LA’s Most Dangerous Hood Explained | Imperial Courts

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Imperial Courts is a public housing project located in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It gained notoriety as one of the most historically significant housing developments in the city. Constructed in the 1940s, Imperial Courts was one of the first public housing projects in LA.
Chapters:
00:00 - The divide between LA Neighbourhoods
01:05 - The History of Los Angeles Watts Neighbourhoods
02:27 - an overview on Imperial Courts
05:50 - The Downfall of Watts and Imperial Courts
09:97 - When Imperial Courts went from bad to worse
11:15 - How Community efforts may have saved the people of Imperial Courts
13:37 - How a Rap Studio created a community in Imperial courts
IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
» CONTACT
For brands, agencies, and sponsorships: [e-mail]
/ itshistoryonair
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Brent Sapp
Editor - Karolina Pleskot
Host - Ryan Socash
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@ITSHISTORY]

To start comparing quotes and simplify insurance-buying, check out Policygenius: Policygenius.com/itshistory. Thanks to Policygenius for sponsoring this video!

[@FaxChecker-rq5yv]

"What could cause, this, WW2 housing project...." Datz RAZIST, yo!

[@day1complete785]

You don't no about my city or my neighborhood😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@day1complete785]

Hit me up if you want tour of my city 💪🏿

[@FaxChecker-rq5yv]

@@day1complete785 Both your comments exemplify what befell a once beautiful neighborhood.

[@ikelove6784]

Thank you for covering these types of stories and all your other stories. You cover things that most people simply can't appreciate.

[@loganvalen6183]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@jetsons101]

Ryan, this was a great watch, lots of information and vintage photos to help tell the story. As my high school history teacher would say "Learn from the past for a better future."

[@sicZ32]

@karlwithak. I'm sure his teacher meant it in a personal sense...not "learn history and go stop the next war from happening"

[@hookahdoncic7559]

I’m from the Nickerson Gardens and I was forced to go to Jordan High school, it was the school easiest for my grandma to get to if anything were to happen, she opposed me going to Locke which might have been closer just because I knew too many people. I used to get jumped everyday like crazy, a few of them even ended with me having a concussion. I mind you I don’t gang bang at all and even through all of that every day I still graduated thank God 🙏🏽

[@michaelmoorrees3585]

I grew up in the greater Los Angeles area. There are different levels of "hood-iness" in what's referred to as south central Los Angeles. The area mentioned in this video, the quadrant north east of the 110/105 junction, ~Imperial Hwy, is the scariest neighborhood, as opposed to the area around USC and the Coliseum, which I refer to as "the Hood, light", though not the safest, is not nearly as dangerous. I was a small child when the Watts riots happened (1965), which my father called the LA riots, as it expanded well outside Watts. Later repeated in 1992, after the acquittal, of the cops that beat Rodney King, sparked that riot. The 1992 riot centered around Florence & Normandy, a couple of miles north west of Watts. That one expanded all the way up into Hollywood, where I was working at the time. The Northridge Earthquake was in 1994, and had no relation to the riot, other than the freeway (210 Lakeview Terrace area), on which Rodney King was beat, was near a connecting bridge that was collapsed by that quake.

[@Diggi1027]

I am from the Jordan down projects. I moved to Arizona in 2011. I went back in 2013 to visit my grandmother who had moved in the imperial courts by then. I was with my family and my 8 month old daughter when I went to visit them, A dude approached me with my fkn 8 month old daughter asking me where I am from. Another dude had to get him away from me telling him that "No his grandmother stays in here right next to me, hes good" Mind you, I HAD MY FKN 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN MY HAND!!!

[@Beatbyawhiteboy]

Should've went to visit her dressed in all 🍇🍇🍇

[@cameronvaughn8434]

*Month

[@macblick5842]

@@Beatbyawhiteboy 🤣🤣🤣

[@giggiddy]

Nothing but Feral animals in there. Grandma can't afford something better?

[@Robotdad474]

@@giggiddy Ferrell lol

[@classic.cameras]

Ryan Socash is an amazing Historian. Thanks for sharing all this crap we woudl never ever have know about otherwise. Its an amazing thing! Love it!

