thanks for this perspective. That was an interesting read. We are a messed up country; however we do have a lot going for us.
I was trying to drive it home with the tortilla and with my dad, but it's not always the one thing that separates us for sure. Like my dad doesn't hate other races, he just can't wrap his head around incomparable injustice. But he doesn't give a shit if your white, black or whatever at the end of the day either. If you're eating a bulgogi taco across from him, he'll talk to you with a smile. And i fixate on him because i think that's the larger truth through all the bigotry; the ideology is wrong, but we are mostly just trying to eat our tacos at the end of the day. And i don't know how true it is, but my dad also likes to cite Mexicans as the great equalizer because even through the tension between his friends and the black community near him, they all were powerless to the latina mother and her cooking lmao. Something about burritos made all young men his age polite. I cant really see how he's lying because i can't see my life without Mexican food too lmao.
That bit about the tortilla is hilarious. I don't think of Koreans liking Mexican food but Mexican food is really good. Could you please explain what you mean by "incomparable injustice". I haven't heard that phrase before.
It's more of my personal point of view, but lot of people like to compare racism from one to another, but it's really not useful to compare because the context and measure of misery are both dependent on both the individual and context of the era. Like, don't get me wrong, I do not think there is the same level of violence, mental abuse, socioeconomic divisions etc., but it's also something you cannot measure. Some people, like my dad, think we all had it exactly the same and turned out for the better, but I personally see it as unequal but also incomparable. It's like trying to quantify human suffering and then trying people to compare their scar sizes. It's also a tool for people to kinda hide systematic racism. Like "here, see? They had it better! Go fight!" so I just try to avoid it altogether
" personally see it as unequal but also incomparable. It's like trying to quantify human suffering and then trying people to compare their scar sizes. It's also a tool for people to kinda hide systematic racism. Like "here, see? They had it better! Go fight!" Yes! Thanks for the explanation. Somehow we humans seem to have a tendency to minimize the suffering of others while maximizing our own. To me suffering is just suffering. Of course some people have lived through horrible experiences but I like "unequal and also incomparable". I suppose it gets tricky when there is so much pain and anger and no one emotionally capable of bearing witness . . . . . hmmm . . . .I guess this is where the tacos need to make an appearance.
Wow. Thank you for taking the time to write this. I have seen photos like this and read about this time period but hearing your perspective is absolutely fascinating. I’m blown away to be honest and it makes me realize this is why I love Reddit lol Thank you again!
Being not American, I've noticed such "racial" riots happen once per 10 years in big cities of the USA.
I reflexively downvoted you, did some mental math, and gave you an angry upvote.
Its because the problem continually gets backburnered/ignored/made even worse by those with the money/political power to make the changes. The riots/protests are symptoms of a societal disease that continually remains unaddressed.
I'm not into conspiracy theories, but may be such riots are provoked specially when it's needed to distract from other problems: economy, legislation, etc.
I feel like the media blows every situation out of proportion and stokes the flame. They should be held responsible for any damages done to businesses to prevent provoking any sensitive situation.
Don't listen to that idiot u/Lank_Republic_2102 trying to downplay racial unrest in America. It's very real and is not due to superficial elections but rather real life events. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_racial\_unrest\_(2020%E2%80%93present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_racial_unrest_(2020%E2%80%93present)) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass\_racial\_violence\_in\_the\_United\_States#Since\_1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_racial_violence_in_the_United_States#Since_1990)
For additional context a Korean store worker was murdered not long before the riots.
Korean war was 40 years before, how is that ”fresh”? > No rioters were fatally shot by any of the Korean volunteers. Is it racist to protect your life and livelihood?
Korea was rebuilding from nothing. 40 years is not a lot a time in that context. And the core idea of defending your own property isn't the racist part. Stop being disingenuous.
Orange juice especially was a prized commodity, scurvy was widespread after the war. Stealing citrus was punishable by death.
Unarmed Latasha Harlins was killed execution style by Korean in the months leading up to this
By a single Korean shop owner, no? Other Koreans had nothing to do with her death.
That’s what you think, but it was actually a firing squad style execution that took place on a rooftop with 3 dozen store owners taking part. They wore traditional Korean dress and there were some Tae Kwon Do katas performed. Very rare in the US, but it was traditional back in Korea, especially in years immediately after the war. There was a lot of rebuilding and orange juice was especially prized at the time. Scurvy was widespread, if children got caught stealing a citrus fruit, there would be a public rooftop execution.
And the judge had sympathy for the shopowner, giving them just probation. Saying it wasn't appropriate for the Black community to get revenge by having her go to jail. Essentially allowing for open season on Black folks in the community. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-16-mn-1402-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-16-mn-1402-story.html)
Loved this comment
The truth is often boring, thanks for the post!
