3. Watts, Los Angeles
Watts began as a working-class haven for African American families shut out of other Los Angeles neighborhoods. Decades of segregation and neglect boiled over in 1965, erupting into the infamous Watts Riots—a flashpoint that exposed deep wounds of poverty, discrimination, and police brutality. Despite community efforts toward renewal, Watts continues to battle economic hardship and strained relations with law enforcement. Explore further in the LA Times archives.