[@avkay12]

No he's not. He's a Woke Historian. All CRT, all day, all night, all the time.

[@reddog-ex4dx]

Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles. HACLA When you pronounce HACLA you have to do it like a cat coughing up a fur ball.

[@Afrowarrior55]

Awesome video!!! I learned something I didn’t know about this place and i live 3 miles away!!! Great job bro

[@supersat]

I almost didn't watch this because the KZbin thumbnail has a red border, which looks like the red progress bar in watched videos...

[@karencourtney-smith3587]

Grew up in the San Fernando Valley, (Born 1965). Not until you get older, do you learn the history of L.A.

[@GeneralZapta213]

You should do a sub series on Los Angeles Housing Projects and historical neighborhoods. Id be happy to assist and actually take you to these sites.

[@citizenjournalist2401]

It looks like a prison camp.

[@typxxilps]

history repeats itself and especially in the USA over and over again . Wasn't the outcome of an eartquake in LA pretty much the same in the 90s ?

[@MrKnjwhite]

Great historical account of my city. I am from Watts and will forever love my city.

[@LambentLark]

I never knew the Watt's riots started over a drunk driving arrest. I was a baby when it happened and we live far away. There was no internet back then, or even a public library where I lived. Even though I wondered what happened, even as a kid I knew nothing happens in a vacuum, there wasn't a way for me to find out. Now there is and I'm able to do research in my extra hours. I keep thinking, there has to be a way to break the hate that built up before the riots and has infected our country like a cancer since. Answer's to the present and future are written in the events of the past. MLK asked: "What has Watt's gotten us?" It has created a chasm. If all the energy, money, time, and effort each person used to create the chaos of that riot and used it to improve and fix the problems they community was facing, where would we be now? How much better would the world be if people chose not to be violent?

[@ashtonturner2862]

If you're from L.A., you should know this.

[@greenfuzz13]

"Rivers of Blood, Years of Darkness" by Robert Conot is a detailed and thorough book about the Watts riots and the circumstances that created this perfect storm of rage and destruction.

[@jantschierschky3461]

Visited the watts tower about 10 years ago. Was interesting visit, all quit so.

[@leechjim8023]

You left out the '92 riot.

[@localblackman427]

The 92 riot didnt start in Watts. It started in southvla

[@Soundbrigade]

When I was still into politics, my main interest was in city development. Over here in Sweden, 1/3 of citizens live in their own houses, 1/3 in condos and 1/3 in rented apartments. Most of cities and towns are built with these three cathegories divided, however where the various housings are more integrated, schools in that area shows fewer drop-outs, the area is socially more stabile than more segregated areas. However in our town, a newly built area with 5-600 apartments, city planners have managed to mix the various types. As always, very interesting and I cannot but think of the similar area in C Chicago.

[@yourgooglemeister6745]

Yes but the country is 100% white. You forgot to mention that

[@DeanStephen]

Yikes, what a tasteless segue. I assume the insurance companies suggested that.

[@ligmasack9038]

You kidding; the Watts "Community" refuses to even work for a living; so they sure as Hell can't afford Life Insurance!🤣

[@steveschu]

I have no respect for gangs or people in gangs.

[@gunsbeersmemes]

Man, Jacksonville Florida is old Watts

[@MatthewCaban]

I only knew this from TV and GTA. Very interesting to learn about its history!

[@trucompozer]

@@MatthewCaban that's the nickerson gardens in GTA

[@dannydaw59]

The Imperial courts remind me of the one in the TV series "Snowfall".

[@8BallBroadway]

I think it was suppose to be the PJs but the projects they were actually in is in pacoima hood vlogs did a vlog there

[@markrix]

In Detroit we leveled ours, nice big fenced in field now... Maybe they will level the entire city next 😂

[@leeatterberry1239]

We got those where I live we call them ,💩 holes

[@kennethvenezia4400]

President JOHNSON, not President JOHNSTON. Just for future reference. 😊

[@user-yg1mh1sz8n]

Not exactly Mr. Rogers neighborhood

[@mnoliberal7335]

Life insurance is a no-brained if you move to Imperial/Watts.

