August 1965 Watts Riots

DHS US History II

On August 11, 1965, an African-American was pulled over for allegedly drunk driving in a predominantly black neighborhood in Los Angeles. The man behind the wheel was Marquette Frye and was arrested by two white police officers for reckless driving. The situation escalated when Frye’s mother arrived at the scene of the arrest and a crowd of spectators gathered at the corner of the street. Premeditated distrust for the police force and acts of physical aggression led the witnesses to believe that this arrest was yet another incident of racially motivated police brutality. A dangerous and violent six days followed, as the community rioted together against police racism and unwarranted brutality. The riots resulted in 34 deaths and over 40 million dollars in property damage; it was the city’s worst unrest until the infamous Rodney King riots in 1992. Leading up to societal revolt, Los Angeles racially prohibited minorities from renting or buying property in certain areas and ethnically divided the city. This caused a racism battle within property and many white people believed in the stereotypical assumptions of black men; that included the LAPD. When the riots began, chief of police, William H. Parker called for assistance from the California Army National Guard. Thousands of law enforcers attempted to maintain order on the streets but only further escalated the furiousness of the community. "The streets of Watts resembled an all-out war zone in some far-off foreign country, it bore no resemblance to the United States of America." White-owned stores were looted and burned down as over 31,000 participated in the riots while 70,000 were “sympathetic, but not active.” For far too many years, African Americans held their heads high as they were oppressed and discriminated by society. The morally unsound act of racism has haunted the United States since its birth. The Civil Rights movement was the triumphant and powerful impact created by African Americans in hope for change. While many acts were peaceful, some were violent as the fury from being oppressed bottled over when police use their power to intentionally harass, beat and kill African Americans. The issue of police brutality still runs hot and the Watts Riots played part in not only pushing for civil rights, but also righteously demanding it. Police brutality is a dishonorable and disgusting act that cannot continue. How many lives does it take to end this conflict? We are equal, that is no debate. Frye, King, Till and Martin are only a few of the victims of police brutality. Regardless of the color of a man’s skin, there is no excuse. The Watts Riots was a reflection and reaction of the Civil Rights movement and the unhurriedness of the government to make drastic and desperate changes.