The origins of the Watts Riot - 1965

While the history of the Civil Rights movement is often told through the lens of the Deep South—Selma, Birmingham, and the marches of Dr. King—a different kind of struggle was brewing in the West. In this episode, we dive into the origins and systemic causes of the 1965 Watts Riots in Los Angeles.

Drawing from Mike Davis and Jon Wiener’s Set the Night on Fire, we explore the "economic flytrap" that snared Black youth in Southern California. We discuss the transition from the legal victories of the early 60s to the harsh realities of "hidden...