I began my research of this project with a curiosity of what Watts used to look like. Then the more I found out about Watts, the more I realized that most of what I knew about the community I live in is from what I had seen on the news and from school about the infamous Watts Riots. I found that I didn’t know the Watts I live in now or at all really. 

I always felt this feeling of disappointment from my mom about where we lived. I could tell that a big part of that came from people looking at Watts from the outside, who made her feel that way. I wanted to create something that showed more than what was portrayed from people who don’t even live here. To show that Watts is more than news headlines, more than the riots, more than stereotypes… It's my home, something to be proud of. 

I believe and hope this short documentary allows for audiences to have a new perspective on Watts and the programs that continue to enrich it. To show the history of Watts in a new light without sugar coating or avoiding certain truths about its past. 

References 

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Cali’s Most Dangerous. (2022, August 2). Who are the Bounty Hunter Bloods? | the story of the most notorious and biggest blood gang in Watts. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Youtube 

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