Chang Lee

I truly thought I was a part of mainstream society, nothing in my life indicated I was a secondary citizen until the LA riots. The LAPD powers that be decided to protect the 'haves' and the Korean community did not have any political voice or power. They left us to burn.

Twenty-five years ago, we learned a lesson in what the lack of political power and cultural misunderstandings between minority groups can do, it can destroy us.

What I'm hearing from Trump and the rise in hate crimes in this country is scaring me, los Angeles had this painful past. Now it's time for minority ethnic groups to talk to each other, stay bound together, understand and support each other.

I watched a gas station on fire, and I thought, boy, that place looks familiar, soon, the realization hit me. As I was protecting my parents' shopping mall, I was watching my own gas station burn down on TV.