[@inkfromthebrain]

GPS tried to send me through there on my ebike yesterday I was like fuck that and cut around. Google will set you up 😂

[@stanjuice]

We all know what caused it.

[@ChowOne1]

Freeway Ricky and the CIA.

[@mikeseier4449]

The story about the riots reminds me of a few years ago after the people burned and looted the neighborhood stores,.. They interviewed a woman who complained that the company wouldn’t reopen the market!!.. That is how ignorant some of these people are?!

[@tHebUm18]

Would you not be upset if your neighbors did something you had no part in and suddenly couldn't buy food? Food deserts are a serious problem in many impoverished areas. Maybe she can't afford a car an now it's an hour+ trip to get groceries walking miles or taking crappy American public transit. Look at all the petty crap people bicker about with respect to HOAs like leaving their garbage cans out too long. Doesn't seem ignorant to complain about it being a serious challenge to feed yourself/your family in the richest country in the world.

[@mikeseier4449]

@@tHebUm18 Perhaps if her neighbors and her people were more respectful of other’s property and rights, And they raised their children correctly these things wouldn’t happen?!

[@tHebUm18]

​@@mikeseier4449 Why didn't she just not be born into cyclic poverty!? It's just that simple. Not like the US has a long history of creating a structural (often overtly racist) poverty trap: don't fund schools in poor areas undermining education, poor jobs available locally due to lack of educated labor, poor public transit to work elsewhere w/o a car they can't afford, no banking available forcing cash use giving an advantage to any would-be thieves, lack of funding/public spaces for activities leaving the youth with nothing wholesome/productive to do, redlining literally legally banning relocating to areas with better employment prospects/schools for your children. If only everyone worried about where their/their children's next meal is coming from spent more time developing their character instead of focusing on their stomach pains, they'd be set! She alone can not fix a systemic long term problem--hell, her entire community clearly lacks the resources to do it. And it doesn't help when communities with resources to help instead demonize the people that live there instead of having empathy that our fellow Americans are in such a situation--bearing in mind that generations before us (and still happening today) often very intentionally helped put those communities in that spot as a place to focus "undesirables" that kept them out of their community.

[@jovannyhernandez5215]

Make a Compton video !

[@FaxChecker-rq5yv]

I think he already did

[@soooluscious5636]

Who is president Johnston? 😅

[@freetolook3727]

The president after Klennedy and before Nixston! 😂😂😂

[@bak-mariterry5180]

​Pure Ebonix . 😆😅🤣

[@xmassan20906]

Maybe a nice dude from Okinawa can teach you karate?

[@crippleguy415]

Any chance to rob a liquor store or steal some televisions . So much class . 😒

[@freetolook3727]

@2:22 Do you see a problem with those train tracks? Look close at the bottom center of the photo.

[@ryshow9118]

It's a switch, kiddo. They are in use all over the world every day thousands of times 😅

[@freetolook3727]

Doesn't look like one.

[@freetolook3727]

If a train were to run over that "switch", it would derail.

[@ryshow9118]

@@freetolook3727 you are correct that if a train ran over the incomplete rail that they'd derail. The switch that we're referring to is an offset and doesn't effect thru traffic unless needed. It's basically a boarding or loading byway

[@jetsons101]

The photo was taken at a "switch track" What you see may be a "wing rail," "guide rail" or a "check rail." Hard to tell as there is so little of the switch in the photo.

[@0nac1d]

i literally live like 3 mins away from it😭

[@professor9347]

It's not the location, it's not the police, it's not people outside their area, it is the people who live there. Their lifestyle is different than most Americans. Their kids form or join gangs, sell drugs, commit various crimes, vandalize their own community, while kids in other areas are out playing sports, games, or doing their homework. Most homes are single mothers on welfare with no work ethic and no desire to raise their children with values of hard work and honesty. They teach their kids how to hate, be selfish, live off other people, the world of alcohol and drugs, and all of the other inner city teachings that differ from most of America. They blame the system for not getting their free stuff and see cops as the enemy because they are the criminals. This is who they are.

