On the last evening of 2013 and the first morning of 2014, I spent a few hours in the Nickerson Garden Housing Projects. The Nickerson’s are located in the storied community of Watts; a significant artery in South Central, Los Angeles.
I was granted unprecedented access to this community of public housing. I was able to capture video and photos of young people who occupy the streets of Watts while witnessing and enduring the continued economic erosion of their beloved community.
The history of Watts is a well-documented element of American History. Known for the Watts Riots in 1965, this community like so many other urban centers throughout the nation has yet to recover from the tragedy that accompanies race riots and civil unrest.
When I arrived on New Year’s Eve in the Nickerson’s, I found a large white tent erected in a parking lot. The white tent was identical to those tents often seen on television entertainment programs, used to host celebrity parties in West Los Angeles, and Hollywood. No celebrities would be attending this party and we were nearly 20 miles to the south of Hollywood, her bright lights glitz and glam.
A seasoned veteran of the Bounty Hunter’s, the local gang that call the Nickerson’s home, described the evening’s festivities. “We’re just right here chillin, throwing a little New Year’s Eve Bash. Free taco’s, free food and live D.J. We’re just giving back to the projects. We love the projects. We give back to our community with our hard work and hard earned money.”
As the evening progressed and young men and women gathered in parking lots and open spaces adjacent to the white tent, the Los Angeles Police Department increased it’s patrol of 114th street.
Another member of the Bounty Hunter’s expressed his anger with the way the sprawling housing project and her residents appear to be overlooked by officials with the City of Los Angeles. “All we get is a waxed floor every two years in the gym. That’s it!” 
There were no Champaign fountains or caviar dreams on hand New Year’s Eve in the Nickerson Gardens. However there was an abundance of love, admiration, comradery and hope. The faces of young Black men holding up gangs signs signaled so much more. Their eyes were filled with optimism as they searched for a brighter day. 
The young ladies attending the New Year’s Eve bash exuded an air of anticipation wrapped in confidence. Their strong confidence was radiant and on display in the warmth of the Southern California evening.
It’s safe to say all efforts to recover Watts from the riots of 1965 have failed. Generations of African American’s living in this community continue to suffer at a large and costly rate.
Covered in a red baseball cap, light blue hoodie, another member of the Bounty Hunter’s provided his perspective on the living condition in the Nickerson Garden Housing Projects. “The young people, they have nothing to do. They’re out of school and you ain’t providing no jobs or nothing for the people over here. It’s always something when you’re trying to get a job with the Housing Authority. It’s always negative. Either you have a felony on your record or you have to be a certain person to get a job.”
In a final conversation with a member of the Bounty Hunter’s and prior to leaving the violence free New Year’s Eve Bash, the young man who appeared to be in his late 20’s with braids hanging all around his head shared the following while peering through his eyeglasses, “We don’t care and we don’t give a – – – -! We’re not bad people, y’all make us bad people.
Note:This is the first of a series of articles and video content that will provide and share exclusive insight into the community of Watts and the people who reside in the South Central, Los Angeles neighborhood.
By: Michael G. Reel
Editor and Executive Producer
ReelUrbanNews.com
