The Era of the 1990's.

Throughout the 1990’s, domestic issues were prominently shown, especially on the issues of race, sex, family, and class. The 1990’s was the time when race was in our conversations constantly. There can be no denial of that. By 1990, many African Americans suffered poverty, the prison industrial complex, and discrimination. The decade saw the combination of progress and great setbacks. It was a time of excellent firsts among black people and the reactionary backlash in full display. On January 1990, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco, Co. ended its plan to sell the proposed product called Uptown since the cigarettes would target black Americans.  In 1990, Douglas Lawrence Wilder became the first black Governor in America since the days of Reconstruction. He was governor in Virginia and embraced many liberal and conservative positions on issues (just like Bill Clinton). By September 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum opened in Memphis. The museum was conversion of the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. In 1992, there was the Los Angeles rebellion. The rebellion was decades in the making. By the early 1990’s, LA suffered deindustrialization, racial tensions, poverty, and the War on Drugs. Black people in Los Angeles experienced police brutality and economic deprivation for years. The officers, who beat Rodney King, were acquitted in 1992. Later, there was an uprising that lasted from April 29-May 1, 1992. LAPD brutally assaulted Rodney King, and people were legitimately angry about it. Latasha Harlins was murdered by one Korean store owner too. The rebellion caused 63 people to die and 12,111 people being arrested. Buildings were burned, and some innocent people were injured. Afterwards, token rulings against the assaulting cops came. Violent crime in LA has gone down since 1992, but gentrification is ever common. That is why there has been a massive exodus of African Americans from Los Angeles to the South and other parts of America. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew or a category 5 hurricane caused $36 billion in damage to Florida and other areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast. It was the second costliest natural disaster in American history (the first is of course Hurricane Katrina which came in 2005).  Terrorism and cults grew in the 1990’s too. By 1993, a truck bomb exploded in the parking garage under the World Trade Center in New York City. It killed six people and injured over a thousand. The attack was planned by a group of terrorists including Ramzi Yousef, Mahmud Abouhalima, Mohammad Salameh, Nidal A. Ayyad, Abdul Rahman Yasin, and Ahmed Ajaj. They received financing from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Yousef's uncle. In March 1994, four men were convicted of carrying out the bombing: Abouhalima, Ajaj, Ayyad, and Salameh. The charges included conspiracy, explosive destruction of property, and interstate transportation of explosives. In November 1997, two more were convicted: Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the bombings, and Eyad Ismoil, who drove the truck carrying the bomb. In 1993, the Branch Davidians standoff ended in fire near Waco, Texas. To this very day, debates existed about the federal government’s response. 81 people died including the cult leader David Koresh. Blizzards were found in the Eastern Seaboard in 1993 too.

The 1994 Northridge earthquake killed 72 and injured 9,000 in the Los Angeles area and caused $20 billion in damage. By 1994, OJ Simpson was arrested for the charge of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The later trial of OJ Simpson was the biggest trial of the century. It has tons of coverage, and it dealt with race, sex, power, and other issues. Back then, the trial divided Americans. Back then, most black people viewed OJ as innocent and most white people viewed him as guilty in America. He was acquitted by 1995, and it showed how many communities still had disagreements on many issues. OJ Simpson is known for his self-hatred. Today, most Americans view OJ as guilty. Carol Moseley-Braun was the first black woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992. Myrlie Evers-Williams became the first chairwoman of the NAACP. She was the widow of the slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Myrlie Evers-Williams helped to revitalize the NAACP. 1995 was the time of the Oklahoma City bombing. I remember the bombing when I was in sixth grade on April 1995. We know that Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were involved. They visited Elohim City prior to the attack. Many people died, and the country united to fight far right extremism. 750 people died in a heat wave in Chicago in 1995. The heat wave harmed the urban poor and elderly. The TWA Flight 800 exploded off Long Island that killed all 230 abroad. The Khobar Towers bombing killed 19 U.S. servicemen in Saudi Arabia. The historic 1995 Million Man March allowed tons of black men in Washington, D.C. to call for the redemption of society (and black men to take care of their communities and families). Louis Farrakhan (who is a conservative black NOI leader) advocated the march. It was controversy since women didn't have massive leadership say in the composition of the march. It was heavily praised by people from across the political spectrum despite the controversies. Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, and Jesse Jackson spoke at the march including Louis Farrakhan. The people in the march were right that black men collectively aren't criminals or degenerates. Likewise, it is important to note that respectability politics won't liberate black people. We need social, economic, and political empowerment (along with a specific policy agenda) done in progressive ways in order for real black liberation to occur. Not to mention that black people should never be blamed for every problem in the African American community. The 1996 Olympic was historic in Atlantic. There was a one bombing there that killed 1 person and injured 111 people. Also, the 1996 Olympic featured Muhammad Ali lighting the flame, and athletes shined. In 1997, about 1.5 million black women were in the Million Woman March in Philadelphia. The year of 1999 saw the terrible school shooting at Columbine. It was when racist teens Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 13 students and teachers at Columbine High School in Colorado. I was in the 10th grade when it happened. The tragedy sparked an international debate on gun control and bullying general. By the late 1990's, police brutality and hate crimes were abundant in America. James Byrd Jr. was dragged to death by white racists in Jasper, Texas. Many black churches were burned nationwide in America in the 1990's. NYPD officers victimized Abner Louima in NYC. Louima is a black Haitian immigrant. Protests existed nationwide including in NYC. By the end of 1999, people talked about the Y2K bug. Some people were afraid that computers would die as a product of Y2K. Preparations came, and Y2K didn’t happen. The 1990’s saw domestic problems shown in the forefront. It made us aware that our creative power was real, racism must be ended, and it showed our empathy towards the oppressed. The 1990’s was a time of self-discovery. 


