Still So Messed Up… I Shed Tears Every Time I Read This heartbreaking 💔 💔 💔 🥹🥹🥹🥹
Most of y’all don’t know who she is, but she matters.
Her name is Latasha Harlins — and her story changed history.
In 1991, at just 15 years old, Latasha went to a local Korean-owned market for a bottle of orange juice… and never made it home.
The store owner’s wife, Soon Ja Du, wrongly assumed Latasha was stealing. A small struggle happened — Du grabbed Latasha, and Latasha pushed her off to get free. That should’ve been the end of it.
But Du grabbed a gun.
Latasha picked up the orange juice, placed it on the counter to show she wasn’t stealing, and turned to leave.
As she walked away, Du shot her in the back of the head from three feet away… killing her instantly.
Despite security footage and two eyewitnesses, and despite a jury finding Du guilty and recommending the maximum 16-year sentence — the judge gave her:
• 400 hours of community service
• 5 years probation
• A $500 fine
The judge claimed Du was the “victim,” and Latasha was the “criminal.”
Her life was treated like it was worth nothing.
Latasha’s murder — along with the beating of Rodney King — became one of the sparks that ignited the 1992 LA Riots. But we rarely hear Latasha’s name.
Tupac never forgot her. He spoke about her often and dedicated “Keep Ya Head Up” to her memory.
So today, we say her name loudly
:
Latasha Harlins — you were important then, and you’re important now. Someone heard your story today. 🕊️ #fblifestyle
