47th ANNUAL WATTS SUMMER FESTIVAL HOSTS PRE-FESTIVAL FORUM TO ALLOW HEALING AFTER ZIMMERMAN ACQUITTAL

“Mental Health and Violence – Restoring Our Communities.”

By James Bolden

LOS ANGELES – Like most who watched television news in shock as the small disturbance in Leimert Park overshadowed a larger peaceful protest of the George Zimmerman acquittal, members of the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute (P.C.I.T.I.) Leadership Team were not surprised to see one of their interventionists breaking up fights between unsupervised youth. 

“We are trained to respond to a crisis, not to run away from it,” said Barbara Jett, sharing her experience with an audience attending “Mental Health and Violence – Restoring Our Communities,” a weekend community forum hosted by organizers of the historic Watts Summer Festival. The P.C.I.T.I. voluntarily patrolled the Crenshaw District following the disturbance.

Joining Jet on the panel were fellow P.C.I.T.I. Leadership Team members Nikko Deloney and Reno Williams and Doctors Lisa Bolden, Psy.D. and Rick Williamson, Ph.D., from the Emmada Psychology Center. The private practice specializes in providing culturally sensitive mental health services. The panel offered insight on how the community can empower itself and direct its anger in a more positive use.

The need to openly discuss racial prejudice and stereotyping has never been greater, as the Florida jury’s decision reignited the national debate. Over the past weeks, marches and protests have taken place in California and throughout the nation.

 “Racism and discrimination does not have to be overt to be damaging,” said Dr. Rick Williamson, who described how the everyday verbal, nonverbal or environmental slights can harm one’s psychological well-being.

Most area residents were disgusted by the display of out-of-control-youth rampaging through the Crenshaw District, in what many peaceful protesters described as an opportunity to terrorize the community. But while the anger is understood and venting is needed, many at the weekend forum stated that they must learn to express their feelings without resulting to violence.

The Watts Summer Festival facilitated the forum as part of its pre-festival activities for the annual event which kicks off this weekend at Ted Watkins Park. The event grew out of the 1965 Watts Revolt and was conceived in 1966 by members of the Watts’ community.

The P.C.I.T.I. can be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/PCITI-Worldwide/407155025976110. The Emmada Psychology Center can be reached by visiting http://emmadapsych.com.