Watts Riot Research Paper

To understand the Watts Riot, one has to understand there were many causes for Negros to seek change. Many Negros in the south were subject to physical and emotional violence for many years. Negros' had decided change needed to happen in order for them to have equal treatment. Turmoil within the Negros' communities divided them; because some Negros believed the answer was to protest peacefully while many other Negros believed violence was the answer for change to happen.

The Watts Riot began August 11, 1965 as white cops stopped two black occupants of a car for drunk driving. One of the occupants, Marquette, lost composure while being arrested. The other occupant, Ronald Frye, tried to prevent the arrest of Marquette and a fight erupted between them and the police officer. In response to the commotion a crowed began to gather and more police officers were called to control the situation. "The Watts Riots lasted for six days, resulting in 34 deaths, 1,032 injuries and 4,000 arrests, involving 34,000 people and ending in the destruction of 1,000 buildings, totaling $40 million in damages." (History.com staff) The Watts Riots is an example of people venting built-up frustration for hundreds …show more content…
The Negro community did not feel accepted into the American culture therefor, they began to seek out their own identity and as we can see the movement change to a more militant view. I believe the watts riot was a great insight of what was to come, with the Negro community. The Negro Community began to use Slogans such as "black power" and connecting back to their roots. In addition, the death of Martin Luther King as some peaceful activist gave was to groups like the Black Panther and leaders such as Malcom X. The Negro community began to feel empowered like never before, they had found a new