There were already tensions dating back to the Watts Riots during the 60s. The LAPD's treatment of African-Americans and their neighborhoods was a major catalyst. Also, African-Americans and Mexican-Americans felt they were not receiving justice when justice was surely due in their eyes. This includes the murder of Latasha Harlins. A 15 year old African-American girl who was shot by Soon Ja Du, a Korean shop owner. This shooting actually occurred after the Rodney King beating occurred. Long story short Soon Ja Du received probation and community service when many African-Americans felt she should have received a life sentence. This increased racist resentment towards Koreans from the African-American communities.

Tensions were already at an all-time high during the early 90s. The acquittal of the officers in the Rodney King Trial was essentially the straw that broke the camel's back. Latasha Harlin's death is also seen as the second major reason behind why the LA Riots occurred. That along with the LAPD's actions towards minorities in Los Angeles.

In a nutshell, the LA Riots was a bomb waiting to blow. A bomb that was fueled by 30 plus years of resentment held by African-Americans. It didn't just materialize in the 90s. The Rodney King acquittal was just the thing that lit the fuse after so many years of already held tension.