The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins

The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins by Brenda Stevenson examines a pivotal event in Los Angeles's history, focusing on the 1991 shooting of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins and the subsequent trial. Through a detailed portrait of Harlins, the store owner Soon Ja Du, and Judge Joyce Karlin, the book explores themes of race, ethnicity, and justice, revealing how this incident contributed to the underlying tensions leading up to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Richly researched and insightful, it offers a nuanced understanding of the social dynamics and historical context surrounding a moment that reshaped American conversations on justice.