Lindsey Hernandez grew up in Imperial Courts, a public housing complex in Watts, where gunfire was a common sound. Despite this, she recalls an atmosphere of warmth and community support. The legacy of the Watts Riots continues to shape her community, influencing challenges like public safety. As a member of the Watts Rising Youth Advisory Group, Hernandez reflects on her education about the 1965 unrest and expresses a desire for increased safety in the neighborhood while acknowledging ongoing efforts to improve the situation.
Some nights, the 17-year-old woke up to the sound of gunfire, sometimes to news that someone had died. But what she remembers most is the warmth: neighbors who hugged her when she shared good news, elders who prayed over her, and the feeling of being deeply cared for.
Lindsey Hernandez, who didn’t know much about the 1965 unrest, learned through community programs how it shaped the neighborhood and the challenges still affecting residents.
She said she would like having a little bit more safety here, just a little bit more safety. But we're already trying to work on that too. So I think in the coming years, that should be something that we see more.
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