Reliving the chaos that changed her home

Re “Watts Riots, 40 Years Later,” Aug. 11

I lived through the Watts riots. My family lived one block from 103rd Street, and I was working at the L.A. County-USC Medical Center (formerly General Hospital) on State Street. My mother called me at work to tell me to come home immediately because they were burning down Watts. I was 21 at the time.

When I arrived in Watts, I had to wait to get clearance to walk home. I was scared and frightened, listening to gunshots. Hiding under my bed was an experience. For six days I was angry.

I never realized that I lived in a poor ghetto area because blacks and whites worked and lived together for such a long period of time. Still, I have so many beautiful memories of Watts before the 1965 riots.

Such a very good article, which I will cherish.

CAROLE ALEXANDER

Los Angeles