[@giggiddy]

Spot on. But the hypocrite posers dont accept that as the fact that it is.

[@Throawei]

So how do we turn Detroit around. What'd they do.

[@jimmyjams9036]

I wonder how long that recording studio lasted

[@ROkkstar1687]

Damn LA looks rough

[@jayeskool318]

It looks beautiful compared to New Orleans, Baltimore, or Camden NJ...

[@uberlpn]

No better then the warlords of Bosnia or Africa.......and it is allowed! Cali what a loving, peaceful, and understanding state!

[@johnalder6028]

They euphemistically call it cultural enrichment. The same mess is developing in Fargo North Dakota.

[@moriahmelon]

I lived in area away from there for two years and as a young woman I'm afraid to walk there alone

[@Shitbird3249]

Oh yeah there bud.

[@jaimezavala4078]

Dope south la finally

[@CarsandCats]

Lo's of tip-toeing by Ryan through this video. Grow a set and tell it like it is!

[@Snarf_Le_Wombat]

For real, can't blame Whitey for this one 😂

[@jpomposo]

Ladies and gentlemen: I present dumb and dumber ^^^

[@mr.badluck8004]

Los Angeles is no joke.

[@artijon]

President Johnston?

[@m.e344]

Imperial courts and Watts area is amazing place, I got to visit last year through this organization called the dream Center, which is a huge impact on the communities in LA just giving them life and love and opportunities and connections to live a good life.

[@littlebird1065]

Didn’t it used to be called Maravilla?🤷🏽‍♀️

[@bibabutzemann4640]

I would say nickerson gardens is more dangerous

[@ichygouvalle9715]

I saw this in gta

[@timothyknight2236]

And some things never change. Now the entire LA area looks/acts just like the Watts section of LA.

[@burprobrox9134]

“One of the largest” like man it’s not a huge effort to find out precisely

[@miker4671]

I was raised in Maywood Ca In thr 80's we would score weed at Imperial Courts No sweat You would hear those Uzi's go off constantly but no different than Maywood so basically we felt right at home

[@kenneybis1097]

Remember that time in 1985 when Philadelphia fire bombed that neighborhood full of crime?... 🤔 Remember?... Seems like it worked too

[@freetolook3727]

Why would you want to live there?

[@FaxChecker-rq5yv]

Back in the '50s?? When it was co-op/integrated? Sure! Why not!

[@DennisFreitas-bn7nh]

Again! Same people, same problems and same historys.

[@cwboydgo323]

West west !! To live and die in LA born and raised Yea I grew up in the Hollywood area we had a gang prob too I never went to the courts now that I’m a service tech I drive by pretty much on a weekly basis and tbh everything looks chill but that’s during the day can’t say for at night time

[@David-bg9od]

Its such a gross city

[@j2skillful]

Here! This is my hood lol

[@ITSHISTORY]

Thanks for watching! Expect many more California videos soon!

[@Doctor_Buckets]

My condolences

[@m.e.5482]

I see have plenty of racist fans of your content. Keep up the good work tho!

[@ElDJReturn]

It's disappointing to see how many racist comments there are.

[@joelcalderon7058]

I know :/

[@mygolfballsannoy]

Free speech..

[@fredrickjohnson9473]

@@mygolfballsannoy cool keep that same energy 👍

[@mygolfballsannoy]

@@fredrickjohnson9473 best way, that’s what makes America great

[@fredrickjohnson9473]

@@mygolfballsannoy yes sir

[@michaelhowell2326]

Isn't it strange how they rioted when the cops were found not guilty in the King beating but nobody rioted bc of the OJ Simpson case?

[@thermroberts380]

This comment would lead one to believe that you have zero critical thinking skills. Maybe you do, but being daft on purpose is never a good look..

[@calvinjefferson321]

Are you serious? You must not have seen the video back then. It clearly showed the Late Mr. Rodney King getting beat by those coward Police officers.For them too be found not guilty was BS and they knew that.

[@flhxri]

A recording studio will definitely stop the violence 😂

[@ligmasack9038]

Scott Adams is right!

