Remembering Latasha HARLINS
- MacKenzie Jenkins
- Mar 16, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 16, 2023
"LaTasha Harlins, remember that name. Cause a bottle of juice is not something to die for" -Tupac (Something 2 Die 4-Interlude)
This blog post has been updated from its 2021 version to fix an error in the date and include more organizations advocating for Black girls (March 2023)
Latasha Harlins is a name we should all know. At fifteen years old, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and making an impact in her community. She was a beautiful Black girl living in South Central LA with a bright future ahead of her. On the morning of March 16, 1991, her life was taken by Soon Ja Du at a local liquor store. The legacy of Latasha requires that we continue to uplift Black girls and advocate for a society that sees Black girls in their wholeness.
Just several days after the brutal arrest of Rodney King by LAPD, Latasha went into Empire Liquor Market and Deli to purchase orange juice. As she walked to the counter, Latasha put the orange juice in her lime-green backpack and took out two dollars to pay for her drink. Although Latasha was approaching the counter to pay, Soon Ja Du accused her of stealing and grabbed Latasha's bag. The security camera footage records the entire incident take place. Latasha, obviously bothered that the woman was grabbing her, fought back and punched Du in the face. Visibly upset, Latasha left the orange juice on the counter and turned around-her back facing Du. In that moment, Du decided to shoot Latasha as she was walking away.
With two dollars in her hand-Latasha was killed instantly.
How did a trip to the store turn into a murder? Why was Soon Ja Du threatened by Latasha leaving the store? Why was a $1.79 orange juice worth killing someone over? There are so many questions that will go unanswered.
As news spread about Latasha's murder, many people were moved to take action to ensure that Soon Ja Du took full responsibility of the murder, and that she would be justly held accountable for taking the life of an innocent Black girl. But, as to be expected, the results of the trial further underscored that justice for Black girls was not a priority in a society that views Black girls as a threat.
Even when given the opportunity to declare that Latasha Harlins life was worth more than a $1.79, Judge Joyce Karlin gave Soon Ja Du a slap on the wrist for senselessly murdering Latasha. The judge felt she knew what a criminal looked like and that Soon Ja Du did not fit that description. She sentenced Soon Ja Du to probation, a $500 fine and 400 hundred hours of community service.
The murder and miscarriage of justice that took place highlights many of the injustices Black women and girls face in this country. From victimization and criminalization, Black girls do not always have the opportunity to enjoy their childhood without being perceived as a threat. In her book, The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins: Justice, Gender, and the Origins of the LA Riots, Brenda Stevenson explores how race, gender, and class, played a large role in the murder and results of the trial, while also examining the history that led to the moment Latasha's murder.
Latasha would be 45 years old this year. To uphold her legacy, we can take a commitment to honor her as best as we can. In Los Angeles, a mural was dedicated in her memory - to tell the story of a Black girl who deserved to live.
To understand the systems in place that led to her murder, we must understand the origins of the victimization of Black girls. Scholars, advocates, and activists have come together to amplify the need for a radical shift in power to take place in our institutions, policies, and communities. In order for our society to progress, we must center the voices and needs of all Black girls and women.
As we continue to honor and remember Latasha, I want to highlight some of the organizations who are doing the work to demand that this world treats Black girls with the dignity and respect they are endowed with at birth: Black Girl Freedom Fund, Justice For Black Girls, A Long Walk Home, and the African American Policy Forum.
[2023 Addition] Additionally, you can visit https://www.latashaharlinsfoundation.org/ to learn more about the Latasha Harlins Foundation and the work they are doing in the community. Also, consider donating to the scholarship fund that will open applications in 2024
You can watch "A Love Song For Latasha Harlins'" directed by Sophia Nahli Allison on Netflix, which was recently nominated for an Oscar. It is a 20 minute short film that gives the world an opportunity to know Latasha from the point of view of her friends and family.
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