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. [31] Korean immigrants bought their storefronts in black neighborhoods, specifically South Los Angeles, because the real estate was significantly cheaper than other neighborhoods. However, two eyewitnesses who were in the shop at the same time denied the conversation and instead claimed Du had called 15-year-old Latasha a "witch" and accused her of trying to shoplift. In cross-examining Combs and her brother, Lloyd pointed out discrepancies among statements they gave to police the day of the shooting, to the grand jury that indicted Du, and to the jury Monday. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. In April the following year, just over a year after Latasha's death, the court of appeal upheld Judge Karlin's original sentence. But what is justice today is justice always. I think thats why movements like #MeToo and #SayHerName have to exist, because people still refuse to think theres a problem. Du's husband, Billy Heung Ki Du, heard the gunshot and rushed into the store. They called her name as they set fire to hundreds of Korean-owned businesses. However, on the morning of the shooting, Du was working behind the counter, and her husband was outside resting in the family van. Sophia Nahli Allison: There were so many intersecting reasons that I wanted to pursue this story. [10] In TheGrio, Cortney Wills described A Love Song as "a mesmerizing piece of work that takes an unconventional route to storytelling."[5]. CHRISTINA ROGERS: Latasha was so popular. Diversity means we see you, but we really dont need to engage with you. Then read about Mickey Cohen, one of Los Angeles most notorious gang leaders. Why is it so important, especially now, to humanize Black girls on the screen? After these riots, a federal trial saw two of the LAPD officers who beat Rodney King finally serve time for their crimes, although they only ended up serving 30 months in prison. 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. So it was this really beautiful coming together with a community, and of me engaging with my own childhood, my own path. How 15-Year-Old Latasha Harlins Murder Over A Bottle Of Orange Juice Helped Spark The L.A. Los Angeles Times/GettyKorean grocer Soon Ja Du in court, after she fatally shot Latasha Harlins in the back of the head. By 1990, 65% of South Central businesses were Korean-owned and a 1992 survey of these storeowners revealed considerable racial prejudice against black customers and black people in general. Joyce Karlin, the judge on the trial disagreed and overruled the jury's decision. Latashas grandmother was left in charge of her and her two siblings. It sparked five days of riots across Los Angeles. [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. The hardest part about losing Latasha was not having that older protective sister that I had. And so thinking about this young Black girl who was taken from everyone, whose life was lost, [I wondered] why this story didnt exist beyond the headline and discussions of trauma and visuals that really produced triggering reactions from the community, from family members and friends that knew her and loved her. They also share the impact that Harlins death has had on their own lives. Soon Ja Du leaves court with har husband Billy Hong Ki Du. And I remember Latasha buying that little girl an ice cream. 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. [7][9] Their unstable marriage eventually ended in 1983. Latasha Harlins, American Girl South Central remembered the 15-year-old girl killed 13 days after Rodney King was beaten. A Love Song for Latasha was nominated for an Oscar. [21] Furthermore, Karlin deemed that Du's capacity to act rationally in the situation was undermined by her experience with past robberies. The family moved from Illinois to South Central Los Angeles in 1981. Contact Us | Harlins turned to walk away when Du took out a gun and fired. But Judge Joyce Karlin gave Du probation instead. A security camera tape showed the entire heart-wrenching event on fuzzy, silent film. [22] In July 1992, Latasha's brother and sister received a $300,000 settlement from a civil suit brought against Soon Ja Du, which was paid by the store's insurance policy. I guess it made her think of her mom, said her cousin, Shinese. MARTINEZ: That's Christina Rogers and Vester Acoff remembering their sister Latasha Harlins. She cooked. Harlins was born on July 14, 1975 in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Crystal Harlins and Vester Acoff Sr. Acoff never met Latasha. I ran out the back of the gym, ran home. And thats the only way for us to really begin to engage with inclusivity. After speaking to his wife, who asked for the whereabouts of Harlins before fainting, he dialed 9-1-1 to report an attempted holdup. Protesters noted that a week after the death of Latasha Harlins, a Glendale man received a more severe sentence than Du for kicking a dog. 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. Harlens was a student at Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California. But when she got there, the lady said she had seen her put something in her backpack. And so for me, dismantling means making people uncomfortable and building something completely new. [39], Karlin's rulings in the case prompted Los Angeles County District Attorney Ira Reiner to instruct his deputies to effectively bar Judge Karlin from trying cases by invoking a statute to remove a judge for any reason. Latasha Harlins was warned by her grandmother not to enter Empire Liquor unless she was planning on making a purchase. 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. 