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
Arcade Fire, Owen Pallet. (2021, March 19). Photograph. Retrieved May 1, 2024
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
CBS News. (2023, August 27). Police investigation launched after man found shot to death behind wheel of truck in Watts. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Youtube
Eazy-E. (1996, January 30). Creep n Crawl. Retrieved May, 1 2024
FOX 11. (2021, July 19). Murder investigation underway in Watts. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Youtube
Gilbert, S. (2023, November 24). Tales from the Hood: LA’s street gang culture – in pictures. [Screenshot] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from The Guardian
Gish, W. (2021, September 23). 21 startling photos of gangs in Los Angeles during the ’80s and ’90s.[Screenshot] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Ranker
Home. (2024, April 17). [Screenshots] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from esrbc
Ignaz Friedman, Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Banowetz. (2016, August 12). Flute Sonata in E-Flat Major, BWV 1031: II. Siciliano (arr. I. Friedman for piano). Retrieved May 1, 2024
KTLA 5. (2023, August 18). LAPD confirms police shooting in Watts. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Youtube
KTLA 5. (2024, February 13). Police investigate 2 shootings within 3 blocks in Watts. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Youtube
Meakin, K. (2020, February 7). Watts, California (1903- ) [Screenshot] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Blackpast
Michael, T. (2017, February 20). Incredible pictures show the brutal reality of life in notorious La street gangs the Varrio Longos in the 1990s. [Screenshot] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from The Sun
National Guard with assistance from Los Angeles Police Department (1965, August 11 to 1965, August 17) Watts riots, 1965. Retrieved May 1, 2024 from USC Libraries
Quora. (n.d.). [Screenshot] Retrieved May 2, 2024, from Quora
says:, A., says:, M. K., Says:, I. S. A. T., O/G MOUSE LOC DIE HARD PJWC 114 says:, says:, R., says:, W. U., … Says:, K. com. (2017, July 9). PJ Watts Crips. [Screenshot] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from UnitedGangs
says:, K. S., says:, K. K., says:, D. M., says:, egms14510, says:, A., says:, Y., … says:, D. (2017, July 9). West side piru. [Screenshot] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from UnitedGangs
Sonksen, M. (2022, January 27). New visions and fresh starts in Watts and South Los Angeles. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from PBS Socal
Vazquez, M. (2023, July 18). CII’s building on success: A watts community hub. [Screenshots] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from Children’s Institute
Watts Re:imagined. (2021, October 22). [Screenshots] Retrieved May 1, 2024, from SGA Marketing
YeeWilliam. (2022, May 24). Watts. Retrieved March 27, 2024 from USC Libraries