Most of my childhood was in the 1990’s. I was 7 in 1990 and in 1999, I was 16 years old. Therefore, I have a great understanding and knowledge about the 1990’s. It was one of the most creative decades in human history. The 1990’s saw the rise of multiculturalism and the alternative media that continues to this very day. It saw the rise of new technology and the expansion of other technologies like cable television plus the World Wide Web. Also, that decade was creativity personified. The 1990’s had flavor from Puma, Nike, the songs, the dance, the music, TV shows, etc. The 1990’s had both a progressive impulse and a right wing movement (that saw the expansion of the death penalty and the growth of far right parties in Europe, India, etc.). Capital markets expanded including neo-liberalism. In the 1990’s, there was cloning of a sleep to make Dolly, gene therapy, and other events. The 1990’s saw the old school movies influenced culture and new CGI movies like Pixar’s Toy Story. Titanic was one film that became the highest grossing film of the decade. It came about in 1997 and grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide. James Cameron directed the film, and he directed Avatar, which became more grossing than Titanic. The renaissance of Disney movies were in the 1990’s like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. The film industry saw some of the greatest films of all time like Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace, Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Forrest Gump, The Sixth Sense, Men in Black, Ghost, Saving Private Ryan, Home Alone, The Shawshank Redemption, Mission Impossible, etc. We saw the film of Malcolm X that came about in 1992. It was one of the greatest films in history that outlined the life of the black hero Malcolm X. Spike Lee  directed the movie with funds from many black celebrities. Also, the 1990’s saw a golden age of African American television shows and movies. All of the 1990’s, I saw shows with people that looked like me as I am an African American. These shows outlined the diversity of black life in comedies, dramas, and even thrillers. Moesha was headed by Brandy. A Different World inspired black people to have a college career. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Family Matter have comedy, but they mixed important social messages too. Roc outlined the real working class Baltimore life story. Rhea showed the power of the black family. Hanging with Mr. Cooper, Smart Guy, and Sister Sister composed of family life.

Martin was one of the greatest comedic shows in history. There is nothing like that time. It is only recently in this decade of the 2010’s where some shows outline the diversity of the African American experience in a higher level. Back during the 1990’s, South Central, Living Single, The Jamie Foxx Show, the Parkers, The Wayans Brothers, The Steve Harvey Show, In Living Color, The PJs, Malcolm and Eddie, The Parent ‘Hood, Homeboys in Outer Space, and shows that I watched back then were groundbreaking. They gave many black actors and black actresses the opportunities to perfect their crafts. Black movies were just as powerful back then. Boyz in the Hood from 1991 accurately described life in the ghetto. Poetic Justice, Juice, and Menace II Society made us aware of many relationships in our community. House Party showed young black dancing in action. The Best Man was Generation X black Americans' stories coming alive. Dead Presidents and Higher Learning made us aware of the complexities of problems from war to college life. How Stella Got Her Groove Back in 1998 made us aware that middle aged black women need love, dignity, and respect too. Posse honored the black experienced in the West from the 19th century. The Temptations was a classic movie as well. New Jersey Drive exposed police brutality, crime, and other complications. Boomerang showed black people in the corporate world. South Central was an emotional tale about a black man risking his life to save his son. Independent films were abundant too. TV shows in general made us see the individual lives of families, kids, adults, and everyday, ordinary human beings. Friends, Living Single, Seinfeld, Cheers, The Nanny, the Simpsons, etc. were totally different shows. They were similar in either displaying family life or characterizing the lives of close friends. The 1990’s didn’t play it safe though. Many shows were controversial like South Park, Beavus and Buthead, The Sopranos, Oz, and Showtime movies that pushed the envelope. The 1990’s in general was about experimentation to see how far people can go in human expression.


