David Dinkins, now a professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, became the first African-American elected to the office of New York City Mayor. He talks about New York twenty years ago--and this year's mayoral race. http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2009/07/29/segments/137559

Not sure if this provides the perspective you are looking for, but it is recent coverage of the riots.