Review of Blazing Upheaval
By Dave Wickstrom
The book title, Blazing Upheaval could well describe the widespread violence, rioting, looting, shooting and burning of businesses which took place in Los Angeles after the April 1992 acquittal of police officers who assaulted Rodney King in March of that year. Numerous articles and books have been written about Rodney King, but this book written by Karen Charles is more than just describing historical events and true facts. It is a tension-filled and riveting account of a variety of people—family members, teachers, business owners, everyday folks, and security officers—who were impacted by the hate-filled anarchy that inundated the city and expanded to nearby communities.
The story focuses initially on Tiffany Carter, a first-grade teacher at an elementary
school on the border of Koreatown in Los Angeles. It began with a call from the school
principal’s office telling the teacher to bring her remaining student to the office for pick-up by the student’s mother. The school secretary also informed the teacher that it would be best for her as well to leave “NOW!” Driving home, though, was a terrifying experience as the teacher had to navigate her way to the safety of the freeway fourteen blocks away. Looting, fires, gunshots and the threat of murder by emotionally crazed citizens were the realities of the drive, especially if she took her normal route to the freeway. The only alternate routes would be to weave through side streets and alleys, but chaos lurked around every corner.
These events were just the beginning of a series of heart-pumping unexpected challenges which followed one after the other throughout the book and kept this reader eagerly anticipating what dreadful event would happen next.
The author did not disappoint, as she detailed the events of the next several months, most
of those months filled with a mixture of joy and excitement on the one hand, interspersed on the other hand with unexpected tragedies and trauma. What was clear throughout the book was the commitment, creativity and love shown in the classroom by the first-grade teacher. It was a delight to discover how she made learning fun and effective.
In the midst of horrific tragedy, recovering from riots and looting and destruction of property, facing constant threats and fear of what was coming next, the book Blazing Upheaval reveals the vital significance of faithfulness and commitment to family and friends in order to overcome adversity. Also vital in combating fear, mistrust, jealousy and vengeance administered by others is a community of people from various ethnic, cultural and geographic backgrounds coming together to support one another when hardship strikes, whether from other people or from natural disasters like the Northridge
earthquake which impacted not only the Carter family but also friends and neighbors and co-workers.
What impressed this reader were the depth of love, character, warmth, creativity, and commitment to routine, and emphasis on safety by both the Carter family and by friends who suffered alongside them.
You can purchase Blazing Upheaval at these links:
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