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 made sure we did our chores, did our homework. The property later became a market under different ownership. WebColumn: The killing of Latasha Harlins was 30 years ago. One of my favorite memories is just wandering into a church in South Central and then being allowed to film the granddaughters of the pastor, because their parents remembered Latasha. This is not the movies. Black folks have always been doing the work, but what dismantling the system for me means is that others acknowledge how they have been a part of the problem, how they have been complicit, how they have allowed the systems to continue, and that no one is challenging or wanting to make others uncomfortable. A Love Song for Latasha is a 2019 American biographical documentary short film directed by Sophia Nahli Allison. . And she had the money in her hand to pay the lady. 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. They rented a place near 89th Street and Broadway, just a few blocks from where Latasha would later be murdered. I hate the word reform. And I had a basketball game. They lived near 89th St. and Broadway, just a few blocks from where Latasha would be killed ten years later.[7][8]. Du hurled a stool at the schoolgirl and when Latasha went to pick up the drink and tried to leave the shopkeeper reached under his counter and pulled out a gun. Dus store was looted, set on fire, and never reopened. Get the latest headlines, releases and insider-gossip direct to your inbox with our Binge-worthy newsletter. A Love Song for Latasha is not about Black trauma, but the most important part about this film is that we did not incorporate the footage of Latashas death. Absolutely. But security footage and the statements of the eye witnesses directly contradicted her account. Months later, they gave her a grant. It is a fictionalized account of the killing of Latasha Harlins and the effects on both her family and the family of the shooter. Instead, she sentenced Du to 400 hours of community service, five years on probation and a $500 fine, which is around 385. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. 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. [13][14] The videotape[15] showed that Du grabbed Harlins by her sweater and snatched her backpack. Riots. Du concluded Harlins was attempting to steal, and did not see the money Harlins held in her hand. Surveillance footage showed the girl was shot in the back of the head. Almost none of the girls had acted before. "Latasha was defenseless. . When she wanted to give up, I thought: But Latashas story deserves to be told. In the spring of 2018, she landed a grant from Glassbreaker Films. For five days, Los Angeles burned and the LAPD left much of the city to fend for itself. White Judge Joyce Karlin, however, gave Du probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine. For help with production, she turned to her childhood friend Fam Udeorji, who has worked as creative producer on the Childish Gambino video This is America, written for the TV show Atlanta, and was the music supervisor for Creed II. (2017, September 14). Please try again. The Harlins family received a $300,000 settlement from Dus insurance company. Residents shouted Latasha Harlins name as they torched Korean-owned businesses including Soon Ja Dus own Empire Liquor. The Los Angeles natives documentary short A Love Song for Latasha, which was nominated for an Oscar this year and is streaming on Netflix, is a moving tribute from Allison and Harlins loved ones to the young girls life. This is real life, Deputy District Attorney Roxane Carvajal had warned the jury. Allison spent two years making A Love Song for Latasha, serving as director, cinematographer, editor and producer. Kisuk Jun of the Koreatown Neighborhood Council said. [34] These events were considered factors in deadly and destructive riots which began on April 29, 1992, and continued through May 4, 1992. BUY THE MOVIE: [8], The film premiered at the Tribecca Film Festival and screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. "We got all this racism, hate going on. For Latasha, the action had come to late and she is buried next to her mother in Paradise Memorial Park in California. 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. But I think there are so many ways to dismantle the system. In March 1991, when Harlins was 15, a store owner accused her of Some black activists say the incidents stemmed from racism on the part of the Koreans. ROGERS: Walk me through the day Latasha died. And theres no protection for Black girls when we have to rely on a system that is deeply rooted in white supremacy. Just get on with what you want to do and make the pictures you want to make. She picked the juice up from the floor, where it had fallen, placed it on the counter, and walked away. She didn't do nothing! How do I challenge traditional rules of documentary so that Latasha can live in her fullness, and show evidence that she existed?. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Latasha Harlins became a victim of these racial tensions on the morning of Saturday, March 16, 1991. WebAllison chose not to include the footage of Harlinss death taken by the stores camera, which was shown on national news and was later used in the trial of the woman who shot her. But was that reaction understandable? The buller hit the 15-year-old in the back of the head and she was killed instantly. This is not television. