Series:

Twenty-Five Years of Community Organizing and Institution Building in the Aftermath of Watts: 1965-1990

Topic:

African American History

Social Movements

Community Activism

Biographical Note:

Associate professor of sociology at Loyola Marymount University (LMU.) Founder of LMU’s African American Studies Department.

Interviewer:

Stevenson, Alva Moore

Interviewee:

Davis, John

Persons Present:

Davis and Stevenson

Place Conducted:

not known.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Alva Moore Stevenson, Series Coordinator, UCLA Center for Oral History Research; B.A., English, UCLA; M.A., African American Studies (Latin American Concentration).

Processing of Interview:

The interview is available in the form of the audio files and table of contents. These were not reviewed by the interviewee.

Length:

2 hrs.

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Series Statement:

This series documents community organizations and institutions that arose in the aftermath of the Watts Rebellion to address issues such as education, employment, healthcare, housing, transportation, and police harassment. The first phase of the series involved interviews with key organizers of the Black Congress, an umbrella organization of Black activist groups whose purpose was to reconstruct the community.

Early Childhood in La Grange, Georgia—Segregated yet nurturing nature of La Grange—African Americans taking care of one another—Davis’s Grandparents—Morehouse College Outreach to East Depot High School—Trumped-up charges against Davis’s Brother Forrest—How Incident Influence Resolve to Fight Racism—Trip to California by Train—Living in West Temple district of Los Angeles—Davis’s Impressions of Los Angeles—Less-nurturing nature of the city and the schools—Good relations between Black and Latino schoolchildren—Social relationships mostly with Blacks—High School Tracking into Menial Occupations—Social Life—Location of Eastside and Westside in Los Angeles—Central Avenue—Black Professionals—Employment at Community Linen Rentals—Decision to attend UCLA—Racial climate on campus—Close-knit Black Community on the Campus—Service in U.S. Army—Army’s replication of racial caste system in Germany—Friendship with German citizen—Different Nature of Prejudice—White Soldiers Reactions to Interracial Relationships—Environment at UCLA after Serving in the Military—Coop as Meeting Place for Black Students—Gang Delinquency Project—Numbers of Black Students—High Potential Program as a Center of Activism—Effect of Community Activism on the Campus—Galvanizing Effect of Malcolm X’s Speech—Watts Rebellion in 1965—Experience with National Guard—Harnessing Energy of the Rebellion.

More on harnessing energy of the people during the Watts Rebellion—Beginning of Davis’s involvement with Black Congress—Key Players—Funding of the Congress—Role of churches—Mission and philosophy—Black politicians supportive of the Congress—Mission and goals of Social Action Training Center—Culturally-specific and cross-cultural training methods—March with United Farmworkers in Delano and César Chávez—Success of Training Center and its participants—How Black Congress Managed Dissension—Charisma and influence of Walter Bremond—Supporters from outside the community—Tension with LAPD—Involvement of Black Panther Party in Congress—Tensions between Panthers and US Organization—Tensions between US and Nation of Islam—Panthers who were former gang members--Search for director of UCLA Afro American Studies department—Involvement of then-Chancellor Charles Young—Shootings of John Huggins and “Alprentice” Bunchy Carter and their effect—Organizing Black Studies and Chicano Studies programs—Balancing organizational and larger community needs—Church involvement in the Congress—Factors which contributed to demise of Congress—“Winning” versus “Gaining”—Martin Luther King, Jr. Assassination.