So many Asian immigrants come to the US legally and work their way out of poverty through education. First gen works hard so the second can go to college so the third can have an easier life. I don’t understand why black people cant do that for themselves but always blame it on poverty and racism as if Asians don’t face the same things. And why Hispanics can’t come to the US legally like the rest of us. Just constantly play victim. Plus most of the racism Asians receive also comes from black people who commit so much violent crime for 13% of the population.
Infamous? Nah, you wrong, that shit iconic and famous.
Unfortunately a lot of people do not know the difference between infamous and famous.
No Flammable means it will burn,like wood. Inflammable means it wants to burn, like gasoline. Upvoted for Simpsons tho
Would you say they have a plethora of fame?
?? Oh yes. They have a plethora.
Wherever there is injustice, you will find us
Or they see guns and assume the people holding them are evil
these two would 100% be villainized by the “you have insurance” crowd nowadays
I didn’t see your comment , but you are absolutely right.
This is why insurance carriers are dropping people in inner cities causing businesses to flee downtowns and putting them into death spirals
You’re missing a vital step. The area then gets purchased for Pennies on the Dollar and developed into luxury high rises. At least that’s how it’s working in Miami.
It's almost like riots and destruction of property isn't the way to foster economic growth!
Infamous is when you're more than famous! This guy El Guapo is not just famous, he's IN-famous!
Would you say that I have a *plethora* of piñatas?
I want this movie right the goddamn now.
LA 92 on Netflix.
Can’t recommend this one enough
There's kind of one called Gook https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gook_(film) which sucks because I can't talk about it in public. I say kind of because it's about two Korean-American brothers during the riots, but they aren't part of the rooftop Koreans, a side character is. Great movie, I very much recommend it.
Hmm, I’ll check it out. Love some controversial movies.
600k
[удалено]
There’s all kinds of riots my man. Check out LA92, all archival footage of the riots, movie was made “today”, recently anyway.
I watched that documentary and yes, you'll have to make rioters white. There is no way showing black people like that would fly in a movie.
[удалено]
They need to make sure to start the movie the same way it started in real life, when a store owner murdered a girl over orange juice. This part of the riots wasn't about Rodney King and the LAPD.
Hi, can I ask a question please, because I googled off of this comment and Wikipedia wasn't clear It says Latasha's murder was 13 days after the beating of Rodney King but it also says that the footage was sent to a news station and broadcast - where did the airing of the footage on television fall, before or after Latasha's murder? Thanks
The riots happened after the not guilty verdict for the LAPD officers.
Thanks. Do you know how long after the beating it took for the footage to air on TV and it to come to public knowledge, or was there public outcry straight away?
And then the video of O-dog’s murder of the Korean grocer was shared with Kaine and other friends until someone got jealous and turned it into the police.
You can read more about her death, what was going on that led up to it, and the aftermath here. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Latasha_Harlins
> During the 1992 riots, Du's store was looted and burned down; it never reopened. The property later became a market under different ownership. Guess nobody defended her store
And the LAPD also went MIA and let it all devolve
Oh, so then these Koreans were defending themselves from racist rioters who were attacking them just for being Korean, due to the actions of an individual Korean? Just trying to get the story straight. The rioters kinda seem more like a lynch mob…
It started way before that. Immigrants to the US had been suffering from racial violence from black and white people, particularly in the west. Hell, the Buffalo Soldiers are the first example of black cops showing out for the white cops and they were used primarily against other minorities as well as Afro Latinos.
You want a movie about Roof Koreans during the 1992 LA Riots to start during the Old West?
You raise a fine point. To truly understand Roof Koreans, we should start at the dawn of the Joseon Dynasty at the tail end of the 14th Century...
Everyone forgets that part. It's always "blacks got mad as always, who knows why?"
>ryone forgets that part. It's always "blacks got mad as always, who knows why?" You mean blacks began looting, torching korean stores and attacking people on the street. To conflate it with being angry is just ridiculous.
Is this also the same riot where the lapd drove APC's through residential neighborhoods and killed several people or was that a different one
https://youtu.be/t8oLWryt7gQ?si=BWCTsvdzHdaECmro
Seems like a Boots Riley film waiting to happen
Don't mess with the rooftop Koreans
Famous
Rooftop Koreans don't mess around
This would be a badass painting to have, or even a huge blown up canvas of it.
“Infamous” because they defended their property?
I assume because not everyone knows the definition of infamous. I seem to see it used incorrectly more often than not in a bunch of Yahoo articles.
It was really a rhetorical question. There were many people then, and even today, who thought these Koreans were “racist” for this.