The music of the 1990’s was iconic as well. Every genre of music during the 1990’s saw innovations, expansion of financial growth, and further re-invention. One major tend of the music of the 1990’s was the growth of iconic musical bands. There was the growth of hip-hop music to be a multibillion dollar institution. Teen pop and dance pop were commonplace. Rock, grunge, and country were very popular. Contemporary R&B music plus urban music remained very powerful. There were fusion genres like new jack swing, neo-soul, hip hop soul, and g-funk too. They merged the styles of soul, funk, and jazz. Electronic music and techno plus house remained visible from the 1980’s and into the 1990’s. Reggae music existed into another level of vitality. One of the most unique developments of the music of the 1990’s was the rise of alternative rock. Bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains,  No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Pearl Jam, REM, etc. talked about many issues from love to angst about how society will go on. Back in the early 1990’s, there was a recession. Therefore, many individuals were confused about how the future would develop. Country music reached into new heights with groups like Brooks and Dunn, Shania Twain, Hootie and the Blowfish, Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, and other artists. Many singer songwriters expressed themselves during the 1990’s with musicians like Norah Jones, Dido, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, Lisa Loeb, Liz Phair, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, etc. Pop music was dominated by artists like Michael Jackson with his albums like Dangerous (1991) and History (1995). Teenagers in many cases loved pop bands like the Backstreet Boys, Nsync, Britney Spears, the Spice Girls, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, 98 Degrees, Christina Aguilera, etc. Early members of Generation Y came to their concerts nationwide. Janet Jackson’s historic The Velvet Rope came about in October 1997 and it touched on many issues from love to human relations. Throughout the 1990's, Janet Jackson showed her independent spirit, and she wasn't ashamed of her expression at all. Madonna and Celine Dion made successful albums too. Contemporary Rhythm and Blues had another golden age of talent. Whitney Houston made classic record after record in the 1990’s. She made just joyful songs and ballads like I Will Always Love You (1992), Step by Step (1996), etc. Mariah Carey was one of the successful women artists of all time. From her Vision of Love album to other projects, many of her records define the 1990’s musically. Boyz II Men are known for their soulful harmonies. They were from the great city of Philadelphia. The super group of TLC promoted women’s empowerment and had fans worldwide. The 1990’s just had a dream team of artists in R&B like: Faith Evans, Lauryn Hill, Sade, En Vogue, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Dru Hill, Vanessa L. Williams, Groove Theory, Bell Biv Devoe, Jodeici, Diana King, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Silk, SWV, Blaque, Brandy, Monica,  702, Tara Kemp, Brownstone, Shanice, Usher, Mya, Total, Tevin Campbell, Next, Babyface, Xscape, etc. Dance music was shown in the 1990’s with artists like Cece Peniston, Crystal Waters, Robin Stone, and other artists.

By the mid to late 1990’s, neo-soul arose. D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell shined their musical talents which blurred the line between R&B and hip hop. Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) remains her only studio album; it received critical acclaim. Some suggesting it was the greatest neo-soul album of all time. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 19 million copies worldwide, spawning the singles "Doo Wop (That Thing)", "Ex-Factor", and "Everything Is Everything." At the 41st Grammy Awards, the album earned her five Grammy Awards, including the Album of the Year. By the 1990’s, hip hop expanded from New York City into Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Seattle, Miami, and other places. Dr. Dre expanded his music with The Chronic in 1992. Gangsta rap was very popular, and it was criticized not only by conservatives but by some liberals too (for its usage of the N word, words about women, and it was accused of glamorizing violence). Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay Z, DMX, Will Smith, Busta Rhymes, Eazy-E, LL Cool J, Nas (with his album Illmatic that was released in 1993), Wu Tang Clan, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, Master P, Missy Elliot, Trina, Bone Thugs and Harmony, the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, and other major artists dominated the charts. Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. were the greatest, most influential hip hop artists of the 1990’s. Their rivalry was personal, especially after Tupac was shot in NYC in 1994. The media with magazines like Vibe agitated the so-called “East Coast v. West Coast” beef, and both artists were murdered in mysterious circumstances (in 1996 and 1997).  The 1990’s saw electronic music explode. Pop artists like Seal, Ricky Martin, Jamiroquai, and others excelled too. The 1990’s was just one exciting decade. I’m appreciative to live through it.

By Timothy