[@cigarsgunsandgasoline8032]

7:00 ahh, mostly peaceful protesting!

[@m.hughmungus121]

Demographics...it's bc demographics. The homicide and rape rates in Stockholm V. Mogadishu look different because the people are different.

[@ShadowWizard123]

If that's true, explain Wakanda

[@FaxChecker-rq5yv]

​@@ShadowWizard123There could an unknown factor at play - one example is just that: an exception. An outlier. Also, stop liking your own comments - it makes you look weak.

[@m.hughmungus121]

@@ShadowWizard123 you mean that fictional country created by a Jewish writer?

[@dannydaw59]

You're comparing a rich country with law & order to a country with anarchy. Apples to oranges comparison.

[@FaxChecker-rq5yv]

@@ShadowWizard123 There's that tribe off India (?) - you know, the one that attacks even helicopters when approached - they've never had a mass shooting. Or a single shooting. Ever. Is it fair to say that this is a safe place to visit or migrate to? Yea.....

[@PhillieP215]

LA is the most segregated & racist city on the West Coast. That's Facts!

[@TheMomseloc]

Community led

[@YoungNino2017]

I wish

[@dosereviews]

Lazy bro

[@MrSiestaFiesta]

All of these sketchy areas have a color in common with each other...

[@throttleblip1]

And blame everyone but themselves

[@Not_You_2]

​@@throttleblip1 And riot, loot and then get government money handed to them because everything is burned down

[@cip6292]

Gee I wonder why these areas are so segregated and purposefully lack funding other areas that lack color get. 🤔

[@haywoodyoudome]

We should have picked our own cotton.

[@ONLYGOODleftistisaDEADleftist]

The good old days...

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

All housing projects across the country are failures. Until the residents develop a culture that respects law and order, they will suffer the consequence of their poor judgement.

[@ligmasack9038]

very true, but this is also a direct outcome of the Feminist Agenda as well.

[@nhzxboi]

It's got to pretty embarrassing to have to resort to pushing lame life insurance to make your way in this u tube world.

[@kazamenetworks7046]

Dude it's not like you're paying anything for his videos

[@ginsbergspancreas1361]

When you arent held accountable for your own human failures , become a Democrat

[@WyomingGuy876]

The pandering to and excusing making for the "Diversity Residents" is disgusting in this video.

[@bettyschnauber8238]

Not sure that you truly understand history if you think the president was named Johnston. Sorry thumbs down

[@ryshow9118]

MLK Jr. eventually learned that violence is sometimes necessary. His earlier,more innocent thought process eventually gave way to more radical action. It wasn't until he was no longer useful to the "centrists" that he was targeted and eventually assassinated. Burn everything to the ground until those in power understand where the power actually rests. ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@dannydaw59]

When did MLK ever resort to violence?

[@finn274]

Did he say MLK did any violence he said he learned that violence is needed you need to use your context clues my friend.

[@dannydaw59]

@finn274 MLK never said violence was necessary that's Malcolm X.

[@RCAvhstape]

You're just making that up to justify your own violent fantasies.

[@mikeb6085]

"We have the power to burn down our own neighborhoods!" lmao doubt the politicians care

[@ryanembry9875]

What could explain it?.. Um, diversity?

[@Not_You_2]

You're very misinformed; life in the projects has never been peaceful... any projects.

[@haywoodyoudome]

Like the saying goes "A smart man never relaxes around the blaxes".

[@rogerpenske2411]

Ryan, please never use the far left, divisive, racist, hate speech of “ African American” or “Hispanic”.

[@indianastan]

The phrase "" african American "" was started by Jesse Jackson back in the early 1990s. Nobody ever even heard that phrase before that.

[@visiondemedici6347]

Interesting subject, tastefully treated.

[@GeneralZapta213]

If anyone is interested in touring historic LA neighborhoods that most tourists dont get to see reply to this comnent and ill give you my number.

[@johnny1893]

BLM in a nutshell!

[@TheMomseloc]

ANTIFA ALSO

[@cip6292]

Y’all are obsessed with 2 movements against white supremacy. That says a lot.