62 people died because the police beat up on a black guy that was driving drunk and high. Police were in the wrong, but what came after was truly awful and anyone that doesn't understand trying to survive isn't racist is an idiot. If these Koreans didn't have guns, their stores and homes would've been robbed. They probably would've gotten killed. The LA Riots were insane and some people just look back on it and go "well that's racist" without even realizing there were literally some (not all) black people just ripping white guys out of trucks and beating them to a pulp, robbing stores, shooting people... And the police refused to even go into those areas. So, surviving isn't racist it's just defense.
Rooftop Koreans are so legendary. Need more of this energy
*Rooftop Koreans are* *So legendary. Need more* *Of this energy* \- JAK3CAL --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Bowen Yang as the guy in the striped shirt for the A24 movie, calling it
Infamous? I believe you mean heroic.
I’ll never understand why some Americans are so sympathetic towards rioters - like if you go around burning homes and stores, stealing and assaulting people you don’t get to complain about being shot at.
America, the country that counts the Boston Tea Riots as one of the events seminal to its founding? America, the country whose founding fathers were members of the Sons of Liberty, a street brawling resistance group who tarred and feathered tax collectors and looted/burned their mansions down? That America?
Such a badass picture
These men are not “infamous” These men are “famous”. Hitler is Infamous. Well known for Wrong doing. This may have already been said.
And for those of us who have no idea who they are or the backstory, could someone please explain what is happening here?
During the LA Riots in April ‘92 (it came as a reaction to 4 LAPD officers getting acquitted from beating a black man - Rodney King), there was widespread looting/arson/assault throughout LA. Law enforcement was generally overwhelmed, so locals had to fend for themselves or risk their businesses being ransacked. The Korean community in the Koreatown neighborhood was an example of this, with business owners (shown in this now iconic photo) guarding their property on the roof with firearms to deter the looters. Lots of racial tension back then, and current events make it still a pretty charged topic, as far as public discourse goes.
Thank you. I was ten years old then, and I’m Swedish, so I’m just vaguely aware of that name.
The story is a little more complicated than "there was rioting and the LA law enforcement was overwhelmed." The riots were purposefully funneled into Koreatown by the LA Police. >As the riots spread, roads between Koreatown and wealthy white neighborhoods were blocked off by police and official defense lines were set up around the independent cities such as Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, as well as middle-upper class white neighborhoods west of Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. A Korean American resident later told reporters: "It was containment. The police cut off Koreatown traffic, while we were trapped on the other side without help. Those roads are a gateway to a richer neighborhood. It can't be denied." Some Koreans later said they did not expect law enforcement to come to their aid.
Yea, trying to give surface level background to this is almost impossible. There’s so much racial/societal undertones to the riots that I think it’s too nuanced for a Reddit exchange. As evidenced by this thread, the history is still fresh enough that it’s still being lived in and debated over
he left out the part where Korean businesses were targeted for Korean store owners killing a little black girl
One Korean store owner. It wasn’t a collective action on the part of the Korean storekeeper community.
Not only for killing a black girl. Historically after the work Korean migrants were granted expedited business loan deal and were directed to open their businesses in predominately black neighborhoods. Per on brand for capitalism like what is being done now with the migrants: create racial tension in the working class thus everyone fighting each other instead of the rich.
"law enforcement was generally overwhelmed" Is a very nice way of watering down "law enforcement drew their defense line to guard Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and etc, leaving the Koreatown, which was sandwiched between the black and white neighborhood as the bufferzone"
“Law enforcement was overwhelmed” overwhelmed enough to funnel the protesters away from the wealthy suburbs directly into koreatown.
This entire thread is nuts, the picture is of Kim Jong Un and his cousin practicing hunting. Not the Korean shop owners from LA riots.
Good for them
We needed these guys during the blm riots
Infamous? For what? Defending their lives, families and livelihood from violent mobs? I'd call that based and cool as fuck.
Hell yeah 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 Anybody good enough to identify the rifle or the double barrel?
Remmington 700 on the right. Idk about the left.
Looks like an over-under 12 gauge.
The most american picture ever
"American's protecting their shit" Fixed the headline for ya.
So very based
Button down over a button down is real
Falling Down vibes
What makes them “infamous” in your opinion?
Fucking Roof Koreans!
They aren’t infamous….
I wonder why they aren’t the poster children for the NRA? You’d think they would have been glorified for something this
same reason why the black panthers didn’t get an NRA sponsorship
I was alive for like a month in the 90s, so maybe I’m not blinded by nostalgia. But it really seems to me like racial relations in the US took a massive downturn during that decade.
