Prior to reflecting on the Watts Riots, the Honorable Steve Bradford, who is currently a candidate for California State Senate spoke with ReelUrbanNews.com about the importance of celebrating African American history and heritage. “It’s monumental. The problem is that we don’t teach our history. We don’t teach it on any level. But it’s so important for not only my generation but the generation that is coming behind us. Our parents and forefathers made the ultimate sacrifice. This country was built on African American labor, their sacrifices, their blood sweat and tears.”
“I was five years old when the Watts Riots took place and my father owned a record shop on 79th and Western. Fortunately it wasn’t vandalized. But we were impacted by those Watts Riots. It was a culmination of people being frustrated. Sadley there’s been a lot of progress but many of those same people are frustrated today, it’s just a different generation. The unemployment rate is higher today than it was 50 years ago. The dropout rate is higher today than it was 50 years ago. The incarceration rate of African Americans is higher today than it was 50 years ago. So in many ways where is the progress? We’ve made it individually but collectively I think there is still a whole lot of work to do for African Americans.”
At the close of our conversation with Mr. Bradford, we asked him about the future of our country in terms of race relations and equality for all. “My hope for America is that we realize that all lives matter and that we’re here together. We’re one planet and one people. Until we pay women the same equitable pay as the man instead of 77 cent on the dollar, we won’t advance as a nation and we won’t advance as a country. We have to come together. We are our brothers keepers. We need to live together, work together in order to survive together.”
Photo Credit: Otis Mitchell/ReelUrbanImages
