Rebuilding Los Angeles (00:55)

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Residents discuss community participation in addressing inequality and creating a good society.

The Good Society: Los Angeles: Sponsor Message (01:01)

The Good Society: Los Angeles: Sponsor Message

Moving America Forward (00:56)

Moyers shows an image of one man fighting a fire in the L.A. riots. "The Good Society" authors call for community collaboration to reform institutions providing our common ground.

Recovering from Civic Breakdown (01:16)

Professor Kerman Maddox describes anger in poor communities leading to the Los Angeles riots. Store owner Jin Lee can forgive looters but not the government.

Addressing Cultural Isolation (01:51)

Many wondered if Los Angeles could overcome socioeconomic barriers after the riots. Council member Michael Woo discusses the lack of communication between communities in his district.

Elusive Good Society (02:46)

In Koreatown, Bowna Lee stops people from taking scrap metal from her burned store. Korean-American lawyer Angela Oh discusses immigrant disillusionment about the lack of cultural respect.

Fueling Conflict in South Central (03:11)

Media footage of a violent dispute between a Korean store owner and an African-American customer contributed to community tensions—but ignored the economic injustice affecting both groups.

Korean Perspective (01:45)

Community members help families whose businesses were damaged in the L.A. riots. Jin Lee discusses how media stereotypes reinforce racist views and positive cross-cultural events are ignored by the press.

Defending Common Cultural Ground (03:27)

Lee lost his business in the L.A. riots, and is leading efforts to rebuild the Korean community. He believes poverty and family breakdown are the issue, rather than race.

African-American Perspective (03:58)

Contrary to media stereotypes, South Central is mostly home to responsible citizens. The Wilson family lost their restaurant during the riots; they teach their daughter to work instead of looting.

Appealing for Equal Opportunity (02:11)

The First A.M.E. Church in South Central was source of community strength during the riots. Maddox explains that most young people want to work and contribute to society—if they are given the chance.

Youth Intervention in South Central (03:01)

Margo Wainwright runs a school for young people on probation—proving they can turn their lives around, with support, guidance and leadership.

Rebuilding Community Support System (03:06)

Wainwright founded a home for young men transitioning from juvenile hall in Los Angeles. Counselor Kenneth Riley describes discipline challenges and how the intervention program has turned his own life around.

Building Community in Gang Areas (04:34)

Father Greg Boyle employs 70 young people through programs at East L.A.'s Dolores Mission, offering them an alternative to a life of crime.

Transitioning from Gang Life (03:22)

David works for a food distribution organization and plans to enter the mainstream economy—setting an example for other East L.A. youths. Father Boyle has lost 26 kids to gang violence over four years.

East L.A. Community Cornerstone (05:10)

The Dolores Mission area was peaceful during the riots, due to Father Boyle's positive influence. He is optimistic that social programs will be continued by parishioners after he is transferred.

Community Leadership (01:02)

Bellah defines a good society as one where every citizen can flourish and praises the work done in Los Angeles after the riots.

Defending Elites and Institutions (01:01)

Bellah explains that community-minded leaders are necessary for a good society.

Domestic Disarmament (01:33)

Bellah calls for shifting the city-suburb balance to rebuild urban communities such as Los Angeles—and removing guns from young people.

Politics of Society Building (01:46)

Bellah calls for changing the balance of money and power to bridge socioeconomic gaps—and getting people to think communally rather than individually.

Institutional Reform for Community (02:53)

Bellah explains that social responsibility was forgotten when capitalism triumphed. He cites employee empowerment and rebuilding trust in the government as ways to shift American consciousness.

Giving Back to Society (01:57)

Bellah sees family values as uniting cultures in America, and calls for wealthy citizens to take part in civic reconstruction.

Building Society under Moral Law (02:55)

Bellah discusses how tight schedules prevent Americans from volunteering—but failing to contribute to community will affect us all.

Credits: The Good Society: Los Angeles (01:25)

Credits: The Good Society: Los Angeles