But as more households began buying camcorders to document their lives for posterity, many didn't realize that they were now armed with technology that had the power to expose government abuses to the entire country.

A major reason the 1991 police beating of Rodney King became such a sensationalized instance was that it was one of the first times such an event was captured on film and broadcast for the whole world to see.

Suddenly, it seemed as though the scales of power were tipping. Now armed with technology that could prove the systematic abuse that had been so rampant for years, especially in communities of color, justice could finally be served. Or so we thought.

And yet, even with the disturbing footage of the altercation being broadcast repeatedly on network television, the officers involved were acquitted of all charges alleging excessive force. Outraged that justice was averted despite all the incriminating evidence, the residents of Los Angeles were frustrated and their rage boiled over into riots that continued for almost a week before angry crowds finally dispersed.