Master of Arts in Visual Anthropology

Through the lens of a gripping documentary, Ujima Means Community immerses viewers in the complex web of environmental, social, and political factors that have perpetuated the crisis of contamination in South Central Los Angeles. Opened in 1972, Ujima Village was supposed to have been an oasis for over 600 working-class Black families in South Central Los Angeles. Against this backdrop, Ujima Means Community follows the tautology of yet another minority community abandoned by the leaders put in place to protect them; shedding light on the experiences of marginalized communities who have borne the brunt of pollution and highlighting the urgent need for systemic change. Told from the perspective of the last resident, Navaline Smith, community activist, Tim Watkins, and environmental researcher, Danielle Hoague; Ujima Means Community serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, inspiring audiences to take action and demand accountability from those in power.

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Running time: 25 minutes