Code 77: A Report from Watts

The looted stores are still vacant and the burned-out ones still heaps of rubble. But an ironic and ludicrous quality pervades Watts, for hoardes of investigators, analysts and reporters have descended upon the area with clip boards, tape recorders and questionnaires. At times it seems as if the temporary investigative population of the area outnumbers the real residents.

The Negroes have learned to give “proper responses.” Yes, they are bitter, yes, they are resentful, yes...