ASSESSING THE EMPLOYMENT IMPACTS OF THE LOS-ANGELES CIVIL UNREST OF 1992 - FURTHERING RACIAL DIVISIONS

Using data from a recent survey of over 4,000 households, the authors estimate that nearly 100,000 jobs were lost because of the 1992 Los An geles civil unrest and that only 26,000 jobs have been created in the rebuilding effort, resulting in a net loss of 74,000jobs. Non-Hispanic Whites suffered 15% of the civil-unrest-related job loss, but they ca ptured 60% of the employment opportunities created in the rebuilding p rocess. The restoration efforts have done little to aid Hispanics, Bla cks, and Asians, who made up 85% of those who lost jobs as a result of the civil disturbance. Instead, these efforts appear to have contribu ted to the growing racial and ethnic divisions in Los Angeles.