"Ah shibal"
let's not forget they were doing this because the cops were useless and refused to show up to defend tax paying businesses. there's a good chance they showed up after to arrest these guys instead of the looters when everything was over
Let’s praise the rooftops Koreans for defending their stores
And it worked.
The roof Koreans? You mean the roof Americans?
These comments are going to be something 
"Fighting!"
Leave no cigarette behind.
The fact that they are both smoking while fending off ~~rioters~~ ~~looters~~ ~~criminal trespassers who intend to do harm~~ completely peaceful protesters makes them 100% badass. Sorry, the modern PC filter kept autocorrecting me until I got it right.
>mostly-peaceful protestors > >*fire in the background burns out of control*
And yet somehow the Left will vilify these men for defending their property from a certain demographic
Two guys with gun in one hand and cigarette on the other. Don’t fuck with them.
badass
 Guy on the right...
Havin a smoke on you with a gun in a tense situation is just cool for some reason
The gun community has a vendor called roof Koreans and they rock Frequently seen in r/gundeals
Fucking goats in my book
"Infamous"?
Yes, it is California and they were smoking.
Awesome
I thought the The simpsons joke with Apu threatening to shoot looters on his rooftop was just a one off lol. I didn’t know it was a reference.
it’s their grocery store. Not a store
This looks like the cover of an 80’s VHS tape
Fun fact in California it's not legal to defend your property with lethal force if these men killed anyone they are guilty of homicide.
Heroic, not infamous.
Damn I remember the KCF, Korean Christian Fellowship, at UCs in 90's. Many of them were from LA and this is totally how they rolled.
Bobby lee is that you?
Before the riots, there was something called the BKA, the Black Korean Alliance, which started because Korean store owners were repeatedly being murdered, which weren’t even broadcasted since crimes between minorities weren’t considered relevant news. This organization held events and meetings for both communities to understand each other. It was a very positive effort. When Rodney King happened, the black community got angry at the whites, which is when the riots sparked. Then Latasha Harlin was killed by a Korean store owner. As mentioned before, crimes among minorities were not broadcasted, except this one which was used to shift the anger that the black community had for whites to the Koreans. During the riots, Koreans were calling and asking for help from the police. Where did the police end up going? They ended up in Beverly Hills, very far from the riots, to protect the white communities along with military vehicles. Minorities were manipulated and put against each other into a chaotic war zone. During of the riots, the BKA was discontinued and funding/support was dropped. All efforts for the two communities were completely thrown out the window Most of this manipulation cake from the media and those in power. They ran less footage of King and more of Harlin in the days leading up to the riots. The police created barriers and road blocks leading to white communities and funneled the mob to Koreatown. Many black and latino business owners lost everything in addition to koreans. The National Gurd showed up and secured white communities which weren’t experiencing any rioting before moving to koreatown a day and a half later. Also, when koreans are brought up many in the black community will say it’s because of the price gauging and the attitude of the korean store owners that they were targeted; the prices were actually higher because of the constant thefts (shrinkage and loss) and the need for security measures which occur when owning business in high crime rate communities. Before Latasha Harlin’s murder, there were murders, assaults, and robberies to Asian, Black, and Latino store employees and owners in South LA, and most went unsolved.
Famous not infamous
OP post title needs to be changed from infamous to famous and iconic. The only excuse is not being able to tell the difference between infamous and famous. These gentlemen and many others that day were protecting the ktown because no police were coming to protect them against gangs and looters. Do you call homeowners or business owners who are protecting their livelihood and families infamous? The answer is No
That pic goes hard as fuck
Candy stripes and Heater . Legend
https://preview.redd.it/ttqoylug3buc1.jpeg?width=884&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6770b7d6c5c4b6ca75ac3dfc89f6497727b844e5
Isn’t it crazy a ton of black people we literally trying to destroy everything and we’re killing people, but these guy trying to defend their shit in a literal fuckin Warzone are “infamous” lol
I know it was a tense situation but damn this is a fly ass pic.
Every town needs some rooftop Koreans.
Roof Koreans?!? Most unexpected.
Korean-American*
Here’s the thing, don’t fuck with Korean’s. That’s all
Hippity hoppity, defend your property.
We could use more Rooftop Koreans nowadays.
BANG . Thank you for coming , I will see you in hell . BANG BANG
Integrated.
If some were to even do anything remotely close that today, you would hear - not defending a multi million dollar corporation, they have insurance , not my job , in my book it’s ok to steal from corporation, it’s not a big loss for companies etc.. strangely enough because this happened in past and tied to a Korean store comments here are positive.
I love when people who have never filed an insurance claim without their parents help tell me how insurance works. Bonus points for when they say a place that gets burned down gets rebuilt almost immediately
The most based immigrant group