How did south central LA become the way it did in the 80's/90's? Where and why did the gangs come about?

by kidflugufrelsar

I'm currently rewatching Boyz N The Hood. I'm wondering, after watching Furious' speech about keeping the area black, how did that area become so much like a war zone? Where did the gangs come from? Was there an actual "conspiracy" to make the blacks kills and fight each other?

I just feel like I don't know much about pre-1990's south central - every time I have heard about it had been in reference to gangs/violence.

Searocksandtrees

hi everyone! just a reminder to respondents to be mindful of this sub's "20-year rule": no discussion of events/conditions post-1994 please! thanks!

OP, if you'd like to carry on this discussion for more recent years, consider x-posting this question to /r/AskSocialScience.