Could there be another Watts Rebellion?

[Smiley and West]

This is the 45th anniversary of the Watts rebellion and it's been said that the conditions are not that dissimilar.  Of course 45 years ago, what made this powder keg explode was arbitrary police misconduct.  In present economy, does it still have the capacity to light this fuse . . . the fuse is still smelling like petro.

[Christopher Kellam]

I believe there certainly could be, but a lot has changed in 45 years. I believe the social programs in place alleviate a lot of that potential. People don't want to bite the hand that feeds them and those that are still able to scrape by do not have an overwhelming feeling of injustice that existed 45 years ago. Not to mention the overall fear or better yet, lack of courage to get involved with something like that. I'm not so sure our communities are close enough in a family-like nature where we would come together in a wave of dissent as prolific as the Watts rebellion.

[sharon lovely]

History repeats itself and without a doubt the circumstances are very similar today...their is civil unrest in our communities and citizens are tired of being the have nots in a world of plenty.If these conditions continue to mount(lack of quality education for all, unemployment,racial tention,turf wars here and abroad,homelessness,economic unbalance for the poor and working class, the New Jim Crow, children in the U.S. that know the pain of hunger...)then we will see Watts in every city USA if it gets hot enough...people will snap like the sound of that" strange fruit on them southern trees"and it will look like a race war ...only all brothers of all colors will submerge...there will be no safe haven in these police states.We must stand up,speak out,and be a proactive voice for change! America belongs to the people.

[Tessa Byrd]

I certainly believe it is possible. The final straw may or may not concern law enforcement. I believe as more and more Americans become members of the "permanent underclass" with no relief in sight an attitude of "what do I have to lose?", will prevail..... there is logic in this rational...
As more and more people say....I am under and unemployed...I live in declining cities with increases in poverty, crime, & illiteracy... The focus of government relief is on Wall street and I live on Main street....
All conditions conducive to rebellion.....

[Eddie Otero]

Re: Watts Rebellion: We need another rebellion for all the misjustice we have suffered by the hands of the "Good Old Boys" Ku Klux Klan tribe of Police. The police are out of control! I believe a rebellion would be great for America! burn city! burn city burn!!! (Watch the Ice Cube Video of the LA Riots)