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Latasha was shot in the back of the head and died at the scene at the Empire Liquor Market on March 16, 1991. Ty and Shinese want to create their own community center. There is no space held for what it means when a Black girl is threatened, when a Black girl is accosted, when a Black girl does not feel safe and does not have protection. Police also discovered the gun had been tampered with so that it would fire with much less pressure on the trigger than would normally be needed to shoot a handgun. Du was tried and convicted of So after that, I'm at the free-throw line, and our cousin T ran into the gym screaming. Soon Ja Du's store, Empire Liquor, was located at the intersection of West 91st Street and South Figueroa Street, Vermont Vista, Los Angeles,[10] and was normally staffed by Du's husband and son. [24][25][26] On August 17, 1991, while Du was awaiting trial, a small fire occurred at her store. Latasha Harlins, however, saw no such justice. And so it just became this collective moment of everyone wanting to remember Latasha together, of all these different moments in time connecting for us to share this story. Riots. In order to break free, the 15-year-old girl struck Du in the face four times, knocking her down. Latasha cried whenever she walked past a nearby cemetery. 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. I think every single one of them deeply affected me. Now 30 years later, a mural honoring the South-Central L.A. teenagers life has surfaced at the Algin Sutton Recreation Center in Los Angeles. ROGERS: And we would have, like, spelling bees. [50], Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane composed "Empire Liquor Mart (9127 S. Figueroa St.)" for the album The Ambassador in 2014, which tells the story of Latasha's life and the event that transpired.[51]. MaKhia Bryants murder really makes me upset. Directed by Sophia Nahli Allison, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021. She edited the footage herself every night after she shot, to make sure the puzzle pieces she was gathering fit together. She was buried next to her mother in Paradise Memorial Park, Santa Fe Springs, California. We would sit down, and our grandmother Madea would give us spelling words. The death of her mother had a devastating impact on Latasha, who began to rebel and argue with her maternal grandmother and her maternal aunt Denise. For example, a police officer in Columbus, Ohio, recently killed 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant, and Ive seen people online blaming Bryant for her own death. She said Harlins and Du called each other bitch.. The killing was captured on a grainy security video. Time now for StoryCorps. Something went wrong, please try again later. After putting it into her backpack, where it jutted out from the top, she made her way to the counter. People getting pitted against each other. Tupac dedicated his song, Keep Ya Head Up, to Latasha Harlins. A state appeals court later unanimously upheld Judge Karlin's sentencing decision, 30, on April 21, 1992, about a week before the LA riots. (Harlins death was one of the inciting incidents of the 1992 L.A. race riots, and the trial against her killer, store owner Soon Ja Du, garnered national attention; although Du was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, she received a light sentence of probation and community service. In August 1991, a small fire broke out just before the trial kicked off. At the time, Let me go. . Frames Per Second: How Independent Filmmakers Earn Back Their Production Investment, Tips for Pitching Your Film Successfully to Festivals and Funders, The Funding and Distribution of a Feature-Length Documentary, First-Time Director Jonathan Olshefski on Creating a Feature-Length Documentary, Funding & Publishing Personal Projects: Alice Proujanskys Coming-of-Age Story, Meron Menghistab on Photographing Trevor Noah, and Shooting Personal Work, Photographer Benjamin McMahons Celebrity Self-Portrait Collaborations, An Immersive Experience: How Renowned Photographers are Captivating Audiences with Prints. I said I wanted to know more about Latasha beyond her death, and learn who she was as a person, Allison explains. Menu. Photo editor Leonor Mamanna interviews Alice Proujansky about the practical challenges of shooting and publishing a personal project. In Esquire, Gabrielle Bruney called it a "stirring portrait". The graphic images of the killing of 15-year-old Harlins, captured by a security camera inside the Empire Liquor Market in South-Central Los Angeles, drew gasps in the packed Superior Court courtroom where grocer Soon Ja Du is being tried for murder. It hurts, because I think the only answer is to defund the police. What do you make of police violence and racism continuing to rob Black girls of their childhoods and, in some cases, their lives? [1] Allison wanted to create a piece restoring the memory of Harlins' life and death to their significance in those events, which are often described only as the Rodney King riots. [3] Ava DuVernay programmed the documentary as part of Array 360, and it was then picked up by Netflix. ROGERS: She was killed. But just for me, as a young girl, acknowledging that there was this secret language happening on the screen, it made me feel like I had a community, a place to be seen and understood. But those dreams would soon be crushed. The judge sentenced Du to 10 years in state prison but the sentence was suspended and the defendant was instead placed on five years' probation with 400 hours of community service, a $500 restitution, and funeral expenses. I never want to believe that a film will humanize anyone, because I really believe humanizing comes from folks in their own consciousness. [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. 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. WebLatasha Harlins was killed just a few years after her mother was shot dead in a South-Central L.A. nightclub. In August 1991, a small fire broke out just before the trial disagreed and overruled the jury need engage! Including soon Ja Dus own Empire Liquor unless she latasha harlins' death footage killed just a few after... 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