Dr. Brenda Stevenson, writer of “The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins” | Skylar Endsley Myers

Brenda Stevenson is a UCLA history professor whose research and writings focus primarily on the 18th and 19th century American South. Recently, however, she has turned her attention to contemporary Los Angeles. Stevenson’s new book, “The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins,” discusses the 1992 Los Angeles riots  by analyzing the murder of Latasha Harlins.

Harlins was 15-years-old when she was killed by Korean grocer Soon Ja Du, who assumed Harlins was stealing. Although not as widely known as the Rodney King beating and trial, the incident is considered just as important a trigger for the 1992 rebellion. [Read more…]